Kaatscast: the Catskills Podcast

What did Beethoven's piano actually sound like? At the Catskill Mountain Foundation's Piano Performance Museum in Hunter, New York, you don't have to wonder — you can sit down and play one.Brett Barry visits the museum at the Doctorow Center for the Arts with performing arts director Pam Weisberg and docent Stacey Bowers, who guide him through dozens of historic instruments spanning three centuries — from a mid-18th century French harpsichord to a nine-foot Baldwin concert grand that once traveled with Liberace.Along the way: the difference between a harpsichord's pluck and a piano's strike, why Beethoven's piano had four strings per key, the short life of the American square piano, and what it means to let the instrument tell you what it can do.The museum is open Saturdays 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; group tours available by arrangement. For performances, schedules, and more: catskillmtn.org/piano-performance-museum

In this episode of Kaatscast, Brett visits Sleepover Trading Company in Catskill, New York—a new video rental shop rebuffing the algorithmic grip of streaming platforms by reviving the analog joy of VHS tapes, comic books, and sleepover culture. Owners Rob Ribar and Guido Sanchez share how their passion for collecting movies, comics, and memorabilia evolved into a retro storefront in the historic Catskill Community Theater.Together, they explore the legacy of Video Visions, a beloved Chatham video store whose 20,000‑title collection now lives on at Sleepover Trading. Along the way, they reflect on the lost art of browsing shelves, the freedom of discovery beyond algorithms, and the nostalgia of sleepovers filled with horror flicks, trading cards, and late‑night laughter.Highlights:The VHS revival: Why physical tapes still matter in an era of disappearing streaming titles.Video Visions legacy: Preserving Steve Campbell’s 20,000‑movie collection as a living library.Sleepover culture: Comics, toys, trading cards, and the perfect mix of nostalgia.Analog over algorithms: How human curation fosters true discovery.Community connections: From flea markets to local artists, building Catskill’s movie hub.Lost media preservation: Taped‑off‑TV VHS archives, commercials, and forgotten gems.Membership perks: Rentals without late fees, access to rare titles, and even VCR equipment.Links:Sleepover Trading Company: https://linktr.ee/sleepovertradingcoVideo Visions (documentary): https://youtu.be/6h3VvS5N8g0

Measuring Snow: Citizen Science in the CatskillsSummary: Winter in the Catskills isn’t just about skiing, sledding, or shoveling. Snowpack plays a critical role in our water resources, local economies, and even global climate regulation. In this episode, Brett Barry speaks with Dr. Marco Tedesco of Columbia University’s Lamont‑Doherty Earth Observatory, about the NASA‑funded X‑Snow Project — a citizen science initiative inviting volunteers to measure, photograph, and collect snow data across the region.Together, they explore how local observations help validate satellite models, improve climate predictions, and build community engagement around environmental stewardship.🎙️ Episode HighlightsSnow as a climate regulator: Why reflective snowpack matters for Earth’s energy balance.Citizen science superheroes: How everyday volunteers contribute to NASA‑funded research.Snowpack vs. snow depth: Understanding SWE (snow water equivalent) and why density matters.Local impacts: Shorter winters, more rain events, and what that means for Catskills tourism, groundwater, and flood risk.Microplastics in snow: Emerging research on contaminants entering our water systems.Community partnerships: The Catskill Center’s role in training and outreach.How to get involved: Simple Tier‑1 measurements with nothing more than a ruler, or level up to advanced lab sampling.📌 Resources & LinksLearn more or volunteer: x‑snow.usResources and supplies: catskillsvisitorcenter.orgFull episode archive: kaatscast.com

🎙️ Neighbors on the Front Lines: Margaretville FD and the Spirit of Catskills VolunteerismEpisode 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 drillsDeclining volunteerism in rural communitiesPersonal stories from Margaretville FD membersEmergency response beyond firefightingRoles for volunteers of all backgroundsFunding and equipment in rural departmentsLocation: Margaretville Fire Department, Catskills, NYListen & 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

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

🎙 Platte Clove Preserve: A Small Parcel with Big Impact Presented by Kaatscast: The Catskills PodcastHost 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

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 TattooAmanda Malmstrom – Associate Curator, Thomas Cole National Historic SiteJaime Pedersen – Tattoo clientLinks:Hummingbird Tattoo: https://www.hummingbirdtattoo.comThomas Cole National Historic Site (Emily Cole exhibit): https://thomascole.orgFollow Kaatscast: Instagram: @kaatscast Newsletter & archives: https://kaatscast.com