ADK Talks

ADK Taste
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ADK Talks brings you the stories behind the people, places, and things to do in the Adirondack Park of New York State. With 6 million acres, the Adirondacks are the ultimate playground.We take you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of one of America's most breathtaking regions. Just like we do on our website, adktaste.com, our podcast uncovers the hidden gems of the Adirondacks, offering hand-picked recommendations for the best places to stay, eat, shop and do in the Adirondack Park.But this isn't just about places. It's about the people who make the Adirondacks so special and unique. In each episode, we talk to people from all walks of life—restauranteurs, farmers, innkeepers, historians, artists, local leaders, writers, hikers, and more. Hear real stories about what they do, their passions, and how they found their way here.And they'll share their insider tips on the best things to see and do in the Adirondacks – insights you won't find anywhere else.So subscribe now to ADK Talks to get real stories from real people, sharing the real Adirondacks.You can also visit us online at adktaste.com.

  1. 2D AGO

    Seagle Festival 2026: Opera, New Works & A Bold Vision for the Adirondacks

    From Hill to Stage: Seagle Festival’s Next Act in the Adirondacks For more than a century, the Seagle Festival has been a summer tradition on the shores of Schroon Lake—where emerging artists arrive with big voices and leave ready for the world stage. In this episode of ADK Talks, we welcome back Artistic Director Darren Woods along with Director of Education and Community Outreach Josh Cook. Together, they share how Seagle is building on its 111-year legacy while setting the stage for an ambitious, year-round future in the Adirondacks. From a rigorous national audition process to a bold capital campaign, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to grow a thriving arts ecosystem in a rural region—and why it matters now more than ever. What you’ll hear in this episode Seagle Festival’s origin story—how a NYC voice teacher’s summer escape became the oldest vocal training program in the U.S.Inside the audition process: 400 applicants, 32 spots, and the search for something truly “extraordinary.”Highlights from the 2026 season, including The Sound of Music, HMS Pinafore, Mozart’s Così fan tutte, and the powerful contemporary opera Dead Man Walking.How Seagle alumni are making waves on Broadway, at the Met Opera, and across Europe.The expansion of youth programming—giving North Country kids hands-on experience both on stage and behind the scenes.“Opera shots” pop-up performances across the Adirondacks—bringing live music to bars, breweries, and unexpected venues.A vision for the future: a winterized campus, new theater, and year-round performances that could transform the regional arts scene. Resources: Seagle Festival — Explore the 2026 season, meet the artists, and purchase tickets (season passes available now; individual tickets on sale April 1).NewVida Preserve (Lake Placid area) — Scenic venue for upcoming Opera Shots pop-upsThe Deerhead Inn — Historic jazz venue and returning Opera Shots locationNorth Star Underground Railroad Museum (Keeseville) Produced by NOVA

    49 min

  2. MAR 16

    From Sap to Syrup: Inside Adirondack Maple Season with Toad Hill Farm

    For many Adirondack families, maple syrup is simply part of life. It’s on the breakfast table, in the kitchen, and woven into generations of seasonal tradition but behind every bottle of pure maple syrup is a remarkable blend of forestry, science, craftsmanship, and patience. In this episode of ADK Talks, we head to Thurman, New York to visit with Randy Galusha, owner of Toad Hill Maple Farm. Randy shares how a childhood experiment with a few buckets and spouts grew into one of the region’s premier maple operations, tapping more than 3,000 trees across an 853-acre sustainably managed forest. Along the way, we explore how maple sugaring has evolved from the bucket-and-horse days to modern tubing systems, vacuum collection, and reverse osmosis technology that dramatically improves efficiency while protecting the trees. You’ll also hear how maple syrup’s flavor develops, why darker syrups often win taste tests, and how producers transform sap into everything from maple candy to bourbon barrel-aged syrup. And if you’re planning a spring trip to the Adirondacks, Randy gives us a great preview of Thurman Maple Days — one of the region’s sweetest seasonal events. What you’ll hear in this episode How Toad Hill Maple Farm grew from a childhood hobby into a large-scale maple operationWhat actually happens inside a maple tree that makes sap flow in springBuckets vs. tubing systems — how technology changed maple productionWhy it takes roughly 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrupThe science behind reverse osmosis and modern evaporatorsMaple syrup grades explained: golden delicate, amber rich, dark robust, and very dark strongWhy darker syrups often have stronger maple flavor and win taste testsMaple products beyond syrup: candy, cream, granulated sugar, and maple caramel cornThe rise of infused maple products, including bourbon barrel-aged syrupHow maple producers manage forests sustainably for long-term productionWhat to expect at Thurman Maple Days and why it’s a must-visit Adirondack event Resources: Visit The Toad Hill Maple Farm WebsiteCrane MountainNettle Meadow FarmThurman Maple Days - 3 Weekends in March Produced by NOVA

