Podcasts about Saranac Lake

Mason writes "I'm not quite sure how to start this other than with my first encounter. In the summer of 2013 or 2014, I went camping with my friend Perry and his father in upstate New York, we lived in Saranac Lake, which is 15 minutes down the road from Lake Placid where the 1980 miracle on ice occurred. Upstate New York is nothing like the city that the state is most famously known for, its mountainous, and covered in forests, and is also home to the Adirondack state park, where our little town was nestled. We had gone with his nearly estranged father to a camping ground near a lake, which one I cannot remember, as the area is littered with them. What I do remember however is Perry's father had stopped us setting up camp to tell us a scary story, ironically enough about Sasquatch. He told us a story about it taking food and attacking campers, but the two of us both teenagers, blew off his story. I for one have always had an interest in Bigfoot, but growing up, every adult in my life had talked down to me or made fun of this interest, causing me to in a sense disengage from them when they attempted to talk shop with me.  This camp ground was large, and had over 20 slots, and his father had splurged in an attempt to reconcile with Perry, opting to rent a site next to the lake. Between our campsite and every other was about 100 feet of thick woods, to allow privacy between the families camping. At the time I believe it was us, and two other families as it was nearing the end of summer, and they were a few sites away from us. The camping was fun, and nothing too exciting occurred other than the three of us learning to set up an over complicated bass pro tent for a small family. At around 10 o'clock that night give or take an hour we had been sitting around our campfire when Perry's father's demeanor changed. For most of this day we had all three been very excited and having fun, but at this point in the night he seemed to suddenly become very serious. He got us to clean up our campsite and pack up everything aside from a large cooler he had brought along. Then he had ushered us into the tent. Perry and I, both being 13 or 14, were still awake, laughing over dumb jokes and attempting not to wake Perry's father when we began to hear walking. At this time I had not been as well versed of the sounds of the woods as I would become later in life, but even then I could distinguish the sound of bipedal walking, especially when it sounded heavy. We heard something begin to approach our campsite, and at first I had wondered if it were a loon or heron which were all over the lake during the day. This however was quickly disproven when it approached our tent. Perry's face suddenly became filled with fear, fear which matched the sudden sinking feeling growing in my chest and stomach. I had turned slightly to my left, onto my back, as I was closest to the side this unknown had approached, and something inside me demanded I not have my back to whatever this was. We sat there for what felt like forever, but could only have been a minute, when the side of the tent began to push in slowly, what was pushing it in has never left me. What I can only describe as a poorly outlined hand had pushed in the side of the tent. The tent wall had bulged inwards a good five or six inches and was starting to stretch as far inward as it could before the tent began to bend. The hand itself reminded me of my fathers hand, he is a man of 6 feet and over 250 pounds, and had hands that remind me of the cartoon character wreck it Ralph, or more accurately like a baseball glove. What shocked me most of all was that this hand seemed to be double or triple the size of my father's hands.  I believe if it were not for what happened next, it may have kept moving its hand further. Perry's father actively spoke in his sleep, a quirk of his that I at the time did not know. He had said something quiet, but just loud enough that it caused this hand to pull away. It was at this moment that the air began to feel electrified, like we had done something wrong, and the fear in my body then and even now rewriting this spiked. The woods had gone deadly silent, the only sound we could hear was the water from the lake make ten feet from our tent.  We froze, Perry and I had lain as flat as possible to avoid bringing attention to ourselves, and were doing our best to slow our breathing, to keep quiet. Perry's father however had mumbled something else, and Perry decided he would attempt to wake him. It half worked, as his father seemed to hear Perry whispering to him, because the next thing I knew his father chuckled and said "You're trying to scare me for the story aren't you? Not gonna work" and moments later, his father was once again asleep. As he spoke, we heard and felt the steps from earlier walk away from us, further into our campsite. We had pitched our tent on the edge of the site because a large picnic table sat in the center, this table is where we left our cooler. I mention this because you could hear the wood suddenly creaking as if something heavy was leaned on it or sat on it. Following this was the sound of the cooler opening, and the sound of plastic bags and cans being sorted through.  Perry and I held our breath, terrified. At the time I refused to believe it was Bigfoot, because I did not want what was happening to ruin my enjoyment of the subject.  We listened to it for quite some time, I believe four or five minutes, rummaging through the cooler, before we heard the cooler close, and the steps begin to move away. The next thing we heard was something entering the water, and the sound of something swimming away.  We stayed awake after that, or more accurately I did, Perry eventually got to sleep, I can only imagine he was exhausted from the terror we had felt. I, in my infinite wisdom of a brazen 13 or 14 year old, waited for sunrise to exit the tent, where I found our cooler still on the table but moved, and many of the items we had brought in the cooler strewn about the site. I did not see tracks, as the ground here was too hard, but what I did notice was that the cooler felt oily on the handles, like someone who had washed their hands in seed oils had touched it, or someone who had done an oil change had just manhandled the cooler. It also smelled slightly of mildew, or more accurately it smelled like stale air.  When Perry woke and so did his father, Perry apparently had decided to not talk about what had happened, and his father thought I was trying to scare him for as he put it "payback for yesterdays story". Suffice to say, I had grown a pair of eyes in the back of my head that night, which would keep me aware in the woods for years to come. My second encounter is extremely brief, and at the time I was convinced by my mother that it was simply foxes attempting to mate. For you if you want to see where this one occurred, we lived at  220 Riverside Drive, Saranac Lake New York. Down the road from my old home was thick woods that went on fire miles, which are still there. My home was just up the road from it. I know this had occurred in 2014 because my father had given me an IPad he no longer wanted for my birthday which was in March of that year. I had been up late watching YouTube, and enjoying some pirated shows on the site, and when I say late I mean 1 or 2 AM late.  I had always been spooked by sounds I'd never heard before, but never as afraid as what this would do to me.  I had just decided I needed to sleep when my dog Lakota, a Keeshond I just recently adopted began to whine. His cage was in my room. For context, this home was three stories tall, but built on an a steep hill. We had gotten this home from a family friend who had been building it for himself, but decided he didn't want it when he found a "better property". My room was on the "ground floor". I put this in quotations because my room and the entire left half of the ground floor sat 10 feet above the driveway. The driveway, was about 40 or 50 feet long, extending past our house to a garage which is built into the hill, the hill itself was covered in thick woods and it was maybe 70 feet between our house and the people behind it. The driveway itself also opened a path up behind the garage, up into the woods.  