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Woodloch Children’s Book Published By Guest

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Fan Fiction! New Children’s Book About Woodloch Published

This goes out to all the young readers out there… Woodloch is very pleased to say we have had a guest write a children’s book all about us! Our friend Therése Palmiotto recently published her book “Creating Memories at Woodloch” in honor of great times she had here through the years… check it out!

THE STORY… BEHIND THE STORY // Therése Palmiotto

The ultimate and most anticipated family vacation for me when I was growing up was our annual Woodloch Father’s Day weekend trip. My mother is one of 11 children, and our annual visits meant that all aunts, uncles & cousins, along with our grandparents would get to spend our happiest time together creating memories at Woodloch. When we started going in the mid 90’s, there were about 50 of us all together. Our family has nearly doubled in size since then, but the bonds we created, the laughter we shared and the medals we won have absolutely influenced my childhood in such a positive way.

Creating Memories At Woodloch is a story that captures that nostalgia and highlights some of the most well-loved elements of a resort-stay. While it is written and verse and appropriate for the youngest of readers, I really wrote it for guests of all ages. Whether someone is visiting for the first time, or if they were a guest 30 years ago, I want to invoke their happy memories and reminisce about their own experiences. The bright colorful cover makes a great coffee table book and perfect souvenir as well!

I wanted to create a book that would celebrate these unique traditions, and am fortunate enough to have an artist in the family to help bring that vision to reality. My father-in-law (Samuel) illustrated the book, which is our second joint publication together. I love how he was able to capture that feeling of parking your car (along with your troubles) after checking-in and having the freedom of letting-go of the outside world for a few days. There is true comfort in being welcomed by the Woodloch staff and being able to eat, play, relax and explore without having to ever get in the car until you leave.

The magic of Woodloch is that the experience changes with you. As a child, there was nothing better than getting that special light-up drink with dinner, and as a teenager I can’t even describe the elation of finally being old enough to attend the ‘grown-up’ show! Now as a mother with my own two children, I cherish watching their excitement when cheering for their favorite horse. During our most recent visit this summer, my husband, children & I happened to be the only 4 on the bumper boats at the time. Although it was a busy summer weekend, we were able to laugh, spin and spray each other in our own private moment.

Much like at Woodloch, where every guest is welcomed as a special visitor, Creating Memories At Woodloch welcomes each reader, serving as a memento of those notable moments and personal sentiments.

Creating Memories at Woodloch is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

MEET THE TEAM: Tess

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MEET THE TEAM: Tess

Learn a little more about the wonderful folks working on our team! Tess is our Operations Manager- she has worked at our Front Desk and with our guests for over 30 years- here is her story!

How did you start working at Woodloch?

I grew up in this area but had never heard of Woodloch. After I started a family in the Philadelphia area, I spent time living and working in other places. I ended up coming back to this area in 1984 because I was raising two young children, and I wanted to be closer to the rest of my family.

I knew someone in the kitchen at that time and they told me the dining room was better than the front desk because the girls at the front desk were “stuck up.” I interviewed with the dining room manager and was told I’d be a good fit for the front desk HA! I started there in December of 1984 and really enjoyed it. As it turns out, the girls were not stuck up. Over the years, I worked in many different departments including the dining room and the bar as well as serving as the purchasing agent here.

What is a typical day like?

There is no typical day, and that’s what I like most about this job. Every day truly is different, and you never know what it’s going to be like. After 38 years, I still never get bored working here. In hospitality, I’m always meeting lots of new people… guests and staff alike!

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I love spending time with my kids and grandkids! I also enjoy biking and doing yoga.

What is your favorite part of the job, and why?

My favorite part of the job is watching new staff members start here and see how they grow and develop working in a place where they’re really cared for. At Woodloch, employees are
loved, nurtured, and encouraged to grow. It is wonderful seeing them become happier, stronger, and wiser people. And while it’s bittersweet seeing a team member leave to go to a different department or new job opportunity, we love celebrating in their success and watching them advance on to what is best for them.

The most inspiring part of my job is meeting all of the guests. It’s amazing to hear their stories, whether they’re vacationing to celebrate something wonderful or they’re going through something challenging, and family is healing.

Guests comment time and time again about how amazing our staff is. They genuinely seem to enjoy working here and doing what they do. Our hospitality is authentic, and you don’t find that everywhere. Guests become friends; relationships are built over the years, and you look forward to seeing them.

What are some of the most memorable experiences you’ve had with guests over the years?

One night months after September 11th, I received a call from a guest who wasn’t happy at another local resort, and she wanted to stay at Woodloch with her family instead. I was able to get them a reservation, and I checked them in later that evening. I saw them over the course of the weekend having a great time.

When they checked out, they gave me a small stained glass angel figurine. We used to sell them in the gift shop. They thanked me and told me what an incredibly special trip this was for them. They had three teenage sons and their two-year-old niece with them. As it turned out, their brother in-law had been killed as a first responder in 9/11, and his wife had died of
cancer, leaving the little girl in their care. They were so overwhelmed with emotion that they were able to have such a special vacation that everyone could enjoy as a new family unit.

