Podcasts about catskills

In the second installment of The Mike Tyson Career Profile, we dive into the raw, formative years of a young fighter destined for greatness. From the gritty gyms of Catskill, New York, under the watchful eye of legendary trainer Cus D'Amato, Tyson rapidly rose through the amateur boxing ranks. His explosive power and relentless aggression made him a standout in the junior circuits, culminating in national titles and high hopes for Olympic gold. But the road to the 1984 Olympics ended in heartbreak, as Tyson failed to make the U.S. team—a bitter disappointment that would ignite an even deeper hunger in the young contender. As the dream of Olympic glory slipped away, Tyson and D'Amato turned their full focus toward the professional ranks, forging a plan to unleash a new kind of heavyweight on the world stage. Through expert commentary and firsthand accounts, this episode captures the critical transition from amateur promise to professional preparation—where discipline was sharpened, demons loomed, and a legend began to emerge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Episode 185 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, we're joined by Scott van Laer to dive into the story of the Forest Ranger Foundation—a volunteer-driven effort making sure New York's forest rangers have the gear and support they need when it matters most. We'll also talk about Tara Dower's impressive FKT, a tragic drowning in Harriman, and the latest rescues from the Catskills. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you're here. And as always... VOLUNTEER!!!!Links for the Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ISLCatskillsPodcast, Donate a coffee to support the show! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills, Like to be a sponsor or monthly supporter of the show? Go here! - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills/membershipThanks to the sponsors of the show: Outdoor chronicles photography - https://www.outdoorchroniclesphotography.com/, Trailbound Project - https://www.trailboundproject.com/, Camp Catskill - https://campcatskill.co/, Another Summit - https://www.guardianrevival.org/programs/another-summitLinks: Forest Ranger Foundation, Jackson Petition, Send in your comments to DEC, NYNJTC Trail-a-thonVolunteer Opportunities: Trailhead stewards for 3500 Club -https://www.catskill3500club.org/trailhead-stewardship, Catskills Trail Crew - https://www.nynjtc.org/trailcrew/catskills-trail-crew, NYNJTC Volunteering - https://www.nynjtc.org/catskills, Catskill Center - https://catskillcenter.org/, Catskill Mountain Club - https://catskillmountainclub.org/about-us/, Catskill Mountainkeeper - https://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/ Post Hike Brews and Bites - Utica Club, Mountain King Brewery, Lake Placid Pub and Brewery#rescue #catskillsrescue #forestrangerfoundation #SAR #rangers #harriman #hike #hikethehudson #hudsonvalleyhiking #NYC #history #husdonvalley #hikingNY #kaaterskill #bluehole #catskillhiking #visitcatskills #catskillstrails #catskillmountains #3500 #catskills #catskillpark #catskillshiker #catskillmountainsnewyork #hiking #catskill3500club #catskill3500 #hikethecatskills #hikehudson

AUGUST 29 2025

#175 - When Rodney Carpentier first laced up his police patrol boots to tackle a Catskill mountain, he had no idea he was beginning a transformative six-year odyssey that would shape not only his physical resilience but his creative future. Sharing his remarkable journey from unprepared novice to accomplished hiker who conquered all 35 peaks of the challenging Catskills 3500, Rodney reveals how the mountains became his sanctuary during life's most difficult moments.The trail wasn't just physical for Rodney. Between summits, he navigated profound personal loss, career challenges in law enforcement, and relationship hurdles that tested his resolve. "It was kind of the only thing I looked forward to," he admits, describing how these weekend adventures with his wife provided essential connection and accomplishment during turbulent times. These mountains that once left him breathless and struggling to keep pace gradually became a place of mastery and ultimately, creative inspiration.What makes Rodney's story particularly compelling is how his mountain adventures eventually gave birth to a second chapter as a mystery novelist. Drawing from his intimate knowledge of the Catskills' rugged terrain and his experiences in law enforcement, he crafted "Our Lady of the Overlook," the first in a trilogy of mystery novels set among the same peaks he spent years exploring. The mountains themselves become almost a character in his writing—unpredictable, beautiful, and occasionally dangerous.Whether you're seeking outdoor adventure inspiration, creative motivation, or simply a reminder that our challenges often lead to unexpected gifts, Rodney's journey demonstrates how adventure shapes who we become. As he puts it, "Life should be an adventure... if you're not trying to do something new or different or better, that's what makes life worth doing." Visit rlcarpentierwriter.com to explore Rodney's novels and continue following his Catskills journey.Want to be a guest on Journey with Jake? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake Visit LandPirate.com to get your gear that has you, the adventurer, in mind. Use the code "Journey with Jake" to get an additional 15% off at check out. Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

After 45 years Mike Sakell enters into retirement. For four and a half decades he's been the voice of Sullivan and the Catskills, on today's episode he joins Host Dylan Price to take you on a journey through his career and discuss his legacy.

AUGUST 28 2025

AUGUST 27 2025

Planet Poet-Words in Space – NEW PODCAST!  LISTEN to my WIOX show (originally aired August l2th, 2025) featuring poets Bertha Rogers and Mary Gilliland. Bertha and Mary discuss their new books and talk about their work and their lives in poetry over the last few decades. Mary Gilliland is the author of Ember Days, The Devil's Fools (winner of the Codhill Press Pauline Uchmanowicz Poetry Award and the CNY Book Award), and The Ruined Walled Castle Garden (winner of the Bright Hill Press Poetry Prize). Honors include the 2023 International Literary Seminars Kenya/Fence 1st Prize in Poetry and a Cornell University Council on the Arts Faculty Grant. Mary is a poet, ecologist, and occasional essayist in New York's Finger Lakes Region where she has transformed a rocky acre of Six Mile Creek into a fawn-filled woodland garden. https://marygilliland.com/ Bertha Rogers is a poet, translator, and visual artist who lives and writes and walks on a mountain in New York's Catskills. Her recent poetry collection (Salmon, Ireland), is What Want Brings: New & Selected Poems. Her translation of the Anglo-Saxon Riddle Poems from the Exeter Book was published in 2019; and her translation of Beowulf  in 2000 (Birch Brook, NY).  Bertha, named First Poet Laureate of Delaware County, New York, in March 2005, and was the founding director of Bright Hill Press and Word Thursdays, a nonprofit organization in New York's Catskill Mountain Region.  www.bertharogers.com. Praise for Bertha Rogers and Mary Gilliland "The richness of Bertha Rogers's poetry flows from each line, each word, not just on the page to be seen, but heard as we silently mouth the words. Oh, how perfectly musical hervoice is, sometimes celebratory, sometimes sad, but always in tune with the matter at hand, whether it be nature or love or loss. Now I trust/in poems, rustling red leaves/I lay carefully on white pages,' she tells us. Her trust is well placed. What Want Brings brings us a most welcome treasure of poems new and selected."  --Matthew J. Spireng - author of Good Work, winner of 2019 Sinclair Poetry Prize Mary Gilliland's In the Pool of the Sea's Shoulder is a modern classic; an elemental deep-dive into the life of her brother, as Freddy, whose life was tragically cut short. Here, time and memory are distilled by ‘listening into the dark' in a poetics so sensitively attuned to loss and written through a myriad of forms and voices. Within the elegiac energy, there are echoes of Muriel Rukeyser's activist commitment in the documentary approach here. Tender yet ludic, this is a work of searing intelligence. Gilliland is a visionary poet writing at her peak.—JAMES BYRNE

