Picture of souvenir in Cathy’s collection
Cathy Salustri Talk Catalog
Cathy Salustri’s complete list of Florida talks.
Table of Contents
The Great Florida Road Trip
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Overview
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Recreating the Great Florida Road Trip :60
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Oysters, Mullet, and Margaritas (US 98) :90
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Rainforest Gardens, Blue Springs, and the Loss of Here (US 17) :60
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Strawberries and Sunshine (US 41) :90
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Gators, Skunk Apes, and Florida’s Final Frontier (US 41, Naples to Miami) :90
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Christmas, Nude Beaches, and the Space Program (SR 50) :60
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How to Measure a Gator (SR 60) :45
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Reptile World, Catfish, and Dinners and Shows (US 192)
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Dollar General, Florida’s First Silly Criminals, and a Sunken Rainforest (US 441) :60
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Queen George, Rattlesnakes, and Peacocks (US 92) :60
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Mastodons, Citrus Candy, and the Spine of the State (US 27) :60
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Cowboys, Acts of God, and Big Sugar (SR 80) :90
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Tarantulas, Day of the Cowboy, and the Sharks of the Peace River (SR 70)
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Shrimp, Clams, and a Creative Tourist Tax (SR 24) :60
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Mermaids, Manatees, and Watermelon Queens (US 19) :90
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Confederacy, Criminally Ill, and Cotton (US 90) :60
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Franchise-less Florida, Sand Dunes of Snow, and Sawmill Queens (US 29)
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Cotton, Community, and Corn (US 231) :60
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Death Row, the World’s Best Grocery Store, and Finding Gold (SR 100) :60
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Sour Orange Pie, the Green Swamp, and Strawberry Queens (US 301)
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The Unluckiest Town in Florida, Caves, and Two Egg (SR 71) :60
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Postcards From Paradise (A1A) :90
The Florida Spectacular
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Overview
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Here’s What Makes Florida a State To Be Thankful For :90
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Springs: An Exploration of Florida’s Watery Treasures :90
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Forgotten Colonies: East and West Florida :90
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Key West: Pirates, Patriots and Painters :90
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Frenemies: Florida’s Two Henries :90
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The WPA in Florida: Down But Never Out :90
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Zora & Eatonville :60
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Hurricanes: Stories from Florida’s Deadliest Storms :90
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Over the River and Through the Woods: The Florida Wildlife Corridor :60
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The Brooklyn Bridge Saves the Scrub Jay: Archbold Station :60
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The Everglades: Not Your Average Swamp
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Mickey Saves the Everglades: Disney’s Conservation Efforts :60
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Marjory, Marjorie, and Marjorie: Florida’s Founding Mothers :90
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Emateloye Estenletkvte: The Most Spectacular Florida Woman You Never Heard Of :90
Equipment Needed
Cathy travels with a Mac and appropriate adapters for an HDMI connection. She will need a screen, digital projector, and cord; if the projector does not have an HDMI input and the talk contains audio, she will also need a way for people to hear the audio. Talks with video clips or audio are noted with V and A, or VA, respectively.
Rate
For Florida talks: In Pinellas County, the rate is $250 per talk. In Tampa Bay outside Pinellas County, it’s $300. Outside Tampa Bay, excluding the Keys and anything west of Tallahassee, the rate is $750. Each talk lasts roughly 60-90 minutes, with length noted next to each title. Cathy can tailor the length to a specific group’s needs.
For tours: Full-day trips $1,500; half-day $850; quarter-day $550. Rate exclusive of transportation or food.
Multi-day and custom tours available.
Contact Cathy Salustri
Contact Cathy Salustri at 727-656-5420 (call or text) or
email her.
The Great Florida Road Trip
Talks from Backroads of Paradise.
Recreating the Great Florida Road Trip :60
During the Great Depression, the Federal Writers Project of the WPA hired writers throughout the United States to develop tour books for each state… More than 70 years later, Cathy traveled nearly 5,000 miles across Florida in a camper to witness how the landscape had changed since the original journey. These presentations let audiences travel with Cathy as she retraces these tours from the 1930s.
