The serenity of gardens and the art of bonsai

Amy Dahan, Adina Lerhman, Robin Hicks-Connors,
Patrick Giacobee and Gary Guertin on location at
Heathcote Gardens, Fort Pierce, Florida.

Lately it seems that Talkin’ Tourism has been spending lots of time "in the bush."  But this time, the bush was  the beauty and serenity of Heathcote Botanical Gardens in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Host Gary Guertin shared with listeners that on his recent visits to The Retreat in Nassau, Bahamas (headquarters for the Bahamas National Trust) and Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre (also located in Nassau), it was fascinating to walk the garden paths, which led from one “room” to another. In Radio Man's (Gary's island name) words: "You could pretend that you were anywhere in the tropical world!"  With co-host Robin Hicks-Connors (aka History Lady) back on the show, the radio duo enjoyed walking colorful gardens from around the world in along Florida's Treasure Coast.

Leading the botanical charged episode was Amy Dahan, the director of  Heathcote Botanical Gardens. Amy is passionate about what she does, and she shared the colorful history of the gardens, illustrating with words how it evolved into what it is today. Laying claim to fame for one of the largest bonsai collections in the world by a single bonsai master, James J. Smith, Heathcote’s bonsai curator, Patrick Giacobbe dazzled the show's hosts with his knowledge of the art of bonsai gardening. If you listened in, you learned along with Gary and Robin that the art is indeed “bonsai” not “banzai,” as in Banzai Pipeline.

Adina Lerhman, Heathcote education coordinator brought back shades of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s with her knowledge and passion for all things organic. Yes, Heathcote has a Community Garden but what is done with the produce? Is tilling the soil bad? If yes, why? Even if you are not a plant fan, you should find the answers to these questions pretty interesting.

Bahamas Updates were covered, along with some great Treasure Coast activities, including  the Martin County 5th Annual Reef Builders Fishing Tournament and Lionfish Round Up, as well as the Hobe Sound B-B-Q festival.

Last but not least, the show had an unexpected caller, who was involved with Heathcote Nursery back in the earliest of days. Normally call-ins aren't taken, but this was an exception. Benjamin made the show with his first-hand recollection of working with the nursery and the Crimmins family, who founded the nursery many years ago. Many thanks to Benjamin for calling in.

For a look at Heathcote Botanical Gardens, be sure to check out this week's photo album, which is below!

For your listening pleasure, here's the audio file of this episode.

See you on Friday for another edutaining edition of Talkin' Tourism.

"Grayton Beach Affair" - A Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast (and Beyond!) Book Review

On prior shows, the subject of Literary Tourism has come up.

Literary tourism is a type of cultural tourism related to events, places or fictional characters in books.

Literary tourists will travel to places where authors were born, where they lived, or are currently living.  Literary tourists also visit the destinations, restaurants, shops and other venues profiled in books to experience them first-hand.

This is a first for Talkin' Tourism--a book review. We accepted the assignment since it falls into the realm of literary tourism. Those who know Florida, will be transported back to the sleepy seaside town of Grayton Beach. Those who don't know Florida, will learn more about the southern flavor of the Gulf Coast.

Regardless of which category you fit in, if you are a literary tourist, it just might spur a visit to Grayton Beach to discover or rediscover the beach dunes, seaside restaurants, history and small town charm.

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Grayton Beach Affair

For those of you who love to visit Florida’s Gulf Coast, and even those who don’t, put the Grayton Beach Affair on your spring and summer reading lists.

Author James Harvey combines a romance and war story set in the 1940’s in the seaside town of Grayton Beach. Harvey paints a vivid picture of not only Florida’s panhandle, but also Paris, France and Germany during World War II and the French Résistance, interweaving espionage, suspense, sacrifice, survival, passion and romance.

Main characters Christian Wolfe and Maggie Neal meet accidently during a stateside German prisoner of war rescue effort. Although their interlude in Grayton Beach is short, it sets the stage for a love that is rekindled post-war near Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Georgia.

Grayton Beach Affair is a quick and easy read, and combines elements that will appeal to both women and men. Harvey captures the southern and Florida small town beachside cultures perfectly.

Grayton Beach Affair will join the collection of Florida-themed books in our personal library.

Keep those Florida-based novels coming Mr. Harvey.

Spring Training, Sports Tourism, and Tourism Marketing

It's always enlightening to have Treasure Coast Sports Commission executive director Tom Colucci on the show. Tom has been committed to the promotion of sports tourism on the Treasure Coast for over a decade and he says he has seen lots of progress.

