Reefs, Blind Boat Challenges, Boat Races, Fight Like a Girl and Flying Turtles

A Tipsy Turtle! Image credit: www.itsy.com.

Talkin' Tourism Friends and Fans:

Over the last month and a half, Four Little Birds, LLC "has been as busy as a one-armed…..", well you get the drift.

With the acquisition  of the Treasure Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine in mid February, Four Little Birds, LLC has focused diligently on the improvement of the magazine.  As a result, we were a little behind in getting the pre-shows and post show wrap-ups posted to the blog.

So, with our apologies, here is a quick update on the most recent Talkin’ Tourism shows March 30th through May 4th  for your listening pleasure.

On the March 30th show, James Oppenborn, St. Lucie County Coastal Resources Supervisor, gave our listeners some great information on the continued deployment of nearshore and offshore reef habitat. It was truly fascinating to hear how quickly these resources create new sources of recreation for anglers and divers. Also, it was super to hear about all of the volunteer support they have for this special mission.

Moving along to the April 6th show, listeners were treated to a very special call in guest from Nassau, Bahamas.  Jerome Thompson, founder and president of Bahamas Disability Adventures, a passionate warrior for promoting awareness of the potential of persons with disabilities, shared details of an event planned for July 7th – The Blind Boat Challenge International. (We have since learned that the event has been postponed to a later date this Fall so watch for future details).  Other fun topics included info about “Bird” a new member of the Guertin flock, the Vero Beach Boat Show, Hook Kids on Fishing Seminars and new rules for accommodations regarding persons with disabilities.

The April 13th show was all about the return of the Stuart Sailfish Regatta, guests Sergio Nativi and Blair Pontek gave all of the info listeners needed to know about the return of powerboat racing in Martin County.

Moving along to April 20th, the Talkin' Tourism Team launched a new feature of the show. With the summer boating season around the corner, the Islands of the Bahamas are a natural destination, to promote the Treasure Coast/Bahamas connection, each week we have a Bahamian property as a call-in guest on the show. The April 20th show featured Mike Weber, general manager of the Bimini Big Game Club/Outpost Resort. Thank for all of the information Mike! We're certain lots of Treasure Coast residents and visitors will be headed to Bimini this summer!

The month of April flew by! On April 27th, it was time to have the Stuart Sailfish Club start promoting their upcoming Ladies Tournament--Fight Like a Girl, one of the longest running ladies tournaments around.  Char Griggs, executive director of the Stuart Sailfish Club and tournament committee member Jody Fogel, were more than happy to give us the history of the tournament and a view as to the role the Stuart Sailfish Club played in the early days of tourism promotion in Martin County.  Thanks ladies!

This show's Bahamas Update feature allowed us to feature Althea Johnson, reservations manager at the Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) located on Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas. For those diving enthusiasts wanting great diving in gin clear water with a wide variety of dive sites and experiences, look no further.

And, finally last week, May 4th we had a special guest co-host:  Talkin’ Tourism co-producer and Coastal Angler Magazine Treasure Coast and Bahamas co-publisher Misti Guertin had a chance to spend time on the air with show host and husband “Radio Man”.  What is HEW?  Misti will tell you all about it and more. Lots of fishing tournaments headed our way so listen to the show and pick the events you’ll be fishing.

We also had a great conversation with Molly MacIntosh (Director of Sales) and Lynn Johnson (General Manager), from Green Turtle Club and Marina, located on Green Turtle Cay, Abaco Bahamas.  Abaco is  a Treasure Coast “magnet” this time of year so we hope that their information will get you excited about heading to Abaco. Need a great dockage deal? They've got it! And, "Do Turtles Fly?" But of course, and no, we weren't drinking rum or Tipsy Turtle concoctions. Check out the show to get all the insider information that will make Abaco one of your favorite summer destination spots this year!

So, now you are all caught up.  Lots of great shows and great guests.

Promise we will stay on track going forward. Look for the pre-show for this Friday’s show soon.

Approaching Treasure Coast Events: Hook Kids on Fishing, No-License Fishing Days, Stuart Sailfish Regatta

It is a rare show indeed when History Lady and Radio Man go it alone without a guest but that is exactly what happened as planned and promoted in our pre-show lineup

Some of events and activities that the crew talked about during the show are now in the history books but there are plenty of things coming our way that you can learn about by downloading the show.  Some of those include what days in the coming months you can fish without a license (fresh and saltwater), how famed artist and conservationist Guy Harvey is helping Florida education, Hook Kids on Fishing clinics along the Treasure Coast, the Stuart Sailfish Regatta, and a whole lot more!  Here's the link to hear it all first-hand.

