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Day: August 31, 2018

Bud Vernon Clark Shepard, Part 1 of 3

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Bud Shepard

Vietnam War Veteran and POW “Celebrate Our Veteran” gives voice to the stories of the U.S. military veterans living amongst us. The actions of these brave and dedicated people, who have served our country both in active military duty as well as administrative positions, have and continue to contribute to the protection and preservation of us and our country.  We hope that this section of our paper is an opportunity for our community to hear and see veterans with new eyes, and for veterans to receive recognition and honor for their experiences and life journeys.  This month’s “Celebrate Our Veteran” recounts the story of POW veteran Bud Vernon Clark Shepard as told in his own words. This is the first of a three-part series. Click here to read part 2.  by Melissa LaScaleia “Bud Shepard was born in Akron, Ohio on July 19, 1948. In 1967, at the age of nineteen, he was drafted for Vietnam. He had been working construction jobs every summer throughout high school, and that summer, he was working as a brick mason.  “When I got the draft notice,” Bud says, “I thought that if I could go into the army as a brick layer, it would be more beneficial for both me and the army.” The only caveat was that Bud would have to enlist, which would be a three year term, as opposed to a two year draft. He decided to take his chances, and enlisted as a brick layer. He was sent to Fort Leonardwood, Missouri for advanced training. But when he arrived, instead of enrolling him in masonry school, they sent him to learn carpentry. He was none too thrilled, but finished at the top of his class. When he completed training, they didn’t have any need for carpenters or bricklayers, so they sent him to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he was assigned to an armored cavalry unit, the 194th Armored Brigade. “I wasn’t expecting this at all,” Bud says. “Now I have a three year term, and I’m not doing what I enlisted for. They assigned me to a tank unit. There was a new tank coming out, called the M551, the Sheridan. And I was selected to field test and be part of the evaluation team for this tank that had a laser beam missile in it that could shoot a fly off an apple. I started out as a tank driver, then I became a tank gunner, and finally, a tank commander.” Bud Shepard at the age of 19, when he first entered the army. Bud was asked to select his preferences for where he wanted to carry out his term of service. For his domestic choice, he selected Hawaii. For his foreign choice, he selected Vietnam. “I wanted to go to war,” he says. “I wanted to experience that. I didn’t want to get sent to Germany. I was looking for excitement. Since I volunteered, naturally they would take me.” Bud returned home and married his girlfriend at the age of nineteen, before he was sent to Vietnam.  “I didn’t want her to leave me,” he says with a chuckle, “so I decided to marry her.” Bud was assigned to a helicopter unit, the B Troop 7/17 Air Cavalry unit. He was initially assigned to the mail room. The presiding commander looked at Bud’s personal record, saw he was a decent soldier, and wanted him to chauffeur the colonel around the base and work in the office. Bud was eager for excitement though. He didn’t want to be a colonel’s orderly.  He approached the captain to ask for a change of scenery. “I said to him, ‘I really came over here to fight a war.’ And he looked at me and said, ‘We have these jobs called aero scouts. But you can’t be assigned as one, you have to volunteer.’ I didn’t know what an aero scout was, but I volunteered. “I soon found out why you had to volunteer; your likelihood of surviving the duration of the war in this position was slim. Aero scouts flew a helicopter called a L-O-H, a light observation helicopter, which can fly slow and low to the ground. Only two people could fit in one, a pilot and a co-pilot observer. “I was trained as a pilot too, in case the pilot was shot. Our job was to fly at treetop level and try to find the enemy. Flying at that height, you could usually see the smoke from their campfire cooking, or different things they left behind. We flew in teams of two, one helicopter at treetop, and the other higher up for protection— then we’d switch.  “If we found them, we’d radio in the information and within minutes, a COBRA, a giant gun ship that is very fast and cannot fly low, would come in and annihilate the area. We were called the hunter-killer team. We acted as the scalp hunters, and the COBRAs were called the undertakers. This was the only way to find the enemy, because there is so much canopy in that country, they were very well hidden. The smoke in this aerial photograph was captured on camera from a distance. It is from Bud’s helicopter the day that it was shot and failing in Vietnam. “So it was highly risky and you never knew what to expect. The enemy knew if they shot at us that would give their position away, and then we’d call in the heavy guns. But if they knew we saw them, and we were so close at times we made eye contact with them, then they’d open fire. We’d often get back to our camp and see bullet holes in our helicopter that we hadn’t noticed. “You have to be a little bit of an adrenaline junkie to do this. I actually really enjoyed it. You could quit at any time, on the spot. I did it for four months. I could see monkeys in the treetops jumping up and … Read more

Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and Crematory

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Always There, Always Fair by Melissa LaScaleia “I was raised on a dairy farm, outside of Danville, in Virginia,” says Jim Bowdre, the owner of Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and Crematory. “And I learned at an early age, that the easiest way to get out of farming was to get an education. I spent my formative years raising cattle before I got a full ride academic scholarship to attend college at Virginia Tech. I went on to get a master’s degree in education at UVA. “My first love was teaching. Then, a relative introduced me to another profession, the funeral business, and I really liked it.” Jim decided to pursue his interest and attended embalming school, getting a third degree in mortuary science. He became licensed and worked in the industry with his relative for five years then decided to explore the wholesale end of the business.  He went to work for Hillenbrand Industries, the world’s largest casket and hospital bed company, and stayed with them for twenty-seven years as a territory manger, covering NC, SC and GA. He also taught continuing education in North and South Carolina for funeral directors. Jim and his wife, Carole, have three daughters, all of whom live in the Myrtle Beach area. One is a nurse, one is a doctor, and one is a manager at Drunken Jack’s restaurant. The couple had been coming to Myrtle Beach for years to visit their children, and decided to move here permanently in 2004. Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and Crematory offers premier services at affordable prices. They believe in the healing power of the grieving process, and offer counseling and end of life grief support as part of their service to our community. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “I retired early and got involved with playing a lot of golf, and then I was bored,” Jim says. “Then I met a very altruistic gentleman, Greg Everett, who wanted to make funeral costs more affordable. Greg is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. He was trying to come up with a business plan to offer premier service at an affordable price, because the biggest thing that drives people away from a funeral home is the cost.” Greg didn’t have any funeral knowledge, but Jim did. What Greg did have, was marketing expertise.  With Jim’s help, Greg started the Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and Crematory in 2008. With his love of the funeral business, Jim worked for him after retirement, and ultimately purchased it from him in 2011, so Greg could manage his other businesses. Today, Jim and Carole run the funeral home together. “One thing we really promote— is that we offer premier services at affordable prices while still maintaining the highest level of ethical business practices,” Carole says. “We offer everything any other funeral home does, full service, but because we are a smaller facility—7,000 square feet rather than 17,000 square feet, we have lower overhead, and so we are able to offer lower prices.” The facility includes a large dining area, several arrangement offices, a non-denominational chapel which holds 115, a smaller chapel, a family room, and an on-site crematory with a family room attached. They also offer catering services. “A lot of our families tell us that they love the relaxed atmosphere we have here, and the compassion that they feel from our staff,” Carole says. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “The market has shifted and traditional funerals have shifted,” Carole says. “The ceremony is changing now to be more a celebration of life. You need less space, and the popularity of cremations has grown tremendously. The world has changed. Nuclear families spread out all over, and we don’t have family burial plots like we did years ago.” Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and Crematory offers all traditional services for cremations and burials. They accommodate all wishes and all religious preferences. Carole writes a lot of articles about the funeral industry, and how families can navigate end-of-life issues together. One of the topics she tries to educate people about is that of the importance of prearrangement, the action of specifying wishes and planning your funeral while you are healthy. “Prearrangement is one of the greatest gifts that someone can give their family,” she says. “At the time of death, emotions and anxiety are escalated, often family members cannot think clearly, and cannot make decisions. With a prearrangement, it allows family members to follow the wishes of the deceased and relieves a lot of stress.”  Carole has a degree in business and psychology from Francis Marion University. She began her college career as a business major, but enjoyed psychology so much she ended up with a double major. Carole and Jim Bowdre both derive meaning from knowing that they have been supportive and helpful to the families who engage their services during one of the most emotionally difficult times in life— that of the passing of a loved-one. — Photo Meganpixels Parker She has twenty years of hospice experience, counseling families who have lost loved ones and helping them navigate the end of the life process. She is a firm believer in the healing power of the grieving process. “I enjoy helping the families who come to us,” Carole says. “Sometimes I sit and cry with them. It’s rewarding to me to know that in the slightest way I helped them get through this loss.” “My favorite thing about what I do is satisfying families,” Jim says. “When the services are over, and young folks say to me: ‘I have no idea how I could have done this without you all.’ I like hearing that. I like to hear that I’ve been there for somebody. To know that they appreciate my help.” “A lot of our families tell us that they love the relaxed atmosphere we have here, and the compassion that they feel from our staff,” Carole says. “That they feel so at home and comfortable here with us. “It’s meaningful to me to know that at the end of … Read more

