Coastal Real Estate January Edition

June 15, 2022January 10, 2022 by The Coastal Insider

The Coastal Insider and Coastal Real Estate From entertainment, leisure and beaches to local businesses and community, we bring it closer to you. Plus advertising with us is in alignment with our mission! * Take a peek at our past editions * Check out our latest Coastal Insider Issue Click to view Coastal Insider * Take a peek at our past editions * Check out our latest Coastal Real Estate Issue Click to view Home Insider Stay connected with our top stories delivered every month! A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM As we welcome 2022, it’s with great excitement for the changes that we’ve implemented with the Coastal Insider and Real Living Home Realty Group. We’re pleased to reveal the new direction of our companies and brand, as members of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise. As of the new year, our real estate company is now Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coastal Real Estate. Real Living is affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, and we were invited to be a direct franchisee of the latter because of the growth and development that we have experienced as being a part of Real Living for the past several years. It’s with pride and enthusiasm that we embrace this opportunity, as it means that we are even better positioned to serve our community’s real estate needs with unparalleled access to resources, technology and collaborative mentorship. The Grand Strand area has and continues to experience exponential growth, and at the forefront of that is the influx of people moving here and boom in real estate. To best serve our community and stay current with the trends, we have reimagined the Coastal Insider and renamed it, Coastal Real Estate, with an accompanying glossy new look and more sophisticated styling. Previously, it was a community publication with a real estate section; we’ve now reversed it to be a real estate magazine with a community publication section called the Coastal Insider. Each edition will focus on one of three distinct genres of real estate along the Grand Strand: The Market Common, Luxury Homes, and New Construction. Within each, we’ll shine a spotlight on the real estate happenings specific to that geographical area, giving more detailed information than we have in the past. The Coastal Insider will include all the content you know and love, like: the veterans stories, articles about local businesses along the Grand Strand, recipes, and festivals. Here’s to 2022 and the positive changes that it’s ushering in for us all. -Jim Parker, Broker-in-Charge

Coastal Insider January Edition

June 15, 2022January 10, 2022 by The Coastal Insider

Current Edition Stay connected with our top stories delivered every month! A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM As we welcome 2022, it’s with great excitement for the changes that we’ve implemented with the Coastal Insider and Real Living Home Realty Group. We’re pleased to reveal the new direction of our companies and brand, as members of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise. As of the new year, our real estate company is now Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coastal Real Estate. Real Living is affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, and we were invited to be a direct franchisee of the latter because of the growth and development that we have experienced as being a part of Real Living for the past several years. It’s with pride and enthusiasm that we embrace this opportunity, as it means that we are even better positioned to serve our community’s real estate needs with unparalleled access to resources, technology and collaborative mentorship. The Grand Strand area has and continues to experience exponential growth, and at the forefront of that is the influx of people moving here and boom in real estate. To best serve our community and stay current with the trends, we have reimagined the Coastal Insider and renamed it, Coastal Real Estate, with an accompanying glossy new look and more sophisticated styling. Previously, it was a community publication with a real estate section; we’ve now reversed it to be a real estate magazine with a community publication section called the Coastal Insider. Each edition will focus on one of three distinct genres of real estate along the Grand Strand: The Market Common, Luxury Homes, and New Construction. Within each, we’ll shine a spotlight on the real estate happenings specific to that geographical area, giving more detailed information than we have in the past. The Coastal Insider will include all the content you know and love, like: the veterans stories, articles about local businesses along the Grand Strand, recipes, and festivals. Here’s to 2022 and the positive changes that it’s ushering in for us all. -Jim Parker, Broker-in-Charge

From U.S. Air Force Base to the Market Common

August 30, 2022January 6, 2022 by The Coastal Insider

The Birth and Evolution of a Place by Melissa LaScaleia Myrtle Beach began as a sleepy little beach town, but it was only a matter of time before its relaxing, sandy shores drew more people. As a result of the growth, the city constructed an airport in 1939 that was named after their mayor, Dr. Wilford L. Harrelson. The Harrelson Municipal Airport would prove to be an invaluable asset to our country in the ensuing years; initially the United States War Department needed the land and airstrip for both offensive as well as defensive military actions, to train pilots for the European theatre of World War II. The government acquired an additional 6,000 acres, and formally established a base on the site on March 24, 1942, called the Myrtle Beach General Bombing and Gunnery Range. 114 buildings were built on the premises, including barracks, a hospital, offices, and other facilities, as well as a compound to house German prisoners of war. The 351st, 136th, and 317th Air Base Units; the 323rd and 391st Bombardment Groups; the 404th Fighter-Bomber Group; and the 304th Fighter Squadron were all stationed there. In 1943, the base was renamed the Myrtle Beach Army Air Field. The famous Doolittle Raiders, heroes for their carrier-based attack on Tokyo in 1942, were stationed in Myrtle Beach for training prior to conducting the raid. On November 1, 1947, after the conclusion of the war was solidified, the base was deactivated and returned to the city. After that, in addition to being a municipal airport, the city leased a portion of the property to a turkey farm; the Boston Braves baseball team, of Babe Ruth fame, also used the property as a training ground. The entrance the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, circa 1950. As the Cold War continued to intensify in the early 1950s, the city chose to donate the airport to the United States military, and the Air Force took over again on June 1, 1954. On April 1, 1956, they activated the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Over the years, the 4434th Air Base Squadron; the 342nd Fighter-Day Wing; the 455th Fighter Day Group; the 113th Tactical Fighter Wing; the 728th Tactical Control Squadron, and the legendary 354th Fighter Day Wing were all stationed here. The base played a key role in every major conflict the U.S. was involved in during the 20th century including, Vietnam, Korea and Iraq, and was named one of the best bases in country. And the people who lived on the base were an integral part of the Myrtle Beach community. By the early ‘90s, as the Cold War drew to an end, and because of the tremendous cost to operate a base, the Air Force announced its intention to close the base, and began planning how to transition the vast tract of land into the community. The base officially closed in 1993, and the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority was established to help execute the task. Retired Air Force Colonel, Buddy Styers, was hired as the executive director to spearhead the project. The Air Force had funded the creation of a formal redevelopment plan for the area, which envisioned an urban village, recreation facility, an airport, and a golf course. The city accepted the plan, and McCaffery Interests was the developer who committed to build it. Retired Air Force colonel Buddy Styers, senior project manager for the building of the Market Common. The Redevelopment Authority had already installed telephone; electricity; a regional stormwater management system; roads; sidewalks; underground utilities; water; sewer; and computer lines, and worked closely with Dan McCaffery, navigating the back and forth with the governing boards that such a large-scale project necessitates, to bring their vision to fruition. Buddy also acted as senior project manager for the project. Part of his vision was to offer amenities that didn’t exist elsewhere in Myrtle Beach, including a large lake, ball field complex, roller skating rink and soccer fields. Horry Georgetown Technical College moved their three biggest programs from the Conway campus to the Market Common: medical/nursing, dentistry, and culinary arts. The Market Common’s Grand Opening was April 1, 2008. And it’s been growing steadily ever since. Today, it’s an integral part of Myrtle Beach, and many people, new to the area, wouldn’t know that it was ever a base. But keeping the area tied to its roots was important to Buddy. He created a museum as well as an outdoor park to commemorate the Market Common’s origins. And all of the streets in the district are named after people who made a significant contribution to the Air Force Base in some way. History plaques recounting their accomplishments dot the streets, reminders of this area’s rich past.

Hilton Garden Inn Myrtle Beach – Coastal Grand Mall

August 30, 2022January 6, 2022 by The Coastal Insider

Everything’s Better at the Garden by Melissa LaScaleia The Hilton Garden Inn is a franchisee of the Hilton Brand— a select service brand which offers all the guest amenities people know and expect, such as complimentary internet, parking and airport shuttle service; room service; a microwave and fridge in every room; and on-site laundry facilities. They also have a business center; full bar; a fitness center that includes free-weights, universal weight machines, cardio machines and yoga mats; an indoor and outdoor pool; and an outdoor hot tub. Upgraded rooms have whirlpool tubs ensuite. The hotel restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. All of their food and beverage is prepared in-house, and cooked to order, whether it be in their restaurant or catered. There are ample spaces for lounging and relaxing, including by the wrap-around fireplace in their lobby; at the expansive bar; and at the outdoor patio seating area with accompanying fire pit, adjacent to the restaurant. Thomas McDonald has been the general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn in Myrtle Beach for the past ten years. Originally hailing from New Jersey, he has worked in hotel management for over twenty years. “We’re proud to be a part of this community,” he says. “As a manager, I and my team are always working to make sure every guest is having a positive experience while they’re with us.” This past week, the hotel upgraded all of their beds, and installed new 50-inch smart TVs with over 200 channels. “During my years at the hotel,” he says, “we’ve won a total of 7 Hilton Garden Inn Success Awards, which is the Hilton brand for ranking, and we rank in the top 5% of all the Hilton Garden Inns across the world. We’ve never gotten a less than outstanding on any kind of Hilton Quality and Assurance (QA) and Quality Inspection service, which takes into account cleanliness, brand standards, and service.” All in all, they’ve won a total of twenty “Outstandings” in the past ten years. They are ranked #9 out of 200 hotels on Trip Advisor, and won the Traveler’s Choice Award for Trip Advisor for 2021. Thomas is proud of the accolades, and passionate about what he does. “We have on average forty employees,” he says. “We have a real teamwork environment here, and are always looking to have great people join our ranks. We like to do things to continue to reward our current team members. We are a bright hearted workplace.” The hotel has over 1800 square feet of meeting space with state of the art audio and visual equipment for presentations, meetings, and functions, and a full catering crew at the ready. “The room can be broken up into three different sizes so it’s fully customizable,” Thomas says. The space is a popular selection for reunions, corporate events, luncheons, meetings, Christmas and retirement parties, corporate breakfasts, lunches, and outings. “We do a nice mix of corporate business and leisure business, and accommodate both types of guests excellently,” he adds. Single travelers will feel as much at ease at The Hilton Garden Inn as couples or those with a family. It’s an easy atmosphere that feels simple and modern, inviting and unassuming. “This is a hotel for everyone,” Thomas adds. “It’s the most accessible property on the Grand Strand. We’re close to the beach and the area attractions, and three minutes from the airport, and five from the Market Common.” There is also a gift shop on the premises where you can get all of your basic necessities for your trip— even down to a bottle of wine. But if you choose to shop elsewhere, the mall is within walking distance. Or you could elect to hop aboard the hotel’s free shuttle which transports guests from the hotel around the mall’s perimeter. In response to Covid, Hilton has partnered with Reckitt, maker of Lysol & Dettol, to develop their Hilton CleanStay program. The innovative program provides enhanced training for team members, increased cleaning of public areas, and adjusted food and beverage service, to ensure all guests enjoy a worry-free stay. Hilton Garden Inn Myrtle Beach- Coastal Grand Mall Facebook Globe Phone Map-marked-alt

Chocolate Almond Delights

August 30, 2022January 6, 2022 by The Coastal Insider

The chocolate and nut filling in this classic butter cookie takes it from oh-so-good to a standout in decadence that you’ll reach for again and again. Enjoy it with an array of other butter cookies, and a cup of English Breakfast tea. The combination is so warming you may just wish for a moment that you were sitting in a ski lodge instead of sunny Myrtle Beach… but only for a moment. Be sure to use the highest quality ingredients you can find— especially for the butter, flour and chocolate. With so few ingredients, the basics really stand out and make a statement on the palate. If you prefer, substitute dark chocolate for milk or bittersweet. Chocolate Almond Delights Ingredients Cookie ⅛ cup blanched almonds 2 sticks unsalted butter, cut up ½ cup confectionary sugar 2 cups flour ⅛ tsp salt 1 tsp almond extract Filling 3 ounces dark chocolate 2 Tbs unsalted butter 2 Tbs heavy cream ½ tsp almond extract pinch of salt 1 cup confectionary sugar Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Toast almonds until lightly browned; not dark, about 5 minutes. When cool, chop finely and set aside. In a food processor or mixer, mix butter and sugar until smooth. Add remaining cookie ingredients. Do not overmix. Roll pieces of dough the size of a marble into a ball and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes or until firm; do not brown. For the filling, chop chocolate finely. Boil butter and heavy cream in a saucepan then add to the chocolate and mix either in a food processor or beater until the chocolate is smooth. Add the remaining ingredients. Do not overmix. While the filling is still warm, spread ½ tsp on the bottom of a cookie, and place another cookie on the other side to make a sandwich. Roll the chocolate edge in the chopped almonds.

The Importance of Mental Health With Emma Ware

August 30, 2022January 6, 2022 by The Coastal Insider

Emma_s School of Healthy Eating Best Nutitrionist Myrtle Beach-0446

Creating and Safeguarding a Positive Mental Spirit in the New Year and Beyond by Melissa LaScaleia Emma Ware is a maven in the worlds of nutrition, weight loss, and alternative health and holistic healing. For twenty years, she’s coached people to reach their health, weight-loss, and happiness goals, but noticed that often our mindset gets de-emphasized in the conversation about living the life of your dreams. “The past couple of years have felt heavy and overwhelming for everyone, and the number one way to combat that is through self-empowerment,” Emma says. There’s a great deal of collective social emphasis on people who rely on families or close friends for support when they’re down mentally, but little said about those who are alone. “So much of the same advice is given,” says Emma. “Connect with your family and loved-ones. But there are many people who don’t have a spouse, children, family, or friends— maybe they got a divorce, are estranged from family, lost a job, moved, or starting over. “But the number one thing you need when faced with that reality, is to know that you are strong, and you can control your life. People forget the power they have, but the only way to recall it is to create what you want for yourself. “If you see people laughing together and you want that, then create it. Don’t wait for an invitation, be the initiator. If a door closes, try another until you find the right fit, right partner, right group of friends, right career.” To get there, Emma recommends that people find something new to do in their community, like taking up a craft, hobby or sport that they enjoy, or volunteering at a charity that resonates. She also emphasizes the importance of spending quality time with yourself, doing things that make you happy. “Many people do not enjoy being alone,” Emma says. “But cultivating inner contentment and making yourself happy is what makes you able to connect with others authentically. “Find something that you can immersive yourself in, be it a craft or handy project; read a favorite book; watch a funny movie; or have some spa time at home. Be present with yourself and show up for yourself as you would for others. Collapsing on your couch and flipping through the TV lineup doesn’t count. The time I’m speaking of should cultivate joy, give you energy, and make you feel uplifted.” Another secret hack— planning. “Planning keeps you in a positive state of looking forward to something and ensures that you’ll actually do it,” she says. “Spontaneity is wonderful, but can be a pitfall because change is hard and scary for most, and if you wait to commit to doing something new to how you feel in the moment, you may never feel quite ready. In the meantime you’re waiting and wasting your life. You just need to do, and even if it doesn’t go perfectly, it’s still okay.” But perhaps the most important component of happiness is to change your attitude. The simplest way to do this is to focus on the positive, not the negative— to bring conscious thought to gratitude. “It sounds hokey, but it works,” she says. “When I first wake up, I look around and soak up the world I live in, letting myself feel grateful for everything. As I move throughout my day, I continue the practice, feeling grateful for each opportunity.” “When I meet a grouchy person, I don’t accept grouchiness in my spirit, mind, or consciousness. I won’t allow it to enter, because I’m in control of me, and that’s my choice. “It’s so easy to meet someone and start complaining, gossiping and judging. It’s so easy to get sucked into other people’s negativity, to relate to them on that level. It’s much harder to work at being positive everyday. But when I’m positive all the time, a lot of good things happen in my life. “Let go of situations that happened in the past. Instead, create a new future. Don’t dwell on what’s wrong. Dwell on what’s working well. Take ownership of and responsibility for your thoughts and what you create. “Life is constantly revealing new opportunities to us. But sometimes you can’t see that if you don’t open to it. Change is hard, because we get into routines, even if those routines don’t serve us. These are the things that will help you change mentally, and ultimately, change physically. The next thing you know, you’re able to welcome everything new into your life with less fear and greater anticipation of joy.” Emma’s School of Healthy Eating Globe Phone Map-marked-alt