So my room is about 10 feet above the driveway, but directly beside it, and I have a single window here. I had the window partly cracked, and my room was pretty quiet, I was trying not to wake my mother upstairs because her room was directly above mine and she could be very upset if I was too loud and woke her up. I was relaxed and enjoying myself as I had said before when a sound I can only describe as a bloody scream exploded up from the driveway. It was both deep and high pitched, and vibrated the glass in the windows, my TV and my entire body. I was instantly overcome with the deepest fear I have ever felt, and I threw the iPad down. Normally if I heard something that scared me I would just close the window and my bedroom door and hide under the covers, but this filled me with so much terror I threw my iPad, left my dog behind and went running into the hall. As soon as I made it into the hall, I could hear something in the distance answer back. I too began screaming, only instead of a guttural two toned shrieking I began screaming for my mother. She came rushing down the stairs, I can only assume she too was awoken by these sounds. She however was angry with me. According to her that was foxes sending out a mating call. I had told her I don't believe her and her response still sticks with me as an oddly funny reaction to such a terrifying moment. "What do you want me to do? Go outside and shoot it? I'm not doing that!"  I believe my panic had sent the screamer away from our home, because I never heard that sound again after the initial scream and answer from down the road.  For years I just accepted my mother's reality, because I didn't know what else it could be, until I was listening to your show. I'm not sure what episode it was but I know the sound. The moment I heard it I had a full blown panic attack, and was brought right back to that night. Every time I hear that sound I go back, not as panicked as before thankfully, but that sound will haunt me for the rest of my life. It is only thanks to you that I know what it was now. The audio I think of sounds feminine almost, like a banshee almost, and is followed by a deep call at the end. I believe it may have been on a recent episode. Now for my final encounter or rather what I'd refer to as the most terrifying 3 months of my life.  I moved to Virginia in 2016, and have lived here since then. It was last year, 2024, when I had lost my job in retail. I had lost my grandmother who had been there my whole life, she had been there for me when I lost my sister in 2009 and even been there holding one of my mothers legs when I was born. This loss had hit me hard and I had lost the passion I had for my job and most things around me. It had been my spouse Lynn's suggestion that I go into something new, something that got me outside, to help me find my passion for work again. So I applied to FedEX Ground in Winchester Virginia, and to my delight I got the job fairly quickly. I was trained, and put into my own truck within a month and a half of getting the gig. My route was Luray Virginia, specifically the area around Highway US-211 East, called Fairview. This area is mostly hills, woods, farms, pastures, and creeks. This is about as rural as you can get, internet vanishes here, your phone loses signal, and most people you speak to is related to five others here. I loved my route, except for three places on it. To start was Piney Mountain Road. Piney Mountain goes up to a small paved circle where houses have mailboxes. The houses these boxes belong to were each up a steep mountain whose roads were carved out of the mud and dirt between trees, and every driveway was a challenge: the worst of all was at the top of the mountain, where a house had an inclined driveway. This driveway had no good turn arounds aside from a small patch of dirt that sat precariously over a small drop of about 70 feet onto a slope with a slight incline of 80°. I would have to do an eleven point turn to turn my vehicle around and then pray to god my brakes didn't give out as I delivered these peoples packages. Well the more I delivered to them, the more I felt like someone was going to come out of the woods and attack me in the truck.  Every time I delivered to this home I was filled with dread to the point I once just left their boxes in the driveway and nearly killed myself flying down the mountain. There was one night however, when I was out extremely late delivering, that I arrived at the paved circle at the bottom of the mountain, and decided I was never driving up there again. I parked and was on the phone with my spouse, with an earbud in one ear. I was delivering to the only house at the bottom before I was to go up the mountain, when I began to hear nearly every sound I've ever heard you play on the podcast start up that mountain, I heard arguing samurai chatter, I heard howling, screaming, I heard branches and trees being torn apart, and I flew into my truck, leaving their packages in a drop box that belonged their neighbors and I left in tears. Next, would be Morning Star Road or as google calls it "Jewell Hollow Road." Not much happened here aside from two things. I saw a distant figure up on a hill one day for maybe a moment that was man shaped and black, and an old woman who told me and I quote her directly "the boogers don't like you speeding around here." To finish out I would have to drive up a road directly behind the Shenandoah national park HQ, East Rocky Branch. This road went far back into the woods, surround by it really, on the right side of the road was a 10 foot drop into a ditch with a river at the center, and on the left was a hill connected to a small mountain. I drove this entire road, delivering boxes to every house, except for the ones at the ends. Every time I would drive down this road I would get an odd feeling, like I was being watched. I had chalked it up to paranoia; because I had been listening to your shows episodes I'd downloaded on the app, I just had become a true member and not an Apple podcast listener anymore. For months I was just calling it paranoia, denying the occasional stick break, the woods going silent, or the feeling of being watched. There was even a point when I had gone a different road this occurred so I assumed I had just begun overthinking, until the last two months I worked for FedEX. I had a house I delivered to at the end, which had a large cleared yard with trees surrounding it. There was a large opening about maybe 40 feet wide that looked all the way to a small waterfall about 200 feet from where I'd park in their gravel driveway. I had met the family who lived here a few times, and the father was a good 6'5 maybe 6'6. This is important because I would often see the father about halfway back towards this waterfall, and he would stand beside a tree in this clear view in order to talk with me as I delivered packages, mainly to tell me where to place them. It was November, and I was arriving in their driveway on a day they must not have been home, because their car that usually blocked me from doing an easy turn around in this driveway was gone. So I parked sideways in the driveway, and began to take their package out. I hadn't noticed it yet, but the woods were silent aside from the occasional gust of wind. The package was quite heavy; and I had been spouting some expletives as I was not in the best of shape, but I eventually got it on their porch. Once I did, I turned around and looked back in the clearing. What I saw fills me with dread to this day. "

