Around the Lake

We live in quite a large and varied state complete with many holiday traditions. Many of these traditions harken back not only to the Old World in Germany (think Pennsylvania Dutch), but to other parts of the world as well. In Pennsylvania Dutch homes, Christmas trees may be hung upside-down from the ceiling of the home. This custom is thought to have originated in the eighteenth century to deter mice and other creatures from climbing into the trees and eating the edible ornaments of the day, such as dried fruits and ‘snitz’, or dried apple garland. The Moravians are famous for their Moravian stars - you can see a huge star if you take a drive into Bethlehem PA - and Christmas pyramids (the ornate wooden candle-lit decorations that delight children and adults alike). These decorative items were brought into the United States in the eighteenth century. The Moravian stars have many points and are proudly displayed in windows or over porches; Christmas pyramids may be decorated with cookies, candies and fruit.

Polish families share thin wafer cookies, oplatki, that are often decorated with Biblical scenes. The cookie is passed from person to person, and as a piece of the cookie is broken off, well-wishes are exchanged among those present. Another cookie that is popular with Italians during Christmas is the pizzelle, a waffle-like embossed cookie flavored with anise and embellished with snowflake-like designs. If you hail from coal country, you may be familiar with a holiday drink called bolio. This strong beverage is thought to have come from Lithuanian immigrants and is made of honey, oranges, lemons, raisins, cinnamon, caraway, water and grain alcohol. Cia tau (Here’s to you)! There are plenty of on-going events occurring in Pike and Wayne counties: The Art Factory of White Mills continues to provide our area with art and photography workshops / classes as well as a gallery and gift shop. On a cold winter day, it might be a good idea to channel your creativity by taking a print-making course, alcohol ink or watercolor workshops, acrylic pours or acrylic painting classes, or improve your photography skills. The Art Factory is located at 736 Texas Palmyra Highway in White Mills; the phone # is 570 251 1181; you can learn more about them at theartfactoryofwhitemills.com. From now until January 7th, take a ride out to Nay Aug Park and enjoy the drive-through Holiday Light Spectacular from 5:00 – 10:00 pm daily. The park is located at 500 Arthur Avenue in Scranton. This event is free, but donations are gladly accepted. Enter at the Mulberry Street entrance, and drive, walk or take a ride on horsedrawn carriage or tractor-pulled hay wagon through over one hundred light displays. Light refreshments are available at the concession stand. To learn more about this family-friendly event, call 1 800 WELCOME or go to visitnepa.org. Another on-going light display is the Peckville Christmas House, 1130 Marion Street, in Peckville PA. This home has gained national recognition for its amazing decorations. Take the kids and drive around the home or get out and walk through the many light displays. For more information, send them an email at peckvillechristmashouse@gmail.com or find them on Facebook! You may not think about shopping at a farmers’ market during the winter but think again! The Cooperage (1030 Main Street, Honesdale) hosts their farmers market every Saturday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. The market provides a warm and friendly atmosphere for farmers and the community to mingle; various programs are also available such as live musical performances, the Artisan’s Holiday Market on December 4th, and children’s programs like the Romping Radishes. Go to thecooperageproject.org or call 570 253 2020 to find out more. Closer to home, Hawley’s Farmers Market will take place every Friday at the Hawley Hub, 318 Main Avenue in Hawley, from 1:00 – 4:00. Produce and products change throughout the season so be sure to stop in often and see what’s new. Call 570 226 1644 or go to their website at hawleyfarmersmarket.weebly.com to see for yourself! Many of our area’s restaurants host special events for Christmas and New Year’s, but they also provide live music and dining specials throughout the winter months.

The Fairview Café in Tafton offers steak nights every Thursday; fairviewcafe.net / 570 390 7860. The Dock at Silver Birches has Monday pizza, pasta and parmesan nights, Friday shrimp nights, Sunday chicken wing nights and more; silverbirchesresortpa.com / 570 226 4388. The Hawley Silk Mill hosts, among other things, open mic nights and Donut Sundays at Cocoon, and during Hawley’s Winterfest, be sure to check out the Artisan’s Market in the mill’s atrium; 570 390 4440 / hawleysilkmill.com. Hawley’s Winterfest will take place from December 9th to December 11th this year. There will be live music, light displays, crafts and other activities for children, a beer tour for adults, a parade, a walking tour of the historic downtown area, and many vendors and artisans selling their wares (you might even be able to get some Christmas shopping done!) On Friday night, get in the spirit of the holiday season and enjoy a choral performance at the United Methodist Church. Go to visithawleypa.com or call 570 226 4064 to learn more.

If you enjoy being outdoors during the cold months of winter, consider spending the day at Promised Land State Park. You can snow-shoe and hike or do some cross-country skiing at the park (these activities are permitted on all trails of the park, but Bruce Lake and Conservation Island provide the best trails). Ice skating is also permitted – but be sure to go to their website for the winter report before stepping out on the ice! Information on Promised Land State Park can be found at dcnr.pa.gov, or call 570 676 6010. No matter what or how you celebrate, have a happy and healthy holiday season!