Go! Experience Some Holiday Cheer

Ring in the holiday season the old fashion way at Quiet Valley Historical Farm’s 19th Annual Old Time Christmas, held from 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on the weekends of December 5th & 6th and 12th & 13th. Both entertaining and educational, each weekend gives your family a glimpse into the festivities and traditions that give the holiday season such great cheer. Plenty of sites and sounds, including carolers, a barnyard nativity scene and Christmas treats that are not to be missed. For more information visit www.quietvalley.org or call 570.992.6161.

Discover a spectacular show made up of wit and wisdom at the Shawnee Playhouse production of “An O. Henry Christmas”. This heart-warming musical, based on the classic Christmas stories “Gift of the Magi” and “The Last Leaf” by turn of the century author O. Henry, are sure to put a spot light on the true spirit of the season. Tickets are $25 for adults, and $14 for children under age 17, visit www.theshawneeplayhouse.com to learn show times. Reserve your tickets at the Shawnee Playhouse Box Office by calling 570.421.5093.

Celebrate with the town of Hawley December 11th to 13th as they transform their quaint Pocono town into a winter wonderland. The event will include activities for everyone with shows at the Ritz Theater, arts and crafts, home tours and caroling for all to enjoy. Visit www.hawleywinterfest.com to find a detailed list of this year’s schedule of events.

Stop by the Pocono Community Theater through Sunday, January 10th for Riv7 Wintering Along the Delaware, the 7th annual interdisciplinary art show that celebrates the Delaware river. Showing off a multitude of local artist offerings including everything from small works to poetry, the show will celebrate the 400 year anniversary of explorer Henry Hudson’s discovery of our area’s great river. Contact Pocono Community Theater at 570.421.3456 for more information.

Visit the shops of Downtown Stroudsburg to check some holiday shopping off your list and get a glimpse of downtown’s lights and decorations. Stop by on a Saturday from December 5th to the 19th to visit with Santa at the Stroudsburg shops from 1p.m. – 4p.m. or enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride with Sugar Mountain Horse & Carriages $10 per adult, $5 per child. Visit www.stroudsburg.net to learn all the details on Downtown Stroudsburg’s festive activities.

See if you can spot two turtledoves at PEEC’s Christmas Bird Count on December 27th in Dingman’s Ferry. From 7a.m. – 4p.m. the public is invited to 
join local birders for this annual Audubon Society tradition. If you are a novice birder, you will be matched with a more experienced participant. Call PEEC to register at 570.828.2319.

Start the New Year in style at Scranton Cultural Center’s New Year’s Eve Celebration. Kicking off their 80th Anniversary, the night will include a fabulous meal prepared by the talented Larry Nicolais Jr. of Constantino’s Catering and dancing amidst the Cutural Center’s fantastic Grand Ballroom. Visit www.scrantonculturalcenter.org for more information on this dazzling evening.

Go! On a Delicious Adventure

Excite your senses at the Carbon County Cultural Project in historic Jim Thorpe. Located in a renovated wireworks building, the Carbon County Cultural Project plays host to both fantastic art in the Stabin Morykin Gallery and farm-to-table dining at Flow Restaurant. Diners at Flow will enjoy seasonal dishes that incorporate the best ingredients Northeast Pa. has to offer. Visit www.thecccp.org to learn more about this cultural and culinary must see.

Support the American Cancer Society at the “Samplings of Summer” event to be held August 1st by Lisa McAteer, founder of PikeMoms.com. The pool side event, taking place at the McAteer residence in Milford, will show off delicious bites by Peter’s Europa House of Shohola and wines courtesy of Bashakill Vineyards. There will also be a silent auction and the funky music stylings of the DJ Williams Projekt. 100% of the proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society, please call 570.562.9749 to reserve your tickets for this dazzling event.

Explore the works of 11 local artists in the comfort of their own galleries at Art Meander II. This West end version of a gallery crawl invites you to visit eight unique galleries on August 8 & 9 from 12p.m. to 5 p.m. Participants include Gallery on the Farm, White Pines Gallery, Still Waters Art & Works, The Hydeaway and many more. For directions and more information contact, Linda Marnell, The Littlest Gallery, at 570.629.3136 or Mary Jane Arner, Fresh Air Gallery, at 570.992.2598.

Spend a day at the 22nd Annual Pocono State Craft Festival, August 22nd to 23rd, at Quiet Valley Historical Farm. The event will showcase an array of talented crafts people and their handy work. Proceeds raised help cultivate and keep art in our area alive and benefit the Pocono Arts Council, Pocono Chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and Quiet Valley Historical Farm. Admission is $6 for adults, free for children 12 and under. Visit www.poconocrafts.com to learn more.

Tempt your sweet tooth at Callie’s Candy Kitchen and Pretzel Factory in Mountain Home. Owned and operated by the Callie family, these shops delight both young and old with an abundance of homemade confections to choose from. Not just another snack store, both the Candy Kitchen and Pretzel Factory give delightful demonstrations on the creation of their chocolates, lollipops, pretzels and more. Visit www.calliescandy.com to get directions and store hours.

Celebrate Downtown Stroudsburg at the 2nd Annual Stroudfest on Saturday, September 5th. Festivities will include something for everyone with good grub, vendors galore and live music from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. While you’re there, check out all of the unique shops and businesses along Main Street and their fantastic sidewalk sales. Visit www.stroudfest.com to get more details on the day’s festivities.

Boogie down to the 32nd Annual COTA Jazz and Arts Festival in beautiful Delaware Water Gap from September 11th-13th. One day passes are $25 for adults and $10 for kids 5-12, purchase a two-day adult pass for $40. Get your tickets and details on performances at www.cotajazz.org. While your there, stop by the Deer Head Inn to hear young saxophone sensation, Grace Kelly, play on Friday the 11th. Stick around after the festival Sunday to hear more from fantastic musicians as they play the Deer Head’s Jazz Jam, led by Bill Goodwin. Contact the Deer Head Inn at 570.424.2000 for more information.

Feast on seafood and sip some wine at the 2nd Annual Camp Papillion Benefit Clam Bake from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, September 19th. Set along the scenic fields at Sorrenti’s Cherry Valley Vineyard’s, all proceeds from the event will benefit Camp Papillion’s Shelter Fund, which helps the local non-kill shelter find more homes for furry friends. For more information on this event contact 570.420.0450.

Dine on a decadent four course menu of chocolate adorned dishes at Blakeslee Inn’s 3rd Chocoholic Frolic event. Taking place Thursday, September 24th the dinner will showcase dishes such as Chocolate Dusted Scallops with Vanilla Butter Sauce, thus proving that chocolate really does go with everything. Ticket cost is $35 per person, contact the Blakeslee Inn at 570.646.1100 to learn more and reserve your spot.