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.

In Celebration of Kingfish and Navy Seals

PHOTO CREDITS:  Paul's Travel Pictures

Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond) host Gary Guertin and special guest host Ed Griffith are headed 'up-island', South Hutchinson Island that is, to check out what’s happening at the Sandhurst Hotel and Suites, which is located on the waterfront overlooking the Fort Pierce Inlet. Touting "something for everyone," the crew is looking forward to the field trip and exploring the waterfront property. Ryan O’Connor, the property's general manger, will be on hand to describe the amenities and features of this South Hutchinson Island getaway.

In addition to learning about Sandhurst Hotel & Suites, a couple of major events descending on Fort Pierce and the Treasure Coast in just about four weeks will take center stage. What are they? Glad you asked. The first will bring anglers from around the country, and perhaps the world, for the Southern Kingfish Association's SKA Championship Tournament. When these angling teams arrive, you'll know it's all about the "catching" and not just the "fishing" as these fishing afficionadoes are in pursuit of a championship!

Jack Holmes, the co-founder and managing partner of SKA, will give listeners the ins and outs of the tournament, discuss its enormous popularity, and tell us where the competitors come from. Ed Killer, fishing and boating writer for Scripps/Treasure Coast Newspapers and Talkin' Tourism's resident fishing guru, will provide the big picture on how important these kind of events are to our marine tourism stakeholders.

Our second headliner this week is the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, which is celebrating its 25th annual Muster Day and SEAL Memorial dedication the same weekend as the SKA Championship. Muster Day and the SEAL Memorial dedication is forecast to draw 12,000 to 15,000 attendees alone to the area. The museum's executive director Capt. Michael Howard and museum curator Ruth McSween will run down all the activities associated with the celebration, which include a 5K beach run/walk, demonstrations by Navy SEAL teams, parachute drops, mock battles and more!  In addition, they'll describe the one-of-a-kind memorial, dedicated to the fallen in this elite group who served our coutnry and made the ultimate sacrifice, which will be dedicated during weekend activities.

Besides these great Treasure Coast topics, Gary and Ed will talk about everything from how your family can win an opportunity to cover the unveiling of the Royal Caribbean’s new luxury cruise ship, the Allure of the Seas, as official USA Today correspondents, to where the latest lionfish have been spotted in local rivers. All great stuff! So, set you radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM or go to http://www.wpsl.com/ to listen live. 'See' you Friday from  Ft. Pierce!

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!

The new Buzz around Fort Pierce, and your friendly neighborhood pirate

Well, me saucy wenches and scalawags, this week’s show was a-Buzz with excitement, fun and tons of information. It even included a professional pillager of a guest, well-known Treasure Coast privateer Don Pedro Gilberto. For the non-pirating audience out there, a privateer is a pirate who is officially sanctioned by a national power.

Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast had Ed Griffith fill in for History Lady, who went underground to do some special recon for next week’s show. Ed, thanks for a fabulous job once again! First up was Buzz Smyth, self-proclaimed "Tourism Warrior" of Fort Pierce. Buzz proved to be a formidable opponent for Radio Man in the tourism realm, and there is no doubt - he's working his biscuits off to make things happen in Fort Pierce. Listen in and find out what pixie dust he’ll sprinkle around town to help bring in the crowds.

Gary and Ed were pleased to have privateer Don Pedro Gilberto join the fray. A bit of a scalawag, but nevertheless, he really added another dimension to the show. Officially sanctioned by the Treasure Coast region, he reflected on his past days sailing the high seas off the Treasure Coast. In fact, there's still a motherload of booty for our visitors to discover on the Treasure Coast, according to Don Pedro…What say you, Matey? Got a treasure map to borrow, by any chance?

Talkin' Tourism also brought in another VISIT FLORIDA Insider this week, and just like Jill Martin in last week's show, Hilda Mitrani knows how to travel around the Sunshine State. Hilda, an Off-the-Beaten-Path Insider, has a reputation for finding Florida's hidden gems.

Specializing in the lesser-known Florida activities and destinations, Hilda was duly impressed with the area and plans to promote the Treasure Coast in a big way on her VISIT FLORIDA blog. Listen in and hear what Hilda has to say about the Treasure Coast!

Until next time landlubbers, you know where to find those scurvy dogs who talk about tourism - check out the show Fridays at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM, or log onto http://www.wpsl.com/!

Ladies are Landing the Big Ones, Thanks to Betty

Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast is on a roll! For the second time in two weeks, Robin and Gary are going to have a VISIT FLORIDA Insider in the house.

Our upcoming guest Hilda Mitrani knows Martin County might not exactly be a tourist destination, but that's exactly why the Treasure Coast area might appeal to her. As a VISIT FLORIDA Off the Beaten Path Insider, Hilda seeks out the nooks and crannies of Florida looking for diamond-in-the-rough attractions. A big city Miami native herself, Hilda might just help put Martin County on the beaten path when she checks out and talks up the area's charm.

Will the self-designated “tourism warrior,” Radio Man, a.k.a. Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau Chairman Gary Guertin, meet his match? This week you will meet Harold “Buzz” Smyth, whose both nickname and tourism prowess rival Radio Man. Buzz recently accepted a professional services contract with the city of Fort Pierce to jumpstart the tourism effort in this historic Florida coastal city. What pixie dust can he sprinkle on tourism stakeholders that the Tourism Development Council and other organizations already haven't tried? Should be a very interesting discussion with this idea man.

Get ready fellas, because the ladies are dropping anchor in the fishing world. Betty Bauman, founder of the popular and well-publicized “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” seminars, will be talking with us about angling for the X chromosome. Her one-of-a-kind program provides women of all ages the chance to learn the ropes - from backing a boat trailer to rigging ballyhoo, and from using a cast net to offshore and inshore angling. Betty will call in this Friday to let us know when Ladies, Let's Go Fishing! will be hitting our area again.

Tune in to start your weekend early on Friday (10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or www.wpsl.com), and hear what Betty, Buzz and Hilda have to say during this week’s edition of Talkin' Tourism with your hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors.

--Photo from ladiesletsgofishing.com