This Week In The Poconos


Pocono Pines Weather Forecast, PA (18350)

Features

16th Annual Pocono Garlic Festival	*La Festa Italiana returns!*	Whistle Stop Train Excursion to Railfest 2010
Delaware Water Gap COTA Jazz & Arts Festival	*Pocono Lake Region Chamber of Commerce hosts Arts & Crafts Fair!*	Open House at the Old Stone Jail!
StroudFest is September 4th!	*Wayne County Builders Home and Garden Festival*	13th Annual Art Show in Coolbaugh Township
Grey Towers sponsors Milford Walking Tour & Outdoor Concert	*Free Concert at Faith Lutheran Church*	Comedy Night at Fernwood Resort
American Candle announces Events	*Learn to Kayak with Kittatinny!*	Moonlight Rafting and Bike, Wine & Dine
Lenape-Delaware Indian Heritage	*Intro to Geocaching on Labor Day*	Raptor Refresher at Beltzville State Park
1st Annual Varden Conservation Day	*Nescopeck offers Free Family Fishing*	Monroe County Garden Club Event
Buy Fresh/Buy Local at Farmers Markets!
16th Annual Pocono Garlic Festival On Saturday and Sunday, September 4th and 5th, the 16th Annual Pocono Garlic Festival will fill Shawnee Mountain Ski Area with garlic-y goodness! Indulge your garlic fantasies at this legendary event, featuring flavorful foods liberally laced with Pocono garlic, educational and wildlife programs, cooking classes, and fantastic entertainment. Presented by the Pocono Garlic Growers Association, as many as 25,000 tasteful folks attend annually! Non-stop music, novelty acts, strolling jugglers and magicians, and a children's area with petting zoo make this an event for all ages. Vendors offer an abundance of food, from simple to sophisticated. Local artists and artisans exhibit handcrafted garlic-themed creations of wood, pottery, jewelry, soap, and more. Zydeco-A-Go-Go, Burning Bridget Cleary, Juggernaut String Band, Blue Emerald, The Lost Ramblers, Pearls Before Swine, and PA Dance Network will perform, and Kathy Uhler of the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will bring a menagerie of animals for you to meet. All the garlic is grown and harvested here, provided by Knob View Farm, Josie Porter Farm, Rolling Hills Farm, Fairman Farm, Burdick Creek Gardens, and Mountaindale Farms. Pungent garlic stars in bruschetta, meatballs on a stick, shrimp scampi, shish kabob, tabbouli, baba ghannouj, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, paella, empanadas, Spanish sausage, kielbasa, pierogi, fried rice, corn on the cob with garlic butter, BBQ sandwiches, turkey legs, chicken wings, crab cakes, ice cream, cookies, and hand rolled cigars! Festival hours are 10:00am to 6:00pm both days; admission is charged, parking is free. Find it on Hollow Road in Shawnee-on-Delaware, via exit 309 of I-80. Call (570) 421-7231, visit www.shawneemt.com, and take a taste at www.poconogarlic.com!
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La Festa Italiana returns! The 35th annual La Festa Italiana returns to Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton! The 3-day festival is an end-of-summer tradition attracting 1000s; 70+ vendors offer diverse merchandise and delicious Italian food. From Saturday, September 4th through Monday, September 6th, celebrate Italian-style with authentic music and culture! Continuous live entertainment is scheduled on 2 stages, in addition to strolling musicians, magicians, and jugglers, plus games and rides for kids of all ages. La Messa Festiva, the Mass in Italian, will be celebrated at 10:00am on Sunday in Saint Peter's Cathedral 1 block from the festival site, and will be televised live by CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton. Fireworks will launch on Sunday night. Hours are 12:00pm to 11:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 12:00pm to 9:00pm on Monday. Admission is free! For festival schedules and directions, view www.lafestaitaliana.org. To learn about events in Scranton and Lackawanna County, call 1-800-22-WELCOME ext. 5, and see www.visitnepa.org and www.lackawannacounty.org.
