Surfside Beach

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. 

Becky Large (left) and assistant, Stephanie Olson (right) pose with CAN’s signature golf cart in Surfside. Surfside Beach was designated America’s first Autism-friendly travel destination. (Photo Meganpixels Parker/Latoya Grayson) Come Play With Us, Yes You Can by Melissa LaScaleia Champion Autism Network (CAN) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides traditional family experiences modified for those who have autism. It was founded in Surfside Beach in 2013 by local resident Becky Large.  “At the time that I started it, there were a lot of organizations that supported the person with autism, but there didn’t seem to be any that supported the family,” Becky says. “Autism impacts the entire family. When you go to leave the house, the person with autism might experience stress and anxiety and throw a temper tantrum. That can lead to a lot of judgement amongst friends, family and strangers. Your social circle gets smaller, and a lot of times you choose not to go out.”  With CAN, Becky and her team create and promote a variety of monthly events that are sensory-friendly, so that the entire family can come out and play. They also spread autism awareness to reduce judgement and support autistic families when out in public. She has made community movie viewing experiences in which the lights are up, the sound is down, and people can move around freely.  “Lights, crowds, smells, and loud noises or music can cause stress and overload people with autism,” Becky says. “They are highly susceptible to what’s going on in their environment. Our movies are a different viewing experience, but one in which the entire family can participate. It has a much more balanced effect on the person with autism.”  At the monthly birthday bowling bash at the Myrtle Beach Bowl, the house lights are up, the music is off, and it’s a great opportunity for families to have a joyful experience and celebrate everybody’s birthday.  “There’s a lot of challenges to being autistic,” Becky says. “It’s not just sensory overload. Many have to learn how to socialize, some are even non-verbal and have to learn how to speak. It’s a tough life. And that trickles down to affect the entire family. Many people are so grateful for the outings we do, because we make it possible for parents and families to socialize and make memories.”  To facilitate the memory-making, families with autism can join the CAN Card program, and download a list of local area businesses that participate in the CAN network. Every business in the network offers either a service or a discount to autistic families as a way to show support.  Richard Sexton, training for his marathon-a-day. The 60-year-old entrepreneur is running a total of 750 miles with a 25lb slamball to raise awareness and money for Autism. (Photo courtesy of Becky Large) “We’ve been training and certifying businesses, venues, resorts and restaurants as autism friendly in the area locally, since 2015,” Becky says. “Families show their CAN card at participating businesses, and every business offers something different. For some, if there’s a wait and you show your card, you can move to the front of the line. That’s a wonderful thing for families with an autistic child.  “The whole impetus behind CAN was to offer support to autistic families and give them a dignified way to acknowledge that they are autistic. When the business participates, the staff knows what to do, where to seat you, and how to treat you, and the business gets patronized from a loyal and growing population.”  Businesses have three levels of engagement from which to choose: the participation level offers a discount to autistic families; supportive means the business and 80% of the employees have taken the online training in how to interact with autistic people; and the champion level includes training and safety plan development in the event that an autistic child tries to run away.  “If an episode arises, we’ve identified safe areas and communication methods for the team,” Becky says. “If someone runs, everyone knows where to go and what to do including the family, so it’s standardized across the board.”  Currently, Becky is celebrating CAN’s recent partnership with Bluegreen Vacations— a national organization that has resorts all over the country. David Boyer, one of the general managers of the organization, has a son on the spectrum. He reached out to Becky to establish an initiative that would transition all of their resorts across the nation to be autism friendly.  “This is a huge effort and initiative and we are just thrilled,” Becky says. “We already trained the five Bluegreen properties in the Myrtle Beach area, and by mid June we’ll have completed training for corporate to implement it nationally. Now we can spread our reach of autism awareness.”  Becky has a training squad that’s traveling to all the locations nationally. The team will conduct walkthroughs of the property and develop a safety plan in the event there’s an incident. The remainder of the training is held via live webinars online, and also includes training for new employees. Becky Large, founder of Champion Autism Network(CAN), is passionate about bringing support and resources to families with Autism in the community. (Photo Meganpixels Parker/Latoya Grayson) Becky is touched by the support her organization has received in the community since its inception. This year, Richard Sexton, a family friend, is running a full marathon every day from April 28 through May 26, carrying a 25lb slamball he nicknamed Slappy, on his back. He will run a total of 750 miles by the time he is complete. The purpose is to raise awareness for autism as well as $50,000 for CAN.  The 60-year-old entrepreneur began his race in Hot House, North Carolina, on the border of Tennessee. Over the course of 28 days, he is traversing South Carolina and will finish in Surfside Beach— the first autism friendly travel destination in the country. The day he finishes is also his 25th wedding anniversary.  “Slappy represents the challenges that people … Read more

The Town of Surfside Beach has been known throughout the years as being an especially festive part of the Grand Strand during the holiday season, and this year is no exception.

