Every summer, the quiet charm of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid erupts in a joyful scrum of community pride, fierce competition, and unmatched camaraderie. That’s right—it’s time for the legendary Can-Am Rugby Tournament.

In this episode of ADK Talks, hosts Jane and Steve delve into the heart of this beloved Adirondack tradition with Cameron Moody, the tournament director and lifelong rugby player, who joins us from his deployment with the National Guard in the Horn of Africa.

Whether you’re a seasoned rugby fan or just rugby curious, this episode is packed with stories, surprises, and reasons to attend the 51st Can-Am Rugby Tournament, happening July 25–27, 2025.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The grassroots origin story of Can-Am Rugby in the 1970s and how it grew into the largest amateur rugby tournament in the U.S.
• Why rugby is a “gentleman’s game”—and what that really means on and off the pitch
• How Can-Am supports local youth sports, scholarships, and community events
• What to expect at the Tournament: free matches, family activities, and the return of wheelchair rugby
• Why women’s rugby is booming, and what new divisions are debuting this year
• Cameron’s big dreams for expanding the tournament and building youth rugby across New York State

Plus, don’t miss the Scrum & Done Lightning Round, where Cameron names his favorite post-match drink (hint: it's cold and comes in a can), the best rugby team names, and the advice he’d pass on to the next generation of players.

If you’re planning a summer trip to the Adirondacks, this is the tournament to build your weekend around—whether you’re a player, spectator, or just looking for something unforgettable and totally free to do in the Tri-Lakes.

Links & Resources:

• 🗓️ Tournament Info & Schedule: canamrugby.com
• 📱 Follow Can-Am Rugby on Facebook & Instagram
• 🎥 Live Stream Info: Can’t make it to the tournament? Stay tuned to social media for more information on the live stream on YouTube

Mentioned in this podcast.

• Can-Am Tournament Locations
• Mountaineers Rugby: The rugby club of the Adirondacks
• New Belgium Brewing and Fat Tire Ale
• Hotel Saranac
• North Country Sports Council
• Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
• Casa Del Sol
• Cool Can-Am Merch

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.

Your questions and comments are invaluable to us. We'd love to hear from you! Please, share your thoughts with us at info@adktaste.com

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

What happens when world-class opera collides with the rugged beauty of the Adirondacks?

In this episode of ADK Talks, we pull back the curtain on the Seagle Festival—America’s oldest summer vocal training program, a cultural institution with a rich legacy, tucked away in the charming village of Schroon Lake, NY.

Hosts Jane and Steve of ADKtaste.com sit down with Artistic Director Darren Woods, a visionary leader who has not only led but also transformed the Seagle Festival into a hub for boundary-pushing performances and emerging talent, inspiring a new generation of opera enthusiasts.

Also joining us is Kate Morton, an electrifying young Mezzo-Soprano, who recently earned her Master of Music in Vocal Arts from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. A former Seagle emerging artist, Kate’s extraordinary path to the stage is as dramatic and unexpected as the operas and musical works she performs.

🎶 In this episode, we discover:

• How the Seagle Festival prepares the next generation of vocal talent
• Why rural audiences are craving more bold, contemporary works
• Kate Morton’s journey from small-town roots to center stage
• What it takes to make it in the international opera world today

Whether you're a music lover, arts patron, or curious traveler planning your next visit to the North Country, this episode offers a front-row seat to one of the Adirondacks' best-kept cultural secrets.

Don’t miss the drama, the dedication, and the high notes.

Mentioned in this podcast.

• Seagle Festival
• The Lodge at Schroon Lake
• Brown Swan Club
• Cherokee Nation
• Opera Saratoga
• Evan Mack
• Jerod Tate
• The Louis W. Ballard Project
• Barbara McAlister
• Thomas Valentine
• Sticks & Stones Wood Fired Pizza
• 9 Mile Coffee in Schroon Lake
• Schroon Lake Farmers Market
• Hiking Indian Head Trail
• Paradox Brewery

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.

Your questions and comments are invaluable to us. We'd love to hear from you! Please, share your thoughts with us at info@adktaste.com.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

In this powerful follow-up to one of ADK Talks’ most downloaded episodes, Jane and Steve welcome back Denise Silfie from the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation in Saranac Lake.

Denise shares updates on loon research, insights from the annual Loon Census, and the ongoing challenges of lead tackle for loons and humans, climate change, and shoreline development.

From guided paddles and museum-quality exhibits to turtle rescue collabs and “Loon Zoom” virtual talks, this episode is packed with compelling stories, quirky loon facts, and meaningful ways to get involved. Your participation can make a significant difference.

Whether you're a seasonal visitor or a year-round resident, this episode serves as a poignant reminder that the urgency of protecting loons is synonymous with safeguarding the Adirondacks—shoreline to treetop.

Mentioned in this podcast.

Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation

New York Annual Loon Census – July 19, 2025

Lead Tackle Buyback Program – 30+ tackle shops in the region

Maintain the Chain – Old Forge-based conservation group

Dancing Turtle Rescue

View Arts Center

Saranac Lake Art Walk

Paul Smith’s College & VIC (Visitor Interpretive Center)

St. Gabriel's Church – Paul Smiths

Hotel Saranac

Bitters & Bones – Restaurant and brewery in Saranac Lake

Trudeau Laboratory Museum in Saranac Lake

Raquette River Brewing – Tupper Lake and Lake Placid taprooms

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.

Your questions and comments are invaluable to us. We'd love to hear from you! Please, share your thoughts with us at info@adktaste.com.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com