Chris is the owner of Platform Industries, a Honesdale-based screenprinter. Although he will be the first to admit his best skills are not artistic, he has grown his business from startup to success by building a team of professional designers and printers, and always keeping customer service at the forefront of his shop. He likes to say "We're a c…

Eric grew up near the beach in NJ and bounced between several different professions. Eventually he found his way to NEPA and as a stop-gap, took a job at SES working in I.T. Over the years, what was supposed to be a temporary job turned into a career as Eric grew to love the job. I'd call it a Satellite Farm, but SES is best described as a "Telepor…

Michael grew up in Northeast PA and early in life he began working at local radio stations. Eventually he made his way to 95.3 DNH where he worked for years before heading to the NY metro area to work for much larger stations including Radio Disney. Michael couldn't stay away long, and he returned to NEPA and Bold Gold Media Group where he now work…

Greg is a lifelong resident of Sullivan County NY. When he was just 20 years old, Greg started working at The Misner Agency, a local family-owned insurance agency helping insure individuals, families and businesses. In the early 1980s, Greg took over ownership of the Misner Agency, and has since expanded it, adding offices elsewhere in Sullivan and…

Dave grew up in Southern California. Early in life he began working in the construction industry, working on projects in neighborhoods like Beverly Hills. Eventually he moved easy, and kept working in construction, but now in metro NYC. Finally, Dave and his wife relocated to Northeast PA and identified an opportunity to renovate and breathe new li…

Domestic violence takes many forms, and can result in substantial damage to the people and relationships involved. Michelle acts as Executive Director for VIP - a program which assists individuals dealing with abuse in relationships. Michelle explains how she got started on her path and discusses the many ways that VIP can help victims. There are l…

Andy grew up in western Michigan and spent several years teaching math in highschool. He taught in Alaska, Boston and eventually returned to western Michigan. After teaching math for 8 years, Andy felt called to work in the church and found a position in Wayne County, PA at the Grace Ridge Church on Terrace St in Honesdale. He and his family reloca…

During high school, one of Tony's kidneys became damaged to the point of needing replacement. Fortunately for him, a willing and matching donor was close at hand. Tony spent years with one of his sister's kidneys helping his body eliminate waste and operate correctly. Years later though, he needed another. Tony was confident that he would spend the…

Jessica's life has had several unique and distinct "chapters." She worked for a long time in the foodservice industry, accumulating years of experience in the kitchen and front-of-house. During highschool she developed (haha) an interest in photography, carried it into college, and spent more than a decade teaching highschool art students the techn…

Just across the Delaware river from Wayne and Pike Counties in PA, you'll find the beautiful Sullivan Catskills, an entire county loaded with a rich history of agriculture, tourism, music, artistry and innovation. Roberta's job for the last 20 years or so has been to develop and deepen the area's vibrant business and tourism industries and she join…

Tom grew up in Deposit, NY and started his working life as an automotive technician. After moving south to Callicoon, he started working at Delaware Valley Job Corps - a trade school for young people aged 16-24. Tom taught in the automotive department and eventually switched to Facility Maintenance instructor. All the while, Tom was volunteering wi…

Tom (who I later found out actually goes by "Mike") has been running the FBO (Fixed Base Operation) at Cherry Ridge Airport near Honesdale, PA for decades. We talk about what it takes to pursue a private pilot's license, and why he recommends all private pilots endeavor to achieve their IFR or "instrument rating." Tom talks to us about working as a…

Jane works in the commercial fruit industry, helping her company to identify desirable qualities in strawberry plants, and then breed them so they can be grown successfully in large quantities. She explains that her company uses selective breeding, not genetic modification, to achieve the results they are seeking, and Jane explains why flavor is no…

While he was still in highschool, Josh started volunteering with a local fire company. By the time he turned 18, he was trained, qualified and ready to apply for a job working as an Emergency Responder with a local ambulance corps. Josh enlisted in the Navy Reserves, and continued to focus on emergency medical response. Then, just a couple of years…

John's family opened Two Guys From Italy in Honesdale, PA in the early 1970s. When he was just a few months old, John moved to Honesdale from the NY metro area and grew up close to the restaurant, but never spend much time working there. After highschool, John went to college and eventually got a master's degree before working in NYC during the "do…

Kim has worked closely with people for decades. Some time ago she was brought on as the Activities Director at Bethany Village Senior Living Community. We'll talk all about the things she does with her residents, and how even though Covid has impacted many of their plans, they're still able to have lots of fun. Kim has also spent lots of time volun…

