The RoseMary Inn


Just visited the Brook Hollow Winery in Columbia, New Jersey. Brook Hollow is a charming local winery only a mile down the road from us here at The Rosemary Inn. Full of delicious varietals and blends, this is a must visit for any wine savant. From cranberry dessert wine to one of my personal favorites, 'Nightsong' (which they donate 25% of proceeds to the Lakota Wolf Preserve), they have whatever you may be in the mood for. Also, the hosts are very gracious. Sample some wine before dinner and make sure to bring back a bottle to relax with later in the evening.

MUSIC AT THE MOUNT

Music, music, and more music sums up the 2012 summer season at The Mount.  They are kicking off a Music on the Mount Summer Concert Series from May through August which includes music for all kinds of tastes - pop, rock, folk, blues, alternative, etc.  There is something for everyone.  Check out their website (www.mtlaurel.com) for details on performance dates, times and prices.  Besides having world-renowned musicians, The Mount offers a location which is surrounded by the beauty of wooded hillsides, far from traffic, congestion, and city prices.

Some of this summer's scheduled concerts

The Mount draws concert-goers from New York, New Jersey as well as Pennsylania since it is located about 30 minutes from the Delaware Water Gap off of Route 80 and right past Bushkill Falls.  We here at The RoseMary Inn are happy to welcome The Mount to our neighborhood.  And we also welcome its visitors to our small, upscale bed and breakfast.  We have attended concerts in years past and have always enjoyed both the concerts as well as the ride through the countryside to attend The Mount.  We wish them a great 2012 season!

The site of The Mount

The RoseMary Inn

Welcoming the New Season with Baarda Farm

The fall is a beautiful time for nature-based activities and seasonal festivities.  However, every season has something valuable to offer us.  As the weather turns cooler in preparation for winter, we tend to immediately think of all the negative aspects associated with the season – freezing temperatures, inclement weather, and the closing of many outdoor-based businesses.  However, at the RoseMary Inn, we would like to encourage you to embrace the coming of winter with a place that is near and dear to our hearts.

Baarda Farm, a family owned and operated business, provides customers with high-quality produce and all natural products.  All fruits and vegetables are cultivated and picked from the premise’s 25 acres of farmland.  Furthermore, instead of closing for the winter months, Baarda Farm is open year-round offering seasonal produce and other natural products to ring in the cold months ahead!  During the next couple of weeks, thousands of strawberries will be picked and blueberries will be planted for the next season.

Denise Baarda, one of the four owners and operators of the farm, is encouraging customers to take advantage of the remaining apple yield.  Select from a variety of all-natural apples or pick up a gallon of their apple cider, made from fresh apples and compressed in their very own cider press!  I (Elaine) bought myself a gallon and am freezing some for the coming winter months!  Also, be sure to place your order for Baarda’s all-natural Apple Cider Vinegar, a very popular product made and bottled at the turn of the season.    

Baarda Farm also offers other natural products to keep you satisfied during the winter months.  Select your favorite homemade jam or pick up a bottle of honey, collected from actual hives located on the premises.  I (Elaine) love Baarda Farm’s fresh brown eggs and the product has become a staple in my household.  With approximately 500 free-range chickens, Baarda Farm has become my natural grocery store where freshness and consistent availability are guaranteed for the customer.

Located in the beautiful and scenic town of Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, simply follow 94 South from the RoseMary Inn to the Portland bridge and remain right to reach River Road.  Follow River Road through all its twists and turns until you reach the tiny farm driveway that leads to a huge enclave full of the season’s freshest produce.  Be sure to check out the Innkeeper’s Corner over the next couple of weeks on the RoseMary Inn’s homepage to find out about upcoming events at Baarda Farm, including the annual Christmas Open House on December 3rd and 4th. 

A Trip to Brook Hollow Farm

Apples have become a staple product during the autumn months.  We find ourselves indulging in the making of apple pies for the holidays and of course, my (Elaine's) specialty, apple sauce!  It is always an enjoyable experience to learn new recipes, or rehash old ones, especially with the abundance of fresh crops during the fall season.

Visiting Brook Hollow Farm is anything from an ordinary experience. The farm sits upon 175 acres of land and is bursting with - You guessed it - Apples!  October is the peak of Brook Hollow Farm's apple yield and many people take advantage of the rare occasion to select and pick their own apples.  With approximately 12 different varieties of apples, how can any apple-lover go wrong?  I made sure to pick up my Cortland Apples to begin preparing my fall recipes.  Furthermore, peaches are also available earlier during the year starting in August for those who enjoy fresh fruit all year round!