Parker’s Insurance Services LLC

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Specializing in Senior Markets by Melissa LaScaleia “In my thirties I had an opportunity to go into the insurance industry, around the same time my parents were turning sixty-five and going on Medicare,” says David Parker. “I realized then the complexity of Medicare, and how important it was to have an agent that really understood the senior markets— as well as one that you could trust. It wasn’t long after starting my career in insurance that I began to focus on the senior markets and individual health products.”  David discovered that he really enjoyed the people and educational components of insurance—explaining the nuances of the insurance world to people. “Because Medicare is complex and people have so many options available to them,” he says, “when I sit down with someone, I can tell right away the relief they feel that they are talking to someone who fully understands Medicare.” David stays with his clients throughout their lives as their needs change. “I approach it from the standpoint of: I educate you, help you enroll in the plan, and then I’m there for you as you age, to explain what exactly is going on with your plan and as things change,” he says. “And then, also, if there’s a health-related issue, what you may be responsible for. “I’ve seen a lot of agents come and go. But I feel this market requires continuous contact and assistance with clients. I treat my clients the same way I would want someone treating my own parents.” For most of his career, David worked for two of the largest health insurance carriers in the nation. One of them, Humana, offered an early retirement package for a select number of agents. Part of the offer included assistance if they wanted to transition into owning their own business as independent agents. David took the option, and has run his own insurance business since January. The insurance world is complex and constantly changing, but David eases his clients’ minds by making himself accessible to them throughout their lives. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “Not being locked into one particular carrier gives me more flexibility,” he says of the change. “Now I can represent all companies and place people in the product that is best for them. My wife, Sally, has been instrumental in helping me to transition into work as an independent broker and start my own business.  “She’s also in the insurance industry, and brings a different perspective to the table because she understands the risk that a company takes on. And that helps me to explain and educate my members on what it is that the insurance company will do for them, and why they have some of the rules that they have as well.  “Insurance is a product that if it’s not sold appropriately, if it’s the wrong product for the individual, it’s not good for the individual, or the company.” David is a licensed broker in North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. He offers disability, life, and health insurances, with a focus on the senior markets. “It’s broad, but not so broad that I can’t be an expert in what I offer,” he says. David was born in Columbus, Georgia. When he was seven-years-old, his parents relocated to Roanoke, Virginia, so David’s father could take over the fish market business that had been in his family since 1916. He attended college in Georgia, and as an adult, David came back to Virginia and started his career in insurance. He and Sally just finished building a house in the Market Common. “We find that the more time we spend here the more we love it,” he says. “We love the active lifestyle. We’ve made many great friends, and have family here too. We know this is where we want to retire, so continuing to build my business in South Carolina makes sense.  “Even though Humana offered me early retirement, what I’m doing is what I want to continue to do for as long as possible, because I really enjoy it. It’s been a good journey. I found my niche when I got into it. “My clients know they can always contact me to get their questions answered, and that’s the most important part of being an agent—being responsible and being able and willing to help when someone has a problem.” David Parker of Parker’s Insurance Services, LLC Envelope Phone

