Well, the Christmas season is upon us, so here is my list of holiday attractions in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.  A short description is included with each attraction as well as pertinent details.  Admission prices are for adults, children's tickets are typically less.  Please share your favorite holiday attractions in the comments!  Happy Holidays!


Christmas Hayride (Glen Mills PA)
http://holidayhayride.com/
Open Nov 26th thru Dec 27th
See website for operating days
http://holidayhayride.com/hours/
Hours 5:30-8:30p
Adult ticket: $15


Grings Mill Holiday Lights (Wyomissing)
http://www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/Parks/Pages/HolidayLights.aspx
Open Wed through Sun Dec 4th thru 27th (closed Dec 24th and 25th)
Also open Dec 21st and 22nd!
Hours: 6-9p
Walk around lights, train display, visits with santa, snack bar, concerts.
Admission: $5 per car


Lights in the Parkway (Allentown)
http://www.lightsintheparkway.com/
*Closed in 2015 due to repairs on a retaining wall.  It is being replaced by “Allentown Lights” which will be held Nov 28th thru Dec 31st at multiple locations.  http://www.allentownpa.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Recreation/Annual-Events/Allentown-Lights


Koziar’s Christmas Village (Bernville)
http://www.koziarschristmasvillage.com/home.html
Nov 7th thru Thanksgiving Hours:
Fri 6-9p
Sat 5:30-9:30p
Sun 5:30-9p

Thanksgiving thru Jan 2nd Hours:
Mon-Fri 6-9p
Sat 5-9:30p
Sun 5-9p

HUGE walk around light display
Adult Admission: $10


Christmas City Bus Tour (Bethlehem)
http://historicbethlehem.org/bethlehem-by-night-bus-tour/
Nov 27th thru Dec 27th (except Nov 29th, Dec 24th+25th)
Thurs-Sun 5p, 6p and 7p
Adult Admission: $15


Hillside playground (Reading)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hillside-Playground-Association/137068286322823
459 N. 14th St. Reading PA 19604
No info yet for 2015!
Walk around light display, with visits with Santa and a snack stand
Admission: Free but donations are welcome!  Food and pictures with Santa cost extra.


Christmas Feast Dinner Train (Strasburg)
http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/on-the-train/dining-on-the-train/christmas-feast/
Dates Nov 27th, Dec 4th, 11th, and 18th
Boarding at 6:30p
Adult Ticket (includes food and tax): $52


Quiet Valley Historical Farm Old Time Christmas (Stroudsburg)
http://www.quietvalley.org/programs/specialevents/christmas/christmas.htm
Dates Dec 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th
3pm-7pm
Tours of the farm to see Christmas traditions from the 1800’s (nativity scenes, bonfire, caroling, refreshments, gift shop)
Adult Admission: $10
Tours last 1.5 hours


Lehigh Valley Zoo Winter Light Spectacular (Schnecksville)
http://lvzoo.org/
Open Nov 14th thru Jan 3rd (closed Nov 26th, Dec 24th + 25th)
Wed-Sun 5:30-10p
Walk through light display, refreshments, holiday music, light shows to music, pictures with Santa
(fundraiser for the zoo)
Admission: $14


Hershey:
-Hersheypark
http://www.christmasinhershey.com/christmas_candylane/index.php
Open Nov 13th thru Dec 31st
Shopping, limited rides, lights, dining, entertainment (including live reindeer)
See website for operating days/times
http://www.hersheypark.com/hours/index.php?tab=christmas
Adult Admission: $19
Parking: $9
Note the preview plan under the tickets tab on the website that allows you extra time in the park!


-Sweet Lights (drive through light display)
http://www.christmasinhershey.com/hershey_sweetlights.php
Open Nov 13th thru Jan 1st (everynight)
See website for times
http://www.hersheypark.com/hours/index.php?tab=christmas
Admission (for passenger cars that seat up to 8 people)-
Sun-Thurs: $20
Fri and Sat: $25
You can get a Sweet Lights add-on ticket for $18 at guest services in Hershey Park.


