Winter Fun

Featured Link: This Week in the Poconos

Just to give you an idea of what you can do in the Poconos during the winter and all-year-long, listed below is a calendar of events from 2005. Please note that some of these dates may not be the same this year so please call the numbers listed.

All Phone Numbers are in the 570 Area Code, unless otherwise noted

Now thru mid-March – The Eagles Return! In winter, hundreds of bald eagles migrate to the northern Pocono Mountains in search of open water, fresh fish, and undisturbed habitat. Every Saturday & Sunday, trained volunteers with The Eagle Institute staff popular viewing locations at Lackawaxen and elsewhere around the Delaware River to assist eagle watchers in spotting these majestic birds. Eagle Institute staffers have spotting scopes, extra binoculars, and helpful information for eagle watchers. New this year are twice-daily guided eagle excursions at 10:00am and 1:00pm every Saturday in January & February, as well as an interactive, web-based message board. These new programs are being added in response to the growing numbers of people seeking information about the eagles, and to help The Eagle Institute with its goals to provide the “safest and least intrusive” eagle watching experience. The guided excursions will cut down on the numbers of vehicles that visit the sites and address ongoing problems of eagle disturbance. The Eagle Institute Winter Field Office at 176 Scenic Drive in Lackawaxen (at the end of the Roebling Bridge) is open until mid-March. Call the office or drop by to learn where eagles are being sighted, or visit their web page at www.eagleinstitute.org and see the “Eagle Forum” message board. Hours at the Winter Field Office are Wed. through Fri. from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, and Sat. & Sun. from 9:00am until 4:00pm in January & February. For maps, directions and more information, contact The Eagle Institute at (570) 685-5960 or (845) 557-6162, or email them at eagleinstitute@yahoo.com.

Every Saturday – Through March 5, Saturday Night Lightning Performances come to Big Boulder Ski Area in Lake Harmony (via Route 903 or Route 940). Every Saturday night, nationally known tribute bands rock the ski lodge from 7:00pm until 10:00pm (two sets). Great for families, the kids can snowboard or ski while Mom & Dad enjoy the music! Trivia contests and giveaways add to the excitement. This is the 9^th consecutive season for the series, and admission is free as always.  Call Big Boulder at (570) 722-0100 or 1-800-468-2442. www.jfbb.com

 1^st Saturday of Every Month – First Saturday Art Walk in Downtown Stroudsburg. From 6:00 to 9:00pm, Downtown Stroudsburg’s galleries and fine establishments collaborate to bring you an evening of fine art, quality crafts and live performances. Take a stroll through town. Sip a cappuccino. Pop into the galleries and shops. Meet the artists. Listen to some music. Have dinner and a nightcap. A great setting for a night on the town! Call the Jacob Stroud Corporation at (570) 424-9131 or log on to www.Stroudsburg.net for all the details.

Now – Go for a Pocono Mountains Helicopter Tour with the Pocono Air Center, Route 611 just north of Mount Pocono. These scenic helicopter rides are definitely worth the price! The Pocono Air Center is based at the Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport (MPO) and the number there is (570) 839-6080.

Every Thursday – Through February 24, Fernwood Hotel & Resort on Route 209 in Bushkill hosts the 4^th annual WSBG Tubin’ & Groovin’ Thursday Nights at their WINTER FUN CENTER Snowtubing Hill. Enjoy some exciting evening snowtubing from 6:00pm to 9:00pm while 93.5 WSBG radio broadcasts live outdoors at the hill. Look for give-aways, great contests with prizes, Happy Hour specials, live music, even compete in the special Race the DJ tubing runs! For more information, call Fernwood at 888-FERNWOOD or (570) 588-9500. www.fernwoodhotel.com

Every Sunday – Through March 6, the Wacky Family Fun Race Series will be run at Jack Frost Mountain Ski Area in Blakeslee. To sign up or to find out more, call (570) 443-8425 or 1-800-468-2442. Jack Frost is located off Route 940 west of Blakeslee Corners. Check out their website www.jfbb.com.

Daily – Free Brewery Tours and Beer Tastings, 12:30pm at the Barley Creek Brewing Company, Sullivan Trail and Camelback Road in Tannersville. Reservations are not required and tours are also available by appointment. To find out more about this authentic brewpub & restaurant, call 629-9399 or log on to www.barleycreek.com.