    45 min

  3. MAR 2

    Breaking Trail: Women Who Shaped the Adirondacks (Revisited)

    In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a conversation that still resonates: our interview with Peggy Lynn and Sandra Weber, co-authors of Breaking Trail: Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks. For generations, Adirondack history has centered on guides, industrialists, conservationists, and explorers — most of them men. But women were here all along. They were lumber camp cooks and lobbyists, poets and reformers, business leaders and environmental advocates. They shaped communities, protected wild lands, founded institutions, and quietly transformed the culture of the North Country. This updated edition of Breaking Trail brings their stories back into the light — and invites all of us to ask: whose stories are still waiting to be told? What you’ll hear in this episode How Peggy and Sandy first realized Adirondack women’s stories were missing from the historical recordWhy now was the right time to bring Breaking Trail back for a new generationThe creative partnership behind the book — and how songwriting helped shape the storytellingThe mystery of Esther Mountain and the elusive Esther CombsLumber camp cooks, 18-hour days, and women who could go from hip boots to ball gownsThe legacy of women like Grace Hudowalski and Inez Milholland — now honored with High PeaksWhy women’s history belongs in the mainstream narrative, not on the sidelines Resources: Notable women mentioned in this episode include Emily Russell, Anne LaBastille, Mary Brown, Margaret Emerson, Alice Patton Green, Lydia Martin Smith, Mother Johnson, Nellie Staves, Esther Combs, Grace Hudowalski, Inez Milholland, Joan Payne, Fran Yardley, Betsy Folwell, and Barbara McMartin.Breaking Trail: Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks – available from Purple Mountain PressJohn Brown Farm State Historic Site (Lake Placid)Adirondack Experience: The Museum on Blue Mountain LakePaul Smith’s College Produced by NOVA

    30 min

  4. FEB 23

    Kitchen Confidential (ADK Edition) with Chef Billy Trudsoe

    What’s really happening behind the kitchen doors of an Adirondack restaurant in the dead of winter? In this episode of ADK Talks, we welcome back Chef Billy Trudsoe of Lizzie Keays in Warrensburg for an honest, energetic, and eye-opening conversation about restaurant life in the Adirondacks. We jokingly dubbed this one “Kitchen Confidential: Adirondack Edition,” and Billy delivers. From skeleton crews and shoulder seasons to garlic loyalty and watermelon obsessions, he pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to survive—and thrive—as a chef and small business owner just minutes off the Northway. We also dive into his global travels (hello, Bali), his ever-expanding “Mad Flavor” brand, restaurant collaborations across the region, and why supporting local businesses isn’t just a slogan—it’s survival. What you’ll hear in this episode What winter really looks like for Adirondack restaurants—and why patience from diners matters  How Billy’s travels to Bali influence dishes like his spicy Bali stir fry  Why old-school dining touches (bread service, palate cleansers, lingering meals) still matter  The economics of seasonal businesses in a summer-driven region  Behind the scenes of the “Battle of the Billy’s” local restaurant challenges  Why garlic is non-negotiable in Billy’s kitchen   Resources: Lizzie Keays Restaurant   Follow Billy Trudsoe on Instagram: @adkchef Season 21 of Hell's Kitchen ft Billy Trudose Email us your restaurant suggestions or questions: info@adktaste.com Produced by NOVA

