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SPRING 2019

REASONS TO REUNITE AT WOODLOCH: Dedicated staff Experienced coordinators Accommodates any size group Guest homes, hotel rooms, suites Various dining options Daily activity schedule Builds lasting memories!

A story about bringing families together.. WOODLOCH.COM/REUNITE 800.453.8263 OPTION #2

NEWSLETTER

Welcome

Welcome spring and summer! Of course, every season at Woodloch has something special, but as the trees and flowers come alive there’s a unique buzz around this property. The pool and beach team get excited to put the boats and docks back in the water, ready to absorb some pure vitamin D themselves; the social staff are bringing their creations to life after months of snow covered planning days; the wedding team is excitedly prepping for the impending outdoor ceremonies. This year’s theme started out as a celebration to the 90’s with an eclectic array of characters and songs from that decade that evoke some fond memories that may have weakened over as many as the last 30 years. As we blend our spring and summer programming in, it dawned on us that this year is really more about the love of music than anything else. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the most iconic music events in history, Woodstock. Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center, the original site of the 1969 concert, sits only 40 minutes or so north of us, so we felt it only fitting to try and celebrate such a milestone through our games and activities. The culmination being this summer’s “Woodrock” event, which you can read more about in the pages ahead. At Woodloch, music is part of our core. Music has such a unique “connecting” effect on us all, it brings us together. We have a dedicated part of our brain for processing music, supporting the theory that it has a special, important function in our lives. Listening to music and singing together directly impacts specific neuro-chemicals in the brain, the release of endorphins and dopamine, which all play a role in happiness, closeness and connection. Seems like it’s only fitting that we celebrate Woodstock in a grand manner, and it makes a lot of sense why people feel more connected at Woodloch - sometimes it’s the music that brings us together. Hope to see you at Woodloch soon,

The Woodloch Family

Emoji GO TO THE

MOVIES Warm up your mind for our Scavenger Hunt! Summer is a time for big blockbuster ﬁlms, but there’s barely enough time to enjoy them all! So we thought we’d save you some time by abbreviating them by EMOJI- can you guess them all? We wish you LOL (that “means lots of luck,” right?)

WELCOME TO

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The very best of Woodloch

You tagged em’... we snagged em’! Thank you for sharing your memories with us! Follow us @Woodloch and keep hashtagging away for your chance to make the next cut!

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There’s much more to be said about “the middle of nowhere” than anyone really gives credit for. After all, you can hear yourself think in the quiet. I’ve lived “in the middle of nowhere” most of my life, and I see a blank canvas of what could be. cosmin_comi

namiaslinda

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lifeatseatgeek

claytonmorris

In 1969, just 25 miles or so down the road from Woodloch, history was made. Just about 500,000 (that’s half a MILLION) people gathered for three days of PEACE and MUSIC. Huge musical acts, including The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, Santana and Jimi Hendrix took the stage in the Woodstock Music & Art Fair – “An Aquarian Exposition.” Though the concert itself was a huge ﬁnancial failure (at one point, security gave up trying to stop attendees from jumping fences), it brought people of all different backgrounds together to celebrate the power and love we have for music. Since Woodloch, too, is all about “togetherness,” we thought we would resurrect the spirit of the original festival 50 years later, through the summer of 2019.

NOWHERE SLOW

WHAT’S IN A NAME? Namesake of the lake, Teedyskung was a leader, chief spokesperson, and self-proclaimed King of the Delawares during the French and Indian War from 1754 to 1763.Teedyuscung was born in 1700, a member of a group of Lenape Indians acculturated to the ways of the colonists living near Trenton, New Jersey. Teedyuscung dressed in European style, spoke English, and used European goods in his daily life. He was said to admire the European way of life, lamented never learning to read, and could drink a gallon of rum without becoming drunk. To earn a living as a young man, Teedyuscung made brooms and baskets and sold them to the Trenton settlers.

