ADK Talks

In this episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve head to Westport, New York, for a behind-the-scenes look at the Depot Theatre, a professional theatre housed inside a restored 19th-century train station on the shores of Lake Champlain.

Guests Erin Jodwin, Artistic Director at the Depot Theatre, and Gigi Mason, Director of the Depot Theatre Academy, share what makes this small, intimate venue such a memorable place to see live performance. From trains rumbling past during shows to actors performing just feet from the audience, the Depot offers a theatre experience that could only happen in the Adirondacks.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How a historic Westport train station became a professional theatre.
• Why the Depot’s small space creates such a powerful connection between actors and audiences.
• What it means to be an Equity theatre and why that matters for professional performers.
• How the Depot Theatre Academy gives Adirondack kids access to acting, stage management, lighting, sound, sets, costumes, and mentorship.
• What’s on stage for the 2026 season, including Hadestown: Teen Edition, Tick, Tick… Boom!, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Ring of Fire.
• Why artists are drawn to spending a summer creating theatre in the Adirondacks.
• How community support, volunteers, and local partnerships help keep the Depot thriving.
• Favorite Adirondack spots from Erin and Gigi, including the Lake Placid Olympic Oval, a favorite swimming hole near Essex, Goodnow Mountain, and the Champlain Area Trails Quarry Trail.

Resources:

• Depot Theatre 
• Depot Theatre in Westport 
• Champlain Area Trails
• James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid 
• Essex Quarry Nature Preserve
• Seagle Festival 
• The Hyde Collection 
• Actors’ Equity Association 

Produced by NOVA

Silver Bay YMCA has long been one of the north end of Lake George’s most beloved destinations, but there is much more happening there than many visitors realize.

In this episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve welcome back Lindsay Butler, VP of Sales and Marketing at Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Family Retreat Center, for a fresh look at what makes Silver Bay such a special Adirondack gathering place.

Lindsay shares how Silver Bay has evolved from its historic roots into a year-round retreat, community hub, cultural venue, and lakeside destination. From Mountain Music Festival and Evenings of Dance to dockside dining, holiday weekends, winter programming, and family-friendly recreation, Silver Bay offers something for overnight guests, local residents, boaters, and day visitors alike.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How Silver Bay balances its deep history with new programming and modern guest experiences.
• Why the north end of Lake George offers a quieter, more serene Adirondack experience.
• What to expect from Silver Bay’s Mountain Music Festival, including auditorium performances, porch sessions, and new campfire sessions.
• How Evenings of Dance brings world-class professional dancers to the Adirondacks for free community performances.
• Why Silver Bay’s summer concert series has become a special part of the Lake George arts scene.
• How Bites at the Bay lets boaters order food from the water and pick it up dockside.
• What makes Mountain View Grille and Silver Bay’s dining programs a growing part of the destination.
• How Silver Bay gives back through respite programs, teen programming, childcare, and community access.
• Lindsay’s favorite hidden gem: Black Mountain on the eastern side of Lake George.

Resources:

• Silver Bay YMCA Conference & Family Retreat Center
• Silver Bay YMCA on ADK Taste
• Silver Bay Mountain Music Festival
• Memorial Day Weekend at Silver Bay YMCA

Produced by NOVA

Memorial Day weekend in the Adirondacks can mean sunshine, dock weather, chilly rain, black flies, parades, boats on trailers, and the first real feeling that summer is almost here.

In this episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve kick off the season with a Memorial Day weekend guide and a listener mailbag. They talk about what the Adirondacks feel like as seasonal businesses reopen, favorite early-summer events return, and visitors start heading north again.

They also answer listener questions about how ADK Taste and the podcast began, why they focus on positive recommendations, what makes a place worth featuring, and which hidden gems they love most.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Memorial Day weekend in the Adirondacks is beautiful, unpredictable, and worth packing layers for.
• The hosts share tips for choosing one region instead of trying to see the whole park in one trip.
• Jane highlights the Great Adirondack Garage Sale, a 200-mile treasure hunt through the Central Adirondacks.
• Steve talks about classic signs of the season, from boats on the Northway to Memorial Day parades.
• They share rainy-day ideas, including museums, local theaters, galleries, and historical societies.
• The mailbag covers how ADK Taste started, why the podcast came next, and how listeners can send ideas.
• Jane and Steve share favorite Adirondack “hidden gems,” including Newcomb views, stargazing, breweries, and ADKX.
• The episode looks ahead to June events, including Americade, cycling races, the Lake Placid Marathon, and William Shatner’s return to Ticonderoga.

Resources:

• Great Adirondack Garage Sale 
• Americade 2026 in Lake George 
• William Shatner at the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour 
• On The Equator Sauna Rentals
• Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake 
• The Sembrich 
• Seagle Festival 
• Lake George 

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of ADK Talks, we sit down with Chef Robert Dumas, Director of the Institute of Adventure, Hospitality, and Food at Paul Smith’s College.

Chef Dumas brings a remarkable perspective to the table. His career has taken him from washing dishes in a neighborhood Chinese restaurant to cooking aboard a Navy submarine, serving at the White House, teaching at the collegiate level, and now helping shape the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals in the Adirondacks.

