Philadelphia Lights Up the New Year’s Eve Sky!

Photo by R. Romano

The use of fireworks has been dated to the 7th-century Tang Dynasty in China. Initially they filled bamboo stalks with gunpowder and threw them into the fire. Fireworks were employed at festivals, religious ceremonies and to bring in the New Year because it was believed that they were powerful and noisy enough to ward off evil in general and malicious spirits in particular. During the Song Dynasty, about 1,000-years ago, firecrackers were invented, by a monk named Li Tian. 
Fireworks were introduced into Europe, probably not by Marco Polo, and are documented as early as the 1200s. In Italy color was introduced into the displays through the addition of various elements. 
England fell in love with fireworks especially Queens Elizabeth I and Victoria. Elizabeth was so smitten with them that she introduced the position of “Fire Master of England” at court. Queen Victoria appears to have enjoyed fireworks displays at every ceremonial event.
In the 1930s Germany held the first fireworks display that is now internationally famous, the Rhine in Flames, the largest boat parade in Europe. Nearly 100 brightly lit boats float down the Rhine River along the castles that line the Middle Rhine Valley. As the boats pass each town lining the shore puts on an outstanding and highly creative pyrotechnical display. Legend has it that Walt Disney was inspired to feature the castle with the exploding fireworks in his logo by watching the castle fireworks during this event.

American immigrants brought the use of fireworks with them to America and from the country’s origins they were part of celebrations. One of the earliest, large-scale, public fireworks displays in this country was held in Independence Square in Philadelphia.  The occasion was the second celebration of the 1776 Declaration on July 4, 1777. Congress was adjourned and the populace marked the anniversary with music, bonfires, music and fireworks.
         The tradition continues and Philadelphia again lights up the sky to help ring in 2018. There are numerous places where you can view spectacular shows. Here are just a few of the places you can obtain panoramic views and participate in holiday activities. Some sites require an admission fee and costs are detailed and available on their individual websites. www.visitphilly.com
One Liberty Place, 1650 Market Street, at 1,090-ft. above street level is the city’s tallest attraction and a great place from which to view the fireworks.  The One Liberty Observation Deck on the 57th floor provides an exciting New Years Eve for all ages. The fun begins at 4PM when the doors open for the 6PM Fireworks Show. Admission for the early show, outstanding for families, will be discounted $2.00. From 9PM until 2AM they will be hosting a 21-Plus black tie event that will feature the Fireworks Show, open bar, hors d'oeuvres and music to ring in the New Year. 
https://phillyfromthetop.com/packages-and-events/new-years-eve-2018
History tells us that William Penn and the Lenape Indians signed a treaty of peace beneath a tree near the Delaware River in 1683. The site of the meeting was designated Penn Treaty Park in 1894 and is now a 7-acre space complete with picnic facilities and an open area for fireworks viewing. Arrive early, dress warm, bring a chair and snacks and get ready to be awed. 1301 N Beach St. http://penntreatypark.org
Philadelphia’s street map was the first modern street plan in the country and a model for cities that followed. An important part of the plan was the creation of 5 public squares, one of which, North East Publick, was renamed Franklin in 1825. This 8-acre square offers a variety of events throughout the year, culminating in New Year’s Eve activities. The schedule starts at 3PM with crafting and 6PM fireworks followed by an indoor children’s party until 8PM. The Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show runs continuously. 200 Sixth Street. www.historicphiladelphia.org/holidays-in-franklin-square

         Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is one of Philly’s favorite viewing locations. There is a large amount of seating, both outdoors and in the Winterfest lodge and ample opportunities to eat, drink, hear live entertainment and ice skate as you wait for the fireworks. Two 3-hour parties are scheduled, at 5PM and 10PM. http://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/events/new-year-s-eve-parties-on-ice
SugarHouse Casino’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Delaware River Waterfront event is considered one of the premiere places to be on December 31st.           There are two main events. The first show takes place at 6PM when people gather along the river to watch the show. The second 15-minute show is held at midnight. Inside SugarHouse Casino guests can enjoy festivities that include music, dancing, 3-hour open bar, hors d'oeuvres and a midnight champagne toast. Each of the two displays will be individually synchronized to a unique soundtrack that will be played for spectators, simulcast on KYWNewsradio at 6PM and broadcast live on NBC10. www.sugarhousecasino.com

