Weird Florida

What Makes Florida So Weird?

Mia Laurenzo — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:28:54 +0000

Orlando Sentinel interviews Charlie about what makes Florida so weird.

Improbable Tales of the Real Florida

Joseph Cooper, Bonnie Berman and Paul Leary — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

05/15/13 - Wednesday's Topical Currents is with veteran Florida journalist and raconteur Jeff Klinkenberg. In the tradition of the great Al Burt, Klinkenberg discovers the quirks and funky aspects of our diverse and often unusual state. He’s found that a low register tuba blast can trigger bull alligators to bellow. That and more in his book, ALLIGATORS IN B-FLAT: Improbable Tales from the Files of Real Florida. Topical Currents at 1pm on WLRN-HD1 rebroadcast at 7pm on WLRN-HD2 and audio on-demand after the live program.

Lake Placid Celebration

Mia Laurenzo — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:58:04 +0000

In celebration of Lake Placid’s recent accolade as being named America’s Most Interesting Town by Reader’s Digest, the Tour Lake Placid Society hosted a premier screening of WLRN’s Weird Florida: On the Road at the Caladium Arts and Crafts Co-op.

Big Weird Florida Bash

Mia Laurenzo — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:46:16 +0000

From the shadows of Ashley’s Restaurant fans gathered
for a Big Weird Florida Bash !!

Over 100 people showed up for a special screening of the new episode of WLRN’s Weird Florida: On the Road Again. This event took place at Florida’s well-known haunted eatery, Ashley’s Restaurant which lasted until 11pm. In addition to the screening, there was live music, a real séance led by The Great Cindini, and a remote broadcast on Spookhunters Radio from America’s skeptical ghost hunter Owen Sliter.

Weird Florida: On the Road Again

James March — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:42:39 +0000

http://youtu.be/mwYOnjk9IYI

The Master of the Weird and his canine companion hit the road in search of more wild, wacky and weird adventures all over the Sunshine State. They travel over 1500 miles in search of unusual people and places . . . and find Florida’s best-kept secrets and oddest legends! "Weird Florida: On the Road Again", tonight at 8 pm on WLRN Channel 17!

A WLRN Original Production!

Big Weird Florida Bash !

Mia Laurenzo — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:56:01 +0000

From the shadows of Ashley's Restaurant, catch the spirit at the

BIG WEIRD FLORIDA BASH !!
SATURDAY, MARCH 9TH 5p.m. till closing !!!

Charlie Carlson Makes Movie

Mia Laurenzo — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:24:18 +0000

Florida’s Master of the Weird, Charlie Carlson busy on the set of ‘ASHLEY’S SHADOW” a film based on his novel by the same name. The movie is set in 1934 and centers around the real-life unsolved murder of Ethel Allen, a nineteen-year-old local who was found brutally murdered on the shores of the nearby Indian River.

Highlights from Weird Florida Event

Mia Laurenzo — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:18:04 +0000

(Theme from Twilight Zone echoes in your head while you read this…)

Picture if you will…

A television studio transformed into a circus sideshow.

A woman eats fire and throws knives at a human target.

A skunk ape lurks in the shadows.

WLRN-TV’s Documentary, “Weird Florida: On The Road Again”

Joseph Cooper, Bonnie Berman and Paul Leary — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:00:00 +0000

01/09/13 - Wednesday's Topical Currents features Florida raconteur Charlie Carlson and his “curious canine,” Lady Isabel, his adopted full-bred boxer. They’re the focus of a WLRN-TV documentary, “WEIRD FLORIDA: ON THE ROAD AGAIN.” They travel over 1500 miles across the Sunshine State in search of unusual people and places . . . and find Florida’s best-kept secrets and oddest legends.

Weird Florida Quiz: Watch, Answer, And Get A Free Book!

WLRN Staff and WLRN — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:00:00 +0000

If you live here, you know: Florida is weird.

It’s so weird, we sort of take it for granted.

Which is part of why WLRN is proud to present Weird Florida: On The Road Again. This latest hour-long documentary is the follow-up to the tremendous success of the first television special Weird Florida: Roads Less Traveled, which has aired on PBS stations from Miami, Fla. to Juneau, Alaska.

A New WLRN Documentary "Weird Florida: On The Road Again"

WLRN Staff — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:46:21 +0000

Update 8 a.m. Sunday, December 23: "Weird Florida" On Page One

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel featured WLRN's latest documentary, "Weird Florida," on its Sunday front page story on December 23. Reporter Johnny Diaz interviewed WLRN's own Mia Lorenzo:

WLRN producer Mia Laurenzo says she wanted to take viewers on a TV tour of seldom-seen attractions.
"I like it when viewers say, 'Wow, I really didn't know that' — especially people who live here,'' says Laurenzo, who traveled with Carlson, the dog and a cameraman for several weeks beginning in May.
The Hollywood resident got the idea for the documentaries after spotting Carlson's 2005 book, "Weird Florida: Your Travel Guide to Florida's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets." Taking a cue from the classic series "Ripley's Believe It or Not!," the WLRN show also has segments on creepy legends such as a lake monster in the city of Frostproof and a "skunk-ape" north of Lakeland.
"It's not your typical PBS travel show which tells you about the types of food, the culture, the area and [has] these beautiful sweeping aerial pans,'' Laurenzo says. "'Weird Florida' is campy. We take a look at these roadside attractions."