What does “adventure hospitality” mean? At Paul Smith’s, it’s where food, lodging, recreation, and the natural world meet. Chef Dumas shares how the college’s culinary, baking, hospitality, and resort management programs are rooted in hands-on learning, local food systems, and the unique setting of the Adirondack Park.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How Paul Smith’s College is training chefs for today’s hospitality world.
• Chef Dumas’s path from New Orleans kitchens to the Navy, the White House, and higher education.
• Why local farms, regional ingredients, and seasonality matter in culinary training.
• What students learn from visiting Adirondack producers and cooking with local ingredients.
• How kitchen leadership has changed, and why today’s students respond to teaching, purpose, and respect.
• What visitors should look for in a great Adirondack dining experience.
• A peek inside Paul Smith’s student-run bakery and restaurant, plus plans for future lakefront dining.
• Why Paul Smith’s VIC and the St. Regis Canoe Area are among Chef Dumas’s favorite Adirondack places.

Resources:

• Paul Smith’s College Culinary Management
• Paul Smith’s College
• Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center
• Adirondack Harvest
• Deer’s Head Inn 
• Juniper Hill Farm
• Harmony Hills Farmstead
• Farmer Ground Flour
• Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of ADK Talks, we head out on the water with Aaron Gaza of Aaron’s Guide Service, a licensed New York State guide who helps anglers discover the beauty, challenge, and thrill of fishing in the Adirondacks.

Aaron takes us from Great Sacandaga Lake to Saranac Lake, Long Lake, Tupper Lake, and beyond, sharing what makes Adirondack fishing so special: thousands of lakes and ponds, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and that unforgettable feeling of being surrounded by protected land, mountain views, and open water.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Aaron shares how childhood trips to Middle Saranac Lake sparked a lifelong love of fishing.
• Why Great Sacandaga Lake is one of his favorite Adirondack fisheries.
• How fishing changes from spring and summer to fall and winter.
• Why hiring a guide can help with lake choice, timing, safety, and finding fish.
• A thoughtful look at conservation, overfishing, sonar, and responsible catch-and-release practices.
• What beginners should know before heading out, from weather and clothing to ice safety.
• Aaron’s favorite Adirondack stops, including Jim’s Bait Shop, Sport Island Pub, and Noon Mark Diner.

Resources:

• Aaron’s Guide Service
• Adirondack Free Fishing Days 
• Great Sacandaga Lake
• Saranac Lake and the Tri-Lakes Region
• Lake George
• Fish Creek Pond
• Forked Lake 
• Noon Mark Diner
• Jim’s Bait Shop
• Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks Episode 
• Sport Island Pub

Produced by NOVA

Loons are one of the defining sounds of an Adirondack summer, but protecting them takes far more than admiration from afar. In this episode of ADK Talks, we welcome back Denise Silfee of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, along with Dr. Lizz Schuyler, the organization’s new Senior Director of Science and Conservation, for a fascinating conversation about what loons can teach us about the health of Adirondack lakes.

We talk about why loons are such powerful environmental sentinels, how decades of research are helping scientists track mercury and other pollutants, and why new concerns like PFAS and wake boat activity are getting so much attention. Denise and Lizz also walk us through loon banding, rescue efforts, the dangers of lead tackle and discarded fishing line, and the simple ways everyday recreation choices can make a real difference for wildlife.

You’ll also hear about new ways the public can get involved, from the annual loon census to a new community science effort focused on boat activity, plus summer events, guided paddles, and bird nerd trivia. If you love Adirondack lakes, wildlife, and the haunting beauty of a loon call at dusk, this episode is for you.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Loons spend five to seven months of the year at sea, and researchers still have much to learn about that part of their life cycle.
• Why loons matter as indicator species, and how mercury, acid rain, and emerging contaminants like PFAS can reveal the health of Adirondack waters.
• How loon banding works, what scientists learn from it, and why individual birds can be tracked for decades.
• Why lead tackle remains such a serious threat, especially when loons ingest hooks or jigs through fish.
• What wake boats may mean for loon nests, water clarity, fish habitat, shoreline erosion, and overall lake health.
• How listeners can help through the loon census, guided paddles, rescue reporting, and the new Tackle Box Ambassador program.

Resources:

• Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation
• Adirondack Loon Center in Saranac Lake
• Loons on ADK Talks
• Loon Zoom events
• Paul Smith’s VIC
• Great Adirondack Birding Celebration at Paul Smith’s

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of ADK Talks, we talk with Jacob McCoola and Nicole Panek about St. Lawrence University’s Adirondack Semester, an immersive fall program where students live off-grid in a yurt village on Massawepie Lake.

They share what daily life looks like without phones or laptops, how students learn through outdoor leadership and place-based study, and why the experience leaves such a lasting impact. From shared meals and handwritten coursework to loons, lake water, and deep community, this is a fascinating look at a one-of-a-kind semester in the Adirondacks.

