FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.Growing COM and restoring JANUARY 9, 2020 • BUZZ • THE QUEENS COURIER 49 Victoria’s
DIARY
Victoria
SCHNEPSYUNIS
vschneps@gmail.com
tweet me @vschneps
Many of my readers know
I started my media
company with one
newspaper in my living room,
four children, a dream and a
prayer. Th is week, we launched
amNewYork METRO, a combined
daily newspaper joining
our 70 other media titles.
So when I decided aft er weeks
of negotiations to acquire and
merge the two daily newspapers
(amNew York and METRO), I
escaped for a few days, joining
my kids.
Aft er spending New Year’s
together, I nurtured myself at
a resort in the Poconos: the
world renowned Th e Lodge at
Woodloch, A DESTINATION
SPA.
When I arrived, I read a booklet
in my room and learned of
the powerful and impactful story
about the family who created
this stunning award-winning
resort. It is a family operation, as
is my company. Under the leadership
of three generations of the
Kiesendahl family, the lodge is
proud to be “a getaway for people
to gather and create lifetime
memories and at the spa,” and
off ered me a chance to disconnect
The Kiesendahl family.
from the rest of the world
and relax.
I had the pleasure of meeting
John Kiesendahl, whose
dad started with a one-building
hotel, which has grown into
a 1,500-acre playland with the
help of his children.
I stayed at the spa (for
adults only), set on
500 acres, and across
the road my daughter
and grandchildren
stayed at the
family-oriented
Woodloch Pines.
It was created out of
the playbill of the old
Concord in the Catskills,
but the family has taken it to
a new level with over 50 indoor
and outdoor activities, making it
a go-to destination year round.
Down the road from where I
stayed is a champion golf course
where you can buy or do a timeshare
in beautiful multiple bedroom
homes, or in a house on
the lake.
John, whose dad lived on Long
Island in Massapequa Park and
moved his family to Hawley,
Pennsylvania, is devoted to his
adopted state, serving on a bank
board, the school board, and the
county tourism council, to name
a few! Like me, he gets involved
in the community where
he’s built his business.
My latest acquisition
includes a daily newspaper
in Philadelphia, so I
too will be transplanted to
Pennsylvania, and I look
forward to meeting and
getting involved in the
state that John calls home.
My stay at the lodge’s
all-inclusive spa was
superbly serene. The
schedule of classes could have
kept me busy from 8 a.m. to
6 p.m., but I only took two: a
superb drumming class where I
hit a ball with drum sticks and
soft yoga taught by the fi tness
director, Cindy Wasilewski.
Th e 40,000 square foot spa
includes an indoor pool and hot
tubs inside or outside (I did go
out into the cold to experience
that hot tub and it was enervating).
I treated myself
to facials, massages
and, best of all,
a meeting with Talia
Segal Fidler, a holistic
health and nutrition counselor
who taught me so much
in our one-hour session.
Th en, a resourceful swimming
exercise class, which taught me
how I can improve my daily
swim exercises at home.
But what is a hotel without a
great kitchen? Executive Chef
Josh Tomson produced spectacular
meals that were stunningly
presented. I did eat sensibly,
but the exquisite breads
and desserts were irresistible!
And there is also a deep wine
cellar with innumerable choices
to accompany every dish on
the menu.
But of all the “things” available
at Woodloch, the greatest amenity
provided by the Kiesendahl
family is the warm, professional
and welcoming staff . From
the moment I arrived, each person
who I had the pleasure of
meeting spoke of the tradition
of excellence and hospitality that
is the culture and mission of this
three-generation award-winning
family.
I took a shuttle bus to meet my
kids and when I asked who owns
the resort, the driver responded
by telling me how adored,
respected and loved each of the
family members are. I truly felt
the infectious kindness and service
Fitness Manager Cindy
Wasilewski
of the world-class resort
staff . My stay was so superb, I’m
bringing my daughters back to
celebrate my birthday!
For information on any of the
fi ve Woodloch properties, call
1-800-WOODLOCH.
The lodge off ers
indoor pool classes.
The drum
class at
the spa.
Everyone should give the
pea soup a try.
Executive Chef
Josh Tomson
A look at the stunning dining room at the lodge.
John
Kiesendahl
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