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Coming Events
Revised for issue: December 7, 2002

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 

All Phone Numbers are in the 570 Area Code, unless otherwise noted

Now thru October Bushkill Falls Open for 104th Tour Season! Bushkill Falls, “The Niagara of Pennsylvania,” is centered on eight roaring waterfalls and features miles of nature trails and picnic areas, plus paddle boats, miniature golf, fishing, exhibits, specialty shops and fun for all ages. The famous Pocono Mountain attraction is located off of Route 209 in Bushkill and is open to the public daily from 9:00am to dusk, April through October. Call Bushkill Falls at (570) 588-6682 or see their website www.visitbushkillfalls.com. 

Now through Trout Season – Thanks to the Business Owners of Lackawaxen Township, the 2008 Lackawaxen River Monster Trout Derby is open to all fishermen on the river between Hawley and the Village of Lackawaxen.  There is no entry fee or pre-registration. All anglers need to do is catch one of the 100 giant trout that have been stocked in river in addition to the thousands of trout stocked by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each trout has been tagged with a number that corresponds with a list of terrific prizes. Anyone who catches one of these fish can simply take it to the Angler’s Roost sporting goods store on Scenic Drive in Lackawaxen or to the Wallenpaupack Sport Shop at routes 6 and 590 in Hawley. At the sports shops the fish will be weighed-in and certified. The trout are monsters, approximately 21 to 28 inches in length and weighing between 5 and 10 pounds. They truly are trophy trout. The prizes will be available until all the trout are caught, regardless of when. For details, call Angler’s Roost at (570) 685-2010. Getting to catch a 10 pound trout plus winning a prize – It just doesn’t get any better than that!

Now thru May 26 – Put a little wild in your life at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono with the $300,000 Ride into Fun Giveaway! Just use your Player’s Club Card on all your favorite slots at Mount Airy between April 14 and May 26 for your chance to drive home in a brand new Jeep Wrangler and a Kawasaki Jet Ski! And the winning doesn’t stop there - Four times every weekday, win a chance to spin the giant prize wheel to win $2,500 cash and other great prizes! Disclaimer: Must be a Player’s Club member, 21 or older and present to win. Taxes are sole responsibility of winner. Promotion may be modified or cancelled at any time. Cash and other prizes: drawings 12pm, 3pm, 6pm and 9pm weekdays. Grand prize: earn entries April 14 through May 26, 5:59am. Drawing May 26 at 8pm. See Player’s Club for more details. Mount Airy Casino Resort is situated on Woodland Road in Mount Pocono, via Route 611 or Route 940. Call them at 1-877-MT-AIRY1 or log on to their website www.mountairycasino.com.   

Now thru May 27Swing into Spring on the 18-hole, par 71 course at Fernwood Hotel & Resort, Route 209 in Bushkill! Carts & Greens Fees are just two for $50 and four for $88 with their coupon on page 9 of this magazine. Advance tee time is required. For your tee times, call (570) 588-9500 or toll-free 1-888-FERNWOOD. www.fernwoodhotel.com

Monday thru Thursday – The Laurel Spa at the Inn at Pocono Manor invites you to treat yourself to one of their Weekly Spa Specials. Monday through Thursday enjoy 20% Off All Massages, Facials and Body Treatments; 15% Off All Pedicures and Manicures, and 10% Off All Laurel Spa Packages and All Regular Priced Products. Make sure you mention the code TWIP 03 when booking your service and bring this magazine with you to receive the discount; failure to do so will result in the service being charged at regular price. Specials cannot be combined with other offers; other restrictions may apply. Offer expires 6/30/08. The Laurel Spa at the historic Inn at Pocono Manor is pleasantly situated off Route 314 in Pocono Manor, PA via I-380 to Route 940. Call the luxurious, 8,500 sq. ft. spa at (570) 839-0140 to schedule an appointment and view the extensive Menu of Services at their website www.laurelspaatpoconomanor.com.

Daily Free Brewery Tours and Beer Tastings, 12:30pm at the Barley Creek Brewing Company, Sullivan Trail and Camelback Road in Tannersville. Reservations are not required and tours are also available by appointment. To find out more about this authentic brewpub & restaurant, call 629-9399 or log on to www.barleycreek.com.

Daily – See the Free Candle Making Demonstrations from 10:00 to 5:00 at the House of Candles, located on Rt. 715 North between Tannersville and Henryville. Watch the fascinating candle making process from start to finish; even see them make a custom candle in your choice of color! The House of Candles is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 to 5:00; closed Sundays. Be sure to bring the kids to enjoy the Free Farmyard Petting Zoo! For details, call 629-1953 or visit www.houseofcandles.com. See their ad in this magazine for the 10% off coupon. 

Weekends – The Flea Market is Open at Colony Village Antique & Flea Market in Analomink. Look for antique & vintage collectibles, new & used household items, clothing, baby gear, furniture, dishes, books and much more at the indoor flea market. Food is available on-site and the event is held rain or shine. Hours are Saturdays & Sundays from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The flea market is located on Route 447 north in Analomink, two miles north of Alpine Mountain. Call 595-9617 or check out www.colonyfleamarket.com. Vendors are welcome.

Month of May – The Clymer Library on Firehouse Road in Pocono Pines will display artwork by members of the Pocono Mountain Arts Council for its May Art Exhibit. The group show will be on display in the library’s Multipurpose Room during regular library hours. Most works will be available for purchase. Call the Clymer Library at 646-0826 or visit www.clymerlibrary.org for additional details.

Now thru May 9 - Evergreen Golf Club in Analomink is offering a new “Swing into Spring” Golf Special that brings the lowest prices of the season. Opening specials for two with golf cart start at $20 per person anytime, with no tee time required. Now is the time to perfect your swing and save the “Green!” Discounted Golf Memberships are also available until May 9. Memberships are available midweek and weekends for singles and twosomes. Evergreen Golf Club is conveniently located three miles north of the Stroudsburgs, on Cherry Lane Road in the Village of Analomink. To find out more, call (570) 421-7721 or visit www.golfpoconos.com.       

Now thru October – Go on a FREE Pocono Raceway Track Tour when you shop at the Raceway Fan Store at the track in Long Pond! The Fan Store carries a full line of Pocono Raceway merchandise, pins, hats and much more. Any Monday through Saturday (except race weekends), Raceway Fan Store customers can go on a Free Track Tour during their visit to the famous racetrack; call the store for the Tour schedule. The Raceway Fan Store is located at Pocono Raceway on Route 115 in Long Pond, ¼ mile south of Long Pond Road. Present their ad in this magazine when you visit for 10%-off your first purchase. You can call the Fan Store at Pocono Raceway at (570) 643-0273 or shop online at www.shop-poconoraceway.com.

Now thru May 31 – The Pocono Mountain Arts Council will host its 4th Annual Members’ Show at the Clymer Library on Firehouse Road in Pocono Pines. East Stroudsburg University’s Assistant Professor of Art, Miharu Lane, will judge the exhibit of two and three dimensional artwork. Refreshments will be served at an Artists’ Reception on Saturday, May 17 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, with an Awards Ceremony at 2:00pm. The exhibit will be open during the library’s regular hours six days a week; closed Sundays. Call Art Show Chairperson Tricia Lowrey Lippert at 629-9272 or call the Clymer Library at 646-0826 for additional details. www.clymerlibrary.org

May 8 – The Clymer Library on Firehouse Road in Pocono Pines will host a special Wind Energy Program presented by Dan Ancona, former Wind Energy Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Energy. Mr. Ancona will be answering the question, “Can Wind Energy Replace King Coal?” Help the library welcome Mr. Ancona at 6:00pm and learn about wind energy, its current situation, and its potential in PA and the United States as a whole. Participants are asked to sign up at the circulation desk or by calling library at 646-0826. Visit www.clymerlibrary.org for additional details.

