WLPFamily Magazine - Issue #13

Welcome

Time... It’s the great equalizer, the destroyer, the paramount opportunist, the most truthful cliché, our most taken granted for and most revered; time means everything . If there’s one thing we can all agree upon, it’s that we could spend more time with those we love. At Woodloch, if you didn’t already know, our purpose is to provide an environment for families to spend quality time with each other. That’s what it’s all about and that’s what our main focus is.

A light bulb went off when speaking with two families that have been vacationing together here at Woodloch for the past 10 years. As one person in the group remarked, it makes total sense as to why these long-lasting, deep bonds are made at Woodloch. “Through these zany activities, which we all want to win at, we need to rely on this new family we’ve never met to help each other win. You need to get out of your comfort zone, have fun, be real, communicate quickly and build trust instantly to get that medal. You’re going to make fast friends that way,” the guest remarked.

That’s Woodloch. That’s the way you freeze time. You make unforgettable memories.

Coming up in this issue, we get ourselves ready for the holidays and scope out winter. Soup season is upon us and we have five incredible recipes that will keep you warm and happy through the holidays. As much as some of you may not like to admit it, winter is, in fact, on its way. We love it. We love all seasons, but we’ve had some unique winter fun through the years which you can read about in “Winter Then and Now.” You’ll also enjoy “How to Plan Your Next Best Family Reunion,” and even how to design and create fantastic family team shirts!

As the holidays settle upon us, let’s all circle back to the importance of time together, memories made, and laughter shared to recognize that there is no greater gift on earth more valuable than the gift of someone’s time.

The Woodloch Family

Dressed to a Tee!

WOODLOCH’S GUIDE TO CREATING YOUR FAMILY’S FUNKIEST THREADS

Clothing can bring confidence, right? So why not give your team a bit of a competitive edge by designing a family t-shirt for your next Woodloch visit?

Uniting under a common garment to achieve victory is a tale as old as time, so spice up your next family or group getaway with some dynamite threads of your own!

But let’s say it’s your first foray into fashion design- where does one even begin to plan such a daunting task? We promise, it’s easier than you might think!

STEP 1: FIND AN IDENTITY

Maybe it’s as simple as creating a family reunion t-shirt. Or, maybe you’re set to approach this with the gumption of branding a professional sports franchise. Either way, the first step in creating a family t-shirt is to assume your identity. Talk it over with the family and choose the direction you’d like to take.

STEP 2: CHOOSE A “LOOK”

Celebrating grandpa’s 80th birthday? Perhaps you’d want to go with his favorite color. Have a family pet that would be the perfect team “mascot?” Incorporate them into the design! Odds are, if your family is big enough, you’re bound to have at least one willing member that would take delight in being tasked with design. Put it in their hands and let them work some magic.

STEP 3: FIND A PRINTER

Fortunately, with advances in technology, having your shirts printed and brought to life has never been easier! Odds are pre y good that you can keep your money local with a wellreputed screen printer in town, but if not, there are countless options online to suit your needs. Many companies will even do the design work for you. Just give them the sizes and quantities that you need, and they can do just about everything else.

Be mindful of time frame so that your shirts are made well ahead of your big getaway.

BONUS STEP: WIN!

Visit the famed North Lodge “Wall of Fun” and you’ll notice one thing right away- we have dozens of family t-shirts framed and immortalized for guests to admire year a er year!

But not just any family shirts are given the gi of immortality. These places must be won! Every year, Woodloch hosts its annual “Family T-Shirt Contest” at the end of the summer and enshrines new inductees into the mix! Play your cards right, have fun in creation, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be among the next class! BE

10 Tips For Planning A Family Reunion

When planning a family reunion, it’s important to have everything well organized. If that’s not your specialty, see if you can pick a member of the family who is detail-oriented to help keep you on schedule. Better yet, book a venue with an event coordinator to keep you and your group on track.

