Ready for New Year "at the beach"

     I am getting ready to send a "letter to the editor" to our local paper, The Sun News.  This will be my first time to do this, so I thought I might run it by all of you prior to mailing and maybe get some feed-back from y'all.
    
One Solution to out Economic Problems
     First, I want y'all to know I am not for more government intervention in our lives, but for once, Big Brother could make a difference.  My proposal is for the Feds to put a ceiling on the price of gasoline, at the pump, for 5 years.  That price would be $2.50 a gallon for regular.
     Big Oil made money at that price before and they will still make large profits now at that price. The worldwide speculation market and Wall Street traders set the price of oil, which then determines the price of gasoline.  Why should Wall Street traders and worldwide speculators decide what you and I have to pay at the pump?  What ever happened to Economics 101, supply and demand?  I am not saying to stop the price of crude oil from fluctuating, only the price of gasoline at the pump.  That way, the oil companies would take the hit instead of the consumer.  They can afford it, the consumer can't.  I would guess there would be less fluctuatation in the price of oil, don't you?
     I keep reading articles that before long we will be energy independent.  So, instead pf continuing to develop more exploration options, let's build more refineries to take care of the energy we are now producing and keep it here where it belongs. In addition, build the refineries where the oil and gas is, not thousands of miles away.  We stockpile oil and natural gas now. Why can't we stockpile and store gasoline?  Why do we want to get to the point where we are exporting oil, natural gas and gasoline?  Someday your grandchildren will wish we had not given it all away.
     If you and I, and the business world knew what our transportation costs were going to be for the next 5 years, we could all make plans.  Everyone could set budgets and our economy would prosper.  The price of everything we use, in one way or another, is based on the cost of transporting products and goods, as well as people. Therefore, the price of everything we purchase should go down, including airline tickets, and maybe even the price of cars and trucks. We will have more $$ in our pockets, so therefore we will purchase more goods.  More people will travel and spend $$.  It's a win, win, situation for everyone.
     I know, it makes too much sense.  Therefore, the powers that be, will not like the idea.  What do you think?

     Sea Trails Resort, just over the border in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, has an approved plan of reorganization to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  Now it just needs a buyer.  The 2,000 acre, 3-course resort includes two clubhouses, a 50,000-square foot convention center, an estimated 400-unit rental business, unsold vacant lots and approximately 240 acres of undevoloped land.
     There are still deals available in real estate down here and remember "cash" is king. So come on down, we're dealin!
     I had my first TV interview for my book Murder on the Front Nine.  It was on a live show at the local ABC channel in Conway. It wasn't nearly as scary as my first public speaking engagement.
     That's all for now.  See ya in the New Year, Steve & Bev  smcmillen@sc.rr.com  website www.stevenmcmillen.com

TV Show

TV Show

The beach

 

 

    
    

Public Speaking "at the beach"

