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As promised, I grabbed a few of my co-workers and we crossed the street to check out Liquid, the new martini & tapas bar on Main Street in Stroudsburg.  I think we all had the same reaction upon entering the bar - WOW, what a great addition to Stroudsburg!  The décor is modern, eclectic and sharp.  Our bartenders Robin and Kyle took wonderful care of us.  I personally sipped the following martinis: Goose Bumps (Grey Goose Vodka, dash of Remy Martin and olives), Carmel Covered Apple (apple vodka, apple Pucker and splash of sour), Asian Paradise (pear vodka, pear sake, pineapple, grenadine and pear sugar), Sweet Kiss Goodnight (raspberry vodka, peach schnapps and fresh fruit) M&M Martini (honey mango melon vodka, Cointreau and mango puree) and my absolute favorite (which is NOT on the printed menu) the Bellini Martini (champagne, peach schnapps and fresh peaches) absolutely delicious.  I also tasted a delectable specialty drink from their cocktails menu, a Caipirnha made with Cachaca, lime and simple syrup, it happens to be one of Mark's (my boyfriend) favorites and I am definitely putting it on my favorites list as well. 

My co-workers and I decided we had to try a variety of tapas to go along with our mouthwatering martinis.  We chose Chicken Spring Rolls, Tuna Tartar and Chicken Quesadillas.  They all came out of the kitchen looking like works of art and tasting delightful.  After my first visit I was hooked!  I have to admit that I have been back again and highly recommend the steamed clams, the battered eggplant, the white pizza and their stuffed chicken.  Words don't do justice to how scrumptious the food is or how exciting it is to have a new state-of-the-art dining facility on Main Street.  The revitalization of our downtown continues in a big way. Please plan a daytime or overnight outing to Stroudsburg and take in the fall foliage, shop at our one-of-a-kind boutiques and eat, drink and be merry.  I promise you it can all be done on Main Street in beautiful downtown Stroudsburg.  

Next week I will give you an inside look on where you can catch your favorite football teams on the big screens in our four counties.  Also, don't forget to send me your unique blog ideas for upcoming issues!  Ciao for now...

However, this year's peak color weekend is different than most. Over the course of the weekend, some parts of our region, particularly the northern parts, are predicted to see up to 4 or 5 inches of snow. Be sure to check out our Twitter page and see how they really come alive with a white blanket of snow on the ground. 

But don't confuse fall for winter just because there is snow on the ground! Head out to Fall Foliage Weekends in Jim Thorpe for some great shopping, dining and entertainment. Travel to Milford to see some of the best full-length independent films, short films and lectures, in addition to life-sized painted bears at the Black Bear Film Festival. Shawnee Mountain will also be celebrating fall this weekend with their Balloon and Timber Festival featuring scenic chairlift rides, lumberjack events and my personal favorite, the Friday night balloon glow.

So get out in the Pocono Mountains and enjoy this peak color weekend's unique and picturesque state!

The life of a self-proclaimed socialista is never dull or boring.  I had a fun-filled, three-day weekend I couldn't wait to share with you. Friday began with a trip up to Pocono Raceway to watch the Bertil Roos racing series practice on one of the many road courses. If you feel the need for speed, this is a great way to quench that thirst. You can partake in a half-day adventure or sign up for 3 or 5-day course.  I can't begin to describe the feeling that overcomes you as you come into a turn staring at the boards, hit the apex and drift out. It's truly exhilarating.  Check out their website for scheduling and prices. 

Met up with the race boys at Louie's Prime for dinner on Friday evening.  The meals around the table ranged from a crisp beefsteak tomato and fresh mozzarella salad to a succulent veal marsala all were met with rave reviews. Louie's offers a pleasant atmosphere for  groups like ours to intimate dining for two.  Four bottles of wine and several cocktails later we were ready for Saturday.

Saturday evening started with cocktails around the bar at Nick's Lake House as the staff put the finishing touches on our banquet room.  I chose filet mignon as my entree and it was phenomenal!  My boyfriend Mark had the halibut and raved about it for the rest of the evening.  If you are looking for a spectacular view of the sunset over Lake Harmony, this is the place to go!  

Sunday afternoon brought blue skies and gorgeous fall foliage as the background for a wedding we attended at Mountain Springs Lake Resort.  The brilliant reds, oranges and yellows were the perfect complement to the Lodge as we sipped delicious refreshments on the patio.  Mountain Springs is the perfect place for a wedding, corporate event or relaxing getaway with the ones you love.  It boasts 325 private wooded acres and a 76-acre spring fed lake.  Tranquility and peace of mind all wrapped up just for you!

