The Lehighton-based Faculty Brass can always be counted on to give a musical backdrop to Jim Thorpe summer weekends and festivals.

The clip, clop of horse hooves down Race Street, the train whistle’s all-aboard toot and the Faculty Brass rendition of La Bamba floating through the air can mean only one thing – the summer season has officially begun in Jim Thorpe.

Flags were flown and planted all over the borough this weekend in remembrance of those who served our country and fought for our freedom. We remembered my late father-in-law, who at 16 years-old lied about his age to join the Navy just before the start of World War II. He was the same age as my son is today.

Memorial Day is also the much anticipated kick-off of Jim Thorpe’s summer season.

The Asa Packer Mansion is now open seven days a week and the Mauch Chunk Museum, operated by the Mauch Chunk Historical Society, is also open for the season. The Old Jail Museum with its legendary haunted hand print offers tours every day except Wednesday. If the spirit moves you, guided ghost walking tours through town are also available on Saturday nights.

In addition to all of Jim Thorpe’s outdoor adventures awaiting visitors in the Pocono Mountains, another treat is a tour of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – right next door to us at the Times House Bed and Breakfast. Listed on the National Historic Register, the beautiful Gothic church with its stunning architecture and incredible Tiffany windows also offers connections to the Packer family – some a little spooky, too. Tours run Wednesday through Saturday.

Four-day weekends don’t have to be celebrated on holidays alone. Thursday night deck parties at the Molly Maguires Pub and Steakhouse (love the pickle chip appetizer) and selected Thursday nights up at Penn’s Peak are a great way to get summer weekends started. The Mauch Chunk Opera House also has some Thursday night concerts planned for this summer season.

The Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce will also kick off its Thursday Summer Date Night campaign next week, featuring extended store hours, Kyle and his Crystal View Carriage rides around town some Thursdays, as well as a host of soon-to-be-announced activities.

This weekend the town of Jim Thorpe celebrates the birthday of the man born Jacobus Franciscus “Jim” Thorpe and Wa-Tho-Huk, which means Bright Path in the Sac and Fox language.

Jim Thorpe – the town – celebrates Jim Thorpe – the man – this weekend for the 16th annual Jim Thorpe Birthday Celebration.

On Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, the town bearing the legendary Olympian’s name remembers both the history and the legacy of the man named “the world’s greatest athlete” by King Gustav V, 100 years ago in Stockholm, Sweden.

A Native American tribute opens the celebration at 10 a.m. Saturday morning at the Jim Thorpe Mausoleum, located at Joe Boyle Circle and Route 903.

The Olympian Cross Country and Track team will then carry a lighted torch from the ceremony to Jim Thorpe High School, lighting a torch for the Carbon County Special Olympics and then travel through the town of Jim Thorpe to the Josiah White Park (train station) to light the Olympic torch.

The annual celebration always features Native American folklore, dancing and drumming. Here is a link to one of last year’s performances. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VsbAF3dSqk

Goers will also enjoy free outdoor concerts, craft and food vendors, a clown for the children, and a Chinese Auction. The Mauch Chunk Opera House also has three concerts lined up for the weekend.

Edmund E. Shumpert sculpted this bronze statue of the Olympian, born on May 28, 1888. The dedication took place last year during the town of Jim Thorpe’s 15th annual Jim Thorpe Birthday Celebration.

Jim Thorpe’s grandson, Michael Koehler, who backs the town’s fight against his relatives to keep the legendary athlete interred here, spoke at the dedication.

In his remarks at the unveiling, Koehler said that while he understands the other side of the family’s views, he believes that there is no better place for Jim Thorpe to rest in peace, noting that his aunt (Grace Thorpe) had performed a Native American burial ritual there.

“My grandfather has returned to Mother Earth. He lies on sanctified ground. My half of the family doesn’t see any reason whatsoever to change any of that – to disinter his remains and to take him to some obscure plot in Shawnee, Oklahoma,” he said.

Acclaimed Race Street artist David Price captures the magical spirit of Jim Thorpe in his Christmas Eve on Race Street.

This weekend art lovers will flock to the picturesque Victorian town for the Jim Thorpe Art Festival. Visitors will enjoy not only self-guided studio and gallery tours but will have the opportunity to learn more about the art of Victorian architecture, participate in photography workshops and take advantage of free stained glass and stone lithography demonstrations.

Visitors staying at the Times House and other Jim Thorpe area Bed and Breakfasts get free admission to see historian/storyteller Jack Gunnser’s costumed presentation of funny stories about the early days of Mauch Chunk and the artists such as Louis Comfort Tiffany that visited the booming town. (Saturday, 1 p.m. at the Harry Packer Mansion. Advance tickets are $5: $10 at the door and at the train station.)

