Neighbors

A Fused-Glass Artist Celebrates 58 Years of Marriage by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  I live with my husband, Norton Davis. We have been married for fifty-eight years. We have six children— three together, and three from his first marriage. We have twelve grandchildren, located all over the country and world.  Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? I grew up in Brooklyn and then lived in New Jersey. Now I live in Vermont, and stay in Myrtle Beach four months out of the year, in Ocean’s One Resort. Why did you pick Myrtle Beach to live in part of the year? It was accidental. We were visiting friends in Florida, when our friend got sick. We had to find something to do for a week, and people at work had told me that Myrtle Beach was fun, so we decided to give it a try. We decided we liked it best of all the places we saw. What is your favorite place in Myrtle Beach? My favorite place is the library, I read a lot. The 91-degree pool where we stay doesn’t hurt either.  What do you like the most about the months you spend down here? The camaraderie of the people who return here. The community is very welcoming and friendly. The Southern hospitality is very nice. And the weather is 40 degrees warmer on a daily basis than Vermont.  How has your lifestyle changed since coming down here? I’m busier than ever. I take courses down here. I’m a fused glass artist, and I sell my works at a craft fair I used to run.  What new activities do you engage in when you come down? Years ago, I ran a small craft fair to collect donations for the Food Bank. I also organized a craft show, then decided to put the two things together. The city of Myrtle Beach co-sponsored it with me, and I ran it for five years at the Robert Reed Recreation Center in the Market Common. This year, I’ve passed the baton to Nancy and Alex Smith. I will do the advertising and help wherever else I’m needed.  I also take advantage of as many of the live shows as I can at the high schools and the Myrtle Beach Mall. The actors see the guests at the end of the show. It’s very gracious, nice, and up-close-and-personal.  Do you find people here friendlier or more at ease? I find that they’re very friendly, and no one really cares about your past. Everyone is focused on the present and what you’re doing now. Everyone is on equal footing here. No one says things like, “He only drove a bus, and I have a PhD.” It’s really nice.  What are your favorite things to do here?  The restaurants are quite good. There are about 900 to choose from. Brookgreen Gardens is a wonderful place. The lake in the Market Common with the walk around, and Savannah’s Playground are both lovely.

NYC Native Shows Folks the Good Life With Her Relaxed Luxury Travel Business by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  I have a daughter; she lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, and one grandson. My sister and her family lives in Murrells Inlet.  Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? I was born and raised in New York City. I lived in New Jersey for a few years and also Maryland. I presently live in Lauderdale Bay, on the water-side of Bypass 17, just around the corner from the Market Common.  Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? My mom had dementia and I needed my sister to assist me with the care. Once we were here, I needed a job that would afford me the time to take care of my mom. I had traveled extensively both professionally and personally, and knew I had a lot to share with others. So I decided to create a more specialized boutique-style travel agency for the culturally curious traveler who wants to be well taken care of when they’re exploring the world— Pampered Journeys, relaxed luxury.  We are affiliated with a luxury consortium and have vetted suppliers all around the world. Most of my clients mirror me, they are curious about other cultures, but they also want and expect a certain level of service, security and comfort when traveling. Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach?  I like the Conch Cafe, in Garden City. It’s a small restaurant that sits right off the water; you can get a breeze from the ocean and enjoy the view. It’s one of my favorite spots. They make a great Po’boy shrimp sandwich.    What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach?  I enjoy the moderate winters and my condo off the Intracoastal Waterway. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? It’s less hurried, and much more laid-back.    What new activities have you taken up since moving here? I enjoy walking around the lake in the Market Common. Bowling at 810 Bowling in Market Common is also fun. Sometimes the best joy is simply lounging on my patio and watching the boats pass by on the Intracoastal Waterway. Can you share one quirky fact with us about yourself? I am somewhat of a germaphobe. I am the person cleaning the table tray on the plane and sanitizing my hands after touching anything. What are your favorite things to do here?  I really enjoy frequenting the small shops and restaurants in the Market Common, and talking to the shop owners. I am really curious to hear people’s stories. It’s the people connection; I will take it any day over a smart phone. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach? A Trader Joe’s or a Whole Foods would be perfect.

A Near Death Experience Showed Brandon the Value in the Small Things by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  We are the Williams family. It’s myself and my wife, T, and we have two children: our daughter Lia, who is 7 years old, and our son Tray, who is 6 years old.  Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? I lived in Denver and North Carolina, just outside of Charlotte. I’m originally from Baltimore, Maryland, and my wife is from Wisconsin. Now we live near Windsor Plantation off of Hwy 544, near Surfside Beach.    Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? We wanted to simplify our lives and have the opportunity to travel more.      Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? The Market Common because our kids love the parks down there. We also like the bowling alley, and Murrells Inlet for all of the great restaurants.  What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach? We get to meet people from so many other places. We love to travel and just recently came back from Spain. There aren’t many people we encounter who are originally from Myrtle Beach, and we love the diversity of it. And it’s right by the beach. You can’t beat that.  How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? Our kids are now homeschooled, and with our proximity to the beach, we get to live near the water and be close to the water. I grew up near the water in Virginia, and really missed it as an adult. Because the taxes are so cheap here, we’ve been able to travel more internationally.  What new activities have you taken up since moving here? My kids catch geckos and take swimming lessons. My wife and I enjoy walks on the beach in the afternoons and getting ice cream.  Do you find people friendlier or more at ease? Everyone here is more laid-back.  Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family?  A few years ago I almost died in a car accident, and my wife showed me during that ordeal what a great wife she is. Almost dying helps me to appreciate the smaller, simpler things in life. Now I take the time to tell her I love her all the time. I was so busy the day I left the house and had the accident, so cherishing love and showing people love is important to me.  Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach?  I’d like to see a little bit more patience when people drive, and less red light running.

