The Coastal Insider

Coleslaw & Tuna Salad

June 4, 2021May 24, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Our recipe this month is brought to you by the Market Common’s very own Emma Ware; a nutritionist by trade and a foodie by passion. You can find this recipe along with so many more in Emma’s Fast Wholesome Cooking cookbook. To learn more about Emma and her foods, visit www.itsnotadiet.net. Coleslaw & Tuna Salad The bounty of produce in June in Myrtle Beach provides ample pickings for the salad bowl. This month, Emma serves up the best and easiest coleslaw tuna salad combo. Perfect for a summer picnic or day at the beach. Ingredients Serves 2-3 1 bag of coleslaw mix 9 oz can of pole caught tuna, drained or not according to preference 1/4 cup chopped grapes 1/4 cup chopped Fuji apple Dressing 3 Tbs mayonnaise 1/2 Tbs sugar 3 Tbs white rice vinegar 1 tsp sea salt 1/8 tsp celery seed 2 Tbs water (if you want to dilute the mayonnaise) Directions Break the tuna up with a fork in a bowl, and add the coleslaw and fruit. Whisk the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl, adding more or less water as needed to reach desired consistency. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and stir. Serve on a bed of lettuce or spinach. If you’re heading to the beach, spread on sandwich bread and you’re set for a summer lunch. Emma Ware, www.itsnotadiet.net Click here for more great recipes.

Buy Local to Stay Local

December 13, 2021May 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

How the Farmers Market Is a Boon to the Local Economy by Melissa LaScaleia It’s May, and time to welcome the return of the DeVille Street Farmers Market in the Market Common. Last year, we introduced the community to some of the farmers and vendors who frequent the market and share their produce as well as other sundries with us. This year, we decided to explore how the local market can shape the fabric not only of our community, but communities in general. Markets where artisans and purveyors sell their goods and produce have existed for as long as trade has. But in recent years, the popularity of farmers markets has taken ahold of America and become a mainstream trend. In a world that can often feel overwhelmingly impersonal, complex and hectic, a trip to the farmers market is a reconnection to simplicity and to the earth. It’s humbling in its no-frills wholesomeness. People come for a variety of reasons— to support local farmers and craftsmen, to enjoy the ambience, to have a different shopping experience— one that is out-of-doors, community-driven, and fun. They appreciate meeting the farmers who grow their food, learning about them and their growing practices— often forging relationships. The pace at the market is slower, as people take in the sights, smells and sounds with more deliberateness than they might otherwise. Healthy produce is another reason many come to the market. Last year, when I spoke to Ben and Carol Williams, owners of Millgrove Farms, and vendors at the DeVille Street market, they shared with me some interesting facts about the shelf life of produce. After three days, greens loose 80% of their nutritional value. Most produce at the grocery store comes from California, and it takes 5 days to reach the East Coast. Compare that to the freshness of produce that was picked that morning, and traveled a much shorter distance before it reached your plate. Many people are drawn to farmers markets because they are an opportunity to say yes to slowing down and enjoying what is available to you, in the place in which you live. It’s a recognition of the place you are, and a celebration of it too. It’s a chance to show your appreciation for what is right around you, locally, in a tangible way—by buying what it is that you appreciate that you also can use. And this choice, though individual and small, affects the entire community for the better. Farm fresh veggies on display at the market. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) In many ways, we’ve become a culture that has traded beauty for convenience— exchanging moments of delight for moments of quickness. But a society without beauty becomes disconnected from joy. A society that doesn’t notice the beauty and blessings all around it becomes disconnected from its surroundings, and there becomes a rift in the fabric of the community. When we think of a strong community, we think of the people who comprise it. We look at what they do, how they think and act, and what they value. We expect them to have pride for and joy in the place they live. We think of people who themselves are happy, healthy and strong, and that also means stable economically. As chef Joe Bonaparte director of the Myrtle Beach Culinary School in the Market Common once told me, “If the consumer only wants to buy McDonalds, then we don’t have jobs for our students. But additionally, farmers don’t want to grow the produce, because there’s no one to buy it.” It creates a ripple affect. And ultimately, what’s available to us becomes more and more large corporations that are running a business, rather than sharing a talent, nurturing a passion, or nurturing others. With economics their main motivating factor, healthy, tasty, high quality food takes the back seat rather than center stage. In the same vein, personal connections, local pride— even local knowledge starts lacking. We become like forgotten colonies groaning under the rule of some far-away monarch, that has no connection or relevance to what is important to our unique community. Compare this with the philosophy of Millgrove Farms, for whom it’s important to be stewards of the land: The rainbow of colors that’s available from the vendors. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) “We are sustainable farmers; and that means that you don’t do anything to alter anything. We will lose a crop and move on to the next one before we will damage a crop in any way. We don’t spray. We want to choose that natural balance of the land, to where it works symbiotically and everything takes care of itself. “We see the entire farm as a living breathing organism right down to the dirt, and we want to maintain that, and for it to be here 100 years from now, just as God planned it. We want it to be a place for wildlife. It all goes back to being appreciative of God’s creation. We just believe that we should be taking care of our garden, which is the earth itself. We want to provide clean, affordable, healthy food to the county.” It’s important to understand how our buying choices— how we sustain ourselves in our community—impact our community. When we buy local, we support the local economy, and we provide jobs for people who live in our community. We all live a better life when we can be healthier, when we get what we need, and by our choices, help others do the same. When we say yes to the local farmers who grow our food, we say yes to valuing food that is fresh, experiences that are beautiful, and interactions with our community that are meaningful. Local farmer, Miguel Martinez, hands a customer homegrown onions. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) The DeVille Street Farmers Market Every Saturday, May 7- Sept 30 2017 10am-3pm DeVille Street in the Market Common (plenty of on-street and garage parking). Internet-explorer

The Market Common District Community Garden

December 13, 2021May 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Where Nature and Community Meet by Melissa LaScaleia Rows of raised-bed garden plots, pregnant with possibilities, line the corner of Pampas Drive and Meyers Avenue, waiting expectantly to be filled. The Market Common District Community Garden used to be located behind the Base Recreation Center, but was moved to its current location last year when members applied for and received the Palmetto Pride Grant. As the city of Myrtle Beach backed the application, the community garden received double funding. “It was all built with volunteer help and city resources,” says Lynn Means, the garden treasurer and our interviewee for this month’s People Q&A. The community garden offers Myrtle Beach residents who have no yard or garden a chance to connect with the earth while enjoying the company of like-minded folks. To foster a greater sense of community, members are required to attend six of the twelve garden events that are held throughout the year. They range from garden-work party days, where people help mulch or clean up the gardens, to a potluck dinner. Carol Bryant, the garden secretary, brings in speakers who have been instrumental in explaining Southern gardening techniques. “Gardening in the South requires a different approach to be successful, and the events are held to educate everyone,” Lynn says. “It’s also an opportunity to get to know the other gardeners and participate,” Carol says. “That’s our main drive— because that’s what makes a community garden.” Adding to its virtues, there are no GMO seeds, pesticides, herbicides, or anything harmful to people or the environment allowed in the gardens. There is a yearly fee for the plots, which makes it possible for the garden to be self-supporting. And the city provides free water. “The city has been a wonderful support for us,” Lynn says. And, this community garden gives back to the community. Two plots are designated VicTory gardens, managed by Trudy Campbell, which last year produced over 105 pounds of food for the local food bank. And there are two veterans’ memorial beds reserved exclusively for the use of veterans. “You can still help out with the garden, even if you don’t want your own plot,” Carol says. “People come from different places and everyone has something to bring to the table.” The Market Common District Community Garden Located on the corner of Pampas Drive and Meyers Ave. Call us for more information or email. Phone At Internet-explorer

The DuRant Law Firm

December 13, 2021May 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

A Family Run Business Forging Service from Experience by Melissa LaScaleia Woody DuRant was born and raised in Murrells Inlet, SC. He attended St. James High School, then Clemson University, and has a law degree from the Charleston School of Law. After graduating, he returned to Myrtle Beach and started working at his father’s practice— The Law Offices of N. David DuRant, located on Glenns Bay Road, in Surfside Beach. The DuRant firm is a general practice law firm. They facilitate real estate closings— both residential and commercial, and represent HOAs. They also handle probate work— wills, trusts, power of attorney, as well as litigation. “The Market Common is very new,” Woody says. “And there’s not a lot of law services provided for the people who live there. We want the community to know that we’ve been practicing for thirty years, and we’re right down the road. “We’re an established, local law firm. Since our roots are here, we know the customs and the culture of this place, and that means we can better serve you.” Woody joined his father’s small family business in 2014. (Photo Meganpixels Parker/Casey York) “I’ve been down here since I was born, in 1988,” he continues. “I’m not going anywhere. My dad has been here since the mid ’80s. He’s not going anywhere either. We are a family practice, with a family atmosphere, and a local, community spirit.” Woody first became interested in law when he was in elementary school and an attorney came to his school and conducted a mock trial. “Once I decided to go into law, I knew I’d go into practice with my dad,” he says. “I grew up here— I’ve always loved this area and enjoyed living here. I always wanted to come back.” “I also enjoy helping people,” he continues. “A lot of times people come to see us when they’re at their last straw. They need help, and we show them, ‘We’re with you.’ “Maybe someone comes because her husband has passed away and she’s trying to probate the will. And someone in the family objects to the will. She’s grieving; handling the will isn’t something she wants to be doing, so she turns it over to us.” DuRant offers free consultations regardless of whether they take your case or not, and will give you recommendations about how to move forward if they aren’t. “I love the challenge of this career,” Woody says. “You see something different everyday. And that variety keeps you on your toes. You have to constantly be a student, ready to tackle something new every day.” David DuRant has called Myrtle Beach home since the 80s, and has been practicing law since 1983. (Photo Meganpixels Parker/Casey York) Woody’s father, David, graduated from law school in 1983. He was practicing at a firm in Manning, SC, until he opened his own firm in Myrtle Beach. James Purvis, who works with family and criminal law, has been part of the DuRant firm for ten years. Woody completes their small team of three. “Our office has a casual atmosphere; we’re not going to make you nervous, with books all over the walls,” Woody says wryly, with a wink and a laugh. “But in all seriousness,” he adds, “we are laid back, relaxed, and easy to talk to.” Woody DuRant (left) and his father, David DuRant (right) in the library of their law office. (Photo Meganpixels Parker/ Casey York) DuRant Law Firm Open M-Th 8:30am-5pm, Fr 8:30am-4pm. Appointments preferred. Envelope Phone Internet-explorer

