Blogs

It's Christmas week and it's almost Hanukkah (December 20-28, 2011)! What an exciting week it is. Whether you are getting ready to light a candle on the Menorah or add finishing touches to your Christmas decorations, it is a heart-warming time for so many people.

For those who celebrate the beautiful holiday of Hanukkah, visit Court House Square in Stroudsburg for the Annual Menorah Lighting. It is the largest Menorah in the Pocono Mountains! Everyone is welcome to attend the festival, which will not only include the kindling of the Menorah, but also delicious treats for purchasing. For more information about the Menorah Lighting at Court House Square, please contact Chabad Lubavitch of the Poconos at 570-420-8655.

Since this will be my last blog before Christmas and Hanukkah, I would like to extend a very sincere Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Happy Kwanza, and just a Happy Holiday to all of you! I do my best to bring you family friendly events the entire year and I always welcome your comments and suggestions. Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

So here we are, less than two weeks away from one of the most magnificent days of the year. Everywhere you go, you see people hustling along with large shopping bags filled with gifts for their loved ones. Doors, windows, and eaves are decorated with evergreens and bright red bows, and for some reason, hot cocoa tastes extra sweet all month long.

I cherish this time of year because I have the opportunity to spend one whole day with my ENTIRE family. We eat, laugh, play games, and sometimes even bust out into a Christmas carol or two. We always have a houseful of kids who run around and play with each other and their new toys, all while wearing big smiles on their sweet little faces.

However, for many families, it is difficult to get together on Christmas day. If that is the case for your family, why not celebrate a few days earlier? Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains is offering their beautiful Gingerbread Weekend to those of you who, who can't celebrate with each other on the 25th. Friends and family can enjoy a weekend full of spectacular Christmas events including holiday stories, caroling, instructions on how to make your own gingerbread, and beautifully prepared holiday themed meals. Children will delight in their visits with Santa and nestle in front of the fireplace for a reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas". Don't forget to get your pictures taken next to the life-sized gingerbread house!  

To take advantage of the Gingerbread Weekend special offer, be sure to call the fabulous Skytop Lodge at 800-345-7759. The Gingerbread Weekend special offer is available December 16-18, 2011. Hurry time is running out!

Until next time...Celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

  

Last January, I played some golf in the Pocono Mountains. And, yes, it was outdoors, on frozen Lake Wallenpaupack!

The 21st Annual Ice Tee Golf Tournament is planned for Sunday, January 29, 2012. The event is presented by the Pocono Lake Region Chamber of Commerce, and is to be held at the Waterfront at Ehrhardt's on Lake Wallenpaupack.

Two nine-hole courses are set-up using recycled Christmas Trees to help mark the greens and tees (along with ice-sculptured tee markers). The holes are about 100 yards in length and you can only bring 3 clubs - no need for caddies or golf carts - although there were about 60 snowmobiles that came by to witness the event! Last year, they had over 300 golfers and many have made the trek to this unique event each year. I was paired up with 3 others and we had a great time. In addition, there are prizes and giveaways fun for golfers, non-golfers and spectators.

Tee times will be every 10 minutes between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the awards ceremony will begin at approximately 3 p.m. Just $15 per golfer in advance or $20 at the door. Applications are available by emailing visit@lakeregioncc.com or by calling 570-226-3191. Note to self....bring colored golf balls this year!

Do you remember the photos of you as a child on Santa's lap, or the excitement of waiting in line thinking of what you would tell Santa you wanted for Christmas?  Well, now your furry four-legged friend can experience this feeling at the Country Junction, World's Largest General Store in the Pocono Mountains!

Santa "Claws" will pose with pets and/or people this holiday season at the Country Junction.  We hear he loves all types of animals; so bring your cat, dog, or bunny; all ages are permitted!   If you have a fidgety pet they'll snap a few shots to ensure a picture perfect finish.   As you can see from Asti's photo, she wanted out of there.  Santa has no issues holding smaller pets on his lap but Asti was a bit too big.

While we were waiting for our pictures to be printed we took a walk over to the pet store where they have birds, reptiles, fish, bunnies, ferrets, kittens and puppies.  They also offer a large selection of pet food, toys and much, much more.  We picked out a new toy for Asti and stopped by the K9er-Diner for a few of her favorite iced cookies! 

After we picked up our photos we walked over to the petting farm and fed the llamas, sheep, and goats.  Asti wanted no part of the animals, which surprised me, until I turned around and noticed she met a new friend, a bull dog named "Sam". 

We then proceeded to the general store and walked the yellow brick road.  This place is exceptionally pet friendly!  There was a customer that had a really cute black poodle sitting in the cart, when I got closer a white poodle popped its head up from under the coat; Asti barked, I screamed, and the lady pushing the cart started laughing because there was yet another one in the cart playing with the items she was purchasing. 

In the general store you will find an endless shopping experience from foods, candy, ice cream, gourmet coffee, fresh popped popcorn to house wares, a flower shop, Yankee Candles, and an art gallery.  You will also find Ashley Furniture, Sorrenti's Wine Cellar (wine tasting available), ACE Hardware, and you can even have a delicious lunch and a movie in the "Barn Door", their restaurant and theater. 

‘Tis the season to make memories! So why not capture those memories with a picture of your furry friend with Santa "Claws" at the Country Junction World's Largest General Store located on Route 209 in Lehighton.  Santa will be there the next two weekends (Dec 10-11 and Dec 17-18) from 12 noon to 4:00 pm.  A variety of picture packages starting at $5 will be available for purchase and are printed on the spot! 

Have a barking good time this Holiday Season!

There is something special about the holiday season in the Pocono Mountains. Whether it's the way the holiday lights sparkle in the cool night air, or the way the people walk merrily on the sidewalks; it's just a wonderful time of year. It doesn't matter if you are attending a Christmas festival, a menorah lighting, a Kwanzaa celebration, or simply just enjoying a winter day; you can really feel the goodwill and cheer radiating throughout the streets, stores, and restaurants. After all, isn't that what it's all about?

Recently, Carl, Nicholas, and I visited the historic Inn at Pocono Manor for the delightfully festive, Magical Fireside Christmas. Evergreens, holly berry, twinkling lights, and a ton of other beautiful decorations, adorn the doorways, windows and the fireplace. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful horse drawn carriage ride, sip on hot chocolate next to the fire, visit the live animals, and more. Together, my family and I relaxed and enjoyed the sound of Christmas music all while admiring the site of the massive (and very impressive) Christmas tree. Nicholas was able to take part in the many children's activities which included, crafts, story corner, face painting, Santa letters, and of course a visit from the "Big Guy" himself, jolly old St. Nick! Nicholas was not the least bit interested in sitting on his lap, but at least we did manage to get one picture of Nicholas next to "Ho Ho".

Year after year, the Inn at Pocono Manor carries on their tradition of giving families and friends a chance to spend time together in a beautiful holiday atmosphere. Why not make this a family tradition as well? The Inn at Pocono Manor offers Magical Fireside Christmas lodging packages so you can take your time and explore all the sights and sounds of the season. The packages are created with special touches such as Elf Turndown Service, event tickets, breakfast, and a holiday gift; all for a great price. Don't forget to bring your unwrapped gift to donate to Toys for Tots. Remember it's not about receiving, it's about giving!