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!

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!