One element of progress Tom covered in this week's show was the return of the Florida Police and Fire Games. It's a great compliment to the Treasure Coast that a group as large as this one, has chosen to com back for another two years:  2011 and 2012.

So what's happening with the Vero Beach Sports Village? Tom filled us in on how the former home of the Los Angeles Dodgers is coming back alive with new initiatives and activities. He also shares his thoughts on Governor Scott's pledge to promoite not just sports tourism, but general tourism, to get Florida back on it's feet.

Another Treasure Coast tourism veteran shared the microphone with Tom, Rozeta Mahboubi, the executive director of the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Rozeta (aka Z) has strong feelings about trade shows and the value of this long-stay travel promotional platform as a destination marketing strategy. In addition to sharing the roster of recent shows she has attended, Rozeta explained the differences between, consumer shows, media shows and travel agent shows, and why they are all important.

Rozeta subscribes to a philosophy she coins as ROR. It's on the same wave-length as ROI (return on investment) but with a Z-factor. ROR? If you missed the show and Rozeta's ROR scoop, you're going to want to download last week's Talkin' Tourism show to hear it directly from Rozetta herself. It's definitely worth hearing.

Swashbuckler news, boating news, tournament news and what Treasure Coast marina was recently designated as a second departure point for this coming summer’s Bahamas Boating Fling Programme were all in the mix as well, so if you're here to download the show, enjoy and have a great week!

Pitching Camp Along the Okeechobee Waterway

This week's guests:  Capt. Mike Conner, Joe Pilla
and Mike Nichols.

After a very short drive west from Stuart, the Talkin’ Tourism’ team was in the woods heading down Lost River Road and entering Phipps Park. Joe Pilla, supervisor of Phipps Park, stood ready to greet Gary and Robin and to welcome them to the great outdoors! After quickly converting the supervisor's residence into the on-the-road studio, the duo were ready to talk camping and, as usual, the fun began.

Joe painted pictures with words, detailing the Phipps Park's features and amenities. From traditional primitive sites to RV sites with electric and water connections, Phipps Park is well-suited to accommodate camping and RV enthusiasts. Joe told us where the park's guests come from, both during the off-season as well as during the traditional in-season. He even shared that not all guests come from afar, meaning locals like to get off the grid sometimes too and the park is a great escape not far away (hmmmmm....sounds like a tourism campaign).

Camping is traditionally a family endeavor and Phipps Park features a few amenities specifically designed for families with children. For river fishing enthusiasts, Phipps Park is a perfect venue!

There is always some truth to rumors, and in this case, the rumor turned out to be true. Mark Nichols, founder of D.O.A. Fishing Lures, and fishing guide extraordinaire Capt. Mike Conner made guest appearances on the show. Both enthusiastically shared the various types of fishing available in the waterways borderin the park. These two fishing professionals certainly know their stuff.

If you are a visitor thinking about a camping vacation in Martin County or a local contemplating a camping stay-cation, download last Friday’s show, pop out some marshmallows, light up the camp fire, and don't forget to gather the kids and grab your favorite fishing pole. You're in for a real treat! To see photos of the park, see the slide slow below.

• Download the January 28 Talkin' Tourism show.
• Download the Phipps Park brochure.

Treasure Coast Tourism Forecast from the 'Experts'

What happens when you get two Realtors and a marina/boatyard general manager in one place and give them a chance to talk? A great show of course! Thanks to Todd Doss (REMAX of Stuart), Jeannie Baron (Beach Front Mann Realty) and John Smith (River Forest Yachting Centers), this week’s show shed great light on the importance of valued seasonal residents.

Points covered during the hour broadcast include new trends in today's fragile economy, the ways valued seasonal landlubbers and boaters contribute to regional economies, which county in South Florida had the highest average hotel rom rate and which one had the highest occupancy, and how this August's tourism figures compared to last year's.

If your business depends on the southern migration of this important group of people, you will know that you are not alone! Tune in and you’ll hear the group's forecast for this winter season.

Besides the main topic of the day, show hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors dove into other fun topics and community events lining up along the Treasure Coast. For avid offshore anglers, the duo talked about the Bahamas Wahoo Challenge. The first leg is right around the corner and it's on one of Gary and Robin's favorite Bahamian islands.

As always, the hour flew by! See you next Friday, same time (10:05 a.m), same station (WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/). And, please pass along to your favorite valued seasonal resident, family and friends the link to Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast (and Beyond!).