Orvis

December 13, 2021May 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

How Old-Time Values Are Blossoming In The Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia “I became involved with Orvis when my wife’s sister sent me an Ex-Officio bug-away hat,” says Larry Tyler, the Orvis store manager. “I found it to be intriguing.” Curious, Larry went online to discover more about the hat’s origins, and discovered that the company who sold them was hiring in the Market Common. Attracted by what he read, he filled out an application. This was in 2007, when the Market Common was still being built. He didn’t hear back for a year. When he did, he went in for an hour-long interview and was offered the job the next morning. Larry jives with Orvis’ company values. He’s always been a self-admitted dog person, community person, and retail person— working in the latter industry for the past fifty years. Larry was born and raised in Myrtle Beach. At sixteen, he went on the road playing the drums professionally, until he was 22. After that, he went to work in retail at a place called Mack’s Five and Dime store, right in the heart of Myrtle Beach. His job before Orvis was Barnes & Noble. “I’ve been a part of this community pretty much all my life,” he says. “I grew up here so I was raised with community values. I like that the Market Common perpetuates that— that it’s a community as well. When I took the job, I really liked that it was retail, mixed with community involvement, mixed with dog rescues. For me, rescuing dogs is one of my big passions.” Since 2009, the company has raised 1 million dollars to support canine cancer research, and continues to match donations up to a certain dollar amount. The Myrtle Beach Orvis store has also held fundraisers in the form of fancy evening parties and silent auctions, to support several non-profits. Two are South Carolina conservation groups: Coastal Conservation Group, and Waccamaw Wildlife. The biggest event that Orvis hosted was a benefit for Casting for Recovery— a ladies breast cancer support group which offers free fly-fishing retreats for women at all stages of breast cancer. It’s a chance for them to rejuvenate emotionally, mentally, and physically while finding companionship. Orvis enlisted the aid of Mary Alice Monroe, a Charleston based author who attended as a key speaker for this fundraiser. The event drew a crowd of over 250 supporters. Larry Tyler (left) with Chris Wait (right) enjoying another day on the job. In addition to being involved with the community, Orvis also asks their employees to find their own community involvement. Larry initiated a partnership with the Georgetown St. Francis Animal Shelter, where he volunteers. Every year, workers from the shelter come to the store around the winter holidays and wrap presents for customers in exchange for a donation to the shelter. They also bring those dogs that are available for adoption. So far, the holiday wrapping has netted $2,700 for the shelter, and 25 dogs have been adopted since Christmas. Since then, they’ve returned four times for different fundraising events. “Orvis customers are dog-people big time,” Larry says. Many are also passionate about fishing. Larry eagerly shares a story with me that connects Orvis, fishing, and his birth. Three years ago, he was browsing in a nearby thrift shop when he came across an Orvis split bamboo fishing rod and a creel (a woven basket to put the fish in) from the 1940s. He was drawn to the items, and asked the shopkeeper if he knew their origins. The rod, the owner explained, belonged to a certain lawyer who lived in town. Larry recognized the man’s name as the son of the doctor who delivered him. “When my mom was in labor,” Larry says, “they had to send somebody to fetch the doctor because he was gone fishing. There’s a chance he was out fly-fishing with that rod the day I was born. I bought it for $40.” Orvis opened in the Market Common in 2008 at the height of the economic recession. People were not as free with their money, and business was relatively slow. Orvis began offering free ‘Fly-Fishing 101’ classes on Saturdays, in which instructors taught people the basics of fly-fishing at the store, and then casting at the big lake. “Everyone had a ball, and it became a way for people who otherwise wouldn’t have tried fishing, to try it,” says Larry. They’ve been doing the classes ever since, and they’re still free. They are held in the store every Saturday from April through June at 9am. Advanced registration is required to ensure there are enough instructors for the event. The store itself is multifaceted in its offerings. “We have everything from wrinkle-free shirts for men, all the way down to fishing pants,” Larry says. “And it’s the same for the ladies, everything from linen to dry-release, meaning water-wicking, casting shirts. There are also rods and reels and all the accessories that come with them.” Then there is the pet department, the highlight of which is a memory foam bed for senior doggies, which offers relief for their aching joints. “It’s for any dog really,” Larry says, “but the seniors love it. Your dog can try it out in the store, and so can the kids.” Because Orvis loves pets, they keep water bowls and treats out for dogs. Larry has four dogs and five cats, all rescues. In his spare time, he loves to sit with his dogs in his lush backyard garden, which he likens to a miniature version of Brookgreen Gardens. He also loves to take his wife out to dinner. “I’m overjoyed to be working for a company that really believes in giving back to the community,” Larry says. “I can hardly walk around town without people stopping me to say, ‘Hey you’re Mr. Orvis.’ “We couldn’t have survived without the local community. And it’s a joy that part of my life is to give back to it. That’s … Read more

Moore & Associates Insurance Agency

December 13, 2021May 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

A Down-Home Insurance Agency Down the Street From the Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia In the mid ’80s, Melvin Truett was a Nationwide Insurance agent in Florence when he decided to move to Myrtle Beach. He bought into a small agency, Moore & Associates, and became partners with Mr. Moore. Melvin bought him out in 1991, and that same year, his son, Sammy Truett, joined the company. “People come in or call all the time and ask to speak to Mr. Moore,” Sammy says. “And I tell them, well, you can talk to me, that’s the next best thing. “But that request has never inspired us to want to change the name. We decided to keep it because Moore & Associates has been in business in this area since 1979. It never seemed that important to us to have our name on the business.” Today, Moore & Associates is a full-service insurance agency, offering a range of insurance packages including: homeowners, mobile home, flood, wind and hail, automobiles, large commercial projects, restaurants, condos, HOAs, workmen’s comp, and different types of bonds. In addition, they offer life, health, Medicare Supplements, Long Term Care, and group policies. “There’s nothing that we don’t sell,” says Sammy. “If you can buy it, we can insure you.” Sammy really enjoys his job; he further explains his approach to the insurance industry, and what he offers his clients: “It’s an entertaining industry to be in from week to week,” he says. “Rates are constantly changing, companies are changing, new products are coming in. We like to think we’re at the cutting edge of that, and pride ourselves on staying on top of who offers the best bang for the buck. “We know the market and know where to go to get the best prices for people. We also pride ourselves on having superior customer service. When you call Moore & Associates, you speak to a live person, not an automated system.” “This is a customer service business,” he continues. “At the end of the day, all we’re really selling you is a piece of paper. But it’s when you actually need that piece of paper that we go into action. “All my agents are cross-trained. There’s always someone here who can help you no matter what your problem is. You’re never going to walk into our office and hear somebody say, ‘I’m sorry, she’s on the line, we can’t help you right now.’ That’ll never happen. And if it does, I want to know about it.” “I like working with people,” he adds. “I like that in this line of work, I’m helping people, and helping them save money. During the recent hurricane on the Grand Strand, people were out of their homes for weeks and months. We were helping indirectly— getting their claims paid as quickly as possible. “For the most part, there are a lot of agencies in this area, but we want to try to be the best at what we’re selling and what we’re doing.” One of the ways they do this is through offering weekly informational videos addressing some of the most commonly asked insurance questions. The videos are less than a minute, and posted on YouTube, Facebook, and their website. “We’re trying to get free information out there,” Sammy says. A service which harmonizes with Melvin and Sammy’s motto, “Get More with Moore & Associates.” Susan McWilliams (right) the receptionist at Moore & Associates. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) Indeed, when you visit their website, the biographical sketches of their agents illustrate the ways in which each gives back to the community through their work, as well as talents, hobbies, and passions. Melvin has been married to his wife, Peggy, for fifty-eight years. He is an avid golfer, and loves taking cross-country adventures in his RV. Sammy has been married to his wife, Carla, for twenty-one years. They have two children: Gracyn, a freshman at High Point University, and Samuel, an 8th grader at Calvary Christian School. Sammy is a former golf professional and still an avid golfer. “I’ve been here since 1991,” Sammy says. “I’m originally from Florence, but I’ve been coming to the beach since the 70s as a kid, when a lot of the roads in Surfside Beach were still dirt.” Between Melvin’s 37 years and Sammy’s 33 years of experience in the industry, “There’s not many situations we haven’t seen,” Sammy says. “Including surviving Hugo and the other numerous hurricanes that have hit this area.” They have seven other agents working for them, all of whom have been with the company for at least ten years. “We haven’t had any turnover during that time,” Sammy says. “We have a great working environment. Our agents enjoy their job and are very experienced in the industry— some with over 20 years experience.” “One thing we really want people to know,” he adds, “is that we’re very involved in the community, especially in charity work. We donate to numerous local charities because we believe in giving back to the community where we live and work.” Sammy shares more of the Moore & Associates company philosophy: “The customer is always right,” he says. “Occasionally someone will come into the office who is very upset about something. If you have that defensive mechanism up, you’re not going to get anywhere. We have to be there to listen all the time. We’re just a good home-town insurance agency.” Sammy is excited to offer his services to the Market Common community. Currently, homeowners, automotive, and golf cars rates are competitive— and Moore & Associates can bundle those rates with a highly regarded insurance company. “We’re competitive, we’re experienced and we’re very familiar with the Market Common,” Sammy says. “It’s only right down the street from us.” Sammy Truett (left) at his office in Surfside Beach. The wall to his left commemorates his passion for golf. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) Moore & Associates Insurance Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

Mexican Steak

December 13, 2021May 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Our recipe this month is brought to you by Market Common’s very own Emma Ware; a nutritionist by trade and a foodie by passion. You can find this recipe along with so many more in Emma’s cookbook, Fast Wholesome Cooking. To learn more about Emma and her foods, visit www.itsnotadiet.net. Mexican Steak With Cinco de Mayo around the corner, we asked Emma what she likes to cook to celebrate. Why steak and tequila of course! She let us in on her recipe below. It’s sure to create a muy bien esta! Ingredients Serves 2 1/2 cup white onion chopped 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce 2 pieces of steak, or 1 lbcumin dried oregano salt & pepper dried red pepper Directions Sauté white onion and cilantro in Worcestershire sauce with 1 oz of water on low heat for several minutes. Add steak and cook for about 3 minutes each side (depending on the thickness of steak). As you’re cooking, season both sides of the steak with the cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper to taste. Once your steak is done, add any Mexican side dish you like— such as sliced avocado, rice, or grilled vegetables. Pour some tequila and salud! Emma Ware www.itsnotadiet.net Click here for more great recipes.

Q&A with Lynn Means

December 13, 2021May 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

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.

