May 19, 2013 Little River, SC – Sunday started out overcast with occasional sputtering rain – never enough to drive attendees indoors but just enough to be noticeable and maybe keep a few folks away from the final day of the two day World Famous Blue Crab Festival.  Held in a waterfront community just a few miles north of North Myrtle Beach, the festival draws a two-day crowd of 50,000 or more visitors to a 10 acre track along the Intracoastal Waterway marinas and docks of Little River, SC.
 
With 50,000 people coming into the small community over two days, traffic, sometimes backing into North Myrtle Beach, and parking was a challenge on Saturday.  However, Sunday was a different story. In the past fifteen years we have never been on Mineola on festival day without back to back traffic. It must have been the speculative weather kept people away in the morning.  Which was good for us since parking was easily found.  Whereas on Saturday, we were told, crowds were the usual shoulder to shoulder. We spot checked throughout the day on Sunday and, unfortunately for the vendors and the organizers, the traffic seemed to remain light.
 
Entering, what immediately caught our eye inside the food area was a huge display of the makings for delicious Greek food – the thin slices of beef, chicken, pork or lamb and caramelized onions to make Greek gyro sandwiches. Next to the gyro makings were heaps of lettuce and tomatoes topped with feta cheese all setting there just ready to be piled on a plate for a Greek salad.  But it didn’t stop there. In the backdrop on the grill were mouthwatering chicken and beef kabobs just ready to be tossed upon one’s plate.   The vendor that put all this together was Black Jack, Inc. Clint McElhaney brought Black Jack, Incorporated back for the third year in a row from Tallahassee, Florida. McElhaney said, “We do about 42 festivals a year.  This one ranks up there with the best and we will be returning again.”  McElhaney said business was good yesterday and with the weather improving, the entertainment beginning later on, the crowds should be much better that in the morning.

All the way from Merrill Inlet was John Suddreth with The Olive Shop.  Suddreth said, “This is the second time we have been here.  This is a great festival.  The people are wonderful. There are great vendors and wonderful entertainment. We do about 25 festivals a year and this is in at least the top three. We looked forward to returning.  We sell extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, hand stuffed olives, olive spreads and one incredible martini mix.  Our products come from all over the world - Spain, Italy, Greece, even from some state-side olive groves.  Our stores are located in Barefoot Landing, the Cotton Exchange in Wilmington and the Lazy Gator in Murrells Inlet.”  For more information on the Olive Shop go to www. BeachOliveOils.com.

Right across from Black Jack was Long’s Seafood. Richard Long was manning the booth and he explained that his family has been in the seafood business since 1926.  They catch their seafood daily with their own boats. He comes from a long line of commercial fishermen.  “Business is improving all the time. People appreciate good fresh local seafood and that is what we deal with. Nothing frozen, nothing imported. Comes straight from our boat to your plate,” said Long.  Long’s Seafood Market is located at 1569 Hwy 17 in Little River.
 
In addition to these street vendors, embedded within the event boundaries are the seafood restaurants that are the favorites of North Myrtle Beach and other local residents – Patio’s Tiki Bar and Grill, Captain Jules’ Hurricane Restaurant, Fibbers on the Water, Crab Catchers, and Key West Crazy.  Festival goers can select from their menus and enjoy oysters on the half shell, soft shell crabs sandwiches, shrimp and grits, grouper bites, seafood stew, popcorn shrimp, conch fritters or even gator bites.
 
But everything wasn’t about food. Right inside the entry gate we found Connie Sheie who has been attending this festival for the past four years. Connie’s Eye is based in Ocean Isle Beach and offers premium ladies handbags from Montreal, Canada.  Connie said, “We offer something for everyone.  Our bags are mostly mid grade Wendy Margulies and Pam Graberleather, but sometimes we have premo leather. They all are beautifully done with just stunning colors.”  She does about 12 to 14 festivals a year and believes that the Blue Crab Festival is one of the best.

On the way out we stoped and talked to the volunteers that man the ticket booths.They are among the 200 unpaid people that it takes to make this event happen.  Wendy Margulies and Pam Graber were long time volunteers with Margulies hitting seven years while Pam Graber has been involved for almost half the duration of the World Famous Little River Blue Crab Festival – fifteen Years.  What do they get from volunteering? A sense of satisfaction of giving back to their community and a FREE Limited Edition "Volunteer" T-Shirt that features this year's festival logo on a unique T-Shirt color that is Not Available for Sale.  So, if you see one of these ‘lime’ green Tee’s you know that individual was part of this historic event. Pam Graber said, “I just love the experience.”

