Best Restaurant In America "at the beach"

     First of all. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year for all my blog readers.

     OpenTable, a provider of on-line restaurant reservations has named Sea Blue Restaurant & Wine Bar in North Myrtle Beach as the #1 2014 Diners' Choice Award winner in America. The awards reflect the combined opinions of more than 5 million restaurant reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners for more than 20,000 restaurants in all 50 states. Sea Blue was followed by: Sushi Nakazawa-Sishi Bar, New York, Fearington House Restaurant, Pittsboro, NC., n/naka, Los Angeles, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Santa Rosa, Calif., Ski Tip Lodge, Keystone, Colo., Twenty Eight Atlantic at Wequassett Resort, East Harwich, Mass., Kai-Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, Chandler, Ariz., The French Room, Dallas and Highlands Bar & Grill, Birmingham, Ala. If any of you have dined at any of these restaurants, please let me know. We have never been to Sea Blue but it is now at the top of our list.
     Golf course ownership is changing along the Grand Strand. Chinese investors are buying courses left and right. Within the last couple of weeks they have purchased The TPC on the South Strand for an undisclosed amount; The World Tour for 9.9 million; River Hills for 2.45 million, and Aberdeen for 3.3 million. Previous to those purchases, they bought Burning Ridge, Indian Wells, Founders Club, Black Bear Crown Park, Colonial Charters and Sea Trails Resort.
     The real estate market has slowed down over the holidays, but should pick up again after the first of the year. Now is an excellent time to purchase that retirement home you've been thinking about or that second home or condo. Come on down, we're dealin'.
     Book sales for my latest book, COUGARS AT THE BEACH, is progressing nicely and I am working on the next installment in the Mickke D Grand Strand Murder Mystery Series, DEATH ON MT. PLEASANT, set in Lancaster. See my website (www.stevenmcmillen.com) for an excerpt.
     If any of you get down our way this winter, please contact us at smcmillen.sc.rr.com or 843.995.0766.
     See ya, Steve & Bev

                                                              Book Signing last week

                                                      Skaters at Myrtle Beach Mall

                                                                    The Beach

Large Holes & Ice Skating "at the beach"

     Sorry I've been away so long. Lots going on down here. Myrtle Beach Mall has an ice skating rink in front of Radio Shack. Open from 4:00 to 8:00 during the holidays. Seems strange to see a rink in Myrtle Beach but the kids are having a ball.
     The hole just got larger at Azalea Sands golf course. All 18 holes on the course have been enlarged to 8". They are trying this to see if it will help in bringing in some new golfers. The course is also home to the girl caddies in kilts. They even have blue tooth in the carts as well as music. Haven't tried this yet, but it might improve my putting.
    Speaking of golf, I have played with Lancaster's own golf star Samatha Swinehart several times lately. Her family lives in North Myrtle Beach and she is working in the pro shop at River Hills, where we live. She has a sweet golf swing and a great attitude. If only she would give me more strokes!
      Real estate has slowed down but that usually happens this time of year. There are still lots of deals down here, so come on down for the winter. You may decide to stay.
     We were back in Ohio in October for the fair, our class mini-reunion and a book signing at The Ohio Glass Museum for my latest book,  COUGARS AT THE BEACH. We had a wonderful turnout at both venues. Also did some book signings at Tiki Lanes while in town. I am working on my third installment in the Mickke D Grand Strand Murder Mystery Series. The new book is DEATH ON MT. PLEASANT and as the title suggest, the setting for this tale is Lancaster. Anyone looking for a great and unique Christmas gift for that "reader" in your family? Signed books are available at The Ohio Glass Museum and Tiki Lanes in Lancaster.
     Hope to see y'all soon,
     Steve & Bev

                                                              Ice rink at the mall

                                                            Sam & me at River Hills

                                                             Me, John & Twanger

                                                           Jannie, Bev & Mark




    
    

Lancaster Book Signing, at the Beach

     The tourist are leaving the beach. This will be the last big week because schools started in SC and NC. The weather has turned "hot" with temps reaching mid to high 90's this week with heat index above 100. These are the first really hot days this entire summer. The weather has been perfect.
     Real estate sales are pretty much staying level and prices are remaining moderate. There are still plenty of deals down here, so come on down, we're dealin!
     For all of you in the central Ohio area, I just had conformation that The Ohio Glass Museum will host a book signing for my latest book, COUGARS AT THE BEACH, on Saturday October 4th from 1:00 - 4:00. Tell all of your friends to put this date on their calender. While in Lancaster, I will also be doing book signings at Tiki Lanes the following week for those of you who can't make the 4th.

