Did you know the Catskill region was once tropical—and south of the equator?! In this episode, Brett Barry visits the Gilboa Museum and Juried History Center to explore one of the oldest fossilized forests on Earth. Education Chair Kristen Wyckoff shares her decades-long passion for paleobotany, the story behind Gilboa’s world-famous Devonian tree stumps, and discoveries unearthed during the Schoharie Reservoir construction, dam restoration, and creek bed fossil hunts.
From lungfish and sea scorpions to the mysterious “snake tree,” we dig into the prehistoric past of upstate New York and learn how mud, minerals, and mural magic preserve a forest that predates the Catskills themselves.
🪨 Highlights
🌴 Gilboa’s tropical past—when the region was south of the equator
🦴 Fossil discoveries during Schoharie Reservoir construction
🎨 Kristen’s murals and museum exhibits
📚 A children’s book adventure through the Devonian
🐟 Sea creatures, spore trees, and sedimentary surprises
🏛️ How a generous hometown alum helped build a fossil-focused museum complex
🔗 Resources
Visit the museum: gilboafossils.org
Kristen Wyckoff’s children’s book: Dennis’s Devonian Adventure
Learn more: The Catskill Fossil Forest by Stein, Hernick, and Mannolini
📍 Broadcast Info
Kaatscast is now broadcasting a public radio edition! Saturdays at 11 AM on WJFF Radio Catskill (90.5 FM). Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Instagram @kaatscast.
🎙️ Neighbors on the Front Lines: Margaretville FD and the Spirit of Catskills Volunteerism
Episode Description: In this episode of Kaatscast, we head to Margaretville, New York, where volunteer firefighters train for blitz attacks—a high-volume water technique used to knock down fires fast. But this story goes beyond the hose line. It’s about community, commitment, and declining volunteerism nationwide.
With over 90% of New York’s fire departments staffed by volunteers, towns like Margaretville rely on neighbors—teachers, shopkeepers, reporters, and retirees—to respond when disaster strikes. Hear from training officer Jon Schebesta and longtime volunteers like Nate Hendricks, Lissa Harris, and others, as they share personal stories, challenges in recruitment, and the evolving role of fire departments in rural life.
From floods to flames, prop windows to real emergencies, this episode honors the people who show up—when the siren sounds in the middle of dinner.
Topics Covered:
Blitz attack training and deck gun drills
Declining volunteerism in rural communities
Personal stories from Margaretville FD members
Emergency response beyond firefighting
Roles for volunteers of all backgrounds
Funding and equipment in rural departments
Location: Margaretville Fire Department, Catskills, NY
Listen & Subscribe: Stream anytime at kaatscast.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @kaatscast.
Watch the short documentary, Growing Up Catskills, featuring Phoenicia's Gene Gormley: https://vimeo.com/224535275
In 1985, Bob Steuding published The Last of the Handmade Dams: The Story of the Ashokan Reservoir, a historically rich account of the building of the Ashokan Reservoir—and the lives displaced in its wake. Forty years later, the book remains a cornerstone of Catskills regional history and the inaugural title from Purple Mountain Press.
In this episode, we visit Bob and Martha Steuding at their 18th-century stone farmhouse near the reservoir. Literary correspondent Rebecca Rego Barry sits down with Bob to reflect on a life rooted in place, the founding of Purple Mountain Press, and the emotional legacy of a dam that reshaped a landscape—and the lives within it.
Ken Posner is an ultrarunner, barefoot hiker, and challenge-seeker whose latest book, Chasing the Grid, chronicles his quest to summit 35 Catskill high peaks in every month—a challenge known as “The Grid.” That’s 420 climbs, through every season, in pursuit of something deeper than endurance.
In this episode, Ken shares how the experience became a spiritual journey, shaped by minimalism, transcendentalist thinking, and a deep connection to the land.
Available now 📚 Chasing the Grid: An Ultrarunner's Physical and Spiritual Journey in Pursuit of the Ultimate Mountain Challenge
⌨️ Barefoot Ken on the web
In this episode, Brett hits the trail with longtime Catskill 3500 Club member (and current president) Michael Bongar for a hike to Southwest Hunter Mountain—one of the club’s required peaks and a rite of passage for aspiring members.
