If you take a drive along the I-70 corridor in Colorado just an hour away from the Rocky Mountains and 25 miles from Denver, you will find the small rural town of Bennett.  The town is taking part in a healthy initiative funded by a $10.5 million grant from the national government to the Tri-County Health Department.  The grant is to be used to increase opportunities for its residents to build a healthier life style.

                Part of the funds awarded will go to make sustainable environmental changes in the community and school system.  Some of the programs in the schools will include training programs on how to make healthy food choices, increasing physical activities by the addition of new playgrounds and improving existing ones.  Also new bike trails will be built and adapted to meet the needs of the disabled students.

                This year as part of the healthy eating program, the students sent the Halloween candy they had collected to the U.S. Navy sailors.  Another change the Bennett School System put in effect to foster better food choices was that all sugary drinks were removed from concession stands and replaced by bottled water.  The vending machines were also stocked with healthy snacks such as trail mix, nuts and sports drinks.

                As for improving the community it was decided that a few new gardens in the town should be installed and that a new bike, pedestrian and trail infrastructure would be created.  Some of the town’s restaurants have started to highlight healthy meals on their menus.  There has also been a series of videos produced that encourage healthy eating and good physical activity.  The videos are in English and Spanish so all of the town’s citizens can stay informed regarding ways to stay healthy.

                Though it is sometimes very difficult to change bad habits (there was some grumbling in the beginning with the new programs) the citizenry has now come on board to embrace the new changes, often volunteering their time and materials for town projects.

                Last June the Center for Disease Control visited Bennett and they were extremely impressed by the town’s new improvements and the plans for further changes in the future.  Bennett is just one of many cities in our country that are encouraging their citizens to make healthier life choices.

Diane Burns is a freelance writer currently residing in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

         What is your first thought when you hear the words North Pole?  If you’re a child you think of Santa and his workshop.  If you’re an adult you may think, “What a cold place to live.”

         Located just 12 miles south of Fairbanks, located between Ft. Wainwright and Eielson A.F.B. , it is a town mostly of military families that want to live off base .This little town in many ways is like any small town.  It has a main street with stores, shops, a news paper, hotel and a very famous post office address where for the last 60 years more than two million Santa letters are mailed throughout the world.

         The area known now as North Pole began as a group of homesteads in 1944. The first 160 acre homestead was bought by Bon and Beatrice Davis. They later subdivided it and the homesteaders   voted to name the town after Bon Davis.  And so “Davis”, Alaska was born.

         As more and more subdivisions opened up, The Dahl & Gaske Development Company thought if the area was called North Pole it might be able to attract a toy company to locate there and the products could be advertised as having been made in North Pole.  They petitioned the court to have the name changed and the petition was granted in 1952; however, the plan for the toy company never materialized.

         Nothing was going to keep this town from becoming a special place.  Shop owners are encouraged to keep Christmas decorations up all year.  Many of the streets have Christmas names such as Mistletoe, Santa Claus Lane, Snowman Lane and even Donner and Blitzen.  So any time of year you can  visit its famous Santa Claus House or enjoy a stroll down a street in a Christmas wonderland .

That pretty much sums up the extremes when it comes to taking a vineyard road trip.  For my money, the best approach is somewhere in the middle, taking time to taste wine while chilling with a picnic, chatting with other visitors, and getting to know the vintner.  Take all that too seriously, and a fun getaway can turn into a serious bummer.

While the best-known wine destinations are on the left coast, from Santa Barbara to Napa and up into Oregon’s Willamette pinot country, the wines produced in our own backyard are worth a second sip.

Brian Freedman, a Philly-based writer and wine consultant, travels the world tasting wine.  The sprightly list he put together for the new Washington Square restaurant, Talula’s Garden, is creative and approachable, appealing to committed oenophiles as well those who just love the taste of good wine, and find it fun to try something new.  Freedman sees lots to like about local wines. “I think there’s real potential for the wines of this region, especially with grape varieties that do best here,” he said. Although the penchant to over manipulate and over-oak does exist, “the desire and passion are there in abundance,” he said.  “A number of local producers are bottling some very nice wines. I have no doubt that our local winemaking culture will ultimately find a solid niche in the overall American market.”

Here are three vineyard destinations within an easy drive of home. And, a suggestion for where to stay, if you get a little carried away with your tasting.

Chadds Ford Winery, Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania
Located in scenic Brandywine Valley, a landscape that inspired countless paintings by three generations of Wyeths, Chadds Ford Winery is the best known vineyard in Pennsylvania. It is a big draw on the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, and home to seven different vineyards in all.

Started by local wine pioneers Eric and Lee Miller back in the early ‘80s, Chadds Ford has garnered buckets of awards and now produces 30,000 cases annually, sold at the winery, its satellite Bucks location tasting room and elsewhere.  The wines of Chadds Ford range from dry, European style table wines like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon to light fresh fruity “fun” wines including Niagara, Sangria and Spiced Apple.
If you can’t get enough of the viticulture part of touring Chadds Ford, pick up a copy of The Vintner’s Apprentice, winemaker Eric Miller’s new book about the art and process of making wine, including interviews with winemakers from around the world. Hint: a great gift idea for that wine drinker on your list.

