Tag: Josie in Paradise

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Did Irma Wreck the Wrecks 2005 Hurricane Dennis uprights Spiegel Grove

Anyone with a regulator, mask and snorkel can’t help but wonder, “Did Irma wreck the Florida Keys Wreck Treck?” Back in 2011 while studying the old ships sunk in the seas off the coast of the Florida Keys, I distinctly remember coming across the information that the largest ship sunk intentionally, before the General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the Speigel Grove, didn’t sink properly and landed upside down with parts of her bow sticking above the ocean’s surface. This in 2001. Read the intriguing report here. Even more interestingly a $.25 M plan to turn her upright also went awry. But, the force of Hurricane Dennis in 2005 turned her upright for divers around the world to enjoy.

View the TDC’s underwater video here.

Here is a look at a couple of unpublished pictures from that 2011 ocean exploration with one of the notable Barracuda that calls the artificial reef home.

In Key Largo, there is also the Benwood.

And in Islamorada, the Duane and the Eagle wrecks are part of the ecosystem.

In another one-hundred and twenty feet of water off the coast of Marathon is the Thunderbolt. Here are pictures from a dive with Castaway Restaurant and Sushi Bar Owner John Mirabella and his dive partner, Adolphus Busch III.

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Busch also sunk a wreck off of the coast of Big Pine, the area hardest hit, which he had named off of his great-grandfather. A great read here.

Seven nautical miles off of the coast of Key West is the mother ship. Organizers of the 523-foot General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the largest artificial reef to conclude the Florida Keys Wreck Trek sunk in 2009 with marked fanfare, media coverage and unlike the Spiegel Grove, upright.

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Now that the winds have calmed and a massive county clean up is underway, what is the state of these ships? Are the satellite dishes damaged? Is the 250-foot Adolphus Busch Sr. Wreck as smashed and shattered as the structures on the nearby islands? Which diver is hitting the trek to see which ships survived unscathed; and which if any, were demolished?

That’s a lot of heavy metal and that was a lot of force Irma insisted on unleashing through the Caribbean and all the way up Florida’s coastlines. No one was spared from her savagery.

The chance for peril, when out at sea and swimming at extreme depths, is always looming. Doesn’t matter if a Hurricane is gaining strength or not. The TDC reports that all of the islands will open for business Sunday, October 1, 2017. Better find those fins.

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EPISODE II Spoonful: is a cupful we're behind the bar! at Joe's Bar spicin' it up

There are instances in life, and on photo shoots, and after interviews where one just grabs for the bottle of Abolsut Peppar and shows the nation one reason why South Bass Island puts the spice in life. We were sent to Joe’s Bar to uncover the lowdown on their twist to a tomato based favorite. The Bloody Mary mix is homemade and includes some worcestershire sauce…

“…and I’ll say the drink has some horseradish but I’m not saying anything else,” manager Marissa Petroff plays up the mystery.

Before grabbing the bottles, pouring, mixing and adding garnish to the mid-day-meal-in-a-cup we sat down and spoke with one of the co-owners islander Brad Olemacher.

The televised broadcast of Josie in Paradise will be determined in October as emergency crews work to restore power and water to South Florida and the Florida Keys. The regularly scheduled program time is 9:30 p on AT&T U-Verse WEYW Channel 19 airing from Key West to Boca Raton. You can always watch here and nationwide on the Ohio X5 ROKU channel. 

 

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Episode II Fitness: Beach Cruiser unfurl from a fury of activity

Easy breezy summer days are exceptionally serene when approached atop a beach cruiser bicycle. There isn’t any headache over trying to find a place to park and unless earbuds are in and there isn’t a stereo to shake up the placid peace. Again and again bicycling proves to be a Shangri-la mode of transport. To shoot Episode I we ventured onto South Bass Island with a bomber aboard the ferry and headed to the town hall for Hatha Yoga with Kathi Spayde.  An effortless cruiser fits every island escape.

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David Stover, the service manager at Fremont Cycle and Fitness readied the ride. “What you did was the basic which was a sixty-five dollar tune. That goes over truing the wheels, checking the shifting, putting the brakes in proper order and a light clean-up on the bike. That’s good for what you’re doing.”

Stover shared this in Josie in Paradise, Episode II about pedaling for a better fettle.

Josie in Paradise can be viewed every Sunday at 9:30 p on AT&T U-Verse from Key West to the Florida Keys, across the nation via ROKU on the Ohio X5 Channel, and here.

