Posted on Wed, Feb 22, 2012
~Submitted by Amy Beilman
Are you looking for ideas for your next holiday or get-together? The Front Desk staff here at Woodloch recently held a "cookie swap" for the first time, and we can't wait to do it again! There are lots of variations on how to hold a cookie swap, but here's how we did it:
We had 14 people sign up and decided that we would make a half dozen for each person. Each baker had to pre-package their cookies into half dozen servings. Some people used Ziploc baggies and others used inexpensive festive cookie bags that could be found at Wal-Mart or the dollar store. The day of the swap, we lined all the cookies up and “shopped” our way through, taking one baggie from each person. I have to say that I loved this idea; who wouldn't?
Yes, it definitely requires time to bake the seven dozen cookies, but afterwards I went home with over 14 different varieties (six of each)! It was awesome! If I had tried to make 14 different types of cookies it would have taken days! And let’s be honest, it probably wouldn't have happened. Who has time to make 14 different types of cookies?!
I highly recommend giving this a try for your next family gathering or reunion. During the holidays, it is a great alternative to a stressful (and expensive) gift exchange. It can be hard to think of cookie swap ideas so I’ll help you out, and give you a recipe that will make you the most popular baker at the swap! Here’s the recipe for Heath Bar Cookies direct from the Woodloch Bakery:
Woodloch Bakery’s Heath Bar Cookies
¾ C packed brown sugar
¾ C sugar
2 ¼ C cake Flour
½ C Crisco butter flavored shortening
2 Eggs
½ tsp Salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 C Heath bits crushed
3 tsp water
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease cookies sheet or use parchment paper. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. Cream together shortening, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Add eggs and mix well. Gradually add flour mixture until well blended. In a Ziploc bag, crush Heath bits and add to mixture slowly. Scoop cookies onto cookie sheets with ice cream scoop and bake for 9-11 minutes.
Happy Baking!
Posted on Tue, Feb 21, 2012
~Shared by Robin R. McArdle
Robin recollects on her recent eagle watch on the Upper Delaware River
When I reached the Eagle Institute they told me eagles are very active on cold and sunny days. Perfect!!! It was sunny and 20 degrees. The staff at the Eagle Institute are so friendly and informative, they gave me a great map and told me where the best areas the eagles have been spotted that day.
I went over the Roebling Bridge (which is just past the eagle institute, and an interesting landmark in itself) and beared left onto Route 97 south. A few miles down the road I spotted my first eagle perched in a tree. I tried to take a picture but alas, the shade of the tree made it way too dark. He perched for a while than swooped down in front of my car- it was amazing. I followed him down the road a bit, until he flew over the river and out of sight. They are truly magnificent birds.
Continuing my expedition, I drove up Route 41 to Mongaup Falls where I converged with some other astute eagle watchers. They had a telescope which they graciously let me borrow, although I rarely needed it- they had an Eagle in plain sight that was even visible to the naked eye! (Speaking of eyes, did you know that an eagle's eye is almost as big as a human eye? Their eyes also change color as they age, from very dark yellow to light blue.... just a little bit of information I learned on the way!)
So while you’re planning your trip to Woodloch Pines Resort, eagle watching can prove to be a very memorable and sublime experience. The beautiful scenery along Route 97 alone is worth the extra half-hour trip!
Posted on Fri, Feb 17, 2012
~Shared by John Dee
Woodloch Pines Resort in the Lake Region of the Pocono Mountains is known primarily for its all-inclusive nature. Meals, activities, and entertainment are all bundled up into one giant jam-packed and fun-filled stay. Not everyone realizes, though, that just a very short two miles down the road from the Pines is Woodloch Springs, a gated golf course community which features guest home rentals. Now you might be saying to yourself “I don’t golf” or "Golfing in the winter?", but the reality is that these homes provide guests of the resort with just one of the many options to stay and enjoy all of the facilities, without even needing to be a golfer.
The guest homes are ideal for extended families and even friends looking to share the same roof. While it’s true that these homes can be taken all-inclusive as well, guests may find that renting one of these homes on a Non-Traditional plan may prove to be the most economical option for those either on a budget or looking to share the cost amongst several families. What is a Non-Traditional plan? It’s a package that includes all of the activities and nightly entertainment at Woodloch Pines, but removes the meals and daily housekeeping from the stay. At that point, you can customize your stay by making separate reservations for any of the meals that Woodloch offers, or you can create your own home cooked meal with the available kitchen (don’t worry, all of your pots, pans, dishes, and silverware are already provided).