Besides apple picking, one can enjoy the sites of the antique store. I know of many people who dream of a country home filled with old milk bottle vases and hand-crocheted doilies. Well, this is certainly the destination if this describes you! Not only will you be purchasing for the aesthetic qualities, but you will also be acquiring authentic, vintage items not found in your everyday corporate stores. My favorite piece was an old buckboard that stood in the corner of the shop.  Buckboards were used during the 18th Century on old horse-drawn wagons to serve as a footrest and protection from the horse's hooves.  There were many more authentic items interwoven in the crevices of the shop.

The RoseMary Inn is minutes away from Brook Hollow Farms.  While staying at The RoseMary Inn, you can be flexible in your planning since the farm is open everyday from 10 AM to 4 PM.  Brook Hollow Farm is along Route 94 on Frog Pond Road.  Once you turn into Frog Pond Road, follow the driveway to the left and don't be shy!  Visit the founder, owner, and operator, Farmer David Flitcroft, a true entreprenurial spirit!  If he is not busy (which is extremely rare), ask him about the history of his farm - It is a beautiful story of love, dedication, and perseverance!  Also, make sure you stop by to see his dogs, Bell and Pepper!

Happy Apple Picking!

PHIL WOODS AT WATER GAP JAZZ FESTIVAL - SEP 2011

The Celebration of the Arts Jazz Festival, better known as COTA, will host its 34th season. Phil Woods who is an acclaimed jazz saxophonist and co-founder of this event will once again perform at the festival this year. In October of this year Phil will be honored as a recipient of the BNY Mellon Jazz 2011 Living Legacy Award in Washington, D.C. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Beginning the evening of Friday, September 9, there is an opening reception as well as performances by Marsha Cahn Ensemble (classical music), Water Gap Players (theater) and Totts Gap Dancers as well as poetry reading by Michael Stephans and Urban Mountain Voices.

Throughout the day on Saturday there will be some strolling musicians, a children's area with storytelling, and a Music Motif Art Show. This is all in addition to two full days of back-to-back jazz with the weekend event concluding with the final performance scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Sunday evening.

This is a great weekend experience for music lovers and all performances will be held rain or shine. For those interested in overnighting, one of the lodging options is The RoseMary Inn which is located just across the river in Columbia, NJ. This attractive bed and breakfast is less than 10 minutes away and offers a 20% discount for a two-night stay.

To see the complete listing of participants in this weekend long jazz fest which runs from Friday through Sunday, Sep 9-11, 2011, please visit their website www.cotajazz.org

Bushkill Falls

One of nature's most scenic attractions in the Poconos, Bushkill Falls is sometimes referred to as the 'Niagara of Pennsylvania'.  Having just visited and hiked some of the trails to take in different views of the eight waterfalls, I can tell you that on a hot day there is nothing more refreshing.  There are bridges over the water in different locations which provide great views from different angles.  You can choose your trail to suit your timeframe and your energy.  In our case, we spent the whole day there taking in the beauty of the ferns, mosses, wild flowers, and crystal clear water. 

There are also some other activities possible on the expansive Bushkill grounds.  There's a couple of exhibits on Pennsylvania Wildlife and Native American life and the chance to take a paddle-boat ride or enjoy a round of mini-golf.  And of course there's a gift shop and some place to grab lunch, a snack, or even bring your own food and have a picnic.

This impressive attraction is located less than a half-hour from The RoseMary Inn which made for a great day's outing.  From The RoseMary Inn in Columbia, NJ, one travels Route 80 West where it crosses over into Pennsylvania at Delaware Water Gap.  Take Exit 309 and head north on Route 209 until you come to the blinking light and take a left onto Bushkill Falls Road.  You might just want to check this one out.  It's Bushkill Falls in Bushkill, PA, and they are open daily during the summer and only on weekends in the fall.  Now is the time to go and enjoy.

Shawnee PA's Celtic Fest on Memorial Day Weekend 2011

Now in its 5th year, this annual event brings the music, the dance, the art, and the food of both the Emerald Isles and the Scottish Highlands to Shawnee Mountain near Delaware Water Gap, PA. The celebration runs both Saturday and Sunday, May 28th and 29th and would make for a nice weekend getaway while staying at The RoseMary Inn which is just minutes away in Columbia, NJ and would offer a perfect relaxing complement to the holiday weekend. 

Once again Shawnee will be hosting non-stop Celtic music on three stages as well as a number of Irish step dancers, Pocono Highland Dancers, and a bagpipers' parade.  You might want to check out some of the bands online at Shawnee Mountain's Website.  The band Albannach has a video stream linked to Shawnee's website which provides a perfect preview of their music.  Aside from the music, they have an exhibition of working sheep dogs and a number of food and craft vendors.  And did we mention beer?  It's funny that the offering of this alcoholic beverage is not mentioned in their ad, but who can imagine a Celtic fest without some type of grog.  With or without a pint of ale, there is plenty to enjoy at Shawnee.  Consider a weekend away and come join in the fun!