Lots going on "at the beach"

     The weather has been great, with temps in the high 60's and low 70's and plenty of sunshine. If I had not torn my calf muscle several weeks ago, I would probably be out playing golf.
     Cypress Bay Golf Course, which is just up the street from us in Little River, was sold (again) to a housing developer and will close March 1st. Cypress Bay will be the first full 18-hole course to close for planned redevelopment since 2007. Approximately 20 18-hole courses closed between 2005-2007 for planned redevelopment, and many remain undeveloped, including the former 54-hole Bay Tree Plantation, a few miles from Cypress Bay on route 9.
     The massive Grande dunes development, which brought a new level of luxury to Myrtle Beach, has been sold to a North Carolina based company. LStar Management of Raleigh, NC. closed the deal on Friday to buy the 2,200 acre development that spans from the Oceanfront to west of the Intercoastal Waterway. The deal does not include the public resort golf course, the Marroitt, and The Marina Inn.
     For those of you who have read my book Murder on the Front Nine, you may remember that the book begins with a ferry boat ride from Southport to Bald Head Island.   On this past Tuesday, that same ferry ran aground, sending passengers flying. The Coast Guard rescued and transported 14 injured passengers back to Southport where one passenger was airlifted from the scene. The 64-foot ferry Adventure ran aground shortly after leaving the city of Southport for Bald Head Island. At least 30 people were on the ferry at the time of the accident. One passenger said it was like "hitting a brick wall" when the ferry ran aground on a sandbar. As of Friday, the ferry was still stranded on the sandbar.
     Real estate has slowed down over the Holiday Season but reports say things will begin again on an upbeat note after the first of the year. Don't wait too long or else all of the good deals will be gone.
     One of the pictures I have included is of "yours truly" from way back in 1957 with an old girlfriend (Paula Ann in chapter 1 of my book). I can't believe I was ever that young, that I was ever that thin and that I even had hair. Of course the last time I saw Ann, she looked the same. Doesn't seem fair!
     I have been working on my second book Cougars at the Beach and things are coming along very nicely. Hope to have it finished by Spring.
     My lovely bride Beverly and I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
See ya, Steve & Bev

                                                                      Me 1957

                                                   Writers Workshop Christmas get together

                                                             Cherry Grove Beach

                                                              Cherry Grove Beach

Ohio & Other Connections "at the beach"

     On Saturday I was invited to participate and do a book signing for my book MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE, at an Open House at My Sister's Books in Pawleys Island. Bev and I had a great time, they provided great food, and we met a lot of interesting people. The only problem was that, of course, it was scheduled for the same time as the OSU Michigan game. When we arrived I looked around and there was no TV. Bummers! I found a Bar & Grill two doors down and they had the game on their TV, so I spent the day between meeting, greeting and hopefully signing books, and running back and forth to get updates on the game. It was an all around exciting day. First of all, we met a lady who lives in Burmuda Run in Advance, NC, which is where one of our classmates, Tammy Fairchild, used to live. Second, one of our LHS classmates, Susan Hines Butler, who now lives in Pawleys Island came by to say hello and she was telling us that one of our high school English teachers, Mrs. Susla, lives just down the street from her. The funny thing is that I refer to her in my second book, COUGARS AT THE BEACH, not by name, but as a teacher that Mickke D had a crush on in high school. What a small and wonderful world! Next Bev and I decide to take a break, so we go down to the Bar & Grill to watch some of the game. We start a conversation with our waitress and she says her parents live in Ohio, but that we have probably never heard of the town. She tells us her parents are from Beverly and of course Bev and I, and our golf group used to play golf down there years ago. She could not believe that we knew where Beverly was located and had actually spent time there. It was a totally great day. We met great people, I sold some books and Ohio State won. It doesn't get any better than this.
     Real estate has slowed down but there are still quite a few good deals down here. If you're looking to spend the winter somewhere, come on down. There are great deals on condos everywhere.
     See ya, Steve & Bev