How big is your family? You’re going to need to decide how many people you plan to invite and gauge how many might be interested. The wedding planning website “The Knot” cites that roughly 15% of people will decline a wedding invitation, with that number going as high as 30% for a destination wedding. We also find that, in general, only 60% of invited guests will attend a “party event” so we can estimate that family reunions will fall somewhere into these stats. Your budget will need to include food, accommodation, activities, and any collateral. Collateral is considered your time, invitations, postage, paper products or rental items such as tents, chairs, and tables. Who will be paying for everything? Will it be funded in advance or pay-at-the-door? Will it be a catered event or a potluck? Will people be travelling far and need to book overnight accommodations? Send a pre-planning questionnaire out to get a feel for everyone’s comfort levels and financial situation. The last thing you want to do is price your family out of attending.

If you’re planning on throwing your event in the local park gazebo with nothing more than your fingers crossed that the weather will be sunny and clear, you’re going to need a solid backup plan. Try to think about what might go wrong and then decide how you will address it prior. This will save you big last minute headaches even if the event goes smoothly. Event venues often have backup plans already in place and their experienced coordinators can help guide you to making the right decisions for your big event. The point of a family reunion is to get everyone together in one place and strengthen familial bonds. Don’t feel awkward inviting people you’ve never met to your family reunion. Reaching out to the most senior members in your family to get names and addresses can be key in having everyone possible in attendance.

Pick a destination and invite everyone to stay overnight or for a weekend. Budget tight? Many venues offer group discounts. And if you can swing a midweek, you’ll get the best deals. Just keep in mind many people have work and school commitments during the week, so give plenty of notice to make accommodations if this is the plan.

#1 Have the event well-planned and organized.

Set a realistic budget… with the means to raise it.

Have a wide range of activities.

There needs to be something that interests everyone at your reunion. You’re probably going to have a wide range of ages in one place and sack races aren’t going to cut it for great grandpa as much as Bingo probably won’t interest your teens. Plan activities that bring people together. Trivia or game shows are something that nearly everyone can do. Other hands-on ideas include baking or crafting activities. These can also be great mementos of the event. Have lots of time for just hanging out. A big venue with a rainy day option is ideal. You’re all going to want to catch up or get to know one another, so leave lots of time around meals for chatting.

#7 Create excitement.

Communicate with attendees prior to the event, not only to gauge interest and get support but also to build excitement for the big day. Use email to cut costs of communicating or even make a Facebook Event, and let everyone collaborate together in one space.

#8 Select a representative from each family unit and diversify the workload.

Each representative can be in charge of sending invites, receiving RSVPs, fielding questions from their unit, raising funds, or helping elder relatives with things like transportation or reservation logistics. Don’t try to do everything yourself. The event planning is likely to bring you just as close to members of your extended family as the actual reunion. Lean on other’s expertise. Maybe you have a baker in the family- chef, teacher or travel agent. Everyone has strengths they can add to the mix, so get volunteers and get them committed early. If you decide to send a questionnaire out, this is a great time to ask for volunteers and see what others can add to the event.

#9

Share your family’s story.

If you find yourself with enough support that you have spare time to attend to the details, you can gather photos and stories, newspaper articles, or historical records, and create the story of your family. Leave space for people to add to the story. You’re likely to learn something that even Ancestry.com couldn’t tell you.

#10 Capture it all.

Hire a photographer to capture a professional portrait of the family together. The cost will be nominal with all involved helping to cover it and the memento will be priceless for generations to come. Chances are decent that someone in the family is a hobby photographer or better. Ask if they would be open to capturing a few candid moments throughout the event. Keep an email chain or a social media group open for all members of the family so that everyone can keep in touch. Maybe your first family reunion can become a recurring tradition!

Bonus! Thank you letters are a route to keep in touch.

The Little Fisher Boy

Lakeside Bench

The Tea House Dock

It might be hard to believe, but Woodloch is just about to enter its 64th winter! Though times have changed between now and then, the premise of getting away to the legendary and esteemed Pocono Mountains for a little bit of winter playtime is just as fun as ever.