Founded in 1962, the Catskill 3500 Club encourages hikers to summit 33 peaks over 3,500 feet—plus four of them again in winter. But it’s more than a checklist. Through trail maintenance, education, and conservation advocacy, the club fosters a deep connection to the Catskills.
Michael shares stories from decades of hiking, reflects on the club’s evolution, and—yes—recounts his time as a professional clown, offering a surprisingly poignant parallel between performance and trail camaraderie. From herd paths to canisters, elevation gain to ethics, this episode is a love letter to the mountains and the community that keeps them wild.
Catskill 3500 Club: https://www.catskill3500club.org
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Trail-A-Thon 2025: http://bit.ly/gotrailathon
🎙 Platte Clove Preserve: A Small Parcel with Big Impact Presented by Kaatscast: The Catskills Podcast
Host Brett Barry visits the Platte Clove Preserve with Jeff Senterman and Kali Bird of the Catskill Center to explore the surprising significance of a newly acquired 3.6-acre parcel. Though small in size, this land plays a vital role in preserving wilderness access, ecological integrity, and the scenic character of the Catskills. The episode also reflects on Jeff and Kali’s 10-year journey with the Catskill Center and its evolving role in advocacy, stewardship, and community engagement.
🔗 Resources & Mentions
• Catskill Center – catskillcenter.org
• Hanford Mills Museum – hanfordmills.org
• Briars & Brambles Books – briarsandbramblesbooks.com
• Mountain Eagle News – mountaineaglenews@gmail.com
🎧 Credits
Producer/Host: Brett Barry
Guests: Jeff Senterman & Kali Bird
Transcript: Jerome Kazlauskas
Announcements: Campbell Brown
Production: Silver Hollow Audio
More info: kaatscast.com | Instagram: @kaatscast
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 property
The role of Blue Hill in protecting coldwater streams critical to downstream communities
A 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 engagement
Reflections on regional conservation wins and what they signal for the future
Hear 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.
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 was “highly prized and much sought after,” admired for its lifelike detail and expressive form.
In a special pop-up collaboration, tattoo artist Kelsey Lue brought Cole’s botanical watercolors—on exhibit at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site—into a new medium. Clients at Hummingbird Tattoo were invited to choose from Emily Cole–inspired designs, bridging past and present through artistic interpretation.
The exhibit, titled EMILY COLE: Ceramics, Flora & Contemporary Responses, is on view at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site from May 3 to November 2, 2025.
Featuring insights from curator Amanda Malmstrom and moments from the tattoo chair, this episode celebrates Emily Cole’s creative spirit and the artists who continue her legacy through reimagined design.
Guests:
Kelsey Lue – Tattoo artist, Hummingbird Tattoo
Amanda Malmstrom – Associate Curator, Thomas Cole National Historic Site
Jaime Pedersen – Tattoo client
Links:
Hummingbird Tattoo: https://www.hummingbirdtattoo.com
Thomas Cole National Historic Site (Emily Cole exhibit): https://thomascole.org
Follow Kaatscast: Instagram: @kaatscast Newsletter & archives: https://kaatscast.com
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 strategy
Tree-for-tree advice on pruning, spacing, and crop tree management
Sunlight as a limiting factor in Catskill forest health
Tips for invasive pest management: ash decline & hemlock woolly adelgid
CFA’s hands-on services, from mushroom inoculation to apple grafting
Plus, 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: 🌿 catskillforest.org 📡 CFA’s radio show: fromtheforest.podbean.com
Please keep in touch at kaatscast.com, rate and review on the podcast app of your choice, and follow us on Instagram.
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 the Long Path, an experience he then shared in the travel section of the New York Times.
00:00 Introduction to the Catskills Voyage
00:15 Discovering the Long Path
00:52 Sponsors and Supporters
01:30 Casey's Journey Begins
02:18 Hiking the Long Path
05:40 Challenges and Reflections
13:16 Community and Connections
26:02 The Final Stretch
29:19 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
Exploring Howes Cave: History, Tragedy, and Tourism
Historian 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 in response to a nearby dynamite blast on April 24, 1930. The conversation describes the events of that tragic day, as well as the continuing allure and industrial significance of the caves and surrounding area.
