Grande Shores wants to continue the good wishes for all joys and rewards to be yours during this New Year 2009. With the holidays and 2008 drifting behind us now, we move forward to the new year with all of its promise and goals for the future. The enjoyable New Year's Eve party at our own Shoreline Grill, plus the general excitement of the holidays. The hard-working staff at Grande Shores is busy with many projects that will bring a smile to the faces of its guests. Read on for some details, such as the sparkling new look to the pool area and the sweet deal of a Valentine's Special Package.
The month of January is particularly exciting this year with the inauguration of our 44th president Barack Obama, the nation's first African-American elected president. With Martin Luther King Day on the 19th and the inauguration on the 20th, the third week in the month is going to be note-worthy for history and for us who experience it.
So, as the new year progresses, we at Grande Shores hope that previous guests will think about planning warm weather vacations, and new guests will consider just how much fun they can have with a vacation in an oceanfront resort. Despite the month of January having snow and ice for some parts of the country, everyone anywhere can get warm vicariously by booking summer vacations now or even just a mid-winter getaway. We at Grande Shores look forward to seeing you soon here under our Carolina sun!
Hoping to see you soon!
Your Friends at Grande Shores Resort
New Year's Eve Dinner Party at Shoreline Grill
We hear that everyone enjoyed the gala New Year's Eve dinner celebration to ring out the old year and embark on the new year. Here are some pictures from our New Year's Eve Celebration with The Vintage Club enjoying the delicious dinner provided by the capable and creative restaurant staff at Shoreline Grill.
Grande Shores Offers a LOVEly Spring Get-Away!
Planning a romantic, meaningful, memorable Valentine's Day celebration is truly an art, but we can help. Whether you are a newly married couple, a fifty-year anniversary, anyone saying "I Love You," Grande Shores' Valentine's Day Special Package offers you a real treat for a February get-away. Maybe your children just want to say, "We love Mom and Dad," or maybe the time is right to get out of the snow and ice to a sun-filled, beach-loving location! Whatever the reason, now is the season of love!
Click Here to check out this Valentine's Day package. Our warm and loving celebration of "amore" is available with hotel accommodations.
And also with condo accommodations
And with your lodging, enjoy our treat to you of champagne and chocolates, turn-down bed service with rose petals, daily breakfast at Shoreline Grill, and also possible at your option is Valentine's eve dinner at Shoreline.
Plan now for a romantic Valentine's at Grande Shores.
Featured Recipe - "Mile-High" Nachos with Homemade Salsa
Football is more than just a game. It is a hospitable blend of good friends, good times, and good food. At Super Bowl time, the party of choice can the one with the best food. Here is a recipe from Emeril Lagasse's kitchen that will have people lining up at your door.
Plan on 40 minutes to prepare this easy recipe, but you might not need all that time, unless you snack along the way. The final yield of the salsa is 1 quart, distributed as you like.
Ingredients:
- 1 large bag tortilla chips (the fresher, the better)
- 1 can refried beans
- 1 pound pulled pork, shredded cooked beef, or shredded cooked chicken (to save time, buy this at a barbeque restaurant as "take-out")
- 1 1/2 cups grated Pepper Jack cheese
- 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar
- 3 fresh jalapenos, thinly sliced or minced
- 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced (both green and white parts)
- Guacamole, to taste
- 8 ounces sour cream
- Emeril's Southwest Essence, to taste (optional: use any seasoning that evokes a southwest flavor to your taste)
- 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 quart "Homemade Salsa"
Preparations:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- On a large, oven-proof platter, spread 1 layer of chips.
- Top the chips with 1/3 of the refried beans, 1/3 of the pulled pork and 1/3 of the cheeses, 1/3 of the jalapenos and 1/3 of the green onions.
- Add another layer of chips and repeat the process two more times.
- Bake in the oven until the cheese melts and the nachos are warmed through, 5 to 8 minutes.
- Garnish the nachos with dollops of guacamole, sour cream, Emeril's Essence (or flavoring), and cilantro.
Homemade Salsa:
- 3 large ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper
- 1 jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, and minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 limes, zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt
Preparation of Salsa:
- Combine all salsa ingredients in a bowl.