Bob German, Part 2

August 30, 2022January 6, 2022 by The Coastal Insider

MYV - Robert _Bob_ German WWII United States Submarine Veteran Holland Club USS Angler SS-240-6018

A WWII Navy Veteran Who Served in the South Pacific Celebrate Our Veteran gives voice to the stories of the U.S. military veterans living amongst us. The actions of these brave and dedicated people, who have served our country both in active military duty as well as administrative positions, have and continue to contribute to the protection and preservation of us and our country. We hope that this section of our paper is an opportunity for our community to hear and see veterans with new eyes, and for veterans to receive recognition and honor for their experiences and life journeys. This month’s Celebrate Our Veteran completes the story of Bob German, a WWII veteran, as told in his own words. Click here to read part 1. by Melissa LaScaleia “She gave birth to a daughter, Dorothy, who was adopted at birth by Heidi’s close friends. Dorothy grew up thinking she was the natural-born daughter of that family. She married and had a boy and a girl, and the girl married and has two children as well. I didn’t find out until October of last year that not only do I have a daughter, but also grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My granddaughter did a DNA test and discovered that she had genes that matched mine perfectly. We all connected via Zoom for the first time. Everybody thinks it’s fun. Then my granddaughter called me one day and asked if I thought we had any more relatives we didn’t know about. I laughed and said, “I don’t think so.” Back on the ship in the Southern hemisphere— this was my fourth patrol run. And we were engaged in what was called a battle surface— meaning we were using the deck to fire on the enemy. A shell was being passed to a man above me, but he missed it, and it slipped, and it knocked me completely out. Our base station had been relocated from Australia to Guam Island, and four days later we reached the island. By that point, we were just south of Malaysia and the Philippines, and we had sunk all the enemy ships in that area. They transferred me to the hospital ward on the submarine tender they had moved from Fremantle, Australia. From there they shipped me to the hospital on Guam. Then they flew me to Pearl Harbor. From there I was transferred to San Diego hospital. All in all, I was in the hospital for about two months. My doctor came in one day and asked me what I wanted to do. I told him that I wanted to go back to sea. And he told me that I was going to be honorably medically discharged instead. So that ended my term in the Navy. I came back to Baltimore where I was born after I was discharged. I got a job with the Coast Guard installing diesel engines and went to high school at night for two years. When I had enough credits, I went to the University of Maryland for college and got a degree in industrial engineering. After I graduated, I went to work for the government. I wanted to get into sales and international sales because of the overseas contacts I had— I thought it would be interesting to get into printing foreign currency. I ended up going into domestic sales at a bank note company for the next forty years instead. I printed stock certificates and bonds for various corporations, and made the titles for thirty-eight states. It was quite interesting what I did. I moved to Chicago for some time, and then back to the East coast, where the company bought my wife and I a home in New Jersey. After twenty-five years, they made me vice president of the company. Then they wanted me to take over a position in Pittsburg. It was the plum of the company. I took over all of Ohio, West Virginia, and the lower part of Michigan too. I made a lot of money for myself and for the company. It wasn’t a job, it was a joy. I retired on 01/01/01. It was an easy number to remember. I’ve been retired for twenty-one years now. We built a home down here because my wife has a sister who lives here. And I’ll make it my permanent home this year. My first wife and I had three children. My eldest was 74 years old and living in Pittsburg when he died of a heart attack. My daughter passed away when she was 52 years old, of an incurable cancer. My other son, Mark, is 64 years old, and is a real estate appraiser. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland. And I have one Australian daughter. My first marriage ended because my wife was an alcoholic. After the divorce, I took care of her for the next ten years until she died. My second wife of seven years died in my arms of a heart attack. And I’ve been married to my third wife for twenty-three years now. Being married and raising children was a big part of my life. I’m 97 years old, and in three more years I’ll be 100. The Angler and the Bluefish both have reunions with the guys who served on these boats after WWII. The Bluefish passed a rule, that as long as Bob German is alive, the reunion will be held in Myrtle Beach every two years. The Angler 240 holds a reunion every year because of the number of deaths every year. We are running out of WWII veterans. I’m the last WWII veteran from both boats. WWII boats were kept in service until nuclear submarines were built. Now there are nuclear vets reunion groups. Bluefish had such a good record, that an early nuke was named Bluefish.”

Q&A with Larry & Barb White

June 15, 2022January 6, 2022 by The Coastal Insider

Meet Your Neighbor Larry_s Auto Clinic Larry and Barb White -1068

Spend Time on the Intracoastal Waterway and Their Shop, Larry’s Auto Clinic by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. It’s my husband Larry and I. We’ve been married for twenty-eight years. Our son, Johnny, is an engineer and lives in Baltimore. Our daughter, Erin, is in grad school at Webster University for child counseling and lives in Myrtle Beach. We have two rescue dogs: Simba, a golden Labrador, and Amber, a golden cocker spaniel. They are both eleven years old, and have been together for ten of those. They are so attached to each other, I don’t know what they’d do without one another. Where are all the places you came from? What area of the Grand Strand do you now call home? I grew up in Connecticut, and lived in Virginia and Maryland. Larry grew up in Howard County, Maryland. We live in the Arrowhead Grand subdivision, in Myrtle Beach. Why did you move here? Larry has never lived anywhere besides Maryland and he wanted to try something different. Larry is a skilled mechanic, and we owned an autoshop in Maryland. We were looking at buying a business, and when we saw a local auto clinic for sale down here, we decided to buy it. Larry’s Auto Clinic, as it was called, was a staple in the community for many years. And my husband happened to have the same name as the original owner. It felt like it was a great fit for us, and we decided to buy it. What is your favorite place in this area? The Intracoastal Waterway. What are your favorite things to do here? Larry loves the golfing, and we both like the restaurants and live entertainment. We enjoy going to Murrells Inlet too. The music scene here is great— we enjoy visiting the Garden City Pier and the Boathouse for live music. The Market Common restaurants and bars are really wonderful. And we like taking our dogs to Tidewater Creek there, where they have a little beer garden with a dog park. What do you like the most about living here? The weather and the people. We also appreciate being able to do things year-round. How has your lifestyle changed or what new activities have you taken up since moving here? People here are very easy-going and so wonderfully sweet and friendly; we’ve become a lot more laid-back as well. It’s different down here— people go out of their way to be nice. I joined the Solid Rock Church in the Market Common. The people welcomed us with open arms, and some have become loyal customers of the shop. Larry’s Auto Clinic has been great, and the people who come in here are so friendly and nice. Our customers are just the best. Our lifestyle has changed a lot because now we own a business. And we traded in our snow skis for jet skiing on the waterway— one of our new favorite pastimes. What is one thing that your neighbors don’t know about you? Larry and I met in Aspen, Colorado skiing.

Coastal Insider December Edition

June 15, 2022December 1, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Stay connected with our top stories delivered every month!

A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM

When I was a child, the December holiday was about the Christmas tree, lights, Santa Claus, and of course receiving presents. I grew up in the countryside of South Carolina, in a little place called Bloomingvale, in West Andrews. The highlight of the season was when my grandmother would cook a fifteen-course meal with produce entirely from her garden. She would preserve the surplus vegetables and fruits throughout the year, and serve them at holiday time. The meats were fresh and organic from local farms, long before organic was a thing. All the food was fresh, pure and homemade. She had twelve children, and our family would gather from all over for the holiday. It was a huge gathering. When I was in high school, she left us abruptly— she was in a car accident and passed away.

Grandma was an anchor and we all rallied around her; after she passed, my family began to spend the holidays individually. Today, my holiday season is much quieter than it was growing up. It’s about love, family and helping those in need. I love the spirit of giving back; there’s a verse in the bible in II Corinthians 9:6-7 that speaks about the cheerful giver. This verse means so much to me because it reminds me of the spirit and values of my Grandma. She was the biggest giver ever. She would feed strangers and the entire community both physically as well as with her warmth and light.

In putting together our December edition, we wanted to illustrate the people in our community who capture that same spirit of warmth and generosity. Will Parker of Will Parker Law Firm, LLC stood out for his ongoing commitment to giving back to the community; as did retired U.S. Airforce Colonel, Douglas Peterson. Especially jolly is this month’s featured local veteran: U.S. Marine Dale Parris, who doubles as Santa Claus with his wife, Trish, as his Mrs. Claus.

Amidst the turmoil of domestic and world news over the past year, we hope these stories can tease a smile or two from your face. For us, they were reminders that many of us have and are continuing to strive to affect the community we inhabit in a positive way. Blessings and well wishes to everyone this holiday season.

-Latoya Grayson

Places

Magical Winter Wonderland: Myrtle Beach Edition

Melodies and Magic: A Symphony of Christmas Cheer Prepare for a magical journey with the Myrtle Beach Violin Concert—capturing the festive spirit with enchanting melodies and harmonious wonders. The violin’s magical notes create a symphony of holiday joy, setting the stage for an unforgettable Christmas celebration. Dazzling Flames at Broadway: A Fiery Festive Spectacle Fire Throwers ignite Broadway at the Beach, adding a festive spark to the holiday ambiance with their captivating performance. Watch flames dance, transforming the night sky into a captivating fiery wonderland that mesmerizes both young and old alike. Alabama Theatre’s Christmas Special: A Magical Extravaganza Step into the enchanting world of the Alabama Theatre’s Christmas Special—a heartwarming spectacle that encapsulates the true magic of Christmas. Dazzling acts, heartfelt stories, and holiday charm make this special a joyous family treat, promising laughter and cheer. View On Instagram Festive Delights at Broadway: A Winter Wonderland Beckon As Broadway at the Beach transforms into a winter wonderland, immerse yourself in the festive delights that surround you. Stroll along festive streets, savor holiday treats at cozy cafes, and let the enchantment of the season unfold in delightful moments. every corner. Festive Retreat in Myrtle Beach Amid the holiday hustle, escape the chaos and find solace in Myrtle Beach’s enchanting holiday extravaganza. Embrace simple joys, from twinkling lights to heartwarming moments, and immerse yourself in the warmth of the season. In this retreat, create timeless memories and revel in the charm of Myrtle Beach’s holiday wonderland.

December 10, 2023

Health

Nourishing Your Digestive Health During the Festive Season

Holiday Digestive Wellness: Tips for a Healthy and Joyful Celebration As the holiday season approaches, it’s essential to focus on supporting your digestion for overall well-being. Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, a complex system of interconnected hollow organs from your mouth to your digestive tract, plays a pivotal role in maintaining your health and supporting immunity. As you indulge in festive feasts, consider these tips and products to keep your digestion in top shape, ensuring a healthy transition into the new year. Product Recommendations: Cellcore BioToxin Binder: Aids in detoxification and supports a healthy gut environment. Supreme Nutrition Illicium Supreme: Traditionally, star anise (Illicium) was used to treat nausea, indigestion, expel gas and more. Cellcore CT-Zyme: Supports enzymatic processes crucial for efficient digestion. Equip Prime Protein: Incorporate this protein into warm beverages or blend for a nutritious addition to your diet. Salted Caramel flavor adds a delightful touch. Also one of the few companies who have test heavy metals via a third party. Crucial Four mSalt: Rich in trace minerals, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium, supporting electrolyte balance. Organic Raw Honey: A natural sweetener with potential antimicrobial properties. Vitamix Blender: Ideal for creating smoothies or incorporating nutritious ingredients into your meals. VerVita Inspiracell: Supports methylation, an essential biochemical process for overall health. Metagenics Vitamin D3 with K2: Promotes bone health and overall well-being, crucial during the winter months. NuNaturals Pure Monk Fruit: A natural sweetener without added sugars, perfect for those watching their sugar intake. View On Instagram Ceylon Cinnamon: Known for its potential benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties. Much healthier than cassia (the standard)! Iron Glycinate: Supports healthy iron levels, essential for various bodily functions. KSM Ashwagandha: Helps manage stress and promotes a relaxed state, ideal for holiday gatherings. Melatonin 0.25 mg: Reduces histamine response to food, potentially minimizing redness and inflammation. Cut the 1 mg into 4s. Redmond Re-Lyte Electrolyte Mix: Supports hydration and provides essential electrolytes for overall well-being. Holiday Digestive Wellness: Nourishing Tips for a Smooth Seasonal Journey This holiday season, prioritize your digestive health to ensure a smooth transition into the new year. Incorporating these products and mindful eating practices can contribute to a healthier and more enjoyable festive experience. Remember, taking care of your digestion is an investment in your overall well-being.

