Rum punch, egg nog and Boxing Day!

Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast hopes that all of our listeners had a great Christmas Day and are enjoying the holidays to the max. Show hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors, through the magic of radio, spent Christmas morning with their listeners as they celebrated the 50th show. Besides enjoying a little eggnog (with just a hint of rum) and some Christmas cookies, 'Radio Man' and 'History Lady' covered a lot of ground, including their thoughts on what all of the tourism promotional organizations along the Treasure Coast would want to find under the tree this year. Did anyone find a lump of coal in their stocking? Listen to the show to find out.

Have you been a resident of the Treasure Cost long enough to remember the one-of-a-kind Christmas parties Janet Hutchinson threw at the Elliott Museum? Well if you ever attended one, you will remember Ms. Hutchinson's famous Christmas Punch. Robin shared the famous recipe with our listeners and talked about the 'measuring device' Ms. Hutchinson used to ensure proportions were exact. Wonder if any of our listeners have the same device in their kitchens?

In the British Commonwealth, Boxing Day is a celebrated holiday. Most of our listeners have heard of Boxing Day but don't know the origin of the tradition. Gary shared a number of possible origins, but is still wondering how Junkanoo got involved.

Last, but certainly not least, Robin and Gary took a look back at some of the shows and topics covered over the past months. Show listeners are certain to agree that possible tourism topics are indeed endless! If you missed Talkin' Tourism Christmas Day, the show is available here.

Gary, Robin and the entire support crew of Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast wish you and your family a healthy and prosperours New Year.

NOTE:  Talkin' Tourism takes a break this coming week; returning to the air on Friday, January 8, 2010.

Talkin' Tourism's Holiday Wish List? How about an iguana in a Christmas tree?

This week Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast celebrates the BIG 5-0. That’s right folks; this week’s Special Christmas Show marks the 50th edition of Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast.

While you and your loved ones are opening presents, listening to the Christmas music on WPSL 1590 AM and enjoying Christmas morning, Talkin' Tourism hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors will be joining you from the Captain’s Lounge at Harborage Yacht Club. While sipping eggnog (laced with rum??) and munching on Christmas cookies, Gary and Robin will be taking a nostalgic look back on the highlights of the past year for Talkin' Tourism.

Certainly Treasure Coast tourism promotion organizations—Treasure Coast Sports Commission, St. Lucie County Tourism Development Council, Martin County Convention and Visitors Burean and more—all have their “Christmas Wish Lists." Gary and Robin will see what Santa may have left under the tree for them (in a perfect world) and clue you into who has been naughty or nice.

Robin will share some “historical Christmas in Martin County trivia” along with her “things to do, places to go and people to see” segment.

And to wrap it all up into a unforgettable holiday package, Gary and Robin will throw in a little Bahamian flavor (no they will not be drinking Bahama Mama’s) by exploring the beginnings of Boxing Day, which is a tradition in the Bahamas and countries throughout the British Commonwealth, and Junkanoo!

So sit back, relax and enjoy the last show of 2009 this Friday, December 25, at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or via your computer at http://www.wpsl.com/.

Stu, Carol, Paul, Mary and a dog named Taz

The latest Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast took the show to the man and woman on the “streets” or should we say the “waterways." For the first time since the show's inception, hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors had the opportunity to speak with “Valued Seasonal Boaters" and learn first-hand their perceptions of the Treasure Coast.

Guests Stu and Carol Brewer are repeat visitors to Stuart, enjoying life aboard their 36-foot trawler. The Brewer's are relatively new to the boating lifestyle. During the show, Gary and Robin explore why the Brewers like to winter on the Treasure Coast, how they like life on the water, and how they made the decision to jump in to boating with both feet.

Next up was Paul and Mary Dolan, first-timers from New Market, Maryland. Their story is totally different! Here we have an entire family--mom, dad, four children (ages 17, 13, 12 and 7), and a boat dog, named Taz, on an adventure of a life-time. What possessed this family to purchase a 1977 46’ sailboat and head down the Intracoastal Waterway with dreams of visiting Florida the Islands of the Bahamas? Their story will make you think about what just may be the really important things in life. Are these teenagers missing their social scene? What about school? Is experiential education better than learning in the confines of a four walled classroom? Hear this and more by listening to their story.

Treasure Coast Airlines in up and running. Looking for quick New Year getaway? How about New Year’s Eve in Bimini? Gary and Robin cover this and more island happenings.

Trying to entice your family and friends to head south for the winter? Share the Talkin' Tourism blog link with them and tell them to leave the frigid north behind.

If your holiday plans will keep you away from your radio this week, Gary, Robin, the cast and crew of Harborage Yacht Club & Marina, the Martin County Historical Society, and those in hospitality businesses  on Florida's beautiful Treasure Coast, wish you Happy Holidays!

Miss the (December 18) show? You can listen or download the last Talkin' Tourism show HERE.

Treasure Coast Waterways a Mecca for Seasonal Boaters

Hotels, motels and condominiums are where visitors sleep, that’s a given. Where do our “valued seasonal" and visiting boats sleep? Of course the answer is marinas!

The Treasure Coast, bordering the Intracoastal Waterway on the east, Stuart serving as the east end of the Okeechobee Waterway and the Cross Florida Canal, and the St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Sebastian and Jupiter Inlets all combine to create a boating synergy that is unsurpassed in Florida. There have been assumptions for years that marine and boating played a significant role in our tourism economy, but how much of a role? We know how many hotel, motel and condominium accommodations there are but how many slips are there? Well, a quick tally indicates there are almost as many wet slips as hotel and motel rooms! How long do seasonal boaters stay? Why did they select Stuart and the Treasure Coast for their winter homeport?

This week, Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors invite several “valued seasonal boaters” into the studio who have selected Stuart for the first time, as well as boaters who have returned time and time again, to share their thoughts about Stuart and the Treasure Coast as a boater destination.

This will be particularly interesting in light of the fact that local tourism stakeholders have just concluded a tourism summit identifying Martin County’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Did community and tourism leaders identify the same strengths, weaknesses, and oportunities? Talkin' Tourism always enjoys hearing from our visiting guests to ensure we continue to meet their expectations as a regional destination.

Along with the valued seasonal boaters topic for the week, listeners who tune in will hear the latest updates from the Bahamas, Robin’s “This Week in Martin County History,” to fun activities and events coming up on the Treasure Coast.

Tune in to WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/ at 10 a.m. today (Friday, 12/18/2009) and learn more about the tourism industry where our only job “is to help visitors have a great time.”