Grande Shores Resort located in Myrtle Beach, South Caronlina
 

 
January 2010
Family Vacation & Golf Newsletter

Welcome to the New Year and to Grande Shores' first newsletter of 2010!

During the past several weeks, our bout of chilly north air kept some people here at the beach from spending much time outside, but a trend toward warmer weather suggests that perhaps the arctic blast has "left the building," so to speak. In between weather fronts of rain and wind, so typical at this time of year, we enjoy our usual seasonal 50-60 degree range under vibrant sunshine. Won't you consider joining in on the fun as the Grand Strand has many activities and areas to explore?

Enthusiasts in sports, shopping, and travel have apparently been undeterred by any temperatures dips. We have observed some surfers skimming over the waves, protected from the chill with wetsuits. Our friends from Canada and northern U. S. states continue to take long walks on the beach, sometimes even in bare feet when the temperatures come up. No matter what the weather, they enjoy the many planned activities of game night, movies, day trips, and meeting new friends.

During these quieter months when the bathing-suit crowds remain indoors, we at Grande Shores have been busy making improvements to the property, as needed. Our staff has been taking inventory of what needs painting, tightening, and replacing for our guests. Always on the move to find ways to make vacations even more memorable and pleasant, we are covering every part of the property with our scrutiny to see how to make things better. With warm weather just around the corner, we are wasting no time in preparing for Spring and Summer!

Meanwhile, the enduring friendships that we have with our "snowbirds" who are here with us now makes even the chilliest of days inviting. Some long-term guests arrived for the first time this season, to be delightfully pleased with the breath-taking views in their rooms - so impressed that many have expressed interest in returning next year, too. No wonder that long-term guests seem more like our extended family members than seasonal guests!

We are here for you when you are ready for a get-away to the beach!

Your Friends at Grande Shores Resort



Facebook and Grande Shores

Have you seen Grande Shores through Facebook? Be our "friend" through Facebook and enjoy reading about guests' experiences, seeing our latest offers and activities as they are first made public, and checking out photos of events as we download them. Facebook is a way for you to explore more about Grande Shores with even more depth than you find on our web site.

Click here or on the icon to find out more.


Grande Shores' Featured Employee of the Month - George Thompson

George Thompson has been with Grande Shores since the property was built, assisting with opening the hotel rooms and setting up the pools at this property and the sister property next door. Originally from Ohio, he did not arrive here in Myrtle Beach as a pool specialist, though.

George came to Myrtle Beach in 1985 from Warren, Ohio, after retiring from Republic LTV Steele. Because he and his wife Mary Ruth had enjoyed vacationing here, George was drawn back to the beach where he looked forward to relaxing in the warm sunshine. He bought a townhome in Surfside, even sight unseen, in order to speed up the move and set up his home, hoping to lure his eldest son still in Ohio to move his own family down here.

To keep busy, he worked in landscaping and pool maintenance until a friend who had acquired a resort asked him to maintain a building and pools. For George, this project evolved into pool specialization where he was asked to take care of all the pools. Now, with his "CPO" certification, George works hard, vacationing when possible here and in Florida where one of his sons lives, all the while building his skills and knowledge in the field of pool amenities.

George still enjoys relaxing with his family on vacation or surf fishing. Additionally, he remains immersed in his work at Grande Shores and our sister property next door as our pool specialist. He said that he hopes someday to persuade his eldest son, still enjoying Ohio, to move here, but for now his time spent in saltwater fishing (what the locals call surf fishing), taking care of all the pool amenities here, and having fun with his family whenever they visit is in all a fine way to live.


Happenings at Grande Shores

  • Christmas and New Year's Eve parties at Grande Shores

    Grande Shores' employees enjoyed Christmas in the various departments where homemade goodies tempted every taste bud. This same festive spirit carried over to our long term guests staying here through the holidays. New Year's Eve included dinner parties both at the Shoreline Café and on the 6th floor where fifty-five members of the Vintage Club, a group of seasoned traveling friends shown here, came together at the year's end, as they do each year.

  • Jenna Hillman, Front Desk Manager

    Those of you who have been visiting us for years will know this face and name. With much experience gained from having been with the company since 2002, Jenna Hillman has been involved with many guest-related activities here at Grande Shores so that she is undoubtedly on your "friends" list. Originally, she began working as a part-time night auditor, rising to the position of full-time Front Office Manager. She enjoys what she does: meeting new guests and welcoming back returning guests. So, at your next visit, please stop in and say hello to Jenna. She is waiting to welcome you back to Grande Shores!

  • Felix Maya from our Engineering Department used his skills in interior make-over to paint the pre-function area of our conference room. The end result is a beautiful space where groups can get together. We are extremely proud of the way the job that Felix did to create a warm and inviting appearance in the room by removing wallpaper and adding fresh paint. As Felix can tell you, it was hard work but well worth the benefits it will bring to all who use this space!