                                     Bev and Susan Hines Butler at Book Signing, Pawleys Island

                                   Ellen Testa and Bev at book signing, La Belle Amie Vineyard

                                                                      The Beach

Tourist are "at the beach"

     Tourist season has arrived. The restaurants and beaches are full, the economy is booming. It's time for all of the locals to stay on the fringes of the beach.
     Readers of USA Today were asked what golf destination they believe is the best in the world and they chose Myrtle Beach.  Myrtle Beach was one of 20 golf destinations chosen by a blue-ribbon panel. Following Myrtle Beach was Kiawah Island, Pinehurst, Sea Island, Georgia and Naples, Florida.
     The Dunes Club and the Grande Dunes Resort Course are the host for 312 PGA club and teaching professionals from across the country. The top 20 finishers, who will play Sunday through Wednesday, will qualify for the $10 million PGA championship.The Golf Channel will be broadcasting the tournament.
     In other golf news, a dozen professional golf hopefuls have come to the Grand Strand in search of their big break. The 11th season of the Golf Channel's golf skills competition reality series "The Big Break" is being filmed in the Myrtle Beach area for the first time over a couple of weeks this month. "Big Break Myrtle Beach", will be broadcast for 11 consecutive weeks from October 7th thru December 16th and will air Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m.
     Go Browns! Former Coastal Carolina quarterback Tyler Thigpen was signed to a one-year contract with Cleveland. Speaking of the NFL, I was doing a book signing at Harborview last night and met former wide receiver Roger Carr, who played with the Baltimore Colts back in the 70's and 80's. He lives in North Myrtle Beach and is the minister of a Baptist Church on Sea Mountain Highway in Cherry Grove.
     Brunswick County, NC which lies just over the border from Horry County, SC, is the fastest growing county in NC. A new development was just announced this week. The development named "The Charles" will be located near Southport (Bald Head Island, where my book Murder on the Front nine begins) and will have as many as 2250 single-family and multi-family residences. "The Charles" will center around senior residents looking for a continuum of care with out a large, upfront deposit that similar developments often require. Rather residents will buy or rent their homes and select among a menu of on-site medical services that they will pay for individually.
     My new book Cougars at the Beach just went back to my editor for a final look before going to the publisher. Hopefully by July 1st, it will be available. I still haven't decided on my cover, but I will do that this coming week. Thanks to those of you who gave me an opinion.
     My TV interview, during our recent visit, about my book Murder on the Front Nine will be aired on Tuesday July 8th at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Channel 9 in Lancaster.

                                                                Lunch at Roots

                                                                Dinner at The winery

                                                        Sunset over Buckeye Ocean

                                               View from Snookey's in Little River

Lots Going On "at the beach"

     I read in this mornings paper of the closing of Lincoln Lanes. So sad.  I had my first "real" job there right after it opened in 1959. Jack Reynolds was working there and he got me a job as a pin-boy. I later was promoted to Assistant Manager. I did not own a car at the time, so I paid $.50 each way in a cab. I met some very good friends there and many are still around today. I am considering writing a third book "Death on Mt. Pleasant" and if I do, Lincoln Lanes will have a chapter of its own.
     Meanwhile back "at the beach". A bill has been introduced in the South Carolina General Assembly that gives hope to the Grand Strand's effort to lure a large California craft brewer to a site near Broadway st the Beach. The bill redefines brewpubs as operations that produce up to 500,000 barrels of beer per year, rather than a limit of 2,000 barrels per year in the current law.
     Barefoot Landing is getting a fresh look and ten new stores for the summer season. Crews have been busy re-decking the pedestrian bridges, renovating the restrooms and resurfacing the parking area. They are painting through out the shopping center and adding new rocking chairs, benches and planters in the common areas. It won't have that weathered tired look anymore.
     If you're coming to Myrtle Beach this summer, leave your beach tent at home. Horry County, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach have all banned beach tents for the summer season.
     Real estate is picking up and prices are still low. I showed a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo at A Place at The Beach ll in Windy Hill and it was really nice. It was located on the ocean and priced to sell at $115,000.
     My second book Cougars at the Beach is at the editor and I am hoping for a June 1st publishing date.I will keep y'all advised.
     Bev and I are planning to be back in the Lancaster area over the Memorial Day holiday and we hope to see as many of you as possible. If anyone knows of a place where I can do a book signing for my book Murder on the Front Nine, while I am in town, please let me know.
     See ya,
     Steve and Bev

                                                      View from Windy Hill condo

                                                        View from Windy Hill condo

                                                            Windy Hill beach

                                                                Windy Hill beach






    

Cougars "at the beach"

     All of our winter visitors have left the beach. Most of them left too soon. The weather turned nice after they headed back north. You can tell it's spring in South Carolina, the pollen has arrived. When you go out to get in your vehicle, you soon discover the color of said vehicle has changed. It is now yellow. You can no longer leave your windows open even though the temperature is in the mid 70's. I played golf yesterday and when I finished my brown shoes had changed colors, they are now yellow. At least it started late this year, so hopefully it will go away quickly. A good thunderstorm will wash away all of the pollen for awhile and a water hose daily restores the color of your car.
     Real estate sales are picking up along the Grand Strand but prices are still rather low for a beach destination. If you're teetering on the edge of should I purchase now or wait, now is probably the right time.  Come on down and visit, you may decide to stay. And by the way, we're dealin!
   