-Christmas Trolley Rides
http://www.hersheytrolleyworks.com/what-is-hershey-trolley-works.html
Open Nov 13th
Please see website for dates and times that the Christmas trolley show is running, as some weekday shows are still the regular version.
http://www.hersheytrolleyworks.com/detailed-departure-schedule.html
Adult Admission: $13

Also-see Hershey Sweet Lights by trolley!
Admission: $9pp

I now have a youtube account associated with this website!  First up on it is what I am calling "The Ultimate Halloween Playlist".  There is NO Monster Mash here.  I made this playlist because the songs played for Halloween are often repetitive and dull.  Currently, there are almost 100 songs on my list and I am still adding to it, BUT since there is less than a week until Halloween, I thought I should release what I had.  

The requirements for a song to be included on this list were that they had to be decent music (it has to sound good) and/or be entertaining.  Occasionally I picked a video other than the standard music video for a particular song in order to include some interest/variety.  Some of these are tribute videos from fandoms I am a part of; some of which don't list the song name in the title so it will have to be a surprise!  There is a wide range of musical genres included here, so if one song isn't to your fancy, try some others!  I tried to mix up the musical genres throughout the playlist, again for interest.  

If there is a song that is missing that you think I should include-comment below and let me know about it!  I sincerely hope that makes your Halloween even better!  Happy Haunting!

Looking for something spooky to do for Halloween that doesn’t involve actors screaming at you, chainsaws, and jump scares?  Then maybe you should consider going on a ghost tour!  These tours take you to haunted places and recount the stories of their haunting.  Below I have compiled a list of tours in and near the Lehigh Valley.  Please note, I have never had the pleasure of taking any of these tours myself, so these are NOT endorsements, just a list!  If you have taken any of these tours, feel free to review your experience in the comments!

Please also check out my list of non-scary corn mazes around the valley!

THE TOURS
Historic Bethlehem Death and Dying Tour (Bethlehem)
http://historicbethlehem.org/visit/walking-tours/
75 Min walking tour
Sept 24th-Nov 1st
Thurs and Fri: 6p
Sat and Sun: 4:30p
$12

Moravian Book Shop Historic Ghost Tour (Bethlehem)
http://shop.moravianbookshop.com/index.htm
One hour candlelight walking tour
Oct 2nd thru end of Oct
Friday and Sat evenings (some wed and thurs)
See website for date/times
Adults: $13      Children: $10

Old Jail Museum Ghost Tour (Jim Thorpe)
http://www.theoldjailmuseum.com/ghosts.html
Oct 3rd, 10th, 17th
Tours depart every 15 min between 6:15p and 9p
Adults: $10     High school students: $7
NO children under 12!

Rotary Historic Ghost Walks (Jim Thorpe)
http://www.jimthorperotary.org/GhostWalks.cfm
One hour, one mile lantern led walk
Sept 11th thru Dec 19th
See website for dates/times
Adults: $12   Children 7-12: $6
Reservations recommended!

Hugh Moore Park Halloween Canal Boat Ride and Tour (Easton)
https://canals.org/event/haunted-hugh-moore-park/
40 min canal boat ride with stories followed by a walking ghost tour and other fun activities!
Oct 23rd, 24th, 29th, and 30th
Time: 6-9p
Adults: $15
By reservation only!  Call Loretta Susen at 610.923.3548 Ext: 221

Crystal Cave Ghost Lantern Tours (Kutztown)
http://crystalcavepa.com/Shop/special_events_newpage.html
Original cave tour of the 1870's by lantern light
Oct 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th
Time: 5:30p
Adults: $20 Children 8-11: $12
Reservations required!  Not recommended for children under 8.

Happy Halloween!