There’s something for everyone celebrating the art of music. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, a free concert in the Josiah White Park down at the train station will entertain festival attendees and weekend tourists. Local favorite and talented guitarist Monte Lane will set just the right mood with his rendition of popular favorites at Doc Baker’s Gallery from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, where the photography of MaryAnn Schwartz will be on display. Marianne Monteleone Designs will exhibit the work of JoAnn Morell, who will also perform jazz standards, original tunes, blues and folk music with her husband Ernie during the 7 p.m. galllery opening.

It’s Saturday night, however, at the Mauch Chunk Opera House that is the highlight of the weekend’s musical festivities with a special return performance of the Marko Marcinko Latin Jazz Quintet. You’ll want to start celebrating Cinco de Mayo as soon as you check out video from their last performance at our beloved Opera House. 

The Lehigh River bends through the mountains in Jim Thorpe creating a magnificent terrain for hiking, biking, rafting and just enjoying the scenery.

First celebrated on April 22, 1970, Earth Day was a national call to protect the environment. Some 42 years later, it’s celebrated all over the world.

There’s no doubt that Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania – the gateway to the Pocono Mountains – is a magical place on this magnificent planet. Recently listed as one of CBS 3′s top one-tank trips, there’s no better place to enjoy Earth Day weekend than here!

Organizers have planned a great lineup of events, including games, recycled craft and drumming workshops, a Lehigh River clean-up and a reading of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax at the Dimmick Library.

From 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday, free Tai Chi demonstrations will take place in the Race Street Park across the street from us at the Times House Bed and Breakfast. According to the events calendar, Saturday’s class you will teach the six basic forms of Tai Chi.  Sunday’s class will demonstrate the  Push Hands technique.  Teens between the ages of 13 and 15 must have an adult present to participate.  Rain will move the class indoors, upstairs at the Mauch Chunk Opera House.

The Opera House will also play host to two concerts this weekend. On Friday, April 20, The Funk Ark; Mighty Mystic and Strings of Thunder will perform. On Saturday, April 21, Philly-based Splintered Sunlight will perform their popular Grateful Dead tribute.

For the complete Jim Thorpe Earth Day celebration event listing, visit http://jimthorpeearthday.com/

Sound Check Records, 23 Broadway, will also celebrate Record Store Day on Saturday, one of two days a year where independently owned record store patrons have access to special releases – CD and vinyl – and various promotional products.  For more information, visit  http://www.recordstoreday.com

Spring is the perfect time to experience Jim Thorpe.

You couldn’t ask for a prettier weekend in Jim Thorpe, the gateway to the Pocono Mountains.

While bikers and hikers are hitting the flowering trails, there’s also lots to do  for those looking to soak in the scenery while enjoying a more relaxing weekend.

Strolling Jim Thorpe’s shops and stopping in for free wine-tasting at Big Creek Winery on Race Street are always a fun way to spend a day.

World in a Bubble artist Tom Storm exhibits his bubble-less works at Venus and the Moon on historic Race Street all April long.

Also up on historic Race Street, the Country Cottage is offering a free pack of seeds with purchase to celebrate Earth Day all month long. Just a few doors down, be sure to check out World in a Bubble-artist Tom Storm’s bubble-less work on display at Venus and the Moon throughout April.

This weekend’s concerts range from classical to psychedelic. The Bach and Handel Chorale will perform its Easter concert at the historic St. Mark’s Church on Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m. while the Mauch Chunk Opera House will host a Janis Joplin/Jimi Hendrix tribute.

A weekend drive to nearby antique shops is another way to enjoy the beauty of the area. The Quiltery in nearby Weissport is one of our favorite stops. From Jim Thorpe follow 209 north and make a left at the Dunkin’ Donuts and Castle Grill – love their burgers. Once you cross over the bridge the Quiltery will be on your left.

Another great place to check out is Bits-and-Pieces on 903. From Jim Thorpe follow 209 south to the light at the bridge and follow 903 for about eight miles to Stony Creek Road. A delicious lunch – fabulous artisan pizzas – at Trattoria 903 will be another highlight of your weekend.

For more things to do and see, visit www.jimthorpe.org.

Next up…Earth Day weekend.

Who needs April in Paris when you can enjoy springtime in Jim Thorpe?

Imagine a getaway with European charm, outdoor adventure, art galleries, fine restaurants, live entertainment, shops, pubs and wine tasting – not to mention highly rated Bed and Breakfasts.

Imagine that you can get there in less than 90 minutes from Philadelphia, two hours from New York and 35 minutes from the Lehigh Valley – a one-tank trip.

It’s not a dream, it’s Jim Thorpe, the gateway to the Pocono Mountains. You don’t have to take our word for it. CBS3 in Philadelphia included Jim Thorpe among its Top One-Tank Trips for Spring.

Check back tomorrow for more of what April in Jim Thorpe has to offer you.

Today these Celtic knot medals with the prayer from St. Patrick's breastplate were available to those attending Immaculate Conception Church in Jim Thorpe.

It’s a beautiful morning in Jim Thorpe this day after the feast of St. Patrick. The clock tower is playing When Irish Eyes are Smiling and the meditation hymn after communion at Immaculate Conception Church’s 10:30 a.m. Mass was Danny Boy.