     My second book Cougars at the Beach is finally finished. Now the hard part begins, editing and re-writes. Here is a summary of the book and maybe my back cover:

     Cougars at the Beach is Steve McMillen's second installment in the Mickke D, Grand Strand murder mystery series. His first book Murder on the Front Nine, got rave reviews on Amazon, Kindle and from the public in general.The setting for the second book is the same as the first, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
     Mickke D, an ex-Green Beret, real estate agent and part time private investigator accepts the job of trying to locate a missing person for a friend of his. Now, how much trouble can a missing persons case be for a PI? He soon discovers he is hunting for a serial killer and that the serial killer is hunting him as well. This is a fast paced, drama-filled, page turner, which will keep you on the edge of your chair all the way through. As in the first book, the author includes a lot of local history along with local settings, including the new Boardwalk, the Sky Wheel, golf courses, resorts, restaurants, wine festivals, and a boat chase on the Waterway, all of which anyone who lives in Myrtle Beach or has ever visited Myrtle Beach will recognize. Just as in the first book, the reader will be able to say, "Been there, done that."
     Steve brings back several characters from the first book and adds a few new ones. Mickke D has a significant other this time around, however he is not sure if she is a good guy or a bad guy. He has never had much luck with women and that trend seems to continue, however I'll let you, the reader, be the judge of that.
     If you're looking for a good beach read, Cougars at the Beach, is for you.

     See ya, Steve & Bev

                                                     "Twisting" at La Belle Amie vineyard

                                                          Empty Cherry Grove beach

    



    
    

Pictures

                                                               
                                                        

                                                       "All That" dancers at the Opry

I am having problems with photo's today, sorry.

Cold, Snow, Ice "at the beach"

     This past week was misarable down here. Not as bad as those of you "up north" are having but terrible for us who have grown accustomed to mild winters. I can't remember the last time we stayed inside for three straight days. The dusting of snow on top of ice was the bad part along with low temps in the teens and no "above freezing" temps during the day.  Our street was a sheet of glassy ice. Didn't see anyone go up and down for two days and then the first one to come down the street did a 360 right in front of our house. Friday was the first day we ventured out since Monday. The majority of the golf courses have been shut down all week. Not good. Today as I write this, the temp will be 65 and we may even reach 70 by the end of the week. Things are looking up.
     We went with some friends from Lancaster on Friday night to The Carolina Opry. We ate at Chuck's Steakhouse before the show and it was crowded. I think everyone was going out for the first time in awhile. The new seating at The Opry was fantastic. Larger, comfortable seats, more isle room and a cup holder. The show was great as always. I am always amazed at the talent down here. The musicians, singers and dancers are all top notch. If you've never been to a show down here, be sure and go the next time you're in town.
     Myrtle Beach is one of the top three destinations this summer based on bookings on the FlipKey.com vacation rental website.  Myrtle Beach followed No. 1 Rio de Janeiro and No.2 Ocean City, Md., as the most popular on FlipKey, which is the vacation rental arm of TripAdvisor.
     One good thing about the bad weather was that I got some much needed writing done on my new book COUGARS AT THE BEACH. It is coming along and I am looking to have it completed this spring. The book features Mickke D and several other characters from my first book MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE.
     There are lots of snowbirds down here right now. Why don't y'all come on down and join them for a couple of weeks or a month or two. I hope the bad weather is over.  See ya, Steve & Bev

That's ice under the snow

 

 

    

Cold But No Snow "at the beach"

     I figured those of you "up north" could use some cheering up, so I have included beach pictures this time around. It has been down right cold down here. I got up the other morning and it was 17 in Little River. Today it's supposed to get to 50 and then 65 on Monday and then 35 on Tuesday and Wednesday, and maybe that dreaded four letter word SNOW! This has been the coldest January I can remember since we have been down here, which is fourteen years. The only good part has been there has been ample sunshine, which does make a difference. I haven't played golf since last November and that's unheard of down here.
     Speaking of golf, after three years of relative stabilization in rounds played, the Myrtle Beach area golf market saw paid rounds drop nearly 6% in 2013 compared to 2012. I'm afraid if this trend keeps up, we may be seeing more course closings this coming year. The home building  market is starting to improve so those developers are looking at golf courses as prime locations to build.
     The local shows are opening again after a one month vacation and the Carolina Opry has installed all new seating. We're going with some Lancaster friends this coming Friday to check it out.
     My second book Cougars at the Beach is coming along slowly but surely. Hope to have it to my editor by the end of April. I have included several Lancaster personalities in the book and  I am trying to work some Lancaster locations into the book as well. Signed copies of the first book Murder on the Front Nine are still available at The Ohio Glass Museum in Lancaster. The book is also available at the Fairfield County Library in Lancaster.
     Not much going on real estate wise. It is a slow time of year, but there are lots of deals still on the books. Come on down, we're dealin!  See ya, Steve and Bev

                                                            Bev looking for shells

                                                             Cherry Grove beach

                                                          Bev with her new sand dipper

                                          Bev trying to figure out how to work her sand dipper