May 9 – Join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy for a Spring Skies Star Watch at their Butterfly Barn Nature Center along the Delaware River in Milanville, Northern Poconos. Local astronomers will share their telescopes and sky charts beginning at 8:30pm. Observe deep sky objects and learn how to locate the constellations. The program will last around two hours. Bring binoculars and folding chairs if you have them and dress for cool weather. Admission is free to the public. The Butterfly Barn Nature Center is located on River Road just south of Milanville, along the Upper Delaware River in the Northern Poconos. Check out www.delawarehighlands.org or call the Delaware Highlands Conservancy office at (570) 226-3164 for details and directions. You may also call the Butterfly Barn at (570) 729-7053 or log on to www.butterflybarn.org.

May 9 – Every Friday (except holidays), artists are invited to join the Band of Painters for painting in all mediums at the PoconoArts Cultural Center in Stroudsburg. This is not a learning opportunity, but a chance for painters to get out of their studios and paint in the company of other artists. Bring your own supplies and enjoy painting with the group from 10:00am until 1:00pm. The PoconoArts Cultural Center is located at 18 North 7th Street in Downtown Stroudsburg. For further details, call (570) 476-4460. www.poconoarts.org

May 9 thru 11 – The Center Stage Players present Bus Stop by William Inge on stage at the Shawnee Playhouse, River Road in Shawnee-on-Delaware. Show times are Friday & Saturday at 8:00pm, and Sunday at 2:00pm. Bus Stop opened on Broadway in 1955 to a very successful year-long run. In 1956, Marilyn Monroe starred in the film version, which was named one of the 10 best of the year by the National Board of Review. The action of Bus Stop takes place inside a street corner diner in a small town about 30 miles west of Kansas City. During a howling snowstorm, a small busload of weary travelers finds themselves stranded until morning. Playwright Inge provides a sweet, funny and bumpy ride for the motley cast of characters. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for students/seniors. For more information or your reservations, call (570) 236-6897. Center Stage Players is an all-volunteer community theater company founded in 1990. To learn more about Center Stage and the 2008 season, including information on auditions, visit www.centerstageplayers.org. 

May 9 thru 11 – Mom is so special, why not treat her to a wonderful Mother’s Day Weekend at the historic Skytop Lodge in Skytop, PA. Enjoy a special Cocktail Reception, elegant dining, a Gala Dance, craft demonstrations, nature hikes, Mother’s Day brunch and more! For additional details and your Mother’s Day Weekend reservations, call Skytop Lodge at 1-800-345-7759 or (570) 595-8980. See photos of the breathtaking mountain estate at their website www.skytop.com.

May 10 – Guests staying at Caesars Pocono Palace Resort on Route 209 in Marshalls Creek are invited to enjoy some great fishing action during the special Trout Release today. Every year Caesars celebrates spring with a special release of trout into the lake at the resort. Several fish are tagged with prizes, including a free 2 night Champagne Tower stay, Gift Shop gift certificates, cash prizes, and the Grand Prize of $1,000! Call Caesars at 1-866-500-0458 or log on to their website at www.cpresorts.com/thisweek.

May 10 – Members of the Pocono Outdoor Club invite you to join them for a Hike at Ricketts Glen State Park. This very rewarding hike features twenty-one waterfalls! The hike is just over 7 miles long and is rated moderate to difficult. Participants should meet in the CVS parking lot at the intersection of routes 940 & 115 in Blakeslee at 9:00am to carpool to Ricketts Glen. To register for the hike or for more information, call hike leader Bob Wacker at (570) 629-5293. The Pocono Outdoor Club is a friendly hiking group open to all individuals interested in exploring the trails of the Pocono Mountains. To learn more about the club and its outings in the wilds of the Poconos, contact today’s hike leader or check out www.poconooutdoorclub.org.

May 10 – The East Stroudsburg Christian Academy will host its 16th Annual Strawberry Festival on the grounds of the Pinebrook Bible Conference Center on Route 196 in Stroud Township. The day’s festivities will begin at 9:00am and will continue until 4:00pm. There will be games all day long; the playground will be available for outdoor fun, and the indoor pool will be open for family swimming. The Annual Auction begins at 1:00pm inside the large gymnasium, with many terrific items to bid on. There will also be an Indoor Flea Market with lots of tables. A variety of delicious foods and strawberry desserts will be available all day, including a Pig Roast beginning at noon. Bring your family, bring your neighbors, just head on over and be ready for lots of fun! For more information call (570) 421-4087 or log on to www.escaeagles.org.

May 10 - The Jim Thorpe Area Council of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce and the Jim Thorpe Artists Music Series (JTAMS) proudly present Second Saturdays, a monthly celebration of Jim Thorpe’s growing arts community. Second Saturdays feature extended hours for each of the many galleries and studios in town, along with many other shops and establishments. Also featured will be an Art Walk. The celebration runs from noon until 9:00pm. Live Concerts sponsored by JTAMS are held at the Mauch Chunk Opera House on 14 West Broadway in Jim Thorpe concurrent with Second Saturdays. Find out more when you log on to www.jimthorpeartists.org or www.jtams.net or call (570) 325-0249. To learn more about this and other exciting Jim Thorpe events, call the Jim Thorpe Area Council at (570) 325-5810 or visit www.jimthorpe.org.

May 10 – Today is International Migratory Bird Day. The Northeast PA Audubon Society is asking for help finding and counting our migratory songbirds. Some are passing through and some will stay. The data will be sent to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for compilation in a national data bank. The count will be held all over beautiful Wayne County in the Pocono Mountains. All skill levels are welcome to help. Beginners can be matched up with a more experienced birder, who will share their joy and love of birding. Call Barbara at (570) 253-2364 to sign up. The number at the Northeast PA Audubon Society office in Honesdale is (570) 253-9250. Log on to www.nepaaudubonsociety.org and www.audubon.org.

May 10 – Join Environmental Education Coordinator Roger Spotts of the Monroe County Environmental Education Center (MCEEC) for a Signs of Spring Nature Walk at the Center’s Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary near Bartonsville. This walk for the whole family will begin at 10:00am and will include stops at Swink Pond, Salamander Trail and Woodchuck Path. Look at the signs of spring popping up everywhere at the sanctuary during the two hour walk. Along the way you’ll discuss spring wildflowers, where the best places to find salamanders are, and baby animals that are arriving at the sanctuary. Dress to go outside and bring binoculars. There is a $5 cost to attend and pre-registration is suggested. For driving directions or to register, call the MCEEC at (570) 629-3061 during regular business hours, Mon. through Fri. from 8:00 to 4:30 and some Saturdays from 9:00 to 1:00. www.mcconservation.org

May 10 – Downtown Milford comes alive during Art After Dark, held from 6:00pm until 9:00pm on the second Saturday of each month. The evening will be filled with multiple art openings, live music, fine food, shopping and events at downtown galleries, specialty shops and fine restaurants. Explore historic Milford on the Delaware River, where PA, NY and NJ meet. For information, contact the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at (570) 296-8700.

May 10 Riverfest 2008 activities begin at 8:00am on the Lackawanna River in nearby Scranton. The Lackawanna River Corridor Association (LRCA) will host its annual Canoe-a-thon, Duck-a-thon, and Regatta events. Many experienced canoeists, kayakers and casual paddlers will be out on the river. Canoes will leave from two upriver sites to arrive at the finish line in Scranton for a full day of fun. You can participate in the paddle or meet them at the Riverfest Finish Line near the Ice Box, Olive Street by Scranton High School. Live music starts at noon. Good food and fun for the whole family will be available all day long. Admission is free for Finish Line activities. For details, call the LRCA at (570) 207-7608. Call the Lackawanna County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-22-WELCOME or log on to www.visitnepa.org to learn about other great Northeast PA events!  

May 10 & 11Pocono Lively Arts (PLA) will hold Auditions for the summer production of the musical “Cabaret” from 3:00 to 5:00pm each day at 912 Main Street in Stroudsburg. This Broadway favorite is set in Berlin in the early 1930’s. PLA is looking for adults (2008 high school graduates or older) to fill six principle singing roles; several other cast members are also sought. Bring sheet music to sing one memorized up tempo 16 bar cut. An accompanist will be provided. Also be prepared for a dance audition. Women should wear heels or character shoes. “Cabaret” will be performed June 27-29 at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg. Questions may be directed to Dr. Margaret Ball at (570) 947-8809.  