Two to Taste: Savor the Chaddsford 2007 Merlot, rated 85 by Wine Spectator, a subtle wine that will appeal to fans of Bordeaux.  Then there’s the 2008 Rose, a full-bodied strawberry forward pink sure to dress up any dinner table.

While You’re in the Neighborhood:  Pay a visit to the wonderful Brandywine River Museum, a repository of all things Wyeth along with an impressive collection of American portraits and still lifes.  Don’t miss the N.C. Wyeth studio tour, and depending on the season, a stroll through the voluptuous gardens, where it’s easy to imagine the painting “Christina’s World” taking shape.  http://www.brandywinemuseum.org

For dinner, check into some prime beef at Brandywine Prime in Chadds Ford, with its restored farmhouse setting and emphasis on local product. Yes, there are PA wines on the list. http://www.brandywineprime.com/

Stay at the European-styled Brandywine River Hotel, with its great location and modern amenities.  http://www.brandywineriverhotel.com/

For more info about the area, check out http://www.brandywinecvb.org/.

Natali Vineyards, Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May is already a favorite shore spot, with its Victorian charm, outstanding fine dining and unspoiled nature and bird sanctuaries. Add in the chance to sip along the Cape May Wine Trail, and a perfect getaway is waiting to happen.  Local wineries including Cape May, Turdo, Hawk Haven and Natali are worth a stop. We especially like Natali’s, where Wall Street trader-turned-winemaker Al Natali turned his passion for wine into a thriving business. Thanks to lower Cape May’s unique climate, protected from the harsher temperatures by the Atlantic and Delaware Bay, growing conditions mirror those in the Bordeaux, with its location between the Atlantic and the lower Gironde River. 
Natali grows 15 unique Euro grapes on more than 5,700 vines, all cared for by hand, with Natali wines fermented and bottled on site. Known for its warm hospitality, Natali’s lovely farm often features live music and a full calendar of special events during the growing season. Bring a picnic, play a game of bocce or horseshoes, and relax with a glass of voignier, a house favorite.

Two to Taste: 2009 Tempranillo, a Spanish favorite aged in oak with the full flavor of berries and sweet cherries.  Sauvignon Blanc, a light and slightly fruity white with a lovely floral bouquet and light golden color with the smell of ripe mangoes and a floral bouquet is perfect for sipping on the beach.

Make a Note: October 14, November19 and December 30. Have lunch at the Carriage House Tearoom and Café, and go by trolley to two local wineries for a tasting.  $60 per person. http://www.capemaymac.org/

While You’re in the Neighborhood: Don’t miss dinner at Tony Clark’s new place, the Old Grange at Historic Cold Spring Village, for upscale seasonal American fare.
735 Seashore Road Cape May (609) 898-2300
http://www.hcsv.org/visit/tour-the-village/old-grande-restaurant/

Sweet dreams are assured at Congress Hall, a restored grand dame on the beach with a swinging downstairs jazz bar called the Boiler Room. http://www.congresshall.com

Crossing Vineyards, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Located a stone’s throw from where Washington crossed the Delaware, on a picturesque estate that was part of William Penn’s original land grant, Crossing Vineyards is one of nine family-owned wineries that dot the Bucks County Wine Trail.  Established in 2000 by the Carroll Family, Crossing is a charming place to visit for a tasting, wine class, winemaker’s dinner, or a concert during the summer months.  

Vintner Tom Carroll, Jr., who spent three years studying vitaculture and enology in California, uses sustainable agriculture throughout the 15 acres planted with French hybrid and European Vinefera grapes, eco-friendly methods that include cover cropping, bat boxes for natural pest control and under-row tillers.  Carroll’s passion for wine extends to Crossing’s on site Wine Institute, where classes in everything from French wine for beginners to pairing wine and cheese are offered.  Crossings is open for tasting every day from noon to 6 pm.

Two to Taste: 2009 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc. This award-winning dessert wine is rich and sweet with hints of honey, candied orange and apricots.

Vintners Select Red: Oak finished, this Meritage-style wine balances the tannins of a young Cabernet Sauvignon with the jammy fruit of a well-balanced Cabernet Franc.

http://www.crossingvineyards.com/

Pennsylvania is home to more than 70 wineries. For more info visit pennsylvaniawine.com or http://visitbuckscounty.com.

While You’re in the Neighborhood: Don’t miss the meat at Sprig and Vine in New Hope, a creative vegan eatery with memorable food. The cashew-tofu ricotta stuffed ravioli is delish. http://www.sprigandvine.com/

Pineapple Hill B&B is a great staycation option, a restored Colonial manor house set on five acres between Washington Crossing Park and downtown New Hope.  http://www.pineapplehill.com/

Travel Editor Beth D’Addono celebrates local living wherever she goes on her blog, unchainedtravel.com.

Whether you’re a believer in the paranormal, or not, the idea of a happily haunted hotel is intriguing.  Some hotels are famously spirited, like the del Coronado in San Diego and the Stanley in the Rockies – inspiration for the menacing Overlook, the “red rum” resort featured in Stephen King’s chilling novel “The Shining.”

But you don’t have to travel thousands of miles to find out that two’s company, three’s a crowd.  Our region’s historic past is rife with restless haunts, some friendly, some not so much. 

