The week's message will be brief and graphic-heavy, with apologies for last week's silence. After two years of avoidance, the dread COVID got me. Thank heaven I was vaxxed and at least single-boosted. I wish I hadn't procrastinated on that second booster but I am going to get past this, slow go though it may be.

As I have been lying on the couch alternately watching pointless rom coms, sleeping, and staring out the window I have seen the first of the leaves from our neighbors' giant sycamore begin to fall gently on our roofs. I admit to not being sorry to see the end of this particularly challenging summer, cheated as I feel I have been on visits to the lake beach and rides on the Great Allegheny Passage. 

No matter, fall is a lovely time for cycling. All the best to you on this Labor Day Weekend. Go outside and play if at all possible! A holiday picnic in a lovely little gem like Ravensburg State Park is a great way to enjoy the days.

Are you ready to tackle this month's paint by number from artist Melodie Swartz Higgins? Her depiction of photographer Bruce Walkovich's elk family portrait should serve to get you inspired to pay a visit to Pennsylvania's wild herd in person.

When you only have enough brain cells and energy for a few photos, you better make sure that at least one of them is of the Milky Way. Thanks to Shawn Grenninger for this one from Hyner View State Park. This will be a jigsaw puzzle to keep you busy for a little while. 

Look at this lovely crew, happy to be outside on a beautiful summer day! Thanks to Maintenance Guy Bill for the tour of Greenwood Furnace last week for board and staff and to Cleo Fogal for snapping this terrific shot. 

Standing (L to R): Vice Chair Tina Molski, Public Engagement Coordinator Brian Swift, Board Members Paul Fogal and Brian Clark, Chair Brad Mallory, Treasurer Jim Grace, Board Member Eric Madden, Bookkeeper Bernadette Howard, President Marci Mowery. Seated (L to R): Me, Secretary Mary Soderberg, Board Member Mary Hirst.

Missing were Jenna Behringer, Office Assistant, out keeping the home fires burning, and Board Members George Fernandez, Mark Longietti, Maria Montero, and Eric Williams. Kate Harper arrived JUST after the photo was snapped. Timing is everything!

Congratulations to Tammy from W-B, our random August trivia winner. 

We will kick off September trivia with an elk question - does our majestic Mr. Elk in Melodie's paint by number control the herd?

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.