(Oct 8, 2025) As the APA moves forward with plans to build a new headquarters in downtown Saranac Lake, critics are asking the board to question the reasons behind the move; Cornell scientists have come up with a way to use apple scraps to make healthier meatballs; and the DEC has some updates to regulations, including that hunters can now use electronic hunting licenses and tags.

(Oct 8, 2025) After decades in Ray Brook, the Adirondack Park Agency is planning to move its headquarters to downtown Saranac Lake. But some critics are asking the APA board to question the reasons behind the move. Also: Hunters can now use electronic hunting licenses and tags as the new season ramps up.

(Oct 2, 2025) It can be tricky to earn a living while running a seasonal tourism business. A Schroon Lake couple is trying to make it work to be in a place they love; a "tree rodeo" is being held in New York, perhaps for the first time, and it's happening here in the North Country; as the fall colors are hitting their peak, we take a walk along the Bloomingdale Bog trail in the Adirondacks; we preview the adventurous fall lineup at Lake Flower Landing in Saranac Lake.

(Sep 23, 2025) After decades of trying to restore Lake Champlain's native salmon population, state and federal officials are using a new tool to figure out what stocking strategies are working; a museum in the Adirondacks is facing criticism after auctioning off more than a dozen historic boats; and a crime novelist's newest book focuses on a love story during the tuberculosis era in Saranac Lake. 

(Sep 5, 2025) The Luisitania and the cure cottages of Saranac Lake collide in a new novel by the best-selling Canadian author of the "John Cardinal" series.

(Sep 2, 2025) Despite the Trump administration asking schools to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, one local district says it has no plans of stopping; the chairs of the Democratic county committees in the 115th Assembly District say they're nominating Plattsburgh's town supervisor for an upcoming special election; and many hiking enthusiasts know the basics of the story, but the Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown put together a special exhibit to dive deeper into the history of the first 46ers.

(Sep 2, 2025) The Trump administration has asked the nation's schools to end their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In Saranac Lake, they've been building out their DEI program for years, and they have no plans of stopping. Also: New York officials are considering new rules about how juvenile offenders get parole.

(Aug 29, 2025) Sen. Chuck Schumer says the ROTC program at Clarkson University in Potsdam will not shut down, a reversal of a previous Army announcement; a volunteer who works with children who have been abused shares why the work is valuable to him; NY-21's Elise Stefanik addressed concerns that ICE recruitment would take away from local police hires; we tag along with Emily Russell for a trail run in the Mediterranean; and, a preview of the Northern Current Music Festival in Saranac Lake.

(Aug 27, 2025) We remember John Cogar, a longtime veterinarian and former bobsled athlete in the Adirondacks who drowned in Lower Saranac Lake last week; an arts organization in Watertown is hosting an event for local music acts to get professional quality photos and videos of themselves; and North Country at Work tells the story of a Westport farm where horses get a second chance.