In case you missed the show, here's the (9/24/2010) audio file for your listening pleasure!

Booked this Week---Literary Tourism

Certainly by now listeners have come to realize that there are many different types of  tourism—ecotourism, geotourism, sports tourism, heritage tourism and more. As Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast continues to bring our listeners the latest in tourism trends and information, hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors will keep you on the cutting edge of this fascinating industry.

What’s up this week? Literary Tourism. No, this does not mean that you have to pass a reading test or create a bibliography before going on your next vacation. Literary Tourism is defined as: a type of cultural tourism that deals with places and events from fictional texts as well as the lives of their authors. This could include following the route a fictional character charts in a novel, visiting particular settings from a story or tracking down the haunts of a novelist.

To explore this tourism segment, Gary and Robin have invited Stuart-based author Paul McElroy to share the airwaves. Paul has penned a number of great mystery novels, which include history, events, places and locations on the Treasure Coast. Some of Paul’s work includes Treasure Coast Deceit, Treasure Coast Gold and Treasure Coast Archipelago. Strap yourself in—Mr. McElroy is quite a character.

Next we'll find out if and how literary tourism impacts Treasure Coast libraries and book stores. Judi Snyder, Associate Director of Public Services at the Martin County Library System, will provide more insight on the library system's annual Book Mania!, which just completed its 16th year.

Each and every Talkin' Tourism helps keep you up on Treasure Coast events and happenings, Bahamas updates, giveaways and lots of fun. You never know what surprises are in store or what unannounced guests might make an unexpected appearance in our studio. Tune in to WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/ this Friday (Feb 19) at 10 a.m. to enjoy the show (and fun) live from the Captain’s Lounge at Harborage Yacht Club and Marina.

Share a Little Sunshine Campaign Re-Launching Today

Today in Miami, Governor Crist helped re-launch the Share a Little Sunshine campaign. The Florida tourism industry challenges all Floridians to do just that---Share a Little Sunshine.

The video below tells you why and more details are listed below. To learn more about the campaign and to send an invitation, visit http://www.sharealittlesunshine.org/.

Share a Little Sunshine---The cause? Helping our state's economy by helping encourage tourism - an industry responsible for a million Florida jobs and about a fifth of the state's economy.

How can you help? Send a postcard or invitation to friends or family. It's as easy as that. Each invitation carries with it a special discount or offer - to friends and family of Floridians. So you're not only sharing Florida sunshine, you're also sharing Florida opportunities.

What's in for you? When you love Florida, Florida loves you back. In addition to helping your own state's economy, we'll thank you by entering you to win a Sunshine vacation.

It's really simple. When you send an invitation, the person you invite gets your invitation plus a special offer. You get entered for a chance to win a Florida vacation, and Florida's economy may benefit from another visitor.

Up this Week---Mix of Aquatics, Baseball, Short-term Accommodations, Offshore Drilling and Seafood

Fresh from a remote broadcast from Bimini in the Bahamas, this week Talkin' Tourism hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors settle back in the Captain's Lounge at Harborage Yacht Club and Marina. What’s in store for listeners? A potpourri of baseball, aquatics, Super Bowl accommodations, offshore drilling, and seafood.

With the traditional baseball spring training season set to gear up on March 2, it’s time to welcome back Tom Colucci, executive director of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission. Tom will share his perspectives on the impact of sports upon Treasure Coast tourism. Talkin' Tourism hosts plan to ask him what’s happening with DogerTown and his thoughts on how the recently approved Martin County Aquatics Center might impact local tourism. If anyone knows, it’s Tom.

If you've have ever thought about turning your home or condo into a short-term accommodation, then the next segment of tomorrow's show is just for you. Rumor has it that many folks in South Florida are considering turning their homes into short-term accommodations to meet expected lodging demands for the influx of visitors coming to the 2010 Super Bowl Game, which will be hosted in Miami on February 7. What are the opportunities and what are the pitfalls to avoid? Christine Karpinski, director of HomeAway’s Owner Community, a leading international expert, will be calling in from her corporate offices in Texas to offer advice for those who might be considering turning their home into a short-term 'bed and breakfast.'

The Treasure Coast would not be the Treasure Coast without great festivals and events. Randy Roberts, the sponsorship/parking chair of the Port Salerno Seafood Festival and Butch Olsen, Jr, president of the Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Authority, will be in the studio to give listeners all the info they need to max out their enjoyment of this year’s expanded fest.

