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Day: November 30, 2018

Newly Expanded Crepe Creation Cafe Is Now Open

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With a Full Bar and Breakfast and Dinner in the Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia Crepe Creation Cafe has been a staple in the Market Common community for the past seven years. From small beginnings on Howard Ave. to its present location at 4012 Deville Street, owner Larry Cauble and his wife Emma Ware finalized Larry’s childhood dream of owning a French restaurant with its creation.  Larry learned the art of crepe making while living in Europe, and he has now realized that dream by expanding the restaurant we all know as the Crepe Creation.  The purpose and intent of the restaurant was always to present an atmosphere that offers the most welcoming and warm place to relax and enjoy food that was prepared with care and love. Larry’s passion for  cooking has a foundation of using only fresh wholesome ingredients prepared as authentic French recipes, to delight and satisfy the palate. The new, expanded kitchen will enable them to offer a full breakfast menu as well as dinner, with a French influence for both menus. Larry goes out of his way to assure food is only the freshest by shopping everyday at local markets. He hand-selects the fruits and vegetables for the day’s menu. Nothing is ever purchased precooked. Eventually he plans to make fresh bread daily. A full bar will tempt you to sit awhile or relax in front of the newly installed fireplace as your meal is prepared, or just meet up with friends after work. Wi-Fi is available as well charging outlets if work is on your mind. Another unique feature offered is freshly squeezed juices influenced by a visit Larry and Emma made to Colombia, South America. There they were introduced to freshly squeezed lime juice with coconut milk and that triggered the thought of bringing freshly squeezed juices to the menu. Selections include lime with coconut milk, orange, papaya, pineapple, mango and a new favorite, tomato. The new breakfast menu will offer eggs your way and omelets filled with vegetables and cheeses like gruyere, fontina, mozzarella, and cheddar. Pair them with those fresh juices and something Larry decided to add— baguettes and gravy— a French twist on an old Southern Classic, biscuits and gravy.  More new offerings include Steak and Eggs; Eggs Victoria, a toasted baguette with smoked salmon; as well as Matin Caprese, a caprese salad comprised of two baguette halves topped with tomatoes, basil and chives with two eggs cooked to order. Then there is the Croque Tartine, toasted baguettes topped with Black Forest Ham, béchamel sauce, and melted gruyere cheese, with two eggs cooked to your liking and a side of potato gallet or scalloped potatoes. The dinner menu includes Chicken Basque, a chicken breast with chorizo sausage, onion, garlic parsley, thyme, tomato, potato, red pepper, and paprika and green apples served with a salad; Beef Borginnone; Seared Salmon; Herb-Crusted Clover Honey Salmon Fillet; Honey-Glazed Pork Roast; Chicken Cordon Blu; Duck a La’ orange; Duck Confit; Steak Diane; and Black Angus Brand Steaks in three different cuts— filet mignon, rib-eye, and NY strip served with your choice of Béchamel, bernaise, or au jus sauces. Emma Ware, (left) stands with her husband Larry Cauble (right) inside their newly expanded restaurant. — Photo Meganpixels Parker There are eight appetizer options but two that are especially memorable include: sliced duck with goat cheese topped with lemon zest, parsley, and scallions on top of baguettes, and Salmon Roulettes.  They will always have homemade chicken vegetable soup and French onion, as well as a rotating selection of specialty soups. All the stock for their soups are homemade. There are also a variety of salads and sides.  The house sides include nibbles to share like pommes frites— thinly cut house potatoes deep fried; mashed potatoes; au gratin potatoes; steamed broccoli and carrots; and apple salad— with granny smith apples, sour cream, almonds, dried cranberries and maple syrup. One mouth-watering premium side is called Bari Goule of Spring Vegetables— made with fresh peas, baby carrots, asparagus, snow peas, garlic, onion bulbs, peppercorn, and cilantro. Crepes will continue to be served all day and other staple offerings will also remain. For their bar offerings, they don’t use any flavored vodkas or flavored rums in their speciality drinks— concocting them instead with their pure, freshly squeezed fruit juices. During happy hour they serve the 3Ms— margaritas, Martinis (house), and mojitos all for $5; and wine and beer are discounted. Steaks have arrived in the Market Common, and Crepe Creations is offering three different kinds: NY strip, filet mignon, and rib-eye, served with a mouth-watering assortment of sauces. Crepe Creations has live music every night of the week. The volume is always kept low so that diners can enjoy conversation or the show as they choose. Every Monday night, Duster plays country/rock music; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Mike plays jazz and contemporary beats; Thursdays, Morris plays all Beatles classical style; Saturday is Wayne, a jazz guitar player; and Sundays Liz sings jazz. “We want the public to come in and love our customer service, to thoroughly enjoy the food and flavors,” Emma says. “We’ve created an ambiance where people can feel comfortable and excited to be here and enjoy the space they’re in. From the crepes, to the mixed drinks, to the fruit juices and the desserts, we’ve crafted flavors and a menu, and a musical experience to delight the senses. “Our kitchen organization and the way Larry operates the restaurant, behind the restaurant is just incredible. He’s super organized, he’s diligent with the food. I was so impressed when I saw the back of the restaurant. And our employees share with us that they enjoy working here because of the organization— it makes their job easier.” “We want to thank all of our patrons for supporting us over the years,” Emma concludes. “Without you, we couldn’t have made this happen.” Crepe Creation Cafe Breakfast daily 8am-12pm; dinner 4pm-close. Open Su-Th 8am-10pm; Fr & Sa 8am-11pm, for the lounge, bar, … Read more

