Pieri wins contest

September 26, 2012 - It’s better odds than the Lottery.  A single guess had a 1 in 24 chance of being right. Diana Pieri guessed and guessed right and won the NorthMyrtleBeachOnline.Com/Norstar Adventures Vacation Adventure. Pieri competed against over 10,600 people who viewed the call to enter the contest on NorthMyrtleBeachOnline.Com’s Facebook page.

The prize, valued at $625, was a full 8 hour day private cruise on the water for four people on the 34 foot Norstar.  The cruise leaves from Little River, the oldest village in Horry County dating back to the early 18th century and journeys up the Intracoastal Waterway.  Then the charter sails the Atlantic offshore North Myrtle Beach in the early afternoon and cruises until the sun sets. Food is provided during the day L-R Diana Pieri, Beth & John Schawb, Harry Pieriand hors d’oeuvres and two bottles of wine in the evening.

Captains John and Beth Schwab of Norstar Adventures met Diana and Harry Pieri recently to congratulate them and introduce them to the Norstar.
 
Diana Pieri told Beth and John, “Since I was in the 7th grade, I’ve loved sailboats. I used to go to the library and tear out sailboat pictures [from] magazines and try to not get caught. In art class my teacher would beg me to do something besides a sailboat.  Then when I worked at Santa Fe Station, we would go out with a friend every Wednesday on their sailboat. We would rarely sail but when we did, the way it feels, the experience; it’s so much different than a motorboat. I just fell in love with it; I just love it.”

She saw the contest on Facebook and was drawn to it because of the sailboat but was wary, afraid that someone was going to steal personal information. “But, I said, you know, these folks are local. I can find them if I have a problem” and Diana entered the contest.

The Pieri family, Diana, Harry and son Constantino, have a cruiser.  But Diana is dissatisfied with it because of the noise. “He’s up there steering and there’s no conversation.  We have been considering sailboats for years.”

Diana and Harry Pieri are local entrepreneurs.  In 2002, they bought Basil’s Pizza, now in its eleventh season under their stewardship. “Every year has been better than the last.” Basil’s Pizza is located at the corner of Sea Mountain and Spring Street across from the lighthouse at Boulineau’s.  Both have backgrounds in restaurant operations; Diana with Santa Fe and Harry with Friendly’s and Overtime Sports.

Diana also is owner/broker of Basil’s Realty.  Her mother was a realtor and she had been working with her since she was 19.  Diana started the Basil’s Realty in 2008.

Harry, evidently seeing the possibility of a sailboat in his future, asked if some of the eight hours could be sailing lessons. John and Beth assured him, “It’s your trip. We can work a lesson in it. You can kick back and relax or help sail the boat; learn a little about sailing.”

“I’m very excited about this. I think if you love something, it follows you. It keeps coming back knocking on your door.  There was a reason I won this. This was meant to be.” summed up Diana.