February 1, 2017 — The Coastal Insider

Art and Community at the Seacoast Artist Gallery

December 13, 2021February 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

A Local Non-Profit Adds Beauty and Value by Melissa LaScaleia The streets of the Market Common always seem to beckon a leisurely stroll, and the art gallery on Nevers Street coincides with that tempo. The Seacoast Artists Gallery is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) created for the furtherance and development of the arts in the Myrtle Beach area. It’s an organization which exists to create an atmosphere of cooperation, sharing, and mentoring amongst artists in the Grand Strand area. The gallery was started about three-and-a-half years ago by the Seacoast Artists Guild, and functions as an art-lovers community spot where artists can showcase their pieces to the public as well as convene to share ideas and give and receive support. “We were looking for a venue in Myrtle Beach, and the Market Common management team was looking and hoping for a gallery to come into the area; it worked out to both of our advantages,” says Woody Bower, president of the Seacoast Artists Guild and director of the gallery. The guild began as a small group of artists in Pawleys Island in 2003. “We had about fifteen members,” Woody says. “And now we have 300 from up and down the Grand Strand— north, south, and west. We have members as far as Calabash; as far south as the Isle of Palms, the Charleston area; and inland as far as Columbia.” Woody is a photographer. He grew up in up-state New York and has lived all over the country. He moved to Myrtle Beach in 2003. “This was the only option my wife gave me for retirement,” he says, laughing. “I joined the guild around 2009. I was asked in 2010 if I would serve on the board, and then I was elected president the following year.” Sharon Sorrels, an oil and watercolor painter also serves on the board. “The guild to me has been a great place to meet other artists and I have gained many friends— that’s important to me, being new to the area,” she says. The guild holds monthly meetings and presentations on art topics by a guest lecturer, and are an opportunity for members to meet and develop relationships. “Artists like to hang out together, learn together, and make art together,” Woody says. “That’s the purpose of a guild. We want to make sure we have a place for local artists to congregate, to mingle and mix and mentor each other, and share their skills with other artists in the area. “Myrtle Beach doesn’t have a lot of art galleries. And this is where a majority of our members are. We wanted to offer our members this market as well as a community venue.” You don’t have to be an artist to be a member of the guild. The annual membership fee is $30, and those who simply enjoy art or want to be a part of the community can join. “In joining the guild, I met other artists who had the same interests I did,” Sharon says. “It’s a chance to share skills, methods, and ideas about the materials we use. And the gallery has offered me a space to display my art and sell it. That has helped me.” The exterior of the gallery on tree-lined Nevers Street contributes the beauty of art to our beach-side community. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) Those guild members interested in having their work placed in the gallery make submissions to a jury committee of highly skilled artists for review. Those who are accepted are put on a waiting list until a spot opens. The gallery is currently displaying works from seventy-five of its guild members. “The gallery here is the biggest repository of art along the Grand Strand,” Woody says. And it covers a diverse array of mediums: from painting, pottery, photography, and wood carvings, to 3-d fused glass, and sculptures made from old band instruments. “Art gives me a chance to show others how I see things,” says Sharon. “I always say that lots of artists can look at one thing, a tree for example, and present it in many different ways. Art gives me a way to communicate. I communicate through my paintings. It’s a way to share opinions, whether they’re political, social or just personal.” There is a classroom in the gallery where adult classes are offered to guild members and the public in subjects like: life-studies with figure drawing, water color, acrylic and oil painting. Classes are limited to ages 16 and over, and are for beginners as well as more advanced students. “We’re not trying to make money, but to be a venue for artists and young artists to grow,” Woody says. “Because we’re a non-profit, we’re not driven by sales.” In keeping with their mission, the guild offers annual scholarships. “We provide two $1,000 scholarships a year to high school seniors who are pursuing the field of art in college to help them further their art education,” Woody says. “One to a Horry County student, and one to a Georgetown County student.” Funding for the guild’s operational costs as well as the scholarships comes from their members. They also have two annual craft show fundraisers in the spring and the fall— usually April and September respectively. Art in Common, as it’s called, is open to any artists in the region. The artists pay a fee to join the show, which supports the guild, and the guild handles publicity and organizes the event, offering artists a venue to display their crafts and sell their work. Right now, the guild is in the process of developing another fundraiser in the fall in the second half of October; it will be a silent auction event. “We like to say that there is something here for every taste, and for every budget,” Woody concludes, speaking of the gallery. “We want to be a gallery that serves our community,” Sharon adds. “We hope people will stop by and join our open houses and have a little refreshment and realize that we … Read more