Way back when, the idea of a winter vacation meant packing up the family roadster, ensuring that snow chains were on the ready, and making the long trek to the Pennsylvania woods. Upon arriving at Woodloch, guests were greeted by the Kiesesndahl family and, with a little luck, mountains of freshly fallen snow. Patrons enjoyed horse drawn sleigh rides, sledding, and, of course, the legendary toboggan run onto the lake!

Nights consisted of warming up in the Main Lodge with a fireplace, wintry cocktails and live dance music from our famous house bands. Life was good and carefree, up until it was time to dig up the car from under the snowfall to start the long journey back home!

Flash forward to today. Much of the winter charm from days gone remains, with one exception. Through the wonder of science and technology, we have less dependence on Mother Nature to provide us with snow! Once temperatures become cold enough (consistently below 20 degrees or more), Woodloch is able to fire up our snow cannons and fluff up some powder of our own, on demand! So much, in fact, that an entire snow tube mountain is constructed on our lake front every year; no more rough landings onto the rocky ice of the lake!

In winter, our famous athletic field becomes a snowcovered playground and plays host to the celebrated Woodloch Winter Olympics! Plus, famous Pocono Mountain skiing and snowboarding is just a short 15 minute trip down the road at Big Bear Ski Resort!

Whether it’s your first visit to the resort during winter or one of many dating back from the beginning, there’s no denying the sheer magic of a cold-month stay at Woodloch!

Love it or loathe it, winter is o icially back in town for the season. It brings a season of frosty frolicking for some, and also heavy-duty shoveling and slippery commutes for others. If there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s that nothing else brightens up a cold a ernoon like a warm bowl of homemade soup!

Our culinary team is proud to share some of our favorite recipes with you!

Bring #ATasteOfWoodloch into your home this winter season!

LOADED POTATO SOUP

4 oz. bacon, diced 1/4” thick 1 onion, chopped 1 lb. bag frozen hash browns 6 oz. smoked gouda, shredded Chopped chives 1 qt. whole milk

In a large pot, cook the bacon; reserve in a separate bowl. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes. Add the hash browns and cook for 5 minutes more. Add milk and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour contents into the blender and puree.

Pour the mixture back into the pot and stir in the cheese. Top with bacon and chives. If the final product is too thick, add in extra milk to thin it out. Serves 6.

OVEN-ROASTED TOMATO SOUP

2 lbs. tomatoes quartered 1 sweet onion quartered 1 tbsp. thyme

1 tbsp. roughly chopped basil

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tbsp. agave

1/4 tsp. cayenne Pinch salt and pepper

1 roasted garlic head 1/2 cup vegetable broth

Preheat oven to 400°. Put tomatoes and onion in a large bowl with thyme, basil, lemon juice, agave and olive oil. Add a pinch of cayenne, salt and ground pepper and toss. Place all ingredients except roasted garlic onto a baking sheet.

Roast vegetables for 20 minutes. Once roasted, put all ingredients into a high speed blender. Add all cloves from roasted garlic and vegetable broth and blend until smooth. Finish with black pepper and basil.

BUTTERNUT

SQUASH

WITH SPICED POPCORN

2-3 bu ernut squash, peeled and chopped

1 Spanish onion, chopped

2-3 apples, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 knob of celery root, peeled and chopped

2 tbsp. blended oil

Salt and pepper ½ cup brown sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. fresh thyme and sage

½ cup bu ermilk

2 quarts of vegetable stock

1 container of soy milk

2 tbsp. maple syrup

1 quart of popped popcorn (spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and maple sugar)

Sauté first four ingredients in vegetable oil for 5-10 minutes. Add salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, thyme and sage. Add bu ermilk, vegetable stock, soy milk and maple syrup and simmer until squash is tender. Blend until smooth and top o with spiced popcorn as garnish.