Heavy Machinery Operator Jim Grose Now Enjoys Doing A Whole Lot of Nothing by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  I have two daughters, Susan Grose and Kathy Byers, and a granddaughter named Brittany Byers.  Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? I was born in West Virginia and I went to high school in Summersville, West Virginia. On the night of graduation, my dad dropped a set of keys in my hand, and I looked at him puzzled. They were to a Pure Oil gasoline station 15 miles away in town, and I was going to manage it. I did that for three years. I lived along the Ohio River and in lots of other states too. My wife and I lived in Orlando for four years too after our grandchild was born. Today I live near the Market Common.  Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? I retired from Kaiser after thirty-one-and-a-half years. My wife and I were planning on moving to Myrtle Beach to retire. We would vacation here as well as Virginia Beach, alternating each year. When making the decision, I looked at a map and saw that Virginia Beach had one road in and one road out, and Myrtle Beach had many, so that settled it. I’ve been here now for about eight years.  Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? Joe’s Diner near the airport.  What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach?  I like the weather year-round. There are a lot of things to do. And I see my friends from West Virginia who live here. It’s a good, friendly atmosphere here.  How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? I used to drive tractor trailers across the United States. When I moved down here, I drove trucks that transported equipment and supplies used for building subdivisions. I could operate any type of equipment, and it was a lot of fun to drive bulldozers and vehicles like that.  What new activities have you taken up since moving here? I enjoy doing a lot of nothing.  Do you have any unusual talents or skills you’re proud of?  I’m not too bad of a mechanic, and I can drive anything. I have fun driving.  What are your favorite things to do here? I like to go to restaurants and see old friends and talk to people. When they built the Market Common, I explored all the new places that opened.  Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach? I miss country music venues. When we lived in Orlando, we saw all the country music performers regularly.

Alan and Loretta Green, Married For Seventy-One Years and Still Out on The Town by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  It’s myself and my husband, Alan. We’ve been married for seventy-one years. We have a son, Perry, who is a nuclear engineer. He’s sixty-four-years-old and lives in Tennessee. Our daughter, Karen, is sixty-six-years-old and lives in Pennsylvania. She’s a dental hygienist, and has a son and a daughter. We have one great grandchild, and he’s so cute. He’s a year-and-a-half old. He lives in Boston.  Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? We were married in Redding, Pennsylvania, and lived there for twenty-six years. Now we live in Lakeside Crossing. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? Our son was working in the area and we decided to relocate. He has a house in Surfside Beach and wants to retire there and relocate back to the beach to watch over us, but we prefer him not to. He wants to do everything for us, but we don’t need him. We can still do everything for ourselves and don’t need to be monitored. Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? We like to frequent all of the restaurants. We eat out most of the time. However Alan recently started cooking.  What’s your favorite thing about living here?  I just participate in whatever goes on in our community. They have stuff going on all the time where we live. We play cards, and try to do everything.  Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach? Some rain in Myrtle Beach would be great.

NYC Natives Nailah Roland Fisher and Dwayne Fisher, Now Biking and Fishing Aficionados by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  I live with my husband, Dwayne Fisher and our two dogs Jazmin, an American Staffordshire Terrier, and Jaxson, a Yorkshire Terrier. Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? I was born in Staten Island, NY, and lived there for most of my life. Then I lived in St. Kitts-Nevis; then Louisiana, and finally here in Myrtle Beach. I live in the Market Common now. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? I moved here to start my direct primary care medical practice, When In Need Direct Primary Care. Also my mom already lived here, so it was easy to live by the beach. Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? The Market Common area. We spend a lot of time at Grand Park with the dogs. I also spend a lot of time in Barnes & Noble.    What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach? The proximity to the ocean. My favorite thing about living in the Market Common, is that it reminds me of being back at home in New York City, because everything is accessible by foot. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? It has slowed down a lot from the pace of New York City for sure. It’s a much more relaxed lifestyle now, compared to the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? We’ve taken up bike riding, and now we ride much more often than we ever have. We’ve also taken up fishing. We throw a line at Dolittle Lake in Emmens Preserve, and also the lake in Grand Park. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family?  Anyone who spends any time with our dogs always tells us that our dogs talk— that they communicate exactly what they want, and when they want it. What are your favorite things to do here?  We like to restaurant hop, and try the different restaurants in the Murrells Inlet area and Market Common. We are big foodies, my husband and I. We travel a lot on the weekends, but when we’re here, we like to bowl at 810 Bowling in the Market Common and in North Myrtle Beach. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach?  It would be great if there were 24-hour food spots and more food delivery establishments.

Chris Aranda, Retired U.S. Army and Iraq Veteran, Turned Passionate Golfer and Grandad by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  I am a parent of two beautiful children. Justin, my son, is a twenty-seven year old graduate of the College of Charleston. He lives in Mount Pleasant, SC and works in the TV industry. My daughter, Kaela, is in her senior year at Coastal Carolina University, and blessed me by making me a happy grandfather this Thanksgiving to a little girl, Ava Penelope. Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? I was born in Adrian, Michigan. I joined the service back in 1984, and my first duty station was Fort Knox, Kentucky. Then I moved to Fort Ord, in Monterey, California. I did a tour in South Korea, and was stationed in the 25th infantry division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. I currently reside in Murrells Inlet. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? Before I was deployed to Iraq, I was stationed here in Myrtle Beach, and I realized I was going to return to the regular army. My family had settled in Myrtle Beach, so I made this place my home upon retirement. Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? The Veteran’s Cafe— because that’s a comfort zone for me. I get to meet those heroes in our community. What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach? The veteran community. It’s such a user-friendly veteran community. We take care of our own here. I’m a golfer, so I’m in the right place for that hobby. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? Golf has been my passion since I’ve moved here. I’m very competitive and love to compete against myself. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family?  My daughter went to the hospital with the flu over Thanksgiving and came home with a baby. She was pregnant and had no idea— she had had her menstrual period throughout the entire pregnancy. She gained a total of 11 pounds. When she got to the hospital, she was in labor, and had a baby in 47 minutes. What are your favorite things to do here?  Caring for my veterans and my community, that’s really my focal point. I also run a non-profit golf tournament annually in the community— it’s called Tee-Off for Veterans. This year, on July 6, marks the 10th year anniversary celebration. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach?  No. I really am content with everything this place has to offer.