                                     Yours truly with Bess, one of the owners at My Sister's Books

                                                    Waitress who's parents live in Beverly

                                                           One of several book buyers

                                                        Susan, yours truly and Bev

Buckeyes "at the beach"

     I did my final book signing of the year at LaBelle Amie vineyard on Saturday. They will begin again in February 2014. It was a beautiful day, 72 and sunny. Two great bands and  I met several Buckeye fans.  I have included a photo.
     My bride and I made a trip last week to Williamsburg and Nolfolk Navel Station. We stayed with Lancaster friends who had a spare bedroom. We toured Nolfolk by bus and walked Williamsburg.
     Vana White, Wheel of Fortune star and former resident of North Myrtle Beach, along with her dad Herbert and high school friends, visited the North Myrtle Beach Museum recently to reminisce about their days at the beach. The next time you're in town, be sure and visit the museum, located at the site of the old North Myrtle Beach Library.
     In real estate news, the Grand Strand saw 767 sales of single-family homes, condos and villas in September, 2713 for the third quarter and 7398 so far in 2013. September sales were 10.5% higher than 2012, 14.4% higher than the third quarter last year and 14.1% higher than 2012 through September. The average days on the market before sale rose to 165 days in September.
     Don't forget, this is a great time to visit the beach. Come on down, you may just decide to stay.
     See ya, Steve & Bev

Buckeye Fans from Canton

Church, Williamsburg, 1713

                                                           Paula & Bev hitching a ride
                                                                             

                                                                        Nolfolk
(To enlarge, click on photos)

                                                                                 

Thomas & Melissa "at the beach"

     It has been a busy 2 weeks in Little River. TC & Mel got in town on the 26th  of last month from Alaska and just left yesterday. They brought with them frozen Halibut, Salmon and King Crab. We put them to work cleaning up the yard and some other home maintenance projects we had neglected. They took us to The Pirate Adventure Show for our birthday present and it was a great time. They did an all-day Gulf Stream  fishing tour one day  and brought home a stringer full of fish: Snapper, Trigger Fish and Rudder Fish. We ate a lot of seafood while they were in town, but we did manage to grill some nice T-bone steaks also.
     This past Saturday was the annual "Bras Across The Water" fundraiser sponsored by The Freedom Boat Club of North Myrtle Beach for The American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I did a book signing there and we had some really great BBQ.
     Some friends of ours from Lancaster, Dave and Sharon Reynolds, were also in town for a visit. We ran into them at The Tanger Outlet Mall and I played golf with them on Thursday at River Hills.
     The real estate news is about the same. There are still plenty of good deals down here but sooner or later that will all change. If you're considering a move to the beach or a second home or condo at the beach, come on down, we're dealin!  See ya, Steve & Bev

                                          The Pirate Adventure Show

                                          Bev, TC & Mel at the beach

                                          Dave & Sharon on #10 tee at River Hills

                                          "Bras Across The Water" Freedom Boat Club

Ex-Buckeye "at the beach"

     When Coastal Carolina host Garder-Webb at Brooks Stadium  on October 12th, the most recognizable football player on campus won't be wearing a uniform. Coastal announced that former OSU running back Maurice Clarett, who led the Buckeyes to the 2002 BCS national championship before having his career and life careen into a much published turmoil, will be the headliner for the university's Faith and Family Day prior to the football game.
     The 2014 edition of "Guinness World Records" book says that the worlds largest living feline, a liger,- a hybrid of a lion and a tiger - lives in Myrtle Beach. Hercules, who lives at Myrtle Beach Safari, an area wildlife preserve, tips the scales at 922 pounds. He consumes between 25 and 30 pounds of red meat every day.
     Myrtle Beach International Airport recorded its busiest August ever, about 105,045 passengers arrived at the airport in August, up 20% for the same month last year.
     In real estate news, more single-family homes were sold in Horry County in August in at least seven years, including the last of the boom days in 2006. The market is starting to boom again, but prices are staying down where they should be, so come on down and find yourself a bargain while they're still around.
     I did two more book signings for my book Murder on the Front Nine. One at the North Myrtle Beach Library and the second time at La Belle Amie Winery. Both were tons of fun and very successful. If you're ever in the area, be sure to visit both establishments.
     Thomas and Melissa are on their way for a visit from Alaska, with 50 #'s of frozen fish,  and several other friends are heading this way in October. It's a great time of the year to come to the beach.
     See ya, Steve & Bev