by the Town of Surfside Beach For locals of the Grand Strand, the advent of the summer season means longer days, morning walks on the beach (now with fur babies allowed), and the swirling of jubilant vacationers all around us. It’s hard not to be happy with so many people relishing the beauty of our surroundings on a daily basis. An autism-friendly town and destination, Surfside Beach is a safe, quiet seaside haven with a stellar public works department that works tirelessly to maintain our parks, streets and beaches. We also boast an engaged group of first responders that truly care about residents, visitors and public safety as their top priority. Residents and business owners have the opportunity to serve the community by participating on one or more of many committees—from beautification, to supporting the businesses in town, to seniors, to planning and zoning. There is something for anyone who has the desire and inclination to serve. And let’s not forget the array of top-notch restaurants, retail stores and service providers. A golf cart or bicycle is all that is needed to travel to each locale. Covid-19 has put a damper on events, gatherings, travel, and some fun, but the Family Beach is here and ready to provide you with a safe place to enjoy yourself—whether that be for a day, a week or forever. When asked, “Why Surfside Beach?” a common answer is, “It just feels like home.” For more information about the departments, committees, businesses, organizations, or Surfside as an autism-friendly destination, please go to www.surfsidebeach.org.  For event and government updates and information please like and follow us on Facebook @ Town of Surfside Beach. Videos and tourist-related information can be found on Facebook @ Visit Surfside Beach.

by the Town of Surfside Beach In terms of national recognition, Father’s Day is a relatively new holiday; Richard Nixon signed it into law as a permanent holiday in 1972. Its origins, however, stretch back a bit farther; it was first celebrated in Spokane, Washington, on June 19, 1910.  Father’s Day was the brainchild of Sonora Smart Dodd, whose father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a two-time widower who raised his six children alone.  After hearing a sermon about Anna Jarvis’s Mother’s Day at Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909, Sonora told her pastor that fathers should have a similar holiday to honor them.  Although she initially suggested June 5, her father’s birthday, the pastors did not have enough time to prepare their sermons, and Washington celebrated the nation’s first statewide Father’s Day several weeks later, instead.  On that first Father’s Day, church sermons across Spokane were dedicated to dad; red and white roses were passed out in honor of living and deceased fathers; and the mayor of Spokane and governor of Washington issued proclamations. During the 1920s and 1930s, a movement arose to scrap Mother’s Day and Father’s Day altogether in favor of a single holiday— Parent’s Day.  However, the Great Depression derailed this effort to combine and de-commercialize the independent holidays, as during this time, struggling retailers and advertisers redoubled their efforts to make Father’s Day a “second Christmas” for men. They promoted goods such as neckties, hats, socks, pipes and tobacco, golf clubs, sporting goods, and greeting cards. When World War II began, retailers began to argue that celebrating Father’s Day was a way to honor American troops and support the war effort. By the end of the war, Father’s Day may not have been a federal holiday, but it was a national institution. A bill to give national recognition to the holiday was introduced to Congress in 1913. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane to speak in a Father’s Day celebration; he wanted to officialize the holiday, but Congress resisted, fearing that it would become commercialized.  U.S. President Calvin Coolidge recommended in 1924 that the day be observed by the nation but stopped short of issuing a national proclamation. Two earlier attempts to formally recognize the holiday had been defeated by Congress.  In 1957, Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a proposal accusing Congress of ignoring fathers for forty years while honoring mothers, thus “[singling] out just one of our two parents.”  In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Six years later, in 1972, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law. In other countries— especially in Europe and Latin America— fathers are honored on St. Joseph’s Day, a traditional Catholic holiday that falls on March 19. This June, the Town of Surfside Beach wishes all dads a healthy and Happy Father’s Day. Thank you for all you do.  Written with thanks to The History Channel/Wikipedia https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/fathers-day https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father%27s_Day