For a collection of pictures of the event taken on Sunday go to our photo album. 

May 17, 2013 Little River, SC – A little waterfront community just a few miles north of North Myrtle Beach, SC has been holding a festival that draws a crowd that exceeds its 9,000 population by a factor of five and the 200 volunteers required to put it on will strain it’s resources. The two day World Famous Blue Crab Festival will bring 50,000 or more visitors to a 10 acre track along the oldest remaining operational fishing village in South Carolina.
 
This year’s event will showcase 250 food and specialty arts and crafts vendors, music and children activities.  As last year, seafood will only be available from the local waterfront restaurants – not from food vendors.   Still, festival-goers can get funnel cake, hot dogs, hoagies, BBQ and other foods they are accustomed to from outside food vendors.
 
However, to get that fresh caught right-right-out-of the Atlantic Ocean, the festival-goer does not have to leave the area. Embedded within the event boundaries are the seafood restaurants that are the favorites of North Myrtle Beach and other local residents – Patio’s Tiki Bar and Grill, Captain Jules’ Hurricane Restaurant, Fibbers on the Water, Crab Catchers, and Key West Crazy.  Select from their menus and enjoy oysters on the half shell, soft shell crabs sandwiches, shrimp and grits, grouper bites, seafood stew, popcorn shrimp, conch fritters or even gator bites.

Entertainment this year will feature multiple award winning Craig Woolard Band, Carolina Soul Band, Jim Quick and Coastline and The Fantastic Shakers.
 
With 50,000 people coming into the small community over two days, traffic and parking is always a challenge.  Festival organizers are doing everything possible to minimize the impact.  Last year saw a huge expansion of home and lot owners along Mineola Avenue and the side streets opening up for parking and that is expected to continue this year.  Horry County Police, Horry County Sherriff and the SC Highway Patrol will be on hand in larger numbers to keep the traffic flowing.

In addition, off area parking is available with shuttle service. The following locations will be providing free parking: Lowe's Foods Store at 2575 Highway 179, Hope Willard 701 Highway 17, River Hills Medical Plaza 4237 River Hills Drive and Collision Masters at 825 Highway 17.

Admission price is nominal - $5 per day at the gate.  Hours are 9 am to 6 pm each day. Grab you walking shoes and your appetite and visit one of the best festivals along the Grand Strand.  

For more information see http://www.bluecrabfestival.org/index.html.
 

May 14, 2003 North Myrtle Beach, SC – A couple that claimed all they were doing was skinning dipping in the wee hours of Sunday morning and were not at fault because when they returned to the beach someone had stolen their clothes.
 
The couple, Kyle Martin Schnoebelen, age 22 of Fairfax, VA and Jasmine Kim Walton, age 21 of Potomac Falls, VA were discovered by a North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Officer while on normal beach patrol.

In addition to charges of public nudity, Walton was charged with disorderly conduct when, apparently intoxicated, she was uncooperative and argumentative.
The arresting officer called for assistance and both parties were covered with sheets and transported to jail.

Both have been released – Walton on bail and Schnoebelen after paying a fine of $315.

May 13, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – Great food, super entertainment and ideal weather brought out thousands on Saturday to the eight North Myrtle Beach’s Mayfest on Main.
 
The street festival, beginning at 10 am and continuing until 6 pm, had activities for everyone from music lovers, crafters and those looking for a wide range of food choices. Restaurants located on Main Street placed tables and chairs in front of their establishments where people could sit and enjoy food and their favorite beverage.

We arrived just as John Waite, a British-born rock singer, was on the Horseshoe stage. Along with the festival provided chairs and benches, many brought their own seating and enjoyed the beat of Waite’s music and settled down for an all afternoon stay. We, however, went out to explore the range of things North Myrtle Beach’s Mayfest on May offered and talk to many of the vendors.

We have always heard that pottery-making is for those who love to explore their creative side; who need a hobby that can sooth and relax them, and for those who simply enjoy getting down in the mud. We think that description fits local pottery artist John Bilicki.  His booth, right in the mist of everything, was where he and his wife Kathy were sitting and relaxing as potential customers were inside their booth examining John’s plates, platters, dishes and bowl creations.  Asked about his involvement with pottery, John said, “I have been doing my pottery for six years.  I was a frustrated artist but I was a business man.  When I retired my right brain took over.  I tried a little painting, carving, etc. and found pottery and that seems to be the think I like doing.  I don’t sell on line. I sell at galleries and Kathy and I do a lot of shows.”  This is his second Mayfest and he and Kathy do about 8 to10 shows a year locally and as far away as Wilmington.