AUGUST 26 2025

August 22, 2025 GREG NICHOLS,author & pastor of Amazing GraceChurch, a confessional ReformedBaptist congregation in Catskill, NY AND DANIEL WOLFORD,deacon @ Trinity Reformed BaptistChurch of Carlisle, PA, who will bothaddress: “DUTIES of CHURCH MEMBERS toTHEIR PASTORS” Subscribe: Listen:

In Episode 3 of Season 2, Co-hosts Mark Gustavson and Jessica Dupont let the Catskills out of the bag in the 'Painted Village in the Sky' AKA Tannersville, NY. On their visit to the Hunter Foundation, they are welcomed by its Executive Director Sean Mahoney and board member Sarah Slutzky for a deeper dive into the many economic and community development successes on the mountaintop. 

AUGUST 25 2025

Welcome to Episode 184 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, we hear a first-hand account of a Catskills rescue. Kate Henderson shares her story of fracturing her ankle on Dry Brook Ridge and what it was like to be carried out of the wilderness. Joining us is past guest Joanne, who witnessed the rescue and offers her own perspective. We'll also dive into the recent hiking ban in Nova Scotia and the new upcoming hunting season in Harriman that has a lot of people concerned. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you're here. And as always... VOLUNTEER!!!!Links for the Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ISLCatskillsPodcast, Donate a coffee to support the show! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills, Like to be a sponsor or monthly supporter of the show? Go here! - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills/membershipThanks to the sponsors of the show: Outdoor chronicles photography - https://www.outdoorchroniclesphotography.com/, Trailbound Project - https://www.trailboundproject.com/, Camp Catskill - https://campcatskill.co/, Another Summit - https://www.guardianrevival.org/programs/another-summitLinks: Jackson Petition, Send in your comments to DEC, NYNJTC Trail-a-thon, Nova Scotia bans hikers, Hunting to begin in Harriman, Rabies Vaccine to be dropped on Western NY, Send your comment for hunting in Harriman - info@pipc.orgVolunteer Opportunities: Trailhead stewards for 3500 Club -https://www.catskill3500club.org/trailhead-stewardship, Catskills Trail Crew - https://www.nynjtc.org/trailcrew/catskills-trail-crew, NYNJTC Volunteering - https://www.nynjtc.org/catskills, Catskill Center - https://catskillcenter.org/, Catskill Mountain Club - https://catskillmountainclub.org/about-us/, Catskill Mountainkeeper - https://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/ Post Hike Brews and Bites - Hudson North, Hill Farmstead Brewing, Catskill Brewery#rescue #catskillsrescue #SAR #rangers #harriman #hike #hikethehudson #hudsonvalleyhiking #NYC #history #husdonvalley #hikingNY #kaaterskill #bluehole #catskillhiking #visitcatskills #catskillstrails #catskillmountains #3500 #catskills #catskillpark #catskillshiker #catskillmountainsnewyork #hiking #catskill3500club #catskill3500 #hikethecatskills #hikehudson

AUGUST 21 2025

AUGUST 20 2025

AUGUST 19 2025

Dromfest, the '90s indie rock festival in the Catskill, NY hosted by Dromedary Records, will hold its 2025 edition over Labor Day Weekend (August 29-31) at The Avalon. (As of this posting, Saturday and Sunday are sold out but there are tickets for Friday.)Friend of the Roundtable Will Hermes spoke with Dromedary Records founder Al Crisafulli.

Publisher + editor-in-chief Guy Cipriano recently visited several courses in upstate New York. He shares the people he met, the courses he visited, his favorite grocery store finds and how he spent a rainy day in a cozy clubhouse.

AUGUST 17 2025

The opening chapter of Mike Tyson's life story immerses you in his tumultuous childhood in Brownsville, recounting gripping moments that propelled him toward Catskill. There, a fateful meeting with Cus D'Amato ignites a dramatic journey destined to become legendary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The opening chapter of Mike Tyson's life story immerses you in his tumultuous childhood in Brownsville, recounting gripping moments that propelled him toward Catskill. There, a fateful meeting with Cus D'Amato ignites a dramatic journey destined to become legendary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adjacent to the Willowemoc Wild Forest, in the Sullivan Catskills, a 3100-acre parcel once eyed for development is now safeguarded for future generations. In this episode, we chronicle the Open Space Institute's landmark deal, and potentially the largest acquisition for the Catskills in nearly 25 years.From the quiet negotiations with landowners to the sweeping implications for climate resilience and watershed health, this episode dives deep into what makes Blue Hill so important to the region. Key highlights include:Behind-the-scenes details on how OSI's team identified and secured the propertyThe role of Blue Hill in protecting coldwater streams critical to downstream communitiesA look back at Blue Hill's brushes with development, including a ski resort derailed by liquor restrictions What the public can expect in terms of access, trails, and community engagementReflections on regional conservation wins and what they signal for the futureHear from Tom Gravel, OSI's Northeast Project Manager, and Charlie Burgess, OSI's Northern NY Stewardship Manager about OSI's strategic land acquisitions—and how they are advancing New York's commitment to conserve 30% of its lands and waters by 2030 under the state's 30x30 initiative.