Nights of a Thousand Candles Special Preview Benefit

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The Coastal Insider

Provided by Brookgreen Gardens September was a tough month for many in North and South Carolina due to the hurricane. Brookgreen Gardens also experienced significant flooding during the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.  Unprecedented flooding along the river affected the Lowcountry Zoo and caused significant damage to trails and zoo exhibits. A special preview benefit evening of Nights of a Thousand Candles will help support flood recovery, including reconstruction of the Cypress Aviary Exhibit boardwalk and repair to the Alligator Exhibit. This exclusive evening will be December 1, from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. Each ticket is $100 and will include beverages (including wine or beer) and heavy hors d’oeuvres in the gardens. A limited number of tickets will be available. Entertainment for the evening will include Rebecca Nissen, harpist; the Saltwater Chamber Orchestra, and the Beach Brass Quintet. During the Nights of a Thousand Candles, trees are beautifully illuminated throughout the property creating a spectacular backdrop through which to meander. — Photo Donna Parker The main Nights of a Thousand Candles events kick off on Thursday, December 6. General public tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children. Tickets for Brookgreen members are $20 for adults and $12 for children. Children 3 and under are always free. Tickets may be purchased on our website, www.brookgreen.org.  Groups of fifteen or more may contact Brookgreen’s group sales department for special rates. Inlet Affairs returns to provide their signature Lowcountry dishes in the food tent. In the entertainment tents, favorites such as Bill Oberst, Jr and his one-man rendition of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, choral group Vocal Edition, and Tru Sol band are returning; as well as pianist Rocky Fretz, and other popular bands. The full entertainment schedule can be found at https://www.brookgreen.org/events/nights-thousand-candles-2018. The visual displays are different every year, and always worth seeing. — Photo WaynesView Photography New for 2018: 3:30 – 4:30 pm in front of The Visionaries sculpture, meet Angus, Brookgreen’s Scottish Deerhound Mascot and learn the history of the Huntington’s and their love for this amazing dog breed. 4:30 – 5:30 pm in the Children’s Garden Reading Room,  A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore (‘Twas the night before Christmas)  will be read aloud by a special guest reader. 6:15 pm. The Lighting of the Holiday Tree has been moved to a slightly later time to give more guests the opportunity to enjoy this nightly event. We also have new displays, a new addition to the train exhibit, and other surprises for our guests. Interesting facts: Over 4500 candles are lit by hand every evening. Around 150 volunteers and staff work each night of the event. Almost 2 million other lights are used in addition to candles. The holiday tree alone has over 130,000 lights, and at 80 feet, is taller than the tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Staff and volunteers begin decorating in late August. It takes a little over two months to take everything down after New Years. Except for the path luminaries, which burn down each evening, all the candles have to be blown out at the end of each night.  Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is located on U.S. 17 between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and is open to the public daily.  Founded in 1931 by Anna Hyatt Huntington and Archer Huntington, Brookgreen is home to the largest and most significant collection of American Figurative Sculpture in the country, and continues as a leader in sculpture conservation, environmental conservation, and protection of the plants, animals, and history of the South Carolina Lowcountry.  For more information, visit our website or call. Phone Internet-explorer