Local as well as out of town vendors were represented. John Roleson with Live Oak Kettle Corn was set up on Main Street near the Horseshoe.  Roleson said, “I have my store down in Myrtle Beach across from the zip line.  We provide snow cones kettle corn, cotton candy, handmade lemonade and pork rinds. We come up hear all the time.  This has been a really good event for us.”
 
Peggy Joline and her husband were manning a booth for Trinity United Methodist Church. They were selling crafts made by church members and a really unusual and interesting service – flocking.  If you want to celebrate someone’s birthday, anniversary or just say hi in a special way, the Church will arrange to place at their house a flock of pink plastic flamingos with a sign that says you’ve been flocked. “We do this to raise money for our missions program.  We charge $1 per Flamingo with a 25 minimum.  All anyone has to do is call the church office and make arrangements as to when, where and how. Within 24hrs, the flamingos will be in the place you designate,” said Joline.

The sight and great smells coming from a cooker full of sauce-soaked smoked ribs caught our attention. If there is one single thing that the South takes pride in, it’s barbecue, so we had to find out who was behind the great aromas. We found the man in charge and spoke to Assistant Pastor Robert Edwards of the Miracle Temple Family Fellowship from Lake View, SC.  Lake View is over 50 miles from North Myrtle Beach. “The church does about 56 shows to raise funds for our church’s mission,” said Pastor Edwards. Along with Pastor Edwards was seven other church members engaged in cooking and serving the really delicious food.
 
We talked to one of their customers who was just finishing a plate of ribs, Cole Slaw and french fries. How did they rate the food? Diane Bentley said, “I’m a big fan – its mouth watering. Whenever I see Miracle Temple at any of the local festivals, I just have to have a plate.”

Thousands of people enjoyed the event and everyone we talked with said they look forward to doing it again next year.
 

May 13, 2013 North Myrtle beach, SC – Good news for residents of North Myrtle Beach came with a first vote on the Fiscal Year 2014 budget that will be effective on July 1st of this year and end June 30th of next year.  The 38 mils tax rate will stay the same as the past year which includes 6 mils to pay for the Sports Complex bonds.  The only increases will come in increases in water fees by 8 cents, sewer fees by 10 cents and a 5% increase in impact fees.

Second reading will occur on May 20th and the ordinance is expected to pass as the budget has been thoroughly vetted at this point.  City staff begins the process in November targeting early March to present the details to the Council in a two day retreat.
 
The overall budget for FY 2014 will be $82,210,070 – a reduction of over $1.5 million from the current year. The decrease is attributed to the continuation of several major projects which include the construction of the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex and major drainage improvements for the Main Street area.
The budget also reflects an increase in overall regular employment with the elimination of two regular positions and the addition of five regular positions to Parks and Recreation for maintenance of the new 169-acre facility.  With these changes North Myrtle Beach staff will increase from 366 to 371.

But what does staff think of next year’s economy? Their view is reflected in forecasts for some key indicators – revenues from accommodation tax, hospitality tax, business license fees, building permits, and inspection fees.

Staff expects building construction to stay flat with no increase budgeted in building permits. However, they have a rosy outlook for tourism.  Twenty seven percent  more in accommodation tax revenues and 5.1% in hospitality tax revenues is including in the budget.

Correspondingly, with tourists spending more money, businesses have more gross receipts and that drives up business license fees – about 2.7% more in this budget.

By Fran Signorino

The story begins in 1908  - over 100 years ago.  The West Virginia countryside was blooming with colorful wild flowers on the hillsides.  In a little country church, Ms. Anna Reeves Jarvis, surrounded by the sights and sounds with which she grew up, caused the first Mother's Day Sunday to be observed.
 
Her mother had passed away two years before, but the memory lived on.  Just one year following the mother's death; her still-bereaved daughter announced her intentions of founding a day to pay tribute to America's moms.
 
A year of persuading Philadelphia civic leaders ensued led by the reigning American merchant, John Wanamaker, to back her crusade.  Politicians, business leaders, educators and others joined the movement.  
 
What had been a "good try," however, fell of its own weight:  the concept was too sophisticated for the societal position of mothers and women in general.  Despite the international leadership and sponsorship, women crusading for peace in the world never could be in the environment of that day.  It took sons, daughters, parents and friends all over the nation to give new life and enthusiasm to Mother's Day.
 