Every Saturday – Through March 12, Jack Frost Mountain Ski Area in Blakeslee presents afternoon E-2000 Entertainment in the ski lodge with no cover charge. A live band is usually scheduled, or at least a DJ with additional entertainment such as Karaoke and games. Jack Frost Mountain is located off Route 940 west of Blakeslee Corners. Call (570) 443-8425 or 1-800-468-2442 to find out about all the excitement planned at Frost this winter! www.jfbb.com

Every Wednesday – Every Wednesday night in January & February is Race Night at Tanglwood Ski Area & Winter Park in Tafton! Tanglwood Ski Area is located just off I-84 exit 26 to Route 390N in Tafton. To find out more about all the racing action, good skiers and riders should call (570) 226-SNOW or (888) 226-SNOW, or visit www.tanglwood.com.

Every Sunday – Sunday night is Family Night at Alpine Mountain Ski & Ride Center, Route 447 in Analomink. Bring the entire family out for a night of riding and sliding from 4:00pm to 9:30pm. Night lift tickets and snowtubing tickets are just $15 per person! And don’t forget their Sunday Afternoon Races for all ages, with special prizes and entertainment in the lounge. Call Alpine at (570) 595-2150 for all the details. www.alpinemountain.com

Every Friday – Through February 25, the Everything but Blades Competition Series will be held at Big Boulder Ski Area in Lake Harmony (via Route 903 or Route 940). Visit their website at www.jfbb.com to save time and print a copy of the entry form, or call Big Boulder at (570) 722-0100 or 1-800-468-2442.

Weekends – Stroudsmoor Country Inn, an elegant retreat in Stroudsburg, invites you to experience their classic themed buffets. Fridays bring The Seafood Buffet from 5:00 to 9:00pm, while Saturdays feature The Grand Buffet also from 5:00 till 9:00. On Sundays, you may enjoy both the Champagne Brunch from 10:00am to 1:30pm and the American Harvest Buffet from 3:00pm to 7:00. Set atop its own 200-acre mountain, the Stroudsmoor is conveniently located off I-80 exit 307 (formerly exit 50). Follow signs to Route 191 south, then travel to the top of the mountain and turn right onto Stroudsmoor Road. Reservations accepted; call (570) 421-6431 or visit www.stroudsmoor.com.

Now thru Early Spring – The current display of the Historical Association of Tobyhanna Township (HATT) at the Clymer Library in Pocono Pines is entitled “Valentines from the Past.” Featured in the display are Valentines sent to a young boy afflicted with tuberculosis in 1906, Valentines sent to a soldier in France during World War I, along with many cards from 1904 through the 1920’s. The Clymer Library is located on Firehouse Road in Pocono Pines, and the display is located on the far wall of the main section of the library.

Most Tuesdays & Fridays – Bushkill Inn & Conference Center in Bushkill invites you to come and enjoy an incredible Grand Buffet and their Broadway-style show Road Trip USA. The buffet is served from 6:00 to 8:45pm, the band plays at 9:00, and the show starts at 10:00. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Pocmont Resort is located about two miles off Route 209 on Bushkill Falls Road in Bushkill. For information or reservations, call 1-800-762-6668 or (570) 588-6671. www.bushkillinn.com

1^st & 3^rd Thursday – each month, the Pocono Mountain Seniors Group Meets at the Pocono Summit Fire House in Pocono Summit. Interested? Call 839-8172.

1^st & 3^rd Thursday – each month, residents and business owners in Mt. Pocono and surrounding communities are invited to attend the Meetings of the Mt. Pocono Association at 9:00am at the Municipal Building (Rt. 611) in Mount Pocono. You may call 839-8030 for more information.

3^rd Monday – Each month, the Coolbaugh Township Historical Association Meets at 7:00pm at the Association Museum in the Municipal Center on 5550 Memorial Boulevard in Tobyhanna. Call the Museum at 894-4207. Visitors are welcome!

Now – The Gallery @ Liztech in East Stroudsburg is currently featuring stunning Oil Landscapes from popular artist Gary Kresge. Also featured is a wide variety of work from Sticks Object Art and Furniture. Sticks specializes in spectacular pieces for your home or office, from armoires and dining tables to mirrors and plaques. Choose from the in-stock selection or design your own custom piece. For more information about this and more, visit The Gallery @ Liztech at 95 Crystal Street in East Stroudsburg (across from the Dansbury Depot); you may also call (570) 424-3177 or log on to www.liztech.com.

Every Thursday – Through March 3, the Big Boulder Park & Pipe Club Meets to Play at Big Boulder Ski Area in Lake Harmony (via Route 903 or Route 940).  Call Big Boulder at (570) 722-0100 or 1-800-468-2442 for information about the club. www.jfbb.com