Pet-Parents to PurrCede the Cat, And Loving Retirement in Sunny Myrtle Beach by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  It’s my wife, Rosemarie, and myself and our 12-year-old cat, PurrCede. We call her Cede; Rosemarie got the name from a Mercedes she once drove.  Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? I am a retired Army combat veteran (I served 24 years), so I’ve traveled all over the world. Rosemarie and I met when I was stationed in Pennsylvania. We moved to Myrtle Beach in 2017, and lived on Howard Avenue. We just recently purchased a home in Withers Preserve. Rosemarie works part time. Why did you choose Myrtle Beach? I wanted to move somewhere of my choosing…someplace warm and sunny once I retired. We got tired of the cold weather, and I had vacationed in North Myrtle Beach many times for family vacations.  Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? King Street Grille. We enjoy relaxing and watching sports, and have met several very nice people. In addition, the Market Common area has everything we need. What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach? The weather and being so close to the beach.  How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? How long have you been here? I am still getting used to being able to get up in the morning when I want to, which is by 6:30-7 am. We’ve been here a little over a year and a half. Do you find people friendlier or more at ease? Yes, absolutely. People here are much friendlier. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? Both of us come from very large, loving families and we miss them but don’t miss them… What are your favorite things to do here? Eating out and enjoying the weather. Being at the beach and finding somewhere to listen to music. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach? We would love a deli, and pet boarding place in the Market Common area. 

Chicago Native and Now Exercise Enthusiast by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  It’s my husband Michael and I.    Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? We both are originally from Chicago, Illinois. We moved here to retire, even though my husband is still working. We live in a three-story town home in the Market Common, just across from Sweetgrass.  Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? I like the Market Common and all the restaurants there because it’s so close. We can walk there and have something to eat and drink and walk back home. The beach is also a favorite. What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach? It’s inexpensive and warmer than Illinois. Everything seems to be close. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? Now that I’m retired, I work only part time, and I have a lot more time to do other things. I workout more, I go to the beach which we didn’t have where I lived. I enjoy happy hour with my friends. Those are the things I wasn’t doing when I was working full time, because I worked twelve-hour days and it didn’t leave me much time to do anything else.     What new activities have you taken up since moving here? Exercising.  Do you find people friendlier or more at ease? The culture for me was different when I came down here; things are more laid back, a little slower paced. I find a lot of people in the Market Common are from the North. But everybody is a little more relaxed because so many are retired.  Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family?  I’ve known my husband since the seventh grade.  What are your favorite things to do here?  Happy hour with friends; shopping in boutiques; going to the beach and the gym. Sometimes they have athletic competitions I like to get involved in.  Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach? A Cheesecake Factory would be nice; and more restaurants in the Market Common.

Beach-Lover Dawn Roblero Takes Advantage of the Balmy Weather Year-Round With Her Family by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  My husband’s name is Carlos, and I have three boys: Jamison, Jordan, and Carlos.  Why did you move to the Market Common? We’re from Ohio. We moved here because we don’t like the snow. We live in Emmens Preserve.  Where are all the places you came from? I grew up in Ohio; this is our first move.  Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? We enjoy going to Nacho Hippo a lot.  What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? Going to the beach. We also love that there’s so much to do here year-round, especially outdoors.  How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? I would say it has changed a lot because now we have more opportunities to enjoy being outside. There’s so much more you can do here than you can in Ohio because of the weather. In Ohio, you only get a good three months out of the year when you can do things outside, because then it just rains. We’re able to be active here year-round. We go to Broadway at the Beach and walk around; there are always festivals to attend; and we ride our bikes a lot. We really like to be outside.  Do you find people friendlier or more at ease? Yes. People down here are much nicer. They’re definitely more laid back.  What are your favorite things to do here?  We really like the beach and swimming a lot.  Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? A Kroger. 

The Veteran’s Cafe Founders— Supporting Veterans, Honoring All It’s my wife Rhonda and I, and we have a little wiener dog, a dachshund named Macie. I have a daughter, Michelle; and her husband, John; and their son, Elijah, and they live in Pennsylvania. John is U.S. Army retired. Rhonda has a daughter, Sonni, and her husband is Don, and they have three boys, C.J., Brendan, and Andrew.     Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now?  Rhonda and I are originally from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, thirty miles west of Philadelphia. We moved here in 1990. Now we live in downtown Myrtle Beach.      Why did you move to Myrtle Beach?   I used to come down and play golf with friends, and I fell in love with the place. I brought Rhonda down here on a vacation and she fell in love with the place. And the next thing I knew, I was leaving the steel industry and moving to Myrtle Beach.   Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach?  Pretty much wherever I’m at. The golf courses, and we like Angelo’s Restaurant, and Damon’s on Ocean Drive.   What are your favorite things to do here?   Go out to eat. Go spend time with friends, have a party at someone’s home.   What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach? I’m partial to the weather. It’s not really cold in the winter. Basically it’s the laid-back life. I remember when we moved here, we opened a Philadelphia-style deli, and I was waiting on an equipment delivery.  I was getting into my typical Philadelphia mentality, getting upset waiting. And someone saw me and said to me, “Son, you’re in the South now. If we can get to it tomorrow, we will. And if you understand this, it will take ten years off your life.”   Can you share one quirky thing with us about yourself?  I’m known to everyone as Mash.   Have you done anything new since moving down here?  I’m a U.S. Army veteran, and we opened The Veteran’s Cafe on Veteran’s Day in 2009. We started out as a mom-and-pop restaurant and posted in our menu that we were looking for photographs of people who served in the military. We ended up with a museum.  To this day, people are still bringing in things for us to hang on our walls. We honor all branches of the military and all the veterans who served. We have things from World War I up to the present day. The cafe is a meeting house for veterans, a place to come and tell their stories. Here they can let it all out.