Building Community At Travinia Italian Kitchen

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A Talk with Amy Barnhart and Ashley Thomas by Melissa LaScaleia Amy Barnhart started working at Travinia Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar when the restaurant first opened in the Market Common in 2008. She was hired as a key manager and bartender, splitting her time between serving drinks and managing the restaurant. A month after Travinia opened, Ashley Thomas was hired as a bartender. The two had worked well together previously at the Islamoroda Fish Company; and over time, forged a stronger rapport as they implemented their shared vision of making Travinia feel like a homey, happy locale. Over the course of the next two years, the two grew their careers at Travinia— Amy becoming the general manager, and Ashley the assistant general manager. They created a strong bond of inclusion with the community, and an atmosphere of welcome, ease, and conviviality pervaded at Travinia.  “We were very involved in the community,” Amy says. “We had regular wine dinners where we brought in a wine maker from Napa Valley or Oregon and offered a 5-6 course meal that was perfectly paired with the wines they grew. It was a really big hit with the community.  “We were involved with Breakfast with Santa, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, the Princess Gala, local fundraisers— we supported projects. And any guest that came in was part of our family here.” “A lot of the people who come to Travinia are locals,” Ashley says. ‘We were here for seven-and-a-half years.  I spent more time with these people than my own family. We became a family, and they feel like my family.” Amy Barnhart (left) and Ashley Thomas (right) are the dynamic duo behind the fun, convivial energy at Travinia in the Market Common. –Photo by Meganpixels Parker /Latoya Grayson By year seven, the two owners of Travinia had opened several additional locations, and had a lot on their plates. They hired a manager to help them oversee all of their restaurant locations as well as implement a stronger business strategy. When the new manager arrived in Myrtle Beach, he said that he wanted to bring in fresh people, and Ashley and Amy were let go. “After we left, the remark we kept hearing from people was that when they walked into Travinia, it felt empty,” says Amy. “They still played live jazz music every Friday night, but people would come and say, it’s not the same, it just doesn’t feel the same.” “The connections that we built over the years that we were here, the relationships that we built, making guests a part of our family, it wasn’t here after we were gone,” Ashley says. Amy (left) speaks with Nicole (right) of Breakthru Beverage, a liquor distributor, to collaborate on speciality beverages Travinia will serve for the holiday season. — Photo Meganpixels Parker /Latoya Grayson “We always had a great relationship with the owners, Mark and Kevin,” Amy says. “They had so many restaurants but we could always pick up the phone and ask them, ‘Hey we have this idea, can we do this?’ This wasn’t just a job for us. Everything went into what we did. Mark and Kevin would come to town and we’d go out to eat and listen to bands together. After we were let go, Mark would text us to say, ‘I just heard this song from the band we saw together and it makes me think of great times and how much I miss you both.’” Four years later, in 2018, Travinia called Ashley to ask if she would come back and fix things— to make Travinia what it used to be. “The owners made a decision to go back and recreate what they had previously,” Ashley says. “They wanted to revert to the original plan, which was the community that Amy and I built that was missing under the new management.  Ashley plates one of Travinia’s most popular salads— the Granny Smith Apple. The two are involved in all aspects of what lends Travinia its characteristic pulse. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We put everything we had into this place, heart and soul. And when we were replaced, it definitely devastated us. When I got that phone call asking me to come back, I couldn’t even process it. It was a second chance at something that I felt deserved a second chance. In the time that I was away, there wasn’t another place that I worked at where I felt that same sense of community and camaraderie. And when we came back, it was like that pulse returned.” “We’re going to make this the best Italian restaurant in Myrtle Beach,” Amy says.  “To make Travinia what it was always meant to be— exceptional wine, great food, an outstanding atmosphere, and of course, that feeling of family.” Travinia Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar Envelope Phone Internet-explorer

ShipOnSite Your Locally Owned Packing & Shipping Center

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Big or Small We Pack and Ship It All by Melissa LaScaleia “We are in our twelfth holiday season here at ShipOnSite and have been growing as an organization,” says owner Frank Espinal.  “This year, we opened two new ShipOnSite stores: one in Maui, Hawaii, in May; and one inPembroke, NC, about one-and-a-half hours from Myrtle Beach, in mid-October.  “We’re providing FedEx, UPS, DHL, and postal services from those as well as all our locations, as well as freight. The Pembroke location is going to become a full service printing hub for us, for which we’re excited.” There are advantages to using ShipOnSite that extend beyond supporting local business. “I’ve been in the logistics business for well over thirty years,” Frank says. “And I bring expertise as well as a personal level of service to all of my customers. Moreover, I train my employees on that experience; and when we open a new store, I’m training those other store owners to that level, so that there isn’t anything that they aren’t able to do.  Frank Espinal (left) owner and operator of ShipOnSite brings his expertise as well as a personal level of service to all of his customers. It’s this great combination that has earned him accolades in the community for years. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “The UPS stores here frequently refer business to me for parcel shipments and freight,” he adds. “They are trained to fit things in boxes, and if it doesn’t fit, they’re not able to ship it—they just don’t have the means. We custom-make boxes, and crate and palletize things. It all depends on what is being moved, and orchestrating how to safely move it.” From motorcycles to priceless works of art, Frank can handle it— and safely. He has the tools and the expertise to know both how to pack and send, as well as how to receive these types of items safely. “Certified shippers live by the industry standards when packing an item, and therefore, would know how to unpack them,” Frank says. “On numerous occasions our services have been obtained by Fortune 500 companies and prestigious institutions like, Christies of London, who rely on companies like ShipOnSite that are certified in packaging and shipping.” Frank and his team of employees are able to offer their customers options and solutions for the safe transport of their goods, letting them know what they can expect, as well as the value for the cost. It’s this breadth of knowledge and attention to detail that has earned him accolades in our community. Frank opened ShipOnSite in 2007, and has been voted #1 every year since by the Myrtle Beach Herald and the Carolina Chronicle. ShipOnSite has a full gift-wrapping station available for customers, so all you have to worry about is buying the present. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “During the holidays, we convert ShipOnSite into a high-paced shipping store,” Franks says. “We’re highly organized, and have mastered the art of high-volume packaging and shipping. It’s a full-service operation for all your holiday gifts, so you don’t have to worry about anything except buying the gift and bringing it to the store.” Frank wants to remind the community that if you intend to ship packages internationally via USPS, the end of November is the cut-off date for a pre-Christimas delivery.  Because that service involves a hand-off to the postal service of the receiving country, it takes longer than a premium service like DHL, FedEx or UPS which transports your package door-to-door, guaranteeing its safe delivery. If you haven’t sent your holiday gifts yet, there’s still time. DHL, FedEx, and UPS while more expensive, deliver internationally within a few days. ShipOnSite is offering several holiday promotions. These include: free gift wrapping with FedEx shipping; donate pet food or supplies and receive a 15% discount on your total FedEx shipment; they’ll also match competitors promotions, and add an additional 5% discount from that promotion. “We’re big on the support of animals that are surrendered or abandoned to shelters,” Frank says. “And we have aligned with Easy Radio 105.9/100.7 and 94.5 The Tide, collecting over the course of twelve years, over 55,000 pounds of pet food and supplies that we’ve distributed to area shelters.” ShipOnSite Open M-F 8am-6pm; Sa-Su 9am-3pm.  Holiday hours December 1-21: everyday 8am-8pm. Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