     In November, after connecting with a woman on LinkedIn, she asked if I would like to speak and do a book signing for my book Murder on the Front Nine at one of her local Optimists Club meetings in December.  I said "sure" and we set a date.  Well, all of a sudden I began to panic. I had no problem signing books, but I had never done public speaking, in front of live people, in a confined area, where the audience would all be looking at me, and where the only sounds in the room would be coming from my mouth, if I could get it to open to form words. Panic city! What have I gotten myself into?  I remember taking a class, Public Speaking 101, in college many, many years ago, but I've slept since then so that experience was long gone.
     My connection asked me to do a 30-minute talk and then a book signing immediately after. So now, I had to decide what was my subject going to be.  I came up with a topic, "So you've been thinking about writing a book".  I would talk about my trials and tribulations while writing my first book.  I began to write my speech, and one day I would add content and then the next day I would take away content.  It was a continuous work in progress.  Should I tell a joke or just jump in with both feet?  Should I ask for questions?  What if I don't know the answer?  I rehearsed and rehearsed and rehearsed.  I went over my talk in my head every night when I went to bed and again when I woke up in the morning.  I was thinking, man this is hard work, do I really want to do this?
     As my day of reckoning quickly approached, I was still not sure I could pull this off without embarrassing myself.  The day arrived and I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Was it too late to call in sick?  Yes, it was.  I arrived at the Pine Lakes Country Club meeting room an hour and a half before my scheduled time to speak.  We were to have lunch and a business meeting prior to my "coming out party". I went around the room and introduced myself to several people.  That way I would be looking at some familiar faces during my talk.  My next problem was, should I eat and maybe throw-up or just refrain from food and drink altogether.  That probably would be rude, on both counts, so I decided to eat but I only took small portions and drank only water.  Next problem, should I run off to the bathroom during the business meeting or was it too late.  Sorry, it was too late; I was being introduced by the president of the club.
     I stood up, took a deep breath, smiled, and waved at the audience.  I thought to myself, I am prepared and I'm going to have fun.  And by golly, that's exactly what I did.  The first few words seemed to come out of a mouth filled with "cotton", I should have taken a drink of water before I headed to the podium, but after that, I had no problems.  I made a few mistakes but I was probably the only one who noticed.
     I sold and signed several books afterward and quite a few people came up to me, shook my hand, and said they really enjoyed my talk.  If they only knew! 
     I'll just bet my next public speaking event will be a whole lot easier.

     In case any of you would like to bring your horse with you the next time you come to the beach, be sure and come from the 3rd Saturday in November through the end of February. That is the period when people can ride their horses on the beach. No permit is required, but there are a few rules:  No more than 6 horses and riders can ride in a single group at one time. You are not allowed to ride on or across any sand dunes. To get to the beach, you must go through the Myrtle Beach State Park. Horse trailers can not be parked in any public ROW and riders are required to clean-up after their horses.
     In real estate news, the median price for a single-family home fell 4% in October compared to the same period last year and the median price of a condo was down 6%.  The good news was that 438 SF homes sold in October, a 5% climb from October 2011, while 362 condos traded hands, up 36% from 2011. Locally there is still a 15-month supply of homes and condos on the market.  Real estate is considered a buyer's market anytime there's more than a 6-month supply on the books.  So what are you waiting for?  Come on down, buy something, we're dealin!
     See ya, Steve & Bev

Book signing at Pine Lakes

Yours truly receiving gift

My connection from LinkedIn

Book signing

 

 

 

    

    

Thanksgiving & Nice weather "at the beach"

     We had out-of-town guests for Thanksgiving this year.  David and Sharon Reynolds from our home town of Lancaster, Ohio were in town and this time they actually called us.  We had lunch one day at CrabCatchers with them and then we invited them over for Thanksgiving.  We had a delightfull time and later in the week we played golf together at Cypress Bay.  If either one of them tells you that Sharon beat me, it's a complete lie, she was keeping score.
     A new eatery is opening at Barefoot Landing.  If the Rat Pack reassambled and sought  the ultimate hipster hangout, they would need to look no further than Barefoot Landing's newest addition, Castano's. Owners Curtis and Darlene Brown describe the Italian-steakhouse as a "place to hang your hat, sip on a cocktail and slip back into time".  For more information go to castanosrestaurant.com  We have not been there as yet but it is on our list. I'll let you know what we think.
     Plans are in the works to expand Ripley's Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach, with construction to begin after Labor Day next year and the expanded aquarium opening in time for the busy summer season in 2014.
     In real estate news, the number of homes and condos sold along the Grand Strand jumped 24% in October compaed to the same period last year.  Investors, who make up over 65% of the market, are still the strongest buyers.  They are seeing really good prices and are taking cash out of other places and putting it in real estate.  While sales rose, prices dropped 6.2% in October, compared to the same period last year.  Prices continue to be driven down by foreclosures.  29% of single-family home sales and 35% of condo sales are either foreclosures or short sales. Sound interesting?  Give me a call, we're dealin! 
     As far as my book MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE is concerned, sales are picking up.  I just did a booksigning at Barefoot Resort and I'm speaking at the Grand Strand Optimist Club meeting on December 6th, followed by a booksigning. www.stevenmcmillen.com
     My lovely bride Beverly will be back in Lancaster this coming week, so if you see her running around with Liz and Fred, be sure and say hello.

