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GETAWAY GETAWAY THE MAGAZINE OF TRADEWINDS ISLAND RESORTS | 2019

THE MAGAZINE OF TRADEWINDS ISLAND RESORTS | 2019

CONTENTS 2 Redesigning a Beach Resort RumFish Grill brand extends to lifestyle, fishing 4 New Rooms with the New Name RumFish Beach Resort gets a makeover 6 Thomas Krause, Florida Artist Discover the new art of RumFish Beach Resort 7 TradeWinds EcoTeam Leaving footprints on the sand 8 RumFish Charters Head offshore for the big ones 10 Egmont Key A treasure trove of Florida history 12 Ice Breakers Chillin’ with the freshest seafood 16 Multi-Generational Vacations Learn what makes them work for everyone 19 New Giant Slide, New Exhibits Choose your way to seize the day 20 As Seen on TV Hop a chopper and cruise into the sunset

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22 Take the Adventure Traveler Quiz Beach bum or thrill seeker? Nature lover or cultural explorer? Or do you travel for food?

36 50 Years of Fun in the Sun TradeWinds company history 101 39 Throwback Savings Pack 50th Anniversary discounts this Fall 40 Tattoo-Worthy Three little words trigger a world of memories 42 Service is Our Passion Meetings reap the benefits of a seasoned team 44 Upscale Coastal Vibe at Island Grand Rooms and suites get a whole new look 46 Guests Make Their Memories Last Did it really happen if you didn’t snap it?

48 Win a Trip Back to the Beach!

Check out some of our lucky winners 49 Packages, Discounts and Rewards Loyal guests reap rewards and benefits

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GETAWAY magazine is produced and published by the Marketing Department of TradeWinds Island Resorts.

Editor in Chief | Lynda Waters Creative Director | Wendy Kirkwood Graphic Designer | Caitlyn Scannell Staff Photographer | Wendy Yoder Cover: Steve Widoff Photography TradeWinds Island Resorts 5600 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 727.363.2215 | JustLetGo.com TradeWindsWeddings.com | TradeWindsMeetings.com © 2019 All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

TIME FLIES This year, we celebrate 50 years of sun and fun on St. Pete Beach. Some of you have been visiting us nearly that long! Bear with me for a brief history note.

50 years ago, our company, Resort Inns of America, Inc., was incorporated in order to construct the Schrafft’s Sandpiper Resort and consolidate the Fortune family’s beachfront properties. There have been many changes over the years, and we hope you enjoy seeing some of our pictures from “back in the day.”

As of March this year, that Sandpiper property at 6000 Gulf Boulevard became RumFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds. The resort retains its laid-back, naturecentered focus, with marine artwork by Floridian Thomas Krause and all new room décor. You’ll still enjoy s’mores around the fire pit, tropical drinks and live music at the SandBar and our touch tank experience.

Guest rooms at Island Grand are sporting a new look as well, and if you haven’t experienced our new outdoor spaces at Palm Court Italian Grill and Salty’s Beach Lounge, then you need to come visit soon. Oh, and we have a new High Tide Slide, now with four chutes plummeting thirty feet to the beach. Gotta try it out!

Celebrate our 50th anniversary with us this Fall and enjoy big savings with special rates for returning guests, plus a Throwback Savings Pack. Details are page 39.

Time flies. Eighteen summers and the kids are gone. Unused vacation time, wasted. The weather is beautiful. Don’t you wish you were here?

Cheers to 50 years,

Keith Overton, CHA President, TradeWinds Island ReSORTS

NEW

NAME·BRAND·ROOMS Dateline: March 2019. TradeWinds expands the RumFish Grill brand to include resorts, fishing charters and lifestyle clothing.

R

umFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds is the new name for our resort just “200 flip flops” up the beach from TradeWinds Island Grand. The retail shop at RumFish Grill now sports a splashy new banner for RumFish Beach Life and RumFish Charters is hosting first-class fishing experiences for those guests venturing offshore to reel in the big ones.

The resort will keep its “Florida lifestyle” theme and eco/educational focus, and the marine wildlife artwork of Floridian Thomas Krause is featured in the wholly reimagined guest rooms and RumFish Grill.

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

The Education Wall at RumFish Grill features a montage of fish and marine animals by Florida artist Thomas Krause.

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I

n addition to the new name, RumFish Beach Resort boasts all new room dĂŠcor! Living areas feature new sofa beds and club chairs, with comfy lumbar bolster pillows and the view out the full-width,

new sliding glass doors adding hues of brilliant blues and greens.

Crisp white linens in the bedrooms are contrasted with colorful marine artwork and new bedscarves and relaxing neutral wall colors.

Even the bathrooms got an upgrade with new mirrors and lighting.

New draperies and marine-inspired carpeting complete the new look.

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

You asked for it! While our guests always loved our gulffront suites and romance rooms directly overlooking The SandBox, the wide sandy beach and sparkling Gulf of Mexico, there was something missing: real balconies. Now you can enjoy the Gulffront view from your own balcony, with privacy walls separating it from your neighbors.