Elko Spas, Billiards & Pools

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The Leader in the Hot Tub & Pool Industry For Horry & Georgetown County by Melissa LaScaleia Elko Spas, Billiards & Pools is family owned and operated by husband and wife team, Michael and Kimberly Elko. Their store has been a HotSpring Showroom for over thirty years. In 2004, the two purchased multiple businesses that were failing— businesses specializing in pools, Olhausen Pool tables, Hot tubs and HotSpring spas. Michael and Kimberly merged those locations— expanding their offerings to include in-ground and above-ground pools, HotSpring Spas & Jacuzzis, Finnelo Saunas, and game room products— to create Elko Spas, Billiards & Pools.  Today, locals have voted Elko the #1 leader in the Spa & Pool industry in Horry County. And they’ve garnered many awards and accolades both nationally and internationally in the arenas of customer service and dealership quality.  Most recently they won a Gold Award from Parents Magazine; were voted #1 by The Herald; and the Carolina Forest Chronicle and the Sun News both awarded them “Best Spa and Pool Dealership.” Kimberly has a background in art, design, and sales, and worked in New York City as a regional sales manager and a trainer in software graphics— a job which took her all around the country. As a self-professed water baby growing up in New Jersey, she was a life guard and swimming instructor working at the town pools. Michael was a marketing director for a Fortune 100 company. Early in his career, he was an integral part in creating the ubiquitous blue-bin curbside recycling program, which commenced in New Jersey. With their combined experience in sales, marketing, and innovation, the two decided to start a business together as a family. When they met, Michael had Chiari malformation, a condition in which the brain stem extends into the spinal canal. His complex health condition inspired them to look for a more gentle climate to call home. And because health was a topic so close to their hearts, they wanted to do something that would aid others in getting therapy as well.  When they discovered the opportunity to work in the pool and spa industry, they decided to relocate and keep the business going. Today, from consistent use of his own HotSpring spa and Finnelo Sauna, Michael is managing his pain medication free. “We have a lot of people who visit Elko Spas looking for relief from arthritis, sleep disorders, and fibromyalgia,” Kimberly says. “There’s a lot of illnesses that a HotSpring spa can address— even stress and injuries from an accident and kids who are hyper and stressed. I call the spa the new dinner table, because it’s a place to relax and reconnect, the conversations flow easily.” This Hot Spring Spa, the Spring-Highlife-NXT-2017 Aria-Alpine is one of their most popular models for this area. Elko sells and services most major brands of hot tubs, pool tables, saunas and pools. They are an authorized service and repair as well as a warranty center for most major brands, but are capable of repairing everything. They conduct pool and spa water testing, and provide analysis as well as solutions for optimal water health. They build fiberglass in-ground swimming pools offering 3D design. Elko Service also offers swimming pool and hot tub cleaning, and maintenance and repair service for residential and commercial properties. They sell commercial outdoor furniture, and offer free design work for your spa/game space, be it outdoors or in. With her background in design, Kimberly is able to assist clients with color matching and design layout. The other side of their business is in pool tables, shuffleboards and game room accessories. “We have all the game room products, pool tables and accessories,” Kimberly says. “Pool sticks, cues, darts, ping pong, shuffleboard and more. We have tables on display, can customize anything, and offer pool table service and repairs, all here, by Elko employees.” “Life and health issues can be very stressful,” she adds. “Many people are looking for a better solution. So we’re starting a campaign for relaxation and wellness— Isn’t it Time to Relax?! …Let’s go to Elko.” Elko Spas, Billiards & Pools, 4718 Hwy. 17 Bypass South (North Gate Blvd/Frontage Rd), Myrtle Beach, 29588 843-294-ELKO (3556)   www.elkospas.com Facebook @ Elko Spas Billiards Pools Open M-F 9am-6pm; Sa 9am-5pm. After hours appointments available.