In 1913, the U.S. Congress, by joint resolution made Mother's Day a national holiday.   In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first official announcement proclaiming the second Sunday in May a national holiday.  
 
Today Mother's Day is observed across the seas and in more than 100 countries of the developed world.  It has an avalanche of acceptance.
 
Jarvis was generations ahead of her time in her view of feminism.  Today 75 percent of all mothers with children under the age of 5 work outside the home at least some part of the week.  In fact, more women than men are enrolled in college.
 
Women practice medicine, law, engineering, teaching, politics and social work -- every profession and skill once dominated solely by men. 
 
A Happy Mother's Day to all on Sunday, May 12th.

May 10, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – On Monday, the North Myrtle Beach City Council passed a resolution authorizing Chris Noury, the city attorney, to begin the steps necessary to condemn two lots adjacent to the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve.  The seven acre Heritage Shores Nature Preserve was created in 2007 by the City of North Myrtle Beach through a swap of property and a closure of a portion of Heritage Drive and blockage of the undeveloped 56th Avenue North. The two lots subject to condemnation are off the undeveloped 56th Avenue North.

As a part of the Cherry Grove dredging project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requires the City to offset the effects the dredging will make on wetlands by acquiring an equivalent amount. This offset process is called compensatory wetlands mitigation and is the process of compensating for unavoidable impacts to wetland areas by the restoration and protection of another wetland area. Wetlands compensatory mitigation is part of a set of standards implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Corps of Engineers to promote "no net loss" of wetlands.

Under the EPA and Corps of Engineers regulations, the City of North Myrtle Beach had three options to mitigate the wetland damage that would occur with the Cherry Grove Dredging. One method would be to purchase environmental credits from a wetland mitigation bank. The Corps of Engineers determines the amount of "credits" an applicant must obtain to receive their permit under this method. Other methods to satisfy the mitigation requirement would be in-lieu fee mitigation or permitee-responsible mitigation. The city chose the latter option which required the purchase of wetlands that could be protected from future development.  Incorporation of the two lots on 56th Ave. North into the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve would meet that requirement.

The City has been unable to acquire the land through negotiations with the owner and decided to invoke its authority to acquire the property at fair market value via eminent domain. The power to take private property for public use by a municipality is provided under Title 28 of South Carolina code of laws following the payment of just compensation.

The process the North Myrtle Beach City Attorney will follow will be to file with the clerk of court of common pleas a condemnation petition and a deposit of up to $10,000.  The City of North Myrtle Beach will then take immediate possession of the property.  The actual amount to be paid to the owner will be determined at trial unless resolved.

May 7, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – Giving a kick start to summer, North Myrtle Beach is hosting Mayfest – a street festival featuring all the best aspects of food, arts and crafts and entertainment.
 
On Main Street, Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm, around 15,000 people will gather to stroll among approximately 100 crafters displaying a variety of crafts and offering typical festival foods.
 
Read ‘Mayfest is Just around the Corner’ for full details and schedule.

See more pictures like these at North Myrtle Beach Online’s Facebook page.  We’ve assembled a collection from the past eight years of pictures from past Mayfest on Main Festivals. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/NorthMyrtleBeachOnline?ref=tn_tnmn. 

May 1, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC - NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released their 2013 forecast today saying that the Atlantic basin is expected to see an above-normal hurricane season.  Their forecast calls for 12 to 18 named storms of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher.  Of those that become hurricane, NOAA estimates 3 to 6 would be category 3 or greater. The forecast is for the period beginning June 1 and ending on November 30. The full press release can be found at http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110519_atlantichurricaneoutlook.html
 
NOAA’s 2013 forecast falls in line with those previously released by the Weather Channel and Colorado State University.
 
In early April, the Weather Channel released its forecast calling for 16 named storms, of which 9 will be hurricanes.  Of those that reach hurricane status 5 will be major hurricanes category 3 or greater.

Also in early April, forecasters at Colorado State University released their Atlantic hurricane forecast for the 2013 season yesterday, calling for 18 tropical storms, 9 of which will be hurricanes.  The Colorado State forecast says of the 9 predicted hurricanes, 4 would be major hurricanes - Categories 3, 4 or 5 - with sustained wind speeds of 111 mph or greater.

These forecast numbers are above the annual average of 12.1 tropical storms, of which 6.4 are hurricanes and 2.7 are major hurricanes reaching at least Category 3 strength.  The Weather Channel notes that this average is derived from records dating back to 1950 and, in their release, emphasized that the average for the current active era from 1995-2012 is higher - 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, 4 major hurricanes.