by the Town of Surfside Beach The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Maria Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Anna would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar. While celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards and other gifts. The clearest modern precedent for Mother’s Day is the early Christian festival known as Mothering Sunday.  Once a major tradition in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, this celebration fell on the fourth Sunday in Lent and was originally seen as a time when the faithful would return to their “mother church”— the main church in the vicinity of their home— for a special service. In the United States, before the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia helped start Mothers’ Day Work Clubs to teach local women how to properly care for their children. In 1868 she then organized Mother’s Friendship Day, at which mothers gathered with former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation. The official Mother’s Day holiday arose after Ann Reeves Jarvis’ death in 1905. Her daughter, Anna Maria Jarvis, conceived of Mother’s Day as a way of honoring the sacrifices mothers made for their children. Beginning in 1908, John Wanamaker, a pioneer in marketing, financed Anna’s campaign to have Mother’s Day designated as a national holiday and officially recognized. On May 8, 1914, the U.S. Congress passed a law designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day; it also later became an international holiday. Anna blanketed the nation’s churches, women’s clubs and people of influence with letters to adopt the idea of official Mother’s Day Services. In 1908, a number of cities held their first Mother’s Day celebrations, including Philadelphia, where John intended to host guests at his department store’s 5,000 seat auditorium.  When 15,000 wanted to attend, Wanamaker moved the celebration across the street to the plaza in front of City Hall. The 1908 celebration indicated that Anna had hit upon a sentiment that had tremendous support across the nation. But by then the celebration was escaping her grasp, for retailers and the American florist industry were already cashing in on what Anna had envisioned as a religious event. Anna objected to greeting cards as, “a poor excuse for the letter you are too lazy to write,” and the sale of flowers and gifts for mothers as turning a day of sentiment into one of profit. While Anna had initially worked with the floral industry to help raise the profile of Mother’s Day, by 1920 she had become disgusted with how the holiday had been commercialized. She outwardly denounced the transformation and urged people to stop buying Mother’s Day flowers, cards and candies. While versions of Mother’s Day are celebrated worldwide, traditions vary depending on the country. In Thailand, for example, Mother’s Day is always celebrated in August on the birthday of the current queen, Sirikit.  Another alternate observance of Mother’s Day can be found in Ethiopia, where families gather each fall to sing songs and eat a large feast as part of Antrosht, a multi-day celebration honoring motherhood.  Mother’s Day has also been a date for launching political or feminist causes. In 1968 Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King Jr., used Mother’s Day to host a march in support of underprivileged women and children.  The Town of Surfside Beach wishes all moms a healthy and Happy Mother’s Day. We look forward to having you, your family and friends for a visit. Visit our Facebook page for updates.  Article compiled with content from The History Channel. Source : The History Channel

by The Town of Surfside Beach Surfside Beach hosts many Easter traditions that are fun for the whole family.  The Easter Egg Hunt and Kid’s Fair takes place on Saturday, April 11, from 1-4pm at the Huckabee Sports Complex. The complex is located at 499 Spanish Oak Dr., Surfside Beach, SC 29575. The Hunt begins at 1 pm, and is open to the first 500 children who show up, ages 10 and under.  The Kids Fair will be held from 1-4pm with free inflatables, games, face painting, balloon art, concessions, and children’s train rides. Now in its 58th year, the Easter Sunrise Service began in 1962, and is sponsored by the Grand Strand Ministerial Association in conjunction with all denominations along the Grand Strand.  Historically, the service was held  by the Rev. H.E. King, pastor of First Baptist Church of Surfside Beach, in locations along the Grand Strand including: at the Pavilion in Myrtle Beach; at Crescent Beach in Little River; and at the waterfront in Surfside Beach.  The service is always open to the public, and all are welcome. Other churches not having their own sunrise service are invited to attend. This year, the tradition continues at the beach at the north side of the Surfside Beach pier on Easter Sunday, April 12 at 6:30am. Participating churches are Surfside United Methodist, Legacy Church, and First Baptist Church of Surfside Beach. John Rea of Legacy Church will deliver the sermon. Collections will be given to South Strand Helping Hands. Saturday, April 18 from 9am-noon, the annual Pet Fair at the Surfside Beach Barc Park, will take place. It is located at 1st Avenue North and Willow Drive. Ark Animal Hospital will conduct a rabies clinic. Local pet vendors and rescue organizations will be in attendance. All vaccinations will be available for dogs to receive; cats must receive their vaccinations at Ark Animal Hospital located at 1011 6th Ave. N. Ext. in Surfside Beach. While in Surfside Beach, stay and play a while. Try one of our great restaurants, peruse the shops, and hang out on our stretch of beautiful, groomed beach. More information on restaurants, shopping, parking and beach access can be found at www.surfsidebeach.org. Surfside Beach. The Family Beach.

by the Town of Surfside Beach Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, the Town of Surfside Beach will be holding its 11th Annual Anything But the BBQ and BBQ Festival. The events have grown in popularity over the years and are a must attend for BBQ aficionados and those who just enjoy great food and a good time. This year will feature many competitors all in quest of being branded the best BBQ. Last year’s 1st place winner, Smoking Down South, and 3rd place winner, The BBQ House, will return to defend their titles. Friday evening, from 5-7pm, is the “event before the event.” During this time, local chefs will compete against one another cooking “Anything But BBQ.” Come visit and see what can happen when fire meets food— just for fun. On Saturday, Surfside’s Annual BBQ Festival begins at 10am on Surfside Drive where the BBQ competitors vie for your vote. There will be live music, games, and inflatables and face painting for the kids. More than seventy vendors will be in attendance. The music kicks off at 10:30am with bluegrass by Alan Bibey & Friends; then from 1-4pm, the Josh Brannon Band will play country music tunes. Admission is free, and both events are held in the public parking lots at the intersection of Surfside and Yaupon Drives. Town of Surfside Beach Facebook Globe

