In honor of the holiday, Fridays is taking a breather this week with just a few items of news and interest. The masthead was taken from the Pennsylvania Photography with Uncovering PA Book of Faces from Independence Hall. 

I think the Fife & Drum corps will make a fun and festive jigsaw puzzle. 

Let's all go out and party like we're 249!

As we celebrate our Independence this weekend, key among the freedoms to be honored is that preserved by the First Amendment - the right to petition the government. 

How timely then is your opportunity (to be found easily on the Take Action Center of the PPFF website) where you can weigh in on the state budget negotiations and their impact on the state parks and forests.

Our map below shows the areas of the Commonwealth where activists have already used their outside voices. Lots of gray still to be made blue. Whoops! I need to make sure Somerset County gets its highlight! 

If your park hops take you to Chapman, give the Friends of Chapman a high five. They are among the newest of our PPFF chapters and they certainly hit the ground running - or the water paddling - with the installation of the latest ADA kayak launch in the system. Made possible by a donation from a generous mother and son duo, Barbara Swift Suckow and Kyle R. Suckow, the launch is the latest but NOT last of the accessible launches fulfilling our mission to bring the outdoors to everyone and everyone to the outdoors. 

In looking for fun this weekend, the DCNR Calendar has a plethora. Stomp a stream, ride a boat, hike a trail, identify a bird or a tree or a fish or an elk. 

Or support your local friends group. These fine folks have fun on tap this weekend.