Posted at 11:46 a.m. Friday, December 21:

WLRN takes viewers on a trip through Florida in search of weird places and whacky people, with its new documentary Weird Florida: On the Road Again ! This exciting new documentary was produced due to the tremendous success of the first television special Weird Florida: Roads Less Traveled, which has aired on PBS stations from Miami, Florida to Juneau, Alaska. To fulfill the desires of weird fans everywhere, the bizarre journey to Florida’s zaniest places will continue in this all new Weird Florida: On the Road Again.

Give us your HONK if you’re WEIRD photos

Mia Laurenzo — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Have you seen our Weird Florida crew on the road? If they gave you one of these stickers we want to see you pictures! And if you don’t have one, send us an email to mia(at)wlrn(dot)org, and we will get one to you in a hurry!

Because us weird people need to give fair warning to those around us. It’s only common courtesy.

Weird Florida Visits Boca Chita Key and Finds.. Weird Stuff

Charlie Carlson — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 19:00:00 +0000

All of the Coral stone structures on Boca Chita Key were built by Mark Honeywell, the wealthy industrialist who founded the Honeywell Corporation.

Carl Fisher, a wealthy entrepreneur, was often invited to social gatherings hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Honeywell on the island. Fisher would bring along his famous pet elephant, Rosy, also attended the party on one occasion. Rosy gained national fame for serving as President Herbert Hoover’s golf caddy when he came to Miami.

Weird Florida: Day 9 Wrap-Up

Mia Laurenzo — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Just when our bodies are aching, our patience is low and the weather is hot and steamy, we have our best day yet. If you’ve never been to Sarasota’s Circus Museum on the Ringling Estate, I have to say GO! It was AWESOME!! Its an interactive museum and houses the biggest littlest circus built by Howard Tibbals. This model is a replica of Ringling Bros.

Weird Florida: Day 8 Wrap-Up

Mia Laurenzo — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

I’ve got to say with the weather the way it was, I was very skeptical about filming anything today. We caught up with Weird Florida’s favorite Cryptozoologist, Scott Marlowe in Frostproof to talk about a monsterous serpent that killed a man in Lake Clinch back in the 1920′s. Then we were supposed to head to the Green Swamp just outside of Lakeland to talk about an ax murder, but the gate was locked. So then things got real interesting when we met with a wonderful Vietnamese man who has built this shrine to his parents and his homeland. We just happened to stop by whe

Weird Florida: Day 7 Wrap-Up

Mia Laurenzo — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The Weird Florida team rolled into the quaint town of Lake Placid, a city known for its beautiful murals, unique trash receptacles and clown school. We visited Toby’s Clown Foundation to catch a glimpse of the magic that clowning around can bring to people of all ages. Then we drove through the city looking at all the majestic art that adorns the buildings in downtown Lake Placid. It’s definitely a sight to see.

Weird Florida Day 6: JFK Bunker in Palm Beach

Mia Laurenzo — Sun, 27 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The Kennedy Bunker on Peanut Island in Palm Beach was really amazing. It was like a this huge tin cylinder 27 feet underground and could house 30 people for 30 days comfortably. Complete with an escape hatch and a helipad it was designed to protect President John F. Kennedy in the event of attack.

Weird Florida: Day 4 Slide Show

Mia Laurenzo — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Weird Florida Day 4 Wrap-Up

Mia Laurenzo — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

What a great time we had in Florida’s haunted eatery, Ashley’s Restaurant. The owner, Greg Parker admitted to witnessing some unexplained activities and one staff member said she will never close the restaurant alone. We met with ghost hunter Owen Sliter who demonstrated some techniques to tracking paranormal activity and though he didn’t find much, he did managed to get a little spooked in the room where an alleged murder took place. Friday night we will catch a street performe

Weird Florida: Day Three Wrap-Up

Mia Laurenzo — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Day three wraps up after our trip to the Barberville Roadside market. What a cool place! These people have everything to decorate your yard or home. In the market for a 19 ft giraffe or a rooster over 8 ft tall? How about your own Statue of Liberty or a wishing well with a black bear? I wound up with a guitar made of recycled metal. We’ve been meeting some great people and even Isabel has been making friends on this trip. For Day 4 we head to a haunted restaurant in Rockledge, we’ll meet with a ghost hunter to see what’s really going on.

Weird Florida: Ghost Hunter Murder Mystery

Mia Laurenzo — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Our crew has been sending us little sneak peaks of what to expect from the upcoming show.

This one has a real life ghost hunter sharing the story of a gruesome murder with Charlie. Would you go in that bathroom first?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoAI_nloEH8&feature=player_embedded

Weird Florida: Day Two Wrap Up

Mia Laurenzo — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

We just wrapped up day 2 of our Weird Florida round 2 tour. Yesterday we visited the Mysterious Ruins in New Smyrna and the Black Forrest Cottage for little people off Spruce Creek in Port Orange. We met lots of nice people and a few fans stopped by to say hi. Today we spent lots of time talking with Denise Stoner of the Mutual UFO Network who has been trying to get to the bottom of what really happened on