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TAKE A DIVE WITH

Thomas Krause

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

T

homas Krause, one of Florida’s finest marine and wildlife artists, has combined two of his lifelong passions into his work – art and wildlife, particularly marine life.

His astounding ability to light his subject material below water with refracted light is breathtaking, and likely stems from Tom spending plenty of time underwater in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean waters.

Born in Michigan, Tom has lived in Florida since 1979 and has fished the waters of Alaska to Florida. While much of his subject matter includes marine life, he also paints wildlife and birds including the grizzly bear and endangered Florida panther.

You may have seen (and perhaps even purchased) his artwork in the hallway leading to the beachfront pool and popular SandBar, as well as in the RumFish Grill® gallery. Now his is the featured guest room art in newly renamed RumFish Beach Resort and throughout the restaurant.

Thomas Krause’s limited edition prints were the coveted prizes for many years in the Fishing for Hearts tournament, an annual catch and release tournament benefiting Athletes for Hearts and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. His art has also won numerous contests for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as well as being featured on a host of magazine covers.

LEAVING FOOTPRINTS ON THE SAND, NOT THE ENVIRONMENT. Our Mission: Raise awareness about the effects of the “human footprint” on the environment through education, local outreach and conservation efforts.

Explore More: Guest speakers from local conservation groups bring new topics to monthly meetings and often issue a specific eco-challenge. Meetings are open to our employees, guests and local residents.

Go and Do: The EcoTeam participates in monthly beach cleanups (open to the public), corporate clean-ups (customized private events) and attend festivals and events to promote eco-tourism.

Pounds of trash from beach cleanups: 521 pounds 2017 | 1,269 pounds 2018 Hatchlings from TradeWinds adopted nests: 170 from 2 nests 2017 | 239 from 3 nests 2018

CHARTERS

O

REELIN’ IN SOME BIG ONES

ne of the finest fisheries in the world lies off the coast of St. Pete Beach and RumFish Charters can take you there. Your day on the water will be a first-class experience aboard a superbly equipped 34’ Fountain center console boat, captained by Mathew and Mitchell Overton, two of the youngest and hardest working stars in the Tampa Bay fishing community.

Powered by a trio of 300 Mercury Verados, you can be 60 miles offshore at our world-famous reef fisheries in record time, dropping a line for snapper or grouper. Amberjack and hogfish may also make an appearance. If you’re angling to test your skills against a big silver king, seasonal Tarpon trips are within five miles of shore.

TO BOOK A CHARTER, visit RumFishCharters.com or contact Captain Tim at the Outfitter Shop at RumFish Beach Resort, 727.329.1408. You can also reach Captain Mathew dirctly at 727.286.1035.

PRESS PAWS AND

@lolatheterrible

266.1232

Treat your favorite four-legged family member and yourself to the ultimate St. Pete Beach getaway! Our Sit. Stay. Play. 3-night package includes discounted room rates in a pet-friendly suite and plenty of fetching amenities like a leash-free pet play zone, doggie drinking fountain, designated walking zones and more. Another perk just for pets?

A tail-wagging treat from our Paw Court Bistro!

Book now at JustLetGo.com/Fido or call 855.429.1557.

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THE KEY TO UNLOCKING OLD FLORIDA EGMONT KEY: A TREASURE TROVE OF HISTORY Look to your left (about 10 o’clock) as you’re standing on the beach at night, and you’ll see a light blink on and off; on and off every 15 seconds. It’s the Egmont Key lighthouse, marking the entrance to Tampa Bay, and it’s situated on Egmont Key State Park. A quick round of trivia gives you a hint of the history hidden there.

You can visit Egmont Key via the ferry leaving from Ft. Desoto Park, or a seasonal snorkeling trip with Adventure Cruises departing from the beach at TradeWinds Island Grand.

Courtesy of Florida Memory

The lighthouse was built in 1848, only to be destroyed by the Great Hurricane of 1848 and a subsequent storm.

In 1858 it was rebuilt on higher ground to withstand any storm.

It is no longer manned but continues to be in use, maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Egmont Key was used as an internment camp for hundreds of captured Seminoles during the late 1850s at the end of the Third Seminole War, before they were moved to reservations in Oklahoma.

In 1861, as Union blockaders left to patrol other Gulf waters, the lighthouse keeper fled to Tampa and reported their absence.

Confederate forces and civilians returned and stole the “lamp,” effectively blacking out Tampa Bay. They hid it so well at Tampa’s Fort Brooke that it was not found until after the war.

The lamp or lens used in the lighthouse was a “third order” Fresnel lens, about 40” in diameter, 5’ high and weighing about 2,000 pounds.

Photo by Florida Aquarium Courtesy of Bay Soundings Tampa Bay Environmental News

The U.S.S. Narcissus, returning from a tour in the Gulf of Mexico during the Civil War, ran aground on a sandbar off Egmont Key in 1866. The wreck is now an Underwater Archaeological Preserve.