Major General Charles Baldwin, Chaplain of the MBAFB

June 1, 2021May 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

by Melissa LaScaleia Baldwin Lane is a short street in the Market Common that turns into Shine Avenue and runs parallel with Pampas Drive. It intersects with Mallard Lake Drive, the road that leads to the Barc Park South, dog park. Baldwin Lane is named after Major General Charles Baldwin, who was also a chaplain with the United States Air Force. Charles’ professional studies and career have taken him all over the world— to Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany, Texas, California, Thailand, and Washington, D.C., just to name a few. Charles Cread Baldwin was born on April 7, 1947, and grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. He graduated with a B.S. from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1969. He was assigned as an EC-121 pilot, then sent to helicopter pilot training in Fort Rucker, Alabama. He served in the Vietnam War, where he was an HH-53 rescue helicopter pilot in South Vietnam. In the mid ’70s, he returned to the United States and life as a civilian for a short time. He attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he received his master’s degree in divinity, and became a minister. When he returned to the military in 1979, it was as a Protestant chaplain. He also completed Air Command and Staff College, as well as Air War College. Some of his assignments as chaplain included posts in Decimomannu Air Base, Italy; senior Protestant chaplain for the U.S. Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Office of the Command Chaplain for the U.S. Air Force European Headquarters in Ramstein, Germany. Baldwin also served as the senior chaplain for the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base from June 1989 – June 1992. During his tenure in Myrtle Beach, he accompanied the soldiers of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing to Saudi Arabia, on their Desert Storm deployment. Baldwin became Deputy Chief of the Air Force Chaplain Service in 2001, and was stationed in Washington, D.C. In 2004, he became the Air Force Chief of Chaplains, also in Washington, and earned the rank of Major General. As the Chief of Chaplains, he offered advice about moral, ethical, and religious issues that pertained to all members of the Air Force. He was the senior pastor for over 700,000 servicemen and women in the United States and abroad, and led chaplain services for the Air Force’s 2,200 chaplains. He also acted as one of the advisors on religious, ethical and moral issues for the Secretary of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Baldwin has received numerous medals and awards to commemorate his service and achievements including: the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster; Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device and oak leaf cluster; Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Kuwait Liberation Medal; and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Charles Baldwin retired from the military in 2008. To read more of our history features click here.

A Chance Encounter With the Easter Bunny

June 15, 2022May 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Charlie’s Corner is the domain of Charlie, the furry four-legged lady’s man of the Market Common. Each month, he’ll share information to help all new, visiting, and existing doggie community members get the most out of life alongside their human companions. We’ll feature his reflections on what it’s like to be a dashing downtown doggie, as he reminds all of us how to play well together. This month, Charlie has a chance encounter with the Easter Bunny, who’s still out and about in the Myrtle Beach underbrush. With I’m-happy-it’s-May type thoughts in my mind, I decide to head out to the park and take in the aromas near some of my favorite bushes. As I’m snuffling around, I catch a whiff of something unexpected. I have company! It smells familiar, but there’s a certain twang that I can’t seem to identify. I poke my head a little more deeply into the bush and something very fuzzy and soft brushes my nose then whisks away. “Well really! Do you mind!? I do say!” comes the exclamation. Surprised, I pull my head out of the bush as a twitching nose and a pair of whiskers confronts me. It’s a bunny. “What do you mean by poking your nose into my fluffy nether regions, hmmmmm?” comes the indignant question. “I didn’t know they were your…er, fluffy nether regions,” I retort defensively, affronted that the talking bunny is questioning my manners. After all, I do write a manners and etiquette column. I’m ready to say so but before I can, he replies: “Yes, well they are and they’re off-limits to you!” “Well all right then!” I exclaim. “There’s no reason to get in such a huff.” The bunny looks somewhat mollified so I venture a question. “Who are you?” “Why I’m the Easter Bunny, and I’m a girl, by the way. But I see you referred to me as a ‘he’ in the text up above.” “The Easter Bunny?!” I manage, completely ignoring the other part of the statement. It’s way too much for my May-infused doggie brain to process. “But Easter was last month! Aren’t you behind schedule?” “Yeah, well, I don’t hold much with time,” she declares airily, “I’m always fashionably late.” Astonished by this reply as much as by the figure itself, I can’t think of anything to say except, “Oh.” “Plus my cousin, The White Rabbit, you know the one, anyway, he’s simply obsessed with it. Always looking at his watch and worrying, talking about how he’s so late. I can’t be bothered with that stress. It’s bad enough trying to carry all these eggs around in a basket without breaking any.” “Are you here to give me a present?” I blurt out. “Why, would you like an egg or some candy?” “No,” I stammer, feeling uncomfortable. “Chocolate makes me sick.” She’s really pretty, a little smaller than me, with a gleaming white coat and long floppy ears, and doesn’t seem to be much taken with me at all. “I mean because I’m Charlie of Charlie’s Corner, and usually when I meet… when I meet… I mean…” I stammer unsure of whether my impulse to call her a magical creature might be offensive. She just looks straight at me while I blush profusely and feel progressively more miserable, unsure what to say or do next. There is a long and uncomfortable silence during which I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping this is another dream and I’ll wake up. But when I open them, she’s still there, just looking at me. Finally she sighs, like she’s been through this a thousand times before, and sort of shakes her head. “Well then, I should get going. But you should consider writing children’s books. You’re not half bad at your column you know.” “How can you read my thoughts?” I ask in astonishment, remembering her earlier comment about being a she. “I’m the Easter Bunny,” she replies pertly. Then she gives me a wink and says, “I’m magic.” And in another blink, she was gone. Until next time, P.S. Follow me on Facebook to keep up with all my latest news, www.facebook.com/InsiderCharliesCorner and on Instagram @charlieparkerscorner. To read last month’s edition of Charlie’s Corner, click here.

A Message from Jim Parker, Co-Owner of the Insider

June 15, 2022May 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

A message from the Editor With the month of May upon us, it’s becoming progressively warmer and more beautiful in Myrtle Beach. As the season brings its welcome changes to the Market Common, both outside and inside, specifically at the Insider offices, we’re experiencing our own spring—as new ideas about the paper bloom and develop into tangible creations. We’re excited to share with you what growth and developments have occurred since our last issue. This month’s edition has two new sections. Neighborhood Connections will bring you content on the new and existing businesses that serve the Market Common community— the people who own them, where they’re from, and what makes them tick. The Market Common Commercial District section will be exclusively about the dining, events, and shops that are in the Market Common. Also, you’ve asked for it, so here it is! We’re proud to introduce a map showing where all the shops in the main part of the Market Common are located. From time to time the area transitions, and it will be updated with any changes monthly so that both visitors and locals can find what they’re looking for with ease. We’ll be sharing more with you about this section of the paper as it unfolds. In other news, we’d like to say a fond farewell to Kayla Wertz, who has worked in Marketing and Distribution for us since the inception of the paper. Kayla is moving to Charleston, and we wish her well. Thank you for a job well done, come back and visit. We’re pleased to have two new people join our expanding Insider team: Johnny Bryant and Charlie Miller. Johnny is our Advertising Sales Manager and has been working with Kayla over the past several months. He comes to us with a lot of previous experience, and with his positive energy and enthusiasm, he’s a fantastic asset to our community business. Charlie Miller is our new go-to guy for just about everything. What title should we give him? He’s our IT person, as well as our Circulation/Distribution Manager. He can do just about anything, and that’s what we need. We’re glad he’s here. And we’re glad you, our readers, are too. Are you or someone you know doing something notable in our neighborhood? Contact us with comments and suggestions at community@marketcommoninsider.com – Jim Parker Editor-in-chief and co-owner of Properties at the Market Common

Anderson Brothers Bank

December 13, 2021April 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

A Local Community Bank Branch Opens in The Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia Anderson Brothers Bank is a local institution that is eighty-three years old and began back in the 1930s when tobacco farmers needed financing for their crop. During the recession, there wasn’t an option for farmers to secure funding, so the Anderson family offered it to them out of the back of an old tobacco warehouse in Marion County. From these humble beginnings, Anderson Brothers Bank has evolved into a full service community bank, with twenty-one branches from Little River down to the Georgetown area and everything that you’d expect from a modern day bank— 24 hour ATMs, online banking, and an advanced mobile app. “It’s still a local bank with local decision making,” says Bryan Lenertz. “That’s how I would define us today.” Bryan has been working for Anderson Brothers Bank for the past five years as the Horry County area executive, overseeing eight branches throughout the region. Their newest branch recently opened at the end of this past March in the Market Common, just off of Farrow Parkway. In an interview with the Insider, Bryan shares his reflections on Anderson Brothers, the company culture, and what they have to offer the community: “We’re excited about this branch. It’s a step forward for Anderson Brothers Bank in a new direction. We’re incorporating a lot more customer interaction with new technology that’s available now in banking. It should create a wonderful experience for our customers. “It’s a really neat bank to work at because Mr. Anderson isn’t a micro manager. He gives people the space to make their own decisions, and if you make a mistake, it’s seen as an opportunity for growth, to do something differently next time. “There’s a lot of freedom and autonomy to do your job and try to do it well in your own way. As a result of that, each of our branches has a slightly different feel relative to their geographic location, and who works there. “Banks are so regulated now, that really what sets them apart is the people. Knowing that, we try to hire the best possible people with great personalities.” The light-filled interior of the new bank branch. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) “Our goal is to provide the same benefits and technology that you would get at a larger bank while staying local and personable— a place where people are more than just numbers; we really push to make that happen.” Just as it was almost a century ago, today, Anderson Brothers Bank is still locally owned and run by the Anderson family. The third generation team includes: David Anderson as president, Tommy Anderson as vice president, and Neal Anderson as the chairman of the board. “With the new Market Common branch, we’re looking to create a little bit of a different banking experience,” Bryan says. “The team is going to be more engaged with you and serve you right as you walk in, rather than having you walk up to the teller; they’ll be available to help with the technology if you need it.” The In Lobby Teller, as it’s called, is a new technology that allows you to walk up and complete any basic function that you would do at the teller counter. “It’s like an ATM on steroids,” Bryan tells me laughingly. “This way you don’t have to wait in line. We’re also working on technology that will allow you to do bill payments or live chats for any issues or problems you may have. It’s basically a time-saving feature for the customer, so you don’t have to go to several different people in a branch. This is something that you would find in larger banks in bigger cities, but it’s not common yet.” “Our Market Common bank branch is probably the most technologically advanced branch in Horry County,” he adds. “If it’s not first, it’s tied for first.” Bryan chose to work for Anderson Brothers after meeting David, the president. “He was forward thinking, with new ideas, and thinking outside the box,” Bryan says. Lindsey Duggento (back left) demonstrates how to use the In Lobby Teller, cutting-edge technology that makes a patron’s banking experience faster. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) “We’re all super excited about this new location,” he adds. “We wanted it to have an open, spacious and sunny feeling. We incorporated a lot of glass in our design so you know what’s inside and it’s not hidden. “We have a designated golf car parking spot. On Friday’s we’ll have popcorn. We have a full service coffee bar all the time. There’s a neat vibe in the Market Common. We just want to be a part of this community.” Saturday, April 22, from 11am-2pm, Anderson Brothers Bank is hosting an outdoor neighborhood block party for all of the Market Common in their parking lot— with food, music, bouncy houses, and other activities. “We’d like to meet the neighbors and let everyone know who we are,” Bryan says. “Just like any other local business, we give you personalized attention. Because we are small, we have more invested in serving you to the best of our ability because our success depends on your patronage, and our local focus ensures that we can give you that quality of attention that a larger bank can’t. We can deal with things differently and make decisions based on local market knowledge and at a more personal level. “At a big bank they have to do everything by the book, there’s very little leeway. You have to qualify in all their criteria. “When you’re considering your money and financial decisions, it’s important to trust who is serving you, knowing that whatever problems, issues or questions you have, will be handled one on one— versus calling someone on the phone in a different state, where you’re treated more like a number rather than a person. I’ve worked at both, so I know this first hand.” Supporting your local bank helps support the local … Read more