Watch: The Nutcracker Comes To Life

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Premiering at Coastal Carolina University This 2018 Holiday Season by Liza Mata Celebrate the holiday spirit with this festive, family-friendly ballet. Myr­tle Beach’s Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre presents the magical holiday production of The Nutcracker for the 13th year, with performances on Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16 at Coastal Carolina University’s Wheel­wright Auditorium in Conway. The Nutcracker ballet tells the story of young Clara who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve by her eccentric uncle and godfa­ther, Herr Drosselmeyer. Adventure awaits as she and her transformed Nutcracker Prince battle the frightful Mouse King before embarking on a journey through the Land of the Snow.  With the help of the Snow Queen, Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara, and her Prince travel to the Land of the Sweets where they are entertained by the Sugar Plum Fairy, her Cavalier, and her Entourage of Sweets.  Bringing the charming Nutcracker story to life are Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre’s cast of sixty of the area’s most talented young dancers together with CYBT ballerina Kiely Elizabeth Clark as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and New York City guest artist Mikhail Ilyin as the Cavalier.  The Nutcracker is staged by CYBT professional artistic directors. Liza Mata and Karen Mata to the magnificent music of composer, Peter Tchaikovsky. A yearly treat for all within the performance is the discovery of which prominent community member will play the role of Mother Ginger. Here a very hairy Mother Ginger takes the stage with fan waves. “It is a labor of love for us to put on this show every year,” says Liza Mata. “The Nutcracker has long been seen as a cultural family favorite during the holiday season, and we are so blessed to be able to bring such a beloved family tradition to the Myrtle Beach area for thirteen years now. Our dancers work tirelessly to bring these performances to life and to bring smiles and joy to their audiences.”  Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre is a non­profit 501(c)3 arts organization dedicated to the artistic and cultural enrichment of Horry and Georgetown counties. Ar­tistic and executive director Liza Mata established Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre in 2006 as the performing company of Coastal Dance Centre, a dance school based in the Market Common.  The school is highly regarded for its pro­gram of dance training, performance opportunities, and professionally staged productions. Coastal Youth Ballet The­atre provides an artistic home base for the area’s most talented young dancers, who are able to participate in full-length ballet productions, performances, scholarship awards, and community outreach en­gagements. A treat for The Nutcracker audience every year is finding out which local and regional celebrities are perform­ing the special role of the beloved “Mother Ginger” character for each performance. The local celebrities and hometown heroes who will be playing “Mother Ginger” have been nominated by their community members and will be featured indi­vidually in each of the performances. The Nutcracker has long been seen as a cultural family favorite during the holiday season. — Photo Liza Mata Lt. Jon Evans, public education offi­cer for the Myrtle Beach Fire Depart­ment, will be Mother Ginger for the 2 pm performance on Saturday, December 15. “I’m honored to be asked to play the role of Mother Ginger this year,” says Evans, who has been with MBFD for more than ten years. “Being a firefight­er is all about serving the community, and while this may not be the typical type of community service for a fire­fighter, I’m looking forward to the op­portunity to be a part of the show and make the holidays a little brighter for the Myrtle Beach area.” The remaining celebrity cast mem­bers for the role of Mother Ginger will be announced at a later date. Past “Mother Gingers” have included Barbara Jo Blain-Bellamy, mayor of Conway; Ed Piotrowski, chief mete­orologist for WPDE; Johnny Vaught, Horry County councilmember; and Randal Wallace, Myrtle Beach city councilmember. The Nutcracker Coastal Carolina University, Wheel­wright Auditorium 108 Spadoni Park Circle, Conway, SC 29526 Saturday, December 8, 2 & 7pmSunday, December 9, 3 pmSaturday, December 15, 2 & 7 pmSunday, December 16, 3 pm Tickets 843-349-ARTS (2787); in person at Wheelwright Auditorium. Box office hours: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. Tickets: $10 – $30. To learn more visit www.cybt.org or www.coastaldancecentre.com or contact Liza Mata 843-839-5678.

Major General Paul T. Johnson

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Recipient of the Prestigious Air Force Cross by Melissa LaScaleia The Air Force Cross is a military honor given to a member of the United States Air Force. It is the second highest honor that could be bestowed on a soldier.  This decoration is commensurate to illustrious military honors from other branches of the United States military: the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross. It was first implemented January 8, 1964, for “Extraordinary heroism while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.”  There have been 202 medals awarded since its inception. The reverse of every cross is engraved with the recipient’s name. Paul T. Johnson was awarded the Air Force Cross. He was a pilot with the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing stationed out of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. He was born in Gadsden, Alabama April 26, 1958, and joined the military in 1985, commissioned as a second lieutenant. He served as a captain during Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War in the early ’90s. On January 21, 1991, Captain Johnson was assigned to lead an expedition to fly an A-10 aircraft along with his co-pilot, Captain Randy Goff, to conduct a search and rescue mission for a missing Navy pilot, Lieutenant Devon Jones. Captain Johnson was responsible for organizing the rescue, and performed feats of daring unprecedented in the previous history of A-10s, to achieve a successful outcome. On the mission, Captain Johnson risked his life, flying at 500 feet above ground to spot the surviving downed pilot— a height that made him an easy target for his enemy. As he was flying, he found and destroyed three armed Iraqi missile sites. As he was nearing the location of the downed pilot, he saw an enemy truck headed directly for the pilot’s crash site.  Captan Johnson intercepted the truck’s advance, shooting and destroying it, and directed a helicopter to the site to rescue Lieutenant Jones. The search that he lead took the A-10 deeper into enemy territory than any other A-10 had ever been, and was a milestone in the accomplishments of the U.S. weapon’s system. The mission took over six hours, and during that time, he had to refuel aerially three times.  For his heroism on this campaign, daring in the face of the enemy, superior airmanship, and superb orchestration of events to achieve a successful rescue, Captain Johnson was awarded the prestigious Air Force Cross.  His was one of two Air Force Cross medals awarded during Operation Desert Storm. It was presented to him at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base during a ceremony in 1991, by General John Michael Loh, Commander of the Tactical Air Command. Captain Goff was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In addition to his feats in the Gulf War, Captain Johnson was the commander of the 355th Fighter Wing and the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing. He was also part of Operation Northern Watch, and Operation Enduring Freedom. He retired in 2016 with the rank of Major General. His awards include: the Air Force Cross; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross; Bronze Star; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; and the Air Medal.

