Short strange week, right? Returning to work after vacation and then having the Independence Day holiday right there on a Tuesday has managed to leave me pretty discombobulated.

While we are still awaiting the final details of the spending plan, it seems that most of DCNR's past funding has been restored allowing the agency to hold steady. That's good news certainly - and your support is genuinely appreciated.

Our long term goal MUST BE, however, to ensure that DCNR is not merely funded at current levels but is FULLY funded to meet all of the parks' and forests' (and Pennsylvanians') needs.

Thanks to everyone who made their views known to the PA Legislature and Governor Wolf. You made a difference. One legislator told us he had received over 38 calls. Thanks for sharing your passion!

You could almost think the parks and forests were sending their thanks, too, when you see the beautiful shot from Beltzville State Park that graces our masthead. When was the last time you saw a rainbow like that one?!

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

What are you doing next Thursday evening (July 13)? If you happen to be in the CapCity, stop by Cafe Fresco on North Second Street from 5:00 until 7:00 and join PPFF in a Beat the Heat Happy Hour. It's going to be lots of fun with prizes, special drinks and appetizers, personable Big Name Bartenders, and all of us from PPFF hanging out and soaking up the atmosphere. We hope to see you there!

It's just starting to get interesting in the annual photo contest! Have you sent your entries yet? If you need inspiration, check out the winners from last year's contest on display beginning this weekend in conjunction with the Caledonia State Park Art & Craft Fair. The photos will be on site through July 22.

Some very creative support mechanisms have been put into place for the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Shelters Fund. Dane of Feathered Prop has created a tee shirt for the trail with proceeds to benefit the Shelters Fund. We're also talking with Dale Yohe, an LHHT aficionado who is starting a patch company called Proper Patch Co. He's created a patch and sticker he'll be making available to us perhaps as incentives for donations or a sales item. He's hiking; I was on vacation. So details to follow. But it's a neat design, no? 

And, oh yes, we've raised $2,000 of our $14,000 requirement so far. Thanks to all who have contributed; spread the word and share the love. 

At work and play in the parks and forests

First full weekend of the month - and lots in store. 

North

Look up in the sky and quite often you see the moon. But how much attention do you really pay to it? You'll have the opportunity to do a concentrated study at a Lunar Viewing Night at Cherry Springs tomorrow.

South

Tomorrow morning you can do a Micro Hike at Little Buffalo State Park - not micro in distance, micro in focus!

East

What can be better than a campfire story? Share some at Lackawanna State Park tomorrow evening.

West

Enjoy Yoga on the Beach tomorrow morning at Keystone. Namaste!

No matter what region of the commonwealth you want to visit, our website Events and the DCNR Calendar of Events are great sources for things to see and do. Bookmark them!

Picture of the week

The Boss took this lovely photo of the Town of Milton and its river view while on a visit to the Friends of Milton last week. As she mentioned on the Facebook post, visitors to our state parks support 12,000 jobs in the surrounding communities. Not a bad return on investment!

Take five for trivia

In my absence last week, Amanda asked what two Pennsylvania national parks started out as Pennsylvania state parks and honor our fight for independence. Valley Forge and Independence Mall were the two.

Congratulations to Milford Laura who is our Random Winner for June.

To begin July fun and games, let us keep our attention on history and Caledonia State Park. For such a small place, it is packed with unusual features/attractions (including this weekend's Art and Craft Fair, a 35-year tradition). Name just one other unusual reason to visit.

Send in your answer and we'll enter your correct response into our monthly prize drawing. All correct answers each week will go into the hat and at the end of the month we'll draw one lucky winner. The more correct answers you submit in a month (up to four or the occasional five depending on the month), the more chances you'll have to win.

July is National Ice Cream Month. I don't know about you, but this is one "National Month" that I have no trouble at all celebrating!

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization - contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. The official registration and financial information of PPFF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll-free within Pennsylvania, to 800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare and is a Gold GuideStar Participant.