Reefs, Blind Boat Challenges, Boat Races, Fight Like a Girl and Flying Turtles

A Tipsy Turtle! Image credit: www.itsy.com.

Talkin' Tourism Friends and Fans:

Over the last month and a half, Four Little Birds, LLC "has been as busy as a one-armed…..", well you get the drift.

With the acquisition  of the Treasure Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine in mid February, Four Little Birds, LLC has focused diligently on the improvement of the magazine.  As a result, we were a little behind in getting the pre-shows and post show wrap-ups posted to the blog.

So, with our apologies, here is a quick update on the most recent Talkin’ Tourism shows March 30th through May 4th  for your listening pleasure.

On the March 30th show, James Oppenborn, St. Lucie County Coastal Resources Supervisor, gave our listeners some great information on the continued deployment of nearshore and offshore reef habitat. It was truly fascinating to hear how quickly these resources create new sources of recreation for anglers and divers. Also, it was super to hear about all of the volunteer support they have for this special mission.

Moving along to the April 6th show, listeners were treated to a very special call in guest from Nassau, Bahamas.  Jerome Thompson, founder and president of Bahamas Disability Adventures, a passionate warrior for promoting awareness of the potential of persons with disabilities, shared details of an event planned for July 7th – The Blind Boat Challenge International. (We have since learned that the event has been postponed to a later date this Fall so watch for future details).  Other fun topics included info about “Bird” a new member of the Guertin flock, the Vero Beach Boat Show, Hook Kids on Fishing Seminars and new rules for accommodations regarding persons with disabilities.

The April 13th show was all about the return of the Stuart Sailfish Regatta, guests Sergio Nativi and Blair Pontek gave all of the info listeners needed to know about the return of powerboat racing in Martin County.

Moving along to April 20th, the Talkin' Tourism Team launched a new feature of the show. With the summer boating season around the corner, the Islands of the Bahamas are a natural destination, to promote the Treasure Coast/Bahamas connection, each week we have a Bahamian property as a call-in guest on the show. The April 20th show featured Mike Weber, general manager of the Bimini Big Game Club/Outpost Resort. Thank for all of the information Mike! We're certain lots of Treasure Coast residents and visitors will be headed to Bimini this summer!

The month of April flew by! On April 27th, it was time to have the Stuart Sailfish Club start promoting their upcoming Ladies Tournament--Fight Like a Girl, one of the longest running ladies tournaments around.  Char Griggs, executive director of the Stuart Sailfish Club and tournament committee member Jody Fogel, were more than happy to give us the history of the tournament and a view as to the role the Stuart Sailfish Club played in the early days of tourism promotion in Martin County.  Thanks ladies!

This show's Bahamas Update feature allowed us to feature Althea Johnson, reservations manager at the Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) located on Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. For those diving enthusiasts wanting great diving in gin clear water with a wide variety of dive sites and experiences, look no further.

And, finally last week, May 4th we had a special guest co-host:  Talkin’ Tourism co-producer and Coastal Angler Magazine Treasure Coast and Bahamas co-publisher Misti Guertin had a chance to spend time on the air with show host and husband “Radio Man”.  What is HEW?  Misti will tell you all about it and more. Lots of fishing tournaments headed our way so listen to the show and pick the events you’ll be fishing.

We also had a great conversation with Molly MacIntosh (Director of Sales) and Lynn Johnson (General Manager), from Green Turtle Club and Marina, located on Green Turtle Cay, Abaco Bahamas.  Abaco is  a Treasure Coast “magnet” this time of year so we hope that their information will get you excited about heading to Abaco. Need a great dockage deal? They've got it! And, "Do Turtles Fly?" But of course, and no, we weren't drinking rum or Tipsy Turtle concoctions. Check out the show to get all the insider information that will make Abaco one of your favorite summer destination spots this year!

So, now you are all caught up.  Lots of great shows and great guests.

Promise we will stay on track going forward. Look for the pre-show for this Friday’s show soon.