Oysters, Mullet, and Margaritas (US 98) :90
Travel a slice of Florida’s gastronomic history as Cathy Salustri takes you west along US 98, a sandy ribbon running beside the Panhandle Gulf Coast. Learn how aquaculture shaped this part of the state and enjoy bits of its rich history.
Rainforest Gardens, Blue Springs, and the Loss of Here (US 17) :60
US 17 weaves a patchwork quilt of Florida cultures — startling pockets of history and environment stitched against strip malls and roadside oddities… Cathy Salustri takes audiences past a collection of springs and towns that reveal Florida’s deep connections between water and culture.
Strawberries and Sunshine (US 41) :90
At Florida’s north end, US 41 laces a ribbon through hills and whitewater rapids. At its southern end, shells and beaches tempt travelers. Cathy Salustri takes audiences down US 41 to show them towns populated by retired carnival acts and farmers producing fruit bathed in sunshine.
Gators, Skunk Apes, and Florida’s Final Frontier (US 41 Naples-Miami) :90
The stretch between Naples and Miami separates the final frontier of Florida — the lower Everglades — from the rest of the Sunshine State. Join Cathy as she follows the WPA driving tour for this route, finding more than one gator while seeking skunk apes along Florida’s wild edge.
Christmas, Nude Beaches, and the Space Program (SR 50) :60
From the nude beaches off Kennedy Space Center to the green swamp of the Withlacoochee, this talk takes you along State Road 50 through towns like Ocoee, Christmas and Clermont.
How to Measure a Gator (SR 60) :45
Starting near Florida’s west coast at Bartow and ending in Vero Beach, Cathy Salustri shares camping stories, Florida citrus history, and introduces Yeehaw Junction and the sandhill crane project — plus how to measure a gator properly.
Reptile World, Catfish, and Dinners and Shows (US 192)
Along US 192, travelers can discover the Reptile World attraction and learn that Walt Disney World has not devoured all of central Florida. Undeveloped land and cattle ranches still line this historic roadway.
Dollar General, Florida’s First Silly Criminals, and a Sunken Rainforest (US 441) :60
Although US 441 runs through congested areas, it still offers stories of Florida’s earliest “Florida Man” criminals and a sunken rainforest beneath the surface of modern strip malls.
Queen George, Rattlesnakes, and Peacocks (US 92) :60
This talk combines two chapters from the WPA Guide — the east and west ends of US 92 — and explores Florida’s rattlesnake canneries and Clearwater’s wandering peacocks.
Mastodons, Citrus Candy, and the Spine of the State (US 27) :60
Travel with Cathy along US 27 down Florida’s spine to see Peace River fossils, Webb’s candy factory, and the historic citrus tower.
Cowboys, Acts of God, and Big Sugar (SR 80) :90
From Sanibel to Lake Okeechobee and east to West Palm Beach, this talk examines agriculture’s impact on Florida’s rivers and the 1928 hurricane’s legacy.
Tarantulas, Day of the Cowboy, and the Sharks of the Peace River (SR 70)
From tarantulas in Fort Pierce to cowboy culture in Okeechobee and ancient sharks in the Peace River, Cathy shows how Florida’s past and present intertwine along SR 70.
Shrimp, Clams, and a Creative Tourist Tax (SR 24) :60
From Fernandina Beach to Cedar Key, this talk compares two seafood towns linked by State Road 24 and explains Lawtey’s famous speed-trap tax policy.
Mermaids, Manatees, and Watermelon Queens (US 19) :90
US 19 flows through Florida’s diversity — from Monticello’s antebellum charm to Pinellas County’s busy beaches. Cathy takes audiences on a cultural and geographic journey down one of Florida’s most varied highways.
Confederacy, Criminally Ill, and Cotton (US 90) :60
From Jacksonville to Pensacola, US 90 reveals a Florida of tobacco farms, Civil War monuments, and pine forests. Cathy shares WPA insights and forgotten communities like the Dominickers of Chattahoochee.
Franchise-less Florida, Sand Dunes of Snow, and Sawmill Queens (US 29)
Retracing Andrew Jackson’s route through the Panhandle, Cathy explores small-town Florida, sawmill history, and sugar-white sand dunes that appear as drifts of snow.