The Carachilo family has been running concession stands for decades. Their name has become synonymous with delicious cheesesteaks, gyros, blooming onions, french fries and chicken fingers, along with funnel cake, fried dough and more fair-food-favorites. This year the Carachilo family found themselves in a precarious and unprecedented position, as …

Dave moved to the NY metro area from Wisconsin to work building sets for the stage and television. He loved working with his hands to create set pieces but when Covid hit, his work shut down and he had to come up with a Plan B. He relocated to Sullivan County, NY and opened a small food stand in his backyard. At the stand, he and his partner Jin se…

Jocelyn is Wayne County's first-ever female commissioner. She joins Adam to discuss her history working in both the theatre and financial industry. Her family has deep roots in Wayne County, and her journey to becoming a county commissioner has been long and includes lots of interesting twists and turns.…

Susan is the Director of the Stourbridge Project, a co-working space, business incubator, and vital resource for individuals and businesses who need access to high-tech equipment and high-speed internet connectivity. The Stourbridge Project is located close to downtown Honesdale, PA and Susan speaks with us about how the building will be opening ba…

Jessica originally went to school to be an accountant - she's got a knack for numbers. But somewhere along the way, her plans changed and she became a Doula. A Doula acts as the support team for an expecting, delivering, and post-partum mother, and father too. The role of a Doula can dramatically improve the process of childbirth and the months aft…

Linda moved to Wayne County more than 15 years ago with her family. After spending some time as a full-time mom, it was clear to her that she needed to get out and find some work. She started by working with lots of small businesses all across the area, and eventually found her way to the local radio station, where she was welcomed with open arms a…

Anthony's family moved from New Jersey to NEPA when he was 15. After highschool he started his own business, sold it, spent time working in the trucking & construction industries, and now Anthony manages the only by-hand carwash for miles and miles. We talk about what makes a by-hand carwash so much better than any of the other options and also wha…

This interview was originally recorded in May of 2018. Dr. Cruse has roots in Louisiana and currently works as Medical Director for Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers. He and his team have been on the front line of the Covid-19 Pandemic, but when we originally recorded this interview, neither of us had any idea what was coming our way two year…

Jessica grew up in a small Massachusetts town and spent many of her summers in Milford, PA. Early on, Jessica knew she wanted to work with books and shortly after college she found herself living in New York City, landing a job in the historic Flatiron Building. Jessica's mother passed away when Jess was only 23, and while going through her mother'…

Karen had an inkling early in life that being a stylist/cosmetologist was something she wanted to do. After deciding that college wasn't right for her, she attended beauty school and worked for several area salons. After spending several years working for other people, she moved ahead and opened her own salon, quickly adding spa services and re-loc…

Dr. Rogers has been a practicing dentist in Wayne County for more than 25 years. He tells the story of how he became interested in dentistry while working on plastic models as a young man. Later in life, his attention to detail would serve him well as he began his career as a general dentist. Dr Rogers' office has undergone some changes in the wake…

Murph currently works on a tugboat, but as he explains, tugboats aren't just for moving big ships around the harbor. Andrew and his crew primarily transport things like petroleum up and down the coast. He explains the process that sailors need to go through in order to be licensed to pilot and work on boats like these, and also about some of the in…

Bob attended highschool at Western Wayne and went to East Stroudsburg University as a Media Communication major. After school he worked for several years at a Scranton newspaper. Eventually Bob enrolled in PSP's cadet training program and has been working as a member of Pennsylvania's State Police force ever since. Bob talks about the process of be…

In 2018 Brian came in for Taste Test to explain his work as one of three Wayne County Commissioners. Since this episode was recorded, the slate of commissioners has changed but Brian is still on the team. Brian's wife sent him into the studio with delicious baked potato soup and amazing homemade guacamole. Adam managed to track down Maryland Crabs …

Dr. Platko knew from an early age that she wanted to work with animals. Throughout highschool and college she worked at a nearby vet's office and when the time came to choose a career, her choice was easy. After vet school she relocated to Wayne County after falling in love with the town. Twenty years later, Dr. Platko has opened her own office. Du…

Sasha's parents came to the United States in the 1980s from Poland and Germany. They met at an English Language class in New Jersey and shortly after moving to Wayne County PA, they had Sasha. Sasha immediately took after her mother's love of music, and by the time she finished High School, Sasha was an accomplished musician. She even sang with Bry…

Steve Bates is the chief at Honesdale Volunteer FD, and has been a volunteer firefighter for most of his adult life. He joined Adam in July of 2018 to discuss what's involved in volunteer firefighter, how he ascended to the rank of Chief, and what goes on behind the scenes and in the aftermath of a structure fire. There is a tremendous ongoing need…

