Spring is a time of transition. Whether you hopped to Grande Shores by a bunny trail just for our special Easter celebrations or you cruised I-95 for a longer stay on your way north or south, our beachside location certainly makes a nice place to spend some quality time. As the calendar moves closer to summer, many of you are beginning to plan vacations, too, and nowhere is more special that oceanfront accommodations at Grande Shores.
April has been especially encouraging at Grande Shores with a warming trend not only in the economy, but also in the weather. Little green leaves, blooming flowers, and people are all venturing forth into the sunshine. First out on the sand were the bathing suits of the young or young at heart. The less adventurous sat in warm hot tubs, even on cool days.
Easter festivities drew quite a crowd for our first annual KenDucky Derby around the lazy river on Easter Sunday, April 12th. The weather remained mild and bright. As you will read below, this hugely successful event on behalf of Relay for Life brought quite a crowd, with children of all ages right in the thick of the action for the duck races, the coloring contest, and the Easter egg hunt.
As the calendar moved forward, spring flip-flopped from sunshine to showers and back again, none of which hindered people from having fun at the beach. Not only are the cloudier days great for fishing, shopping, and theater, it didn't take long for the heat rays to slide the thermometer up once again past 75. Now, as winter fades to a distant memory, everyone ponders for ways to go outside for some sort of relaxation, whether jogging, reading, sunbathing, or golfing.
We hope that you, too, will find your beach gear from the back of your closet and lay plans for a visit here to Grande Shores. If the economics of taking a vacation concerns you, let us help you "crunch" some numbers with an estimate of how much money you can save by booking through one of the discounts, such as golf packages, military reductions, or others. This is an especially good year to visit the beach where specials rule. Check our web site's "news" section for the new things to see and do here on the Strand.
Hoping to see you soon!
Your Friends at Grande Shores Resort
Easter at Grande Shores - A Tribute to Guests and Staff
Guests at Grande Shores celebrated the First Annual KenDucky Derby on Easter Sunday, April 12th. This fund raiser for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life occurred on a clear blue day with many Easter guests helping Chief Engineer Dennis Chestnut, the Master of Ceremonies, line up the little plastic ducks at the starting line. Race equipment included the elegant sign and race course, colorful toy ducks that floated wherever they saw fit within the confines of the lazy river, and a foam pool tube to keep the ducks in line. Dennis' creative efforts and skill with lettering once again proved to be amazing! Who knew he had such a way with ducks!
Largely a team effort, this event came together on Sunday morning to the delight of staff and guests both! At race time, the air was charged with the thrill of potential victory, and tension mounted as participants identified their favorite ducks with a contribution to Relay for Life. Suddenly, from the Master of Ceremonies the call to action: "Get ready! Get set! GO!" Dennis gave a shrill whistle, and the ducks were off for their first race. Some of the ducks used a risky strategy of starting slowly and then tearing past their rivals. Others hugged the curves as they floated around the "race course." Eventually the current of the lazy river empowered all the colorful little swimmers toward the finish line to the cheers of the crowd. The little competitors bobbed and zigzagged along in the water to the designated finish line until all were across.
With each of the three races, electricity filled the gathering that grew larger with each competition. All in all, everyone enjoyed the festive good cheer, sun, and fun as both participants and spectators alike enjoyed all three of the three races. Prizes went to the first place winners, and all children who participated won a prize. In addition to the competition, the pool grill (now open on weekends until the summer season begins) served hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, and beverages.
The significance of each duck competitor, of course, represented more than just being a challenger in a race. As delightful as the event was, the ducks symbolized hope in the awareness and struggle against cancer. We thank all contributors who donated to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
A hearty "thank you" goes out to all the hard-working staff members who played roles in putting this KenDucky Derby event together, with special thanks to Dennis Chestnut and his engineering staff, also to the Housekeeping staff led by Fabiola Pacheco for their efforts here and with the Easter events such as decorations, egg-hiding, and other "hidden" touches. These and many others worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make Easter 2009 at Grande Shores a memorable event
To all of you who attended as guests at Grande Shores, our everlasting thanks for coming to visit us during Easter and for taking part in these festive tributes to a most amazing season. Your key role, not only in Relay for Life, but also for our success in general, is much appreciated!