Cotton, Community, and Corn (US 231) :60
US 231 cuts through north-Florida farm country—cotton fields, corn, and peas. Cathy describes the agricultural communities and their distance from Florida’s coastal image.
Death Row, the World’s Best Grocery Store, and Finding Gold (SR 100) :60
From Watertown to Bunnell, this drive passes Starke’s prison and ends at Flagler Beach. Cathy contrasts the poverty of inland towns with the paradise of the Atlantic coast.
Sour Orange Pie, the Green Swamp, and Strawberry Queens (US 301)
Along US 301, Cathy highlights Plant City’s Strawberry Queens, Waldo’s speed-trap fame, and Cross Creek’s literary legacy.
The Unluckiest Town in Florida, Caves, and Two Egg (SR 71) :60
From ghost-town St. Joseph to Two Egg, Cathy tells stories of disaster, resilience, and the barter culture that gave Two Egg its name.
Postcards From Paradise (A1A) :90
A journey along A1A reveals Florida’s coastal soul —from quiet dunes to bustling beaches. Cathy uses A1A as a metaphor for Florida itself: diverse, wild, and utterly unique.
Talks from The Florida Spectacular
The Florida Spectacular: Here’s What Makes Florida a State To Be Thankful For :90
Florida is often mocked for its eccentric headlines, yet this talk celebrates what makes the state truly spectacular —from Apalachicola’s oysters to Zolfo Springs’ wild beauty.
Springs: An Exploration of Florida’s Watery Treasures :90
Cathy guides audiences through Florida’s springs, explaining their ecology, hydrology, and cultural significance while virtually touring her favorites.
Forgotten Colonies: East and West Florida :90 VA
Long before statehood, Florida served as a colonial chess piece. This talk explores British East and West Florida and how these colonies shaped the region’s identity.
Key West: Pirates, Patriots and Painters :90
Beyond parties and sunsets, Key West’s story includes shipwreck salvors, writers, and political mavericks. Cathy leads listeners from its pirate past to artistic present.
Frenemies: Florida’s Two Henries :90
Henry Plant and Henry Flagler built rival rail empires that transformed Florida. Cathy examines their competition and lasting impact on the state’s development.
The WPA in Florida: Down But Never Out :90 VA
Florida’s Great Depression began early. Through the Works Progress Administration, Roosevelt’s New Deal reshaped cities and inspired enduring public projects statewide.
Zora & Eatonville :60 VA
Zora Neale Hurston’s voice still echoes through Eatonville. Cathy explores Hurston’s writing, activism, and her enduring celebration of Florida’s Black culture.
Hurricanes: Stories from Florida’s Deadliest Storms :90
This talk recounts the state’s most catastrophic storms—how they reshaped landscapes and communities, and how Floridians learned to live with nature’s fury.
Over the River and Through the Woods: The Florida Wildlife Corridor :60
Discover how conservationists linked fragmented habitats to form the Florida Wildlife Corridor, protecting species like the panther and curbing urban sprawl.
The Brooklyn Bridge Saves the Scrub Jay: Archbold Station :60
Wealth from the Roebling family—the builders of the Brooklyn Bridge—helped preserve Florida’s scrub habitat. Cathy tells how friendship saved a unique ecosystem.
The Everglades: Not Your Average Swamp
Through humor and firsthand stories, Cathy dispels myths about the Everglades, revealing its interconnected prairies, cypress domes, and beaches.
Mickey Saves the Everglades: Disney’s Conservation Efforts :60
Beyond theme parks, Walt Disney World funds major Everglades restoration and wildlife projects. Learn about the company’s lesser-known conservation legacy.
Marjory, Marjorie, and Marjorie: Florida’s Founding Mothers :90
Meet Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and Marjorie Harris Carr—the women whose vision saved Florida’s natural and cultural heritage.
Emateloye Estenletkvte: The Most Spectacular Florida Woman You Never Heard Of :90
Known to settlers as Polly Parker, Emateloye’s fight to return home during the Seminole removal became one of Florida’s greatest untold stories.