Sweetie’s Sweet Potato Soup

June 4, 2021February 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Our recipe this month is brought to you by the Market Common’s very own Emma Ware— nutritionist by trade and a foodie by passion. Her new Fast Wholesome Cooking cookbook has us all prepared to sweeten up our sweeties this Valentine’s month! To learn more about Emma and her foods, visit www.itsnotadiet.net. Sweetie’s Sweet Potato Soup Ingredients Serves 2-4 4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes4 cups of water1 tsp salt1 tsp black pepper1 Tbs cinnamon1 Tbs curry powder1 Tbs fresh grated ginger3 Tbs olive oil5-8 Tbs honey2 ounces half-and-half (or non-dairy creamer of choice)Fresh cilantro Directions In a large pot, cook the sweet potatoes in 2 cups of water until soft, approximately 15 minutes. Drain and mash. Add the remaining ingredients, except the cilantro, including an additional 2 cups of water. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the stove, and allow to cool for 20 minutes, or until the soup is not scalding. Transfer the soup from your pot into a blender. Puree until creamy and the color is rich. Add more water, half-and-half, and seasoning until soup reaches desired thickness and taste. Serve the soup warm and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Click here for more great recipes.

Q&A with Neal and Marta Gielstra

June 1, 2021February 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

From a Tiny Fishing Village in the Netherlands to Sunny Myrtle Beach by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. My wife is Marta. We have four children: a son who lives in Florida; two sons in Texas; and an adopted daughter in the Netherlands. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? Essentially for adventure. I was chief engineer on a banana boat in St. Lucia, many years ago. And while there, my wife and I met a doctor from Myrtle Beach who became a good friend of ours. He sponsored us to move here. We came directly to Myrtle Beach in 1966, and bought a 6,000 square foot house towards the north. In 2008 we bought a townhouse in the Market Common, right behind the Cupcake Cafe. Four years ago we decided to downsize and move into our townhouse. Where are all the places you came from? My wife and I came from a small fisherman’s shipyard village in the Netherlands. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? We have 3 favorite places: Gordon Biersch, P.F. Chang’s, and the Brass Tap. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? The fact that you can walk and drive your golf cart anywhere. We very much appreciate the golf cart path that the state park made. The unique way of living here is what we love about it, and the people too. It’s a real village inside of a town. How has your lifestyle changed since moving to Myrtle Beach? The culture is totally different from ours. When we first moved here in the ’60s, Myrtle Beach was much bigger than our native village. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? I started a business in heating and air conditioning, contracting for many restaurants in the area. Then I went back to school in 1988 to Coastal Carolina, and became a project manager for outside research, like beach erosion and building research equipment. Do you find people here friendlier or more at ease? We came from a town of 4,000 people and you knew everybody there. We find it similar here. In general, the people are very friendly. What’s nice is that people from the North come down here and then they become friendlier too. What are your favorite things to do here? We like to go to the beach and read. Is there anything you would like to see in the Market Common? An organic grocery store. Click here for more Q&A.