The 12th Annual Myrtle Beach International Film Festival

June 15, 2022April 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Changing the Face of Film All Over the World by Melissa LaScaleia The Myrtle Beach International Film Festival, MBIFF, was designated one of the top 25 film festivals to submit to in the world in 2009 by Movie Maker Magazine, the preeminent magazine for independent and Hollywood film. They were also given the award two years later, and have been nominated again for it. The life story of our local film festival’s founder and producer, Jerry Dalton, is so fascinating, that it’s worthy of being made into a movie itself. Jerry grew up in Oregon to a pioneering family. His father would buy large tracts of land every four years and relocate his family there. They would sleep in tents or an old barn, and build a house on the land entirely by hand before moving on. “This was the sort of thing people did in the 1800s,” Jerry says. “I grew up differently than most people.” His life story took him from bodybuilding, to working as a professional chef, to eventually building his own house by hand in Myrtle Beach, which confounded the permitting office who issued him a $7,000 fee with the general feeling he would not complete it. “Ever since my youth,” Jerry tells me, “film was my passion. But in the 1980s and even still today, if you aren’t juiced with connections you have a hard time getting noticed. Nepotism runs deep in Hollywood, and I needed a way to survive. “I never gave up the hope of going into film though, so I worked in the film industry here and there for free, just to do it and be in it. Finally I filmed my own movie, and it ended up being shown in theaters in 37 states. Distribution is my niche; eventually I handled films in which Tom Arnold, Brittany Murphy, and Faye Dunaway were the main actors.” “Along the way,” Jerry says, “I saw a lot of great films and wondered why they never made the cut at the big film festivals like Sundance, Tribeca and others. So I did some research and discovered that it wasn’t about the film being good or bad, it was about who was in it, who was repping it (meaning attached to it, financially or production-wise), and how much money was spent repping (lobbying) it. “That’s when I decided that I would start a film festival that is and only is as long as I’m alive, independent, and it doesn’t matter who’s in it or attached to it; we do not accept lobbying, being wined and dined and such. To me it’s not ethical.” It took him two years to create his vision, and the first Myrtle Beach International Film Festival was in 2004. Each year he’s drawn crowds from all over the U.S. as well as internationally. Those who come herald his movie lineup as the best. “There’s no secret why,” he tells me. “We have judges from all walks of life with varied backgrounds. At most major film festivals you’re being judged solely by film people, who can be snooty and critiquing, and worse— motivated by agenda.” “At most of the big film festivals, you get extra points for highlighting a political agenda that the critics back. Once again, it’s not fair. It’s not judging the film on being a work of art. I used to go to big film festivals and wonder why the stories were all basically the same— all the same political agenda, all the same theme,” he says. Here, if you score high on all the judges’ score sheets here, you score high across a diverse range of people, not just a niche. Movie Maker Magazine noted that the MBIFF doesn’t allow politics to play a place in the judging. It is strictly based on the quality and entertainment value of the films. “Hollywood is a business, and that’s fine,” Jerry explains, “but their scripting comes from an accounting department which scripts for demographics because it’s what appeals to the demographic and will therefore sell. And that’s why it gets rather boring. 99% of the time, independent film is scripted from the heart; it’s simply a story that someone wants to tell so badly that they will raise a million dollars to tell it. There is so much conversation that happens after these films.” The Myrtle Beach International Film Festival will be held Wednesday, April 19 through Saturday, April 22 in the Market Common. There will be two days of special screenings, food and discussion events prior to Wednesday for all-access pass holders. It’s not just the films and ensuing discussions that make this film festival such a worthwhile event. The people who are drawn to Jerry’s festival are looking for great art without agenda, and offer a lot to the community. “This year, we have a Russian filmmaker who was invited to debut in Hollywood, but elected to debut here instead,” Jerry tells me. “And last year, Jay Alix, the world’s biggest negotiator, who formulated a plan to save the U.S. when it was several hours away from bankruptcy after the crash of 2008, he came, along with the former president and founder of ABC films, and the former CEO of the Discovery Channel. Those are just some of the people you can meet here.” “For an independent film maker to show up and learn about what actually goes on,” Jerry adds, “it’s invaluable. For the film enthusiast, it’s a tremendous experience.” Jerry keeps prices for the festival low to ensure that everyone has the chance to see the beauty of the world through these films. He calls it an “expedition experience” that everybody can absorb. “Living in a beautiful environment makes life so much better,” he says. “When you see the things that are built today, they are ugly and cheap. The quality of art in a society reflects a society. We should support artists, real artists. If you have no art in your culture or environment, it … Read more

The Dragon Boat Festival in the Market Common

March 22, 2023April 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Market Common Dragon Boat Festival - the Market Common Festival

An Annual Fundraiser Celebrating Community and Fun by Melissa LaScaleia The Ground Zero Dragon Boat Festival began on the big lake in the Market Common nine years ago as a fundraiser for Ground Zero Ministries, a local non-profit 501(c)(3) Christian organization that offers a safe space for teenagers and pre-teens to gather and hang out in a positive environment. “The festival is a fundraiser for the events that we hold throughout the year,” Scott Payseur, the founder and president of Ground Zero says. “We’re not open daily, we’re event driven— bringing in national Christian bands and speakers… it’s kind of like a Christian House of Blues.” Scott was looking for an annual fundraising event that was fun, unique, and family friendly. When one of his staff participated in a dragon boat festival in Tennessee and told about the experience, he knew he had found it. It’s now held every year on the big lake in the Market Common, the last Saturday of April. “The Dragon Boat Festival is unique to most people,” Scott says. “It’s fun to watch; the boats alone make coming worthwhile because they’re so eye-catching.” Looking like giant, brightly painted canoes with varying motifs and little dragon heads on the front, each boat is outfitted with a team of paddlers— ten on the left, and ten on the right. On the front tip of the boat, a drummer sits on a tiny stool with a drum, and keeps the beat so that everybody is paddling in unison. On the back of the boat is a professional steerer brought in especially for the occasion, who keeps the boat on course and prevents crash collisions. Scott explains the day’s proceedings. “We race four boats at a time, and we can have 55 teams. While four are racing, four boats are loading, so there’s never any lag in time. There’s a first heat in the morning, from 9am till lunch time. Then there’s a second heat in the afternoon in which everybody races again. We take the best time from all of the teams, and then pair them up in the final race, which will be around 4pm. A team gives it their all during the competition. (Photo Ground Zero Ministries) The vibrant boats take to the water in the Market Common during the annual Dragon Boat Festival. Previous Next “In the afternoon, we pair up similar groups to race against each other, like real estate or media— we also have middle and high school boats— and the winning team is awarded a trophy,” Scott says. There are a several additional prizes awarded as well. For the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, every participant on that team gets a medal; the first place team also gets a trophy. There’s also a trophy for the overall fastest time, as well as a trophy for the much coveted delegation, Dragon-Behind, the slowest boat. The festival has plenty besides the races. There are food vendors— this year’s lineup of sponsors includes Logan’s Roadhouse, Mellow Mushroom, Bojangles’ Famous Chicken n’ Biscuits, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, and more. There’s also a family fun zone with inflatable games, banana boat rides on a jet ski, and a stage featuring live music or a DJ. “And during the lunch break, we have a Drummer Dress Costume Contest,” Scott says. “It’s an element we added to make the event more fun. Each drummer walks the runway on our stage in a costume that best represents their boat, and is judged by a local celebrity panel of judges.” “When it comes to the Dragon Boat Festival,” he adds, “holding it at the Market Common is what makes it so special. It’s a beautiful and ideal location. Because it’s a smaller body of water, people can see easily and watch right at the finish line. I’ve seen other Dragon Boat Festivals held on big lakes, and you almost need binoculars to see. If people don’t want to eat from the vendors, there are plenty of options in the Market Common. The setting makes the festival unique beyond the Dragon Boats.” Boats gather expectantly at the starting line of the races in the Market Common. “Holding [the festival here] is what makes it so special. It’s a beautiful and ideal location.” – Scott Payseur (Photo Ground Zero Ministries) Spectators enjoy another sunny day in Myrtle Beach at the Dragon Boat Festival. A crowd of almost 7,000 gathers in the Market Common annually to watch the festivities. Previous Next “We have about 5,000-7,000 people that will come throughout the day,” Scott adds. “And about 1,200 participants on boats. One of the things people say is that they love hanging out with their team, but they also see people they haven’t seen in years. “And they end up reconnecting with those people and they love that. The festival is a draw for all types of people from all walks of life. It creates a great opportunity for community to happen.” As do the preparations leading up to the festival. Boat teams are made up of groups as diverse as church groups, families, school groups, investors, golfers, or friends. “Sometimes it’s just one person who wants to do it,” Scott says. “Whoever initiates it becomes the captain. And then we work with that individual to secure funding, compile a team, and get sponsored. We bring the boats and the professional steerers— people who have actually been on international teams. So participants don’t have to worry about that and neither do I.” The boats arrive along with their accompanying steerers the week before the festival. Each team is allotted a chance to practice for a one-hour slot the week leading up to the festival. It’s a noisy, hilarious time. “It’s not too late for a team to jump in in April,” Scott says. “They can contact me up to a week before the festival.” The festival is free to attend, and Ground Zero has a variety of dedicated sponsors and levels of … Read more

Beet Apple Salad

December 13, 2021April 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

This month’s recipe is brought to you by Market Common nutritionist Emma Ware. You can find this recipe along with so many more in her Fast Wholesome Cookingcookbook. To learn more about Emma and her foods, visit www.itsnotadiet.net. Emma’s motto for health is “shop the rainbow”… and this colorful salad incorporates some vibrant hues that are sure to beet all the rest. Beet Apple Salad Ingredients Serves 2 as a side 1 large organic beet1 apple (your favorite type)Fresh ginger root2 oz. of goat cheese1 Tbs of extra virgin olive oilFresh parsley, mint or thyme, chopped, for garnish (optional) Directions Scrub the beet clean and cut into quarters. Place it in a pot with an inch of water and cover and bring the pot to a boil. Reduce the gas to a simmer and cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until tender. In the meantime, wash the apple and cut into bite-size wedges. When the beet is ready, set it aside until it is cool enough to handle. Peel and cut into bite-size pieces. Combine the beet and apple, drizzle with olive oil, grate ginger over the top, and add goat cheese crumbles. Garnish with your favorite herb, and serve warm or cool. Emma Ware, www.itsnotadiet.net Click here for more great recipes.

Q&A with Don & Linda Boucher

June 4, 2021April 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

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.

