The SHORE Line

S1, E19 
Did you know you could go on an African Safari right here in Ohio? Happy #NationalTraveland TourismWeek from Shores & Islands Ohio - Jill and Dayton first chat a bit about the events and themed-days planned in commemoration of this industry-wide celebration. Then, we talk to Kelsey Keller, the Director of Port Clinton’s African Safari Wildlife Park, and learn all about the different animal species you can visit and different experiences guests can have there. This animal adventure includes not only a drive-thru and feed different animals from your own car experience, but also a more traditional zoo setting which you can walk through and have many different animal interactions including such things as camel rides and giraffe feeding. The park is also home to a Dinosaur Takeover featuring life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and photo opportunities located within the walk-thru experience. Kelsey gives us the inside scoop on how African Safari Wildlife Park supports wildlife conservation and what cute, new animal is joining the family this season! (Hint, it’s the world’s largest rodent!) Find out more at AfricanSafariWildlifePark.com.

S1, E18 
After all, it is right in our name. Some of the best communities we get to promote are in the middle of beautiful Lake Erie and you have to take a boat or a plane to get there! As the weather has begun warming up in northern Ohio, it’s officially Island Season! What does that mean? It means it’s time to visit Put-in-Bay for a day (or longer) of fun, relaxation, and island vibes. Today we chat with Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau Executive Director, Wendy Chambers and she says you have to experience island life to understand it. We learn about how you can get to Put-in-Bay and how you can get around the island once you get there. Then, she tells us her must-sees and must-visit attractions for anyone coming for a visit. We hear about all the exciting major events taking place on the island this year, including the annual Pyrate Fest, Ohio’s Island Wine Fest, Oktoberfest, and Founder’s Day (celebrating its 50th anniversary this year!) Wendy even gives us a sneak peak of what’s new at Put-in-Bay. So, get your boat out or get your ferry tickets, head over to VisitPutinBay.com for all the details, and get out to the island!

S1, E17 
Tourism development is robust in Shores & Islands Ohio! Each year, a number of Destination Development Grants help support projects big and small throughout the region. Shores & Islands Ohio Destination Development & Experience Director, Amanda Smith Rasnick, joins Jill and Dayton on the podcast to talk about the grant program for businesses and organizations in Erie and Ottawa counties in Ohio. Amanda fills us in on how the program works and what kinds of projects are eligible. She also shares a few past projects that were particularly cool and meaningful. Next, we go back to our annual meeting where we got to interview several former grant recipients in-person, and learned about their projects and how they were able to take advantage of the additional funding to help grow the region. Several also share what being awarded a grant meant to their overall projects. We hope you enjoy learning more about some of the amazing things happening in Shores & Islands Ohio! Get more info on the region at SHORESandISLANDS.com.

S1  E16
Coming off the 2024 Shores & Islands Ohio annual meeting, organization President Larry Fletcher joins the podcast to talk about all of the amazing accomplishments for the tourism industry and the region in 2023, as well as some highlights from this event. We learn how a dream of being on the radio and playing rock-and-roll translates into a career in tourism, and how Ohio promotes our state for visitation, encouraging people to travel within the state and visitors from out of state to enjoy destinations such as ours. Jill, Dayton, and Larry talk about some of the ways the region has grown and the exciting things either new to the region or coming on board soon. We note how we are a year-round destination and there is no “off-season,” as there is always something happening. Then, we hear about one of the top IRONMAN 70.3 events in the country, coming once again to Sandusky this summer and how Larry is participating for his third straight race. Follow along and see how momentum is growing and grow with us at SHORESandISLANDS.com.

S1, E15 
This is no fish tale…today we’re talking about great catches available this season on Lake Erie and why the Shores & Islands Ohio region is the best place to enjoy this fun activity. We are the “Walleye Capital of the World,” after all! First, hosts Jill and Dayton chat about getting ready for the spring and summer seasons and previous fishing experiences. We discuss the many charter fishing opportunities available and how easy it is to get started with the sport. Then, we bring in expert Travis Hartman, Lake Erie Fisheries Program Administrator with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. Travis educates us on the research and data collection that takes place through their organization and how they set annual catch amount and size limits for the many species of fish. Then, we break down the 2024 Lake Erie fishing outlook for walleye, perch, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and steelhead trout. Finally, Travis tells us how now is a great time to fish Lake Erie and how anybody can do it. Download the HuntFishOH app or go to OhioDNR.com (select Division of Wildlife) to learn more.