Revelers can watch the fireworks from the shore or take to the water for a really immersive view. The Spirit of Philadelphia offers two cruises with buffet dining and dancing. Both require reservations. The first sailing takes place from 4:30PM to 6:30PM and coincides with the 6PM fireworks display.  The 9:30PM to 12:30AM cruise includes buffet dining and dancing with the addition of the Platinum Open Bar and champagne toast at midnight. www.spiritcruises.com/philadelphia/cruises/holiday/new-years-cruises
The first documentation of New Year’s festivities is said to be of those in 2000 BC in Mesopotamia. They set the party bar because their revels lasted 11 days. The Romans moved the start of the New Year from March* to January in 46 BC. Julius Caesar was convinced to make the move to the month that honored the two-faced god, Janus, who could look both forward and backward simultaneously. Today it is one of the most widely celebrated international holidays and incorporates a huge number of traditions. Party like a Mesopotamian. www.sugarhousecasino.com
           Philadelphia’s SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront shows are synchronized to different soundtracks. 
-          6PM Show: “The Fire Within,” is meant to evoke all of the emotions of 2017 and welcoming in a new year. Music includes Firebird Suite, Claire De Lune, Call of the Champions, The Four Seasons, The Barber of Seville, and Symphony No. 4 in F Minor.
          Midnight Show: “Reach for the Stars,” is inspired by the presence of the stars and the fantasy of what lies beyond, with music from Star Trek, 2001—A Space Odyssey, Star Wars—The Clone Wars, and more.
                                  FIREWORKS BY NUMBERS
-          4,000 shells
-          12,000 different devices
-          8,000 pounds of explosives
-          The largest shells are 10 inches, shoot 1100 feet in the air, and explode with             a diameter of almost 600 feet, making these fireworks the biggest in the                   city. 
-          3 days for the crew of 10 to set up the 2, 150ft barges
-          400 hours to design, choreograph, and build the display.

I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!

Morris County, New Jersey and the American Revolution

                Philadelphia is often considered the nation’s birthplace but had not a number of pivotal events taken place 85-miles away in New Jersey history would have run a decidedly different course. Morris County left an indelible mark on revolutionary-era history and many of these event locations remain virtually intact and offer interpretive tours year round. www.morristourism.org

                   Lenni Lenape Indians occupied the land for more than 5500 years prior to the earliest European settlement in 1715. In 1739 the county was officially recognized and named in honor of the first royal governor, Colonel Lewis Morris, of the colony of New Jersey. The 30-sq. mile county has 11,000-acres of land preserved for the sole use of recreational and leisure activities including arboretums, golfing, hiking and horseback riding.  www.visitnj.org

                  Morristown, the county seat, is a great place to begin your journey along the 35-mile “Patriot’s Path”.  The 2.5-acre Morristown Green was the setting for important events throughout the area’s history, most significantly during Washington’s encampment during the American Revolution and two sculptures commemorate activities that occurred here. Patriot’s Farewell honors the NJ Militia who left their families to join the Continentals. The Alliance depicts May 10, 1780 when Lafayette informed Washington and Hamilton that the French would support the American war effort. www.themorristowngreen.org

                  On Christmas Day in 1776 Washington daringly moved his troops across the Delaware River and into NJ by night. The ensuing victories at Trenton and Princeton gave renewed hope for victory. He then marched his men 49-miles to Morristown to set up a winter encampment on January 6, 1777. The location was chosen because it enabled Washington to monitor the British in New York and protect the roads to and from British-held Philadelphia. The county became known as “The Military Capital of the American Revolution”.

The annual Christmas Day Crossing Reenactment is one of the premiere holiday events in our region. It is held from noon to 3 PM, with the launch at 1 PM, and it is free. Prior to that, on December 10^th, there will be a rehearsal that is also open to the public. www.washingtoncrossingpark.org

Washington’s first headquarters in Morristown was the Jacob Arnold Tavern on the Green from Jan. 6 – May 27, 1777. Colonels and above were headquartered in buildings because they were considered safer. Enlisted men set up encampments outdoors. www.townofmorristown.org

                  Morristown National Historical Park interprets the winter encampment from December 1779-June 1780, during one of the coldest winters ever recorded. Twelve to fourteen thousand men withstood extreme deprivation and 28 snowfalls. Jockey Hollow Visitor Center offers an introductory video and a completely outfitted, full-scale, soldier hut. Also within the park is the Wick House and replica soldier huts. www.nps.gov/morr/index

                  The Washington Headquarter Museum was designed incorporating elements of Mount Vernon. Exhibits inside include items that belonged to Washington and a painting of George by Gilbert Stuart. The 22-minute documentary, Morristown: Where America Survived, is regularly scheduled.

