Big Blend Radio

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s Garden Gossip show, travel writer Debbie Stone shares her adventures in Bloedel Reserve, a heavenly oasis on Bainbridge Island in Washington State.  One of USA Today’s 2020 Top Ten Botanical Gardens, Bloedel’s vision is “To provide refreshment and tranquility in the presence of natural beauty.” The Reserve is a horticultural treasure that has been internationally recognized for its refined gardens, natural landscapes and preserved forests. It was created by Prentice and Virginia Bloedel, whose passion for nature and its therapeutic powers helped transform a rugged piece of land into a verdant Eden.  Read Debbie’s article about Bloedel Reserve on BlendRadioandTV.com. Featured music is “Mori-Forest Song” by Yagull.

This episode of Big Blend Radio was recorded onsite at The Farm at Spring Creek near Greeneville, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.  Erin Turner talks about  life on her family’s farm that's known for producing quality grass-fed beef, as well as the guest experience at their White Rose vacation cabin, an authentic log cabin that overlooks the pond. The rustic atmosphere is just what you need to unwind and have some peace and quiet. Explore the natural beauty and history of Appalachia and Greeneville including Smoky Mountain National Park, Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests, and the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio, airing live from The Farm at Spring Creek in Greeneville, Tennessee. On This Episode: - After So Many DaysDocumentary - Husband and wife music duo Jim Hanft and Samantha Yonack discuss the documentary about their year-long tour to play one concert a day for 365 days.  - COVID-19 Employment Laws - Attorney Ward Heinrichs explain the Families First COVID Response Act, California COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave, Safe Workplace Requirements, Wage and Termination Issues. - The Farm at Spring Creek - Erin Turner talks about her family’s farm and White Rose vacation cabin, an authentic log cabin located on The Farm at Spring Creek, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Featured music is “Blue Sky Day” by The Madisons, and “Tennessee Whisky” by Shelley King.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station Travel Show, airing live from the Miller-Dunham House Bed & Breakfast in the small and historic, historic Odessa, Delaware. This episode feaures innkeepers Bob & Debi Schulman, and Brian Miller, associate curator of the Historic Odessa Foundation. Odessa is a charming small town that’s home to one of thirteen National Historic Landmark sites in Delaware including the Corbit-Sharp house which is a designated Network to Freedom site on the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. It is also near parks and natural areas such as the Blackbird Creek Reserve, Lums Pond State Park, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Featured music is “Travel Song” by Micha Schelhaas, and “Freedom Has a Way” by James Saunders.

Unless you live in Texas, you may not have had the pleasure of sampling wines that are made in the Lone Star State. Texas ranks 5th in U.S. wine production, with over 400 bricks and mortar wineries, placing it behind only California, Washington, Oregon, and New York. While the largest winery density is in the Texas Hill Country, there are actually wineries across the state, including many outside of eight designated American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). As part of Big Blend Radio’s 2nd Friday Food Wine & Travel Festival with the International Food Wine & Travel Association (IFWTWA), Shelly Wilfong, wine writer and host of the “This Is Texas Wine” Podcast, gives and overview of Texas wines and wine tasting experience. Read her story on BlendRadioandTV.com. Featured music is “Texas Zydeco” by Shelley King.

The Rogue Valley is located in southern Oregon. Three towns, Medford, Ashland, and Grants Pass, garner the largest population in the area. From these cities, one can experience all the Rogue Valley has to offer, including Crater Lake, the wineries, other natural wonders, including many waterfalls and its numerous outdoor activities. As part of Big Blend Radio’s 2nd Friday Food Wine & Travel Festival with the International Food Wine & Travel Association (IFWTWA), Eli Matthews of Travel Medford and travel/wine writer Cori Solomon give an overview what there is to see and do in Oregon’s Rogue Valley, especially focusing on region’s diverse wine tasting experience. Read Cori’s Rogue Valley article on BlendRadioandTV.com. Featured music is “Pour the Champagne” by Jann Klose.

Juneau, Alaska stands on one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. The largest US capital city by area, Juneau is a destination known for wildlife, fishing, glaciers, shopping, restaurants and artistic flare. As part of Big Blend Radio’s 2nd Friday Food Wine & Travel Festival with the International Food Wine & Travel Association (IFWTWA), Midgi Moore – CCTP, owner of Juneau Food Tours, talks about her culinary tours and brand new Taste Alaska! Box Subscriptions that offer an array of delicacies from the Last Frontier delivered right to your door. Featured music is “Oh Alaska” by Robbie Boyd.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines, for Big Blend Radio’s 2nd Friday Food Wine & Travel Festival,  airing live from from the Hummingbird Inn in Easton, MD. On This Episode: - Eric Levinson, innkeeper/owner of the award-winning Hummingbird Inn, a stately 1865 Queen Anne Victorian in historic Easton, MD - Margaret Davis Ghielmetti, a world traveler, two-time Moth StorySLAM winner, and author of “Brave(ish): A Memoir of a Recovering Perfectionist.” - Linda Ballou, a world traveler, outdoor adventurer, and author of “Lost Angel Walkabout: One Travelers’s Tales” and “Lost Angel in Paradise.” - Featured music is “Hummingbird” by Wally Lawder, “Traveler” by the Walk-A-Bout Band. Upcoming Festival Episodes with International Food Wine Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA): - Taste Alaska with Midgi Moore, owner of Juneau Food Tours - Explore Oregon’s Rogue Valley Wine Country with Cori Solomon & Eli Matthews - Getting to Know Texas Wine with Shelly Wilfong

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines, for Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station Travel Show, airing live from Lancaster Ridge B&B in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. ON THIS EPISODE: - California’s Sequoia Country- Travel spotlight on fall and winter in Tulare County in Central California with representatives from the Sequoia Tourism Council: Sintia Kawasaki-Yee - Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks, Katie Wightman - Sequoia Parks Conservancy, Sandy Blankenship - Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Donnette Silva Carter - Tulare Chamber of Commerce, Jessica Brackeen - Porterville Chamber of Commerce. - Tiffany’s Bed & Breakfast - Innkeeper Tiffany Bertram talks about their Veterans Day Giveaway where one lucky veteran or active duty servicemember can enter to win a free night stay at Tiffanys B&B in Bismark, Arkansas. - Lancaster Ridge Bed & Breakfast - Innkeeper Susan Reimel talks about her beautiful Inn and what there is to see and do in historic Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Featured music: “California Days” by Josh Pfeiffer, “Colors of the USA” by Doreen Taylor, and “My Favorite Bridge” by Jon Roniger.

Join Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines, for Big Blend Radio’s Champagne Sundays Show broadcasting live as part of the Big Blend Radio Fall Festival Series, from Peach Tree City, Georgia. ON THIS EPISODE: - Rosie Reader - Maria Coder discusses her new play-based website RosieReader.com that’s filled with book-inspired activities and free printables for little kids to provide literary escapism, virtual resources for parents, and encourage reading amid pandemic. -Transcendence - Guitarist Dennis Haklar shares songs and stories behind his new album “Transcendence” that he recorded with percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo, with appearances by vocalist Steffie Moonlady. - TrustedHousesitters - Angela Laws shares how TrustedHousesitters.com is the pet care solution keeping pets happy at home and helping people to travel.