                                          La Belle Amie Winery

                                          La Belle Amie

                                          Low-tide in Cherry Grove

                                          The beach in Cherry Grove

Always a party somewhere "at the beach"

     I just did two book signings. The first one was at the entrance to River Hills at Collision Masters. The Little River Chamber of Commerce had their kickoff party there for the Little River Shrimp Fest.  Entertainment was by the "Smokin' Hot  Band". They were very good. My wife's favorite restaurant, Crab Catchers, won the best "drink maker" first prize.   The second one was at La Belle Amie Vineyard in Little River this past Saturday. It is a beautiful place to spend a Saturday afternoon. The band on hand was "Party Favors" and they did a great job. If you're ever in Myrtle Beach, plan on stopping by, you won't regret it.
     The 30th anniversary of the World Am golf tourney was held in Myrtle Beach this past week and participation was up 8% from last year. Approximately 3380 golfers registered to play. They were from 27 countries and 46 states, with only Oregon, Idaho and the Dakotas not represented. There were 11 golfers playing  who had played in all 30 of the World Am championships.
     Real estate is still in demand down here. Prices seem to have leveled off and of course, cash is still king. Come on down and enjoy the area. Right now the beaches are empty and rental prices are down.
     If you're in the area this week, I will be doing a presentation and book signing at the North Myrtle Beach Library on Thursday September 5th at 10:00 am. 
     See ya, Steve & Bev

                                          Smokin' Hot Band

                                          Kick off for Little River Shrimp Fest

                                          La Bella Amie Vineyard

                                          Empty beaches, the tourist are gone




    

Family "at the beach"

     Cindy and Bob were in town last week and we stayed pretty busy. Bev took them to BrookGreen Gardens for a day trip and they were really surprised to see something that nice and artsy in South Carolina.
We also took them to one of the shows in town, The Carolina Opry.
     Another local trip took us to Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson.  This quiet, picturesque site on the banks of the Cape Fear River has an amazing past. In 1726 Maurice Moore, the son of a South Carolina governor, founded this port town. North Carolina was a colony of England, and the town was named Brunswick to honor George I, the king of England, who was a native of Brunswick, Germany.
     The port became a bustling, shipping area for exporting tar, pitch, and turpentine. These products, derived from the resin of the longleaf pine, were known collectively as navel stores. This "sticky gold" was essential for building and maintaining the great wooden sailing ships of the Royal Navy and the merchant fleet that plied the oceans between Europe, the colonies, and the islands of the Caribbean.
     The site once again entered the forefront of history in a national storm, the Civil War. In 1861 the Confederate States of America decided to build a large fort, Fort Anderson, at the site as part of the river defense of Wilmington. There were two batteries, each with five cannons, that overlooked the shipping channel and provided protection to blockade-runners. If you're ever in the area, be sure to stop by and visit the site.
     On the real estate scene, single-family home sales in July were up 12.5%  over the same month last year and year to date volume is up 20.1% over 2012. Condo sales were up 17.7% in July over last year. The deals are still there, so come on down, we're dealin!
     This tourist season was a very good year for book sales at Harbour View. My book Murder on the Front Nine did very well again this year. Most of the tourists are gone now so I need to find another venue to sell books. I have also been working on the second book Cougars at the Beach.  
     September and October are great months to come down to Myrtle Beach. The weather is great, prices are low, and no one is here. See ya!  Steve & Bev

