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With constant access to email, internet and thousands of applications to choose from, it seems as if everyone is going smart, with smart phones that is. These efficient gadgets make life easier with a hand-held tool which can do almost anything you ask of it. As sad as it may be, I feel powerless without mine.

As great as this technology is, it has not been perfected. I cannot express the frustration of logging onto the internet, only to not be able to read the print or use all of its features. This problem only escalates when you are travelling and have no other online option to turn to. This is why 800poconos.com has a mobile counterpart!

Its ease of navigation allows any mobile user to find exactly what they are looking for in seconds.  From the size of the text to the categories displayed, this mobile site was designed with the consumer in mind. Any information you could desire while travelling in our region can be found on this site.

Head to www.800poconos.com on any mobile device and try it for yourself! I promise this site will only foster tranquility on your next visit to the Pocono Mountains.

Happy Thanksgiving! When it's Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania, that means another holiday is right around the corner!  That's right...deer season.  Next Monday and Tuesday mark the opening days of our statewide rifle season.  Hunters in the Pocono Mountains will be enjoying their feast, all the while thinking about the big buck they hope to see in a few days. 

Our four-county region is known for its humongous bear, but we have plenty of large deer too.  I remember last year, just a few minutes from my house, I saw a huge 10-point surrounded by onlookers and a very proud hunter.  Popular places to hunt include areas within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and our state parks like Hickory Run and Tobyhanna.  State game lands are always a viable option, too.  Tis' the season of giving, and as such, you can donate your deer if you have no room or use for the venison.  Visit sharedeer.org for more information on where to go.

 I'm not sure where I'll go hunting this year.  But no matter where I go in the Pocono Mountains, I know I have a great chance to see some action.  More importantly, I'll be able to spend time with people I don't get to see very often.  Hunting is like fishing to me, in that my time in the woods is made infinitely more enjoyable when I can share it with a family member or close friend.  It's all about the camaraderie that can only be found in hunting camps and local diners at 4 am.  One of my most frequent hunting partners said something recently that echoes this sentiment, "I don't care if I never shoot a deer again" he said.  One more thing:  Safety First.  There are deer hunting related accidents every year in the Commonwealth.  Be sure of your target and wear plenty of orange out there.  Good luck and let me know how you make it.  I'd love to hear about your trophy deer, especially those found right here in the Pocono Mountains! Happy hunting.

Ready or not, the time has come.  Thursday may be the holiday we are celebrating this week, but I know many of you are just as excited to start or finish your Christmas shopping. That's where I come in... with everything you need to know about conquering The Crossings Premium Outlets and their Midnight Madness Sale.

Thursday evening kicks off their Midnight Madness Event. After you have your fill of turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing, be sure to squeeze in a nap before the Madness begins. You should check out The Crossings special offers and plan your strategy. You'll want to get there early as the main parking lot is filled by 1am! Plan you attack by searching for the best deals and a layout of all the stores, there is no time to waste! 

Many of the stores will be opening their doors at 10pm and specials will run all night long. Shoppers can get their hands on some of the best designer products at extraordinary prices. Coach, Juicy Courture, Burberry, BCBG...the list goes on and on. I'm getting the urge to shop just thinking about it!

I promise you Midnight Madness is a shopper's paradise. You can feel the excitement of the holiday season as Christmas Carolers stroll the sidewalks, lights twinkle and decorations warm your spirit as you check your Christmas list twice.

There are so many people on my list, from babies to adults; I know I will be able to find something for everyone. Be sure to visit The Crossings Premium Outlets online for discounts, coupon books and more. Happy shopping! Ciao!

The town of Honesdale will be dressed in its holiday best as it will be hosting its weekend-long annual holiday event Friday, November 27-Saturday, November 28.

You won't want to miss the hustle and bustle of the festivities that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.  Enjoy some holiday shopping as the sounds of the season float magically through the air at noon-5 p.m. from the Fred Miller pavilion on Friday and Saturday.

Make sure to stop by the newly renovated Wayne County Historical Society Museum, located at 810 Main Street, on Friday at 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and check out the full size replica of the very first steam locomotive ever operated in the United States, The Stourbridge Lion.  The museum will also be open on Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Enjoy a bite to eat at one of the fine eateries in Honesdale before the Santa Parade begins on Friday evening at 6 p.m.  Experience the wonder and delight of this old fashioned parade as it travels up Main Street destined for Central Park, where the season will be welcomed in a traditional way.  Carolers will be caroling and Santa will also be there for the lighting of the Christmas Star and tree.  If you missed seeing the replica of the Stourbridge Lion at the museum, the unveiling will also take place in the Park after the parade.

Are you ready for more holiday fun? Join Rudolph, Frosty and of course Santa for The Stourbridge Lion Celebration on Saturday.  This two-hour train ride from Honesdale to Hawley and back again will delight children of all ages.  Tickets are $15 per person and are available for purchase at The Trackside Grill on Main Street in Honesdale or by calling the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce at 570.253.1960.

Sleigh bells ring, are ya listnin'?  It must be the sound of the horse drawn carriages.  For your holiday happiness carriage rides will be offered through beautiful historic Honesdale at noon-4 p.m. on Saturday.  You better watch out because Santa will be strolling the streets as well to find out if you've been naughty or nice!

No matter where you roam this Holiday weekend, I'd enjoy hearing from you.  Maybe I'll see you in Honesdale for the Holidays!