In an exclusive interview with Host Dylan Price, NYS Assembly Member Paula Kay sits down with Dylan in studio to discuss a number of hot button issues facing Sullivan County and the Catskills. NYSEG rate hikes, all-electric regulations, healthcare shortages, and more are discussed. Plus, Paula breaks down her first 10 months since she was elected and talks more about her background.

The faith Jesus gives us frees us to give, stills our fears, and leaves tomorrow in God's hands…

In this episode, native Vermont hunter Erick Erickson sits down with Austin, Brian, and Bob to talk about his early days hunting Vermont and Maine, and about how his move to New York opened up the world of Adirondack big woods he now explores. He also talks about his experiences in the Catskills, the Midwest, and hunting out west for elk, and how all of these experiences helped him hone his skills with remote hot tent hunting. Learn more about hunting deer, moose and more in the Big Woods, find informative articles and the best wool and gear at https://www.bigwoodsbucks.com Minus33 wool base layers and socks: https://alnk.to/aLIUpax  Seek Outside Tents: Use code "BWB10" for 10% off of your order at this link https://alnk.to/biuxP3W  Big woods land and camps for sale: www.landandcamps.com  Grayl water filter: https://alnk.to/4MBtYKl  Save 20% on your OnX subscription with code ‘BWB' https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt  Hal and the Big Woods Bucks Team's Gear: https://www.bigwoodsbucks.com/Wool Hal's knife: Buck Knife 102: https://alnk.to/eDRDphL

AFB and Evil Becky Burke are back at it, serving up a full platter of ultra goodness from Vermont to Rhode Island, with detours through the Catskills, Soapstone, Notchview, and the Squatchy Surprise in NJ. We're breaking down the highs, lows, and bug bites from recent races, plus dishing on who crushed it, who gutted it out, and who set new course records.  Art wrestles with “The Yips” on technical trails, Evil Becky relives her sandy Ocean State Ultra dropout at mile 50, and we both agree-some courses need to rethink their “short loop at the end” strategy. We tip our trucker hats to our Patreon trail legends. There's also talk of Escarpment ambitions, a potential Badger 100 return, awning insurance, and Evil Becky's upcoming birthday week. Episode Highlights: Vermont 100, Escarpment Trail Run, Catskills 30K Squatchy Surprise magic & Soapstone Assault grit Ocean State Ultra: dunes, shuttles, and sand in bad places Notchview highs, lows, and shoe swap disasters Bug-proof hats that actually work Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store! Outro music by Nick Byram Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids Sign up for a race at Live Loud Running and feel better Buy Fred's Book Running Home More Information on the #CUT112  Escarpment Trail Run Soapstone Squatchy Surprise  Notchview Ultra Ocean State Ultra

Christ didn't wait for me to grow out of my self-concern.He died for me in the middle of it.And even though I return to it again and again—he loves me still…

Tianna Kennedy is co-owner and operator of Star Route Farm. She has lived in Tucson, the Bay Area, Nottingham, and Brooklyn. For over a decade, she has been farming in the Catskills, which now serves as her home base. Tianna is also part of the crew of Apollonia, a 64-foot steel-hulled schooner retrofitted for sail freight on the Hudson River. She contributes to cargo operations and deck work as the vessel transports goods between upriver farms and downriver markets using wind and recycled vegetable oil.

Welcome to Episode 182 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, Tad and I are diving into UMPs—yeah, those mysterious Unit Management Plans. We'll chat about what they actually are, why they matter for the places we hike, and how you can get involved without falling asleep. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you're here. And as always... VOLUNTEER!!!!Links for the Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ISLCatskillsPodcast, Donate a coffee to support the show! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills, Like to be a sponsor or monthly supporter of the show? Go here! - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills/membershipThanks to the sponsors of the show: Outdoor chronicles photography - https://www.outdoorchroniclesphotography.com/, Trailbound Project - https://www.trailboundproject.com/, Camp Catskill - https://campcatskill.co/, Another Summit - https://www.guardianrevival.org/programs/another-summitLinks: Jackson Petition, UMP's, Catskill State Park Land Master Plan, DEC Webinar, Send in your comments to DECVolunteer Opportunities: Trailhead stewards for 3500 Club -https://www.catskill3500club.org/trailhead-stewardship, Catskills Trail Crew - https://www.nynjtc.org/trailcrew/catskills-trail-crew, NYNJTC Volunteering - https://www.nynjtc.org/catskills, Catskill Center - https://catskillcenter.org/, Catskill Mountain Club - https://catskillmountainclub.org/about-us/, Catskill Mountainkeeper - https://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/ Post Hike Brews and Bites - Hudson North, Central Waters Brewers Reserved #hikehudson #informaltrails #hike #hikethehudson #hudsonvalleyhiking #NYC #history #husdonvalley #hikingNY #kaaterskill #bluehole #catskillhiking #visitcatskills #catskillstrails #catskillmountains #3500 #catskills #catskillpark #catskillshiker #catskillmountainsnewyork #hiking #catskill3500club #catskill3500 #hikethecatskills

On this episode of The Running Kind Podcast, Aimee is joined by Deputy Executive Director at the Catskill Center, Kali Bird. The Catskill Center protects the Catskills through advocacy, education, land protection and community engagement. Over the last three years, The Running Kind has developed a close relationship with The Catskill Center as a partner for our event Climb It For Climate where registration and raffle proceeds are donated on our behalf. You can find more information about The Running Kind here. https://therunningkind.net/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/therunningkind/ @therunningkind_ If you are looking for additional ways to support The Running Kind, check out our Patreon page! patreon.com/TheRunningKind Aimee Kohler  Founder of The Running Kind @aimskoh Produced by Aimee Kohler Music Dim Red Light by Don Dilego  