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.

When He’s Not Tinkering with His 1966 Mustang Coup, He’s Boating With His Family by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. It’s my wife Taylor and I, and we have a little boy named Oliver Reeves, who was born six weeks ago. Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? I was born in Indianapolis but grew up here as a child. Taylor is from Myrtle Beach, born and raised. We live in the Belle Mer community now. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? My dad originally moved our whole family here for a job opportunity when I was five years old, and six months later, both of my parents lost their jobs and became entrepreneurs. Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? On the waterway on my boat. What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach? The lifestyle, being able to be at the beach in five minutes, or out on the water in five minutes. There are so many things to do—the lifestyle of all the restaurants. I would never leave. What are your favorite activities to do here? I have a 1966 Mustang Coup that I like to tinker around with in the garage. Hanging out with my son. I’m a workaholic too. Five years ago, I started my own mortgage branch at the age of 21, and I currently have five employees and we’re growing. Do you find people friendlier or more at ease? We definitely have a city of people who want to be here and are happy to be here. You go to bigger cities where the lifestyle is work all the time and no one is happy to be alive. People in Myrtle Beach are here for a purpose a lot of times. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach? More industry and more tech jobs. I think we could be the tech capital of the East Coast if we really put our minds to it.

Robert Palmer and Palmer, His dog— Enjoying The Laid Back Beach Lifestyle… Sans Motorcycle by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. It’s myself and my dog Palmer. I got him when he was three months old and he was already named Palmer. He’s a soft-coated Wheaten Terrier. Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now? I was originally born on Long Island, NY. I left home at age sixteen and moved to New Jersey. I traveled and lived all over. I moved to Israel and when I returned home, I lived on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. When I retired, I moved to Myrtle Beach. I’ve been living in the Market Common for the past six years. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? I bought my house here before I retired. It was a direct one hour flight from Atlantic Beach airport to Myrtle Beach, so I would come a few times a month. I liked the Market Common area and decided to make it permanent. Plus I didn’t want to move to Florida. What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach? It’s convenient. I can walk or take my golf car to a lot of places and skip a drive. I basically moved here because there’s always something going on. It’s not a standard retirement area. I can take my dog, go for a walk, and there’s always something going on. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? It kind of really didn’t. I work part time now. I have a little more time to myself, and it’s a little less stressful. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? I’ve played a lot of golf, but I could never take the golf car home. Now I own one, and that’s new for me. I’ve always lived at the ocean, so everything else is pretty much the same. Do you find people friendlier or more at ease? In general, people are a lot friendlier here. But most of the people in this area are from the Northeast. When people come here, their whole life changes. Whoever has moved here is generally less stressed. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? I had a Harley Davidson motorcycle and ordered a custom made basket on the back of it for Palmer to ride in that cost $1800. He’s the first one to leap into a car or a boat, but he absolutely refused to get into it, ever. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach? I miss my Mom and Dad, and a big weekly paycheck.

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. 

Bud & Becky Ostendorf and Their Famous Dog, Winnie-the-Pooh Pass The Time On The Rockers Outside Barnes & Noble by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. There’s myself and Bud and Winnie, our Peekapoo. So we say she’s a Winnie-the-Pooh. She’s the star of our family. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? We knew the second time we came down here that we wanted to live here. My husband retired in February 2010, and we moved to Queen’s Harbor in March. Where are all the places you came from? I was born in West Virginia, but spent my whole life in Canton, Ohio. Bud lived everywhere— he is from Pittsburg. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? Sitting on the rockers in front of Barnes & Noble, so Winnie can people watch. What are your favorite things about visiting the Market Common? We love to walk around the lake, and Winnie likes to look for squirrels. We love how pet-friendly it is. Winnie knows every store she can go into to get a treat. And she and Charlie are such good friends. She has a wonderful veterinarian (Meadowlawn) and groomer (Market Common Grooming). She likes to stop and see them both on her walk. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? The weather is nice so we can get out more, so we’re always walking or going out somewhere, at the Boardwalk getting ice cream at Iggy’s, or the beach. Do you find people friendlier or more at ease? People are friendlier. I like the respect that people have down here, especially for the military. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? Winnie has been in the newspaper six times, including the Sun News. People take her picture all the time— especially people from different countries. She has a bunch of different hats that she wears— of the Steelers, Pelicans, and Coastal Carolina teams, and she wears them during those seasons. You don’t realize how many Steelers fans there are until you walk down the street with her. She’s our fun and our entertainment. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? A small drugstore, and a snack place where you can get a light summer drink. Click here for more Q&A.