    42 min

  5. FEB 16

    Winter in the ADKs: Your Questions, Answered

    It’s mailbag time. Jane and Steve tackle your winter questions, from Presidents’ Week ski picks to the Mirror Lake Toboggan chute, smart winter hiking basics, and crowd-dodging ideas across the Park. Along the way: loon parenting truths, BrewSki intel, full-moon ski nights, cardboard sled chaos, and a reminder that a quiet walk on a frozen lake can be the most magical “activity” of all. What you’ll hear in this episode Where to ski Presidents’ Week: big mountains and smaller local hills Mirror Lake Toboggan Chute: the best time to go and what it’s really likeWinter hiking basics that keep small mistakes from becoming big onesEasy ways to try snowshoeing: guided hikes and beginner-friendly optionsNordic skiing picks, from quick lessons to favorite trail systemsLoon family life: shared parenting and one common myth bustedWinter-weekend planning: quieter towns, can’t-miss events, and a full-moon lake walk Resources: ADK Taste: https://www.adktaste.com/Skiing (big mountains)Whiteface Mountain Gore Mountain North Creek Ski Bowl history + winter activities Adirondack Ski Season Outlook 2025–2026 Signature winter thrillLake Placid Toboggan Chute on Mirror Lake Toboggan Chute 2026 Guided snowshoe + winter learning (starter-friendly)Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center Paul Smith’s College VICUp Yonda Farm snowshoe hikes Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb Nordic skiing spots mentionedMt. Van Hoevenberg full-moon series overview Full Moon Ski & Snowshoe Party (Feb 28, 2026) Full Moon Ski & Snowshoe Party (Mar 28, 2026)Garnet Hill Lodge Outdoor Center Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation CenterLoon Zoom series 2026 Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation Quieter winter towns + ideas

    37 min

  6. FEB 9

    Healing the World from the Adirondacks: Dr. Trudeau and the Saranac Laboratory - Amy Catania

    In this episode of ADK Talks, we step inside one of the most important scientific sites you’ve probably never heard of: the tuberculosis laboratory that helped put Saranac Lake on the global medical map. We’re joined by Amy Catania, Executive Director of Historic Saranac Lake, who helps us trace how a small Adirondack village became a worldwide center for healing, research, and compassion at the turn of the 20th century. At a time when tuberculosis was killing one in seven people in industrialized countries, patients, doctors, and researchers from around the world came north chasing fresh air, rest, and hope. What they found reshaped medicine, architecture, and the identity of Saranac Lake itself. What you’ll hear in this episode How tuberculosis, once called “consumption,” spread rapidly during industrialization and why cities like New York were especially deadlyThe remarkable story of Edward Livingston Trudeau, a young New York City doctor who came to the Adirondacks expecting to die and instead helped change modern medicineWhy Saranac Lake became home to what may be the first U.S. laboratory dedicated entirely to tuberculosis researchThe truth behind the “fresh air cure” and how rest, ventilation, and nursing care gave patients their best chance at recoveryCure cottages, cure porches, and how TB literally shaped the architecture of the villageWhy many cure cottages were run by women, and how this became an unexpected economic engine Inside Trudeau’s laboratory: fireproof design, high ceilings, massive windows, and science before electricityThe famous Rabbit Island experiment and how it helped validate the sanatorium model worldwideHow Saranac Lake’s TB years sparked everything from a booming downtown to the origins of the Winter CarnivalThe global reach of the cure, including thousands of patients from Latin America, Europe, and beyondWhat visitors can expect today at the laboratory museum and the exciting expansion into the restored Trudeau home opening in August 2026 Resources: Historic Saranac Lake Website Historic Saranac Lake WikiADKtaste.com article The Pioneering Fight Against Tuberculosis in the AdirondacksEmbracing Winter Magic: The Saranac Lake Winter CarnivalSign Up For Our Newsletter and Visit the ADK Taste’s Website Produced by NOVA

