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 the tales.

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00:00 Introduction: Do You Believe in Witches?

00:20 Halloween Costumes and Modern Witches

00:56 Historical Witches in the Catskills

01:42 The Frisbee Family Legacy

03:45 Haunted Tales of the Frisbee House

04:55 Researching Witches of the Catskills

08:16 Challenges in Witchcraft Research

09:56 Witchcraft and Cats: A Historical Perspective

11:59 The Dark Mysteries of the Catskills

12:53 Chilling Tales and Skepticism

15:17 Molly Myers and Spook Woods

18:50 The Esperance Witch

19:48 Modern Beliefs and Halloween

20:46 Closing Remarks and Credits

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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books and The Mountain Eagle.

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 Journey

00:23 Youth Film Lab Overview

01:50 Inside the Filmmaking Process

04:03 Meet the Instructors

12:07 Student Experiences and Reflections

14:42 Program Impact and Future Prospects

18:37 Conclusion and Festival Information

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Thanks to this week's sponsors: ⁠Briars & Brambles Books⁠, Ulster Savings Bank⁠, and ⁠The Mountain Eagle⁠.

Please rate and review on the podcast app of your choice. Thank you!

(Photo courtesy of Megan Sperry)

More than Maps: Insights from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

In 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, public land protection, and battling invasive species through innovative programs like the conservation dog team. The discussion also delves into the conference's collaborations with other entities such as the DEC and various local clubs to maintain trails and infrastructure, especially in the Catskills region.

Melissa reflects on her passion for trails, the rewarding experience of working with dedicated volunteers, and how she balances professional responsibilities with her personal love for hiking and the outdoors.

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00:00 Introduction to the Trail Conference

00:17 Iconic Trail Maps

00:53 Meet Melissa Cassini

02:18 History and Mission of the Trail Conference

04:15 Partnerships and Collaborations

05:53 Trail Maintenance and Volunteer Work

09:52 Lean-to Projects and Accessibility

13:19 Getting Involved and Volunteer Opportunities

14:26 Personal Insights and Hobbies

16:05 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

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Thanks to this week's sponsors: Briars & Brambles Books, Hanford Mills Museum, and The Mountain Eagle.

Kaatscast is made possible through a grant from the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation, and through the support of listeners like you!