The 2018 Holiday Season at the Market Common

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by Caitlen Buffkin While the Grand Strand is home to many holiday events, the Market Common hosts a month full of festivities.  Every Tuesday and Thursday before Christmas, join Santa at the Christmas tree in front of Grand 14 Cinemas for the perfect complimentary photo opportunity. Don’t forget to bring your Christmas wish list and find out whether you’ve been naughty or nice.  If you’re looking for a Christmas gift, visit Howard Avenue on Saturdays (until December 15th) for our annual Holiday Bazaar. Handmade treasures and delicious sweets are available for purchase from 12-4pm. Visit from 3pm to 6pm on Saturdays and enjoy Complimentary Carriage Rides in front of Dolce Lusso Salon.  End the year in grand fashion at our Southern Times Square event for New Year’s Eve. Located in Valor Park this year, this free, family friendly event features live music, a ball drop, complimentary kids activities, and a spectacular fireworks show.  Holiday happenings aren’t the only exciting things to come to the Market Common. Several new tenants now call the retail district home.  Trust Thy Barber, located on Deville Street, offers the ultimate barber experience including straight-razor shaves and hot towels. Splurge for “The Executive” and enjoy the royal treatment – a barber-shop treat any man is sure to enjoy.  If your sweet tooth is calling, turn the corner at Reed Avenue and visit The Uncommon Chocolatier. Offering delectable chocolates and truffles of various assortments, shop for a treat now and pick up a gift set for that hard-to-buy-for family member. The Uncommon Chocolatier is located beside Ultimate California Pizza near Grand 14 Cinema.  Set to open early 2019, EdVenture (formerly the South Carolina Children’s Museum) joins the Market Common in their new location on the corner of Howard Avenue and Nevers Street. The exhibit for families and children of all ages will be sure to wow visitors and members while inspiring a learning experience unique to Myrtle Beach.   “A primary focus of the Market Common is to create a positive experience by fully engaging with the community,” Heather Gray, the general manager says. “We are thrilled to announce the tenants who are renovating along with new tenants who want to join us on our journey.” Visit: www.MarketCommonMB.com for more information. 

Revels in Branches and Boughs

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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. 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 December, Charlie snuggles under the Christmas tree and revels in the old-fashioned holiday tradition of branches and boughs. Oh boy the holiday season is here! I wonder if I’ll get a visit from any magical creatures this year like I did in years past. (You’ll have to visit the archives to keep up with me.)  I’m looking forward to parties, twinkling lights, and cozying up under warm blankets this time of year. But I’m even more excited about our Christmas tree. Jim just brought one home yesterday. I am very well trained, thank you very much, and so my excitement over a tree ensconced in our living room for the next month or so has nothing to do with my bathroom habits, just to be clear. There’s something so magical about a little fir tree inside the home all decked out in lights and ornaments. And the smell is simply magnificent. I wonder who came up with this tradition? And why we put decorations on it? Because I just love ferreting out facts as much as I love making new friends, let me put on my doggie spectacles and investigate the origins of this tradition. … For centuries humans have been using fir trees to celebrate festivals in the winter. Some cultures brought branches into their homes to stay hopeful during the cold, dark. and dreary winter days (they must not have lived in Myrtle Beach because it’s really not that bad here, although these were the days before indoor heating so maybe it was that bad).  The live trees and branches they collected reminded them of the impermanence of winter and the promise of spring and the abundance of life that comes with it. One source mentions that people used to hang trees upside down with chains from their ceiling.  Mmmm. That seems very complicated to me. I wonder how many people it would take to accomplish that? What are the chains attached to? I’ll bet it’s a really interesting visual though. But, this is also interesting: the first record we have of a tree being used around this time of year occurred in Latvia. Wow, neat! I’ve never been there. Two separate cities, Tallinn and Riga, claim to have been the first to have trees— and they stake that claim almost a century apart.  The custom began as a communal venture— the trees were erected in the town center, and everyone participated in singing and dancing around them, enjoying them collectively.  Over time, the custom spread throughout the Baltic region, with each locale creating their own particular ways of making merry with the tree— some lit it on fire at the conclusion of the party; others decorated it with fruits, nuts and paper flowers. The tree became a symbol that differing cultures projected onto, in order to strengthen their beliefs and create solidarity with their neighbors.  The tradition took root most strongly in Germany, where artisans blew glass to create ornaments, and fashioned pieces from pure gold. They also put edible treats on the trees. This was a time when food was more basic than the myriad of options we have today. And sweet treats and fruit really were a treat— something not that common. So while you’re decorating your tree this year to represent whatever it means to you, you can think about the people (and pets) before us doing just the same. I know I will.  Until next time, 