(Aug 26, 2025) U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand visited Saranac Lake on Monday, as she works to secure millions in federal funding for the Trudeau Institute amid the Trump administration's proposed cuts to scientific research; we follow along with one of the first users of the motorized wheelchair program at Great Camp Santanoni; and NCPR book reviewer Betsy Kepes talks about a new historical novel, The Jackal's Mistress. 

(Aug 26, 2025) The DEC is in its second year of an experimental motorized wheelchair program at one of the Adirondacks' most historic sites. We follow one of the first users as he tests the device along the trail into Great Camp Santanoni. Also: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was in Saranac Lake yesterday to push for scientific research funding for the Trudeau Institute.

(Aug 18, 2025) Drag shows have become mainstream in cities across the country, but they're less common in small towns. In the North Country, a group of local drag performers says every show is a chance to build acceptance for their art form, one local stage at a time. Also: The Adirondack Park Agency's potential move to downtown Saranac Lake is taking another small step forward.

(Aug 5, 2025) With the school year quickly approaching, many families in Watertown don't know if their child will be able to attend pre-k after the city school district cut dozens of pre-k slots without explanation; Gov. Hochul says the days of nonpartisan redistricting in New York should be over as Republicans in Texas try to redistrict their state; and a conversation with the director of a museum in Saranac Lake about how a new, larger space will allow the museum to tell the village's broader cultural history.

In this listener-fueled episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve dive deep into your Adirondack travel questions, focusing on the Tri-Lakes and High Peaks region: Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. Whether you're planning your first visit or returning for the views, you'll get expert tips on where to stay, eat, shop, hike, and sip like a local.From haunted hotels to hip breweries, hidden donut shops to iconic scenic drives—this episode is jam-packed with insider knowledge and real local recommendations to help you plan a trip you'll never forget.Hear about:Where to stay for both rustic charm and walkable convenienceThe coziest cabins and haunted hotelsThe must-try local pies, diners, donuts, and beersSecret overlooks, beginner-friendly hikes, and scenic bywaysHistoric gems like the John Brown Farm and Olympic sitesWhat to pack for mountain elevation changesWhere locals go for live music, trivia, and tacosIf you've got a wedding in the High Peaks, a fall foliage road trip planned, or just love discovering lesser-known places, this is the Adirondack episode you didn't know you needed.Mentioned in this podcast.Eastwind HotelMount Jo Trail InfoHotel SaranacRaquette River BrewingWhiteface Veterans' Memorial HighwayWhitebrook Dairy BarThe Wild Center – Tupper LakeDartbrook Rustic GoodsNorthWind Fine ArtsAdirondack Artists Guild GalleryAdirondack StoreAdirondack Decorative Arts & CraftsWashboard Donuts & LaundryMirror Lake InnWar Cannon SpiritsRaybrook BrewhouseHex and HopJohn Brown FarmHigh Gorge FallsNoon Mark DinerP-2'sLove the show? Help us out by subscribing, rating, and leaving a review! It helps fellow travelers find us and brings more Adirondack adventures your way. Got a question about the Adirondacks you'd like us to answer on air? Please send it to

Every summer, the quiet charm of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid erupts in a joyful scrum of community pride, fierce competition, and unmatched camaraderie. That's right—it's time for the legendary Can-Am Rugby Tournament.In this episode of ADK Talks, hosts Jane and Steve delve into the heart of this beloved Adirondack tradition with Cameron Moody, the tournament director and lifelong rugby player, who joins us from his deployment with the National Guard in the Horn of Africa.Whether you're a seasoned rugby fan or just rugby curious, this episode is packed with stories, surprises, and reasons to attend the 51st Can-Am Rugby Tournament, happening July 25–27, 2025.In this episode, you'll learn:The grassroots origin story of Can-Am Rugby in the 1970s and how it grew into the largest amateur rugby tournament in the U.S.Why rugby is a “gentleman's game”—and what that really means on and off the pitchHow Can-Am supports local youth sports, scholarships, and community eventsWhat to expect at the Tournament: free matches, family activities, and the return of wheelchair rugbyWhy women's rugby is booming, and what new divisions are debuting this yearCameron's big dreams for expanding the tournament and building youth rugby across New York StatePlus, don't miss the Scrum & Done Lightning Round, where Cameron names his favorite post-match drink (hint: it's cold and comes in a can), the best rugby team names, and the advice he'd pass on to the next generation of players.If you're planning a summer trip to the Adirondacks, this is the tournament to build your weekend around—whether you're a player, spectator, or just looking for something unforgettable and totally free to do in the Tri-Lakes.Links & Resources:

(Jul 4, 2025) For your holiday weekend listening enjoyment, here's the latest edition of the North Words radio show, featuring interviews with Frank Barry about his trip on the Lincoln Highway, and Saranac Lake's Pendragon Theatre, which will move into a new space next season.

