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 really like to run a fiercely independent ski area (yes… sometimes it’s unclogging a septic line), how lake-effect bands can bury the hill while it’s bone-dry 10 miles away, and how Snow Ridge balances old-school charm—like the legendary T-bar-served Snow Pocket—with smart upgrades behind the scenes.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Why Tug Hill can be “nuking” at Snow Ridge while nearby towns stay dry
• The unglamorous but essential realities of owning and operating a mom-and-pop ski mountain
• What makes a true powder morning at Snow Ridge so special, from hooting chairlifts to no lift lines
• Recent improvements, including expanded snowmaking and the return of North Chair
• Beloved Snow Ridge traditions like torchlight parades, pond skims, and the Christmas Eve food drive

Snow Ridge is located in Turin, NY, about 35 minutes from Old Forge—close enough to feel connected to the Adirondack ski scene while offering a distinctly Tug Hill experience. Nick shares tips on nearby lodging, from classic motels to cabin rentals, and why booking early matters during big snow cycles.

Resources:

• Learn more about Snow Ridge
• Snow Ridge Ski Resort: A Powder Lover’s Paradise
• Snow Ridge Spring Fest
• Hickory Ski Center
• Snowology
• Snow Ridge Outdoor Collaborative
• Indy Pass

Produced by NOVA

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 Flanagan, CEO and co-founder of Nettle Meadow, to trace the journey from collapsing barns and ice storms to national cheese awards and the warm glow of the Hitching Post Tavern in Lake Luzerne. Sheila shares how she and her partner, Lorraine, learned cheesemaking by trial, error, and sheer stubbornness—and why the terroir of the Southern Adirondacks is baked into every wheel they produce.

You’ll hear about the goats who rode cross-country, the historic butter cellar that turned into an aging cave, the community that carried them through lean winters, and the tough choices they’re facing now as they look for the right partner to help Nettle Meadow’s next chapter unfold. If you’ve ever daydreamed about ditching a soul-crushing job for something wilder and more meaningful, this one’s for you.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How a burned-out toxic-tort lawyer in Oakland fell in love with a tiny goat farm listing and convinced her partner to move to Thurman, NY.
• The origin story of Kunik—why Sheila calls it “a buttery brie with a goat kick at the end,” and how Nigerian dwarf goats tricked them into thinking they were instant cheese geniuses.
• Growing from 36 goats to close to a thousand animals: hybrid “all-American” goats, Jersey cows, sheep, and a whole lot of retired and differently abled residents living their best lives.
• Why Adirondack terroir matters: goats munching nettles and raspberry leaf, loamy soil, and a 19th-century butter cellar that shaped the flavor of their cheeses.
• The brutal first winters—ice storms, deep snow, generators, and the moment Sheila almost put the farm back up for sale.
• How and why Nettle Meadow took on the historic Hitching Post Tavern near Lake George, and turned a dude-ranch roadhouse into an Adirondack cheese tavern and production hub.
• Tips for pairing Nettle Meadow cheeses with mac and cheese, salads, flatbreads, and more—plus how the menu gently converts “goat cheese skeptics.”
• Where to find Nettle Meadow cheeses across the country, from NYC specialty shops to regional grocers and national chains.
• Sheila’s honest look at growth, finances, and why they’re now seeking an investor to help sustain the mission—and possibly relocate the sanctuary closer to Lake Luzerne.
• Her advice for anyone dreaming of a big life change: what she’d do differently, and why she still says “go for it.”

Resources:

• Learn more at www.nettlemeadow.com
• Nettle Meadow Farm & Artisan Cheese
• Hitching Post Tavern
• Toad Hill Maple Farm
• Friends Lake Inn
• Oscar’s Smokehouse
• Martins Lumber

Produced by NOVA

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, Dean of Faculty and Professor of Natural Resources, to explore what makes Paul Smith’s unlike any other college in the country. From forestry and fish restoration to culinary arts, climate resilience, and the beloved Visitor Interpretive Center, the “College of the Adirondacks” blends outdoor tradition with forward-thinking science, community partnerships, and a whole lot of boots-on-the-ground experience.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How a 19th-century wilderness hotel on Lower St. Regis Lake evolved into Paul Smith’s College — and why forestry, hospitality, and the liberal arts still anchor its identity.
• What it means to have a campus where every classroom door opens directly into the forest — including wildlife labs, winter ecology lessons, and fieldwork 20 steps from the parking lot.
• The story behind Paul Smith’s VIC: its origins with the APA, its role as a community hub, and why it’s one of the most accessible entry points for visitors curious about the college.
• How students earn a real Adirondack advantage through internships, DEC partnerships, guest speakers, and a strong pipeline into regional conservation and recreation careers.
• A favorite tale of “Adirondack resilience in action”: draft horses and students hauling 20 tons of lime across the ice to restore remote brook trout habitat.
• A primer on modern forestry — long time horizons, carbon, wildlife, timber, and the art of thinking 100 years into the future.
• New initiatives that broaden the college’s reach: artisan culinary training, specialized institutes, and programs like Battlefish Academy for veterans seeking a path into guiding and small business.
• How the Adirondack Watershed Institute works to protect lakes, prevent invasives, and educate boaters — and why firewood rules matter more than you think.
• A quick detour to a host favorite: the hike up St. Regis Mountain and its restored fire tower with views over the St. Regis Lakes chain.

