Better in the Poconos


Book Description

When Antoine Dutot opened the Kittatinny Hotel&—the first tourist hotel in the Poconos&—in 1829, little did he know that he was a pioneer in what would become one of the largest and most diverse tourist and recreation areas on the East Coast. Although his initial venture failed, the tourist industry of the Poconos has been a long-term success, evolving and adapting to change. Better in the Poconos tells the story of Pennsylvania&’s premier vacationland from its earliest days to the present. The flourishing tourist and resort industry in the Poconos can be attributed, in part, to the area&’s splendid mountains, streams, and forests. But the timeless appeal of nature was matched, and even surpassed, by the resorts&’ ability to redefine themselves. In the mid-nineteenth century, William Cullen Bryant depicted the Pocono region as a hunter&’s delight, describing abundant game and sublime landscapes. The Victorian era, however, brought genteel carriage rides and croquet; later, specialized ethnic resorts catered to the minority populations of Philadelphia and New York; and in the 1940s and 1950s, the Poconos earned its reputation as a honeymoon paradise. This evolution continues today: the land of romance has given way to the ski resorts and water slides enjoyed by today&’s vacationing families. Poconos resort owners and innkeepers have long recognized the cutthroat competition inherent in the vacation business. Early on, they realized that they were vying not only with each other but also with other resorts&—first in the Catskills and on the New Jersey shore, and then in Florida, in the Caribbean, and even in Europe. Better in the Poconos illustrates the strategies by which resorts in northeastern Pennsylvania responded to these market forces. They were compelled to provide superior service and amenities as well as novel amusements and activities for their guests. In the latter half of the twentieth century, for example, &"super-resorts&" started to supplant the old hotels: the new resorts could offer year-round activities, thanks to the invention of artificial snow. Similarly, honeymoon hotels declined as couples resorts&—retreats that boasted such innovations as the heart-shaped bathtub and the Jacuzzi in the shape of a tall champagne glass&—emerged on the Poconos scene. Better in the Poconos recreates that scene and the people who brought it to life&—not only the innkeepers, souvenir sellers, laborers, and service workers, but also the community leaders and visionaries who promoted the vacation economy and sought to guide it. The proper Victorians, the devoted sportsmen, the young newlyweds, the families and singles, the staid ladies of the Women&’s Christian Temperance Union (and the sinners whose vices they wished to temper), the members of the Ku Klux Klan, the rich Quakers, the Jewish socialists, and the immigrants&—all these, and more, make up the humanly rich mosaic of the Poconos.




The Poconos


Book Description

The Poconos, a rich plateau nestled in northeastern Pennsylvania between the Delaware River and the Moosic Mountains, encompass a variety of alluring features. The perfect reference for amateur naturalists, outdoor enthusiasts, tourists, and others who wish to explore the area, this classic guide clearly explains the unique geographic characteristics, animal habits and habitats, climate, geology, and vegetation of the area. The authors trace the region from its beginnings millions of years ago as part of a shallow sea, through the reshaping forces of great glaciers, to today's roadways and turnpikes. This revised and expanded edition also includes brief profiles of individuals who played significant roles in the preservation or understanding of the area's ecology. Chapters provide a general survey of the area, including its history and places to be explored and observed, information on forest types, wildlife, and aquatic habitats, updated facts and figures on animal populations, as well as new details on invasive species. Throughout the book, numerous boxes direct readers to observatory points for specific birds, ecosystems, vegetation types, and geological features, while maps, tables, original pen-and-ink illustrations, and a select list of field guides and other references enhance the book's appeal. An indispensable companion for visitors as well as residents, The Poconos is a must-read for everyone who wants to discover or better understand the beauty and natural history of this unique region.




The Poconos in B Flat: The Incredible Jazz Legacy of the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania


Book Description

The Poconos In B Flat shines a warm and loving light on the incredible jazz culture of the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Through personal interviews, the book brings to life the unique insights, observations and motivations of a group of very talented musicians - including acclaimed National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Phil Woods and David Liebman; Bob Dorough of Schoolhouse Rock! fame; and many others. This jazz microcosm is sure to have wide appeal outside its woodland borders, as the movers, shakers and future stars have already impacted the global community.