The Great Transition—Part 7 of 7

June 1, 2021April 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Above, Buddy Styers enjoys the fruits of his labor in front of the sign announcing the entrance to the Market Common. “People still tell me how proud they are of what I’ve accomplished, but I don’t feel that I did it, as much as I feel that I was a part of it. We had an amazing team.” — Col. Buddy Styers This story is the last of a 7-part series which chronicles the redevelopment of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and its evolution into the Market Common from the perspective of retired Air Force Colonel Buddy Styers, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. Our history concludes with a Q & A with Colonel Styers. Click here to read Part 6, in the March 2017 issue. The Redevelopment Years of The Market Common By Melissa LaScaleia Insider: How has being involved with the redevelopment of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base changed your life? Colonel Styers: My military background prepared me to manage people, complex organizations and large budgets, but I had never been the senior leader of a development project like this; I stretched myself to accomplish it. Insider: Has your involvement with this redevelopment project changed the way you regard the military? Colonel Styers: It’s certainly opened my eyes to the complexity and difficulty of their tasks when they are trying to juggle so many responsibilities while meeting goals. They were responsible for the closure of many bases, yet they extended themselves repeatedly to make sure that not only we, but that all the other bases as well, were successful in transitioning, and continued to maintain the base while we were in the redevelopment stages. Insider: Were there any laws/regulations that made your job more challenging? Colonel Styers: In many cases, yes. We were not allowed just to design and put together what we wanted. But the key was in learning what the laws were, and then developing our project accordingly. It was the most difficult for Dan McCaffery, the developer. He knew what he wanted to do that he felt was vital to the success of the urban village, but the local government didn’t allow it. The most challenging issue for all of us to get through, including the Market Common businesses, was the sign ordinance. A lot of businesses wanted to have more than one sign, but Myrtle Beach is very strict and mandates that you can only have one, and it has to be on your property. Insider: Were there any laws/regulations that helped or enhanced your work? Colonel Styers: There are rules about the amount of storm water retention capability you have to have to prevent flooding in the event of a large storm. We had to build a 21-acre lake across the street from the commercial district, as well as four smaller ponds in the surrounding area to store the runoff. Now, the lake has become one of the most popular places in the Market Common. Insider: What was it like to work with Dan McCaffery? Colonel Styers: Dan has a lot of experience and a track record of success with large-scale commercial development and redevelopment projects. Even though he was only here once a month, it was a fantastic opportunity to work closely with him on the redevelopment, and then for a two-year period as the senior project manager for the Market Common. He’s honest, and was sure of his vision of what he wanted the area to look like to become an integral part of Horry County. He was confident that he was developing something that could meet those goals. Insider: What words of wisdom do you have for us in the Market Common who want to support this beautiful community that we live and work in? Colonel Styers: Continue to build and bring businesses where there are vacancies to further establish the urban village that the community said they wanted. Remain flexible in the face of change. Support the activities that are offered. If we all do those things, it has nowhere to go but up, and better. Insider: Looking back on your life, are you pleased with your accomplishments? Colonel Styers: Absolutely. And I couldn’t say it any stronger. I was successful with my military career before I retired, having been recently promoted to colonel, and then base commander. I felt proud of that. Working on the redevelopment of the Air Force base, and seeing it through to fruition… It was a dream come true, to have two opportunities like that in one lifetime. Insider: If you could advise one thing about building community what would it be? Colonel Styers: You have to go with the flow. That and establish friendly working relationships with people you have to have on your side to get the job done. I worked the hardest at building those relationships and consequently I always felt like I had the opportunity to ask for what I needed. Even if I didn’t always get what I asked for, I always felt like they were with me, supporting my work. Insider: What do you think made you personally capable of doing what you did? Colonel Styers: Even in the Air Force I have always been taught to respect people and treat them like you like to be treated yourself. My strongest attribute is being able to work with people and motivate them to want to do the job that they’ve been hired to do. I think that’s one of the most important qualities of being a leader or manager. You have to be able to make people want to work, and for them to feel like a success when they do it. Insider: Any last words for us? Colonel Styers: I’m complimenting you, Melissa, for your ability to listen consistently to my rambling and produce a story out of it. And I’d like to thank the whole community for supporting us and helping us, as much as they were able, … Read more

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shine

December 13, 2021April 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

USAF Pilot, Vietnam War Veteran by Melissa LaScaleia Shine Avenue is named in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shine, a pilot in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. The avenue meanders around the periphery of the Market Common, intersecting with Farrow Parkway. Anthony Shine was born on May 20, 1939 to a military family. His father, George, retired from the Air Force as a colonel, and all three of their sons and one daughter joined the military. Anthony joined the United States Air Force from Pleasantville, New York. He served two terms in Vietnam, the first in 1970. Most of what we know about his life is due to interviews with his daughter, Colleen. He was stationed with his family at an Air Force base along the Pacific Ocean before he was stationed at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. His daughter and family enjoyed the lull of Myrtle Beach, compared to the massive typhoons that characterize the part of the Pacific Basin from whence they came. In Myrtle Beach, the family lived several blocks south of Garden City Pier, and enjoyed jeep rides along the quiet shores. They would also entertain their squadron with Olympic-themed beach parties in their sandy backyard. Anthony Shine left for his second tour of Vietnam from the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in 1972. On December 2, he was flying an A-7D fighter aircraft on a reconnaissance mission near the Barthelemy Pass in North Vietnam near the border of Laos. He radioed his wingman to say that he was descending below cloud cover for a closer look at their target area. After ten minutes, his wingman radioed him, and received no response. His plane seemingly disappeared in the clouds. The passes through these mountains were dangerous. The area was rife with Vietnamese fighters. Bombings and missile fire were common; many planes were shot down here. In addition, the terrain was so rugged as to be almost impassable. Of the many Americans who went missing in this area, few were found. The military searched for Anthony for three days, but found nothing. He was reported as Missing In Action. There were reports of a crash site, but the government declared it had been heavily looted and there was, therefore, little hope of finding more information. Colleen, who was 8 years old at the time of her father’s disappearance, never gave up hope of finding him. In the ’90s, as an adult, she went to Vietnam searching for answers and closure. She hired a guide, and found a Vietnamese villager who had found a helmet near the site. When she looked inside, her father’s name was hand written on the inside. Colleen’s findings gave the government new leads to follow, and investigators were able to recover remnants of Anthony’s plane as well as his remains and confirm that it was indeed, he. Because of his daughter’s efforts, Anthony Shine was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery in 1996, offering his surviving family closure at long last. During the years he was MIA, Anthony was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and awarded The Purple Heart. To commemorate her husband, and remember those soldiers who remain missing in Vietnam, Anthony’s wife, Bonnie, founded the Anthony C. Shine Award, which is given each year to a fighter pilot who demonstrates proficiency and professionalism in flying a fighter aircraft. To read more of our history features click here.

A Message from Jim Parker, Co-Owner of the Insider

June 15, 2022April 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

A message from the Editor Our April edition is a milestone edition for us at the Insider in many ways. It represents Market Common Community. We’d like to thank our advertisers and our readers for the positive comments we’ve received about the Insider over the past ten months, and for your tangible backing and appreciation of what we, at the Insider do. We are grateful to be able to help our advertisers build their businesses, and recommend what you offer to our community. 70% of our advertisers commit with us under long-term 6-12 month contracts. Thank you for placing your trust in us. We will continue to serve you, as well as our reader, to the best of our ability. It’s been a financial commitment for us to take it to the level that we did, but we keep hearing from our advertisers that they’re getting results, and that’s a rewarding, exciting thing for us to hear. With this edition, we conclude our narrative chronicles of the History of the Market Common with Col. Buddy Styers. We’d like to offer our thanks to him for sharing his stories with all of us for the past eight months, and helping all of us to grow in appreciation for the work that he, his board, and so many were a part of to make the vision of Market Common the beautiful reality that it is today. We’ve received a lot of enthusiasm about this section of our paper, the Redevelopment Years of the Market Common, and the events that have taken place in this area in the past twenty years. Buddy has played such a big part, and we at the Insider are grateful that those visiting and who have moved here recently from other areas, can learn about our history through us. Thank you Buddy, for your time with this project, and your continued commitment to community. Stay close, we’re just down the end of the street from you! Are you or someone you know doing something notable in the Market Common community? Contact us with comments and suggestions at community@marketcommoninsider.com – Jim Parker Editor-in-chief and co-owner of Properties at the Market Common

Delights in Springtime Things

June 15, 2022April 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Charlie’s Corner is the domain of Charlie, the furry four-legged lady’s man of the Market Common. Each month, he’ll share information to help all new, visiting, and existing doggie community members get the most out of life alongside their human companions. We’ll feature his reflections on what it’s like to be a dashing downtown doggie, as he reminds all of us how to play well together. This month, Charlie delights in being a doggie without accolades, visitations or dreams, as he gets grounded in the simple pleasures of spring. Sniff, sniff, s-n-i-i-i-i-f-f…. SNIFFFFFF! s-n-n-n-i-f- f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f. Ahhhhhhhhh….. I was right. Springtime in the Market Common still smells like contentment. Nothing fills me up and makes me feel so complete as the smell of spring. It’s as if the world is waking up from a long nap. The trees shrug off the last of their barrenness and buds begin to appear; the grass grows greener, water pours from the sky a little more often… Believe it or not, this dashing downtown doggie loves to splash in puddles. The best part is, as nature undergoes this transformation, it gives off more succulent smells then the garbage can behind my favorite Italian pizzeria. It just drives me wild with delight. Did you know that we doggies possess around 300 million olfactory sensors compared to the 6 million that humans have? You couldn’t walk in a straight course either if you smelled what we do walking down the street. Such a fabulous part of being alive, to inhale the complexity of it all and sort it out in my doggie brain. I’m so inundated by the spring aromas that I’m in a near bliss state— here a squirrel, there, a crocus popping up in the grass— and the grass! I could write sonnets about my love of frolicking, rolling, sniffing around and digging in it. Not to mention you can find the neatest bugs and fascinating things decomposing with a little prodding, which of course have an aroma palette all their own. Then there’s the trip to Trimmers Pet Grooming I have to look forward to, where I’ll get a doggie massage and a new do. I think I’m getting my nails done too. There’s nothing like sprucing up the old fur coat and showing it off to the new ladies who have come to town since the winter. There will be plenty of opportunities to do so. I always ask for more walks this time of year (just to keep Jim on track with his New Year’s resolutions into the warm weather months). All my friends must ask too, because I’ve been seeing so many more of them out for walks with their people. And I just love all the wildlife. The ducks, geese, birds, and squirrels. Maybe this year I’ll catch a bunny. I always try but haven’t succeeded yet. And of course most important of all (but truly how could I put a ranking on spring’s delights?), there’s an extra hour of sunlight every day in which to enjoy… nap time. Until next time, P.S. Follow me on Facebook to keep up with all my latest news, www.facebook.com/InsiderCharliesCorner and on Instagram @charlieparkerscorner. Click here to see last month’s edition of Charlie’s Corner.