Community News and Interviews for the Catskills & Northeast Pennsylvania

For the last thirty years, Rob has admired the writings of Nick Lyons. He considers Nick to be one of the top guests on his podcast; without the impact of Nick's work, this podcast wouldn't have come to life. Nick joins Rob to talk about his experiences in fishing and his late friend Ed Van Put's posthumous book, A Flyfisher's Revelations. Ed passed away in 2024. He wrote several books focused on the history of the Catskills and fishing. He meticulously documented his fishing experiences over thirty years, noting what he caught, the timing, weather conditions, fly patterns, and more, which serve as the foundation for this book. Ed discusses his straightforward approach to fly fishing, how to effectively present well-tied flies to a trout that's rising, the history of classic trout flies, and much more. The press release for the book mentions:  A FLYFISHER'S REVELATIONS is a captivating and provocative practical memoir, long awaited by legions of the author's fans. Ed has been a passionate and highly successful fly-fisherman and conservationist for more than half a century. Now, drawing on decades of carefully kept diaries and journals, his book is both the chronicle of a life devoted to fly-fishing and a unique sharing of detailed tips, tactics, strategies, and personal anecdotes that reveal why he has earned the reputation for unparalleled successes. He tells which flies have produced most effectively; how to choose and tie flies that work best; when and how to fish the dry or wet fly, nymph, midge, or streamer; the importance of approach and presentation. There is a special chapter on the Adams, his favorite fly and one on which he has taken more than 70% of the trout he caught on a dry fly. He also offers insight into the beauty, humility, and quiet rewards of a life spent in the embrace of nature and the pursuit of wild trout.  This book is an essential read for all fly-fishers, novice and advanced. Rob intends to visit Nick in person before the end of summer, making a stop in Livingston Manor to fish in Ed's beloved waters. Produced by Jason Reif. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The guys talk about football, getting arrested, and learn about aura farming. They also power rank Nickelodeon shows.Follow the show: @passthegravypod, @AlexJMiddleton, @NotPatDionne, and @RobertBarbosa03

The guys talk about football, getting arrested, and learn about aura farming. They also power rank Nickelodeon shows.Follow the show: @passthegravypod, @AlexJMiddleton, @NotPatDionne, and @RobertBarbosa03

In this episode, Martin talks with Ken Posner about his shift from Wall Street life to mountain trails, where he took on the brutal and beautiful Catskill "Grid"—a challenge requiring over 400 ascents across every month of the year. What began as a pursuit of a record evolved into something far deeper.Ken shares how stripping away gear, comfort, and convention helped him reconnect with nature on its terms. Barefoot, minimalist, and often alone, he found purpose in the mud, snow, and silence. This is more than a story about running—it's about transformation, obsession, and discovering what it means to move through the world with intention.Ken Posner's story continues in Chasing the Grid: An Ultrarunner's Physical and Spiritual Journey in Pursuit of the Ultimate Mountain Challenge.Pre-order now and experience the mountains through the eyes of a man who left behind convention to find meaning in every ascent.

Heather Croston of Talulet Jewelry has taken more than a few unexpected turns. She moved from narrative metalsmithing into toy design, and now she's returned to jewelry with a new rhythm and a voice that's wholly her own.Heather creates one-of-a-kind pieces that feel like miniature landscapes—stone pairings that echo the Catskills outside her window, soft textures and patterns that carry a sense of place and feeling. Her work is intentional and thoughtful, but it didn't come from forcing clarity—it came from allowing change.We talk about all of it: learning to trust your instincts, creating while grieving, navigating two distinct creative styles, and how building a slower business sometimes means letting go of what we thought success was supposed to look like.If you've ever felt like you came to your art “late,” or wrestled with the idea of having multiple creative identities, I think this conversation will leave you feeling seen and encouraged.Follow Heather: Heather on Instagram: @taluletjewelryTalulet Website: ⁠taluletjewelry.comNarrative Jewelry: heathercrostonjewelry.comLove the Podcast?Support an episode: Click here to learn more! Without your support I couldn't continue the Slowmade Podcast. Thank you so much!Follow Christine and Slowmade...Instagram: @christinemighionJewelry Website: christinemighion.comSlowmade: slowmadepodcast.com

In this episode of the Hollywood Godfather podcast, hosts Gianni Russo and Jeannie Raymond are joined by actress Sheree Wilson. Sheree discusses her extensive career in Hollywood, spanning roles in 'Dallas' and 'Walker, Texas Ranger.' They reminisce about their recent meet-up at Fanboy Expo and share stories about the industry and personal anecdotes. The conversation touches on Sheree's famous scenes, her co-stars, industry experiences, and her personal life, including her family and charity work. The episode also mentions upcoming events, including Fanboy Expo and Gianni Russo's performances at Resorts World in the Catskills.

Lyon Porter is one of the most talked-about hoteliers of our time. Alongside co-founder and partner Jersey Banks, he transformed a five-room Brooklyn townhouse into the first Urban Cowboy. The industry, and the media, pay close attention to the brand, which now spokes into hotel properties in the Catskills, Nashville, and the newest location, a Gilded Age Denver mansion, which opened within the last year.We talk about the origins of Urban Cowboy, catching cities and regions at the right time, the unique method of sourcing items for each property, how big hospitality chases (and fails to catch) boutique authenticity, and what's next for the brand.

Andrew Jacobs, president of the board of the Borscht Belt Museum, joins us on "The Shmooze" to talk about the Borscht Belt Museum and the annual Borscht Belt Fest. The museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Catskills resort era and celebrating its history as a refuge from bigotry, the cradle of stand-up comedy, and a cultural catalyst that changed America. The annual festival includes everything from stand-up comedians and art workshops to live music and Jewish food. This year's festival will take place July 26 & 27, 2025. Episode 394 July 20, 2025 Amherst, MA

We should never stop learning – and in fly fishing especially, we're never done.   This week we hear from Packy Trotter a life long fly angler, guide and instructor who epitomises the spirit of teaching and learning in the sport. STANIC and APGAI qualified, Packy then travelled to the Catskills where he took the FFF certified and FFF masters qualifications becoming, at that time, only the second person in their history to pass both exams at the one session. Suffice to say, there's plenty we can learn from Packy Keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly on https://www.IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on https://Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

