Grand Bahama Fun and a Crazy White Man

Last week, was a wacky week for Radio Man. Changes in the itinerary for the trip to Grand Bahama made scheduling the location and guests for the show a little challenging to say the least. While we knew that Crazy White Man from COOL 96 FM, Freeport was to be the special guest co-host, guest lineups and location were a mystery until the 11th hour. After a few calls, some great friends of Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond) and Coastal Angler Magazine came to the rescue. Linda Osborne, general manager of UNEXSO, offered her office for the studio. The guest line-up could not have been better. Betty Bethel, the general manager of new business for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism office on Grand Bahama, Shamine Johnson, manager of the Marina Operators of the Bahamas organization, Althea Johnson, reservations manager for UNEXSO and Mario Bodner, project manager for Taino Beach Resort and Clubs all agreed to be guests. Radio Man could not have asked for a more stellar group to talk about what’s happening on Grand Bahama Island.

During the show, we covered diving opportunities, the great deals offered by local accommodations, Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin did a personal review of the Bahamas Celebration cruise ship, which now departing from the Port of Palm Beach, and more Treasure Coast connections were unveiled. A couple of things the show didn't have the time to cover were Lucaya, Taino and Pauchi, the celebratory parrots at Garden of the Groves. More to come on these green and gray feathered VIPs during our next show.

Last, and most important, by listening to this show, you will get a small dose of the great sense of humor and “perspective” of the most popular on-air radio personality in all of the Bahamas, Crazy White Man, Paul Frances.

You will definitely want a tall Bahama Mama to sip while listening to the show, and don’t forget to check out the show photos below!

This week, LIVE from Grand Bahama!

Paul Frances, aka Crazy White Man,
Tony 'Macaroni' and Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin.

Listeners have come to expect the unexpected each week on Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond), so why should this week be any different? When a change of transportation plans occured, due to the dry docking of the cruise ship Discovery for annual maintenance, turning Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin's scheduled mid-week trip to Grand Bahama Island “upside down," alternative plans had to be made. Those plans became an opportunity to experience the Bahamas Celebration cruise ship now departing for Grand Bahama from the Port of Palm Beach! Because the ship sails every other day, this meant that Radio Man (aka Gary) would not be back to Stuart in time for the Friday morning show. Thus, the hunt for a broadcast location was on and as of this posting, Pirate Radio WILL be broadcasting from an unknown location somewhere on Grand Bahama.

While the guest line up is still in the works, one item is a certainty, Radio Man will be joined by a new special co-host. On past remotes, such notables as Malcolm Boyes (part-time resident of the British Virgin Islands), Ben Martin of Coastal Angler Magazine (remote from Green Turtle Cay), and the Treasure Coast’s own Ed Griffith, who thus far has joined Gary on the show from Marsh Harbour and Eleuthera, as well as many Treasure Coast remotes.

Well, this week, you will meet Paul “Crazy White Man” Frances. CWM, as he is known, is an on-air radio personality with COOL 96 FM in Freeport, Grand Bahama. A long time resident of Grand Bahama, and a man with quite a history, personal assistant to Count Basie among other notable achievements, will join Radio Man this week. This is one show that you do not want to miss, as Paul is not called Crazy White Man for nothing!

Gary will also talk about Lucaya, Taino and Pauchie. Who the heck are they? Two of them are green and one is grey. And no, they aren't martians, nor are they ghosts. Guess you'll just have to listen in tomorrow to solve that mystery.

Was there a Treasure Coast “connection” on this trip? Absolutely! While walking the docks at Port Lucaya Marina on Wednesday night, Gary bumped into several FLAHAMIANS from Stuart and Palm City who were on their way back to Stuart after having a blast on Green Turtle Cay. Who were they? Again, listen in tomorrow to learn that and more.

Since this week's show is from the islands, topics are sure to include diving opportunities, great hotel deals, what’s new with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, a personal review of the Bahamas Celebration, and of course, items of note from our own Treasure Coast.

So, join tomorrow at 10 a.m on WPSL 1590 AM or via your computer at http://www.wpsl.com/ as we bring you another fun filled edition of Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond).

Come to the islands mon, at least for an hour!

A Little Coastal Science with a Mix of Horticulture

A manta ray bearing a strking resemblance to
Talkin' Tourism show host Gary Guertin.

This week’s topic entrée choice was excellent. The “surf” part was tastefully served up by Florida
Oceano-
graphic Coastal Center executive director Mark Perry, along with his leadership staff, and the “turf” portion of the topic was presented nicely by Amy Dahan, director of the Heathcote Botanical Gardens Gardens. What was for dessert? How about a sweet tour of the Coastal Center’s facilities!


The Treasure Coast is blessed with a unique environment and what a better way to attract visitors concerned about our global environment than to provide an up close and personal look at the diverse eco-systems of our region. Mark provided a great overview of the mission and purpose of the Florida Oceanographic Society. Testimony to the fact this facility is a “people magnet” is that attendance to the site in July was an all time high for the month! Resident research scientist Vincent Encomio detailed the oyster project, and clam nursery, among others that are helping to improve our local estuarine eco-system. And, bring edutainment into the mix with Ellie Van Os and you will learn how they reach everyone from 4-5 year olds to grandma’s and grandpa’s with great camps and programs. Director of development Suzanne Ross shared how YOU can get involved to help the organization continue to best serve the public.


Amy Dahan eloquently informed listeners on Heathcote Botanical Gardens, which draws crowds of plant enthusiasts to Ft Pierce. Shortly, the Gardens will house the largest collection of tropical Bonsai trees in the United States! In addition to continued improvements to the Gardens, Amy shared the group’s involvement with the creation of a regional park, which will be larger than Central Park in New York and help to improve the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon.
History Lady, Robin Hicks-Connors, delivered the weekly "This week in Martin County History," always cool facts to know.

Don’t forget to check out the photos (below) from this week’s show and take a mini-tour of the Coastal Center to see what you’ve been missing. And, here's this week's show for your listening pleasure!

Thanks for tuning in and hope your Labor Day Weekend was fabulous.

Surf and Turf

For the “surf” portion of the this week’s entrée, Florida Oceanographic Society (FOS) guests include Mark Perry, executive director, Vincent Encomio, Ph.D, chief research scientist, and Suzanne Ross, director of development, who will share the many programs and experiences to be found at the Coastal Center, designed to inform and educate Treasure Coast visitors about the area's unique ocean and coastal environments. Ever feed a stingray, see redfish, tarpon, and other local species up close in their real habitat?  Here you can and these three experts will describe those exhibits and more. What research projects is FOS currently engaged in?  Are there volunteer opportunities?  All this and more!

The “turf” portion of the menu?  The Heathcote Botanical Gardens located in Ft. Pierce, Florida, a haven for tropical and sub-tropical plant lovers of all ages.  When local citizens rescued a retired plant nursery in 1985 from encroaching urbanization and transformed it into a public garden facility, they created something very special that has become quite a visitor magnet.  Amy Dahan, Heathcote Botanical Garden's director, will enlighten listeners on the unique features of the garden and talk about the expansion efforts currently underway for an additional 10,000 square feet of space, which will be the home of the largest collection of tropical bonsai trees in the United States.

As always fans, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond) brings you fun, facts and infotainment that just cannot be found on any other radio show.

Looking forward to having you tune in again this week. If on the Treasure Coast, tune your radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM. Anyplace else in the world, hear us live on your computer at http://www.wpsl.com. Show begins at 10:05 a.m.!