Buy a copy of The Cave Electrician's Widow here, and use code KAATSCAST for 25% off plus free shipping!
Enter here for a chance to win a signed copy!
00:00 Introduction: The Popular Question
00:16 History of Howe Caverns
02:04 Touring Cave Country
03:18 Lester Howe's Discovery of Howe Caverns
06:20 Secret Caverns and Fraternal Rivalries
11:17 The 1930 Tragedy
21:56 Modern-Day Mining in Howes Cave
22:52 Conclusion and Author's Reflections
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 Catskills' Delaware County.
00:00 Introduction to Hobart Book Village
00:24 The History of Hobart and Its Bookstores
01:58 Interview with Don Dales
06:21 The Decline and Revival of Hobart
10:18 The Book Village Concept Takes Shape
17:19 The Impact of Media and Future Prospects
23:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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 playing baseball by 1800s rules using period-accurate attire and equipment. For more on Hamden, NY's bicentennial celebration, head over to hamden1825.org.
Tune in to learn more about the history, teams, and events that honor this unique variation of America's pastime; plus, an investigation into the claim that a Catskills paper was the very first to put a baseball game in print!
For even more, check out an episode we produced in 2021 with the M.A.C.'s Collin "Stumpy" Miller during spring practice on Creamery Field in Bovina, NY.
00:00 Introduction to Vintage Baseball in Delaware County
01:00 Meet the Hamden 9: A New Vintage Baseball Team
01:32 The Historical Significance of 1825 in Hamden
02:03 Sponsorship and Support for Vintage Baseball
02:40 Formation and Growth of the Delhi Polecats
06:10 The Unique Charm of Vintage Baseball
06:51 Debating the Origins of Baseball
07:57 The 1825 Baseball Challenge in Hamden
09:12 Celebrating Hamden's Bicentennial
13:24 The Rise of Vintage Baseball in the Catskills
18:22 Upcoming Events and Invitations
19:14 Listener Feedback and Conclusion
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 their journey, history and insights from the Appalachian Trail, and the impact of outdoor adventures on personal growth.
00:00 Introduction to Public Transit Hiking
00:44 Olivia's First Camping Experience
01:23 Melissa's Trail Name and Appalachian Trail Journey
04:38 Signing In and Exploring the Trail
07:56 Trail Lunch and Devil's Path
10:53 The Birth of Girl Gotta Hike
24:36 Conclusion and Reflections
For stories about trailblazing women of the 19th century, check out Purple Mountain Press's new edition of Breaking Trail: Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks. Enter code KAATSCAST for 25% off + free shipping through 5/31/2025.
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 bobcats, including avian influenza, which has been detected in several sampled animals. The conversation also touches on historical challenges faced by bobcats, conservation efforts, and the implications of their findings for wildlife management.
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00:00 Introduction to Bobcat Research
01:41 Meet the Researchers
04:35 Bobcat Population History
05:41 Research Methods and Findings
12:43 Health and Disease in Bobcats
17:09 Impact of Avian Influenza
29:30 Human Influence and Conservation
37:21 Conclusion and Future Research
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Cover photo courtesy of Joshua Twining
Exploring the Magical World of Mushrooms with Catskill Fungi's John Michelotti
In 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, cultivation methods, and the mysteries of mycelium. John discusses the various types of mushrooms found in the Catskills, including edible, poisonous, and even mind-altering varieties. The episode also highlights the health benefits of mushroom extracts from varieties like Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Chaga. John is one one of the Catskill Center's "50 Stewards of the Catskills." Oh, and he's a super "fun-guy." Mwah-ha-ha!
00:00 Introduction to Seasonal Mushrooms
00:26 Meet John Michelotti: The Mushroom Maven
01:37 The Journey to Mushroom Mastery
05:55 Understanding Fungi and Mycelium
08:43 The Ecological Role of Fungi
16:51 Mushroom Cultivation Techniques
18:58 Edible and Toxic Mushrooms
23:57 Mushroom Identification and Walks
24:41 Mushroom Foraging Adventures
25:17 Fungi Cultivation Workshops
25:57 Diversity of Edible Mushrooms
26:19 Mushroom Production in the US
27:36 Identifying Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms
29:14 Psychedelic Mushrooms in the Catskills
32:03 Processing Mushrooms into Extracts
38:26 Health Benefits of Mushroom Extracts
44:23 Conclusion and Contact Information
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 Hall of Records led by archivist Jonathan Palmer, exploring the extensive archival collections and discussing the preservation and digitization efforts.
