ADK Talks – Details, episodes & analysis

What unfolds when a couple, deeply enamored with the Adirondacks and armed with grand aspirations and remarkable courage, chance upon a dormant legend? In this episode of ADK Talks, we delve into the journey of Amanda and Ryan Ragland, the dynamic couple who breathed new life into the Schroon Lake Department Store — a pivotal part of Adirondack life since the late 1800s.

Three years ago, Amanda and Ryan didn’t just buy a building — they inherited a community’s memories, a town’s spirit, and a history worth saving. Against all odds (and a few roof leaks), they’ve transformed the Department Store into a vibrant hub where visitors and locals alike can still find everything from hiking boots to handmade candles — and a little magic, too.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the power of community, the revival of cherished places, and the pursuit of dreams (plus, we reveal a few behind-the-scenes insights about the realities of running a traditional department store in the modern era).

Whether you're a die-hard Adirondack adventurer or someone who loves a good story about heart, hustle, and hometown pride, this episode will have you planning your next road trip to Schroon Lake.

Also mentioned in this podcast:

• Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop
• The Gem Smokehouse in Bolton Landing
• Seagle Festival
• Adirondog Grooming
• Pine Cone Mercantile
• The Sembrich Opera Museum

ADK Talks is brought to you by ADK Taste. We provide insight on the best places to stay, shop, eat, and do things in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park in upstate New York. Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Do you have questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at info@adktaste.com

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

Raise a dram and settle in for a spirited conversation equal to heritage, humor, and Highland flair. In this episode of ADK Talks, we journey to the northeastern edge of the Adirondacks to Crown Point, NY, near Lake Champlain, where War Cannon Spirits is rewriting the rules of craft distilling—one perfectly aged barrel at a time.

Our guests, Paul, Joel and Aidan, take us behind the stills to explore the unique blend of distilling tradition and Adirondack ingenuity at War Cannon. From grain to glass, you’ll hear what makes their small-batch spirits sing, a blend of tradition and innovation that goes beyond just the pure mountain water.

And if your bagpipes just perked up, good. Because we’re also diving into the distillery’s upcoming Burns Night Celebration—a spirited toast to Scotland’s national poet, complete with whisky, haggis, tartan, and maybe even a rogue kilt or two. It's a celebration that will immerse you in the rich culture of Scotland.

Whether you’re a fan of fine spirits, fascinated by Scottish lore, or just want an excuse to wear plaid and toast Robert Burns in the springtime, this episode is for you.

• Listen now.
• If you like what you hear, we invite you to subscribe to ADK Talks Podcast and leave us a five-star review. Your engagement is what keeps our community thriving.
• Visit ADKtaste.com to explore more Adirondack stories.

Mentioned in this podcast.

• War Cannon Spirits
• Burns Night
• Address to a Haggis
• Tam o'Shanter

Slàinte Mhath! 🥃✨

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

In this episode of ADK Talks, June Waters, Director of Exhibitions at Lake George Arts Project’s Courthouse Gallery, the only year-round cultural institution in Lake George Village, helps us explore the artistic side of Lake George.

We learn about the history of this venue for modernist and contemporary art, how artists come to exhibit at the gallery and upcoming events in 2025. We also learn more about the Lake George Arts Project, its jazz festival and its summer concert series.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Lake George Arts Project
• Lake George sculptor David Smith
• January 2025's exhibit featuring Lola Lefrancois
• Jazz Festival posters
• BOCES Arts In Education/Exploratory Enrichment
• Project Local brings artwork of local and regional artists into partner businesses and organizations in the Lake George Region
• Sunday Arts at the Gallery

Also mentioned in this podcast:

• Hello, Sunshine! A Bagel Bistro
• Caldwell-Lake George Library
• Stewart’s Community Giving and Support
• Custard’s Last Stand
• Ausable Chasm
• Lake George Historical Society
• Lake George Association's floating classroom
• Storytown, USA
• Frontier Town

ADK 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.

Do you have questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at info@adktaste.com.

