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By Silver Hollow Audio
4.8
4040 ratings
The podcast currently has 127 episodes available.
More than Maps: Insights from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
In this episode of Kaatscast, host Brett Barry interviews Melissa Cascini, Senior Program Coordinator for the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, during a hike on the Upper Ridge Trail at the Catskills Visitor Center. Melissa shares her journey with the organization, highlighting the importance of their iconic, durable trail maps and the broader scope of the Trail Conference's activities, including trail maintenance, public land protection, and battling invasive species through innovative programs like the conservation dog team. The discussion also delves into the conference's collaborations with other entities such as the DEC and various local clubs to maintain trails and infrastructure, especially in the Catskills region.
Melissa reflects on her passion for trails, the rewarding experience of working with dedicated volunteers, and how she balances professional responsibilities with her personal love for hiking and the outdoors.
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00:00 Introduction to the Trail Conference
00:17 Iconic Trail Maps
00:53 Meet Melissa Cassini
02:18 History and Mission of the Trail Conference
04:15 Partnerships and Collaborations
05:53 Trail Maintenance and Volunteer Work
09:52 Lean-to Projects and Accessibility
13:19 Getting Involved and Volunteer Opportunities
14:26 Personal Insights and Hobbies
16:05 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes
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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books, Hanford Mills Museum, and The Mountain Eagle.
Kaatscast is made possible through a grant from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, and through the support of listeners like you!
In the early 20th century, Cauliflower Was King in the western Catskills, and –– especially in the good years –– farmers called it "white gold." Historian Diane Galusha describes the origins of cauliflower farming in Margaretville, the rise and fall of the industry from the 1890s to the 1950s (and beyond), and the notable contribution of the Van Benschoten family. Plus, voices from the annual Cauliflower Festival, celebrating its 20th year on September 21, 2024.
00:00 Introduction to Cauliflower and Personal Stories
00:55 Margaretville Cauliflower Festival Announcement
01:14 Historical Significance of Cauliflower in the Catskills
02:28 Interview with Historian Diane Galusha
03:47 The Rise and Fall of Cauliflower Farming
10:39 Challenges and Decline of the Industry
14:58 Legacy and Memories of Cauliflower Farming
20:11 Modern-Day Celebrations and Personal Anecdotes
22:59 Conclusion and Podcast Information
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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books, Hanford Mills Museum, Ulster Savings Bank, and The Mountain Eagle.
Kaatscast is made possible through a grant from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, and through the support of listeners like you!
Please rate and review on the podcast app of your choice. Thank you!
(Photo courtesy of Diane Galusha)
In this episode of Kaatscast, we explore the journey of Emily Li Mandri, founder of the women's accessories brand MLE, based in Saugerties, New York. Emily shares insights into the challenges and rewards of running a fashion brand in Upstate New York, her commitment to eco-conscious materials and sustainable fashion, and the influence of her family's background in apparel. We also hear from her assistant, New Paltz theater grad Kiana Duggan-Haas, about the importance of sustainability in the fashion industry. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on ethical fashion practices, local craftsmanship, and a life/work balance in the Catskills.
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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books, Hanford Mills Museum, and The Mountain Eagle.
Kaatscast is made possible through a grant from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, and through the support of listeners like you!
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00:00 Introduction to MLE
01:40 Meet the Founder: Emily Li Mandri
03:20 Sustainability in Fashion
05:58 Challenges and Innovations in Sustainable Fashion
12:51 Living and Working in the Catskills
14:44 Building a Local and National Brand
17:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Mark Hearon didn't always drink coffee, but when he got started, he was all in. Now, he's roasting fair trade organic coffee at an 1872 general store that also carries gourmet sandwiches and local essentials –– beer, bread, milk, fishing bait, even a fill-up for your car from a vintage gas pump, making it a unique one-stop-shop for both locals and travelers.
Joined by his daughter Ashley Hearon-Smith, the store’s part-time publicist and social media manager, Mark shares his journey from discovering coffee roasting in California to perfecting his craft in the Catskills. The episode covers the store’s rich history, the roasting process, and the community’s enthusiastic support, including local products such as meats, cheeses, and fresh baked goods.
https://www.charlottevillegeneralstore.com
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Meet Mark Hearon: The Man Behind the Coffee
01:54 History of the Charlotteville General Store
03:08 Mark's Journey into Coffee Roasting
06:13 Ethically Sourced Coffee Beans
07:18 Ashley Hearon-Smith: Publicist and Media Guru
09:38 Roasting Process and Local Products
14:57 Tasting the Coffee and a Sampling of Sandwiches
16:21 Local Products and Community Support
17:47 Conclusion and How to Visit
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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books, Hanford Mills Museum, Ulster Savings Bank, and The Mountain Eagle.
Kaatscast is made possible through a grant from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, and through the support of listeners like you!
Please rate and review on the podcast app of your choice. Thank you!
Michael Kudish is a Catskills legend and the authority on Catskills trees and forests. In 1971, Kudish earned his PhD with the thesis, "Vegetational History of the Catskill High Peaks." Five decades later, that research is ongoing.
In 2000, Purple Mountain Press published his landmark book, The Catskill Forest: A History. Now, an updated 6-volume set is in the works. I met up with Michael at his home/research library in Delaware County, to hear about his latest research sampling Catskills bogs and radio carbon dating peat and charcoal for even more insights into our Catskills forest past.
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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books, Hanford Mills Museum, and The Mountain Eagle.
