Blogs

I am hoping for some super spring time weather this weekend as I would like to do a little yard work and just some general spring cleaning. However, all work and no play is no fun! So, I'm hoping to get it all done on Saturday as I'm planning on a relaxing Sunday afternoon at The Shawnee Playhouse enjoying the play Skyscraper, a fabulous play written by Pulitzer Prize winning author, David Auburn.

Shawnee Playhouse offers a wide variety of live theater entertainment for the entire family at a very affordable cost. I will be at the Sunday matinee at 2pm, but perhaps you would rather see the show at 8pm on either Friday or Saturday evening. Either way I'm sure that you will have an enjoyable, relaxing time in the cozy intimate atmosphere of the historic Playhouse!

You may want to grab a bite to eat before the show at the River Room at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort or The Gem & Keystone. If so you may want to purchase combo tickets for the Meal and Show. I'm going to do lunch at the River Room, but no matter where you choose to dine I'm sure that you will have a fantastic dining experience!

As always, I want to know how you are spending the weekend in the Pocono Mountains! I hope to see you at the Shawnee Playhouse!

Day by day the sun gets a little warmer, the days are a bit longer, and the daffodils are starting to push through the ground. With pastel colors carefully displayed in the windows of homes, stores, and businesses; you start to realize that spring is here and Easter is just around the corner. I've always enjoyed the Easter holiday, and I especially enjoy it now that I have a toddler to share it with. Easter egg hunts, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and quirky bunny songs make this time of year fun and exciting.

If you're looking to celebrate Easter with a bit of whimsy and laughter, perhaps you and your "little bunnies" should visit The Chateau Resort on April 10 for a breakfast buffet with the Easter Bunny. The day will feature a delicious breakfast buffet, where children (of all ages) can make their own breakfast masterpieces by creating their own toppings for their pancakes and French toast. A breakfast buffet wouldn't be complete without an omelet station, so bring your appetite. Guests can also take part in cookie and egg decorating, as well as an Easter egg hunt; weather permitting. To top it all off, the Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos. If that doesn't sound like a picture-perfect Spring day, then I don't know what does. Guests can contact The Chateau Resort at 800-245-5900 for more information.

Nicholas, Carl, and I already have our reservations for a spot at the buffet. We hope to see you there too! Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions

First on my agenda is golf! You wouldn't think that if you saw me out on the links, but I'm trying to improve my game and with more than 35 courses in the region, I have quite the variety to choose from. New this season, we're even selling a Golf-A-Round card so visitors can get a better taste of our varied terrain and enjoy multiple games at discounted rates. Stay tuned for details because if you're like me, the earlier you start, the more time you have for improvement!

Next on my list is a springtime hike in one of our parks. With nine state parks and two national parks totaling more than 105,500 acres, there is certainly no shortage of trails. However, Glen Onoko Falls in the Lehigh Gorge State Park has been at the top of my list for a year now. I hear the falls are spectacular and the hike is quite challenging to the point where some points you have to climb on all fours.  I'm glad because after yesterday's glazed doughnut, I think I'm going to need a serious workout!

Lastly, it wouldn't truly be spring unless I got on a river and while I love to get on a kayak, I'm embarrassed to admit I have yet to be whitewater rafting in our region.  So whether I choose to embark on a whitewater trip on the Lehigh or Delaware River, I'll be sure to enjoy the action-packed waters that can reach up to class III rapids. Pocono Whitewater hosts a moonlight rafting trip which sounds amazing! Who wouldn't love to raft under the starts on a warm spring evening?

So get ready to start breathing in the sweet blossoms of the Mountain Laurel because spring is here and it's time to get outdoors!  

If you have read some of my other blogs, you already know that I am a passionate fan of both southern rock music and Penn's Peak. I have seen Molly Hatchet performing my favorite tunes such as Dreams I'll Never See and have rocked out with Blackfoot doing Train Train and am really looking forward to rocking the night away with both of these awesome bands!

If you have been to any of the fantastic shows at Penn's Peak, you already know that the sound is incredible and that there isn't a place in the house that doesn't offer a fantastic view! So, no matter where you happen to be I'm sure that you won't be disappointed! I can't wait to hear Molly Hatchet's Fly On Wings Of Angels!

The show will begin at 8pm but the doors will open at 6pm. With that being said, may I suggest that you arrive early and have a few cocktails and grab a bite to eat with me at Roadies Restaurant? I'm really looking forward to a few ice cold beers and dining on some of Roadies delicious award winning Tai-Chili wings. I'm hoping for nice weather as I would like to enjoy the gorgeous view from the outside terrace.

Tickets for this double dose of Southern Rock are $22 in advance and $27 the day of the show and can be purchased online or by visiting any ticket master outlet. You may also pick up tickets at the Penn's Peak Box Office or Roadies Restaurant and the Bar Hostess stand during normal business hours.

As always, I would like to know where you are planning to rock this weekend. I hope to see you at Penn's Peak rockin' southern style with Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot!

There are many places to go walking and hiking in the Pocono Mountains. From leisurely walks to more strenuous hikes, the choices are endless. Some of my favorite places to hike are trails within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The sights and sounds of the park during this time of year are wonderful. You have the opportunity to catch a view of nature's rebirth.