WOODLOCH COUNTRY STORE’S FAMOUS CHILI

2 Tbsp. EVOO

1 pound ground beef or turkey

1 red onion

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 zucchini, chopped 1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 summer squash, chopped

2 chiles, seeded and chopped

1 tbsp. paprika

1-12 oz. bo le beer

1-28 oz. can diced tomatoes

2 Tbsp. fresh thyme chopped

Zested peel and juice of 1 lime 4 scallions, thinly sliced 1 cup shredded smoked gouda

In a large pot heat EVOO over medium-high heat until smoking. Add the beef and cook, stirring to break up, until browned, about 8 min. Stir in onion, garlic, zucchini, squash, bell pepper and chiles; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the corn kernels, chili powder and paprika. Cook until the veggies are so ened, 6 to 7 min.

Stir in the beer and cook until reduced slightly, about 2 min. Stir in the tomatoes, thyme and lime peel and cook until slightly reduced, 5 minutes. Turn o the heat, then stir in the lime juice. To serve, top with scallions and cheese.

WOODLOCH’S ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP

1 gal. chicken broth (well-seasoned)

1 c. cornstarch

1 c. cold water

10 oz. spinach

1 lb. ditalini pasta

1 lb. mini meatballs

Thicken broth with cornstarch and water. Bring broth to boil a er starch is in broth. Add thawed spinach, pasta, and mini meatballs to broth. Cook pasta according to box directions.

Ever since Woodloch first opened back in 1958, it has been the philosophy of founder Harry Kiesendahl to protect the land around our property as a gift given to all of us. “Going Green” isn’t just a fad or marketing gimmick for Woodloch. It’s a way of life, and it’s about making a difference. Woodloch promotes ecological sustainability by trying to minimize its negative impact on our land as much as possible while still providing a meaningful guest experience founded on solid economic business practices. Embracing sound environmental policies has always been - and continues to be - important to us, and we are proud to be a leader in the Pocono region. We always encourage our guests and neighbors to join us in being mindful of the scenic beauty that surrounds us.

Across all departments, ranging from the front desk to vehicle maintenance, and golf operations to construction, Woodloch employs a philosophy of conservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Therefore, becoming a member of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC) Green Lodging Partnership was a natural fit.

The DHC’s Green Lodging Partnership program allows local hotels and inns to get involved in supporting the organization’s mission by working with land owners, local businesses and communities to protect the beautiful landscapes and pristine waters of the unique Upper Delaware River Region. Guests at these participating properties have the opportunity to contribute directly by making a small donation at checkout. Here at Woodloch, the donation is a very nominal $3, but that amount goes a long way considering we host tens of thousands of guests each year!

So what exactly is the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, you ask? The non-profit 501c3 is “an accredited land trust dedicated to conserving the natural heritage and quality of life in the Upper Delaware River region in partnership with the region’s landowners and communities” whose mission is “to conserve the forests, farmland, clean waters, and wildlife habitat of the Upper Delaware River region.” The region spans over 18,000 acres and encompasses Pike and Wayne Counties in Pennsylvania as well as Delaware, Orange and Sullivan Counties in New York.

Read on to learn more about the DHC’s beginnings!

“In the early 80s, Conservancy founder Barbara Yeaman, compelled by a love for the Delaware River and region, bought property on the Delaware River in Milanville, PA. As a landowner, Barbara quickly understood the need for landowners to be able to protect their lands in ways that worked for them and their families and, at the same time, contributed to the overall health of the region’s farms, forests, and waters. In 1994, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy was born. Barbara’s twelve acres on the Delaware River was one of the Conservancy’s first conservation easements.

In the past two decades, the Conservancy has grown from an all-volunteer organization to a nationally accredited land trust with eight full- and part-time staff members, a strong board of directors, and a core of committed volunteers dedicated to supporting all the Conservancy’s land protection and community outreach efforts.

The Conservancy has offices on both sides of the Delaware River in Beach Lake, PA and Barryville, NY. Barbara’s initial twelve acres protected is now part of over 18,000 acres protected to date. More than 70 landowners and communities from diverse backgrounds have worked with the Conservancy to place more than 80 conservation easements on their properties. These lands include working farms and woodlands, boggy wetlands, hunting clubs, small fruit orchards, experimental forests, streams and riverbanks.”