May 11 – Bring Mother to the Inn at Pocono Manor for a first-rate Mothers Day Brunch. The delicious brunch will feature Deluxe Soup, Salad, and Omelet Stations, various Carving Stations, Chocolate Fountain and Assorted Specialty Desserts, Champagne and Mimosas. Seatings are at noon, 2:00pm and 4:00pm. There will also be a Special Children’s Buffet and a rose for all moms. The Inn at Pocono Manor is located off Route 314 in Pocono Manor, PA, just off of Route 940 east of the I-380 intersection. Call the Inn at (570) 839-7111 ext. 7631 or toll-free 1-800-233-8150 for your Mothers Day Brunch reservations. www.theinnatpoconomanor.com

May 11 – A special Mother’s Day Buffet will be open from noon until 6:00pm in the Astor Room at Fernwood Hotel & Resort, Route 209 in Bushkill. The buffet will feature a Salad Station, Italian Wedding Soup, an International Fruit & Cheese Display, Carved Prime Rib and Turkey, Stuffed Flounder, Chicken au Poivre, Pasta, Dessert, Kids Meals and more. For reservations, call (570) 588-9500 ext. 4455 or toll-free 1-888-FERNWOOD. www.fernwoodhotel.com

May 11 Moms Paddle FREE on Mother’s Day at Kittatinny Canoes, “The Original Delaware River Outfitter!” Moms paddle absolutely free today when accompanied by their families on a calm or whitewater canoe or raft trip. Reservations are required for this fun-filled day. Kittatinny Canoes was established in 1941 and is a leader in Delaware River canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, tubing, and camping. For reservations, call 1-800-FLOAT-KC. www.kittatinny.com

May 11 – Go for a Mother’s Day Early Migrants Walk from 8:30am to 10:00am at PPL Corporation’s Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, located on the shores of the Delaware River in Bangor. Have you ever wondered which creatures make their way back up north first? Join naturalist Arlene Koch on this morning stroll while she talks about various “early birds,” including songbirds, hummingbirds and butterflies. Maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse of some mourning cloaks, tiger swallowtails, purple finches, tree swallows or eastern phoebes. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Cedars Pavilion on Foul Rift Road. The program is free, however registration is required. To register, call PPL at (570) 251-6196 or send an email to pplpreserves@pplweb.com. The Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, in conjunction with PPL’s Martins Creek and Lower Mount Bethel Energy power plants, offers 215 acres of woodland and meadows for hiking and exploring. www.pplpreserves.com

May 12 – The Historical Mysteries Discussion Group is a group of fun people who enjoy reading and discussing mysteries from the 1950’s and earlier. The group will meet in the Community Room of the Western Poconos Community Library at 7:30pm. Coffee will be available. The library is found at Rt. 115 and Pilgrim Way in Brodheadsville. Call Jo at 629-0727 for details.

May 12 – The Wayne County Public Library in Honesdale invites you to an Introduction to Poetry, an ongoing program that meets the last Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30pm. The series is facilitated by Rita Dibble and Christine San Jose. Explore the world of poetry. Listen to poetry being read aloud, read poetry of your own, and join in on the discussion. The library is located at 1406 Main Street in Honesdale. Drop in or call 253-1220 to sign up!

May 13 – Join popular Pocono Mountains naturalist John Serrao at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in Dingmans Ferry for the Serrao Hiking Series. From 9:30am to 11:30am you’ll explore the forests, fields, streams, wetlands and waterways of the surrounding Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. John’s informative natural history narrative along the way will make the hike even more exciting! The hike is free however pre-registration is required to attend. PEEC, a non-profit center, is located off Route 209 in Dingmans Ferry within the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The center enhances environmental awareness, knowledge, and appreciation through hands-on experience in a natural outdoor classroom. PEEC provides these unique environmental experiences to individuals, families and groups of all ages. For more information or to register, call PEEC at (570) 828-2319 or log on to www.peec.org.

May 14 – The Monroe County Environmental Education Center (MCEEC) near Bartonsville is hosting a Guided Nature Discovery Walk for Adults at their Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. Join Environmental Educator Karen N. Boyle from 9:00am to 10:30am on this walk to explore the sanctuary and discover what is happening as the Poconos spring to life! There are many interesting things to discover on the 166 acre wildlife sanctuary. Dress to be outdoors the entire time. The cost is $5 and pre-registration is required by Monday, May 12. To register, call the office at (570) 629-3061 during regular business hours, Mon. through Fri. from 8:00 to 4:30 and some Saturdays from 9:00 to 1:00. www.mcconservation.org

May 14 – The May Meeting of the Historical Association of Tobyhanna Township (HATT) will begin at 10:15am at the Clymer Library on Firehouse Road in Pocono Pines. The subject of the meeting will be “Old Families of the Township,” highlighting the fascinating histories of the Sax and Argot families. The meeting will feature Eugene Kerrick of Blakeslee, former president of HATT. Mr. Kerrick, a retired educator, has devoted much of his retirement time tracing the genealogy of families in the Blakeslee area. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. HATT was established in 1995 to research, identify and preserve the history of Tobyhanna Township. For more information, call Ted Suttmeier at 646-7657.

May 14 – Join popular Pocono Mountains naturalist and author John Serrao as he leads an Early Morning Bird & Wildlife Walk at Tobyhanna State Park. Meet at the dam parking lot off of Route 423 by 7:15am to take a walk and see colorful migrating songbirds, wildflowers and other signs of spring in the Poconos. John’s informative and entertaining narrative along the way will make this a fun trek for everyone. The walk will take about 1 to 1½ hours and is appropriate for all ages. Bring binoculars if you have them. To register, for directions or more information, you can call (570) 894-8336. Check out the PA State Parks website www.visitpaparks.com.

May 16 – Every Friday (except holidays), artists are invited to join the Band of Painters for painting in all mediums at the PoconoArts Cultural Center in Stroudsburg. This is not a learning opportunity, but a chance for painters to get out of their studios and paint in the company of other artists. Bring your own supplies and enjoy painting with the group from 10:00am until 1:00pm. The PoconoArts Cultural Center is located at 18 North 7th Street in Downtown Stroudsburg. For further details, call (570) 476-4460. www.poconoarts.org

May 17 - The Pocono Avian Research Center (PARC) will host Birds and Breakfast from 8:00 to 10:30am at High Acres Park in Canadensis. Join naturalists from PARC for a short walk through the woods looking for spring migrants and returning breeding birds. Your $5 ticket will include a guided bird walk down to the stream and a continental breakfast under the pavilion at the park. The event will also feature a bake sale and a silent auction. High Acres Park is located on Route 447 North, about a mile from the Canadensis red light. Tickets will be available at the park or you may call (570) 595-8620 to register. 

May 17 – The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in Dingmans Ferry will hold their Annual Native Plant Sale from 9:00am until 4:00pm. A wide selection of native wildflowers, shrubs and grasses will be available. Native plants are excellent for attracting birds, butterflies, and the beneficial insects that control garden pests. Native plants also need less care and watering than other garden plants. Call PEEC at (570) 828-2319 to register or for questions about the inventory. PEEC, a non-profit center, is located off Route 209 between Bushkill and Milford in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. PEEC’s mission is to enhance environmental awareness, knowledge and appreciation through hands-on experience in a natural outdoor classroom. PEEC provides these unique environmental experiences to families and groups of all ages. Visit their website www.peec.org.

May 17 – The Delaware Highlands Conservancy invites you to join them for a Spring Bird Walk at their Butterfly Barn Nature Center along the Delaware River in Milanville, Northern Poconos. This early morning bird walk will begin at 7:00am and will last about two hours. Bring your binoculars and learn to identify birds and their songs. The walk will start from the Butterfly Barn and admission is free to the public. The Butterfly Barn Nature Center is located on River Road just south of Milanville, along the Upper Delaware River in the Northern Poconos. Check out www.delawarehighlands.org or call the Delaware Highlands Conservancy office at (570) 226-3164 for details and directions. You may also call the Butterfly Barn at (570) 729-7053 or log on to www.butterflybarn.org.