                                          Carolina Opry-Bev, Cindy & Bob

                                          Bev with Brad Long, Carolina Opry

                                          Bev, Cindy & Bob-Brunswick Town

                                          Bev, Bob & Cindy-Cape Fear River, Brunswick Town

Pickerington Neighbors "at the beach"

Waterway traffic from Crab Catchers

     Our old neighbors from Pickerington were in town last week so we enjoyed spending some time with them. We had dinner at Sukura's and took a walk on the beach at Cherry Grove point. They were in town for a family reunion so their time was limited. They were kind enough to deliver some books to The Ohio Glass Museum in Lancaster for me. Please tell one and all the Glass Museum now has signed books. The gift shop hours are 10-4 Mon.-Fri. While you're there, enjoy a tour of the museum and maybe a glass-blowing exhibit.
     The Lakeside Crossing community between Myrtle Beach and Conway, and Seasons at Prince Creek West in Murrells Inlet make up half of South Carolina's offerings in "Where to Retire Magazine's" latest list of the 50 best places to retire in the U.S. Two North Carolina communities in Brunswick County - Brunswick Forest and St. James Plantation also made the list.
     Another new oceanfront hotel is in the works for Myrtle Beach. A Residence Inn-Spring Hill Suites Oceanfront Resort is planned for the vacant lot just north of the Second Avenue Pier.  The 150-room property aims to open in the spring of 2015.
     Also, a 22-story, 230-unit timeshare hotel tower could take the place of two Beach Villa apartment towers seen on the Myrtle Beach oceanfront. A proposed Hilton Grand Vacations Club is coming to the stretch of beach between Schooner II Beach & Racquet Club and Boardwalk Hotel on N. Ocean Blvd. The project is estimated to cost $41.5 million.
     More than 17,000 athletes could be traveling to Myrtle Beach as soon as 2015 to use a new state-of-the-art 100,000 square foot indoor sports facility. Nearly 10 years in the making, Myrtle Beach City Council voted to move forward with plans to build the estimated $12.4 million facility adjacent to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.    (I guess the economy is turning around because this is the most new spending in Myrtle Beach for a long time).
     Real estate sales are picking up along the Grand Strand. More and more contracts and closings are being done every day now. Y'all come on down before all of the deals are gone.
     I've been doing book signings for my book Murder on the Front Nine almost every evening since the tourists have come to town. I did a signing at Night Fever Retro Party Club last Saturday night and had a great time. I sold some books and did some great research for my upcoming book Cougars at the Beach. Thanks to Sharon and Scott for inviting me.

     Hope to see y'all soon, Steve & Bev

  

 

 

 

 

Neighbors from Pickerington with Bev

    
    

    

Wet "at the beach"

      Rain totals measured 12" during the month of June in Horry County. 10" this past weekend closed several golf courses along the north end of the Strand, including River Hills where we live. On Saturday my neighbor told me this was the most water he has seen on the golf course since Hurricane Floyd came through.
     The Grand Strand Senior Center's VIP Golf Card Book is no more. The 20-year program that has offered discounted rates to its members will be discontinued at the end of September when the current annual membership expires. The fundraising program hit a peak of 10,000 members in the early 2000's and still had about 5,000 members in each of the last few years.
     Barbecue lovers soon will have even more places to "pig out" in Myrtle Beach. Three new BBQ restaurants plan to open in the coming weeks. Simply Southern Smokehouse on Mr. Joe White Avenue and Rockabilly BBQ on N. Kings Highway are slated to open this week.  Dickey's Barbecue Pit aims to open in mid-month.
     Real estate is starting to boom again. Prices seem to be holding steady so far but some sellers are now receiving multiple offers. Come on down while the prices are still low. They have nowhere to go but up.
    On the book scene, several book stores have sold out of my book Murder on the Front Nine, which is great news. I am doing book signings at Harborview Driving Range most evenings, weather permitting. Those sales are going well also. Bev and I met some folks from Colorado and Atlanta last week in Pawleys Island. I met the one lady on line. They were going to be in town and they wanted signed copies. We have really met a lot of swell people on the book tour.
     Hope y'all have a great 4th of July.
     See ya, Steve and Bev
     www.stevenmcmillen.com