If you're looking for lots more fun and sun over the summer, come linger a while under the Carolina-blue sky here at Grande Shores. With the combined creative energies of our amazing people, we can promise some exciting and fun times all during the year!
Grande Shores Relay Team Participates for Relay for Life on April 24th
On April 24th, The Ripken Experience (3051 Ripken Way, Myrtle Beach, SC) became charged with the electricity of competition and fun as it became the site of the 2009 overnight fund raiser for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Team Grande Shores brought staff members to this baseball field where each person took turns walking for one-to-two hours during an overnight effort to raise as much money as possible for cancer awareness.
The itinerary for Relay for Life included a cancer survivor's reception, the overnight team members walk on the track, and, as a finale, the luminary ceremony. Relay rules entailed that during all hours of the competition every team had a participating member somewhere on the track walking throughout the entire period. Participants from past relays promised not only lots of fun during the event, but also a collegial atmosphere with multitudes of community supporters coming out at all hours over night, plus support from family and friends.
Lead by Jennifer Dolan, Team Grande Shores focused on money-raising techniques as well as on having fun and pacing themselves to "race" for this worthy cause. Competition ran deep among competitors, but in this unique type of "race," entrants came together with the focus on doing their part to help bring awareness to the struggle against cancer.
We hope that, if you were in the Grand Strand area on April 24th, you were able to stop by the Relay site in downtown Myrtle Beach to see these dedicated groups of volunteers working for this worthy cause, The Relay for Life.
Military Appreciation Days in May
Military families coming to the Myrtle Beach Military Appreciation Days in May will want to stay at the Grande Shores for a number of reasons. Our location is one big incentive! We are convenient to these sites for participants and spectators:
Thursday, May 28
- Golf Tournament - Whispering Pines Golf Course
- Handgun Marksmanship Tournament - Myrtle Beach Law Enforcement Center Annex
- Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments - Crabtree Gymnasium
- Softball Tournament - Myrtle Beach Recreation Fields
Friday, May 29
- Golf Tournament - Whispering Pines Golf Course
- Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament - Crabtree Gymnasium
- Softball Tournament - Myrtle Beach Recreation Fields
Saturday, May 30
- 5K Run/Walk - The Market Common
- Combat Cuisine Cook-Off - Grand Park
- Family Picnic, Model Boat and Airplane Demonstrations - Grand Park
- Model Airplane Demonstrations - Grand Park, 1 p.m.
- Climbing Wall, Simulators, Humvee and Tank Demonstrations - Grand Park
- Military Recruiter Expo - Grand Park
- Parachute Jump - Grand Park
- 4 PM Military Memorial Ceremony - Valor Memorial Garden
- Evening Concert and Fireworks - Grand Park
For the weekend event itself, see further details in the web site at www.militaryappreciationdays.com/welcome.html.
Click here Grande Shores to make your accommodations reservations now.
Featured Recipe - Fresh Strawberry Mousse
This simple but delicious recipe takes advantage of strawberry season just now coming into prominence here along the Grand Strand. Some of the pick-your-own farms such as Indigo on Highway 90 just over the SC/NC border make a special event out of bringing the whole family. If you want to skip the work and just dive into this bowl of fresh strawberry mousse, buy your newly-picked strawberries from a local farmer's market or grocery.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 egg whites
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups fresh strawberries pureed
- 1 cup thick cream
DIRECTIONS:
- Beat egg whites to soft-peak stage.
- Blend into them the strawberry puree.
- Beat cream until stiff and fold into strawberry mixture.
- Pour into mold and chill several hours.
- Unmold.
- Decorate with fresh strawberry halves and optional dollop of whipped cream or other topping.
Local Events Calendar
With so many opportunities for fun here at the beach, isn't it nice to know that you can define "vacation" to suit your own needs: short, long, active or quiet. For your convenience, here is a quick link to check availability at the hotel and condos at Grande Shores.
5/1. 4th Annual Makai Luau at Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park. Hosted by the Surfrider Foundation of the Grand Strand, this event begins at 4:30 pm. Price includes all food, beverages, and entertainment (Hawaiian music, hula dancing, fire show, silent auction). Held rain or shine, and tickets are limited. For more information contact 843.357.2007 or www.surfridergrandstrand.org.