by the Town of Surfside Beach We have been busy at the police department as we move into 2020. Chief Hoffman has recently returned from an 11-week training at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.  The training focused on leadership, organizational change, officer wellness and vitality, and media relations. He is looking forward to continuing the hard work of advancing the Surfside Beach Police Department into the new decade, and grateful that the town allowed him to attend this professional development training to help him be the most effective police chief for the town. The department is also appreciative that town council and our town administrator have been supportive of recruiting and retention efforts. The department has procured and outfitted four new patrol vehicles, giving enough vehicles to issue each sworn officer an assigned police vehicle.  If the officer lives in or close enough to the town, they will be able to drive their assigned vehicle home. This is a powerful recruiting and retention tool that also benefits the town. Research shows that officers take better care of an assigned vehicle. This results in an increased useable life of the vehicle, lowered maintenance costs, and lower fuel costs. The town closed the municipal jail over six months ago and began transporting persons arrested in town directly to the Horry County Detention Center or the Myrtle Beach Police Department. This organizational change is a one-year pilot program to see how the closure affects public safety, liability for the town, and cost of operating a jail.  Due to South Carolina Department of Corrections requirements, continued operation of the jail would have required the hiring of nine additional full-time personnel and increased costs estimated at over $600,000.00 per year. Municipal jails present tremendous liabilities to municipalities such as Surfside Beach. The test has been overwhelmingly successful, using two full-time transportation officers to the detention center during peak hours, leaving officers on the streets to continue patrolling. The Community Alert Program (CAP) continues to grow as town residents sign up. This program allows elderly or special needs residents to be checked on periodically by communications officers. If contact cannot be made with a resident or their emergency contact, a police officer is dispatched to the residence to check on them.  This program also allows special needs residents to advise how to best respond to an address if an emergency arises. For example, some of residents may be startled by the sound of a siren or loud talking. Our police officers care deeply about residents’ individual needs, and this program helps them respond with this vital information. Additionally, the department is preparing for the upcoming spring and Memorial Day bike rallies, and are in the early stages of planning for the upcoming beach season. Chief Hoffman and his team look forward to seeing residents and business owners at the “Coffee with a Cop” event to be announced in the near future.  Additionally, we are preparing the materials for a new and improved Citizens Police Academy in the spring.  Stay tuned. Surfside Beach Police Department Facebook Phone

by the Town of Surfside Beach Now that the holiday season is behind us, many of us are probably committed to a New-Year-new-you resolution, which may entail losing weight or getting in better shape. Thankfully, and to help you stay on track with your goals, we live in a region where the weather is mild and the skies are blue, and a town where there is much to do.  Surfside Beach has a number of parks for everyone to enjoy— from visitors and residents, to children and seniors. So get on out there, enjoy some sun and activity, and pick your favorite locale. All Children’s Park is located on the corner of 10th Avenue South and Hollywood Drive. It contains two playgrounds, a picnic area, and restroom facilities. The park and play equipment are accessible to both physically challenged and able-bodied children.  The town also has two small Bark Parks located on Pine Drive next to the library. They are open from sunrise to sunset daily (closed on Wednesdays from 10am-noon for cleaning). Dogs must have a town license which costs $10 annually and can be purchased at Town Hall (115 US Highway 17 N.). Fuller Park is located on the corner of Surfside Drive and Myrtle Drive. It has two lighted tennis courts, a naturally shaded playground, and a picnic area with restroom facilities. It is conveniently situated next to the library.  Situated just off Glenn’s Bay Road on Spanish Oak Drive is the Huckabee Recreational Complex. This park has three lighted baseball fields, two picnic shelters, a tot playground and restroom facilities. The Complex is host to youth baseball and softball programs in the spring and the fall. The fields are also available for tournament rental. The park is open Monday through Friday from 7 am – 4 pm Monday.  In addition, Surfside Beach offers a picturesque park, called Martin Field, located on Dogwood Drive between 6th and 7th Avenue South, just three blocks from the ocean. It contains one lighted baseball/softball field, a covered picnic shelter, and restroom facilities. It is used for youth athletic practices, T-Ball, Coach Pitch and Machine Pitch games. Rental of the field is conducted by Surfside Beach Youth Sports Association. Adjacent to the ball field is Martin Park, a small waterfront recreation area located on Lakeside Drive and 8th Avenue South. It contains two shuffleboard courts, one horseshoe pit, two bocce ball courts, a tot playground, and four picnic shelters. Also located at this park is Floral Clubhouse, which accommodates approximately thirty-five people. The clubhouse is available to rent year-round.  Memorial Park, formerly Passive Park, is a peaceful area located on the corner of Surfside Drive and Willow Drive next door to the Surfside Library. Amongst the park’s beautiful live oaks, you’ll find picnic tables, a gazebo, and the Veterans’ Memorial wall and fountain. There are also lighted sidewalks for walking at night and six multi-use exercise stations, specially designed for seniors.  For rental of the fields, contact the Youth Association at www.surfsideyouthsports.com. For information on the parks, contact Public Works at 843.913.6360. For rental of the Floral Clubhouse contact Debbie Ellis at 843.650.9548 or dellis@surfsidebeach.org.