The “WOODROCK” festival will be hosted on Monday evenings this summer starting July 8th. The night will start off at sunset with our traditional summer carnival, where kids and kids at heart will enjoy: - Games of skill and chance to earn golden tickets, redeemable for “groovy” prizes. - Crafting on site with plenty of “far out” goods and concert merch to take home to friends. - Chowing down on some choice “munchies” from our food stands The night hits a high note with bands like “Nowhere Slow” and “45 RPM” taking the stage on various nights, as they play all of the classics from 50 years back as well as alternative rock of the revival festival. Summer nights in the middle of nowhere, with great rock tunes and family fun for all? We are hoping to revive the spirit of the festival of long ago and share it with a whole new audience! This is just one new feature guests can expect during the summer of 2019- a new sci-ﬁ “escape room,” new lake miniature golf course, rebooted classics like Olympics, Scavenger Hunt and Pool Games all lie in wait! With so many new programs- plus the return of so many perennial favorites, the summer of 2019 is sure to… “rock.”

By 1730, however, with settlers pushing into their land, Teedyuscung moved his wife and son across the river and into Pennsylvania, as many of the Delawares did. A suspicious transaction of land from the Lenape to William Penn called the Walking Purchase was secured, and violence broke out between the Delawares and the colonists. It was then that Teedyuscung began his impromptu role as Lenape spokesperson in an attempt to keep the Penn family from evicting the Delawares from Pennsylvania entirely. Teedyuscung, along with other Native American leaders, signed the Easton Treaty, promising not to fight with the French against the British in exchange for large blocks of land which had been surrendered a few years prior by the Iroquois. Peace was declared in Easton, and Teedyuscung would go on to advocate for the rights of the Delawares as long as he was alive. However, competing interests with the much more powerful Iroquois Confederacy refuted his claims on land in Wyoming Valley. On April 19, 1763, without support and unprotected, Teedyuscung died when his home and the whole village of Wyolutimunk was burned to the ground by arsonists who some believe to be colonists. Settlers arrived shortly after, and the last of the Lenape in Pennsylvania were scattered. Source material: Anthony F. C Wallace, King of the Delawares: Teedyuscung, 1700-1763 (Syracuse: Syracuse University Press), Reprint, 1990.

Big Tink

” s e il m S e h t d in Woodloch: “Beh

& Little Tink

Lake Teedyuskung at Woodloch Resort in the Pocono Mountains Lake Region was first known as Big Tink Pond. It was settled in the early 17th century by the Lenni Lenape Native Americans, also known as the Delawares. Little Tink was the the pond at the end of the outlet, now known as Little Teedyuskung Lake. Lake Teedyuskung has about three miles of shoreline and has a maximum depth of 30 feet. The water is clean as can be since it is fed by multiple springs. It carries a brown tint due to the presence of tannic acid, a natural substance given off by the evergreen trees and eastern oaks that populate the shoreline. Tannic acid is also used to stain wood and tan hides as well as convert them to leather. Little Teedyuskung Lake is surrounded by wild cranberry bogs, which are also producers of the tannic acid that stains the water. Little Teedyuskung Lake is a modest 15 acres as well as the natural attraction for the destination spa, The Lodge at Woodloch. Both Lake Teedyuskung and Little Teedyuskung Lake are rich in beauty and history.

There are years when the winter seems to keep its grip a little longer than you’d like. Once the holidays pass and there’s been just enough snowfall, anyone outside of skiiers truly start to thirst for SPRING. The season of what I can only call “the graying” is just about over, fortunately enough, and we are finally back to SPRING! One of the first things a visitor to Woodloch will notice upon visiting as temperatures warm is our landscaping. Beautiful flowers of all shapes and colors are springing up all over the place- and this is no coincidence! Rather, it’s the product of the work of our awesome gardening team!

Woodloch is a pretty big property- almost 1,200 acres between our resort and Woodloch Springs, our golfing community. So in that respect, you might be quite surprised to find out that ALL of the flower workplanting, maintenance and care (not to mention the challenge from deer, moles, and other flower munching critters) – is the product of just three ladies. Ellen, her daughter Dusty and Jess – our Woodloch Gardening Department- are tasked year round with caring for all of the beautiful flowers that adorn our resort. Every morning, just as the sun rises above our resort, the ladies set forth planting, watering, deadheading and treating flowers sprawled all across our resort. It’s a never-ending commitment- just as one path of flowers are in pristine condition, something else likely needs attention. There’s a lot of ground to cover! From all of our roadside signs, to each and every building entrance and flower pot, it’s a labor of love. It has to be!

T H E C A S E FOR A Vacation Home Rental Behind the scenes, Ellen and the girls are always preparing for our next season. Orders for new spring plants starts well before March while bulbs from last season are prepared in the toasty confines of Woodloch’s greenhouse. Plastic flowers are displayed during our “swing” months (after all, March and April are somewhat inconsistent with temperature) until spring plants finally find their way into the ground. By this time, summer flowers are being prepared, then mums and cornstalks for fall and Halloween celebrations, and so on and so forth. Mother Nature, as well as the ladies, don’t stop moving!

AN EQUIPPED KITCHEN Cook your own meals. This offers those with special dietary restrictions an ample opportunity to get away without the worry of relying on a commercial kitchen to get their issues managed properly. Little kids, picky eaters? Take care of them easily here before you take the group out to a restaurant.

GROUP TRAVEL & MULTIGENERATIONAL

Dusty, Jess & Ellen

The ladies of our Gardening Department of course have their support. Our landscaping crew is constantly cleaning up our ﬂower beds and making sure the rest of our grounds are looking just as beautiful as the ﬂowers surrounding them. Let it be known that in addition to our front of staff operations, we have hundreds of “behind the scenes” employees that keep the cogs of Woodloch moving like a well-oiled machine!

There’s something to be said about the comfort In case you haven’t already noticed (which it is very, very hard of waking up on vacation or a getaway in a beauNOT to), take an extra couple of minutes to scope out our ﬂoral tiful home as opposed to a standard rectangu-displays- you’ll surely be glad that you did! lar box of a hotel room. Of course, you need the right situation to stay in a home and the home needs to suit the needs of your adventure.

Fall decor, too!

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

We’re going to break down some of the positives of staying in a vacation rental home, and more specifically the value of staying under the umbrella of a resort, versus a hotel room and booking a home from a private owner directly.

No matter how hard a hotel tries to make those gray accent walls and square rooms cozy and homey, it will still have a synthetic, cookie-cutter vibe. Staying in a vacation rental, you’ll often feel like you’re staying comfortably in an old friend’s house where the personality of its owners shines through.

There’s so much more opportunity to spend time together in a vacation rental. Instead of having to awkwardly sit on a couple of queen beds and a desk chair, private homes will often offer up a common room or more for gathering space and a chance to connect. These homes serve as a great way to keep the party going, or reconnect with the family, catch up with distant cousins, or get some extra teambuilding in for your business retreat.

IT’S ECONOMICAL

STAYING AT A RESORT You really can have the best of both worlds by staying in a vacation rental within the confines of a resort property. When you use a service like Airbnb or VRBO, there are a lot of unknowns to what you’re getting in to such as if you have to bring your own towels or sheets, what’s really stocked in the kitchen, and how much cleanup do I really have to do upon checking out? The resort option gives you the comfort of service, knowing someone responsive is on staff to help with your needs not to mention housekeeping on demand plus the added benefit of activity and action right at your fingertips.

This is a great way to save money along the way. If relying on this kitchen to make your own meals, or just by splitting the cost between families or friends sharing the home, you can drive down the price pretty quickly.

ACCOMMODATION DIVERSIT Y Sure, a hotel room can have very nice decor, comfortable bedding, it’ll check all the amenity boxes you need, but a hotel room is a room, is a room, is a room. Private houses can offer so much more diversity. Diversity in style, design and of course decoration. You can go over the top and stay in the “home of your dreams” or you can try something a bit more unique, like a treehouse, or a boathouse.

As you can see there are a number of factors in the decision making process of where to stay. If you looking for a place to get some extra face time with your family, friends or coworkers, if you need some flexibility and freedom in dining, if you want some extra space or something different, the vacation rental home might be the best money for value for you!

TH E C A S E FOR A Vacation Home Rental

AN EQUIPPED KITCHEN

“Can’t miss PICKS”

Cook your own meals. This offers those with special dietary restrictions an ample opportunity to get away without the worry of relying on a commercial kitchen to get their issues managed properly. Little kids, picky eaters? Take care of them easily here before you take the group out to a restaurant.

For your first woodloch visit

There’s no visit quite like your first Woodloch visit- with so much to see and do, it can be challenging to figure

GROUP TRAVEL out where& to even start! Fortunately, we polled our guests and theyAhave compiled a list of 8 “can’t miss STAYING AT RESORT picks” for your first Woodloch stay! MULTIGENERATIONAL You really can have the best of both worlds by

There’s so much more opportunity to spend staying in a vacation rental within the confines of time together in a vacation rental. Instead of a resort property. When you use a service like having to awkwardly sit on a couple of queen Airbnb or VRBO, there are a lot of unknowns to beds and a desk chair, private homes will ofwhat you’re getting in to such as if you have to ten offer up a common room or more for gathbring your own towels or sheets, what’s really ering space and a chance to connect. These stocked in the kitchen, and how much cleanup do We’ll start at the beginning of the day, because why not? Though the arguhomes serve as a great way to keep the party I really have to do upon checking out? The resort ment has been made for all of Woodloch’s meals to be delicious, there is just going, or reconnect with the family, catch up option gives you the comfort of service, knowing something special about the way breakfast is at our resort. with distant cousins, or get some extra teamsomeone responsive is on staff to help with your building in for your business needs not to mention housekeeping on demand Early birds enjoy their morning coffee inretreat. our comfy lobby until the magical doors of the dining room open. There, they are greeted by costumed characters, plus our the added benefit of activity and action right activities staff and of course, the Kiesendahl family. Awaiting guestsat at their your fingertips. IT’S ECONOMICAL table is our daily activity sheet, so friends and family can map out there day as ordersisareaplaced. This great way to save money along the way. If relying on this kitchen to make your Speaking of whichTHE FOOD. Staples like bacon, own meals, or just by splitting the costsausage, be- home fries and eggs any way are cooked to perfection, but Woodloch traditions, especially our tween families or friends sharing the home, Scandinavian Pancakes and world-famous crumb cake are not to be missed. you can drive down the price pretty quickly.

#1. Breakfast

There’s something to be said about the comfort of waking up on vacation or a getaway in a beautiful home as opposed to a standard rectangular box of a hotel room. Of course, you need the right situation to stay in a home and the home needs to suit the needs of your adventure. We’re going to break down some of the positives of staying in a vacation rental home, and more specifically the value of staying under the umbrella of a resort, versus a hotel room and booking a home from a private owner directly.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME No matter how hard a hotel tries to make those gray accent walls and square rooms cozy and homey, it will still have a synthetic, cookie-cutter vibe. Staying in a vacation rental, you’ll often feel like you’re staying comfortably in an old friend’s house where the personality of its owners shines through.

#2. THAT LAKE... Teedyuskung, to be exact. Though we are swaddled in beautiful forest all around us, our resort simply wouldn’t have as much character as it does without our beloved lake! In any season, our lake is simply heaven on earth! As you can see there are a number of factors in the you’re decision making process activities of where to stay. Whether cooling off with waterfront in the summer If you looking place toofget some extra face months, or just enjoyingfor theaambiance a breathtaking winter sunset, there’s just with something Lakefriends T that is something special.ifWater time yourabout family, or coworkers, you skiing, ice skating, boating, swimming, and even just grabbing a need some flexibility and freedom in dining, if chair you and lounging will provide you with everlasting memories, guaranteed. want some extra space or something different, the vacation rental home might be the best money for value for you!

#3. “Only at Woodloch” games “ONLY AT WOODLOCH” GAMES. We will be real with everyone for a moment. We know we are in a competitive industry. Resorts are bombarding potential customers with amenities like water parks, zip lining, ropes courses, skiing and so much more. We get it. We even do many of those things ourselves!

3) What’s your length of stay? It’s important to consider how much time you have to travel and if it aligns with the amount of time you need for your destination. The travel process alone can eat up valuable time, especially when long car rides or flights are involved. Also, be sure to take into account the fact that travel is more complicated when children are involved. Long journeys and time changes are tiring, especially for the smaller set!

But we can vouch for the fact that so many of the events and contests that we offer are NOT being offered anywhere else. And if they are, they aren’t being shared with our level of enthusiasm and fun. Our Family Olympics, Scavenger Hunts, Bakery Wars, Double Dare, Pool Games, Horse Races, Amazing Race, Music Trivia and more are all hosted with expertise and love that you’re not going to find anywhere else. Be sure to carve up some time to enjoy at least one of these events with our staff. Speaking of which…

#4. our staff It’s been said by guests and ownership alike since we hired our first employee- our staff is unlike any that you’ll find anywhere. I’ll go on the record and say that the people I have the pleasure of working with are the “X-FACTOR” in making what would be a good family vacation and making it an AMAZING family vacation. Through the years, I’ve made friends with truly great people- staff and guests alike. And that dynamic, that friendship, is something that a business can rarely offer their customers. We can, so we do! From the Front Desk clerks checking you in, to your bartender, servers and housekeepers, everyone is very much in the mode to treat each and every one of our guests as if they are guests in our own home.

#5. THE SHOWS Something new is ready to take up the limelight on our big Night Club stage every night. Magicians, comedians, jugglers, you name it– we always keep it fresh, because we’re mad hip like that, yo. Heck, we’ve even had appearances from acts that have gained acclaimed on shows like America’s Got Talent. However, two shows that are simply not to be missed during your first Woodloch visit are our Staff Show and our Broadway-style Theme Show. Our Theme Show has hit the big stage for the past 40 years- every year, with a new theme! Professional singers and dancers, accompanied by big lights and pyrotechnics, bring the bright lights of Broadway to our neck of the Poconos. Our Staff Show is a comedic showcase performed by members of our staff. It’s filled with laughs and is performed with pride and heart!

4) What can you afford? While we all dream about money being no object, that’s simply not the reality for most people. It is important to look at your budget and see what is actually feasible. Be sure to think through the details, and be specific about costs. It might be helpful to make a list in advance of what you’ll need to pay for, i.e. hotels, airfare, food, luggage fees, rental cars, additional clothing or supplies needed. This is certainly not the most fun part of the vacation planning process, but it is a very important one nonetheless. When you get everything down on paper, you may actually find yourself pleasantly surprised or realize that you may need to save for a bit longer.

Any time you’re on the hunt for a vacation, we hope you’ll come back to this list and find it helpful in the planning process!

#6. Seasonal staples

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST VACATION FOR YOUR FAMILY By the time you have this magazine in hand and are reading this article, we’ll be into April and just a few months shy of the best time of year - SUMMER! And summer means vacation of course! But all too often, planning a vacation can elicit stress and trepidation. So much goes into planning; where do you even begin? Well, we’re here to help – just read on below! 1) Where do you want to go? As silly as it sounds, asking yourself this question is the best place to start. Think of any places that you’ve been considering, and don’t rule anywhere out just off the bat. Some places may seem unsuitable when traveling with children, but almost any place can be an amazing family vacation. Just recently, a friend was telling me how she really wanted to go to Paris with her husband and four- and six-year-old daughters. In the same breath, she said that it was too long a way to travel with young kids, and she wasn’t sure that they’d appreciate it. She decided to take the plunge, and to her surprise, the girls proved to be great travelers and loved taking in the sights and sounds of a new city. The key is research and planning. My friend did her due diligence in preparation for this trip and figured out what would and would not work for her family. Eiffel Tower – check! A full day at The Louvre – best saved for the future! Point being, any destination can be family-friendly if you’re willing to put in some leg work! 2) Is it safe? Of course, safety is paramount to any other consideration on this list. There are tons of great resources that allow travelers to research different locations. Check out the US Bureau of Consular Affairs website, and start Googling family-friendly destinations around the world. The web is chock full of great advice from family travel bloggers as are community groups on different social media sites. You’ll gain valuable firsthand knowledge directly from other parents who have “been there, done that.” And it goes without saying that speaking with friends and family to get travel advice and recommendations is the best resource of all!

We have the distinct privilege of being able to experience all of the 4 seasons here at Woodloch. And with each one comes a distinct “personality,” if you will. Spring brings the excitement of rebirth and renewal to our resort, as flowers bud, animals come out of hibernation and our outdoor amenities like Zip-Lining open up once more! Summertime brings lazy days at the lake, barbecue cookouts, outdoor festivals and Fourth of July fireworks. The fall not only brings beautiful shades of red and yellow to our foliage but also Halloween festivities, including costume parties, trick or treating and spooky HAUNTED HAYRIDES. The winds of winter bring Santa Clause, our Yule Log Hunt and our heartwarming Festival of Lights wagon rides, followed by snow tubing and plenty of fun in our winter wonderland in January. Don’t miss out on any of these offerings!

#7. PHOTO OPS We like to think that the memories we provide you with will last forever on their own laurels, but just to be safe… be sure to have a few cameras with you! There are just too many great moments that happen during Woodloch stays for you to miss- whether it’s on your iPhone or on a beautiful professional camera, be sure to have something handy. While there are plenty of spaces to take those all-important family portraits (the lake is a justifiably awesome backdrop), perhaps the best photos are a little more sporadic in nature. Events like Double Dare and Family Olympics as well as amenities like our go carts and climbing wall offer plenty of great moments, just waiting to be snapped onto film.

#8. THE “SEE YOU LATER” Our guests have often told us if there’s one downfall to their stays, it’s that they eventually have to end. We’ve lost track over the years of all the complete strangers that left our resort becoming lifetime friends. We get that first time visitor that hopefully thinks to themselves, “I wish I found this place sooner. We need to do this every year.” So, we don’t really believe in “goodbyes.” There’s just “til next time.” When the cars are loaded up with luggage and bread orders, last-minute gift shop runs are made and it’s time to depart, we hope that everyone, whether it’s the conclusion of your first visit or 100th, truly feels at HOME here.

A Taste of

Woodloch

GRILLED PINEAPPLE LEMONADE Ingredients: 6 ounces fresh pineapple, sliced 4 cups hot water 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (4 large lemons)

ARTICHOKE HUMMUS

Spring is a season of welcoming; inviting warmth and renewal of vibrant colors. Chef George from our Woodloch Pines Kitchen has created the following recipes for you and your family to enjoy. From our kitchen to yours, we invite you to celebrate the arrival of Spring with these refreshing creations. Visit our blog for more recipes at woodloch.com/ blog and tag us on social media with the hashtag #ATasteOfWoodloch.

Step 1 - Heat a grill over medium-high. Add pineapple slices in a single layer, and cook 5 to 6 minutes on each side, until dark char marks appear. Set grilled pineapple slices aside to cool. *A grill pan can be used for grilling, but for best results, grill over charcoal or wood. Step 2 - Combine 4 cups hot water and sugar in a large pitcher, and stir with a whisk until sugar is dissolved.

Step 3 - Process pineapple and lemon juice in a blender until relatively smooth. Step 4 - Pour pineapple mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into pitcher with sugar mixture; discard solids. Stir well until fully blended. Serve over ice. Bartender Tip - For a boozy spin add a splash of silver rum or tequila.

Ingredients: 1 (15.5-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 (12-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, marinating liquid drained and reserved 1 small garlic clove, crushed 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling Kosher salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps: Combine chickpeas, artichoke hearts, garlic, and 2 tablespoons artichoke marinating liquid in a food processor. Discard remaining marinating liquid. Process until smooth, about 1 minute and 30 seconds, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. With processor running, slowly pour oil through food chute until incorporated, about 20 seconds. Scrape mixture into a medium bowl, and season with salt and pepper; drizzle with oil. Serve hummus with cruditĂŠs, pita chips, toasted bread, or crackers.