Episodes

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 regi...

How does the botanical elegance of a 19th-century artist find new life in contemporary design?In this episode of Kaatscast: The Catskills Podcast, host Brett Barry follows the enduring influence of Emily Cole—daughter of Hudson River School painter Thomas Cole—whose delicate hand-painted ceramics helped define her artistic legacy. Cole was a founding member of the New York Society of Ceramic Arts in 1892, and she advocated for china painting to be recognized as fine art. Her floral porcelain...

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 (...

Sure, you can drive from NYC to the Catskills in just under 3 hours. But as "Doobby," the taxi driver in Planes, Trains and Automobiles says, "You don't see nothing on the interstate but interstate." In this episode, host Brett Barry walks with ⁠Casey Kelbaugh⁠ on a stretch of the "Long Path," a 358-mile trail from the George Washington Bridge in New York City to the edge of the Adirondack Park. Casey recounts his 27-day hike from East 4th Street in Manhattan to his cabin in the Catskills via th...

Exploring Howes Cave: History, Tragedy, and TourismHistorian and author Dana Cudmore, a former tour guide and current chronicler of Howes Cave, Howe Caverns, and Schoharie County's "Cave Country," gives us a lay of the land and recalls the oft-repeated question, " Anybody ever die down here?"Cudmore recounts in his 2024 book, The Cave Electrician’s Widow: The Tragedy at Howe Caverns & Dramatic Courtroom Fight for Justice, the story of two Howe Caverns employees who tragically asphyxiated...

This episode of Kaatscast features an interview with Don Dales, a key figure in transforming Hobart, New York, into Hobart Book Village . The journey began with a single bookstore in a declining village and expanded into a book lovers' destination with seven bookstores, the Book Village Inn & Bar , and annual events, attracting visitors from far and wide. Dales discusses the initial challenges, community resistance, and the eventual success that turned Hobart into a thriving literary hub in The ...

In this episode, Captain Drewski of the Delhi Polecats , formerly known as the Delhi Vintage Baseball Club, joins us to discuss the revival of vintage baseball in Delaware County, New York.Drewski shares the historical significance of a 200-year-old baseball challenge documented in an 1825 edition of the Delaware Gazette , marking the earliest recorded organized game of baseball in the United States . The Hamden 9, as part of the town's bicentennial celebrations, continue the tradition of pl...

This episode explores an overnight camping trip led by Melissa Goodwin, a licensed guide and founder of ' Girl Gotta Hike ,' aimed at encouraging women to connect with the outdoors. Olivia Sippel, our production intern, shares her first camping experience in the Catskills, guided by Melissa, also known by her trail name 'Click.' The story delves into how Melissa's passion for hiking evolved, and the creation of her hiking service, with a focus on women and accessibility. The episode highlights t...

Kaatscast spoke with Cornell University researchers about their latest investigations into New York State bobcat population abundance and the discovery of avian influenza (bird flu) in these wild felines.Featuring Jenny Bloodgood, a wildlife veterinarian, and Haley Turner, a Cornell graduate student, the podcast explores their collaborative efforts to assess bobcat abundance and health using GPS collar tagging and camera trap stations. The discussion highlights various diseases affecting bob...

Exploring the Magical World of Mushrooms with Catskill Fungi's John MichelottiIn this episode of Kaatscast, host Brett Barry interviews John Michelotti, mushroom maven and founder of Catskill Fungi. John draws listeners into the enchanting and complex world of fungi, sharing his journey from an outdoor guide to becoming an enthusiastic mycology educator. Recorded at Catskill Fungi's commercial kitchen in Pine Hill, the episode delves into the life cycle of mushrooms, their ecological roles, ...

Newly appointed Ulster County historian Eddie Moran discusses the role of a municipal historian and emphasizes the importance of presenting a complete and accurate history that includes all groups, with one such focus on the indigenous Lenape people. Moran, a SUNY New Paltz graduate and descendant of the region's Huguenot and Dutch colonists, shares his experiences working with various local organizations to expand the historical narrative. The episode also features a tour of the Ulster County H...

The Overlook, a new nonprofit newspaper, describes itself as "community journalism serving Hunter, Hurley, Olive, Saugerties, Shandaken and Woodstock."At a time when newspapers in America are disappearing at a rate of about 2.5 per week, The Overlook is attempting to buck that trend with community coverage and investigative reporting, served up weekly, in a free subscription model.Join us for a conversation with its inaugural Editor-in-chief, Noah Eckstein, who's taking the lead in shapi...

In a new effort to enhance communications in the Catskills, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is partnering with New York's ConnectALL initiative to expand wireless and broadband access throughout the New York City watershed.The initiative was motivated by operational challenges faced by DEP staff due to poor cell coverage, and a recent Request for Information (RFI) seeks input from telecommunications providers and other stakeholders on how to eliminate cell phon...