December 8, 2023

Restaurants

Hi-Pot’s Hot Pot Magic: Festive Feasting for Christmas Joy

Savor the Season with Hi-Pot’s Festive Feast An unforgettable holiday experience is an exceptional and delightful gift to bestow in the spirit of Christmas, the season of happiness. Hi-Pot, situated amidst the jubilant atmosphere, offers more than mere indulgence in delectable hot pot; it provides an engrossing expedition into the enchantment of seasonal flavors. Festive Hot Pot Delights: A Culinary Wonderland Upon entering Hi-Pot, one is not merely welcomed into a dining establishment but rather transported to a gastronomic paradise brimming with joyous delicacies. Picture a hot pot bubbling with seasonal ingredients like succulent meats, fresh veggies, and holiday-themed broths that warm both the stomach and the soul. It’s a Christmas feast in a pot, bringing friends together for a shared, interactive dining experience. Deck the Broths: A Symphony of Flavors The expertise of broths takes precedence over the hot pot at Hi-Pot. Consider what it would be like to dip your preferred ingredients in broths such as “Tom Yum Soup” or “Spicy & Pork Bone Soup.” Each pot narrates a story of holiday flavors, transforming your dining experience into a sensory symphony where flavors intertwine like sugarplum fairies. Sip and Jingle: Festive Drinks to Delight An assortment of festive beverages is available at Hi-Pot to ensure that your holiday celebration includes an appropriate toast. From Mango and Thai Iced Teas to warm and soothing Hot Teas, every sip is a journey through the season’s best flavors. It’s the perfect accompaniment to the hot pot adventure, adding an extra layer of merriment to your festive feast. View On Instagram A Joyful Atmosphere: Where Every Bite Feels Like Christmas Beyond the delectable dishes, Hi-Pot decks its halls with festive decorations and cheerful melodies. The ambiance is a perfect blend of holiday warmth and culinary invigoration. Each bite embodies the spirit of a Christmas carol, and each moment becomes a seasonal celebration. Gift Cards: Share the Hi-Pot Magic This holiday season, give the gift of Hi-Pot magic with their special gift cards. Let your friends unwrap an experience filled with laughter, warmth, and the joy of creating delicious memories. This item of gifting transforms the holiday season into an exceptionally remarkable occasion. Hi-Pot is therefore the location to be if you wish to enhance your holiday celebrations with a touch of enchantment. It is not merely a dining experience; rather, it is a jubilant journey through which each moment is transformed into a joyful memory. Come, unwrap the joy at Hi-Pot this Christmas!

December 6, 2023

Business

Presents for Paws: Creating Joy in Every Wag and Meow

Holiday shopping for your furry friends just got a whole lot merrier. Kitty or canine, we’ve fetched the pawfect presents to make this season extra special for all. 1. PawTalk Recordable Pet Buttons In the dark about what your favorite furry companion most wants? Enhance communication between you and your pet with voice recording buttons. With PawTalk Recordable Pet Buttons, you record a word and train your pet to push the button of what he/she wants— walk, treat, potty break, play time, cuddles— you decide! Includes four colorful, paw-shaped buttons. Get PawTalk Recordable Dog Buttons Here https://amzn.to/47Dc8hc 2. Venison Flavor Dog Chew Nurture your pup’s wild side with USA-made Healthy Edibles Wild Venison chew treats. These long-lasting, flavorful treats are made with real venison and come in the shape of bones. Indulge your dog’s taste buds and enhance his digestion without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It’s a holiday present for your four-legged friend. Get Venison Flavor Dog Chew Here https://amzn.to/4a9T6AG 3. Ice Cream Mix for Dogs Who says ice cream isn’t healthy for dogs? Make your pup’s day with Puppy Scoops Ice Cream Mix. Just add water, freeze, and voila – creamy doggie ice cream is ready! With sure-fire flavor favs like peanut butter, it’s a delightful way to celebrate special occasions or simply beat the heat. Now your dog can join in the holiday dessert decadence alongside you. Get Ice Cream Mix for Dogs Here https://amzn.to/47Ai7D8 View On Instagram 4. Edible Bubbles for Dogs Play time and snack time at the same time? It’s the ultimate puppy paradise. Edible Bubbles for Dogs are flavored, non-toxic bubbles that are safe for pets and kids, creating a bubble bonanza playground in your backyard. Let your pet chase and pop their way to pure joy with peanut butter flavor—outdoor entertainment with a tasty twist. Get Edible Bubbles for Dogs Here https://amzn.to/3N592u0 5. Toys Dog Toothbrush Combine play and dental care with the Toys Dog Toothbrush. This chewable toothbrush not only keeps your pup entertained but also promotes dental hygiene. The squeaky base adds an element of surprise, making brushing more exciting. Tough and durable, it’s ideal for teething pups and those with a penchant for chewing. Get Toys Dog Toothbrush Here https://amzn.to/3Rl3pub This holiday season, shower your pet with love and laughter. From interactive toys to tasty treats, these presents are sure to make tails wag and whiskers twitch. Your furry companions deserve nothing but the best. After all, they’re not just pets— they’re family.

December 5, 2023

Festivals

Cozy Christmas: Introvert’s Fuzzy Socks & Festive PJ’s

For some, the holidays aren’t about bustling parties, they’re about soaking up the spirit of the season from your own cozy enclaves, engaging in self-care and your favorite activities. Fuzzy socks, a plush throw, a few pillows and a glass of wine— who needs big parties when you have the perfect at-home setup? Remote in One Hand, Wineglass in the Other The ultimate power move: remote control mastery with a wine glass in hand. While some may choose caroling, others claim the title of king or queen of the remote. A Christmas movie marathon curated by the reigning monarch— you. Sparkling Ambiance While some may be out chasing the holiday light displays in the cold, introverts bask in the warm glow of their own beautifully crafted, festive environment. With the room illuminated solely by the soft glow of Christmas tree lights and some candles, it’s a cozy, rejuvenating haven— small talk not required. Blanket Burrito Bliss Why mingle at parties when you can engineer the ultimate couch fort? Pillows strategically placed, blankets arranged in a fluffy, all-encompassing welcome, your favorite bottle of cabernet or pot of tea on the coffee table, your phone in “do not disturb mode”… Welcome to your holiday sanctuary. View On Instagram Festive Pajama Couture Forget ugly Christmas sweaters; introverts embrace the true spirit of holiday fashion with a collection of festive pajamas. Whether adorned with reindeer, snowflakes, or Santa hats, these cozy couture choices would rival any high-fashion holiday ensemble. Solo Karaoke Serenades While extroverts may hit the karaoke bars, the stay-at-homers can unselfconsciously belt out holiday tunes in privacy from wherever they please. The bed or kitchen table as a stage? Of course! Repeating your favorite song again and again? Why not? The only audience member is the stuffed snowman on the shelf, and he’s not judging you. Savoring Presents Your Way The joy of unwrapping presents is not a social event; it’s a private one. No need for polite smiles or chit-chat – just pure, unfiltered glee as each gift is unveiled in solitude. In the introvert’s holiday playbook, the emphasis is on self-care, solo celebrations, and savoring the season in a way that brings joy without the packed schedules or the stress of social obligations. Cheers to a quiet, cozy, and introvert-approved Christmas!

December 4, 2023

Places

Joy Unboxed: Picking Toys or Experiences for Kids

Unwrapping Joy: Choosing Between Toys and Experiences for Kids Wonder and Wilde: A Whimsical Wonderland for All Ages Embark on a joyful journey to Wonder and Wilde, where the holiday spirit comes alive. This boutique is a treasure trove of cute and festive finds for every age group. From cozy sweaters to adorable ornaments, it’s a haven for those seeking unique holiday-themed treasures. Magical Threads at The Joggling Board Boutique At The Joggling Board Children’s & Ladies Boutique, holiday fashion takes center stage. Discover cute and stylish outfits that add a touch of magic to your little one’s wardrobe. From festive dresses to cozy winter wear, this boutique is a holiday fashion wonderland. View On Instagram Hannah B’s Boutique: Tween Wonderland For the trendy tweens, Hannah B’s Boutique is the go-to spot for holiday chic. Dive into a collection of cute holiday-themed outfits that blend style and comfort seamlessly. It’s the perfect place for young fashionistas to express their holiday spirit. Soar High with Klig’s Kites Add an exhilarating twist to your holiday adventure at Klig’s Kites. Feel the wind in your hair as you fly festive kites adorned with holiday colors and characters. It’s a fun-filled experience that brings an extra dash of excitement to the season. Big Air Fun: Jump into Holiday Joy Looking for a high-flying holiday adventure? Head to Big Air and bounce your way into festive fun. With holiday-themed trampolines and exhilarating attractions, it’s a one-stop destination for families seeking an action-packed holiday experience. Underwater Wonderland at the Aquarium Escape to an underwater wonderland at Ripley’s Aquarium. Dive into the magic of the holidays with mesmerizing sea creatures and special holiday exhibits. It’s an educational yet enchanting experience that adds a unique touch to your festive celebrations. Wonderworks: Where Science Meets Holiday Magic Unleash your curiosity at WonderWorks, where science and holiday magic collide. Explore interactive exhibits and hands-on activities with a festive twist. It’s an exciting destination for families seeking a blend of learning and holiday-themed entertainment. Fun Warehouse: Holiday Thrills for Everyone Wrap up your holiday adventure at the Fun Warehouse, a hub of excitement for all ages. From roller skating to laser tag, experience holiday-themed thrills and create lasting memories with family and friends. In Pawleys Island, the holiday season is not just about decorations; it’s a time to embrace the magic, fun, and excitement that these unique destinations bring to the coastal landscape. So, gather your loved ones and dive into a world of holiday joy on Pawleys Island!

December 3, 2023

Restaurants

Skip the Kitchen, Dive into Myrtle Beach’s Holiday Dining Hotspots

Festive Food Getaway: Relish a Stress-Free December in Myrtle Beach Tired of the holiday cooking pressure? Escape to these 3 idyllic spots in Myrtle Beach for a delicious and stress-free dining experience this December. Chosen for their delectable offerings perfect for damp coastal days and their festive atmosphere, each spot is sure to brighten your holidays. Crooked Hammock: Relaxing Brewery Vibes For a laid-back holiday dining experience, head to Crooked Hammock at 4924 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. This brewery and restaurant exude classic brewhouse vibes, offering craft beers and down-home style dishes. The outdoor space provides a relaxed setting for both large groups and intimate dinners. LuLu’s North Myrtle Beach: Bites, Sips, & Coastal Cheers! LuLu’s North Myrtle Beach, nestled in Barefoot Landing, is more than a restaurant; it’s a seaside escape. Indulge in hearty burgers, fresh seafood, and crafted sandwiches that transport you to coastal paradise. With vibrant outdoor seating, it’s where every meal becomes a celebration of sun, sea, and smiles. Sip on delightful cocktails as you soak in the beachy vibes. Vegetarian options? Absolutely! LuLu’s crafts an experience that caters to all tastes, ensuring everyone leaves with a satisfied heart and a happy palate. Visit LuLu’s North Myrtle Beach at 4954 Hwy 17 S for a taste of coastal culinary magic! View On Instagram River Oaks Pizzeria: Delicious New York Flavor in Myrtle Beach Craving pizza or Italian classics? River Oaks Pizzeria at 154 Sapwood Road Unit 107, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 is your go-to spot. This family-owned pizzeria brings a taste of New York to Myrtle Beach, serving up delicious dishes with a side of community camaraderie. Escape the kitchen stress, gather your loved ones, and explore Myrtle Beach’s culinary delights this holiday season. With these diverse options and unique flavors, the city offers the perfect getaway for those looking to enjoy the festivities without the added burden of cooking.

December 2, 2023

Attractions

Tis the Season: Grand Strand’s Parade Wonderland

Festive Magic Unleashed: Grand Strand’s Charming Holiday Parades! Grand Strand’s festive season ignites with enchanting Christmas parades, promising magic and captivation for audiences of all ages. Coastal North Myrtle Beach to historic Georgetown, every parade blends holiday spirit with regional cultural heritage, enchanting spectators. 1. Very Broadway Christmas Parade (Dec 2, 11AM to 12.30pm) The Very Broadway Christmas Parade kicks off the season, a dazzling procession winding through Myrtle Beach’s iconic Broadway at the Beach. With colorful floats, marching bands, and an appearance by Santa Claus, it sets the perfect tone for the Yuletide season. 2. North MB Christmas Parade (Dec 2, 5.30am) North Myrtle Beach’s early risers, against the rising sun, get a dose of holiday spirit at the Christmas Parade. Begin your day positively with the parade, showcasing festive displays from local schools, businesses, and organizations, all beautifully adorned. 3. Christmas Parade in Georgetown (Dec 2, 11am to 2pm) Georgetown transforms into a winter wonderland during its Christmas Parade—a timeless showcase of Southern hospitality and festive charm. The charming streets come alive with the sights and sounds of the holidays, making it a must-see event for everyone. View On Instagram 4. Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade (Dec 3, 3pm) The Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade adds a coastal flair to the traditional experience, celebrating by the waterfront with unique charm. Spectators can enjoy the spectacle from The MarsWalk, creating unforgettable memories against the picturesque backdrop of the Inlet. 5. Conway’s Christmas Parade (Dec 9, 10am) The historic streets of Conway become a holiday tableau during Conway’s Christmas Parade. An age-old tradition, the event unites the community for a festive celebration with floats, music, and December camaraderie’s warmth. 6. Surfside Beach Christmas Parade (Dec 9, 2pm to 4pm) Surfside Beach invites locals and visitors to join in the merriment with its Christmas Parade— a lively procession that winds through the heart of this coastal town. From classic cars to spirited marching bands, the parade captures the essence of the community— and togetherness. 7. Golf Cart Christmas Parade at Barefoot (Dec 10, 3pm) Adding a touch of whimsy to the holiday lineup, the Golf Cart Christmas Parade at Barefoot turns the traditional parade concept on its head. Residents and visitors decorate their golf carts with flair, creating a unique and merry spectacle that brings an added dose of laughter and delight to the season. As the Grand Strand transforms into a Yuletide paradise, these Christmas parades promise to be a highlight of the season, bringing communities together and spreading the joy of Christmas throughout the coastal region. So, mark your calendars, bundle up, and get ready to be swept away by the enchantment of the Grand Strand’s Christmas Parade Extravaganza!

December 1, 2023

Outdoorsy

Beachcombing for Wellness: Myrtle Beach’s Sandy Steps to Health

Beach Bummin’ for Your Health: Myrtle Beach Edition Slip into your flip-flops and unleash your inner beach bum, because, guess what, folks? Walking along the beach is not just a stroll—it is a sandy pathway to a healthier, happier you! And where better to embrace this beachside fitness revolution than the sun-kissed shores of Myrtle Beach? 1. Cardio Enhanced with Vitamin Sea You can get your cardio in Myrtle Beach while enjoying a side of Vitamin Sea, so there is no need to endure the monotony of gym walls and treadmills. Imagine this: brisk, heart-pounding steps on the beach, the steady crash of waves in the distance, and the sun casting a rainbow of colors over the sky that Pantone can not even begin to imagine. 2. Squats, Lunges, and Shell Collecting Who needs a fancy gym for squats and lunges? Walking along Myrtle Beach’s shores will engage every muscle in your body. Add some flair by incorporating shell collecting into your routine—trust me, the lunges for that perfect seashell are the real glute burners. 3. Laugh Your Abs Off (Literally) According to popular belief, laughter truly is the best medicine, and a trip to Myrtle Beach is just what the doctor ordered. As you stroll, take in the sights: families attempting to set up beach tents, seagulls mastering the art of precision food theft, and the occasional daring crab making a run for it. In other words, a good laugh is like a crunch for your abs. View On Instagram 4. Motivational Talks by the Ocean The ocean is more inspiring than any TED Talk ever could be. Let the waves inspire you to keep moving forward, literally and figuratively. The tides may change, but your commitment to health remains unshaken. 5. Sunset Zen and Self-Reflection Wrap up your beach stroll with a front-row seat to the grand finale—a Myrtle Beach sunset. It is not just a feast for the eyes; it is a moment of zen, a chance for self-reflection, and the perfect way to end your beachfront fitness fiesta. So, fellow beach enthusiasts, lace up those sandy sneakers, embrace the beachy resistance, and let Myrtle Beach be your fitness playground. Life is like a beach; all we can do is walk on it, as the saying goes.

