This engaging episode of Ramblin' on the River delves into the rich history of the Bernstein family's involvement in Cincinnati's hospitality landscape. Hosts Ben, Terri, and Alan Bernstein discuss the family's entrepreneurial journey, touching upon key ventures such as the BB riverboats and the iconic Crockett’s restaurant. The episode is filled with light-hearted banter, personal anecdotes, and even introduces younger family members Emma Stewart and Elim Bernstein. From childhood memories to recent achievements, this episode captures the essence of family and tradition, all while sailing through the mighty Ohio River.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
01:24 Welcome Back from Hiatus
03:43 Special Guests: Emma and Elim
05:03 Emma's Driving Adventures
10:15 Sports Updates: Volleyball and Football
14:03 Future Plans and Aspirations
20:18 Family Business History: Crockett's and BB Riverboats
27:15 Searching for Harold and Tom
27:38 Transforming the Restaurant
28:05 Crocodile Dundee Theme
28:40 Staff and Management Stories
29:29 Family Memories and Piano Lessons
32:09 The Great Beer Spill
35:28 Life Jacket Demonstration
40:37 Crockett's Culinary Delights
44:10 Word of the Day: Soup Coolers
47:46 Election Day and Current Events
55:35 Family Podcast Plans
58:13 Conclusion and Farewell

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In this episode of 'Ramblin on the River' the Bernstein family explores the colorful history of their family's involvement in Cincinnati's hospitality business, focusing on the iconic Mike Fink riverboat restaurant. The discussion spans the boat's move from Cincinnati to Covington, significant challenges like the harsh winter of 1977-78, and memorable anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of the restaurant's legacy. From whimsical practical jokes between Carl Lindner and Ben Bernstein to celebrity visits and personal mishaps, the episode is a nostalgic journey through both hardships and joyous moments. The theme extends to discussions about community resilience amid recent severe weather events, nodding to the continuity of family traditions and the evolving hospitality landscape.

00:00 Introduction to Ramblin on the River

01:25 Meet Your Hosts: Ben, Alan, and Terri

02:09 Listener Engagement and International Audience

03:35 Family History: The Old El Greco Restaurant

05:41 The Mike Fink Restaurant: A Cincinnati Icon

15:30 Winter Challenges and River Adventures

20:52 Memorable Moments and Famous Guests

26:49 Dumbwaiter Mishap: A Classic Story

29:31 The Dumbwaiter Story

30:18 Childhood Memories with Grandpa

31:36 High Water Boat Moving

36:34 Cooking at the Table

38:16 The Fire Incident

39:55 The Banana Split Prank

51:44 Rambling on the River: Word of the Day

54:48 Hurricane Helene and Milton

01:00:56 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

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In this episode of 'Ramblin on the River, the podcast dives into the legacy of the Bernstein family's involvement in Cincinnati's hospitality scene, particularly focusing on their restaurant, El Greco. The script is peppered with anecdotes about family dynamics, notable events, and recipes from El Greco's menu. Two infamous stories are revisited - a mishap as a valet and a humorous restaurant incident involving Alan's mother. The episode also touches on the challenges and successes encountered over the years in the restaurant business. Alongside these personal stories, there's a mention of the upcoming Blink Cincinnati event, where BB Riverboats offers a unique experience to enjoy light installations via river cruises.

00:00 Introduction to Ramblin on the River

01:35 Meet the Hosts: Ben, Alan, and Terri

03:10 Terri's Birthday and Family Memories

04:18 Debate: Open-Faced Sandwiches and Boneless Chicken Wings

09:22 El Greco: The Family's Favorite Restaurant

11:23 The History and Layout of El Greco

28:51 Expanding El Greco: The Garden Room

31:45 Christmas at El Greco: A New Tradition

34:07 Shelly's Hospitality and Late-Night Dining

35:07 Dad's Restaurant Philosophy and Christmas Eve Tradition

37:25 El Greco's Unique Advertising and Diverse Menu

41:03 Valet Mishaps and Memorable Stories

49:20 Famous Characters and Signature Dishes

57:48 Freeze-Dried Al: A Family Nickname

01:00:14 Blink Cincinnati: A Spectacular Event

01:04:12 Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes

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In the second part of this Tall Stacks episode of Ramblin' on the River the Bernstein's share humorous and heartwarming stories from the past festivals. The hosts also getinto the origin of the phrase 'three sheets to the wind' and provide insights into current riverboat industry trends and the economic landscape. Tune in for an engaging mix of history, humor, and river lore.

00:00 Introduction to Ramblin' on the River
00:39 Meet the Hosts: Ben, Alan, and Terri
01:51 Listener Engagement and Social Media
03:30 Miami Marlins Game and Poolside Memories
04:38 Tall Stacks Festival History
06:24 The Great River Race of 2003
11:59 Trophy Mishap and Recovery
16:51 Breakfast Cruise in the Fog
22:56 The Golf Cart Prank
26:33 The Brunch Cruise Challenge
27:25 Tall Stacks Event: Behind the Scenes
30:44 A Memorable Encounter at Tall Stacks
35:52 Three Sheets to the Wind: Nautical Origins
43:59 Current Events: The Economy and Industry Insights
52:22 Conclusion and Farewell

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In this episode, the Bernstein family dives into the history of Cincinnati's Tall Stacks festivals, from their inception in 1988 through various installments, highlighting stories of successes, challenges, and memorable moments. The episode also features humorous anecdotes about family and work life, interactions with fans, and a segment on modern slang terms.