Coastal Tinting

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With 30 Years Plus of Experience Serving Myrtle Beach by Melissa LaScaleia Matt Lillich, the owner and operator of Coastal Tinting, is originally from Michigan. He attended college at UNC Wilmington, where he got started working with window film. “I graduated in 1993 on a Saturday, and on Monday, I was managing the company,” he says. “I moved to Myrtle Beach when I bought this business from the original owner in ’96; I’ve been running it ever since.” Initially, Matt almost exclusively dealt with sun control products that monitored the amount of heat and glare coming through windows, without loosing the light. This better enabled the usage of the windows so people didn’t have to close their blinds, and prevented upholstery and carpeting from fading in the sun. Matt installing invisible safety and security film in a Myrtle Beach home. His is the only company in Myrtle Beach that installs the window film to the frame, guaranteeing it will offer maximum protection in the event of a storm or forced entry. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “It’s fading protection where people most see an immediate payback from what we do,” Matt says. As technology has become more advanced, he’s shifted the focus of his business to high performance safety and security window films that provide increased glass safety, and also help eliminate negatives associated with direct sun exposure. There’s a light and dark shade, so it offers varying levels of glare and heat control. “Most modern homes have a lot of glass,” Matt says. “So it leaves many points of vulnerability in the home.” The window film is a thick, heavy gauge product that is invisible to the naked eye and much more difficult to break if there is damage from storm or a forced entry. Additionally, the film is designed to hold the broken glass together (if it is broken), protecting people and things inside from shattering glass. A before (right) and after (left) of Coastal Tinting window treatment. With these protective films, it’s the passive nature of their protection which makes them so immensely popular. It’s always there; doesn’t require maintenance; and doesn’t change the appearance of the windows. It’s like an invisible safety shield. “Our installations provide an immediate benefit,” Matt says. “There is a distinct satisfaction in knowing that the day I do an installation in a customer’s home, I’ll make that home a more comfortable place. And you have to be very meticulous to do this, which is right up my alley.”  Matt estimates he has installed the product in at least fifty houses in the Market Common. And in the past ten years, has received an increasing number of corporate and government requests.  — Photo Meganpixels Parker “The exact same product that we’re putting in people’s homes is going up in military bases and court houses,” he says. “Additional security measures taken in schools are focussed on the windows. It’s becoming more trusted and relied upon for performance and security benefits.” The product is guaranteed to last twenty years, but Matt has been monitoring the work he has done over the past thirty years and still hasn’t seen the end of the product’s lifespan. Security window films are supposed to be attached to the frame of the window in order to maximize their protective features. And it makes the installation more difficult and time consuming.  This step is so crucial to the functioning of the product, that film manufacturers across the board won’t test the product unless it’s installed this way. Coastal Tinting is the only Myrtle Beach company that installs the product this way for all their clients, whether commercial or residential. A custom-designed pattern called “Ivy Drop” is a popular decoration for front doors and windows. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “The idea with the frame attachment is to not allow the frame kick-out to occur if something pushes up or tries to force its way through the glass,” Matt explains. “It’s there to hold that sheet of broken glass in and keep it adhered to the frame.” “We’re a very small company,” he adds. “I have over thirty years in the industry, and I’m involved with every single installation and sales consultation. “Without the love and support of my wife, Laura, I don’t know that the company could have made it through the great recession of a decade ago. She’s been very supportive over the years, and has been very understanding of the off-hours work that has to occur as a small business owner.” Coastal Tinting Visit them on their website to see before and after photos. Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

