By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

Enough with winter! I’ve always been an avid snow-lover and enjoy nothing more than standing outside as the soft flakes fall on and around me, but after months of digging out my car and slogging through slush, even I am ready to get an early start on celebrating spring. And a great way to toast the coming season is during March Madness at Hunters Valley Winery in Liverpool, about a half-hour drive north of Harrisburg.

All month long, weekends at Hunters Valley, as well as its six sisters along the Susquehanna Heartland Wine Trail, will be filled with special events including food pairings, music and tours. This weekend Hunter’s Valley will kick off its March Madness festivities with soul-warming samplings of chicken corn soup, crusty bread and cheese paired with its palate-winning whites from dry Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc to sweet Niagara.

Cost for a Hunter’s Valley wine, food and music weekend is $5 per person.Or you can purchase a Ticket to Good Taste and Adventure,” your passport to a month’s worth of weekend parties along the wine trail, for $20 ($35 per couple). Visit all seven of the wineries along the trail, and you’ll receive a gift valued at $25. Your ticket will also be entered into a drawing for bed and breakfast stays and meals at fine dining restaurants.

(By the way, designated drivers are invited to enjoy the food and music for free!)

By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

When the weather outside is frightful, you can hunker down inside your home. Unfortunately, our feathered friends outside aren’t that lucky. But, if you’re willing to put in a little imagination and effort, you can build a cozy cottage to shelter some chilly chirpers and earn some cold cash and prizes for yourself in Hershey Gardens’ “For the Birds” contest.

Simply design or construct a birdhouse, download and fill out the official entry form from the Hershey Gardens Web site and bring both to the Hershey Gardens gift shop sometime between Friday and Sunday, March 26 and 28, 2010. There is a $25 entry fee, which includes one complimentary regular admission to Hershey Gardens. The contest is open to birdhouse builders ages five through adult and will be judged in age-appropriate categories. Your creation can be functional (i.e. made for birds to actually live in), fun (i.e. whimsical and made to be decorative) or — best of all — both. There’s even a separate category for “green” houses (i.e. made from recycled and/or natural materials).

You can build you own house from scratch or purchase a pre-constructed, unfinished one. Be careful to use only bird-friendly materials and avoid potentially toxic materials such as treated woods, glues or paints. All entries must be durable enough to withstand the outdoor elements.

First-place cash and prizes will be awarded in three categories. All of the first-place winners will receive $100 plus a one-year family membership to Hershey Gardens. In addition, the winner in the “Youth” (ages 5 to 9) category will get a four-pack of regular one-day tickets to Dutch Wonderland and a one-year ZooAmerica family membership, the “Junior” category winner will receive a four-pack of one-day admission tickets to Hersheypark and the “Adult” category winner will get a Falconry Experience at ZooAmerica. A “Best of Show” birdhouse will earn its entrant an extra $250. Second-place winners will be awarded $75 plus a one-year family membership to Hershey Gardens, third-place receives a $50 gift card to the Hershey Gardens gift shop. Other prizes will be awarded as well.

Winners will be selected on or before May 1, 2010. Visitors to Hershey Gardens will also be invited to vote for a “People’s Choice” Award (a one-year family membership to Hershey Gardens), which will be announced on or before September 30, 2010. All birdhouses included in the contest will be displayed at Hershey Gardens between May 1 and September 26, 2010.

By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

When the winds are howling, the temperature plummeting and the snow getting deeper by the minute, a 52°F cave can be a cozy place to sit out the storm. It is believed that the Susquehannock Indians, who lived in the area many thousands of years ago, did just that in the natural limestone nature-made sanctuary now known as Indian Echo Caverns.

Even today, the more than 400-million-year-old caverns in Hummelstown, about three miles west of Hershey, still offer visitors a warm welcome on cold days along with spectacular sights that are otherwise hidden from human eyes. During your 45-minute guided tour, you’ll see scads of stalactites and stalagmites along with fascinating formations called “curtains” or “draperies” that look like they’re frozen-in-time (some in mid-flow) waterfalls, but are actually made of a mineral called calcite. Adding to the eerie effect are the reflections of the formations in the caverns’ underground Crystal Lake.

You’ll have to climb some steps and squeeze through some pretty tight spaces, but this otherworldly adventure is well worth it. Indian Echo Caverns are open every day. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $13 for adults (ages 12 and over), $11 for seniors (62 and over), $7 for children (ages 3 to 12) and free for children ages 2 and under. (Thrifty Tip: There are usually discount coupons on the caverns’ Web site.)

Written tour guides are available for hearing-impaired visitors. And pets are permitted as long as they are held during the entire tour.