Surfside Beach 2018 Christmas Parade

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by The Town of Surfside Beach Mark your calendar for December 8, 2018. It’s the 39th annual Surfside Beach Christmas Parade. It’s a great event for the whole family, and a wonderful kickoff to the holiday season. The parade starts at 2:00 pm on Melody Lane in Surfside, and continues up Ocean Boulevard to Surfside Drive. It turns up Surfside Drive and continues to Poplar Drive. The parade has eighty (or more) organizations entered, and some of the organizations have multiple vehicles.  We will have up to four marching bands depending on the weather. The Surfside Beach Police, and Fire and Rescue departments will be represented with patrol vehicles, fire trucks, and rescue vehicles. Local animal organizations bring their dogs and horses to contribute to the festivities.There will be a number of professional floats in the parade too.  Of course, the star of the show, Santa, will be there.  He arrives on his own float, with a group of attendants by his side. Don’t tell the kids, but every organization comes equipped with a load of candy, so make sure you bring a container to hold all the goodies.  It’s free, it’s fun, its the Surfside Beach Christmas Parade. Make it an annual tradition in your household. To learn more, visit our website at www.surfsidebeach.org

Emma’s Health Talk: Gearing Up for The Holidays

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by Emma Ware What does December mean to you? Has the meaning changed over the years? Do you remember celebrating Christmas with family and friends, baking cookies, wrapping presents, car­oling in your neighborhood? For many, December has become less of a joyful celebration and more a time of stress. Let’s think about how that has happened over time and see what has resulted from the change.  Our days seem to be more rushed and demanding trying to prepare and deliver everything we hope to get done before Christmas. Shopping begins the mad­ness on Black Friday. Then there are the endless parties we are either expected to attend or just can’t say no to.  Often those gatherings pres­ent us with dietary choices. We encounter end­less deserts and pastries everywhere we go, running on sugar highs. Needless to say, the usual glass of wine or cocktail becomes multiple glasses, only adding to our stress and guilty feelings of hav­ing overdone it, again.  But don’t de­spair; there is a way to enjoy this holiday season without the results of having lost control or overindulging. Follow The Terrific Twelve Begin with a list of to-do items, then prioritize the list. Plan your day around the items on your list. That automatically reduces stress. Set a budget and stick to it.  Try shopping early morning or late in the day to avoid the most crowds. Shop online. Plan to eat at home before attending parties. Make sure foods contain pro­tein. Use my sampling technique; using one plate try a small portion of all the foods presented, do the same with des­serts; that will help you to not feel de­prived. Dilute your drinks with water or club soda. Set a pre-determined amount you drink. Sleep eight hours un-interrupted, take breaks when possible to rest up. Do an all day soup fast to balance your digestion; chicken vegetable is good choice. Cut out caffeinated drinks like cof­fee and soda. Diffuse aroma therapy oils and check out flower essences in your local health food store. Lavender is especially calming; don’t forget Vitamin C. As always, check with your doctor when making changes, and aim to make this December the very best ever.  If you need additional help call me at 843 997- 7037 or stop by the office at 2798-D Howard Ave in the Market Common. Share the love of this season with friends and family and remember those who are alone. Invite an elderly neighbor or single parent to share the joy of this season. Wishing you all a blessed and Merry Christmas. Emma

Holiday Chocolate Dripped Butter Cookies

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Holiday Chocolate Dripped Butter Cookies Everyone needs their favorite holiday cookie recipe and this one just may just be yours. The combination of chocolate, nuts, coconut and delicate flaky butter cookie is heavenly, and the nuts can be omitted for those with allergies.  This cookie recipe has several steps but is not difficult to make. The butter cookie base can be made and baked in advance and frozen until needed. They don’t have to be thawed before filling and frosting.  The finished cookie freezes well, and is a satisfying and unique take on the quintessential holiday treat— the butter cookie. The most time-consuming part with these are rolling the cookies into balls. If you’re new to cookie baking, portion out all your dough first, before rolling into balls, so each one is the same size.  Perfect with a glass of red wine, or a strong cup of coffee. Cookie Base Makes 36 cookies ½ cup butter½ cup confectionary sugar¼ tsp salt1 tsp vanilla extract1-1 ¼ cups all purpose flour In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and add the sugar, salt, and vanilla. Gradually add enough flour to form a soft dough.  Roll the dough into 36 balls about the size of a nickel and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten them very slightly, and bake at 350 for 12 minutes. Don’t brown the cookies, they should be just set. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Filling 6 oz. cream cheese1 cup confectionary sugar2 Tbs flour1 tsp vanilla¾ cup unsweetened shredded coconut½ cup of raw finely chopped cashews, walnuts, or unblanched almonds (optional) Beat the cream cheese in a mixer, and add all the other ingredients except the coconut and the nuts (if using). Cream well. Stir in the coconut and nuts by hand. When the cookies are cool, add a dollop of the filling to each one. Set aside. Topping 4 Tbs unsalted butter3 Tbs water1 cup dark, bittersweet, or semi-sweet chocolate chips¾ cup confectionary sugar In a double boiler, or over very, very low heat on the stove, melt the butter and water. Add the chocolate and stir constantly just until it melts, making sure to not to cook the chocolate or it will burn.  Remove from the heat the moment it’s fully melted and whisk in the confectionary sugar. Drizzle the melted chocolate topping over the tops of the cookies.

