Snowy weather can be a challenge for Valentine's Day rose delivery, but that's nothing new for Woodstock's Jarita's florist , with 45 years of experience delivering fresh, professionally arranged flowers to Catskills residents. On today's Kaatscast, an interview with the owners of Jarita's on decades of flower sales in Woodstock, NY; how the business has changed; and their unique interactions with the community. This episode was recorded by Keith Kortright and sponsored by the Central Catskills ...
Feb 01, 2022•22 min•Ep. 56
Gina Carbonari is a retired U.S. Marine with a new mission. As executive director of the 130-year-old Ulster County SPCA , she's ensuring that the homeless, abused, and neglected animals there are cared for, sheltered, and readied for adoption. Join us on a tour and meet some of the cats, dogs, and smaller critters safeguarded in Kingston, NY, as they await their new families. Recordist: Keith Kortright Sponsors: Hanford Mills Museum and the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway...
Jan 18, 2022•28 min•Ep. 55
Tannersville, NY , is a small mountain village, with big aspirations. And now, with the help of a very large grant from New York State, it's preparing for a basket of revitalization projects that would surely put a smile on Rip Van Winkle's face. We sat down with The Hunter Foundation's Sean Mahoney and Amy Scheibe for some backstory on this major award, and the various partners working toward a more vibrant, equitable, and connected community. Thanks to our sponsors: Hanford Mills Museum and th...
Jan 04, 2022•34 min•Ep. 54
Recycling is a great way to reduce the (many) truckloads of trash bound for distant landfills, but "wishcycling," the practice of throwing questionable items into the blue bin and HOPING they'll be recycled, is problematic, too. The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency's Angelina Brandt lent us some hardhats and gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of UCRRA's bustling Kingston facility. Thanks to our production intern, Keith Kortright, for recording our tour. And thanks to our local sponsors: The ...
Dec 21, 2021•28 min•Ep. 53
Feeling sleepy? CO2 could be the culprit. For centuries, the Catskills have offered a respite from city life, and a bit of fresh air. But indoor air quality can be bad no matter where you live. Fortunately, air quality can be measured, and steps taken to get that indoor Catskills air more in line with outdoor Catskills air, for health and wellness. For more, we connected with IAQ expert Ljeta Putāne and local citizen scientist Liz Potter . Thanks to our sponsors: The Mountain Eagle , and the Cat...
Dec 07, 2021•22 min•Ep. 52
It's hunting season in the Catskills, and even if you're not a hunter, you'll want to hear our interview with Tim Byron, a longtime friend with an infectious love for hunting, fishing, camping, and observing Catskills wildlife. A few years back, he started a YouTube series called " Fins - feathers -furs - and the great outdoors "-- documenting hunting and fishing trips, family excursions, birding, cooking, and lots more. Thanks to our sponsors: The Mountain Eagle , and the Catskill Mts. Scenic b...
Nov 23, 2021•20 min•Ep. 51
As daylight shortens and temperatures fall, many of us in the Catskills turn to our wood stoves to help keep warm. "Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice," the old adage goes. But if you don't chop your own wood? Make sure it was chopped locally! In this episode, New York State Department of Environmental Protection's Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health Bureau Chief Justin Perry joined us for a conversation on firewood, Catskills trees, and the threats our forests face. Check out the D...
Nov 09, 2021•18 min•Ep. 50
This week, we spoke with author Christine Wade about her retelling of a classic Catskills ghost story. In 1819 Washington Irving published his tale of Rip Van Winkle , who wanders off into the woods to escape his nagging wife, and meets up with the ghosts of Henry Hudson and his crew. They bowl, they drink, and ... Rip falls asleep for 20 years. If you don't know the story, it's a quick read and an iconic piece of Catskills folklore. Cut to the 21st century, when Christine Wade, real-life reside...
Oct 26, 2021•24 min•Ep. 49
For more than a century, New York City has relied on the Catskills for its abundant supply of clean, soft drinking water. The Catskills' relationship with NYC has been a complicated one, including the staggering loss of entire communities, and a multitude of mutual benefits along the way. This week, Adam Bosch recounts the history of that relationship, plus we hear from the Olive Free Library 's Melissa McHugh on an exhibit showcasing life before the Ashokan reservoir. Then, we check in with wit...
Oct 12, 2021•31 min•Ep. 48
Each year, hundreds of injured birds arrive at Annie Mardiney's doorstep for a second chance at life in the wild. When she isn't rescuing birds, Annie's running educational programs, with companion raptors like Peregrine Falcon Meng, pictured. We spoke with her (Annie, not Meng) at a talk she gave at the John Burroughs' Woodchuck Lodge . Hear her story, plus advice for helping injured wildlife. Thanks to our sponsors: Dixon Roadside and the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce For a list of wil...