Shane Stevens, Natural Resource Program coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties, is our featured guest in this episode.. Shane is also Regional Director of the Master Forest Owners Program of the Catskills and the Lower Hudson. The topic is the Master Forest Owner (MFO) program. Begun in 1991, the program is a collaboration of Cornell Cooperative Extension with the US Department of Agriculture, the New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA), and others. The purpose is to create and train a network of volunteers to help private forest owners to be better stewards of their own properties. Fourteen million acres of New York State woodlands, approximately 75% of the total state's wooded acreage, are in private hands, Cornell and others want to enable individual landowners to tend their lands responsibly. Education and access to expert and experienced resources are the best means to this goal. The benefits of knowledgeable management of privately owned woodlands include more reliable clean air and water, maintainable harvests and use of timber resources, and accessible recreational resources. The MFO program is set up to train property owners who are interested in the long term maintenance of their forest resources. Members are valued for their experience, enthusiasm, and willingness to share their expertise. There are no required minimal experience levels, and the “forest ownership” need not be large acreage. A few acres and a passion for the forest is enough, combined with a willingness to share their expertise with the public. Training has gone hybrid, and is mostly Zoom sessions, with a final in-person field day at the conclusion of training. For most counties in the Hudson Valley, this takes place at the Siuslaw Model Forest, in Acra (Greene County). Students get the chance to meet in person and bond while exploring, among other things, the teaching forest's deer exclosure test area and the shiitake mushroom growing yard. There are no required volunteer hours, but each trainee is encouraged to conduct forest visits as requested by landowners. The requests for a 'woods walk' are usually submitted online, with a questionnaire providing details about the landowners' interests and goals for their woodlands. Initial forest visits are done with an experienced MFO, but the volunteer can proceed on his or her own once he/she feels confident. The actual visit can cover a range of topics including questions about the overall health of the trees in the forest, management of invasive species, creating habitat for birds and wildlife, deer management, agroforestry, silviculture, and/or options for forest regeneration. On average, a MFO volunteer does 1-3 visits a year. Additional information or referrals are usually sent to the landowner after the visit depending on the landowner's interests. Direct referrals to individuals are not done, but lists of approved practitioners in the appropriate fields can be provided. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has a cooperating foresters list, and mywoodlot.com and Forest Connect have rich websites. Forest Connect even has an excellent YouTube channel. There is a wide array of resources available to learn how to steward a forest. A Woods Walk with a Master Forest Owner volunteer is a great place to start. Listen in to determine if this makes sense for you to explore further. Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas Guest: Shane Stevens, CCE Photo by: Teresa Golden Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Amy Meadow, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Jean Thomas Resources

Take the WEIRD DARKNESS LISTENER SURVEY and help mold the future of the podcast!https://weirddarkness.com/surveyA New Mexico cop's routine patrol became one of the most scrutinized UFO cases in history; and the government still can't explain it away.Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateIN THIS EPISODE: What if Bigfoot and South Carolina's terrifying Lizard Man aren't two different monsters, but the same creature wearing a living coat of swamp moss that transforms its appearance from hairy ape to scaly reptile? One cryptid specialist believes this might be the case. (Bigfoot and Lizard Man) *** The Orang Bunian remain one of Southeast Asia's most enduring supernatural mysteries, with countless witnesses claiming encounters with these invisible forest dwellers who possess the power to manipulate time, marry humans, and even snatch babies directly from their mothers' wombs. (Malaysia's Orang Bunian) *** In 1975, Flora Stevens vanished from a hospital parking lot in the Catskills, leaving behind a husband who spent the rest of his life searching for answers to a disappearance that would baffle investigators for over four decades. (The Mysterious Disappearance of Flora Stevens) *** Researchers have discovered T-Rex could bite with power than they ever thought possible – biting down with the force of three cars crushing down on a single tooth — powerful enough to shatter the bones of its prey like no other dinosaur could. (The Bone-Crushing Truth of T-Rex's Bite) *** A small-town New Mexico police officer's routine speeding chase in 1964 transforms into one of the most credible and mystifying UFO encounters in history, complete with physical evidence that still defies explanation. (The Socorro Encounter)ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Lead-In00:01:43.797 = Show Open00:03:55.517 = The Socorro UFO Encounter00:24:17.067 = Malaysia's Oran Bunian00:35:39.102 = Bigfoot And Lizard Man00:45:27.293 = The Mysterious Disappearance of Flora Stevens00:53:53.993 = The Bone Crushing Truth About T-Rex's Bite01:00:15.027 = Show CloseSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…“The Socorro Encounter”: https://weirddarkness.com/socorro-ufo-encounter-lonnie-zamora/“Malaysia's Orang Bunian”: https://weirddarkness.com/hidden-people-orang-bunian-mystery/“Bigfoot And Lizard Man”: https://weirddarkness.com/bigfoot-and-lizard-man/“The Mysterious Disappearance of Flora Stevens”: https://weirddarkness.com/flora-stevens-disappearance/“The Bone Crushing Truth About T-Rex's Bite”: https://weirddarkness.com/t-rex-bite-power/=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: July 15, 2025NOTE: Some of this content may have been created with assistance from AI tools, but it has been reviewed, edited, narrated, produced, and approved by Darren Marlar, creator and host of Weird Darkness — who, despite popular conspiracy theories, is NOT an AI voice.EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/SocorroUFO#SocorroUFO #LonnieZamora #UFOSighting #ProjectBlueBook #NewMexicoUFO #UFOIncident #1964UFO #UnexplainedMysteries #UAP #UFOEvidence #AlienEncounter #CloseEncounters #UFOInvestigation #FBIFiles #UFOHistory #Extraterrestrial #UFOWitness #DesertUFO #ParanormalInvestigation #UFOLanding #AirForceUFO #GovernmentCoverUp #UFOPhysicalEvidence #AmericanUFO #UFOCase

Is leaving the woods alone really the best way to preserve them? According to forester Ryan Trapani of the Catskill Forest Association, “doing nothing” comes with hidden costs—and a whole lot of shade-loving trees. In this immersive forest consultation, Ryan pays a visit to host Brett Barry's property to explore hands-on stewardship, the limits of laissez-faire ecology, and the surprising power of sunlight in shaping forest health.In this episode:How to spot hazard trees before they fall (and cost you)Why “doing nothing” might be the worst forest strategyTree-for-tree advice on pruning, spacing, and crop tree managementSunlight as a limiting factor in Catskill forest healthTips for invasive pest management: ash decline & hemlock woolly adelgidCFA's hands-on services, from mushroom inoculation to apple graftingPlus, hear Ryan's reflections on 700+ episodes of From the Forest radio—and learn how CFA's independent, community-driven model helps landowners steward their properties with purpose.More info: 