The Great Transition— Part 5 of 7

May 29, 2021February 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

This story is part 5 of a 7-part series which chronicles the redevelopment of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and its evolution into the Market Common from the perspective of retired Air Force Colonel Buddy Styers, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. Our history continues where we left off with Part 4, in the January 2017 issue. The Redevelopment Years of The Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia “After we started building the Market Common,” Buddy says, “we realized, and thankfully the city also realized, that this building project was a great opportunity to add amenities that didn’t exist anywhere else in Myrtle Beach. Today, when you drive by the lake, you can see mothers and fathers walking their children, people sitting in bench swings— it’s the kind of scene we always envisioned for the Market Common. Luckily, the city shared our vision and was very interested in making that possible.” The city built the ball field complex, the roller skating rink, and the soccer fields— and they renovated Crabtree Gym— all of which have been instrumental in the growth of the Market Common by contributing to its wonderful, homey vibe. Additionally, Horry Georgetown Technical College played a major role in the redevelopment process. Through federal law, and with the approval and support of the Redevelopment Authority, the college received property in the Market Common at no cost. Horry Georgetown Technical College moved their three biggest programs from the Conway campus to the Market Common: medical/nursing, dentistry, and culinary arts. That freed up a lot of space on their landlocked Conway campus for other programs and was a win win for both college and community. The Redevelopment Authority helped finance many of the school’s projects in the Market Common. Probably the most important was the expansion of the nursing program. “Back then,” Buddy reminisces, “we had a shortage of nurses in Myrtle Beach. And the college could only take forty people per year who wanted to go to nursing school. They had a waiting list of 300 people.” Together, the college and the Redevelopment Authority converted what was the base hospital into the Robert E. Speir Building, where the nursing program was moved. The building was named after a local doctor; and the Speir family, along with the Redevelopment Authority and many of the local medical community, made generous financial contributions to help with its construction and implementation. With the completion of the building, the program was greatly expanded and enhanced by the increased number of new students they could accept each year. The Redevelopment Authority also helped finance an annex to the Speir Building to house the dental program classrooms and community dental clinic. Traditionally, schools contribute an energy of freshness, youthful vitality, learning, and enthusiasm. The expansion of the Technical College’s programs in the Market Common was an asset to the community by its presence alone; plus, new graduates boost the economy because they are a workforce providing services that benefit everyone. “If the city and Horry Georgetown Tech hadn’t gotten so involved in this process, our development probably would have been slower,” Buddy says. “They added the amenities that make people want to be a part of this place— that gives them a reason to come. In the end, they’ve been real assets to the development and creation of this urban village.” “The Redevelopment Authority was a development-finance partner for the city, helping to make these projects happen,” he continues. “We put money into redoing the gymnasium, Crabtree Gym, the recreation center, and ball fields. The city paid much of their share with tax increment financing (TIF).” The legality of tax increment financing requires applicants to disclose any and all projects that they might finance with those tax increments before applying for it. You have to be transparent about what you want to do with the money, and have your long-term vision in place. The TIF plan passed, and over a ten-year period the bonds were paid off; the other projects listed in the plan have been implemented. Those projects were the fire station and the ball field complex, and the development of the Market Common’s public infrastructure including parking garages, streets, sidewalks, and recreation areas. Tax increment financing places a valuation on personal property. As the value of property increases, the taxes increase on personal property, and the increase pays for the infrastructure that was already put in place. “As we started building single family homes and saw other economic improvements, that gave the city the opportunity to pay off the bonds that they had purchased to pay for the public infrastructure for the Market Common,” Buddy says. “Using a TIF allowed for the Market Common to be developed, as the city didn’t have any funds in their overall budget for the area’s projects. “If not for the TIF,” he adds, “it would have been difficult for Myrtle Beach to find tax infrastructure for any of this to happen.” Click here to read the next article in the series on “The Redevelopment Years of The Market Common.”