I don’t know if it was leprechauns or the spirit of St. Patrick that whispered in the ear of the Rev. Ward and softened his heart to allow not only the beloved Irish song sung beautifully by the organist, Jeanette Richards, to be played but also to make available for attendees Celtic knot medals with the prayer from St. Patrick’s breastplate.

It may be a week after the Ancient Order of Hibernian Mass, where such thoughtfulness would have warmed hearts and brought back good memories of previous celebrations at the church. In any case, today’s remembrance was appreciated by this writer and others in attendance. Here’s hoping Danny Boy is a sign of good things to come at the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day AOH Mass.

Though it’s felt like spring for weeks now, this is the last weekend of winter and the last weekend you can ski Blue Mountain, which closes on Sunday. You can likely skip all the cold weather gear and just enjoy the sunshine and the slopes. The weather forecast is for partly sunny skies with a high in the mid-60s.

On Saturday, you can celebrate good old St. Patrick at the Summit Lodge Last Run Lounge and enjoy the mountain-wide Shamrock Search for prizes.

The resort is closed today but will re-open tomorrow for skiing. Tubing, the Big Air Bag and the luge at Blue Mountain are already closed for the season.

Just 20 minutes from Jim Thorpe, you can shop, wine-taste, take in a show in the Switzerland of America and close out the season with a ski package at the Times House B&B or another Jim Thorpe Bed and Breakfast.

WE68XH5GX2AQ For up to date ski conditions, visit Ski Blue Mountain.

As always, the Mauch Chunk Opera House has a plethora of talent lined up to entertain us this month including MCOH favorites Steve Forbert on March 23 and Willy Porter on the 31st.

On Friday, Montana Skies will take the stage with their unique pairing of guitar and electric cello. With tickets at just $18 (Times House B&B guests get an additional discount), the evening is a sure hit. Check out videos of all the performers at www.mauchchunkoperahouse.com

For those who can name the tune and the bullfrog in just three notes, you’ll be excited to hear Three Dog Night will take the stage at Penns’ Peak on Saturday, March 31. A bite to eat at Roadies before the show will definitely get you in the mood for a stroll down 70s lane.

That’s the musical ticket for March in Jim Thorpe but with this early spring, much more amusement can be found in the great outdoors – hiking and biking the trails of Jim Thorpe. Check out this video from the Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce for a preview of the Rail Trail that extends from Jim Thorpe to White Haven.

Bring your bike (the Times House has bike storage) or rent one from Blue Mountain Sports just down the street from us and enjoy.

Whether it’s an excursion at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, Glen Onoko or the Lehigh Gorge, hikers will enjoy views that full foliage would normally hide.

If you were lucky enough to get a now-sold-out passport to the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail’s March Madness event, you’ve got nice weather for winery-hopping. If you’re in Jim Thorpe, you can always sample what they’ll be tasting at Big Creek Winery’s Kresgeville location at the Race Street shop.

And if the warm weather has you wondering about your future, come on up to historic Race Street and Venus & the Moon on Saturday for a reading from medium extraordinaire David Miller.

Since Saturday is actually the feast of St. Patrick, here’s an encore from the Ancient Order of Hibernians. These Irish Eyes, these sons and daughters of Molly, Were Smiling. (The countdown is on until next’s years celebration and impromptu singing.)

2010 Grand Marshal Hugh Dugan gets the crowd going during the 2011 St. Patrick's Day Parade.

With the Irish Tricolor flag waving across Broadway, green lights and paper shamrocks bedecking borough windows, not to mention the tent back up on the deck at the Molly Maguire, it can mean only one thing – it’s St. Patty’s Day parade weekend in Jim Thorpe.

While Sunday marks the 15th St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Jim Thorpe, there are festivities all weekend long.

The Barley Boys will take the stage at the Mauch Chunk Opera House tonight at 8. Saturday night Noel V. Ginnity and Taylor’s Irish Cabaret, will entertain goers with traditional Irish songs, dance, as well as comedy.

One of my favorite events of parade weekend has always been the Hibernian Mass at Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday afternoon.

During the tenure of the previous pastor, Monsignor John Chizmar, the Mass was especially touching for those with the blood of the old sod flowing through their veins. The sashed Hibernians would process into the church adorned with shamrocks and green carnations to traditional Irish songs as well as hymns such as Our Lady of Knock. Small loaves of Irish Soda Bread were given out after communion and the recessional was always When Irish Eyes are Smiling.

Under the current pastor, the Reverend James Ward, however, some of those touches including the beloved recessional have gone by the wayside in favor of more religious hymns. Still it wouldn’t be parade weekend for this writer without the Hibernian Mass.

The parade kicks off on Sunday at 1 p.m. back at the church with a blessing, and then a stop at the old jail to lay a wreath in memory of the Molly Maguires hung there in 1877, before heading down Broadway. Grand Marshal for the 2012 parade is Charles ‘Chuck’ Thamarus.