January 27, 2018 — The Coastal Insider

Many Places to Play in Surfside Beach

December 14, 2021January 27, 2018 by The Coastal Insider

by the Town of Surfside Beach Surfside Beach has several parks for enjoyment for both residents and visitors. There is something for everyone from children to seniors. All Children’s Park is located on the corner of 10th Avenue South and Hollywood Drive. It contains two playgrounds, a picnic area, and restroom facilities. The park and play equipment is accessible to both physically challenged and able-bodied children. The town also has two small Bark Parks located on Pine Drive next to the library. They are open from sunrise to sunset except on Wednesdays from 10 to noon when they are closed for cleaning. Dogs must have a town license which costs $10 annually and can be purchased at Town Hall (115 US Highway 17 N.) See map, 24-25. Fuller Park is located on the corner of Surfside Drive and Myrtle Drive. It has two lighted tennis courts, a naturally shaded playground, and a picnic area with restroom facilities. It is conveniently situated next to the library. See map, 24-25. Situated just o Glenn’s Bay Road on Spanish Oak Drive is the Huckabee Recreational Complex. is park has three lighted baseball fields, a picnic shelter, and restroom facilities. The Complex is host to both youth and adult so ball programs and, also, youth baseball during the spring and fall. The fields are also available for tournament rental. See map, 24-25. In addition, Surfside Beach offers a picturesque park, called Martin Field, located on Dogwood Drive between 6th and 7th Avenue South, just three blocks from the ocean. It contains one lighted baseball/softball field, a covered picnic shelter and restroom facilities. It is used for youth athletic practices, T-Ball, Coach Pitch and adjacent to the ball field is Martin Park, a small waterfront recreation area located on Lakeside Drive and 8th Avenue South. It contains two shuffleboard courts, one horseshoe pit, two bocce ball courts, and four picnic shelters. Also located at this park is Floral Clubhouse, which accommodates approximately 35 people. The clubhouse is available to rent year-round. See map, 24-25. The newest of the Town’s parks, called Passive Park, is a peaceful area located on the corner of Surfside Drive and Willow Drive next door to the Surfside Library. Amongst the parks beautiful live oaks, you’ll find picnic tables, a gazebo, and a Veterans Memorial fountain. There are also lighted sidewalks for walking at night and 6 multi-use exercise stations, especially designed for seniors. See map, 24-25. For more information, contact Debbie Ellis At Phone