WhoRon Schmalzle, President, Co-Owner, and General Manager of Ski Big Bear operator Recreation Management Corp; and Lori Phillips, General Manager of Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain, PennsylvaniaRecorded onApril 22, 2025About Ski Big BearClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: Property owners of Masthope Mountain Community; operated by Recreation Management CorporationLocated in: Lackawaxen, PennsylvaniaYear founded: 1976 as “Masthope Mountain”; changed name to “Ski Big Bear” in 1993Pass affiliations:* Indy Pass – 2 days, select blackouts* Indy+ Pass – 2 days, no blackoutsClosest neighboring ski areas: Villa Roma (:44), Holiday Mountain (:52), Shawnee Mountain (1:04)Base elevation: 550 feetSummit elevation: 1,200 feetVertical drop: 650 feetSkiable acres: 26Average annual snowfall: 50 inchesTrail count: 18 (1 expert, 5 advanced, 6 intermediate, 6 beginner)Lift count: 7 (4 doubles, 3 carpets – view Lift Blog's inventory of Ski Big Bear's lift fleet)Why I interviewed themThis isn't really why I interviewed them, but have you ever noticed how the internet ruined everything? Sure, it made our lives easier, but it made our world worse. Yes I can now pay my credit card bill four seconds before it's due and reconnect with my best friend Bill who moved away after fourth grade. But it also turns out that Bill believes seahorses are a hoax and that Jesus spoke English because the internet socializes bad ideas in a way that the 45 people who Bill knew in 1986 would have shut down by saying “Bill you're an idiot.”Bill, fortunately, is not real. Nor, as far as I'm aware, is a seahorse hoax narrative (though I'd like to start one). But here's something that is real: When Schmalzle renamed Masthope Mountain to “Ski Big Bear” in 1993, in honor of the region's endemic black bears, he had little reason to believe anyone, anywhere, would ever confuse his 550-vertical-foot Pennsylvania ski area with Big Bear Mountain, California, a 39-hour, 2,697-mile drive west.Well, no one used the internet in 1993 except weird proto-gamers and genius movie programmers like the fat evil dude in Jurassic Park. Honestly I didn't even think the “Information Superhighway” was real until I figured email out sometime in 1996. Like time travel or a human changing into a cat, I thought the internet was some Hollywood gimmick, imagined because wouldn't it be cool if we could?Well, we can. The internet is real, and it follows us around like oxygen, the invisible scaffolding of existence. And it tricks us into being dumb by making us feel smart. So much information, so immediately and insistently, that we lack a motive to fact check. Thus, a skier in Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania (let's call him “Bill 2”), can Google “Big Bear season pass” and end up with an Ikon Pass, believing this is his season pass not just to the bump five miles up the road, but a mid-winter vacation passport to Sugarbush, Copper Mountain, and Snowbird.Well Bill 2 I'm sorry but you are as dumb as my imaginary friend Bill 1 from elementary school. Because your Ikon Pass will not work at Ski Big Bear, Pennsylvania. And I'm sorry Bill 3 who lives in Riverside, California, but your Ski Big Bear, Pennsylvania season pass will not work at Big Bear Mountain Resort in California.At this point, you're probably wondering if I have nothing better to do but sit around inventing problems to grumble about. But Phillips tells me that product mix-ups with Big Bear, California happen all the time. I had a similar conversation a few months ago with the owners of Magic Mountain, Idaho, who frequently sell tubing tickets to folks headed to Magic Mountain, Vermont, which has no tubing. Upon discovering this, typically at the hour assigned on their vouchers, these would-be customers call Idaho for a refund, which the owners grant. But since Magic Mountain, Idaho can only sell a limited number of tickets for each tubing timeslot, this internet misfire, impossible in 1993, means the mountain may have forfeited revenue from a different customer who understands how ZIP codes work.Sixty-seven years after the Giants baseball franchise moved from Manhattan to San Francisco, NFL commentators still frequently refer to the “New York football Giants,” a semantic relic of what must have been a confusing three-decade cohabitation of two sports teams using the same name in the same city. Because no one could possibly confuse a West Coast baseball team with an East Coast football team, right?But the internet put everything with a similar name right next to each other. I frequently field media requests for a fellow names Stuart Winchester, who, like me, lives in New York City and, unlike me, is some sort of founder tech genius. When I reached out to Mr. Winchester to ask where I could forward such requests, he informed me that he had recently disappointed someone asking for ski recommendations at a party. So the internet made us all dumb? Is that my point? No. Though it's kind of hilarious that advanced technology has enabled new kinds of human error like mixing up ski areas that are thousands of miles apart, this forced contrast of two entities that have nothing in common other than their name and their reason for existence asks us to consider how such timeline cohabitation is possible. Isn't the existence of Alterra-owned, Ikon Pass staple Big Bear, with its hundreds of thousands of annual skier visits and high-speed lifts, at odds with the notion of hokey, low-speed, independent, Boondocks-situated Ski Big Bear simultaneously offering a simpler version of the same thing on the opposite side of the continent? Isn't this like a brontosaurus and a wooly mammoth appearing on the same timeline? Doesn't technology move ever upward, pinching out the obsolete as it goes? Isn't Ski Big Bear the skiing equivalent of a tube TV or a rotary phone or skin-tight hip-high basketball shorts or, hell, beartrap ski bindings? Things no one uses anymore because we invented better versions of them?Well, it's not so simple. Let's jump out of normal podcast-article sequence here and move the “why now” section up, so we can expand upon the “why” of our Ski Big Bear interview.Why now was a good time for this interviewEvery ski region offers some version of Ski Big Bear, of a Little Engine That Keeps Coulding, unapologetically existent even as it's out-gunned, out-lifted, out-marketed, out-mega-passed, and out-locationed: Plattekill in the Catskills, Black Mountain in New Hampshire's White Mountains, Middlebury Snowbowl in Vermont's Greens, Ski Cooper in Colorado's I-70 paper shredder, Nordic Valley in the Wasatch, Tahoe Donner on the North Shore, Grand Geneva in Milwaukee's skiing asteroid belt.When interviewing small ski area operators who thrive in the midst of such conditions, I'll often ask some version of this question: why, and how, do you still exist? Because frankly, from the point of view of evolutionary biologist studying your ecosystem, you should have been eaten by a tiger sometime around 1985.And that is almost what happened to Ski Big Bear AKA Masthope Mountain, and what happened to most of the dozens of ski areas that once dotted northeast Pennsylvania. You can spend days doomsday touring lost ski area shipwrecks across the Poconos and adjacent ranges. A very partial list: Alpine Mountain, Split Rock, Tanglwood, Kahkout, Mount Tone, Mount Airy, Fernwood - all time-capsuled in various states of decay. Alpine, slopes mowed, side-by-side quad chairs climbing 550 vertical feet, base lodge sealed, shrink-wrapped like a winter-stowed boat, looks like a buy-and-revive would-be ski area savior's dream (the entrance off PA 147 is fence-sealed, but you can enter through the housing development at the summit). Kahkout's paint-flecked double chair, dormant since 2008, still rollercoasters through forest and field on a surprisingly long line. Nothing remains at Tanglwood but concrete tower pads.Why did they all die? Why didn't Ski Big Bear? Seven other public, chairlift-served ski areas survive in the region: Big Boulder, Blue Mountain, Camelback, Elk, Jack Frost, Montage, and Shawnee. Of these eight, Ski Big Bear has the smallest skiable footprint, the lowest-capacity lift fleet, and the third-shortest vertical drop. It is the only northeast Pennsylvania ski area that still relies entirely on double chairs, off kilter in a region spinning six high-speed lifts and 10 fixed quads. Ski Big Bear sits the farthest of these eight from an interstate, lodged at the top of a steep and confusing access road nearly two dozen backwoods miles off I-84. Unlike Jack Frost and Big Boulder, Ski Big Bear has not leaned into terrain parks or been handed an Epic Pass assist to vacuum in the youth and the masses.So that's the somewhat rude premise of this interview: um, why are you still here? Yes, the gigantic attached housing development helps, but Phillips distills Ski Big Bear's resilience into what is probably one of the 10 best operator quotes in the 209 episodes of this podcast. “Treat everyone as if they just paid a million dollars to do what you're going to share with them,” she says.Skiing, like nature, can accommodate considerable complexity. If the tigers kill everything, eventually they'll run out of food and die. Nature also needs large numbers of less interesting and less charismatic animals, lots of buffalo and wapiti and wild boar and porcupines, most of which the tiger will never eat. Vail Mountain and Big Sky also need lots of Ski Big Bears and Mt. Peters and Perfect Norths and Lee Canyons. We all understand this. But saying “we need buffalo so don't die” is harder than being the buffalo that doesn't get eaten. “Just be nice” probably won't work in the jungle, but so far, it seems to be working on the eastern edge of PA.What we talked aboutUtah!; creating a West-ready skier assembly line in northeast PA; how – and why – Ski Big Bear has added “two or three weeks” to its ski season over the decades; missing Christmas; why the snowmaking window is creeping earlier into the calendar; “there has never been a year … where we haven't improved our snowmaking”; why the owners still groom all season long; will the computerized machine era compromise the DIY spirit of independent ski areas buying used equipment; why it's unlikely Ski Big Bear would ever install a high-speed lift; why Ski Big Bear's snowmaking fleet mixes so many makes and models of machines; “treat everyone as if they just paid a million dollars to do what you're going to share with them”; why RFID; why skiers who know and could move to Utah don't; the founding of Ski Big Bear; how the ski area is able to offer free skiing to all homeowners and extended family members; why Ski Big Bear is the only housing development-specific ski area in Pennsylvania that's open to the public; surviving in a tough and crowded ski area neighborhood; the impact of short-term rentals; the future of Ski Big Bear management, what could be changing, and when; changing the name from Masthope Mountain and how the advent of the internet complicated that decision; why Ski Big Bear built maybe the last double-double chairlift in America, rather than a fixed-grip quad; thoughts on the Grizzly and Little Bear lifts; Indy Pass; and an affordable season pass.What I got wrongOn U.S. migration into cities: For decades, America's youth have flowed from rural areas into cities, and I assumed, when I asked Schmalzle why he'd stayed in rural PA, that this was still the case. Turns out that migration has flipped since Covid, with the majority of growth in the 25-to-44 age bracket changing from 90 percent large metros in the 2010s to two-thirds smaller cities and rural areas in this decade, according to a Cooper Center report.Why you should ski Ski Big BearOK, I spent several paragraphs above outlining what Ski Big Bear doesn't have, which makes it sound as though the bump succeeds in spite of itself. But here's what the hill does have: a skis-bigger-than-it-is network of narrow, gentle, wood-canyoned trails; one of the best snowmaking systems anywhere; lots of conveyors right at the top; a cheapo season pass; and an extremely nice and modern lodge (a bit of an accident, after a 2005 fire torched the original).A ski area's FAQ page can tell you a lot about the sort of clientele they're built to attract. The first two questions on Ski Big Bear's are “Do I need to purchase a lift ticket?” and “Do I need rental equipment?” These are not questions you will find on the website for, say, Snowbird.So mostly I'm going to tell you to ski here if you have kids to ski with, or a friend who wants to learn. Ski Big Bear will also be fine if you have an Indy Pass and can ski midweek and don't care about glades or steeps, or you're like me and you just enjoy novelty and exploration. On the weekends, well, this is still PA, and PA skiing is demented. The state is skiing's version of Hanoi, Vietnam, which has declined to add traffic-management devices of any kind even as cheap motorbikes have nearly broken the formerly sleepy pedestrian city's spine:Hanoi, Vietnam, January 2016. Video by Stuart Winchester. There are no stop signs or traffic signals, for vehicles or pedestrians, at this (or most), four-way intersections in old-town Hanoi.Compare that to Camelback:Camelback, Pennsylvania, January 2024. Video by Stuart Winchester.Same thing, right? So it may seem weird for me to say you should consider taking your kids to Ski Big Bear. But just about every ski area within a two-hour drive of New York City resembles some version of this during peak hours. Ski Big Bear, however, is a gentler beast than its competitors. Fewer steeps, fewer weird intersections, fewer places to meet your fellow skiers via high-speed collision. No reason to release the little chipmunks into the Pamplona chutes of Hunter or Blue, steep and peopled and wild. Just take them to this nice little ski area where families can #FamOut. Podcast NotesOn smaller Utah ski areasStep off the Utah mainline, and you'll find most of the pow with fewer of the peak Wasatch crowds:I've featured both Sundance and Beaver Mountain on the podcast:On Plattekill and Berkshire EastBoth Plattekill, New York and Berkshire East, Massachusetts punched their way into the modern era by repurposing other ski areas' junkyard discards. The owners of both have each been on the pod a couple of times to tell their stories:On small Michigan ski areas closingI didn't ski for the first time until I was 14, but I grew up within an hour of three different ski areas, each of which had one chairlift and several surface lifts. Two of these ski areas are now permanently closed. My first day ever was at Mott Mountain in Farwell, Michigan, which closed around 2000:Day two was later that winter at what was then called “Bintz Apple Mountain” in Freeland, which hasn't spun lifts in about a decade:Snow Snake, in Harrison, managed to survive:The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast is a sustainable small business directly because of my paid subscribers. To upgrade, please click through below. Thank you for your support of independent ski journalism. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