GermBustMyBins

December 13, 2021March 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Redefining Clean for The Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia GermBustMyBins began in Horry County in 2016 as Market Common Cleaning. Companies like it have been in existence in Europe for the past thirty years, but didn’t begin to appear in the U.S. until around 2007 or 2008. They’ve increased in popularity over the years, especially in the South— and for good reason. John, the founder, shares about the business he began, and why it’s so valuable for our community. He starts by explaining the process: “Our truck arrives at people’s homes on the same day their garbage bins are emptied by trash pick-up. While the bins are at the end of the driveway, we conduct the cleaning process so customers can come home and have clean, germ-free bins. We have one truck, and it looks similar to a trash pick-up truck, with hydraulic arms on the back for picking up the bins.” A truck costs around $100,000, and is equipped in handling varying-sized trash bins as well as dumpsters up to eight yards long. The bin is lifted into the truck, where it is sprayed with 2oo°F water inside and out, to be effectively washed, deodorized and disinfected. It’s an eco-friendly self-contained cleaning machine. The rinse water is retained inside the truck, and is properly disposed of at the end of the day at a dump station obtained through permitting with Grand Strand Water and Sewer. Then the hydraulic arms replace the bin on the curb— clean, sanitized and 99% germ free. “It’s basically a giant dishwasher that shows up at your house on wheels and cleans your big bin,” John says. I consider myself a germ-conscious person, but the thought of cleaning my outdoor trash bin has never crossed my mind. Apparently, I’m not alone. John says: “One thing I don’t think people take into account, is that, having dirty bins in or near your home attracts pests, roaches, rodents, flies, bees, and E Coli and other bacteria. When you smell a trash bin, it’s not the trash you’re smelling, it’s the bacteria. “A lot of the houses in the Market Common are very close together. That close proximity, bin next to house, next to bin, next to car— means you’re basically living in a germ and bacteria-infested environment. And over time, with constant usage, that bacteria multiplies. “On top of that, a lot of people store their trash bins in their garage. Think about all the things you keep in your garage besides your car— workout equipment, Christmas decorations, laundry. All those things are exposed to the bacteria and germs in your trash bins. And you’re inhaling those contaminants when you’re in that enclosed space. Once you start to think about this, it’s like, ew!” GermBustMyBins is the only company of its kind in Horry County. Typically, the businesses are appearing in the warmer climates of the U.S.— areas like Florida, Texas, California, and also New Jersey. “The concept makes sense wherever you go,” John says. “But as you get to those colder, snowy climates, I don’t think that the germ build-up is quite as much of a concern for people. In the South, because of the warm, moist climate, it’s not uncommon for people to have maggots in their trash bins. Once you have them, they spread quickly; and then they turn into flies. The company’s process removes 99% of all germs and bacteria, keeping you, loved ones, and your environment safe. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) “Many people will put a couple of gallons of bleach in the bin to disinfect it, and then dump it into the ground. But the contaminated byproduct of that type of cleaning is lying in your yard, sidewalk or street, plus it’s going right back into our drinking water. With our process, you eliminate all those germs. Having a healthy bin helps keep you healthier too.” John first heard about this concept when a close friend, living in Miami, created the concept. It became an instant hit in his area. His friend was vice president of ADT and when the company decided to downsize, he got laid off. One day, with more time on his hands, he was engaged in the messy process of cleaning his garbage bin in his backyard, and thought, ‘There’s gotta be a better way to do this.’ He developed the idea, and shared his story with John. Emboldened by his friend’s success, John decided to do it too. “It’s been a great risk,” he says. “I was talking to one of my friends in London, telling him how I was starting this, and that there was nothing like it in the area, and he said, ‘That’s disgusting, what do you guys do over there?’ “In London and other parts of Europe, companies like this have been going on for years. As we meet more customers, almost a third of the people we talk to say, ‘Oh my gosh, why didn’t I think of this idea!’” Another part of the community that their business benefits is the elderly and children. “The task of cleaning a large trash bin is just not feasible for the elderly,” John says. “And it’s not healthy either. Having clean and sanitized bins provides greater peace of mind for parents with kids. Kids aren’t always the cleanest, and they like to explore and get into everything.” “I actually read recently that in Carolina Forest, coyotes and mice are coming at night when people aren’t around, attracted by the garbage,” he adds. “There’s a lot that having clean bins can address. The more people from the same neighborhood who join, the cleaner and healthier everyone is.” John gets the most calls when his truck is out driving around servicing neighborhoods. “It’s big and green and has PowerPoint slides on the front that show before and after pictures,” John says. “And people just stare at it.” GermBustMyBins Sign up to get your bins spic and span and sparkling at our website down below or call us … Read more

The Cigar Shop

December 13, 2021March 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Bringing a Different Kind of Lounge to the Market Common Area by Melissa LaScaleia The Cigar Shop recently opened its doors to serve the cigar aficionados of Myrtle Beach as well as those merely curious about the lifestyle. Large red flags, waving in the breeze, flank the outside of the store and inside, plenty of fun touches like a Harley Davidson motorcycle in the middle of the retail space, unique art, and a self-serve coffee station, keep everyone entertained. The owner, Mark Boley, and his partners, wanted a store that patrons could utilize for functions, private parties, and seminars as well as personal use. Thus, their 3,000 square foot space has a cigar lounge that is one of the largest in the state of South Carolina. “We have a lot of people who have been here to visit because they are established smokers,” Mark says. “But we love to cater to new smokers who might want to experience the world of cigars and what the lifestyle is like. This is not a private club, nor an old boys club,” he says. And it doesn’t have the energy of either. “Plenty of gals come too,” Mark continues. “Cigars are a great equalizer. If you’re in a room with people, and you have a couple guys who are multi-millionaires and a couple guys who are plumbers, it doesn’t matter, it’s all about the cigars.” Mark moved from Charlotte, NC about one-and-a-half years ago with his wife. “I love the lifestyle here, the pace,” he says. When he moved, Mark had an opportunity with a couple of business partners to open a full service cigar shop with a dedicated smoking lounge. “Cigars are a lifestyle choice,” he says. “It’s like fine dining, or fine bourbon, or fine whisky. Guys get into the apparel and trips overseas to the factories. People who work in the industry, who smoke cigars, are great people.” Inside the lounge, there’s a strong cigar smell, an array of magazines, multiple televisions, rich brown leather couches, and lots of sunlight. The vibe is spacious, relaxed, and has just the right balance of privacy and openness to satisfy the tastes of a broad range of people seeking a comfortable smoking lounge. The atmosphere lends itself with equal ease to intimate groups, as well as those doing their own thing. The retail area is smoke-free so non-smokers can visit the shop and feel welcome. The only place smoking is allowed is in the smoke lounge. During the spring and summer, Mark plans to have plenty of outside patio seating with umbrellas and rocking chairs under the shop’s covered portico to enhance the feeling of community and provide people with even more space to be at leisure and enjoy the offerings of his shop. The shop, located on the outskirts of the Market Common, has the second largest humidor in South Carolina. A humidor is an enclosed area which keeps the cigars in an optimal temperature- controlled environment at about 70% humidity. Otherwise, the cigars will dry out, and then split and crack. The inside of the humidor is huge, with a cave-like feel, and there are shelves and shelves of cigars. “Even folks who have cigars at their house keep them in a cigar box, which is a humidor,” Mark shares. “Cedar helps age tobacco. So most cigar boxes are made of cedar. A sampling of the cigars that line the shelves of The Cigar Shop. Most come from Latin America, and all are handmade by craftsmen. (Photo Casey York) Mark’s humidor contains a huge selection of all the major brands of cigars plus some boutique cigar lines from around the world. Cigars are primarily manufactured in the Caribbean and Central America. There are some limited cigars, typically from Miami and South Florida, but the vast majority, some 95%, come from Latin America. The making of cigars has a long history. Producing them is a talent; they are an artisanal, completely hand-made product. “They’re all rolled by hand,” Mark says. “That’s something you just don’t see nowadays. Some of the shapes and sizes these artisans produce are just incredible.” Mark and his business partners have a combined twenty years experience in the industry. “For the past 10 years, I’ve been running a couple of cigar shops in North Carolina,” he says. “So I have extensive knowledge in the business and great relationships with the brand owners and the reps. This is an incredibly intimate industry. It’s small, it’s family centered; the manufacturers, the brands, are all family owned. I’m fluent in Spanish, and can communicate with those guys on a really personal level which makes our relationships even better.” The Cigar Shop is partnering with Harley Davidson on sixteen events throughout the course of this year that are all geared towards supporting 501(c)(3) charities in the local area. Several will be on-site at Harley Davidson; several are rides throughout the Myrtle Beach area. The Cigar Shop is having a Grand Opening Thursday, March 23 from 5-9pm. Harley Davidson will be in attendance, and Palmetto Distillery will be offering a tasting while the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce will do a ribbon cutting. There will be a cigar brand-owner there to answer questions; promotional items; food; raffle prizes; door prizes; and cocktails and mocktails. “We wanted a world-class presentation with a tremendous selection coupled with huge square footage,” Mark says in speaking of how he designed his store. “Everything we do here we are thinking outside the box. This is a place which is a tribute to the lifestyle of the cigar world; we want it to be a place where anyone can come and have room to spread out. We’re filling a need here in the Myrtle Beach area. It’s truly a unique, world-class shop.” “We are just down the street from the Market Common,” he adds. “So we hope to become the go-to shop for the people who live in that area. We want to support the local community.” The … Read more