Florida Culture and Lifestyle
Florida Books: Celebrating Florida Authors :90
Florida’s literary history shines in this talk highlighting fiction writers who shaped the state’s identity—past and present—from Peter Matthiessen to Tim Dorsey.
Florida’s Literary Trail :90
Visit the homes and haunts of Florida’s famous authors—Stephen King, Hemingway, Williams, and Hiaasen—while exploring the stories behind each literary stop.
Florida Films: Clips From Films Made in or About Florida :60 VA
Screen moments from classic and quirky films made in the Sunshine State, from Sunshine State to Where the Boys Are, exploring what they reveal about Florida.
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings: Marjorie, Moonshine and Minneolas :90 VA
Beyond The Yearling, learn how Rawlings chronicled Florida’s people and wild places, and why her Cross Creek home remains a touchstone for readers today.
Florida Environment
The Plight of the Panther: Here, Kitty Kitty! :60
Once down to twenty animals, the Florida panther has rebounded thanks to conservation efforts. Cathy discusses genetics, habitat loss, and the species’ uncertain future.
It’s All About the Water: How Florida Water Works and Where it Flows :60 VA
Discover how fresh and saltwater systems connect Florida’s ecology—from springs to the Everglades—and how human activity alters their flow.
Weeki Wachee: Sirens and Springs :60
The birthplace of underwater mermaid shows, Weeki Wachee Springs showcases the blend of Florida kitsch and pristine natural wonder.
We’re From the Government and We’re Here to Help :90
Trace the Army Corps of Engineers’ projects that reshaped Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades—and the ongoing struggle to reverse the damage.
Wet Politics :60 VA
A candid look at the policies, people, and controversies shaping Florida’s waterways—from aquifer protection to coastal development battles.
Something’s Fishy: How Sugar, Red Tide and Fertilizer Impact Florida’s Fishing Industry :60 VA
Explore how pollution and industry disrupt Florida’s fisheries, red tide blooms, and marine life, and what citizens can do to help.
Sweet Deception: Lies Sugar Tells Us :90
An unflinching dive into Big Sugar’s effects on health, policy, and the Everglades. Learn how marketing and politics shaped America’s sweet tooth.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Florida National Scenic Trail :60
Follow the Florida Trail from Panhandle hills to swampy lowlands, uncovering the natural and human stories along the 1,500-mile route.
Wild Florida I and II :60–120
Two extended talks exploring forest fires, reefs, rivers, and panthers—each an immersive portrait of Florida’s raw, untamed side.
Florida Is Not Trying to Kill You (But It Could, If It Wanted To) :60–75 VA
A humorous myth-busting exploration of Florida’s alleged dangers, revealing which creatures are truly deadly—and which just get bad press.
Florida History
Florida: Then and Now I :60 V
A virtual trip around Florida comparing historic and current photographs of landmarks and landscapes, showing environmental and cultural change over the century.
Florida: Then and Now II :60 V
Continue exploring more counties and communities through paired “then and now” images illustrating Florida’s evolution and resilience.
Florida: Then and Now III :60 V
Further discoveries of Florida’s heritage—highlighting hidden landmarks, forgotten towns, and restored natural areas across the peninsula.
Florida: Then and Now IV :60 V
The concluding installment maps culturally significant sites, revealing why these enduring places matter to Floridians today.
Roadside Attractions: Vintage Florida :90
Explore nostalgic attractions such as parrot jungles and chimp farms—colorful remnants of Florida’s mid-century tourism boom.
Roadside Attractions: Vintage Florida II :90
Journey to forgotten roadside stops like Fairyland and Xanadu, continuing the celebration of vintage Florida charm.
Roadside Attractions: Vintage Florida III :90
The third volume revisits unique attractions—from DogLand to the Skunk Ape Research Center—capturing the quirky spirit of old Florida.
Florida Places: What’s in a Name? :60
Ever wonder why towns like Yeehaw Junction or Waldo are called that? This talk uncovers the stories behind Florida’s unusual place names.
Little Orange Bird: Tiki, Disney, and the Florida Citrus Commission :60
The cheerful Orange Bird mascot’s history—from citrus marketing to Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room—reveals a sweet slice of Florida pop culture.