The Pocono Plateau


Book Description




Moon Pennsylvania


Book Description

Visit historic battlefields, share the road with horse-drawn buggies, and explore two vibrant cities on the rise. Inside Moon Pennsylvania you'll find: Strategic itineraries like a 7-day spin through the best of the state, weekend trips, and tips for history buffs, families, and outdoor adventurers The top sights and unique experiences: Sneak a peek at the Liberty Bell and museum-hop in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Hike, camp, or show off your snowboarding skills in the Poconos, spot roaming elk in the Pennsylvania Wilds, and relax on the shores of Lake Erie. Learn about American history at Gettysburg, marvel at Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece in the Laurel Highlands, or take a horse-drawn buggy through Amish country. Find the best Philly cheesesteak, indulge in all that Hershey has to offer, and try a "Pittsburgh-style" sandwich stuffed with fries Suggestions for day trips from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, including Bucks County, Amish Country, Moraine and McConnells Mill State Parks, Fallingwater, and Cook Forest State Park Local tips from Philadelphia local Rachel Vigoda on when to go, how to get around, and where to stay Thorough background information on the landscape, wildlife, climate, and local culture Focused coverage of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the Pocono Mountains, Pittsburgh, the Alleghenies, the Lake Region, and Pennsylvania Wilds With Moon Pennsylvania's practical tips and local insight, you can experience the best of the Keystone State. Staying in the city? Try Moon Pittsburgh or Moon Philadelphia. Exploring more of the East Coast? Try Moon Virginia & Maryland or Moon Washington DC.







Ghosts of the Poconos


Book Description

The Poconos in the hills of picturesque Pennsylvania is home to beautiful resorts, lively casinos, and stunning waterfalls. Yet, stand in any one spot long enough and chills will run up your spine. Journey with paranormal investigator L Aura Hladik Hoffman to twenty haunted locations within this tourist mecca. Dine at Tannersville Inn with the ghost of Mabel or stay the night at The Shawnee Inn with a Lady in White. Discover the Pennsylvania Dutch beast Siwweyaeger or the phantom of the Poconos Cinema and Cultural Center as it "strikes again." The Hotel of Horror theater will challenge you to discern between actor and specter at every turn. Examine local legends, haunted artifacts and attractions, ghost photography, and more. Included is a directory of local paranormal organizations, researchers, and tours to plan your own investigations. It won't take long for you to discover that the ghosts of the Poconos are ever present, so join the hunt!"




Waterfalls of Pennsylvania


Book Description

This comprehensive guidebook profiles more than 180 waterfalls in Pennsylvania, all scouted by award-winning photographer Jim Cheney.




The Last Chance Matinee


Book Description

From New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart comes the first novel in her all-new series, The Hudson Sisters, following a trio of reluctant sisters as they set out to fulfill their father’s dying wish. In the process, they find not only themselves, but the father they only thought they knew. When celebrated and respected agent Fritz Hudson passes away, he leaves a trail of Hollywood glory in his wake—and two separate families who never knew the other existed. Allie and Des Hudson are products of Fritz’s first marriage to Honora, a beautiful but troubled starlet whose life ended in a tragic overdose. Meanwhile, Fritz was falling in love on the Delaware Bay with New Age hippie Susa Pratt—they had a daughter together, Cara, and while Fritz loved Susa with everything he had, he never quite managed to tell her or Cara about his West Coast family. Now Fritz is gone, and the three sisters are brought together under strange circumstances: there’s a large inheritance to be had that could save Allie from her ever-deepening debt following a disastrous divorce, allow Des to open a rescue shelter for abused and wounded animals, and give Cara a fresh start after her husband left her for her best friend—but only if the sisters upend their lives and work together to restore an old, decrepit theater that was Fritz’s obsession growing up in his small hometown in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Guided by Fritz’s closest friend and longtime attorney, Pete Wheeler, the sisters come together—whether they like it or not—to turn their father’s dream into a reality, and might just come away with far more than they bargained for.




Coming of Age In 1950s Rural Western Pennsylvania


Book Description

Gary Ashbaugh - I just finished reading your book. Boy, did that ever turn the clock back. I think that described life in those small towns to a tee. Congratulations on getting it published. TOWN and TIME ... My cycle of life began January 12, 1945, seven months before the end of WWII, in Emlenton, Pennsylvania, a borough of some 800 souls, where generations of my father's family had lived and died. Emlenton, which lies partially isolated in the hills of northwestern Pennsylvania, offered few outside distractions, so we relied heavily on our imaginations and the natural resources that surrounded us. The swimming holes along Richey Run Creek, the Indian cave below the town cemetery, and long hikes along the railroad tracks that followed alongside the majestic Allegheny River offered plenty of adventure and diversion. Our lives revolved around paper routes, baseball, pin ball machines, hotdogs, French fries, 5&10 stores, dances, and dating. The freezing cold winters involved basketball, deer hunting and fur trapping. A youthful fertile mind, interested in science, led to rocketry, homemade motors, crystal radios, moonshine, and motor scooters that provided a lifetime of memories. The stories shared are sometimes funny, poignant, and often laced with mischief. Emlenton seemed to be magical, and those times now seem idyllic. This is where I grew up, and this book is about the time, the place, the people, and the events that formed my coming of age in the 1950s.