By Marilyn Torpey-Odesser

Remember when you were a kid watching your parents primp for the biggest party of the year while all you had to look forward to was sitting in front of the television with the babysitter watching a glittery ball creep down a pole in Times Square — where still more adults were having fun? This year start a new tradition by ringing in the New Year at one of the family-oriented celebrations in the Hershey Harrisburg area.

For mini merrymakers, Harrisburg’s Popcorn Hat Players will host their 17th Annual New Year’s Eve Party for Children, at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, commencing with a countdown to 12 o’clock — that’s noon, not midnight — balloon drop complete with noisemakers and party hats. And that’s only the beginning of the funfest. The Popcorn Players will also perform the perennial children’s favorite fairytale, Cinderella. Tickets are $12.

If the gang’s still good-to-go when the clock strikes 12 a.m., you’ll have plenty of opportunities to usher in 2010 in some not-so-traditional ways. To culminate an evening filled with live musical entertainment, balloon art, face-painting and cookies and cocoa at the city’s Market Square and City Government Center, Harrisburg will drop a giant lighted strawberry (in honor of its Strawberry Square shopping and dining complex), followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

Hummelstown will put its own twist on the stroke-of-twelve tradition by dropping a giant lollipop. The festivities will continue with a giant fireworks display. Hershey will have the whole town on its feet with live music performances by Honor Society and the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies emceed by WINK 104 radio morning man, Denny Logan; a family dance with limbo contest and conga line with the Hershey characters and a lively (and sure-to-be-loud) bubble wrap stomp for the kids. Be sure to stick around for the grand finale fireworks!

By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

If there’s one thing that gets kids as excited (well, almost as excited) as opening holiday gifts, it’s giving gifts they have chosen all by themselves to the people they love. On Saturdays and Sundays until December 20 at Harrisburg’s Fort Hunter Mansion, Santa’s helpers are on hand to help children under 12 pick and purchase just the right presents. At the “Kids Only” Holiday Shop, all of the gift items cost no more than $10.00 to fit little ones’ limited budgets (they must bring their own money). Gift-wrapping is free.

While you’re visiting Fort Hunter, check out the 13th Annual Festival of Trees, seven holiday trees elaborately decorated with handmade ornaments by local garden clubs. Each tree represents a particular theme, which, this year, ranges from angels to reindeer. One is even beach-themed. The decorated trees will be raffled off December 21. Raffle tickets are $2.

And don’t miss the Toy Train Exhibit, an 8-by-28-foot display of horn-tooting, smoke-spewing HO-scale trains traveling through cheerily lit local towns. And, of course, there’s an amusement park, complete with turning Ferris wheel.

 

All of these activities are free. Hours are 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

 

No matter how sweet it looks, take a lesson from Hansel and Gretel and don’t start chowing down on the Holiday Chocolate House at Hershey’s Chocolate World. That’s not to say there’s a wicked witch inside, but the chalet, which is 13 feet tall, covers over 100 square feet of floor space and is made completely of Hershey’s confections, is such an awe-inspiring piece of architecture that everyone should get a chance to see it…and, even more important, it’s Santa’s seasonal hang-out where kids can whisper their wishes and take photos with the Jolly Old Elf. (It took a cooperative team of 18 Hershey Company employees over 1,500 hours to decorate it!)

Here are some of the sweet stats:

• The roof is finished with over 1,500 oversized Hershey’s Milk and Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate bars.

• The stone façade is made from 3,000 Cookies ‘n’ Crème candy bars.

• The porch railing is covered in nearly 2,000 Hershey’s Bliss White Chocolate with Meltaway Center candies

• 50 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups trim the exterior of the chalet. (Look for the world’s largest Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups at the top of each dormer.)

• Bold Jolly Rancher candies make up the colorful stained-glass windows, which weigh 60 pounds per pane.

• Houses 34 of the world’s largest Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates, weighing 45-ounces each, and tops the roof ridge.

• Strands of Jolly Rancher lollipop lights “illuminate” the exterior.

• Over 200 feet of green Twizzlers licorice rope line the railings adorned with Bubble Yum chewing gum candy bows.

• Five of the world’s largest Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars (five pounds per bar) create a pathway to the front door.

By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

Unless you really enjoy pawing through piles of sweaters, rummaging through racks and scrounging for something -- anything! -- for the person who has everything, do your shopping in Hershey and Harrisburg this season. You’ll find the perfect presents for everyone on your list at prices that will fit any budget.

You’ll have to go through the security checkpoint at Harrisburg International Airport to get to the Perfectly Pennsylvania store, but the real security is knowing that you’ll find so many great gifts there. For your favorite football fanatic, get the Perfect Penn State Fan Basket, complete with football, hat and Teddy bear; the coolest coil on earth -- a slinky, in the original or stocking stuffer size or even in 14-carat gold.