                  Located a short walk away is the Ford Mansion, Washington’s second headquarters, December 1, 1779 – June 23, 1780. Jacob Ford Jr., owner of the home died in 1777 and his widow Theodosia invited Washington to occupy the home. She and her 4 children stayed in rooms on the 1^st floor and Washington and more than 20 assistants and secretaries, including his youngest aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton, set up a War Room and sleeping quarters. Highlights of the tour include the room in which the Washingtons stayed when Martha visited the winter of 1779 and a replica of the room where his aides slept.

                  Alexander Hamilton was sent to deliver a communication to Washington’s physician, Dr. John Cochran, staying at the Schuyler-Hamilton House. His niece, Eliza Schuyler, was visiting. Hamilton met her there, courted her and married her a year later. www.njskylands.com/attractions-schuyler-hamilton-house

                  After the American Revolution the wealthy leaders of the country began building large country estates in the county and it became known as an enclave of rich and powerful people. Today it is home to more than 50 Fortune 500 companies.

Gustav Stickley selected the area to start a Utopian community. He constructed a family home, the Log House, in 1911 to showcase his furniture and lifestyle. The 1.5-hour tour includes the home and several outbuildings. Original furniture is labeled. Special note should be taken of the mottoes on the fireplaces. This international destination is right in our own backyard. www.stickleymuseum.org

                  The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts (METC) is truly spectacular. In 1900 philanthropist D. Willis James donated $65,000 for the building of a public library, a “Cathedral of Learning”. This stunning structure features 20-ft. ceilings, 8 chandeliers, 3 fireplaces and 56 stained and painted glass windows. In 1970 the METC was founded to preserve and exhibit more than 8,800 pre-industrialization tools. www.metc.org

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, one of the nation’s largest and most significant, was founded in 1962. The theater mounts 6 annual professional productions of Shakespeare and other classics. Their work is profound. www.shakespearenj.org

                  To round out your visit take the time to stop at the Long Valley Pub & Brewery. Housed in a 200-year old barn they offer an eclectic menu, craft beers and interesting ambience. www.restaurantvillageatlongvalley.com

Westin Governor Morris is an ideal blend of unique history and modern amenities. There are 224 accommodations, along with signature Westin Heavenly Bed®, WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Center and designer linens and bath products. Signature and specialty treatments are available at the DePasquale The Spa. The hotel is pet friendly. Affordable packages are offered online. www.westingovernormorris.com

TRAVEL TIP:

Educational & Experiential Harriet Tubman Travel Package*** offered by Dorchester County Tourism- Explore the scenic landscapes of where Harriet Tubman and other freedom seekers worked, lived and escaped slavery. Hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and local businesses are teaming up to offer discount rates and exclusive perks only to Tubman travelers. The offers are available through October 2018. To reserve a Tubman Travel Package, guests can make a reservation at one of five lodging partners. For more information go to www.visitdorchester.org/the-tubman-travel-package

A Holiday to Remember in Grapevine, Texas

Christmas in Grapevine, Texas

            Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is so large that Manhattan Island would fit inside its 17,207-acres and it has its own postal zip code. Many of the thousands of people who pass through daily have long layovers and DFW offers the affordable Grapevine Visitors Shuttle service that stops at locations of interest throughout the area. Year round Grapevine, Texas is a great destination for a brief layover or extended stay but the Christmas holidays are truly spectacular, so much so that in 2009 the city was designated the official Christmas Capital of Texas. www.grapevinetexasusa.com

            In 1843 Sam Houston met with representatives of ten Indian nations at Tah-Wah-Karro Creek. The resulting peace treaty allowed settlers into the Grape Vine Prairie and in 1844 the city of Grapevine was founded and named after the wild Mustang grapes that grew in the area. The city’s history is interpreted throughout the city with markers, museums and historic structures. In 1996 The Walking To Texas Fountain was dedicated in Liberty Park to honor the native tribes, who are listed, and the pioneers who lived on the land.

            Grapevine deftly weaves all the elements together to present a pageantry of 1400 events over a 40-plus day period. Celebratory options are so numerous that I suggest that the first stop must be the Grapevine Information Visitor Center. The center houses several galleries and provides information, facilities and a WIFI charging station. The holiday exhibit, “Merry Christmas Charlie Brown”, consists of classic novelties, 50 original “Peanuts” comic strips and a video of “The Making of a Charlie Brown Christmas”, the 1965 animated television special.

            No visitor should miss the unique Glockenspiel in the Cotton Belt Hotel Clock Tower. Glockenspiels are known throughout Europe for displaying both the time and an allegorical tale, usually religious or historic. Grapevine’s glockenspiel is a slice of the West, with potential 9-ft. tall train robbers Nat Barrett and Willy Majors, emerging 4 times daily. 