Colonel Lewis

December 13, 2021February 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

WWII Fighter Pilot Ace and Myrtle Beach Base Commander by Melissa LaScaleia Lewis Street in the Market Common links the well-known DeVille Street— with its offerings of electric bike rides, sushi, and yoga— to Johnson Avenue, which leads out to Farrow Parkway. The street is named after Colonel Warren R. Lewis, who was born on Christmas Eve in 1919, in Superior, Iowa. Lewis was at school at Estherville Junior College when World War II broke out in Europe, in 1939. He abandoned his studies to join the Canadian Royal Air Force, a segue to enlisting with the United States Air Force. He transferred to the United States Air Force in 1941, and was assigned to the 8th Fighter Group; this placement marked the start of his long and illustrious career with the U.S. military. Lewis was stationed at Milne Bay, New Guinea as a P-38 fighter pilot in the latter years of the war. In 1943 he was reassigned to the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, as a first lieutenant. He was subsequently reassigned to the 433rd and promoted to captain. He also saw combat in Italy with the 82nd and 31st Fighter Groups where he flew P-51s in addition to P-38s. He became a fighter pilot “ace” after he shot down a Zeke, one of Japan’s premier fighter aircraft, in 1944. It was recorded that throughout his military career, he shot down seven aircraft in all, with more logged as ‘probably shot down’ or ‘damaged.’ He was promoted to major in 1944, and shortly thereafter, squadron commander of the 433rd. In 1944, he was rotated back to the states for a break; he returned to service in 1945. Lewis was promoted to colonel in 1959. He served a combat tour during the Vietnam War where he was stationed at Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam. He also commanded the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, in Italy. Lewis was given the post of base commander of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at our very own Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in the 1960s. In September of 1971, he retired from the Air Force. Lewis logged a total of 1,171 combat flying hours; flew 591 missions; and was awarded 27 Air Medals: 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and two Legion of Merit medals with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster. Colonel Warren R. Lewis was said to have made a positive impact on others both in his military and civilian life. He was noted as a family man with a kind heart, who loved golf and fishing. Colonel Warren R. Lewis died on January 13, 2006 and is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, in San Antonio, Texas. To read more of our history features click here.