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Whistle Stop Train Excursion to Railfest 2010 All aboard! Take a round-trip Whistle Stop Train Excursion from East Stroudsburg or Cresco to Steamtown National Historic Site, in celebration of Railfest 2010. Historic diesel locomotives, Reading Railroad FP-7s 902 and 903, will power this scenic ride along the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad's historic Pocono Mainline on Saturday, September 4th. Board the train at Miller Park Station in East Stroudsburg departing at 9:45am, or at Cresco Station departing at 10:15am. Railfest activities at Steamtown include steam-powered Scranton Limited short train rides, caboose rides, live music and dancing, tours of Amtrak equipment, and displays of vintage and modern rail equipment. Tour the Union Pacific #4012 "Big Boy" locomotive cab and the Locomotive Shops, and hop a free trolley shuttle to and from Scranton's Courthouse Square for fabulous food, music, and fun during La Festa Italiana. The train excursion rolls back to Cresco at 5:30pm and to East Stroudsburg at 6:10pm. Make your reservations today! To find Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton from I-81, take exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway) to the entrance at Lackawanna and Cliff avenues. For tickets and further details, call (570) 340-5204, (570) 340-5200, or 1-888-693-9391, and choo-choo to www.nps.gov/stea.
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Delaware Water Gap COTA Jazz & Arts Festival The Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts (COTA) brings its 33rdAnnual Jazz & Arts Festival to the scenic borough off I-80 exit 310, from Friday, September 10th through Sunday, September 12th! The volunteer-staffed festival showcases renowned and emerging talent in bebop, swing, blues, jazz fusion, big band, and Dixieland. The 2010 Festival poster is the work of Andrei Protsouk. Featuring the music of Phil Woods, Dave Liebman, Nancy and Spencer Reed, Bob Dorough, the COTA Festival Orchestra, the COTA Cats, Jesse Green, Matt Vashlishan, Urbie and Kathy Green, Eric Doney, Zach Brock, Bob Dorough, Dennis Jeter, Bobby Avey, and the Jazz Artists Repertory Orchestra (JARO), the festival opens with a reception for the juried Music Motif Show at the Antoine Dutot Museum & Gallery. Classical music, theatre, storytelling, poetry, dance, and cabaret will happen throughout the event. COTAâ€™s original, free JazzMass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Sunday with a full orchestra and chorus. Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended; shelter under the big tent in case of rain. Enjoy numerous vendors of food, art, mementos, and crafts, and a supervised childrenâ€™s area; no pets are permitted. Since 1978, COTA was the brainchild of saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Composer Phil Woods, New York City Ballet principal trombonist Rick Chamberlain, and the late innkeeper Ed Joubert. For information/advance tickets, call (570) 424-2210, and bebop to www.cotajazz.org.
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Pocono Lake Region Chamber of Commerce hosts Arts & Crafts Fair! The annual Arts & Crafts Fair hosted by the Pocono Lake Region Chamber of Commerce returns to picturesque Bingham Park on Saturday, September 11th! Shoppers and admirers are invited to appreciate the work and creativity of fine artists, artisans, and crafters displaying and discussing their distinctive techniques and wares. Fair hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm, rain or shine, and admission is free! The fair boasts 90+ vendors, journeying from far and near to show off their handcrafted jewelry, textiles, home decor, fine art, glassware, and more at this very popular event. Scenic Bingham Park is easy to find on Main Avenue in historic downtown Hawley. Interested vendors may inquire about space; crafts must be hand made. Delicious food will be available all day. The Pocono Mountains Lake Region of Wayne and Pike counties is among the fastest growing areas in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For more information, call the Chamber at (570) 226-3191 or email hlwchmbr@ptd.net. View the historic, thriving, and welcoming communities surrounding beautiful Lake Wallenpaupack at www.lakeregioncc.com.
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Open House at the Old Stone Jail! Attend an Open House at the Old Stone Jail in Honesdale, sponsored by the Wayne County Historical Society (WCHS), from 10:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday, September 4th. The historic squat stone structure was built 151 years ago, housing Wayne County miscreants until 1935. When new, the jail was considered impregnable; it replaced the previous lock-up, which had become notorious for frequent escapes. Constructed almost entirely of rough stone, its damp, gloomy interior has often been compared to a dungeon. Men, women, and even children endured the dismal accommodations. "Jailer" Dick Kreitner will usher you into the 9'x12' cells as he relates the colorful history of the jail, highlighting numerous jailbreaks and infamous occupants. The Old Stone Jail is between the Wayne County Courthouse and 10th Street. Admission is free, donations are accepted, and souvenirs and informative items are available. The WCHS museum, housed in the old Delaware & Hudson Canal Company (1860) and Jason Torrey Land Office (1830) at 810 Main Street, is open from 10:00am to 4:00pm Wednesday through Saturday. Call (570) 253-3240, email wchshop@ptd.net, and see www.waynehistorypa.org!
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StroudFest is September 4th! StroudFest, an annual celebration of community spirit in and around Stroudsburg, happens on Saturday, September 4th from 11:00am to 6:00pm on downtown Main Street. The festival includes fun for everyone, and admission and parking are free! The day begins with a 5k race, and features an eclectic mix of music and dance performances on 4 stages. Vendors, specialty stores, and 2 dozen eateries will present a fine variety of arts, crafts, food, and downtown shopping opportunities. Enjoy face painting, games, strolling entertainers, and celebrating community. StroudFest sponsors include the Jacob Stroud Corporation, which promotes and supports the vibrant downtown area, and Fernwood Hotel & Resort. To find out more, call Rich at (570) 420-2808, and check out www.stroudfest.com.
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Wayne County Builders Home and Garden Festival The Wayne County Builders Association (WCBA) Home and Garden Festival happens on Saturday, September 11th from 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday, September 12th from 10:00am to 5:00pm at the Ladore Lodge Camp Retreat & Conference Center in Waymart. Proceeds benefit the non-profit WCBA; enjoy food, a farmers market, childrenâ€™s activities, seminars, demonstrations, raffles, power tool displays, pontoon boat rides, and a LEGO competition; catch an appearance by Wayne the Builder! "It's a fun weekend for the whole family'" comments Laurie Lourie, WCBA Executive Director, "a local opportunity to see the latest products for your home and garden, and to have your home improvement questions answered by experts." Enter a silent auction featuring prizes like tools, golf packages, and gift baskets; admission includes a chance to win a hand-decorated bench. Call (570) 226-4941, email info@waynecountybuilders.com, and see www.waynecountybuilders.com.
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13th Annual Art Show in Coolbaugh Township Coolbaugh Township Historical Association (CTHA) presents its 13th Annual Art Show from Friday, September 10th through Sunday, September 12th, at the township complex on Route 611, Tobyhanna. Admire the work of 50+ adjudicated artists, in acrylics, crafts, sculptures, mixed media, oils, photography, and watercolors. Many pieces portray the locale, most will be offered for sale, some will be featured in the CTHA 2011 calendar, and the Best of Show will be displayed at the offices of State Representative Mario Scavello in Mount Pocono. Show hours are Friday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm; Saturday, 12:00pm to 5:00pm; and Sunday, 12:00pm to 2:00pm; call (570) 839-7227. Tour the CTHA Bi-Centennial Museum exhibits of ice harvesting, the military, photos, and artifacts. CTHA meets monthly; speakers and events are presented regularly. Museum hours are Monday and Thursday from 10:00am to 12:00pm, Saturdays from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, and by appointment. Admission is free, donations are accepted, and group tours are available. Call (570) 894-4207 or (570) 839-7306, and reminisce at www.coolbaughtwp.org/historical.htm!
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Grey Towers sponsors Milford Walking Tour & Outdoor Concert Take a walking tour of downtown Milford, illustrating the many contributions made by the Pinchot family since the 1800s, on Saturday, September 4th at 11:00am. Some significant buildings with Pinchot history are Forest Hall, Community House, Normandy Cottage, and the Pike County Courthouse. Meet on the lawn of the Pike County Library at the intersection of Broad and Harford streets, rain or shine. Registration is suggested. Tour Grey Towers National Historic Site, after the walking tour, at half price! On Saturday, September 11th, Grey Towers hosts an Outdoor Concert at 5:30pm. Connect with nature as you enjoy excellent classical music in the comfort of the covered outdoor terrace. Admission is $10.00/pp; for tickets or concert information call (845) 856-1023; visit www.portjervisarts.org. Grey Towers is the former home of eminent conservationist and former Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot. The US Forest Service, founded by Pinchot, is now steward of the home, offering cultural events, tours, and a conference center for environmental programs. From Route 6 near Milford, take Old Owego Turnpike for ¼ mile to the entrance on the left. Call (570) 296-9630 or (570) 296-9625, email greytowers@fs.fed.us, and log on to www.fs.fed.us/gt and www.greytowers.org. PHOTO CAPTION: The Pinchot Dry Goods Store and Mercantile, at Broad and Harford Streets, where Forest Hall stands today.
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Free Concert at Faith Lutheran Church The Faith Lutheran Church of Blakeslee invites one and all to a Free Community Concert, featuring the heavenly sounds of Frank Curtis and His Guitar. The music begins at 7:00pm on Sunday, September 12th in the comfort of the church's sanctuary. Music lovers of all ages are cordially invited to attend. Faith Lutheran Church is on Route 940, 1 mile east of Blakeslee and 6 miles west of Pocono Pines. Call the church at (570) 646-0309, email faithlut@epix.net, and carry your tune to www.lutheransonline.com!