Daved, Sharon & Bev at CrabCatchers

Traffic on the waterway

More traffic

Big traffic on the waterway

 

 

 

    

Buckeye connection "at the beach"

My lovely bride Beverly and I decided to try a new place for lunch on Friday, so we went to Deckerz on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.  Mr. Piggy and his lovely bride had mentioned Deckerz before so we decided to take a chance (every once in a while Mr. Piggy has led us astray) but we had a great lunch in a great Ohio State Buckeye setting.  We met Debbie and Amy, the new owners,who just took over the business the 1st of September and they were great hosts. The old owners who also owned Snookey's in Little River,  moved to Florida.  The old owners were from Ohio and even though Debbie and Amy are Carolina girls, they kept the OSU tradition.  The next time you're in town, check out Deckerz, great food and great OSU atmosphere.  They are planning a big party for the OSU/Michigan game. I can't wait!!  We are working toward doing a booksigning at the party.
     The Carolina Comedy Club plans to open at Broadway at the Beach March 1st in the former Stool Pigeons spot with performances by stand-up comedians and a local improv group.  The 150-seat club which also will include a Backstage Bar & Grill on what used to be Stool Pigeons patio, is the first comedy revue at Broadway.
     A local hospital's cardiac program has been ranked tops in the state for cardiac surgery by a Denver based company that provides consumers with information to help them make educated decisions about a physican or hostital.  Healthgrades ranked Grand Strand Regional Medical Center #1 in South Carolina and amoung the top 5% in the nation for cardiac surgery for the fourth consecutive year.
     This one is scary:  South Carolina officials announced on October 26th that 3.6 million personal income tax statements filed since 1998 were compromised by an international computer hacker.  Last week Gov. Haley said up to 657,000 business filing also were exposed.  Experts say it may be the largest cyber-attack against a state tax department in the nation's history.
     Real estate deals are still poping-up everywhere along the Grand Strand but don't wait too long or all the good ones will be gone.  Prices have nowhere to go but up.
     My book MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE is still doing well.  I am starting to book speaking engagements along with a booksigning.  www.stevenmcmillen.com

Deckerz

Deckerz

Amy & Debbie

Barefoor Resort & Waterway

 

 

     Come on down, the weather is great, the golf courses are green and the beach is empty.  It doesn't get any better than this.  See ya, Steve & Bev

Sandy missed us "at the beach"

We were very lucky, compared to what happened in the Northeast.  All we got from Sandy was rain all day Saturday and some wind on Sunday.  Several of the golf courses got drenched but most were open for play on Sunday.
     We had friends in town from Lancaster last week so since the weather was warm, we went down to Hobcaw Barony.  My lovely bride has always wanted to see it so she set up our tour.
     Hobcaw Barony was granted by King George in 1718 to Lord Carteret and divided into a number of individually named plantations which produced navel stores, indigo and rice grown with slave labor for over a century.  Bernard M. Baruch, financier and advisor to presidents, sought an isolated retreat for his young family and a sportsman's paradise to entertain friends and business associates.  Baruch bought Hobcaw Barony between 1905-1907 and established his winter home there overlooking Winyah Bay.  Baruch hosted many of the 20th Century's most influential leaders at his retreat, such as President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.  Hobcaw Barony's 17,500 acres encompass a rich diversity of every ecosystem found on the South Carolina coast.  Baruch eventually sold the land to his oldest child, Belle, an avid sailor, world class equestrian and amateur pilot.  At her death in 1964, she created a trust to preserve Hobcaw Barony as an outdoor laboratory for college level research and education in forestry, wildlife and marine science. 
     If you're ever down here, enjoy history and have some spare time, be sure to go and take the three hour tour.  You will enjoy every minute.  Hobcaw is located just north of Georgetown.  The tour is $20 per person.  The phone number is 843-546-4623 and their email is hobcaw@belle.baruch.sc.edu and the website is www.hobcawbarony.org
     A North Myrtle Beach Theater earned a nomination for the 46th annual Country Music Awards, which will air Thursday night on ABC-TV.  The Alabama Theater in Barefoot Landing joined the host Bridgestone Arena and historic Ryman Auditorium, both in Nashville, on the ballot for "Venue of the Year".
     There's a new boat landing coming to the North Myrtle Beach area.  It's located on the Intercoastal Waterway, immediately north of theU.S. 17 and S.C. 22 interchange.  The ramp is expected to be completed at the end of March.  The new landing will provide nearby residents and visitors with access to the waterway for boating and other water-related activities.
     In real estate news, single-family home sales rose 17% July-Sept. and condo sales rose 10% compared to the same period last year.  The mediam price, the price 1/2 sold for more and 1/2 sold for less, for condos dropped 8% compared to the same period last year and SF homes mediam  price rose 1% for the same time period last year.  The reason for the big difference is that condo financing is still a challange compared to financing for SF homes.  And cash is still king, making up 46% of all sales.  If you're looking to purchase something here "at the beach", now is the time.  Come on down, we're dealin!
     My book MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE is still doing well.  I seem to spend much more time marketing this book than writing the next one, COUGARS AT THE BEACH.  Visit my website at www.stevenmcmillen.com 
     See ya,  Steve and Bev