Ocean Lakes Family Campground

December 14, 2021January 27, 2018 by The Coastal Insider

Six Time Winners of The Mega Park of the Year Award by Melissa LaScaleia Ocean Lakes Family Campground is well known by Myrtle Beachians as being a premier campground and RV park near Surfside Beach. This month, we recognize the many ways they help support the community, and celebrate that this past November, they took home the Mega Park of the Year Award for 2017 during the Awards of Excellence Dinner at the annual National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds conference. The conference was held in Raleigh, NC, from November 6-10. Dawn Bryant, the communications and social media specialist for Ocean Lakes, was in attendance for the first time. “One of the first things I picked up on at the conference,” Dawn tells me, “was that people know Ocean Lakes, and they want to pick your brain because they know that you do it right there.” Dawn joined the Ocean Lakes marketing team in August of 2016, a er more than twenty years in the newspaper business. “I had lived in Myrtle Beach for more than 16 years, and when I decided it was time for a change, I sought them out, because of their reputation for being a great community partner,” she says. “They give back to this community in so many ways, and I wanted to be a part of that. I’ve been proud to be a part of this team because of their standards for excellence, not just locally, but nationally, in the campground industry.” “As part of my job, I help plan some of the events to promote the campground and get folks interested in coming here,” she continues. “It’s a great place to come, so it makes my job easy.” This is the sixth time that Ocean Lakes has received the coveted Mega Park of the Year Award. The award is given for all around excellence in the categories of operations, professionalism, customer service, marketing, and industry involvement (how well they work with other campgrounds to share ideas and compare trends of what customers want, as well as the contributions they make to help the industry grow). “Ocean Lakes has a reputation for setting standards that keep folks coming back year after year,” Dawn tells me. “We’re all really excited about this award. Our team works every day to make sure our guests are happy. To win a national award is kind of like ‘icing on the cake.’” The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds annual five-day conference attracts campground owners and operators from all over the country and includes seminars, networking opportunities, and vendors. Also in attendance with Dawn was Barb Krumm, their marketing director, who’s been with Ocean Lakes for nineteen years. Ocean Lakes Family Campground was founded by Nelson and Mary Emily Jackson in 1971. It is still privately owned and family run; today it is a subsidiary of the Jackson Companies which also owns Prestwick Golf and Country Club, the Sayebrook development, and Crystal Lake Mobile Home Village, all in Myrtle Beach. Winners of the 2017 Mega Park of the Year Award in Raleigh.From left to right: Johnny Williamson, Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Jackson Companies; Joe Mize and wife Jeanne Jackson Mize, daughter of the cofounders; Barb Krumm, Ocean Lakes Director of Marketing and PR; Kaki Jackson Williamson, daughter of the co-founders; and Paul Bambei, President/CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. Ocean Lakes is so well known and well spoken of for many reasons. For starters, they have world class amenities. In 2016, they opened a water park with the requisite lazy river in addition to some speedy slides, and it’s been a huge hit with guests ever since. They have a mile of oceanfront property, a heated indoor pool, several dining facilities, and an array of housing options like converted trailers, single-level and elevated, and one and two-story houses, cabins, and 859 campsites. ere are 2,566 lease sites that owners can, in turn, rent out. They rent, sell and repair golf carts as well as RVs, and have 24/7 security. “But one thing that makes us truly special,” Dawn tells me, “is our teammates. Customer service is a priority for us— it’s the core part of our culture. Our goal is to create family memories that last a lifetime.” “The number one thing we look for is that ability to fit with our culture of service,” says Bonita Lloyd, HR director. “We strive to be the best. We need somebody that has a desire to be part of that, and likes to challenge themselves with a higher standard.” “We’re in the people business,” says Dawn. “When you adopt that mindset, then everything else just flows from there. We want to make guests feel like they’re coming home, that this is their home away from home, and we treat everyone like family. We’ll do what it takes to make sure they’re having fun while they’re staying here.” “We get folks on Facebook every day who are thanking our staff for going above and beyond,” she continues. “And our staff stick around; they’re proud of what they do. We’ve won this award six times now, that says something about us. Our guests weren’t surprised at all, and from the feedback we received on Facebook, neither were our fans on that platform.” Winter is a much more mellow time of year at the campground, but people are still having a ball. They had over 500 people come out to participate in their annual New Year’s Eve Polar Bear Plunge. It was some 30 degrees, but that didn’t stop adventurous ocean bathers. And the event supported a good cause. Everyone who registered brought non-perishable food items which Ocean Lakes donated to South Strand Helping Hand. Ocean Lakes Campground guests can enjoy the annual Beach and Boogie weekend, Friday, February 16, through Saturday, February 17. There will be two live bands this year: the Embers and the Band of Oz. Last years event sold … Read more

Making Music in Myrtle Beach

December 14, 2021January 27, 2018 by The Coastal Insider

The Style and Story of Stevie Mac

by Melissa LaScaleia

Steven McLendon, aka Stevie Mac, is a South Carolina native with a penchant for the acoustic guitar. The Insider caught up with him to learn the story of his journey as a singer-musician living in Myrtle Beach.

“I picked up guitar when I was twelve,” he tells me. “My neighbor played guitar, and between him and my uncles who were into music, it inspired me to start. I would stay in my room practicing for 6-8 hours a day. I started playing in bands while I was still in middle school, and got my first paying gig when I was fifteen years old; I made $100 playing at a venue in Greenville, SC.”