In this episode of ADK Talks, we have a fascinating conversation with Ian Tomasch from Gore Mountain, New York’s largest ski area. Located in the heart of the Adirondacks in North Creek, NY, Gore Mountain boasts a rich history of catering to skiers, snowboarders, and winter sports enthusiasts in the southern Adirondacks.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Gore’s origins as the North Creek Ski Bowl 
• SKI Magazine’s readers’ poll and Gore’s top rankings
• America’s first organized ski patrol was formed at Gore Mountain
• North Creek’s Nordic Center
• The webcam’s at Gore’s base area, summit and on Bear Mountain
• Making skiing (and snow) in the Adirondacks more sustainable
• Staying in North Creek
• Summer at Gore Mountain
• Where to get the latest news on current snow conditions at Gore Mountain
• Using Gore Mountain’s website to plan and make the most of your visit

Also mentioned in this podcast:

• The Alpine Lodge near Gore Mountain
• Goose Pond Inn
• Veteran’s Memorial Highway in Lake Placid
• Whiteface Mountain Ski Center
• Titus Mountain
• Lapland Lake Winter Vacation Center
• Garnet Hill Lodge Outdoor Center
• Tupper Lake’s James C. Frenette Park

ADK 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.

Do you have questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at info@adktaste.com.

In this episode of ADK Talks, we delve into the Adirondack’s unique culinary culture with a sizzling conversation with Chef and Adirondack restaurateur Billy Trudsoe, proprietor of Lizzie Keays Kitchen and Cocktails in Warrensburgh and Basil & Wick's in North Creek.

We hear about Billy’s journey from a drive-in king to head chef at top restaurants in Lake George and Florida, which led him to the ultimate culinary competition, Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen.”

Billy shares his inspiring story of how his experiences culminated in establishing two of the southern Adirondack’s hottest restaurants.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• A lifetime training from the ground up in Adirondack kitchens
• The decision to reimagine long-time apres ski destination Basil & Wick’s near Gore Mountain
• Resurrecting Lizzie Keays restaurant in a historic Adirondack landmark
• Lessons learned from his time during season 21 of “Hell’s Kitchen” with globally acclaimed chef and rascal/genius Gordon Ramsay
• The art and science of building, maintaining and growing two successful dining establishments simultaneously

Mentioned in this podcast:

• The Algonquin in Bolton Landing
• Hell’s Kitchen
• Historic Empire Shirt Factory in Warrensburgh
• B Trues Mad Flava
• Paradise Bay on Lake George
• The Pinnacle Preserve on Lake George
• Izzy’s Deli in North Creek
• George Henry’s in Warrensburgh

ADK 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.

Do you have questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at info@adktaste.com.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast
info@nextdaypodcast.com

In this special Halloween episode of ADK Talks, we delve into some of the Adirondacks' top haunted spots—places where people report having seen ghosts or experienced the paranormal.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Hotel Saranac, one of USA TODAY’S Top 10 Best Haunted Hotels in America
• Saratoga Homestead
• Rhinelander Estate
• Adirondac - Tahawus
• Haunted Lake George
• MacDonough Hall at SUNY Plattsburgh
• John Brown Farm
• Fort Ticonderoga
• Fort Crown Point
• Champ: The Mysterious Monster of Lake Champlain
• Tracking the Elusive Sasquatch in the Adirondacks

Also mentioned in this podcast:

• Adirondack Experience
• The Caldwell House

ADK 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.

Have questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at info@adktaste.com and let us know your thoughts.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast
info@nextdaypodcast.com

In this ADK Talks episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Jeff Berry and Elena Lumby, two dedicated members of Search and Rescue in the Northern Adirondacks (SARNAK). 

SARNAK is an all-volunteer organization based in Saranac Lake, primarily serving the Upstate New York region. It works closely with NYS DEC’s Forest Rangers, who, in addition to protecting and managing forests, parks and wildlife habitats, play a vital role in ensuring the safety of visitors. SARNAK also collaborates with other law enforcement agencies and first responders to assist with backcountry emergencies.

Jeff and Elena delve into the rigorous and comprehensive training the SARNAK team undergoes, instilling confidence in their ability to assist NY’s dedicated Forest Rangers in any backcountry emergency.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Stories from their Search and Rescue experiences
• Why “cotton can kill” in the wilderness
• How Snickers bars, Swedish Fish, and Stewart’s chocolate-covered espresso beans are good for you
• Why you shouldn’t go into the woods without two headlamps
• The rise in wandering seniors
• Where to learn about the 10 hiking essentials

Also mentioned in this podcast:

SARNAK

SARNAK on Facebook

NYS DEC Forest Rangers Assistance 833-697-7264 

North Elba Local Enhancement and Advance Fund – LEAF Grants

CalTopo Search and Rescue Mapping Software

NYS Forest Ranger Reports Archive

NCPR: Rangers rescue hypothermic, frostbitten hiker in Adirondacks amid snowstorm

New York Times: A Hiker Was Lost in the Woods. Snow Was Falling. Time Was Running Out.