Welcome to Episode 179 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! Tonight, Tad and I are joined by the one and only Diana—better known as @naturaddictlady! We dive into her passion for photography, her love for the trails, and her epic adventures with her trail buddy, Roxy the pup. But that's not all—we're also breaking down the 2024 Catskill 3500 Club canister stats and comparing them to previous years. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you're here. And as always... VOLUNTEER!!!!Links for the Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ISLCatskillsPodcast, Donate a coffee to support the show! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills, Like to be a sponsor or monthly supporter of the show? Go here! - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills/membershipThanks to the sponsors of the show: Outdoor chronicles photography - https://www.outdoorchroniclesphotography.com/, Trailbound Project - https://www.trailboundproject.com/, Camp Catskill - https://campcatskill.co/, Another Summit - https://www.guardianrevival.org/programs/another-summitLinks: Nature Addict Lady Photography, Diana's Instagram, One Mile Challenge, Fire Tower Lighting, Hike for the CatskillsVolunteer Opportunities: Trailhead stewards for 3500 Club -https://www.catskill3500club.org/trailhead-stewardship, Catskills Trail Crew - https://www.nynjtc.org/trailcrew/catskills-trail-crew, NYNJTC Volunteering - https://www.nynjtc.org/catskills, Catskill Center - https://catskillcenter.org/, Catskill Mountain Club - https://catskillmountainclub.org/about-us/, Catskill Mountainkeeper - https://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/, Bramley Mountain Fire Tower - https://bramleymountainfiretower.org/ Post Hike Brews and Bites - Cafe Mornings, Hudson North #natureaddict #hikingphotography #hikehudson #hikethehudson #hudsonvalleyhiking #NYC #history #husdonvalley #hikingNY #kaaterskill #bluehole #catskillhiking #visitcatskills #catskillstrails #catskillmountains #3500 #catskills #catskillpark #catskillshiker #catskillmountainsnewyork #hiking #catskill3500club #catskill3500 #hikethecatskills