Fort Dade was built in 1898 as the SpanishAmerican War threatened. Military operations in Cuba were staged from there, and the fort protected Tampa Bay, remaining active until 1923.

1848 1850 1861 1866 1898 10

TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

1926 1974 2019 The Tampa Bay Pilots Association was founded in 1886 and set up housing and operations on the island in 1926.

These pilots originally sighted vessels from the lighthouse. Pilots would stay in the cottages on Egmont Key, board a vessel and guide the ship safely in and out of Tampa Bay harbor, assisting seamen in navigating the long and narrow channel.

With populations of gopher tortoises and box turtles making the island their home, along with nesting loggerhead turtles, Egmont Key was established as a federal wildlife refuge in 1974.

April through August, more than 35,000 pairs of beach-nesting birds - mainly royal and sandwich terns, black skimmers, brown pelicans and laughing gulls - reside on the island.

The greatest threat to Egmont Key is erosion.

It has lost over half its acreage since a 1950’s survey. A team of University of South Florida faculty and grad students and a Seminole Tribe archaeologist spent three weeks this summer creating 3-D images of Egmont Key. The plans are to have the images made into online tours. In fact, this will be the only way that visitors can see inside the lighthouse!

Photo by Scott Keeler Courtesy of Tampa Bay Times

Royal terns fish in the shallows with the lighthouse in the background in this limited edition print by Dean Fortune, resident artist and designer at TradeWinds. A stickler for accuracy, Dean often ventures onto the beach to photograph birds native to the bay area for reference, and as a local history buff, he contributed much of the information for this story.

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CHILL OUT IN THE COOLEST SPOT

WITH FLORIDA’S FRESHEST SEAFOOD BY: WENDY KIRKWOOD

F

lorida’s not called the sunshine state for nothing – and when it’s time for your group to hop off the beach to beat the heat, RumFish Grill is the perfect place to chill out thanks to some fresh starts from Chef Aaron.

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WHAT’S COOLER THAN BEING COOL? ICE COLD ICE BREAKERS, OF COURSE! With the greatest natural resource – the Gulf of Mexico – just a few flip flops away, it doesn’t take much to dress up some of the most delicious and flavorful seafood you’ll find anywhere in the country. Chef Aaron Schweitzer has created a whole menu of cold appetizers based around the idea that sometimes, less is more. That’s not to say he hasn’t incorporated inspiration from around the world to make these small plates of local wonders pack a big flavor punch.

The delicious Blue Agave Oysters are prepared with Mexico in mind thanks to a little tequila, jalapeño and lime. The Peruvian-Style Ceviche is a take on a South American tradition where daily fresh fish is marinated in lime juice, cilantro, chili and served with sweet potato and corn. The flavors found in the Tuna Poke take you clear across the globe with Japanese elements like miso dressing and a wakame salad.

Beyond the bites, there are quite a few frosty cocktails that will make you want to freeze time on the spacious outdoor deck. It’s no surprise that the most popular drink on the VERY popular drink menu happens to be a vacationer’s dream. The Strawberry Mojito Martini blends city-slicker sophistication with a tasty trip to the tropics, plus the added bonus of a little local flair. Strawberries grown in Plant City, just about 30 miles from the restaurant, are used to give the martini its signature flavor and pink hue. A combination of rum and vodka is perfectly infused with the sliced berries and pineapples - all you need is muddled mint and a squeeze of lime!

Meet us in the bar or on the deck during happy hour and dive in to all of these incredible ice breakers and many more at half the price.

Who knows, you may even want to float into the evening with a little live music at the coolest spot on St. Pete Beach. C’mon get ‘appy!

Tuna

Poke

AWW SHUCKS! OUTRAGEOUS FACTS ABOUT OYSTERS

ell ow fin Tun a

One oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day.

d ste Cru n r co Black Pepper

Y

They form their own little neighborhoods.

Spring is when oysters spawn.

Oyster reefs provide a natural barrier against big waves.

Cold Water Oysters

Squash the “r” superstition: now oysters are good all year.

Pearls are formed from impurities getting in the shell.

Oyster reefs are the most endangered habitat on Earth. However, reef restoration efforts are working.

There are 5 different species of oysters in U.S. waters.

Tampa Bay Watch installs Oyster Shell Bars and builds Oyster Domes in the area.

There’s no evidence showing they are actually an aphrodisiac.

Information shucked from Mentalfloss.com

Strawb e

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BY AMANDA WILLIAMS Freelance Travel Writer

True or False?

CHILDREN BEHAVE BETTER WHEN PARENTS ARE NOT PRESENT

M

y parents always say children behave better when we (the parents) are not present. Knowing this, I was surprised when they agreed enthusiastically to a family vacation -- all six of us in a two bedroom tropical suite -- at TradeWinds Island Grand. It didn’t take long to decide we had chosen the perfect destination for all of us to have a good time and just let go.