Although he’s not a big believer in ghosts himself, Dick Buckman, owner of Spring Mountain Ski Area in Schwenksville, isn’t taking any chances. During the $1.5 million renovation of his latest project, the 87-year-old Woodside Manor, Buckman noticed that the porch roofs his crew uncovered were all painted blue.  “Supposedly ghosts can’t cross water, and that’s why you paint your porch that color, so they stay away,” he said.  Buckman, who plans to open the luxury all suite B&B in early 2012, is definitely keeping the new roofs the same shade of blue. And he painted his own porch roof blue at home, for good measure.

If you cotton to the idea of sharing your pillow with an apparition, consider making a reservation at one of these supernatural stays.  But before you book, a word of advice.  Know your options.  In case you do have to check out suddenly in the middle of the night,  find out what other hotels are in the area, and if they take guests in their pajamas at 3 am.  Just in case.

New Jersey Spirits

Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City
It’s a safe bet that an overnight stay at the Roaring Twenties themed Resorts Casino Hotel will deliver a jackpot of fine dining, gaming and entertainment. But according to some guests, there’s more to the hotel than flapper fun. 

Located on the site of former Chalfonte-Haddon Hall, a historic property dating back to the turn of the last century, Resorts was used as a military hospital during World War II, and reportedly has its share of wandering specters.  To see for yourself, consider booking a room in the Ocean Tower, which is currently undergoing renovations.

One guest in room 646 felt an extra presence, not just in the sixth floor hallway, but also in the room itself.  During the night, the door shook and she’d hear bumping sounds, only to find an empty hallway when the door was opened.

Where’s Nucky Thompson when you need him?
(1-800) 334-6378 — www.resortsac.com

The Flanders Hotel, Ocean City
Opened in 1923, the ritzy Flanders should have expected otherworldly guests. It was named, after all, for a Belgian cemetery for American soldiers killed during World War I.  The renovated Spanish Mission Revival, home to both hotel rooms and condos since 2003, is also home to a nubile ghost named Emily. 

As the story goes, the auburn-tressed Emily, for whom the hotel’s restaurant is named, wanders the hotel barefoot, wearing a long flowing white gown. Her identity is a mystery, although one story has it that she was an employee who took in her own life and has been unable to rest ever since. Another tale has her mourning her lost love, killed in a battle during the First World War.

Hotel employees report that Emily is mischievous, playing with doors and locks, unscrewing light bulbs, rearranging place settings and singing in the halls.
There’s even a portrait of her on the second floor, her favorite haunt; it is a rendering painted by artist Tony Troy, following many eyewitness accounts.  And Emily may not be alone. Some guests have also seen a young girl, around five years old, who may have drowned in the sea.  She may even be Emily’s daughter, on a perpetual nocturnal search for ghostly maternal comfort.

(866)-OCHOTEL (624-6835) — www.theflandershotel.com

Absecon Lighthouse
And while you’re at the shore, considering visiting the Absecon Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in the country and a hotbed of paranormal activity. Investigators have reported doors opening and closing on their own, and apparitions appearing along the walls of the 228 steps leading to the top. The lighthouse is open Thursdays through Mondays in the fall and winter, with the last climb at 3:30 p.m. This is one place you don’t want to spend the night. http://www.abseconlighthouse.org/
 

Spooky Stays in PA

Black Bass Hotel, Lumberville
The charming nine-suite Black Bass Hotel deserves its “jewel of the Delaware” moniker,  thanks to its VIP guest treatment, lovely Delaware views and chef John Barrett’s farm fresh cuisine.  Despite its revamping – the hotel was renovated and reopened by Doylestown car dealer Jack Thompson in 2008 – the hotel’s past is rife with legend and lore.  Built in the 1740s as the Lumberville Hotel, the hotel’s claim to fame is that George Washington did not sleep here: the soon-to-be-president was turned away by a Tory innkeeper. 

Then there’s Hans.  A previous owner of the hotel, Hans, was stabbed to death during a squabble with canal workers. Hans never left, in fact he’s known for hanging around the hotel’s second floor Empire Room, a room to be avoided. Or investigated… you be the judge.

(215) 297-9260 — www.blackbasshotel.com
Logan Inn, New Hope
You don’t get to be Bucks County’s oldest continuously operating inn without collecting a few spectres along the way.

Established in 1727 as a tavern by the founder of New Hope, John Wells, the Logan plays up its colonial past, filling the public spaces and 16 spacious guest rooms with period pieces and antiques.

One of those rooms, number 6, sees most of the action, with not just one, but four ghosts in residence. Guests have reported a sense of a woman watching while they sleep, a man appearing in the bathroom mirror, and two children crying for attention. Other guests have had pillows pulled from under their sleeping heads.

The bodies of dead Revolutionary War soldiers were said to have been stored at the Logan Inn, and some of those unlucky young men still wander the inn in uniform.  A more famous soldier sometimes also pays a visit. Aaron Burr, who visited the inn shortly after his duel with Alexander Hamilton, is said to have been spotted. 

And the next time you pass by the portrait of a couple that hangs in the Logan’s lobby, take a whiff.  Some guests swear that you can smell lavender, the scent of the long dead lady’s favorite perfume.