Native Southerners Jim and Carole Bowdre Go All Out When It’s Party Time by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. It’s my husband and I and our two dogs— a Yorkie named Arthur, and a Cavalier King Charles, Winston. We have three daughters: Robyn McColl and her husband, Lance; Dr. Holly Glover and her husband, Andrew, and Blair Pitcher; and six grandchildren. They all live in the Myrtle Beach area. Why did you move to the Market Common area? We purchased a funeral home in this area before the Market Common began its major developing, and wanted to live near our business. We live in Lauderdale Bay. Where are all the places you came from? We moved from Bennettsville, South Carolina. My husband Jim is from Virginia. I grew up in Fayetteville, NC, but I’ve been in SC most of my life. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? I love Chicos. They all know me by name in there. What’s your favorite thing about living near the Market Common? It has shopping, dining, sports, festivals, and the theatre. It offers everything; you really don’t have to leave the area. To me, I feel like I’m in an exclusive area. It’s away from the hustle and bustle and traffic of Myrtle Beach. It’s unique to the area. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? I enjoy walking around here. A lot of times, I go to the Market Common and take my dog. It’s a different atmosphere there. I love seeing all the fur babies. Do you find people friendlier or more at ease? I think the people in SC are very friendly in general. And the people in the Market Common are especially friendly. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? Our family is very close, and we never, ever miss a holiday or birthday; we always plan a big get-together. It’s always a family-oriented thing. Jim’s birthday is the Fourth of July, and we really go all out. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? A nice grocery store, like Fresh Market.

Meet The Alligator-Hunting Couple Who Married 2 Weeks After Meeting— Vince & Judy Perrin Celebrate 34 Years Together   by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. It’s myself, Judy, and our two dogs, Buddy and Bella. Why did you move to this area? We live in Stonebridge just outside the Market Common. As children, we both vacationed here a lot, and continued the tradition after we got married. When we were ready for a move and a change, we decided to make Myrtle Beach home. Where are all the places you came from? Vince: I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and after the Marine Corps, moved to Virginia. Judy: I grew up in Virginia and opened a dance studio in Roanoke. I met Vince there in 1984, and we got married two weeks later. What’s your favorite thing about being near the Market Common? Everything is so handy; we get fresh coffee from the coffee shop, and donuts at the donut shop. We like to walk our dogs in the area, around the lake, and in Valor Park. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? We spend a lot of time fishing, and also enjoy alligator hunting. For one day last year, Judy held the state record for catching the largest alligator— it was 11 feet, 9 inches. Judy has developed a passion for essential oils, and helping people heal with them. Once a quarter, we hold a Live Your Passion Rally at Peace, Love and Little Donuts, and the next one will be on Saturday, July 14 from 12-4pm, $10. There will be free samples and door prizes (all are welcome). What are your favorite things to do here? We garden and grow a lot of vegetables. We walk on the beach and around the Market Common. We still travel some, and are going to a Lavender Farm in Utah this summer. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? We still like to go to the mountains, but I don’t think we can move them to the beach. We visit the Greenville area and wish that Myrtle Beach had developed some of their culture.

Beach and Hot Tub Enthusiasts Jeff Farrow and Ron Frost Feel Free Being Themselves In Welcoming Myrtle Beach by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. Ron Frost is my partner, we are married, and Nini is our 5-year-old Maltese. I’m actually a distant relation to Lieutenant William Glover Farrow (for whom Farrow Pkwy is named). Why did you move to the Market Common? Rena my realtor, and who is like an angel, is the reason why we came to the Market Common. Years ago, Myrtle Beach was the first vacation that we could afford, and we ended up buying a vacation home here. We were so disappointed though, because we ended up not liking the area. Then from 650 miles away, I got a postcard from Rena asking if we wanted to sell. She introduced us to the Market Common and everything we love, and we became so close we consider her family. Now, we live on Howard Avenue, and we’re building a new place at the Battery. Where are all the places you came from? We’ve lived in Northumberland, Pennsylvania; Rehoboth Beach, really close to Joe Biden; Chong Qing, China; and Newark, Delaware. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? Gordon Biersch. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? To me, it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s safe, the neighbors are amazing, and most importantly, everything is within walking distance. Everything is just beautiful and I feel at home. I felt at home from the first moment I moved in when we were greeted by our neighbors who were so friendly— it’s just the best experience I’ve ever had. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? A lot of places where we lived, we couldn’t be who we really are. I feel free here; everybody is very open minded. It’s a different type of people. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? We’re into exercising a lot. We go to the beach all the time. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? Every time we invite friends from Pennsylvania down here, they end up moving here. So far it’s happened three times. What are your favorite things to do here? I would say relaxing at the pool, beach, and hot tub. We also like to go to the bookstore, and the Carolina Opry.

These Bird-Watching Manhattanites Are Loving Their 5-Bedroom House and the Happy People Around Them by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.  I live with my wife, Jill Robbins, and my two little Havanese dogs, Jack and Kelly. They are brother and sister, a Cuban breed that would run behind elephants at the circus; they are adorable. Why did you move to the Market Common? My wife’s been coming to Myrtle Beach since she was little. We liked the area for the restaurants and stores, and my wife suggested we move here. We moved to the Market Common because we were told this is an up-and-coming area; and it is. Three years ago, there were half the buildings here that there are now. It’s exploded. Where are all the places you came from? From the Westport/Fairfield Connecticut area; Manhattan for 30 years; Yonkers, the Bronx, Westchester, NY; and LA. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? The sitting areas in front of Barnes & Noble where you can observe the beauty of the area and the birds and children. I’m a bird watcher. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? The multicultural flavor of both the people and the stores. Restaurants that are Italian, Mexican, and French, and a variety of young people who have moved here. You have young and old; it’s a mixed area. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? It’s become a lot quieter and a lot less expensive. I’ve become quieter and more at peace. I spent 30 years living on the 27th floor, now I live in a five bedroom house with a lot of space. And I don’t have to take the elevator. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? My wife started her own company called Jenny Paige Jewelry, www.jennypaige.com. She makes and sells meaning bracelets out of silver and natural gemstones. Now she sells to over forty hotels and stores along the Grand Strand. Do you find people friendlier or more at ease? After traveling much of the world, I’m incredibly enthralled with the fact that I have such kind, wonderful, loving neighbors and some of the best friends I’ve ever encountered here. What are your favorite things to do here? Annoying Latoya at the Insider. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? A supermarket. And more stores displaying a greater diversity of cultures. A few more mom-and-pop shops with interesting things. A good delicatessen. A candy store.