November 29, 2023

Restaurants

Burgers & Beyond: River City Cafe’s Burger Sensation

Burger Adventure: Where Taste Meets Excitement! Welcome to River City Cafe, where burgers aren’t just a meal; they’re an adventure! Voted #1 in WMBF’s Best of the Grand Strand 2021, our burgers have earned their place among the best. But why the burger craze? Budget-Friendly Bites Firstly, burgers are budget-friendly! Compared to pricey dishes, a hearty burger often costs less, offering more bang for your buck. Plus, it comes with a generous side of fries. Convenient and Mess-Free Secondly, burgers are convenient. Easy to eat and digest, they’re served on a bun for a mess-free, hands-on experience. And the bun matters—check our August 2020 blog to learn more. Sides That Wow Thirdly, the variety of side items is a game-changer. At River City Cafe, burgers pair perfectly with fries or colossal onion rings. Spice up your fries with cheese, chili, bacon, or jalapenos. Or try our sweet potato waffle fries for a unique twist. Familiar Yet Exciting Fourthly, burgers offer familiarity. Sometimes we dine out for comfort and familiarity, and burgers deliver just that—reliable, delicious satisfaction. View On Instagram Beyond Ordinary: Burger Extravaganza Lastly, burgers are far from boring! Explore our diverse menu featuring traditional and unconventional creations. From a classic house cheeseburger to the extravagant Kitchen Sink with grilled cheese sandwiches as buns, we’ve got it all. Passion for Burgers: Over 30 Years Strong At River City Cafe, burgers have been their passion for over 30 years. They’re affordable, customizable, and far from mundane. With options like pineapple, peanut butter, bacon jam, or even mac ‘n’ cheese toppings, we want you to love your food. So, join us for a burger experience that goes beyond the ordinary. It’s all about the burger!

November 28, 2023

Attractions

Brookgreen Gardens: Home to the #1 Christmas Lights in South Carolina

The Garden of Wonders That’ll Light Up Your Life! So, you’ve heard of Brookgreen Gardens, right? If not, where have you been hiding? This place is like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, but for nature lovers. They’ve got it all—nature, art, wildlife, and even a sprinkle of local history. And guess what? They’re about to turn it up a notch with Nights of a Thousand Candles, their holiday extravaganza! Picture this: from November 26 to January 2, every Thursday through Sunday, the gardens transform into a magical wonderland. It’s not just a light show; it’s a masterpiece! Millions of lights are doing the tango with the landscape and permanent art installations. It’s like Christmas threw up glitter all over Brookgreen, and we’re here for it! A Glittering Legacy: The Birth and Brilliance of Nights of a Thousand Candles Now, the Nights of a Thousand Candles wasn’t born yesterday; it’s been around since 1999. Started by a bunch of holiday enthusiasts, the event kicked off as the Luminaria Festival. Fast forward, it’s now a dazzling spectacle that covers every nook and cranny of the sculpture gardens. And here’s the kicker—they use REAL candles. None of that fake stuff. We’re talking 2,700 candles every evening, totaling a whopping 35,000 during the event. That’s more candles than a birthday party for the Queen! View On Instagram Lauren Joseph, the marketing maestro at Brookgreen, spills the tea on their candle magic. With a hundred staff and volunteers, they light up the place in 20 minutes. The floating candles take a bit longer, thanks to the crew in hip waders doing the water waltz. Expecting 65,000 party animals over 20 nights, the event is hotter than a turkey on Thanksgiving. Lauren’s got one word for you: tickets. Grab them fast, or you might miss the glow-up of the year! But hold on, there’s more! The model train display is flexing its muscles, live entertainment is ready to rock, and the food options are like a culinary rollercoaster. Pizza, BBQ, fish, tacos—you name it, they’ve got it. It’s a feast fit for royalty. Brookgreen at 90: A Magical Celebration Continues Fast forward to 2021, and Brookgreen turns 90, but the party’s not stopping. Nights of a Thousand Candles is not just a spectacle; it’s a gateway drug to everything Brookgreen has to offer. Conservation, horticulture, sculptures—imagine it as Disneyland but with more culture and fewer mouse ears. So, folks, grab your tickets, mark your calendar, and get ready to be lit up at Brookgreen Gardens. It’s not just a family tradition; it’s a holiday spectacle that’ll have you saying, “Move over, Rudolph, Nights of a Thousand Candles is stealing the show!”

November 27, 2023

Coastal Home Insider December Edition

June 15, 2022December 1, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

The Coastal Insider and Coastal Home Insider From entertainment, leisure and beaches to local businesses and community, we bring it closer to you. Plus advertising with us is in alignment with our mission! * Take a peek at our past editions * Check out our latest Coastal Insider Issue Click to view Coastal Insider * Take a peek at our past editions * Check out our latest Coastal Home Insider Issue Click to view Home Insider Stay connected with our top stories delivered every month! A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM When I was a child, the December holiday was about the Christmas tree, lights, Santa Claus, and of course receiving presents. I grew up in the countryside of South Carolina, in a little place called Bloomingvale, in West Andrews. The highlight of the season was when my grandmother would cook a fifteen-course meal with produce entirely from her garden. She would preserve the surplus vegetables and fruits throughout the year, and serve them at holiday time. The meats were fresh and organic from local farms, long before organic was a thing. All the food was fresh, pure and homemade. She had twelve children, and our family would gather from all over for the holiday. It was a huge gathering. When I was in high school, she left us abruptly— she was in a car accident and passed away. Grandma was an anchor and we all rallied around her; after she passed, my family began to spend the holidays individually. Today, my holiday season is much quieter than it was growing up. It’s about love, family and helping those in need. I love the spirit of giving back; there’s a verse in the bible in II Corinthians 9:6-7 that speaks about the cheerful giver. This verse means so much to me because it reminds me of the spirit and values of my Grandma. She was the biggest giver ever. She would feed strangers and the entire community both physically as well as with her warmth and light. In putting together our December edition, we wanted to illustrate the people in our community who capture that same spirit of warmth and generosity. Will Parker of Will Parker Law Firm, LLC stood out for his ongoing commitment to giving back to the community; as did retired U.S. Airforce Colonel, Douglas Peterson. Especially jolly is this month’s featured local veteran: U.S. Marine Dale Parris, who doubles as Santa Claus with his wife, Trish, as his Mrs. Claus. Amidst the turmoil of domestic and world news over the past year, we hope these stories can tease a smile or two from your face. For us, they were reminders that many of us have and are continuing to strive to affect the community we inhabit in a positive way. Blessings and well wishes to everyone this holiday season. -Latoya Grayson

Brookgreen Gardens Presents: Nights of a Thousand Candles

October 12, 2022November 30, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

November 26, 2021 thru January 2, 2022 by Melissa LaScaleia Brookgreen Gardens has long garnered national renown as a destination that delights visitors with nature, art, wildlife, and local history. Nights of a Thousand Candles, their signature holiday event, will be held from Thursdays through Sundays, November 26 through January 2. During the evening hours, the gardens are brilliantly illuminated with millions of lights and light displays that are seamlessly interwoven with the landscape and permanent art installations. Nights of a Thousand Candles was started in 1999 by an enterprising group of staff and volunteers who wanted to host a holiday celebration. That first year, the event was called the Luminaria Festival. It was held for two nights in Oak Alley and the main sculpture garden, and drew a little over 500 people. The next year it was expanded, and renamed Nights of a Thousand Candles. It has continued to grow since then, and today extends to every part of the sculpture gardens. “One of the things that sets us apart from other botanical gardens that have lighting exhibits is that we actually use real candles,” says Lauren Joseph, marketing director for Brookgreen. “We light about 2700 every evening; and we use about 35,000 in total during the course of the event.” “Our operations team has the execution down to a science,” she adds. “We have about a hundred staff and volunteers, and everyone lights the candles in their specific area. Once they begin, it takes about twenty minutes for everything to be illuminated. The floating candles in the pools and ponds take a little longer because we have a crew that has to get into hip waders and move from place to place.” Over the course of twenty nights, 65,000 people are expected to attend. At the beginning of November, the event was already at half capacity, and Lauren highly recommends people purchase tickets as soon as possible. Just like the gardens themselves, Nights of a Thousand Candles is always growing and changing. The model train display is going to be the biggest it’s ever been this year. There will be live entertainment each night— the complete list of performers is found on their website. There will be a wide variety of food options including pizza, BBQ, fish, and tacos. Outside vendors will be there with food trucks; there’s a buffet by Inlet Affairs; and Harvest, Brookgreen’s restaurant, will be open for indoor sit-down dining. Reservations for the restaurant are strongly recommended. Brookgreen has been intimately tied into the culture and economy of this area since their inception almost a century ago. In 1930, Archer Huntington and Anna Hyatt Huntington purchased 9,000 acres of land in Murrells Inlet, the seat of four former Waccamaw Neck rice plantations. At that time, Anna had been diagnosed with tuberculosis, and her doctors recommended that she winter someplace warmer than where they were living in New York and Connecticut. The staff of Brookgreen begin preparing for Nights of a Thousand Candles in September. The artistic team creates montages that seamlessly meld the landscape and permanent art installations with lights. The Huntingtons intended to use the land as a personal retreat so Anna could recover her health, but once they arrived and saw the beauty of the place, they realized the property was something that they needed to share with the world. The following year, they formed Brookgreen Gardens as a non-profit organization. To create their vision, the Huntingtons developed the surrounding area. In the Depression Era of the ’30s, Murrells Inlet had no electricity and no health care. Highway 17 was a one-lane dirt track, and most people used the river to get from place to place. The Huntingtons ushered in vitality, opportunity, and enterprise to an economically and socially impoverished place. They brought electricity; established a free health clinic for the community; opened a school; and employed the local population, many of whom were descendants of enslaved Africans. “The Huntingtons really wanted to give work to the people who were here and help them live better lives,” says Lauren Joseph, marketing director for Brookgreen. “From the very beginning, they wanted to build into the community, something we continue to purport to this day.” Also important to the Huntingtons was conservation and preservation— of habitats, trees, shrubs, plants, and wildlife— values which have been maintained consistently throughout the years. Today, Brookgreen is a member of the American Public Garden Association (APGA), and in the peer group of some of the most impressive gardens in the US. They even have a boxwood collection that dates to the days when the area was a plantation. They are one of a few select places in the United States to have earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, as well as being designated a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “Many people don’t know we have a zoo, but there has always been one,” Lauren says. “Anna loved animals and was an animal sculptor, and the idea of conserving and educating people about the local wildlife has always been important. The zoo has river otters, foxes, species of raptors, ducks, and deer. They are all here to facilitate a better understanding of the animals for those who visit.” Brookgreen has a domestic animal exhibit that helps to preserve animal breeds that would have been common on farms in the 1800s. They also have a permanent art collection, much of it work by Anna herself, who was an acclaimed and much sought-after artist during her lifetime. The collection includes sculpture as well as paintings and etchings. In American figurative sculpture, Brookgreen’s collection is the largest and finest in the world. 2021 marked Brookgreen’s 90th anniversary, but they are continuing celebrations through spring 2022. “The Huntingtons established Brookgreen in 1931, but opened to the public in the spring of 1932,” Lauren says. “So we’re taking that entire anniversary year for additional celebrations. Oak Valley, with it centuries-old live oak trees … Read more

Manifest Design

March 22, 2023November 30, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

The Life in Your Home This Holiday Season by Melissa LaScaleia Manifest Design is a woman and veteran-owned business that offers home interior design and has an accompanying retail boutique that carries furniture, unique gifts and home decor. The concept is the brainchild of Connie Lincoln. Connie has been an interior designer for over twenty years. Ten years ago, she opened a store in Wilmington, North Carolina, that offered home decor and custom-made furniture. Soon, she decided to expand the boutique’s offerings. “I noticed that very unique gifts were just not out there and available to purchase,” Connie says. “Especially for men. So I decided to add on to my store and carry gift items that would delight men as well as women.” Connie recruited her husband, Dusty, to help her in unearthing quality, one-of-a-kind treasures that men would find appealing. The two found sextants, compasses, model airplanes, wallets, flasks, tools, barware, games, and hardware-inspired mugs. “Dusty is a retired U.S. Marine Corps pilot,” Connie says. “So we have a big selection of aviation-influenced mixed with science-based and nautical themed items. “We have very clever things that guys really dig, like multi-function pens that also act as levels, and an extendible flashlight that bends at the end. But the biggest draw is the full-size 1965 Cobra race car in our store. It’s a showstopper; and leads to wonderful conversations about cars, racing and automobile engineering.” The store was a hit in Wilmington, as people loved the variety and uniqueness of what Manifest Design offered. They also enjoyed speaking to Dusty about his past military experiences. Several years ago, Connie and Dusty decided to build a home in the Grande Dunes and move their business to the Market Common. The store will be celebrating three years in Myrtle Beach this New Year’s Eve. Manifest Design’s holiday spread was created to entertain both men and women. Stop by this season to enjoy some wine and cider while you shop. “We thought this was a beautiful area for shopping, and nicely designed,” Connie says. “We love the walkways, the trees, and the lights at night. We thought it was a better fit for us and it is; our business has doubled since we’ve arrived here.” Today Manifest Design is proud to carry a wide variety of mostly locally sourced, upscale items for men, women, and the home. “We carry a lot of local art and jewelry,” Connie says. “And we carry a good number of books by local authors, which people really enjoy. And of course, there’s plenty of home decor items. We are outfitted with furniture— like sofas, accent tables, desks, console tables, and unique lamps. Most of the furniture is from a beautiful company that is all made in North Carolina. They have a line of performance fabrics which are also made in North Carolina and can stand up to stains. And they have a limited lifetime warranty on certain aspects of the furniture. Once you order it, it will be ready to ship in two weeks. And with most furniture items so hard to obtain because of Covid, people have been very excited about the turnaround time.” Connie’s stock is always changing. There’s a lot of variety and they receive new shipments multiple times per week. “We receive feedback all the time from the men who shop here,” Connie says. “They tell us, ‘There are no stores for men in the Market Common, so we love this store.’” For women, there are wraps, totes, jewelry, passport holders, and purses— including a line made from recycled military tents. They have items that appeal to everyone: greeting cards, a very cute baby section, and a huge array of wine and cheese accessories. The store carries holiday and boutique home decor— and specializes in unique gifts for men and women. “Because I’m an interior designer, I have access to many industry contacts and vendors,” Connie says in answer to the mystery of how and from where she is able to source the delightful items she finds for her store. And she continues to offer residential design services from Manifest Design, including whole-house designs. “I have a low-key approach to designing,” she says. “I create according to my clients’ needs— how they want to live in their space. My whole mission is to make interior design accessible to everyone. Everybody’s situation is unique, so I want to make this an option for all.” Connie and her husband really enjoy what they do. This holiday season, and periodically thoughout the year, they’ll serve wine and hot cider in their store to enhance their customers’ shopping experience. And they’ll also have special holiday sales. “People really love our store,” Connie says. “A lady came in and was amazed— she thought we should be voted Best of the Beach in Myrtle Beach and wanted to know how to nominate us. And the guys love us, too; they will actually bring their wives or significant others here, as we have so many interesting items in our store that you won’t see anywhere else. “We really make for a fun and fascinating retail therapy session. We have elevated the hum-drum or average shopping experience.” Manifest Design Facebook Globe Phone Map-marked-alt