(Jul 3, 2025) Local officials are weighing the future of Clinton Community College's current campus as the institution prepares to move to SUNY Plattsburgh next month; ahead of this Sunday's Willard Hanmer paddling race in Saranac Lake, we listen back to last year's contest; and North Words host Mitch Teich sits down with Canadian rocker, Rob Benvie, about his latest novel, "The Damagers," that follows two teenage girls who stumble into a cult that's building its home base in the Adirondack High Peaks.

(Jul 3, 2025) It's prime canoe and kayaking season, when there are races most weekends somewhere in the North Country. We join the Willard Hanmer paddling race, which is set to return to Saranac Lake this Sunday. Also: Health care professionals protested in Plattsburgh yesterday, saying Republicans' tax and spending bill will devastate the North Country's health system.

(Jul 1, 2025) The Adirondack Park Agency headquarters' potential move to Saranac Lake has created a lot of controversy and accusations against the APA's director, Barbara Rice. A new report by NY's Inspector General cleared Rice of any wrongdoing. Also: Two new lawsuits filed against the city of Plattsburgh challenge the police department and its newly appointed chief.

(Jun 25, 2025) Retired State Police Sgt. Jay Cook recounts the day he spotted, shot and recaptured Clinton Correctional escapee David Sweat in a field in Constable, ending the weekslong Dannemora manhunt; a project by the Potsdam Rotary Club gifts families with their own birthday celebration kit; and North Words host Mitch Teich sits down with Michael Aguirre from the Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake to preview its last summer season at its current location on Brandy Brook Avenue before it gets a new home.

In this powerful follow-up to one of ADK Talks' most downloaded episodes, Jane and Steve welcome back Denise Silfie from the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation in Saranac Lake. Denise shares updates on loon research, insights from the annual Loon Census, and the ongoing challenges of lead tackle for loons and humans, climate change, and shoreline development. From guided paddles and museum-quality exhibits to turtle rescue collabs and “Loon Zoom” virtual talks, this episode is packed with compelling stories, quirky loon facts, and meaningful ways to get involved. Your participation can make a significant difference.Whether you're a seasonal visitor or a year-round resident, this episode serves as a poignant reminder that the urgency of protecting loons is synonymous with safeguarding the Adirondacks—shoreline to treetop.Mentioned in this podcast.Adirondack Center for Loon ConservationNew York Annual Loon Census – July 19, 2025Lead Tackle Buyback Program – 30+ tackle shops in the regionMaintain the Chain – Old Forge-based conservation groupDancing Turtle RescueView Arts CenterSaranac Lake Art WalkPaul Smith's College & VIC (Visitor Interpretive Center)St. Gabriel's Church – Paul SmithsHotel SaranacBitters & Bones – Restaurant and brewery in Saranac LakeTrudeau Laboratory Museum in Saranac LakeRaquette River Brewing – Tupper Lake and Lake Placid taproomsADK Talks is brought to you by ADK Taste. We provide insight on the best places to stay, shop, eat and things to do in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park in upstate New York. Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.Your questions and comments are invaluable to us. We'd love to hear from you! Please, share your thoughts with us at info@adktaste.com.Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcastinfo@nextdaypodcast.com

(Jun 20, 2025) The historic playhouse is renovating and adding to the former A&P building in Saranac Lake, which will allow them to host bigger productions.

Meet Siera Pickering, the Dean of Students at Petrova Elem. in beautiful Saranac Lake, NY. I met Siea on a leadership visit to Saranac Lake, and she stood out in so many ways--participation, positivity, assertiveness, and more. She's joining us LIVE on the podcast on Tuesday, 6/17/25 at 4:30 PM EST. Siera is expecting her 3rd child next month (WOW!) and is very interested in how the brain functions in relation to learning and reading. She is looking to make a positive impact on her school culture--Join us! Keep surviving & thriving, friends! This podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning. IXL is used by more than 1 million teachers each day. It is also the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/ELBIXL

(Jun 17, 2025) We hear what the three-week Dannemora prison escape manhunt was like for the people nearby; Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand visited a hospital in Saranac Lake yesterday to bring more attention to potential cuts to Medicaid included in Trump's proposed federal budget; and we meet a social worker in the southern Adirondacks who created a comic book series to encourage the teenagers she works with.

(Jun 17, 2025) Ten years ago, two dangerous convicts made a daring escape from the state prison in Dannemora. What the three-week manhunt that followed was like for everyday North Country residents. Also: Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Saranac Lake's hospital to push back against cuts to Medicaid in Republicans' budget bill.

(Jun 2, 2025) If you have a physical disability or use a wheelchair, you know how difficult traversing public places in the North Country can be. Saranac Lake has commissioned a study that's looking at ways to make the village's municipal parks more accessible. Also: New York is cracking down on the 'buy now, pay later' industry with new rules to protect consumers.

(May 16, 2025) Chris Shaw's novel "The Manager" is set against the backdrop of the 1980 Winter Olympics and begins at a popular Saranac Lake landmark.

(May 6, 2025) Reporter David Escobar has a recap of NCPR and Adirondack Explorer listening sessions about welcoming and belonging in the region; Cornell Cooperative Extension is hosting a free webinar about how farmers can lower their energy bills; and Adirondack artist Andy Mitchell has a showing opening in Saranac Lake on Thursday, May 8.