by the Town of Surfside Beach Did you know that Surfside Beach has a business committee? It was created to foster a better relationship between the businesses in town and the town council.  Over the course of the last few years, the business committee has helped to implement new marketing ideas and strategies (like this segment in the Coastal Insider); rewritten the sign ordinance; and provided feedback on the commercial overlay and new entertainment district.  The committee is committed to creating a business-friendly culture and improving opportunities for business owners in town, especially by utilizing the Design Overlay Improvement Grant—also known as the Façade Grant.    The Design Overlay Improvement Grant was created by the Surfside Beach Business Committee to encourage private investment in upgrading the older properties in the town’s design overlay district, otherwise known as C1 and C2 commercial districts.  The grant funds exterior improvements of buildings up to fifty percent of the project cost with a maximum of $5,000; and landscaping up to a maximum $2,000. Grant applications are accepted at any time.  Any property owner, tenant, or business within the C1 and C2 commercial districts may apply for a Design Overlay Improvement Grant subject to the requirements in the application. Lee Zulanch, owner of Benjamin’s Bakery, is the first business to take advantage of the grant. When asked about his experience during the process, Lee stated: “The application and process are simple and it has been a great experience. The encouragement of the business committee and support of the town was uplifting. The town even assisted in connecting us with vendors to ensure a competitive bid was secured so that we could adhere to the grant guidelines.”  A picture speaks a thousand words and the improvements are impressive. Grants are funded on a reimbursement basis and applications must be approved in writing prior to any work being started. If you are a business owner in the commercial districts that could use a facelift or primping, apply today.  Contact a business committee member with questions or come to the next meeting on November 12, 2019. The business committee meets the second Tuesday of the month at 10am in Council Chambers. Learn more or download the application at http://surfsidebeach.org/business-committee

by the Town of Surfside Beach Surfside Beach’s two-mile stretch of beach and town is a tiny gem in the crown of the Grand Strand. We may be small, but we are mighty when it comes to family-friendly events. Here’s some of the happenings for October: This year we’re celebrating the 36th annual Surfside Beach Family Festival on Saturday, October 5. There will be over 120 food, informational, and arts and crafts vendors, as well as live entertainment from local bands.  Free inflatables, face painting and balloon art can be found in Fuller Park, as well as a rock-climbing wall, train rides, a farm animal exhibit, super heroes and princesses, a jousting pit and fire truck tours for the kids.  Don’t miss the fire department’s open house on Saturday, October 12, from 10am to 2pm. There will be fire prevention classes, firehouse subs, kids toys, a bouncy house, and weather permitting, a medical helicopter. On Wednesday, October 16 from 8am to 10am, Tidelands Health will be conducting a Health Fair for the public at the Dick M. Johnson Civic Center located at 829 N. Pine Drive in Surfside Beach. Walgreens Pharmacy will administer flu shots (insurance cards required), lab work at a minimal cost, osteoporosis scans, vision screenings, blood pressure checks, and other services. The Ralph Magliette Senior Citizens Advisory Committee will host its annual Senior Fair on Friday, October 18 from 10am to 2pm at the fire department, with over 50 senior related informational vendors, giveaways, and door prizes. SAFER (Surfside Area Fire and Emergency Responders) will be cooking hot dogs and hamburgers for attendees. Now in its ninth year, the Halloween Rod Run Car Show will be held on Saturday, October 26 on Surfside Drive. The event is a fundraiser for the Myrtle Beach Car Club. In 2018, the event raised close to $8,000 which was donated to local charities.  This year, there will be over eighty cars, and of course there will be candy for trick-or-treaters. The Myrtle Beach Car Club hosts around forty car shows yearly. More information can be found on their web site at www.myrtlebeachcarclub.com.  In tandem with the Halloween Rod Run Car Show, is the Best of the Beach Balls Meatball Challenge. Area restaurants bring their meatballs and compete for the designation of “Best Beach Ball.” Last year’s winner was Angelo’s Steak and Pasta. Other fantastic area competitors included Scatori’s, Maggie D’s, and Franco’s.  This year, there will be vendors, raffles, and prizes. All proceeds will benefit the Champion Autism Network. Visit www.championautismnetwork.com/meatball-challenge/ for more information, to sponsor, or compete. November 2 is Living History Day. Members of the Surfside Beach Historical Society and volunteers dressed in period outfits will give demonstrations of what life was like day-to-day on the historic Ark Plantation site. Patrons will enjoy hearing gospel choir music; listening to descendants of the plantation’s residents sharing traditional stories passed down through the generations; and partaking in a fish fry and a sweet potato pie contest. Sweet potatoes and indigo were major crops on the plantation. For more information visit: The Town of Surfside Beach on Facebook  www.surfsidebeach.org