- Toss loosely.
- Refrigerate for at least half an hour before serving.
Employee in the Spotlight - Mark Wentzel
A wonderful employee and great addition to both Grande Shores and its sister property Horizon at 77th, Mark Wentzel serves as Front Desk Agent. His level of customer service is extraordinary, and he takes exceptional pride in ensuring a continuity and quality to his performance. During the course of his assignments here, he has learned many aspects of the front desk area and about the properties in general and has proven himself to be a strong asset to the entire company. "Mark is a great asset to our company," says his manager Front Desk Manager Jenna Hillman. "I am pleased how fast he learns and the pride he takes in doing and learning his job...We are lucky to have him!"
Arriving in the Myrtle Beach area in 2002 after a job transfer, he and his family love living by the beach and enjoy the many activities available in the Grand Strand. Originally from Michigan and a newly married father of two, Mark has restaurant managerial experience from his previous career in Alabama where he won two awards for "manager of the year." When not on the job at Horizon, he enjoys his family and, as spare time allows, drafting house plans.
Game Night at Grande Shores!
Grande Shores' game night with nice potluck dinner (a recent one featured meatballs, scalloped potatoes, casseroles, "brookies" (cookies), and a fruit-cocktail cake) are a huge hit with many of the long-term guests, but anyone is invited. Every Monday evening at 7 pm, card games of "sevens" (similar to solitaire) and other games include "bring-your-own" snacks and lots of fun. Here are some photos of a recent Monday evening at Grande Shores.
Indoor Pool Opens with New Design!
Grande Shores is redesigning the indoor area of its pool. Thanks to our expert painters, here is a glimpse of the new wall art creations on what was previously a long, drab white wall. Overall renovations continued through the first several days of January and are nearing completion.
Local Events Calendar
2/1. Murrells Inlet Community Theater (: 4450 Murrells Inlet Road, Murrells Inlet) presents A.R. Gurney's "Later Life." Enjoy a romantic comedy/drama about a couple who reunite at a party after 30 years. Starts at 8 p.m. Cost: $10. Reservations required to this "kid-friendly" event. 843.651.4152 www.mictheatre.com.
2/2 Groundhog Day. Originally a weather day, Groundhog Day is when the woodchuck emerges from his hibernation hole and check the weather. If he sees his shadow (that is, the sun is out), then he retreats back to his burrow for 6 more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow (that is, the day is cloudy), then winter will soon end. See the countdown at www.groundhog.org.
2/5. Grand Strand Strutters Invite You to Square Dance. Starting at 7 pm and lasting until 9 pm, this variety of square dance includes a pre-dance training from 6-7 at the Grand Strand Senior Center (1268 21st Ave N., Myrtle Beach). For more information, call 843.497.0470.
2/12-15. The 12th Annual Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon. Pasta dinner, expo, fun run, 5K, half-marathon, and marathon (no relay this year), with a post-race party. For more information, 843.293.RACE or www.mbmarathon.com.
2/11 to 3/1. Enjoy live theater at Theatre of the Republic, performing "Blood Brothers." This musical tells the story of two fraternal brothers, separated at birth. finding friendship, love, and betrayal. Theatre location 337 Main St. Conway, SC 29526. For more information: 843.488.0821.
2/13. Meet the Snowbirds. Held from 2 pm to 4 pm at the North Myrtle Beach Chamber (270 Hwy 17 N in North Myrtle Beach), this reception honors visitors and residents from Canada with door-prizes, give-aways, refreshments. For more information, call 877.332.2662.
2/14. Free Weddings for Horry County Residents from Always & Forever Weddings, LLC. In an effort to assist during the economic down-turn, this company offers a 2009 "special" with a free courthouse wedding (limited to the first 48 couples). More information at 843.249.2933.
2/14. The North Myrtle Beach Community Band's Valentine's Day Dance. Held from 7 pm to 10 pm in the Bryan Floyd Community Center (1030 Possum Trot Road, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582), this exciting and fun event includes professional and skilled amateur musicians. For more information, 843.280.5570.