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Comedy Night at Fernwood Resort We all enjoy a few laughs! Fernwood Hotel & Resort announces Comedy Night on Friday, September 3rd at 10:00pm in Wintergreens Patio Grill. Hosted by comedian John Carfi of Comedy Central and Entertainment Tonight and opener for Kenny Rogers, Michael Bolton, and Donna Summer, 3 of the funniest headliners from HBO, hotel casinos, and comedy clubs across the nation will take the stage! Wintergreens Patio Grill is across from Fernwood Hotel & Resort on Route 209 in Bushkill. Comedy Nights are general admission seating for ages 21+ only; cover charge is $10.00/pp, and a $2.00/pp discount applies to resort guests. Dinner is served at Wintergreens every night beginning at 5:00pm; dine on the patio overlooking the lake before the show! Call (570) 588-9500 or 1-888-FERNWOOD, and check into www.fernwoodhotel.com.
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American Candle announces Events American Candle on Route 611 in Bartonsville is more than just candles! On Friday through Sunday, September 3rd through 5th, attend the PANDORA Bracelet Event; purchase $150.00 in PANDORA Jewelry to receive a free sterling silver PANDORA clasp bracelet! Drop by or call to order. On Sunday, September 12th, you're invited to a Heartwood Creek Artist Signing Event featuring artist Jim Shore and the 2010 Christmas Heartwood Creek collection by Enesco. Attend between 1:00pm and 4:00pm to have your favorite Heartwood Creek pieces signed. Candles are made daily in myriad scents, colors, shapes, and containers; catch a demonstration! American Candle has Vera Bradley, Switch Flops, Norman Rockwell, Dept. 56, Lenox, Precious Moments, old-fashioned candy, ice cream, gourmet coffee, and other delights. Call (570) 629-3388 and light up at www.american-candle.com.
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Learn to Kayak with Kittatinny! Kittatinny Canoes, a leader in Delaware River canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, tubing, and camping since 1941, announces Saturday, September 11th as a Learn to Kayak Day. Novices, learn how to paddle the river in a Kittatinny kayak! At Kittatinny's Matamoras base, certified instructors will teach you the essentials of kayaking. Then, take a guided 10-mile scenic trip downriver from Pond Eddy, New York back to Matamoras. If you'd like to kayak, but haven't tried it, now's your chance! Kittatinny Canoes offers daily Delaware River trips by canoe, kayak, raft, and tube; call 1-800-FLOAT-KC, use the display ad offer, and drift to www.kittatinny.com!
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Moonlight Rafting and Bike, Wine & Dine Pocono Whitewater unveils guided Moonlight Rafting on the Lehigh River at sundown on Saturday, September 11th. Explore moonlit river life as glow sticks float around you, sharpen your senses as light gives way to sound and motion, then get cozy by the bonfire, roast marshmallows, and savor cheese, crackers, and a glass of wine! The $89.95/pp fee includes in-raft guide, apre's party, all equipment, a roaring bonfire, and glow necklaces. On Sunday, September 12th, Bike, Wine & Dine on Broadway in Jim Thorpe! Enjoy guided biking on the Switchback Railway, lunch at Molly Maguires Pub & Steakhouse, wine tasting at Big Creek Vineyard, and an open afternoon of shopping and sights; only $59.95 per person! Pocono Whitewater offers mild to wild rafting and kayaking trips and scenic rail-biking excursions. Call 1-800-WHITEWATER, and drift to www.poconowhitewater.com.
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Lenape-Delaware Indian Heritage Friends of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA), aka Friends of DEWA, present Lenape-Delaware Indian Heritage in the Bushkill Visitor Center on Saturday, September 11th at 7:00pm. The free interactive program, given by John Kraft of Lenape Lifeways, highlights Lenape-Delaware family life, clothing, hunting, gardening, contributions, and more! The Bushkill Visitor Center is on Route 209 in Bushkill, just south of the Bushkill Falls traffic light. To learn more about the spectacular DWGNRA, its programs, and how to become involved, phone (570) 426-2452, and see www.nps.gov/dewa and www.friendsofdewa.org.
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Intro to Geocaching on Labor Day You're familiar with GPS (Global Positioning System) units, but did you know you can use one to locate treasure? Join Intro to Geocaching on Monday, September 6th from 10:00am to 11:30am at Hickory Run State Park near White Haven. Meet at the Nature Center to learn the basics of geocaching, a global, high-tech treasure hunt! Borrow a GPS unit from the park, or bring your own if you are familiar with its operation. Registration is required for this free program; call Environmental Education Specialist Megan Taylor at (570) 443-0400, or email hickoryrunenvedsp@state.pa.us. Learn more at www.visitpaparks.com and www.dcnr.state.pa.us.