 

At any of the seven galleries along the Rt. 15 Byway of the Arts, hundreds of original, hand-crafted and affordably-priced creations from oil paintings to ornaments, wood carvings to wearables and by more than 200 of the area artists and artisans, from oil paintings to ornaments, watercolors to wood carvings and vases to violins wrap-ready. You can even support young up-and-coming crafters from Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) by purchasing student-made, one-of-a-kind, Pennsylvania-style redware. To make the deal even sweeter, you can save 15% off all of your purchases from the seven Rt. 15 galleries by simply downloading the special “holiday shopping pass” from the Web site.

And speaking of sweet, you can never go wrong with chocolate. From the Spa at The Hotel Hershey you can give a Cocoa Facial Experience pampering package with all of the products needed for a spa-style at-home facial. Or you can also opt for an edible extravaganza from Sweets, the new all-cupcakes all-the-time boutique at The Hotel Hershey by filling up a pretty pink box with a variety of the trendy treats and maybe adding a recipe book and serving plate to complete any cupcake connoisseur’s collection.

The many merchants at Palmyra’s Farmstead Market also offers plenty of gift-giving goodies from gingerbread men and “spice boyz” to more than 50 varieties of gourmet, hand-dipped, chocolate-covered pretzels to organic raw milk cheeses. And don’t forget Fido and Fluffy when you’re holiday shopping. The market has plenty of pet presents too. There are even handmade greeting cards so you can send your heartfelt sentiments to all of your special someones.

For the perfect hostess gift, go to Hunters Valley Wines in Liverpool for a bottle of its Country Spice wine. Be sure to pick up an extra bottle for yourself so you can drink a toast to a successful and stress-free seasonal shopping spree.

By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

Every Christmas when our two daughters were little, my husband and I used to look for the most elaborately decorated house within driving distance so we could take them to visit “the North Pole.” Some of the people who owned the homes were also kind enough to put up a mailbox so children (including our own) could “post” their letters to Santa.

Only about a 45-minute ride east of Hershey is the North Pole to end all North Poles. Koziar’s Christmas Village is so fabulous that it earned an Award of Excellence from the Pennsylvania Travel Council as one of the State’s (or Commonwealth, for nitpickers) Top Ten Travel Attractions.

You don’t have to be a child or even have one to be awe-struck by this extravaganza, which features more than half-a-million Christmas lights and indoor and outdoor displays showcasing tableaux with themes ranging from Christmas in the other lands, in the jungle and under the sea; whimsical toy maker and baker’s shops; Santa’s post office; an old-fashioned village church; and a manger scene.

It’s hard to believe that this magic Christmas kingdom began as an annual holiday project 61 years ago when William M. Koziar began decorating his house and property for his wife and four children. Over the years, this labor of love took on a life of its own and as Koziar enthusiastically expanded his efforts to the walkways, trees, fences and barns, people began to come from around and beyond the area to visit what became known as “the Christmas House.” Making the view even more breathtaking is the reflection of the lights on the adjacent lake.

When visitors asked to be allowed to roam among the displays, Koziar graciously allowed them to do that. And the Christmas House eventually grew into a “village,” complete with Santa Claus Lane (where St. Nick himself listens to children’s wishes), an expansive model train display with a handmade station platform, functioning locomotives and even a miniature town. And if you want to start (or continue) your own holiday home traditions, Santa’s Toy Shoppe offers ornaments and other decorative items as well as gifts and toys.

Koziar’s Christmas Village is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. It’s also open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day and New Year’s Eve and Day from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission is $8.00 for ages 13 and up, $7.00 for seniors and $6.00 for children 6 to 12.

By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

I know that cooking a turkey isn’t brain surgery — even though someone who will remain nameless (not me, I swear) forgot to remove the bag of giblets before cooking the bird; too bad the meal had already been served by the time she remembered. And I know that Thanksgiving is all about the generations-old traditions of gathering those near and dear for a feast of family favorite foods.

Look, I’m all for tradition. When it comes to the near and dear ones and the delectable dinner, I wouldn’t want to change a thing. But maybe, just this once, it would be nice to have somebody else do all of the cooking, serving and clean up.

Fortunately, some of the best restaurants in the Hershey Harrisburg area take Thanksgiving tradition as seriously as we do. And they’ve created brunches and dinners -- buffet, formal sit-down, family-style and even take-out — so you can celebrate however and whatever time of day you choose. Most also offer special selections and prices for the kids. Whatever you do, be sure to make reservations as early as possible.