In addition to all of the great benefits listed above, your stay in a Woodloch Pines guest home at the Springs grants you use of our fantastic Sports Complex. This facility offers a great variety of amenities and exercise equipment to keep you fit and feeling great! Situated just across the street from our Clubhouse, it's a short distance from all home rentals!
So if you're looking to create a nice experience for a family reunion or even if you need a quick getaway at the last minute, remember to explore all of your options, including the guest homes!
Posted on Wed, Feb 15, 2012
~Shared by Tammy Compton
The DiGesu family of Union, N.J. is hooked on Woodloch.
"Out of all the vacations we've ever taken, this is it," says mom, Marta DiGesu. The family of four, who has been to the Bahamas and Disney, says nothing compares to a Woodloch vacation. In fact, when Marta teasingly asked her kids "Disney or Woodloch?" their response was instantaneous. "My kids looked at me like I was crazy. Their answer: Woodloch," she says.
Asking Marta what she loves best about our all-inclusive family resort earns an all-inclusive answer. "I loved everything, the food, the versatility. There's always something to do whether it's rainy or sunny. The nightly entertainment is fun for the whole family. You can be with your family the entire time, and despite age differences, everyone's having a blast. And you feel safe with your children. I can honestly tell you I feel comfortable saying to the boys, 'You go ahead, and we'll meet you there.'"
Marta also noted that she and her family have met some amazing people while vacationing
at Woodloch. "We met some wonderful friends who I stay in touch with on a regular basis," she said. This summer, it's another July vacation at Woodloch for the DiGesu family, who won second place in the Scavenger Hunt in 2011 and are returning for the gold in 2012.
You don't have to travel hundreds of miles while incurring a myriad of travel expenses to find a vacation haven. Woodloch is only about 3 hours from Metropolitan New York and the Greater Philadelphia area. This distance is far enough to "get away" but close enough to stay on budget. So make that hop, skip and a jump away from your troubles, and join us for some guaranteed fun in the Poconos!
Here's an idea of what you can expect from your stay, submitted by one of our friends!
Posted on Mon, Feb 13, 2012
~Shared by Gina Spinelli
As one of the premiere locations to hold a destination wedding here in the Poconos, Woodloch has seen hundreds of couples tie the knot. It is an absolute privilege for us to share in one of the most important days of a couple's life! Each ceremony is unique. Over the years, we have seen almost every type of trend in the wedding world.
While working one night at a Woodloch Wedding, there was a photo booth, much like the type you'd find at the boardwalk or even the shopping mall. As I walked by it, I saw that placed on the table beside it was the guest register book, where guests stuck the stickers that the photo booth produced. I have been to a handful of weddings and had never seen this before!
Upon talking to a friend and co-worker, she too has stumbled upon these wedding photo booths. There were even props placed outside the photo booth that guests could choose to wear while taking photos, including top hats, feather boas, and sunglasses. I thought it was such a cool idea that really jazzed up the traditional guestbook for the newly wedded couple. And the stickers made great wedding favors for the guests!
Intrigued by this novelty, I decided to look further into the photo booth trend. I discovered that not only can you rent photo booths for your wedding which produce stickers and traditional photo strips, but you can also have flip books made. Your guests can use
props, dance, or do whatever they would like, and within minutes they can have a flip book made. Animated memories are a cool keepsake for everyone attending a wedding!
Posted on Fri, Feb 10, 2012
~Shared by J. Ranner
In like a lion, out like a lamb? Here at Woodloch, none of that really matters. We keep great times with family and friends going all month (and all year) long! As spring approaches, why not join us for a value-packed midweek getaway?
2012 is bringing some exciting changes to our midweek structure. Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, Woodloch will be celebrating nonstop Celtic Pride with our "Irish Midweeks." Packages run throughout the month of March.