Stevie moved to Nashville with some friends when he was twenty-one to make music his career. But he and his band quickly realized that their style leaned more towards rock than country, and they didn’t jive with Nashville culture.

“And quite frankly,” he says with a laugh, “we weren’t good enough to be there. We decided to move to Myrtle Beach because we knew that there was a really good music scene here that had more variety, and was more rock-focussed. The Hard Rock Cafe and the House of Blues have always had top touring bands of-the-day come to play. It gave us promise to have a venue and have a place to hone our craft. We moved here to try to make a name in the Myrtle Beach music scene.”

But soon thereafter the band broke up, as bands often do, and Stevie joined the Tim Clark Band as backup guitarist while also running sound for the Dixie Stampede.

“I knew when I started with the Tim Clark Band in 2000 that there was no turning back for me to do anything else but music as a career,” Stevie says. “Tim taught me about business in music. He was the one who coined me Stevie Mac, when he was introducing the band members on stage, that’s what he would call me, and it caught on. I give him a lot of credit for being the one who helped establish me in Myrtle Beach as an artist.”

Stevie stayed with the Tim Clark Band for almost six years then left to start his own, Eason, which he named after his grandfather. After a few years, the band dissolved as key members moved on to join well-known country music bands: Craig Morgan and Love and Theft.

The dissolution inspired Stevie to begin work as a solo singer-guitar artist, which he’s been doing now for ten years. With so much time invested in both aspects of musical performance, I ask him his thoughts on each. He says:

“I would liken being on stage and playing music with other people to playing on a sports team— you need those other people to accomplish something good. When everybody is playing their parts correctly, there’s something magical that happens. I think personality clashes and egos make that magic even better, because sometimes you lay back and let that person shine, and sometimes you try to outshine them. Of course I miss that aspect of playing music. Also, being in a band is like having another family. So it can be hard to move on from that when it’s that personal. But the flip side of that coin is playing solo, you have much less to worry about with others being responsible, with ego classes and personalities.

“It took me time to figure out how to make a living playing music, but today I am. Now I play as many gigs as I want, I do something I love for a living, and I can sleep in my own bed at night, rather than having to be constantly on the road, which isn’t the life for me. I’ve done it on my own terms, and I’m able to make a decent living doing so. I’ve been around the music scene here for awhile, and I know almost every musician in town.

“Music for me personally makes me feel alive. In my early days of playing, I was just trying to learn how to play. As I’ve gotten older, it’s about trying to connect with people. If you play a song the way a song is supposed to be played, people feel it, and connect with you on an inexplainable level, which is why I think everybody plays music.

“When that special something happens, people definitely feel it and relate. The beauty of a song is, I can hear it, and you can hear it, and everybody can interpret it in a different way. It’s soothing, it helps you cope, it lifts you up, it can make you more sad.”

Today, Stevie is known for his versatility— for the range of songs and genres that he plays. He is at Travinia Italian Kitchen in the Market Common, where he’s been playing every Wednesday night for the last five years. He loves the staff, and thinks the food is great. He even has an occasional partner in 5 year-old Adam Brown, his godson.

“Everyone thinks he’s my son,” Stevie says. “He has a plastic guitar and microphone, and at least once a week someone asks me if he’s going to show up. I call him my 401k plan because i’m going to teach him what I do, how to play guitar and sing in the future.”

“Market Common is like a little mini city unto itself in Myrtle Beach,” he continues. “People will come from other places to go there, but the people who live in Market Common are very loyal to the businesses there and consistently support them. I’ve made a lot of friends in the Market Common who live there and come out every time I play. It’s what allows me to be successful at Travinia, and everywhere else.

“Peoples’ support of live music is the only way that musicians can make a living around town. The tourists support musicians during the summer, but it’s because of the locals coming out in the o season that we’re able to continue year round. Without them, we wouldn’t have anything.”

Some years ago, Stevie began tagging his gigs on his Facebook page with the hashtag Macshow, and the name stuck. Once Stevie Mac, and now, Macshow.