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

The white sandy beach location is conveniently positioned relative to many attractions, galleries, and shops -- perfect for grandparent adventures. While we dashed to the High Tide Slide with the kids in the afternoon sun, grandpa and grandma were just an Uber ride away from art and soft adventures, like the impressive DalĂ­ Museum in downtown St. Petersburg.

Our kids happily bounced from the KONK (Kids Only No Kidding) Activity Center to the beach and even tested their riding prowess on Bucky the Shark. (Think mechanical bull, but in hammerhead shark form!) After a few days in the sun, the kids were ready for some shade and air conditioning in the KONK Center and this was such a laid-back atmosphere.

Perfect for a little reset of the energy tanks, for all!

Each kiddo painted a turtle and a scallop shell night light, while watching the Minions movie and interacting with bubbly activity planner, Tiffany. Did you know that the characters are speaking “Minionese,� which is an amalgamation of the languages of the world? Just one of many things the kids learned there.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Williams

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The adults enjoyed a few grown-up cocktails and a local musician at Salty’s Tiki Bar and Beach Lounge while the kids were safe and content at a kids camp, and we watched the RedBeard pirate show from our balcony one evening.

We dined al fresco at Flying Bridge, with adults actually able to relax and taste our meals, while the kids played in the sand mere feet away and sat in the beach hammocks to watch the sunset. (I cannot say enough about the grouper; it still has me salivating and I ordered it again at least twice in my four-day stay!)

Having full-service restaurants (even pizza and ice cream!) on-site, and the opportunity to easily venture into the community, makes the vacation effortless and so enjoyable. Plus, we had the space and in-room amenities to make a few snacks to keep everyone easily energized for adventure.

We didn’t test my parents’ theory about behavior because everyone was able to find plenty to do right there at the resort. Dining to mini-golf, paddle boat rides and balcony sunsets, tiny tots to grandparents. We found that we all had some common ground to enjoy as a family, where the white sands await under the gorgeous setting sun.

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

THERE’S NO LOSER IN THIS CHALLENGE, JUST DIFFERENT WAYS TO SEIZE THE DAY. The Spanish surrealist can take your imagination on an amazing trip, but a plunge down the new slide at TradeWinds will take your breath away.

DALÍ LIVES and VISUAL MAGIC Imagine Salvador Dalí welcoming you to the museum, shedding light on the motivations behind his artwork, as if he were alive today. He becomes real in Dalí Lives with this groundbreaking AI experience. Now through December 31, 2029.

See Dalí’s eight masterworks come to life in Visual Magic: Dalí’s Masterworks in Augmented Reality, provides a more meaningful understanding of his canvases. June 15 – Nov. 3, 2019.

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DALÍ MUSEUM

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Nature Morte Vivante (Still Life-Fast Moving) by Salvador Dalí Courtesy of the Dalí Museum

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READY TO MAKE A SPLASH?

ing nt

Unlimited rides on our High Tide Slide just got bigger and better, thanks to a brand new version of everyone’s favorite TradeWinds attraction that’s included with your stay. Four lanes, three stories straight down to the beach, too much fun, and one winner of the race to the bottom. Just let gooooooooooo!

More kid-friendly things to do include the Touch Tank Experience, Surf WipeOut and Campfire S’mores at RumFish Beach Resort, and Dive-In Movies and poolside invasion contests at Island Grand.

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AS SEEN ON TV

T

radeWinds is no stranger to television shows, having hosted TANKED for the creation of the massive fish tank at RumFish Grill, St. Pete Beach and the tank at RumFish Grill on Airside C in Tampa International Airport.

This past year, TradeWinds was featured on the national television stage once again, hosting the crew from Orange County Chopper, stars of the Discovery Channel hit show American Chopper. Paul Teutul Senior and company were treated to an offshore fishing trip with our RumFish Charters captain, plunged down the High Tide Slide, and hung on for a ride on Bucky the Shark. They even swam with our fish in the massive 33,500-gallon tank at RumFish Grill!

They’ll be back! You can meet the crew from Orange County Chopper and watch them build another custom motorcycle during St. Pete Beach BikeFest.

This will be the third year that TradeWinds has hosted the event, and it is five days of music on the beach, contests, vendors and events, lots of food (and, of course, beverages) and bikes, bikes, bikes!

St. Pete Beach BikeFest packages are quickly selling out, so make your plans for Nov. 20 -24 now. Or come anytime, rent our two custom bikes and take a spin around the beach.