The Highland Games

June 1, 2021March 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

A Traditional Scottish Festival Lands in the Heart of the Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia When the Scottish people came to America a century or so ago, they brought the tradition of the Highland Games with them. Of the more than one hundred Highland Games that take place annually all over the U.S., eleven are in the Carolinas; they have been held in these mountains and lowlands for 75 years. Grandfather Mountain ushers some 30,000 people through their gates yearly— a larger number of attendees than those of Dunoon, Scotland, which hosts the largest games in the world. “There’s a lot of Scottish history here,” Todd Cartner, founder of the Myrtle Beach Highland Games, says. “And that’s why they are so popular in the Carolinas.” Todd, who has Scottish ancestry on his mother’s side and has been a resident of Myrtle Beach for the past 28 years, was looking for ways to raise money for the Myrtle Beach Regional Bagpipe Band and support this traditional aspect of Scottish culture. He started the first games as a non-profit in the Market Common last year. “I wanted to provide scholarships for people to learn how to play the bagpipes,” he says. “It’s very difficult and takes a long time to learn.” He had the idea to bring the games here as a fundraiser. “They are so popular in this area already,” Todd says, “plus I thought— it’s another event we can bring to Myrtle Beach and add to the growing number of festivals.” The Highland Games are a mix of sport, cultural pride and community, and have been in existence since around 2000 BC. The sport part of the games is comprised of a series of individual feats in which competitors measure their skills against one another. The most well-known one, and almost symbolic of the games themselves, is the caber toss, in which a telephone pole is thrown end over end. The Southeastern Highland Athletic Group, or SHAG, provides the athletes— and Todd is proud to be one of the only groups in the Carolinas to have a women’s group. The participants are competing to earn points. If they accumulate enough, they earn the right to compete in regional, then national, and then the world competitions in Scotland. The games offer community here in the Market Common, just as they have for centuries. They are an opportunity for those of Scottish descent to celebrate their heritage, and others to experience Scottish culture and traditions. “Scotland has a colorful and complex history, and central to it is Scotland’s clans,” Todd says. A clan is a large family group related by blood and marriage, but members also joined for protection or survival; others because they supported a leader in the clan and wanted to stand behind him. Clans had their own laws and customs, and were tightly bound together by their loyalty and pride. A competitor at the games sports a traditional Scottish kilt; they compete here to go to regional, national, and world games. (Photo Ajna Reflections) Spectators enjoy the games from the cover of their tents, just as clan members have done for centuries. (Photo Ajna Reflections) Previous Next Traditionally, there was one member from each clan competing in the games on a large playing field. The families of each contestant would erect tents around the field, which acted as a gathering spot for the entire clan to mingle and enjoy the entertainment while also watching their hero during the competition. At the Myrtle Beach games, people of Scottish descent can discover their clan affiliation. The Council of Scottish Clans of America (COSCA), has representatives at the games, and may be able to tell you the heritage of your last name including: the area of Scotland where your clan originated; where they emigrated to first; any other spelling of your clan name; and if anyone in your family history was related to a king of Scotland, dignitary, artist or other notable. Todd is working on acquiring 501(c)(3) status so he can support other organizations that promote Celtic heritage. “We are interested in sponsoring foreign exchange students, either bringing one from Scotland to Myrtle Beach, or to send one from here to Scotland,” Todd says. “It’s another way to perpetuate our mission.” The Myrtle Beach Highland Games will be held on Saturday, March 25, on the Soccer Fields in the Market Common. Plan to stay the entire day as there’s something for everyone. There will be athletic competitors; several live music bands; rivalry; a sheep and geese herding demonstration; a British car display; and food vendors serving tasty Scottish pastries, fish and chips, as well as the renowned and often shunned haggis. The less adventurous can satiate their hunger with American fare like pizza, kettle corn, fried food, and ice cream. There will be around 35-40 retail vendors selling Scottish jewelry, artwork, kilts, even the glengarry— the famous hat of Scotland. Tuatha Da — a renowned Celtic gypsy-style band— and The Band Syr— a younger band from Columbia, SC that has won several awards performing in Scotland— will treat the audience with Celtic music. And, in keeping with the 400 year-old tradition, there will be bagpipe bands playing as well. The Kid’s Glen, one of the most popular areas, hosts games based on the traditional ones for children ages 6-12, as well as activities for younger children. Bring the whole family and compete in the sheep toss— in which children see how far they can toss a stuffed sheep; the welly boot toss, in which the boot has weights in the bottom; a three-legged race; a 9-hole miniature putt-putt course (golf after all, originated in Scotland); archery; and a 40-foot obstacle course. There’s also a Scottish bouncy castle, face painting, a scavenger hunt, coloring pages and word searches— the latter three, all with Scottish themes. Another favorite part of the games is the Whisky Tasting, held this year at Tupelo Honey Cafe, on Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25. This … Read more

Cream of Potato Soup

June 4, 2021March 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Cream of Potato Soup Our recipe this month is brought to you by the Market Common’s very own Emma Ware—nutritionist by trade and foodie by passion. One of her favorite things to create in the kitchen is yummy soups with her favorite pre-made foods. This month, inspired by leprechauns of all shapes and sizes, Emma shares with us how to incorporate some of her best-loved ingredients to make a pot of gold. You can find this recipe along with so many more in Emma’s, Fast Wholesome Cooking cookbook. To learn more about Emma and her foods, visit www.itsnotadiet.net. Ingredients Serves 2 1 can of Amy’s Organic Chicken Noodle Soup (or your favorite)1/4 cup water1/2 lb potato salad (homemade or deli style)1/8 tsp sea salt1/8 tsp black pepper1/8 tsp celery flakes1/8 tsp garlic powder2 Tbs chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (optional) Directions Pour the can of soup into a pot and warm. Once it begins to simmer, stir in the water, bringing it to a boil. Add your favorite potato salad into the soup. Mash with a potato masher or fork until creamy, or blend in a blender. Add the remaining ingredients, and allow to simmer for 10 mins. Add more water or potato salad until you reach desired thickness. Adjust seasonings to taste; garnish with fresh herbs, and serve warm. Emma Ware www.itsnotadiet.net Click here for more great recipes.

Q&A with Audrey and Jeff Williamson

June 1, 2021March 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

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.

The Great Transition—Part 6 of 7

May 29, 2021March 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

This story is part 6 of a 7-part series which chronicles the redevelopment of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and its evolution into the Market Common from the perspective of retired Air Force Colonel Buddy Styers, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. Our history continues where we left off with Part 5, in the February 2017 issue. The Redevelopment Years of The Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia Plant Construction was the general contractor working with Dan McCaffery to erect the buildings in the Market Common. Everything ran pretty smoothly in general, but there was one incident of interest. “Somehow, we built the building frontage into the city right-of-way by one foot,” Buddy Styers says. It wasn’t just one storefront that was encroaching on city public property, but the entire city block of Howard Avenue where Gordon Biersch is currently; the building extended onto public property by a mere few inches, which when added up, totaled about one square foot. And that foot mattered. “We couldn’t move the building,” Buddy says. “So we had to go back and negotiate with the city what to do. You can imagine the time that took. But once again, we worked it out; the city wasn’t unreasonable about it.” It would have cost more to demolish the building and move it back a foot, so the only solution was to pay the city for the piece of property and leave the building where it was. “We found out what the appraised value was of that one foot for that one block, and Dan McCaffery paid them for it,” Buddy says. (He apologizes that he can’t remember the cost, it was a long time ago.) The rest of the buildings went up without further ado. “The process was probably no different than any other general contractor building a project that big,” Buddy says. “We had good times, we had okay times, and we had not so good times. Buddy was still working with the city to finalize the water, sewer, and storm water retention system, and the Air Force still had a role because there were a few small pieces of contaminated property nearby that had to be contained safely. “At the same time, we were trying to solidify the retailers that were moving into the 300,000 square feet of tenant space we had available,” he adds. “A lot of time and negotiation went into the rental process, as we had to coordinate to make sure prospective tenants received the size and location they wanted. When you’re negotiating to get a tenant to move in, there’s a lot of give and take. They tell you what they want, you tell them what you can do, and you try to find a middle point to make them happy and get them to sign a long-term lease and move in.” The team had a full-scale model of what the finished Market Common would look like. It was about 6 or 7 feet in diameter, and the prospective tenants could look at the model and determine where they wanted to be. The developers built the Market Common according to plan— there was no custom design for tenants. “But the Barnes & Nobles building was designed specifically to draw that retailer into the Market Common,” Buddy says. “And P.F. Chang’s wouldn’t come unless there were horses in front. So we built horses. We did everything we could to make it possible for retailers to say, ‘We want to be a part of the Market Common.’” And today, their hard work has paid off because prospective retailers, homebuyers, and lease-signers are still thinking and saying those exact words. Another challenge in the early days was the number of retailers who tried to put signs on the sidewalk in front of their establishment. “One of the things people didn’t understand was that the sidewalk was public, not private property,” Buddy says. “You’ve seen how grocery stores like to put signs out on the sidewalk— but the city ordinance didn’t allow that. There are other developments where the sidewalks aren’t public, but that’s not the situation here. The city sign ordinance doesn’t allow a business to advertise on public property.” Which also explains why the signs at either end of Farrow Parkway that read, “The Market Common” in big letters, letting you know you’ve arrived, are located where they are— on private, rather than public property. “Trying to make all these moving parts, involving so many components that I’ve mentioned fit… determining the move-in date for some of the national firms like P.F. Chang’s, Orvis, Gordon Biersch, Barnes & Noble, and trying to get them to come together at the right time as we were trying to finish construction — it was a challenge,” says Buddy. “We made a concerted effort to make the former base an integral part of the city of Myrtle Beach. There are people today, who driving on the base property, wouldn’t know that it ever was a base, they would think it was a part of the city of Myrtle Beach. We were very successful in simply making this, Myrtle Beach.” “Not only that,” he adds, “we made all of the base property useful to meet the needs of the community; and that includes the airport, the parks and recreation areas, and the college. That was the goal going in, and so many times, attaining the goals you set is extremely difficult. But, with everyone’s cooperation— from the city, county, and Air Force— we were able to be successful in the redevelopment and reuse of the base property.” The Market Common’s Grand Opening was April 1, 2008. Click here to read the final article in the series on “The Redevelopment Years of The Market Common.”

General James Hackler

December 13, 2021March 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

“Man of the Decade” & Commander of the 354th at Myrtle Beach by Melissa LaScaleia Hackler Street in the Market Common links Farrow Parkway to Johnson Avenue, and borders Valor Memorial Garden. It is named after General James Franklin Hackler, Jr. James Hackler was born in Marion, Virginia in 1920. As a child, he was passionate about golf and dreamed of being a professional pilot. He determined his best recourse to learn how to fly and have a long-term career as a pilot was to join the U.S. military. He graduated from New Hanover High School in Wilmington, NC in 1937, and spent a year at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, before attending West Point Academy. He graduated in 1943, and the same year, married his sweetheart, Josephine Love Bridger, also from North Carolina. James Hackler began his flying career in England in 1943. It was World War II, and he was a wingman in a P-47 fighter group. He completed a 100-mission tour and was promoted to major before volunteering for a second tour. By the end of the war, he completed 119 missions and received many awards including the Silver Star; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross; Air medals; French Croix de Guerre; and Army and Air Force Commendation medals. His flying career continued as a squadron commander in P-51s and F-86s; as a group commander in F-86s and F-100s; and as commander of the 36th Wing in Germany, flying F-105s and F-4s. Hackler was promoted to brigadier general and assigned to headquarters as deputy director of operations for the United States Air Force, Europe. In September 1956, he returned to the United States and was assigned to the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, as commander of the 354th Fighter Day Group. He delivered the first F-100 to the base in October 1956. The following year, he was appointed director of operations for the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing. In this position, Hackler was instrumental in developing a worldwide deployment capability as part of Tactical Air Command’s Composite Air Strike Force. James Hackler also served three assignments at the Pentagon: first in personnel, later in tactical aircraft and weapons requirements, then in research and development in the office of the Secretary of Defense. During his last tour, he served in the public information office of the Secretary of the Air Force, was promoted to major general, and assigned as director of Air Force personnel policy and planning. In 1968, Hackler’s business partner in Myrtle Beach, SC, died unexpectedly. Hackler retired from the military after 26 years of service, and moved to Myrtle Beach to manage his business investments. Over time, he became involved with four motel/hotel properties, seven golf courses, and three restaurants. In Myrtle Beach, Hackler also served on the board of directors of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce; as national director of the Air Force Association; as vice president of the United Way; on the Congressional Medal of Honor society convention; as club president and district governor of Rotary International; chairman of the county district, Boy Scouts of America; lay reader in the Methodist Church; on the board of trustees for Spartanburg Methodist College, and for the Falcon Foundation, Air Force Academy; as well as the board of visitors for the School of Business Administration, Coastal Carolina University. In recognition of his contributions, Hackler was named South Carolina “Man of the Decade” by the Air Force Association and “Distinguished Citizen of the Year” in 1998 by the Pee Dee Area Council. He and his wife had two sons— both of whom served with the Air Force during the Vietnam War, and both of whom became businessmen in Myrtle Beach afterwards. James Hackler died on November 22, 2007, and is interred in Ocean Woods National Cemetery, Myrtle Beach, SC. To read more of our history features click here.