Stevie Mac

Book him for your next wedding or event. He can also DJ and MC weddings and special events around Myrtle Beach.

See him live every Wednesday at Travinia Italian Kitchen in the Market Common from 6-9pm.

To read some more of our features, click here!

St. James Dentistry

December 14, 2021January 27, 2018 by The Coastal Insider

Cutting Edge Dentistry with Dr. David Savage by Melissa LaScaleia David Savage was born and raised in Kentucky. He graduated with a degree in dentistry at the University of Louisville, in Kentucky, in 2010. “I always wanted to live in the Southeast, in a coastal environment,” he tells me. “After graduation, I decided to move to South Carolina, and I landed in Myrtle Beach. In school, I originally thought I wanted a career in marine biology, but I decided to pursue dentistry. The decision allowed me to decide where I wanted to begin my career. It allowed me to take a risk right out of school and move somewhere I didn’t have any family or friends.” David is thankful to have had an opportunity from Dr. Mark McCoy and Dr. Craig Milburn right after graduation. “I worked at their office on Hwy 707, and in 2013 I purchased the business from them,” he says. The office was growing and expanding so quickly, that soon he needed a bigger space. David bought a piece of land on Holmestown Road in Myrtle Beach, and built his own dental office from the ground up. He moved into the new location this past March. “It’s certainly a dream come true to have moved away, gone out on my own, and to now own my own business,” he says. “I have a wonderful team of six employees. We’re a growing dental practice in a growing area, and it’s exciting to see the growth we’ve already had in the past few years.” Dr. Savage in the front reception area of his office. He and his team value being partners in their patients care, to find the appropriate method of treatment for them. – Photo by Meganpixels Parker/Latoya Grayson St. James Dentistry is a full-service, general dentistry office, which focuses on cutting-edge technology to offer the best care to their patients. “Our office is as up to date with sterilization protocols and equipment as it can be; we adhere strictly to infection control guidelines and everything is brand new,” David says. “Technology is really important for us; we do a lot of digital dentistry, from digital x-rays, to digital impressions, to in-office milled crowns. All the equipment helps aid better dental treatment.” But an equal priority is offering patients a warm, welcoming, friendly environment in a modern setting, to ensure going to the dentist is a comfortable experience. And part of creating that comfort is achieved by David’s approach to treating patients. “No one likes going to the dentist and not being treated well,” he says. “Many people have had experiences of being talked down to, or made to feel wrong or ashamed for the condition of their teeth. So here, we not only give patients great care, but we also give them great customer service and turn that dynamic of scolding on its head.” “Technology is really important to us. All of our equipment is brand new, and as up to date as it can be.” — Dr. David Savage “A lot of offices offer the same services,” he continues, “but the number one principle for us is that we’re partners in our patients’ dental health. Modern dentistry has changed from the old dynamic of, ‘everything I say to you to do, you need to do,’ to a more results-oriented dynamic of working together with patients to ascertain, together, the solution that’s best and most appropriate for them. “So we utilize monitors, and show patients their situation to bring awareness to it, and help them come up with sustainable solutions that they can implement into their lives in a way that is practical, moving forward. There’s a million ways to x something. But we want to really get on our patients’ level and let them kind of steer the ship. “We take what our patients say about us very seriously. As a result, over the years, we’ve accumulated over 600 patient testimonials and reviews that you can read on our website, that show us that we’re doing the right thing for them, and they’re pleased with how we approach dentistry. “We’re continuing to grow because of the great team I have put together, and our ability to help patients feel comfortable,” David says. “We’re involved in a lot of continuing education, and we’re always learning as an office to improve and get better. That’s pretty important to us, that we’re constantly learning.” St. James Dentistry Open M&W 8am- 6pm, Tu & 8am-4pm. Learn more about the services they offer and see all their testimonials on their site. To read more of our featured articles, click here! Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

Crystal Lee and Hannah Ruth Photography

December 14, 2021January 27, 2018 by The Coastal Insider

Two Gals Under One Roof In the Market Common

by Melissa LaScaleia

Crystal Lee and Hannah Ruth are business roommates and photo partners with a studio on Deville Street in the Market Common. They each own their own business as well as operating their studio space together as Crystal Lee and Hannah Ruth Photography.

