Start off your holiday season on December 7 by celebrating at Bethany’s “Christmas in the Village.” Saturday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m., you will find tours, open houses plus holiday experiences and activities at numerous venues.
As you stroll around town, be sure to enjoy the hospitality of our popular bed and breakfasts—E. Kellogg and James Manning House; sample some holiday treats and, at James Manning House, join in the festivities by singing carols led by Honesdale High School’s Chamber Choir.
Down the road and across the street, Mrs. Claus will visit Bethany Library to help children write their letters to Santa, and Bethany Historical Society will offer tours of the historic “fireproof” borough building and a display of Christmas trains. Around the village be sure to look for Victorian Strollers.
Next door, Bethany United Methodist Church will be open for tours, and visitors experience the advent season in a family friendly activity.
Bethany Village, the senior living facility and personal care home in the borough, hosts a tricky tray and Christmas tree lighting.
Seasonal food and beverages will be available at most locations, and there will be many other surprises. Bethany is located three miles north of downtown Honesdale on Route 670.
For information call (570) 253-5573 or the library at (570) 253-4349.
HONESDALE
There is plenty to do throughout December for people of all ages, from holiday open houses to train rides. Shop till you drop and then head to these businesses for festive fun.
• 25th Annual Ornament Hunt: December 7th at 10 a.m. in Central Park. Children can “hunt” for ornaments for a chance to win prizes. No child goes home empty handed.
• Annual Holiday Open House at Highlights for Children: December 7th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., complete with music, crafts, refreshments, free gifts, and more fun for the whole family.
• Holiday Craft Fair: December 7th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ladore Lodge, Ladore Pavilion and Carousel & Staff Lounge Building in Waymart. Enjoy handmade items, baked goods, maple products, homemade soaps, jewelry, refreshments, and more. The best place to find that one-of-a-kind gift!
• 8th Annual Holiday Artisans’ Market: On December 8th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cooperage, showcasing the work of many talented artisans of the Upper Delaware Region. You’ll find a selection of unique handcrafted gifts for friends & family.
• Annual Chorus and Band Holiday Concert: On December 17th at 7 p.m., the Honesdale High School Chorus and Band will perform holiday favorites in the high school auditorium on Terrace Street.
• Honesdale High School Annual Light Show will take place in mid-December. Don’t miss the spectacular light show timed to holiday tunes playing on the radio. The show runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Luminaries on Main: On Christmas Eve, enjoy 300 luminaries lining historic Main Street.
• Throughout the month, Santa Express train rides on the Stourbridge Line will be available. Join the fun as Santa Ho Ho Ho’s his way through the train visiting all the good boys and girls and posing
for pictures and giving the children a special gift. Call (570) 470-2697 or visit www.thestourbridgeline.net.
For more information about these
and more December events, visit www.visithonesdalepa.com.
MILFORD
Stroll along the streets and alleys and step into antique stores, unique restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, a historic theater, and specialty shops. There are also historic architectural structures including Grey Towers, the former home of America’s first forester Gifford Pinchot; and The Columns Museum, where the Pike County Historical Society is with historical artifacts and memorabilia including the famous “Lincoln Flag.” Both buildings are open to the public.
• Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony: The free event is held December 7th on the lawn of the Community House at the corner of Broad and Harford Streets. The beloved event features free hot cocoa and cookies for children of all ages. Enjoy a performance by the Dingman Delaware Middle School Chorus beginning at 4:30 p.m. The ceremonial countdown and lighting will be at 5:15 p.m. As part of the countdown, Santa Claus will arrive on top of the Milford Fire Department’s Engine 33 with a very cool team of reindeer on motorcyles. Come out for a great evening with friends and family and enjoy extended shopping hours, open house celebrations & dining throughout town.
• Craft Store Holiday Open House: On December 6th, the Pike County Developmental Center hosts an open house from noon to 2 p.m. Find hand-crafted gifts for all occasions. Enjoy complimentary refreshments. The center is at 107 West Ann Street. For more details, call (570) 296-6319.
• Girls’ Night Out: December 5th from 5 to 8 p.m., Enjoy a night out in Milford hosted by Milford Presents. You can enjoy extended business hours, product sampling & promotional offers. For more information, visit
www.milfordpa.us.
• “A Christmas Carol” at Grey Towers: Four shows of the dramatic reading
on December 7th & 8th. For more information on Grey Towers, visit
www.greytowers.org.
• Holiday Tours & Photography Exhibit at Grey Towers National Historic Site: Beginning December 9th through the 22nd. Guided holiday tours of all three floors of the beautifully decorated mansion are available at 1 and 3 p.m. Each floor is decorated with a different theme or era.
In addition to the guided holiday tours, visitors can enjoy the photography show with pieces representing nature, forests and Grey Towers, by members of the Pike Imaging Council.