The Weather Channel has been producing hurricane seasonal forecasts for the Atlantic Ocean since 2006.
 
Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project has been issuing seasonal forecasts since 1984.

The number of named storms and hurricanes in all three forecasts closely track the actual 2012 hurricane season with 19 named storms and ten hurricanes.  However, the forecasts are calling for more major hurricanes.  Last season only  two were category 3 or greater – Michael, a category 3 that never reached land, and Sandy, also a category 3 that devastated the northeast.

By Chris Carbone, Seacoast Anglers Association

May 1, 2013 North Myrtle Beach/Little River, SC - The fishing reports of late have been very few and far between for some reason. Usually the reports come to me from club members if they are getting lucky but is very quiet at a time of the year when the fishing is starting to open up.

Many fellow members have been fishing inshore and in the creeks but they aren’t catching much out of the ordinary.

Bottom fishing offshore has opened for Vermillion Snapper (Beeliners). Along with them you can catch Triggerfish, White Grunt, Porgy (of various species), and Amberjack among others.

Grouper follows on May 1st and be open for the summer. We are hoping the regulations on Black Seabass, which reopens June 1st, are lifted for this year but won’t know that for sure for a couple more months.

I do have reports of surf fishermen having their share of luck presently. Club member Ton Zanoli got a nice 28” 6lb. Nluefish and a week later another member, Michael Schweiger, got a few Bluefish in the 17” and 18” range. Also a report came from a former member who caught some nice Black Drum in the surf as well. So they are there!

According to other reports, Flounder have been caught all along the ICW from Little River to Tubbs Inlet. Flounder are aggressive feeders and ambush smaller fish. They seldom forage to find food and prefer to take advantage of their natural camouflage in the mud and wait for the bait to come to them. They like to stay in the moving current. Thus it is important to keep your bait moving. Some anglers drift until they find them and once they do, then anchor-up. Once anchored-up, casting and retrieving slowly is what it takes. The tackle used lately seems to be 15-20 lb. braid with a 20 lb.fluorocarbon leader attached to a ¾ .oz jig head. Or use a ¾ .oz slide sinker above the leader, Carolina Rig style. Either way, add a Berkeley Gulp! bait or similar lure to get them excited. Mud minnows or strips cut from squid should be effective as well. Keep moving around and change up the bait until you hookup. Flounder move around, usually in schools.

Whiting and Croakers are here and there along the shore, surf and the piers. They will take a piece of cut bait off the bottom on light tackle.

Red Drum and Spotted Seatrout are in the back waters but soon they will be coming out to the Little River Jetties and there will be some big ones there. Leadheads on plastic lures work well and as the water gets warmer, use live bait. Live or fresh shrimp works best and fast water increases your chances. Try Sunset Beach area to Tubbs Inlet and the crossroads of Little River, ICW and Calabash River. The new Sunset Beach Pier at the site of the former pontoon bridge is producing a variety of fish as well.

Black Drum are in most of the creeks and waterways. As I have said before, frozen clams seem to work well when you can’t get fresh bait. Use a light braid line, lightest sinker possible will do it most times.

Sheepshead are out at the close reefs (Caudle Reef) and the piers or near any structure. You will catch them using shrimp, crabs, clams or barnacles. Live Fiddlers crabs are by far the best bait for you to be successful. Hook them through the sides and have the hook come up through the shell. Rig should be a 1oz. slide sinker, then a 80 lb. swivel on your reel line, and attach a #3/0 hook on a 12-inch 50 lb. fluorocarbon leader. On the spool you should have 30 lb. braid. In lieu of a slide sinker and hook, use a leadhead hook half the size. Drop the line as close to the structure as possible as that is where the Sheepshead are. They frequently nibble baits but fight
with brutish strength. Sheepshead are great bait stealers so stay alert and keep your line tight!

Offshore, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Tuna, and Dolphin will become more abundant as the month progresses. Seems to me they are late this year. Chatter on the internet has them at and around Frying Pan Tower, the Sherman wreck, the 390/390 and the 410/510. Really scattered so you have to inquire at the tackle shops to find where they really are right now before you go wasting fuel!

For the best up-to-date fishing information, stop in at the local tackle shops and along the waterfront. The area piers are also a good place to find out what is going on at the
moment.

Stop Wishin’... Go Fishin.’
If you have info on the local fishing,, email THE
ANCHOR at SeacoastAnglers@aol.com and let us know.