Irish or not, all are welcome to channel their inner leprechaun! Your week will include great music from the Irish Balladeers, festive dancing from the Gallagher Dancers, and Irish storytelling from the "World's Largest Leprechaun" to please all ages! Enjoy some excellent Irish cuisine with our all-new cooking class featuring Joey and Chef Dave. Follow the sound of bagpipes in our traditional parade through the dining room! And because we are celebrating Irish pride, join us at the old North Lodge Pub for some exclusive beer tastings!
So, you just may have stumbled onto your "pot of gold!" In addition to these Irish festivities, enjoy horseracing, our all new "Festivals Around the World" theme show, great trivia games, all of our amenities and top of the line entertainment, and so much more! Please bring your family to join our family, and take advantage of this outstanding value!
Because once you're here, we guarantee your Irish eyes will be smiling.
:)
Posted on Thu, Feb 09, 2012
~Shared by Colleen Steelman
The definition of hospitality is “the friendly reception and treatment of guests." This is where Woodloch shines. The Kiesendahl family knows hospitality. They set a prime example for the staff, and if you’ve stayed at Woodloch, you know how great the staff is. Hospitality is so important to the Kiesendahl family that they have partnered with Lackawanna College opening The Mary and Harry Kiesendahl School of Hospitality and Tourism, at the Lake Region Center in Hawley, PA. The school's first hospitality management class began in 2010, followed by a class of culinary majors in 2011.
I am a student in the Hospitality Management School. I enjoy classes such as Strategic Hospitality Management, Green Hospitality, Human Resource Management and Food Skills. The culinary major offers courses in American Regional Cooking Studies, Culinary Concepts of the Mediterranean, Baking Techniques for the Culinary Professional and Advanced Wine Studies. The classes and instructors are terrific; I thoroughly enjoy them.
As an adult learner, I was a little nervous about going to college, but there is a nice blend of all ages at the school. I am attending the hospitality school because I've always wanted my degree in hospitality management, and I want to learn as much as I can about the industry. It's the Kiesendahl name behind it, however, that was really the deciding factor.
The Director of the Mary & Harry Kiesendahl School of Hospitality and Tourism is Stephanie Shimkus Decker. She is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has been named to the Society of Fellows at the C.I.A. Additionally, she and her sisters own the Euro Cafe in Clarks Summit. Stephanie is a wonderful instructor. You can tell by the way she teaches her classes that she really loves what she does. She is an endless wealth of information and knowledge.
I am so thankful that the Kiesendahl family brought the Hospitality School to this area. For those of us who work in the industry, or for those who are looking to get into it, the school is providing a quality education backed by a name that is well-respected in the hospitality industry. It goes to show how committed the Kiesendahls are to advancing the industry and ensuring that our area will continue to have a qualified and well-educated hospitality workforce.
Posted on Tue, Feb 07, 2012
~Shared by J. Ranner
Darwinism. Now there's a word I haven't heard since ninth grade biology. Yet working here at Woodloch, as crazy as it sounds, it's something that I can't help but think of on a routine basis.
Whether it's hot and sunny or cold and rainy, we strive to give our guests a great vacation. Our biggest opponent (and on sunny days, ally) is Mother Nature herself. Where lesser resorts would close up shop, call it a day and send you off on your own, Woodloch shines. Year-round, we offer a wide spectrum of indoor activities to keep all ages happy. Simply put, you don't stay in business for over 50 years without the ability to adapt- having the tenacity to stand up when others are falling down. Survival of the fittest. Having worked here for more than a decade, I attribute Woodloch's longevity to both our amazing staff (no exaggeration) and our ability to have a great time with our guests, no matter the circumstances.
We offer all sorts of games and contests to help you make great vacation memories. Why not try one of our trivia games? Put on your judges robe and take on real legal cases in our You Be the Judge game. Music lovers or movie buffs in the family? Join us for Name That Tune and Movie Game. Or round up your relatives for a little Family Feud action.
Or perhaps you're one of the athletic types. Our indoor gymnasium hosts dozens of different events that challenge your physical prowess . . . ok, some more so than others. Want to try something new and different? Our Wallyball games, which take place at our indoor pool and sports complex, bring the game of volleyball indoors and allow you to play off the walls. This is a great game that every athlete should try! Compete for medals, or just reserve a court and play a pickup game.
Last but certainly NEVER least, Woodloch knows exactly how to keep our youngest customers satisfied. We offer arts and crafts daily, and now we have an arts and crafts room open all day for some quality project time. Special events are always on tap for your child. When they really have a lot of energy to burn, check out our Woodloch's Forest, an indoor playground facility. We offer a huge selection of activities all in one place!
