Old Things New, Conch Fritters and Reel Candy

Frances Langford and Bob Hope
USO performance.

Arts, cultural and historic tourism are all key elements in the grand scheme of today’s global tourism and destination marketing. The Treasure Coast is certainly not at a loss for historic treasures and activities. With October being designated as Historic Preservation Month in Martin County, Florida what better time to talk about old things becoming new again.
Leading the conversation will be guest Sally Dadko, vice-chairman of the Martin County Historic Preservation Board. From the kick off ceremony at the Jensen Beach Christian Church on October 1st, to the closing event—USO, Letters from Home Ball—at the Flagler Recreation Center, there will be plenty to do for both visitors and residents alike. History Lady is going to love this show!

FLAHAMA Free Radio keeps the Bahama spirit alive with a preview of the upcoming Bahamian Connection Festival to be held October 2nd in the New Monrovia community of Port Salerno. Celebrating its 13th year, this fun filled festival gets everyone’s toes tapping with great Junkanoo music, great Bahamian cuisine, fun and an introduction to visitors and locals of our community’s rich Bahamian heritage. Kherri Anderson, the festival's communications director, and board president Gloria McHardy fill us in on all the great "happenings” of this signature event.

Now that summer is behind us, sportfishing enthusiast from everywhere will be focusing in on the great sailfish action headed our way, as well as planning trips to the Bahamas for some big game fishing angling. Marvin Steiding, owner and captain of the Martin County based sportfishing charter boat Reel Candy will be in the house talking about his ongoing success catching big blue marlin and monster wahoo in San Salvador, Bahamas. So what does a trip like this entail? Can you go to school to learn how to fish for wahoo? Where do I sign up?

So folks, it looks like we have the bases covered for this week. Join us this Friday for more fun, infotainment and good times from the Elliott Museum.

Enjoy the Junkanoo action from last year's Bahamian Connection Celebration below! See you Friday at 10:05 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/!

Pineapples, Conch, Blue Flag Marinas, and Gin Clear Waters

Last week, host Gary Guertin and special guest co-host Ed Griffith literally made a splash in South Eleuthera.  No, not the “cannonball kind," but the kind that gets everyone involved buzzing about a great time and wonderful experiences.  

From the luxury of Cape Eleuthera Resort and Yacht Club, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond) really connected with the best of the best of the Bahamas tourism efforts.  

Leading a long list of Eleuthera tourism officials and stakeholders, Director General Vernice Walkine opened with remarks on behalf of the Bahamas.  Her comments were as warm and bright as the Bahamian sun.  Getting to the main topic of the day General Manager of Sustainable Tourism Earlston McPhee and Blue Flag Programme Administrator Leon Gibson along with Cape Eleuthera Resort General Manager Steve Kappeler gave an excellent overview of the Blue Flag Programme and what it means to the Ministry, but  most importantly to the marine environment. 

Moving on from there, guests Tommy Sands, owner of the Cotton Bay development, Shaun Ingraham, president of the Rotary Club of Eleuthera, provided insightful comments on the state of tourism in South Eleuthera and what the future may hold.  What was the consensus?  You will want to listen to find out.

And for Treasure Coast connections there was a host of them, not to mention the 20 year old Sister City partnership between Gregory Town, Eleuthera and our very own Jensen Beach, Florida.  Co-host Ed Griffith was greeted like a rock star at the Governor’s Harbour Airport much to Radio Man’s surprise. Could Ed become the FLAHAMIAN Ambassador to Eleuthera?  Future shows may tell!

Click on the audio file and take a mini-vacation to the beautiful Bahamian island of Eleuthera…and don’t forget your favorite boat drink. A link to the podcast for viewing on your computer or iPad/iPhone and photos of Eleuthera and the show's guests, can be found below.

See you next week! And don't miss out on the Bahamas Out-Island Companion Fly's Free promotion.

Subscribe to Talkin' Tourism's podcasts on the iTunes Store. If you don't have an iTunes account, here's the link to our Eleuthera remote Blip TV podcast:

Travel Insurance, Summer Slams, and Parrots Squawking

Live from the Ambassador’s House on Palmetto Parrot Cay, Flahama, this week's show provided some real important information for those travelers who are headed “across the pond,” as they say in the UK,  or simply going to the Bahamas for a long weekend. Once you are out of the U-S of A, your health insurance is not the lifesaver it is here in the states. Could you afford a $27,000 air ambulance evacuation from a Caribbean island? How about your ability to communicate in French to the attending physician in a Paris hospital, or dealing with a family member who suddenly became ill on an extended cruise? History Lady and Radio Man had the show's resident travel consultant John Burson, CTC, of Indian River Travel, in the studio to answer these question and more. Call-in guest Andrea Frederickson of Travel Guard was a wealth of information on this topic, in addition to other related travel issues that can and do arise when traveling abroad. This is a segment of the show you cannot miss!