by Tabitha Mull Yard of the Month The “Keep Surfside Beautiful: Yard of the Month” program has been established to promote goodwill amongst neighbors and reward exemplary lawn care in the community.  The purpose of the program is to recognize neighbors who go above and beyond in maintaining their property, thereby improving the overall appearance of our community.  The program is administered entirely by volunteers. To nominate yourself or someone else in the Surfside Beach community, please send an email to dherrmann@surfsidebeach.org.  Congratulations to Jean and Deb at 510 South Myrtle Drive for having the Yard of the Month for August 2019. Summer of Fun: Sunday Serenades Join us for this free event in Passive Park every Sunday this summer between June 2nd and September 29th. Enjoy food trucks, vendors, and ice cream all while listening to some of our favorite local musicians. Bring a chair, kick up your feet, and relax. Exciting News The Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful Committee will present the 2nd Annual “It’s A Wonderful Life in Surfside Beach” Event. The beautification committee of Surfside Beach has partnered with the Town to turn Surfside Beach into a Christmas Destination this upcoming winter season.  We will be lighting up our entire town with Christmas lights and decor for everyone to enjoy.  Be on the lookout for the list of dates and times for the various activities we have planned. Like us on Facebook @It’s A Wonderful Life in Surfside Beach and @KSBB-Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful.

by the Town of Surfside Beach Known as The Family Beach, the town of Surfside Beach is also home to numerous parks. Here we have parks for children, pets, sports teams, sport enthusiasts and memorials—all beautifully maintained and with different amenities and uses.  All Children’s Park Located on the corner of 10th Avenue South and Hollywood Drive, this park contains two playgrounds, a picnic area, and restroom facilities. It is accessible to both physically challenged and able-bodied children.  Bark Park Located on Pine Drive next to the library, there are two enclosed areas for dogs to romp and play— one for large, and one for small dogs. Some of the rules: ALL dogs must have current rabies vaccinations and wear current tags. ALL dogs must have and wear current Town of Surfside Beach license tags. Tags can be purchased for $10.00 at Town Hall, 115 US Highway 17 North.  843-913-6111. Puppies six months and younger are not permitted in the Dog Park. Aggressive dogs and female dogs in heat are not allowed in the Dog Park. SC Law requires all dog bites to be reported to the Town of Surfside Beach Police Department.  Call 911 for emergencies.  Call 843-913-6368 for non-emergencies.  Fuller Park Located on the corner of Surfside Drive and Myrtle Drive, this park contains two lighted tennis courts, a playground, and a picnic area with restroom facilities.  Huckabee Recreational Complex Situated just off Glenns Bay Road on Spanish Oak Drive, this park has three baseball fields, one football field, a tot lot for children 5-years-old and under, a picnic shelter, and restroom facilities. The complex is host to both youth and adult softball programs, youth baseball, and youth football games.  Martin Field This picturesque park, located on Dogwood Drive between 6th and 7th Avenues South, contains one lighted baseball/softball field, a covered picnic shelter, and restroom facilities. It is the site for youth athletic practices and Tee-Ball, coach pitch, and machine pitch games.  Martin Park This waterfront park located on Lakeside Drive and 8th Avenue South adjacent to Martin Field, contains two shuffleboard courts, one horseshoe pit, two bocce ball courts, and four picnic shelters. Also located at Martin Park is Floral Clubhouse, which accommodates approximately thirty-five people. The clubhouse is available for rent year-round. For more information contact Debbie Ellis at (843)650-9548 or via e-mail at dellis@surfsidebeach.org.  Passive Park The newest of the town’s parks, this peaceful area is located on the corner of Surfside Drive and Willow Drive next door to the Surfside Library. Amongst the park’s beautiful live oaks, you’ll find picnic tables, a gazebo, and the Veterans Memorial fountain. There are also lighted sidewalks for walking and six multi-use exercise stations. Learn more at www.surfsidebeach.org. 

by the Town of Surfside Beach Summer in Surfside Beach comes with regulations to make sure everyone stays in the loop and continues to enjoy fun in the sun. We are proud to be named the Family Beach, and want everyone who comes to visit to enjoy their day.  There are signs indicating where authorized town vehicles access the beaches if needed, so that you and your family and friends know where to safely set up for your beach day.  When you come to the beach during the summer months, make sure to leave any pets home. Dogs are welcome on the beach from September 16 through May 14, provided they are on a leash. We provide pet waste bags for your pet so we can keep our beaches safe and sanitary for all.  The town of Surfside Beach welcomes surfers and we love to watch them on our waves. To keep everyone safe during the busy summer season, surfers are welcome in designated sections from May 15 through September 15, from 10am-5pm. To stay safe, don’t surf within 300 feet of the pier, and be sure to wear equipment leashes at all times. During the off season, surfers are welcome to surf anywhere at the beach from sun up to sun down. We have lifeguards posted for your safety, as riptides are common on our coast. When in the water, remember not to swim out deeper than the height of your chest, and no further than fifty yards from the shore. If you get caught in a rip current, swim with the current parallel to the shore until you break free. Then head immediately to shore.  Surfside Beach welcomes you to set off your own fireworks on the beach one day of the year only— the Fourth of July.  We hope you enjoy the party!  In keeping with our family friendly theme, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are not allowed at the beach.  Whenever you visit our beaches, be sure to practice a leave-no-trace policy.  Pack all your trash out with you, or dispose of it in the bins provided.  In this way, you help to preserve our oceans, protect our sea life, and ensure that everyone is able to continue enjoying swimming in our beautiful waters and frequenting our sandy shores.  Sea turtles are endangered species that nest on our shores. Help to protect and preserve these special creatures by leaving the beaches properly. We welcome you to enjoy your time at the beach creating sand castles and sand art, but when finished, fill any holes back in. Baby sea turtles get trapped in the holes, and are unable to navigate their way to the ocean. When they can’t make it back, they die. Remember that we share this place with wild marine life, and they need our support to survive and thrive.  If you’d like to help out more, then volunteer for our monthly Beach Sweeps, part of our mission to Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful program.  To learn more, visit our Facebook page @ Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful.  Lastly, The Surfside Beach Summer of Fun Free Music Festival is a weekly event held in Passive Park every Sunday from June 2 through September 29, from 2-5pm. Come enjoy music, food, and vendors. 

