BetweenTheBeachesPodcast

This week we journey back to Florida's Indian River region in the early 1900's thanks to a quaint paperback publication titled "Oslo" which was written by Arnold Helseth. Aside from chronicling his ancestors' amazing American journey, it provides vivid and valuable insight into our Florida heritage, especially in present day southern Indian River County and Northern St. Lucie County.

Florida's 2023 tropical weather has ramped up as we find ourselves in the peak of hurricane season so the timing couldn't be more appropriate to reflect on our state's history with September storms. As clean up efforts from Idalia continue in North Florida, we take a look back at the disastrous 1926 Hurricane which forevermore changed Florida's trajectory financially and environmentally. This one tragic weather incident devastated the Glades region and altered Florida's course more than anyone at that time could have realized so join us for firsthand accounts of those fateful hours from survivors who bore witness to the devastation.

This Labor Day weekend will find Okeechobee abuzz with both locals and our urban coastal neighbors eager to take in yet another rodeo experience in one of Florida's iconic arenas - one of the few remaining outdoor, uncovered, and privately owned venues. It's a piece of Florida history and a solid slice of Americana. The rodeo is the largest fundraiser for the non-profit Okeechobee County Cattlemen's Association and it affords the association the ability to give back primarily to the youth of the community, but to others as well. The rodeo is held biannually - once in spring with The Speckled Perch Festival and again in September as the Pete Clemons Memorial Labor Day Rodeo. This week as Hurricane Idalia bears down on the Big Bend and North Florida, I sit down at the Okeechobee Cattlemen's Arena with fellow OCCA officers/board members to discuss our memories of growing up around the rodeo, how it's shaped us as leaders, and how it helps our community on so many levels.

Our good friend Clint Raulerson joins us this week to reflect on his adventures and growth that stemmed from cowboying in Kansas along with his return to Florida and the new chapters that lie ahead. In the process, we cover the importance of sharing our heritage with the public at large and then close out the show with a few new pieces of cowboy poetry in memory of Bill O'Grady, a fellow cowboy and kind soul who sadly passed on in a tragic horse wreck while working cattle recently.

NOTE:  With archery season underway here in Florida for Zone A, it seemed like a great time to revisit this episode that was full of lively conversation and plenty of great perspective about wild Florida.  If you've heard it previously, we hope you enjoy it just as much or more the second time around, and if this is your first time hearing it we think you're going to find plenty of useful information in here.

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If you ever wanted to feel like you were part of deer camp, this is the episode for you! We gathered together between the morning and evening hunts with the crew behind FLCamo to discuss the development of their products, their philosophy on the outdoors, and to hear some good ol hunting stories from the past. Don't miss this fun and interesting conversation!

Garrett Stuart, or Captain Planet as he's better known to loyal followers both young and old, has a diverse background in science and conservation. That education coupled with his Lakota and Scots background combine to provide a truly unique perspective on how we live with and treat our natural world. Garrett believes strongly in the importance of balancing the lessons and wisdom from our past with a focus on the unknown which still lies ahead of us, therefore he works diligently to educate for a sustainable planet for future generations to come. In this episode, Garrett and I begin with a discussion of his background and move forward to our mutual frustrations with those who are in the frequent habit of selling out our state for their own short term gain. More specific to the present, Garrett is beginning a series of monthly prayer walks to raise awareness over House Bill 1191, already approved by the legislature and awaiting Governor DeSantis' signature, which would allow Phosphogypsum waste to be used in Florida road construction. Phosphogypsum is a byproduct of phosphate mining that emits radioactive Radon gas and has been banned for the past 30 years. Remember the 2021 Piney Point disaster whereby Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency? That catastrophic event involved the same type of waste so why would we want to risk using it in our roadways? The almighty dollar and special interests are killing our state right before our eyes if we continue to allow it. Tune into the podcast for all of this discussion and much more, get involved in the prayer walk to raise awareness on this issue, and get engaged in standing up for Florida before we lose her for good.

Garrett Stuart, or Captain Planet as he's better known to loyal followers both young and old, has a diverse background in science and conservation. That education coupled with his Lakota and Scots background combine to provide a truly unique perspective on how we live with and treat our natural world. Garrett believes strongly in the importance of balancing the lessons and wisdom from our past with a focus on the unknown which still lies ahead of us, therefore he works diligently to educate for a sustainable planet for future generations to come. In this episode, Garrett and I begin with a discussion of his background and move forward to our mutual frustrations with those who are in the frequent habit of selling out our state for their own short term gain. More specific to the present, Garrett is beginning a series of monthly prayer walks to raise awareness over House Bill 1191, already approved by the legislature and awaiting Governor DeSantis' signature, which would allow Phosphogypsum waste to be used in Florida road construction. Phosphogypsum is a byproduct of phosphate mining that emits radioactive Radon gas and has been banned for the past 30 years. Remember the 2021 Piney Point disaster whereby Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency? That catastrophic event involved the same type of waste so why would we want to risk using it in our roadways? The almighty dollar and special interests are killing our state right before our eyes if we continue to allow it. Tune into the podcast for all of this discussion and much more, get involved in the prayer walk to raise awareness on this issue, and get engaged in standing up for Florida before we lose her for good.

In this episode, we share an interview conducted by Tampa Bay History in 1981 with Jay B. Starkey, Sr., Jay Starkey, Jr., and Frank Starkey. Representing 3 generations of Florida ranchers, they reflect on the early days of Pasco and Pinellas counties and bemoan the rampant development that seemed to be plaguing them at that time some 40 plus years ago. It's a tale of loving the natural landscape and a warning for what was to come; what we're facing now in Florida.

This week FCA executive vice president Jim Handley joins us to share a wealth of information about the Florida Cattlemen's Foundation, including it's history, an in-depth look at the many projects they've helped fund and bring to fruition, as well as some general history regarding FCA and his role there. We dig deep in our conversation for what amounts to a very informative discussion that you're sure to enjoy so don't miss it!

There is little doubt by now that America's story is one of immigrants finding opportunities and a fresh start, and the Florida frontier was a microcosm of that bold experiment. Our journey this week begins during the Second Spanish Occupation of Florida as we hear the exploits of Rob and Robbie Sistrunk's ancestors as they first arrive at present day Amelia Island from Scotland and then journey west to present day Levy County. Listen in and find out how our families intertwined in the North Florida backcountry during the early 1800's and then became interwoven again a couple hundred years later. Florida is growing fast, but the old families are still holding on and remain connected. Join us for a glimpse into that enthralling past and a current look at agriculture in Levy County today that you're sure to enjoy.