The winter visitor season is in full swing for the next couple of weeks and for those Talkin' Tourism fans or "newbies" who are here for only a few weeks, even when you return home you can be back on the Treasure Coast by catching the show every Friday at 10:05 a.m. streaming live at www.wpsltv.com.

Arts, Boats, Oysters, Fishin' & Guy Harvey FL Lottery Scratch-Off Collector Series

Guy Harvey (center) with Florida Lottery Secretary
Cythia O'Connell and Florida Wildlife Commission's Chuck Collins
at a press conference held on the opening day of the
Palm Beach International Boat Show.
PHOTO CREDIT: Coastal Angler Magazine.

This week, Radio Man and History Lady will do something a little different and actually be the guests of their own show. With so much going on along the Treasure Coast and in Palm Beach to our south, buckle in and hang on for today's ride because this is going to be a fast one!

So what will the dynamic tourism duo cover today? How about Arts Fest, the 27th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, the Vero Beach Boat Show, the Ft. Pierce Oyster Fest, and the approaching Stuart Sailfish Regatta.

Did you know Florida's Governor has set aside four days when you can fish without a fishing license. Hint, hint: one of those days falls close to Father's Day.

And, what new initiative is famed artist and conservationist Guy Harvey involved in? Talkin' Tourism's co-producer Misti Guertin was on hand for the press conference yesterday at the Palm Beach International Boat Show where the new initiative was unveiled. More details (photos and video links) to come.

And with all the "fish and boating talk", if time permits, Gary will tell listeners about three great Hook a Kid on Fishing clinics, designed for kids from ages 6 to 16, coming up next month in Hobe Sound, Fort Pierce and Sebastian, all in celebration of Earth Day

Tune in today (WPSL 1590 AM or www.wpsltv.com) at 10 a.m. for another informative and entertaining edition of Talkin’ Tourism.

Bimini remote highlights and the return of power boat racing on the Treasure Coast

Lindsay Nickerson and Chuck Woodruff, who were on hand
this week to talk about a former Treasure Coast tradition
that is being rebirthed, are joined by Talkin' Tourism co-host
Robin Hicks Connors.

Back in the Sailfish Marina studio, as promised, show hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors provided a round up on all the activities and cool places enjoyed during last week’s broadcast from Bimini Sands Resort and Marina on South Bimini. From all indications, Robin, Paul, Gary, Misti, Lynne and Joe had a “I want to go back there” weekend.

If you caught the show you know what was Robin’s favorite place for whole fried snapper, whether she truly liked (or loved) Mackey’s Sand Bar, who’s conch salad rated the best (Fabian’s or Bonefish Ebbie’s), what kind of audio-visual equipment can be found at the End of the World Saloon, where is Koko Plums, whether $hanny really gave Misti a genuine Junkanoo hat and a whole lot more! There is lots to learn about the 'Best of Bimini' and it is all right here! If you need a reason for a Bahamian adventure, replay the show and be forewarned, you'll be booking a trip in no time flat!

The main guests this week were American Power Boat Association Hall of Fame Inductee and Jensen Beach resident Chuck “Rookie” Woodruff and Lindsay Nickerson. For those of you that are “short-timers” on the Treasure Coast, Chuck described the great history of the Stuart Sailfish Regatta and the early days of power boat racing in Martin County. Why? Because a vision of  Chuck’s is to reincarnate the Sailfish Regatta to the biggest and baddest powerboat racing event around! Lindsay, gave a precursor of what to expect over the planned two-day event. In addition to world-class, sanctioned powerboat racing, attendees will enjoy live music, children’s activities, food and drink, and more. The best part besides bringing back a Treasure Coast tradition, is that a portion of proceeds will benefit three local non-profits:  the U.S. Sailing Center, the Children’s Museum and the Maritime and Classic Boat Museum. 

Last, but not least, Gary covered the record-setting pace of some of the world’s top sailfish anglers participating in two Treasure Coast tournaments.  The number of sailfish released in only one day of fishing is CRAZY! The Treasure Coast definitely rests in “Sailfish Alley”!

If you missed the show, here's the audio link for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!