Scenic Highways, World-Class Festivals & Florida's 'Out-Islands'

The Martin Grade by Thomas Winter

The days of when there was nothing to do during the summer on the Treasure Coast are long gone. New events and activities along with old standards, such as Stuart’s Dancing in the Streets, keep residents and visitors alike busy. So what’s new? How about a world-class barbeque festival? Yum! The Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce is doing just that on July 10, 2010 when it presents the Hobe Sound BBQ Festival 2010. This isn't just a plain, ordinary festival, it's a Florida Bar-B-Que Association sanctioned event, meaning the best of the best will be competing for $10,000 in prizes. What does that mean to you? It means that you get a chance to taste some of the best barbeque this side of the Tex-Mex border!

The Hobe Sound Chamber's executive director, Jennifer Ferrari ,will be in the house on Friday to give you all the details.

Most anyone who has traveled across the United States or abroad is familiar with special spots along the way offering scenic overlooks (such as in the mountains), scenic trails (for hikers),  or scenic highways. Martin County, Florida is in the process of applying for a scenic highway designation for a portion of highway located in western Martin County, which is known to locals as the Martin Grade. Mary Dawson,  chairman of the Sustaining Community Lands group, will be in the Elliott Museum-Talkin' Tourism studio this week providing listeners with an update on the group's efforts to bring scenic highway designation to this beautiful stretch of highway. Radio Man has been keeping up with the process and is amazed as to how complicated it is to get something seemingly a no-brainer accomplished.

Martin Grade is a 12 mile long stretch of tree-lined road featuring sable palms, pines and oaks that are over 100 years old. Just how many official Scenic Highways are there in Florida? Are there any others in South Florida? These questions and more will be answered on Friday's (July 2) show.

Rumor has it that Radio Man was sited on Grand Bahama Island this week. Included in the locations he was seen were Blue Marlin Cove, Old Bahama Bay, the West End Police Station (huh?) and Port Lucaya. What is Radio Man up to now? Scouting for another radio show location? Searching for the best Bahama Mama recipe?

Tune in again this Friday, July 2, at 10 a.m. for more fun and infotainment LIVE on WPSL 1590 AM, the Talk of the Treasure Coast, or on your computer at http://www.wpsl.com/.