Crystal is originally from New York, and started her journey as a photographer right out of high school in 2001.

“I started working at one of those cheesy little portrait studios in the mall trying to save money for college,” she tells me. “I never made it to college. Instead, I stayed for seven years with that company, and became a manager, working in New York, San Diego, and Myrtle Beach.

In 2008, I wanted to move back to Myrtle Beach, and when there wasn’t a position available for me with them, I left that behind and moved on my own, choosing to start my own business. I started out photographing weddings, then began doing a little bit of photographing babies in peoples’ homes.”

Hannah is originally from Cape Cod, MA, and studied photography when she was a student at Coastal Carolina University.

“I’ve always liked taking pictures,” she says simply. “I’ve always had a camera with me.”

It was while she was at Coastal that Hannah began considering and researching a career as a professional photographer.

“I started by taking pictures of my roommate, and I really liked it,” she says. “Then people started offering me money to take their pictures. It was through word of mouth that I became known as a photographer — friend to friend, to friend.”

“Two years ago, I was going through a partner change at my studio and was looking for someone new to bring in,” Crystal tells me. “Someone mentioned Hannah’s name to me and we connected via Facebook. When she saw the space, she really liked it.”

“I had heard of Crystal and wanted her to teach me,” says Hannah with a laugh about their meeting. “But she never did.”

“Being photo partners works really well because we do very different things and have different styles,” Crystal explains. “I focus on weddings, newborns and babies up to a year old, and pets. Getting married and having a baby are probably the two biggest and most important events in your life — they’re beginning stages; and I like to think that I can be there for both. A lot of my brides have brought me their newborns to photograph.”

Crystal also hosts a pet event once a month. She will take photos of your pet for a small fee and a bag of pet food, which she donates to the humane society.

“I started this as a way to offer sessions at a lower price, but still give back. I get to photograph puppies and the humane society gets food, so it’s a win-win,” she says.

Hannah photographs weddings, seniors, older children, and other compositions. And the way both women shoot weddings and the type of clients they bring in are very different.

“In my photography, I like to focus on lots of bright color and lighting. And Hannah has a bright and airy style; it’s a much more relaxed look,” Crystal says.

“With my portraiture, I like to make people feel pretty and really laugh,” Hannah says. “I don’t like fake laughs or posing. I like real laughs and candid shots. My approach with weddings is, I like for them to have fun and then catch those moments. I just like to see people smile and be happy and give them those memories on lm. The happiness I’m able to give is what inspires me.”

“For weddings, I’m more technical than emotional,” Crystal says. “I focus on the lighting and background and colors. I try to get people to be natural, but my photos are a little bit more serious.

“As photo partners, we refer clients back and forth a lot. It means someone will always be here in the studio to answer questions, and we can serve a larger group of people with photos. If a family comes in while I’m here, I hand them her card.”

“We love what we do,” Hannah says. “We’re always here if they want to stop by and meet us. We just started a joint website this year too, for the studio, along with our own individual photography websites. We want people to look at the studio as a whole to see what we both can offer, versus just individually.”

“We can refer each other those topics or things that the other doesn’t do, and in that way we are able to offer more to our clients, versus them having to reach out to a bunch of different photographers, with different pricing and styling,” Crystal says. “We do all studio lighting which means we can shoot rain or shine, and we have a huge selection of backdrops. Hannah is excellent with putting backdrops together. In the future we’ll be doing more studio events like open houses. is studio is an awesome location because if the client wants, we can step right outside and use the Market Common as a backdrop. And it’s nice and quiet here.”

What else do they like about the location?

