CANADENSIS -- For the first time in 125 years, Thanksgiving and Hanukkah happen at the same time. For resorts in the Poconos, that means a lot of preparation.
Boxes of turkeys have just been delivered to Skytop Lodge near Canadensis. The kitchen is buzzing with all sorts of prep work for the huge Thanksgiving meal, a meal June McHugh of Canadensis has been enjoying for decades.
"It's wonderful being here," said McHugh.
Sous chef Bill Seitzinger is busy not only checking the birds, but also preparing soup along with the other Thanksgiving Day trimmings.
"We're doing 300 pounds of potatoes. I have 150 pounds of sweet potatoes, 150 pounds of whipping potatoes,” said Seitzinger.
Not to mention, an additional 200 pounds of potatoes which will be shredded this year to make potato latkes, a traditional dish for Hanukkah.
For the first time in 125 years, Thanksgiving Day and Hanukkah overlap.
Skytop Lodge employee Jake Silvers is looking forward to the potato latke dish as he celebrates his Jewish faith.
"I think it's a plethora of tradition in one day and I think it's awesome," said Silvers.
Food is one part of the Hanukkah and Thanksgiving celebrations. Tradition is another. The staff at Skytop Lodge set up two kinds of Menorahs. One is traditional and the other has a little Poconos twist.
"Blending Skytop's outdoor life and feel in with our celebration of tradition and family, we have a tree Menorah this year," said Cara Federici, the Director of Sales and Marketing for Skytop Lodge.
That tree Menorah is in the resort's courtyard, which is where Jake Silvers will be that evening at sundown when the second night of Hanukkah begins.
"I think it's wonderful. I think the fact that Skytop is partaking in this great tradition. I think it's wonderful," said Silvers.
While Thanksgiving Day ends on Thursday, the last night of Hanukkah is December 4.