ADK Talks

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-ups
• The Deerhead Inn — Historic jazz venue and returning Opera Shots location
• North Star Underground Railroad Museum (Keeseville)

Produced by NOVA

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 operation
• What actually happens inside a maple tree that makes sap flow in spring
• Buckets vs. tubing systems — how technology changed maple production
• Why it takes roughly 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup
• The science behind reverse osmosis and modern evaporators
• Maple syrup grades explained: golden delicate, amber rich, dark robust, and very dark strong
• Why darker syrups often have stronger maple flavor and win taste tests
• Maple products beyond syrup: candy, cream, granulated sugar, and maple caramel corn
• The rise of infused maple products, including bourbon barrel-aged syrup
• How maple producers manage forests sustainably for long-term production
• What to expect at Thurman Maple Days and why it’s a must-visit Adirondack event

Resources:

• Visit The Toad Hill Maple Farm Website
• Crane Mountain
• Nettle Meadow Farm
• Thurman Maple Days - 3 Weekends in March

Produced by NOVA

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 record
• Why now was the right time to bring Breaking Trail back for a new generation
• The creative partnership behind the book — and how songwriting helped shape the storytelling
• The mystery of Esther Mountain and the elusive Esther Combs
• Lumber camp cooks, 18-hour days, and women who could go from hip boots to ball gowns
• The legacy of women like Grace Hudowalski and Inez Milholland — now honored with High Peaks
• Why 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 Press
• John Brown Farm State Historic Site (Lake Placid)
• Adirondack Experience: The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake
• Paul Smith’s College

Produced by NOVA

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: [email protected]

Produced by NOVA

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 like
• Winter hiking basics that keep small mistakes from becoming big ones
• Easy ways to try snowshoeing: guided hikes and beginner-friendly options
• Nordic skiing picks, from quick lessons to favorite trail systems
• Loon family life: shared parenting and one common myth busted
• Winter-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 thrill
  • Lake 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 VIC
  • Up Yonda Farm snowshoe hikes 
  • Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb 
• Nordic skiing spots mentioned
  • Mt. 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 Center
  • Loon Zoom series 2026 
  • Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation 
• Quieter winter towns + ideas

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 deadly
• The 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 medicine
• Why Saranac Lake became home to what may be the first U.S. laboratory dedicated entirely to tuberculosis research
• The truth behind the “fresh air cure” and how rest, ventilation, and nursing care gave patients their best chance at recovery
• Cure cottages, cure porches, and how TB literally shaped the architecture of the village
• Why 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 electricity
• The famous Rabbit Island experiment and how it helped validate the sanatorium model worldwide
• How Saranac Lake’s TB years sparked everything from a booming downtown to the origins of the Winter Carnival
• The global reach of the cure, including thousands of patients from Latin America, Europe, and beyond
• What 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 Wiki
• ADKtaste.com article The Pioneering Fight Against Tuberculosis in the Adirondacks
• Embracing Winter Magic: The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
• Sign Up For Our Newsletter and Visit the ADK Taste’s Website

Produced by NOVA

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 museum
• Why The Hyde feels more like a home than a traditional museum
• Tips for first-time visitors on slowing down and connecting with art
• Behind-the-scenes logistics of mounting major exhibitions
• What it’s like to courier a painting overseas
• Upcoming exhibitions including birds, ceramics, Shaker design, and Scandinavian art
• A 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 Audubon
• The Frick Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Lake Placid Olympic Museum (Lake Placid, NY)
• Adirondack Experience: The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake in NY

Produced by NOVA

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 1800s
• How a quiet winter lull sparked the idea for an ice bar and why the first year exceeded every expectation
• The creative process behind the Ice Bar, including yearly themes, life-size sculptures, and why the bar itself is always the star
• What it actually takes to build it all: 300-pound ice blocks, chainsaws, chisels, blowtorches, aluminum plates, and old-fashioned teamwork
• The role of chefs and teams from across the Opal Collection, traveling property to property to carve and collaborate
• Why the Ice Bar helped reshape winter tourism in the Lake George region
• Tom’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 details
• Bolton Landing – Dining, winter events, and village happenings
• Lake George – The lake that shapes it all
• Lake George Association – Protecting water quality
• Lake George Land Conservancy – Protecting the land that protects the Lake

Produced by NOVA

Rick Vidal left global boardrooms for a forgotten ski mountain and found something much bigger than a renovation project.

