Communities

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

by the Town of Surfside Beach It’s a lot of fun to dig a hole on the beach, but you really can’t dig to China! Remember:•A cubic yard of sand (3’ x 3’ x 3’) can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds – this is why people who are buried in sand cave-ins suffocate. •Don’t dig over two (2) feet deep.  A hole that is two feet deep or more can cause serious in- jury if someone accidentally steps in it.  If it contains water it poses a drowning hazard for small children and a trap for sea turtles. •Sea Turtles, which are an endangered species, get trapped in holes and cannot get out to return to the sea.  Baby turtles would die overnight. •Town equipment used to clean the beach will be damaged in large holes.  Please have fun, but fill in the holes you dig on the beach!  It’s a safety thing

Surfside Beach Reminders & Tips by the Town of Surfside Beach Surfside Beach is proud of our beach area. It’s the center and heart of the town, and we’re happy to share it with our visitors. Surfside Beach is the only area in Horry County that allows beach shading devices other than umbrellas. You can bring a tent or canopy to our beach, as long as it’s 10 feet by 10 feet or less. We ask that visitors follow a few simple rules when using a tent, or any shading device: • Shading devices and tents cannot be bigger than 10-feet by 10-feet• Shading devices and tents must be 10-feet apart—lifeguards and beach patrol need safe access to the entire beach• Shading devices and tents must be behind the line-of-sight for lifeguards• Shading devices and tents should be kept in a line to provide lifeguards a proper line-of-sight• No shading devices, tents or activities on the dunes• Secure your shading device in the wind. Tie down ropes should go straight down. Angled ropes are a tripping hazard.• Keep in mind, some days it might be too windy to use a shading device or tent. We thank you for following these rules and hope you enjoy your time in the Town of Surfside Beach! Visit: www.surfsidebeach.org/beaches-2 to view all beach related information.

by the Town of Surfside Beach The South Strand Senior Center is conveniently located in Surfside Beach on 10th Ave. North, next to the Harbor Lights Community, so it is open 9am-2pm Mon- day through Friday. This Senior Center serves nearby South Strand Communities in Horry County. A variety of activities are offered, ranging from exercise and health promotion, as well as crafts, games and great fellowship, for Seniors age 60 and above. Membership is $20 per year per person and includes access to all 11 Horry County Council on Aging Senior Centers. Complimentary snacks are served daily, as well as hot lunches each day free, with small donations appreciated. Van transportation is provided for those in need, at a nominal cost ($.75 – $1.00 depending on income). Riders must have mobility to get on/off the van unassisted. Field trips, outings, and other special events are scheduled during the year.  There are also a host of guest speakers. A current calendar of guests is available from the senior center manager. South Strand Senior Center Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-1:30PM; Jackie Willis, Manager   For more info visit website below. Article brought to you and edited by the Surfside Beach staff and administration. Envelope Phone Internet-explorer Video

by the Town of Surfside Beach The Town of Surfside Beach is holding a general election on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. There are three positions on the Town Council that will be vacant, therefore these need to be filled. It is a four year term of office, running from May 8, 2018 until May 10, 2022. Polling locations open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. on Election Day The winning candidate does not need an absolute majority.  To be successful, a candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast for the seat they are running for.  The majority is calculated by totaling the number of votes cast for the open position. This number is then divided by three, and then by two.  A number of votes in excess of this figure is considered successful. If there is a tie, or no three candidates achieve a majority, a run-off election is held within two weeks of the regular election to fill the open positions.  There are two polling places thru out town to make voting easy and also convenient. Information: Town Council and the General Election A council form of government governs Surfside Beach.  There are seven members on the Town Council, including the Mayor.  The terms of the council members do not run concurrently to ensure a continuity in government. The Mayor has no additional statutory powers than a Council person. The Mayor presides over council meetings, calls special meetings, acts as the informational liaison to the governor in times of emergency and also performs ceremonial duties. The mayor acts and votes as a member of the council. An Administrator, appointed by the Town Council oversees the town business and also the day to day operations of the various departments.  There are seven candidates for three seats in the next election: Carol Cook, Tim Courtney, Bruce Dietrich, David Pellegrino, Debbie Scoles, MaryNell True, and Cabell Young.  Visit www.surfsidebeach.org/elections-commission for more information. Article brought to you and edited by Surfside Beach staff and administration.

