Big Blend Radio

Cheryl Ogle - Tipping Etiquette for Travelers

From who, where, and when, and what percent to give, this episode of Big Blend Radio's Vacation Station "Hey Wanna Go" Travel Show with travel advisor Cheryl Ogle deep dives into the world of tipping and gratuities. 
Check out Cheryl's blog on tipping etiquette for travelers: https://heywannago.wordpress.com/2024/08/13/gratuities-tipping/ 
On Big Blend Radio every third Wednesday, Cheryl is a world traveler, accredited travel advisor, and owner of Hey Wanna Go that specializes in travel to Europe and the UK, as well as river and ocean cruises. More: https://heywannago.com/ 

Linda Ballou - Confessions of a River Rat

From the Colorado River, American River and Green River, to the Salmon River, Tatshenshini, and Pacuare River, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou" podcast covers six of Linda's favorite river experiences. You can read her article about her "river rat" adventures, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/confessions-of-a-river-rat/  
Expanded essays on Linda's trips on the Green River, Salmon River, and the Tatshenshini, (also known as Raven’s River) are included in "Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler’s Tales." Sections of the story Tough Cookies in Costa Rica details her time on the Pacuare River. "Destination Deep Time" about rafting the Grand Canyon and a story about Georgie White the Wild Cat of the Canyon, winner of the Solas Award for Best Destination at Travel Tales publications, are included in "Lost Angel Unleashed: Stories from the Heart." 
Follow Linda Ballou's adventures at https://lostangeladventures.com/ and learn more about her books at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/ 
Listen to Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures" Show every 3rd Wednesday at High Noon PST,  here on YouTube:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm3Bmktgu8osUzx2VOF35dgO&feature=shared 

End-of-Summer Fun in Festive Natchitoches, Louisiana

Celebrate American Adventures Month and the End-of-Summer with this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Go to Natchitoches” Podcast. From the Cane River Zydeco, Big Foot, and Meat Pie Festivals to the Natchitoches Parish Fair and a new Corn Hole Tournament, Paige Alost and K. Nicole Connell of Natchitoches Tourism  share what to experience at the end of August and throughout September in Natchitoches. 
Founded in 1714, Natchitoches is the original French Colony and oldest settlement in Louisiana. Celebrating a vibrant blend of French, Spanish, African, Native American, and Creole cultures, this charming city is part of the Cane River National Heritage Area and Louisiana’s No Man’s Land.  Plan Your Visit to Natchitoches and check out the event calendar at https://natchitoches.com/ 
Follow Big Blend Radio's "Go to Natchitoches" show and check out the past episodes here: https://natchitoches-louisiana.podbean.com/ 

Sandra Bornstein - Keep Moving and Live Without Regrets

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s 3rd Monday “Food, Wine & Travel” Show with IFWTWA features travel writer and author Sandra Bornstein who shares her personal story of travel and skiing while grieving the loss of her husband, Ira. 
In 2020, their world was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, terminal brain cancer. Even though he was diagnosed with only 12-18 months to live and they were coping with COVID restricted travel, Ira and Sandra adopted the motto—Keep Moving and Live Without Regrets. Even though Ira is gone, Sandra has continued to live by his motto through travel and skiing, which have helped her tremendously. She hopes that her lifestyle choices will encourage others to embrace life when they are faced with a spouse's terminal diagnosis and subsequent death. Read her recent stories that focus on traveling and grieving: * https://www.wanderwithwonder.com/the-magic-of-skiing-while-grieving/ * https://www.travelworldmagazine.com/2024/06/a-respite-from-grief-a-week-at-hilton-health/ 
Sandy Bornstein, a Colorado based travel writer, has visited dozens of countries, and lived as an expat teacher in Bangalore, India. She is the award-winning author of "May This Be the Best Year of Your Life" which is a resource for people contemplating an expat lifestyle, and "100 Things to Do in Boulder Before You Die."  Keep up with her at https://thetravelingbornsteins.com  and https://sandrabornstein.com 
Learn more about the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) here: https://www.ifwtwa.org/ 
Follow this Podcast Channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1chVylr9kzBMftUgBoLS-m 