Hurrican Sandy on Saturday

Hurrican Sandy-Cherry Grove Pier

Hobcaw Barony

Belle's home at Hobcaw

Main house at Hobcaw- 13,000 sq. ft

Bev, Dane & Karen

 

 

 

 

 

    
    

Busy & Sad "at the beach"

The last week has been very busy around here.  I attended the South Carolina Writers Workshop Conference at Kingston Plantation this past weekend right here in Myrtle Beach.  It was a very good conference and I did quite a bit of networking.  One of my workshops was with the keynote speaker, Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of eight novels.  She gave us some great information about writing, agents, and publishers.
     The conference ended around 11:00 on Sunday and then my lovely bride and I went down to My Sisters Bookstore in Pawleys Island for their 10th anniversary celebration.  Bess and Fran put on quite a "spread" for everyone who attended.  A great time was had by all.
     Now for the sad part.  One of my Army buddies was in town with his lovely bride  for  a long weekend and while he was here, we sold our 1981 Corvette to them and they took it back to Michigan.  Bev did get visitation rights put in the contract. 
     Now on a lighter note.  I just finished reading a book by Elisa Gaudet, TWO GOOD ROUNDS, 19th Hole Stories from the World's Greatest Golfers.  What a wonderful book.  In each chapter, Elisa ask a notable golfer the same questions:  What is your favorite drink?  What is your favorite 19th hole or clubhouse?  And what is a special time or memory you can recall from a 19th hole?
     She interviews Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Sorenstam, Els, Harrington and many more. There is also a special tribute to Seve Ballesteros.  It is a look inside the ropes with candid answers from the stars of golf.  If you enjoy golf, you will want to read this book.  The book is very well done, in full color, with outstanding photos of all the golfers who were interviewed.  The publisher is Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.  www.skyhorsepublishing.com
     Be sure to put it on your Christmas list for all of your golfing friends along with my book MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE.
     On the real estate front, there are still some great buys on homes and condos in the Myrtle Beach area.  I showed some condos in Tilghman Resort where the condos originally sold for around $500,000 and now can be purchased for $250,000 to $300,000.  Summer rentals are as high as $2,000 a week.  Not a bad investment.  Come on down, we're dealin.  Steve & Bev

SCWW Conference

Your truly with Patti Callahan Henry

Army buddy Andy, Marsha, Bev at Creek Ratz

Yours truly with Bess from My Sisters Books

Good bye to the Black Beauty

Bev & Andy

Yours truly & Andy

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Politics & Books "at the beach"