This year, we are planning on taking Nicholas to as many Christmas celebrations as possible.  From the Lake Region to the Upper Delaware, to Downtown Stroudsburg to the Lehigh River Gorge, the Christmas season will be celebrated with the following tree lighting ceremonies throughout the four-county region: 

Honesdale for the Holidays in downtown Honesdale during the weekend of November 27-28.

Tree Lighting Ceremony at Courthouse Square in downtown Stroudsburg on November 27.

Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort on November 28.  

Festival of Lights at the Community House in Milford on December 5. 

Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting at Josiah White Park in Jim Thorpe, on December 4. 

Attending one or all of these festive events is a great way to kick-off the holiday season.  Be sure to check out our calendar of events for a full listing of holiday celebrations in the Pocono Mountains.  From Santa Parades to the Lighting of the Menorah, you can find it all in the Pocono Mountains.  I'm so happy to have Nicholas with us this year; this just might be the best Christmas yet!

(Photo Credit: Russ Schleiplman)

As a professional who works in an extremely creative field, I understand how hard it is to come across that great idea. You know... that AH HA moment when you know something is going to be a smash hit. I can promise you that idea doesn't usually come from sitting at your desk. It comes on the weekend when the last thing you are thinking about it is work. 

This is exactly why it is so important to get your staff out of the office and into a new environment. The Pocono Mountains offer great meeting space and teambuilding activities to foster those great ideas and brainstorming sessions for your next big hit. Imagine having your next meeting lakeside, steps away from an outdoor oasis.  

We boast over 20 great accommodation facilities to meet any needs, in addition a wide variety of unique attractions and venues. Last week, we had several Road Show presentations from a very small intimate setting at the Hampton Inn in Lehighton, ideal for a small group and effective Q&A, with another session held at the Chateau Resort & Conference Center in Tannersville. This facility offers eight different spaces with endless configurations for a total of 14,127 square-feet of meeting space.

All of our facilities offer state-of-the-art equipment with a myriad of activities and amenities to suit every budget and size.  So lose the cubicle and reconnect with nature. I assure you will have that AH HA moment!

There's no time like show time.  The PMVB will be at another travel show this Saturday and Sunday.  The Philadelphia Inquirer Travel Show is sure to attract thousands of vacationers from the Liberty City and beyond.  It is being held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. 

 As we often do, the PMVB will be giving away plenty of great prizes at this show.  These include overnight stays, tickets to our great attractions and many others that are nothing to sneeze at.  Plus, be ready for free giveaways like hand sanitizers, hats and other useful items.  Look for live entertainment like magicians and dancers while you're walking around.  Most importantly, save yourself the time and money of researching your next Pocono Mountains vacation by meeting face to face with us.  We can book your trip right then and there.

This travel show is a great way to plan your next vacation and make important contacts at the same time.  Saturday the hours are 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 4p.m. If nothing else, come to meet me!  I hope to see you there!

Once again it's time to make plans for the upcoming weekend. As usual, there are so many fantastic things to do!

If you happen to be a wine connoisseur, you will definitely enjoy being at the Big A Grillehouse in Marshalls Creek at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 20 for a wine tasting event. Damian Dinan of Capital Wine and Spirits will be there featuring six of the newest wines to delight your taste buds. Light appetizers will also be served.

The cost of this fabulous wine tasting event is $20 and after sampling some of the finest of wines, you may want to stay for dinner. The Big A has a great menu offering a variety of tempting dishes and as an attendee of the event, you will receive ten percent off of your dinner check. Please call the Big A at 570.223.1700 as reservations for the wine tasting are required.

Perhaps beer is your beverage of choice. If this is the case, plan to attend the Great Brews Classic Beer Festival at Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony.

This two day event will take place on Saturday, November 21 and on Sunday, November 22 from noon - 4 p.m. and will be featuring approximately 40 of the finest of both local and imported breweries.

In addition to all of the ice cold, thirst quenching beer there will be a variety of activities available for your enjoyment. Musical entertainment will be performed on two different stages, seminars will be held on various beer related topics and plenty of food and crafts will be for sale.

In order for you to gain entry to the festival, you must be at least 21 years of age. Everyone attending will receive a souvenir beer tasting glass to take home. Tickets are limited and may be purchased online, in addition to weekend packages.

I absolutely love sharing the many events and activities that the Pocono Mountains has to offer for your weekend excursions. I would really like it if you would share some of your adventures with me.

Now that I am older with a family of my own, I can't help but wonder what it is going to be like when it is my turn to host the big feast.  All the planning and prepping, making sure the table settings are just right and the big mess to clean up afterwards will be all mine. 

Cooking a large meal like that is slightly intimidating.  The thought makes me a bit nervous to be honest; I never made a meal that size before.  If you are intimidated like me, or just don't want to deal with all the stress, there are plenty of restaurants, hotels and resorts in the Pocono Mountains that offer wonderful Thanksgiving Dinners for you and your family. 

• A Traditional Shawnee Thanksgiving Buffet at Shawnee Inn and Resort
       800-SHAWNEE
• Thanksgiving Buffet at Ehrhardt's Waterfront Banquet Center 
       800 678-5907
• Thanksgiving Buffet at The Big A Grillehouse- 570 223-1700
• Thanksgiving Feast at The Inn at Pocono Manor - 570 839-7111
• Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Fernwood Hotel and Resort - 570-588-6661
• Thanksgiving Buffet at the Meadowbrook Inn - 570-629-8800
• Thanksgiving at Hotel Fauchere - 570-409-1212

So if you are looking to start a new tradition or ready to say good-bye to the current one, be sure to check out the properties that I previously mentioned.  As for me, I better learn how to cook a turkey. Nicholas is counting me!