Sep 28, 2021•19 min•Ep. 47
This week... it's the only mammal capable of flight. And it can catch 1000 mosquitos in an hour! We're talking bats with Catskill Mountainkeeper’s Senior Research Director, Kathy Nolan, who joined me among the little brown bats of Shandaken, NY. Thanks to our sponsors: the Catskill Center ; and the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce , hosting the 17th annual Cauliflower Festival . Thanks also to Robert Burke Warren , for the use of his song, "It's a Bat!" And to Raimund Specht, Avisoft Bioaco...
Sep 14, 2021•29 min•Ep. 46
On May 11, 2019, the Phoenicia Library presented live, Outdoor Guides of the Catskills: The “Adventure Experts” -- this is a recording of that presentation, featuring Will Soter, co-founder of Upstate Adventure Guides and the president of the New York State Outdoor Guide Association (NYSOGA); Legendary fishing guide Hank Rope, owner of Big Indian Guide Service; Lifelong angler and expert guide Cliff Schwark, a founder of the Catskill Mt. Chapter of Trout Unlimited; and Patty Rudge, the first wom...
Aug 31, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 45
Need water? Choose a random spot, drill, and drill some more, until you hit water. However, if you want to pinpoint the ideal location for clean, clear water, with minimal drilling, you might consider hiring a dowser like Bill Getz to survey the land. Hear about this age-old craft that combines sticks and rods with intuition, a connection to nature, and perhaps a dose of psychic energy. This episode of Kaatscast is supported by Dixon Roadside and the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce . Recor...
Aug 17, 2021•14 min•Ep. 44
Restaurant owner Mike Cioffi talks food, pandemic adaptations, and running (two) successful restaurants in the Catskills –– Phoenicia's landmark Phoenicia Diner , and Woodstock's Dixon Roadside . Thanks to Mike, Courtney, Bella, and everyone behind the scenes who made our Phoenicia Diner lunch possible. And thank you to our local sponsors: the Phoenicia Playhouse , and the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce ....
Aug 03, 2021•20 min•Ep. 43
This week, we present an audio driving guide on arts and culture, produced a few years back, in association with the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway . Hear from artists, musicians, and farmers with tips on farms, galleries, museums, and scenery you'll want to mark on a map for your next trip up the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway ... Route 28, from Olive to Andes. Please visit our sponsors: the Phoenicia Playhouse , and the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce ....
Jul 20, 2021•49 min•Ep. 42
Over the years, Silver Hollow Audio has produced a number of audio driving guides , including tours of art, history, and outdoor recreation. This week, we've pulled out our outdoor adventure guide, produced in 2016 in association with the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway . It's chock full of ideas for your next hiking, paddling, cycling, or fishing trip. Peter Manning is our tour guide, with specific suggestions along Route 28, heading west from Olive to Andes. Plus, we'll hear from some of the C...
Jul 06, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 41
At one time, New York state had more than 100 active fire towers, the purpose of which was to help lookouts –– you guessed it –– spot fires. These days, some of the remaining towers have been repurposed for recreational use. At Bramley Mountain, in the western Catskills, the fire tower was dismantled in the 1970s, but a local family has been keeping it safe in a nearby barn. Now that Bramley has an official hiking trail, that tower is destined, once again, for the summit. Laurie Rankin tells us ...
Jun 22, 2021•17 min•Ep. 40
Hanford Mills Museum operates an authentic water- and steam-powered historic site, which includes a sawmill, gristmill, and woodworking shop. The mission of Hanford Mills Museum is to inspire audiences of all ages to explore connections among energy, technology, natural resources, and entrepreneurship in rural communities with a focus on sustainable choices. The museum is listed on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places. We took a tour, and you can too! For scheduling and i...
Jun 08, 2021•19 min•Ep. 39
This Memorial Day week, we visited two area cemeteries where historians are taking steps to memorialize former Catskills residents in the towns of Delhi and Roxbury. At the Roxbury Methodist Church cemetery, gravestones obscured by years of algae and lichen growth are being restored with a special cleaning agent and some good ol' historian elbow grease. And in Delhi, a poorhouse cemetery lost in time is finally getting the recognition and care that it deserves. County historian Gabrielle Pierce ...