5/1. Pelicans versus Salem Avalanche. 7 pm. Free kid stuff and a great day at the ball park. BB&T Coastal Field (1251 21st Avenue North, Myrtle Beach). Call 877.918.8500 or go online www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.
5/1. Voices of Broadway-The Greatest Ensemble Music from throughout the History of Broadway. Held at the Myrtle Beach Train Station, this event features the Carolina Master Chorale. For more information call 843.444.5774 or online at www.CarolinaMasterChorale.org.
5/2. 13th Annual Blessing of the Inlet at Belin Methodist Church, from 2 pm to 4 pm. A favorite day for all Inlet locals and returning visitors, this special event includes great food from local restaurants, baked goods from the church ladies, entertainment all day long, games for the children and arts and crafts treasures for sale. This is an opportunity to bow our heads in prayer to give thanks for our beautiful marsh. For more information, call 843.651.5099.
5/2. The Oak Ridge Boys at the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach. Make a date to see this live performance, starting at 7 pm. Call 800.342.2262 or see www.alabama-theatre.com for more information.
5/2. 23rd Music and Arts Festival on Main Street in "Rivertown" Conway, SC. From 10 am to 10 pm. This free all-day event includes live music, art show and galleries, vendors, food, family fun. Bring a chair (no coolers or pets please) and enjoy. For more information, 843.248.6260 or www.conwaymainstreet.com.
5/2 to 8/31. The Summer Arts Project at The Market Common begins and runs through the end of August. 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. The Market Common is excited to host artists creating original works of art on Adirondack chairs. They will be displayed throughout The Market Common and auctioned off at the end of the summer! Location is 4017 Deville Street. For more information, call 843.839.3500 or go online at www.marketcommonevents.com.
5/3. "Get Your Zing On" Fashion Show at the Zonta Club of Myrtle Beach. From 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Fund-raiser for local CASA includes fashion show by Isabella's and special entertainment. Held at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Myrtle Beach. For information, call 843.357.3752.
5/8-17. Myrtle Beach Bike Week. For more information see www.myrtlebeachbikeweek.com. [Note: according to the news, the May 15-16 Carolina Harley-Davidson Dealers Association May Rally is being moved from Myrtle Beach to New Bern, NC. The larger rally called "Cruising the Coast-Spring Bike Week" is not being moved, per the Festival Promotions head and the head of MB Harley-Davidson. The "Bike Fest" held in Atlantic Beach at the end of May is still on, but the town is apparently opposed to it.]
5/9. Mayfest on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. Main Street is the site and sounds of legendary musicians Dean Torrence, Al Jardine, and David Marks, plus numerous other beach bands. Whether you want to stroll on over to "music central," the horseshoe at the beach end of Main Street, or check out the craft show or watch the kids play in the children's area, you will enjoy this music and this entire day. Sponsored by the North Myrtle Beach Chamber and Avista Resort, plus a number of the area's businesses, loads of fun for the entire family. This free concert starts at 1 pm. The festivities begin at 10.
5/9. 2009 Pawleys Pavilion Reunion from 6:30 pm to midnight. The 12th Annual Pawleys Pavilion Reunion is a cultural outdoor dancing celebration featuring some of America's greatest beach bands and music. Come relive the memories and make new ones at the Pawleys Pavilion Reunion. Pawleys Park on Pawleys Island. For more information, call 877.577.2357.
5/23. A Crabby Experience at Myrtle Beach State Park from 10 am to 11:30 am. Test your luck from the pier as you try to catch a variety of crabs and fish. Limited traps available for a $3 rental fee. Bring your own raw chicken for bait or buy bait from the pier. Catch and release. Meet at the fishing pier at 4401 South Kings Hwy in Myrtle Beach. For more information, call 843.238.0874 or go online to www.myrtlebeachsp.com. [This event reoccurs next on 5/30.]
5/23-25. Red, White and Blue at Brookgreen Gardens, a Tribute to Our Veterans. Flags honor the war memorial and graves of veterans buried on the grounds. Call 843.235.6000 for more information.
