Ramblin' on the River

Episode 20 - Bill Kinzeler

After a brief delay, 'Ramblin on the River,' is back!  Hosts Ben,Terri, and Alan Bernstein are joined by guest Bill Kinseler. They embark on a nostalgic journey through the history of the Bernstein family's ventures in the restaurant and excursion boat business, particularly highlighting the legacy of the Mike Fink restaurant. The episode covers memorable stories, including the freezing winter of 1977-78, the saving of the Mike Fink from the ice, and various personal anecdotes about the family's operations and relationships with other prominent Cincinnati river families. They also reflect on Shirley Bernstein's impactful role and notable moments related to the family's business. Additionally, the episode includes updates on the podcast's reach and listener statistics, the latest news from the passenger vessel industry, and a special word of the day—'deadheading,' related to boat operations. 00:00 Introduction to Ramblin on the River 01:10 Meet the Hosts: Ben Terry and Alan Bernstein 01:24 Catching Up After a Long Hiatus 03:45 Medical Challenges and Family Stories 10:19 Introducing Special Guest: Bill Kinsler 19:58 The Bernstein Family's River Adventures 28:23 Unexpected Purchase: The Airplane Hangar 29:27 Navigating the River with Alan Bernstein 30:17 Power Lines Incident and Temporary Offices 31:39 The Bell Cincinnati and Shirley Cyphers 35:52 Pontoon Boat and the Homeless Man 40:14 Family Business and Career Paths 45:25 Remembering Shirley and Family Legacy 52:56 Deadheading Explained 56:17 Current Events and Coast Guard News 01:00:58 Wrapping Up and Future Plans Please like and subscribe to this show. Connect with us on our Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559987272590] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ramblinontheriver/]page. Check out our website at RamblinontheRiver.com [https://www.ramblinontheriver.com/] or email us directly at podcast@bbriverboats.com. Thank you for listening!

Episode 19 - Voices from our Past - Josh Mehling

In this episode of Ramblin' on the River, we get into fond memories and hilarious anecdotes about their family, riverboat adventures, and interactions with long-time associates. From childhood summers to the origins of Cincinnati's hospitality landscape, the episode offers a journey through the family history, supplemented by engaging stories with special guest and former VP of Operations, Josh Mehling. The episode also features commentary on business operations, practical jokes, and meaningful relationships formed over the years. Additionally, listeners get insights into the inner workings of BB Riverboats and hear about Terri Bernstein's recognition as one of the Northern Kentucky Tribune's Newsmakers of 2024. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:39 Welcome to Ramblin on the River 01:09 Meet Your Hosts: Ben and Alan Bernstein 02:47 Special Guest: Josh Mailing 04:21 Josh's Early Days at BB Riverboats 10:52 Hilarious Work Stories and Mishaps 29:02 The Infamous Xbox Incident 35:40 Susan and the Beef Tips Incident 37:29 Practical Jokes on the Cruise 39:26 Sleepwalking and Chocolate 40:19 The Car Key Mystery 43:09 Tall Stacks Chaos 50:19 Flatboats and River History 56:28 Current Events and Awards 01:00:20 Amusement Park Adventures 01:07:43 Conclusion and Farewell Please like and subscribe to this show. Connect with us on our Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559987272590] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ramblinontheriver/]page. Check out our website at RamblinontheRiver.com [https://www.ramblinontheriver.com/] or email us directly at podcast@bbriverboats.com. Thank you for listening!

Episode 18 - Al's Childhood

In this episode we share nostalgic stories about Al's childhood growing up in Cincinnati. They discuss growing up in the Ohio River Valley, their family dynamics, including humorous and heartfelt anecdotes about siblings and pets. The episode touches on events like America's River Roots festival, the significance of hosting the captain's ball, and the family's pet stories, providing a deep dive into their family history and cherished memories. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:39 Welcome to the Podcast 01:45 Listener Engagement and Feedback 02:24 Childhood Memories: School Days 04:27 Sibling Stories and Family Dynamics 20:28 Family Pets and Adventures 25:18 Grandma's Love for Animals 26:15 The Story of Segunda 30:59 Family Vacations and Memories 33:05 Childhood Friends and Memories 37:46 Sports and Neighborhood Life 41:34 Word of the Day: Toe the Line 45:11 Upcoming Events and Announcements 52:19 Conclusion and Farewell Please like and subscribe to this show. Connect with us on our Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559987272590] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ramblinontheriver/]page. Check out our website at RamblinontheRiver.com [https://www.ramblinontheriver.com/] or email us directly at podcast@bbriverboats.com. Thank you for listening!

Episode 17 - Gateway Clipper Fleet

In this episode of the Ramblin' on the River' podcast, the family discusses their experiences with BB Riverboats, including collaborations with Gateway Clipper Fleet in Pittsburgh. Special guest Terry Wirginis from the Gateway Clipper Fleet shares stories about his family's business and their mutual influences. The conversation covers their mutual experiences, past ventures, humorous incidents, and the close-knit nature of the passenger vessel industry. This episode offers a blend of history, camaraderie, and the enduring bonds formed within the riverboat community. 00:00 Introduction to Ramblin on the River 01:23 Meet Your Hosts: Ben Terry and Alan Bernstein 02:08 A Journey Through the Bernstein Family History 02:49 Special Guest: Terry Wurgenis from Pittsburgh 03:48 The Origins of the Gateway Clipper Fleet 05:20 The Role of Betty Blake and John Conley 06:38 Terry Wurgenis' Early Involvement 10:14 The Transition to the Ohio State University 11:36 The Return to the Family Business 18:22 The Good Ship Lollipop Saga 22:41 Personal Stories and Friendships 28:19 The Bells of St. Louis Event 31:17 John's Leadership and Industry Insights 32:46 Casino Business Beginnings 34:11 Challenges and Successes in the Casino Industry 35:55 Understanding H Boats and Their Classes 38:53 The Evolution of Passenger Vessels 46:24 The Importance of Industry Collaboration 52:48 Gateway Clipper Fleet and Pittsburgh's Beauty 56:09 Rambling on the River: Word of the Day 59:37 Conclusion and Farewell Please like and subscribe to this show. Connect with us on our Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559987272590] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ramblinontheriver/]page. Check out our website at RamblinontheRiver.com [https://www.ramblinontheriver.com/] or email us directly at podcast@bbriverboats.com. Thank you for listening!

Episode 16 - Crockett's and the River Cafe

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 Please like and subscribe to this show. Connect with us on our Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559987272590] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ramblinontheriver/]page. Check out our website at RamblinontheRiver.com [https://www.ramblinontheriver.com/] or email us directly at podcast@bbriverboats.com. Thank you for listening!