2/14-15. 17th Myrtle Beach Stamp and Postcard Show. Lasting from 10 am to 5 pm. (4 pm on Sunday). The show is open to the public and includes 7 dealers, exhibits, door prizes, youth area. Located at the Holiday Inn West (101 Hard Rock Parkway, Myrtle Beach SC). For more information, 843.347.0087.
2/15. Joyce Yang, Pianist, presented by FPC Concerts, Inc. Enjoy this Van Cliburn Silver Medalist performer from 4 pm to 5:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church (1300 N Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach). For more information 843.448.4496.
2/21. The Business and Technology Expo. Scheduled from 9 am to 3 pm, this event occurs at Brunswick Community College Virginia Williamson Event Center. Open to the public, this is a display of local businesses' products and services. For more information, contact The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce at 800.426.6644.
2/25. Pre-school Wonders: Recycling can be Fun! Held at the Myrtle Beach State Park from 11 am to 12 pm, this youth-focused event is for children ages 3-5, but everyone is welcome. Kids learn about recycling and nature while having fun with stories, songs, and art. Very hands-on with clean recycled products. Location: 4401 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575. For more information, 843.238.0874.
2/28. The Ocean and Us at the Myrtle Beach State Park. Held from 10 am to 11 am, this kid-friendly event includes fascinating information about the earth, the ocean, and all of us. Learn about toothpaste and ice cream. Ask questions about the ocean's plants and animals. Event is free with park admission at 4401 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575. For more information, 843.238.0874.
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Guest Comments
We would like to pass along the following commendations from guests at Grande Shores:
Hello to all at the Grande Shores ocean resort. On behalf of the Browns, we would like to thank you for the wonderful time we have there every Christmas. It is always a real treat. Again thank you for the wonderful stay. See Ya again next year!
Email from the Brown Family, January 7, 2009
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. Yes, I have already booked with the other but as I said we enjoy staying at Grande Shores and we will be back there. I will make sure to contact you directly when we do.
Email to Reservations from Renee J., December 30, 2008.
We stayed at the Grand Shores Hotel on 77th. St. Was apprehensive about the rates that I received on the internet. Everything was just as it was promised, perhaps better. The view from our hotel room was wonderful. We stayed in 1125. We were there mid-September. If I come back to that area, I will definitely consider staying there. It was cheaper than a Kabin at KOA campground, which has two beds and a television. Thanks for a wonderful vacation on the beach, which is what my wife was looking forward to. Signed: A satisfied customer.
Email to Grande Shores from Larry C., Carthage, TN, December 22, 2008.
General Fun Facts
Here is a variety of interesting facts about this area and/or seaside life in general:
It is no wonder that many visitors to South Carolina, whether on vacation or on business, decide to make this state their permanent home. People of all cultures seem to enjoy our slower pace of life, easy breathing, and rich heritage of natural, cultural, and historic assets.
Our sand has bits of quartz rock, shell, coral, plankton, and even space dust in it. Look for sharks' teeth, too, if you are beach-combing.
Types of sand include non-tropical silica/quartz sand, black volcanic sand, heavy mineral sand, orangy-pink coral sand, bituminous (or oil) sands, gypsum sand, green chlorite-glauconite sands, yellow quartz crystal sand, and a number of other variations, depending on content.
Balloons make a great inexpensive substitute for beach balls (be sure not to leave any balloon residue on the beach for birds and animals to eat and injure themselves.) Use a plastic bucket as a "basket-balloon" hoop.
The Alabama Theatre is the official State Historic Theatre, designated by an act of the legislators in 1990.
There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.
The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world.
Programming over South Carolina's Educational Television Network (ETN) increasingly enhances our both our quality of life and also our business climate, so says the Business and Economic Review. This network bring cutting-edge technologies into our schools, too.
Welcoming Groups to Grande Shores
Our thanks to the Offense/Defense group for selecting Grande Shores this month. They enjoyed a pleasurable stay with us at Grande Shores and found our staff most helpful in arranging their needs.
If your school group, reunion, or family meeting is looking for accommodations at a location where there is something for everyone in your group to do, consider Grande Shores. Our location in Myrtle Beach makes us one of the most affordable and yet functional spots along the Grand Strand.
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