I have compiled a list of corn mazes for myself and I thought I'd share them with you!
-The drive times are VERY approximate from the area of Dorney Park.
-The prices are for adult admission, some places charge less for children.
-Remember-bring CASH!  Most farms do NOT have credit card machines!  Bring extra if you think you might want to buy snacks or fall décor.
-Some places have hours on Columbus day as well-but I don't have off that day so I didn't list them.
-If you decide to visit a corn maze, remember to dress appropriately (sturdy shoes you dont mind getting muddy-it IS a farm!), wear sunscreen or bug spray if needed, and bring the right supplies with you!  (plenty of water, snacks, a flashlight if its close to dusk, a walking stick, emergency medications (inhaler, epi-pen)-there are better lists of what to bring around the internet)  Corn mazes are TONS of fun, but you should still be prepared-take what you would bring on a hike!  *NOTE-it can get VERY hot in a corn maze mid-day (especially in Sept!), so you may want to go in the late afternoon/evening if its warm and sunny!
-Some of the websites have coupons for discounted admission, so its worth looking around!
-If a maze has admission cost at or under $4, its probably mostly meant for kids...

The Mazes:

13 Min-Breinigsville- Grim’s Fall Festival
http://grimsgreenhouse.com/fall-festival
Open Sept 12th thru Oct 31st
Everyday 10a-6p (flashlight maze Fri and Sat nights starting Oct
2nd 6p-10p)
All activity pass (includes maze):
-Weekends $16
-Flashlight nights $11
Weekday maze only: $9   
Hayride only: $5
*Last admission to all activities 1 hour before closing

19 Min-Mertztown-Savidge Farms
Waiting to get info for 2015

26 Min-New Tripoli- Bear Rock Junction
http://bearrockjunction.com/corn-maze
Open Sept 11th thru Nov 1st
Fri 5-9p
Sat and Sun noon-9p
Maze: $6.50

Glow Golf Fri, Sat, and Sun nights starting Sept 25th thru Oct
31st
Hours: 6:30-9p
Price: $7.25 plus $2 refundable deposit for glow ball

28 Min-Bath PA-Seiple farms
http://www.seiplefarms.com/autumn.html
Open Sept 26th thru Nov 1st
Friday Oct 9th, 16th, and 23rd noon-6pm
Sat 10a-6p
Sun 11a-6p
$7pp

28 Min-Easton PA-Raub Farm
http://www.raubsfarmmarket.com/corn-mazeevents/
Open Sept 12th thru Nov 1st
Sun-Thurs 9a-8p
Fri and Sat 9a-10p
$7pp

30 Min-Phillipsburg, NJ-Corn Maze Train
http://877trainride.com/cornmaze.htm
Open now thru Oct 25th
Sat 11a, 12:30p, 2p, and 3:30p (3:30 time only available in Oct)
Sun 11a, 12:30p, and 2p
Train Ride and Maze: $20pp

31 Min-Bath-Unangst Tree Farm
http://www.unangst-treefarm.com/fall-3024-info/
Open Sept 26th thru Oct 31st
Sat & Sun 11a-6p
(last corn maze wagon departs 4:30pm)
$6.50pp

33 Min-Boyertown PA-Wilcox farm
http://www.wilcoxfamilyfarm.com/pages/corn-maze.htm
Sept 11th thru Nov 2nd Hours:
Fri and Sat 9a-midnight
Sunday 9a-9p

Nov 3rd thru Nov 15th Hours:
Fri, Sat and Sun 9a-9p

Maze: $8    Hayride: $4
(Last admission one hour prior to closing!)
 

39 Min-Saylorsburg-Mazezilla
http://www.mazezilla.com/corn-maze/
Open Sept 19th thru Nov 1st
See website for operating dates/times
Wagon ride and Maze: $8 (11a-5p)/$12 (5p-10p)

39 Min-Lansdale-Freddy Hill Farms
http://www.freddyhill.com/images/stories/2015_fallfest_flyer.jpg
Open Oct 3rd thru Oct 25th
Sat and Sun Noon-5p
Maze:$2     Mini-golf: $6pp      Hayrides: $2.50pp

40 Min-Oley-Oley Turnpike Dairy
http://www.oleyturnpikedairy.com/Events_INQG.php
Open Sept 19th thru Nov 1st
Sat 11a-8p
Sun Noon-6p
Hayrides: $3
Activity Area (includes Corn Maze): $3