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

OFFICIAL HEADQUARTERS:

PRESENTED BY THE ALL NEW:

3

NOVEMBER 20-24, 2019 • Free nightly beach concert • “Baddest Bagger” Competition & Bike Show • Vendor Exhibitor Showcase

• Poolside Biker Games • Orange County Chopper Cast Appearances • Nightly Beach Bar Crawl

• Hotel Packages with exclusive VIP Access • Special Military Salute • Fireworks and more

HEADLINERS

SUNSET STAGE PERFORMERS

RAFFLING OFF BRAND NEW 2019 HD STREET GLIDE® & CLASS TRAILER

Join the party! Visit StPeteBeachBikeFest.com or call 800.360.4017 SPONSORED BY:

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BEACH BUM

CULTURAL EXPLORER

A NEW

ADVENTURE

FOR EVERY TYPE OF

traveler

When you go on vacation, what makes that break from everyday life so wonderful? Is it the chance to experience new things? Unwind and be lazy? Spend quality time with your family? Or perhaps find new inspiration? Whatever you want out of your next visit, TradeWinds is ready to make it your best ever. We’ve put together some activity ideas to satisfy every personality, mood or whim. Take the quiz to learn what type of traveler you are, explore the options and get ready for the getaway of YOUR dreams.

THRILL SEEKER

FOODIE

NATURE LOVER

Quiz: ARE YOU? 4 1 WHICH TRAVELER

Take the quiz to find out!

2 3

Your favorite activity as a kid was: A. nap time

Who would you most like to meet?

A. Jimmy Buffet

B. chasing down the ice cream truck

B. Barefoot Contessa

C. finger painting

C. Bill Murray

D. swimming in the ocean

D. Al Gore

E. climbing trees

E. Jackie Chan

Your favorite place at home is: A. couch B. kitchen C. porch

5

Which motto best fits you?

A. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere B. Diet starts tomorrow C. Take the path less traveled

D. garden

D. Reuse, reduce, recycle

E. none of the above

E. You only live once

Drink of choice: A. margarita B. wine C. craft beer

6

Pick a sound or song to get pumped!

A. “Good Vibrations” – The Beach Boys B. “Banana Pancakes” – Jack Johnson C. Anything classical

D. organic coffee

D. Waves crashing on the shore

E. shot of tequila

E. “Paradise City” – Guns N’ Roses

BY ANGELA MITCHELL Freelance Writer

ANSWER KEY: Mostly As: Beach Bum | Mostly Bs: Foodie | Mostly Cs: Cultural Explorer | Mostly Ds: Nature Lover | Mostly Es: Thrill Seeker

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Thrill seekers

TRADE MEDIOCRE FOR MIND-BLOWING Ideas to get your adrenaline pumping

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

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Courtesy of Bush Gardens Tampa Bay

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a’s s to brave the Cobr Visit Busch Garden Tigris, a launch spin coaster or the Florida’s first family erted heartline taking drops and inv coaster with breath mph. roll at more than 60 mpa /Ta m .co ns BuschGarde

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Combine the fun of a tramp oline with the thrill of bungee jumping. Island Gra nd boasts two bungee trampolines for daily fun sev en days a week!

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each Bums TRADE STRESSED OUT FOR CHECKED OUT. IDEAS TO HELP YOU MASTER THE ART OF DOING

Nothing.

CABANAS Curl up in a cozy cabana and order lunch. It’s like room service on the beach! Enjoy everything from refreshing smoothies and salads to tasty burgers and nachos – without missing a moment of that gorgeous beach.

CabanaMenu.com

SPA Every bona fide beach bum needs a little pampering! Visit our spa for a luxurious massage, facial, body scrub, mani or pedi.

727.363.2348

FLOATING CABANAS This beach amenity is just your speed: the floating cabana lets you float gently in the Gulf and even has a holder for your drink. It’s big enough for four so gather up your fellow beach bums and enjoy!

GROW YOUR KITTEN’S PAW COLLECTION.

These adorable seashells can be found all over our beach. Nothing like some mindless wandering along the shore to totally relax!

Check the Recreation Calendar for our Seashell Scavenger Hunt, held twice weekly at RumFish Beach Resort.

TURKEY & TAN LINES Great time to visit: Join us for Thanksgiving weekend this year, skip the shopping frenzy and relax! The Turkey & Tan Lines package includes football on a giant screen with your toes in the sand, a beach bonfire and s’mores, cider tasting, Black Friday Carnival, beach fireworks and a deeply discounted room rate that is sure to leave you relaxed and refreshed. Skip the hassle of cooking a big dinner and add on our bountiful Thanksgiving Day Buffet!

JustLetGo.com/Turkey

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Foodies

Filetto DiMa nzo - Palm Court

TRADE MEH FOR MMMM

Ideas to help you savor every moment Plan a special date night

and indulge in an exquisite meal at award-winning Palm Court.

The newly reimagined patio is a charming setting for wining and dining under the stars.

PALM COURT ITALIAN GRILL

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u Palm Co

Not your average beach fare

, Salty’s bridges the gap between beach bites and culinary delights. There’s nowhere else where you can enjoy Grilled Brie, Sesame Seared Tuna or simply the best wings around...all with your toes in the sand!

SALTY’S BEACH LOUNGE

DINE YOUR WAY

THROUGH THE

BEST RESTAURANTS

OF 2019

top 10

Four on the list, including Ichicoro Ane and Dr. BBQ, are just a short drive off the as

beach in downtown St. Petersburg.