“Myrtle Beach keeps me here because it doesn’t snow,” says Crystal. “And the people. Southern hospitality is definitely a thing. I would visit New York after living here and it’s so different. I love Market Common because it’s like a little piece of New York without the New York attitude.”

“I’m here because my family is close by, I like my studio, and it’s nice here,” says Hannah. “I love the Market Common. I like the restaurants, the shopping, the people, and the vibe.”

Crystal Lee and Hannah Ruth Photography Studio

Open M-F 9am-5pm, Sa 10am-12pm. Photography sessions by appointment only.

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Contact Hannah Ruth

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Living In Paradise

December 14, 2021January 27, 2018 by The Coastal Insider

From the North to the South, One Man’s Perspective by Melissa LaScaleia Living in Paradise, Beauty of God’s Creation in Myrtle Beach, a book by Michael Martin, came out November 1, 2017, published by Micro Press Publishers. Michael is originally from Ohio and moved to Myrtle Beach almost four years ago. He is so captivated by the beauty of this area and the joy of his journeying here, that he was inspired to write a book about his experience from the perspective of a Northerner. “My point was to make it personal, to touch the heart,” Michael says. “I saw real beauty here. In the ocean, the trees, the environment, the palm trees, alligators, and birds. Everything down here is really beautiful.” Michael, his wife, and their family of eight children and five grandchildren used to vacation in Myrtle Beach before they moved here. “We really loved it,” he tells me. We owned a house in Kentucky, and said we could move here if we sold it, and so we did.” Michael has traveled the world, and use to write for a newspaper. “This book was something very different from any of the other books I wrote because it was inspired by a place,” he says. “This was a new venture for me. It’s a really great story about a family that moved here. And it’s informational too. I talk about the best restaurants I’ve eaten at, and places I’ve visited. So it’s a fun read, and in story form.” Michael loves the Market Common and wants to live here eventually. For now, he’s right around the corner near the Myrtle Beach State Park. Living in Paradise, Beauty of God’s Creation in Myrtle Beach To read more of our featured articles, click here! Facebook At

Ask Your Expert – Einstein’s Dog Sitting Service

June 15, 2022January 27, 2018 by The Coastal Insider

A friend of the Market Common, Einstein’s Dog Sitting Service, is hear to answer questions about potential danger in feeding dogs. Why is chocolate toxic to dogs? Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine. Both are stimulants that affect the central nervous system and heart, as well as increasing the frequency of urination. What are the symptoms? Depending on the amount of chocolate ingested, a dog may experience agitation, panting, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, tremor, or seizures. Death may occur in extreme cases. What is xylitol? Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in sugar-free products, such as, peanut butter, chewing gum, mouthwash, toothpaste, and sugar-free candy. It is also used in breath mints, baked goods, cough syrup, and chewable vitamins. What does xylitol do to dogs? Xylitol causes a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar (within 10-60 minutes), resulting in depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. Ingestion may possibly lead to the development of liver failure and death. What should dog owners do in case of chocolate or xylitol poisoning? Transport your dog to the veterinarian immediately for treatment. What are other potential dangers to pets during Valentine’s Day? For cats, watch for flower bouquets that include lilies. They are very toxic to cats. Rich foods can cause upset stomach and possibly pancreatitis when ingested by pets. Keep all alcoholic beverages out of reach of pets. Pet Poison Helpline 1.800.213.6680 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center Einstein’s Dog-Sitting Service To read past editions of Ask Your Expert from the Insider at the Market Common, click here! At Phone Internet-explorer