    52 min

  7. FEB 2

    World-Class Art in the Adirondacks: Inside The Hyde Collection - Bryn Schockmel

    What if one of the Northeast’s most remarkable art museums wasn’t in New York City or Boston, but tucked into the foothills of the Adirondacks? In this episode of ADK Talks, we head to Glens Falls, NY to explore The Hyde Collection—an intimate house museum where Old Masters, modern icons, and deeply personal stories live side by side. We’re joined by Bryn Schockmel, Curator of the Permanent Collection and Related Exhibitions, who takes us inside the legacy of founders Louis and Charlotte Hyde and behind the scenes of how world-class art ends up on the walls of a former family home. From Rembrandt, Picasso, and Botticelli to contemporary works and bold new exhibitions, Bryn shares how The Hyde balances honoring its founders’ vision while evolving for today’s audiences. What you’ll hear in this episode: The story of Louis and Charlotte Hyde and how their personal tastes shaped the museumWhy The Hyde feels more like a home than a traditional museumTips for first-time visitors on slowing down and connecting with artBehind-the-scenes logistics of mounting major exhibitionsWhat it’s like to courier a painting overseasUpcoming exhibitions including birds, ceramics, Shaker design, and Scandinavian artA local museum recommendation you won’t want to miss Resources: The Hyde Collection (Glen Falls, NY)Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, MA) National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC)National Museum of Women in the Arts Fenimore Art Museum (Cooperstown, NY) The Clark Art Institute (Williamstown, MA) Vassar College Art Center (Poughkeepsie, NY) Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA) Museum of American Bird Art at Mass AudubonThe Frick Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)Lake Placid Olympic Museum (Lake Placid, NY)Adirondack Experience: The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake in NY Produced by NOVA

    32 min

  8. JAN 19

    Cold Hard Magic: Inside the Making of The Sagamore’s Glacier Ice Bar - Tom Guay

    Winter at The Sagamore Resort is anything but quiet. Each January, the lakeside terrace transforms into a frozen spectacle where 300-pound blocks of ice, chainsaws, blowtorches, and a lot of muscle come together as one of the Adirondacks’ most anticipated winter traditions: the Glacier Ice Bar. In this episode of ADK Talks, we’re joined by Tom Guay, General Manager of The Sagamore, whose career at the resort spans more than two decades and nearly every corner of hotel operations. Tom takes us behind the scenes of the Ice Bar’s creation, from its unlikely beginnings to the finely tuned winter event it is today. What you’ll hear in this episode The long, resilient history of The Sagamore Resort, rebuilt, reimagined, and still standing strong on Green Island since the 1800sHow a quiet winter lull sparked the idea for an ice bar and why the first year exceeded every expectationThe creative process behind the Ice Bar, including yearly themes, life-size sculptures, and why the bar itself is always the starWhat it actually takes to build it all: 300-pound ice blocks, chainsaws, chisels, blowtorches, aluminum plates, and old-fashioned teamworkThe role of chefs and teams from across the Opal Collection, traveling property to property to carve and collaborateWhy the Ice Bar helped reshape winter tourism in the Lake George regionTom’s favorite hidden spots on Lake George, from Paradise Bay to quiet corners only reachable by boat Resources: The Sagamore Resort – Lodging, events, Glacier Ice Bar detailsBolton Landing – Dining, winter events, and village happeningsLake George – The lake that shapes it allLake George Association – Protecting water qualityLake George Land Conservancy – Protecting the land that protects the Lake Produced by NOVA

    30 min
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

ADK Talks brings you the stories behind the people, places, and things to do in the Adirondack Park of New York State. With 6 million acres, the Adirondacks are the ultimate playground.We take you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of one of America's most breathtaking regions. Just like we do on our website, adktaste.com, our podcast uncovers the hidden gems of the Adirondacks, offering hand-picked recommendations for the best places to stay, eat, shop and do in the Adirondack Park.But this isn't just about places. It's about the people who make the Adirondacks so special and unique. In each episode, we talk to people from all walks of life—restauranteurs, farmers, innkeepers, historians, artists, local leaders, writers, hikers, and more. Hear real stories about what they do, their passions, and how they found their way here.And they'll share their insider tips on the best things to see and do in the Adirondacks – insights you won't find anywhere else.So subscribe now to ADK Talks to get real stories from real people, sharing the real Adirondacks.You can also visit us online at adktaste.com.

Information

  • Creator
    ADK Taste
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 ADK Talks
  • Show Website
    ADK Talks

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