Cascade Plumbing

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We Can Fix What Others Can’t by Melissa LaScaleia Vic Cotoia got started in the plumbing industry twenty years ago when he was living in New York. “I was working in retail management,” he says, “and decided to pick up a trade because I wasn’t happy. We had no plumbers in the family, so I opened the phone book and started reading down the list of plumbers and called to see who would be willing to train me. I literally got hired in five minutes with the offer to apprentice myself out.” Vic went on to work as a plumber for a large outfitter for ten years, learning installation in new construction, as well as service and repair. It was in the latter category that he found his niche passion. “I really liked doing repairs,” he says. “There are so many different types of fixtures, it’s never-ending what you can learn.  “Plumbing is so important. You go into someone’s house and they can’t take a shower because it’s not working. When you’re leaving, the gratitude they have to you is so rewarding. I always liked that.” For the first ten years, Vic found the variety of visiting multiple homes a day each with its own diverse array of plumbing challenges, to be stimulating and fun. “It was always different,” he says of his days. “But as time went on, I moved to Myrtle Beach, I worked for several different large companies, and I found not as many plumbers were as passionate as I was about this work. Rather than doing the detective work of finding the right parts and putting them in, they’d rather just cut it out and put in a new one.  Cascade Plumbing specializes in troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repairing any issues related to gas and tankless water heaters. —Photo Meganpixels Parker “When it’s a large company, you have a revolving door of employees, so it’s easier and cheaper to train someone to replace something rather than fix it. And that way too, they’re making more money geared towards selling. But it’s more expensive for the customer. “My construction background gave me the knowledge of what was happening behind the scenes so I could properly diagnose and repair the problem. And the diagnosis is the most important part of solving any problem. My knowledge and approach was different.” Several years ago, Vic was working for a company, following all the rules, doing exactly what they wanted. He was getting overwhelmingly positive feedback from all of his customers; so much so, that the company was in disbelief, and began questioning his motives.  “That was when I realized it was time for me to go out on my own,” he says.  Vic, with the support of his wife and now business partner, Amber, opened his own small business, Cascade Plumbing, in 2015— specializing in the lost art of plumbing service and repair. “It has hit the ground running,” Vic says. “And my only recipe has been to answer my phone, follow up with someone, and tell them the knowledge I have about their plumbing fixtures.” Vic treats all of his customers equally, with the same service and rates, no matter the size of their home. This clean and professional torch solders joints for copper wires. — Photo Cascade Plumbing “Most people just want to be treated with the same respect that they treat others with,” he says. Vic and Amber are appreciative of their local community and customers for embracing them and what their business offers.  “We try hard to be a classic service,” he says. “The feedback I get from my customers is that I’m always there for them, they can always speak to me. I’m always going to be on the job, even if I’m not doing the work. I do the best I can to communicate to people what specifically they’re paying for, and the value of the plumbing in their house.  “We treat each home like it’s our own. We are straight-up honest with folks when it comes to what we think. And we pride ourselves that 90% of the time, we are able to repair before replacing. Especially people who are on a budget, may just want something to be fixed, rather than replaced.” Vic is very particular about the parts that he uses for his repairs, only purchasing what he knows will stand the test of time. There are only a couple of supply warehouses that he will frequent, because they’re the only ones that carry the quality that he demands. “I hear from people often, ‘Things don’t last the way they used to.’ It’s because of the products that are put out there that we have no choice but to use. Your plumbing, when I fix it, I want it to last like when grandma called the plumber. When I fix something, I want to fix it for good.” Vic is trying to rewrite the code book by example. He uses superior parts and products in all he does so that when he fixes a problem, he does it for good. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “I’m trying to rewrite the code book by example,” he says laughing. “Those supply houses know me and know how particular I am. If they don’t carry exactly what I know will stand the test of time, I won’t use it. The owner of one hired me to do plumbing work in his home— that speaks volumes to me.”  Vic doesn’t charge for every little service he conducts. He doesn’t charge a call out fee—the standard fee that most plumbers charge just for showing up, regardless of the work they do— because he doesn’t ever want his customers to feel like they lost out, if he shows up and discovers there’s no problem to be fixed.  “I don’t look at it like I went out there for nothing,” he says. “I shook their hand and said hello and handed them my business card. And now they have the info that they need. … Read more

Unity Myrtle Beach

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Wherever You Are on Your Spiritual Path, You Are Welcome Here by Darlene Gwyn Turning into the long stately drive at 6173 Salem Rd. in Myrtle Beach, I was filled with an awareness of how sacred this beautiful land is. As I sat surrounded by the majestic pines, it was clear why Unity Myrtle Beach selected this amazing ground as the location for their new church. Rev. Margaret Hiller is the Spiritual Leader of Unity Church. The congregates will happily tell you that Rev. Margaret is an inspirational speaker bringing messages of hope, kindness and love for the church, the community, nature and the entire world. Unity is honoring the land by creating a church as green as its lush surroundings. While the congregation of Unity waits for plans, permits and construction, they continue to actively give to the Myrtle Beach Community. This is a tithing church that regularly gives to a variety of local organizations such as Family Justice Center of Georgetown County, Help4Kids, Waccamaw Riverkeepers and Hope House of Myrtle Beach. Going beyond financial support, Unity members also act as volunteers with the Reading Buddies Program at Myrtle Beach Elementary and participate in functions for SC-Cares: SC Coastal Animal Rescue and Educational Sanctuary. Until the Salem Rd. church is completed, Unity welcomes you to their Sunday Worship Service beginning at 11am at their current location at 1270 Surfside Industrial Park Dr., Surfside Beach, SC, 29575. Unity regularly offers classes, retreats and seminars with a wide and varied range of interests. See the schedule below to find the ones you will not want to miss: Call 843-238-8516 to get the time and dates for all these wonderful activities. Or check us out on line at www.unitymyrtlebeach.org