May 17 – Go Star Gazing with the Lackawanna Astronomical Society (LAS) at the Lacawac Sanctuary, a 520-acre nature preserve on Lake Wallenpaupack. LAS President Jo-Ann Kamichitis will give a brief indoor slide show at 8:30pm. Afterwards, the group will go outside where members of the LAS will have several telescopes set up and ready to observe the moon, the planets, star clusters and other deep sky objects. The cost to attend is $5. For directions or more information, call (570) 689-9494 or email info@lacawac.org. The 520-acre Lacawac Sanctuary is a non-profit nature preserve, research field station and historic site located on Lake Wallenpaupack. The sanctuary’s programs are open to the public and include environmental, historical and cultural offerings as well as two miles of hiking trails. Membership, directions, program and other information can be found at their website www.lacawac.org.

May 17 – Staff members at Grey Towers National Historic Site invite you to join them on a Guided Walking Tour of Milford titled “The Pinchots and Milford.” Enjoy a nice stroll through the charming town, and learn how the Pinchot family helped shape the community. Meet at Ann Street Park in Milford at 1:30pm for this free walk. Grey Towers in Milford is the former home of eminent conservationist and former Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot. Today the US Forest Service, which was founded by Pinchot, is the steward of the home, offering public programs, tours, and a conference center for environmental programs. For more information, call Grey Towers at (570) 296-9630 or log on to www.fs.fed.us/gt.

May 17 – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Stage Road & Route 534 in Albrightsville will host an Ox Roast from 3:00 to 6:00pm. The event will feature flame roasted NY strip steak, baked potato, green beans, cole slaw, beverage and dessert of your choice. Advanced ticket reservations are required by contacting Liz at 722-0545. Dinners are $9.50 adults, kids 12 & under $4. Take-outs available. 

May 17 – The Maple Lake United Methodist Church will hold a Spaghetti Dinner from 4:00 to 7:00pm this evening. The cost is $7 for adults; $4 for kids ages 6-11, free for 5 & under. The church is located at 632 State Route 690 in Spring Brook Township. Call the church office at (570) 842-6776 with questions.

May 17 & 18 – Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm near Stroudsburg invites you to their 20th Annual Farm Animal Frolic, from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday and noon until 4:00pm on Sunday. This is a unique opportunity for children (and grown-ups) to see and touch a variety of baby farm animals. Watch chicks hatching from their eggs and feel the soft fur of the baby bunnies; enjoy old time games and hay jumping in the barn for the kids. Don’t miss seeing the new lambs with their soft fleece, the frisky baby goats and the adorable piglets with their funny little noses! There are activities for all ages and plenty of good food for sale, including homemade desserts and bread baked in the big outdoor bake oven. Pony rides for children and horse-drawn wagon rides will be available for an extra charge. A special demonstration of Duck Herding will be a highlight on Saturday! Admission to Farm Animal Frolic is $6 adults and $4 for kids 3 – 12 and the event will occur rain or shine. Sorry, no smoking or pets allowed! Quiet Valley is located 3½ miles south of Stroudsburg off of Business Route 209. Farm Animal Frolic will take place again at Quiet Valley at the same times on Saturday & Sunday, May 24 & 25. For more information, call (570) 992-6161 or visit www.quietvalley.org.

May 17 & 18 – The Wayne County Historical Society is inviting its members and friends to the Grand Opening of its new addition, the John and Helen Villaume Wing, at the Society’s museum on 810 Main Street in Honesdale. The museum will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday and noon to 4:00 on Sunday, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 11:00am on Saturday. There will be no admission charge either day, and there will be guided tours on Saturday. In the works since 2000, the completed addition will house changing and permanent exhibits, an expanded library and climate-controlled storage for its priceless collections of artifacts and documents. Enjoy the new “Wayne County Experience” exhibit, the collection of Honesdale glass, quilt and photo displays, many Native American artifacts, the “Movin’ Energy” display and more. For more information, call the museum at (570) 253-3240 or see www.waynehistorypa.org.    

May 18 – Kittatinny Canoes, established in 1941 and a leader in Delaware River canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, tubing and camping, has announced that today is a special Learn to Kayak Day. Challenge the river one-on-one in Kittatinny’s easy-to-use kayaks. Participants will meet at Kittatinny’s Matamoras, PA base on the Delaware River, where certified instructors will teach novices the essentials of kayaking. The lessons are followed by a guided ten-mile scenic trip down the river from Pond Eddy, NY back to Matamoras. This is a great opportunity for those who were always interested in kayaking, but were apprehensive about trying it. In addition to this special program, Kittatinny offers daily Delaware River trips by canoe, kayak, raft and tube. For your reservations, call 1-800-FLOAT-KC. www.kittatinny.com

May 18 – Join members of the Pocono Outdoor Club for a Hike at Hickory Run State Park. It will be a moderate 7-mile hike from the park office to Fourth Run Trail to Manor House Trail to Fire Line Trail. The group will return to the park office by way of Hickory Run Trail. Meet at the park office on Route 534 at 9:00am. To register for the hike or for more information, call hike leaders Tony & Flo Gatto at (570) 646-0673. The Pocono Outdoor Club is a friendly hiking group open to all individuals interested in exploring the trails of the Pocono Mountains. To learn more about the club and its outings in the wilds of the Poconos, contact today’s hike leaders or check out www.poconooutdoorclub.org.

May 18 – Discover the world of waterfowl when wildlife technologist John Levitsky presents Waterfowl of Pennsylvania, from 1:30 to 3:00pm at PPL Corporation’s Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center (WELC) on Route 6 near Hawley. Learn to identify various water birds in the area, including resident and migratory ducks and geese. Hear about the PA Game Commission’s work to band these birds, enjoy some good photos and hear some even better stories. The program is free, however registration is required. To register, contact PPL at (570) 251-6196 or send an email to pplpreserves@pplweb.com. Additional program details can be found at the website www.pplpreserves.com.

May 18 – The Cresco Station Museum in Cresco has announced that it will host the Barrett Children’s Art Show from 1:00pm until 4:00pm. The museum is located on Sand Spring Road off Route 390 in Cresco (at the old Cresco Railroad Depot) and is administered by the Barrett Township Historical Society. For further details you may call the museum at (570) 595-6157 or call Mickey at (570) 595-2501.

May 18 – Today is Molly Maguire History Day at Eckley Miners’ Village, a restored coal miners’ “patch town” in the Western Poconos. The event is open to the public free of charge from noon until 5:00pm in the Visitors’ Center auditorium. At 1:30 there will be a guest speaker who will present a lecture on the Molly Maguires, and at 2:00pm there will be a showing of the Paramount film “The Molly Maguires.” Filmed in Eckley and the surrounding area in 1968, the movie depicts the Molly Maguires as a secret society of militant coal miners who battled their exploitation by mine owners with violence, intimidation, and sometimes murder. Based on actual events, this gripping story is a sympathetic and accurate account of the Irish-American miners’ struggle. The film stars Sean Connery, Samantha Eggar, and Richard Harris. Memorabilia from the Molly Maguire movie will be on display throughout the course of the day. Eckley Miners’ Village is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission in cooperation with the Eckley Miners’ Village Associates. The village is located nine miles east of Hazleton, off Route 940. For more information about Molly Maguire History Day, call (570) 636-2070 or visit www.eckleyminers.org.