Carl Sivertsen Loves His “Boomer Walks,” Getting Dirty At the Community Garden, and Solving the World’s Problems Over a Good Cup of Java by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family.   It’s myself and my wife Cathy. We have amongst us four children and five grandchildren. We’re both retired now. She was a second grade teacher, and I worked with education and outreach programs dealing with West Nile Virus and Lyme disease. Why did you move to the Market Common?  We live in Emmens Preserve. We’ve vacationed here over the years, and we realized upon retirement it would be nice to be in a warmer climate, with a more reasonable cost of living, and no traffic. And of course being close to the beach is always a plus. Where are all the places you came from?  I was born and raised in Jersey, and she was raised in Buffalo. I lived in Georgia, then I served in the army and lived in the Washington, D.C. area. Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach?   A couple. One, we like to hang out at the Roasted Bean, along with a group of scholars who are intent on solving the world’s problems in the morning. Tommy Bahama is one of my go-to places too. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? The convenience of things in the Market Common area. The Base Recreation Center is a cool place, with frequent dances that we enjoy. I also like my work helping to manage the community garden. What new activities have you taken up since moving here?  I’m one of the organizers of the Boomer Walk; it’s race walking. We do that on Thursday mornings at 9am, and Sunday afternoons at 3pm. We get together and walk and stretch together. Recently we had a former member from the national team come and help guide us and give us tips. My wife takes Spanish lessons, and of course we travel a little bit. I also serve on the planning commission for the City of Myrtle Beach, helping to make Myrtle Beach better.

Photographs of a Myrtle Beach Legend by Melissa LaScaleia Every town by the sea has their own local legend, whisperings about a certain someone shrouded in mystery who peaks everyone’s curiosity. And the Insider was happy to know that Myrtle Beach is no exception; we have the story of Captain Bill. To find out more about him, the Insider contacted Eric Heiden, a local amateur photographer and charter boat captain of sixty years, who has lived in this area his entire life. He managed to capture some rare photos of Captain Bill in the ’70s. “Captain Bill was never a real captain,” Eric begins. “So his acronym remains a mystery.” His real name was Bill Hickman and he was a gentle recluse who lived on the beach in Murrells Inlet. He paddled around in a white rowboat, near what used to be the old government pier built during WWII, and is now the boardwalk. He never had a job or a vocation, but he made a few dollars by operating a bait stand at the end of the pier. When it was cold, he lived in a handmade, one-room shack in the woods. Bill’s unusual lifestyle is attributed to the loss of his brother, who died tragically and violently in a car accident; after that, Bill retired from the world forever. “I’ve been interested in photography as a hobby for years,” Eric says. “And I’m always looking for subject matter that is different and eye-catching. I try to notice things that may not be obvious to some. I try to train myself to look at the leaves on the tree, rather than the whole tree. “One day, I happened to see Captain Bill in the Inlet in his white rowboat, and I jumped at the opportunity to take his picture. When I approached him, he screamed at me to get away from him, as he did everyone, and refused to allow me to take his photo. He wanted his private life, and to be left alone.” The value of a box of Cuban cigars and a pack of beer? This close up shot of Captain Bill. (Photo Eric Heiden) Captain Bill wasn’t a bad character, but a lot of people were afraid to approach him for two reasons— his scruffy appearance, which didn’t instill confidence in most; and he wielded a cane, which he would brandish at anyone who tried to take his picture. Eric, however, undeterred, tried to bargain with him. He told Captain Bill that he wanted to take his picture to give to him and his family. When Captain Bill continued to grumble, Eric asked him what it would take for him to allow him a photo? “He wanted a box of Cuban cigars (which were very illegal to own, impossible to buy, and if you were caught coming back through customs with them, you could receive a fine in the tens of thousands of dollars range), and a six-pack of beer,” Eric says with a laugh. Eric was in luck. Synchronistically, he had a friend, Dr. Jim Schuster from Florence, whom he knew had Cuban cigars, and was, remarkably, willing to part with them. “So I drove to Florence, I got the cigars and the beer, and then I went back,” says Eric. “And when I did, he looked at me with delight. And so, it was a deal. I just started shooting up. “I gave a photograph to my friend Russell Vereen, who owns Russell’s Seafood Grill in Murrells Inlet, who was a friend to Captain Bill. There’s also a photograph of him at Pawley’s Island Raw Bar, that someone bought.” And now, for the first time, you can see the full exhibit of these photos at the Seacoast Artist Gallery in the Market Common, through the end of March. Seacoast Artist Gallery Reach Eric Heiden via Facebook down below. Take a chartered fishing boat and hear the story in person.  Open M-Sa 10am-6pm, Su 12pm-6pm. Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

The Couple Who Met On a Cruise Ship, Bridgett and Larry Hudson, Now Have a Pet Sitting Business by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. I live in Balmoral in the Market Common with my husband Larry, and our lab hound mix, Porky. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? My husband has loved Myrtle Beach since the mid ’80s. We always knew we’d end up here. Where are all the places you came from? I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He’s from Northern Virginia; we moved from there. Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? We love Valor Park and Grand Park because they are wonderful places to gather. We love all the restaurants. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? The ease of walking everywhere and the proximity to the beach. We love all the outdoor activities; how you can step outside your door and ride your bike, go running, meet your neighbors, and the shops are so close by. And everyone is so friendly. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? We have moved into golf car mode; we take our time. We’ve abandoned the rush-rush lifestyle and it’s much more laid-back and comfortable now. I volunteer at the Humane Society in North Myrtle Beach. Tell me about the new business you started when you arrived.   We were looking for a pet sitter, and though we found those who did it as a hobby, we were looking for a professional with insurance and credentials. We felt others were looking for that too, so we became professional pet sitters and started a business called Ultimate Pet Services, LLC. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? We met on a cruise ship.