(215) 862-2300 — http://www.loganinn.com

 
Wedgwood Inn B&B, New Hope
The gracious Wedgwood Inn, painted the same shade of blue as the china invented by Englishman Josiah Wedgwood, welcomes guests with its garden setting, well-appointed rooms and handy proximity to shopping and dining in New Hope. But it seems that one past guest was not quite so satisfied.  The apparition of a 12-year-old slave girl named Sarah reportedly haunts the inn. While it’s not sure just how Sarah’s life ended, it is known that she stayed at the inn on her way north along the Underground Railroad.  Sarah is harmless; in fact she’s more lonely than scary. Over the years, her ghost has appeared to other 12-year-old girls who stayed at the inn, entreating them to listen to her sad story. 

(215) 862-2570 — http://wedgwoodinn.com
 
Travel Editor Beth D’Addono celebrates local living wherever she goes on her blog, unchainedtravel.com.

Places to recharge and renew this season.
By Beth D’Addono

You need a vacation, but not the same old same old. A holiday for body, soul and spirit is what you’re seeking, a place to engage and edify, recharge and renew. Perhaps it’s the great outdoors you seek, an inspiring cityscape or a place at a memorable chef’s table. Stretch your boundaries to find the perfect antidote for the daily grind.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Wisconsin
Tool around the architect’s home state to view an impressive collection of public Wright buildings, a body of work that brings the 20th century’s greatest architect into sharp focus. Wright’s love for nature is reflected in the gentle expressiveness of the Johnson Wax Building in Racine, with its slender columns and streamlined design. Then there’s Taliesin, in Spring Green west of Madison, a 600-acre estate that represent the evolution of his illustrious career. www.travelwisconsin.com; www.wrightinwisconsin.org

Stay Local: Falling Water, the architect’s masterful glass house outside of Pittsburgh, should be the first stop on any Wright pilgrimage. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Falling Water magically blends the lines of art and nature. www.fallingwater.org

Memphis Heart and Soul
African American history permeates the Memphis landscape. Home to the National Civil Rights Museum, constructed on the site of the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated, the museum is the nation’s first dedicated to documenting the complete history of the American civil rights movement. The museum is a must-see for visitors of every age. Memphis is home to the Burkie Estate/Slavehaven, an important stop on the Underground Railroad. Other heritage sites include the home of W.C. Handy, who wrote Memphis Blues in 1909, Beale Street Baptist Church, the first brick constructed multi-story church for Blacks in the country and Church Park, a recreational area dedicated to African Americans founded in 1899 by Robert Church, the first African-American millionaire in the South. www.memphistravel.com

Stay Local: If you can’t eat ribs at Rendezvous, the place Memphians take out-of-towners for down home food, sample mighty fine barbecue cooked up by chef Erin O’Shea at Percy Street Barbecue on South Street in Philly, a smoky meat lovers’ emporium that speak to the chef’s Southern roots. www.percystreet.com

Rev War, South Carolina Style
Most people think of the Civil War when they think of South Carolina. But just south of Charlotte there’s a region rich in history and revolutionary war sites called the Olde English District, named for the region’s early settlement by the English in the mid 1770s. Start your tour with a visit to Historic Brattonsville, a 775-acre living history village and Revolutionary War battlefield site featuring 29 historic structures, an award winning heritage farm program and eight miles of hiking trails. Historic Camden to the south offers a view of colonial village life during the Revolutionary War period, including circa-1800 log houses, and the authentically reconstructed Kershaw-Cornwallis House, a stop on the Revolutionary War Trail. Come the first weekend in November for Revolutionary War Field Days, a colorful fest of local crafts, living history demonstrations, regimental drills and other family activities. www.sctravel.net

Stay Local: Pennsylvania has battlefields to spare, both Rev and Civil War. July is the month to visit Gettysburg for every kind of reenactment, a big annual event with music, lectures, demonstrations, camps and battles each day. www.gettysburgreenactment.com

Divine Dining in New Orleans
New Orleans is the best food town in America. Those might be fighting words (sorry Napa, apologies Manhattan) but to the initiated, there’s no better place to connect with a culture through its cuisine than the Big Easy. You have to eat at one of the traditional spots for Creole fare—Galatoire’s, Arnaud’s and Broussard’s are three of the best (or Brennan’s for dinner, not breakfast). Then depart for more contemporary styling from the city’s top chefs, John Besh, Emeril Lagasse, Susan Spicer and Donald Link to name four. Although August will always reign, Besh’s Luke enervates the French brasserie with serious N’Awlins style, and his latest Domenica in the Roosevelt Hotel gives Narberth, PA native Alon Shaya a chance to dazzle with regional Italian cuisine. All of Emeril’s places are worth a visit, but a recent stop at Delmonico, under the stewardship of chef de cuisine Spencer Minch, earned raves. From house charcuterie to sausage stuffed olives and aged New York strip served with homemade Worcestershire, Emeril’s Delmonico is takes classic steakhouse and makes it better. For all things wine, it’s Link’s Cochon and Susan Spicer ’s Bayona is always a good idea. www.neworleansonline.com

Stay Local: Catch some Louisiana rhythms with live Cajun and Zydeco music at the TK Club in Conshohocken, where the motto is kick off your shoes, throw ’em in the corner! Monthly concerts come with dance lessons to get you in the swing of things. www.allonsdanser.org

