Eco-Education and Rediscovery

Ellie Van Os, the director of education and exhibits at
the Florida Oceanographic Society, on the docks of Sailfish Marina
with  Talkin' Tourism co-host Robin Hicks-Connors

There are times when you have a great guests, and then there are times when you have GREAT guests.  And Ellie Van Os, Director of Education and Exhibits for the Florida Oceanographic Society (FOS), was certainly a GREAT guest! As one of Martin County’s signature attractions, the Florida Oceanographic Society’s Coastal Center is the hallmark of eco-education tourism.  Ellie has had an amazing career, from leading polar bear expeditions to working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ellie has found her “perfect fit” with FOS.

Ellie updated Talkin' Tourism listeners with on all of the new features of the Coastal Center, as well as all of the educational outreach programs offered by the Society. There are many great programs you won't want to miss!

We asked how attendance has been at the Coastal Center so far this season and Ellie was pleased to report that attendance is at an all-time high. It is gratifying to know visitors from across the country want to learn about the importance of the stewardship of our ocean and coastal environments.  Let’s face it, where else can your children hand feed a stingray or observe gamefish, nurse sharks and sea turtles in a man-made replica of the Indian River Lagoon? The only place we know is the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, unless you're planning to snorkel one of the world's great barrier reefs!

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin also shared his “rediscovery” of the Treasure Coast as the new co-publisher of the Treasure Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine.  Although he's lived on the Treasure Coast for over 30 years, he shared some great insights that all long-timers too have an opportunity to re-discover.

The hour always flies, but co-host Robin Hicks-Connors and Gary managed to get in some Bahamas updates, information on great trip deals to Washington, Philadelphia and Boston aboard Gray Line Bus from New York, and much more.

If you missed the show, click here for the February 17 replay of Talkin' Tourism.

See you on Friday!

Oceans and Our Coastal Environments

The Florida Oceanographic Society (FOS), headquartered on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Florida has been a vigilant advocate in promoting the stewardship of our ocean and coastal resources for several decades.  Now, with the continued expansion of the FOS Coastal Center, visitors and locals can learn more about  the importance of these precious resources.

This week , we welcome Ellie Van Os, the Director of Education and Exhibits for the Florida Oceanographic Society as our featured guest.  Talkin’ Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors want to help our listeners get caught up on what is new at the center. Some of our host's questions will include:

• How attendance has been or not impacted in the current challenged economy?  
• Is eco-education an important activity for visitors to the Treasure Coast?  

We know that Robin, former executive director of the Martin County Historical Society, and Ellie will have a lively conversation about “exhibits” and visitor interaction.

With host Gary and his wife Misti now the co-publishers of the Treasure Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine, in addition to the Bahamas edition, Gary will share his thoughts on his first week of “rediscovering” the Treasure Coast as the new co-publisher. Are there only strangers in this world, or just friends we haven’t met yet?

The rest of the show (if there is time) will feature select tourism topics from around the country and around the globe.  Did you know that Nik Wallenda has been given permission to tightrope across Niagara Falls, or how to visit the Freedom Trail in Boston from New York for only $149.00 per ticket? Listen in tomorrow (Friday, February 16) for these details and a whole lot more this week on Talkin’ Tourism!

If you're in listening range, tune your radio dial to 1590 AM. If you're any place in the world, you can still catch the show via your favorite Internet browser at www.wpsltv.com. The fun begins at 10:05 a.m. "See" you then!

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.!

Polo and Edu-tainment for Kids on Florida's Treasure Coast

The latest Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast started off with an impromptu annual board meeting called by show host and 'chairman' Gary Guertin. A quorum was present (that would be Gary and Robin). The audio files of the last 59 shows (aka 'minutes') were approved as submitted. Board member comments included, but were not limited to (1) Robin reporting on a great 'Field of Dreams' reception involving The Elliott Museum and (2) Gary announcing Harborage Yacht Club & Marina's partnership with the Sea Ray Owners Club. The 'financial report' indicated there is a growing need to seek show sponsors now that the show has a proven track-record after being on the air for over one year. With no further business to discuss, Robin motioned for adjournment.

Moving on to the topics of the day, Sean Clem, the director of marketing for Sunlight Saddle and Polo Club, was not at a loss of words. Sean described all of the equestrian-related activities going on at the converted 6,000-acre working ranch. Listeners who are polo enthusiasts might be aware of the many variations of polo that exist around the world, but Sean introduced one that left Gary and Robin speechless. If you're interested in learning how to play polo, Sean told listeners they don't need to have their own horse. Sunlight Saddle and Polo offers a complete package that will have you participating in the sport before you know it.

Next up were Tammy Calabria from the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast and Christina Wagner, director of education and exhibits at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, to highlight fun educational activities for kids on the Treasure Coast. The kid activity “experts” shared the microphone with special 'kid correspondent,' Tommy Dolan, who is visiting the area from Maryland. Tommy  gave the 'kid's' perspective and as a home schooled student through the State of Maryland, Tommy shared he actually gets “snow days” here in Florida when his 'classmates' in Maryland get snowed in. Not a bad deal!

If you missed the show, you can download or listen to it HERE.

Polo and Kid-Centric Activities on the Treasure Coast

This Friday, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast discusses chukkers, mallets, ponies and a sport that dates back to the 4th and 5th century BC. The “Game of Kings” coming to Martin County? No, not coming…it is already here!

Join hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors as they meet with Sean Clem, the marketing director of the Sunlight Polo & Saddle Club, to learn about this new and exciting recreational opportunity for area residents and visitors.

“Horsing around” is big business, attracting participants and polo fans from around the world. What used to be a 6,000-acre working ranch has been transformed into a world class equestrian facility. In addition to its polo fields and related amenities, Sunlight Saddle and Polo Club encompasses the needs for all equestrian enthusiasts. Learn more about the club's popular "Friday Nights Under the Lights." Bring on the champagne, strawberries and caviar!

A subject that Talkin' Tourism has not yet specifically touched on is what kid-centric activities can be found on the Treasure Coast. Two of this week's guests will give listeners a run down. Meet Tammy Calabria, the executive director of the Children’s Museum, which is located in Indian Riverside Park in Jensen Beach, and Christina Wagner, the director of education and exhibits at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center on Hutchinson Island. Not only will Tammy and Christina enlighten and inform listeners about the fun opportunities for children at their respective facilities, they will provide our listeners with the broader view of the “pixie dust” that is available right here on the Treasure Coast for kids. From feeding the stingrays at the Coastal Center, interactive Car Care Exhibit at the Children’s Museum, to fishing clinics and youth sailing instruction at the U.S. Sailing Center in Jensen Beach, the Treasure Coast offers a lot of activities for the younger ones.

Later in the show the discussion will turn to PediCabs and other fun activities you don’t want to miss.

Tune in Friday at 10 a.m. (WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/) and have fun with another great show as 'Radio Man' and 'History Lady' talk tourism.