Oceans and Our Coastal Environments

The Florida Oceanographic Society (FOS), headquartered on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Florida has been a vigilant advocate in promoting the stewardship of our ocean and coastal resources for several decades.  Now, with the continued expansion of the FOS Coastal Center, visitors and locals can learn more about  the importance of these precious resources.

This week , we welcome Ellie Van Os, the Director of Education and Exhibits for the Florida Oceanographic Society as our featured guest.  Talkin’ Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors want to help our listeners get caught up on what is new at the center. Some of our host's questions will include:

• How attendance has been or not impacted in the current challenged economy?  
• Is eco-education an important activity for visitors to the Treasure Coast?  

We know that Robin, former executive director of the Martin County Historical Society, and Ellie will have a lively conversation about “exhibits” and visitor interaction.

With host Gary and his wife Misti now the co-publishers of the Treasure Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine, in addition to the Bahamas edition, Gary will share his thoughts on his first week of “rediscovering” the Treasure Coast as the new co-publisher. Are there only strangers in this world, or just friends we haven’t met yet?

The rest of the show (if there is time) will feature select tourism topics from around the country and around the globe.  Did you know that Nik Wallenda has been given permission to tightrope across Niagara Falls, or how to visit the Freedom Trail in Boston from New York for only $149.00 per ticket? Listen in tomorrow (Friday, February 16) for these details and a whole lot more this week on Talkin’ Tourism!

If you're in listening range, tune your radio dial to 1590 AM. If you're any place in the world, you can still catch the show via your favorite Internet browser at www.wpsltv.com. The fun begins at 10:05 a.m. "See" you then!

Central Florida’s Space Coast Paradise--Home to Coastal Angler Magazine and More

Last week we broadcast from Melbourne Beach, Florida. The original plan was to do the show from the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront Resort & Spa, our accommodations for the weekend. As luck would have it, telephone technology circumvented Plan A requiring the implementation of Plan B, which called for using the canal-front office of Coastal Angler Magazine, just a quick five minute hop from the hotel. Whew! Predicting the unpredictable keeps us out of trouble and back up plans are always essential when we're on the road.

Featured guest Rodney Smith, the publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine, was a great interview. Known for his environmental passion, Rodney shared with listeners how he became involved with spreading the environmental message through his personal actions and the printed word. An avid fisherman, boater, surfer and outdoor enthusiast, “Use it…Don’t Abuse It” has been his mantra for over three decades. Rodney shared why Coastal Angler Magazine is actually increasing circulation and page count instead of decreasing, as is the trend with the vast majority of magazines and newspapers today. His reasons were fascinating.

Despite the last minute change in broadcast locations, Christine Michaels, president and CEO of the Melbourne Regional Chamber of East Central Florida, tracked us down and did an outstanding job of filling us in on what's happening in the Brevard County/Space Coast area. While this trip did not permit, the Talkin' Tourism crew definitely wants to head back to Melbourne soon for some fishing and surfing fun, as well as a visit to the Brevard Zoo, which Christine said is not to be missed!

It had been quite some time since Radio Man last visited Melbourne and there have been quite a few changes. Water activities, festivals, museums, fishing, boating, surfing, and of course just plain relaxation can all be found here.

To learn more about all the great activities, events and accommodations you can discover in Melbourne, check out the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce web site at http://www.melbourneregionalchamber.com/.

If you missed the show, you can download it or listen to it HERE.

Details for this week's coming show to be posted soon!

Tipsy turtles, GPS chaos, and WTF?

Well folks, if you listened to the show or checked out the Talkin' Tourism Facebook page, you know that Radio Man and the Coastal Angler Magazine crew made it safely across the Gulf Stream. However, things didn't go quite as planned. The original plan was to get an early start and reach Marsh Harbour, Abaco by sunset. A late start and a screen light failure on the boat's GPS caused the crew to improvise and pull into the Green Turtle Club on Green Turtle Cay. Since Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast can be done from anywhere (and because of that we've dubbed it pirate radio), there was “no problem, Mon!"  Molly MacIntosh, from the Green Turtle Club, rolled out the red carpet for the wayward sailors.

