ADK Talks

If you’ve ever chased a storm on your phone and wondered where all that snow actually lands, this episode is for you. Jane and Steve head west of the Blue Line to the Tug Hill Plateau—one of the snowiest corners of the East—and sit down with Snow Ridge co-owner and general manager Nick Mir to talk powder mornings, small-mountain grit, and why “Ice Coast” doesn’t always apply. Nick shares what it’s...

A woman walks away from toxic-tort law in Oakland, loads four Nigerian dwarf goats into a Honda Element, and drives 3,000 miles with her partner to a scruffy little farm in Thurman, NY. Two decades later, that leap of faith has become Nettle Meadow: a sanctuary for hundreds of animals and the home of Kunik, one of the most celebrated cheeses in America.  In this episode, we sit down with Sheila Fl...

Where else can your morning class involve snowshoes, your lab take place in a 100-year-old white pine stand, and your campus stretch across 14,000 acres of Adirondack wilderness? Paul Smith’s College is a place where learning happens in the field — sometimes literally — and that’s precisely why we love it. This week on ADK Talks, we head to the shores of Lower St. Regis Lake with Dr. Brett McLeod,...

In this episode of ADK Talks, we climb aboard what we’re calling the Holiday Express and take you on a whirlwind tour of the Adirondacks in winter. From Old Forge to Lake Placid, Tupper Lake to Ticonderoga and Lake George, we share our favorite ways to spend the holidays in the Park: where to ski, where to shop small, and where to find the kind of pie that could start a family rivalry. We talk thr...

In this episode, we explore what it really means to eat locally in the Adirondacks — not just during summer’s peak produce season, but all year long, even through deep winter. We sit down with Bella Susino, Program Leader of Adirondack Harvest , the regional initiative (housed within Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County) connecting people, farms, forests, and communities across the North...

In this episode, we crack open the ADK Talks mailbag — and you did not hold back. From the mysteries of the blue line to the origins of the word Adirondack, from Great Camps you can actually stay in to the surprisingly wholesome truth about nudists in the Adirondacks… you kept us laughing, thinking, and occasionally Googling just to make sure we weren’t making things up. We share the questions tha...

From Great Pines on Fourth Lake to the rebirth of North Creek’s Phoenix Inn, Weekender Hotels is rewriting the script on where (and how) we stay in the Adirondacks. In this episode of ADK Talks, we sit down with Keir Weimer, CEO of Weekender Hotels, whose mission is to breathe new life into classic Adirondack motels and resorts while keeping them rooted in place, history, and the outdoors. Keir sh...

The Rough Rider rides again—right through the heart of the High Peaks. In this episode, we sit down with nationally known Theodore Roosevelt repriser Joe Wiegand to relive T.R.’s deep Adirondack ties—from youthful birding trips and great-camp visits to the legendary midnight ride that began at Mount Marcy and ended with the oath of office in Buffalo. Joe shares how he “becomes” Roosevelt on stage,...

From deep, cold-water mysteries in Lake Placid to candlelit marches at Fort William Henry, this Halloween-season episode serves up more true (and truly fun) tales of Adirondack ghosts, legends, and oddities. Jane leans into lore, Steve brings the “Acker facts,” and together they map a spine-tingling route you can actually visit—if you dare. What you’ll hear in this episode: The Lady of the Lake (L...

Each fall, Lake Placid turns into the “Telluride of the Northeast”—a walkable, mountain-ringed town where filmmakers and film lovers share theaters, coffee lines, and conversations. In this episode, we sit down with Noah Raymer, Director of Communications for Adirondack Film and the Lake Placid Film Festival, to explore what makes this long-running North Country tradition so special. What you’ll h...

Ultralight, All Heart: Adirondack Pack Canoes by Hornbeck Guest: Josh Trombley, head of Hornbeck Boats Topic: The Adirondack pack canoe—past, present, and why it changes how (and how often) people get on the water. Hornbeck Boats began in the 1970s with founder Pete Hornbeck, a paddler-artist who revived the Adirondack tradition of pack boats—open, canoe-shaped craft paddled with a double-blade. ...

Step inside the North Star Underground Railroad Museum with President Jacqueline “Jackie” Madison of the North Country Underground Historical Association.  We trace the Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad through the stories of real people and places—John Thomas’s journey to freedom, the Quakers’ moral stand, and local heroes like editor Wendell Lansing.  Jackie walks us through can’t-miss...