What happens when two thrill-seeking teens hack a new dirt-bike trail deep into the Hudson Valley woods—and the night suddenly goes dead silent? In this adrenaline-spiking episode, Jeremiah Byron talks with Scott, a lifelong outdoorsman from Red Hook, New York, who still remembers the crunch-crunch-crunch of something massive descending an embankment toward his bright-orange pup tent in the summer of 1976. No flashlight. No breath. Just unstoppable footsteps.Scott walks us through blazing their secret trail, the gas-soaked smell of two-strokes cooling in the dark, and the moment he realized whatever was outside could see without light. We also dive into Hudson Valley hot-spots—Kinderhook, Whitehall, the Catskills—and explore the theory of a migratory Bigfoot route stretching from the Green Mountains to the Poconos.

Today I am sharing an important conversation with one of my primary herbal teachers, about the micro and macro views of health and healing. Modern life too often disassociates us from our innate identity and relationship with our greater ecosystem, biome, and planet. Herbal medicine, when practiced deeply and mindfully, goes beyond a simplistic replacement of conventional medicine with "natural" remedies, but moves us sometimes subtly and sometimes profoundly toward a recovery of our biological identities. The human body has the innate power to heal itself. Without this power to self heal, even the most advanced medications and surgical procedures would ultimately fail. The role of the herbalist in the healing process is to consider the client as a whole person, and to consult her/him/them concerning changes in lifestyle, diet, herbs, and supplementation in order to foster an increased state of balance and health - thus maximizing the body's self healing capabilities. Herbal medicine is not only the people's medicine, it is the planet's medicine. While we celebrate the increasing popularity of using herbs, we need to ensure herbal traditions remain true to our roots and accessible to all. Richard Mandelbaum RH is a clinical herbalist with a private practice, offering personalized health consultations, online and in person in the southern Catskills, NY. Richard has been an avid student of our native flora for close to forty years, and in addition to seeing clients he teaches classes in clinical herbal medicine, field botany, and phytochemistry. He is a co-founder and core instructor at the ArborVitae School of Traditional Herbalism and is on the faculty at David Winston's Center for Herbal Studies and the Won Institute of Graduate Studies. He has been a Registered Herbalist since 2003 and was a member of the American Herbalists Guild board of directors from 2012 to 2018. Richard lives with his wife Gabrielle and his daughter Rose in their straw bale home in Forestburgh, NY. You can learn more about Richard, including articles, podcast interviews, etc. at Richard Mandelbaum RH Connect with Richard via: Email: richard@arborvitaeny.com  Website: Richard Mandelbaum RH

Jessie lazar makes functional ceramics for the home and table. Mostly wheel thrown, mostly gas fired, Jessie makes clean precise forms with painterly glazes meant to elevate humble items in your daily routine. After over a decade of making, selling, and teaching ceramics in New York City, Jessie relocated her studio and business to the Catskills in upstate New York. Setting up a new ceramics studio and brick & mortar homegood store in Eldred NY. This quickly expanded beyond Studio Jessie Lazar into Sullivan Public, a 3400 square foot industrial space turned community artspace, hosting local teaching artists, classes, afterschool and community events. https://ThePottersCast.com/1142