by the Town of Surfside Beach Summer is here and so are the fun events sponsored by the Town of Surfside Beach.  HULA SHOWS ARE BACK Mary Burns and family will be back this summer with their wildly popular Hula Shows. The shows will be held every Tuesday evening from 7-8pm at the Surfside Beach Pier from June 18 – August 6. Bring a chair and your family and get ready to get your Hula on.  CRAFTER’S COVE Crafter’s Cove is a weekly event that takes place under the Surfside Beach Pier from June 12 thru August 14, every Wednesday from 9:30-11:00am. Now in its fourth year, this fun, engaging drop-in program for children ages 10 and under has crafts and an educational session on marine life. It is sponsored by EdVenture Children’s Museum.  FARMERS MARKET Join us outside in Passive Park by the Library on Surfside Drive from May thru October, every Tuesday from 10am-3pm for our farmers market. Local farmers and craftspeople will be selling their fresh produce, food, and wares. For the best and the freshest, you have to come to our farmers market. This event is held weather permitting.  SUNDAY SERENADES Join us June 2 thru September 29, every Sunday from 2-5pm for free live music by local musicians. Spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon in the shade at Passive Park by the Library on Surfside Drive. This event is held weather permitting. 

by Tabitha Mull The Senior Center Receives a Beautiful Makeover from Town Volunteers The Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful Committee had a vision to give the seniors who frequent the Senior Center in Surfside Beach a beautiful yard, a clean and inviting building, and an area outside to relax in or simply stroll along the new path and enjoy the beautiful flowers. The Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful Committee, SSB Public Works department, Eagle Scouts from Murrells Inlet, SSB Event’s supervisor, and selfless and amazing town residents came together to bring that vision to fruition— and it was a success.  We thank each and every one of you for giving your time, money, and hard work to create a beautiful place for our seniors at the Senior Center in Surfside Beach to enjoy. It is, and always will be, the Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful Committee’s mission to bring our community together— giving support for the good of our beautiful beach town. Yard of the Month The Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful Committee presents the yard of the month award to Dr. Joseph and Dr. Karen Menn. Congratulations on your beautiful yard.  Our committee encourages and welcomes all nominations from our town residents of Surfside Beach to apply for the yard of the month award. Please send your nominations to dherrmann@surfsidebeach.org or Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful Facebook page @ KSBB-Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful. Coming Soon… Surfside Beach Music Festival “Summer of Fun” Join us for this free Live Music Festival every Sunday from 2- 5pm in Passive Park. Live music, food trucks, vendor booths, and more.  Beach and Street Sweeps The Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful Committee invites you to join us for our Beach Sweeps and Street Sweeps. Together we can keep our beaches and streets clean and beautiful. Meet us at the Surfside Beach Pier Parking lot on the following days: Beach Sweep: May 18: 10am – 12pm Street Sweep: June 22: 10am – 12pm Beach Sweep: July 5: 10am – 12pm Street Sweep: August 17: 10am – 12pm Beach Sweep: September 21: 9 – 10am Street Sweep: October 19: 10am – 12pm To learn more about the Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful Committee, join our Facebook page @KSBB-Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful.