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justLetGo.com/Top10

Great time to visit:

Try new taste sensations

like Lobster Ravioli, Caribbean Snapper with Rock Shrimp Curry or Parmesan Crusted Grouper and enjoy the mesmerizing aquarium view. Or dine in the bar or deck with the new daily “appy hour” from 2 – 5 pm that includes delicious half-price appetizers and drink specials.

Any afternoon at RumFish Grill, or Oct. 18 - 20, 2019 for the John’s Pass Seafood & Music Festival. Enjoy non-stop musical performances, hundreds of craft vendors and, of course, a-maz-ing seafood!

RUMFISH GRILL

Best 100 restaurants are listed by the Tampa Bay Times each year.

Parmesa n

Cruste d

Grou p

er

Nature Lovers TRADE MUNDANE FOR MAGICAL IDEAS TO RECONNECT WITH NATURE FLORIDA BIRDING TRAIL

Explore nearby spots along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail such as Fort De Soto Park and Weedon Island Preserve. Hiking, biking and paddling trails await where you can see countless species of birds. FloridaBirdingTrail.com

FLORIDA BIRDING TRAIL and Nature Festival

Great time to visit: Come celebrate the wonders of Tampa Bay’s birds, wildlife and natural lands at the Florida Birding & Nature Festival, October 17 – 20, 2019 featuring 15 field trips during peak migration and 23 talks from renowned professionals.

FloridaBirdingAndNatureFestival.org

paddleboarding

Tour our beautiful coastline on a stand-up paddleboard. Your unique perspective from above, the clear water and your ability to explore farther offshore will give you a whole new view of fish and other sea life. 727.363.2294

GET TANKED TOUR

Have you taken the behind-the-scenes tour of the massive fish tank at RumFish Grill®?

You’ll learn all about the dozens of fish species who inhabit our aquarium and have the chance to feed them. Daily except Monday. 727.329.1433

Adventure Cruises tour

Get a fascinating view of dolphins in the wild aboard an Adventure Cruises tour, conveniently located at Island Grand. A stop at Shell Key Preserve lets you explore this pristine island and collect seashells. 727.492.4502

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

Courtesy of @FloridaBirdingNatureFestival

Courtesy of Visit Florida

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Cultural Explorers TRADE TIRED FOR INSPIRED

Ideas to spark your creativity and curiosity Lauded as America’s Top Arts Destination for mid-sized cities, St. Petersburg boasts a diverse and thriving cultural scene. World-famous museums, Florida’s largest Pride Fest and cultural festivals (think Greek, Celtic, Caribbean), and music fests crowd the year-round calendar, along with more off-the-wall offerings like GeckoFest and Grouper Week.

SHINE Mural Festival Oct. 18 - 26, 2019 Great time to visit: Come see inspiring murals and enjoy vibrant events during the annual SHINE St. Pete Mural Festival. New pieces from artists around the world enrich the city’s public outdoor gallery.

Local artists display at RumFish Grill You don’t have to go far to find fabulous Florida landscape and wildlife art; purchases of the art in the educational hallway benefit Tampa Bay Watch. You’ll also find tropical themed artware in the shop. Dozens of private galleries dot the St. Pete/Clearwater area.

Mural by Hoxxoh Courtesy of Sine St. Petersburg Mural Festival

Mural by Dasic Fernandez Courtesy of St. Petersburg Arts Alliance

St. Petersburg Museum District Scheduled to open by the end of 2019, the Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement is the latest to join the long roster of museums in downtown St. Petersburg: The DalÍ, Museum of Fine Arts, History Museum, Florida Holocaust Museum, The James Museum, Morean Glass Studio and Hot Shop, and Chihuly Collection. Venture a little further afield for dozens more!

Footloose in the Park April 15 – May 17, 2020 Bring a blanket and lounge on the ground, or choose outdoor seating at Demen’s Landings for the American Stage production of Footloose.

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art The James Museum transports visitors through the rich and diverse heritage of the American West. Its more than 400 works of art evoke the spirit of a wide-open frontier and the beauty of life in the wild. Museum co-founders Tom and Mary James have created a vast artistic legacy — one populated by emerging artists and living legends.

Their collection includes works in oil, ink, and stone; works that define genres yet defy labels; and filled with tribal tradition and classical finesse.

Upcoming Special Exhibitions Environmental Impact II August 24 – Dec. 1, 2019 Discover the fragility and hopeful resiliency of our world through the eyes of over 20 artists.

Spirit Lines: Helen Hardin Etchings Dec. 21, 2019 – March 1, 2020 Colorful copperplate etchings celebrate her Native heritage, alongside works by two other Pueblo artists.

Courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg

Courtesy of The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art

Courtesy of Helen Hardin #1’s LLC, a Nevada Corporation.

NO MATTER HOW YOU DURING YOUR STAY…

just let go

YOU’LL MAKE AMAZING MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY.