Nosh Restaurant at The Hammack Shops

Colorado on left, Atlanta on right

    

Warm but not hot "at the beach"

     The weather has been very nice so far, only one day above 90 and most of the temps have been in the mid to low 80's with an ocean breeze.  We have also had some rain so everything is green and lush. The tourist are back in town and all the business people are happy again. Since we live here, we know when to go, how to go, and where not to go. Actually, I enjoy meeting all of the people from out of town.
     Palmetto Greens golf course closed last week and will re-open under new management in a few weeks. The name has been changed back to Colonial Charters Golf Club.
     New flights and more seating capacity led to a double digit increase in the number of arriving passengers at Myrtle Beach International Airport in May, the fourth consecutive month for growth. Almost 91,479 passengers flew into Myrtle Beach last month, a 23% increase over the same month last year.
     Buzz on the real estate scene is that a total of 473 single family homes closed in May. That was just 27 fewer homes than closed along the Grand Strand in May 2006 and just 127 fewer than on September 2005, the highest monthly closing tally ever for the area.  The May closings were 18.3% higher than May 2012 and 47.3% higher than May 2011.  Prices are holding steady for now but before long it will be a seller's market again. Y'all come on down and get the deals before they are all gone.
     On the book scene, I have been very busy doing book signings for my first book MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE which is good, but it doesn't leave much time to work on the second book, COUGARS AT THE BEACH .  Website www.stevenmcmillen.com
     See ya, Steve & Bev

                                                               Book signing Avista Resort

                                                   Book signing Freedom Boat Club

                                                          The Inland Waterway

                                                               Cherry Grove beach

     
    
    

Cool But Nice "at the beach"

     The weather here in Myrtle Beach has been more like Fall weather than almost the first of June. I think the temp has only been above 80 twice so far this Spring. Great golf weather. The Harley Motorcycle Rally is over, and I am happy to report that there were no fatalities this year, and the Atlantic Beach Bike Rally will be over tomorrow. Next will be the tourists and from all predictions, it is going to be a busy summer. But, hey, that's fine with me, more people here to purchase my book.
     Sorry we didn't get back to Ohio, but my lovely bride had a back problem which did not allow her to ride in the car for that long trip. She is better now, so maybe we'll try again.
     Ten new shops have opened at Barefoot Landing as the complex prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversay this summer under new ownership. B & C which owns Broadway at the Beach, bought Barefoot Landing for $43 million last month. Everyone says they are happy with the new owners, and that they are sprucing-up the complex.
     The real estate market is picking-up and prices are starting to inch their way back up. There is a lot more traffic now and people are beginning to relalize now is the time to buy. Prices are going up not down.  Come on down, there are still plenty of good deals to be found. Let me know what you're looking for and I'll find it for you. smcmillen@sc.rr.com
     We've been busy doing book signings for my book Murder on the Front Nine. We've been to Murrells Inlet twice, Socastee and Southport yesterday.  Everywhere we go, we meet a lot of nice people and usually do well selling books.
     Hope y'all are having a great holiday weekend. See ya, Steve and Bev

Freedom Boat Club, Murrells Inlet

 

Freedom Boat Club, Southport, NC

 

Sunset Beach, NC 

 

Sunset Beach, NC

 

 

 

    

North Myrtle Beach Museum "at the beach"