May 18 – A naturalist from the Monroe County Environmental Education Center will lead a Spring Bog Walk at the Tannersville Cranberry Bog at 1:00pm. The bog is special as it is a northern boreal bog, which is very unique for this part of the country. Protected by The Nature Conservancy, the Tannersville bog is a National Natural Landmark. Signs of spring should be everywhere as the group ventures into this unique wetland habitat, which includes many orchids and insect-eating plants! Access to the interior of the bog is substantial along a 1650’ “floating” boardwalk, making for spectacular photo opportunities. Highlights include viewing blooming plants such as marsh marigold, bog rosemary, bog laurel and more. Meet at the Bog parking lot for the walk by 1:00pm for this 2½ hour walk. Pre-registration is required by May 16 and the cost to attend is $4. To find the Tannersville Cranberry Bog from Route 611 in Tannersville, turn onto Cherry Lane Road at the light at the Tannersville Inn and see the parking lot on your right, 1.9 miles from Route 611. Call the Monroe County Environmental Education Center at (570) 629-3061 to register. www.mcconservation.org

May 18 – Join Bud Cole of the Three B’s Nature Center for a Spring Walk-N-Talk from 1:30 to 3:00pm at PPL Corporation’s Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, located on the shores of the Delaware River in Bangor. What says springtime to you? Buds and blossoms? Goslings and fawns? Insect hatches and leaping trout? Join Bud for a walk along the Tekening Trails to observe spring’s secrets. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Cedars Pavilion on Foul Rift Road. The program is free, however registration is required. To register, call PPL at (570) 251-6196 or send an email to pplpreserves@pplweb.com. The Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, in conjunction with PPL’s Martins Creek and Lower Mount Bethel Energy power plants, offers 215 acres of woodland and meadows for hiking and exploring. www.pplpreserves.com  

May 19 - The public is invited to attend the Pike County Conservation District Board of Directors Meeting, to be held at 9:00am at the Conservation District Education Building on Route 402 in Blooming Grove. No fee or registration is required. You may call the Pike County Conservation District at 226-8220 or send an email to pikecd@pikepa.org. Visit the website www.pikeconservation.org.

May 20 – Join popular Pocono Mountains naturalist John Serrao at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in Dingmans Ferry for the Serrao Hiking Series. From 9:30am to 11:30am you’ll explore the forests, fields, streams, wetlands and waterways of the surrounding Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. John’s informative natural history narrative along the way will make the hike even more exciting! The hike is free however pre-registration is required to attend. PEEC, a non-profit center, is located off Route 209 in Dingmans Ferry within the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The center enhances environmental awareness, knowledge, and appreciation through hands-on experience in a natural outdoor classroom. PEEC provides these unique environmental experiences to individuals, families and groups of all ages. For more information or to register, call PEEC at (570) 828-2319 or log on to www.peec.org.

May 20 – The Monroe County Environmental Education Center (MCEEC) near Bartonsville will host a special field trip titled “Full Moon Nightjars” at 7:00pm. For many people, the song of the whip-poor-will is just a memory of the distant past. Environmental Educator Brian Hardiman will lead this field trip on the evening of the full moon in search of the mysterious whip-poor-will and its relative, the common nighthawk. Participants will meet at the MCEEC near Bartonsville at 7:00pm for an introduction on these members of the nightjar family, and then travel by van to locations where these birds may be seen and heard. The cost to attend is $5 and includes van transportation. Return time to the Center is 10:00pm. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required and seating is limited. To register, call the office at (570) 629-3061 during regular business hours, Mon. through Fri. from 8:00 to 4:30 and some Saturdays from 9:00 to 1:00. www.mcconservation.org

May 21 – Popular Pocono Mountains naturalist and author John Serrao invites you to join him as he leads an Early Morning Bird & Wildlife Walk at Tobyhanna State Park. Meet at the dam parking lot off of Route 423 by 7:15am to take a walk and see colorful migrating songbirds, wildflowers and other signs of spring in the Poconos. John’s informative and entertaining narrative along the way will make this a fun trek for everyone. The walk will take about 1 to 1½ hours and is appropriate for all ages. Bring binoculars if you have them. To register, for directions or more information, you can call (570) 894-8336. Check out the PA State Parks website www.visitpaparks.com.

May 21 & 22 – The Pocono Township Police Department has joined forces with the Pocono Township Volunteer Fire Company to bring you the Cole Bros. Circus under the big top at Camelback Ski Area in Tannersville! This is a fun-filled event for all ages with everything you would find at any big circus. Camelback is located off I-80 exit 299 in Tannersville; call the ski area at (570) 629-1661 with your questions. 

May 22 – The Wayne County Genealogy Group Meets at 4:30pm in the Research Library of the Wayne County Historical Society, 810 Main Street in Honesdale. The discussions are not limited to Wayne County ancestors, but focus on techniques for tracing family history in general. Beginners and experienced researchers are welcome. Prospective members should email yannster@ptd.net or call (570) 253-5468 for more information. The number at the Museum is (570) 253-3240. Check out the Historical Society’s website at www.waynehistorypa.org.

May 23 – Every Friday (except holidays), artists are invited to join the Band of Painters for painting in all mediums at the PoconoArts Cultural Center in Stroudsburg. This is not a learning opportunity, but a chance for painters to get out of their studios and paint in the company of other artists. Bring your own supplies and enjoy painting with the group from 10:00am until 1:00pm. The PoconoArts Cultural Center is located at 18 North 7th Street in Downtown Stroudsburg. For further details, call (570) 476-4460. www.poconoarts.org

May 23 – The Smithfield Elementary P.T.O. is hosting a Golf FUNdraiser Golf Tournament at Mountain Manor Golf Club in Marshalls Creek. The four-man scramble tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 1:00pm. Dinner and awards ceremony begin at 5:30. Prizes include longest drive, hole-in-one, closest to pin, and best team (1st, 2nd, & 3rd place). Registration is $70 entrance fee (includes 18 holes of golf with cart), $10 dinner. Proceeds benefit Smithfield Elementary’s playground equipment. Registration deadline is May 16. To register, call Sean Boyer at (570) 994-3165 or email sean.boyer@yahoo.com. Rain date is June 6. 

May 23 & 24 – The Clymer Library on Firehouse Road in Pocono Pines is having a big Book Sale & Computer Sale. Kick off your summer with the perfect book! Pick up the hottest paperbacks, hardcover books, DVD’s, CD’s and audiobooks, plus computer monitors, keyboards and much more. Call the Clymer Library at 646-0826 or visit www.clymerlibrary.org for additional details.

May 24 – Today is a Fish-for-Free Day in the State of Pennsylvania! No fishing license is needed to fish today. It’s a great way to introduce a friend or relative to the lifelong sport of fishing. Remember that all other regulations apply, but no fishing license is necessary on PA’s waterways today. Another Fish-for-Free Day is planned for June 1. For complete details, check out the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s website at www.fish.state.pa.us.

May 24 – Members of the Pocono Outdoor Club invite you to join them as they Hike the Northern Loop of the Pinchot Trail System. It will be a moderate but long 11.2 mile hike with some rocky sections. Meet for the hike at 8:30am at the CVS parking lot at the northeast corner of the Route 115 and Route 940 intersection in Blakeslee. You may also meet at 9:00am in the parking lot at the trail head on Bear Pond Road. To register for the hike or for more information, call hike leader Roy Kleinle (570) 421-8982. Also today, a different group of club members will go for a Hike at Big Pocono State Park near Tannersville, home of Camelback Ski Area/Camelbeach Waterpark. It will be a 9 mile moderate to difficult hike, with lots of rocks and steep ascents and descents. Not recommended for beginners, the hike includes known trails as well as unmarked trails and lots of scenic views! Contact hike leader Rhoda Eisman for meeting time & place at rse640@aim.com (preferred) or (570) 620-1315. The Pocono Outdoor Club is a friendly hiking group open to all individuals interested in exploring the trails of the Pocono Mountains. To learn more about the club and its outings in the wilds of the Poconos, contact today’s hike leaders or check out www.poconooutdoorclub.org.

May 24 – The Central Volunteer Fire Department in Bohemia will host a Flea Market & Bake Sale from 9:00am to 3:00pm. To get there take Route 590 to the Cuckoo’s Nest Restaurant, turn onto Township Road and see the Fire Department on the right after ¼ mile. For more information call (570) 685-7529.

