Day: May 28, 2019

Offering Sales and Service for Myrtle Beach’s Favorite Toy by Melissa LaScaleia Russell Graham started Graham Golf Cars in the early ’80s— traveling around the Myrtle Beach area, servicing people’s golf carts.  Over the years, his company has grown from a single truck and trailer with three employees, to five retail locations and over fifty employees.  Despite his success, he is still as active in the business as he was in years past— stepping up to lend a hand whenever the need arises.    All of Graham Golf Cars locations sell, service, and rent golf cars; sell parts and accessories; and offer indoor golf cart storage.  Their Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach stores are two of the largest golf cart showrooms along the Grand Strand, where they sell customizable as well as basic cars.  Pre-owned cars start around $1,500; fully reconditioned ones start around the high $4,000s; and new range from $7,500-$11,000. Between both their locations, they have around two hundred gas and electric cars for sale.  Graham Golf Cars attributes their success to their business philosophy— that of taking care of the car and the customer for a lifetime.  “I came to work here five years ago after running my own business for forty-five years,” says Carl Sherman, a part-time salesman with Graham Golf Cars at the Myrtle Beach location. “I owned my own smoke and fire restoration business in North Carolina. Seven years ago, I was ready to retire, and built a house at the beach and moved here. Soon thereafter I told my wife, ‘I cannot sit around, I need something to do.’ Graham Golf Cars has an in-house fabrication department, and make parts and accessories on a daily basis so they can offer more to their customers. They have played a big part in designing and manufacturing new parts and accessories that are available nationwide. — Photo Meganpixels “I had a friend who worked for Mr. Graham, and he introduced us. Two days later, I came in and started working and I’ve been here ever since. I come through the door because I want to. There are a good bunch of people here— they’re friendly and make you feel like you’re family; we all work well together.  “During the time, I’ve been here, I’ve seen people come in and buy repeatedly from Russell because of the excellent customer service they receive. He follows up with them and does anything in his power to meet their needs. The people who work here extend the same level of service—it’s part of our company culture.”     Graham Golf Cars understands that being able to maintain and repair the product that you sell is just as important as being able to sell it. For that reason, they invest in their service technicians and the customer service of the repair department.  Graham Golf Cars has about twenty mechanics working in their shops, and nine service drivers. They cover Horry, Georgetown, and Brunswick County on a daily basis.  Every refurbished car comes with a warranty, and they’ll deliver it for a fee as far as Charleston; they offer free local delivery for the Grand Strand area. If something happens within that warranty period, they’ll pick up your car and repair it for you, and get it back to you as fast as possible.  Carl Sherman (left) and Ed Eckersley (right) of Graham Golf Cars, try a custom-painted golf car at their Myrtle Beach location. — Photo Meganpixels Parker In Myrtle Beach, golf cars are a way of life. Instead of owning a second car, many people instead invest in a golf car to move around the neighborhood. It’s less hair-raising to lend your teen, and fits in with the tempo and balmy climate with ease.  Graham Golf Cars has an in-house fabrication department so they can offer more to their customers. And they have played a big part in designing and manufacturing new parts and accessories that are available nationwide.  “People come in from everywhere wanting to buy the accessories that we make,” Carl says. “There’s a bar on the back of the cart called a safety bar. But Mr. Graham also turned it into a chair rack. In the summer we can’t even keep them in stock they’re so popular.  — Photo Meganpixels Parker “I really like to see when a customer comes in, looking for a golf car but not really knowing what they want, the excitement and enthusiasm on their face when they realize that they can special order a golf car and put together the color schemes and accessories that they want.  “I think seeing that they have a part in designing the car brings them joy. We do a lot of design work to help personalize and make the car their own. We often build between twenty to thirty a week. People are just as glad to get that golf car as they are to get a new car. It’s just remarkable to see their faces light up. People like to look good in their golf cars. They take a lot of pride in them.”  “I think Mr. Graham has a service here that can’t be touched by anybody else at the Beach,” he adds. “It’s unique to be able to purchase a golf car that you build from the bottom up. The price is fair, and the service can’t be beat. Graham Golf Cars wants to do everything they can to be a positive part of the experience of helping their customers acquire, upgrade or repair their golf car— to do what’s right for the car and the customer. We’re always here to help.” Graham Golf Cars 3900 South Kings Hwy. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 866-213-3978 M-Sa 8am-5pm www.grahamgolfcars.com Facebook