After a cold chardonnay (or two, but who's counting?) and getting caught up with Molly since the last Talkin' Tourism broadcast from Green Turtle, we were shown to our fabulous comfy rooms (the best beds in Abaco!) and got a good night's sleep. Up at first light, Radio Man prepped for the show, which was hosted in the comfortable Yacht Club lounge.

As we rolled into the show, Captain Angelo described in some detail the crossing and how well the Twin Vee 27-foot center-console performed. You just may want to check out this Treasure Coast made boat!

Lynn Johnson, general manager of the Green Turtle Club, took her turn at the mike and shared with listeners all that Green Turtle Club has to offer their guests— comfortable accommodations, full-service marina, its relationship with Brendal’s Dive Center, terrific food, and friendly, welcoming staff. She also told listeners about the property's great new guest package called WTF (When Turtles Fly--not the expletive!), which offers fabulous discounts to boaters and vacationers.

Coastal Angler Magazine editor Ben Martin and Gary covered a wide range of fishing and Bahamas-related topics of interest for the boater/fisherman headed to the islands this summer. Gary also asked Ben for his opinion on the Deep Horizon Oil Spill.

Fictional fishing guide/fishing report writer Thatch McGuire was also on the show and caused a little controversy. It appears that Thatch and Ben have a little discussion going as to whether or not fishing report writers should have an expense account to cover the libations that may induce fishing guides to “spill da beans” on where the bite is best. How did this controversy get solved? Download the show to get the low-down.

Thanks for tuning in and keep those cards and e-mails coming. To stay up on breaking news, become one of the show's Facebook fans, and be sure to recommend your friends and family do the same.

See you on Friday!

On a Twin Vee mission to Abaco

Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast, the Official Flahama radio station, is now one step closer to becoming “pirate radio.”  

Talkin' Tourism co-hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors will certainly be on the move in the coming weeks. We decided to scrap the original concept for this week’s show (broadcasting from the House of Refuge on Hutchinson Island, Stuart, Florida) because Radio Man was offered an intriguing assignment - to help deliver a 26-foot Twin Vee Catamaran to a secret destination in Abaco, Bahamas.  

You may ask, "What does this have to do with Treasure Coast tourism…and wasn’t Radio Man in Abaco just two weeks ago?"  Well, ladies and gentleman, the ever-popular Twin Vee Catamaran is made right here on our very own Treasure Coast.  Yes indeed, their plant is located in Fort Pierce.  And this well-crafted boat is extremely popular in the islands.  The more Twin Vees are ordered, the more Treasure Coast marine trades craftsman will be working - see, marine tourism does work to make a difference!

Accompanying Radio Man on this adventure will be Ben Martin, editor of the Florida’s most widely read fishing and boating publications, Coastal Angler Magazine.  

Other guests that may appear on the show are still a mystery at this time.  It's rumored, however, that world-renowned fishing guide Thatch McGuire may be in the house.  Knowing Gary and the cast of characters living and playing in Marsh Harbour, he will not be at a loss for a couple more guests.  Who knows, Radio Man may just run into some Treasure Coasters along the way.

Hopefully, History Lady will be able to make the phone connection to the radio station and have a part in the show. She's helping make some great things happen at the Elliott Museum.

So loyal listeners, you know the drill - Friday at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM, or www.wpsl.com! And don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook!

R-O-C-K-in' in Abaco

Get ready to tap your foot! Here's a MTV-like photo essay of Talkin' Tourism's recent visit to Abaco. Enjoy the fun! After viewing, drop us a note (talkintourism@gmail.com) and let us know how you liked it and what you might like to see on future remotes.

Special thanks to Abaco Beach Resort & Marina at Boat Harbour for the hospitality, Yellow Air Taxi, and Coastal Angler Magazine for helping with the airlift!