Kaatscast is made possible through a grant from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, and through the support of listeners like you!
Kaatscast: the Catskills Podcast was just recognized for the third consecutive year as the "Best Regional Podcast" in the 2024 Chronogrammies! Thank you for your votes, and please take a moment to rate and review us on the app of your choice so even more listeners can find us!
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00:00 Introduction to Michael Kudish and His Work
00:46 Meeting Michael Kudish: A Visit to His Research Library
01:09 Sponsors and Supporters of Kaatscast
02:09 Michael Kudish's Research Journey
04:50 Understanding the Catskills' Unique Vegetation
08:47 The Impact of Glaciation on Catskills Vegetation
12:41 Discovering History Through Bogs
19:03 Defining and Differentiating Bogs and Fens
28:41 Discovering Ancient Moss in the Catskills
29:08 Peat Sampling Techniques and Challenges
29:57 Radiocarbon Dating: Methods and Costs
31:01 Funding Research Through Retirement
32:09 Transitioning to Writing: The Next Chapter
32:54 Expanding Knowledge: From One Volume to Six
34:22 Consistent Vegetation Over Millennia
37:41 Climate Change Insights
38:39 Exploring the Extent of Catskill Bogs
39:52 Ancient Charcoal and Forest Fires
42:48 Uncovering Prehistoric Forests
47:04 The Six-Volume Catskill Forest History
50:16 The Joy and Work of Field Research
52:15 The Interconnected Lives of Trees
53:45 Conclusion and Future Work
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. Hark! On this day's Kaatscast, we journey to the quaint village of Hunter in fair New York, whereupon Catskill Mountain Shakespeare doth present a stirring rendition of the noble tragedy, Julius Caesar. Attend thee this discourse with the esteemed founder and artistic director, Sarah Reny. And verily, seize thee a billet, for this performance doth breathe new life into a timeless saga.
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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books, Hanford Mills Museum, Ulster Savings Bank, and The Mountain Eagle.
Kaatscast is made possible through a grant from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, and through the support of listeners like you!
Please rate and review on the podcast app of your choice. Thank you!
Poster design by Nicole Caputo; courtesy CMS.
The Bruderhof is a worldwide community of 3,000 Christians who, inspired by the early church, share their money and possessions, and practice "full-time discipleship," working, dining, and singing together. Perhaps you've bumped into one of their members out in the world (women can be identified by their conservative dress, reminiscent of Amish or colonial attire).
Here in the Catskills is a sizable community of 240 residents, in Greene County's Platte Clove. They invited me in for a firsthand look at life in the community, and they graciously answered even my most pointed questions regarding a lifestyle that might seem foreign to others. The Bruderhof aren't reclusive, though, and as the Bible instructs, they are the best kind of neighbors.
Join us on this special trip to the Platte Clove Bruderhof community.
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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books, Hanford Mills Museum, and The Mountain Eagle.
Kaatscast is made possible through a grant from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, and through the support of listeners like you!
Kaatscast: the Catskills Podcast was just recognized for the third consecutive year as the "Best Regional Podcast" in the 2024 Chronogrammies! Thank you for your votes, and please take a moment to rate and review us on the app of your choice so even more listeners can find us!
Dede Terns-Thorpe is the historian for the Town of Hunter, referred to locally as "the mountain top," and comprising the villages of Hunter and Tannersville, and the hamlets of Edgewood, Elka Park, Lanesville, and Platte Clove, plus the historic private communities: Onteora Park, Twilight Park, and Elka Park. Dede's passionate about the history of this place, and she's got her own history here, too, which is mostly what we talked about when we met at Tannersville's Mountain Top library. We were joined by Dede's husband Ed, a Mountain Top native with a few stories of his own to share!
Photo courtesy Dede Terns-Thorpe
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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books, Hanford Mills Museum, Ulster Savings Bank, and The Mountain Eagle.
Kaatscast is made possible through a grant from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, and through the support of listeners like you!
Please rate and review on the podcast app of your choice. Thank you!
Join us for our very first LIVE show, recorded at Emerson Resort & Spa as part of their weekend celebration of Ralph Waldo's birthday (born May 25, 1803).
Hear from Catskills scholars and writers Leslie T. Sharpe and Bill Birns, with music by Steve Koester! Q&A with the audience, and more!
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If you missed the live event, you can still play our trivia! Top three submissions win 2 drink tokens to the Catamount bar + a CD of Henry David Thoreau's Autumnal Tints! Contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winners!
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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books, Hanford Mills Museum, and The Mountain Eagle.
Kaatscast is made possible through a grant from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, and through the support of listeners like you!
Municipal sewer systems are few and far between in the rural Catskills, so chances are high that your home is reliant on its own septic system. And if that system isn't maintained, well, things could get ugly at the most inopportune time.
Thanks to some beefy financial incentives from the Catskill Watershed Corporation, there's really no excuse to delay septic maintenance, and maybe even a full system replacement. In 2023 alone, the CWC subsidized 312 septic repairs/replacements and 680 maintenance calls.
Join us for a conversation with Orville Smith, from Titan Drilling; and the Catskill Watershed Corporation's Eric Lane and Mitchell Hull, for plenty of practical advice for keeping your system running smoothly.
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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books, Hanford Mills Museum, Ulster Savings Bank, and The Mountain Eagle.
Kaatscast is made possible through a grant from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, and through the support of listeners like you!
The podcast currently has 127 episodes available.
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