50 Min-Warrington-Winding Brook Farm
http://windingbrookfarm.com/
Sept Info:
Sat and Sun 11a-6p
$6

Oct Info:
Fri 6p-10p
Sat 11a-10p (10/31 closes at 4p)
Sun 10/4, 10/11, 10/18 11a-5p
Sun 10/25 11a-10p
$9.50

Evening hayrides:
7-8p
$7

51 Min-Plumsteadsville/Doylestown-Hellerick’s
http://www.hellericksfarm.com/
Open-Sept 19th thru Nov 1st
Everyday 10a-6p (last admission at 5p)
Fri and Sat evenings 7p-10p (last admission at 8p)
Daytime Admission:
Mon-Fri: $9    Sat & Sun: $12
Nighttime Admission (daytime admission does not include night time admission!)  $8


50 Min-Doylestown-Del Val College Market
http://themarketatdelval.com/fall-fun/
Open-Sept 26th thru Nov 1st
Sat and Sun 11a-4p
$6
Nighttime flashlight maze, bonfire and hayride
Open Sept 25th thru Oct 30th
Fri and Sat 6-9p
$8

51 Min-Spring City-Olszanowski Farm
https://www.facebook.com/OlsFarm
Open Sept 26th thru Nov 1st
Fri 7-9pm
Sat 11a-5p and 6:30-9p
Sun 11a-5p
Weekdays 11a-5p (maze only)
Evening Maze: $8    Daytime Maze: $13

1Hour-Robesonia PA-Duncans
http://www.duncanscornmaze.com/
Open Sept 18th thru Nov 1st
Fri 6-9p
Sat & Sun 1-9p
$8pp

1h 2min-Morgantown PA-Mast Farms
http://www.mastmaze.com/
Open Sept 12th thru Nov 7th
Fri 3-9pm
Sat 9a-9p
closed Sundays
$12 pp

1h 6min-Lebanon-Tom”s Mazes
http://www.tomscornandsoybeanmaze.com/apps/location/
Waiting for info for 2015

1h 12mins-Lebanon- Seyfert's Corn Maze
http://seyfertscornmaze.com/home
Open Sept 18th thru Nov 1st
Fri 4p-10p
Sat 2p-10p
Sun 2p-9p
(last admission one hour before closing)
Maze: $8  
Hayride: (included with maze admission) or $4 ala cart

1h 25mins-Ronks-Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
http://www.cherrycrestfarm.com/Activities/
Open July 4th thru Nov 7th
See website for days/times (Closed Sundays)
http://www.cherrycrestfarm.com/Calendar/
Daytime activities including maze: $17 (weekdays)-$20 (Sat)
Flashlight maze (Fri and Sat Sept 18th-Nov 7th): $14  (includes hayride and maze)

This month, Dicover Lehigh Valley is giving away tons of prizes!  First the monthly giveaway includes a one night hotel stay, 4 tickets to the Crayola Factory, and a $50 gift card to Buca di Beppo. 


I am also excited for another month of daily themed prizes!  This month the theme is shopping.  You can click here for the contest entry form and the list of daily prizes is at the bottom.  Don't forget to enter each day that you are interested in the prize offered! I am writing reminders in my calendar.

Lastly, they are asking people to re-write the Billy Joel song "Allentown".  You can win an Ipad mini and headphones for doing this...as well as a cameo in a music video for your song.  the deadline to enter this is Sept 13th, so hurry!  Click here for the entry info.


Good luck everyone!

Below are my reviews of the area corn mazes we were able to visit in 2014.

Breinigsville- Grim’s Fall Festival
http://grimsgreenhouse.com/fall-festival

More than likely the BEST paths in a corn maze in the area!  Flat, wide, well drained, little to no debris!  You could easily bring a stroller or even a wheelchair into this maze!  There IS a bridge in the maze this year, but it is NOT necessary to cross it in order to exit the maze-so as I said it is wheelchair accessible!  We went in the evening for a flashlight maze and it was super fun since you don't also have to hold a map for this maze and the trails do not have many tripping hazards.  HIGHLY recommended maze for everyone!