Giving Back to the Community

June 23, 2022November 30, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Will Parker Law, LLC and Sonshine Recovery Ministries by Melissa LaScaleia Will Parker worked as a lawyer under several prominent attorneys in South Carolina before establishing his own law firm, Will Parker, LLC in December 2017. The firm primarily serves clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Will’s life experiences inspired him to pursue these branches of law, as he has been the victim of an accident where the driver didn’t have adequate insurance, and has also felt the pain of losing a loved one to a reckless accident. “I’m coming from a different and broader perspective which gives me a deeper level of empathy and understanding of how to handle the variety of cases I see,” Will says. “Moreover, personal injury claims often seem like they don’t receive the respect that they deserve. In the way I treat my clients, I aim to change that.” Many years ago, Will struggled with opiate addiction, and today hopes to use whatever platform he has to help others in similar situations. “The way you practice law is going to be an extension of who you are and the experiences you’ve had in your life,” Will says. “I can relate to and understand what those clients are going through, and I can get them in touch with people who can help them make better decisions. I try to step in when I think I can help redirect someone’s path and help them receive a second chance to get their life back on track. The way I speak to a judge and jury is coming from that place of authenticity, of having been at one time in my life, on the other side.” When Will began his practice, he had one part-time person assisting him with his practice; today, he has six full-time staff members, including new attorney, Greg Sloan. Greg has been practicing law for the past 25 years, and has brought over 60 trials to verdict. His practice is located in a new 1,500 square foot space in Murrells Inlet, which his wife, Erin, designed. The firm has a heavy case load and recovers millions of dollars for clients each year. “Through growing and getting bigger as a firm, we’ve been able to help more people,” Will says. “And that’s the best part of what I do and why I do what I do. I’m always looking for opportunities to serve the community based on my experiences.” Will recently began serving on the board of Sonshine Recovery Ministries, a local area non-profit 501(c)(3). It was founded by husband and wife team Tim Carter and Lissa Davis in 2019. Tim built himself a multi-million dollar heating and air conditioning business in North Carolina. At the same time, he was struggling with a cocaine addiction. One night, an overdose left him on the brink of death, and he prayed that if his life was spared, he’d devote the rest of it to serving God. He lived; and quite literally walked away from his former life. “I came to Myrtle Beach and checked into recovery with two shirts, two pairs of pants, and the shoes on my feet, and that was it,” he says. Four months into the recovery program, the owner and director unceremoniously left, and Tim had to quickly step up to the helm to salvage the program and everyone’s home. “I had to find a 501(c)(3) in Myrtle Beach to take over the program and legitimize it so we didn’t get shut down,” he says. “I raised money to pay off the property so people didn’t get evicted because we were severely overdue on rent. And I took over as house manager. I was able to accomplish all of this successfully because of my business background.” At the same time that he was sorting out the business and legality aspects of the recovery program, Tim sought to revamp the structure and operations as well. “I noticed that the parameters around the recovery house weren’t realistic, viable, or sustainable and there was no accountability,” he says. “Basically it was a place to stay; and the house manager would send you to one meeting a day if he thought you were doing drugs. That’s not recovery.” Tim and Lissa met while Tim was working on his plan for revitalizing the recovery program. The two shared a common vision, and decided to branch out on their own and start their own non-profit in keeping with their values. Along the way, Tim became a pastor, and Sonshine Recovery Ministries, a faith-based non-profit recovery program, was born. They have a recovery home that houses ten men in Myrtle Beach, and provides them with housing, food, and educational classes to help them start a new life. “I’ve been there and I understand the struggle,” Tim says. “And I know too, that addiction doesn’t discriminate. I just want to use my experience to help others.” “Our motto is: ‘No addict left behind,’” he adds. “And it’s our mission too. We will help anyone who is willing to help themselves. We are here to give them a hand up not a hand out.” Tim and Lissa opened an accompanying thrift store so program participants could get clothing and supplies at no cost. They also outfitted the entire recovery house with furniture and items from the store. “The thrift store exists to serve the needs of the community,” Tim says. “If someone has a home fire and all their belongings were destroyed, or survived a hurricane or other natural disaster— whatever it is, we’re here to help.” In the past 18 months since they’ve been open, the group has celebrated some success stories. “One of the guys who was living on the street went through the home for a year and got his credentialing, and is now a pastor,” Tim says. “He will now be overseeing the home. Work ethic is a big part of what we teach and promote.” “Will has been a big asset to us,” Tim … Read more

Market Common Dentistry Dr. James E. Mills & Associates

June 23, 2022November 30, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Market Common Dentistry Dr Mills July 2021-1

Proud to Be Active In Our Community by Melissa LaScaleia Market Common Dentistry is a small, local, and privately-owned dental practice which has been addressing the dental needs of those along the Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach for the past thirty years. Spearheaded by James E. Mills, DDS, the dental practice specializes in building strong relationships to meet their patients’ dental needs effectively and sustainably. Market Common Dentistry offers a variety of cutting-edge dental procedures to best serve their patients. Every year, they continue to add to their repertoire of procedures and offerings with technological advancements, equipment updates, and continuing education. Lisa Yazici is the practice manager for Market Common Dentistry. She oversees the business and clinical team. She presents the doctors’ treatment plans, markets the practice, and keeps up with all human resource tasks. “One of the things that we are known for in the community is our ability to help alleviate the fear and anxiety of patients with the aid of the various sedation treatments we offer— oral, intravenous, and intramuscular,” she says. “I love knowing that now, nervous patients have the ability to get their dental work completed with calm and ease. It’s extremely rewarding. Even though I don’t perform dentistry, I feel like I make a difference by being a part of the process.” Market Common Dentistry extends this level of care beyond the dental chair and into the community by supporting a number of local charities. “We’re very active in the community,” Lisa says. “We donate to St. Michael’s Church, Precious Blood of Christ Church, Helping Hands of Georgetown County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Association, A Father’s Place, Backpack for Buddies Help 4 Kids, and Toys for Tots to name a few. We like to give back whenever we can in whatever ways we can.” Backpack for Buddies Help 4 Kids helps to provide school supplies for children in need. For several years now, at different times during the year, Market Common Dentistry has donated toothpaste, floss, and toothbrushes for these children, helping to fulfill the much needed dental hygiene needs of these children. They also make monetary donations to A Father’s Place, which offers education and services specifically tailored to fathers trying to rebuild their lives and those of their families after hardship. Dr. Mills, a passionate golfer, was one of the sponsors for the Lowcountry Church’s golf tournament; the event raised funds to support a children’s program in Kenya. Substitutes for Santa is a charity which provides underprivileged children on the Grand Strand a merrier Christmas. Market Common Dentistry helped to fill these children’s stockings by donating toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss. They are proud to act as a local toy drop-off site for Toys for Tots. Be sure to stop by their lobby and drop off your unwrapped gifts for children this holiday season. Market Common Dentistry Globe Map-marked-alt Facebook Phone

Colonel Douglas “Pete” Peterson

June 15, 2022November 30, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Vietnam Prisoner of War, U.S. Congressman Under the Clinton Administration by Melissa LaScaleia Douglas Peterson was born on June 26, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska, and was raised in both Nebraska and Milton, Iowa. He attended college at the University of Tampa. On November 5, 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force; he became a second lieutenant in 1956. Over his twenty-six year military career, he would serve as a fighter pilot, instructor pilot, and resource manager. Douglas initially served as an F-84 pilot with the 612th Fighter-Bomber Squadron at England Air Force Base, Louisiana, and then as an F-100 Super Sabre pilot with the 22nd Fighter-Day Squadron in West Germany. In 1966, during the Vietnam War, he was stationed with the 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. On September 10 of that same year, on his 67th mission over North Vietnam, his F-4 Phantom II fighter plane was shot down and he was captured by the North Vietnamese. He remained imprisoned for the next six years, a period of time which he described as being insufferably boring and part terrifying. He was released, March 4, 1973. From July 1975 to September 1978, he served as Chief of Operations Plans for the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing and then as Deputy Commander of the 354th Combat Support Group at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina. His final assignment was as commander of the 4th Combat Support Group at Semour Johnson Air Force Base, in North Carolina. He retired in 1981 as a full colonel. After retirement, he earned a Ph.D in finance from Central Michigan University. He started his own contracting firm in Tampa, Florida, and also started a company called CRT Computers. In 1985, he joined the faculty at Florida State University where he directed a specialized treatment program in the psychology department. He spearheaded the creation of an innovative rehabilitation program for juvenile offenders at the Dozier School for Boys. In 1989, when Florida officials tried to close the school for financial reasons, Douglas fought hard for funding and succeeded in keeping the school open. That struggle, and ensuing victory in preserving what he believed made a positive impact on society, inspired him to enter politics. He served as a congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District from January 1991 to January 1997. And he was appointed the first post-war Ambassador to Vietnam on April 11, 1997, by President Clinton; he served until July 15, 2001. In 2000, Clinton presented him with the Presidential Citizens Medal. Upon retirement, he moved to Melbourne, Australia to be closer to his Vietnamese-born wife’s family. In 2009, he acquired Australian citizenship. Peterson Street, which intersects with Hook Avenue in the Market Common, is named in his honor.

Surfside During the Holidays

June 15, 2022November 30, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

By Emily Smith There’s plenty of festivities to enjoy in Surfside Beach this holiday season. The Holiday Markets at Surfside Beach will run every Thursday until December 16, weather permitting. This popular market of local vendors sets up between 10am and 3pm in Memorial Park. Stop by to peruse the crafts and art, and to buy some holiday gifts for your loved ones before it closes for the season. Memorial Park will also be the site of Surfside’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on December 4. The event will run from 4-9pm and includes vendors, food, beverages, and a visit from Santa. Sip on hot cocoa and enjoy the accompanying live music. The following Saturday, be sure to find a spot along Ocean Boulevard to witness the annual Surfside Beach Christmas Parade. Dozens of floats and entertainers will be marching down the road from Melody Lane to Surfside Drive. The procession begins at 2pm and lasts for one hour. Spectators are encouraged to show up early for good views; the parade runs rain or shine. On December 18, at 1pm, Surfside will take another go at the holiday parade scene. This time, it will feature golf carts. This will be Surfside’s second annual Christmas-themed golf cart parade. Participants will deck their carts with boughs of holly and much more to show off their holiday spirit. Prizes are awarded to the top three most creative carts. The parade begins on Ocean Boulevard. Local businesses are getting in on the holiday action as well. On December 16, from 5:30-7:30pm, The Pink Pineapple will offer a holiday cake decorating class. Executive Chef Aura will walk through the basics of decorating a small cake with a charming holiday theme. Visit www.pinkpineapplecakes.com to see their monthly cake decorating classes, for more information, and to buy tickets. Breakfast with Santa at The Golden Egg will be held on December 18 from 9-10am. Stop in to get your picture with him, plus a delectable breakfast. All these festivities and more can be found at surfsidebeach.org on the events calendar page. There is plenty to celebrate this holiday season, and Surfside Beach definitely knows how to party.

Dale Parris

June 15, 2022November 30, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

U.S. Marine Corp Veteran and Mr. Claus Celebrate Our Veteran gives voice to the stories of the U.S. military veterans living amongst us. The actions of these brave and dedicated people, who have served our country both in active military duty as well as administrative positions, have and continue to contribute to the protection and preservation of us and our country. We hope that this section of our paper is an opportunity for our community to hear and see veterans with new eyes, and for veterans to receive recognition and honor for their experiences and life journeys. This month’s Celebrate Our Veteran recounts the story of Dale Parris as told in his own words. Today he lives in Myrtle Beach with his Mrs. Claus, veteran, Trish Parris. by Melissa LaScaleia “I was born in Spartanburg, SC in 1948. After high school I attended community college, but I was tired of school. I had always wanted to be in the Marine Corps because I had an uncle who was a Marine during the WWII era. He always referenced those days and told me that I couldn’t make it; I wanted to prove him wrong. I joined in 1967. Vietnam was ongoing, and I assumed I’d be going too. I went to Parris Island, SC for boot camp and from there was sent to Vietnam. I was stationed outside of Danang, Vietnam, south of the DMZ for eighteen months. I was assigned to work with a bulk fuel supply company as their armorer. It was my job to handle all of their weapons. One day, the ammunition dump, the place where we stored all the ammunition, caught on fire and we had to evacuate the entire compound. Whether it was attacked by the enemy or an accident, we never could figure out, but it was a dangerous situation because it was burning for several days and then exploded. At a certain point, some of us went back to retrieve a few things. We were able to salvage some of the alcohol from the officer’s club and took it with us to our new temporary compound. That was a blessing. When I was in Vietnam, I was young and I didn’t know what was going on in the states in terms of demonstrations and protests. I just wanted to be in the Marines. It was just a job for me that I took one day at a time, and I didn’t have any reservations about being there. In ‘Nam I was exposed to Agent Orange; I did have some health repercussions in the early 2000s. After my tour abroad, I received orders to return to Parris Island as a drill instructor, where I spent the next three and a half years. Parris Island is the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot for the East Coast. Initially I was rather nervous about the position since I had only been in the Marine Corps for two years. Then I changed my job to the counterintelligence field with the Marines. From there I had assignments with the Naval Investigative Service (NIS); today it’s NCIS. Then I was assigned to Marine Headquarters near the Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia. After that, I worked in the Pentagon for the Air Force Office of Investigations (OSI). I met my wife Trish in 1978 when I was stationed in Arlington. I never meant to stay in the marines past four years. But I had a good experience as a drill sergeant on the field, and I enjoyed my time in Vietnam. In counterintelligence, I was assigned to Japan and the Philippines. Out of everything I did throughout my career, my most memorable experience was being on the drill field as a drill instructor. It was a totally different type of assignment; it was very independent. I had multiple platoons of sixty troops each that I was teaching and training to be Marines. I got to lead classes and teach about weapons. There were many things I had never done before, and I learned a lot. I retired from the Marine Corps in 1990, and took a job as an investigator working for the federal government with the Office of Special Counsel. In 2008 I retired from the federal government. In 1995, our youngest daughter was in the first grade. And the elementary school asked if I would consider playing Santa for their Breakfast With Santa event in December. They asked because I had been doing some volunteer work and they thought I’d be good interacting with children. My initial reaction was, “Hell no! I’m not some little old fat elf, I’m a Marine!” But I thought about it, and then came around to thinking that maybe I could. But I told them that I wouldn’t be Santa unless my wife, Trish, was there as Mrs. Claus to back me up. Unfortunately their old Santa suit didn’t fit me. And the Mrs. Claus dress didn’t fit my wife. So Trish sewed us both costumes at night after our daughter went to bed. And I went to a costume shop and bought a wig and a beard. We had never met another Santa, and I had no idea how to be one beyond ho, ho, ho. So I had to figure out how to do it. It was really comical. We laughed a long time as I stood in front of a mirror trying to act like Santa. Then we did the event for the school, and that was it. But then, when the next year rolled around, the school principal called again, and asked if we’d mind visiting some people’s houses as Santa. So we did a few of those that year. And each year, more and more people were asking us to come and visit them for their party. We would go and were just winging it, doing it as we went. My suit for the first ten years as Santa was the suit Trish made. My boots were snow boots from Walmart. In 2004, … Read more

Coastal Insider November Edition

June 15, 2022November 1, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Click to view

November 2021

Stay connected with our top stories delivered every month!

