Prohibition's "King of Rum Row" - Bill McCoy (The Real McCoy)

Closing out the month of October and the 'slow season,' this Friday, October 30, Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors will talk up The Real McCoy Rum Runner Party (November 13th), an event celebrating the grand opening of the Maritime and Yachting Museum (MYM) of Florida's new galleries at the Francis Langford Pavilion, Indian Riverside Park, Jensen Beach, Florida.

Ann Schmidt, a MYM of Florida board member and event chairperson, along with committee member Allison Partin, will join us in the Talkin' Tourism studio to share party details. The last of the local 'Rum Runner parties Radio Man (aka Gary) remembers were Sunday afternoons on the banks of the Indian River at the infamous Mr. Laff’s of yesteryear. Who knows, History Lady (aka Robin) may just fill us in on all of the great Bill McCoy legends! For more information on The Real McCoy Rumm Runner Party, click on the poster below.

This week, Gary and Robin will also discuss a variety of tourism topics. Time permitting one of those may include a new four state alliance, comprised of North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. The alliance is aimed at preserving and expanding coastal resources—the very resources the four states depend on for business and tourism. Other topics on the agenda: Florida lawmakers review of the $20-million pledged by the state for a animation studio at Tradition; the opening of the world’s largest Doubletree hotel in Orlando; and of course a continuation of the “Drill or Don’t Drill” discussion.

Will Gary survive the Owl's Howl Halloween Gala Ghoula at Harborage Thursday evening? What did he go as? What was the most extreme costume at the masquerade? And, what did the Harborage Yacht Club culinary team come up with for this year's event? To find out, tune in Friday, October 30 (WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/) at 10 a.m. for another fun-filled show from the Captain’s Lounge at Harborage Yacht Club and Marina!

Feb 5 Show Highlights

Guests Sheila Stewart-Leach, Mac McCartney, Ruth McSween and Rolf Snyder filled the show with lots of great information.

Sheila Stewart-Leach shared the history and future of the Maritime and Yachting Museum of Florida. Founded in 1991, the museum houses a number of antique boat engines, boat models, nautical library and more. Listen to the show to learn more about Stuart/Martin County's longstanding boating legacy, Ralph Evinrude's OMC engine testing facility, and plans for future exhibits.

Mac McCartney from the Stuart Heritage Museum offered local history tidbits, and details on the buildings included in this year's 2009 Annual Home Tour. Only 500 tickets will be sold;the tour, scheduled for Saturday, February 14.

Ruth McSween and Rolf Snyder described the history of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, located on North Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce. Ruth talked about the annual "muster," typically held on Veterans Day, where current SEALS demonstrate maneuvers using real explosives, 'leap frogs' (the original name for 'frogmen') jump (parachute) out of planes, and more.

Listen to the show HERE.

February 6 is 'Museum Week' on Talkin' Tourism

This week's guests on Talkin' Tourism are Sheila Leach-Stuart, executive director of the Maritime and Yachting Museum of Florida (MYM); Chris Sawicki, president of the Stuart Heritage Museum; and Ruth McSween, curator of the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum.

Leach-Stuart will discuss the Maritime and Yachting Museum of Florida's plans for a new 30,000 square foot facility at Indian Riverside Park, as well as the musuem's community activities, exhibits and collections. Be sure to listen for two great programs the musuem is presenting this month: 100 Years of British Shipbuilding presented by Ashley Ford on February 10; and for Black History Month--The Atlantic Slave Trade and Life Aboard the Slave Ships: A slide-illustrated presentation, by marine archeologist David Moore and Dr Jerome Handler, who is affiliated with Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.

Sawicki will highlight the homes and buildings featured in the Stuart Heritage Museum's 2009 annual home tour, which is scheduled for Saturday, February 14. This annual tour is in its 20th year and celebrates Stuart's heritage. Each year, about 500 tickets are sold, and the event attracts visitors from throughout the Treasure Coast and South Florida.

McSween will talk about the new memorial being built at the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, the only one in the nation dedicated exclusively to the US Navy SEALs. This Saturday, February 7, four artists will unveil their visions of the memorial, which will take into account weapons, poses, uniforms, heritage and history.

Listen to the show Friday, February 6 on WPSL 1590 AM at 10 a.m.; or check back after the show to download for listening on your computer or iPod.