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Episode II: F A S H I O N shoe that intoxicates with tread

The style started when skilled sailor, Paul Sperry, fell overboard. Inspired by the paws of his Cocker Spaniel, who he noticed didn’t slip in snowy or icy conditions, Sperry knew he needed a split shoe sole. One which was white to prevent marks from being left on the boat’s deck. The first patent of the non-slip shoe was marked in 1920 by John Sipe. He applied the technique to Sperry’s and the first sailor’s show emerged in 1935. Over 80 years later, crowds still tout the tread and swoon over the Sperry Style.


Josie in Paradise can be seen ever Sunday at 9:30 p on AT&T U-Verse from Key West to Boca Raton, through any ROKU Box via the Ohio X5 Channel, and here.

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Episode II Hotel Amenities: PIB Condos outfit with mainland luxuries

The luxury lakefront Put-in-Bay Condos are outfit nicely inside with modern kitchens, everything one needs to cook and prepare meals, two balconies, an in suite washer and dryer, plus a flat screen tv next to the open kitchen.

Outside of the PIB condos are community grills, plenty of umbrella covered patio tables. and a pool with lounge chairs.

“This is real laid back. Bring your own beer there’s a ledge in the pool where you can sit down in the water,” highlights PIB Condos Manager Tony White.

Plus, golf carts ready for rent on site.

 

Josie in Paradise can be seen every Sunday at 9:30 p on AT&T U-Verse from Key West to Boca Raton, through any ROKU box across the nation on the Ohio X5 Channel, and here.

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Josie in Paradise Episode II a fantastic north coast edition

What is even better than releasing the first episode of a new lifestyle show that showcases the talents and products of so many great people in a community is … working out a couple of kinks, ironing out imperfections and striving to be better with each release. Episode II of Josie in Paradise makes a mark of its own.

Here is who and what is featured. Cheers to everyone who participated.


 

Josie in Paradise can be seen on AT&T U-Verse from Key West to Boca Raton every Sunday night at 9:30 p, on Ohio’s X5 Roku Channel and here on this web page.

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EPISODE I: Spoonful bowl full of Nova Scotia lobster bisque

The Boardwalk was the first eatery establishment to bring the fare to Ohio decades ago. Enter Eric Booker, owner and operator of The Boardwalk Restaurant and lobster bisque kitchen.

“Thirty years ago no one had heard of Lobster Bisque soup,” he reminds us of the history.

In every vat of bisque at the boardwalk a total of thirty-six Canadian crustaceans are added to the concoction of butter, cream and sherry, including all of the claws, tail, body and legs meat. Pair with Heineman Winery’s Sauvignon Blanc and dress yourself for an unforgettable lunch or dinner.

 The segment with Eric aired during Episode I of Josie in Paradise. Watch right here.

 

 

Josie in Paradise airs every Sunday at 9:30 p on AT&T UVerse from Key West to Boca Raton, on Ohio’s X5 Network and here. 

 

 

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Josie in Paradise EPISODE I Episode I takes us to Put-in-Bay

The initial plans for this show was to begin in the Florida Keys and expand to the Lake Erie Islands. But every and businessman and woman will tell you their initial plans didn’t work out exactly the way they were outlined, the product was better and the journey one not worth forgetting.

Here is what and who is featured.

 



Josie in Paradise can be seen on AT&T U-Verse from Key West to Boca Raton every Sunday night at 9:30 p, on Ohio’s X5 Roku Channel and here on this website.

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EPISODE I: Spa Freshwater Retreat family remedies and island friendliness featured

“I’ve been on the journey of natural and organic living for quite some time, and I said one day too my aunt, ‘what about that recipe? Can you get it for me?’ I made and I realized: if I can make this, I can make other things,” Christie Ontko owner and operator of Freshwater Retreat and Remedies retraces some of the steps regarding her island entrepreneurial journey.

The “this” that she made is affectionately called, Grandma’s Salve.

She explains what the container contains, “camphor, pine sap, lard, bees wax, flax seed oil and it was my great-grandmother’s recipe on the island here and we grew up not having Neosporin or anything but we used this Grandma’s Salves for all of our cuts and bruises and mishaps.”

Freshwater Retreat and Remedies is nothing of a mishap, but a step into the direction of the “trend” in that the PIB crowd won’t always want to party, party, party.

She stresses she isn’t anti-alcohol by any means, “I drink alcohol. I think moderation is the key. When we’re out of balance we’re out of balance.”

She opened the couples retreat and adjoining wellness center about five years ago on South Bass Island. This true island girl, author and businesswoman is adamant about pointing out that she does not operate a spa offering services one might find on the mainland, such as, waxing, haircuts and color, manis, pedis, and eyelash extensions.

She is however, besides a true Island Girl, the creator of OntkOrganix, a line containing organic balms, skin care, even deodorant she makes herself.

“I’m very picky about what goes in my body, on my body,” Ontko voices, “I dived in for my own selfish reasons.”