May 24 & 25 – Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm near Stroudsburg invites you to their 20th Annual Farm Animal Frolic, from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday and noon until 4:00pm on Sunday. This is a unique opportunity for children (and grown-ups) to see and touch a variety of baby farm animals. Watch chicks hatching from their eggs and feel the soft fur of the baby bunnies; enjoy old time games and hay jumping in the barn for the kids. Don’t miss seeing the new lambs with their soft fleece, the frisky baby goats and the adorable piglets with their funny little noses! There are activities for all ages and plenty of good food for sale, including homemade desserts and bread baked in the big outdoor bake oven. Pony rides for children and horse-drawn wagon rides will be available for an extra charge. On Saturday a special demonstration of Duck Herding will be a highlight, and there will be Sheep Shearing Demonstrations at 10:30am on Saturday, May 24! Admission to Farm Animal Frolic is $6 adults and $4 for kids 3 – 12 and the event will occur rain or shine. Sorry, no smoking or pets allowed! Quiet Valley is located 3½ miles south of Stroudsburg off of Business Route 209. Farm Animal Frolic also took place at Quiet Valley at the same times on Saturday & Sunday, May 17 & 18. For more information, call (570) 992-6161 or visit www.quietvalley.org.

May 24 thru June 1 – It’s PA Hiking Week! The DCNR has once again teamed with the Keystone Trails Association (KTA) to offer nearly 100 organized hikes and walks throughout Pennsylvania during the nine-day event. Log on to the website www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks for listings of organized hikes in the region.

May 25 – A Memorial Day Parade will step off at 2:00pm in Downtown Hawley, to honor the United States men and women who have died in military service to their country. Memorial Day is a U.S. Federal Holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26) to commemorate the sacrifice of these brave men and women. It is also traditionally viewed as the beginning of the summer vacation season, for many schools are dismissed around Memorial Day. www.hawleywallenpaupackcc.com

May 25 – Walk, run, drive or fly to the Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport (MPO) off Route 611 north of Mount Pocono for their annual Aviation Day event. The day’s activities will include a Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast from 8:00am until 1:00pm, and an Open House all day. There will be many static displays to view, antique planes & aviation things, and military equipment. You can even go for an airplane ride! The public is welcome to attend; bring the whole family and your lawn chairs! Refreshments will be available. As part of the Young Eagles EAA Program, there will be FREE Airplane Rides for Children ages 8 to 18 from 9:00am to 1:00pm! Aviation Day is hosted by the Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport Authority and Moyer Aviation; sponsors include The Original Baileys Rib & Steakhouse and the Mount Pocono Rotary Club. For more information, call (570) 839-0258 or (570) 839-7161. Log on to www.mpoairport.com.

May 25 – Popular Pocono Mountains naturalist and author John Serrao will lead a Peak of Spring Nature Walk at Tobyhanna State Park. Meet at the boat launch area by 2:00pm to take a walk and see songbirds, new foliage, wildflowers, rare rhodora and other surprises! John’s informative and entertaining narrative along the way will make this a fun trek for everyone. The walk will take about 1 to 1½ hours and is appropriate for all ages. To register, for directions or more information, you can call (570) 894-8336. www.visitpaparks.com

May 25 – The Cresco Station Museum in Cresco presents Live Country Music by John James & the Cabin Run from 1:00pm until 4:00pm. Admission is free to the public. The museum is located on Sand Spring Road off Route 390 in Cresco (at the old Cresco Railroad Depot) and is administered by the Barrett Township Historical Society. For further details you may call the museum at (570) 595-6157 or call Mickey at (570) 595-2501.

May 25 – Go for a Wildflower Hike at Indian Ladders from 1:00 to 4:00pm with staff from the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in Dingmans Ferry. Identify colorful spring flowers growing along the cool banks of Hornbecks Creek. The cost to attend is $10 and registration is required. PEEC, a non-profit center, is located off Route 209 in Dingmans Ferry within the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The center enhances environmental awareness, knowledge, and appreciation through hands-on experience in a natural outdoor classroom. PEEC provides these unique environmental experiences to individuals, families and groups of all ages. For more information or to register, call PEEC at (570) 828-2319 or log on to www.peec.org.

May 26 – Get out your red, white and blue and head to Main Street in Downtown Stroudsburg for the Memorial Day Parade. It’s a great way to get out and honor those who have served our country so bravely! The parade will step off at 10:00am in East Stroudsburg and travel over the Inter-Borough Bridge into Stroudsburg, following Kane Street to Main Street. The parade will continue west on Main, turning onto 7th Street to conclude near Courthouse Square in Downtown Stroudsburg. The Memorial Day Parade will last until approximately 11:30am.

May 26 – Join popular Pocono Mountains naturalist and author John Serrao as he leads a Spring Nature Walk at Gouldsboro State Park. Meet at Parking Lot #4 by 2:00pm to take a walk and see colorful wildflowers, songbirds and shiny amphibians. John’s informative and entertaining narrative along the way will make this a fun trek for everyone. The walk will take about 1 to 1½ hours and is appropriate for all ages. To register, for directions or more information, call (570) 894-8336. Check out the PA State Parks website www.visitpaparks.com.

May 27 – Join popular Pocono Mountains naturalist John Serrao at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in Dingmans Ferry for the Serrao Hiking Series. From 9:30am to 11:30am you’ll explore the forests, fields, streams, wetlands and waterways of the surrounding Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. John’s informative natural history narrative along the way will make the hike even more exciting! The hike is free however pre-registration is required to attend. PEEC, a non-profit center, is located off Route 209 in Dingmans Ferry within the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The center enhances environmental awareness, knowledge, and appreciation through hands-on experience in a natural outdoor classroom. PEEC provides these unique environmental experiences to individuals, families and groups of all ages. For more information or to register, call PEEC at (570) 828-2319 or log on to www.peec.org.

May 27 – Presenter Stephen Small, J.D., LL.M will offer An Introduction to Preserving Family Lands from 5:30 to 8:00pm at PPL Corporation’s Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center (WELC) on Route 6 near Hawley. Informational displays by regional land trusts and other sponsor organizations will provide local landowners with an opportunity to learn more about the local resources available. Renowned expert and attorney Stephen Small will talk about the options available to keep cherished lands in the family while minimizing estate taxes. Before going into private practice, Small was an attorney-advisor in the Office of Chief Counsel of the I.R.S. in Washington, where he wrote the federal income tax regulations on conservation easements. Each attendee will receive a copy of his book, “Preserving Family Lands.” Cost to attend is $15 and space is limited, so register early to avoid disappointment! For more information or to register, contact the Delaware Highlands Conservancy at (570) 226-3164 or email to info@delawarehighlands.org. You may contact PPL at (570) 251-6196 or send an email to pplpreserves@pplweb.com for details on this and other programs at the WELC. Additional program details can be found at the website www.pplpreserves.com.

May 27 & 28 – Pocono Raceway in Long Pond has announced a two day NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Test. The test, which is open to the public, is scheduled to be run from 12:30pm to 7:00pm on Tuesday and 9:00am to 5:00pm on Wednesday. This important test is the first opportunity NASCAR teams will have to test the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car (formerly known as the COT) at Pocono Raceway. Around 50 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams are expected to attend. 2008 Pocono NASCAR ticket holders will be eligible to receive up to 4 free tickets to the Test Session (call the track for details). Fans who are not current ticket holders for either of Pocono Raceway’s 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events can purchase Test Session tickets for $5 each by calling Pocono Raceway or at the Gate 8 Ticket Booth on each day of the event. Call the Ticket Office at 1-800-RACEWAY for your tickets or online at www.poconoraceway.com.

May 28 – Learn how to “geocache,” an exciting outdoor activity involving GPS units, when PPL naturalist Katie Gill presents Island Geocaching at PPL Corporation’s Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center (WELC) on Route 6 near Hawley. Enjoy a nice, relaxing boat ride out to Epply Island on Lake Wallenpaupack, while learning the basics of this fun outdoor leisure pursuit. Bring a GPS unit if you have one; some will be available to borrow. Also bring a small trinket to trade from the treasure box. You will get wet, so dress appropriately. The program will be held from 4:00 to 6:00pm, rain or shine. Participants must be 12 or older. The program is free, however space is very limited and advance registration is required. To register, contact PPL at (570) 251-6196 or send an email to pplpreserves@pplweb.com. Additional program details can be found at the website www.pplpreserves.com.