Mountain Views
Which of America’s national parks is the most visited? You might have guessed Yosemite or the Grand Canyon. And you’d be wrong. It’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a vast and mysterious wilderness shared by Tennessee and North Carolina. Get close to nature on the Tennessee side through the gateway of Pigeon Forge, a one-stop family fun destination that serves up wholesome entertainment, stick-to-your-ribs dining and Dollywood, all within minutes of the Smokies. Rent a cabin or book a condo at River Stone Resort, an upscale home base for your visit that offers well appointed full kitchens and all the amenities of home. Start your outdoor adventure at Sugarlands Visitor Center, for a movie about the park’s founding, helpful advice and trail maps and educational exhibits on area wildlife and landscape.
www.mypigeonforge.com; www.nps.gov

Stay Local: Head to the “palace in the wilderness,” the grand Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains about three hours west of the Delaware Valley. Renovated to the tune of $120 million in 2007, the resort is nestled in a gorgeous mountain setting guaranteed to recharge your batteries. www.omnihotels.com/findahotel/bedfordsprings.aspx

Beth D’Addono is Local Living Magazine’s Travel Editor.

Cape May Jazz Festival
Straight ahead jazz lovers head south, to Victorian Cape May, for the annual jazz festival, a weekend event with more polish and sheen than the usual outdoor gathering. With concert venues ranging from the Boiler Room downstairs at the tony Congress Hall Carney’s and the Star of the Sea Auditorium, this fest is well suited to a special occasion getaway in romantic Cape May. Celebrating its 35th year, the April 8-10 Jazz Festival includes the trumpeting prowess of Kevin Eubanks, former Tonight Show Music Director, and Grammy nominated Latin Jazz Great Poncho Sanchez, along with a slew of top acts like the Tom Larson Blues Band and Miles Davis collaborator John Beasley. www.capemayjazz.com

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
You’d get an argument from an annual average of 350,000 brightly clad fest goers that this one is the cream of the festival crop. A bold statement, but once you’ve been, it’s tough to contradict. What’s so special about Jazz Fest? Depending on who you talk to, it’s a tie between the music and the food, followed by, in no particular order, the people watching, the after fest shows around town, and did we mention the food? Held on the oval of the Fairgrounds Race Course, a horse track that can be quite pungent when muddied, Jazzfest, happening this year April 29-May 8, is an annual tradition for a legion of locals and fans from all over the world.

A treasured chance to meet up with far flung pals, Fest connects local regulars hailing from Philly, Conshohocken, Doylestown and Belmont Hills with school chums, relocated siblings and music fans drawn together for love of roots and blues, Zydeco and gospel and cochon de lait po’boys. The juried food concessions all have their ardent supporters – some line up first for a fried soft shell crab po’boys, others queue for stuffed artichokes, crawfish Monica and bread pudding. A choice of 12 stages host huge names – this year’s fest include sets by John Legend and (Philly’s own) The Roots; Robert Plant & Band of Joy, Jimmy Buffett and Jersey boy Bon Jovi, along with stellar New Orleans-based talent, like trumpet player Kermit Ruffins (you’ve seen him on Treme) and roots rock guitarist Anders Osborne. Despite the thrumming crowds and weather than can range from gorgeous to blistering and torrential, the vibe is pure love fest. Smart fest-goers head for the Marriott, a one-stop Festival central that delivers a great location, and help with ticket and transport packages that make it easy to sit back and really enjoy the show. www.neworleansmarriott.com, www.nojazzfest.com

Philadelphia Folk Festival
This annual summer celebration of folk modern and traditional celebrates its 49th anniversary this year August 20-22 at the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, near Schwenksville. Founder and folklorist Gene Shay dreamed up the festival in 1962 and has been the emcee every year since. Ever more expansive in scope, this year’s folk fest embraces global alt musicians like Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams (hillbilly meets Pink Floyd), Djarara (Haitian rara )and Jah Levi & the Higher Reasoning (roots reggae), along with the inspired twanging of headlining acts Richard Thompson, Taj Mahal and the Subdudes, a perennial Jazzfest fave. A family friendly event with oodles of activities and music just for the kids, Folk Fest is best enjoyed in convivial camping convoys, social set ups known for good chow, endless jams and a high crunch factor – as in, pass the organic tofu, it’s time for the show. www.pfs.org

Saddle Up! Pigeon Forge TN
The romance of the old west makes a rare trek east of the Mississippi for this annual ode to old time cowboy music and poetry in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The home of Dollywood, Pigeon Forge is also the gateway to Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in America, a glorious wilderness preserved through the sheer grit of a band of local stewards. Pigeon Forge hasn’t been so much stewarded as developed at a breakneck pace, a frenzy of family fun that delivers endless diversions and all you can eat value.

