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The Pennsylvania Cable Network, PCN, together with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will broadcast a series showcasing Pennsylvania state parks again this summer.

It kicks off Sunday, June 28, with a visit to what I consider my state park: Cowans Gap in Fulton County. It's where my family has gone camping since I was little -- first in pop-up campers, then rented cabins.

The series will continue for 10 weeks, highlighting just some of the state's 117 state parks. York County's Codorus State Park will be featured Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

York County is pretty well known for its snack foods and motorcycles.

But did you know that a local textile mill produces material used in Hollywood films? That the country's oldest and largest wallcovering manufacturer has its products in more than 40 countries?

Learn these trivia tidbits and more during this year's Made in America Tours, June 17 to 20. More than 20 local factories will welcome the public onto the production floor to see how items are made.

New for this year's event, Historic York's Architectural Warehouse will present a guided tour showcasing stories of treasured architectural elements and historical furnishings.

For details, visit www.factorytours.org or call 1-888-858-YORK (9675).

This came into my inbox the other day and I thought it was cute enough to share. It's the Pennsylvania Tourism Office's latest ad campaign.

"Peter Arthur Stories" is an original Web series about a 22-year-old guy who blows off a job interview to motor around the state in an orange scooter. He's in search of a waitress who served him a piece of outstanding piece of shoofly pie years ago.

The 26-minute story is broken into four six-minute segments. Through June 30, those who view the series can enter to win one of 12 weekend getaways the tourism office is giving away.

Check out all four episodes here. Then come back here and add a comment with your thoughts.

Yesterday, friends and I spent the afternoon at Longwood Gardens' annual Wine & Jazz festival.

It was my first time at the festival, but not at the gardens.

I had been there a couple of years ago in August and enjoyed an evening fountain show where the fountains are choreographed to change color and spray in time to music.

This time, no dancing fountains, but tons and tons of blooming beds of tulips, climbing wisteria and other spring flowers. It was beautiful and got me in the mood to get outside and do some gardening of my own if the rain ever stops.

That's the neat thing about places like Longwood -- every season is different. I like this section on their Web site that lets you check out what's in bloom and on display when you plan to go.

Where are other good places to check out great displays of flowers and plants?

Head to Baltimore's Inner Harbor from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 25 for a day of free activities, live performances, 3-D chalk art and more.

Put on by Carnival Cruise Lines, the event celebrates the beginning of Baltimore's first year-round cruise service on the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride ship, which will arrive in Baltimore April 27. Cruises will depart from Inner Harbor for both an Eastern Caribbean itinerary and a Bahamas/Florida itinerary.

In addition to a Carnival fun booth and Camp Carnival Kid Zone, there will be an interactive aquarium, biodegradable balloon giveaways and a visit by Carnival's "Fun Ship Freddy" mascot.

Also, master sand sculptor Chuck Feld will create a detailed sand sculpture of the ship and Carnival's Guiness Book of World Records Beach Ball will be in McKeldin square so visitors can get their picture alongside it.

Throughout the day, Carnival Cruise ambassadors will hand out free "Fun Decoder" cards for people to register online for five chances to win a Carnival Cruise. For each person who registers, Carnival will donate a dollar to the Maryland Special Olympics.

It seems like there's always something new in Hershey.

Last year, it was the Fahrenheit roller coaster. Year before, The Boardwalk at Hershey water park inside the amusement park.

This year, they're expanding the water attractions with a SEAquel to The Boardwalk.

It opens Memorial Day weekend and features a wave pool called The Shore and a lazy river attraction called Intercoastal Waterway. They're putting it in the spot where Canyon River Rapids used to be. (In case you missed it, they demolished that ride). They'll also have 27 cabanas for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. No word yet on the rental fee.

If you go, post a comment here and let me know how it is. Also, I'm curious... what should Hershey add next year? Are you still planning to visit amusement parks with all the economic troubles?

Geppi's Entertainment Museum (GEM) at Camden Yards will offer dollar admission on days that the Orioles and Ravens play home games this year. Hours of operation will be extended on game days as well.

A tour guide, at a dollar per person, will be required for those who visit using the Game Day Special, bringing the total price to $2 per person. Regular adult admission is $10.

Other discounts available at GEM include; half-price Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last year, GEM introduced half-price Tuesdays, and it proved so popular, a second half-price day - Thursday - was added.

GEM also offers $2 off admission to those who "go green" with transportation and show a public transportation ticket when entering GEM (not valid with any other offers or discounts).

Geppi's Entertainment Museum at Camden Yards is located on the second floor at 301 W. Camden St., Baltimore. For details, call 410-625-7060, or visit www.geppismuseum.com.

I thought you'd enjoy learning a few more things I discovered while checking out the happenings in Punxsutawney today:

Ever wonder what they do once 7:30 is past and the morning prediction is over? Well, first of all, no alcohol is allowed at this family-friendly celebration. Here are a few highlights from the rest of the day's schedule:

*Noon -- Inner circle autograph session (what, with Phil?)
*All day -- Get your official groundhog day souvenirs.
*8 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- A sale of all things groundhog
*9 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- Phil's Wedding Chapel. The mayor of Punxsutawney performs wedding ceremonies. Couples must register in advance. What?!
*9:30 to 11 a.m. -- Celebrate your Feb. 2 birthday with cake and punch. Those with proof of ID get a free gift.
*11 a.m. -- Crowning of Little Mr. & Mrs. Groundhog. I bet the competition for that title is something fierce.

Oh, and at 12:30 p.m., they have a meterologist hall of fame induction.

My god, I really need to go to this town next year. Sounds too crazy.

Happy groundhog day.

Or -- based on Punxsutawney Phil's prediction -- not-so-happy groundhog day.

I thought it would be appropriate to use today's blog post to learn about Phil's hometown of Punxsutawney. Located nearly four hours from York, somewhere between Altoona and Pittsburgh, this town's claim to fame is its weather-forecasting groundhog.

According to the official site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club: "Early observances of Phil's predictions were conducted privately in the wooded areas that neighbor the town. Today's celebration sees tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world as revelers await Phil's appearance."

Visitors descend on the town as early as 3 a.m. to enjoy live entertainment, fireworks and freezing temperatures while waiting for a rodent to crawl out and tell them if it will ever get warm again.

I just got back from an evening in D.C. with the Susquehanna Travellers and the Victorian Dance Ensemble, two local groups invited to play at the Lincoln 2.0 Inaugural Ball at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery.