WLP Family - Summer 2023 - Issue #14

Welcome

At Woodloch, we focus on entertainment and activity as catalysts for wellness for the family. The stage is set for family play and enjoying the beauty of our surroundings during any season. When one family who has been coming to Woodloch for years settles down on all the memories, the journey of happiness is clear. This is the case for Barry.

Barry has been staying at Woodloch with his family for years. He watched his grandkids grow up here. His kids enrolled him in a program called StoryWorth, a publishing house that supplies a new incisive question each week and then, at the end of the year, publishes the responses as a book of family history.

His question of the week centered around the best trips he’s taken.

Barry explains, “A number of years ago, I started a simple spreadsheet, listing every major event in my life that I could remember. I thought that my children would enjoy reading it when I was not around to talk about it. The definition of ‘major’ was pretty loose and I am sure I missed countless items in spite of the fact that I remembered 79 trips. WOW.” However, Woodloch was not listed but rather lived in a category unto itself.

“How incredibly lucky we have been. How many places, how many cruises, how many wonderful adventures? And within each, there were many sub-trips. Excursions brought me helmet diving, zip lining and much more.”

In spite of all the good memories that it stirred, and the careful analytical process that followed, it did me no good at all. The annual family Woodloch experiences topped even the most exotic or expensive trips. Woodloch wins again.”

So what is Woodloch to me? Family, family, family with a mixture of countless adventures within that construction like: Double Dare, Scary Halloween-like walks in the woods, wall climbing, archery, shooting, skeet, bumper boats, swimming, sailing, golfing, miniature golfing, playgrounds, hayrides, tubing, cake decorating, silly nighttime shows, and my fingers are getting tired.”

In the end, Barry remembers back to what matters most, “…but if I asked the family what was most important to them, as I have asked each year, it was the “Big House” itself (the family’s beloved Woodloch Springs rental) where a family member could be found at every turn, and the night-time meals brought out family favorites and a kid’s night that started with hot dogs and developed into multi-course magic. The House was what they all enjoyed most.

And if you asked either Linda (Barry’s wife) or me, it has been the best present for the two of us to ourselves, in spite of my long computerized list of the ‘other’ trips we have taken. Woodloch wins.”

A big thank you to Barry for sharing these tender memories with us. It’s reassuring to hear that, at least for the Howard family, we’re on the right track. It’s not about the destination, it’s the journey. And more importantly, it’s the company you keep along the journey.

Safe travels,

The Woodloch Family

-ESTABLISHED 1958-

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

how the early days of woodloch DEFINED the foundations of hospitality

HAWLEY, PA - The winter of 1958 was among the snowiest ever on record for the quaint town of Hawley, Pennsylvania. Over the course of just a few weeks between February and March, the area was pummeled by no less than four nasty winter storms in succession. All in all, more than 90 inches of snow had piled on top of itself; that’s a lot of shoveling.

But perhaps it was fate that Mother Nature brought such intense weather, at least for Woodloch’s purposes. In April of 1958, while trudging through the intense mud created by the melting snow heaps, the Kiesendahl family officially moved in and took reign of the resort. The Main Lodge, two cottages, 12 acres and 400 feet of lake shore were now under their care.

THE HAWLEY HERALD

-ESTABLISHED 1958-

The prior owners, the Svenningsen family, offered a few bits of advice and the tools in the garage, then parted ways and left the new owners to their devices.

Warming weather gave way to plenty of chores. Painting, mowing, gardening, cleaning and all sorts of repairs needed to be done to make way for the first wave of summertime guests, set to arrive Memorial Day weekend. Everyone was eager to lend a helping hand, including the kids and grandparents. Harry and Mary found themselves swarmed with enough duties to fill the day from dawn to dusk. Mary was met with a flurry of reservations to manage and a whole activities pro-

gram to oversee. Harry could be found awake bright and early cooking up breakfast, and moments later greeting his guests as they arrived for their morning meal. Humble as the beginnings were, there was no shortage of upkeep at a resort.

Luckily, seasoned help was available from May Marshall, Woodloch’s first non-family member employee. May had served as a cook under the Svenningsen’s ownership and helped the Kiesendahls through many of the trials of ownership in the early years. She was leaned on heavily for baking bread, wallpapering living rooms and making curtains, among other things.

While Harry and Mary were quick to adjust to their new lives in Hawley, it wasn’t quite as simple for their kids. John, Nancy and Steve all faced their share of growing pains. Relocating from the bustling suburbs of Long Island to the forests of Northeastern Pennsylvania wasn’t without its difficulties. But after a season of hard work, fresh air and meeting plenty of new friends along the way, little by little all of the Kiesendahls found their footing in the new family business.

In just a few years time, what started off as a risky business venture for the Kiesendahls would soon become a staple in the lives of hundreds of visiting families.

It’s hard to believe that 65 years have come and gone since Woodloch’s opening day, and we’ve made too many wonderful memories to count. But in our hearts, the first days of our business will always stay near and dear to our hearts.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Scan to learn a little bit more about “The Story of Woodloch” right here!

The original main house circa 1958

The original main house circa 1958

It’s no secret that Woodloch is chockful of activities and amenities to keep guests busy every minute of the day here. Sometimes, however, guests like to venture off-property and explore local attractions in the area. We are lucky to be close to a number of great restaurants, breweries, shops, and outdoor recreation sites. Looking to do a little exploring of your own the next time you visit? Read on for some recommendations!

Wallenpaupack Brewing Company | 73 Welwood Ave, Hawley, PA

Located right in Hawley, Wallenpaupack Brewing Company is a brewpub featuring craft beers on tap and a menu of locally sourced, in-house prepared food, all of which are available through counter service. With a huge variety of offerings with names like Paupack Cream Ale, Black Diamond Lager, and Wake Surfer, this brewery has a beer to please every palate. Customers can learn more about how beers are made on the impressive brewery tours that are offered. Popular menu items include poutine (a.k.a. boardwalk fries covered in gravy and cheese), beer and cheddar soup and specialty knockwurst.

Here & Now | 645 Main St, Honesdale, PA

Here and Now Brewing Company, located on Main Street in downtown Honesdale, features a warm, welcoming dining space that mixes rustic design elements, such as a wood top bar set against a brick industrial backdrop. A variety of beers are offered on tap, and customers can choose a selection of four beers and try a flight. Growlers are also available so that you can take home your favorite brew. Menu highlights include unique pizza creations, duck fat fries, and chicken curry.

Native | 44 Main St, Honesdale, PA

Native bills itself as a New American, fine dining restaurant. It features seasonal and locally-sourced cuisine and an open-kitchen concept so that patrons can watch the meal preparation process. The menu includes a wide range of dishes such as Venison Osso Buco, house-made squash gnocchi, charred Caesar salad, and a smoked duck Reuben. As the Native website states about owners Caleb and Alex Johnson, “The pair met in Philadelphia working for a restaurant group in Center City, Caleb the Chef de Cusine and Alex, the front-of-house manager. After sticking around Philly for nearly 8 years honing their craft they returned to the area to be closer to family and raise their two children. Wanting to bring a cool city vibe and great food to small town NEPA, Native was born.”

Gather | 1019 Main Street, Honesdale, PA

Offering a unique mix of specialty items, kitchen and barware, women’s and men’s clothing, gourmet food and baby presents, Gather can really be your one-stop shop for gifts of all sorts. One Google reviewer notes, “Olivia, the owner, is one of the nicest, friendliest, most helpful people you will ever meet!!”

Time Machine Antiques | 229 Main Avenue, Hawley, PA

They don’t make em’ like the used to. Nothing rivals a classic, so chase down a special-something from yesteryear with a visit to Time Machine Antiques in Hawley. Choose from an ever-changing collection of furniture, lamps, toys, decor, pottery and every kind of knick knack imaginable. Relive eras of vintage design in this shop / museum... and don’t forget to bring a little bit of Americana back home with you!

Narrowsburg Proper | 44 Main St, Narrowsburg, NY

Narrowsburg Proper bills itself as “the not so general, general store,” which is the perfect way to describe it. This charming boutique boasts beautiful menswear and children’s items in addition to a wide variety of locally and globally sourced foods. From Italian delicacies to charcuterie items and cocktail accessories, if you have foodie friends and family, you’ll defi nitely want to head here!

Promised Land

Only a 30-minute drive from Woodloch, Promised Land State Park is surrounded by the stunning Delaware State Forest. It is situated on over 3,000 acres of land and provides plenty of (mostly free!) recreation opportunities such as: hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, horseback riding, trail biking, and camping. Promised Land also features a sandy beach, boat launch, picnic tables, pavilions, boat rentals, sand volleyball, and charcoal grills. And don’t miss the Masker Museum, one of the largest Civilian Conservation Corps museums in the state, constructed as part of the voluntary government work relief program that ran from 1933 to 1942.

Bushkill Falls

Dubbed the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” this stunning locale spans about 300 acres and features eight waterfalls and over two miles of trails, bridges, and walkways. Hike the two-mile Red Trail and enjoy views of all eight waterfalls. The drop from the top of the first falls to the bottom of the lower gorge is about 300 feet. Visitors can also fish, paddleboat, and picnic on-site.

We’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg here, but we hope that you’re able to get out and enjoy some firsthand exploring before, during, or after your next trip to Woodloch!

Wipeout! Woodloch65thAnniversary

We’re eager to celebrate our 65th anniversary, so let’s kick it off the best way we know how... a contest! We’ll make it easy- try your luck at our famous “WIPEOUT” contest. Pick the correct answer in each of these challenging questions. Get all ten correct, and you’ll be entered to win a $100 Woodloch gift certificate. Good luck!

1. Which of the following is NOT an ingredient in our famous crumb cake?

Nutmeg or Cinnamon

2. How many years have we been enjoying shows in our famous Heritage Nightclub?

26 or 22

3. What time is frozen forever upon the famous original kitchen clock In our main dining room?

3:17 or 6:54

4. Which of the following has NOT been a past Woodloch amenity?

The Gravitron or The Orbitron

5. In total, approximately how many Scandinavian pancakes does our kitchen roll every year?

55,000 or 38,000

6. Both JK and Randy belonged to what fraternity at Cornell University?

Pi Kappa Alpha or Kappa Sigma

7. What type of animal can be found around Lake Teedyuskung?

The Loon or The Heron

8. By consumption, what is the most popular flavor ice cream at our resort?

Cookies & Cream or Choc. Chip Mint

9. What legendary vehicle was used by Uncle Harry and friends during his early visits to Lake Teedyuskung?

The Willys or The Studebaker

10. Which of the following was NOT a past accommodation at Woodloch?

Rock Ledge or Pine Ridge

Think you know the answers? Scan the code below and enter to win a gi certificate!

Photo By Tom Schelling

VACATION RENTAL PROGRAMS the biggest names vs vacation rentals by woodloch

When Airbnb first hit the scene in 2008, the idea exploded. How many empty houses or extra rooms sat in cute parts of cities across the world just waiting for someone to visit and for the owners to receive a nice little payout? It seemed novel to much of the tourism community, yet there was another that hit the scene over 10 years prior. VRBO, or Vacation Rentals by Owner, dates back to 1995, pairing homeowners with families looking to travel to various U.S. destinations. Both these companies blossomed into global initiatives, harnessing a bulletin-board-style form of online marketing to put massive audiences in front of vacation rental homeowners and taking a little cut of each sale for themselves.

Yet this concept surely isn’t a new one to the hospitality industry. You need not look further than little Pocono resorts like Woodloch to find short term, vacation rental home programs that date back even further. The Woodloch family first broke ground on Woodloch Springs in the early days of the ‘90s and was renting privately owned homes on their golf course by 1992. Looking back further than that, we can see that vacation rental home sharing boomed after the end of WWII, which paved the way for massive property management companies to aggregate and streamline the rental process by the millions.

There are an estimated 2 million professionally managed vacation rental properties across the United States, and the U.S. is only 20% of the global market. It becomes challenging as a socially-conscious person not to compare this staggering number to the 2019-estimated housing shortage of 3.8 million, a number that has only grown since the 2020 pandemic.^

This may make one scratch their head and wonder where to begin. Is a vacation rental house superior to a traditional hotel accommodation? What if you’re looking for an obscure location, or there’s an event in the area that has caused all the other options to sell out? What if you’re travelling with a large number of friends or family? Certainly, there is a way to responsibly partake in one of the most convenient and affordable vacation trends. It really becomes a question of what you’re looking for and how you feel about the social impact of the ‘little guy’s’ choices when it comes to vacation accommodation options.

