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