Our site visit to Kocher Park (not far from Ricketts Glen State Park) was interesting because not all was wild and wooly! This great frog sculpture is just one of the interesting features we found as we walked through the park along Fishing Creek. Our interpretive work will include the history of the family that made it possible, the wetland environment that attracts a great variety of birds and the story of the recent flood and stream restoration that is taking place. Bio-girl Stephanie Singer heads up the project through the CC and you can get information at the Columbia County Conservation District, www.columbiaccd.org. – Kitty

Google has a pretty neat way of changing up their logo and bringing visitors to their site; they have Google Doodles which are created to celebrate holidays, anniversaries and birthdays of artists as well. It’s a pretty cool way of making their homepage more exciting for users (I know I check every day to see what new logo art I might see). Todays, pictured here, was done in celebration of Diego Rivera’s 125th birthday. His mural paintings weren’t only beautiful art, they also played a major role in the Mexican Mural Movement…not to mention make a fantastic Google logo! Pretty cool way of creating different takes on a simple logo…and sharing a little bit of art history in the process. -Mary

We’re sure your techie nephew can build you a basic website, but we don’t just do basic…we build professional, customized websites. When it comes to the web, we can handle all of your needs. We excel in creating inspiring, personalized designs and applying the latest online marketing strategies to get you noticed. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you. – Jon

The DCNR State Park Management Plan Writers’ Team meeting was a success… especially the food. It brought out the old animal instinct in everyone. Other than that it all went well… G&D produced materials for the meeting including a Powerpoint presentation, a Writer’s Journeybook guidebook, a G&D Recent Projects card, and some very nifty tree branch pens. -Curt

We had our first site visit for Ricketts Glen State Park. A gorgeous fall day, Jon and I went to meet/greet/hike and see how visitors can enjoy the experience by taking away things to think about, as well as visual memories. Waterfalls, huge hemlocks, a trail for the adventurous…our State Park hosts were fun, informative, and all about the cookies we brought! We’ll be working on wayside signs and the Visitor Center soon. But next time I want to stay at one of their cabins!! Here I am at one of the sign sites in a neat little pavilion. Come visit!

Hello! I’m Mary and I’m a new designer and production assistant here at Graphics & Design. I grew up in Purchase Line, Pennsylvania and moved here to State College to attend South Hills School of Business & Technology majoring in Graphic Arts. Recently graduated, I have begun my first real life experience  as a designer here at G&D…and I’m loving it! A lot of new experiences as well as a lot of learning working here at an agency versus being in a classroom all day; it has been great! Aside from being a new designer one of my favorite favorite things is music…my iPod is always nearby. I have a great appreciation for fine art as well. So, that’s just a little bit about me! I’m looking forward to learning more here and moving forward as a designer.

This was on the news today and is the best photo I’ve seen in a long time. If you go to Los Angeles Times, download the video, the guy in the kayak is interviewed, really funny in his black Speedo. Kitty

I’d like to introduce Samantha Lynn Pelky. She was born October 9, 2011. She was 8lbs. 2oz. and 20in. long. She is my first child and it has been a truly amazing experience. I think my wife and I have experienced every emotion humanly possible in the past 10 months. Like many have said, no matter how much you plan, you’re never ready for what’s about to happen. What I found most interesting through it all, though, has been the wealth of opinions we’ve received on how to care for her, from friends and family, to the medical field. Everyone has been very nice about and no one has been pushy, but everyone has something different to offer. Most surprising and a little concerning to me is that every medical professional also has differing opinions. I thought maybe they’d be on the same page, but I guess not.

My sister gave us the best advice and is what I feel holds most true. Every parent is different and every baby is different. Do what you feel is right. If you feel in your gut that it is right for your baby, then it probably is. Don’t get caught up in the numbers and schedules that you get hammered with, it will drive you crazy. Just go with what she tells you she needs and you’ll be fine. And believe me, she’ll definitely tell you. Its been very stressful and tiring, but I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. Becoming a father is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me and its only just begun. Jon

The Lt. Michael P. Murphy award in geospatial intelligence is named in honor of this distinguished PSU medal of honor recipient. A lapis stone, from the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan, known for awakening intuition and insight, is embedded with an inscription in an acrylic pyramid. We were honored to be part of it.