Florida Spectacular

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy look at Florida crackers: Cracker culture, Florida cowboys, and cracker villages. Links We Mentioned The Secret History of the Word Cracker Florida Wildlife Corridor and Wild Space Gallery Florida Cracker Horse Florida Cattle History Lake Kissimmee State Park Cow Camp Florida Cracker entry at FL Memory Rick's post about Kissimmee/Osceola Co cattle history Fort Christmas Rick's post about Christmas Dade City's FL Pioneer Village Barberville Pioneer Settlement Rick's post about Barberville Cracker Country at the State Fairgrounds Dunn History: Black Cowboys Lawrence Silas at Osceola Co History Center Dunn History: Rosewood Before the Massacre Reply Reply all Forward Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Cathy and Brad talk about Florida lobster. Lobster season runs Aug. 6- Mar. 31, but there's more to this tasty crustacean than meets the antenna! Hear why Brad (and many other Keys residents) thinks the mini-season has gotten out of hand, why spiny lobsters are actually crayfish, and how they reproduce. “You should have seen the crawfish in the mangrove roots along the shores. They were stacked up two feet – one on top of the other. I’ve had them weigh seven pounds. The whole shore would be red, two or three hundred feet. One time I caught 2,900 crawfish with a small net. My father had a contract with the railroad to supply crawfish to Key West. The last season we worked for them, we shipped 54,000 pounds even though the supply was depleted by that time. That was the only year we kept a record. We found most of them on the lee side of Key Largo, Rodriguez, and Tavernier – wherever there was a mangrove shore. Nothing much on Dove Key.” —Beauregard Albury, Florida Keys Links We Mentioned Scorpion sex How do spiny lobsters reproduce? Spiny lobster fun facts Facts about Florida lobster Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! A look at the history of Florida's role in the American revolution, the history of the Gadsden flag, and why Floridians hated everything for which it stood when it was a symbol of the American Revolution. Links We Mentioned & Further Reading: Don't Tread on Me post about the license plate and Florida history Florida Frontiers podcast about early Florida history Florida Veterans Foundation Don't Tread on Anyone version of the flag Gadsden/Tampa Connection Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! Willett Hancock Museum Assistant at the Matheson Museum joins the podcast to talk about a new exhibit at the Matheson Museum in Gainseville: Voices and Votes. Rick, Cathy, and Willett talk about democracy in Florida, and the historical struggle to make sure everyone can participate in it. Links We Mentioned Voices and Votes (and other exhibits) at the Matheson Museum Ocoee Massacre Rosewood Massacre Pork Chop Gang William A. Shands Satchel's Pizza The Top Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Were there pirates in the Florida Keys? Who was Black Caesar? What does Black Caesar have in common with The Princess Bride? Brad Bertelli explains it all. Links We Mentioned Elliot Key in Biscayne National Park Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli, Volume II Mostly Fake Black Caesar History General History of Pyrates (1724) Gasparilla Pirate Fest Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! This week, the best parts of Kissimmee, from roadside ephemera to the headwaters of the Florida Everglades. Stay Legacy Vacation Resorts, Cathy found it to be a great home base for exploring the less touristy areas of the area. Disclaimer: Legacy hosted most of her stay, but she chose to mention them because of the B Corp certification and location. Eat Woodsby's Cafe Catfish Place St. Cloud 1881 Restaurant & Bar Explore Shingle Creek paddling (Read about Rick's experience) Downtown Kissimmee and the Kissimmee Monument of States Learn More About Kissimmee Roadside Kissimmee Kissimmee Follow-Up Kissimmee and Shuffleboard Links We Mentioned Big Bamboo Kast Club Xanadu: House of the Future Osceola History and Cow Town Recreated (Rick) Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! This week Rick and Cathy talk about some of their favorite bike trails in Florida. Orange County Bike Trails West Orange Trail Bikes and Blades at Killarney Station Northeast Orlando Trail Map Cady Way Trail Post: Biking the Orlando Urban Trail Post: West Orange Trail Oakland Nature Preserve Downtown Winter Garden Plant Street Market Hunger Street Tacos Pinellas Trail Pinellas Trail Guide Wall Springs Casa Tina Fenway Tallahassee BikeTallahassee Word of South Festival Volusia's Spring-to-Spring Trail Gainesville-Hawthrone Trail Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail About the Trail Trail brochure/map Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! If it's Old Key West you want, stop short of Key West on your drive down US 1 and explore Stock Island. Brad and Cathy talk about the island's cow-centric and crime-adjacent history, what's worth doing now, and where you can meet an ostrich. Links We Mentioned Bone Island Mambo by Tom Corcoran Stock Island Festival Cow Key 0K Monroe County Petting Zoo A Sketch of the History of Key West, Florida (Florida and the Caribbean Open Books Series) by Walter C. Maloney Lucy Burdette's Key West food critic murder mysteries Brad Bertelli books — Cathy says get the Florida Keys Skunk Ape Files book! Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! This week the "Florida Spectacular" welcomes Carey Winfrey, the editor of Key West Sketches: Writers at Mile Zero. Carey and Cathy talk about the writers who contributed to the anthology, Judy Blume's Key West bookstore, and what Carey says he wishes people would see instead of Duval Street. Links We Mentioned Elizabeth Bishop house Key West Sketches Hidden Key West: What To See Off Duval Key West Literary Seminar The Tropic Cinema Books & Books Key West has events, some on the roof Key West Island Books events Key West Library readings Image courtesy of Blair Publishing. Please buy the book. Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! Lower insurance and power bills? Stop flooding in your neighborhood? Protecting Florida's beaches without spending billions on beach renourishment? This might sound too good to be true, but this week's podcast has ways you can help do all those things. Dawn Shirreffs, the Florida Director of the Environmental Defense Fund, joins the podcast to talk about why all isn't lost to climate change — if people speak out and ask their local governments for practical, fiscally responsible solutions. Take a listen, then get involved! Links We Mentioned Environmental Defense Fund Dawn Shirreffs, Florida Director of EDF Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science Florida's Climate Future Environmental Defense Fund on Twitter Let's Tackle Climate Change Florida Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Some Florida Keys history is hidden in plain sight — and that's especially true when it comes to Henry Flagler's railroad from Homestead to Key West. Brad and Cathy give listeners insight to some ways to experience railroad history while enjoying the natural beauty of the Florida Keys. Links We Mentioned Alabama Jacks (not along the original railroad route) How to see the Original 4A Pigeon Key Bahia Honda Long Key Windley Key Photo courtesy (State Archives of Florida) Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! Jono Miller, author of "The Palmetto Book: Histories and Mysteries of the Cabbage Palm," joins the podcast to talk about the Myakka River. We're loving the Myakka River — and the park — a little too hard, but there are ways to experience the park without impacting the natural environment. Jono talks about ways such as canoeing to the Upper Myakka, exploring the dry prairie, and stopping at the park bridge. And don't miss the CCC cabins made from cabbage palm logs! You can support Myakka by joining Friends of Myakka River State Park. Follow Jono on Instagram. Links We Mentioned Myakka River State Park Dry Prairie at Myakka Myakka by Paula Benshoff Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! Merrillee Jipson, owner of Rum 138 in the High Springs area, joins the podcast to talk about the tragedy at Ginnie Springs last weekend, how to enjoy the springs responsibly, and some of the best places to paddle the springs. Links We Mentioned Silver Glen New River Santa Fe River Preserve Guide from Alachua Conservation Trust Gilchrist Blue Springs Ichetucknee Springs Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Think crocodiles are only for Australia? Think again, because you can find them alive and well in the Florida Keys. Brad and Cathy talk about where in the keys you can find crocodiles and alligators, and also talk about why Florida crocodiles aren't as energetic as their Australian cousins. And caimans? They're here, too — but they're not the same animal, and they're considered invasive. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy take a (metaphorical) dive into Warm Mineral Springs and the Venice/Nokomis area. They give you a guide of things to do and places to eat along the Venice/Nokomis coast. Don't forget to subscribe to Florida Keys Spectacular — premium content about the Florida Keys! Support all things Spectacular, starting at $5/month. Warm Mineral and Little Salt Springs Warm Mineral Springs (City of Northport) More about Warm Mineral Springs (Visit Sarasota) "Revisiting Warm Mineral Springs" (Rick's post) "Old World Meets New Age at Warm Mineral Springs" (Rick's other post) Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (Save Warm Mineral Springs!) Little Salt Springs Bulletin 31: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Florida Springs Why is Warm Mineral Springs warm? Venice and Nokomis Shark's Teeth: A Guide Stay in Nokomis: Casa Nokomis Dining: Crow's Nest, Sharkys on the Pier, Casey Key Fish House In Venice: dog beach and Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! Cathy and Rick talk about Florida hurricane prep, the history of hurricanes, and how to prepare without freaking out. Links We Mentioned Hurricanes.gov Oranges and Alligators: Sketches of South Florida Life by Iza Duffy Hardy Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen Hurricane prep suggestions: Turn off your TV and check hurricanes.gov, the least weather-terroristy source for real news. Instead of bottled water, buy five gallon reusable jugs (we suggest glass, but you can get plastic ones, too) and a USB-powered water dispenser (you can recharge it in your car if needed). You can also get a five-galloon cooler with a dispenser built in the bottom. Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Brad and Cathy talk about Bahia Honda State Park. Brad shares the little-known history of Bahia Honda's pre-park days, and Cathy talks about which parts are best for camping and water activities. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! Kristalyn Shefveland joins the podcast to talk about her book, Selling Vero Beach. They talk about Vero's history, its first people, and why the past matters to newcomers. Links We Mentioned Selling Vero Beach: Settler Myths in the Land of the Aís and Seminole Florida's disastrous plan for a reservoir McKee and Sexton: A Perfect Match Where's Waldo? Oh, and Cathy's breakfast? Muhammarra dip on gluten-free sourdough toast, with broccoli sprouts Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy welcome Florida historian Joey Vars on the podcast to talk about Henry Plant's Belleview Biltmore hotel. Joey's the former staff historian for the hotel, now called the Belleview. Links We Mentioned The Belleview Inn Watch Joey's former tour of the Biltmore Aerial view of Belleview Biltmore demolition [VIDEO] Lost: Belleview Biltmore hotel Buy a piece of the Belleview Biltmore at Schiller's Salvage Giant Steps: The History of Morton F. Plant Hospital Charlotte Douglas' It's About Time on Kindle Secrets in the Shadows by Marina Malcolm (pen name of Charlotte Douglas) Other Charlotte Douglas books still available Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...

Send us your Florida questions! Ryan Smart, Executive Director of the Florida Springs Council, joins Cathy and Rick on the podcast to answer a listener's questions about Florida springs. Q: If the springs naturally come to the surface, why would the bottled water companies need permits to pump out? A: We answer this more in-depth in the podcast, but it's because they don't scoop the water out of the springhead — they tap the spring with a well, and they need permission for that. Q: When I lived in Orlando there was a Spring on the West bound lanes of Hwy. 17-92 in Longwood and people, including myself, would just stop with empty milk bottles and fill up with the spring water and drink it at home. They have since shut the location off from the public and I don’t know the current status. A: That's near the now-gone famous tree in Sanford, the Senator, and yes, you're correct, it is closed to the public. Q: Could you repeat the ways to help springs ? 1. Stop drinking bottled water. 2. Plant Florida-friendly landscaping. 3. Turn off your irrigation or change to drip irrigation. 4. Don't fertilize. 5. Connect with and support with a group advocating for springs. A great start is the Florida Springs Council or any of Florida's Riverkeepers. Get involved! Things You Can Do To Make a Difference Berkey water filters Five-gallon water jugs and USB water jug dispensers Links We Mentioned Santa Fe Springs Celebration (April 27, 2024) Support the Show. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad Bertelli and Cathy Salustri. Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Find her on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy; Twitter/IG: @CathySalustri Question or comment? Email: cathy@floridaspectacular.com. Free, weekly episodes of "The Florida Spectacular" are co-hosted by Rick Kilby. Get Rick's books at rickkilby.com/ and http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/. Connect: Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Twitter (@oldfla), and IG (@ricklebee). Premium, biweekly episodes of "The Florida Keys" Spectacular are co-hosted by Brad Bertelli. Find Brad's column in The Keys Weekly newspaper, ch...