FEATURES

whole home rentals

privately owned

shared/unique offerings

free wi-fi

complimentary parking amenities (e.g. shampoo, coffee)

linens (bedding, towels etc.)

cribs and rollaway beds

resort access

meal plan option

kitchen

kitchen supplies

laundry

long term rental options

standard of cleanliness

h�ps://www.fanniemae.com/research -and-insights/perspec�ves/us-housing-shortage

h�ps://ipropertymanagement.com/research/vaca�on -rental-industry-sta�s�cs

cleaning fee

pet friendly

h�ps://papers ssrn com/sol3/papers cfm?abstract id=3006832

ADA utilities (e.g. ramps, tub seats)

24/7 on site (front desk)

maintenance team

safety/security (emergency first aid)

daily resort activities

evening entertainment

single cancellation policy

full refunds (minus service charge)

= varies

It’s great to have options as unique as you. However, when you’re looking for a vacation rental home, the best perk is often the “no surprises” one. Vacation Rentals by Woodloch are an extension of our renowned, award-winning resort property and you can expect the hospitality, cleanliness, and activities to be on-par with the resort experience. You can also feel better knowing that houses built solely to participate in the vacation rental program at Woodloch don’t remove housing options from vulnerable communities or raise the rent of surrounding neighborhoods. They only bring tourism, tax dollars, and career opportunities to help the area grow and thrive!

^ citations :

https://ipropertymanagement.com/research/vacation-rental-industry-statistics

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3006832

https://www.fanniemae.com/research-and-insights/perspectives/us-housing-shortage

Vacation Rentals by Woodloch

WHAT WOODLOCH MEANS TO ME by Contributor Meaghan Murphy

Ladies who lake: Annual Team Murphy @woodloch adventure! Think modern day Dirty Dancing getaway w/ endless family fun from cannonballs off the dock, paddle boats, fishing, BINGO, gross-out Double Dare challenges to my favorite part—every meal together at the same designated table w/ the friendliest wait staff that greets you with hugs year after year!

She pinky swore she was jumping too!

Fully charged after 4 days of pure family fun at @woodloch

#grateful #poconos

#Familyovereverything

#thefullychargedlife

The first time Team Murphy went to @woodloch was the Christmas right after my Dad died of pancreatic cancer. Nana wanted to be away with her kids and grandkids over the holidays. She had scoped out Woodloch with Pop years prior and it seemed like the perfect place to come together to laugh, cry, bet on wooden horses, eat epic crumb cake, snow tube, and generally have endless family fun. I think the Woodloch magic is getting the chance to eat 3 meals a day TOGETHER at the same table. I always leave our Happy Place Fully Charged with my heart bursting unlike any other trip. I’m smiling so hard in this pic because smiling is my favorite and so is Woodloch.

Turns out we’re Lake People! Thanks for the memories.

Yup. We are that family with the matching outfits and I loooooove it!

#TeamMurphy #woodloch

My everything in slideshow format. #TeamMurphy #woodloch

Still not sure how I convinced Charley to go matchy with me. But she loooved it and ASKED to keep snapping pics. It must be @woodloch magic! #momlife #twinning

woodloch

For over five years now, we’ve had the honor of hosting Meaghan Murphy and her family at Woodloch. Meaghan serves as Editor-in-Chief of Woman’s Day, which reaches an audience of over 18 million monthly. She is also the author of Your Fully Charged Life: A Radically Simple Approach to Having Endless Energy and Filling Every Day with YAY. She previously served as Executive Editor at Good Housekeeping for six years and is a frequent guest expert on the talk show circuit, making regular appearances on nationally-broadcast television shows such as Live with Kelly & Ryan and Today.

Lucky for us, Meaghan is also a huge fan of Woodloch. She has lovingly shared her annual vacations here on social media, and we’re excited to share some of her content over the years with our WLP Family readers!

