In this episode, we sit down with Sharlys Leszczuk, educator, real estate agent, and lifelong hospitality professional, to talk about how she’s bringing tourism education to life for students at Nestucca Valley High School. From her start in fine dining and PR in New York City to serving and teaching on the Oregon Coast, Sharlys shares how hospitality is more than service—it’s about connection, creativity, and community. Below are the organizations, local businesses, and partners mentioned in our conversation. Explore the links to learn more about the people and places shaping the future of Oregon Coast tourism and hospitality education.

Helpful links

• Nestucca Valley Jr./Sr. High School
• Tillamook Coast Visitors Association (TCVA)
• Tillamook Estuaries Partnership
• The Schooner Restaurant & Lounge (Netarts Bay)
• Garibaldi Boathouse (Garibaldi, OR
• Grateful Bread Bakery & Restaurant (Pacific City)
• The Riverhouse Nestucca (Pacific City)
• Heartfelt Hospitality
• Tillamook County Parks Departmen
• Tillamook Air Museum
• Pacific City Chamber of Commerc
• Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce
• Explore Tillamook Coast – Adventure Guide
• Tillamook County Library System

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• Credits:

• • Hosted by Dan Haag
  • Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast
  • Edited by Jon Richardson
    
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In this episode of Tillamook Coast Conversations, Nicole interviews Sydney Elliott, the owner and operator of Kayak Tillamook. Sydney shares her journey from being an English professor to running a guided kayak tour business, emphasizing the transformative power of nature and the importance of connection to the environment. She discusses the unique experiences offered through her tours, the significance of accessibility, and the role of her guides as ambassadors for the waterways. Sydney also highlights the importance of safety, community engagement, and the joy of celebrating milestones on the water.

Helpful links:

• • Kayak Tillamook
  • Alice’s Country House
  • Juntos Afuera
  • WEBS | Friends of Netharts Bay Watershed, Estuary, Beach, & Sea
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• Credits:

• • Hosted by Nicole Steen
  • Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast
  • Edited by Jon Richardson
    
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On this episode of Tillamook Coast Conversations, Mother & Son duo Katie and Houston Vandergriff share Houston’s inspiring journey documenting their worldwide travels while advocating for disability awareness and accessibility in travel. They discuss the origin of their platform, Downs and Towns, and how Houston's Down Syndrome has shaped their experiences and perspectives. In this conversation with host Dan Haag, they stress the importance of travel for personal growth, the challenges faced in accessible travel, and the positive trends in awareness and support for individuals with disabilities. They also share memorable experiences from their travels, particularly in Oregon, and emphasize the power of storytelling in changing perceptions around disability.

• Helpful links:

  • Downs & Towns

  • Photographer With Down Syndrome's Viral TikTok Gets Over a Million Likes on Newsweek

  • TravelAbility

  • 4-H

  • Annual Dahlia Festival

  • Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

  • Pacific City, OR

  • Rockaway Big Tree Boardwalk

  • Tillamook Estuaries Partnership

  • Tillamook Air Museum

  • Cape Meares Lighthouse

  • Old Wheeler Hotel

  • Garibaldi Boat House

  • Wheel the World

  Credits:

  • Hosted by Dan Haag

  • Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast⁠

    Edited by Jon Richardson⁠