I know it's still fall, but ski season is right around the corner here in the Poconos! It's NOVEMBER already, and Shawnee Mountain reports that weather permitting, they will being making snow mid-November with a target date to open of November 27! That's only 3 WEEKS AWAY! Camelback Mountain Resort is reporting that they will be open for the winter season on December 4, but may adjust to an earlier day weather permitting.  Get your skis and snowboards waxed and sharpened, bundle up and get ready to go! Both Shawnee and Camelback Mountains can be easily found nestled in the Pocono Mountains! Shawnee Mountain is located in the Village of Shawnee, and Camelback is in Tannersville. 

Another great way our community here in the Pocono Mountains is coming together! Rose Schoch, owner of Schoch Harley Davidson/Buell in Snydersville, has written a book to raise funds for the rebuilding of the Blakeslee Farm that was destroyed in a tornado this past summer. But it's not just an ordinary book! It's part cookbook (with some home-grown recipes), with pieces about our area written by guest writers and historians. It runs 125 pages and sells for $19.95, with all the proceeds going to the Blakeslees, less printing costs.  This book can be found at Schoch Harley Davidson in Snydersville, or on-line at harleyclothes.com.  Enjoy reading about our great Pocono area!

A big day in Bartonsville today! At 8am, the new Giant grocery stored opened their doors! Located where the old truck stop was, it is prime location, nestled near Routes 80, 611 & 33.  It looks like a large store as I drive by! There is also a new Red Lobster located in the same complex, which should be opening soon. The Giant hired 240 full and part time employees! More good news for the Poconos!

Remember last season's American Idol? It was the "Battle of the Davids", and David Archuleta was the very young runner up.  David will be giving the Poconos a Christmas concert at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg on December 18 at 7:30pm! For only $30, you can enjoy the "Christmas From the Heart Tour" and get into the Christmas spirit! For more information, go to shermantheater.com!

Daylight Savings Time comes to an end this weekend! "Spring Ahead and Fall Back" is the saying. Don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour after you've celebrated Halloween on Saturday night (ok, officially, turn them back at 2am on Sunday)!  Although there are a few places that don't participate in daylight savings time, we sure do here in the Poconos! I didn't realize there was so much information and history about daylight savings time! If you're interested, or just have a few minutes to spare, check out webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/nodes.html and read about it!

This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday, so all the townships in Monroe County will be having trick or treat on Halloween night! It's for children ages 12 and under.

Below are times for the trick or treaters.  If you're handing out treats, keep your porch light on so the kids know they can knock on your door.  If you're a trick or treater, please be safe! 

• 6 to 8 p.m.: Barrett, Chestnuthill, Eldred, Hamilton, Jackson, Lehman, Paradise, Pocono, Price, Smithfield, Stroud, Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock townships. Delaware Water Gap, East Stroudsburg, Mount Pocono and Stroudsburg boroughs.
• 5 to 8 p.m.: Coolbaugh, Middle Smithfield and Polk townships.
• 5 to 7 p.m.: Ross Township.

The Animal Welfare Society of Monroe County is a no-kill shelter for our animals, opening in the old PSPCA building in Stroudsburg.  With a lot of volunteers and donations from the community and local businesses, they will be opening on November 14, and not a minute too soon! Unfortunately we have a lot of homeless pets in our area.  If you would like to volunteer, donate, or be a foster home, please visit awsomanimals.org!  Also on the website is a page of adoptable pets, if you are looking for a 4-legged furry friend!

Hiding in Tannersville is The Nature Conservancy's Cranberry Bog. It's a 775-acre preserve and was once a huge glacial lake. Today, you can find a host of beautiful plants and shrubs like calla lillies, orchids, bog rosemary and so much more. The bog also provides habitat for many mammals including bears, otters, bobcats, beavers, porcupines, minks and snowshoe hares. The bog has limited hours, but worth a trip to see this beautiful natural wonder in the Pocono Mountains. Especially now with the stunning fall foliage in front of us. Although the bog will still be there, the fall foliage is only here for a short while longer! For more information, visit mcconservation.org! Have a great time!

Halloween is right around the corner, and it's not complete until you see The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Head to The Sherman Theater on Halloween Night, Saturday, October 31, for a viewing of this classic! It's the annual pre-party and screening of this show at The Sherman Theater on Main Street, Stroudsburg! Performed traditionally with film projection and live cast participation, this is a great $10 spend!!  Pre-party begins at 10pm, doors open at 9:30pm, and movie starts at midnight! For more information, visit shermantheater.com!

We already knew that based on visitors per year, our very own Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area ranked pretty high. But it is also one of the top 10 best national parks for fall foliage, according to the Naional Park Foundation.  The list was released as part of a photography contest. Out of 391 national parks, we are in the top 10! It is a beautiful area, and with our fall foliage peak right now, take a trip out to the Poconos Mountains and take in all our area has to offer!