Stay-cation!

A GUIDE TO PLANNING, EXECUTING AND ENJOYING QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

“Vacation”- that’s all we ever wanted. But does a vacation necessarily mean you have to go away? This debate could go round for hours and hours. When it comes down to brass tacks, Webster’s esteemed dictionary defines the term vacation as, “a period spent away from home or business in travel; a respite or a time of respite from something.” So, arguably, one could profess that vacation is more a state of mind than a physical location, though removing yourself from your usual environment could facilitate the process.

In a perfect world, there are very few of us that would turn down the opportunity to travel to exotic locations, to enjoy all sorts of gourmet dishes, try new experiences, and pamper ourselves. But, in reality, not everyone gets to enjoy such luxuries. With prices on the rise just about everywhere, for just about everything, travel has become a luxury for many folks as they scrimp and save for their next big adventure.

However, we still have the matter of holiday time, vacation hours, and paid time off. In some instances, people can even max out paid time off and leave it on the table. Then there’s mental burnout factorshouldn’t we be taking precautions to avoid it?

Fortunately, there just may be a happy medium for would-be travelers and homebodies alike: THE STAYCATION! If you can afford yourself the time off, there are plenty of savvy ways to spend quality time with those you love while on a budget.

PREPARE

Before you start, do a little bit of homework as if you were planning any other type of trip. Round out a budget and do your best to stick with it. Leave work at work. Fire up your out-of-office email responder and set your voicemail. Try to map your days out with a plan. If you’re a little too loose, you might find the fam playing Angry Birds on the couch. There will be time enough for games, but we’ll talk about that later! Last but not least, wrap up any outstanding household chores before your staycation begins, just as if you were traveling away.

THE ACCOMMODATIONS

There’s nothing quite like hitting the hay in your own digs. If you opt for a true staycation in your humble abode, you can certainly count on comfort and, hopefully, a restful night’s sleep for all of the big activities you have on the agenda.

Or, maybe you’ve got a stretch of nice weather and want to try a little “glamping.” Why not get some logs for the fire pit and pitch a tent in the backyard? Odds are the kiddos will love it. If not, their beds are only a few feet away inside.

BONUS: Maybe… just maybe, you know a friend or two with a camper. See if there’s a chance they might let you borrow it for a few days, if for nothing more than a change of scenery.

THE YUM YUMS

We would venture to say that the majority of staycationers are a lot like vacationers and love to make food a big part of the adventure. Whether you’re all about takeout or enjoy playing the role of chef, now is the time to fully indulge your ambitions and your palates.

Some ideas:

•Give that special someone a wonderful morning with breakfast in bed

•Do a family BBQ out on the porch or a campfire cookout

•Plan a picnic at the local park

•Bagels, coffee and OJ on-the-go

•Visit that restaurant in your town that you’ve never been to

•Cook a meal with the kids

•Make your own sandwich night!

•A romantic candlelight dinner- takeout or made in-house!

THE ACTIVITIES

Let’s get down to the best part- things to do! Maybe the most important thing about your staycation is making sure the time you have is transfigured into true “quality time.” Fortunately, with a little bit of know-how, your days off can become lifetime memories where you are able to truly connect with family.

· Check out the local drive-in movie theater! Enjoy a bit of Americana and treat the kids to something they are unlikely to have experienced before. If you can’t find one locally, borrow a projector from a friend and bring the silver screen to your own backyard.

· Embrace your hobbies. Do a little fishing, brush up on the ol’ acoustic guitar, or take out the camera and capture some snapshots. It’s extra rewarding to share these pasttimes with the kids!

· Go for a drive. Check out that one road in town you’ve never explored before and see where it leads!

· Spend a few dollars at the local driving range, batting cage, bowling alley or miniature golf course.

· Catch a local minor league sports event! Tickets are easy on the wallet, and teams cater to families.

· Go for a walk. Down the street, through the local park, or hike through the woods. Observe and appreciate the sights and sounds around you!