• Holidays Around the World: December 14th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Milford Theatre. Croatian-born singer Astrid Kuljanic and musicians of the Transatlantic Exploration Company will delight the audience with an array of music and song of the Balkan region and Western Europe, American jazz standards, Brazilian sambas, and more, including a holiday-related repertoire. Presented by Kindred Spirts Arts Programs. Tickets at the door $20, $15 in advance.
HAWLEY
Friday December 13th – Sunday December 15th
Hawley Winterfest has been planning all year to welcome visitors and neighbors to this favorite seasonal event in our region. Driving through town on a chilly December day brings happy anticipation where you can almost hear the clip-clop of the majestic horse & carriage as it strides through the historic town. Listen closely for the train whistle of The Stourbridge Line as it will be gliding down the tracks along the scenic Lackawaxen River taking Hawley Winterfest passengers for a ride in its decorated coaches.
During Hawley Winterfest, you will smell the crocks of delicious homemade hot soup served at the Hawley Library, and taste tempting cookies with steamy cups of hot chocolate as you navigate the festive sidewalks.
Hawley will be alive with activity for all ages to enjoy in this epic event celebrating over 20 years of tradition. Guests will love the cheery music and entertainment, including a free performance of an original holiday show at the marquee building, The Ritz. Churches will open their doors and offer craft activities, hand bell concerts, the infamous Cookie Walk and the poignant story of Christmas via a live presentation of the Road to Bethlehem.
Everyone is invited to park their car and hop on the free shuttle to travel in comfort from one end of town to the other. Pop into the Artisan Fair for unique crafts and one-of-a-kind gifts, visit the small shops for store specials and give away gifts, watch demonstrations, and be sure to grab a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus in a Victorian setting. Don’t forget to bring your pet too for fun photos at various locations. Purchase a ticket for the Holiday House Tour of Lakeville featuring unique properties and showcasing lake lifestyles.
Wake up early for a morning yoga stretch and a cup of hot coffee and feel energized all day. For after hours events, grab a Beer Tour card and sample some seasonal sips at 12 participating establishments. Buy a ticket to hear world renown harpist Erin Hill from New York City perform a special concert “Christmas Harp” with her amazing quartet.
This event is hosted by volunteers and business owners of the Downtown Hawley Partnership. Come home to Hawley whether for the first time or the next time. Hawley Winterfest looks forward to welcoming you!
To learn more and purchase advance sale tickets please visit:
www.hawleywinterfest.com.
See you there!
STROUDSBURG
One of the many great holiday events in Stroudsburg is Quiet Valley’s Annual Old Time Christmas, taking place on December 7, 8 and December 14, 15 with candlelit tours leaving every 15 minutes beginning at 3:00 p.m., with the last group going out at 7:00 p.m.
More than any other holiday, Christmas celebrations center on the traditions of our families and our heritage. Begin a new tradition with your family this year during an outing to Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, where the Christmas customs of the past are brought to life. From the softly glowing lantern light to complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, Old Time Christmas is sure to become a favorite holiday pastime for many years to come.
Gather around a bonfire while you wait for your visit to the 1800s to begin. Guides in period clothing will lead guests on their
journey into the past beginning with this year’s Victorian skit. Glimpse an 1890s Christmas as the family reminiscences and makes new holiday memories. Before you leave, take a peek at their Christmas Putz, a homemade nativity and village scene that was a custom the Moravians began and was soon enthusiastically adopted by the Pennsylvania Germans.
Afterwards it’s on to the living nativity located in the barnyard which includes the Quiet Valley farm animals and offers a look at the foundation of this special celebration, including a soloist and scripture readings. Then off to a simple log cabin where visitors experience the rustic Christmas of the early 1800s. At the one room schoolhouse, it is a jolly time as the school marm leads both the musicians and guests in singing their favorite seasonal carols. There is plenty of nervous excitement in the cellar kitchen as folks await a visit from the Belschnikel, a traditional Pennsylvania German character who made his rounds during the Christmas season. He is the one who really knows if you were naughty or nice.
The final stop is in the Engel Education Building for complimentary refreshments which adds a final festive touch to the visit. As you leave, be sure to stop in the holiday gift shop which is stocked with heritage crafts handmade by Quiet Valley artisans. It is the place to find unique gifts at reasonable prices.
All funds raised support the mission of the non-profit farm museum.
Those looking for a truly meaningful way to start their Christmas season will discover it at this very special event.
Old Time Christmas is held annually the first two full weekends of December. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12, with those under three admitted free. You will be outside part of the time, so remember to dress warmly. No pets or smoking please. Groups of 12 or more with reservations, receive a discounted price any of the four days, when going out between 2:30pm through 3:30pm. Perfect for scout troops, church groups and large families that want to go together. It takes about an hour and a half to two hours to see all of Old Time Christmas.
For more information contact Quiet Valley at 570-992-6161, farm@quietvalley.org, or visit the website at www.quietvalley.org.
December 2019 Issue