Welcoming the Deaf In Our Community With a Baseball Fundraiser by Melissa LaScaleia Michael Sokolik began the non-profit organization, Beach Society For the Deaf, now The Pelicans For the Deaf, in 2018. It began as a way to build greater awareness of the existence of deaf people in the Myrtle Beach community and to help foster greater inclusion for them. Michael’s inspiration was his daughter, Gracelyn, who at the age of two, was diagnosed deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other.  “Our overall function is to get people involved in the Deaf community by learning sign language,” he says.  Brooke Lipat and Amy Herrera were early supporters of the cause, and instrumental in the non-profit’s creation.  “People see the Deaf community in social media and the news, but most of the time don’t come in contact with deaf people personally,” says Brooke, who works in the education field with deaf and hard of hearing students.  “We want to bridge that gap and educate the community on how to interact with the deaf. It comes down to learning basic communication skills, or, in the absence of sign language, other methods. When people don’t understand how to communicate, they become intimidated and may, in response, ignore deaf people.”  For Brooke, education is primary, with networking coming in as a close second in importance.    Buddy Bailey’s jersey from Deaf Awareness Night is now on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. — Photo Milo Stewart “I teach an ASL class, but even my students don’t know how to reach out to the Deaf community at large. They want to be involved, but they’re not sure how. You really notice, especially in this area, that there isn’t a lot of connection between the Deaf and hearing communities— and that’s what our aim is. To be a presence here and show people what they can do to reach out and connect.”  The biggest problem that Brooke has noticed is when deaf people visit medical or public facilities where they are entitled to an interpreter, they often are not provided with adequate interpreting services.  “There are many deaf people in the area that are underserved or not aware of their rights, and it would help to have more people advocate on their behalf,” she says.  Brooke has a background in education, and six years ago, was looking to transition into a different field. She began taking sign language classes, and was introduced to her now husband and the larger Deaf community through her teacher.  “The Deaf community is there and they may be a minority population,” Brooke says, “but they want to be informed and make human connections just like anybody else. That’s what we’re hoping to do.”    Amy is a teacher for the deaf (TOD), and also teaches ASL at Horry Technical College. She helps Michael to set up interpreters through his non-profit, and as she is deaf, consults with him about Deaf culture to facilitate better accommodation for deaf people.  Amy’s daughter is the current Miss Summerville Teen from the Miss America organization. Several years ago she came up with the idea to promote deaf awareness— championing the belief that deaf people can do anything. Her platform is: Hands Can Talk. She is also fundraising for deaf children in our county to procure them scholarships to summer camps so that they can interact with their peers.     The 2018 game was such a big hit when it was held, that it was memorialized in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, for being a legendary event. — Photo Milo Stewart “A lot of deaf people are isolated from the community, myself included,” Amy says.  “But deaf people can be successful.”     Amy was excited when Michael approached her two years ago about the possibility of a Pelican’s Fundraiser Baseball game in Myrtle Beach. The 2018 game was such a big hit when it was held, that it was put in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY for being a legendary event. Since that event took place, she has noticed her ASL class has significantly increased in size.  Jim Fleming is the current president of The Pelicans For the Deaf. When he moved to Myrtle Beach several years ago, he was astonished that there were no deaf activities here. As a deaf person, Jim helped establish the Chicago branch of the National Racquetball Association for the Deaf which he was involved with for twenty-five years, acting as president for tournaments, and fulfilling the role of chairperson four times.  When Jim met Michael, the two immediately began collaborating about implementing a myriad of deaf activities. Jim was eager to help out, and years later, continues to be a motivational driving force, getting people involved.     “People all over the area really look forward to these events,” he says.  Pelicans for the Deaf board members, from left to right: Michael Sokolik, Dawn, Art, Barbara, Chis, Carol, Jim, Diana, and Ryan. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Jim is currently looking at securing access planning for a Deaf Health EXPO and Christmas parties, as well as life exposure opportunities in general.  “It’s moving to see the emotion deaf people have from these interactions,” he says. “A lot of deaf people have very little interaction with other deaf people until they come to these activities. I facilitated meetings like this in Illinois, and it made a big impact on people. That’s something I’d like to do in Myrtle Beach.  “My goal for this whole program, is that we as a society, make sure that deaf people have access to experiences and the potential to living a fulfilled life. Yes, you’re a deaf person in a hearing world, and sometimes it’s difficult. Many feel like they will never match up. But I want teens to grow up knowing that they have peers like them. Sometimes these children grow up in a family with no sign language skills. Setting a program up like this … Read more

Late Nights and a 1920s Vibe by Melissa LaScaleia Since its arrival in the Market Common, Crepe Creations Cafe has charmed patrons with its old-world inspired crepes and steady expansion both of menu and space. Last year they procured a liquor license, and introduced a full bar to their offerings. Several months ago, they finished another remodel to include an electric fireplace, a full kitchen, and an expansive, open dining space.  These days they have live music nightly, and last month they rolled out their newest enhancement— a Martini bar.  The owners convinced Christopher Ware, who is an expert on Martinis— having acquired that knowledge from working as a bartender in the Beverly Hills and Melrose areas of LA, to exchange one sunny coast for another and spearhead its creation.  “I know everything there is to know about the Martini,” Christopher says with enthusiasm. “Its origin; history; how to make the perfect one; the rules for making one,’ and whether it should be shaken or stirred.”  (Stirred only please, no matter what James Bond requests.) Christopher is enchanted with the Martini because of its unique history and versatility as a drink, and is adept at making everything from the classics, to the so-called candy Martinis.  The Martini was born during the California Gold Rush of 1800, in Martinez, just outside of San Francisco, when a frequent bar patron there used to regularly request his own concoction—  a mixture of gin, dry vermouth, maraschino liquor, and a dash of bitters. Others got curious to try it, people loved it— and the drink took off in the small city. It essentially named itself, as people began to refer to it according to its place of birth. Over time, the name got shortened, and those requesting it asked for a Martini.  Variations on a them— the Martini. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Christopher’s other passion is for cocktails from the prohibition era— that period of history from 1920-1933 when alcohol was illegal to sell, but not illegal to drink. To get around the law, people would make alcohol at home in their bathtubs with varying levels of skill, and the underground bars they sold it to would have to come up with very creative ways to make the inferior spirits taste good. “Knowledge of prohibition cocktails is uncommon amongst bartenders,” Christopher says. “But they are some of the more creative and appealing drinks. Where I came from in LA, that was one of my specialties.”  Enter Late Nights at the Cafe, where every Friday and Saturday night, the cafe transforms into a prohibition-themed Martini bar serving cocktails from that era to the accompanying beats of jazz, swing, and big band music.  And they are made with only 100% freshly squeezed juices— whether ordered day or night.  “Late Nights has a different feel to it though,” Christopher says. “It’s adults only, with a prohibition-era bar atmosphere.”  Crepe Creation Cafe 4012 Deville Street Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Open for dining: Su-Th 8am-9pm; Fr-Sa 8am-10pm Martini Bar: Fr-Sa 10pm-2am 843-839-4019 www.crepecreation.com Facebook@ Crepe Creation Cafe