Mertztown-Savidge Farms 
http://savidgefarms.com/activities.html

Well, 2013's maze was short, but had enough twists and turns that I thought it was interesting.  2014's maze is shorter and VERY unimaginative.  The checkpoints in the maze are strangely placed so that there are some close together and other large areas with no checkpoints (which gets frustrating).  The terrain isnt bad, some minor debris.  All in all, i was sad to see this maze become less exciting.  It might be good for people who are lazy, directionally impaired, or have very small kids.  If you DO visit this maze, Huntsicker's Grove Park is nearby and has beautiful fall colors!  Take a stroll there and enjoy!


Bath PA-Seiple Farms
http://www.seiplefarms.com/autumn.html

Paths here are moderate in just about every aspect.  There is a moderate amount of debris (rocks and pieces of corn stalks), but there are a large number of small hills all over.  The hills and debris would make using a wheeled device harder than a flatter/cleaner maze.  There is also a fair amount of green growth in this maze that can be slippery when wet, or cause tangles for your feet, waling stick, or wheels.  Nice part is that its difficult to get completely lost in this maze as then exit and entrance are in the same place.  It IS a large maze and for us finding all the checkpoints was exhausting.  We DID find them all though!


Easton PA-Raub Farm 
http://www.raubsfarmmarket.com/Corn-Maze.html

This location has what I consider the most difficult to walk on type of paths.  They engage in a practice to reduce erosion and mud by leaving the paths strewn with downed corn stalks.  This means you must lift your feet quite high to avoid getting your shoes caught with each step (you use a marching type step).  If you are unsteady on your feet, this is the easiest type of maze to trip in, so I highly recommend using a walking stick (with the understanding that the walking stick can also get caught in the debris).  Frankly, I'd rather deal with mud-but it is a good workout!


Bath-Unangst Tree Farm
http://www.unangst-treefarm.com/fall-3024-info/

We went to this maze for the first time this year and really enjoyed it!  The maze design was well done, created challenge without being overwhelming.  There was an option to play a game of clue, however the boy that explained it didn't do so clearly, and we were frustrated by that once in the maze.  The paths were wide and flat, and fairly clear-not as good as Grim's but close!  One caution-you MUST ride the haywagon to get to the maze, and the haybales that you sit on WILL poke you in the legs and butt if you wear thin pants.  I wore athletic pants and was sorry I did!


Boyertown PA-Wilcox Farm
http://www.wilcoxfamilyfarm.com/pages/corn-maze.htm

One word-ROCKS!  This is probably the corn maze with the most rocks in the area!  They obviously can be tripping hazards and make transit with anything with wheels nearly impossible!  There is also a fair amount of small pieces of corn stalks, not sure if that was intentional to help keep mud and erosion down or if they just fell there.  They are also tripping hazards, although it isn't as bad as the ones at Raub.  The rocks are the real problem.  We went near dusk and in the light this is a fun maze!  If you get to all the checkpoints you can enter a drawing for $100!  When it got dark enough to need a flashlight, then the paths become much harder to navigate, to the point where it isnt nearly as fun.  Like Raub it is a good workout!


Robesonia PA-Duncans 
http://www.duncanscornmaze.com/

VERY well maintained paths!  No debris whatsoever (not even rocks!).  Paths are also flat and well drained!  You could use a stroller on them-however there is a bridge near the end of the maze that you MUST cross to exit, so make sure your stroller is light enough to carry up about 8-10 steps and then back down again!  Maze was about medium length, so we went around twice.

1h 2min-Morgantown PA-Mast Farms
http://www.mastmaze.com/

Moderately decent paths, some maintenance is clear, but there certainly are tripping hazards around.  Considering that this is one of the more expensive mazes on the list, I'd expect better paths/maintenance.  Please note that when you are facing the maze entrances, the shortest maze is farthest to the left and the longest is farthest to your right.  No one explains that when paying and there is no one around the maze entrances to explain it either.  If you hold the map they give you upside down, it will be oriented correctly from the starting point.