Nose Art

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by Melissa LaScaleia Painting art on the nose of military planes, known as nose art, is a tradition that dates back to World War I in America.  The typical art during this time was mainly that of embellished squadron insignia and many don’t rank it among true nose art.  After the war, the military became more strict with regulations in an attempt to phase out the practice. With the dawning of the Second World War however, there was a resurgence, when the regulations were relaxed or deliberately ignored in favor of artistic expression. It was the period of history that saw the golden age of aircraft nose artistry. Living in wartime, when every flight could be your last, nose art served as a powerful morale booster. It put a smile on the face of servicemen risking their lives for their country and encouraged them.  During such tense and uncertain times, many crew developed bonds with their planes, and the personalization via art served to strengthen that bond. Many grew to feel that the art was a good luck symbol. The nose art unified the crew, as it distinguished them from all of the others in their unit or base, and gave them something additional to rally behind and take pride in.  Artwork varied in preferences, but common themes often included that of pin-up girls, scenes of home, patriotic or good luck symbols, and animals real and imagined, like tigers, sharks, and dragons. Others included cartoon characters and fierce messages of enmity for the enemy.  Another common theme which bolstered morale and reaffirmed the mission of the U.S. position during the war, was depictions of the U.S. as warriors against evil.  Sometimes faces were drawn that took on a life of their own, and many had accompanying writing, like the name of a commander or the plane’s nickname. The nose art of more recent years, by Lieutenant Colonel Mike McGee of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, executed when he served on deployment in Saudi Arabia. — Photo U.S. Air Force After WWII, nose art again phased out, with again, a brief resurgence for the Korean War. The themes remained similar—women, good luck, and home. It again re-emerged during the Vietnam War, but stricter regulations and fewer planes, which had to be shared, limited nose art more than it had in the past.  The themes changed too— pin-up girls were replaced with rock groups, reflecting the cultural shift from the repressive perspectives of women in the ’50s to the greater freedom, equality, and openness of the ’60s. Rather than messages of enmity and conquest, there were peace symbols and representations of popular cultural icons. During the first Gulf War, Lt. Col. Mike McGee, of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, was deployed to King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia. In the months leading up to Dessert Storm, Mike had a lot of time on his hands, and one day decided to paint the name of his commander on the nose of an A-10. He hoped his commander would be pleased and commission him to do nose art on all the aircraft.  However, the day proved to be hot, so hot that Mike couldn’t finish the job in one go, and needed to take a break before continuing. He fell asleep, and the half-completed name-painting was discovered before he could finish, with an inquiry made as to the culprit. Mike was ushered into his commander’s presence, who was impressed enough with his painting skills that he asked him to paint a warthog smoking a gun on the plane, in lieu of his name. Mike followed suite, but couldn’t resist a small tribute to his commander in the corner. 

In Which Charlie Smells A Fish and Recovers Cleverness

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Living the Good Life in Market Common 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 September, Charlie smells a prank, ferrets out the facts, and regains his excitement. “Well, this is the second month that I am living my destiny knowing what breed of dog I am— half pit bull and half St. Bernard. (Click here to read what inspired the search for my ancestry; and click here to read what I discovered.)  And I have to say, it feels a little different than I thought it would to know. I can’t quite put my paw on it, but something just feels a little bit off— like I can’t really identify with my genetic makeup for some reason.  I’ve spent my whole doggie life wondering and dreaming about what I could possibly be, but I didn’t think that the knowing would make me feel like I’m having an even bigger identity crisis.  Maybe I’ve become so identified with not knowing that knowing isn’t helpful. Maybe I’m just a dreamer at heart, and prefer to live with ambiguity rather than the facts. Maybe it was the longing to know that I was in love with all along, rather than the actual discovery of the truth.  Maybe my wonderful loving family, and all my animal friends should be enough to satisfy me, and I shouldn’t be so attached to concepts and names. And I do have some wonderful new friends of late. The squirrels, despite the fact that I used to chase them all the time, have really become so nice to me and we’ve called a truce.  We played together the other day rolling nuts on the ground— why they were even the ones who told me about my pedigree! They ran to find me and said they overheard Jim talking to Megan, and that I’m a half pit bull and half St. Bernard.  And when Megan came running to find me, I said, “I know! I know! Isn’t it exciting!”  We didn’t speak about it after that, we were both so overwhelmed and excited. Actually no one said anything else about it after that at all. I think to get myself out of this funk, I should do a little research so I can better identify with my identity. St. Bernard— okay. They can weigh up to… 180lb!? Their potential for drooling is extremely high, and they love cold weather. Oh my gosh. Drool?! How decidedly unclassy. As if I’d ever be caught drooling, or weighing that much. And the cold?! Okay, I’m not feeling a connection to this part of my ancestry. Let’s move on. Pit bull— okay. …. Wait a minute. These photos of pit bulls don’t look like me. Not even a little bit. (Not that the St. Bernard did either.) And wait a minute— a pit bull isn’t even a breed?! It’s a generic classification. But how could I be a generic classification of something? I smell something fishy. And usually that makes me hungry, but this time I mean proverbially.  I think…. I’ve been….had. I think that maybe… my squirrel friends pulled a gag on me. I don’t think that I am actually a St. Bernard-part-generic-classification-or-whatever at all! Which means that what I am, is still unknown by me which means that I’m not what I thought I was which didn’t fit at all.  Which means that maybe what I am does feel like me, or more of the me that I usually feel like before I thought I was a St. Bernard part pit bull.  And oh boy! I can’t wait to find out and you’ll have to tune in next month to find out with me.  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.  

