One of the best features of DCNR's annual Park Managers' conference (where Marci spent the first part of the week) is the awards ceremony, honoring staff and volunteers who have gone above and beyond. "Above and beyond" barely describes the experiences of Scotty Crowder, immediate past Chair of the Friends of White Clay Creek. Scotty always led the Friends with intelligence and the smooth Southern charm of his ancestry. In the position of Chair, he helped lead fundraising efforts for tree planting, historic restoration, and improvements to trails such as bridges and tread. When asked to accept the position as co-chair of the task force to create a workable master plan for Big Elk Creek State Park, Scotty agreed.

Here's some more good news from Friends - the Friends of R.B. Winter sent a report on their fun-filled 2025 Snowfest. Write the Friends, "When all is said and done, between the silent auction, the sale of merchandise by the Friends, and donations, you helped to raise more than $5,000 for R. B. Winter State Park in a single afternoon! Your support of this wonderful slice of Penns Woods means the world to all of us. We can't thank everyone who came out to enjoy an afternoon in the park, the generous donors to the silent auction, the Mid-Penn Trailblazers, R. B. Winter Concessions, the staff from R. B. Winter State Park, the representatives from the various organizations, and all of our volunteers enough for everything that you did to make the afternoon such a success."

We second those thanks and add our congratulations!