In this episode of ADK Talks, we head to Jay, New York, to explore the remarkable reinvention of the former Pale Face Ski Area, now reborn as NewVida Preserve. Rick shares the deeply personal story behind buying a long-closed resort, reopening land that had been private for decades, and rebuilding not just buildings, but trust and community.

What unfolds is a conversation about second acts, Adirondack resilience, and what it really takes to bring a place back to life without stripping away its soul.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• The surprising history of Pale Face Ski Area, once a family-friendly counterpoint to Whiteface Mountain
• What it was like to take ownership of a dormant 2,000-acre property with no maps, no systems, and a literal bucket of keys
• How NewVida balances preservation with reinvention, from vintage ski chairs to repurposed runs turned into trails
• Why opening 45 miles of trails to the public was non-negotiable
• The challenge of building trust as newcomers and what the Adirondack spirit really looks like in practice
• Bringing bold, global cuisine to the High Peaks region and raising the bar for dining in the North Country
• Hosting weddings, retreats, wellness programs, and community events in a former ski lodge
• The uphill climb of attracting investors to the Adirondacks and why regional branding still matters
• A friendly ghost story hiding in the old gym
• Rick’s favorite local gem: the growing Hardy Mountain Bike Trails near Wilmington and Jay

Places and organizations mentioned

• NewVida Preserve – Lodging, dining, wellness programs, events, and public trail access in Jay, NY
• Whiteface Mountain
• Jay, New York
• Wilmington, New York
• Adirondack Park Agency
• Adirondack Park Paranormal Society
• Hardy Road Mountain Bike Trails

This episode is a reminder that the Adirondacks are still a place for big ideas, careful stewardship, and bold second chances. Whether you come for the views, the trails, the food, or the stories, NewVida Preserve is writing a new chapter on old ground.

Resources:

• Check out the NewVida Preserve website

Produced by NOVA

Winter in the Adirondacks can feel otherworldly. Snow-draped trees, hushed trails, bluebird summit days, and the kind of stillness that only comes when the temperature drops. It can also turn dangerous fast.

In this episode of ADK Talks, we welcome back Jeff Berry and Elena Lumby from Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks (SARNAK) for an honest, practical, and sometimes chilling conversation about the realities of winter hiking. From hypothermia and headlamp failures to summit fever and post-holing, Jeff and Elena share real stories from the field and lessons learned the hard way.

This episode is essential listening if you are planning winter hikes around MLK Weekend, Presidents’ Day, or anytime snow and cold are part of the equation.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Why winter hiking is so magical and why it demands respect
• How quickly hypothermia can set in, even close to the trailhead
• What “be bold, start cold” actually means in practice
• Why two headlamps are non-negotiable, and phones don’t count
• The dangers of sweat, wet clothing, and poor heat management
• Why signing trail registers and sharing trip plans saves lives
• A true story involving a winter hike, summit fever, and a baby on Cascade
• How the 10 Essentials change in winter conditions
• Snowshoes, post-holing, and why it’s a ticketable offense in the High Peaks
• How to build skills safely through classes, guides, and local resources

Resources:

• Into the Wild: Search and Rescue in the Adirondacks
• SARNAK
• Hike Safe New York
• Mountain Forecast
• Adirondack Mountain Club
• Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC)
• The Mountaineer (Keene Valley)
• High Peaks Information Center (Mount Jo area)
• Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC), Newcomb
• Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center
• Wilderness Medical Associates
• REI
• Cavu Café (Adirondack Regional Airport, Lake Clear)
• Left Bank Café (Saranac Lake)
• Origin Coffee (Saranac Lake)
• Capisce (Lake Placid)

Produced by NOVA