  • Erin Ciccone comes to the Grande Shores' team from front desk responsibilities at one of our sister properties. Beginning in December, 2009, she has worked as Groups Sales Coordinator for both Grande Shores and the adjacent sister property, using her organizational and communication skills in planning and coordinating banquets and weddings, pursuing leads, and educating groups about our wonderful amenities. Erin's primary goal in this job is to ensure that individuals and groups have the best possible trip experience, resulting in return visits, whether a family reunion, wedding, or retired travelers. Born in New York, she has lived in the Myrtle Beach area since age 5 and recently graduated from the College of Charleston with BS degrees in Business Administration and Hospitality and Tourism Management. Welcome to Grande Shores, Erin!



    Featured Recipe - Lentil Soup

    This fresh-tasting and hearty soup recipe serves 4 and takes approximately 20 minutes of preparation time.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 red onion
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 lemon
    • Generous pinch crushed chili
    • 1 1/3 cups mushrooms
    • 6 ripe tomatoes or 1 ¾ cups chopped tomatoes
    • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    • 2 chicken stock cubes
    • 1 quart (plus a splash) of boiling water
    • 2/3 cup cooked lentils (from packet or can)
    • Handful young spinach leaves

    DIRECTIONS:

    • Boil the water.
    • Peel and chop the onion and soften in 2 tbsp olive oil with zest from the lemon cut into small scraps, the chili and ½ tsp salt. Coarsely chop the mushrooms.
    • Pour boiling water over the tomatoes and count to 30.
    • Drain the water and remove the skins. Chop the tomatoes.
    • Stir in mushrooms and balsamic vinegar into the onions and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.
    • Add tomatoes and the stock cubes dissolved in 1 (plus splash) quart of boiling water from the kettle. Bring to the boil. Then simmer for about 15 minutes until thick and luscious.
    • Stir in the lentils. Heat through and add the spinach.
    • When the spinach has wilted, add seasoning with salt and pepper to taste preferences. Serve with a lemon wedge to squeeze over the top, adding a splash of your best olive oil.





    Our First Princess in the Princess Package


    Greetings to Her Royal Highness Nevaeh!

    This young guest and her family arrived during the third week of the month for their Princess package, and Grande Shores brought out its most creative team to decorate the bedroom of "Her Royal Highness" to help make her stay into a majestic success.

    Princess Nevaeh is our first youngster to participate in the new package, something that brings an additional splash of magic to a beach stay! For this particular visit, promises from the weatherman included sunshine for part of the weekend, too! We understand from Princess Nevaeh that she is very excited to lead the way for others to participate in this package at Grande Shores. Her mom conveyed the youngster's joy at seeing the "Princess bed" decorations. In Princess Nevaeh's own words, "The best thing about being a princess," she said, "is that I get to walk around and be nice to people." In addition to the adoration and attention from her "court," the Princess loves wearing her tiara and waving her wand around. From that, magic is bound to happen!

    The Princess package includes a "royal" certificate for being Grande Shores' special princess, embellishments befitting her royal status (tiara, wand, and other adornments), breakfast for one of the days of the stay, and an abundance of our royal treatment!

    If your young person would like to be honored with our "royal" treatment, our Perfectly Pampered Prince and Princess package makes a wonderful treat for rewarding, greeting, or revitalizing any youngster! Click here to go online to the website or call Reservations to arrange this luxurious experience!


    Groups at Grande Shores



    We love having groups come to stay with us, whether for several months as some snowbirds from Canada or New England do or for a long weekend as some locals enjoy.
    • Snowbirds
    • Two Pastoral Covenant groups
    • Vintage Club
    • Offense / Defense
    • Faith Presbyterian Church



    Activities at Grande Shores during the Winter



    Those already here enjoying the panoramic views of the ocean from your accommodations are probably already aware of the many activities, posted on bulletin boards and in elevators, that we plan for your amusement while you over-winter here. If you are yet to arrive, here are just a few of the events here at the beach that bring you in touch with things you enjoy doing and people you enjoy meeting. If you have an idea, too, let us hear from you!

    • Monday Night - Game night in the Conference Center on the 6th floor of the Grande Shores. Attendees are asked to bring cards or favorite board games. [Game Night is subject to change due should the Conference Center be needed for larger events. The alternative site for Game Night is the Horizon Conference Center.]
    • Every other Wednesday -- Bingo
    • 02/03 ~ Meet-and-Greet Breakfast
    • 02/04 ~ Movie Night Grande Shores
    • 02/06 ~Comedy Cabana
    • 02/13 ~ Bowling Competition
    • 02/18 ~ Movie Night Grande Shores
    • 02/20 ~ Winter Parrot Head Festival
    • 02/27 ~ The One Show
    • 02/28 ~ Dinner Around the World
    		•   Guest Comments


    Just wanted to thank you [Kathy Phillips and the front desk staff] for all of your work to make this year's trip one of the best in our 17 years of coming down. … both weather wise and accommodation wise, [the week] was fantastic. We are already looking forward to the 2011 trip, God willing, so take it easy for the next 7 or 8 months until we talk again. Have a great year. One slight request: you are so close in proximity to the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, [and] we have wanted to play there for a long time, so work out a deal with them for a smallish surcharge so we can add that to the courses for our next trip. God Bless and once again, thank you and your Golf Department for another outstanding golfing experience from your Cincinnati friends!
    Guest Comment sent to Kathy Phillips in the Golf Department from the Knapp Golf Group of Ohio, 01.21.10.

