Prohibition's "King of Rum Row" - Bill McCoy (The Real McCoy)

Closing out the month of October and the 'slow season,' this Friday, October 30, Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors will talk up The Real McCoy Rum Runner Party (November 13th), an event celebrating the grand opening of the Maritime and Yachting Museum (MYM) of Florida's new galleries at the Francis Langford Pavilion, Indian Riverside Park, Jensen Beach, Florida.

Ann Schmidt, a MYM of Florida board member and event chairperson, along with committee member Allison Partin, will join us in the Talkin' Tourism studio to share party details. The last of the local 'Rum Runner parties Radio Man (aka Gary) remembers were Sunday afternoons on the banks of the Indian River at the infamous Mr. Laff’s of yesteryear. Who knows, History Lady (aka Robin) may just fill us in on all of the great Bill McCoy legends! For more information on The Real McCoy Rumm Runner Party, click on the poster below.

This week, Gary and Robin will also discuss a variety of tourism topics. Time permitting one of those may include a new four state alliance, comprised of North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. The alliance is aimed at preserving and expanding coastal resources—the very resources the four states depend on for business and tourism. Other topics on the agenda: Florida lawmakers review of the $20-million pledged by the state for a animation studio at Tradition; the opening of the world’s largest Doubletree hotel in Orlando; and of course a continuation of the “Drill or Don’t Drill” discussion.

Will Gary survive the Owl's Howl Halloween Gala Ghoula at Harborage Thursday evening? What did he go as? What was the most extreme costume at the masquerade? And, what did the Harborage Yacht Club culinary team come up with for this year's event? To find out, tune in Friday, October 30 (WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/) at 10 a.m. for another fun-filled show from the Captain’s Lounge at Harborage Yacht Club and Marina!

Oct 23 Show Recap: November full of fall fun on Florida's Treasure Coast!

Nothing to do? Then come to Stuart! Martin County is full of fall fun.

Dan Crow, the air show coordinator for the approaching Visiting Nurses Association Air Show, and Ron Rose, the executive director of the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, which produces the Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival, both shared the guest microphone today to talk up their respective events.

Bookending the week of November 6 through the 15, the two festivals combined are expected to draw a total of 100,000 people. How close is that to the entire current population of Martin County? If you missed today's show, you'll be able to answer that question by downloading today's show (show audio will be posted in a day or two).

Ron Rose reminded us Gregory Town, Eleuthera, Bahamas and Jensen Beach are Sister-Cities—both with pineapple histories. Just one more Treasure Coast-Bahamas connection!

For more information on the events, here are links to the respective web sites: http://www.pineapplefestival.info/ or http://www.vnaairshow.com/

Happy birthday to who? Co-host Robin 'History Lady' Hicks-Connors took the upper hand as host Gary Guertin became the subject of an interview about 'Radio Man’s' involvement in the Tourism Industry in Martin County. How old is Gary? For that answer, download the show HERE. It's all there!

Last, but not least, there is always Robin's 'This Week in Martin County History' and 'What’s Hot This Weekend'.

It’s all about fun, good times and spreading the word about our fabulous Treasure Coast, Florida, and beyond. Don’t forget to thank a visitor, or valued-seasonal-resident for helping to keep Florida green.

'See' you next week on Friday at 10 a.m. for another show of Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast!

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PHOTO: Ron Rose and Gary Guertin check the Bahamas Information Map to view how close the Treasure Coast is to the island of Eleuthera.

Pineapples and Airplanes

'Season' is just around the corner. What does that mean? It means that the calendar of great things to do kicks into high gear.

Two great events that have become hallmarks on the Treasure Coast are the Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival and the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) Air Show. Both family-friendly events are multi-day affairs and offer diverse experiences.

The Pineapple Festival celebrates Jensen Beach’s Sister-City relationship with Gregory Town, Eleuthera. Did you know that Gregory Town has been growing pineapples on the islands rocky soil since the early 1800’s? How did this relationship develop? Ron Rose, the executive director of the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, will provide the details.

Up, up and away…no, not in my beautiful balloon, but in just about any type of aircraft you can imagine. The VNA Air Show 2009 is coming to an airport near you—Witham Field that is—on November 14 and 15. This event is attend by thousands each year and thrills crowds of all ages. Dan Crow, Community Liaison for the Visiting Nurses Association of Florida and coordinator of the air show, will also be in the studio to give an in-depth view of what visitors can expect at this year's event.

Tune in tomorrow, October 23 (Friday) at 10 a.m. (WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.org/) to find out if anything is new on the 'To Drill or not To Drill' issue, and so much more. 'See' you tomorrow!

Oct 16 Wrap: To drill or not to drill? Not a simple question.

Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast cranked it up a notch with this week's guest, State Representative William Snyder (District 82), who was on hand to discuss the topic of offshore drilling.

Points covered included the economic benefits offshore drilling may provide to help Florida relieve its current $2.4 billion budget deficit, environmental concerns and safeguards, and how exploration and drilling technology has improved since the ban on offshore drilling went into effect here in Florida in 1990.

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors also discussed St. Lucie County's progress in establishng tourism and sporting endeavors with Grand Bahama Island. And, they touched upon the two-month new Coastal Angler Magazine Flahama issue that's being well-received both in Florida and the Bahamas.

Robin issued the Getaway Giveaway question of the week, which is: Who is Florida's featured artist for Historic Preservation Month? First one to send the correct answer to talkintourism@gmail.com wins a Harborage Yacht Club & Marina 3-day, 2-night boaters getaway.

Talkin' Tourism is pleased to serve as a platform for providing information on this lively, provocative and potentially emotional issue. Talkin' Tourism will continue to keep listeners informed through various guests in the future. If you wish to appear as a guest on the show to provide information, perspective or a point of view on this topic, please contact Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast at talkintourism@gmail.com The only criteria for being granted an appearance on the show regarding this issue is that you or the organization you represent be engaged in the tourism industry.

Special thanks to Representative William Snyder for taking time out of his busy schedule to appear on the show.

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

Guests and subject line-up for this week's show (Friday at 10 a.m.) to be posted later this week.

CORRECTION: Listeners, please note that the reference to Enid Atwater as the wife of Senate President Jeff Atwater was certainly incorrect. Ms. Enid Atwater is Jeff Atwater’s sister.