S1  E14
Tweet, tweet…a little birdie told us we’re getting ready for a major birding festival! The Biggest Week in American Birding flies into the Shores & Islands Ohio region May 3-12, 2024 and festival co-founder Kimberly Kaufman of the Black Swamp Bird Observatory joins us to talk all about it. Also joining the conversation is her husband, renowned birder and author Kenn Kaufman. Kenn tells us what’s special about birding in northwest Ohio and gives us a sneak peak into his latest book, The Birds that Audubon Missed, available May 7, 2024. Kimberly shares about the importance of birding tourism and the important research and education provided by the BSBO. We talk about what guests to the Biggest Week in American Birding can expect, from field trips and workshops, to some very exciting keynote speakers and performances. This year’s event is even more special because the focus is on removing barriers and making birding accessible to everybody and every body (whether in a wheelchair, visually impaired, etc.) Many of the activities are free – come visit us for a life-changing birding experience. Find more at BSBO.org and BiggestWeekinAmericanBirding.com.

S1  E13

 As we get ready for the summer season, hosts Jill and Dayton chat about what it takes behind-the-scenes to plan for seasonal content promotion. A lot of that planning includes looking at upcoming local festivals and events, which brings us to our guest on this episode – the host, creator, and independent producer of the PBS program, Finding Festivals. From small-town festival queen to host of her very own travel show, Haylie Robinson tells us how a visit to our own Milan Melon Festival inspired her to want to visit community festivals, but also explore the communities beyond the event. Season one is available now and Haylie shares with us some of her favorite stories from filming the first 13 episodes. She also shares with us what it takes to have a show go national and how excited she is to be sharing stories of her backyard (Ohio and Michigan) with the world, showing what makes the Midwest so special and culturally diverse. You will be inspired by how Haylie made her childhood dream of hosting a travel show a reality and hear what she’s working on now. Learn more at FindingFestivals.com and follow @HaylieStory.

S1, E12 
Join us for an immersive experience, as we learn all about one of Shores & Islands Ohio’s most educational AND entertaining opportunities. In this episode, Jill and Dayton talk to Dick Ries, one of the owners of Firelands Adventure Tours. What brought these small business owners to Sandusky and how did their first venture Segway (misspelling intentional) into a full-service guided tour business? Learn how pivoting their business model opened up several options for serving more customers, covering more geographic area, and expanding their offerings, while still doing what they loved – giving guided, historical informational tours about the region. Find out what kinds of tours they offer and what they mean when they say it’s a fully immersive experience. This year-round attraction even offers special holiday and unique pop-up tours, like one they are offering for the upcoming total solar eclipse. Also, why Firelands Adventure Tours? Dick tells us a bit of history on the word “Firelands,” what it means and why it’s so prevalent in the Shores & Islands Ohio region. Book your tour today at FirelandsAdventureTours.com and #BeShoreAndWave!

S1, E11
Spring is in the air! Dayton and Jill have both been out and about as much as possible recently, taking advantage of warmer weather and sunshine. And, we are looking forward to even brighter days ahead! With the beginning of spring season upon us, in this episode we visit with Veronica Sheets, the Event and Development Coordinator for Schedel Gardens & Arboretum in Elmore. Veronica tells us a bit about the history and evolution of the gardens and the more than 25 outdoor sculptures and other art pieces you can enjoy when you visit. The gardens open for the season on April 2 and we learn just exactly what will be in bloom at that time and that we can walk around the gardens with an ice cream or glass of wine from their café. We talk about the very rare Blair Museum of Lithophanes, exactly what a lithophane is, and the upcoming Rulers of the Past exhibit. Veronica tells us all about some exciting upcoming events for Easter and Mother’s Day and a Bridal Show they are hosting. Speaking of brides, we learn why Schedel Gardens & Arboretum is the perfect place to host a wedding or other special event. Open April through October, Veronica tells us peak times to visit and what’s new this year. Get outdoors with us this spring! Find out more at schedel-gardens.org.

S1 E10
 A totally stellar event is coming soon to Shores & Islands Ohio…a total solar eclipse. On April 8, 2024, the moon will completely block out the sun for a rare celestial event. Due to our global position directly in the path of totality, the communities in and around Shores & Islands Ohio will enjoy incredible, unobstructed viewing times of approximately four minutes—one of the longest durations in the entire region! Kelly Sommers is the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) coach for Sandusky City Schools and also head of programming for the Sidney Frohman Planetarium. Kelly joins Jill and Dayton to educate us all on eclipses, why this one is so special, and how everyone can safely enjoy the event, stress-free. We learn why you shouldn’t try to take photos of an eclipse event with your phone and when it is safe to remove your protective eyewear (and what cool thing you might see!) Kelly also tells us all about the planetarium’s year-round offerings and how it provides information on our solar system, not just to local school students, but to the general public as well. Get ready for an out-of-this world podcast! Learn more at scs-k12.net/sanduskyplanetarium.com and SHORESandISLANDSeclipse.com.