· Bring back “Family Game Night”- #WoodlochAtHome activities are a great place to start!

· Grab the telescope out of the garage for some old-fashioned stargazing. If there’s too much light, head a little bit out of town.

· Or… just grab a good chair, a good book, maybe a glass of wine and RELAX.

Through it all, we are hopeful that the truth of the matter is exposed. It doesn’t matter how far you travel, but rather how far you can allow yourself to truly get “away.” Eliminate distractions, minimize device use, and focus on spending time with your loved ones. You’ll be glad you did. A TREASURE TROVE OF FREE WOODLOCH-INSPIRED GAMES, ACTIVITIES AND MORE AWAITS WITH #WOODLOCHATHOME!

MEET the TEAM

JOHN SLOANE Bar Manager

HELLO

MY NAME IS:

Sloaney

TAKE US BACK TO THE VERY BEGINNING. HOW DID YOU START WORKING AT WOODLOCH?

I heard about Woodloch when I was about 14 years old. My parents had a summer home in Rowland, Pennsylvania and everyone worked at Woodloch that I became friends with. So, I went up there one day and said, “I’m looking for a job.” They rang the bell and JK (John Kiesendahl) came out. He was the dining room manager at the time. He asked me about 4 questions, including “are you able to work weekends” which I said yes, and “...are you available to work tonight?” I checked with my parents (who were in their running Chevy station wagon at the time) and told him I could work- he gave me a t-shirt and I was o to work, and never le . My parents headed to the Cuckoo’s Nest restaurant for the night and picked me up later on.

When I started, I worked in the kitchen and the pantry. In between breakfast and lunch, you’d go out and do some landscaping. They gave me the lawn mower and had me police the grounds for any li er.

I worked in the dining room for a bit, then I was a cocktail waiter and bar back. I liked the bar because it changed every day, you never knew what to get ready for. It was always dii erent and it still is. You never knew where the crowd was going to go. It made the days exciting and they went FAST.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB?

My favorite part of the job is ge ing everything all set and organized and prepped and ready to go for a big crowd. When everything goes right, hearing positive comments and interacting with guests makes the night go a lot smoother.

My family has had all of our functions here. I met my wife as a guest. She said I always dreamed of having a wedding at Woodloch, so we did. Plus, the baptisms of both our children and all kinds of birthday parties. We had get togethers celebrating my mom and dad when they passed. Woodloch has been a part of so many of life’s memories. Plus, meeting both guests and sta I still keep in touch with. It’s like it’s true when they say it’s kind of like having a big family.

OUTSIDE OF WORK, WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITIES AND HOBBIES?

I really enjoy the outdoors. A er working indoors all the time (with the exception of pouring cookout beers) I enjoy being outside. Around the house, I do all kinds of landscaping things. I build rock walls, I dig flower beds, and then my wife plants stu in them. And basically, it becomes a deer salad bar.

I also love going out and trying new restaurants, going out to check out new bars and coming up with new ideas. I’m constantly thinking about di erent things that could possibly be adapted to Woodloch. I also work as a consultant for restaurants, passing along my knowledge with bar layout and the new trends we see. It keeps my mind active!

THE ANNUAL SLOANEY’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE HAS BECOME A BIT OF A LOCAL LEGEND. HOW DID IT START?

My dad and I used to go to the big St. Patrick’s Day parade in Manha an. At the time, he was a teamster, and they used to march in the parade, but most of the time, we just wound up in a social club in Brooklyn with my sisters dancing for coins, and me telling jokes.

When my dad retired, he moved up to the area and became a full-time resident with me. He didn’t feel up to heading to the big parade, so we put him in the back of my pickup truck, and we started at my old house down the road and stopped at Woodloch’s pool and had a drink. Then we stopped at The Inn and had another drink. Then we stopped at the Nightclub for one more before heading home. The first year, it was just me, my wife Donna, and our dog. We called all the people along the lake road and they came out and sat by the end of their driveway. Since then, it’s grown.