            Main Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and plaques indicate the sites and history of various events and edifices. There are more than 80 specialty shops and restaurants along the street so a meander and frequent stops are called for.

            Tolbert’s Restaurant and Chili Parlor is justifiably famous their Donkey Tales, 2 cheese-stuffed beef hot dogs encased in tortillas, and Tolbert’s Texas Red chili with onions, cheese, and a serrano pepper. www.tolbertsrestaurant.com

Dino’s Steak & Claw House was once the location of First National Bank of Grapevine. Today the restaurant offers fine dining in a graceful setting accompanied by live music. Everything here is outstanding. www.dinossteakandclaw.net

The Palace Theater was constructed in 1939 as a movie venue. In 2001 it underwent a $5-million restoration and is now a performance venue and home to the Grapevine Opry. The holiday schedule includes classic Christmas movies and performances.

            VETRO Glassblowing Studio & Gallery is a state-of-the-art studio that creates works in one of the country’s few air-conditioned studios. Visitors can take the extreme or traditional ornament class resulting in a glass ornament they can takeaway, until December 29th. www.vetroartglass.com

            Every old-fashioned holiday must have trees, decorations and lights and Grapevine has it all. The city lit their 3-story tree, at the Main Street gazebo, on November 20^th and it, along with decorations, displays and the annual Parade of Lights, the largest lighted Christmas Parade in North Texas, spirit you along your way.  A little further afield, at Twin Coves Marina, the floating Twinkle Light Boat Parade is held in early December. Illuminated boats circle the lake.

            The North Pole Express on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad is always a hit. Decorated Victorian-style railcars leave from the 1888 Cotton Belt Railroad Depot and venture all the way to Santa’s workshop. Elves ride along and there is much singing and laughter on the journey as you walk through the Xmas tree forest. Adults may opt for the Christmas Jazz Wine Train. A reservation for either experience is required.

            Texas Star Dinner Theater’s nod to the season is an interactive mystery dinner theater experience, “Dismay in a Manger”. Three-course meals are prepared by a chef and served prior to the show. www.texasstardinnertheater.com

            Great Wolf Lodge, the only indoor waterpark in North Texas, has activities year round and Christmas provides an opportunity for even more special activities. Periodic snow falls in the lobby, lights twinkle and gingerbread houses abound, even a life-sized one. Snowland Suites that include a decorated tree, cookies and milk and other amenities are available by reservation. www.greatwolf.com/Grapevine_TX

            In April of 2004 Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center on Lake Grapevine opened. This 4.5-acre destination hotel is a connected series of glass-encased atriums that feature accommodations, retail, restaurants, entertainment and a Relache Spa. Outdoor activities include hiking and jogging trails, water sports and the Cowboys Golf Club.

            Gaylord’s seasonal offerings include 2-million lights, decorated trees, Christmas dioramas, snow tubing and “ICE!”. “ICE” is a walk-thru attraction showcasing the skills of 40 carvers from Harbin, China. “Twas the Night Before Christmas” is depicted in 2-million pounds of ice over 14,000-ft. at 9-degrees. There are five two-story ice slides. The final tableau is a larger than life Nativity scene in clear ice. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dalgt-gaylord-texan-resort-and-convention-center

Christmas in the Lehigh Valley’s Bethlehem, PA

On April 2, 1741 the Moravian Church, a pre-Reformation religious sect, received a deed for 500-acres of PA land on the Lehigh River. On Christmas Eve of the same year the settlement was officially named Bethlehem. Bethlehem’s location in the heart of the fertile Lehigh Valley and the industrious nature of the Moravian community ensured success for more than a century.

          Historic Moravian Bethlehem is a National Historic Landmark District, one of 8 in the state, there are 20 historic sites and it is currently on the tentative list of UNESCO sites. In 1937 Bethlehem launched a campaign to become the official “Christmas City” and since that time thousands of visitors gather there to experience an old-fashioned holiday with a modern twist. With more than 50 events and immersive activities there truly is something to enchant everyone. www.bethlehempa.org
Panoramic views are offered as you cross the Hill-to-Hill Bridge connecting the old and new sections of Bethlehem. The northside of the city contains the historic area and a series of Christmas-themed tours are offered. Visitors can take guided, costumed docent led tours by carriage, on foot and custom designed for your group. They can also opt to ride the Free Xmas Tree Trolley with scheduled stops.
Tours include more than 200-years of history and many of the city’s 20 historic sites. www.historicbethlehem.org
Utility poles throughout the district feature decorated and illuminated Christmas trees creating a festive promenade for shopping and a holiday saunter. Doors and windows are beautifully adorned and the 1810 Federal-style Goundie House showcases a Live Advent Calendar.            