From February 23-26, 2012, Saddle Up! slows things down a bit, channeling cowboy lore and music in four days of magical events. The line up changes every year, but you may hear yodeling by Yahoo yodeler Wylie Gustafson, a talented Montanan who with his band The Wild West does a downright funky rendition of Buffalo Gals. There’s two-steppin’ and waltzing, a western marketplace for artfully tooled saddles and hand soled boots and even a serious chuck wagon cook-off simmered in cast iron over open fires. Finish the fest with church, Cowboy Church that is, the kind of worshipping best done to the twang of a guitar and the tapping of a well heeled boot. www.mypigeonforge.com

And four more to sing about:

• Welcome America Philadelphia: Headliners for the July 4 bash in years past have included John Legend & The Roots and Sheryl Crow. www.americasbirthday.com

• Brandywine River Blues Fest: At Chaddsford Winery, a happening Memorial Day weekend, featuring local musicians, delicious BBQ and of course, plenty of local wine. www.chaddsford.com

• Bethlehem Musikfest: This great fest, August 5-14 this year, keeps the beat at 15 venues around downtown Bethlehem, with Maroon 5 and Steve Miller Band already confirmed. www.musikfest.org

• Spring Gulch Folk Festival: This Lancaster area family-owned campground welcomes families, critters and a great line up of folk, country, blue grass and blues acts for a sleepover party May 19-22. So far, Trout Fishing in America, Buckwheat Zydeco and The Kennedys are on the bill. www.springgulch.com

Beth D’Addono is Local Living Magazine’s Travel Editor.

Add in a dose of creature comfort, and a mountain getaway is guaranteed to jumpstart some deep thinking of your own.

Here’s a look at five inviting mountain inns and one ultimate snowy destination perfect for a milestone birthday, a special anniversary or even a family reunion. Grab a seat by the fire, a hot toddie and hunker down. Head to any one of these spots and you’re in for a treat.

The Ultimate Winter Retreat: Beaver Creek

You’ll be literally on top of the world in Trappers Cabin, an exclusive private retreat situated at 9,500 feet on top of Beaver Creek Mountain in Colorado. With sweeping views of the Gore Mountain Range to the east and McCoy Park to the south, Trappers Cabin is ideal for a luxe ski in-ski out vacation.

This kind of luxury doesn’t come cheap–so what exactly do you get for the all-inclusive $599 per person, per day package? Well, just about everything.

Start with the gorgeous accommodations and extras–outdoor hot tub, humongous stone fireplace, a mini pool table, snowshoes and cross country skis and life tickets during your stay. Then add in a private chef to cater to your every whim, preparing breakfast and dinner in the cabin, with lunch included at one of three mountain spots. Add in Beaver Creek’s trademark hospitality—this is one Colorado resort that delivers mountain chic, without the mile-high ‘tude found in some swanky spots, and you’re never going to want to leave. www.trapperscabincolorado.com
High Peaks Resort, Lake Placid
Synonymous with the “Miracle on Ice” hockey win at the Winter Olympics in 1980, Lake Placid offers a walkable winter village with plenty of restaurants and shops, wine tasting rooms and of course outdoor fun like ice skating and skiing at nearby Whiteface. The newly-renovated High Peaks Resort in the heart of town is running a Stay and Ski Free package–book three days lodging and lift tickets, get the fourth free. Includes daily breakfast. Seven hours by car from Philly. $96 and up. www.highpeaksresort.com
Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe’s craggy setting, ornately trimmed Victorian homes, quaint shops and winding streets exudes an alpine village charm that is undeniable. It’s also an easy drive for winter sports and skiing at Big Boulder, Jack Frost and Blue Mountain. Stay in town at The Inn at Jim Thorpe, a charming property that has offered respite for the likes of General Ulysses S. Grant, President William Taft, Buffalo Bill and John D. Rockefeller for more than a century. The hotel offers a central location downtown as well as 45 restored Victorian guest rooms and suites with extras like free wifi, whirlpools and fireplaces and a cozy pub downstairs. $89-$369 www.innjt.com

Shawnee in the Poconos
Accessible to the slopes at Shawnee, Jack Frost/Big Boulder and Camelback, Gatehouse Country Inn is a great home base for a dose of winter R&R. Once owned by musician and bandleader Fred Waring, the Inn offers the intimacy of just four well appointed guest rooms, each with their own individual style, from antiques and collectibles to beautiful oriental rugs. Meet other guests for a game of pool in the Game Room or around the breakfast table, or cuddle up in our own private suite. Located in the quaint, historic village of Shawnee on Delaware, you are minutes away from a cross-country wonderland, 70,000 acres of National Parkland called The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Innkeepers Cindy and Gordon Way can recommend plenty of local restaurants and attractions. From $160 www.gatehousecountryinn.com

Restored Glam in Bedford Springs Head west instead of north and discover the historic Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa, renovated to the tune of $120 million and reopened in 2007 in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains. A gathering place since 1806 for the rich and powerful, drawn to the grand columned hotel to “take the waters,” Bedford Springs Resort is a throw back to the golden age of genteel travel. Set on 2,200 gorgeous wooded acres, outdoor action includes hiking snowshoeing and cross country skiing on 25 miles of trails, and when the weather permits, golfing on a restored A.W. Tillinghast 18 hole course. Definitely don’t miss a swim in the elegant indoor pool, fed by mineral springs in a setting reminiscent of Hearst Castle. Then there’s the spa, with its emphasis on the healing properties of nature and the resort’s mineral springs. The town of nearby Bedford Springs oozes small town charm. For dinner, the frontier appeal of the 1796 room sets the stage for a delicious experience. From $211 www.omnihotels.com

Liberty 360 takes the viewer on a journey of discovery and exploration of America’s most beloved symbols led by Philadelphia favorite Benjamin Franklin. The show’s stunning visual effects, produced by Niles Creative Group, are accompanied by stirring original music composed by Grant Sturiale, featuring 65 musicians and more than 128 audio tracks. The 15-minute, 3-D film adventure surrounds the audience in the new Niles-designed customized state-of-the-art PECO Theater, inside the new Historic Philadelphia Center.

