Jeanne enjoying winter fun at Promised Land State Park.

Until last week, it seemed as if winter had forgotten all about us. But the snow finally fell and it became a winter wonderland here in Hawley. We finally had a chance to get out and play in the snow! A full day of cross-country skiing up here in the Pocono Lakes Region can’t be beat!

Getting out into nature during these cold months is a favorite pastime of ours.  Nearby Dorflinger Wildlife Sanctuary offers some really beautiful winter walks. Strolling through the Sanctuary, you can hear the calls of all the birds who brave the cold, while hearing the crunch of snow underfoot. Promised Land State Park also offers some really beautiful winter scenes to explore by foot, snowshoe, or even cross-country ski! There is so much to see and explore during the winter months, it’s hard to imagine spending the winter days inside!

What are some your favorite winter activities?

Colorful ornaments enhance the Victorian Christmas celebration.

Shortly thereafter Grant and Jeanne invited Marcia to join us to create a holiday celebration honoring the traditions of the Victorian Era. Our first invitation was mailed to our guests and members of the community. We invited you “to turn back the hands of time and return to an era of style and grace”. We were obsessively authentic creating the menu and found the White House cookbook to be a wealth of information.

We had consommé, bisque, Chincoteague oysters, French hens, pickled pears, mince tarts and plum pudding. The sugared plums were truly a vision.

Our focus at the time was to create a holiday event that encompassed all that we felt Christmas could be. Antiques from the turn of the century were borrowed from Peggy Murphy and Curt Reed as well as our grandmother’s attics. We polished silver, tea stained lace, decked the halls, trimmed the trees, hired the horseman, baked the gingerbread house, engaged the choir, dressed the staff in period attire, lit the candles and… magic was created!

Our fondest memories of the first years of Victorian Christmas were the involvement of our families. The children were young and all wanted to be a part of this scenario. Emily Dunsmore, age 5 along with her Grandmother, Wendy Reafler and Grant’s Mother, Muriel Genzlinger passed the hors d’oeuvres. Stuart Dunsmore, age 8, was the doorman and Justin Genzlinger, age 11, managed the coat room. Our daughters, Carrie and Janna, age 14 and 16 assisted the dining room servers. Uncle John’s doll house was brought out of the attic and Aunt Mary Lou became the official photographer.

The guests loved the event. Peter Rodgers said, “This is like a community Christmas party!

And so it continues for the twenty fifth year… We thank you, Dear Friends, for joining us for this special Settlers Inn tradition. Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year too!

Brewery co-founder Carol Stoudt - “Queen of the Hops,”

Grant and Carol’s relationship goes back more than twenty years. Grant developed an interest in the history of brewing in Pennsylvania and traveled the state to find small independent brewers to be represented on the Settler Inn’s newly formed beer menu.

Some of the breweries he located had an amazing tradition like Yuengling in Pottsville, and Rolling Rock, Stegmaier, and Pennsylvania Pilsner but the hands down favorite for Grant was discovering the new microbrews like Dock Street Brewing Co. in Philadelphia and especially Stoudt’s in Adamstown.

Stoudt’s was (and still is) gathering many gold and silver medals for beer making on the national level. We were thrilled to offer these award winning beers and ales at The Settlers Inn and thus began the long tradition of tasting the likes of Scarlet Lady, American Pale Ale, Double Honey Maiboch, and Oatmeal Stout  Today Carol is known as the “Queen of Hops” and we are exited for you to meet her at our Octoberfest dinner on October 14.

The brewery's Octoberfest beer label

Carol has selected Fat Dog Oatmeal Stout, Stoudt’s Fest, American Pale Ale, Scarlet Lady ESB, and Triple Belgian Abbey Ale,that complement  Grant and Chef Ben’s four course special menu which includes pasture raised chicken, venison, a selection of house made charcuteries  that reflects the Pennsylvania October tradition and pairs beautifully with these beers.

The American Pale was just honored with the highest star rating and one of the top three in the United States by The New York Times tasting panel.  Join us for the Carol and Grant reunion and learn more about the brewing process from brewmaster icon Carol Stoudt. The gathering time is 6:30 and cost is $65.

Jazz on the Deck starts tonight!

We are proud to spotlight high-caliber performers from both near and far to play on our shaded deck in the Pocono Mountains

Kicking off a month of music tonight is PBJ, featuring the vocal stylings of DeJay Branch and Steve Faubel on the piano. Click here to check out the season’s full line-up — the grooves continue every Wednesday evening from 6-9 pm until August 25.

Cycle to Woodland Ponds during our Poconos Biking Tour.

Your journey will follow rivers and rolling meadows, arriving at historic sites and beautiful places for rest and reflection, such as a woodland pond. Innkeeper Jeanne Genzlinger has personally developed two detailed itineraries to follow over lovely Pocono hill and Pennsylvania dale. The package includes a three night’s stay, dinner in our farm-to-table restaurant one night, breakfast each morning, and more!

Stay at The Settlers Inn, but enjoy a day using spa’s the incredible facilities. Enjoy hydro massage waterfalls, a stunning horizon-edge outdoor whirlpool and a custom women’s retreat with fireplaces, private shower/changing rooms, steam, saunas, whirlpools and private screened porches. Return to our Pocono Mountain farm-to-table restaurant for a meal of the freshest and most innovative cuisine in the Poconos.

Treat your father to Jazz for Dad's Brunch at The Settlers Inn

Savor Open Face Duck Confit BLT with Avocado and Over Easy Egg, Black Angus Burger with Sauteed Mushrooms, Eberly Farm Skillet Fried Chicken Leg Roulade with Apple-Mint Barbeque Sauce or Settler’s Original Black Bear Sandwich. Check out the full Father’s Day menu here.

All for just $27.50 per person.

Special Father’s Day Lodging Package: Brunch for two and overnight stay on Sunday (standard queen room): $200 (tax and service included)