So, even when Mother Nature decides to play by her own rules, have no fear! Woodloch is here to make your vacation as special as possible, no matter the conditions.
We make it happen.
Posted on Tue, Feb 07, 2012
~Shared by J. Ranner
As I stare outside the window of the office right now, I am perplexed. The sky is crystal clear, and even though it's only about 40 degrees, the abundant sunshine conjures up thoughts of springtime. These thoughts rarely, if ever, cross my mind in the month of February in Pennsylvania. But I'll take it. 
Though this has been one of the strangest winters on record for the Pocono mountains, there is a silver lining in all of this craziness. We are fortunate to have the ability to make snow, so even though it has been a dry winter, our main snow tube run and Olympic area are still covered in powder and available for tubing and sledding. Enjoy the country air as family and friends take trip after trip down our snow-covered moguls!
You can't exactly snowshoe through our scenic nature trails right now, but that gives you the perfect opportunity to take a scenic hike down the very same paths! There's a serene beauty to the woods that remains even when the last of the leaves tumbles to the ground in autumn. Or hit the tiny links and get some miniature golf practice in . . . with this gorgeous weather, golf season could be closer than you think! Batting Cages remain open, perfect for pre-spring training!
As always, Woodloch's great selection of amenities will be available to you, including our go-carts, bumper car complex, rifle range, our indoor children's playground and more. And all of this is just a fraction of the great value you will gain by staying with us this season. There is a plethora of exciting games, tournaments, and entertainment, both indoors and out. This will leave you saying, "man, I wish I had one more day!" . . . which of course you are always welcome to book with us!
If you overlook expectations of what winter in Northeast PA is "supposed" to be like, you will find that this weather pattern is, in fact, a real treat. No shivering, shaking, or messy travel - just smiles.
:)
Posted on Fri, Feb 03, 2012
Visit Woodloch, and a flock of blue shirts known as our Social Staff keep guests running and having fun. Today, I'd like you to meet Mr. Bob Filarsky, the man who supervises all of the chaos ...
Please tell us the tale of how you started working for Woodloch.
I started here in June of 2003 on a Recreation Management Internship. When that summer was over, they asked me if I wanted to stay just to help out with the Haunted Hayrides that fall ... that was almost 9 years ago now!
As an activities supervisor, please tell us what your favorite activity here is and why.
Tough question. My favorite thing to do here is drive a ski boat. You are in the sun, out on the lake, driving a boat ... don't think I have to say anything else. My favorite activity here is probably Double Dare. Just the fact that you have guests from 6 to 60 years old diving into chocolate sauce and begging to be squirted by a hose amazes me. It really brings out the inner child in everyone, and I can't imagine another place where they can do that.
What was the most rewarding/memorable experience you have had with a guest here over the years?
It was actually driving a ski boat. It was probably about 4 years ago, and it was a beautiful quiet day in the offseason, and the lake was like glass. I had an older gentlemen come to go skiing. He was probably 60 or 70 years old and told me he hadn't gone in about 10 years, so I was a little nervous, but he was in good shape and really wanted to go. He got up on the skis no problem, did his two laps around the lake, and I dropped him back off at the dock. When I got back to the dock to help him, he had tears in his eyes and immediately starting thanking me. He said it was one of the best times he ever had skiing . He said it really brought him back and that would be the last time he would ever go skiing. He was really moved by it and to see that genuine reaction from him really reminded me of what we actually do here.
Outside of work, what is your favorite hobby / pastime?
I really enjoy watching football. I am a huge
Vikings fan and all year long I look forward to the 16 Sundays I get to watch football. I also really enjoy cooking. I worked as a cook in high school and throughout college. I didn't want to make a career out of it, but it is a big passion of mine.
What is your favorite movie of all time, and why?
Another tough question. I will give you two answers. I am a huge Chris Farley fan so I've seen the movie
Tommy Boy more than any other movie in my life. I can basically recite the whole movie. I also love the movie Fight Club. I just thought the whole gist of the movie was genius.
I know you are a big football fan. Make a Superbowl prediction.
New England Patriots win it all, with Rob Gronkowski as MVP.