Sticking with the tourism theme and educating our listeners about the history of tourism development on the Treasure Coast, guest Dick Roland, board member of the Stuart Sailfish Club was onboard sharing with listeners how this world recognized sportfishing and conservation group utilized the fantastic sailfishing off Treasure Coast waters in the winter season, to attract visitors from around the country to our great area. If you listen closely, you will understand the difference between “J” hooks and "circle” hooks that are now used for game fishing.

Looking for a fun fishing tournament coming up on Father’s Day that won’t bust your budget? The Stuart Sailfish Club’s first SUMMER SLAM will fill the bill. Listen in for details and a whole lot of information.

Thanks for listening. We're broadcasting live from Tortola next week. 'See' you then!

An Island State-of-Mind, Travel Disaster Planning and Stuart's First Tourism Campaign

Smuggler's Cove, Tortola, BVI

In preparation for Radio Man’s semi-annual escape to Tortola, British Virgin Islands, this week Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast will be brought to you from the FLAHAMA-TM Ambassador House, located on Palmetto Parrot Cay, Flahama. This paradise is a good place to meld into an island state-of-mind. With lush tropical surroundings, parrots squawking in the trees, and an umbrella towering overhead, the location will be a real treat for this week's distinguished guests.

Not surprisingly, Stuart, Florida, the self-proclaimed “Sailfish Capital of the World,” had its early tourism promotion efforts coordinated by the Stuart Sailfish Club, which was founded in 1935. Dick Roland, a Stuart Sailfish board member for over 20 years, will join History Lady (Robin Hicks-Connors) and Radio Man (Gary Guertin) to share what impact the club had on early tourism promotional efforts. Additionally, Dick will talk about what the club is up to these days with their ongoing billfish conservation efforts, approaching tournaments, dock-tail parties, and more.

Next up—Travel Disaster Planning 101. So, you have a good health insurance plan and you are going overseas for a little vacation. Are you covered while in the Caribbean, Bahamas, on a cruise ship? Think about it. Are you taking your U.S. based health plan for granted? With Radio Man planning a trip to Tortola next week, and Robin headed for Paris, both need to know what they can do to ensure their heath insurance will take care of matters while abroad. Are you prepared? Appearing this week to educate our listeners will be our resident travel expert John Burson, CTC, principal of Indian River Travel, a 25 year veteran of the travel industry. His agency arranges travel for clients all over the world and works on their behalf to ensure that possible health care emergencies are not problematic.

So, tune in tomorrow at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or on the Web at http://www.wpsl.com/ and take another hour-long trip with Talkin' Tourism and FLAHAMA-TM Free Radio, the pirate radio station of the Treasure Coast and beyond.

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!

Get the 'inside scoop' on the Stuart Boat Show, 2nd Annual Cruiser Expo and 100 Years of Cars

Another great event attracting visitors from around the State of Florida and locals alike, is the site of this week’s remote broadcast of Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast. That’s right, it's boat show time and the 36th Annual Stuart Boat Show and 2nd Annual Cruiser Expo rolls into town this week. Show hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors will be live at the show broadcasting from the FLAHAMA/Harborage Yacht Club and Marina booth.

With the weather finally warming up, the great show put together by All Sports Productions is bound to entertain the avid boating enthusiast and everyone who is looking for a great day on the waterfront. In addition to talking with show vendors, attendees and “other special guests,” Gary and Robin will chat with Tony Parkinson, organizer of this year’s “100 Year’s of Cars” car show to benefit The Pine School. This show draws collectors from all over the country. What types of vehicles will be there? Talkin' Tourism has an insiders tip...a 1941 Packard, The Blue Hornet and cars from numerous private collections rarely seen by the public.

To get the inside scoop on the largest boat show between Stuart and Annapolis, Maryland, join Talkin' Tourism tomorrow, Friday, January 15, at 10 a.m., live from the FLAHAMA/Harborage booth. Tune your radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM or your computer browser to http://www.wpsl.com/. And, if you're in the area, stop on by the booth and say hello!

Oct 16 Wrap: To drill or not to drill? Not a simple question.

Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast cranked it up a notch with this week's guest, State Representative William Snyder (District 82), who was on hand to discuss the topic of offshore drilling.

Points covered included the economic benefits offshore drilling may provide to help Florida relieve its current $2.4 billion budget deficit, environmental concerns and safeguards, and how exploration and drilling technology has improved since the ban on offshore drilling went into effect here in Florida in 1990.

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors also discussed St. Lucie County's progress in establishng tourism and sporting endeavors with Grand Bahama Island. And, they touched upon the two-month new Coastal Angler Magazine Flahama issue that's being well-received both in Florida and the Bahamas.

Robin issued the Getaway Giveaway question of the week, which is: Who is Florida's featured artist for Historic Preservation Month? First one to send the correct answer to talkintourism@gmail.com wins a Harborage Yacht Club & Marina 3-day, 2-night boaters getaway.

Talkin' Tourism is pleased to serve as a platform for providing information on this lively, provocative and potentially emotional issue. Talkin' Tourism will continue to keep listeners informed through various guests in the future. If you wish to appear as a guest on the show to provide information, perspective or a point of view on this topic, please contact Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast at talkintourism@gmail.com The only criteria for being granted an appearance on the show regarding this issue is that you or the organization you represent be engaged in the tourism industry.

