Friday, February 5, 2016

New News "at the beach"

Been a lot going on here so sorry about lack of blogs. It was an extremely hot summer here, hottest on record, and a wet fall, wetest on record. So far the winter has been about normal, some warm weather and some cool weather, but nothing like last years cold wave.
     We had friends down from Lancaster for the month of November and enjoyed sharing Thanksgiving with them at our house. We have friends in town now from Canal Winchester and others on the way from Lancaster and Florida. If any of you want to come down, we can have a Lancaster reunion right here.
     In local news, a 20-year old building that once housed Carlos' n Charlies's at Broadway at the Beach may be coming down to make way for a new two-story structure that will house a Paula Deen restaurant. The design rendering shows a Paula Deen's Family Kitchen and retail store with glass entry-ways next to Crabby Jack's General Store. (Now if we can just get a Trader Joe's). Also, at Broadway at the Beach, plans are in the works for the opening of the area's first Dave & Buster's, a new American Tap House, and an ever changing OZ nightclub. And Hard Rock Cafe submitted plans to leave its 70-foot-tall pyramid for a new renovated location where Broadway Louie's was housed.
     For those of you contemplating a move south, South Carolina remains the second most popular destination for state-to-state moves, according to a new study from United Van Lines. Oregon was the most popular destination for the third straight year, but South Carolina wasn't far behind. Real estate prices are still low here but the tide is turning. Come on down and let me find you a condo or home before the market turns into a sellers market instead of a buyer's market.
     I have been doing several book signings and presentations lately. My upcoming book "Death on Mt. Pleasant" is just about finished. Who knows, you may find a character in the book who reminds you of you.
     That's about it for now, see ya.  Steve & Bev
                                                         Book Signing at Brightwater.
                                                          October flood in our backyard
                                                  Thanksgiving with Dave & Sharon Reynolds

    
    

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Great News "At The Beach"

     It is HOT at the beach. The temps have been in the mid 90's since Friday and the forecast is for 90 plus the next seven days. The worst part is that we have had very little rain to go along with the heat.
     I usually do book signings each evening at Harbor View Golf Complex but it has just been too hot these last few nights. I did a book club luncheon Wednesday at Patio's and it was a lot of fun. The Sea Gate Village Book Club read my book "Cougars" for their June meeting and decided since Patio's was in the book, they would come up to Little River for their meeting.  They invited me to join them to answer questions and to tell them about my upcoming book, "Death on Mt. Pleasant". We had a great time.
     Speaking of "Cougars at the Beach", the great news is that the book is now on the shelves and available at Barnes & Noble at The Market Common in Myrtle Beach. It is very difficult for an independent author to get their books into a major Book Store these days.
     Some other good news is that someone nominated me as best author for 2015 in the Myrtle Beach area. The Grand Strand Happening Magazine runs the event each year. The contest runs until the end of June. I need your vote. Please go to  (grandstrand.happeningmag.com) "click" on Happening List, "Click" on People, then "Click" on Author and vote for me. Tell all your friends, family and neighbors to vote as well.
     Real estate is picking up. Deals are still available but prices are beginning to go up. Come on down, we're dealin'.  See ya, Steve and Bev
                                                         Thirteen women and me
                                                                Don't forget to vote
                                                               Cherry Grove Beach



    
    
    

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Lots of Friends "at the beach"

     There are lots of friends in town right now, Lancaster friends and high school friends. We are going to dinner tonight, with some of them, at Midtown Bistro. Spaghetti & meatballs night, $4.99, what a deal. Tuesday night everyone is coming to our place for corned beef and cabbage, and Thursday night we are going to one of their places for dinner. Busy week "at the beach".
     News from the beach: Allegiant Air is starting non-stop air service from Columbus to Myrtle Beach. This will make things much easier to fly back and forth from Ohio.
     Springmaid Beach Resort, which anchors the south end of Ocean Blvd. in Myrtle Beach, has been sold for 40 million. The resort which opened in 1948 is a private getaway for employees of Springs Mills, and  includes a 500 room hotel, conference center, camping facility and pier. The resort will be managed by Hilton World Wide until it is fully renovated and repositioned as a Double Tree Resort by Hilton.
     "Dinosaurs: The Exhibition" will open at Broadway at the Beach March 16th between Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville and Ripley's Aquarium in a roughly 8,000-square-foot space known as the "boat building" . The $1million attraction will have 25 animatronic dinosaurs that will move and roar, including the signature piece: a 20-foot-tall, 25 foot-long Tyrannosaurus Rex. In addition to those figures featured in the "dinosaur walk", there will be a soft play area where kids can climb over dinosaurs, a sandpit where kids can dig for dinosaur "bones" and a gift shop.
     A new 15,000 square foot wine hub is under construction off U.S. 17 at Barefoot landing next to Alligator Adventure. The new Doplin Wine Family location will give drinkers the chance to see the bottlling operation-one of the most popular features at the family's sprawling winery in Rose Hill, NC.-then sample some of the brand's 42 labels at three tasting bars, mingle and snack on some of Duplin's other products, such as cheese dips and fudge.
     On the book scene, I am still working on my upcoming book DEATH ON MT. PLEASANT and sales for my other two books, MURDER ON THE FRONT NINE & COUGARS AT THE BEACH are still strong. For more info go to my website, www.stevenmcmillen.com.
     Real estate has really picked up. I have more and more people looking to either move this way or purchase a second home or condo "at the beach". Y'all come on down, we're dealin'.


     
                                                     Book signing at Dead Dog Saloon

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




    
    

Friday, August 22, 2014

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



Saturday, June 21, 2014

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





Saturday, May 3, 2014

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






    

Friday, April 4, 2014

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




    



    
    

Sunday, February 2, 2014

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
 
 
    

Sunday, January 26, 2014

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




Saturday, December 21, 2013

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




Sunday, December 1, 2013

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


Sunday, November 17, 2013

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)