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Raptor Refresher at Beltzville State Park Just in time for fall migration, a Raptor Refresher at Beltzville State Park is offered on Friday, September 10th. Naturalist Megan Taylor will present the slide-assisted program from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the park's Environmental Interpretive Center. Have an on-screen look at the hawks, eagles, osprey, and other raptors that will pass through the Pocono Mountains this autumn on their migration routes. Learn techniques to identify these birds of prey as they fly by! This is a great introduction for beginners, and a worthy refresher for experienced raptor watchers. Raptor Refresher is free, and designed for ages 15+; registration is required. Call Beltzville State Park at (610) 377-0045; or, register online and see all the award-winning Pennsylvania State Parks at www.visitpaparks.com.
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1st Annual Varden Conservation Day On Saturday, September 11th, Promised Land State Park and Varden Conservation Area encourage everyone to come out for the 1st annual Varden Conservation Day. From 11:00am to 3:00pm, at the 343-acre Varden Conservation Area on Route 296 in Wayne County, enjoy homemade ice cream, fiddle music, a history of the area, guided hikes, a fishing contest for kids, and more! Call Promised Land State Park at (570) 676-0567 or (570) 676-3428, and see www.visitpaparks.com.
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Nescopeck offers Free Family Fishing Attend a free Family Fishing Program, designed for families with little or no fishing experience, at 1:00pm on Sunday, September 12th at Nescopeck State Park. You'll learn about fishing safety and manners, fishing tackle, rules and regulations, plus how to cast a line and tie knots. Then, your family will fish together! The state fishing license requirement is waived for this special program; registration is required to attend. Call the Nescopeck State Park Office at (570) 403-2006, and check out all the Pennsylvania State Parks at www.visitpaparks.com.
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Monroe County Garden Club Event Youâ€™re invited to meet the Monroe County Garden Club (MCGC) on Wednesday, September 8th at 11:30am. Enjoy a program, Exploring the use of Herbs for Health & Wellness, by Kathy Brown of Shooting for the Moon. The Design of the Month is Green Orchards, symmetrical mass design, rounded form, using green apples and fresh greens and herbs. The Horticulture Exhibit is Coleus, one stem, named by genus and species for highest scoring. Everyone interested in gardening, floral design, and horticulture is encouraged to attend this event, at the Hughes Eastern Monroe Public Library on Route 611/North 9th Street in Stroudsburg. The MCGC is a Federated Club of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania, District II/III, and a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. Contact President Caryl Lamoso at (570) 688-9063 or monroecountygardenclub@yahoo.com, visit Monroe County Garden Club on Facebook, and Come Grow with Us!
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Buy Fresh/Buy Local at Farmers Markets! A Farmers Market shopping spree should be on your list of tasty things to do. All the delicious, nutritious goodness is homegrown or homemade! The Mount Pocono Farmers Market takes place on Sundays from 9:00am to 2:00pm, in the Martz bus station parking lot on Route 611. Find produce, baked items, and plants; call (570) 839-7477 or (570) 895-4104. On Wednesdays, the Dansbury Farmers Market comes to Miller Park off Crystal Street in East Stroudsburg. The Monroe Farmers Market folks host this market in the park, from 9:00am to 1:00pm; call (570) 460-1452. The Stroudsburg Farmers Market is on Wednesdays from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on Main Street between 8th and 9th, with vegetables, fruit, eggs, honey, cheese, meats, and eco-crafts. Call (570) 992-0899 or (570) 269-6610, email cvcsa@ptd.net, and visit www.cherryvalleycsa.com. On Fridays from 1:30pm to 5:30pm, the Hawley Farmers Market is at the Hawley Train Platform on Route 6. Buy fruits and vegetables, garlic, herbs, mushrooms, flowers, bread, cheese, and plants. Call (570) 226-1644, and see www.visithawleypa.com. The Monroe Farmers Market comes to Stroudsburg on Saturdays with produce, baked goods, wine, honey, coffee, perennials, and hydroponics at 8727 Ann Street, from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Call (570) 420-0559 or (570) 460-1452, and visit www.monroecountyfarmersmarket.com. The Jim Thorpe Farmers Market is on Saturdays in Memorial Park on 10th Street. Get fresh fruits and vegetables from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Call (570) 704-5660, or email jonathanwyoung@hotmail.com. On Saturdays, buy veggies, fruit, flowers, crafts, dairy products, and eggs at the Wayne County Farmers Market in Honesdale. From 9:30am to 1:30pm, itâ€™s trackside by the Wayne County Visitors Center on Commercial Street; call (570) 253-1960. Yum!
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