It was a hot summer night on St. Pete Beach. There was this guy

with a guitar, sitting on an enormous pile of sand, playing folk songs. “If I Had a Hammer,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “California Dreaming.” Our bare feet dug in the sand, shoulders burning from too much sun, my friends and I were doing what a lot of teens from Tampa were doing that summer: we were on vacation with our family!

Seems like yesterday, but it was half a century ago. That big pile of sand was the beginning of the Sandpiper and 1969 was the beginning of the Resort Inns of America corporate empire. Little did I know that I would spend a good portion of the next 50 years working for this company that welcomed visitors to their beach as they would welcome a guest into their own home. While the motto “Just let go” came about around the

The beach itself has changed; there is more of it now (enough room for a giant slide and five rows of cabanas), and the palm trees have made it impossible to replicate the photo on the far left. (We’ve tried.) When TradeWinds (Island Grand) opened in 1986, we had macaws, a cockatoo named Baby and Beaker the toucan living in the lobby. They were a unique welcoming statement for our guests, but they made the front desk agents a little “on edge.” Do you know how loud macaws can be? The photo below was the cover of our 1981 resort brochure. Looks like “just let go” to me!

year 2000, that attitude has always been there. Come take a stroll down memory lane and see how much has changed.

By Lynda Waters Retired, and still crazy after all those years in Marketing JUSTLETGO.COM

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LOOK! THERE’S MORE! Some of the names you may remember: Schrafft’s Sandpiper; The Brown Derby, The Normandy, Odyssey, Wilshire, Alicia (4 motel properties that went by “NOWA” during the development of TradeWinds). Beachcombers, Island Inn, Sea Castle, Thunderbird … all properties on St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island that were managed by Sandpiper Beach Resorts. Fortune Hotels, Breckenridge (a timeshare resort that was merged into TradeWinds Island Grand in 1993). Radisson Sandpiper, just one of several names over the years for the resort recently renamed RumFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds. TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach … where you can Just let go!

Sandpiper Beach Resort (left) with a hard line separating the pool deck from a narrow beach; now The SandBox is a much bigger playground. The Wilshire (above) became the open air Fountain Square (yes, that’s the original swimming pool) and now the enclosed Grand Palm Colonnade with towering palm trees. “Oh, the trees are real, they’re just dead,” one of our managers told a reporter. The quote made it into the newspaper.

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

The front desk “teepee” in front of the Normandy is still visible (left, circa 1981), but there’s no beachfront pool, waterway or Flying Bridge. One idea for the waterway that proved too impractical was to take guests to their room via gondola.

We did have gondola rides, geese for awhile (again, the bird noises!), Peking ducks (white, with cute little balls on their heads), kept the beautiful swans (though we’ve had several pairs … they mate for life) and native ducks. Now paddleboats ply the waterways.

50 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN Our long history on St. Pete Beach dates back to 1969 when Resort Inns of America was first formed, and while there have been a lot of changes over the past 50 years - a few things remain the same... A beautiful, award-winning white sand beach, the glittering Gulf of Mexico, show-stopping sunsets every night and our wonderful guests. Now is a fantastic time to come and see how much we’ve grown and enjoy a TradeWinds vacation of your own!

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ink

JUST WHEN YOU

YOU’VE SEEN IT ALL… ONE VERY DEDICATED GUEST PUT HER LOYALTY TO THE TEST

BY WENDY KIRKWOOD

K

athy Whittington might seem like any other normal

vacation-goer: ready to kick her feet up, relax and just let go. You wouldn’t be wrong: however if you pan down to those same feet, you can see just how seriously Kathy takes her trips to TradeWinds. After 40 years, 3 kids, 5 grandkids and countless memories, Kathy made our motto permanent with a trip to a local St. Pete Beach tattoo parlor.

Inspired by the meaning behind the three little words written everywhere throughout the property, Kathy chose to put ‘Just let go’ on her foot forever because that’s exactly what her family has been doing at TradeWinds since her first visit in 1980. Every one of their family’s major milestones and celebrations has taken place on the beautiful shoreline; from holidays and retirements to cancer remissions.

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

Kathy’s parents, Don and Alma, started staying in the Breckenridge building in 1979 and, after her first summer spent on St. Pete Beach, she was hooked. She and her husband, John, have been returning year after year ever since. The bonds they’ve formed with the staff is certainly part of what makes them TradeWinds tried and true, too. Just look at Salty’s server, Elaine, who met the couple 40 years ago on their first trip and each subsequent one since. Kathy and John’s children and now grandchildren have grown up in front of the staff’s eyes. The whole brood of Whittingtons even learned to swim in the beach front pool.