Badass Florida Women / Florida Women: Grit, Courage, and Strength :90 VA
Profiles of fearless women who shaped Florida—from wilderness pioneers to modern activists—illustrating their strength and impact.
Five Florida Places You Won’t Read About in Travel Magazines :60
Discover five lesser-known destinations offering authentic experiences far from theme-park crowds.
It’s What Was For Dinner: How Floridians Ate Pre-European Invasion :60
Sample ancient Florida cuisine while learning how indigenous peoples sustained themselves on native plants and seafood long before colonization.
Great Florida Democrats :60 VA
Meet influential Democratic lawmakers who helped shape Florida politics—warts and all—in this balanced historical overview.
Great Florida Republicans :60 VA
A companion talk spotlighting Republican leaders whose ideas and actions molded Florida’s modern identity.
So You Say You Want a Revolution? Key West, Ybor City and Communist Cuba :60 VA
Examine how cigar-industry ties between Ybor City, Key West, and Cuba intertwined Florida with revolutionary history.
Unconquered: Florida’s Seminole :90
The Seminole story of resistance and resilience—from forced removals to modern sovereignty—remains a powerful narrative of freedom.
One Big War: The Seminole War :90
Rethink “three wars” as one continuous Seminole struggle against U.S. expansion, offering a decolonized perspective on Florida history.
Florida’s Concentration Camp: Egmont Key :30
Beneath today’s recreation site lies a tragic history: Egmont Key’s use as a holding camp during the Seminole removals.
The Dominickers: Florida’s Lost People :60
Explore the mystery of the mixed-race Dominicker community—ostracized, isolated, and nearly erased from Florida’s record.
Florida Travel
This Land is Your Land: National Edition :90
Survey Florida’s national parks and preserves, from Dry Tortugas to Gulf Islands, and learn the differences among U.S. land designations.
This Land Is Your Land: Florida State Parks and Lands :90
A tour of Florida’s state parks system—its origins, conservation efforts, and standout sites that protect natural Florida.
Taste of Florida: Five Foods You Should Travel To Try :60
From oysters to oranges, explore five foods that define Florida’s culinary identity and where to find them.
10 Places You Must Visit in the Florida Keys :60
A curated road-trip guide to the Keys’ can’t-miss spots—from coral reefs to historic bars—capturing the islands’ free-spirited vibe.
Historic Hotels (Where You Can Spend the Night) 2× :90
Discover still-operating historic hotels around Florida and their storied pasts, co-presented with Joey Vars.
10 Best Things To Do with Visitors in St. Petersburg :60
Entertain guests with ten engaging local experiences showcasing the best of Tampa Bay’s art, nature, and cuisine.
Let’s Get Small: Five Florida Towns That Are the Real Disney Springs :90
Visit authentic small towns whose charm inspired Disney Springs—proof that “old Florida” still thrives.
Five Places Worth Tasting in Florida :60
From seafood shacks to citrus cafés, these five culinary stops deliver a true taste of the Sunshine State.
Florida on Foot: The Best Places to Explore Florida :60
Lace up and discover ten walkable parks and preserves that reveal Florida’s scenic diversity.
Florida Bucket List: 10 Florida Must-Dos :60
New to Florida? Here’s your checklist of iconic adventures—from swimming with manatees to touring historic lighthouses.
Regional
Clam Bayou & the Great Sewage Conspiracy :90
An investigative look at Gulfport’s last tidal estuary, its pollution history, and the fight to preserve it.
Tampa from Henry Plant to the Great Depression :60
How industrialist Henry Plant and later the Depression transformed Tampa’s economy and architecture.
WPA Architecture in Central Florida :60
A visual catalog of Central Florida’s public works projects built under Roosevelt’s New Deal.
How the New Deal Changed Key West, Gulfport, and Tampa Bay :30
Examine lasting New Deal influences on these three communities through their murals, infrastructure, and revival stories.
Non-Florida Related
Making Money as a Writer (Without an OnlyFans) :45
Practical advice for aspiring writers: turn your talent into income through editorial work, content creation, and publishing without compromise.
Press Release Fails :30
A humorous but helpful guide to the most common public relations mistakes that keep news out of the newsroom.
Please contact Cathy to book a talk.
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