Emma’s School of Healthy Eating

June 1, 2021February 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Where Health and Practicality Walk Hand in Hand by Melissa LaScaleia Tucked away in the Market Common, down the end of Howard Avenue, is a quaint, white building with inviting wicker furniture out front. Come close to the door and subtle cursive writing indicates that you’ve arrived at Emma’s School of Healthy Eating. Inside, you’ll be introduced to all things culinary and educational for whatever ails you in the world of food and health. Emma Ware is a certified nutritionist and holistic nutritionist; certified clinical homeopath; and a fitness consultant. She is also the owner of Emma’s School of Healthy Eating. Emma helps all kinds of people with all kinds of challenges in the realm of food— those who need guidance shopping for food, cooking, feeding their children, losing weight, feeling better— even putting their kitchens together. Emma started in this field of work twenty-five years ago when she was living in Los Angeles. At that time, she contracted spinal meningitis, a disease which creates inflammation in the spine and brain, and can lead to death or severe handicaps. “Little did I know where my journey was going to take me,” she says. The numerous health issues that having meningitis created for Emma led her to seek the help of many different doctors. One of those was an internist, a doctor who specializes in internal medicine. But he also practiced alternative medicine. He became Emma’s mentor, and began teaching her how to manage her health through alternative medicine and nutrition so she could start helping herself feel better while she was still under the care of traditional doctors. “My first job, once I was starting to feel well enough to work, was at a health food store,” Emma says. “I learned everything about alternative products and I helped a lot of people. It was there that I met a pharmaceutical rep who introduced me to a gastroenterologist, and he gave me my first job working for him as a nutritionist.” “I mainly assisted people with weight loss,” she continues. “I learned how to cook and put formulas together to address people’s digestion problems, and I taught them how to get organized around food and the ways they nourished themselves. Integrating change is something you have to learn how to manage. It’s like anything else.” In Los Angeles, Emma found herself working for oncologists, chiropractors, M.D.s, and plastic surgeons, as well as having her own practice. “Because I had the opportunity and great experiences with many types of doctors, I learned a lot of anatomy and kinesiology,” she says. “From there, I started to implement nutrition. I’ve learned that you can try all kinds of things, but if you want to feel better all the time, and get results that last, you have to change what you eat. If the body is completely nourished, you’re less emotional and you have fewer issues. But if the body is malnourished, you’re going to have lots of issues.” After some time in LA, Emma was craving a change in surroundings. She had fallen in love with Myrtle Beach when she had lived here in the ’80s. Emma (right) in her office-kitchen. In her work with clients, she focuses on educating about the importance of selecting high quality food. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) “I loved the charm of Myrtle Beach,” she says. “It was small and quaint. I wanted to come back; I wanted something different.” She moved here in 2005, and began working with Dr. Cremer in Murrells Inlet for four years, before starting her own independent practice. “Now, I’m on my own,” she says. “Today I get a lot of referrals from a lot of different doctors in the area. I still specialize in weight loss, but I’m also helping people with digestive disorders and teaching them a better way of eating. I love what I do because I see people feeling better, losing weight, and keeping it off permanently. I see people becoming confident in how they manage their health, and knowing what foods to choose that are higher in quality.” Eventually Emma bought a house in the Market Common, and rather than commute to the Inlet, decided to move her practice to her neighborhood. “I love it here,” she says. “It’s like a little city. Everybody is walking— and everybody is walking their dogs. You have the theatre, the restaurants, and then you’re across the street from the beach. What better way to spend a weekend than shopping, catching a movie, and then dinner at a restaurant? And the Market Common has the nicest people.” Her office and consultation space has a kitchen where she teaches private cooking classes, but she now primarily teaches virtually. “The cooking classes are very important because I emphasize putting at least 50% of the effort they’re putting into change, into the kitchen. In that way they can eat better foods without the preservatives and additives. I teach them how to cook easy, quick, healthy recipes. My philosophy is to scrap the dieting, and go back to basics.” Her newly released, self-published cookbook— Fast Wholesome Cooking, was created as a tool to help her clients do just this. The book is for people who don’t know their way around the kitchen, who don’t know how to cook, and who don’t want to spend an entire day in the kitchen trying to. The recipes, as the title suggests, are all fast, easy and wholesome. It’s available at her store in the Market Common and online. “I believe these diets which today saturate our media have brought a lot of confusion to our society and I see it everyday with clients,” Emma says. “They’re very confused about what’s healthy, what’s not, and how the body works. They don’t know whom to listen to or whom to believe. When I work with people, I focus on educating them about many different types of foods and the quality of foods they select.” Emma goes over her clients’ food history and … Read more

A Message from Jim Parker, Co-Owner of the Insider

June 15, 2022February 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

A message from the Editor The New Year’s Eve celebration here in the Market Common, a Southern Times Square was a great event this year that brought out over 10,000 people and included a spectacular fireworks display. My daughter Megan took the aerial shot of the Market Common on New Year’s Eve (see Events, A7); she captures the beauty and warmth of the wonderful community we have here. We’d like to thank the Market Common for putting on such an enjoyable event—we’ve heard nothing but positive remarks from those who attended. We’d also like to say a big thank you and a fond farewell to AC Bethea, who has created delicious recipes for us with unfailing dedication for many editions of the Insider. AC is moving to Charleston, and we wish her every success with her career and new pursuits. She’ll be popping in to say hello from time to time, and even sharing her voice and creativity every now and again. In lieu of her departure, we are pleased and proud to introduce you to Emma Ware. Emma is a nutritionist, and a Market Common small business owner. Our local business section this month captures her story and illustrates the ways in which she serves our community. We are grateful that Emma has agreed to share her wisdom and straightforward, nutritious cooking secrets in our paper, with all our readers, on a monthly basis. Welcome Emma! And speaking of creativity, that’s our theme for the Insider this month. Art and creative endeavors foster the growth of communities—when people come together and work in partnership to create, whether it be a business, a painting, or a different outcome, relationships are formed, fun is had, and everyone benefits. Likewise, when people create on their own and then share that with others, the same chain reaction of dialogue, togetherness, and positivity occurs. Be sure to check out the front-page article which reveals the ways in which our local non-profit art gallery, the Seacoast Artist Gallery and Guild, contributes to our community. We hope the Insider inspires you to get your own creative juices flowing this month. You never know whose life you might inspire by your own pursuits. Are you or someone you know doing something notable in our neighborhood? Contact us with comments and suggestions at community@marketcommoninsider.com – Jim Parker Editor-in-chief and co-owner of Properties at the Market Common