Kitchari

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Kitchari As the summer season begins to wind down, (but not the heat!) it’s a great idea to offer our body a nourishing as well as detoxifying dish.  Kitchari is a traditional Ayurvedic dish which has been relied upon for centuries to calm, cleanse, heal, and nourish the digestive system, and revitalize and restore the body.  Ayurveda is the ancient art and science of living in balance in the body with the seasons and the earth, and is native to India.  Kitchari is wonderful for after breaking a fast, or if you’ve been ill, or feeling a little under the weather. It tastes wonderful for breakfast as well. It is a very forgiving dish, and is open to additions, subtractions, and substitutions to make it uniquely your own.  Our recipe comes from Megan’s kitchen this month, with a bent towards the traditional. Ingredients · ½ cup white basmati rice· cup mung dal· 1 Tbs clarified butter (ghee)· 2 tsp cumin seeds· 1/8 tsp hing (found on Amazon or substitute with ¼ cup finely chopped white onion and 1 minced garlic clove)· 1 tsp turmeric powder· 1 tsp coriander powder· 1 ¼ tsp salt· 1 tsp finely grated ginger· 1 cup finely chopped cauliflower· ½ cup shredded carrots· 3 ½ cups water For serving· 2 Tbs hot ghee Directions Wash and soak rice and mung dal in 3 cups of water for at least 15 minutes. Drain the water and set aside. In a large frying pan heat the clarified butter with the lid on. When the butter is moderately hot, add cumin seeds and hing (or substitution). Allow to cook for 1-2 minutes. Add all other ingredients (minus the water) and stir. Add ½ cup of water and stir again. Close the lid, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 7 minutes. Turn off heat and wait until steam has stopped before opening the lid. Kitchari should be soft and a little runny like dough. Add water slowly and continue to cook until the kitchari has the consistency of porridge. Pour ghee over top and serve. 

Emma’s Health Talk: Building a Healthy Immune System

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Emma Ware helps people navigate through the complex world of food with her common sense and results-oriented way of coaching. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Keeping the Body in Balance All Season Long by Emma Ware It’s September and the summer is slowly giving way to a few less minutes of daylight and a bit more comfortable days without high humidity. With so many sports to enjoy as well as back to school activities, we need to keep ourselves healthy when temperatures drop and cold and flu season surrounds us. Keeping our immune system strong and healthy requires understanding how the human body functions. Every organ, tissue and vessel is dependent on a healthy immune system to do the work it is created to perform. Each is dependent on the other and when one is not working as designed, it affects other systems of the body from performing its function.  As an example: according to WebMD, consuming excess sugar, alcohol or wine will cause the immune system to curb the cells that attack bacteria, rendering them less able to ward off infection.  Weakening the system’s ability to ward off infection can invite colds or the flu. That’s just one example we have to be aware of when entering this next season. The immune system works to keep germs out of the body and destroy any that gets in. Lymph nodes are part of the immune system and they release lymphocytes, a certain type of white blood cell that fights infection.  Keeping your immune system healthy, according to the John Hopkins Medical Health Library, is most benefited by taking Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E, with vitamin C being the most powerful booster for the immune system. The lack of Vitamin C can actually make you prone to getting sick.  Don’t forget the benefit of sunshine. With more mild temperatures coming, make a plan to spend more time enjoying outdoor activities. Walk on the beach, golf, or just play with the kids in the backyard. B6 is vital to supporting biochemical reactions in the immune system, and Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant helping the body fight off infection.  Before making changes to your diet or lifestyle, always check with your doctor when starting a new regimen.  Come and visit our store at 2798 D Howard Ave in the Market Common or call me at 843-997-7037. We feature holistic and organic products to help you on your quest for healthy living.  Enjoy this awesome month and take time to relax.  — Emma

Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful

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by Tabitha Mull The Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful Comittee Invites you, your friends and your family to our Beach Sweeps. Along with our kind and friendly community, one of our committee’s initiatives is to keep our beaches and beach accesses litter free.  We meet at the Surfide Beach Pier at 10am to 12pm to sweep our beach with our friends and neighbors. We will provide gloves and bags for the beach sweep; dress in cool clothing. Our upcoming Beach Sweep Dates are: Saturday, August 25th 2018Saturday, October 20th 2018 Like our Facebook page for our exciting news and events. We are always looking for volunteers and committee members.  If you are a Surfside Beach resident please email.  We would like to congratulate our August Yard of the Month Winner for August 2018. Eval and Heather SmithTo nominate a YOM please visit our Facebook page or email At Facebook Envelope

Surfside Beach Sunday Serenades

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by the Town of Surfside Beach Busy on Sunday? If you’re looking for something different and unusual to do, why not come to Passive Park on Surfside Drive after 2 pm and listen to the Sunday Serenades?  Ten years ago, Glenn “Hounddog” Hanson had an idea. A talented guitarist and singer knew how hard it could be to find a public place to play. There are a lot of entertainment venues on the Grand Strand, but most of them are looking for bands, or established talent. Hounddog knew there was a lot of talent out there that needed a place to be heard. He approached the Surfside Beach Town Council with the idea of supporting live music by giving the artists a place to perform. The council agreed to the idea, and a small stipend was placed in the town budget. The first year of Sunday Serenades were performed at the pier, at the request of the council. For several reasons, this did not work out, and the show moved to the park for its second season. This was where Hounddog wanted to be all along. The natural setting and the mostly acoustic music were made for each other.   Over the years, the setting has changed. The first few years, performers played on a concrete platform, out in the open. When the town installed the circuit exercise equipment in the park, the platform was taken over by a stationary bike. The bike was moved, and was replaced by a gazebo. Within a few years, the gazebo grew a small stage, and then a roof was put over the stage, to protect the talent from mother nature’s ways. Musicians are given 45-minute sets to display their talents. Hounddog says his only requirement to perform is: “You have to be willing to face the public for 45 minutes.”  He has a roster of repeat players to choose from. If you are interested in playing in the Surfside Sunday Serenades, please contact Hounddog via email or message him via Facebook. Don’t forget to hit “Like” when you go to the Facebook page. At Facebook

Q&A with Ron Racca

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Ron Racca and Toby the Dog Enjoy Cruises In Their Free Time by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. It’s myself and my dog, Toby, and when he’s a bad boy it’s Tobias. He’s a mixed breed, part border bollie and part Labrador retriever; he’s a rescue. Where are all the places you came from? I’m originally from Boston, MA, born and raised, and lived most of my life there. Then I moved to Atlanta where I stayed for ten years. I moved here about one and a half years ago; I live in Socastee now.  Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? Growing up in Boston, I lived about ten minutes from the ocean. I love the ocean. I loved Atlanta too, but I wanted to get back to the water. I like the feeling I had when I came here. People are very, very nice, and very laid-back, and very friendly. Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? I go to the Market Common everyday because that’s where I walk my dog. He’s become the unofficial mascot of several stores because when we go they have treats and water waiting for him. It’s a very dog-friendly community. That’s important to me. What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach? It’s the ocean, the restaurants, the people, my neighbors. It’s like a culture shock when you come here from the North. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? Before I was type A person, and now I’m a type B. I’ve relaxed now, I’ve settled down. I’ve acclimated to everybody being so social. Here, people walk by and say good morning. I adapted quickly because I love to talk. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? I live a laid-back lifestyle now. I’ve done a lot of walking. I’ve gone to a lot of baseball games at the Market Common, and softball games, and Pelican’s games. I love baseball and professional sports. That’s the only thing that weighed on me when I moved here, was the lack of professional sports teams. What are your favorite things to do here? Swim, sun, eat, and walk. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Myrtle Beach? I’d love to see cruise ships come into the city. I’m big on cruising. I’ve seen what they do to other places and the industry that it creates.  Ron Racca has since passed away on January 12th, 2021. His charming face and uplifting personality will be deeply missed. We are so grateful that Toby, Ron’s furry companion, has been welcomed into a warm and loving home. 

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