Spanish Galleons, Cracker Houses and Pint-Sized Florida Towns for Kids

Most museums on the Treasure Coast are devoted to specific genres that typically appeal more to adults...art museums, natural arts, period museums and historical museums. Enter the museum especially built for children, where everything is purposely designed with kids in mind. In Jensen Beach at Indian Riverside Park, the Treasure Coast is extremely fortunate to have a children's museum , and especially one that celebrates the Treasure Coast's heritage. What woulc be more fitting than exhibits like a 60-foot replica Spanish Galleon built exclusively for the enjoyment of children? Or a child-sized Floridian town, with a grocery store, a traditional Floridian cracker house, a wellness center and a beach-themed toddler play area?

This week the executive director of the Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast's executive director Tammy Calabria, will provide all the details on how this unique attraction for the Children's Museum became a reality. She'll also share the various educational enrichment activities at the museum that bring history alive for children.

Arts and culture are alive on the Treaasure Coast, even for children! Listen in tomorrow (Friday, January 7) to WPSL 1590 AM or online at http://www.wpsltv.com/ and learn more on how the Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast brings history alive!

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:

Marine Industries and Art ready to take center-stage on the Treasure Coast

How much information can you pack into a one hour show? Apparently quite a bit if you took in Friday's show!

Kicking off the first show of the year, Mark Amaral of the Association of Marina Industries (AMI) and Rachel LaMarre, co-coordinator of the International Marina and Boatyard Conference, called in from AMI headquarters in frigid Warren, Rhode Island. Mark and Rachel provided listeners with great information about the upcoming International Marina and Boatyard Conference slated for January 27-29 in Tampa, Florida. Over 600 persons are expected to attend from around the country and from around the world! Some as far away as Australia, the United Kingdom, Dubai and Spain. Florida is still an international tourism destination! 

Ft. Lauderdale is the location for the 2011 Conference. Could Martin County be the site of the 2012 conference?

Moving from conferences to fine arts and crafts, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce volunteer Carla Stiles talked up the 4th Annual Jensen Beach Fine Arts and Crafts Show coming up January 16-17, which kicks off the 2010 Cultural Arts Season.

Next up was Capt.’s Chris and Alyse Caldwell pumping up the 36th Annual Stuart Boat Show and the 2nd Annual Cruiser Expo. Nearly 50 boats will be staying at Harborage Yacht Club and Marina. The boating community is certainly doing its part to boost marine tourism!

The sailfish bite in the 30th Annual Pelican Yacht Club Billfish Invitational, which ended the Treasure Coast Sailfish Championship for this season, was phenomenal! As of Wednesday, just after two days of fishing the 29 boats competing were zeroing in on the all time record of 386 releases set in 2004. The amazing thing is that in  2004, 53 boats were competing compared to 29 this year. Speaking of records, Talkin' Tourism co-host Robin Hicks-Connors shared the date of what year over 1,000 sailfish were caught in one week!

Thanks for tuning in. The next Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast will broadcast live from the Stuart Boat Show. Stop by the Flahama booth between 10 a.m. and 11 a..m. on Friday (January 15) to meet show hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors, and perhaps to say a few words on the air.

If you missed this week's show, you can download or listen to it here.

Practice Safe Travel and Watch those Black Cats

NOVEMBER 13, 2009 SHOW SUMMARY

Travel safety is a concern shared by most travelers. An unfortunate “happening” can ruin what should have been a great vacation. It doesn’t have to be a major event. Something as simple as losing your travel documents or returning your room key card can turn into a real hassle.

Laura Passanesi, community programs practitioner and volunteer coordinator for the Martin County Sheriff’s Office discussed on our last show basic but important concepts to help ensure a safe(er) travel experience. As a matter of fact, your personal safety plan starts right at home!

Talkin Tourism’s monthly Getaway Giveaway Promotion is off to a great start. In the studio today was Fred Rutzke, owner of the popular Jensen Beach. Florida property, Caribbean Shores Hotel and Resort on the beautiful Indian River Lagoon. Fred provided a great description of his unique property. Listen in and you will certainly want to get in on this opportunity.

Are you superstitious? Talkin' Tourism couldn't let Friday the 13th escape without some references to this celebrated day. Did you know that acorns are supposed to keep lightning away if placed on a window sill? Is it good luck or bad luck if the first butterfly you see in a year is white? More superstition nuggests were shared on the show. If you missed the live broadcast of the show, listen to it or download it HERE.

Thank you for being a fan of Talkin' Tourism. And, please feel free to share the blog link with family and friends around the globe.


PHOTO: This week's guests: Laura Passanesi, Martin County Sheriff's Office and Fred Rutzke Caribbean Shores.

Update from Frances Langford Tournament Captain's Briefing (May 1)

Short clip from the Captain's briefing at the Frances Langford Memorial Fishing Tournament: 

Show Two: Butch Olsen, Ed Griffith and surprise guest, Nicole Wellington

Here's the highlights from the Jan. 16 show: Butch Olsen, Jr. gave listeners an update on the commercial fishing industry and the third annual Port Salerno Seafood Festival, which organizers were expecting a crowd of more than 20,000. The festival celebrates the thriving commerical fishing industry and raises money for a number of non-profit causes. Believe it or not, but over one million pounds of fish come across the commercial fishing docks every year.

Talkin' Tourism host, Gary Guertin, highlighted the importance of working waterfronts on tourism, "Folks like to walk the docks and talk with the fisherman. There aren't many communities where that can still happen."

Show co-host Robin Hicks-Connors, president and CEO of the Martin County Historical Society, provided listeners and the studio audience a history lesson on Port Salerno. "Port Salerno has actually had five names: Alicia, after Henry Flagler's wife; Mumford; Salerno; and eventually Port Salerno because it sounded more magical and because it was a safe haven."

Ed Griffith, the general manager of the Courtyard Hutchinson Island Oceanside/Jensen Beach and the new incoming president of the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the importance of tourism and the fact that tourists don't know political boundaries. "Guests at our property dine, shop and play up and down the coast. They don't care whether they're in St. Lucie County, Martin County or another county." Show host Gary Guertin pointed out that regional tourism officials need to look at a broader scope when marketing the area instead of focusing just on their respective geographical boundaries.

During his presidency of the chamber, Griffith plans to focus efforts on increasing recognition of Jensen Beach as a travel destination.

This week's show also had an unannounced guest, Nicole Wellington, the sales manager for one of Martin County's newest hotels, the Hampton Inn and Suites North Stuart, which opened Labor Day weekend. Nicole, who also sits on the board of the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the Hampton Inn's occupancy levels are good and that she's looking forward to a good season. Ed Griffith also confirmed occupancy levels at his property are good.

Guest's for the Jan 30 show will include Allon Fish, executive director of the Indiantown Chamber of Commerce, and a representative from the Arts Council, who will detail what's scheduled for ArtsFest and beyond.

Download this week's show HERE.