Another time, four ladies and 12 children appeared hoping to have dinner at The Inn when I was working one night. We were completely sold out and had no room to seat them; at the time, the downstairs level at The Inn was not being used a dining room. However, they really needed a place to eat so I spoke with the kitchen and dining room teams who said that they would prepare pizzas and chicken fingers for the group. We set up a table for them downstairs so that they could enjoy their meal together. I came to find out from one of the
ladies that all of the children had been orphaned after 9/11.

If you had to choose one thing, what’s the best part about working at Woodloch?

The people – hands down! I love my coworkers, the Kiesendahl family, the guests. I feel so fortunate to have worked here all these years and have been exposed to things that I might not have otherwise. I have had the privilege of meeting guests and staff from diverse cultures and backgrounds. I have personally learned and grown so much since I started here 38 years ago.

Be sure to say hi to Tess on your next Woodloch visit!

How To Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick

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How To Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick

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

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

FIVE STEPS TO STICKING TO RESOLUTIONS

BE PRACTICAL– The surest way to feel as though you’ve failed is to start with a goal that’s unattainable in the first place. Are you telling yourself that you’re going to run a marathon in two months when you haven’t been exercising for years? That’s probably not realistic, but with the right time frame and a plan in place, this is certainly doable! Which brings us to our next tip …
PLAN, PLAN, AND PLAN SOME MORE – More often than not, we dive right in without a plan for attaining our goals. Set yourself up for success by being specific about your resolution and then deciding what manageable steps you can take each day, week, month, etc. to achieve it. For example, if you’re looking to be healthier, as so many of us are, start by making small weekly changes such as focusing on eating an extra serving of vegetables each day the first week, drinking eight cups of water a day the second week, aiming to get 1,000 more steps each day the third week, and so on and so forth.
SHARE WITH OTHERS – If you feel comfortable, it can really help to talk about your resolution with friends and loved ones. They will be happy to support and encourage you. Going a step further, you may find even further motivation in buddying up with a friend or family member who shares the same resolution!
TRACK AND REWARD – There’s a great quote, “Sit back and enjoy the journey. Success is found along the way.” When working towards a goal, it is helpful to celebrate each and every step along the way. Going back to the marathon analogy, each week simply focus on running a half mile further; that’s fantastic! Soon those half miles become full miles, then tens of miles, and before you know it, you’ve reached 26.2 miles! And don’t forget to celebrate your milestones on the path. Rewards such as new workout clothes, a massage, a nice dinner out, etc. help keep the motivation going.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND KEEP GOING – We are truly our own biggest critics, and being kind to yourself is easier said than done. However, it’s crucial to remember this, especially when you embark upon a new journey. If you have a hard time remembering, it may be helpful to write positive affirmations on post-it notes and place them in areas you see each day, i.e. the bathroom mirror, in your car, on your desk. Do the best you can each day, and take it one day at a time. Setbacks are bound to happen, but every day is a new opportunity to recommit yourself and get back on track.

GO FOR IT

There you have it… just a few suggestions from our team that will hopefully guide you to achieving your goals for the upcoming year. Every January (and really, every day) offers the opportunity for a clean slate- so we encourage you to go for it! A beautiful new year awaits, and we are here to cheer you on!

Woodloch Winters: Then & Now

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Woodloch Winters: “Then & Now”

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Rebirth of the Corporate Retreat

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The “Rebirth” of the Corporate Retreat

The world has changed just a bit in the past few years, to say the least. Despite all of these changes, one thing remains true for the majority of us: we still have to work.

As the world pushes to adjust towards a new state of “normalcy” in both the home and office, old challenges still remain. How can you keep a tired work staff motivated? How can you better integrate new staff into your corporate culture? And how can we get all of these parts moving together at a speed that’s good for business and employees alike?

It may sound a bit bold, but perhaps its time to look a corporate getaways and off-site meetings as a great stepping stone for progress.

A recent McKinsey report entitled, “The Comeback of Corporate Travel: How Should Companies be Planning,” notes that 72% of executives report that their companies have started to adopt permanent remote-working arrangements for at least some of their employees. Furthermore, about 70% of executives said that their companies will employ more temporary workers than they did pre-pandemic. Almost 40% of the United States workforce now has the opportunity to work from anywhere.

In reading these statistics, it comes as no surprise that many companies are happy to accommodate their workers while eagerly relinquishing their office space and in turn not having to pay the large overhead required to maintain in-person space. At the same time, employees are relishing in the freedoms of not battling a morning and evening commute, rolling out of bed and working in the comfort of their pajamas, and having more flexibility in their work times, among other benefits. Companies still recognize the importance of live, in-person, face-to-face meetings. Given the ever-growing number of remote workers, however, they’ve been forced to assess the challenge of creating connection and relationships among colleagues when they are not in one physical location together. Herein lies a great opportunity for rebirth of the corporate retreat.

