I'm thinking that everyone's nearly whiplashed from the sun/snow/rain/wind circus. A friend of ours who lives just over the border in Maryland posted on Monday, "What a glorious day to plant a garden." The next day? Six inches of snow. So all right. It's going to end. It just has to - and it better do it now because Bill and I are on the way home next weekend. There won't be a Take Five next week as our worldly possessions will be getting stowed aboard Black Beauty, our minivan. We'll see you in the Laurel Highlands, where I am sure it is already green and blooming. Isn't it?

For now, this beautiful shot of a snowy sunrise from Presque Isle State Park was photographed by Bruce Berchtold. Check out the original.

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

I do so hate to start the news on a sad note but the Harrisburg and paddling communities lost a champion this week with the passing of Pat Reilly. If you looked up "character" in the dictionary, you would surely find a picture of Pat - he was the river rat's river rat with a passion for the Susquehanna matched by few. He led outings for the Sierra Club and its local Inspiring Connections Outdoors (formerly the Inner City Outings program) bringing a taste of the outdoors to youngsters who might otherwise never have known what that felt like. Read more about Pat and his contributions in the article from the Pennsylvania Sierra Club's Sylvanian magazine (p. 12).

I was personally grateful for Pat's involvement with Sierra Club since I moved to the area in 1989 but knew literally nothing about the place. I took a job with a local attorney who was chair of the Governor Pinchot Group which was having its struggles with recruiting volunteers. Basically becoming the Group outings chair became part of my job. Needless to say, there were few successful outings during my tenure! But then along came Pat and things changed significantly - much to the benefit of the local recreational community. Paddle on, Patrick.

Oh, dear. And more sad news. As of this writing, it seems the Hanover eagles who are closely watched by so many via the Game Commission's nest webcam have lost a battle for their nest with an intruding female eagle. Pittsburgh's eagles along the Great Allegheny Passage in Hays seem to be doing fine for now with two eggs being incubated.

Register Now - Walk May 19!

At work and play in the parks and forests

Given my expected absence next week, we'll stretch our focus here a bit. But especially this weekend check with your favorite park about scheduling. Hikes may become snowshoe outings or it might all melt!

North

They'll be looking for signs of spring at Sinnemahoning tomorrow afternoon with an easy walk. Next Saturday you're invited to watch the Blue Moon rise over Black Moshannon, with a small contribution in the bucket for refreshments.

South

Don't forget the opening at Shawnee of the Photo Showcase Gallery with winners of the PPFF photo contest from 2017 on display beginning Thursday evening, March 29. Ribbon-cutting at 4:30 PM. Come the weekend Easter Egg Hunts are the order of the day with the Friends of Prince Gallitzin and Pinchot Park Lions Club decorating their respective parks on Saturday the 31st.

East

Tomorrow morning at Nockamixon there'll be a Spring Snow Hike, then hang around for an afternoon of Natural Egg Dyeing (registration required). Next weekend the Tyler Park Center for the Arts presents a program on Manibigama Wood Kiln Firing. A cost is involved but the products will be beautiful.

West

Tomorrow afternoon at the Point register to see what early spring birds might be meeting at the confluence of the three rivers downtown. Then, yes! Another Easter Egg hunt. This one with the Friends of Keystone.

These egg hunts are a proud Pennsylvania tradition apparently. I am puzzled to report that here in Wakulla County, Florida they will be dropping eggs from a helicopter next Saturday afternoon. I am kind of glad we won't be here to see that!

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

Here's a lovely shot submitted to our 2016 photo contest of our Forest of the Year, Rothrock, from Photographer Sam who loves a good vista in any weather.

Take five for trivia

That's quite a mouthful isn't it? A 125th anniversary is a quasquicentennial. Should you be inclined to look the word up in your Funk & Wagnalls as suggested oh, so long ago by Dan Rowan and Dick Martin (no, you youngsters have no idea what I am talking about), you will be as amused as I to read this article on the history of the word.

Marci suggested a quiz to find how many words you can make using the letters of "quasquicentennial." You have two weeks, so go for it. We had a shortage of trivia questions this month so whoever makes the most real words out of it will take the March prize.

Send in your answer and we'll go from there.

From the PPFF Facebook page. Perspective helps!

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 1% for the Planet and is a Gold GuideStar Participant.