For 21 weeks a year Sundays are made for football.  We make plans for friends to come over to watch our favorite team or we all head to a local bar to breathe in some of the excitement.  Then there are those of us who spend hundreds of dollars a year purchasing the NFL Sunday Ticket to be sure we don't miss a single minute of the action.  Knowing this, there is no denying football is a social sport.  What would we do if we couldn't harass our friends about how terrible their team played the previous week or what a shame it is that their star player was traded or occasionally relish in the fact that our team signed a franchise quarterback?  How could we manage for 21 Sundays without the pigskin hitting the dirt or yellow flags flying?  

This was a tough football week for many of us; let's hope this Sunday brings tight offenses, strong defenses and fewer yellow flags!  If you love the game of football the way I do and you enjoy sharing your love with friends, as well as complete strangers check out the following establishments in the Pocono Mountains where you can catch the football fever, have some wings and a pint or two! Go Bears...

Sarah Street Grill - Stroudsburg, PA
Shenanigans - Lake Harmony, PA
The Boat House - Hawley, PA
Apple Valley - Milford, PA

Next week it's all about ghosts, ghouls and goblins.  Ciao for now...

October is a scary month for many reasons. One, it gets cold which is scary for me because I hate to be cold.  Two, the leaves fall off the trees leaving us with tree carcasses where once beautiful landscaping stood. And three, October brings us witches, ghost, goblins and stories from the dark side. 

Ghost stories have been a significant part of our Pocono Mountains history.  Books have been written about the haunting of our resorts, the unexplained whispering heard in the bogs and forests and the mysterious disappearance of entire families.  Folk lore or non-fiction, we may never know  if these stories are true, but if you are looking for a scary treat this Halloween join the Pocono Paranormal Research Team at Skytop Lodge for the resorts Spoo-Tacular event this weekend.   According to John Hotchkiss of the Pocono Paranormal Research team, there are certain areas of Skytop that are definitely HAUNTED.

Why not pack your bags and spend a few nights listening for the voices from beyond, searching for the ghosts of guests past or making your own haunting memories.  This is a perfect weekend for a "trip-and-treat" to the Pocono Mountains! 

Give me your ideas for next week's blog!  Ciao for now!

Our "date" night started at the posh Liquid Martini Bar in Stroudsburg.  It was my husband's first time there and my second.  We took our seats at the bar and mulled over the impressive martini menu for a few minutes.  After some tough decisions, I went with the Chocolate Covered Banana Martini and he went with the Asian Paradise Martini.  Both were extremely tasty.  After sipping on our martinis, Carl felt compelled to have a Jim Beam neat.  I guess drinking a fruity Martini was a little bit out of his element.  Once we had our drinks and made two calls home (to check on the baby) we headed to Mount Airy Casino Resort to watch Frank Sinatra Jr. perform Sinatra Sings Sinatra. 

When we entered the lounge, we were escorted to our seats in the second row where we were greeted by a cocktail waitress.  While savoring my delicious beverage, the seven piece orchestra started to perform.  As the lights turned low, Frank Jr. appeared on the stage and started to sing.  What an entertainer!  He told great stories in between songs and performed just like his father, Ol' Blue Eyes.  Some of the songs he sang included I've Got you Under My Skin, Luck Be a Lady Tonight and last but not least New York, New York.

After the show was over, my husband and I headed back to the VIP lounge to meet Frank Jr. and have our picture taken with him.  He talks just as smoothly as he sings and sounds just like his father. The VIP lounge was impressive, we had the opportunity to relax with some cocktails and indulge in some scrumptious appetizers... complimentary of course.  However, we decided it was getting late and we wanted to get home to our little guy, even though he was sound asleep. 

Our night turned out better than I could have ever imagined. It was absolutely perfect! Who wouldn't love delectable cocktails, second row seating and a VIP Lounge where you get to meet the performer?  It is a night my husband and I won't soon forget. 

My favorite month has arrived.  I love everything about the month of October... the weather, the colors and all of the merriment make it so exciting!  This year, I plan on doing more than ever before because I can share all the excitement with my son, Nicholas. 

Yesterday, Nicholas and I went to a local farm stand and purchased three large mums and one perfectly round pumpkin for my newly landscaped front lawn.  It looks pretty darn nice, if I say so myself.  I suggest visiting one of the many locally owned farm stands in any of the four counties of the Pocono Mountains.  Be sure not to forget the apple cider! The farm stand was not all we did yesterday.  We searched high and low for the perfect costume for Nicholas's first Halloween.  Sad to say, we did not have any luck.  As a matter of fact, I am not sure what kind of costume I should get him.  That is why I need your help.  I would like your ideas and suggestions for his first Halloween costume.  Let me hear from you!

I hope Nicholas enjoys this time of year as much as his daddy and I do.  The Pocono Mountains offers so much for families, that sometimes it's hard to decide what we are going to do next.  Some of my favorite places to visit during this time of year include Bushkill Falls, Country Junction, Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, Lake Wallenpaupack and Big Pocono State Park.  Little does Nicholas know, but he is always going to be on the go.

