Neighbors

Lynn Means, Canadian Interior Designer Turned Water Color Artist and Dog Enthusiast by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. I have two miniature Dakota Sport Retrievers— Sonny and Peaches. They’re a riot. Why did you move to the Market Common? I looked everywhere and when I found Seagate, about six years ago, it was like coming home. The trees, the wide streets—I just fell in love with it. It’s like a 1950s neighborhood. Where are all the places you came from? I was born and raised in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. When I was a kid, if it was colder than 50 degrees below zero you didn’t have to go to school. We used to miss a lot of school in January. I also lived in Guam, North Carolina, and Alabama. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? The Market Common District Community Garden on the corner of Meyers Avenue and Pampas Drive. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? You meet so many people either new or visiting, and everybody is in such a great mood. It’s a positive place. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? I do all the things that I really want to do. I garden, play on the beach with my dogs, and photograph the landscape, ocean, and birds I see. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? I became a water color artist. My work will be displayed in the Seacoast Artist Gallery this month, as well as their Spring Art Show. The incredible thing is, I started it as a hobby and I was incredibly lucky to have some undiscovered talent. I also got a dog for the first time, and hadn’t realized how much I love dogs. I’ve also learned how to garden in a new climate— which is challenging and great. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? My dogs have created my social life. Because there are so many dog lovers out there, walking my dogs anywhere in Myrtle Beach is a conversation starter. What are your favorite things to do here? I love to walk through the Market Common and do a little shopping; Howard Avenue has some nice little boutiques. I think it’s just a beautiful area. I have an interior design degree and worked in home renovations for many years. It’s still kind of my passion, and now it’s my hobby. There’s always something to fix, add on, or redesign. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? I think it would be great if we had a little hardware store to pick up odds and ends, a bag of potting soil, or a can of spray paint. Click here for more Q&A.

3 Years In Myrtle Beach And Still On Vacation by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. It’s my wife Linda and I. We have been married for four years; we were dating for seventeen years before that. Why did you move to the Market Common? I’ve been coming here for 20 years to play golf and really liked it. After retirement, we decided that we couldn’t afford to live in Connecticut anymore. Linda came down with me on a trip for four days, and we ended up buying a house in the Market Common in Emmens Preserve. We came to this area to visit friends and decided this was the place to be. Where are all the places you came from? We lived in Connecticut all of our lives. I’m from Wolcott, and Linda lived in Middlebury for 22 years. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? No, we love the whole thing. We live in our bubble. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? The proximity to everything—restaurants, shopping, movies. It’s so convenient, you don’t have to leave if you don’t want to. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? We’re busier now than we ever were. We wake up in the morning and say, ‘What’s the day?’ because we don’t know the day of the week. It will be three years in June since we moved into our home, and it still feels like we’re on vacation. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? Linda does water aerobics, and we both walk and bike a lot. It’s nice weather and the area is very easy for riding a bike. I can golf year-round. We also go to all the shows at the Alabama Theater and the Carolina Opry. The local actors and actresses do a great job performing. Do you find people here friendlier or more at ease? Definitely. Like us, they gave up families and friends when they moved, so it’s easier to make friends here. Even at a rinky-dink store like the Dollar General, they greet you and inquire about your day. Walking down the street, people say hello. In Connecticut, you’re lucky if they look at you. It’s a completely different lifestyle here. What are your favorite things to do here? Bicycle riding, shopping, walking, and going to the movies. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? Hummel Hot Dogs. It’s a Connecticut thing. They’re the best thing in the world even though hot dogs aren’t good for you. Click here for more Q&A.

For Unofficial Neighborhood Dog Sitters, Audrey and Jeff Williamson, Life Has Never Been So Social by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. It’s just my husband, Jeff and I. We have no kids or pets. Where are all the places you came from? I was born in Michigan, and spent the last 50 years of my life there. Jeff and I met in college in Grand Rapids, and we’ve been together ever since. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? Jeff’s parents live in Murrells Inlet; we moved down here to be closer to them, and to get away from the snow. I also had an opportunity with Edward Jones, so now I live and work in the Market Common and can walk to work every day. We live in Sweetgrass; we have a red house because it reminds us of Michigan lighthouses. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? I’m really enjoying meeting the people and using the exercise equipment that’s offered at Crabtree Gym. What are your favorite things about living in the Market Common?  That we’re a mile from the beach; a mile from downtown and restaurants; and that we can take a golf car anywhere. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? I’ve never been so engaged with my neighbors and been so social. We really have the best neighborhood. We are always with our neighbors doing something. I think life is simpler down here when your life and work is so close— you don’t have to worry about traffic. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? Living here has enhanced the things we’ve already been doing and makes those things easier to do. We walk everywhere, and play golf and cards. Do you find people friendlier or more at ease? I think people here are a lot more outgoing, because we’re all transplants and wanting to meet others. You just make friends here a lot faster. We have friends of all ages, and a lot of times you don’t have that opportunity elsewhere. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? We are the neighborhood dog-sitter, and Jeff is the go-to guy for people needing help or assistance. Jeff has also started making his own craft beer with our neighbors, which he really enjoys. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? I would like the ability for us to use the big lake for water sports like paddle boarding. I miss freshwater. If we could put Lake Michigan here, that would make my life absolutely perfect. Click here for more Q&A.