The PECO Theater is the center of the newly-renovated Historic Philadelphia Center, consisting of a 360-degree screen, 50 feet in diameter and 8 feet in height, displaying 3-D pictures with image resolution of 9.5 million pixels. The exterior of the 360-degree PECO Theater is covered in Nilestrip LED that can be seen from the street, displaying ever-changing animations.

The Historic Philadelphia Center, designed by Daroff Design INC + DDI Architects, PC, is the new focal point of Independence Mall, as visitors are drawn to the building with a glimpse of the technology that awaits them inside. The Historic Philadelphia Center is now the headquarters for all of Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s programs, including the box office, providing tickets for Once Upon a Nation tours, Liberty 360 and the new Lights of Liberty Show, as well as the nearby Betsy Ross House and Franklin Square. The Center also serves as the departure point for all Once Upon a Nation tours, provides guest services such as restrooms, and offers expanded retail operations.

Premiering summer 2011, an all-new digital outdoor show tells the story of our nation’s birth as never before. The New Lights of Liberty Show will be the first outdoor, nighttime 3-D show ever created. The new show takes visitors on a starlit journey through Independence National Historic Park, walking in history’s footsteps with head-turning surround sound and high-tech imagery. It is the evening of July 7, 1776, three days after Congress has approved the Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia, buzzing with rumors and questions, eagerly waits to hear what is in this momentous document, as Loyalists and Patriots figure out where they should take a stand. Facades of some of Philadelphia’s most historic buildings are transformed into glorious illuminated scenes illustrating the profound feelings on both sides of the question of Independence. The finale is at a brightly-lit Independence Hall, brought to life with inspiring images and sound as the Declaration of Independence is read, as it was on July 8, 1776, to the public for the very first time. The 18th-century story stirs the soul, while the marvels of the 21st century technology dazzle the senses. The new Lights of Liberty show will debut in summer 2011 and run April through October each season. Shows, which last one hour, always begin at dusk and run every 10 minutes.

On February 19 through 21, there will be free activities for kids in celebration of President’s Day from 11am to 2pmm at the Betsy Ross House on 239 Arch Street. For their President’s Day celebration, the Historic Philadelphia Center will be featuring Liberty 360 in the PECO Theater on 6th & Chestnut Streets, across the street from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. A variety of free activities will be offered all weekend long from 12 to 4pm, with presidential favorites such as George Washington, John Adams or Thomas Jefferson.

Come see what’s new, they’re bringing Historic Philadelphia to life in a whole new way. Liberty 360 is a year-round, all-seasons attraction, open 7 days a week, 360 days a year. Historic Philadelphia is located at the New Historic Philadelphia Center at 6th and Chestnut Streets. For more information, call (215) 629-4026 or visit www.historicphiladelphia.org for more information.

Shannon Collins is Bucks & Montgomery Living Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief.

“Never have I appreciated nature as I have in this place—I have enthused over Colorado’s mountains and Arizona’s deserts. I have been profoundly impressed by the great canyons with their torrents and falls, but never have I felt the real story of nature as I have this summer. Everything is so gentle and simple, so unaffected.” –N.C. Wyeth

N.C. Wyeth, the internationally acclaimed artist and head of the Wyeth clan, wrote these sentiments to his friend Sidney Chase in 1907, during the first summer he spent in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. First attracted to the region by Howard Pyle’s school of illustrators, Wyeth would become so enamored with the Brandywine Valley that he would settle his family there. Today, the area south of Philadelphia along Route 1, which follows the Brandywine River, is also called Wyeth country—so indelible was the artist’s cultural footprint upon the region.

The area’s bucolic beauty and rolling hills is an ideal setting for a day trip, although there is enough to keep you busy to make a weekend out of it.

Traveling south on Route One, after you cross Route 202, a bustling thoroughfare that has brought both traffic and development to the area, you’ll start to get a true sense of what captivated Wyeth’s eye for beauty. Museums, restored historic homes, famous battlefields and an award winning winery and working farms dot the landscape.

Longwood Gardens is a natural starting point, an internationally renowned horticulture center once home to the area’s Native Americans, a family of Quakers and a wealthy industrialist named duPont. Head to the Visitor’s Center, where a brief orientation film will help you get your bearings. There are some 1,050 acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows to explore, home to more than 11,000 types of plants, 20 indoor and 20 outdoor gardens and fountains that are the backdrop for a light and music show in the summer and during the holidays.

For the foodies in the crowd, plan a stop in Kennett Square at The Mushroom Cap on State Streeta shrine to the most delicious fungus of them all. Kennett Square is the mushroom capital of the world, producing morethan  half the mushrooms grown in the U.S. Here you will find unique gifts, regional specialties and a variety of fresh picked mushrooms. Learn how mushrooms are grown and harvested and pick up one of their great cookbooks packed with tasty mushroom recipes. Owner, Kathi Lafferty is not only a local mushroom expert; she currently sits on the USDA’s Mushroom Council. Additionally, Kathi is a driving force behind the annual Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square. This event, celebrated for 23 years, takes place each September (the weekend after Labor Day).