A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM

This is a perfect month of happiness for me, because on November 20, I’m getting married to my fiancé, John Assip. Our wedding is going to be at The Dye Club, a country club on a golf course in North Myrtle Beach. We chose this date so that we could celebrate Thanksgiving with our extended families as a newly married couple—bringing the gathering to the large and happy number of twenty guests this year.

Thanksgiving has always held a special place in my heart both because to me it kicks off the holiday season, and because it’s such a family-oriented time. I’m a big family person— and I’m at my happiest when I’m surrounded by everyone. Then too, there’s nothing so satisfying as waking up in the morning at the home I grew up in and smelling the turkey cooking in the oven.

Traditions are what give the holiday deeper meaning. We always dine off of my grandmother’s wedding china that she gifted me. And one of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes is my mom’s sweet potato casserole that she’s been making for the past thirty years. Usually my mom is the one who does all the cooking, but this year, I’m helping her so that I can learn all her secret techniques, and begin to make that recipe a tradition for my husband and the family we’ll have together.

Growing up, my dad’s side of the family would throw our Thanksgiving bash. And every year since that time, we’d have more and more people attend as people got married and had children of their own. We kept branching into larger rooms and connecting multiple tables together so we could all fit at one table. A few years back, there were forty-two of us gathered around one. My uncle even measured to make sure everyone had enough elbow room.
I can’t wait to start a family of my own and share these traditions, as well as the memories, with my children. I’m anticipating this to be the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever known, given that it’s in tandem with this very special and memorable moment of marrying the love of my life.

-Jen O’Leary

Places

Magical Winter Wonderland: Myrtle Beach Edition

December 10, 2023

Health

Nourishing Your Digestive Health During the Festive Season

December 8, 2023

Restaurants

Hi-Pot’s Hot Pot Magic: Festive Feasting for Christmas Joy

December 6, 2023

Business

Presents for Paws: Creating Joy in Every Wag and Meow

December 5, 2023

Festivals

Cozy Christmas: Introvert’s Fuzzy Socks & Festive PJ’s

December 4, 2023

Places

Joy Unboxed: Picking Toys or Experiences for Kids

December 3, 2023

Restaurants

Skip the Kitchen, Dive into Myrtle Beach’s Holiday Dining Hotspots

December 2, 2023

Attractions

Tis the Season: Grand Strand’s Parade Wonderland

December 1, 2023

Outdoorsy

Beachcombing for Wellness: Myrtle Beach’s Sandy Steps to Health

November 29, 2023

Restaurants

Burgers & Beyond: River City Cafe’s Burger Sensation

November 28, 2023

Attractions

Brookgreen Gardens: Home to the #1 Christmas Lights in South Carolina

November 27, 2023

Coastal Home Insider November Edition

June 15, 2022November 1, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

The Coastal Insider and Coastal Home Insider From entertainment, leisure and beaches to local businesses and community, we bring it closer to you. Plus advertising with us is in alignment with our mission! * Take a peek at our past editions * Check out our latest Coastal Insider Issue Click to view Coastal Insider * Take a peek at our past editions * Check out our latest Coastal Home Insider Issue Click to view Home Insider Stay connected with our top stories delivered every month! A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM This is a perfect month of happiness for me, because on November 20, I’m getting married to my fiancé, John Assip. Our wedding is going to be at The Dye Club, a country club on a golf course in North Myrtle Beach. We chose this date so that we could celebrate Thanksgiving with our extended families as a newly married couple—bringing the gathering to the large and happy number of twenty guests this year. Thanksgiving has always held a special place in my heart both because to me it kicks off the holiday season, and because it’s such a family-oriented time. I’m a big family person— and I’m at my happiest when I’m surrounded by everyone. Then too, there’s nothing so satisfying as waking up in the morning at the home I grew up in and smelling the turkey cooking in the oven. Traditions are what give the holiday deeper meaning. We always dine off of my grandmother’s wedding china that she gifted me. And one of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes is my mom’s sweet potato casserole that she’s been making for the past thirty years. Usually my mom is the one who does all the cooking, but this year, I’m helping her so that I can learn all her secret techniques, and begin to make that recipe a tradition for my husband and the family we’ll have together. Growing up, my dad’s side of the family would throw our Thanksgiving bash. And every year since that time, we’d have more and more people attend as people got married and had children of their own. We kept branching into larger rooms and connecting multiple tables together so we could all fit at one table. A few years back, there were forty-two of us gathered around one. My uncle even measured to make sure everyone had enough elbow room. I can’t wait to start a family of my own and share these traditions, as well as the memories, with my children. I’m anticipating this to be the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever known, given that it’s in tandem with this very special and memorable moment of marrying the love of my life. -Jen O’Leary

The Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot

June 15, 2022October 31, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Celebrating 15 Years of the Iconic 5k Race Along the Grand Strand by Melissa LaScaleia The annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot is back for another year along the Grand Strand, amidst the joyous anticipation of running enthusiasts and their cheering squads. The race is hosted by NS Promos, a local event-production company which puts on a series of races, events, festivals and fundraisers along the Grand Strand throughout the year. Mike Shank is co-owner of NS Promos with business partner and friend, Steve Taylor. “Steve and I have known each other for a long time,” Mike says. “Steve owns Native Sons, a large T-shirt company, and was dabbling in events on the side. He started the Jeep Jam, it’s kind of like Bike Week for Jeep-owners. “I had a full time job and was also running a company called Festival Promotions. Three years ago we decided to join together and call our event-production company a fusion of those names— NS Promos.” Mike grew up in Cumberland, Maryland, and attended Radford University in Virginia. He moved to Myrtle Beach in the summer of ’94 for what he thought was going to be three months and never left. “When I was first here, they were digging the lake at Broadway at the Beach,” he says. “I loved Myrtle Beach when I was a kid and we vacationed here. So to have an opportunity to get a job and move here— that’s pretty good.” Mike and Steve’s partnership presented itself at the perfect time for them both. “I was bogged down with how much time it was taking for me to create and organize all of my events on my own,” Mike says. “I was really running myself into the ground. And Steve needed help with Jeep Jam. Once we merged, we hired additional people to help us run things, and it was a much more sustainable lifestyle.” “I enjoy my partnership with Steve,” he adds. “It’s been great. I get a lot of insights and inspiration from him. And the team putting the events together is great too. Now they are people that I can trust and rely on to do exceptional work, and that’s taken a lot off of my plate.” The finish line for the Market Common race in 2019. Mike created the Turkey Trot 5k race in Myrtle Beach fifteen years ago. Up until that time, and despite the sunny, balmy conditions in Myrtle Beach as well as the ubiquitous tradition of race running on Thanksgiving Day in most cities across America, there was no race in Myrtle Beach. “At the time that I started the Turkey Trot here, I was on the organizing committee of the Myrtle Beach marathon,” Mike says. “Thanksgiving Day is traditionally the largest running day of the year, and I wanted Myrtle Beach to be a part of that. So I decided to go for it, and put it together.” Four hundred people showed up to run along Farrow Parkway and what would become the Market Common that first year. And Mike has been organizing it ever since. By year three, he had expanded the Turkey Trot into Surfside Beach, and was amazed that the turnout was larger than the one in the Market Common. “Initially, it was kind of crazy to me that just a few miles up the road even more people would come and attend,” Mike says. “But what we found over time, especially with the race starting early in the morning, was that people were only willing to drive so far along Hwy. 17— north or south— depending on where they lived.” Almost ten years ago, Mike branched out and began a race in Florence, which has consistently drawn around 300 runners a year. Four years ago, he added another location at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach; approximately 400-500 people run that location. “2019 was our peak in terms of numbers of participants,” Mike says. “Between all of the locations, we had about 3,500 runners show up— 1500 in Surfside Beach; 1300 in Market Common; 400 in Barefoot Landing; and 300 in Florence.” Mike hosts the race in Surfside in partnership with the Surfside Rotary Club. The club sells all the sponsorship packages for the race. “It’s been their largest fundraiser every year and a great partnership for us,” Mike says. “In Myrtle Beach, we usually partner with the Grand Strand Humane Society to do the same thing.” Because of Covid, the 2020 Surfside Beach Turkey Trot has far fewer runners than in years past. This year’s race is currently on track to be more well attended. Right now, Mike has no plans to add any more race locations. He’s focussed more on nurturing and sustaining what he and his team have already built. “2019 was the largest turn-out of runners we’ve ever had,” he says. “And we found a way to safely and responsibly hold every race we scheduled last year, except one. But despite the fact that we offered it, in Surfside we had 480 runners compared to 1500 the previous year. Right now, the numbers are trending more towards where they were in 2019. We’ve done a lot of expanding over the last few years, and now we want to support that base.” For Mike and his team, last year’s Covid climate influenced their mindset to stay positive, and simply persevere with their intentions to host the races for the Myrtle Beach community no matter how many people showed up to run. “The events industry has been impacted just like everybody else,” Mike says. “But with the races, we certainly benefitted from being outside. The main thing we did to make sure everyone stayed safe, was to encourage everyone to wear a mask until they started the run. Then, instead of starting everybody at the same time, we had people form a row across and spread them out about 10 feet apart. Then we staggered the rows by 20 second start intervals. At the end … Read more

Coastal Constructive Landscaping

June 15, 2022October 31, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Bringing Quality Work, a Lifetime of Experience, and Love to Your Yard by Melissa LaScaleia Ernie Mitchum was born in Kingstree, SC, not far from Myrtle Beach. A son and grandson of farmers, Ernie grew up tending vegetable plots, flowers, and trees alongside his elder family members. “We planted a lot of fruit trees— pears, plums, peaches— also grape vines, tobacco, cucumbers, and roses,” he says. “I would help tend them along with whatever landscaping work needed to be done. We all worked together, doing whatever it took to get the job done. We sold our fruits and vegetables throughout the neighborhood by word of mouth. My parents and grandparents were in this business long before I was born. So everyone knew who we were and we had a big clientele. Customers would come to our house and buy vegetables and fruits by the bushel.” This delightful way of conducting small business was as recent as the early ‘90s. “Our ways of living change much more slowly than in cities and suburbs,” Ernie explains. “Where I’m from is a small area, and we all know one another.” When Ernie was old enough to work on a farm himself, he became a tobacco planter and also worked in the post production of the crop. Then he worked in a cotton gin. After almost a decade of working with crops, he wanted to explore new ventures and came to Myrtle Beach. “Our economy was difficult,” he says, “and I wanted to try something other than farming. Myrtle Beach isn’t that far from my family but has better work opportunities. Over the course of my life, I want to be able to experience different things.” Ernie took jobs in several different professions before discovering another talent and passion— cooking. He worked as a chef for several years until the pandemic struck. “I weighed my options and I like being outside, so I decided to return to my roots and my first love and begin my own landscaping company,” he says. “I appreciate that here in Myrtle Beach, it feels so easy to start my own business. And I definitely love what I’m doing.” Ernie opened the doors to his business this past May. He and his team provide mowing, trimming, edging, mulching, hedging, debris removal from storms, and all kinds of planting for both commercial as well as residential clients. He also has the equipment and experience for pressure washing, including RVs. “This company brings you the quality workmanship and reliability that everyone deserves,” he says. “We listen to understand what you want, to ensure I cater my expertise to meet your requirements. We will leave you with an adorable yard that will delight you.” “Now is a good time to find a landscaper because it’s still hurricane season,” he continues, “and storms can wreak havoc on a well-groomed yard. But every yard, regardless of storm damage, needs a fall cleanup before being put to bed for the winter season.” With Coastal Constructive Landscaping, you’re getting years of experience and great value for the cost, but because they are new, they can fit new clients into their schedule promptly, and can address last minute requests with ease. “I return calls the same day and typically schedule people the next day or the day after,” Ernie says. “We’re focussed on customer service and building a clientele.” Ernie chose the name for his company because he felt it fit what he offered the community. “I’m in a coastal area, and I’m great at what I do,” he says. “I have a strong work ethic, and can really make a property look good. So using the word constructive to apply to what I do just made sense.” “I bring quality work, a lifetime of experience, and love to your yard,” he adds. Coastal Constructive Landscaping Phone Envelope

Audrey Williamson of Edward Jones

June 23, 2022October 31, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Edward Jones - Financial Advisor- Audrey K Williamson