From a Tiny Fishing Village in the Netherlands to Sunny Myrtle Beach by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. My wife is Marta. We have four children: a son who lives in Florida; two sons in Texas; and an adopted daughter in the Netherlands. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? Essentially for adventure. I was chief engineer on a banana boat in St. Lucia, many years ago. And while there, my wife and I met a doctor from Myrtle Beach who became a good friend of ours. He sponsored us to move here. We came directly to Myrtle Beach in 1966, and bought a 6,000 square foot house towards the north. In 2008 we bought a townhouse in the Market Common, right behind the Cupcake Cafe. Four years ago we decided to downsize and move into our townhouse. Where are all the places you came from? My wife and I came from a small fisherman’s shipyard village in the Netherlands. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? We have 3 favorite places: Gordon Biersch, P.F. Chang’s, and the Brass Tap. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? The fact that you can walk and drive your golf cart anywhere. We very much appreciate the golf cart path that the state park made. The unique way of living here is what we love about it, and the people too. It’s a real village inside of a town. How has your lifestyle changed since moving to Myrtle Beach? The culture is totally different from ours. When we first moved here in the ’60s, Myrtle Beach was much bigger than our native village. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? I started a business in heating and air conditioning, contracting for many restaurants in the area. Then I went back to school in 1988 to Coastal Carolina, and became a project manager for outside research, like beach erosion and building research equipment. Do you find people here friendlier or more at ease? We came from a town of 4,000 people and you knew everybody there. We find it similar here. In general, the people are very friendly. What’s nice is that people from the North come down here and then they become friendlier too. What are your favorite things to do here? We like to go to the beach and read. Is there anything you would like to see in the Market Common? An organic grocery store. Click here for more Q&A.

From Rural New York to Bustling Market Common, Nancy and Jerry Toia Delight In Festivals, Fundraisers, and Their Community by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. My husband Jerry and I have two daughters, one lives in New York, the other is down here in Myrtle Beach. We have six grandchildren. Where do you live in the Market Common? The Belmont Building on Howard Ave. Why did you move to the Market Common? The main reason was so we could be out every day of the year. And we wanted to be able to walk to many things. My husband gets his haircut within walking distance. I get my nails done within walking distance. We love that the movie theatre is a bargain – and we love Barnes & Noble and the reasonably priced restaurants.  We like that they offer so many activities at the Market Common throughout the year, like the festivals and charity fundraisers. We were so rural in New York, and down here, we feel like we’re living in a little city. We also appreciate how close we are to the beach. We love the little community we have here in our building; we all watch out for one another. Where are all the places you came from? Just one place: rural Orange County, New York—from a little town called Huguenot. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? Travinia Italian Kitchen. It’s my husband’s favorite place. He’s Italian and just loves the food. We’ve both gained weight since we’ve moved here. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? Not having to get in the car for our shopping— we manage to walk to a Food Lion. Eventually, we may not be driving. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? We’re much more active, mainly because of the weather. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? We go to Brookgreen Gardens quite often. We read more, and I take adult education classes at Coastal Carolina University. We also go to every performance at the community theatre, Stage Left. Do you find people here friendlier or more at ease? Yes, very. There are a lot of northern transplants down here. What are your favorite things to do here? We love to go to the beach and walk. We love how the community comes to us— and that there are constant bands and festivals. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? We’re hoping for a new grocery store. Click here for more Q&A.

An Avid Eagles Sports Fan and Entrepreneur by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. My husband and I have four children— two are mine and two his. We have three grandsons, two granddaughters, and one grandson on the way. We have three dogs: two German Schnauzers, Angel and Roxy; and an Australian cattle dog rescue, Sydney. Why did you move to the Market Common? We purchased a summer home here, but when my husband was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, we decided to stay year-round because it’s so much warmer here than where we lived, near Boone, NC. Where are all the places you came from? We lived in Virginia Beach for many years, where we had 24 different franchises of car dealerships. And then the mountains of North Carolina, near Boone. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? Walking around the lake. A favorite restaurant would be Toffino’s. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? I love my neighbors. I think that’s what makes the Market Common so fun. Almost everybody moves here from somewhere else, When you do, you’re open to meeting new people. And the best thing… during the hurricane we lost electricity for about 15 minutes. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? I bicycle more and drive less. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? My husband and I just launched a new internet business called Talent Joe. It’s a platform that provides talented people in the arts the ability to create a webpage and upload their talent, so that talent agents looking for fresh faces can scout them out around the globe. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? My husband and I are avid Eagles fans. And we drive a total of over 1100 miles to Philadelphia to watch them play whenever they are home. What are your favorite things to do here? I love to ride my bike and walk. I love all of the things the Market Common provides for us, like art shows and concerts. I love Savannah’s Playground— I think it’s a fabulous asset. I love going to restaurants with my friends. Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in the Market Common? Yes, a local grocery store. Click here for more Q&A.