May 25, 2021•28 min•Ep. 38
Hankering for some baseball circa 1895? Teams like Mountain Athletic Club and the Bovina Dairymen are playing vintage "base ball" right here in the Catskills. Spectators and players welcome! We spoke with the M.A.C.'s Collin Miller during spring practice on Creamery Field in Bovina, NY. Collin's team is "fashioned after the original team established in Griffin Corners, New York in 1895 by yeast magnates Julius and Max Fleischmann. Thanks to M.A.C. , the Bovina Dairymen , and the Delhi Base Ball ...
May 11, 2021•19 min•Ep. 37
This week, I met with Brian Flynn for a no-holds-barred interview on his run for Congress, his business ventures, a family tragedy, a life of activism, civic engagement, and the donation of not one, but two living organs. All that, and more, from Brian's home in Elka Park, NY. This episode was edited by our production intern, Skye Ruse. Please support our supporters: the Phoenicia Playhouse and the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce ....
Apr 27, 2021•44 min•Ep. 36
Honey bees aren't the only species facing serious population declines. Wild bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and other insects, plus birds, bats, and amphibians are losing natural habitat and being forced out by invasive species, pesticides and herbicides. Pollinator pathways are a series of pollinator friendly areas that are spaced closely enough to create a habitat corridor. And for Catskills landowners, the Woodstock NY Pollinator Pathway offers simple ways to affect positive change for our...
Apr 13, 2021•14 min•Ep. 35
Oliverea schoolhouse maple is a 4,000 tap maple farm owned and operated by Herb Van Baren. We tagged along for the day as he tapped trees and pumped sap to be boiled down to 1,000 gallons of Catskill Mountain syrup! This episode was sponsored by WIOX and the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway .
Mar 30, 2021•15 min•Ep. 34
With snow and ice still reluctant to make way for long-awaited signs of spring, bird species know that warm weather is indeed on its way, and many are already en route back to their Catskills breeding grounds. For many of us, robins are a telltale sign that spring has sprung. If you're hiking in the high country, though, you might be lucky enough to hear a Bicknell's thrush, back from its winter home in Hispaniola. Although its range is not limited to the Catskills, the bird was discovered here ...
Mar 16, 2021•30 min•Ep. 33
This week, we're joined by 4 Catskills writers, teachers, and board members of Writers in the Mountains , a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a nurturing environment for the practice, appreciation and sharing of creative writing. Simona David i s a media consultant, author of How Art Is Made: In the Catskills (published in 2017), and former president of Writers In The Mountains (from 2012 – 2019). She's currently working as an advisor to the Board. Sharon Israel hosts the radio...
Mar 02, 2021•27 min•Ep. 32
Join us for part two of our behind-the-scenes tour of "Sustainable Catskills," with stops at the nation's first "passive house" library, an eco-conscious resort on the banks of the Esopus, and an Arkville solar array that implements local art and bluestone into its design. Thanks to Ulster Tourism and The 52-mile Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway , following New York State Route 28 through the heart of the Central Catskills....
Feb 16, 2021•16 min•Ep. 31
Come along for a behind-the-scenes tour of "Sustainable Catskills," with a stop at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, a walk on the Ashokan Rail Trail, and a swim at the Catskill Recreation Center! Thanks to Ulster Tourism and The 52-mile Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway , following New York State Route 28 through the heart of the Central Catskills.
Feb 02, 2021•26 min•Ep. 30
This week, an insightful interview with Dean Cycon, founder of Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Company . Hear how coffee is creating meaningful change through ethical business practices rooted in respect for the earth, the farmer, the employee, and the consumer. Some highlights from our conversation: fair trade? or "fairer" trade? conventional coffee is more expensive direct links between the border crisis and underpaid farmers detrimental impacts of climate change unexpected pandemic impacts combat...
Jan 19, 2021•41 min•Ep. 29
Happy New Year! This week's podcast is a celebration of our annual spin around the sun, and a book by local author Nina Shengold on her 365-day walk along the Ashokan Reservoir. On the eve of her 60th birthday, she decided to walk the reservoir every day for one year and to chronicle the journey. We produced an audiobook in collaboration with Syracuse University Press, and in this podcast, you'll hear excerpts from the book, along with reflections by some of the creative Catskillians -- narrator...
Jan 05, 2021•22 min•Ep. 28
Each year, the Catskill Mountain Foundation's Orpheum Dance Program puts on a performance of The Nutcracker, directed by ballet pro Victoria Rinaldi. This year's pandemic brings this annual tradition online, using clips from the past five years of performances, plus new material featuring students like Lada Svechnikova, pictured here. Join us for an interview with Victoria and Lada in Hunter, NY. Thanks to Cyndi and Paul LaPierre, and to the the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce for their su...
Dec 22, 2020•15 min•Ep. 27
