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