Exploring the Legacy of Clayton 'Peg Leg' Bates: The One-Legged Dancing LegendIn this live episode of Kaatscast, recorded at theEmerson Resort & Spa on November 8, 2024, host Brett Barry engages in a detailed discussion with Elinor Levy,Folk Arts Program Manager at Arts Mid Hudson, about the life and legacy of Clayton 'Peg Leg' Bates.The show explores Bates' inspiring journey from losing a leg in a cotton gin accident at the age of 12 to becoming one of the most celebrated tap dancers, p...

Justin Kolb is an accomplished pianist who began playing at the age of four. Now 82, Justin continues to practice almost daily and performs intimate house concerts called "From the Bench," showcasing music "by living American composers as well as music that lives in undeserved obscurity."Justin shares vivid memories from his early competitions to his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and recounts his time in the military where he balanced service with a budding concert career. After...

Grilled Cheese with a Twist: Lunch and Jam with New York First Lady Silda Wall SpitzerJoin us for a delightful culinary and conversational journey with Silda Wall Spitzer in her Hudson Valley home. In this episode, we explore Silda's gourmet jam business and taste a unique grilled cheese featuring brie and blueberry elderflower jam. Silda shares memories of how her jam-making journey began, her experiences as the former First Lady of New York, and her ongoing passion for sustainability and c...

The episode explores a long-standing tradition of square dancing at the Chase (now Sparer) family home and barn, in Ashokan.Host Brett Barry and production intern Olivia Sippel put on their dancing shoes and joined the fun, recording tales of traditional Catskills square dancing, and the musicians who are passing it down to a new generation of enthusiasts.Fiddler and caller Earl Pardini leads the festivities at this particular event, which goes back to the 1970s. The barn where it's held...

Unveiling the Mysteries of the North American PorcupineIn this episode of 'Kaatscast,' host Brett Barry delves into the fascinating world of the North American porcupine with Uldis Roze, the world's foremost expert on this mysterious and lovable Catskills rodent.Hear about the porcupine's habitat preferences, diet, mating behaviors, and unique defense mechanisms. Roze addresses common misconceptions, shares personal encounters, and reveals insights from his decades-long research, including ...

This episode of "Katz"cast delves into the fascinating life and career of Morris Katz, a Polish-born Holocaust survivor and acclaimed painter known for his lightning-fast painting technique using a palette knife and toilet paper! Recognized by the Guinness World Records, Katz captivated audiences with his vibrant performance art in the Catskills, creating over 280,000 pieces.Learn about his unique method, his impact on Jewish cultural history, and recent exhibitions celebrating his work. Lis...

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Kaatscast visits the unique International Museum of Dinnerware Design in Kingston, New York. Founded by Margaret Carney in 2012, the museum recently found its new home, offering dedicated exhibitions that celebrate the art and history of dining.This episode highlights the museum's two inaugural exhibits, 'Dining Grails,' featuring renowned designers like Eva Zeisel; and 'Dining Memories,' showcasing a diverse array of dinnerware in nostalgic vignettes.And f...

This episode of Kaatscast delves into the transformative period of the 1830s in the United States, marked by mass enfranchisement and significant demographic changes.The focus narrows to New York's Anti-Rent War (1839-1845), a period of political violence rooted in immigration anxiety and financial distress. Rebecca Rego Barry, our new literary correspondent (!), interviews author Jennifer Kabat about her new book, The Eighth Moon, which explores the Anti-Rent War and its legacy in the Catsk...

We sat down with historian Samantha Misa in the Frisbee family cemetery to uncover some witchy tales from our collective Catskills past.Just in time for Halloween, Samantha shares some haunted encounters from Delaware County's Frisbee House and recounts tales from her book, Witches of the Catskills, including Molly Meyers, "witch cat," in Gilboa area's "Spook Woods."Misa recounts the challenges of researching historical witchcraft, using old newspapers and archival records to reconstruct...

This episode takes us to the Woodstock Film Festival's Youth Film Lab, a three-week intensive filmmaking program for teens in Kingston, NY.Each summer, participants learn filmmaking from industry professionals like Gregg Bray, Megan Sperry, Saskia Madlener, and David Becker. The YFL provides a tuition-free launchpad for young filmmakers to produce documentaries and narrative films, which go on in the fall to be screened at the ⁠Woodstock Film Festival⁠.00:00 Introduction to a Creative Jo...

More than Maps: Insights from the New York-New Jersey Trail ConferenceIn this episode of Kaatscast, host Brett Barry interviews Melissa Cascini, Senior Program Coordinator for the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, during a hike on the Upper Ridge Trail at the Catskills Visitor Center. Melissa shares her journey with the organization, highlighting the importance of their iconic, durable trail maps and the broader scope of the Trail Conference's activities, including trail maintenance, pub...