Discover the unique and fiery world of glassblowing in North Creek, NY, with Greg Tomb, the passionate owner of Adirondack Glassblowing Studio .  From the warm glow of the furnaces to the hands-on workshops, Greg shares how visitors can shape molten glass into their own keepsakes. We delve into his journey from Corning-inspired beginnings to teaching thousands in the Adirondacks, his seasonal pump...

ADK Talks: Chasing Colors: The Adirondacks' Best Fall Adventures In this brisk, handy fall guide, we map the Adirondacks region by region—from Lake George up through the High Peaks and out to the Adirondack Coast—sharing on-the-ground tips, quick stories, and can't-miss events.   Fall in the Adirondacks is peak season — and we've got your insider's guide.  From the breathtaking...

A Force for Nature: David Gibson on Paul Schaefer’s Adirondack Legacy What does it take to protect six million acres of wild Adirondack Park? In this episode of ADK Talks , we sit down with David Gibson, conservation leader and author of A Force for Nature: Paul Schaefer’s Adirondack Coalitions .  Gibson takes us deep into the remarkable story of Paul Schaefer, the man who rallied hunters, anglers...

Step into the Golden Age of Opera — without leaving the Adirondacks. In this episode of ADK Talks , Jane and Steve sit down with Caleb Eck, Director of Institutional Advancement at The Sembrich , a lakeside museum, performance venue, and cultural retreat in Bolton Landing, NY. Discover the remarkable life of Marcella Sembrich, the Polish coloratura soprano who conquered the great opera houses of E...

What happens when you grow up in the heart of the Adirondack Park, spend your life paddling its waterways, hiking its backcountry, and painting its moods—and then decide to share that world with others?  That’s the life of Adirondack guide and artist Matt Burnett, whose work on the water and in the studio captures both the wild beauty and the human stories of the region. In this episode of ADK Tal...

Our Best Travel Tips - Lake George Edit: Where to Stay, What to See, and What to Skip. Planning a trip to Lake George? This episode is for you. Jane and Steve crack open the listener mailbag and serve up answers to your most-asked questions about where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in the iconic Lake George region. You’ll learn: The difference between Lake George Village, Bolton Landing, H...

Preserving Place: Stories Behind the Adirondack Architecture We Love Step back in time—and into the future of preservation. In this spirited episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve sit down with Erin Tobin, Executive Director of Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) , to uncover the unique and fascinating stories hidden in the Adirondacks’ historic architecture. From the rustic grandeur of Great...

What happens in the Adirondacks doesn’t always start in the Adirondacks—it can flow into our air, water, communities, and climate from coal-fired power plants far, far away from our lakes and forests. I n this powerful episode of ADK Talks , hosts Jane and Steve sit down with John Sheehan, Director of Communications for the Adirondack Council , to explore the science, policy, and passion driving e...

In this listener-fueled episode of ADK Talks , J ane and Steve dive deep into your Adirondack travel questions, focusing on the Tri-Lakes and High Peaks region: Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. Whether you're planning your first visit or returning for the views, you'll get expert tips on where to stay, eat, shop, hike, and sip like a local. From haunted hotels to hip breweries...

Every summer, the quiet charm of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid erupts in a joyful scrum of community pride, fierce competition, and unmatched camaraderie. That’s right—it’s time for the legendary Can-Am Rugby Tournament. In this episode of ADK Talks, hosts Jane and Steve delve into the heart of this beloved Adirondack tradition with Cameron Moody, the tournament director and lifelong rugby player,...

What happens when world-class opera collides with the rugged beauty of the Adirondacks?  In this episode of ADK Talks, we pull back the curtain on the Seagle Festival —America’s oldest summer vocal training program, a cultural institution with a rich legacy, tucked away in the charming village of Schroon Lake, NY. Hosts Jane and Steve of ADKtaste.com sit down with Artistic Director Darren Woods ,...

In this powerful follow-up to one of ADK Talks’ most downloaded episodes, Jane and Steve welcome back Denise Silfie from the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation in Saranac Lake.  Denise shares updates on loon research, insights from the annual Loon Census, and the ongoing challenges of lead tackle for loons and humans, climate change, and shoreline development.  From guided paddles and museum-...

What does it mean to break trail—not just through snow or forest, but through history itself? In this enlightening episode of ADK Talks, we delve into the pages of the newly updated "Breaking Trail: Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks" . This powerful collection of stories celebrates women who have left an indelible mark on the region, challenging its limits and expanding our understandi...