We could be sad that we’re leaving OR glad that we got 4 days of @woodloch family fun. Life lesson for Team Murphy as we head home from another magical memory maker.

She likes me today! Must be the @woodloch magic #momtruth

Grateful and sappy after our annual crumb cake, horse races, BINGO, dock dives, paddle boats, matchy outfits…there’s no place like home again at @woodloch Until next year! #tradition #woodlochmagic

Let the matching outfits begin! Team Murphy is #BackTogether at @woodloch It’s our 6th visit to this magical family resort…and I say magical because Exhibit A: Charley is twinning with me and hugging it out for a photo! #mywoodlochstory #familytime

Traditions help form the foundation of our families. Things like insisting Team Murphy takes this lakeside photo every year on our summer Woodloch trip reminds us that we are part of a history that defines our past, shapes who we are today and who we are likely to become. Traditions matter. #tradition #mywoodlochstory #familytime

Working on a holiday card photo in our Happy Place! We @woodloch

DownFarm on the

Sustainable growing at The Lodge at Woodloch

Nestled between the conifers and deciduous towers there’s a plot of land carved out of The Lodge at Woodloch’s property- The Blackmore Farm. It’s about a ten minute walk from the main building of the destination spa resort. What started as an herb garden about a decade ago has morphed and grown into a full production, biodynamic and diverse farm fitted with year-round high tunnels, and hoophouse. The farm-to-table dinners hosted there are as authentic as it gets.

The farm produces food. Food that is good for you, food that is cared for from seedling to plate. The philosophy of the Blackmore Farm is to give back to the environment first before ever receiving its bounty. They say they feed everything- from the soil’s microbes and earthworms, to the bees and butterflies, all the way up to the birds, deer, and yes, even you and me. It’s akin to a term bandied around called “sustainable agriculture.”

Sustainability is a broad term, but this technique generally refers to the farming practices that incorporate and prioritize the ability to maintain a process over time- one that prioritizes natural and renewable resources over synthetic inputs like fertilizers and pesticides. Using the land as its intended, to perform indefinitely, providing food and fiber to meet the needs of the present and the needs of the future.

Being nestled between the tall trees is no accident; it’s biodesign. The interconnectedness of the forest is critical to its own sustainability and lends itself to the farm as well. The undersoil communication network of roots, mushrooms, and subterranean creatures feeds the whole system in ways that a blazed desolate field cannot.

It's not just a farm, it's an ecosystem. Within the high tunnels on the farm, the system is complex, yet the mindset is simple.

“If you like a plant, let it reproduce. If you don’t like a plant, don’t let it reproduce” says Derrick Braun, the FARMicist, at Blackmore. It’s as simple as that, order out of chaos. He quotes Emerson, “a weed is a plant whose virtues are not yet recognized.” The same can be said outside of the high tunnels. The eight or so acres of space the farmers are currently working with have expanded to include an apple and pear orchard with a strawberry patch – all of which should be producing fruit this year.

To get to the orchard, you’ll have to meander past the mushroom logs along the way, where Derrick and Sam Lindenmuth (the DIRT Dr.) along with Sarah Boysen and Stefani Fabiano had propagated 60,000 shiitake spores over the past few years. The apiary sits on the edge of the orchard, and while the honey is a nice addition, it’s the explorative work of the bees that’s of critical value.

More and more, we all want to know exactly where our food is coming from and how it is getting to the table.

Collectively, we have been mainstreaming the idea that it’s no longer just important to know WHAT we’re putting in our bodies but also WHERE it’s coming from and how it was cared for. And with that, it just tastes better.

The tenets of sustainability are evident throughout the farm. As the farm-in-the-trees promotes agroforestry, the cover crops offer natural barriers to pests and the natural order to the chaos renders the workload very manageable. The reduction of tilling and offering a diversification of crops keeps the soil healthy and long-lasting.

Today, the little herb garden is no more. Instead, we see a full-blown production garden that supplies so much of the plant-based ingredients offered to guests who dine in TREE at The Lodge at Woodloch as well as, at times, the other kitchens around Woodloch (not to mention the teas, herb-therapeutics, and spa treatment offerings). Supported by the commitment, heart and care of the dedicated farmers at Blackmore, the sustainability of this garden goes well beyond its plants.