Jacob and Nicole also explain how students balance rigorous academics with the practical realities of living in the woods, from cooking and hauling water to learning how to communicate, solve problems, and live closely with others. They talk about the kinds of students the program attracts, the personal growth that often happens over the course of the semester, and why the Adirondacks offer such a rich setting for this kind of education.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Living in a yurt village for a full semester
• Starting with a seven-day canoe trip
• Learning without phones or computers
• Building community through shared daily life
• Why the Adirondacks make such a powerful classroom
• How the experience changes students long after they leave

Resources:

• St. Lawrence University Adirondack Semester
• Adirondack Semester Weekly Updates
• Donnelly’s Soft Ice Cream
• Mt. Arab
• Raquette River Outfitters
• Why Loons Return to the Same Adirondack Lake Each Year

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve welcome Nolan Cool and Christine Bush from Adirondack Architectural Heritage (ARRCH) to talk about the buildings, landscapes, and local stories that shape the Adirondacks.

They share how ARRCH helps people connect with the region through popular tours, hands-on workshops, and practical preservation guidance for homeowners and communities. From Great Camps and historic churches to old windows, lime plaster, and even architectural salvage, this conversation is full of insight for anyone who loves Adirondack history and wants to help protect it.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How ARRCH helps preserve and celebrate historic places across the Adirondacks.
• Why ARRCH tours are so popular and how to improve your chances of getting a spot.
• What homeowners should know before starting a restoration project.
• Why old wood windows and traditional materials are often worth saving.
• What’s coming up in 2026, including tours, workshops, webinars, and ARRCH’s new salvage project.

Resources:

• Adirondack Architectural Heritage (ARRCH) 
• ARRCH Programs, Tours & Workshops 
• ARRCH Talks & Webinar Archives
• ARRCH YouTube
• Great Camp Santanoni 
• Valcour Island / Bluff Point Lighthouse 
• Battle of Valcour Island 
• White Pine Camp
• Keeseville’s Swing Bridge 

Produced by NOVA

In part two of our conversation with the Adirondack Park Paranormal Society, we move from Big Moose Lake to the old Herkimer County Jail, where Chester Gillette awaited trial after the 1906 murder of Grace Brown. APPS shares what they experienced inside the jail, how they approached the investigation, and why they believe some of the building’s most infamous former inmates may still make their presence known.

The conversation goes well beyond ghost stories. The team reflects on the energy they encountered in Chester Gillette’s cell, describing a presence that felt cold, egotistical, and intensely aware of attention. They also explore the story of Roxalana Druse, the last woman hanged in New York State, whose life, trial, and death opened up a deeper conversation about abuse, women’s rights, and the way history lingers in a place.

This episode is eerie, emotional, and deeply rooted in Adirondack history. Whether you come for the paranormal or the true crime, it is a reminder that old buildings often hold more than artifacts. Sometimes they hold stories that still feel unfinished.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• APPS explains how they got access to the historic Herkimer jail and why it had long been a bucket-list investigation for the team.
• The group shares what they sensed in Chester Gillette’s cell and why they felt his presence was still drawn to an audience.
• You’ll hear the haunting story of Roxalana Druse and why her case still raises questions about justice, abuse, and who may really have been responsible.
• The team also talks about the difference between intelligent and residual hauntings, and how certain places seem to keep replaying the past.

Resources:

• Adirondack Park Paranormal Society (APPS)
• APT Alchemy Podcast (APPS Podcast)
• An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser
• The Prison Diary and Letters of Chester Gillette (edited by Jack Sherman & Craig Brandon
• Herkimer County Historical Society and the 1834 Jail
• ADK Talks: Echoes from Beyond: Paranormal Investigations in the Adirondacks

Produced by NOVA

More than a century ago, a quiet Adirondack lake became the setting for one of the most infamous true crime stories in American history.

In this episode of ADK Talks, we dive into the tragic case of Chester Gillette and Grace Brown—a story of ambition, deception, love, and murder that unfolded at Big Moose Lake in the early 1900s. What began as a secret romance in a Cortland skirt factory ended in a chilling act that captivated the nation and still lingers in Adirondack lore today.

Joined by the Adirondack Park Paranormal Society (APPS), we explore not just the crime itself, but the people behind it, the cultural ripple effects, and why this case continues to fascinate more than 100 years later.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Next week, we step inside the historic Herkimer County Jail, where APPS investigates what may still remain.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• A secret romance leads to an unexpected pregnancy and rising tension.
• A trip to Big Moose Lake promises a new beginning but ends in tragedy.
• A rowboat, a remote bay, and a story that doesn’t quite add up.
• A sensational trial unfolds with love letters and national headlines.
• The case inspires a landmark novel and a classic Hollywood film.
• A closer look at the mindset of Chester Gillette.

Resources:

• Adirondack Park Paranormal Society (APPS)
• APT Alchemy Podcast (APPS Podcast)
• An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser
• Murder in the Adirondacks: An American Tragedy Revisited by Craig Brandon
• The Prison Diary and Letters of Chester Gillette (edited by Jack Sherman & Craig Brandon
• Film: A Place in the Sun (starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift)

Produced by NOVA