The Native Peoples and First Settlers to Our Shores

May 6, 2021January 27, 2018 by The Coastal Insider

by Melissa LaScaleia Usually our history section recounts the stories of people who were involved in the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in some capacity or another. This month, we turn the clock back further, to share who and what was in this area long before the United States existed. Like the rest of North America, the area of South Carolina was populated by Native American tribes. In our area, there were the Pee Dees, the Waccamaw and Winyah tribes. What is today known as Kings Highway was once upon a time a Native American walking trail for these people. Warring neighboring tribes kept the Pee Dees, Waccamaws, and Winyahs safely near the coast. And they learned to live o the land in this area. They harvested oysters, hunted deer, turkey, and bear, as well as fish, crabs, shrimp and clams. They built houses out of palmetto and pine trees. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of evidence giving us insight into what their lives and customs were truly like. But there are a multitude of legends and rumored stories. One of those has to do with Chicora. Some accounts say, and then many accounts repeat, that the Waccamaws and Winyahs named the area around what is today Pawleys Island “Chicora,” which means “the land.” But another account shares a possible explanation for the name’s existence being attributed to Spanish settlers rather than Native peoples. According to this account, on June 24, 1521, two Spanish ships, manned independently by Pedro de Quejo and Francisco Gordillo, discovered the coast of South Carolina via the mouth of what is today known as the South Santee River. The Spanish initially had peaceful encounters with the natives they met, but their intentions were to capture them and return to Spain with them as slaves. According to the account of one Peter Martyr, one of these eventual slaves was named Francisco and his nickname was el Chicorano. It’s here that the story breaks down in veracity and we’re left with conjecture. There have been theories that the name was a derogatory joke by the Spanish, a permutation of the Spanish word for “frog,” mixed with the poorly understood sounds of the native peoples’ word for “boy.” Hence the nickname means something along the lines of frog boy. But it is for certain that the name “Chicora” stuck, and the land that the two Spaniards discovered that day became known as Chicora. It also became the stuff of legends, and somehow through word of mouth or the passage of time, or both, Chicora morphed into a Garden of Eden, overflowing with the abundance of pearls, jewels, richness, lush fruits and vegetation, and the promise of gold and silver further inland. The very word conjured up images of earthly paradise, and spurred the Spanish and French to vie for acquisition of pieces of the coast over the next sixty years, as they sought and fought to find the fabled land of milk and honey. Today, we all know that the silly fools simply weren’t looking properly because those of us who live here know we’ve found paradise, our own version anyway. To read more of our history features, click here!

Charlie Celebrates All the Love in His Life

May 12, 2021January 27, 2018 by The Coastal Insider

Charlie’s Corner is the domain of Charlie, the furry four-legged lady’s man of 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. Here, 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 into the spirit of love and with an expostulation about Valentine’s Day. Oh boy, it’s Valentine’s Day this month, and aside from Christmas and my birthday, Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday. (And no that’s not a grammatical error, I consider my birthday a holiday.) I’m such a loving, lovable guy that how could it not rank up there amongst my favorites? Do you know why I love Valentine’s Day so much? It’s not just a day to celebrate romantic love; and frankly after last year’s run-in with a mischievous love-potion-wielding sprite, I’m a little lukewarm in my aspirations in that department anyway. (You can check the archives on our website if you missed my adventures from last year. Sheesh.) I love Valentine’s Day because it’s a reminder to celebrate all the love in your life! Sharing love, giving love, feeling love… for everyone I know and everyone I haven’t yet met— all those people out there who are totally awesome, living their lives, loving and working to make a difference in their lives and the peoples’ lives that they love. And then those people that they love, are out there living and loving all the people in their lives, and it just keeps growing and expanding outwards until it makes my doggie brain hurt with the magnitude and expansion of it all. But it doesn’t hurt my heart. It makes my heart feel very glad. And it makes my tail wag. Isn’t it amazing how if I stuff too much information in my doggie brain it feels simply like too-much-information— not a good feeling at all— but the more people, things, and experiences I love, the lighter and happier I feel. It seems I always have room in my heart to love and an inclination to bark and wag at someone new. So this Valentine’s Day, I’m celebrating by recognizing all the things I love. Here goes. In no particular order: Chew toys Jim’s slippers. Sort of the same as number one, but very different in both texture and aroma. My awesome family. The Insider. This column. It’s just so much fun to write! My doggie dish (cause it’s usually filled with awesome yummy things). Treats. People. My doggie bed at work in the Insider office so I can be close to Megan. Megan. Everyone who comes to Charlie’s Morning Coffee Hour. The lake, ’cause I love all the wildlife (except when wildlife chases me). Seagulls. The ocean. Car rides. Warm laps. Belly rubs. Did I say people yet, because that includes you! I love everyone and I hope this Valentine’s Day you remember to love you too and remember the things you love in your life as well. 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.