        Other stops not to be missed are the working Blacksmith Shop, the 1740’s Apothecary Museum, the 5-story log 1741Gemein House Moravian Museum, the 1746 Moravian Bookstore and the 1806 Central Moravian Church designated one of the Ten Greatest Places to Reflect on Christmas Eve. Special note should be taken of the 6-ft. Moravian star suspended inside the church belfry. www.bethlehemtraditions.com
       The Bethlehem By Night Christmas Tour is extremely popular and may be reserved every night from November 24th through December 30th. It includes a visit to the iconic Moravian Star set atop South Mountain. The stars were originally used in Moravian classrooms to exemplify geometric principles and later as symbols of the nativity. The first star was a $460 wooden construction, 61-ft. by 51-ft., with 100 lights. Bethlehem Steel manufactured and donated a second star. The current LED-lit star is 91-ft. tall and is lighted nightly. www.christmascity.org

Historic Hotel Bethlehem is situated on Main Street in the location of the first house built in 1741. The site has been a hotel since 1794. The hotel joins in the festivities with 26 Xmas trees and more than 40,000 lights in the lobby. The Beaux-Arts structure has hosted everyone from Kennedy to the Dalai Lama and Sting to Ali. It offers luxury accommodations and even “A Room With a Boo”, room 932, investigated and deemed haunted. www.hotelbethlehem.com

Hotel Bethlehem has two award-winning restaurants and the legendary Sunday Musical Brunch. The buffet contains every conceivable culinary delight accompanied by accomplished musicians. It has been named one of the “Top 100 Brunches in the Country”.

        On 8-acres south of the Lehigh River sits SteelStacks, so named because it was home to Bethlehem Steel and remnants of the gigantic furnaces remain visible. The site is used by the nonprofit ArtsQuest organization for events throughout the year but Christmas takes on an even greater dimension Thursdays through Sundays. Bethlehem's tented Christkindlmarkt brings thousands of visitors, 125 unique vendors, activities and entertainment together to create magic for all ages. Travel and Leisure magazine named it one of the world’s top holiday markets www.artsquest.org/christkindlmark

An elevated walkway, the Hoover Mason Trestle, gives visitors an overview of the historic plant. The 1,650-ft. walkway rises 46-ft. and is accessed via staircase or elevator. At one time 80% of the NY City skyline was created with Bethlehem Steel and their steel was used in the Golden Gate Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge and the bridges in Philadelphia. The plant was 4.5-miles long, had 5 blast furnaces and 200-miles of railroad. www.hoovermason.com

The National Museum of Industrial History, a Smithsonian affiliate, interprets the history of American industrialization. The building, once an electrical repair shop, displays more than 200 artifacts in 4 main galleries. Highlights of the collection are mosaics of Gutenberg’s printing press and Stephen Daye’s first North American printing press and the Scalamandre “White House” loom used to produce fabric for furnishings during the Kennedy and Clinton administrations. During its heyday Bethlehem had 84 silk mills. http://nmih.org
       Sands® Bethlehem anchors one end of the trestle and provides wonderful accommodations for a holiday adventure. The resort offers a casino, spa, 10 dining venues and an attached outlet mall. Emeril’s Fish House serves the finest steaks, chops and seafood all crafted with a creole twist. @EmerilsFishHouse. Buddy V’s Ristorante, guided by TLC’s Cake Boss, uses family recipes to create great dishes and awesome desserts. @Buddy_Vs. www.PASands.com
         Lehigh Valley Zoo was established in 1906 as a game preserve. In 1935 the county took ownership and in 1974 augmented the 1,100-acre preserve with a 29-acre zoo. The Zoo presents the annual Winter Light Spectacular nightly until December 31st. There are more than 1-million lights and numerous events along the walking tour route. www.lvzoo.org/event/winter-light-spectacular

While in the area you should drive the 9-winery Lehigh Valley Wine Trail.The Valley was deemed an American Viticultural Area in 2008. The 25-acre Vynecrest Winery is the oldest in the Lehigh Valley, offers scheduled tours and is open daily. www.vynecrest.com. www.lehighvalleywinetrail.com
The Glasbern Inn, “Glass Barn”, is situated on 150-acres with 16-acres of hiking trails. It offers 150 luxury accommodations, the finest pasture to plate cuisine and spa facilities on a campus with rustic charm and architectural splendor. Philadelphia Magazine designated Glasbern the “Best Romantic Escape” in the region. I concur and suggest you think Valentine’s Day! www.glasbern.com
Bethlehem is a 90-minute drive from Philadelphia, a one-tank holiday treasure. www.discoverlehighvalley.com