5/28-30. Myrtle Beach Military Appreciation Days. Military installations in SC, NC, and GA are invited to attend with their families. Competitive sporting events for active-duty military include a golf tournament at Whispering Pines, baseball tournaments, a marksmanship tournament, a 5K run/walk, and a combat cuisine cook-off. Veterans and civilians are invited to compete in the 5K run/walk. Military and their families enjoy the event with picnics, model airplane and boat demonstrations, concert, awards ceremony, and much more. Check accommodations specials with our reservation agents through our web site or phone numbers. More information about the event itself through 843.918.1012 or email to dmckenzie@cityofmyrtlebeach.com.
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Guest Comments
[We] have been going to Myrtle Beach for 9 years straight now and wouldn't think of staying anywhere else but the Grande Shores. We all love it there...have brought quite a few different couples with us, and they all agree....great location, great staff, great condos, wonderful housekeeping staff, really can't think of any negative things....Looking forward to returning again this September for the ultra relaxing 2-week vacation.
Email as newsletter response from Ronnie and Jim from Forked River, NJ, 03-24-09
We traveled to Grande Shores, Myrtle Beach and were pleasantly surprised with the accommodations based on the low price we obtained. The room was very clean and had a full sized refrigerator and microwave. The desk clerk called to make sure we found everything in the room satisfactory - what a surprise! The pool area was fantastic; it even had a pool-sized hot tub that was oblong instead of the usual round one where you sit hip to hip. The pool itself was like bath water and you could tell because it was actually being used! There was a cool kiddie pool with an overhead fountain. The onsite restaurant was reasonably priced for a change, too.
Email from TripAdvisor.com from "DurhamNCJandE" from (of course) Durham, NC, March 20, 2009.
I stayed in an oceanview suite here the last time I visited Myrtle Beach, and I rather enjoyed it. Here's why:
- Great beachside location
- I didn't run into any trouble with the staff
- Clean, pretty spacious rooms
- Nice bathrooms (very important to me!)
- Fully equipped kitchens
Email on Yelp.com from Adelais from Ann Arbor, MI, January 24, 2009.
Fun Facts
The game of golf certainly made a dollar or two for Greg Norman. This yacht is his latest toy (228 feet of aluminum and composite).
What is the difference between a "ship" and a "boat"? Ships are big; boats are not. You step into a ship but onto a boat. Think of 65 feet; over that length puts you on a ship.
No piece of normal-size paper can be folded in half more than 7 times.
A Boeing 747s wingspan is longer than the Wright brother's first flight.
Karaoke means 'empty orchestra' in Japanese.
Isn't the English language interesting. Your house can burn up as it burns down. You fill in a form by filling it out. An alarm goes off by going on.
Perhaps you have heard of Murphy's Law: If something can go wrong, it will. Here are some variations:
- If two golfers are the only ones in the locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
- Law of Logical Arguments -- Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
- Law of Movie Theaters - if you are the only one in a movie theater, the next people who enter will sit next to you.
- Law of Vehicle Traffic -- If you change traffic lines, the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now.
- Law of Location - No matter where you go, there you are.
Sand dunes only account for about two percent of the surface of North American deserts.
The name of all the continents end with the same letter that they start with.
Onions help reduce cholesterol if eaten after a fatty meal.
If offered a new pen to write with, 97% of all people will write their own names.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
The term "Cop" is an acronym comes from the term "Constable on Patrol," a term used in England.
Dolphins do not automatically breath. They breathe at will, telling themselves when to breathe.
" Pearls "melt" in vinegar.
Welcoming Groups to Grande Shores
Holding a business meeting at the beach is one way to ensure that everyone actually shows up at the meeting. Family reunions and weddings get maximum value for their dollars here, too, because of the full-service amenities. With beach, fun, and sun, you, too, can bring your group to our shores. One of your best ideas ever!
Here are the groups staying with us recently:
- East Gaston High School
- Mynderse Academy Baseball
- Gold Wing Road Riders
- Collins, Boike & Moore
- Fun Times Tours
- Caleb Club
- Lander University Alumni
- Triangle Singles
- Deliverance Evangelistic Worship
Our thanks to each and every one. We look forward to seeing you here again at the beach very soon!
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