Ryan and Kalina Smith, Running a Boutique Upholstery Business, Raising a Family by Casey York Introduce me to your family. I’m Ryan Smith and our family includes my wife, Kalina, and our two daughters, Mary Grace (13), and Sofia (18 months). Why did you move to the Market Common? We decided to move from Surfside Beach to an apartment in the Market Common. When we discovered we were expecting Sofia, we bought a larger home in Sweetgrass, and have loved our neighborhood ever since. Where are all the places you came from? I was born in Myrtle Beach, grew up in Florence, and completed school in Conway. Kalina is from Sofia, Bulgaria. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? A sense of community and the city atmosphere. It’s nice to see smiling, familiar faces and the new tourists scouting out our city. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? We like to take after dinner walks and bicycle rides around the neighborhood and lakes. Tell me about your upholstery business. I began my upholstery apprenticeship 24 years ago with a quality custom upholsterer. This September, I celebrated my company’s 15th year in business. After Kalina graduated with an interior design degree, she joined me by opening a workshop that specializes in window treatments, throw pillows, bedding, and outdoor cushions. Now we have a fabric boutique showroom, RK Interiors, which is only 2.5 miles from Market Common. We specialize in custom, commercial, and residential projects. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Market Common? We’d like to see more quality restaurants that think outside the tourist box, and also a grocery story like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods.

Home-Schooled Identical Twins, Isabelle & Caroline Artz Started Their Own Dog-Walking Business by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. There’s seven of us. Our dad, our mom, two older brothers, Kevin and Trevor, and one sister. We, Isabelle and Caroline, are identical mirror twins.  Where did you move from? Wilmington, NC. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? Wherever Charlie is. We also like Peace, Love, and Little Donuts. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? That it’s easy to bike everywhere. We like to go to the pool and the farmers market. Caroline and Isabelle Artz with their favorite pooch, Charlie, in the Market Common. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) Tell me about your dog walking business. We sell dog treats that we bake ourselves along with dog walking. (Both ideas came from the twins!) We started in May and have two customers. We walk the dogs at least once a week. We take them on 20-30 minute walks usually around the neighborhood. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? Isabelle: I started volleyball and drama. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? We’re a big family. Since we’re all home-schooled, we get to travel a lot. The older kids went to Europe. We saw the East and West Coast. What are your favorite things to do here? We like to go to the park, the one by Savannah’s Playground, and bake. We like the restaurants here. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common?  A library.

90-Year-Old Barbara Neese Has Logged Thousands of Hours of Volunteer Work— Calls Myrtle Beach Home For Over 30 Years Our Community wishes Barbara a Happy 90th Birthday on October 5, 2017!  by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. I married a wonderful man, Charles P. Neese. He was in the Navy, and we were married two weeks before World War II was over. We have three children, two girls and a boy. I had 6 grandchildren, but we lost a little girl when she was a few months old. I have 8 great-grandchildren. I’m an only child. But my husband was the eldest of 11, so I had many nieces and nephews through marriage. Why did you move to the Market Common? Myrtle Beach has been my home for thirty-one years. We moved to the Market Common 12 years ago this past July. After my husband passed away, I wanted a place where I could walk with ease, with easier upkeep. Where I live now is an HOA, and it includes weekly landscapers, and I don’t have to worry about the outside. Where are all the places you came from? I was born in Morgantown, West Virginia. When I married, I moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, then Myrtle Beach. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? Kings Street Grille, and I like Crepe Creations. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? It’s an easy place to meet my other friends from different parts of Myrtle Beach, and it’s easy to get around. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? I’ve spent thousands of hours doing volunteer work. I never could when I was raising a family, but now I can. What are your favorite things to do here? Watch sports at King Street Grille, and watch movies at the Grand 14 Cinema; I like going to the bookstore. It’s an interesting luxury place to get out and see people at your leisure.

These Vacationers Came to Myrtle Beach and Never Left by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. My husband Tom and I have been married 37 years. We have three children: Greg and his wife Jess, and our grandson, Jaxson, live in Oswego, NY; Matthew lives in Pennsylvania; and our daughter, Jennifer, is the catering and sales manager at Travinia. Why did you move to the Market Common? We always thought we would retire in Florida. But in 2014, enroute there, we decided to come to Myrtle Beach because we had heard wonderful things about it. We came to the Market Common, fell in love with it, and bought a house in an hour. Where are all the places you came from? We both grew up on Long Island, NY. We lived in Japan for 2 years when Tom was in the Navy; Melbourne, Florida; and 20 more years on Long Island. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? Travinia. It was the first spot we went to after we bought the house, and we loved it. They had a jazz band playing, and we loved sitting there, looking out at the beautiful scenery, people watching. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? We have many. We love that you can walk on trails and bicycle everywhere; the many social activities; the Southern Times Square New Year’s Eve party; the different outdoor affairs and outdoor concerts. Of course, with a name like O’Leary we love the Irish festival. We love all the beaches, and the MarshWalk. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? Without having to work everyday, we’ve become stress-less. We enjoy every day; we do water aerobics, book club, line dancing at the rec center, pool parties. I had to get a larger calendar to write in all our activities. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? A Trader Joes. We don’t like to see any stores empty, so we try to do a lot of local shopping and support the farmers market. We don’t miss the snow or the cold, dreary days.