Author Alison Rand - Walking Alison

Celebrate National Dog Month (August) with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection" Show that features Alison Rand, author of the contemporary memoir, "Walking Alison: A Poodles’s Mostly True Story of Helping Her Human Navigate Life."
The healing relationship between a dog and her human is at the heart of "Walking Alison." Chronicling their regular walks around her Upper West Side neighborhood, this big-hearted book describes the significant relationship between Alison and her wise, yet opinionated, canine companion known as Dea. Dea nudges her human to engage with the world and appreciate everyday magic, even in the face of hardship. From processing grief to recovering from illness, Dea sees it all—and with deep wisdom, gives insight that can only be gleaned from looking through the eyes of a beloved pet.
Alison's previous memoir, “A Place Called Grace,” follows her misadventures as she struggles to find her footing as an actress in New York and Rome, Italy. Keep up with her at https://alisonrandauthor.com/ 
Big Blend Radio's PET CONNECTION Show is cohosted by Angela Laws, veteran pet sitter, and community manager at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/  
This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" and "Big Daily Blend" Podcast Channels. Follow the "Pet Connection" podcast at https://pet-connection.podbean.com/ 

Ruth Milstein - Making Stuffed Zucchini

Celebrate the end-of-summer with this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Cooking with Ruth" Show with Ruth Milstein who talks about cooking zucchini and shares how to make her recipe for Zucchini Stuffed with Rice and Meat. See her recipe, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/zucchini-stuffed-with-rice-and-meat/Ruth Milstein is the author of the Gourmand awarding-winning recipe book, "Cooking with Love: Ventures Into the New Israeli Cuisine." Learn more here: https://www.ruthmilstein.com/Listen to Big Blend Radio's 3rd Sunday "Cooking with Ruth" podcasts here: https://tinyurl.com/yr9jp58n 

Winemaker Insider - Dave Specter of Bells Up Winery in Oregon

Celebrate National Pinot Noir Day with our Big Blend Radio "Winemaker Insider" Conversation with Dave Specter, who along with his wife Sara, owns and runs Bells Up Winery in Willamette Valley, Oregon. 
After more than a decade of success as a corporate tax attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dave was emotionally and physically spent. Sara, a freelance marketing consultant and writer, convinced him to leave the profession and they turned the hobby that brought him joy—winemaking—into his new career. The pair had fallen in love with Newberg and Oregon’s Willamette Valley while on vacation in 2008, subsequently moving there in 2012 and establishing Bells Up Winery in 2013. The first wines were released Memorial Day 2015, coinciding with the opening of the estate winery/tasting room. The on-site production facility was built and equipped in time for 2019 harvest.
Bells Up is a micro-boutique winery that composes handcrafted, classically styled Pinot Noir, Rosé, Pinot Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes sourced exclusively from its estate, and from micro-sites in the Willamette Valley and Eastern Oregon. The winery makes ~600 cases annually. More: https://bellsupwinery.com/ 

The Then and Now of Art and Artists in Parks

In celebration of American Artists Appreciation Month and the upcoming National Park Service anniversary (Aug. 25, 1860), this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick features photographer Tanya Ortega. Hear their discussion covering the Then & Now of Art and Artists in Parks and Public Lands. 
Talking about the history of art and artists in parks, VICTORIA CHICK is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Victoria spearheaded the Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center  .* Read her articles about artists in parks:  https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/art-history-in-national-parks-and-public-lands * Visit Victoria's website:  https://victoriachick.com/ * Learn more about the Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/ 
Talking about "the now" of art and artists in parks, TANYA ORTEGA is a photographer and the founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation. NPAF is the only nationwide non-profit providing Artist-in-Residence Programs (AiR), Workshops, Exhibits and Museum Loans uniquely in cooperation with National Parks, National Monuments, State Parks, World Heritage Sites and other park locations. * Learn more about NPAF: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ * Check out Big Blend Radio's Interviews with NPAF artists-in-residence: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/national-park-arts-foundation/  
WATCH FOR BIG BLEND'S special digital retrospective publication featuring Victoria's articles and NPAF's artist interviews. It releases on Aug. 25, 2024 in honor of the National Park Service anniversary (Aug. 25, 1860). Subscribe to our Big Blend e-Newsletter to get your copy: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/join-our-newsletter/ 
Big Blend Radio's "World of Art" Show with Victoria Chick airs every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast:  https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 
Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks Show with NPAF airs every 1st Friday. Follow the podcast: https://arts-parks.podbean.com/