Carolina Forest Voter Turnout

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Carolina Forest Voter Turnout by Brad Jordan Last month, Carolina Forest residents went to the polls to cast their votes in the mid-term election. The big stories were: Republican Henry McMaster won the election for governor; Republican Katie Arrington, who was in a car accident during the campaign, lost to Democrat Joe Cunningham for the South Carolina 1st Congressional District seat.  It was a position that flipped to the Democrats after being held by Republicans unbroken since 1981. And Republican Orton Bellamy won, with 52% of the vote, over Democrat Harold Phillips, for the Horry County Council seat. One of the major concerns in Carolina Forest has been the lack of voter turnout. With the population exploding by 500% between the 2000 and 2010 census, the Horry County voting districts were redrawn to provide more equal representation on the council. With continued growth over the past eight years, it is expected that there will again be a redistricting after the 2020 census. In Horry County, there was participation countywide of 50% of registered voters casting ballots. In comparison, the Carolina Forest area had 43% participation of all registered voters. For a midterm election, this is not a bad turn out.  The graph shows the progression of the number of voters versus actual voter turn out. In past midterm elections the participation has been somewhat lower. In 2010, only 35% of registered voters voted; in 2014, 26% voted. This year saw one of the best turn outs for midterm elections. It is one of the Carolina Forest Civic Association’s goals to be the voice of the local residents in regards to the local municipalities and the county in which we live.  Through continued vigilance in current events and issues facing our community, we are committed to being the voice of the residents and communicating our needs to those elected to represent us. We need your continued support and participation. Thank you for voting. 

Q&A with Daniel and Lee Ann Bundrick

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Pharmacists Daniel and Lee Ann Bundrick on Hunting For Seashells, Golf and Local Seafood by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. It’s myself and my wife, Lee Ann. We have two sons and have been married for thirty-four years. I’m a pharmacist, and so is my wife; we met in pharmacy school.  Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? I grew up in Lexington, SC and moved to Chapin, SC near Colum­bia. Lee Ann grew up in Lake City, South Carolina. We live in Surfside Beach a couple of blocks from the ocean. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? Lee Ann and I used to summer here growing up before we knew one an­other. We had bought a house here a decade ago knowing that we wanted to retire here, and rented it out for years. Do you have a favorite place in Myr­tle Beach? I like Soho. That’s one of my favorite spots. We like P. F. Changs too. What’s your favorite thing about liv­ing in Myrtle Beach? I’m a big out­door enthusiast. I used to kayak in college. I love walking the beach and being near it, riding bikes. It’s always been a relaxing thing for us. We like to go to Pawley’s Island and walk there. I still like to play golf and softball. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? I walk a lot more. I started a walking group called Peer to Pier. You can find us on Facebook. Owning my own business is new too. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? I bought a pharmacy, Surfside Beach Pharmacy, in 2016. And then we opened an ice cream shop too. The pharmacy has a really old-time feel to it. When I first opened it, there was a lot of empty space in the front, and I was thinking about what I could do to make it more commu­nity-friendly.  I worked at a dairy bar as a kid. So we opened an ice cream store and called it The Lazy Surfer Creamery. The pharmacy seems more family friendly since we added the ice cream store.  We have coffee and hot chocolate coming this win­ter, as well as light snacks. We carry premium ice cream from Florida, as well as a local brand. And in the spring, we’re adding a food truck. It’s going to be called The Lazy Surfer Grill. And we’ll take it around Myr­tle Beach. What are your favorite things to do here? Going out to eat seafood with friends, hunting for seashells, golf, and playing cards with friends.

Red Cross: The Holiday Cards for Heroes Campaign

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by Melissa LaScaleia Every December, American Red Cross teams up with other non-profits to assist in sending care packages to our military troops stationed overseas. The arm of the Red Cross responsible for this is the Service to the Armed Forces division, or SAF.   Karen Levinson is the team leader for the local Myrtle Beach division; she’s been with the Red Cross for the past three years.  “Every November we start planning our Holiday Cards for Heroes campaign,” she says. “We work in conjunction with the Blue Star Mothers which a nationwide non-profit organization of mothers whose children are currently serving in the military. They are absolutely wonderful, they do so much.” The Blue Star Mothers have access to the mailing addresses of deployed troops, and collect donations to compile and send care packages and gift boxes filled with treats designed to warm the hearts of soldiers abroad. Things like chocolate, chips, and other non-perishable goodies, books, magazines, and other creature comforts of home. The Red Cross collects handmade cards to include as part of the care packages. They attend events like bazaars and frequent busy shopping areas like Broadway at the Beach, soliciting passersby to use their artistic talents to make a holiday card for a service member on the spot. Children and adults alike participate in the activity. “It’s great for building community, it’s really sweet,” Karen says. The Holiday Cards for Heroes Campaign fosters a sense of connection as it brings people together to join in a common cause. Another event the Red Cross is participating in this holiday season is called Wreaths Across America, also in partnership with the Blue Star Mothers. The nationwide campaign collects donations to buy wreaths to put on the gravesites of soldiers during the holiday season. “It’s the first year we’ll be actively participating with them for this. We will help to lay the wreaths at the gravesites for our local division,” Karen says. “I have never served in the military,” she adds. “And this is my way of expressing gratitude to those who have, and showing appreciation for them. We have many former military servicemen on our team. They appreciated what was done for them when they were in the service, and they want to give back, through working with us on this, as well as our other community projects.” December Events CPR/AED/First Aid: Myrtle Beach December 8 December 12 December 22 December 26 Blood Drives December 15 – Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson  December 26 – iHeart Radio at Ripley’s Aquarium  Become a Volunteer: Register now at RedCross.org Sign-up at www.redcross.org/sc.

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