by the Town of Surfside Beach During South Carolina’s colonial and antebellum days, the area that we now know as the Town of Surfside Beach was a plantation called The Ark. After years of researching and putting together a puzzle of facts, we are happy to announce that the Ark Plantation is recognized by the State of South Carolina as a historic site, and historical markers are now in place indicating such. On Saturday, March 2, 2019, the Town of Surfside Beach along with the Surfside Beach Historical Society (SBHS), held a ceremony to unveil two historical markers, both of which covered the early history of the Surfside Beach area. A crowd of approximately ninety gathered at the site of the former main house of the Ark Plantation, which dates to the 1700s. That site is now the Ark Plantation Park, and is owned and preserved by the Town of Surfside Beach. It is located at the corner of 3rd Avenue S. and Willow Drive.  It was from this historic site that the Town of Surfside Beach slowly evolved. The site of the cemetery marker is a small piece of public property also owned by the Town of Surfside Beach. It is located at the intersection of Sixth Ave. South, South Myrtle Drive, and Juniper Drive. The marker acknowledges that the two adjacent town blocks were at one time a historic cemetery for the Ark Plantation. The honor of unveiling the Ark Cemetery marker went to Sadie Parmley and Cad Holmes, both of whom are descendants of those buried at the Ark Cemetery. The two markers are part of the official South Carolina Historical Marker Program, administered by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. The Surfside Beach Historical Society is excited to offer tours of the sites to the general public, free of charge. The tour starts at the homesite of the plantation owner, John Tillman, at 3rd Avenue South and Willow Drive. You’ll begin your tour at the historical society, which holds records of John Tillman’s life in the 1800s. You will then go down to the oceanfront and learn about the travels of John Bartram, a botanist who was active in this area around 1765, as well as George Washington who visited in 1791.  See the lookout where the fishermen would wait for the mullet to come in before casting their nets, while telling stories of the Great Storm. The tour concludes with facts about the Ark Burial Grounds, the families of the Ark Plantation, and the story of Sabe Rutledge, also known as Uncle Sabe, whose story is on record at the Library of Congress. The tours are held from 2 – 4 pm on the first and third Saturdays in April, May, June, September, October and November. Not to be missed: the Living History Event will be held on November 2, 2019, where you can experience what life was like in the 1800s.  For more information contact: Joyce Suliman – Chairman Surfside Beach Historical Society at 843-222-8442, or visit www.surfsidebeach.org/calendar for the event calendar. 

by the Town of Surfside Beach March kicks off the festival season in the town of Surfside Beach. And the first event on the calendar is the popular BBQ festival.  It was started as a way to introduce visitors to the town and generate interest in local business. Surfside Beach has a lot to offer, and we are all proud of our town. On March 9, 2019, the 9th annual event will be held on Surfside Drive. The event starts 10 am and continues until 4 pm. There will be vendors, fun for the kids, and of course, a variety of food. All participants will be asked to judge the competitors in the BBQ festival. The winners will be announced afterwards. When you attend, don’t forget to vote. There are bragging rights on the line, after all.  A few years ago, “Anything But BBQ” was added to the schedule. This event is held the night before the BBQ Festival from 7 pm until 9 pm. Competitors at the festival are challenged to create something other than BBQ in an informal competition. This part of the festival is held in the parking lot on Yaupon Drive, one block back from the beach. The BBQ Festival began humbly, with ten vendors the first year, but has since grown to host over seventy vendors and more than 4,000 attendees, and continues to grow each year. It has become a major event on our calendar, and couldn’t have succeeded without your support.  Local craft vendors and artists will be available for browsing and buying. If you’re not a fan of BBQ, there will be plenty of additional food vendors, including several different bakeries.  Feel like dancing in the streets? There will be two live bands providing music at either end. The Josh Brannon Band will be providing country and Western music, while Crave and Company will be playing Swing and Bluegrass tunes. Bring a lawn chair, and listen in comfort. For the kids, there will be games, activities and inflatables to play on in the park. All kid’s activities are free of charge. The Surfside Beach Fire Department will have a fire truck on display for the kids. Call (843) 650-9548 for more information. 

by The Town of Surfside Beach There are some famous migrations in nature.  The swallows return every year to Capistrano. The monarch butterflies fly over 2500 miles to spend the winter in a warmer climate. Surfside Beach also has its own migration pattern. Between Thanksgiving and the middle of January every year, the town has an influx of cars with license plates from northern states and Canadian provinces. This is when the “Snowbirds” arrive.  Snowbirds are a part of the nature of a beach community, and a welcome addition to our area. They support our businesses, eat at our restaurants, purchase food and items in local stores, and help keep businesses that might have closed for the season to stay open.  They are a vibrant group, willing to go long distances to enjoy the beauty of the beach at Surfside. Today’s Snowbird frequently becomes tomorrow’s resident. After visiting the area several times, experiencing the lifestyle and seeing the affordability of housing, the decision to become a resident is an easy one to make. Surfside Beach has less than 5,000 full time residents, but has a rental housing market capable of supporting numbers many times that. Snowbirds utilize this capacity, and can make or break a rental property owner’s business year.  Many local restaurants and bars have programs that treat a Snowbird as a “local” and offer discounts and incentives. The lower cost of living in the Surfside Beach area, as compared to New England states or the Canadian Provinces, means the visitor’s budget can go much farther here than it can at home. Real estate statistics show February is the busiest month for real estate closings in the area. It’s a combination of more units listed for sale in the off season, and more involved potential purchasers in our area. Snowbirds use their time to become familiar with the area, and are attracted by the diverse style of neighborhoods.  Second-home sales are very common, as the visitors want to experience all that Surfside Beach has to offer, but still want to stay connected for friends and family wherever home is. It’s also not unheard of that one family will make the move to Surfside Beach and within a few years, relatives and friends from home will move into the area too.  So, when you see a couple looking a little confused because of the two Highway 17s or is it 3rd Avenue North, or South, and what town, offer to help. They could be your new neighbors in a couple of years.