Dorothy and Joe Taylor— Living, Working, and Playing In The Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. It’s myself and my husband Joe Taylor. He is the executive chef at Divine Prime. I work as a sales associate at Soma Intimates, my favorite store here.  We have three fur-baby rescue dogs: Sophia, Mochachino, and Lily; Mable the cat; a new kitten named Moxie-Mae; and a turtle, Zuppa. Why did you move to the Market Common? My grandmother was transferred here in 1969, she was in the Army Air Force Exchange Service. I’ve spent every summer here until I graduated high school, then I came back permanently. I’ve always loved Myrtle Beach; I’ve always considered it home. Where do you live in the Market Common? Behind Cresswind in Oak Forest. Where are all the places you came from? I came from Fayetteville, NC, the Air Force Base area. I had lived up in the Windy Hill part of Myrtle Beach, and I wanted to come back to the south end. I’ve lived by the back (North) gate area for the past twenty years, before the Market Common was developed. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? I have to say Divine Prime. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? I love all the amenities, and seeing how it has evolved. We love the Soho area. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? It’s nice to live, work, and shop and have everything pretty much at your finger tips. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? Joe and I have a lot of Hawaiian connections. I’ve never had biological children, but through God’s blessings, I have a grand-baby in Hawaii. She’s named after my mother. Her name is Leila Grace. What are your favorite things to do here? I really enjoy the lake, the festivities, and the Dragon Boat Races festival. My absolute favorite is the Southern Times Square on New Year’s Eve and the ball drop.  Click here for more Q&A.

It’s a Full House Full of New Ventures With Lisa and Christopher Lee by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. I live with my husband Christopher Lee. We have two daughters. Mikayla is 7 years old and in second grade; Mikenzie is 5, and she’s in kindergarten. We have three dogs. Two are a breed called cane corso— Italian mastiffs. We just got a brand new puppy, an Australian toy shepherd, named Bane. Where in the Market Common do you live? Balmoral. Right next to Emmens Preserve. Why did you move here? Neither my husband nor I need to be in a specific place for our jobs. I run my own business as a photographer—www.Lileephotography.com. So we made a list of places we wanted to live, and why, and Myrtle Beach ended up being on the top of our list. I’m a big beach girl, and my husband likes being able to go out to restaurants and entertainment. We visited Myrtle Beach in January, and were pleased by the variety of activities happening as compared to other beach towns we looked at. The Market Common encompassed everything we were looking for. We’re a young family, so having restaurants and bars within walking distance to our home is great. What are your favorite places in the Market Common? I love the Roasted Bean— I’m a huge coffee fan; Tupelo Honey Cafe— for their atmosphere and food; Brass Tap because of the variety of craft beer they offer; and King Street Grille. Have you taken up new activities since moving here? I’m part of “Tuesday’s Together,” a local group for small and creative business owners, which promotes community over competition and small businesses supporting one another. I love the focus on collaboration instead of competition. Is there anything you would like to see in the Market Common? I’d like to see the festival scene get a little bigger. I’m excited to see how it grows—things in general are changing every couple of months as the developments continue to grow. What’s a fun fact about you or your family? I’ve started a fun blog—Hangrygal.com with my girlfriend. It’s about two twenty-somethings navigating life in Myrtle Beach. Click here for more Q&A.

A Fitness Minded Couple Build Enriching Relationships Amongst Diverse Age Groups by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. I’m Kelly Shobe, and Scott is my husband. He’s the director of golf and I’m the director of fitness and nutrition at Gregg Norman Champions Golf Academy in North Myrtle Beach. Each day we work with local, as well as international students on their golf game. My job is to get them in shape and Scott’s job is to help them improve their golf game. We have two dogs, Duke and Hunter, who live with us; and two daughters, Caitlin and Morgan, who visit. Where were you born? I was born in Macon, GA and Scott was born in Huntington, West Virginia. Where did you live before Myrtle Beach? Atlanta, Georgia. Why did you move to the Market Common? We chose it because we like everything about it, especially the location. We love having all the shops, restaurants, the beach, and everything we need close by; and we didn’t need the school district because our girls were older. We like being within walking distance to activities every single weekend. What is your favorite restaurant in the Market Common? Gordon Biersch. Scott loves their beer. Do you have a favorite place in the Market Common? Definitely the lake. I love biking, walking or jogging around it. How has your lifestyle changed since moving to the Market Common? We have everything we need right here, so we drive less. I have more time now to get to know my neighbors. I’ve developed many friendships here— of all ages. The people here all have different experiences and paths they’ve walked; they don’t mind sharing, and they love to listen. That’s the neatest aspect of what has changed the most. What new activities have you taken up since moving here? Yoga and a Book Club, simply because they’re offered at Yoga in Common studio. Any other reflections on your life here? What I find unique about the Market Common is that the people here encompass a broad spectrum of age ranges— from young adults to retirees. Having that helps you develop deeper friendships I think, because then you learn about many life experiences. That doesn’t exist in every community. Click here for more Q&A.