Hike Smart NY 10 Hiking Essentials

Find Your Local Search And Rescue Team

90-Miler Northern Forest Canoe Trail

Paul Smith’s VIC

Fiddlehead Bistro

Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK)

The LOJ at Heart Lake

Crossroads Country Store

Stewart’s

ADK 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.

Questions or comments? Email us at info@adktaste.com. We'd love to hear from you!

In this ADK Talks episode, we recommend top autumn activities in the Adirondacks. From foliage to festivals, we share our favorite things to do in the fall in the ADK.

While the list of great things to do in the Adirondacks is almost endless, our listeners have been asking us to share our favorites. Who are we to say no?

Our Top 10 list includes:

1. Gore Mountain Harvest Fest
2. Mt. Van Hoevenberg’s Thrilling Cliffside Coaster in Lake Placid
3. Lake George Oktoberfest
4. Thurman’s Fall Farm Tour
5. Apple picking, apple cider, and apple cider doughnuts
6. Adirondack Experience, the Museum at Blue Mountain Lake, and FallFest
7. Fright Fest at the Great Escape
8. Lake George Historical Association’s Ghost Tours
9. Adirondack pub and restaurant firepits
10. William Shatner Weekend at the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour in Ticonderoga

Listen now and subscribe to ADK Talks to never miss an opportunity to learn more from the people behind the best places to visit, stay, eat, shop, and do things in the Adirondacks. 

Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Also mentioned in this podcast:

Bolton Landing Brewing Company

Adirondack Pub & Brewery in Lake George

Lemon Tree Brewery in Speculator

Raquette River Brewing in Tupper Lake

Fort William Henry Haunted History Ghost Tours

beck’s TAVERN in North Creek

Sticks ‘n Stones in Schroon Lake

Lake Placid Film Festival

Questions or comments? Email us at info@adktaste.com. We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of ADK Talks, we connect with Denise Silfee, the Education and Communications Director at the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation in Saranac Lake, New York. 

The Common Loon, specifically Adirondack loons, is a favorite topic among the adktaste.com community. This super informative, educational and engaging conversation with Denise could have probably filled three podcast episodes (which is why we can’t wait to have her back).

In addition to explaining the vital work the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation does, Denise helps us answer questions like:

• Why do people find loons so fascinating?
• What are the biggest threats to loons, and how can we protect them?
• How are loons important to the overall Adirondack ecosystem? 
• What makes loons unique among other birds and waterfowl?
• Where do loons go in the winter, and do they always return to the same Adirondack lakes each year?
• Do loons mate for life, and how do they find their partners?
• What are essential guidelines for encountering and interacting with loons safely? 
• Are loons endangered, and how do we ensure the long-term viability of the Adirondack loon population?
• Where can we learn more about loons?

Listen now and subscribe to ADK Talks to never miss an opportunity to learn more from the people behind the best places to visit, stay, eat, shop, and do things in the Adirondacks. 

Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation

Rosalie Barrow Edge — Feminist, Naturalist and Conservationist

Get the Lead Out: A Simple Change to Save Loon Lives

Loon-Friendly Lake Certification Program

SUNY ESF Loon Dive at the Newcomb Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC)

Adirondack Loon Celebration 2024

Northern Forest Canoe Trail

ADK Loon Facts

Questions or comments? Email us at info@adktaste.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast
info@nextdaypodcast.com

In this episode of ADK Talks, we have an intriguing conversation with Noel Jennings, a third-generation proprietor of one of the central Adirondack’s most beloved ice creameries, Custard’s Last Stand in Long Lake.

This iconic ice cream stand has served visitors and the community since 1958 (over 65 years). We talk to Noel about what it takes to keep a family business afloat for over six decades; the eternal appeal of soft serve ice cream; why spruce gum may be the next kombucha, macha, salted caramel, or lavender; his grandmother’s impressive pun-making talents; and what’s next for Custard’s Last Stand.

We also discuss swirling the perfect cone, ice climbing, scuba-diving in Adirondack lakes, mid-century modern architecture, and life in a northern town.

Listen now and subscribe to ADK Talks to never miss an opportunity to learn more from the people behind the best places to visit, stay, eat, shop and things to do in the Adirondacks. 

Visit our website, ADKtaste.com, and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Check out Custard’s Last Stand’s website, and if you can, stop by. They will be open until mid-October. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

Speculator Creamery

Spruce Gum

Adirondack Creamery

Indian Lake Theater

Pines Country Store

Ice Climbing – Pitch Off

The Town Keene

New Vida Preserve

Northwood Cabins

OK Slip Falls

Adirondack Architectural Heritage

90 Miler — Adirondack Canoe Classic

Questions or comments? Email us at info@adktaste.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast
info@nextdaypodcast.com