Some of the happiest memories the Whittington family has had at TradeWinds are also a bit bitter sweet. A favorite recollection of Kathy’s was when John took her mother parasailing on her 74th birthday the year after her father had passed away. It was a dream of Alma’s and, by all accounts, she adored it. The adventurous and playful spirit of Kathy’s mother is a total embodiment of the phrase “Just let go” and a major factor in her decision to get her new tattoo. Kathy said that the whole family misses this place immensely when it’s time to travel back to Ohio. Now, thanks to a spur of the moment outing with her son, Jeff, this past May, Kathy’s tattoo can serve as a constant reminder of her home away from home from over 1,000 miles away!

Photo courtesy of Kathy Whittington

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George Bentley

Patty Pierce

Pearlie Thomas

Victor Dawani

Margarita Yepes

Karleen Johnson

Convention Services 14 Years

Reservations/Revenue 33 Years

Housekeeping 17 Years

Server 20 Years

Banquet Services 33 Years

Sales 20 Years

MEETINGS ARE OUR BUSINESS. SERVICE IS OUR PASSION.

H

ello! My name is George Bentley and I have had the pleasure of being the Director of Catering and Convention Services here at TradeWinds Island Resorts for a total of 14 years. Compared to many people on our event management team who have an average of 25 years each in service, I am a relative newcomer to TradeWinds.

Our meetings department services over 450 groups a year which include conferences, weddings, gala fundraisers and many other corporate and family related social events. It is fair to say that the stability and longevity of our staff is an advantage in bringing customers back year after year...we know our customers well and exceed their expectations due to that long and trusting relationship.

People like Victor and Margarita on our Banquet team, seen in the image above, are the ones who really deliver the service ethic here at TradeWinds. It’s different here and we would be delighted to welcome you to our family of loyal customers!

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

"

Since our first “hello� over the phone, you have had so much spirit and love for what you do and it was carried out through our event. Your energy is addictive and I thank you for making our event a success.

"

T

ake a peek at the new upscale coastal vibe

at Island Grand! Bedrooms are painted in relaxing earth tones complemented by crisp white linens, with pops of turquoise, lime greens and bright blues in the bolster pillows. Living rooms feature soothing colors of the sea, and splashes of rich colors on the couches and chairs. A navy carpet with a pattern reminiscent of ocean waves ties it all together.

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

Want to be sure to get a room or suite with the new dècor on your next stay? All gulffront units in the Jacaranda building have been completed, as well as the rooms, suites and penthouses on the 7th floor. All tropical view units in Jacaranda will be completed by early March. Just give our friendly vacation advisors who are right here at the resort a call and they’ll be happy to guide you!

At Island Grand, we make traveling with friends and family so convenient. Our gulffront two-bedroom suites are now complete with the new dĂŠcor, and feature balconies, two bedrooms, two baths, plus a kitchenette and living area with a double-size sofa bed. Bedrooms are furnished with two queen and two double beds, or two queens and one king bed.

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WE TAKE AS A RETURN TICKET TO A MOMENT OTHERWISE GONE. It’s been quite a year for our guests, as seen through their camera lens. There’s nothing we love more than seeing your unique perspective on a trip to TradeWinds – and you certainly weren’t shy about sharing! Thank you to everyone who showed us how they #justletgo on their last visit.

We’re celebrating by sharing our favorite shots here!

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

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A PICTURE’S WORTH A Trip TO TRADEWINDS!

Christy G

8 Summer '1

Bridget H Winter '19

CONTEST WINNERS All it takes is one great shot to get right back here on our photogenic shoreline... just ask our photo contest winners! Because we love all of our guest’s pictures so much, we hold two photo contests each year to give back a getaway. You all voted on thousands of entries and two guests earned themselves a return trip to TradeWinds thanks to their fantastic photo skills as seen above!

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TRADEWINDS GETAWAY

TURKEY & TAN LINES

Seasonal Packages TradeWinds has packages packed with savings and extras: and all of them include the Resort Amenity Fee!

Packages through Dec. 26, 2019 Busch Gardens Stay & Play

Seven Suite Nights

Friends Getaway

Turkey & Tan Lines

Sunset Romance

New Year’s Eve Toast by the Coast (12/30-1/1)

Go Get Out There Visit JustLetGo.com/PACKAGE

FLOCK TO THE beach THIS THANKSGIVING! TURKEY & TAN LINES 4-NIGHT PACKAGE Visit JustLetGo.com/TURKEY

Book Direct and Save on Your Getaway!

Members Get More.

Our friendly vacation advisors work right here at the resorts and are experts on all our many different accommodations and activities. They can help with the best dates for the best rates, and you always get an extra discount when booking direct!

The TradeWinds loyalty program is free.

It’s easy to join.

And you get extra benefits and rewards.

Call 877.386.7089 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. ET

Earn Points. Get fun stuff. What’s not to love?

Find out how at JustLetGo.com/Rewards

Book online: JustLetGo.com Promo Code: PClub16

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Toll Free 877.628.6000 Island Grand & RumFish Beach Resort 5500 & 6000 Gulf Boulevard St. Pete Beach, Florida 33706

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CONSECUTIVE SUNNY DAYS