Special thanks to Representative William Snyder for taking time out of his busy schedule to appear on the show.

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

Guests and subject line-up for this week's show (Friday at 10 a.m.) to be posted later this week.

CORRECTION: Listeners, please note that the reference to Enid Atwater as the wife of Senate President Jeff Atwater was certainly incorrect. Ms. Enid Atwater is Jeff Atwater’s sister.

What's a Legendary Diver, Top Resort Manager, Lear Jet Pilot and a Gnome 'Without a Home' have in Common?

ANSWER: They were all on (or mentioned) Talkin' Tourism's live radio remote from Green Turtle Club Resort and Marina on Friday, August 21.

As promised, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast radio hosts took the show on the high seas (or in this case, high altitude) and broadcast from beautiful Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas.

What a great time! Green Turtle Club Resort and Marina manager Molly McIntosh, Brendal James Stevens of famed Brendal’s Dive Center and Talkin Tourism pilot (for this trip) Steve Postill covered all aspects of the Treasure Coast/Islands of the Bahamas connection.

It was another FLAHAMA(TM) mission of goodwill and more Treasure Coast “dots” were revealed and connected on this trip, including a lady who used to regularly bring her boat to Pirates Cove Resort and Marina, the self-declared “Bahamian Sister” of a local Stuart charter captain, the Grady-White boating group out of Vero Beach, and many more.

Listeners learned how affordable private air charter is to the Bahamas. They also witnessed first-hand a typical island challenge that Talkin' Tourism hosts had to overcome during this week's show (called 'no current--thank goodness for generators).

Special thanks to Molly McIntosh, Linda, John and the entire staff of Green Turtle Club and Marina for their awesome hospitality.

Brendal, we will be back to take that special dive trip we missed this time, count on it!

It’s a great show. Grab a Kalik or a Sand's and enjoy this week’s Green Turtle edition, you won’t be sorry. Download it HERE.

See photos from the trip here:
'See' you on Friday!

March 13 Show all about Destination Weddings and Florida's Cool State Parks

The March 13th show was a real eye opener. Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Conners were surprised to learn that one of only 42 Master Bridal Consultants in the world, AnnaMarie Wintercorn , lives right here on the Treasure Coast! AnnaMarie shared with the listening audience how important destination weddings are to the tourism industry. Wedding guests come from all compass points to share in the celebrated event.

While attending the wedding, often arriving several days before and staying several days after, many of these guests are seeing the area for the first time and will certainly return on their own vacation. Hear how everyone WINS by promoting the Treasure Coast as a wedding destination.

Martin Morse, park services specialist opened up the fascinating world of the Florida State Park System. Listen and learn about Martin’s “top picks” for the most unique Florida State Parks, from the coral reefs of John Pennekamp State Park to the Waukulla State Park with the largest and deepest fresh water springs in the world to the fascinating stalagmites and stalactites of Florida Caverns State Park.

Last but certainly not least during the top of the show, Gary Guertin recapped the excitement of Bahama Night with the Consul General Mrs. Gladys Johnson-Sands in attendance, along with many Flahama partners in attendance featuring Mango “the best one man calypso band” in the Bahamas providing toe-tapping entertainment.

Bahamas update and Martin County introduces new tourism segments: Agri-tourism and Industrial-tourism

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin shared with listeners today some of his "experiences" at the Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour last weekend, including the hospitality of Bob Kramm, Michael Choiniere and the entire Abaco Beach Resort staff, as well as Captain Marvin Steiding, a former Pirates Cove Resort & Marina charter operator, who took Gary and a group to Hope Town and Great Guana Cay aboard the Reel Candy.

From there, Gary and his co-host Robin Hicks-Connors, introduced Allon Fish, the CEO and executive director of the Indiantown Chamber of Commerce. He described in good detail the fact that at this time there is really only one hotel, the Seminole Inn, in western Martin County. He discussed the Dupuis Reserve and that folks are lobbying FPL to open up Barley Barber, which contains a one-mile boardwalk running through a cypress swamp of large bald cypress, red maples, and cabbage palms. Also discussed was the Indiantown rodeo, and Bike Fest scheduled for Sunday, March 29 (expected to draw 4,000 people).

Other highlights:

• Western Martin County has "Agri-tourism." OJ doesn't grow on trees in half-gallon containers. Folks can learn more about the citrus and cattle industries in Indiantown.

• Indiantown International Airport has the longest grass strip in the country.

• Lots of new construction and building in Indiantown is going to lead to "industrial-tourism." Housing, restaurants and other services are are needed to support the new FPL Solar Plan, a new Florida gas line, and the remodeling of two schools.

• The history of the Martin County Fair was discussed. The first fair 50 years ago drew 7,500 people; this year's fair is expected to draw 70,000.

As soon as the audio file for today's show is available, it'll be posted here for your listening pleasure!

To view shots from the Abaco trip click HERE.