It’s a good mixture of guests, sta and the local community. Everybody gets into it. It’s upli ing, especially in March. We all have cabin fever a er the winter. We pick a grand marshal every year- either someone from my family or a local celebrity of sorts. We’re up to the 24th year, and I know a lot of people look forward to it!

WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE THEME NIGHT YOU CAN REMEMBER?

I remember the Circus Theme Night (1984). Dining room servers were dressed as clowns, bar sta were dressed as circus “roustabouts,” and there was a big circus caravan with all kinds of characters in the parade.

We made one of our first kid’s drinks that night- a Shirley Temple with a special balloon tied to the straw. The first night, we didn’t anticipate the popularity and ran low on balloons early on. Aunt Mary and Uncle Harry jumped in to blow up more balloons for us to help keep up with demand. I apologized, but Harry was more than happy to help a er seeing how well they sold! The show was memorable as well. There was even a trapeze set up right in the middle of our North Lodge. Lots of great fun with Joey Casella, Randy Barnes and the rest of “The Company.”

LET’S GRAB A DRINK AT THE BAR- WHAT ARE THREE OF THE BEST BEVERAGES YOU’D RECOMMEND?

The first one that comes to mind is our Bloody Mary, which we use our own homemade Bloody Mary mix. We’ve tried using other mixes through the years, but our original Woodloch recipe is just too hard to top.

Wes, one of our bartenders, invented a new drink a few years back. It’s a “Tiddlywink”, with Absolut Raspberry, Malibu rum, lemonade, and cranberry juice. And of course my personal favorite- an ice cold bo le of Miller Lite.

Come the end of every year, a nagging voice in our heads returns like clockwork to say, “The New Year is about to begin. What should my resolutions be?” And so we are forced into deciding, knowing full well that by the middle of January we’ve abandoned them even though this year was supposed to be different.

But never fear, we’re here to change that! Read on for some of our best tips for following through on your resolutions and setting yourself up for success.

Be practical – The surest way to feel as though you’ve failed is to start with a goal that’s unattainable in the first place. Are you telling yourself that you’re going to run a marathon in two months when you haven’t been exercising for years? That’s probably not realistic, but with the right time frame and a plan in place, this is certainly doable! Which brings us to our next tip …

Plan, plan, and plan some more - More often than not, we dive right in without a plan for attaining our goals. Set yourself up for success by being specific about your resolution and then deciding what manageable steps you can take each day, week, month, etc. to achieve it. For example, if you’re looking to be healthier, as so many of us are, start by making small weekly changes such as focusing on eating an extra serving of vegetables each day the first week, drinking eight cups of water a day the second week, aiming to get 1,000 more steps each day the third week, and so on and so forth.

Share with others – If you feel comfortable, it can really help to talk about your resolution with friends and loved ones. They will be happy to support and encourage you. Going a step further, you may find even further motivation in buddying up with a friend or family member who shares the same resolution!

Track and reward – There’s a great quote, “Sit back and enjoy the journey. Success is found along the way.” When working towards a goal, it is helpful to celebrate each and every step along the way. Going back to the marathon analogy, each week simply focus on running a half mile further; that’s fantastic! Soon those half miles become full miles, then tens of miles, and before you know it, you’ve reached 26.2 miles! And don’t forget to celebrate your milestones on the path. Rewards such as new workout clothes, a massage, a nice dinner out, etc. help keep the motivation going.

Be kind to yourself and keep going – We are truly our own biggest critics, and being kind to yourself is easier said than done. However, it’s crucial to remember this, especially when you embark upon a new journey. If you have a hard time remembering, it may be helpful to write positive affirmations on post-it notes and place them in areas you see each day, i.e. the bathroom mirror, in your car, on your desk. Do the best you can each day, and take it one day at a time. Setbacks are bound to happen, but every day is a new opportunity to recommit yourself and get back on track.

There you have it! 2023 awaits, and we’re here cheering you on!

Reunite e

AT WOODLOCH

IWoodloch’s expertise lies in creating memories to last a lifetime and our family is dedicated to helping yours plan the perfect event.