Photo by Gene DeRochemont
Swatara State Park

It's nice to have standard time back. But then, selfishly, it's because I get up early and am happy to have daylight for a morning walk. It was kind of funny, though - Bill had a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and so it kind of threw the whole day off. We got home, made a little supper, and he sat down to relax. We started a movie and realized it was only 6:30. Felt like ... 7:30? 

Cooler temperatures are ahead beginning this weekend so here's to wrapping up in a cozy sweater and kicking through the last of the fallen leaves. Maybe take your favorite veteran along tomorrow and buy her or him or them a nice mug of cider in thanks!

As for the masthead, indeed why would you want to go any faster there than that?

I'm tickled to feature photos from four rarely featured locales, including two Conservation Areas. 

This regular feature is on hiatus for now; be sure to put a bookmark on the PPFF Events calendar and DCNR Calendar of Events so you don't miss a chance to participate in something fun over the next few months.

Eagle Eye Larry (professional journalist no less) caught my typo from last week: "Believing there is no such thing as bad weather, only poorly chosen closing ..." Yes, that's to be "clothing."  Trivia-wise, NOAA says that Pennsylvania's 2023-2024 winter season is supposed to be (a) above normal temperatures and normal to below normal snowfall.

That's all down to our being in an El Nino year. 

Of course, apparently the Old Farmers Almanac says the exact opposite! 

Noting that two of our photos of the week are of "conservation areas," what is one significant feature of a DCNR-designated conservation area?

Enter each week to increase your chances of a fabulous prize at the end of the month when I'll draw one entry from all correct answers received during the month.

Next Friday is the day-long Day of Extraordinary Giving fondly known as ExtraGive through the Lancaster County Community Foundation and its wonderful sponsoring organizations. If you've been with us for a while, you know that it is an important day on the fundraising calendar and we try to mix things up each year with some fun and prizes. A little hint - dark and milk chocolate will be going head to head in a fundraising match up for the perfect s'mores ingredient. 

Should be fun! Our fundraising portal opens at midnight Friday (November 17) at extragive.org/organizations/pennsylvania-parks-and-forests-foundation but next week's Fridays will tell more of the tale!

Celebrating Young Readers' Day
Wednesday, November 14th

Quote: Oft attributed to Margaret Fuller, it may actually have been written in 1926 by a student named W. Fusselman from the West Orange Essex County (NJ) Technical School.

Photo: Frontiers in Science Blog