On the corner of Route 715 and 191 stands what is left of the creepy old Henryville House.  Although most of it has been demolished, there are still a few buildings left on the property, as well as a big eerie gap where this once prominent resort stood.  Prior to it being torn down, my husband and I would slow down when we drove by so we could get a good look at it, hoping to see something out of the ordinary.  We never did see anything but stories involving death, suicide, ghostly sites and frightening noises are synonymous with the Henryville House.

According to many locals, the property was active with supernatural occurrences.  Legend has it that the hotel was haunted by several adult male and female ghosts, as well as a few children.  It has been said that many tragic events occurred while the hotel was still in business. One of the stories is about a hotel maid who ended her life by hanging herself.  I have heard the stories about what sounds like children laughing and playing in the abandoned building, and was told that if you bring lollipops and teddy bears to the building you would see these particular items move on their own.

I don't know if the property is haunted but it most certainly is spooky to look at and it gives off a very creepy vibe.  If you happen to be driving in that area, take a look.  But beware it is private property, trespassing is not allowed.  Maybe someone should tell that to the ghosts! 

Having lived in the Pocono Mountains my entire life, I have heard many legends and lore of the area's alleged hauntings. These stories have always fascinated me and with Halloween just around the corner, I thought that it might be fun to visit a few of the places which are said to have resident ghosts.

So... my friend and I decided to have a ghoul's night out. We had a "spooktacular" time and began our evening at the Legendary Tannersville Inn, located on Route 611 in Tannersville, for early dinner. (The Inn's food is delicious.) This old Inn dates back to 1847 and as the story goes, at least one of the original guests has yet to check out! According to the Inn's general manager, a young colonial boy was hit by a stagecoach and carried into the Inn. A short time later, the boy's life on this earth expired inside the Inn. We were told that someone staying in one of the rooms awoke to a boy dressed in colonial clothing standing at the foot of the bed. The same child has also been sighted in the restaurant/bar area. The hotel part of the Inn is no longer in operation but when it was it had 13 rooms. How creepy is that?

Our evening continued at The Hotel of Horror in Saylorsburg, a popular choice for today's terror of excitement! A once upscale inn and restaurant, which is said to have been haunted for as far back as I can remember, is open for guests, if you dare. It will frighten even the bravest of souls. The actors have been spooked by spooks.  Many spirits are believed to reside here. It may have been my imagination but as I was finding my way down one of the stairways, I felt a cold spot. The chill went right through me. Oh and did you see my photo... after life is present! Make an advance reservation and get your "fast pass" to discover what lies beneath those blood-soaked walls.

One would think that my appetite for the paranormal would have been satisfied, at least until next Halloween but, there was one more place that I had to visit, Memorytown located on Grange Road in Mount Pocono. Memorytown is of special interest to me as it was the estate of my great-great grandparents. The property became a popular resort. The bar and restaurant remain open to the public and although accommodations are no longer offered, it is believed that three guests have stayed on. One of which is known as the "Lady in Gray", a fair skinned older woman all dressed in gray that appears to be sewing. Could this be my great-grandma?

There are many places in our four-county, Pocono Mountains region that are believed to have paranormal activity. Is it possible that no matter where you may be this Halloween season that you may not be alone even if you think you are? HAPPY HAUNTINGS!!!

Originally built in 1901 in the middle of the gorgeous Buck Hill Falls community, the Inn consisted of 18 rooms. During the height of its popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, it grew to over 400 rooms and was named one of the top ten convention centers in the United States. It was a luxurious place to be and be seen. However, due to its popularity, several sites claim that 73 deaths, including many suicides and murders, took place in the Inn from its opening until its close in 1991.

While the Inn was still in operation, some visitors claim they would hear strange noises, witness ghosts, see things move by themselves and other paranormal activities. I cannot attest to these stories because one, I am too much of a chicken to venture anywhere near the Inn and two, it is illegal to trespass on the property.

However, one of my best friends lives in this community and I often pass the Inn at night. To me, the Inn is extremely creepy during the day, but it takes on a whole new sight in the nighttime. In some of the rooms of the Inn, there must be mirrors because every time I pass, I always see a light shine back at me. I am hoping that this is the reflection of my headlight. Otherwise, for my sanity, I am going to convince myself that it is.

Although the grandiose Inn has gorgeous architecture and historical beauty, there is something about the abandoned building that really makes my skin crawl. Drive past it and see for yourself but remember it is illegal to trespass on the property. Many people have tried this feat and have either been arrested or charged with a hefty fine.

Also, if you are in the market to buy, the property is for sale to anyone looking to restore the building into a hotel, luxury condominiums and/or townhomes. I just have one request of the future owner, please rid it of all the ghosts first.

Happy Halloween everyone and enjoy your weekend!