WGCU

Writer/Producer: Chelle Koster Walton

Southwest Florida’s history has taken some unexpected twists and turns through the decades. At the end of the 19th century, one of the strangest chapters was written when Cyrus Teed led his cult of visionaries to the banks of the Estero River to examine the world from the inside out. Today, a state historic site allows visitors to peek in on this unusual settlement. On Useppa Island, history comes in layers, from the island’s ancient Calusa mounds to its training site for Bay of Pigs operatives. Barbara Sumwalt Museum takes visitors through the intriguing eras. In modern times, Solomon’s Castle near Arcadia is a quirky monument to one man’s imagination and recycling artistry. Howard Solomon’s creation continually grows to thrill pilgrims to this out-of-the-way attraction.

Resources:

Koreshan State Historic Site:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/koreshan/

Useppa Island History:
http://www.useppa.com/history.html

Barbara Sumwalt Museum
http://www.useppa.com/society.html

Solomon’s Castle:
http://www.solomonscastle.org/

Writer/Producer: Chelle Koster Walton
 
By definition, a classic roadside attraction should be kitsch at best, bordering on hokey. Tamiami Trail’s brand of roadside attractions fall in line, but yet they boast their own twist and bite, namely nature -- especially alligators. The oldest, Everglades Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs, has been around since 1936. Since then, the road has moved, but the zoo attraction persists. East of Naples, The Trail dips into true Everglades territory, where circa-1950s Wooten’s Airboat Tours and the Skunk-Ape Research Headquarters turn the public’s fascination for the wilds into tourist attractions on the funky, swampy, sometimes far-fetched side of things.

Resources:

Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours:
 www.wootensairboats.com

Skunk-Ape Research Headquarters:
www.skunkape.info
www.roadsideamerica.com

Writer/Producer: Chelle Koster Walton
 
Spitting seeds, creating crazy fruit hats a la Carmen Miranda, and building architectural sculptures out of Spam: Southwest Florida festivals take food to a whole new level. Every May, the town of Arcadia turns out to celebrate one of its tastiest food crops – the watermelon. Things get juicy as townsfolk and visitors compete in eating and spitting contests. Not to be outdone for fruity fun, MangoMania at Pine Island features two days of decorating Mr. Mango Head, parading in fruit-full hats, devouring mango pie, and crowning the Mango Queen. For Goodland’s Spammy Jammy, PJs are the requisite dress code and canned ham products the requisite creative medium.

Resources:

MangoMania:
 www.floridascreativecoast.com

Little Bar Restaurant:
 www.littlebarrestaurant.com

Arcadia Main Street Program:
 www.arcadiamainstreet.com

Writer/Producer: Shawn Holiday

Resources:

Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

Larry Richardson
Biologist
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
3860 Tollgate Blvd.
Naples, FL 34114
(239)353-8442
floridapanther@fws.gov

Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge
www.floridapanther.org
Lisa Ostberg, president
lisa.ostberg@floridapanther.org

For Panther sitings, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (800)404-3922

To buy a license plate that supports Florida wildlife, visit
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Florida Trail

Forum Topics:

• Have you ever seen a Florida panther?<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
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• Do you think the Florida panther will survive in wild 50 years from now? 100?

• What is your favorite park or refuge?
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Join host Jim McLaughlin as he explores a few of Southwest Florida’s regional getaways that let people get back to nature. Learn more about the relatively new Caloosahatchee Regional Park in Lee County. And about the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center which offers two sites for outdoor education and recreation. Whether it’s bird watching, hiking, biking, paddling or even horseback riding…there are plenty of choices right here in Southwest Florida.

Writer/Producer: Chelle Koster Walton

Resources:

Lee County Parks

Florida State Parks 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Refuges 

Visit Florida

Forum Topics:

• Where do you take your horse for a ride?

• Have any information about competitive biking in the area?

• Know of any biking clubs?
• Tell us your experiences on the Caloosahatchee Regional Park trails?