    We stayed in an oceanfront efficiency [at Grande Shores] which was fully supplied. The chicken wings from the Shoreline Cafe were fab! Well maintained, friendly staff. Washer and dryer on-site.
    Guest comment on Priceline.com by Kim of Ohio, 01.11.2010.

    Grande Shores has a top notch cleaning staff. Our condo was spotless upon check-in, and it was maintained on the days we requested service.
    Newsletter response email from Mallow Family, West Virginia. 12.17.09.

    We were 16 eager golfer scattered in four 3-bedroom apartments. All that I can say is that everyone was pleased with the apartments that we had. They were all oceanfront. The view on the ocean was fantastic, and the apartment layout was great, and we had lots of space to roam around. After coming back from our golf games we all enjoyed relaxing in one of the hot tubs on the 7th floor. Up to now we have stayed at Grand Shores, [and other sister properties] We have never had any regrets at staying with your group. There will definitely be a repeat…this time my group will be even bigger. The word is being spread around at how great a time we had at Myrtle Beach and every guy in the group is convincing some friends to join in for next fall. We will have to reserve 6 or 7 apartments for our annual outing. By the way the breakfast buffet was just great as well.
    Newsletter response email from Légaré Golf Group, Québec, Canada. 12.23.09.

    I stayed in [Grande Shores in] November and had such a great time I decided to come back just before Christmas. The rooms are large and all have a full size refrigerator. If you like, you can get an efficiency or a full condo here too. The bar and restaurant are very convenient and fun with a good mix of local flavor and out of town guests. Eric and Tracy behind the bar are GREAT, and the food I have tired has been very good. The location is great, quiet enough but close enough to all the action, theatres and shopping. Definitely a great value. I know I will be back very soon.
    Guest comment on Trip Advisor.com by markmbaha, 12.30.09.



    Fun Facts


    Here is a well known fact. According to many cultures and customs here and across the world, winter is when nature sleeps. Bears hibernate, plants go dormant, and we sleep late on weekends because the day light is short. The human body knows this well, but the brain sometimes overrides the natural impulses in favor of staying up late for holiday parties, drinking icy cold beverages during late night football games right before bedtime on a work night with an early setting on the alarm clock. Modern life can be rough on the cave dweller.

    When winter time takes its special toll on our kidneys, adrenal glands, and bladders, it is time to make amends. Our bodies become imbalanced in winter through eating junk foods, sleeping sporadically, and missing chances to exercise. With decreased energy, we invite illness to our bodies (colds, flu, poor circulation, low vitality, and seasonal mood disorders). While some blame the cold temperature, the real cause for winter-time sickness is often mistreatment of ourselves.

    Here are some ways to get back to the natural rhythm of the body:
    • Sleep more. "Early to bed" is not just a slogan. If you can, wait for sunrise before getting up in the morning.
    • Take a 20- to 30-minute easy walk one hour before bed to improve the quality of sleep.
    • Think low-key. Avoid experiencing excessive emotions in the winter.
    • Lie low. Stay quiet and cuddle up.
    • Get outside where natural sunlight beams its positive effects on you. The light triggers your body to produce mood-balancing chemicals such as serotonin. [Note: even in winter, wear sunscreen between 10 AM and 3 PM.]
    • Avoid perspiring excessively. The issue is not so much perspiration as the loss of energy in winter.
    • Limit activities to one or two a day, as possible, with personal time built into your routine. This includes watching TV which we all overuse.
    • Avoid cold and raw foods (even cold salads), including icy beverages in winter.
    • Reduce salt to protect kidneys.
    • Increase bitter flavors in the diet, a kidney enhancer.
    • Protect the mid section of your body from temperature extremes. Dress warmly (zip up those jackets even from house to car) and pay particular attention to the torso or middle area where energy is stored (heart, lungs, etc.). While at rest, use a heating pad, lap cat, or hot-water bottle on the middle zone to replenish energy.



    Local Events Calendar


    Click here to see the calendar of events on our web site. January can be a fulfilling time to spend at the beach!.

     

     


    201 77th Avenue North   |   Myrtle Beach, SC 29572   |      |   UK and Germany: 00800-1231-2302

     
    Grande Shores Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC
    		Grande Shores Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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