North Myrtle Beach had its grand opening of the North Myrtle Beach Museum located in the old North Myrtle Beach Library. I attended because they have my book for sale in the gift shop. I wonder if that means they think I am old and should be in a museum? Oh well, it was a fun day. All of the local politicians were on hand for the ribbon cutting. The museum is very nicely furnished and it is very interesting to look at old photos from years past before the high rise condos and resorts took over the beach.
     Alabama was in town to kick off its "Back to the Bowery" tour with an invitation only show at The Bowery. The band started at the Myrtle Beach Bowery Bar in the early 70's. They served as the house band at the Bowery from 1973 to 1980.
     Brookgreen Gardens recieved a local award when it was voted one of the top ten public gardens in the U.S. by TripAdvisor. If you have never visited Brookgreen, you should add it to your vacation schedule and plan to spend the entire day. Another nature attraction nearby also recieved an award. Campers voted Huntington State Park their favorite U.S. State Park in About.com's 2013 Readers Choice Awards.
   Real estate is picking up every week. More and more people are looking and making offers. Everyone down here feels the market has hit bottom and is heading up. Come on down while there are still some outstanding deals available. If any of you are interested in looking at some listings, just e-mail me at smcmillen@sc.rr.com and I will e-mail you listing with no obligation on your part.
     On the book scene, I had one author presentation and two book signings this past week.  I have another one scheduled next week for my book Murder on the Front Nine. I am gearing up for a busy tourist season this year. www.stevenmcmillen.com.
     We are planning to be back in Ohio the first week of May, so maybe we will see some of you then. See ya, Steve & Bev

My book at the museum

 

An old "Woody" at the museum

 

Key Lime cupcakes with "Peeps" on top, Easter dinner

 

Old "Juke Box" at the museum

 

 

 

Sunrise Service & Wedding "at the beach"

     Just got back from Sunrise Service on the beach in North Myrtle Beach. We went with our friends from Ohio. This will be their last day "at the beach". They spent the Winter here and are heading back home tomorrow.  It wasn't that cold on the beach, but it was breezy and the clouds hid the sunrise.
     Yesterday we drove to Charleston to go to the wedding of a girl who Bev used to work with at the American Heart Association. It was held at the Charleston Harbor Resort at Patriots Point. It was a small wedding and they held the ceremony at the end of the pier with an outside reception. The weather was great, in the low 70's. We also made our regular stop at Trader Joe's on the way back to Myrtle Beach. Bev had to have her "Chocolately Cat Cookies".
     When the new terminal at Myrtle Beach International Airport opens on April 2, which will bring the number of gates from 7 to 13, a new bus shuttle service will begin as well. Two buses will take visitors to and from the airport. No exact routes have been designated as yet.
     International World Tour Golf Links will close 9 of their 27 holes for housing in 2014. A total of 21.5 Grand Strand golf courses have closed between 1999 and 2007 with plans for redevolopment that have largely been unrealized at least partially because of a recession and housing slump after 2007.
     In other golf news, The Dunes Club in Myrtle Beach will host the 2014 PGA Professional Championsip.  The tourney for club professionals will be held June 22-25. The Dunes Club along with the Grand Dunes Resort Club will host playes in the 1st 2 rounds of the 313 player tourney with the Dunes Club hosting the final 2 rounds. The players will be competing for a purse of $555,000 plus 20 spots in the 96th PGA Championsip at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.
     Myrtle Beach is getting it's first new hotel since construction abruptly stopped amid the housing and economy crunch. A 14 story Homewood Suites Ocean Front Resort and Conference Center is in the works for the vacent ocean-front spot at 1805 S. Ocean Blvd. on the former site of the Robbie Shyan Motel.  The 25 million dollar hotel aims to open in June 2014.
     If you're been waiting for the ideal time to purchase a retirement home, 2nd home or condo, or investment property "at the beach", now is the time. Prices have nowhere to go but up, so come on down, we're dealin!
     The 2nd edition of my Amazon and Kindle book MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE is now complete and available. www.stevenmcmillen.com. We are planning to be back in Lancaster the first week of May. If anyone would like me do a book signing at their business or organization,  please let me know. Contact me at smcmillen@sc.rr.com or 843.399.9745.

Sunrise service "at the beach"

 

Bev and the bride

 

The bride and groom

 

The beach in Cherry Grove