May 28 – An Early Morning Bird & Wildlife Walk led by popular Pocono Mountains naturalist and author John Serrao will begin at 7:15am at Big Pocono State Park near Tannersville (home to Camelback Ski Area/CamelBeach Waterpark). Meet at Parking Lot #2 to take a walk and see colorful migrating songbirds, wildflowers and other signs of spring in the Poconos. John’s informative and entertaining narrative along the way will make this a fun trek for everyone. The walk will take about 1 to 1½ hours and is appropriate for all ages. Bring binoculars if you have them. To register, for directions or more information, you can call (570) 894-8336. Check out the PA State Parks website www.visitpaparks.com.

May 28 thru June 1 – S&S Amusements returns to the Great Lawn at Fernwood Hotel & Resort in Bushkill to bring you the Fernwood Carnival. Open to the public, the event will offer traditional carnival rides and games, vendors serving festival foods, kiddie rides, and chances to win using skill and a little luck. The carnival will be open from 6:00pm to 10:00pm daily; Saturday & Sunday 10:00am to 10:00pm. Fernwood has been hosting an annual carnival in July for many years. The carnival’s popularity encouraged Fernwood to add a second May date in addition to the traditional July show. Fernwood Hotel & Resort is located on Route 209 in Bushkill, minutes from Delaware Water Gap. It offers both hotel and villa accommodations with year round activities including an 18-hole par 71 golf course, live entertainment, four themed restaurants, a video play area, miniature golf and daily scheduled activities for guests. Call (570) 588-9500 or toll-free 1-888-FERNWOOD with any questions about the carnival and for information about special packages. www.fernwoodhotel.com

May 29 – The Wayne County Public Library in Honesdale invites you to an Introduction to Poetry, an ongoing program that meets the last Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30pm. The series is facilitated by Rita Dibble and Christine San Jose. Explore the world of poetry. Listen to poetry being read aloud, read poetry of your own, and join in on the discussion. The library is located at 1406 Main Street in Honesdale. Drop in or call 253-1220 to sign up! 

May 30 – Every Friday (except holidays), artists are invited to join the Band of Painters for painting in all mediums at the PoconoArts Cultural Center in Stroudsburg. This is not a learning opportunity, but a chance for painters to get out of their studios and paint in the company of other artists. Bring your own supplies and enjoy painting with the group from 10:00am until 1:00pm. The PoconoArts Cultural Center is located at 18 North 7th Street in Downtown Stroudsburg. For further details, call (570) 476-4460. www.poconoarts.org

May 30 thru June 1 – The Sterling Inn in South Sterling is hosting a special Murder Mystery “The Golden Age of Hollywood.”  The highlight of the weekend will be the Murder Mystery Party with live music & cocktails on Saturday night, followed by the gourmet Murder Mystery Dinner. The year is 1935, the Golden Age of film. This is a typical weekend at Pickfall, the spectacular home of Hollywood’s most sought-after couple, Mary Picker and Douglas Fallriver. However there is an extra treat this weekend; the Maharaja of Pradesh is here with at least one of his many wives. After dinner, the Maharaja will present Edmund Forthstone, the director of “The Jewel of Destiny,” with the crown jewel of Pradesh. Everyone who is anyone, and some who aren’t anyone, will be at Pickfall this weekend. The Sterling Inn invites the public to stay for the Murder Mystery Weekend Package or just participate in the dinner & show on Saturday night; call ahead for dinner-only reservations! Prizes to those who solve the mystery will be awarded at Sunday breakfast. The weekend package includes gracious accommodations, a Welcome Wine & Tea Party on Friday night and a full Continental Breakfast each morning. The Sterling Inn is located off Route 191 in South Sterling. For your Murder Mystery reservations or more information, call (570) 676-3311 or 1-800-523-8200. Or visit their website www.thesterlinginn.com.       

May 31 – The Sons of Norway - Bernt Balchen Lodge #566 invites the public to their Annual Viking Dinner at the Central Volunteer Fire Department in Bohemia. The event will begin at 6:00pm. The Central Volunteer Fire Department is located on Westcolang Road off Route 590 in Bohemia (¼ mile past Cuckoo’s Nest Restaurant). For more information, call (570) 253-1530.

June 1 – Today is a Fish-for-Free Day in the State of Pennsylvania! No fishing license is needed to fish today. It’s a great way to introduce a friend or relative to the lifelong sport of fishing. Remember that all other regulations apply, but no fishing license is necessary on PA’s waterways today. Another Fish-for-Free Day was held on May 24. For complete details, check out the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s website at www.fish.state.pa.us.

June 1 – Back by popular demand, PPL Corporation presents “Beyond Bait and Bobber” from noon until 3:00pm at their Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, located along the shores of the Delaware River in Bangor. Ever wonder what a lure looks like from the perspective of a largemouth bass? Join Mike LoDolce, tournament fisherman and certified fishing guide, for this educational seminar on fishing the whole family can enjoy. Learn about water and boat safety, fishing gear, lures, and techniques. The program will be presented at the Boat Ramp on DePues Road. Bring a lawn chair and a fishing pole if you have one. Check out his tournament boat and all the gadgets on board. Enjoy great handouts and giveaways! The program is free, but registration is required. To register, call PPL at (570) 251-6196 or send an email to pplpreserves@pplweb.com. PPL’s Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, in conjunction with their Martins Creek and Lower Mount Bethel Energy power plants, offers 215 acres of woodland and meadows for hiking and exploring. www.pplpreserves.com  

June 1 – Pike County Arts & Crafts (PCAC), a non-profit arts education organization, in cooperation with Milford Borough and the Milford Chamber of Commerce, is offering a series of Sunday Afternoon Art Demonstrations by extraordinary master artists. The demonstrations will take place at Borough Hall, 109 W. Catharine Street in Milford at 1:30pm and are open to members, their guests, and potential PCAC members. Featured today will be imaginative watercolor painter Linda Barboni. The Art Demonstration is free to the public and new members are always welcome. For further details, call the PCAC Desk at Milford Borough Hall at (570) 296-2338 or email to pcacinc@yahoo.com.

June 3 – The Monroe County Environmental Education Center (MCEEC) near Bartonsville is hosting a Guided Nature Discovery Walk for Adults at their Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. Join Environmental Educator Karen N. Boyle from 9:00am to 10:30am on this walk to explore the sanctuary and discover what is happening as the Poconos spring to life! There are many interesting things to discover on the 166 acre wildlife sanctuary. Dress to be outdoors the entire time. The cost is $5 and pre-registration is required by Monday, June 2. To register, call the office at (570) 629-3061 during regular business hours, Mon. through Fri. from 8:00 to 4:30 and some Saturdays from 9:00 to 1:00. www.mcconservation.org

June 4 – The Monroe County Environmental Education Center (MCEEC) near Bartonsville will host a special Raptor Field Trip today. The recovery of the bald eagle, osprey, and peregrine falcon populations is a wildlife success story. Learn how the story unfolded during this special program and field trip with Environmental Educator Brian Hardiman. Participants will learn about the ecology of these three raptors and the conservation efforts that helped save them. A short classroom program will be followed by a field trip, where observations of locally breeding eagles, ospreys, and peregrines may be made. Meet at the MCEEC near Bartonsville at 8:30am; return time is 5:00pm. The cost is $12 and includes van transportation. Pack binoculars, camera, lunch and water. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required and seating is limited. To register, call the office at (570) 629-3061 during regular business hours, Mon. through Fri. from 8:00 to 4:30 and some Saturdays from 9:00 to 1:00. www.mcconservation.org

June 6 – Every Friday (except holidays), artists are invited to join the Band of Painters for painting in all mediums at the PoconoArts Cultural Center in Stroudsburg. This is not a learning opportunity, but a chance for painters to get out of their studios and paint in the company of other artists. Bring your own supplies and enjoy painting with the group from 10:00am until 1:00pm. The PoconoArts Cultural Center is located at 18 North 7th Street in Downtown Stroudsburg. For further details, call (570) 476-4460. www.poconoarts.org

June 6 thru 8 – The POCONO 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Event thunders into Pocono International Raceway in Long Pond! Parking lots open at 6:00am on Friday and the gates open at 8:00 for Weis Markets Pole Day. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice begins at noon and Qualifying starts at 3:40. On Saturday the parking lots open at 6:00am and the Grandstand Admission Gates open at 8:00; NASCAR Practice begins at 10:00. Sunday is race day! Parking lots will open at 5:00am and the Pre-Race Festivities begin at 1:00. The Pocono 500 race will start at exactly 2:00pm. NASCAR tickets may still be available. For your tickets or other information, call 1-800-RACEWAY or log on to www.poconoraceway.com.