A Message from Jim Parker, Co-Owner of the Insider

May 6, 2021March 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

A message from the Editor This month’s Insider captures the heart that people with a vision and passion bring to the Market Common. Through their drive and entrepreneurial pursuits, so many in our community bring gifts that benefit all, while fulfilling their own dreams. I keep hearing again and again, that people who move to the Market Common are moving to a higher quality of life— one with a slower pace, in which they can focus on what matters to them most. We’re so grateful to have such a great place in the Market Common, where one can grow new and unexpected friendships, businesses, and hobbies— and find more down time for relaxing pursuits. We hope you will walk along these beautiful streets, browse through the shops, and soak up the wonderful feeling that comes from our community; and if you’re feeling inspired to share your reflections, then hop on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/InsiderattheMarketCommon, and con- tribute to our online community. In other Insider news, we continue to grow— thanks to the support of you our readers and advertisers, and your interest in the community we’re all a part of. We’re focused on trying to introduce and showcase the new local businesses and neighbors in our community. A new business will show up, and we see a sign go up, but what really is it all about, and who is behind that? We’d like to know who you are, where you’re from, and what you’re doing to continue to make this special place as special as it is. We at the Insider, hope that the attention we bring these new businesses will not only help them to be a success, and ultimately contribute to the positive atmosphere and diversity of the Market Common, but will also be a rich source of information for all our residents and visitors. Are you or someone you know doing something notable in our neighborhood? Contact us with comments and suggestions at community@marketcommoninsider.com – Jim Parker Editor-in-chief and co-owner of Properties at the Market Common

Charlie Meets a Leprechaun and Acquires Some Luck

May 12, 2021March 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

Charlie’s Corner is the domain of Charlie, the furry four-legged lady’s man of the Market Common. Each month, he’ll share information to help all new, visiting, and existing doggie community members get the most out of life alongside their human companions. We’ll feature his reflections on what it’s like to be a dashing downtown doggie, as he reminds all of us how to play well together. Now that the effects of meeting cupid have worn off, Charlie settles down for a much needed nap and opens to new adventures. Well, charming as that squirrel was, I’m happy to report that I’m no longer in love. Gee-whiz, that naked chubby baby really wreaked some havoc with my doggie-heart. (Catch up on last month’s story here if you missed it.) But it seems my chance run-in with cupid and ensuing affection for my inamorata has only lasted as long as the Valentine’s Day season. We parted, both knowing that it was for the best. As I settle in for a much needed nap, I dimly hear the rumble of distant thunder, and as I doze and dream, the pitter-patter of a March rain. I awake to a brilliant stream of light coming through our balcony doors. As I amble out to the terrace, I see a rainbow in the sky. I love rainbows! I’m overwhelmed with joy, and bound down the stairs and into the park for a closer look. I scamper, closer and closer, until I seem to be surrounded by a prism of colors. “This has never happened to me before when chasing a rainbow,” I think, as everything about me begins to swirl and seems to be swallowed by vibrant hues. And then… “Thump! Whump!” and “Arf!” I exclaim loudly as all is confusion around me, and I sit up dazed, rubbing my paws to my head. A very round, very short, very indignant man dressed in green, with a top hat and a little pointy beard is standing in front of me. “What are you?” I manage to ask still rubbing my head. “I’m a leprechaun,” comes growls the creature, in reply. “I thought leprechauns were happy,” I say suspiciously. “And where am I?” I ask, taking in my surroundings. I know my back yard as a very green place, but everything here seems to be a glowing emerald color. “Why you’re at the end of the rainbow lad. And how ya’ came to be here,” he says, thrusting his substantial girth into my face, “is what I’d like to know.” “I was chasing a rainbow,” I say feeling my familiar tongue-tiedness in the face of unknown, assertive little creatures, return. “Hmmm,” grunts the leprechaun. “And what is it ya’ be wantin’?” “To see pretty colors?” I venture hesitantly. “Hmmm,” grunts the leprechaun again, rubbing his beard thoughtfully, “not usually enough to land ya’ hereabouts. You don’t happen to have the luck o’ the Irish do ya’? Tis’ the only thing I know of that could land ya’ this end of the rainbow.” “Well, we’re not really certain about my family tree,” I say a bit embarrassed by the wayward tendencies of my parents. “I just must have the luck of Charlie of Charlie’s Corner!” At these words, the leprechaun starts, and says, “Aye, you’re him are ya’? That be it then. It’s the great love ya’ have in your heart for your people, and the great service you’re doin’ in the Market Common helpin’ to build community that gave ya’ the power to transport here. And in return, I be givin’ ya’ a present to help ya’ with your work.” So saying the leprechaun stoops and sweeps up a four-leaf clover from an especially verdant patch of grass, and blows it into my heart. “Fare thee well, Charlie,” he says as everything about me begins to swirl in a mist of beautiful, vibrant colors once more, “and may the luck o’ the Irish accompany ya’ to help ya’ with the task of building community in your home.” I wake drowsily and give a luxurious doggie-yawn. ‘What a curious dream I had,’ I think to myself, as I head towards my water bowl. And boy do I feel ready to work! Then, as I gaze down into its depths, I swear I see a little face with a pointy beard and a green top hat, give me a decisive wink, then disappear. Until next time, P.S. Follow me on Facebook to keep up with all my latest news, www.facebook.com/InsiderCharliesCorner and on Instagram @charlieparkerscorner.

Art and Community at the Seacoast Artist Gallery

December 13, 2021February 1, 2017 by The Coastal Insider

A Local Non-Profit Adds Beauty and Value by Melissa LaScaleia The streets of the Market Common always seem to beckon a leisurely stroll, and the art gallery on Nevers Street coincides with that tempo. The Seacoast Artists Gallery is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) created for the furtherance and development of the arts in the Myrtle Beach area. It’s an organization which exists to create an atmosphere of cooperation, sharing, and mentoring amongst artists in the Grand Strand area. The gallery was started about three-and-a-half years ago by the Seacoast Artists Guild, and functions as an art-lovers community spot where artists can showcase their pieces to the public as well as convene to share ideas and give and receive support. “We were looking for a venue in Myrtle Beach, and the Market Common management team was looking and hoping for a gallery to come into the area; it worked out to both of our advantages,” says Woody Bower, president of the Seacoast Artists Guild and director of the gallery. The guild began as a small group of artists in Pawleys Island in 2003. “We had about fifteen members,” Woody says. “And now we have 300 from up and down the Grand Strand— north, south, and west. We have members as far as Calabash; as far south as the Isle of Palms, the Charleston area; and inland as far as Columbia.” Woody is a photographer. He grew up in up-state New York and has lived all over the country. He moved to Myrtle Beach in 2003. “This was the only option my wife gave me for retirement,” he says, laughing. “I joined the guild around 2009. I was asked in 2010 if I would serve on the board, and then I was elected president the following year.” Sharon Sorrels, an oil and watercolor painter also serves on the board. “The guild to me has been a great place to meet other artists and I have gained many friends— that’s important to me, being new to the area,” she says. The guild holds monthly meetings and presentations on art topics by a guest lecturer, and are an opportunity for members to meet and develop relationships. “Artists like to hang out together, learn together, and make art together,” Woody says. “That’s the purpose of a guild. We want to make sure we have a place for local artists to congregate, to mingle and mix and mentor each other, and share their skills with other artists in the area. “Myrtle Beach doesn’t have a lot of art galleries. And this is where a majority of our members are. We wanted to offer our members this market as well as a community venue.” You don’t have to be an artist to be a member of the guild. The annual membership fee is $30, and those who simply enjoy art or want to be a part of the community can join. “In joining the guild, I met other artists who had the same interests I did,” Sharon says. “It’s a chance to share skills, methods, and ideas about the materials we use. And the gallery has offered me a space to display my art and sell it. That has helped me.” The exterior of the gallery on tree-lined Nevers Street contributes the beauty of art to our beach-side community. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) Those guild members interested in having their work placed in the gallery make submissions to a jury committee of highly skilled artists for review. Those who are accepted are put on a waiting list until a spot opens. The gallery is currently displaying works from seventy-five of its guild members. “The gallery here is the biggest repository of art along the Grand Strand,” Woody says. And it covers a diverse array of mediums: from painting, pottery, photography, and wood carvings, to 3-d fused glass, and sculptures made from old band instruments. “Art gives me a chance to show others how I see things,” says Sharon. “I always say that lots of artists can look at one thing, a tree for example, and present it in many different ways. Art gives me a way to communicate. I communicate through my paintings. It’s a way to share opinions, whether they’re political, social or just personal.” There is a classroom in the gallery where adult classes are offered to guild members and the public in subjects like: life-studies with figure drawing, water color, acrylic and oil painting. Classes are limited to ages 16 and over, and are for beginners as well as more advanced students. “We’re not trying to make money, but to be a venue for artists and young artists to grow,” Woody says. “Because we’re a non-profit, we’re not driven by sales.” In keeping with their mission, the guild offers annual scholarships. “We provide two $1,000 scholarships a year to high school seniors who are pursuing the field of art in college to help them further their art education,” Woody says. “One to a Horry County student, and one to a Georgetown County student.” Funding for the guild’s operational costs as well as the scholarships comes from their members. They also have two annual craft show fundraisers in the spring and the fall— usually April and September respectively. Art in Common, as it’s called, is open to any artists in the region. The artists pay a fee to join the show, which supports the guild, and the guild handles publicity and organizes the event, offering artists a venue to display their crafts and sell their work. Right now, the guild is in the process of developing another fundraiser in the fall in the second half of October; it will be a silent auction event. “We like to say that there is something here for every taste, and for every budget,” Woody concludes, speaking of the gallery. “We want to be a gallery that serves our community,” Sharon adds. “We hope people will stop by and join our open houses and have a little refreshment and realize that we … Read more

Coleslaw & Tuna Salad

Buy Local to Stay Local

The Market Common District Community Garden

The DuRant Law Firm

Orvis

Moore & Associates Insurance Agency

Mexican Steak

Q&A with Lynn Means

Major General Charles Baldwin, Chaplain of the MBAFB

A Chance Encounter With the Easter Bunny

A Message from Jim Parker, Co-Owner of the Insider

Anderson Brothers Bank

The 12th Annual Myrtle Beach International Film Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival in the Market Common

Beet Apple Salad

Q&A with Don & Linda Boucher

The Great Transition—Part 7 of 7

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shine

A Message from Jim Parker, Co-Owner of the Insider

Delights in Springtime Things

GermBustMyBins

The Cigar Shop

The Highland Games

Cream of Potato Soup

Q&A with Audrey and Jeff Williamson

The Great Transition—Part 6 of 7

General James Hackler

A Message from Jim Parker, Co-Owner of the Insider

Charlie Meets a Leprechaun and Acquires Some Luck

Art and Community at the Seacoast Artist Gallery

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