00:00 Introduction and Context
00:27 Meet Eddie Moran: Ulster County's New Historian
01:38 Eddie's Journey and Passion for History
06:55 The Role and Responsibilities of a County Historian
10:54 Challenges and Goals in Historical Narratives
16:50 Exploring the Ulster County Hall of Records
19:34 Preserving History: Techniques and Challenges
27:38 Significant Historical Documents and Their Stories
38:55 Conclusion and Credits
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Audio recording by Izzy Schuyler
Behind-the-scenes video by Ruby Zuckerman
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 shaping a promising new publication in a part of the Catskills where news coverage is sparse.
Listen to the end, where we hear from 3 Kaatscast listeners who called in with reaction to our last show, "Wireless Watershed," about major communications gaps in the region.
Please keep in touch, at kaatscast.com, and on Instagram: @kaatscast
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 phone dead zones.
In this episode, DEP Commissioner Rohit "Rit" Aggarwala and Water Supply Deputy Commissioner Paul Rush join host Brett Barry for a discussion about the RFI; why a robust communications network is increasingly crucial; and how a network could be built to benefit everyone in the region.
To put the complicated NYC/Catskills relationship into context, we check in with Lize Mogel––producer of the podcast series, Views from the Watershed––for a fascinating historical perspective.
We also hear from local Town Clerk Joyce Grant, whose anecdotal evidence illustrates just how dangerous cellular dead zones can be in the remote Catskills, where land lines and cable internet can also be scarce. Grant is frustrated by what she characterizes as a minority of residents who are opposed to cell towers marring the mountain landscape.
Referring to a proposal for a tower to be built in Shandaken, she says, "It's going to be a pole that's 85 feet tall, and it may be viewable above the trees... but it's a pole... that could save lives. We have to look at it like that."
For more than a century, the Catskills have provided New York City with billions of gallons of clean drinking water. Will NYC be the unlikely partner that –– finally –– brings wireless coverage to the Catskills?
00:00 Intro
00:26 NYC DEP's Wireless Communication Initiative
01:44 Joyce Grant's Pursuit for Better Communication
07:17 Challenges of Cell Service in the Catskills
10:34 Community Efforts and Future Plans
15:12 The Catskills and NYC Water Connection
16:15 The "Takings" and Eminent Domain
19:06 The 1990s MOA and Water Quality
23:29 Controversial Land Acquisition Program
24:24 City's Land Ownership and Broadband Infrastructure
24:56 New York City's Evolving Relationship with the Catskills
25:37 DEP's Land Purchase Strategy
27:46 Recreation and Utility Easements on City Land
29:11 Challenges and Opportunities for Broadband Expansion
32:06 Future of Wireless Communications in the Catskills
34:41 Funding and Implementation of Broadband Project
36:22 Historical Context and Technological Evolution
38:50 Public Engagement and Relationship Building
43:42 Climate Change and Water Supply
45:36 Personal Reflections and Memories of the Catskills
49:37 Conclusion and Podcast Information
Exploring the Legacy of Clayton 'Peg Leg' Bates: The One-Legged Dancing Legend
In 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, performing on Broadway and appearing on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' at least 21 times.
Elinor shares insights from her research, Bates' entrepreneurial venture in establishing an interracial resort in the Catskills, and his impact on the Black community. The episode includes personal anecdotes, clips from a documentary about Bates, and audience Q&A, enriching the narrative of Bates' remarkable resilience and contribution to the arts.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:38 Discovering Peg Leg Bates
01:36 Clayton Bates' Early Life and Career
03:07 Elinor Levy's Journey with Peg Leg Bates
04:53 The Peg Leg Bates Exhibit
06:45 Peg Leg Bates' Performances and Legacy
13:11 The Peg Leg Bates Resort
18:32 Community Impact and Personal Stories
24:56 The Decline of the Resort
30:44 Audience Q&A
41:06 Closing Remarks and Credits
Links: