We are joined by Tony Vasile, program manager at Adaptive Sports Foundation. Based at Windham Mountain, ASF provides winter and summer programs for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities. Tony’s journey through his education in physical therapy set him up perfectly for the role that opened up at ASF. He speaks on how he grew up, how that affected his career choice, and how that brought him to applying for the job at ASF. Opening up about his current position and the programs provided, Tony talks about the different gear, how that gear fits the individual, the training needed to use that gear, and the massive number of volunteers who step up to make the programs what they are. These volunteers are the backbone of the programs from taking out lessons to cooking food and everything in between. Huge shoutout to all of their effort over so many years! ASF recently produced a short video “We Are Athletes” which is viewable on Youtube. The short follows the stories of two individuals and their journey through ASF and how it has impacted their lives. Incredibly powerful.

Jen joined the podcast to talk books, Windham, books, Main Street Community Center, books, and more books. 7 years ago, Jen found herself in need of a new book to read while at her home on Windham Mountain and quickly realized there was not only nothing in town, but there were no options even at a reasonable drive! Well one thing leads to another and within a few months the lease was signed and the boxes of books began flowing in. It did not take long for people to catch on to this new addition to Windham and new clubs, programs, and projects around reading, authors, and art have followed ever since. One of these projects, amidst Covid no less, was the birth of the Main Street Community Center (see our first ever podcast featuring the executive director Sadhbh Aborn).

Danny Hairston is the Founder/Executive Director of Snowboarders Help Reimagine Education or better know as SHRED. His journey from snowboarding 15 years ago to creating one of the best programs in upstate New York is extraordinary.

Steve joined the podcast to talk about EMS education, difficulties in serving a rural county, the structure of medical services in Greene County NY, some of the parts that work well and some that don’t, specific stresses on the system, and New York State Legislature discussions on possibly combining county wide services.

Mountain King established itself last year in 2024 and become the talk of the town. It has been several years since there has been a brewery in Windham. Bob and Owen's vision is going to bring great energy and beer to Main Street once again. Hear Here sat down with them to listen to their story and how the vision for Windham had come about. Before Bob found Crush Management he was touring around Germany with his band find his love for beer at local breweries. At another time Owen found his love for making beer when he was in Germany coach lacrosse. Together they were able to find a great combination to brew right here in Windham, NY. For any questions or event set ups contact their manager!

Stephanie Briggs

Mountain King Manager and Events

Cell: 6077608414

Email: stephanie@mountainkingbrewing.com

Hear Here Podcast sat down with Leah Waldron and Laura Potter to talk about community outreach, recognizing areas of need, building connections, the nonprofit world, grant writing vs fundraising and the specific areas they have chosen to focus on. The two meeting through work at a nonprofit has set the tone for their relationship and individual outreach efforts.

The Hear Here Podcast was joined by Brian Christman and Eric Goettsche to discuss managing family owned resorts in Windham, the continuous daily work load requirements, adapting to the changes in the industry as well as in the town, the advent of online marketing and reservation systems, and comparing the regulation requirements for resort owners in comparison to short term rentals.

The Hear Here Podcast host, Jesse Novak, and producer, Evan Goettsche, sat down to talk about the conversations that lead up to forming the podcast, the right people coming together, gathering the gear, choosing the direction and the support from our guests and community. In some form, the idea dates back many years to some stories Jesse heard from friends while traveling, which established the host’s love and understanding that every person has their own unique life experience and perspective.