As spring arrives in the Adirondacks, the High Peaks enter mud season—a time when trails above 2,500 feet become saturated and vulnerable. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) advises hikers to avoid these trails to prevent erosion and protect fragile ecosystems. But that doesn't mean your hiking adventures have to pause!In this episode, we'll explore a variety of lower-elevation hiking challenges perfect for this season. From the Lake Placid 9'er to the Fire Tower Challenge, discover new trails, earn badges, and enjoy the beauty of the Adirondacks responsibly. Hiking Challenges Covered: 1. Lake Placid 9'er: www.lakeplacid9er.comA collection of nine accessible peaks around Lake Placid, offering a mix of challenges and scenic views.2. Saranac Lake 6'erSix peaks surrounding Saranac Lake, providing a range of hiking experiences and the tradition of ringing the 6er Bell upon completion.3. Tupper Lake TriadA trio of family-friendly hikes near Tupper Lake, suitable for hikers of all levels.4. Fulton Chain TrifectaThree accessible peaks near Old Forge, perfect for a day of hiking with rewarding views.5. Lake George 12sterA more extensive challenge encompassing 12 peaks around Lake George, offering diverse trails and scenic beauty.6. Adirondack Fire Tower ChallengeA challenge involving hikes to historic fire towers across the Adirondacks, combining history with adventure.Tips for Spring Hiking:- Trail Etiquette: Stay on designated trails to prevent erosion and avoid hiking on muddy trails to protect trail integrity.- Gear Recommendations: Miccrospikes, waterproof boots, gaiters, and trekking poles are essential for spring conditions.- Safety Precautions: Check weather forecasts and trail conditions before heading out, and let someone know your hiking plans and expected return time.Follow Along on Instagram & Facebook:@46of46podcast@jamesappleton46Join the next GREAT RANGE ATHLETE 6-week challenge and get in mountain-hiking shape in just 6 weeks from your local gym or your house. Learn more about the Great Range Athlete Team Program HERELooking for help to improve your both your fitness for hiking and your disicpline and daily habits so you can become the strongest version of yourself on and off the trail? Book a free strategy call with James to learn more about his 1-on-1 coaching program, SEEK TO DO MORE atwww.seektodomore.com/vsl Get my books:1.) The Adirondack 46 in 18 Hikes: The Complete Guide to Hiking the High Peaks 2.) Adirondack Campfire Stories: Tales and Folklore from Inside the Blue LineWebsites:www.46OUTDOORS.comwww.46OF46.com

(Apr 21, 2025) Over the weekend, hundreds of people protested in Saranac Lake and Potsdam against President Donald Trump; environmental advocates say they're ready to once again fight a proposed gas pipeline in New York that President Trump wants to revive; and NPR's CEO Katherine Maher speaks about the potential impact of cuts to public broadcasting.

(Apr 21, 2025) A natural gas pipeline through Upstate New York was thought to be dead. But President Trump mentioned the project in a recent conversation with Gov. Hochul. Environmental advocates say they're ready to fight it again. Also: Hundreds of people hit the streets in Saranac Lake and Potsdam over the weekend for another protest against President Donald Trump.

(Apr 18, 2025) Every Thursday, there are free archery lessons at the Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club; NYS leaders are promising reforms to the culture in prisons after guards were charged for another beating death of an inmate; a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump aims to stop the enforcement of some state climate laws; Several University at Albany students have had their visas terminated; and, warm mountain conditions at the end of April.

(Apr 18, 2025) Every Thursday, there are free archery lessons at the Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club. Our Adirondack reporter Emily Russell takes up a bow and aims for the mark. Also: Federal immigration agents detained at least twelve people at a chick hatchery in Jefferson County.

(Feb 13, 2025) An alliance of hospitals in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties wants to start its own ambulance service to help with long wait times. But other ambulance services say the real problem is a shortage of EMTs and another ambulance will just poach staff. Also: New York's Secretary of State was in the North Country this week, promoting the governor's budget proposals. Emily Russell reports from Saranac Lake.

(Jan 28, 2025) We look at what a 25% tariff on Canadian goods would mean for the North Country if President Donald Trump follows through on the proposal; the Adirondack Land Trust is hosting an event tonight to discuss where people with various disabilities can enjoy birdwatching in the Adirondacks; and we chat with Saranac Lake artist Michael Burpoe who paints scenes from around the village, including from the annual winter carnival.

(Jan 13, 2025)

(Jan 13, 2025) Volunteerism took a big hit during and after the coronavirus pandemic. But it's starting to rebound. In Saranac Lake, volunteers are building a sense of civic pride. Also: Child care is a big focus in Governor Hochul's 'affordability agenda', which she'll outline in her state of the state address tomorrow.

(Dec 27, 2024) A new tool to help folks deal with loss in northern Clinton County; a local newspaper press keeps printing; Reachout, the crisis and intervention hotline based in Potsdam, is shutting down at the end of the year; St. Lawrence Seaway administrator is stepping down in January as the Trump administration takes office; and, ice skating in the Adirondacks!