NOTE: I hope you’ll understand why this is such a long blog entry. With so much holiday yummy-ness available here, it’s pretty much impossible to be brief.

First, let’s talk turkey and trimmings. Whether you dine at Harrisburg’s Felicita Resort, Raspberries at the Hilton or one of the numerous Hershey Resorts properties, you’ll find it all from the big bird to the pumpkin pie. Most or all of the buffets also feature prime rib and/or ham carving stations plus an extravaganza of other extra-special edibles.

If you would prefer to dine at home, Raspberries offers a “meals-to-go” option, big enough to serve a family of six ($95) or 12 ($180). Its on-site buffet spread includes a roasted fall veggie lasagna and almond-crusted tilapia ($28.95, $12 for children 6 to 12).
And if it just isn’t Thanksgiving for you without leftovers for the next day, Lebbie Lebkicher’s at the Hershey Lodge will wrap up the remnants of your family-style feast ($89.95 per family of four) them up for you to take home. A “World of Thanks Buffet Menu” at the Hershey Lodge’s Chocolate Ballroom ($39.95 for adults and $21.95 for children ages 4 to 10) totally covers the all-American aspects of the holiday meal while adding brunch-y items such as Belgian waffle, omelet and blintz stations and some intriguing international options. Think slow roasted pork shoulder and chilies and herbs and tapenade-crusted whole grouper mojó.

The buffet at the Hotel Hershey’s Garden Terrace Ballroom ($45 for adults, $28.75 for children ages 9 to 12, and $18.75 for children ages 3 to 8) also adds some extra extravagant accents, including a “seafood experience” bar with jumbo Gulf shrimp, king crab and oysters and clams on the half shell, to the merry mix. Hershey’s Forebay, Grill and Harvest restaurants will also offer Thanksgiving-oriented fixed price and/or á la carte menus.

Now I have to tell you that dessert will definitely present a dilemma. Will it be pumpkin pie, cheesecake or cannoli … chocolate cream, apple or Reese’s peanut butter pie … blood orange cake … warm fruit cobbler with brandy cream? And don’t forget the limited edition pumpkin or candy cane ice creams and cranberry sherbet made by and available at Hall’s Ice Cream in Millerstown!

Sorry I can’t help you decide which to choose. I’m having a hard time making up my own mind.

By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

 

Felicita means happiness in Spanish. It also means an overnight getaway for two, complete with cozy accommodations, warm therapeutic bath, hot stone massage and fabulous three-course dinner, at Harrisburg’s posh Felicita Resort and Spa for the seriously discounted price of $329.

While Hershey Resorts has a fabulous spa, it’s not the only one in Dauphin County. I just returned from indulging in one of Felicita’s specially priced spa retreats and, believe me, it’s a great bargain. I arrived on a chilly, rainy Friday, totally stressed out from a week glued to my computer. With hot stones and deft hands, the spa therapist relaxed my tight back muscles. She gave particular attention to the knotted spots I identified and she gently -- but definitely firmly -- worked them into submission.

Felicita’s spa package includes a 90-minute hot stone massage. If you prefer, for the same price, you can select a 60-minute hot stone treatment plus a relaxing soak in a Roman bath filled with 95- to- 102-degree water fortified with skin hydrating champagne, refreshing Merlot wine and moisturizing milk whey, nourishing Himalayan rock salt or other nutrients. You can even create your own customized combination of add-ins. Tax and gratuities are included with your package. Even if you don’t go for the bath, you can still use the resort’s hot tub and sauna.

Dinner in the elegant Felicita Room consisted of four courses of wonderfulness; beginning with a rich and creamy/chunky seafood bisque, followed by a signature salad of mixed baby greens with mandarin oranges, candied pecans and dried cranberries. You have other choices such as French onion soup and Caesar salad, but I thoroughly enjoyed mine. Entrée options include a jumbo lump crab cake, duck breast with raspberry sauce and Delmonico steak Florentine with Roquefort cheese cream. My husband and I were so full that we took our desserts (slices of fudgy chocolate cake and pumpkin cheesecake) back to our lodge room for a late-night snack.

Speaking of the lodge, our room was spacious, yet it felt really cozy. Its wooded mountainside setting and sweeping view from the porch (some have balconies instead) added to the serenity of our surroundings.

Felicita’s Spa Escape overnight package is available Thursday, Friday or Saturday through March 31st. If you can’t stay the night, you may also opt for a day package, which gives you a choice of two spa services -- a 60-minute massage or express facial and manicure or pedicure for $99. Day guests are welcome to use the hot tub and sauna. Tax and gratuity are not included in the day package.