Serial Movers Within the Market Common, Trudy Campbell & Fred Fanini Feel Like They’re On Vacation Year-Round by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. My husband Fred and I live in the Sweetgrass neighborhood. We each have two sons from prior marriages; one lives on the West Coast, the other, Pennsylvania. Why did you move to the Market Common? Five years ago, we were here on vacation and our waiter told us we had to visit the Market Common because it was a beautiful place where the birds were always singing, the babies were always smiling, and the sun was always shining. We came and weren’t disappointed. Where are all the places you came from? Trinidad; and my husband, Pennsylvania. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? The Market Common Community Garden. I have a small personal plot, and three larger ones where I grow vegetables to donate to the food bank. This year, so far, we’ve donated around 300lb of vegetables — and that number increases weekly. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? I love the entire atmosphere. My husband and I frequent most of the restaurants, and we love being able to walk to them. We love being close to the beach. Most importantly, we love how easy it is to make so many great friends, and in general how nice everyone is around here. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? Our lives are now stress-free. We feel like we are always on vacation. Every time we go on vacation we say, “Now we’re going home to our other vacation.” What new activities have you taken up since moving here? Gardening and Zumba at the Crabtree Gym. My husband plays golf year-round. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family?  We bought and sold two other homes in the Market Common. This is the third home we’ve bought in the past four years — all in the same development. Our friend called us serial movers. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common?  A grocery store. And we used to enjoy frequenting a lot of high-end restaurants in Philly and we don’t find a lot of them down here. We miss that.

Connie & Jim Allcorn Love Rides on Their Golf Car and Living Without a Fixed Schedule by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. It’s myself and my husband Jim. We have one son who lives in Atlanta. We have a four-legged little girl, her name is Maxine— a rescue Yorkshire Terrier.  She’s supervisor of security in our house. We live in Emmens Preserve. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach?  Connie: I guess most people call it retirement. Both of us have been raised by the ocean. I’m originally from Rhode Island, and Jim is from Miami. We were living in Atlanta when we decided to retire, and wanted to be back by the ocean. We’ve vacationed in Myrtle Beach, so we made another visit to see how we felt, and it felt doable. We made the move on my birthday. It’s one of the biggest presents I’ve ever received. What are your favorite things about living in the Market Common? The closeness of shopping; the weekend events; and the fact that there’s always something happening. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here?  We’ve slowed down and really relaxed. There’s no stress. What new activities have you taken up since moving here?  Jim: I have a part time job working at Ocean Lakes Campground, and I go to the beach. Connie: I do a lot more walking, go to the pool, and I’m beginning to ride my bike around the neighborhood. It’s nice not to have a fixed schedule. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? A grocery store. What are your favorite things to do here? Riding on the golf car; going to the beach and pool; and having the freedom to live life without having a schedule. Do you find people friendlier or more at ease?  Very much so. Everybody has pretty much moved here from somewhere else. Everybody is looking to make friends, and that is what makes it so nice. We have so many great neighbors that we didn’t have in Atlanta. We must know about 35 or 40 people. People here all care about one another. Everybody is looking out for one another.

Sisters, Songwriters, and Performers: Alisa & Mia Berindea Play Golf and Cherish Time Jamming Together In The Car by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to you and your family. Mia: We live with our Mom and Dad in the Market Common. We’ve been playing music for as long as we can remember. We are also songwriters; we started writing at age 12. We started gigging live performances two years ago. Now we’re very focused on doing live stuff and seeing people react right in the moment. Alisa: We both play guitar and piano and sing. I write the lyrics and Mia writes the melodies. We are a duet act and share all responsibilities and the spotlight together. Why did you move to the Market Common? Mia: We’re from Ontario, Canada. We really enjoyed vacationing in Myrtle Beach. My Dad’s work offered to move him to the States, and we saw the Market Common is a growing area, a nice place for the locals, and that it would be a great place to live. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? Mia: I love walking around the lake, and seeing the wildlife. I like Travinia. The first time I went, I saw a jazz band and I got to sing with them, which was cool. Alisa: Barnes & Noble. After I go to work out at the gym, it’s a nice sanctuary for me to read. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? Mia: We have a really awesome community pool. And I love all the live music and art shows here. Alisa: The weather and how I ride my bike everywhere. And I almost always bump into somebody I know when I’m out and I love that. The Berindea sisters, Alisa (left), and Mia (right). (Photo Meganpixels Parker) How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? Mia: I hang out a lot outside and go to the beach after school, and that’s something we could never do before. Alisa: I’m a lot more active. I feel like I live where I vacation. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? Alisa: We both joined the golf team. Since this is the golf capital, that’s perfect. Can you share one quirky fact with us about you or your family? Mia: I joined the Socastee Jazz Band Group because it’s a genre of music I’ve never explored before. I’ve been classically trained, and it’s the total opposite of jazz. I’ve learned a lot, and made a lot of connections. I’ve been able to interact with professors from Coastal and even the University of Miami, and those were awesome opportunities I’ve had that I didn’t get in Canada. Alisa: We’ve never driven a lot together. Now, almost every morning we jam out to a song together in the car—and we’ve grown a lot closer in that way. We love that time together. What are your favorite things to do in the area? Mia: To perform. We have a gig at the Hard Rock Café at Broadway at the Beach. Learn more about their music at www.miabee.ca; Facebook @Miabeemusic; Facebook @alisabeemusic.  Click here for more Q & A.