(Dec 27, 2024) A new tool to help people deal with grief opened to the community in northern Clinton County. The "wind phone" in the village of Champlain allows anyone to walk up and speak to whoever they wish were on the other end. Also: As newspaper presses across the U.S. close, the one in Saranac Lake is keeping the news ink local.

(Dec 23, 2024)

(Dec 23, 2024) Two nurses at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake hand-crochet a season-themed hat for every infant born in the medical ward. Also: The current U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations has words of advice for her likely successor, North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

(Dec 18, 2024) Crews with the Northern Forest Canoe Trail completed sixteen projects along the 740-mile water route this summer. We catch up with a trail crew as they worked near Saranac Lake. Also: We'll get an update on Claxton-Hepburn in Ogdensburg, which announced plans about a year ago to split into two facilities.

(Nov 20, 2024) U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand stopped by SUNY Canton Monday to promote a cybersecurity scholarship program and answered questions about a likely special election to replace NY-21 Congresswoman Elise Stefanik; after years of delays, plans to bring a river park with a whitewater wave to Saranac Lake are moving forward; and North Words host Mitch Teich speaks with Ottawa filmmaker Lloyd Frost, whose film "The Berlin Waltz" about authoritarianism in Cold War East Germany seeks to be a cautionary tale for the modern world. 

(Nov 20, 2024) Like in many North Country villages, Saranac Lake's riverfront has gone neglected and underutilized. A group of paddlers is trying to build park with a white water wave along the Saranac River, but they still need to raise a lot of money. Also: U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stopped by SUNY Canton Monday to promote a cyber security program that helps pay for students' tuition but isn't getting enough applicants.

Becca Rae Eagle, M.S.Ed.,pen name Noelle Tryst, is a wife, mom to a college age son, avid hiker, podcast host of The Podcast: Sacred Penning™: Somatic Meditative Journaling, and a teacher since 2000. Becca served as an English instructor for nearly twenty years in public schools and community colleges and currently teaches third grade at a private school in her community. She is an empath, HSP, intuitive, mental health advocate, woman of Faith, and a soul tender. Becca is also an international bestselling author and international speaker in training.. She has been featured in at least a dozen podcasts and Julie Browne's acclaimed book, Masters of Change (2023, New Degree Press), focusing on her resilient healing path. Her first work, Embodying Joy: A Heart Journal, A Memoir with Journal Space for Body, Mind, & Spirit Health, is available on Amazon. Her piece, “Anchored By a Star,” is featured in the International Bestselling collection, Ignite Your Faith, (Ignite Publishers). Her next book will be released in 2025. Writing as Noelle Tryst, she is a proud staff writer for Women Who Podcast Magazine. She also blogs on Substack at https://substack.com/@NOELLETRYST She is a Transformative Soul Journaling Practitioner. Becca's signature Sacred Penning™ Somatic Meditative Journaling method helps women with A.E.D. (activating energetic discoveries), transformative writing experiences for body, mind, and spirit. Becca offers customized journaling retreats for individuals, private groups, corporate organizations, and community events. Contact Becca Rae Eagle: website : sacredpenning.podia.com Three-percent of Becca's book profits go to children who experience early trauma, poverty, and violence: Life is Good Playmaker Project @ Playmaker Project - About Us | Life is Good® Official Site Three-percent of Becca's retreat profits go to Feeding America @https://give.feedingamerica.org/ Three-percent of Becca's course profits go to the Ecumenical Council of Saranac Lake @http://www.slecumenical.org/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/entrustingu2day Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/beccaraeeagle/ Public IG:https://www.instagram.com/beccaraeeagle/?hl=en Email: entrustingu2day@gmail.com Podcast: The Sacred Penning Podcast: Journal Your Way to Brighter Days website https://thesacredpenningpodcast.buzzsprout.com Dr. Kimberley Linert Speaker, Author, Broadcaster, Mentor, Trainer, Behavioral Optometrist Event Planners- I am available to speak at your event. Here is my media kit: https://brucemerrinscelebrityspeakers.com/portfolio/dr-kimberley-linert/ To book Dr. Linert on your podcast, television show, conference, corporate training or as an expert guest please email her at incrediblelifepodcast@gmail.com or Contact Bruce Merrin at Bruce Merrin's Celebrity Speakers at merrinpr@gmail.com 702.256.9199 Host of the Podcast Series: Incredible Life Creator Podcast Available on... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/incredible-life-creator-with-dr-kimberley-linert/id1472641267 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DZE3EoHfhgcmSkxY1CvKf?si=ebe71549e7474663 and on 9 other podcast platforms Author of Book: "Visualizing Happiness in Every Area of Your Life" Get on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3srh6tZ Website: https://www.DrKimberleyLinert.com The Great Discovery eLearning platform: https://thegreatdiscovery.com/kimberley

Join us for this inspirational chat with John and Ann Monroe from Saranac Lake, New York! John was crewed and paced by his wife Ann at the 2023 and 2024 Wild Goose 100. The two events could not have been more different! In 2023, John bowed out at mile 93 after a grueling battle with Tropical Storm Ophelia and the washed out Wawayanda trails. His mantra for the next year carried him to the finish line a year later: "4 MORE IN '24!" Listen in to hear John and Ann's inspirational story of how they got into trail running and how they crossed that Wild Goose finish line together. Oh and by the way, John is 70 years young and Ann paced him for 37 of the 100 miles!