In the Axios article, “Corporate Retreats are Now a Must,” founder and president of Aperio Consulting Group, Kerry Goyette, explains, “After over a year of working from home and not having these tiny little social interactions, people are starting to feel a crisis of belonging. If companies can get together even for a half-day retreat or a weekend upstate, those moments of physical colocation are like rocket fuel to the process of creating trust and a sense of belonging.”

A number of new companies have popped up in recent years in response to the growing demand for booking corporate retreats. Take, for instance, NextRetreat which states on it’s website, “Even remote teams always reach peak performance when they come together. Team spirit goes up, productivity skyrockets, creative juices are flowing, team motivation is on the rise and communication is as fluent as ever. Add a beautiful sunny location to the mix, top it up with work-ready, team-friendly accommodation, and you’re all set for some of the most productive time of the year.” There is also Troop which, “delivers a scientific, algorithmic and data-driven

approach to designing the most effective global meeting and events strategy for your team, saving time and money while significantly reducing your carbon footprint.”

We hope it goes without saying that Woodloch is the perfect place to host a corporate retreat. For over a decade, Woodloch has been a premier and unique destination for meetings and special events. Our inclusive packages make for easy planning; beautiful accommodations, delicious meals, and nonstop activities, amenities and entertainment are built right in. And through our unique array of home-grown, team-building type activities, pristine natural surroundings and unrivaled hospitality, guests leave Woodloch with a renewed sense of connection with their own group… which is what it’s truly all about!

The Book of Randy

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Woodloch Icons: “The Book of Randy”

It’s funny how things sometimes just work out.

For over 50 years, Randy Barnes has been a staple at our resort. Whether he was incognito as one of his famous characters or simply greeting guests with a “welcome home” at arrival dinner, it’s safe to say that our resort simply wouldn’t be the same without him.

Woodloch’s story is one full of what can only be called “happy coincidences”- and Randy’s path to our resort is no exception.

In March of 1969,

a young and springy John Kiesendahl was frantically scurrying about the Kappa Sigma fraternity house at Cornell University. He was trying to track down some last-minute help for a banquet at his father Harry’s resort in Hawley, PA. Even though Randy had never even heard of “the Pocono Mountains,” he was always up for an adventure. So, he went.

One of the best things about our resort during the winter is an (over)abundance of SNOW. Mother Nature’s grand scheme is irrelevant when you’ve got

“John drove us down on Friday afternoon and I helped with this silly game in the North Lodge called ‘horse racing.’ On Saturday, I helped with snow tube races on the lake and helped prepare for the banquet of 100 people- filling ice buckets, washing glasses, and cleaning ash trays. I helped cook bacon and eggs the following morning for breakfast.

When it was time to head back to school, Uncle Harry gave me money. I couldn’t believe I was getting paid for it!”

Randy’s previous jobs were in heavy construction-

pouring concrete and lots of heavy lifting. Enthralled by what he had just experienced, Randy was all-too-eager to accept a summer job at Woodloch tending bar, as he had just turned 21. After about 5 or 6 weeks of the summer season, he approached Uncle Harry about working at Woodloch full time.

Harry agreed- on the condition that Randy make the trek to Woodloch every weekend for the rest of the school year. “I commuted to Woodloch every weekend through my senior year- I graduated on a Monday and was ready to start full-time on a Wednesday. That gave me a whole day to find a place to live, move in and get settled.”

Randy would soon do just about every duty the resort required- in those days, everyone pitched in everywhere. He cleaned rooms, did dishes, cut firewood, waited tables, carried luggage and more. JK returned home from the Navy and found Randy working behind the bar, but he quickly realized he belonged out front of house with the guests. John created the role of “Social Director” and the rest is history.

“I loved entertaining our guests. Whether it was in our Staff and Theme Shows, teaching water ski classes, competing in Olympics, playing some bocce ball or suiting up as one of his famous characters for ‘You Be the Judge,’ people were always my favorite part of the job. I’ve met SO MANY FANTASTIC HUMAN BEINGS.”

His favorite memory- hands down-

was meeting his wife Lainee when she took a job in the dining room. They’ve been married for 49 years and have resided in Hawley ever since, though he has recently become a “snow bird” with a Florida winter migration. Now enjoying semi-retirement, Randy keeps busy with visiting family, including weekly Skyping with his adopted family in Poland. He is one of the biggest bookworms you’ll ever meet, and enjoys woodworking as a hobby- though he is the first to call himself “an amateur.”

Whether it’s your first visit to our resort or you’ve simply lost count, be sure to give Randy a visit. You’ll certainly be glad you did.

Filed Under: community, employment, Entertainment Tagged With: Hawley PA, pocono mountains, poconos resorts, Poconos Vacation, Resorts in Pennsylvania

Woodloch Children’s Book Published By Guest

Woodloch’s Blog

Fan Fiction! New Children’s Book About Woodloch Published

MEET THE TEAM: Tess

Woodloch’s Blog