In Which Charlie Falls In Love

May 12, 2021February 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Charlie’s Corner is the domain of Charlie, the furry four-legged lady’s man of the Market Common. Each month, he’ll share information to help all new, visiting, and existing doggie community members get the most out of life alongside their human companions. We’ll feature his reflections on what it’s like to be a dashing downtown doggie, as he reminds all of us how to play well together. This month, Charlie gets more than he bargained for when he goes for a walk and has an encounter of the romantic kind with cupid. Mmmmm deep winter— a time to curl up with blankets and take lots of naps, and invariably, at some point, get cuddled. But like the good doggie I am, committed to my human, and in keeping with my New Year’s resolution of helping Jim to get in shape, I’ve been asking for more walks lately. Jim’s been taking me out to the lake, since it’s so close now to our new office—but you should know all about that by now, and if you don’t, you should read up about it here. One particular day, Jim and I are taking a leisurely stroll around the lake. As I watch all the people walking and jogging, and all the other dogs taking their people for walks on leashes, I’m lost in gentle reveries about what are some of my favorite things about February besides naps, blankets, and cuddling. Well, Valentine’s Day for sure—for a ladies man such as myself, (and a lover of everyone in general) how could I not love Valentine’s Day? I have so many wonderful people in my life and so much love to give. Besides, one of the holiday’s trademark colors is red, which is one of our trademark colors at the Insider too. I wonder which of the girl dogs will send me a Valentine? And will Megan get me a new chew toy? Maybe one in the shape of a heart? How could I best celebrate and show appreciation for everyone I care about? Maybe I’ll create art out of Jim’s favorite slippers again. He seemed speechless and red with pleasure the last time I did that, and it’s been awhile since I’ve shown my affection for him in that particular way. And then I threw the strands of fabric all over the house to decorate the doors like confetti. He was so surprised! I’m suddenly distracted from my musings by a shiny something in the nearby tree. I try to get Jim’s attention so I can get closer, but he’s met someone he knows and they’re deep in conversation. I peer closer and it starts to fly towards me. Is it Holly the Holiday Fairy come to visit again, I wonder? It’s about the same size, and looks like a naked, chubby fairy, except the wings are different. But the sunlight is reflecting so brightly off some shiny instrument it’s carrying, that I’m blinded. It circles me in a dizzying way, when suddenly— “Ow!” I yelp in pain, as I feel a sharp poke to my nether regions. Did I just sit on a sandbur? Did that flying guy just poke me? What nerve!! But as I look up, oh bliss, oh joy, oh rapture! I have spotted the love of my life and I am in LOOOOOOOVVEE. It’s the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. The tail, so long and bushy, the frame, so petite and lovely, the ears to pert and pretty, the eyes, coal black—it is…a squirrel. And how could I have been so immune to such beauty until now? As I strain to run to her, I dimly hear Jim make some comment about how dogs love to chase squirrels. I’m tugging and Jim’s not moving, and eventually he scoops me up and I give in. I’m so happy and delirious with love, that it feels like I’m floating in heaven. I will come for you soon, my sweet squirrel! Until next time, P.S. Follow me on Facebook to keep up with all my latest news, www.facebook.com/InsiderCharliesCorner and on Instagram @charlieparkerscorner.