Dementia is a family disease that affects not just the afflicted person but everyone who loves, depends on, and cares for her. Alzheimer's and related diseases don't kill off their victims right away but instead drains them over years of their ability to think or do or even really be themselves. Watching that happen is horrifying and tests caregivers. Writer Will Doolittle knows this. Seven and one half years ago his wife Bella was diagnosed with Alzheimer and told she probably had eight years to live. He writes about how the disease has changed their lives. Rosemary's family care for her 98-year-old mother who is slowly disappearing. Ruth Fish is a nurse practitioner who offer support and hope and sees the bright spots for families like Doolittle's and Armao's. Will Doolittle is 64. He met his wife, Bella, when he was 13 and living in Saranac Lake, and she came over from Lake Placid to see her boyfriend, Dave, who was one of Will's best friends. Bella was 15. Will worked at the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, his family's business, as a teenager, and then again after college and some time abroad. In 1986, he was living in Lake Placid,, working on the newspaper there, when he went into the Lake Placid bar P.J. O'Neill's and, after pushing through a crowd, saw a bartender he thought he recognized. "I think I know you," he said to Bella. "Yeah? Half the guys in here think they know me," she said. Before long  they were seeing each other. After several months, Will moved into the apartment in Saranac Lake where Bella lived with her two children, Travis and Ginny, who were 8 and 7.  Will and Bella got married in April of 1990, and the family moved the next year to Malone, where Will worked as the editor of the local paper, the Telegram.  Bella commuted to Saranac Lake to continue working as a photographer for the Enterprise, then took a job as a bartender at a notorious biker bar in Malone.  They moved to Glens Falls in the fall of 1993, where Will had taken a job as an editor at the Post-Star. He worked as night, Sunday, features, editorial page and special projects editor — not all at once — over the next 29 years, retiring in January of 2022 to stay home and take care of Bella full-time.  Bella worked various jobs and finished her undergraduate degree, then got a master's and a teaching certificate while she was working full time as a domestic violence counselor at Catholic Charities.  Will and Bella adopted their son Zo in 1990 and daughter Tam a couple of years later.  Bella took a job as a teacher and administrator for the Ticonderoga branch campus of North Country Community College but was forced to retire in 2018 after informing the college in 2017 she had been diagnosed with Alzheimers.   Will was able to keep working for a few years but eventually had to stop. He is now writing a memoir that will include what's happening with my life now with Bella. He also writes a Substack column about that which you can read here: https://kentingley.substack.com/ Ruth E. Fish is a certified family nurse practitioner with more than 35 years of experience in internal medicine and geriatrics. She is an educator for the Center for Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease at the Glens Falls NY Hospital. She holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from SUNY Plattsburgh and a master's from the Medical College of Virginia at Richmond in Family Nurse Practice and Community Healthy. She has been awarded the Warren County Bar Association's Liberty Bell prize for work helping adult reach physical and neuron-cognitive wellness. A nurse beloved by patients she also has an extensive volunteer history including helping refugees coming into her community. 

Meet Josh Dann, the long time Principal at Saranac Lake HS, NY. Josh is a father, caring leader, avid golfer, and more. Josh has worked hard with his leadership team to create a culture of learning and growth at Saranac Lake. We'll talk leadership, cell phones, marshmallows, and all things upstate NY. Join us LIVE Saturday morning, August 24th @ 8:30 am EST. #SurviveThrive This podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning. IXL is used by more than 1 million teachers each day. It is also the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Learn more here: ixl.com/elb

Drago kicks off the pod with his take on the Algerian boxer, which, of course, leads to Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel being brought up. Geoff shares stories from the Ween concert in Missoula, MT, and declares Chappell Roan's latest album the best pop album of the last 10 years. A Patron submitted a question: If you had a million dollars and couldn't spend it on yourself, what would you do? This incredible question quickly devolves into a conversation about how the boys would kill each other if they had the resources. In the end, the boys speculate on how World War III will start. Through it all we remain the only funny podcast. JOIN THE PATREON FOR A WEEKLY BONUS EPISODE AND EARLY ACCESS TO REGULAR EPISODES: https://www.patreon.com/youreanidiot Geoffrey has upcoming shows in Saranac Lake, NY; Tulsa, AZ; Wichita, KS;  New York, NY; Fort Collins, CO; Fargo, ND; and more. Buy tickets or sign up for his mailing list here: https://linktr.ee/Geoffreyatm11 Alex has upcoming shows in Columbus, Nashville, Fort Collins, Fargo, and more. Buy tickets to Alex's upcoming shows here: https://linktr.ee/alexdrag