Our local Realtor Association had it's annual "Meet the Candidates" night at the Market Common office this past Thursday.  Bev and I were going to be on that end of the beach, so we stopped by for chickenbog, barbecue and all the fixings.  While there, I met Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes and he purchased a copy of my book MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE.  I hope he likes it and spreads the word. 
     We have friends in town from Ohio and the four of us went to the annual "Taste of the Town" at the convention center.  It is one of the premeir social events of the year. There were thousdands of people there and the selection of food was fantastic.  Fifty plus local restaurants were hawking their special delights.  Can't wait for next year.
     In real estate news, foreclosure filings in the Myrtle Beach area dropped during July thru September compared to the same period last year while prices jumped at a rate as high as some other areas of the state.  About 956 Horry County properties had foreclosure related filings in the 3rd quarter, down 30% from the same quarter last year.  There are still deals to be had "at the beach", so come on down, we're dealin. Contact me at Beach & Country Realty.  843.995.0766
     Tours will start this Saturday of a house in Georgetown where historical accounts show George Washington was entertained there in 1791.  The Stewart-Parker house, named after the first and last owners, was built by Robert Stewart about 1740.  Twelve area designers have transformed the porches, rooms and grounds at the house for the tours.  Anytime you're in Myrtle Beach, be sure and take the time to visit Georgetown.  It is quite a historical area.
     See ya, Steve & Bev       Book info at:    www.stevenmcmillen.com

Dan Gray, me and Mayor Rhodes

Chickenbog & pork barbecue

Cherry Grove Point

Cherry Grove Point

Veeren Park, Little River

Walkway, Veeren Park, Little River

 

 

 

 

 

 

    
    

Why Grand Strand "at the beach"

(Published in the magazine "Living Here".)  We'll probably never know exactly why Claude Dunnagan decided to use the term "Grand Strand" in the title of his regular column in the Myrtle Beach News back in late 1949.  It's just likely that it was just an opportune rhyme for an area already promoted by local boosters as "America's Finest Strand."  But whatever the reason, the name stuck.  A week after it first appeared in print, it was already being used in other headlines to refer to our local area.
     A decade later, the General Assembly made it official in a legislative resolution:  "The Name "The Grand Strand," the resolution said, "vividly blends fun and ideal living with this excellent seashore resort area."  In 2012, 63 years after the term was coined, it's still true.  The beaches are as attractive as ever, the climate lends itself to sandals and t-shirts 11.5 months of the year and it's one of the few places where you can get some finger-lickin' chicken bog for lunch and then indulge in some classic French cuisine for dinner. It's a place where you can hop in your golf cart on a brisk fall day, take your dog to the beach and throw a line in the water, all before you go to work.
     With a varied populace of locals and transplants, we're a melting pot in the middle of the South and our friendly shores (and relatively inexpensive cost of living) continue to bring in new residents, not to mention the millions of visitors who enter our lives each year.

     There seems to be a festival on every cornor this weekend: The 21st annual St. John's Greek Festival, The 22nd annual Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art, The Market Common's fifth annual Oktoberfest, The 37th annual Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival, The Ninth annual Irish Italian International Festival and several more.  My lovely bride wants to attend all of the above but she forgot one thing, The Ryder Cup and football.
     Kasey Kahne, NASCAR driver was in town to meet the public and sign autographs at the Grand Opening of Ollie's Bargin Outlet in Carolina Forest this past week. 
     In real estate news, sales of single-family homes along the Grand Strand are up over last year, but prices have dropped $63,000 since they spiked in 2007 because of foreclosures and short sales.  The median price of a SF home peaked in 2007 at $223,650 and it has declined each year since with todays price estimated at near 2007 levels at $161,000.  The mediam price of a SF home along the Grand Strand rose 3% in August from the same month last year. That's 4 straight months the housing market has shown an increase.  Local inventories of SF homes have dropped from 5,718 to 5,489 and condo inventories have dropped from 5,039 to 4,487.  The median price of a condo dropped 2% in August from the same period last year.  Sales of SF homes rose 16% in August and condo sales jumped 25% from the same month last year.
     In book news, my book MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE got a very good review in the local paper, The Sun News.  I knew it was going to be reviewed and one always wonders if the reviewer will give it a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down".  Thank goodness, the book recieved a "thumbs up".
     My lovely bride spent a week in Washington DC visiting Thomas Alan, Melissa and Aunt Susie.  I have enclosed pictures.

