Taste Test Thursday with Adam Owens

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 customer service business who happens to print t-shirts."  Chris also has a lifelong passion for motocross, and we discuss his life riding dirtbikes.  Also Chris had an opportunity to meet Kirk Cameron.  Although it was not quite what Chris had envisioned.

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 "Teleport" where huge amounts of media and data are handled and streamed via satellite all across the country and the planet.  Recently Eric started volunteering with a fire department near Hawley, PA.  It also turns out that Eric has some roots near New Orleans, and we discuss delicious cajun foods and stumble across a possible new fusion cuisine.

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 works as General Manager and Market Manager for the NEPA region.  

Early in life, Michael had a hare-brained idea for a fund raiser that he pitched, and moved forward with.  That fundraiser has grown into an incredible venue for donations to support area children on Christmas.  Michael stands in a claw-foot tub on Main Street in Honesdale and showers for hours at a time until a goal of $20,000 in donations is reached.  This year Michael will once again take a shower for charity and he explains how the process will 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 Orange Counties.  In addition to this deep connection to his area, Greg is a longtime pilot, foreign-car aficionado, and has extremely old-fashioned taste in donuts.  Adam shares his recipe for "BS Casserole" and Greg reveals his absolute ineptitude in the kitchen., as well as his unique connection to the rail industry.

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 life into a self-serve carwash near their home.  They brought their life's experience to the table and focused on making the customer experience the best it could possibly be.  They've since added a 2nd location, as well as a unique DIY Dog Wash which allows their customers to treat their furry friends to a safe and comfortable wash experience.

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 lots of ways that a relationship can become abusive, beyond acts of physical violence.   Fortunately, Michelle and her team at VIP are here to help.  Michelle and Adam talk about some of their favorites, including cheese that smells like feet, and an Italian rolled pork roast.

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 relocated and the rest is history.  Andy's first job in Honesdale was as a youth pastor, but he has recently been promoted to Assistant Pastor, and he has overseen the opening of Level Grounds Cafe - a unique breakfast and lunch spot located inside the church.  Level Grounds donates all of its profits to two awesome groups of people, and Andy explains who receives these funds and why Level Grounds was first started.

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 techniques and technology of photography.  After that, she opened an art gallery in her hometown, displaying her and her husband's growing collection of art, and hosting openings and shows for nearby artists.  Four years ago, Jess found herself at a Race Driving school, and was immediately smitten with the Art of Driving Fast.  Since then, Jess and her husband have gone on to win races and all the while, she's raising two boys and doing everything she can to make sure they eat their vegetables. 

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 joins us to talk all about her job and what makes the Sullivan Catskills so special.  At the end of the interview, she has a special challenge for Adam, who has recently discovered the Sullivan Catskills town of Roscoe, NY, with some unique restaurants, a brewery, and world-class fishing.

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 with the Callicoon Fire Department.  Today, Tom serves as president, captain and commissioner for the F.D. and also keeps busy working as a DJ for parties.  Recently, Tom and other members of Callicoon F.D. were involved in a perfectly-timed rescue involving a woman who entered a river as it was flowing extremely quickly.  Tom talks about the drive to help people, his first experience as a dog breeder, and how to cook a whole turkey without ever turning on your oven.

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 crew chief on military and civilian jets, the difference between jet and "recip" engines, and how over time, the "hundred-dollar hamburger" has started to cost substantially more than a hundred dollars, but still tastes just as delicious.

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 not necessarily always the most-desirable trait that her team looks for.  Things get a little nerdy, but Jane helps explain it so we can all understand her tremendously interesting job.

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 ago, Josh found himself buying a Jeep Wrangler and connecting with other folks in his community who were  enthusiastic about their Jeeps.  Josh and his colleagues would eventually start "570 Jeeps" and create a community of nearly 10,000 people who shared a love for off-roading, working on their vehicles, and sharing good times together.

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 "dot com" boom.  Soon though, John realized he would be better suited working for himself, and the rest is history.  Hear the whole story, including some of John's favorite menu items at Two Guys, and also an exciting new expansion that's already working great in Rileyville.

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 volunteering around the community, and recently has worked on a project to honor veterans from the Honesdale area.

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 their entire summer circuit was cancelled due to Covid-19.  After talking out their situation, they arrived at a solution: partnering with local businesses and organizations, they've set up their concession stands for business all around the area, offering fair food to everyone during a time when everyone could certainly use a reason to smile.  And they've been doing great.  Mellisa talks about what goes into running the business, and how she managed to get roped in at a very early age.

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 sell seasoned grilled meat skewers and not much else.  It's simple, delicious, and it seems to be a great idea for Dave and his family. 

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 back up to guests and members as Wayne County, PA shifts to "green."

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 and trained to become an expert marketing specialist.  Today, Linda helps businesses spread the word about what they're doing, and Linda has a whole new toolkit to help promote businesses and organizations.  

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 what differentiates a "detail" from a regular car wash.  

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 years down the road.  Listen in and learn more about how Dr Cruse found his way into the field of medicine, and how he made his way to Northeast PA.  The doctor brought in some staples of Louisiana cooking to share.

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's things, Jess found a trove of de-classified documents, articles and research pointing to her uncle Jack who went MIA somewhere in Laos during the Vietnam war.  Jessica has just released a book detailing her journey to Laos to continue the search her grandfather started decades ago.  Listen in as Adam and Jess talk about the environment in Laos, the challenges of living and working in a big city, and also carrot cake. 

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-locating to her current location on Route 6 in Honesdale.  The spa is 8,000 square feet and includes every imaginable treatment and service.  While the spa is currently closed, Karen's staff is continuing to update and grow their training through virtual and online classes.  Listen in and hear how Karen's business has weathered the Coronavirus and how they're preparing to re-open while keeping the safety of their staff and customers as their top priority.

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 of Covid-19, and he explains how he is still able to provide critical emergency services for anyone in the community who needs his help.  Dr. Rogers explains his top-notch Western Breakfast Scramble, and Adam shares a new discovery: uncooked tortillas.  If Adam and Dr. Rogers ever manage to get together, it sounds like they would serve up one heck of a breakfast burrito!

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 interesting superstitions and intense moments onboard the boats.  Andrew also has a strong community streak in him, and organizes an annual volleyball tournament to benefit local charities and non-profits.  

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 becoming a Trooper, and brings in some keto-friendly pizza to share with Adam.  

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 and brought one in to share with Brian.

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 Bryan Adams when he came to Montage!  Sasha is also nearly finished earning her law degree, she works as a model and has performed extensively as a musician.  She shares a very healthy and delicious breakfast and as usual, Adam breaks into the junk food, testing out a new flavor of Lay's Potato Chips.

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 for new volunteers, and Steve explains the process of becoming a volunteer and how important it is for local residents to support the work that volunteer fire companies do.  

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 time was offered the role of leading the school's "Keep on Rockin" club, which allows kids a chance to play and collaborate in a rock & roll setting every week.  Soon after, Patrick and the kids started playing live gigs every month at The Cooperage, and "Sounds Like Teen Spirit" was born.  It's been going strong for years and Patrick tells the story of how he integrated music and math into his life to create some remarkable opportunities for kids to build their skills and confidence while playing live in front of an audience.  Patrick's snack food of choice is an acquired taste to say the least, but it was a fun adventure to try!

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 stations in the Florida Keys.  Eventually she moved back to NEPA to be closer to her family and has been working as a Sales Representative and News Anchor for Bold Gold Media.  Margaret brings in a special drink to help Adam fend off the cold he's been dealing with, and Margaret and Adam make a bit of a mess in the studio before the end of the show.

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, the side hustle overtook the main gig and now Jeff has a customer base of 1,000 individuals and companies who rely on him to keep their systems running right.  In the last three years, Jeff has dived headfirst into a new hobby: Paramotoring.  This incredible sport combines a backpack motor and a "glider" to allow Jeff and other hobbyists to fly above the Earth's surface with relatively little investment and no licensing requirements.  But there's a lot more to it than just strapping on a pack and leaping into the air.  Jeff brings in breakfast from his favorite local bakery and Adam breaks his "no sweets" rule because the croissants just looked so dang good.