Resources:

• Paul Smith’s College
• Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC)
• Adirondack Watershed Institute
• St. Regis Canoe Area
• Adirondack Park Agency

Produced by NOVA

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 through listener FAQs (“What is there to do if I’m up for Christmas? New Year’s? MLK weekend?”) and give you our best practical tips—like why you should rent skis ahead of time and how to find events where your ticket or donation stays local.

What you’ll hear about:

• Holiday browsing in Old Forge & Inlet, from hardware-store gems to cozy local shops.
• A Blue Mountain Lake pairing: the ADKX gift shop and homemade diner comfort food.
• Classic films, live shows, and community energy at the Indian Lake Theater.
• Planning the perfect Gore Mountain ski day, plus North Creek and Chestertown stops.
• Winter fun at Ridin-Hy Ranch and the best comfort bites around Schroon Lake.
• Lake Placid’s Holiday Village Stroll and the beloved Santa Sunday at Whiteface.
• Skating under the lights on the Lake Placid Olympic Oval.
• Saranac Lake’s family-friendly North Country New Year festivities.
• Must-stop pies and pastries at the Noonmark Diner in Keene Valley.
• Tupper Lake’s magical Wild Lights and evening wander at The Wild Center.
• Adirondack Coast highlights, including Rulf’s Orchard and NewVida Preserve.
• Exploring Ticonderoga’s Star Trek Set Tour and local holiday traditions.
• Lake George cruises, cheese and spirits, winter markets, and the New Year’s polar plunge.

Resources:

• Old Forge Hardware
• Adirondack Experience (ADKX) – Museum on Blue Mountain Lake
• Indian Lake Theater Indian Lake Theater
• Gore Mountain Ski Area, Gore Mountain
• The Wild Center – Wild Lights
• Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll
• Santa Sunday at Whiteface Mountain
• North Country New Year – Saranac Lake
• Star Trek Original Series Set Tour – Ticonderoga
• Nettle Meadow Farm & The Hitching Post Tavern
• Lake George Waterfront Cruises

Produced by NOVA

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 Country.

Bella takes us from the grassroots origins of Adirondack Harvest in the early 2000s to the vibrant, ever-growing local food scene of today. We talk drought, climate resiliency, winter markets, CSA culture, local economic impact, and why “buying local” is really an investment in your neighbors, community health, and even the ecosystem.

Along the way, we get into farm-to-school programs, the challenges behind digital marketing for small farms, how restaurants can be better partners, and why Essex County remains the beating agricultural heart of the Adirondack Park.

And yes — we also get a peek behind the scenes of the beloved Adirondack Harvest Festival, plus Bella’s heartfelt ode to Raquette Lake and a gentle reminder that some backcountry treasures should stay off the map.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How Adirondack Harvest grew from grassroots farmland protection efforts into the region’s most comprehensive local food network.
• Why Essex County is the agricultural “breadbasket” of the Adirondacks — and how drought and new weather patterns are reshaping farm life.
• Winter farmers markets: where to find them, what to expect, and how to discover year-round local products.
• The real economic impact of buying local — and why co-ops, farm stands, and direct-from-farm bulk buying matter.
• Bella’s favorite success stories connecting farms to restaurants, schools, and hospitals (including seed potatoes, microgreens, and local food in the Saranac Lake Medical Center).
• New initiatives for 2026: cuisine trails, international food trails, increased digital help for farms, and expanded education efforts.
• The roots and evolution of the Adirondack Harvest Festival — from its Rutabaga Festival beginnings to 3,000-visitor celebrations today.
• Why Leave No Trace matters far beyond hiking… and what “old-world Adirondack living” really means.

Resources:

• Adirondack Harvest
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County
• Essex Food Hub
• Big Slide Brewery
• Kneading Change: How Triple Green Jade Farm is Rising Together
• Leave No Trace Principles
• Nori’s Village Market

Produced by NOVA

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 that made us stop mid-sentence, the ones that sent us down rabbit holes through history, and the ones that reminded us why we love this wild, weird, wonderful park. Somewhere along the way, we talk about road signs that don’t quite know where they are, a Westport chair that became a global icon, and a stream named after an abandoned pair of BVDs. (If that isn’t peak Adirondack, we don’t know what is.)