Our Lakes, More Than a Pretty Sight

May 6, 2021January 27, 2018 by The Coastal Insider

by the Town of Surfside Beach Many residents do not realize the lakes in town are water features that are not only an attractive addition to our town, but also serve to control flooding during storms. The Storm Water Committee is one of six statutory committees required by South Carolina State Law. Committee volunteers work with the town’s Public Works Department to monitor the condition of the water in the lakes in Surfside Beach. The committee’s function is to develop complimentary strategies for managing the town storm water systems through public education, outreach, and participation. The committee hosts two free annual education seminars in the council chambers. These seminars allow the public to learn about our storm water system through hands on exhibits. The committee members and professionals are there to answer questions and give advice on managing storm water. Twice a month, our lakes are inspected for water quality and debris. These lakes retain storm runoff so the water discharge can be controlled and cleaned before it is released into the ocean. The lake water is inspected for such things as bacteria, dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, and nitrogen nutrients. Silt runoff from construction sites can affect water flow and affects nitrogen levels in the water. The wild waterfowl in town are interesting to watch, but their excrement adds bacteria to the water. Excess fertilization of your lawn raises the nitrogen levels. The monitoring system enables the town to reduce pollution by finding the causes of these changes, and fixing it where possible. A bathymetric study of the town’s larger lakes is beginning. The topography of the lake beds and the volume of water in the lakes is being measured and recorded. This data is important in determining if and when the town needs to dredge the lakes. We need to be prepared for future storms and town growth. Te town needs and appreciates its volunteers. Next time there is a vacancy on a committee; won’t you please consider giving your time and talent to your town? Surfside Beach: in the middle of it all! To read more from our Surfside Beach section, click here!

28th Annual Multicultural Fair

December 14, 2021January 27, 2018 by The Coastal Insider

Local School Celebrates International Cultures by Donna Parker St. James Middle School will be celebrating international cultures on February 22, 2018, from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm at our Multicultural Fair in the Commons Area. SJMS staff and students within our school family will have booths set up for families to peruse and experience various cultures from around the world. There will be lots of entertainment such as singing, dancing, and musical instruments during the fair. Please come and enjoy the multicultural experience of St. James Middle School. Has your child mentioned to you that they will be able to participate in the event by sharing information at a booth? Booths will include music, costumes, food samples, PowerPoint presentations, and trifold boards to display languages and other customs that are indicative of their culture. If you know of anyone in the community that would be willing to share something unique about their culture or would be a great addition to this experience please contact Ms. Parker, Mr. Vega, Ms. Dickinson, Mrs. Morello, Mrs. Howard, or Ms. Carter at St. James Middle School, 843.650.5543. Let Ms. Parker know if you have any additional questions at dparker@horrycountyschools.net. There will be several performers including Mexican dancers, a Puerto Rican singer, and possibly steel drummers or re dancers. As of right now, performances will take place at set times. During the fair, we will direct everyones’ attention to the specific areas where the performance is being held— either the cafeteria or outdoor patio. is will give our booths time to regroup and the transition will more than likely happen every 15- 20 minutes. We will not have the pot luck like in years past. We are asking individuals running booths to share samples of their country’s cuisine. As a reminder, this is a sample-sized portion, and will not be a dinner or meal; additionally, not every booth may choose to participate in this aspect of the fair. We welcome you to come and join the fun and festivities! To hear about some more of the events in and around the Market Common, click here!

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Our Lakes, More Than a Pretty Sight

28th Annual Multicultural Fair

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The Style and Story of Stevie Mac

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Two Gals Under One Roof In the Market Common

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