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Makes 18-24 Cookies

1 large egg, divided

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1. Whisk egg white in mixing bowl.

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

2/3 cup raspberry jam

2. Cream butter, brown sugar, and egg yolk. Mix until incorporated.

3. Add whisked egg white, flour, vanilla, and salt. Mix until incorporated.

4. Scoop 1 ½ inch balls on greased baking pans.

5. Bake at 300 F° for 5 minutes.

6. Remove cookies from oven and press thumb or pestle to make an indent in each cookie, then spoon jam into the indent.

7. Return to oven for additional 8 minutes. Cool on cookie rack.

YOUR SUMMER BASH WITH A TWIST OF WOODLOCH

COIN SHUFFLEBOARD

All you need is a table, some tape, and a few coins to enjoy this event. Mark your table with three different strips of tape indicating scoring “zones.” Zip your coins down the table to try to land in various scoring zones WITHOUT flying off the edge!

There’s something special about that first official breath of the summer season. There’s a chemical reaction of sorts that travels through the nostrils and zips through the body, tingling all the way. Our minds become filled with visions of sunshine, beaches, barbecues, block parties and so much more. And winter becomes the LAST thing on our mind.

With graduations, parties, 4th of July, reunions and so much more to celebrate, why not level up your event with a “Woodloch at Home” Block Party? Here’s our guide to creating six family friendly events sure to please all ages (and skill sets)!

TANDEM CORNHOLE TOSS

Cornhole is one of our favorite summertime games, so let’s spice it up a little, “Woodloch-style!” Make your throws together with a partner as the clock ticks down- it’s all about teamwork, accuracy and is sure to get some laughs!

THE FRYING PAN RELAY

We’ve taken the timeless classic of “egg & spoon” relay and supersized it! Find an old fashioned fryin’ pan and an “egg-like” object. Stack your team up smallest to tallest, and shuttle run from cone to cone without letting your egg flop out.

“SHAKE IT OFF”

Finding yourself with a bit of bottled up energy? This is a great event filled to the brim with laughs! Tag each participant with ten old fashioned clothes pins pinched around their shirts. When the music starts, the fun begins! Using only your dance moves, do your best to wiggle and boogie all of the pins off your clothing!

HULA-HOOPLA

It’s amazing how much fun you can have with just one hula hoop! Join hands with your teammates, and work together to work the hoop down the chain without letting it hit the ground or breaking the chain! Have groups square off “canoe race” style for an added element of excitment!

LIP SYNC BATTLE

Nothing will clear a room out quicker than some bad karaoke, so bring some fun musical moments to your gathering with lip sync battles! Square off in head-to-head matches until only one champion remains. BONUS: make your contest extra legendary with costumes and props!

AWARDS CEREMONY

You could enjoy the games for the fun festivities that they are, but there is certainly something to be said about the thrill of victory! Take your gathering to the Woodloch-level with a formal presentation of a trophy, banner or medals!

Bring a little bit of Woodloch to your life with FREE #WoodlochAtHome activities!

MEET the TEAM

JOEY RANNER Social Director

HELLO

MY NAME IS:

Joey “The Kid”

YOU ARE CELEBRATING YOUR 40TH YEAR AT WOODLOCH. HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?

I started back in 1983. I spoke with John Kiesendahl, who needed help at the lake. So I started things off as a lifeguard, then moved around with the bar and the dining room.

I eventually met Mr. Randy Barnes. Randy was, at that time, the social director here. Him and I became very good friends and shared some of the same kind of traits with each other. We both enjoyed people and laughing and that kind of thing.

So I became an assistant to Randy; he wanted me to join him in the social department. After a few years together, Randy wanted to spend a little bit more time at home, so as a mutual thing between him and I and the Kiesendahls, I became the social director.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR WOODLOCH’S UNIQUE GAMES AND ACTIVITIES?

That’s a very difficult question, and it’s probably the one I’ve been asked the most. I get my ideas from so many different sources.