00:00 Introduction to Ramblin on the River
01:09 Meet Your Hosts: Ben Terri and Alan Bernstein
02:51 The Origins of Tallstacks Festival
06:20 Tallstacks 1988: The Inaugural Event
13:56 Tallstacks 1992: The Second Celebration
16:36 Tallstacks 1995: Expansion and Reenactments
17:36 Tallstacks 1999: A Decline in Attendance
17:57 Tallstacks 2003: Music and Entertainment
21:49 Tallstacks 2006: Overcoming Challenges
29:54 Volunteer Heroes and the Garbage Truck Stern Line
31:52 The Mutiny on the President
38:01 Red Hat Ladies Chaos
42:03 Word of the Day: Fuddy Duddy
44:54 Teen Slang Challenge
53:45 Conclusion and Farewell

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In this episode of 'Ramblin' on the River' share a series of humorous and intriguing maritime stories, including the two groundings of the Belle of Cincinnati, the partial sinking of the Captain Ben, and the unfortunate sinking of the diorama barge. They also discuss how the crew managed to improvise mooring situations by tying their vessel to unconventional objects. The episode concludes with exciting news about the return of the 'Tall Stacks' festival, now called 'America's River Roots,' which is scheduled for October 2025. The hosts provide insights into the festival's components, including music, culture, cuisine, and the anticipated arrival of various riverboats from across the United States.

00:00 Introduction to Ramblin' on the River
01:23 Meet the Hosts: Ben, Alan, and Terri
01:47 Listener Emails and Fan Interactions
04:08 Terri's Lisp and Funny Anecdotes
05:28 Bloopers and Mishaps: Part 1
07:48 Navigating the Tennessee River
13:18 Grounding the Belle of Cincinnati
15:51 Rescue Operations and Passenger Safety
25:21 The Captain Ben Incident
30:40 Building the Diorama
31:20 Animatronics and Chuck E. Cheese
32:05 The Sinking Barge Incident
34:29 Coast Guard and Missing Documents
37:48 Tying Up the Boat in Town
43:19 Blooper Story Time
43:38 Word of the Day: Flotsam and Jetsam
48:27 America's River Roots Festival
59:14 Podcast Conclusion and Farewell

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This episode features a blend of intriguing family history and inspirational medical resilience. The family discusses the transformation of old riverboats into the famed haunted attraction, the USS Nightmare. Joined by Allen Rizzo, the episode highlights behind-the-scenes stories, memorable moments, and the growth of this fall tradition in Cincinnati. Additionally, Alan shares his profound medical journey from low platelet levels to a life-saving liver transplant, underscoring the importance of belief and perseverance. Personal anecdotes and humorous recollections enrich these stories.

00:00 Introduction to Ramblin' on the River
00:45 Meet the Bernstein Family
01:44 Podcast Housekeeping
02:15 Global Reach and Listener Stats
03:14 Introducing the USS Nightmare
03:46 Guest Appearance: Allen Rizzo
04:15 History of the USS Nightmare
06:23 The Haunted Attraction's Early Days
07:26 Building the Haunted House
12:47 Challenges and Funny Stories
36:57 Expansion and New Ventures
39:43 The Pristine Museum
40:09 The Mitchell Massacre
41:55 Blending Folklore with History
43:15 Rechristening the Boats
45:12 Haunted House Industry Insights
47:38 The Millionth Passenger
49:10 The USS Nightmare Experience
56:34 The Legendary Haunt Tour
01:05:42 Al's Cancer Journey
01:16:21 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

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This episode of 'Ramblin on the River,' takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the family's history, focusing on Alan's summer of 1969 in the Catskill Mountains. The episode dives into the family's entrepreneurial past in the hospitality industry and includes amusing and heartfelt stories, debates on historical dates, and intricate recollections of Alan's youthful adventures, working as a busboy at the Vegetarian hotel, and eventually finding his way to Gilbert's hotel. The Bernstein's also touch upon broader industry topics such as sea service time for mariners and upcoming ventures like the USS Nightmare. The episode concludes with humorous anecdotes and family banter, providing rich insight into the Bernsteins' family dynamics and their love for storytelling.

00:00 Introduction to Ramblin on the River
00:39 Meet the Hosts: The Bernstein Family
02:19 A Trip Down Memory Lane: 1969
06:45 Life in the Catskill Mountains
16:00 The Vegetarian Hotel Experience
22:07 Woodstock and the End of Summer
25:06 Memories of the Catskill Mountains
26:11 Working in the Catskills: A Teenager's Experience
27:08 The Late Night Shows and Bartending
31:01 The Seasonal Nature of Catskill Resorts
33:05 Lessons Learned from the Catskills
36:22 Word of the Day: Schnoz
41:09 Mariner Licensing and Sea Time
49:03 Upcoming Episode Teaser and Conclusion

Please like and subscribe to this show. Connect with us on our Facebook or Instagram page. Check out our website at RamblinontheRiver.com or email us directly at podcast@bbriverboats.com. Thank you for listening!