It’s curious, quirky, and just plain fun. It’s a chance to explore the Adirondacks the way we love doing it: following your questions, wandering off trail now and then, and celebrating all the stories tucked into these 6 million acres.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• What the blue line really is… and one sign that gets it hilariously wrong
• The true meaning behind the name “Adirondack”
• The Westport chair that became a global icon
• Leave No Trace tips, the ADK edition
• A very local legend involving a pair of BVDs
• How we actually find our guests
• A surprisingly wholesome chat about nudists in the ADK
• How to visit or stay at real Adirondack Great Camps

Resources:

• Great Camp Sagamore
• Great Camp Santanoni
• White Pine Camp
• The Point
• Lake Kora
• The Hedges on Blue Mountain Lake
• Camp Uncas
• Topridge
• Camp Wild Air
• Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH)
• Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
• Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation

Produced by NOVA

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 shares how a 100-year-old, run-down waterfront resort on Fourth Lake became Great Pines—and the unlikely origin story of Weekender’s growing portfolio of boutique adventure hotels stretching across the Adirondacks and the Northeast.

We dig into his philosophy of adaptive reuse, why he wants guests out of their rooms and into the mountains, and what’s in store for the former Phoenix Inn / Copperfield in North Creek as it transforms into a four-season basecamp for Gore Mountain and beyond.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How a real estate broker became a hotelier with the transformation of the old Northwoods Lodge into Great Pines Resort.
• Why Weekender Hotels focuses on reviving classic Adirondack motels instead of building new ones.
• The philosophy behind their three pillars: iconic locations, inspiring adventure, and modern, tech-friendly stays.
• What’s ahead for North Creek’s Phoenix Inn, including new restaurants, wellness spaces, and community membership options.
• How adaptive reuse keeps the Adirondack character alive—mixing nostalgia with sustainability.
• The role of local partnerships and tourism development in making projects like North Creek possible.
• Lessons Keir’s learned growing a hospitality brand rooted in the outdoors.
• His advice for entrepreneurs chasing big ideas in small towns.
• Reflections on Adirondack heritage—from Great Camp Sagamore to today’s “get outside” mindset.
• A few of Keir’s favorite roadside treats and hidden-gem ice cream stops.
• Why the Adirondacks remain his go-to place for inspiration, adventure, and renewal.

Resources:

• Weekender Hotels
• Great Pines Resort – Fourth Lake, Inlet
• The Alpine Lodge near Gore Mountain
• Trailhead Lodge - Tupper Lake
• Partner highlights: Gore Mountain · The Wild Center · Warren County Tourism
• Ice cream favorites: Northern Lights (Inlet) · Benny’s (Old Forge) · Custard’s Last Stand (Long Lake)

Produced by NOVA

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, why the Adirondacks shaped T.R.’s grit and conservation ethic, and how communities today keep that history alive.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Becoming T.R. Joe’s unlikely path—from a hippie-comedian’s son to 400 shows a year as Roosevelt—and the craft behind first-person history.
• Adirondack origins. Teen summers at Paul Smith’s and St. Regis; paddling Saranac & Tupper; and Roosevelt’s first publication on Franklin County’s summer birds.
• The night ride. Lake Tear of the Clouds, the dash via Aiden’s Lair with driver Mike Cronin, and daybreak at North Creek where news of McKinley’s death awaited—history made on Adirondack roads.
• Conservation President. From doubling national parks to creating national monuments and massively expanding national forests with Gifford Pinchot—T.R.’s enduring legacy.
• Walk it yourself. Joe’s favorite route retracing T.R.: Upper Works → Flowed Lands → Lake Colden → Mount Marcy → Lake Tear—a strenuous, unforgettable line through history.

Enjoy the episode—and if it stirs your own “strenuous life,” rate/review the show and share it with a fellow Adirondack history buff.

Links & Mentions:

• Town of Newcomb — details for Teddy Roosevelt Weekend (watch 2026 updates).
• Visit North Creek / Tannery Pond Center — programming tied to the anniversary.
• Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site (Buffalo) — inauguration reenactment & naturalization ceremony each Sept. 14.
• teddyrooseveltshow.com — Joe Wiegand’s schedule & performances.
• medora.com — Gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park; summer performances in Medora.
• Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (Medora) — slated to open during America250 festivities in July 2026.
• Great Camp Santanoni — a favorite T.R. haunt (watch for docent programs & carriage-road visits).
• Lake Tear of the Clouds / Mount Marcy — source of the Hudson and the high point of New York, central to the 1901 story.
• Aiden’s Lair (NY-28N) — iconic staging point on the night ride.