June 6 thru 8 – Caesars Paradise Stream Resort in Mount Pocono invites all race fans to stay for their Pocono 500 Weekend Package. Stay and ride – leave the driving to the professionals! Package includes Friday night Welcome Party & Poolside Champagne Celebration, and a weekend of fun. After a Grab & Go Breakfast on Sunday, take a relaxed bus ride to a select parking area at Pocono Raceway. There you’ll have a Paddock Pass (pre-race pit pass!) and Concourse Level Race Tickets to the Pocono 500 NASCAR Race. Ride the bus back to the resort – buses are the first fans out of the gate! After the race, enjoy a Pool Party and a Barbecue; you’ll be sitting at the pool while others are still sitting in their cars in the raceway parking lots! Three nights minimum stay required; must stay Friday – Monday to ride the bus on Sunday. For your Pocono 500 Weekend reservations, call Caesars at 1-866-500-0458. Find out more at www.cpresorts.com/thisweek.

June 7 – Participate in the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day with Fitness at the Falls at Bushkill Falls, “The Niagara of Pennsylvania.” The first 50 adult participants will receive a free pedometer with admission to the falls; other participants receive a loaner pedometer. Hike the many trails around the falls and register your steps in a contest for prizes. Bushkill Falls is centered on eight roaring waterfalls and features miles of nature trails and picnic areas, plus paddle boats, miniature golf, fishing, exhibits, specialty shops and fun for all ages. The famous Pocono Mountain attraction is located off of Route 209 in Bushkill and is open to the public daily from 9:00am to dusk, April through October. Call Bushkill Falls at (570) 588-6682 or see their website www.visitbushkillfalls.com. 

June 7 – Join members of the Pocono Outdoor Club as they take part in the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day by performing some Trail Care at Delaware State Forest. To learn how you can get involved, contact Trail Care Coordinator John Motz at (570) 236-1462. The Pocono Outdoor Club is a friendly hiking group open to all individuals interested in exploring the trails of the Pocono Mountains. To learn more about the club and its outings in the wilds of the Poconos, contact today’s hike leader or check out www.poconooutdoorclub.org.

June 14Bass Fishing Season Opens Today on Commonwealth of Pennsylvania inland waters! The minimum size is 12 inches, and the daily limit is 6 fish (combined bass species). Find out more about the great fishing in Pennsylvania at www.fish.state.pa.us and don’t forget to buy your license!

June 14 – The annual Spring Arts & Crafts Fair hosted by the Hawley-Lake Wallenpaupack Chamber of Commerce returns to picturesque Bingham Park in Hawley. Enjoy the talents of all the fine artists and crafters displaying their fine wares. The fair will host over ninety vendors who will travel from far and near to offer their unique handcrafted items at this big event. Fair hours are 9:00am until 5:00pm for shoppers and browsers, rain or shine, and admission is FREE! Musical entertainment is planned for the afternoon in the park’s gazebo. Good food will be available all day. Vendor space may still be available, but remember crafts must be hand made and not manufactured. For more information about the Spring Arts & Crafts Fair in Hawley at Lake Wallenpaupack, call the Chamber of Commerce at (570) 226-3191 or email hlwchmbr@ptd.net. You may visit their website at www.hawleywallenpaupackcc.com. A Fall Arts & Crafts Fair is also planned for September 13, 2008!

June 14 – Bring your camera and spend the day exploring seven breathtaking waterfalls on the Pocono Waterfall Tour. Join naturalist Sue Thompson from 8:30am to 5:00pm to explore these sparkling cascades and learn some of the cultural history surrounding each of them. Back by popular demand, the Pocono Waterfall Tour is hosted by PPL Corporation in partnership with Lacawac Sanctuary and Mariposa Gardens. The tour is open to ages 10 and over. Bring a lunch to enjoy along the trails, wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Meet in the parking lot of PPL’s Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center (WELC) on Route 6 near Hawley at 8:30am to carpool. The cost to attend is $5 and reservations are required by June 6. To register, call Lacawac Sanctuary at (570) 689-9494. The number at PPL is (570) 251-6196. Additional program details can be found at the PPL website www.pplpreserves.com.

June 14 – Bushkill Falls, “The Niagara of Pennsylvania,” has several exciting events planned for today. A special Native American Demonstration with hands-on interactive exhibits and more begins at 1:00pm. Then at 2:30, a naturalist from the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will discuss local wildlife and present demonstrations with live birds and animals during the Learn about Wildlife program. It’s also Scout Day, with special discounts and programs for scout groups with reservations. Bushkill Falls is centered on eight roaring waterfalls and features miles of nature trails and picnic areas, plus paddle boats, miniature golf, fishing, exhibits, specialty shops and fun for all ages. The famous Pocono Mountain attraction is located off of Route 209 in Bushkill and is open to the public daily from 9:00am to dusk, April through October. Call Bushkill Falls at (570) 588-6682 or see their website www.visitbushkillfalls.com. 

June 14 – Members of the Pocono Outdoor Club invite you to join them as they Hike from Burnt Mills to Snow Hill Road. It will be a moderate 8.6 mile hike on the Thunder Swamp Trail System; the trail can be rocky so wear suitable hiking shoes. Meet in the parking lot on Snow Hill Road at 9:30am. To register for the hike or for more information, call hike leader Roy Kleinle (570) 421-8982. The Pocono Outdoor Club is a friendly hiking group open to all individuals interested in exploring the trails of the Pocono Mountains. To learn more about the club and its outings in the wilds of the Poconos, contact today’s hike leader or check out www.poconooutdoorclub.org.

June 15 Dads Paddle FREE on Father’s Day at Kittatinny Canoes, “The Original Delaware River Outfitter!” Dads paddle absolutely free today when accompanied by their families on a calm or whitewater canoeing trip or whitewater rafting trip. Reservations are required for this fun-filled day. Kittatinny Canoes was established in 1941 and is a leader in Delaware River canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, tubing, and camping. For reservations, call 1-800-FLOAT-KC. www.kittatinny.com

June 21 – Today is the First Day of Summer. Enjoy it in the Pocono Mountains!

June 21 – Kittatinny Canoes, “The Original Delaware River Outfitter,” has announced that today is a special Learn to Canoe Day. Participants will meet at Kittatinny’s Dingmans Ferry base on the Delaware River, where certified instructors will teach novices the essentials of canoeing. The lessons are followed by a guided, eight-mile canoe trip down the river from Milford Beach back to Dingmans. In addition to this special program, Kittatinny offers daily Delaware River trips by canoe, kayak, tube, and raft. Camping, too! For your reservations, call 1-800-FLOAT-KC. www.kittatinny.com

June 21 – It’s Giveaway Day at Bushkill Falls, “The Niagara of Pennsylvania.” The first 200 visitors today will receive a free compass/thermometer key chain. Admission purchase is required. Bushkill Falls is centered on eight roaring waterfalls and features miles of nature trails and picnic areas, plus paddle boats, miniature golf, fishing, exhibits, specialty shops and fun for all ages. The famous Pocono Mountain attraction is located off of Route 209 in Bushkill and is open to the public daily from 9:00am to dusk, April through October. Call Bushkill Falls at (570) 588-6682 or see their website