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 working as Executive Chef in the kitchen at Kol Steakhouse - part of Hotel Anthracite in Carbondale, PA.  Dustin brings in an amazing loaded potato soup with dry-aged steak and also shares some secrets to cooking the perfect steak at home.

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.  The next day she had a stent put in and a month later, a second stent was installed.  Diane joins Adam to talk about her ordeal, and what her life is like in the aftermath.  February is American Heart Month and this episode will hopefully illuminate some of the ways that an imminent heart attack can masquerade as other problems, and why it's so important to be mindful and listen to what your body is telling you.   

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, Rocky Johnson (that's Dwayne's dad by the way!) and many many more.  He's also worked in security, even providing bodyguard detail during the Ricki Lake Show!  Rocky joins Adam to talk about his life, his work, and his regimented health and exercise routine.  He brings in a power-packed snack to share with Adam and by the end of the show it's clear that in addition to all his other skills, Rocky has a very refined set of tastebuds,

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 muscles in a very unique way.  After winning several competitions she was approached to audition for a Food Network program, and the rest is history.  Kim tells us all about her experience on TV as well as the four (and a half!) Peace Doves she painted in Sullivan County NY as part of the Woodstock 50th Anniversary Celebration.  To eat, Kim brings in her famous Rowdy Reindeer cookies, and Adam brings in a quintet of hot sauces for a taste-off.

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 area where she settled down with her husband Sky Ballentine at Anthill Farm.  Since then she's grown to call this place "home" and has started a family.  You'll find Monique working at The Cooperage in Honesdale during their biweekly Indoor Farmers Markets, where she runs the Market Cafe, serving delicious homemade food, always highlighting whatever farm goods are in season.  Monique shares some of her delicious quiche (and yes, real men CAN eat quiche) and Adam brings in a homemade seafood chowder.

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 interesting highlights.  He brings in his wife's famous no-bake cookies and steps up to a blind taste-test challenge to try a very unusual flavor of potato chip.  Gary's song "Somewhere In Between" has been featured during December and he plays it live on the air along with another great song about his father's old GMC pickup which Gary is driving to this very day.

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 family opened Lake Wally Cafe in the former location of Fluff's Deli.  They specialize in delicious breakfasts, lunches and incredible baked goods and treats.  Lake Wally Cafe also serves special dinners every weekend and are available to cater as well.  Christine shares stories of what goes on behind the scenes at culinary school, and brings in some DELICIOUS items from the restaurant to share.  Adam's holiday treat is Pineapple Supreme, a delicious sweet bread pudding made with tropical pineapple.  

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 blossomed into a full-bore Office Manager job, and she's been a vital team member ever since.  Joanne is instrumental in organizing the annual Shower for Charity and also happens to cook an unbelievable Sauerbraten.  Adam has noticed Joanne drinking the same thing every morning for a long time, and suggests an unusual twist on her favorite hot drink.

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 Adam.  George has been a fixture in the Honesdale area for decades and has some great stories and food to share.

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 writing humorous rap songs for a few laughs, he quickly realized that rap could be an avenue for him to express more serious feelings and concepts.  Since transitioning to rap, CJ has been on a tear, and has secured an internship at a Scranton, PA recording studio.  He's a talented performer and writer, and he's helping to bring vibrancy to Hawley's burgeoning hip-hop scene.  CJ brings in a classic Rhode Island drink from his mom's childhood, and Adam asks CJ to blind-taste a new beverage and try to guess what it is.

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 came back to Pike County.  Hear the story of how her side project rehabbing old furniture pieces has turned into a full-time job with a storefront in Hawley, and listen in as Andrea brings Adam some "Scungile" to taste.

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 manufacturers all across the US.  Jim would eventually take over that business and re-locate it to Northeast PA where it's still running strong to this day.  As part of his life's work, Jim has a goal of constructing a technical and trade school where students will have opportunities to work in a real-world environment during their training.  Jim brings in "Humdingers" from locally-owned Watson Bros. and Adam shares snacks from Austria and an unusual and very tasty new flavor of potato chip.