Produced by NOVA

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 (Lake Placid): The 1933 disappearance of educator Mabel Smith Douglas, the startling discovery near Pulpit Rock decades later, and why dusk paddles still give locals the shivers.
• Plus, other Lake Placid haunts—from the Stagecoach Inn to footsteps after hours at the Palace Theatre.
• Ghost town in the woods (Tahawus/Adirondack): Foundations, whispers, and a brush with presidential history; why silence in the High Peaks can be the scariest sound of all.
• Five-star frights (The Sagamore, Lake George): Rebuilt after catastrophic fires and still rumored to host a woman in green, “Walter,” and a mischievous golf-course kid who nabs your balls.
• Candlelight chills (Fort William Henry): From French & Indian War trauma to today’s haunted tours—marching boots, phantom gunpowder, and why archaeologists’ finds still raise hairs.
• Champ of Lake Champlain: Nessie’s American cousin, the famed 1977 Mansi photo, and the fun fact that Vermont (and New York) moved to protect him—just in case.
• A kinder haunting (Santa’s Workshop, Wilmington): Arto Monaco’s playful spirit, tinkering toys, and music boxes that play when no one’s around.
• Bonus bite (Spanky’s Diner, Massena): A jukebox with free will and a phantom waitress with bottomless refills.

If you loved this haunted ramble, subscribe, drop a rating/review, and swing by ADKtaste.com for more stories, food, folklore, and events from across the Park.

Links & Mentions:

• Stagecoach Inn (Lake Placid); Palace Theatre (Lake Placid)
• Pulpit Rock, Lake Placid (Mabel Smith Douglas)
• Adirondack Experience: The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake (mining history)
• The Sagamore Resort (Bolton Landing, Lake George)
• Fort William Henry Museum & Haunted Tours
• Lake George Battlefield Park
• New York’s Haunted History Trail
• Santa’s Workshop (Wilmington)
• Champ (Lake Champlain)
• The Mansi Photo (1977)
• Spanky’s Diner (Massena)

Produced by NOVA

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 hear in this episode:

• Festival vibe, Adirondack style. Why Lake Placid’s scenic scale, community feel, and face-to-face access make it a filmmaker favorite—without the red-carpet hoopla.
• How Adirondack Film and the Festival fit together. From attracting productions (costume, set, camera, and craft jobs right here at home) to curating world-class screenings for local audiences.
• A history born in a blizzard. The sold-out 1997 screening of The Sweet Hereafter that sparked the Lake Placid Film Forum—and a quarter-century of film culture in the Adirondacks.
• Big names, low profiles. Memories of guests like Martin Scorsese (interviewed by Jon Favreau), Guillermo del Toro, and Willem Dafoe—plus why artists love the low-key, collaborative scene.
• Why this year feels different. A new emphasis on the trades behind the camera—costume, lighting, locations, special effects/creature work—so emerging creatives can find real pathways into the industry.
• Student pathways. The Festival’s Student Summit (lodging, meals, passes, and small-group sessions with visiting filmmakers) and the Futures in Film collaboration with local schools and training partners.
  
  
  

Dates & don’t-miss moments (this year)

• Festival: Oct 30 – Nov 2 in Lake Placid; Opening Night Party on Oct 30.
• Careers in Motion (Trades Seminar + speed-mentoring): Oct 31, 2:30 PM.
• Free Film Trivia + Halloween Costume Contest: Oct 31 (film-themed prizes; no pass required).
• Lake Placid Halloween Parade: Oct 31, 12–1 PM.

Film lets us see the world through someone else’s eyes—essential in a place as globally connected (and proudly local) as the Adirondacks. The Festival builds community, keeps creative talent here, and opens doors for the next generation of crew and storytellers.

Links & Mentions:

• Lake Placid Film Festival / Adirondack Film — passes, schedule, Student Summit, giving: adirondackfilm.org; socials: @adirondackfilm.
• Adirondack Film Commission (episode mentioned earlier with Eric Granger).
• High Peaks Resort (festival HQ) & Palace Theatre (main screenings).
• Lake Placid Pub & Brewery; The Breakfast Club (meet a filmmaker between sessions).
• Stockade Works (training partner) & Careers in Motion seminar.
  Futures in Film partners: Lake Placid High School, BOCES, SUNY Plattsburgh, Stockade Works.
• See Something That Means Something (winter art-house series).
• Give / Sponsor: adirondackfilm.org/give; [email protected].
• Nearby to-dos while you’re in town: Olympic Ski Jumps, High Falls Gorge, Main Street shops (make it a whole weekend). 

Produced by NOVA