Ideas often come up from looking at things differently. If I walk into a Wal-Mart and see a child’s toy, a lot of people look at that as something they might buy their grandchild. I look at it and I’ll see a game- something that kids, moms, dads, grandparents and everyone can enjoy together. I’ll get inspiration from movies, television and my wife of 40 years, Donna. So it keeps everybody that I work with very fresh on things, including the people who are on social staff that actually have to make these games and then run them. Crazy ideas... that’s what keeps it fun!

OUTSIDE OF WORK, WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES OR PASTTIMES?

I have six kids, a bunch of grandchildren, and a “chi-weenie” named Mia, so they tend to keep me busy. I love spending time with my wife. We get ice cream, go out to dinner, take walks and just sit on the porch and hang out. I still like to fish, shoot, and just go on drives. I have always appreciated classic cars because of my father and my father-in-law. And of course... fall Sundays will always belong to my San Francisco 49ers.

I’ve also always enjoyed cooking and food- I grew up working at my family’s restaurant. When I started working at Woodloch, I befriended many of the chefs in our kitchen, including my good friend Dave Nordenhold. From that, we worked together to provide our famous midweek “Cooking Class,” where we would teach our guests to prepare so many of Woodloch’s famous dishes. We have a bunch of laughs, and of course enjoy it all at the end of the class. We would sell the latest chef’s kitchen gadgets at the end, with proceeds benefitting our employee Crisis Fund. So everybody wins!

LONG-TIME GUESTS REMEMBER THE OLD STAFF SHOWS. WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORITE SKETCHES?

There are just too many to count. I had fun with so many of our staff members over the years in skits. One in particular was a vampire sketch with my good friend Mike Coppola. I hung upside down for almost 10 minutes as we rattled off all kinds of puns and vampire jokes! We also did our take on the famous SNL “Butabi” brothers. We filmed part of it on location in New York (which our guests loved) and then continued it live on our stage every staff show night. Lots of fun! I also got to play “Garth Brooks” and enjoyed being lowered almost 40 feet from the roof to the stage. It scared me to death each night, but we can laugh now.

WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO VISIT ON VACATION?

I don’t get to travel all that much, but when I do, one of my favorite spots to visit is the beautiful town of Spring Lake on the Jersey Shore. There are a lot of great places to eat, shop, and just relax on that wonderful beach. Plus, you’ve got the charm of the famous boardwalk at Point Pleasant. When my kids were younger, we used to love visiting Hersheypark. We would do all of those great rides, and of course follow it up with an annual visit to “Chocolate World.” I went to Bermuda on my honeymoon, and it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I haven’t made it there yet, but I’ve always wanted to visit San Fransciso to cheer on my beloved 49ers in person at Levi’s Stadium. Then I’d love to check out some of the cool places in California.

YOU’RE A HUGE MUSIC FAN. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CONCERT YOU’VE GONE TO?

The most memorable was my first- that would have been the band Boston back when I was 15 or 16 years old. I saw them up in Binghamton. Tom Sholz was the amazing guitarist, and Bradley Delp was a phenomenal singer, and they played their entire debut album. What’s even more crazy, the opening act was Sammy Hagar- who would one day be in my all-time favorite band, Van Halen. Speaking of which, I’ve seen them several times with both David Lee Roth and Hagar. We’ll never see a guitarist as amazing as Eddie Van Halen again. As good as he sounded on records, he sounded even more impressive in person. I also enjoyed seeing Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi with my wife. There was a lot of energy with those acts, lots of fun. Plus, U2 put on an amazing show as well.

LOOKING BACK AT YOUR TIME HERE, WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT?

We did a lot of great things through the years: car shows, charity events, and even obtaining a world record. But two things really stand out to me. First was a weekend a few years back celebrating Randy Barnes and myself. A lot of friends and family made the trip to our nightclub to celebrate our time at Woodloch. We were touched, to say the least.

The other thing would be the opportunity to work with all of my kids. At one point or another, all six of them worked at Woodloch. All of them found their own areas of expertise in their fields, but they all started in activities. I think they all would do it again. They met a lot of lifelong friends here and continue to keep tabs with many of the guests and staff-memebers they crossed paths with through the years... just as I did.