 

Great Falls National Park

 

Bev, Thomas & Susie on office balcony of Speaker of the House

 

Bev, Thomas & Melissa at Cape Henlopen

 

The Inn of Cape May

Susie, Melissa, Thomas & Bev at Cape May Winery & Vineyard

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Fall Weather "at the beach"

The weather here "at the beach" is perfect.  Lows in the low 60's and highs in the low 80's.  Perfect beach and golf weather.  New owners are opening a new restaurant at the old Barefoot Bar & Grill at the golf resorts driving range.  Jim Finley and his wife Donna, who own and operate Harry The Hats Restaurant on Lake Arrowhead Road are the new owners.  They hope to have Putters Pub open this month.  The restaurant will serve steaks, pizza, wings, burgers and other bar food.  Hours will be 11:00 am to Midnight.
     Two Grand Strand restaurants have landed on Southern Living's list of the 10 Best Seafood Spots in South Carolina.  Lee's Inlet Kitchen in Murrells Inlet and The Original Mr. Fish Restaurant and Seafood Market in Myrtle Beach both made the list.
     In real estate news, prices jumped in August.  The median price for homes and condos increased 8.3% compared to the same period last year.  The number of homes and condos sold in August rose 12.1% compared to the same month last year.  But there are still quite a few deals here so y'all come on down, we're dealin!

                                                  Cherry Grove Point, low tide

 As far as my book Murder on the Front Nine is concerned, I am looking for new marketing ideas since all of the tourists have left town.  If any of you can think of some places down here for me to do book signings or other places to market my book on line, please let me know.  The only good thing about the slow down in sales is that it gives me time to work on the second one, Cougars at the Beach.  See ya, Steve & Bev
 

Island across from Cherry Grove Point

 

 

Friends at Brookgreen Gardens

 

More friends at Brookgreen Gardens

 

Waiting for a handout at Crab Catchers

 

Deck at Crab Catchers, scene from book

 

Crab Catchers deck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Stores & Libraries "at the beach"

Bev and I took a couple of days to promote my book Murder on the Front Nine to local book stores and local libraries.  We started off in Georgetown which is the southern end of The Grand Strand.  The book store is Harborwalk Books and the lady there, Ann Carlson, was kind enough to stock some books for me.  Bev also got to have lunch in Georgetown which she and I both enjoyed.  She ordered green-fried tomatos while I had the beef stew over rice with butter beans, potato salad and pickled beets.  Our next stop was My Sister's Books in Pawleys Island.  Bess Long was very hospitable and she also took books for the store.  She also invited me to the stores 10 year anniversary in October.  I am looking forward to it.  I also donated a book to the Chapin Library in Myrtle Beach, the North Myrtle Beach Library and the Little River Library. We also stopped at Pelican Book Store in Sunset Beach NC., where Anne Harris took some books for her store.   I have included pictures.
     Here's some more info pretaining to The World Amateur Tournament.  There were thirty-five disqualifications out of 3100 golfers, which ranged from rules violations to handicap violations.  During the tourney, an average of two to three players in each of the sixty-eight flights had their handicaps adjusted and narrowly avoided a DQ.  There may have been a record set for the worst score ever in the tourney.  A guy from Texas, with a 32 handicap, shot 125, 130, 169 and 163!! An 11 year old girl with a 14 handicap won her flight with rounds of 82, 92, 84 and 83 for a net 281.  She stumbled in the championship round with a 98.  Get yourself a handicap and come on down next year.  Join in on the fun.
     My real estate company has just changed the name from S & Z Properties & Realty to Beach & Country Realty.  I like the new name.  Prices are still on the low end down here so y'all come on down and pick up a bargain, we're dealin.  See ya, Steve & Bev

 

Harborwalk Books in Georgetown

 

My Sister's Books in Pawleys Island

Pelican Bookstore in Sunset Beach, NC

 

Chapin Memorial Library in Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach Library

Little River Library