Your Go-To For Personal Financial Services by Melissa LaScaleia Edward Jones, established in 1922, is a privately-held firm that provides financial services to serious, long-term individual investors in the U.S. and Canada. The firm’s more than 19,000 financial advisors serve more than 7 million clients and care for $1.6 trillion in assets under management. Personal service to the individual is of utmost importance. The branch-office business model allows financial advisors to discuss individual investment needs on a one-on-one basis and partner with clients in an ongoing relationship to help keep them on track with their goals. The firm’s philosophy focuses on investing for the long-term in quality investments aligned with one’s goals and risk tolerance. Financial Advisor Audrey Williamson, CFP®, and Tracey Gohn, senior branch office administrator, are the branch team located in the Market Common. The Insider asked Audrey to give readers a sense of her business perspective: “Our branch vision is to understand our clients’ goals and risk tolerance, by using an established process of building customized portfolios to help achieve their goals. We continue to partner with them over time to make sure they stay on track. We are stress-testing our clients’ strategies because everyone has bumps in the road that can take them off track. “Sometimes we may move inches, and other times miles. The major bump in the road for most investors is not having enough emergency cash. Having an emergency fund prevents them from having to sell good-quality investments when they’re down, or having to take on additional debt with, for example, credit cards and loans. In addition to investments, we analyze emergency cash, cash flow, efficient tax distribution and estate considerations. “We partner with our clients’ CPAs and attorneys to make sure we are all aligned with our clients’ goals. Finally, we make sure the strategy is protected by reviewing current life disability and long-term-care insurance.” Over the years, Audrey has grown substantially in her financial learning, and earned the prestigious CFP®, Certified Financial Planner designation. Through hard work and dedication, Audrey has earned the prestigious Certified Financial Planner designation. “I am proud of that designation, and how that knowledge helps our clients in forming the best financial strategy for their lives,” she says. “As part of my continuing education, I also have attained the Charter Financial Consultant designation (ChFC).” Audrey and her husband Jeff relocated to Myrtle Beach in 2013. “We had been visiting family in Myrtle Beach for many years and we had planned on retiring in the Carolinas at some point,” she says. “But as the Michigan winters became harder to handle, we accelerated our plans and made the decision to build our new home in the Market Common. In early 2014, I accepted the opportunity to work with Edward Jones and officially moved into the Market Common office on Black Friday in November 2014. “The extensive resources that Edward Jones provides allows me to educate our clients, so that no matter what stage they are in, whether they are just starting to accumulate wealth or if they are in the distribution phase, to show them what the outcome can or will be. We truly feel it’s important for every client to understand what they own and why they own it.” “Our clients understand that our branch team knows what is important to them,” she adds. “Thankfully they do not have to communicate with a 1-800 number or some type of robo-advisor. Our clients choose us because they are looking for a face-to-face personal contact that will be proactive towards their needs. Our clients are also aware of the extensive resources provided by Edward Jones, whether it be through our robust website and online resources, or the in-depth research department, which is always focused on putting the client first. Tracey’s presence as our senior branch office administrator is critical to this and so many aspects of our clients’ satisfaction.” Tracey has been with Edward Jones for fifteen years, and as a result of her achievements was invited to participate in multiple limited partnership offerings. Her achieving senior branch office administrator is a designation given by Edward Jones in recognition of her outstanding participation in the branch. Tracey and her husband, Jeff, relocated from Saratoga Springs, NY, where she had worked as an assistant vice president at one of the largest regional banks in upstate NY. Tracey Gohn has been with Edward Jones for fifteen years and brings a wealth of experience to the table. “Not only is she instrumental in operations at our branch,” Audrey says, “she also truly cares for our clients and understands their goals on a personal level.” The duo have had to adapt the way that they care for their clients because of Covid-19. Initially, they had no in-office appointments, but were able to offer Zoom and web-app phone calls to have constant communication with their clients. Now, they are back to scheduled appointments, albeit fewer per day, and adhering to strict safety guidelines. “Throughout this process, we’ve made sure that we have constant communication with our clients. The steps we’ve taken have helped keep our clients on track with their long-term goals.” Tracey and Audrey also check-in with their clients regularly, not only to make sure that they’re okay investment-wise, but also health and well-being wise. “We care about the people we serve,” Audrey says. “For us, the relationships we build run deeper than that of financial advisor and client.” “Tracey and I are thankful for the opportunity to be part of Edward Jones,” she adds. “By focusing on what’s best for our clients, this allows us to deliver an ideal client experience. We are thankful for the trust and confidence our clients place in us so that we can help them achieve their personal goals. Additionally, the culture of volunteerism within Edward Jones is beyond anything I have ever experienced. As part of the leadership team in our region, Tracey and I are responsible for providing updates and education on processes technology, and delivering an ideal client experience. “As a company, Edward Jones has won awards for the extensive level of training and the continuation of that training. This opportunity … Read more

The Cross Guy

June 15, 2022October 31, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Marathons With a Mission to Spread Love and Positivity by Melissa LaScaleia Tim McKenney was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He met his wife, Brianca, in high school, and the couple relocated to Columbia, SC after they were married. In Columbia they were part of a Christian ministry, and moved to Charleston three years ago to help a group of fellow parishioners open a new branch of the church. Tim was a former Marine, and Brianca was in the Air Force. Always in pursuit of adventurous activities, when they heard about Charleston’s annual Cooper River Bridge Run 10k, they compiled a group from their church and decided to run it together as a team. And from there, things got more adventurous indeed. “It all started when we were trying to build the church in Charleston,” Tim says. “We were commuting from Columbia every weekend, and then when the race came up it seemed fun and exciting for us all to do together. Then someone said, ‘Hey, let’s run it with crosses!’ And I hesitated but then thought, all right, let’s give it a go.” It was a spur of the moment decision for Tim, but it would impact his life more deeply than he realized. He went to Lowe’s and purchased some lumber, then fashioned a cross 6 ft tall and 3 ft wide. The finished product weighed some 20-30 lb. “It sounded challenging and I like to run,” Tim says with a laugh. “I used to do Spartan races, so I’m familiar with torture. In the Marine Corps we have a saying: ‘Train how you fight.’ So to prepare for the race, I would run around the neighborhood and parks carrying it.” Tim often gets stopped by curious onlookers while training, or those in need of support who ask him to pray for him. He doesn’t mind the interruptions, as he sees it as an opportunity to educate and help others. At first the only cross-carriers for the race were Tim and another teammate. But in successive years, others picked up the trend as well, and they became known as the Cross-Bearers Group. “Emotionally, it feels overwhelming,” he says, “to think that Jesus carried a much bigger cross for miles. I also feel empowered with my mission. Jesus healed sick people, taught people, and showed people how to love. He was just an awesome dude. And he was punished and died a cruel death because people didn’t like what he said and did. Before he died, he told people to carry on his message— which is to love your neighbor and do good to others. And that ties into why I carry a cross— it’s a personal remembrance for me to carry on his personal mission— to teach others what he did and how we should respond to life and to others.” Tim has run a total of three races with his cross. The last one he didn’t train for because he didn’t realize the race was being held. “But when I showed up, I think I ran faster than I usually train,” he says with a laugh. “I hadn’t run with the cross in two years, and then I picked it up and ran.” “I won’t push my luck though and do that again,” he adds. “This isn’t my new way to train.” To learn more about Tim and what he’s up to visit: Instagram

WFXB Fox 43 TV

June 23, 2022October 31, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Your Friends, Your Favorites, Your Fox, Locally by Melissa LaScaleia WFXB is a Fox affiliate news station broadcasting locally from the Market Common. They host three shows daily: Carolina AM, a live morning talk show hosted by Greg Rowles and Audra Grant; live coverage of Fox Midday News, hosted by Laura Pence and B.J. Kinard; and in the evening, Not the News— a lighthearted satire of the news, also hosted by Greg and Audra. Laura Pence has been with the station since October 2017. She’s currently the co-producer for Carolina AM with Audra Grant, and co-host of the Midday News show. Laura comes from a small town in Missouri. She attended Missouri State for college and had no plans for pursuing a career in the media or television industry. “I wanted to be a nurse originally,” she says. “But I ended up taking a media class that I really enjoyed and decided to pursue the field. After I graduated college, I took a job as a receptionist at the local Fox news station in Missouri just to get my foot in the door. Then I moved up to become a promotions producer.” In that role, Laura created promotional videos for the company’s various programs. She worked with commercial production, videography, and video editing. After six years, she was looking for a change. She applied for the co-host/producer position in Myrtle Beach at WFXB five years ago. “All three of our shows we create and write here in our studio,” Laura says. “I’ve had a blast since I’ve been here.” The morning show is designed to engage the community; it’s intended to be informative, fun and relaxed— a unique approach to morning news and way for people to connect to the outside world. Carolina AM covers a variety of topics. There is always something health-related: like statistics on exercise or a trending nutrition find— sometimes even a dating tip. They’ll always do a showbiz highlight, in which they relay the top four news-worthy stories involving celebrities. And then there’s a cooking segment. Often top chefs will appear as guest educators; at other times Greg and Audra will teach each other how to prepare a dish. Laura and Audra work together to create the show daily. For the first ten minutes of the show, Greg and Audra chat unscripted— and as it’s a live broadcast— anything spontaneous or quirky, or both, can occur. For the remainder of the show, the producers unearth content in advance. “We both work to book daily guests— whether they represent local events or a new business that’s opened,” Laura says. “It could be as simple as helping promote a 5k race. We try to have 1-2 guests per day. Then we split up the rest of the show and try to find content that is lighthearted and inspiring— things that will make our viewers laugh. Then we edit video to go along with it.” Earlier this year, Laura and Audra added a new segment to the show called Carolina Kindness. “Because of Covid, a lot of people were looking for a boost of happiness,” Laura says. “And we noticed a trend of people sharing more happy stories online. So we began by highlighting stories of kindness that we came across nationally, and called them Happy Hump Day Stories, because we aired them on Wednesdays. It evolved as we began to become aware of acts of kindness happening locally; then we began to put a spotlight on the things people were doing in our community.” Laura and Audra will sometimes search for their happy content, and sometimes it finds them. Viewers will write to them with leads, at other times they search social media platforms and the internet. “We’ve even had some guests come into the studio and share about things that have happened to them, or nominate someone else that they’ve heard has been doing things to make others in the community smile or just have a better day. So now we call it Carolina Kindness. At first it was just stories that make you smile; it wasn’t about people being kind to one another. But now it’s focussed more on that.” Carolina Kindness recently highlighted the story of a teenage girl from Florence who sent a care package all on her own to a soldier stationed in Afghanistan. He was so touched that when he finished his tour of duty, he sought her out to thank her personally and tell her how much her thoughtfulness meant to him while he was abroad. Another story featured a man who was handy with automobiles. He restored junk cars to make them mechanically sound and gave them away to those in need of a vehicle. Some of the stories are more intimate and personal. There was one about a woman selling birdhouses at the local farmers market who struck up a conversation with a man who came to her stall. Afterwards, she found out that he was a veteran, and in gratitude, she made him a birdhouse to thank him for his service. In another, a couple were having lunch at Margaritaville at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, when they met another couple and struck up a lively conversation. At the end of their meal, instead of their bill, the waitress handed one couple a note that read, ‘Enjoy your lunch on us!’ It was from the their new friends. For the showbiz highlights, the duo look at entertainment news sectors to find fresh, juicy content, like which celebrity got arrested or caught Covid. “Today we had a story about an Ed Sheeran look-a-like,” Laura says with a laugh. “He looks so much like him that he has to disguise himself when he goes out in public so he doesn’t get bombarded.” The dating tips come from anything like Fox News Lifestyle to Yahoo News Lifestyle. “We share information from dating polls— things that are fun and funny,” Laura says. “Like, ‘Would you date someone who talked … Read more

Lieutenant William Hook

June 15, 2022October 31, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

A Snapshot of Myrtle Beach in the ‘40s Via the Lens of a WWII Navigator

by Melissa LaScaleia

Lieutenant William J. Hook was born on March 12, 1917, in Albany, New York. A lover of music, he played the trumpet in a band in college. He graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York, then attended Albany Law School. His career plans were to be put on hold however; after Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, William joined the military. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, the precursor to the Air Force, and completed military training in Georgia and Alabama. He finished pilot training at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, but his less than perfect vision disqualified him from flying planes, and he became a navigator, responsible for keeping a plane on course, instead.

William married Frances Downs, from Schenectady, in 1942. When William was stationed at Myrtle Beach, the new couple lived in a bungalow by the ocean. At that time, there was a movie theater and a grocery store in town and not much else. Their daughter, Gail, was born on April 12, 1943. A few months later, William was deployed overseas to England, and took his daughter’s baby shoes with him as a memento. With her husband’s departure, Frances returned to her hometown of Schenectady. William would never see his family again; his fatal mission was in February 1944, when his B-26 Marauder and two other American planes were shot down over France. His body was never recovered.

Today, Gail lives in upstate New York, and in a phone call, shares a bit of the information that she knows about her father and that time.

“My father always took my baby shoes with him when he went flying on missions,” she says. “They were his good luck charm. He made a little marking on the bottom of one shoe every time he flew. But his last mission, he forgot to take them— because he was never supposed to go. He flew with a different pilot in a different plane and the shoes were left behind.

“My dad was the love of my mom’s life,” she continues. “She never wanted to speak to me about him very much. Eventually she remarried and gave birth to my half-brother, Rick. He also joined the military— the Army and the Navy— and flew helicopters.

“Decades ago, when you would go to the movie theater to see a movie, they would show a newsreel beforehand. They made a news segment over in England, and my dad was in it. And they mentioned my baby shoes. It was so touching to me to think that they found this clip. And Rick was able to save it for me so I could rewatch it.”

Gail never visited Myrtle Beach until thirty years ago. But now, she and her husband return to her birth town every winter.

“One day, my husband saw an article in the newspaper about how the city was planning to create a military museum in the Market Common to commemorate the soldiers and people who had been active at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base,” Gail says. “We attended a planning meeting that they hosted, and they shared that they were looking for people to donate things for the museum. I gave them my dad’s uniform. There was never a cemetery spot for him, and it was nice to have a place to go and think about him.”

The streets of the Market Common are almost universally named for those who served at the Myrtle Beach Air Force and made a significant impact while doing so. Joe Dietrich, a passionate military-history buff who lives on the corner of Peterson Street and Hook Ave., contacted the city and asked them to place a plaque to commemorate the life of Lt. Hook. One day, he overheard a group of youngsters wondering if Hook Ave. was named after the character Captain Hook from the story Peter Pan; Joe wanted the community to be aware of the life story of the WWII veteran and the true meaning behind the street’s designation.

Since William has no gravesite, Joe drilled a hole in the cement foundation in front of the plaque and annually puts a small American flag that all veterans receive at their grave on Memorial Day; he also puts one there for the Fourth of July and Veterans Day.

Fall Stuffed Pumpkin

June 15, 2022October 31, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Nothing says fall quite like baked savory dishes, especially those from the pumpkin family.

In addition to the fun that can be had from transforming pumkins into jack-o’-lanterns and the quintessentially American custom of pumkin pie, the rotund, orange gourd yields a range of historic culinary delights. Indeed, in colonial days, pumpkins were more prized as a vegetable, served up routinely on the dinner table.