What is your faveorite area corn maze?  Comment below!

This weekend there will be many states having a tax free weekend.  I think the point is for families to stock up on school supplies, but anyone can make qualifying purchases for any reason!  Unfortunately some state's tax free weekends have already passed (sorry its been a rough few months for me!), but I wanted to share this for those of you living in or near a state that has one coming up!  Check out this website for details, and be sure to click on the link for the state in order to see what items qualify!  Also, remember to check the accuracy of your receipts!  Don't forget that the following states have no sales tax at all:  Alaska (which has no state sales tax but allows municipalities to impose sales taxes), Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon.  Happy shopping!

Today, Tues July 21st, you can get two free appetizer samplers at Applbee's.  The two available apps are Sriracha Shrimp and Churro S'mores.  If you are like me and cannot have chocolate-ask for caramel sauce with the churro's!  It's very good!  They are also good plain.  You might wanna check to see if your local Applebee's is participating!  You can look up their phone number here.

PA's primary election is tomorrow, and I wanted to discuss a few things in relation to that topic.Firstly I want to start by commenting on the Lehigh County DA race.  I'm sure many of you have gotten phone calls and mailers asking democrats to write in Jim Martin on the ballot.  I, however find this confusing as not only is he running unopposed as a republican, he has no democratic competition either.  So-WHY are we being asked to write him in?  I can think of only two answers:

1-He either knows of or suspects a 3rd party candidate will run against him, and he is trying to hedge his bets by appearing as both the democratic and republican candidate on the ballot for the general election in fall.  This gives him an unfair advantage against any such 3rd party candidate (3rd parties have enough trouble getting elected as it is without unfair practices like this).

2-If number one is not the case, then he is simply wasting money and resources running against himself...which I find disturbing.

Neither of the above are good reasons to ask people for a write in vote.  I find both options unsettling and urge Lehigh County Democrats NOT to write him in on the ballot!  Just because you don't have someone else to vote for-does not mean you should simply write in someone in a manner that gives them a monopoly for the election in fall.

I am registered as a democrat.  Below I list who I am voting for any why.  I also have a voting guide for democratic candidates that can be found on my other
website-My Voting Guide.

School director:
I choose not to vote for people who didn't bother to respond to the league of women voter's questionnaire.  I cant take them seriously if they dont take the election seriously.  This is really the only source of info for this race, so I dont understand why someone wouldn't comply with submission.  I also chose to go with many people who are not incumbents because I believe fresh blood is not a bad thing.

Lisa Adams-Seems to be taking her responsibility seriously as an incumbent.  Has shown initiative in doing research to make better decisions.

Martin Brans-I think his work for non-profits will benefit him in finding solutions for stretching funding.

Carol Facchiano-She's already highly involved in the district.  Also has a BS in accounting which I think may also be helpful  in regard to spending.

David Kennedy-Has questioned unreasonable spending in the past and promises to continue to do so.

David Caruth-Would simply rather see him win than an incumbent.


PA Superior Court:
I am voting for Robert Colville because I found his website more sincere and informative than his opponent.  I am also impressed by the fact that he has run a "zero contribution" campaign-which means he hasnt accepted any contributions of any kind and has used his own money to fund incidentals like travel
expenses.


Commonwealth Court:
I am voting for Michael Wojcik because of his pro bono work with women seeking protection from abuse orders, his teaching experience, and his excellent and detailed responses to the candidate questionnaire from the PA bar association.  His opponent's questionnaire had less info and attention to detail (there were spelling and grammar errors).


Supreme Court:
I am undecided in this race for now-still have some things to checkout on the candidates.

Hey Everyone-Sorry this is short notice, but since I had major eye surgery this week, this is the best I could do. If you are looking for something to do TODAY, APRIL 25TH, You can check out the Friends of the Allentown Parks Cherry Blossom Festival from 10a to 5p at Cedar Creek Parkway (the cherry trees line Ott street). Looks like lots of great stuff going on! Wish I could go! Happy Spring! A copy of the flyer can be seen here.