Massage, Thai massage and Reiki are part of the wellness menu. Masseuse Mary Ann Billings makes the trek from Bay Village to work on guests and visitors.

“Tai Yoga Massage is a massage where I work on the energy lines of the body with palm presses, relaxation massage, acupressure and some gentle stretching. I bring my clients into some yoga poses on the table and massage them while their in the yoga poses. Especially the locals here really enjoy the service because they’re working so very hard, on their feet, all day, every day, taking care of the guests that come to Put-in-Bay. So they really enjoy getting their legs stretched out and worked on,” Billings expressed.

The “spa” segment with Freshwater Retreat and Remedies aired on Episode I of Josie in Paradise. Watch here.


Josie in Paradise airs every Sunday night at 9:30 on At&t UVerse from Key West to Boca Raton, on Ohio’s X5 Roku Channel and here.

 

 

 

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EPISODE I: Fitness Wellness Making Waves at PIB Hatha yoga moves into town hall

Rolling out their mats, and rolling into Put-in-Bay’s town hall is a collection of visitors to the island, retirees, workers, islanders, and bartenders. The yogis are as eclectic as their island paradise nestled directly off of Ohio’s north coast.

“I retired from NASA after thirty-four years working as an aeronautical engineer,” says Sue Prahst. “I was fortunate enough to leave and be able to live my life here on the island.”

Prahst is putting herself into the Hatha yoga poses alongside her husband, Steve.

“I’m getting up there in years so its really a nice way to feel good for the rest of the day and it releases a lot of stress. Its so nice to get here and get it all out and relax. This also involves a lot of stretching. This helps with my back problems and my wrist. I recently had surgery on my wrist because I broke my wrist this winter. I asked Kathi to add another class. I would be here every day,” the missus makes solid statements.

She had two more years in with the national agency all about aeronautics and space travel than her groom.

“I put in thirty-two years with NASA,” Mister Prahst confirms.

This is one guy all about exercise.

“I like to go to the gym. I’m kind of a gym rat and I like to bike ride, and swim and kayak. I think the thing about exercise is you have to keep doing different things. You don’t want to get into a rut and do the same thing over and over again so I’m always looking for something different to do. Yoga was never convenient or whatever and here it is on Put-in-Bay. Kathi has this class twice a week and its works in just fine,” Mister Prahst proves the benefits are as evident as the moon phases.

“Hatha Yoga is a combination of physical and mental self-control through postures, breathing and balance,” enters instructor and islander Kathi Spayde. “Yoga enhances breathing, balance, posture, flexibility (and) strength. It also lowers cholesterol, reduces stress, and provides better sleep.”

Sleep is something most vacationers find themselves lacking after a few days away from the mainland. Spayde recently added this amenity to South Bass Island and those such as the Prahsts are proving the instruction is what the island craved.

“Today I had three walk-ins they happened to see the sign out front and said, ‘hey, let’s go to yoga class,'” Spayde remarks.

The craving was created simply by the craziness one can only experience on an island fueled with an influx of visitors, revelers, and party-goers once season hits. To service them the workers have to work. Rita Overmier is one of them. She bartends at The Boardwalk Restaurant and has visitors surrounding her space from sun up to well past the hours when the sun finally sets.

“I like taking time to do something for myself. (I’m) relaxing, stretching, being around people who enjoy yoga,” Overmier admits. “This is the only thing on the island that I have time to do.”

The Prahsts are proof the hours with Spayde doing the downward dog and settling into goddess squats are an effective way to destress.

Sue shares, “I feel like a million bucks. Obviously on this island there’s a lot of partying going on…”

In their own backyard.

“We happen to have our own vineyard we make our own wine. People find us,” Sue expanded with her husband chiming in, “We have our place here. We grow some grapes and make some wine ourselves.”

Noting that their PIB home is the place to be.

“This is the best place to vacation in Ohio. Right here. We got the islands. The Lake Erie Islands are the place to go,” Steve said.

Spayde solidifies everything they’ve said, “we have a great community of people here and residents. Its not party time all the time. We enjoy the parties but not as much as the visitors do on the weekends. We’re bombarded constantly by people who want to come here.”

That means a decompression chamber was in the cards, hence Put-in-Bay Yoga.

“Its really cool to be here doing yoga in this historical place in the Put-in-Bay City Hall right in downtown (PIB), Its just a great feel,” articulates Steve.

Classes are every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.

The F I T N E S S segment from Josie in Paradise Episode I is here.

Josie in Paradise airs every Sunday night at 9:30 p from Key West to Boca Raton on At&t UVerse, on Ohio’s X5 Roku Channel, and here.