Continuing on Route 1 in Chadds Ford, at the intersection of Rte. 100, you’ll find the Brandywine River Museum, a former 19th century gristmill that is now the center of all things Wyeth in the valley. Trace the family’s artistic history through the work of father Newell Convers, N.C., son Andrew and grandson Jamie. One of the best-loved paintings is the oversized smiling pig by Jamie Wyeth, a subject also committed to bronze in a statue that stands outside on the riverbank. There are three floors of paintings and illustrations to peruse, all paying homage to the American artist.

Art and antiquing so often go together, as they do in the Brandywine Valley. Up and down route 1 in Chadds Ford are all kinds of unusual shops tucked in between the historic sites. The Pennsbury-Chadds Ford Antique Mall offers 100 dealers on two levels, and just a few steps away, the Brandywine River Antiques Mart offers a wide array of antiques and accessories.

Across from the Brandywine River Museum is one of the area’s most popular attractions, the Chaddsford Winery. Winemakers Lee and Eric Miller produce award winning vintages, and there is usually something going on every weekend on the grounds, from live jazz, wine tastings and festivals. Located in a renovated 17th-century barn, the winery is open for tours, tastings and sales seven days a week.

A few recommendations for dining: Hank’s Place, at the intersections of routes 1 and 100, is a roadside luncheonette with terrific home cooking, great homemade biscuits and an incredible shiitake omelet. The Chadds Ford Tavern dates back to the 1770s, when it was used as a roadside tavern for the generals and trades people traveling along the river. A lively spot today, the Tavern is a haunt for locals and a great place for lunch or a casual dinner. For a more upscale experience, try The Gables, which offers an international menu in simply elegant surroundings.

There are all kinds of lodgings from which to choose, B&B’s like the Fairville Inn (610-388-5900), a magnificent country inn that dates from the 1830s, with 15 rooms and suits, a full breakfast and afternoon tea and private baths. The Brandywine River Hotel (610-388-1200) is more of an upscale country hotel, complete with romantic Jacuzzi and fireside suites.

For more information about Brandywine Valley attractions, visit www.brandywinevalley.com.

Bucks & Montgomery Living’s Travel Editor Beth D’Addono lives in Belmont Hills.

When parents look around their home and see the vast amount of gear they use on a daily basis for their little ones, determining what to bring on a trip can seem daunting. Consider what the weather will be at your destination, what activities your family will do, how long your family will stay and which items can possibly be multi-purpose.

Obviously, your children will need appropriate clothing for the duration of the trip, but don’t forget to think about items such as swimsuits, aqua shoes, beach toys, lip balm, bandages, or hats, gloves and scarves for the colder climates. Blankies, binkies and other comfort items will also be necessary for many young children. Car seats that also function as a stroller might be a good idea for getting through the airport. Some websites offer bundles of convenient items for mealtime, diapering, sun time or bath time that can be shipped to your destination.

According to Transportation Security Administration (TSA), parents currently may bring breast milk, formula and juice in amounts larger than 3 ounces onto the plane. These items are subject to being tested for explosives, but you will not be asked to “test” the liquids yourself. TSA also encourages travelers to only bring a reasonable amount based on how long their flight is. Gel or liquid-filled teethers, and canned, jarred or processed baby food also are allowable. Once through security, buying other snacks and beverages is another option.

When your family is through security or finally on the road, entertaining the kids will become the next order of business. Being strategic about what you have for entertainment might be the most important part about keeping your children occupied. Don’t give them each the choices all at once, rather save what you think would be their favorite until the end when the other goodies have lost their luster and kids are likely to be the most bored. To begin the trip, you may be able to build off of their excitement about the new adventure so spend some time playing games tailored around this. For instance, show them the wings of the plane or point out the mile markers on a highway if they are able to recognize numbers and then progress through your bag of tricks.

The Internet has some great games geared towards traveling, and you can print special boards for the License Plate game or Car Bingo, which has cute items to look for and mark off as the children spot them. Sticker books work well with preschoolers and early primary children. It is easy to work on a plane tray table or the lap desks you can buy for the car. Another neat idea would be to provide a magnetic tray with magnetic letters, shapes or figures. Classic board games in travel form are good when you or another family member can be an opponent. Audio books are perfect for all ages, and preschoolers usually enjoy following along with the actual book. You can download many books to their MP3 players or IPods along with favorite songs, which will also keep them busy. With all this selection, children should be engaged for a good portion of your trip. Last resorts can be the DVD player with a favorite movie and, of course, handheld game players.

When you have many options for your children that are based on what you know they like, you are likely to prevent most undesirable behaviors. Be sure to have conversations before traveling about what behavior you should see from them. Tell them and model for them how they should stay close to you in the airport or during pit stops, how to use the appropriate volume of their voice for the plane or car and how to keep their feet still so they are not kicking the seat in front of them on the plane or in the car. Compliment them frequently when your children demonstrate the positive behaviors you discussed. A time sheet broken down by 30-minute intervals, on which you could place a sticker in each 30-minute box when they show excellent behavior, could help children with behavioral difficulties visually see their hard work pay off.

Jen D’Angelo is a freelance writer and co-founder of the D’Angelo Foundation, which strives to serve the families in our community during their time of need (www.thedangelofoundation.org).