Living, Working and Writing in Myrtle Beach: 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