This recipe not only celebrates that time-honored tradition, but also offers a unique way to get the most out of your seasonal squash. You can substitute a Hubbard, delicata, or any other winter squash for pumpkin. And the filling can easily be adjusted to suit your creative impulses. Try adding sausage or hearty green kale into the mix; make it more colorful with turmeric, more robust in flavor with the addition of allspice.

Fall Stuffed Pumpkin

1 pumpkin or large squash

½ stick butter

1 Tbs olive oil

2 Vidalia onions, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

½ lb ground lamb

½ cup pine nuts

1 cup slivered almonds

⅓ cup golden raisins

1 tsp cinnamon

2 cups cooked black forbidden rice or wild rice blend

salt and pepper to taste

Scrub the pumpkin; cut a wide circular opening around the top where the stem is. Remove the lid. Cut the fibrous pulp from the inside of the lid. Scoop out the seeds and fiber and set aside.

In a small pan, toast the pine nuts over a low flame until they become golden, stirring constantly and being careful not to brown too much or scorch.

In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat and add the onions, cooking until translucent. Add the garlic and meat, and stir to cook until brown. Add nuts, raisins, cinnamon and rice to the mixture, and stir to cook. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Fill the pumpkin with the meat mixture. Put the lid on and place pumpkin on a baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour or until the pumpkin is soft but not mushy. The entire pumpkin is edible excepting the skin.

The Holiday Season Returns to North Myrtle Beach

June 15, 2022October 31, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

by Emily Smith The time of year for holiday celebrations has arrived, with few areas of the Grand Strand lighting up quite like North Myrtle Beach does. This strip of the coast is known for a number of holiday events that begin this month and last through the New Year. No matter what or how you celebrate, there are a myriad of activities to enjoy. The Alabama Theater in Barefoot Landing kicks off the season with The South’s Grandest Christmas Show. It begins November 1 and plays daily through New Year’s Day. This production is sure to put everyone in a party mood, sporting, as it does, exuberant dances, singing, and dazzling special effects. Visit www.alabama-theatre.com for more information and ticket times and prices. On November 19 at 7pm, walkers, joggers, and perambulators of all kinds can catch a first glimpse of The Great Christmas Light Show when they sign up for Dashing Through the Glow, a two mile non-competitive walk/run through the holiday lights. Get in the spirit and wear your best holiday themed outfit. Prizes will be given for best dressed individual and best dressed family. The course is held at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex, and ends at Santa’s Village, where you can enjoy hot chocolate, rides, and visits with the big man himself. The Light Show officially opens for touring nightly, November 22-December 30 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), weather permitting. Visitors can drive through this spectacular enchanted holiday land, which features over 2 million lights along a 1.5 mile drive. More than 500 magical light displays, some up to 55 feet tall, have been custom-made for this event; and this year the town has prepared thirty new animated scenes for all to experience. For more information about Dashing Through the Glow and the Great Christmas Light Show, visit them on the web. Finally, on the last Saturday of the month, the Intracoastal Waterway will light up from the Little River Inlet down to the Dock Holidays Marina. Each year since 1984, the Intracoastal Christmas Regatta provides a decked-out yacht parade to delight watchers on the shores. The parade runs from 5-7pm, when the last of the decorated boats sails away. Hosted by Yachts for Tots, this event also supplies multiple collection points for unwrapped gifts to be donated to local charities. Visit www.christmasregatta.com for spectator locations and donation spots.

Coastal Insider October Edition

January 21, 2024October 1, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Click to view

October 2021

Stay connected with our top stories delivered every month!

A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM

I’m originally from Pennsylvania, and moved to Myrtle Beach with my family six years ago. I’m currently a junior at Coastal Carolina University where I’m studying marketing and graphic design. I had the opportunity to intern with the Insider because I’m enrolled in a business initiative at Coastal called CoBE, which group collaborated on a project with Real Living Home Realty Group. One of my colleagues in CoBE was in an internship at the Insider and really enjoyed it— then they approached me to join their team. I’ve been an intern now since April. I post and update the publication’s social media pages, including Instagram, Tik-Tok, Facebook, and Pinterest. I also help to coordinate what’s needed behind-the-scenes for the videos and photo shoots we conduct for featured area businesses. I love creating, being in a hands-on environment, and seeing a project come to fruition— it’s why I enjoy being involved with video creation and photo shoots so much. I like setting goals and then seeing results. And with social media, you can see that growth and those results almost instantly.

Inside the pages of this month’s publication, we feature the behind-the-scenes story of the winners of the ER Home, Real Living Home Realty Group, and the Insider’s collaborative $5000 Home Makeover Giveaway. I set up the Facebook live that we used to share the results of the giveaway. It was inspiring to read the winner’s story and interact with people in real time when we made the announcement. It was great to see the impact it had not only on the family, but with the entire community through their comments, likes, and shares. I’m continuing to improve my social media strategy so that I can help to promote the Insider digitally to as many people as possible. Additionally, I really enjoy the amount of businesses I interact with through my internship. There are so many in Myrtle Beach that I didn’t realize were here. I’m a big advocate of shopping small and shopping local— and I love that I can find this information all listed in one place— in the Insider.

– Adara Engle

Places

Magical Winter Wonderland: Myrtle Beach Edition

December 10, 2023

Health

Nourishing Your Digestive Health During the Festive Season

December 8, 2023

Restaurants

Hi-Pot’s Hot Pot Magic: Festive Feasting for Christmas Joy

December 6, 2023

Business

Presents for Paws: Creating Joy in Every Wag and Meow

December 5, 2023

Festivals

Cozy Christmas: Introvert’s Fuzzy Socks & Festive PJ’s

December 4, 2023

Places

Joy Unboxed: Picking Toys or Experiences for Kids

December 3, 2023

Restaurants

Skip the Kitchen, Dive into Myrtle Beach’s Holiday Dining Hotspots

December 2, 2023

Attractions

Tis the Season: Grand Strand’s Parade Wonderland

December 1, 2023

Outdoorsy

Beachcombing for Wellness: Myrtle Beach’s Sandy Steps to Health

November 29, 2023

Restaurants

Burgers & Beyond: River City Cafe’s Burger Sensation

November 28, 2023

Attractions

Brookgreen Gardens: Home to the #1 Christmas Lights in South Carolina

November 27, 2023

Coastal Home Insider October Edition

June 15, 2022October 1, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

The Coastal Insider and Coastal Home Insider From entertainment, leisure and beaches to local businesses and community, we bring it closer to you. Plus advertising with us is in alignment with our mission! * Take a peek at our past editions * Check out our latest Coastal Insider Issue Click to view Coastal Insider * Take a peek at our past editions * Check out our latest Coastal Home Insider Issue Click to view Home Insider Stay connected with our top stories delivered every month! A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM I’m originally from Pennsylvania, and moved to Myrtle Beach with my family six years ago. I’m currently a junior at Coastal Carolina University where I’m studying marketing and graphic design. I had the opportunity to intern with the Insider because I’m enrolled in a business initiative at Coastal called CoBE, which group collaborated on a project with Real Living Home Realty Group. One of my colleagues in CoBE was in an internship at the Insider and really enjoyed it— then they approached me to join their team. I’ve been an intern now since April. I post and update the publication’s social media pages, including Instagram, Tik-Tok, Facebook, and Pinterest. I also help to coordinate what’s needed behind-the-scenes for the videos and photo shoots we conduct for featured area businesses. I love creating, being in a hands-on environment, and seeing a project come to fruition— it’s why I enjoy being involved with video creation and photo shoots so much. I like setting goals and then seeing results. And with social media, you can see that growth and those results almost instantly. Inside the pages of this month’s publication, we feature the behind-the-scenes story of the winners of the ER Home, Real Living Home Realty Group, and the Insider’s collaborative $5000 Home Makeover Giveaway. I set up the Facebook live that we used to share the results of the giveaway. It was inspiring to read the winner’s story and interact with people in real time when we made the announcement. It was great to see the impact it had not only on the family, but with the entire community through their comments, likes, and shares. I’m continuing to improve my social media strategy so that I can help to promote the Insider digitally to as many people as possible. Additionally, I really enjoy the amount of businesses I interact with through my internship. There are so many in Myrtle Beach that I didn’t realize were here. I’m a big advocate of shopping small and shopping local— and I love that I can find this information all listed in one place— in the Insider. – Adara Engle

Ground Zero Ministries Presents: The Fall Fundraising Gala

March 22, 2023September 30, 2021 by The Coastal Insider

Thursday, November 4, 2021

by Melissa LaScaleia

Ground Zero Ministries is a local area non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide teenagers, ages 13-18, with a place to go, belong and grow.

“We feel teens are saturated with so many negative messages in today’s society,” says Stephanie Sebring, advancement director for Ground Zero. “Everything from media influences that direct their attention and energy to being something different from who they authentically are; to bullying by peers; to navigating difficult home situations. Ground Zero provides them an environment where they are surrounded by positive people and messages.”

The founder and president of Ground Zero Ministries, Scott Payseur, had the idea to start the organization when he was in middle school.

“Like many kids growing up in the ‘80s, I wanted to start a band and be a rock star,” Scott says. “One day I attended a youth conference and heard a Christian band, and decided to start my own. I petitioned my city council for a building to turn into a teen club, and it was successful. That’s where my passion for youth ministry originated.”

As an adult, Scott founded Ground Zero out of his house in Tennessee in 1998. In 2005, he met a local businessman who had organized several fundraising festivals around the world, and offered to help Scott develop his organization further. One of his bases was Myrtle Beach.

Scott was familiar with the South’s coastal areas— he grew up taking family vacations to Holden Beach, NC. But his first real visit to Myrtle Beach was after college, when he was assigned to the area for a work project.

After his fortuitous connection, Scott and his wife Kimberly moved to Myrtle Beach and ran Ground Zero from both locations for two years before ultimately transferring everything to the beach.

In 2011, the City of Myrtle Beach gifted them a building for their programs. It took Scott three years and $1.7 million in kind services and funds to renovate and open it.

“It was a monumental task for a small organization, and many people told us our best decision was to give the keys back to the city,” Scott says. “No one would have ever questioned us quitting because that seemed like the sensible thing to do. There were a lot of personal struggles. But that’s not my mentality.

“It was us setting out to do what we felt we had been called to do. I wanted this building and the fact that we opened to stand as a testimony to my faith in God. I believe it’s been God’s provision through people that’s made all of this possible. It was a huge step of faith; it was driven by a need to reach a generation of teenagers that we feel are really struggling with so many issues. So for us, everything we do revolves around that.”

Many know Ground Zero for their annual fundraiser— the Dragon Boat Festival— held each spring in the Market Common. Upwards of 10,000 people turn out for this fun-filled team building extravaganza. Professional steerers guide brilliantly-colored boats in the shape of dragons filled with teams of paddlers as they race across the big lake. Spectators and participants have a blast with the sporting competition, costume contests, music, and food.

But even on a smaller scale, the signature Ground Zero events draw teens consistently. Scott and his team have a three-part strategy for impacting teens in a positive way.

“First, we capture their attention,” says Stephanie. “We do that through hosting high-energy events and creating memorable experiences.”

GZi, their weekly outreach program, is a night where teens come listen to live music, hang out with their friends, hear from a motivational speaker, and engage in a conversation about an issue that is directly relevant to their lives.

“For each of our events, we create a place where teens can feel free to be themselves in a supportive, fun environment,” Stephanie says. “They receive free food and drinks, and they’re surrounded by people who care about them. Often we play games like ping-pong and 9 square— it’s similar to volleyball but more intense and high energy.”

The second part of what Ground Zero provides is empowerment—a valuable asset in a world that can often groom teens into accepting toxic mental habits, relationships, and activities. Their mentoring and support helps teens feel safe to explore who they are, what they stand for, and how to protect that— in essence to face the challenges of their daily lives well equipped to do so.

“We do this through cultivating a faith relationship which empowers them to not only make their own healthy choices, but to stand by those choices and share them with others,” Stephanie says. “The last part is that we train them to be leaders by creating opportunities for them at Ground Zero. Once they have these skills, they can use them in any area of their lives with greater confidence.”

Ground Zero isn’t funded by any large organizations or churches; they are funded solely through individual donors— those who share their vision for impacting the lives of today’s teenagers.

“We serve kids from all socioeconomic backgrounds,” Stephanie says. “By bringing teenagers together to navigate life and its struggles in a safe environment, we increase the chances for them to be successful, for them to know they are not alone— that there are people who will support them.”

This year, Scott is celebrating the organization reaching the place he envisioned it being back in 1998.

“For the past two years, Covid has prevented us from hosting the Dragon Boat Festival, which traditionally served as our largest fundraiser,” he says. “This year, we are hosting the Fall Fundraising Gala at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in order to share all the growth that has occurred behind the scenes for us during this hiatus, and what people can look forward to in the future. We want our community to know that we are back and as excited as ever to see them at Ground Zero events.”

The gala is an opportunity for those interested in Ground Zero’s mission to learn more about the ways in which the organization is growing and how they can help to be a part of that positive change.

“When we impact youth in positive ways,” Scott says, “we prepare them to show up in their homes, school, and community as the best versions of themselves. Everyone benefits, and it creates a ripple effect, in which those whom they touch are better positioned to reach others as well.”

“You don’t have to be a Christian to care about kids or the community,” Stephanie adds. “But you do need to care about kids to create an impact in their lives. This fundraiser is an opportunity to ensure we have the resources and community support to do what we do on a continual basis.”

In their usual style of providing positive, high energy events and good times for their guests— the Fall Fundraising Gala promises to not disappoint. The Dunes Golf and Beach Club is sponsoring the event, which will be held at their facility.

Attire is semi-formal; there will be a three-course dinner provided by the Dunes Club; and music by Doug McFarland. Keith Davis, a former NFL player for the NY Giants, will be the keynote speaker, sharing his personal story which parallels those of the teens that Ground Zero serves everyday.

And there will be professional photo opportunities so attendees can remember a memorable night.

Tables cost $500 for the evening, and can accommodate parties of eight. Single hosts are encouraged to bring guests who are interested in learning more about Ground Zero’s Mission. All proceeds will benefit Ground Zero.

Ground Zero Ministries

The 2021 Fall Fundraising Gala at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club, Thursday, November 4, 6pm.

9000 North Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29572. www.thedunesgolfandbeachclub.com

Semi-formal attire; E-mail stephanie@mygroundzero.com to host a table.

Stay connected with our top stories delivered every month!

A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM

Stay connected with our top stories delivered every month!

A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM

A Snapshot of Myrtle Beach in the ‘40s Via the Lens of a WWII Navigator

Fall Stuffed Pumpkin

Stay connected with our top stories delivered every month!

A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Follow Us

Watch Us

@coastalinsider

Awesome!

Join our Mailing List