The serenity of gardens and the art of bonsai

Amy Dahan, Adina Lerhman, Robin Hicks-Connors,
Patrick Giacobee and Gary Guertin on location at
Heathcote Gardens, Fort Pierce, Florida.

Lately it seems that Talkin’ Tourism has been spending lots of time "in the bush."  But this time, the bush was  the beauty and serenity of Heathcote Botanical Gardens in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Host Gary Guertin shared with listeners that on his recent visits to The Retreat in Nassau, Bahamas (headquarters for the Bahamas National Trust) and Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre (also located in Nassau), it was fascinating to walk the garden paths, which led from one “room” to another. In Radio Man's (Gary's island name) words: "You could pretend that you were anywhere in the tropical world!"  With co-host Robin Hicks-Connors (aka History Lady) back on the show, the radio duo enjoyed walking colorful gardens from around the world in along Florida's Treasure Coast.

Leading the botanical charged episode was Amy Dahan, the director of  Heathcote Botanical Gardens. Amy is passionate about what she does, and she shared the colorful history of the gardens, illustrating with words how it evolved into what it is today. Laying claim to fame for one of the largest bonsai collections in the world by a single bonsai master, James J. Smith, Heathcote’s bonsai curator, Patrick Giacobbe dazzled the show's hosts with his knowledge of the art of bonsai gardening. If you listened in, you learned along with Gary and Robin that the art is indeed “bonsai” not “banzai,” as in Banzai Pipeline.

Adina Lerhman, Heathcote education coordinator brought back shades of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s with her knowledge and passion for all things organic. Yes, Heathcote has a Community Garden but what is done with the produce? Is tilling the soil bad? If yes, why? Even if you are not a plant fan, you should find the answers to these questions pretty interesting.

Bahamas Updates were covered, along with some great Treasure Coast activities, including  the Martin County 5th Annual Reef Builders Fishing Tournament and Lionfish Round Up, as well as the Hobe Sound B-B-Q festival.

Last but not least, the show had an unexpected caller, who was involved with Heathcote Nursery back in the earliest of days. Normally call-ins aren't taken, but this was an exception. Benjamin made the show with his first-hand recollection of working with the nursery and the Crimmins family, who founded the nursery many years ago. Many thanks to Benjamin for calling in.

For a look at Heathcote Botanical Gardens, be sure to check out this week's photo album, which is below!

For your listening pleasure, here's the audio file of this episode.

See you on Friday for another edutaining edition of Talkin' Tourism.

One of a Kind Botanical Escapes: Heathcote Botanical Garden

The tranquility and beauty of Heathcote Botanical
Garden in St. Lucie County, Florida awaits you.
Photo credit: sandrafriend@flickr.com.

The Treasure Coast is blessed with  varied ecosystems making it a great vacation destination for nature lovers.  In addition to the natural preserves and refuges, there are a number of attractions that offer the visitor the opportunity to learn more about our environment and to get “up close and personal” with flora and fauna they may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.  

Heathcote Botanical Gardens (HBG), located in St. Lucie County, Florida, is one such attraction. HBC consists of an assortment of specialty gardens including a Japanese garden, a reflection garden, herb garden, rainforest display, a native plants garden and a palm and cycad walk garden. Of special note is the Jim J. Smith Bonsai Collection which is reported to be the largest in the world. There are many individuals who had a role this world-class exhibit. Tune in for the show to find out who they were. Some of the names may surprise you! 

Talkin’ Tourism constantly strives to find unique and interesting attractions that help create “one of a kind”  destinations. This week's show won't disappoint.

HBC executive director Amy Dahan, along with members of her staff and volunteers, will share the unique experiences and educational opportunities found at Heathcote Botanical Gardens.  Expected to appear as guests are: Bonsai curator, Patrick Giacobbe; organic garden coordinator, Adina Lehman; and education coordinator Nan Billings.  If you are in to plants and all things green, this is a show you will not want to miss.

In addition to strolling the grounds of Heathcote Botanical Gardens, hosts Robin Hicks-Connors and Gary Guertin will have the usual (and sometimes unusual), updates on Treasure Coast and Bahamas happenings, travel tips and much more. 

See you in 'the green' of Heathcote Botanical Gardens!

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.!