by the Town of Surfside Beach Surfside Beach has several committees that provide an additional way for citizens to be involved and have input on the managing of the Town. The Business Committee is one such advisory board. The Business Committee consists of 9 current and retired business owners who either reside in the town or have businesses within the town limits. The duties of the committee are to improve communication with and to make recommendations to Town Council to implement necessary regulations consistent with the business community’s interests, and cultivate a business-friendly environment to help new and existing businesses succeed and prosper within the Town of Surfside Beach.Members volunteer their time and talent to the committee, and do not receive any compensation. All members have to be approved by the Town Council, and report to the Council via a Council Member, who volunteers to act as liaison. The members serve a four-year term, and can renew their term if they wish. The public is always welcome at meetings. The Business Committee has: Assisted in updating the Sign Ordinance, working over several months to reduce the number of pages from 25 to 12 and an easier ordinance to understand and enforce. At the request of Town Council, reviewed the Commercial Overlay and proposed Entertainment District zoning changes Recommended updates to the Town’s website creating a listing of licensed businesses in Town Promoted the Town’s businesses through the Taste of Surfside Spearheaded the Insider Surfside Beach section in the Market Common Insider publication, providing content that highlights what Surfside orrers including Town services, events, parks, committees and non-profits. Ongoing exploration of other approaches to promote the Town and its businesses. Our goal is to increase traffic to the area, helping businesses in Surfside Beach to grow and thrive. We urge all business owners and the public to attend the meetings and be involved. For more information or to find the meeting schedule go to www.surfsidebeach.org. Article written and edited by the Surfside Beach staff and administration.

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

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

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

Doesn’t Get Any Better! by the Town of Surfside Beach The Town of Surfside Beach is located on the southern coast of Horry County in South Carolina, fairly close to the Market Common. Our town is approximately two square miles and has a population of 3837 full time residents according to the 2012 US Census. Surfside Beach is also a coastal tourist destination whose population swells to 35,000 during peak tourist season, as well as holidays. This type of transient population that changes every 7 days during the season presents the Surfside Beach Fire Department with a unique set of challenges as it relates to assisting residents as well as visitors with local information to include fire, life safety concerns, and local ordinances. Surfside Beach is not only unique in its diverse population, but also in its structure types as well. From six and eight story high rise motels, three and four story walk-ups, single family homes, rental homes and townhouses/condos, each present strategical issues as they relate to re safety for visitors and residents as well as the responders who are tasked with their protection. The age of these structures plays a significant role in this since many of them are used as rental properties and have had multiple owners over the years. Fire Department History The Town of Surfside Beach determined the need for re protection within its corporate limits in 1964, the year of its incorporation. e original re station administrative offices were in what is now the location of the Surfside Beach Town Hall with the re engines located a couple of blocks away at a local gas station. Some- time later the engines were moved to the same location as the administrative offices where they remained until the 1970’s. In the mid 1970’s the Surfside Fire Department moved to a location behind the Town Hall building and shared space with the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments. A short time later the Fire Department was given the entire building after Public Works moved to Sandy Lane. In 2009 construction was started on the current facility located at 810 1st Avenue North after Surfside Beach Town Council identified the need for a new fire station. Considerable thought went into the planning and construction of the new station. It houses the fire suppression fleet for the town, which includes 3 Engines, 1 Tower Ladder, 1 Light Rescue Truck, a Water Rescue Boat and Jet Ski, and 2 Pick-up/ Support Vehicles. Through an agreement with Horry County Fire and Rescue the station also houses an ALS Medic Unit. A multifunction room for training and community meetings also doubles as the Emergency Operations Center during any severe weather events. A fully functional kitchen and dining area as well as sleeping and shower rooms complete the station. Staffing for the Surfside Beach Fire Station, a friend of the Insider at the Market Common, includes 1 Fire Chief, (3) Battalion Captains, (3) Apparatus Operators (1 Captain and 1 Operator per shift), (1) part-time Fire Marshal and 35 Volunteer firefighters along with the Horry County Medic Crew. The department answered over 1560 calls for assistance last year which included structure fire responses, fire alarms, motor vehicle crashes, and first responder calls for medical assistance. In addition, the Fire Marshal does yearly building inspections to verify that businesses and rental properties remain safe for residents and visitors. The Town has an ISO rating of Class 1, which is the highest rating possible! To view some more of the Surfside Beach articles featured in the Insider at the Market Common, click here!