Legends of Florida

Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond!) has gone down many roads over the last two years. Each time, new and interesting lessons are learned, friends are made and adventures unfold.

This week was no exception. Dr. Doug Noble Ph.D. was eloquent in the description of two exciting new exhibits at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Florida. After listening to Doug’s descriptions, you will want to gather the family and head up to the museum for a fun weekend. Cattle ranching is still big business in the Sunshine State and its roots go back 500 years.

Dr. Noble talked about Florida Cracker cattle and where they came from, along with why and how the cattle industry plays a role in land stewardship and in the protection of natural areas of critical significance.
It's not often you have a chance to speak with a living legend, but this week show hosts Gary and Robin had a fun conversation with G. Curt Whiticar, a true icon in the sportfishing and boat building industry.

Hearing firsthand accounts of the early years of the sportfishing industry in the Treasure Coast area, provides a deep appreciation for how this industry evolved. And yes, ladies and gentlemen, tourism played a huge role in having many of our local fishermen convert from commercial meat fishing to entertaining ladies and gentlemen from northern climates who wanted to pursue sailfish, dolphin and other game fish that ply our waters. Curt even touched on the old rum-running days. If you missed the live show, and you're curious to know what island in the Bahamas most of the Treasure Coast's rum came from, download last week show's audio file.

Closing out the show, Whiticar Boat Works president Jim Dragseth shared his view on the state of the marine industry and where the industry is headed. One thing is for sure, our heritage and roots in the marine tourism industry are deep, thanks to the Whiticar family and others that followed.

Hope you enjoy the show as much as we enjoyed making it happen! Be sure to check out the photo gallery below showing photos of Whiticar Boatworks Yard and the Whiticar display at the Maritime and Classic Boat Museum. See you next week, same time, same station.

Historical Perspectives from Sea Captains to Cattle Ranchers

In today's fast-paced world, full of technology, social media and instant gratification, it's rare to have the opportunity to sit back and learn from a pioneer, who has decades of perspective and insight into a niche of the tourism and hospitality industry that has played a significant role in our region.

This week, Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond!) is blessed with a very special opportunity to talk with G. Curt Whiticar, the founder of world-renown Whiticar Boatworks company, located right here in Stuart, Florida. Curt Whiticar, who some refer to as the "father of marine tourism," combined uncanny insight, knowledge and ability to design and build a superior sportsfishing line that is now known and revered world-wide. His wisdom and business savvy, established the basis of the Treasure Coast's marine tourism industry.

Curt will give us the chronology painting the picture of why Stuart become known as 'The Sailfish Capital of the World' and 'The Fishing Grounds of Presidents'. What makes this show even more special is that Mr. Whiticar will be celebrating his 100th birthday two days after the show. In addition to building one heck of a boat, Curt is also a prolific painter and a published author.
To provide a point-counter point to the conversation, Jim Dragseth, the president of Whiticar Boatworks, Inc. will be in the house to share with listeners his perspectives on the state of the marine tourism industry on the Treasure Coast (and beyond) and its possibilities for the future.

From sportfishing, the conversation will flow to another industry early pioneers established in Florida and beyond—cattle ranching. Making his third appearance on Talkin' Tourism Dr. Doug Noble, Ph.D., the Assistant Director of Exhibits and Public Programs from the Florida Museum of Natural History, has traveled all the way from Gainesville, Florida to share with our listeners information about two special exhibits (Florida Cattle Ranching and Florida Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier) that will open at the musuem on Saturday, February 12. These FREE exhibits, which are on display through May 8, take an in-depth look at Florida’s Cattle ranching history and its continued impact on the state’s economy. If you are looking for a cultural reason to pony up-state, this is it.

Join us Friday morning (WPSL 1590 AM on your radio or http://www.wpsltv.com/) at 10:05 a.m. as we broadcast live from the Whiticar Boat Works facility on the shores of Willoughby Creek, in Stuart, Florida.

• Learn more about the history of Whiticar Boatworks

Muck Monsters, Airlifts, David & Goliath

After today’s show, it appears that David and Goliath will be working together to collaborate on opportunities and programs that will be beneficial to the region. Palm Beach County Tourism Development Council Executive Director Roger Amidon was very specific that Palm Beach County has and will continue to demonstrate their commitment to collaboration. Sharon Glenn, Martin County's Tourism Development Council Chairman who shared the guest spotlight today, concurred the time is right for Palm Beach and Martin counties to take advantage of potential opportunities.

What did we cover on the show? Here are some of the highlights: Palm Beach County wants to increase year-round airlifts into Palm Beach International Airport and will be targeting two specific markets. The Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau has a five year contract as the destination marketing arm for the county. How does that compare to the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau? Is there really a Muck Monster? Listen or download the show HERE.

Congratulations to Pamela McCarthy, employed by the legendary boat building company Whiticar Boatworks of Stuart, Florida, the winner of last week’s Getaway Giveaway, which was a Harborage Yacht Club and Marina package that included two-nights dockage and a $100 certificate for dinner. Last week's question was: What special collection is housed at the Elliott Museum on Hutchinson Island, Stuart, Florida that is second only to the collection in Cooperstown, NY? The answer? The second largest collection of autographed baseball memorabilia.

This week's Getaway Giveaway question is: What new Palm Beach County attraction that was never in the county’s marketing plan has received national attention? E-mail your answer to talkintourism@gmail.com.

Special thanks to Best Western, Stuart, Florida for providing this week’s Getaway Giveaway package.

Hope to see you here next week, same time (10 a.m.), same station (WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/!

PHOTO: Roger Amidon, executive director of the Palm Beach County Tourism Development Council.