Being a local, I am fully aware of the different places to hike and walk. However, if you are visiting and you don't feel too comfortable going on your own, or you just don't know where to go, I have the solution for you. On April 2, Pocono Environmental Educational Center (PEEC) will be offering a spring waterfall tour. Because of the melting snow and the spring rain, this is the perfect time of year to view the magnificent waterfalls of the Pocono Mountains. Not only do you get to check out the beautiful waterfalls, but the walk is great this time of year. For more information, please contact PEEC at 570-828-2319 or visit online at PEEC.org.

I am totally excited to get out and go hiking, I've had the itch for a few weeks now! So lace up your boots, get the family ready, and get out and explore! Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions.

If you're like me, you are developing a serious case of Spring Fever and are ready for warm weather, sunshine and plenty of outdoor socializing and the 34^th annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Stroudsburg is an awesome way to celebrate the beginning of spring! The parade will begin at Stroudsburg High School on Sunday, at 1:30pm and will wind its way through the towns of Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg with Crystal Street being its final destination. I always enjoy seeing friends among the many people lining the route!

I can hardly wait to see the fantastic floats and hear the sounds of the bagpipes floating through the fresh spring air while watching the parade from my usual spot on the Sixth Street Block of Stroudsburg. I'm sure that every one will have a great time, so make sure to bring your entire family as well as all of your friends.

Everyone is Irish on Parade Day, so don't forget to wear your green! Keeping that thought in mind, you'll definitely want to stop in at one or more of the local Irish Pubs for some traditional Irish food and green beer or maybe some incredible Irish whiskey! A few of my favorite places to be Irish are Siamsa Irish Pub (636 Main Street, Stroudsburg), Floods (738 Main Street, Stroudsburg) and Rudy's Tavern (90 Washington Street, East Stroudsburg).

May I suggest that you bring your camera? I'm sure that you will want to take some photos and capture some memories for your album. Did you happen to notice my photo? This was taken at last year's parade, as you can see I had a lot of fun!

As always, I'd love to know where you are planning to be Irish this weekend in the Pocono Mountains. I hope to see you at the 34^th annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade!

Week after week, I blog about my plans and adventures with my family. And every week I finish my blog with "Until next time... Celebrate family, friends, and traditions." That statement has never been truer and I urge you to really take my advice. After the horrific natural disaster that took place in Japan this past week, many people will not be able to celebrate family, friends, or traditions, nor will there be an "until next time."

With that said, I am asking you to please stop and take a moment of silence for those who are hurting. And while you are out celebrating family, friends, and traditions, don't forget to do your part and open your hearts to those in need. Many organizations, such as the American Red Cross of the Poconos and the Salvation Army in Stroudsburg are doing their part and responding to the devastation.

And March skiing is great, even better than drinking "tiger blood!" You don't have to fight crowds to get on the chairlift, hand and feet warmers aren't a necessity and the best of all, the mountains offer phenomenal deals.

Have a season pass at another mountain? Camelback Mountain Resort will let you ski or ride for the day free and even give you a free CamelCard for anytime you want to come back to the mountain! Starting this week at Jack Frost Big Boulder, an Open to Close Snowpass is 30% off. Starting next Monday on, save 40% on the same Snowpass! Shawnee Mountain is also going bonkers by offering three lift tickets for $87 or three tickets and rentals for $140. Yes, you heard me correctly, THREE! That's even better than the Sham Wow guy offers!

Before your visit, be sure to check out all of our mountains and conditions at poconoski.com and I hope to see you out on the slopes! I'll be enjoying the magic carpet on the bunny hill, mastering the green circles and hogging room on the slopes because frankly, "I'm tired of pretending I'm not a total freaking rock star from Mars."

It's getting to be that time of year when I really like to get out in the fresh air and make my weekend plans for outdoor activities in the Pocono Mountains!

If you enjoy taking scenic photos and the sweet smell of spring in the air, then I'm sure that you will want to join the great people of Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) on Sunday from 9am-3pm for the Black and White Photography Tour.

This is a great time of the year to shoot black and white photos and PEEC's Black and White Photo Tour is a great way to shoot them! All you need to do is dress for the weather, pack a lunch and a water bottle and of course your camera! You may even bring your tripod if you like.

I love taking photos and am really looking forward to getting some great black and white shots and capturing a little bit of local history on film within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The cost of this fantastic excursion is only $15! Transportation is provided as well as interesting information about local history. Did I mention that we will be exploring some of the forgotten little corners of the Park?

I'm sure that you will agree that this will be an awesome Sunday excursion. Reservations are required, so please call 570-828-2310 today and reserve your seat in the van.  

Tucked away in the beautiful mountains of Carbon County is the picture perfect little town of Jim Thorpe, also known as the Little Switzerland of America. With rich history and culture, this perfectly preserved town is a wonderful place to host a St. Patrick's Day Parade. People line the streets decked out in their green attire while sharing laughs and drinks. Green beer anyone? During the weekend of March 11-13, Irish themed entertainment, food, and drink will be featured along with the parade on Sunday.

Not to be outdone, the downtown districts of Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg will host a St. Patrick's Day Parade, provided by the Pocono Irish American Club. Last year was my first experience of this parade and I knew it would not be the last. Bagpipers, Irish dancers, of course green beer are all over the place. It's such a festive and exciting time. There is not a single ounce of Irish heritage in my blood; but good cheer, laughter, family, and friends make it a perfect reason to celebrate. The parade will be held on March 20.