Voices of Keuka — From the World of Keuka Roots

Something new is coming to the lake…

And honestly? It was probably inevitable once Tom Kelly and Penny Carlton started talking.

Welcome to Voices of Keuka — the brand-new podcast from Keuka Roots where stories, laughter, local legends, community voices, and a little bit of beautiful chaos all come together around the lake we love most.

Hosted by Penny Carlton — creator of Keuka Roots alongside local storyteller and professional stirrer-of-the-pot Tom Kelly, the podcast promises conversations that feel less like interviews… and more like sitting around a dock at sunset with friends.

So… how did Tom and Penny meet?

Like many good Finger Lakes stories, it started with conversation, community, and probably at least one cup of coffee.

Penny had spent months building Keuka Roots into a storytelling platform celebrating the people, places, history, mystery, nostalgia, and everyday life around Keuka Lake. Tom, known for his quick wit, local connections, and ability to make almost anyone laugh within five minutes, kept appearing in the orbit.

Somewhere between community events, storytelling, and conversations that wandered far off topic in the best possible way, the idea hit:

“What if we just turned these conversations into a podcast?”

And just like that… Voices of Keuka was born.

What can listeners expect?

A little bit of everything that makes life around Keuka unforgettable:

Stories from around the lake

Local history and legends

Interviews with business owners, artists, winemakers, musicians, and everyday locals

Nostalgic memories and small-town traditions

Funny moments that probably were not planned

Honest conversations about community, life, and finding joy in the simple things

And perhaps most importantly…

Tom bringing the humor.

Penny trying to keep the train on the tracks.

Expect Tom to wander into stories involving things like mysterious road names, old bars, boats, goats on wine labels that belong to entirely different wineries, and people he “sort of remembers from 1987.”

Expect Penny to gently redirect the conversation back toward the actual topic while somehow turning it into meaningful storytelling.

Together, it works.

A Little About Keuka Roots

What started as a small storytelling blog has grown into something much bigger — a growing community platform celebrating the Finger Lakes region through stories rooted in history, community, nostalgia, tourism, and everyday life.

From blog features and local spotlights to community events, Keuka Reads, and an upcoming nationally distributed television series in 2027, Keuka Roots continues to grow while staying true to one mission:

Celebrating the people and places that make small-town life matter.

Because around Keuka… stories still grow here.

Where Can You Listen?

Voices of Keuka will be available on:

Spotify

YouTube

Premier episode drops soon!

So, grab a coffee. Or a glass of Keuka Lake wine. Sit back, relax, and join us for stories, laughter, local voices, and a little bit of Keuka magic.

Stay Rooted. Stay Keuka.