With the “drill or not to drill” issue coming before State legislators this spring, Surfrider Foundation Treasure Coast Chapter board member Carter Hall will share the Surfrider Foundation’s position on the issue. What does this have to do with tourism? Well many people think that drilling (and if there is an accident/spill) will place Florida’s number one industry in jeopardy. Is there a compromise? We'll explore that and other issues tomorrow.

Listen LIVE at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, January 28 on WPSL 1590 AM or online at http://www.wpsl.com/.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Fan submittal on the Port Salerno Seafood Festival Facebook Fan Page.

What's Tourism have to do with Bootlegging and Oil Rigs

OCTOBER 30 SHOW SUMMARY

The Real McCoy Rum Runner Party to celebrate the grand opening of the Maritime and Classic Boat Museum (formally known as the Maritime and Yachting Museum for Florida) spawned a conversation between Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors about the real 'Real McCoy' and his legend on the Treasure Coast as a fisherman and part-time bootlegger/rum runner. There were some amazing and interesting tidbits of info tht can be very useful at a cocktail party this Season.

Anne Schmidt, chairperson for the Real McCoy Rum Runner planning committee and Allison Partin, a committee member specializing in recruiting local restaurants to provide samples of their specialties at events, described what is going to be a great event. The party takes place at Indian Riverside Park on Friday, November 13, begins at 6:30 p.m. and will "last until the rum has run out!" (That's the official wording straight from the postcard invitation!)

After the rum talk, the discussion turned to tourism's impact upon the Treasure Coast community. Host Gary Guertin expressed his opinion on whether the local community truly really appreciates and understands the importance of the tourism industry or not.

A few statewide issues surfaced during the hour. Not pleased that Florida is considering allowing the drilling for oil on the state's west coast? Then you may want to learn about 'Hands Across The Sands,' a grassroots effort fighting the drilling initiative. Next, listeners learned what has 1,094 brand new guest rooms and sits directly in the middle of International Drive in Orlando. If you missed the October 30 show, you can download and listen to it HERE.

Coming up this week, tune in to find out if Francis Langford aka 'History Lady' was a smash at the Meet Me at the USO party in downtown Stuart on Halloween night. Until then, be safe, have fun, and enjoy life and living on Florida’s beautiful Treasure Coast!

Pineapples and Airplanes

'Season' is just around the corner. What does that mean? It means that the calendar of great things to do kicks into high gear.

Two great events that have become hallmarks on the Treasure Coast are the Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival and the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) Air Show. Both family-friendly events are multi-day affairs and offer diverse experiences.

The Pineapple Festival celebrates Jensen Beach’s Sister-City relationship with Gregory Town, Eleuthera. Did you know that Gregory Town has been growing pineapples on the islands rocky soil since the early 1800’s? How did this relationship develop? Ron Rose, the executive director of the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, will provide the details.

Up, up and away…no, not in my beautiful balloon, but in just about any type of aircraft you can imagine. The VNA Air Show 2009 is coming to an airport near you—Witham Field that is—on November 14 and 15. This event is attend by thousands each year and thrills crowds of all ages. Dan Crow, Community Liaison for the Visiting Nurses Association of Florida and coordinator of the air show, will also be in the studio to give an in-depth view of what visitors can expect at this year's event.

Tune in tomorrow, October 23 (Friday) at 10 a.m. (WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.org/) to find out if anything is new on the 'To Drill or not To Drill' issue, and so much more. 'See' you tomorrow!

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.

Inaugural Show!

LIVE from the Captain's Lounge of the Harborage Yacht Club and Marina, this week's guests included Tom Colucci, executive director of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission, and Alyse Caldwell, co-owner of Captain Chris Yacht Services and also co-producer of the 2009 Stuart Boat Show Trawler Expo.

Special thanks to cohost Robin Hicks-Connors, president and chief executive officer of the Martin County Historical Society, who'll be onboard as cohost for the next several weeks.

Tom Colucci commended Martin County on the asset of Halpatiokee Regional Park and suggested a Florida-Bahamas golf challenge introduced a few years ago needs to be revived. Let's find the trophy!

Alyse reported that boat show and Trawler Expo attendees came from as far away as Novia Scotia, Maine and Alabama. Seminars this year ranged from provisioning, how to protect your skin from the sun, to hands-on demonstrations on how to dock a boat. A great beginning for this inaugural segment to the Stuart Boat Show.

Listen to 'Talkin' Tourism' every Friday on WPSL 1590 AM in the 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. timeslot. Send your comments, suggestions and tourism news to talkintourism@gmail.com.