Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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



Friday, December 12, 2014

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