Patrick knew early on in life that he wanted to be a math teacher, but he never figured on music playing an important role in his life. Shortly after high school he started playing guitar and by the time he was finished with college he was a full-blown music enthusiast. He landed a job teaching mathematics at Honesdale High School and at the same t…

Margaret grew up in Long Island and after High School, wound up in the Theater Department of her local Community College. Quickly she realized the stage was not the place for her and eventually she made her way to a Technical School in Florida. This led her to the first of many jobs in the broadcast industry, working in the news department of stati…

Jeff attended Temple College where he focused on Landscape Design. After college he went to work at a local resort, making his way up through the ranks until he was helping to manage their landscape department. All the while, Jeff had been moonlighting as a computer technician, helping friends and family keep their computers running. Before long, t…

Dustin started down the road to a career in Computers and I.T. but quickly realized it was not right for him. However he had been working in restaurant kitchens for most of his life and decided that his happiest place was working in a kitchen where he was able to flex some creative muscle when designing menu options. For the last year he has been w…

Diane is a lifelong resident of Lake Ariel, PA. She's worked at banks, as a medical assistant, and for 10+ years she managed the video rental store in Hamlin. In July of 2019 Diane started feeling a little un-well. Her husband urged her to take a trip to the Emergency Room and moments after she arrived there, Diane was stricken with a heart attack.…

Rocky grew up in some tough neighborhoods in New Jersey. At a young age, he and his brother and their friends started weight lifting. Initially the goal was just to "get huge" but Rocky quickly found himself in he world of competitive weight lifting. That eventually led to an entire career as a pro wrestler, where Rocky wrestled with Hulk Hogan, Ro…

Just this past holiday season, Kim appeared in the Food Network show "Holiday Wars" as part of the Bah-Hum-Bakers team, who would eventually WIN the competition. Kim knew she wanted to be an artist when she left high school and spent several years as an art instructor but eventually fell into creating cakes for competitions, exercising her artistic…

Monique grew up in Norfolk, VA - a community with close ties to our nation's armed forces and also a fun beachside city with a vibrant food scene. In highschool Monique found her home in the art room, and when the time came to go to college, she found herself outside the city and majoring in sculpture. Her travels took her to the NEPA/Catskills are…

First time listening to Taste Test Thursday? Start here and hear some highlights from 2019! We had lots of great guests come in throughout the year and this episode features a dozen clips from some of the different interviews we hosted.

Gary is a country musician who has been making music nearly his entire life. He's also the executive director of two brand-name hotels and has been working in the hospitality industry for 20+ years. From his first foray into music with a saxophone at age 12 through to releasing three studio albums, Gary has a great story to tell with some very inte…

Christine grew up in Hawley, PA and has lived there nearly all her life. After highschool she attended the Culinary Institute of America, where she received a Pastry Chef's degree. After that she spent time working at country clubs in CT and eventually moved back to Hawley. She worked for Woodloch and Weis Markets. In July 2019 Christine and her fa…

Joanne grew up in Brooklyn and New Jersey. Right out of high school she began training as an X-Ray technician and spent years working in hospitals and private practices. About 20 years ago she moved to Wayne County and began working at Bold Gold Media. At first she was doing a little filing and answering phones one day a week, but that quickly blos…

George Schmitt has been working in Honesdale-area radio since the 1970s and has been the Program Director and morning host on Classic Hits 105.3 for the last 8 years. He joins Adam in the studio on Thanksgiving morning to talk about his life in radio, his hobbies of metal detecting and gardening, and shares a special Thanksgiving Breakfast with Ada…

CJ is a high school senior at Wallenpaupack Area High School and has lived in the small town of Hawley, PA his whole life. From the age of 4, music has played a huge role in CJs life. During middle school and early in high school, CJ was part of a band playing emo/rock. Midway through highschool, he started "meme rapping" for fun. Essentially writi…

Andrea grew up in Milford PA where she worked for her family business, a small Poconos resort and event center. After college in Scranton Andrea went to work for Gap in Philadelphia. Eventually moved to New York City where she worked for years in the fashion accessory industry but after years in the city, the family business needed her help so she …

Jim grew up in Queens. Before he was even finished with highschool, he was working as a finish carpenter in New York City and Long Island. Always a builder, he stuck with that line of work until his back gave out in his 30s. From there, Jim found himself in the shop of a 101-year old immigrant who had built an empire selling zippers to manufacturer…

Kali Ma & The Garland of Arms were featured for the month of October on DNH Discovered. Jamie and Ray from the band join Adam in the studio for a discussion on their approach to music and their lives before coming together as a band. Jamie was awarded the Steamtown Music Award for Best Female Vocalist in 2018 and when she sings on the air, it's pre…