April 1,2013 North Myrtle Beach/Little River/Loris SC — On Thursday, March 28, McLeod Loris Seacoast celebrated Doctors’ Day, a time set aside each year to thank our doctors for their many contributions to our communities.  At McLeod Health, more than 750 physicians in Florence, Darlington, Dillon, Loris and Seacoast go above and beyond every day to provide exemplary care for their patients.

Members of the medical staff were honored at McLeod Loris and McLeod Seacoast with a special event that included a card of thanks and a gift as a token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication.  Many physicians were presented personal thoughts and expressions of gratitude submitted on their behalf by patients and staff. A Thank You card can still be submitted to a physician through April 5 at www.McLeodDocDay.org.

On March 30, 1958, a resolution commemorating Doctors’ Day was adopted by the US House of Representatives and in 1990 legislation was introduced in the House and Senate to establish a national Doctors’ Day.  Following overwhelming approval by the House and Senate, on October 30, 1990, President George Bush signed a resolution designating March 30th as National Doctors’ Day.

“We have been proud through the years of our very competent, compassionate and dedicated medical staff.  They have been and continue to be a key component to our success”, said James Craigie, MD, vice president of medical affairs.  “We appreciate all they do for our patients and we are honored to recognize them for their efforts.”
            
McLeod Loris and McLeod Seacoast provide care for residents of northern Horry and southern Brunswick and Columbus counties. Founded in 1950, McLeod Loris is a fully-accredited acute care facility with 105 licensed beds.  McLeod Seacoast opened in 2000 as an outpatient facility.  In July 2011, McLeod Seacoast began providing inpatient care as a 50-bed hospital. On January 9, 2012, both facilities became part of the McLeod family of quality healthcare facilities.  Other facilities located in Horry County affiliated with McLeod Health are Loris Extended Care Center and the Center for Health and Fitness.
 

April 1, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – April is a big month for North Myrtle Beach.  

CrossFit and ReeboK Fitness Demo

April 3, 2013 North Myrtle Beach/Little River, SC.  CrossFit North Myrtle Beach and Reebok Outlet are teaming up to introduce CrossFit to the local community.

Want to find out more about CrossFit? CrossFit North Myrtle Beach has teamed up with The Reebok Outlet at Tanger, 10835 Kings Road, Myrtle Beach off Hwy 22. On April 6th from 9am-4pm CrossFit members will offer the public a glimpse of what CrossFit is all about. They will be there to demonstrate their workouts, answer questions and give out information.

CrossFit North Myrtle Beach is located in Little River at 383 Strand Industrial Drive. Joel Bates or Darrin Jacques can be reached at (843) 560-6188.

North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum Opening

The old Horry County Library building at 799 2nd Avenue North has been converted to be the home for the North Myrtle Beach Historical museum.  Museum officials will hold a grand opening on April 7 featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Marilyn Hatley and local officials, a concert by the Rockin’ SamSonics band playing classic beach, country, and rock n' roll.  Refreshments will be provided by Carolina Quench makers of soft frozen flavored lemonade of Little River. The festivities will begin at 1 pm.

Museum officials will also hold a preview party on Saturday, April 6 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tickets for this event are $15 for museum members and $25 for non-members. Guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres and can participate in a silent auction to help raise funds.
 
SOS Spring Safari

Held this year from April 12 through April 21, the SOS Spring Safari brings to North Myrtle Beach Main Street and Ocean Drive clubs tens of thousands of Shag aficionados attracted to the night life.

Billed as the biggest adult party on the east coast, the event provides an early kick off for the summer tourist season and injection of much needed cash to the Strand.  Ron Whisenant, SOS President, said, “Coastal Carolina University did an impact study for us in 2007 that showed SOS brought in over $7.5 Million to the area over the ten day period.”

For the past nineteen years, Spring Safari ends with a much-see event! Member clubs plan, design and build parade floats for fun and a chance to win awards. The organization sets a theme – The Year of the Book – for this event and clubs compete for the most original float, best shag theme, best shagging troop and best club vehicle.
 
The parade will begin at 1 pm on Main Street, April 20th and features hundreds of units. Plan on bringing chairs because the parade will last at least two hours. And get there early as the Spring Safari Parade always draws one of the largest crowds of the year – mainly because of the hilarious and sometimes outrageous costumes.

By Chris Carbone, Seacoast Anglers Association

March 31, 2013 North Myrtle Beach/Little River, SC - Cold Cold Cold! March came in like a lion and is going out like a lion. Thankfully, the nighttime temperatures have only hovered around freezing instead of dipping into the teens as it sometimes does and that has kept the water temperature reasonable as far as the fish are concerned.

Here’s hoping April will be a “normal” beginning of Spring! Besides the cold temps, the wind has been blowing everyday to the point where anyone thinking about going out, soon figures it isn’t worth it! That will all change very soon.

In spite of the cold daytime temperatures, some nice sized Flounder have been caught all along the ICW from Little River to Tubbs Inlet. I have some reports of several caught and many keepers among them probably due to the water and weather temps starting to go up as we pull out of winter.

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 will do the trick. 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 and the piers. They will take a piece of cut bait off the bottom on light tackle.

The anglers that have braved the wind and cold temps have been getting their share of Red Drum and Spotted Seatrout 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. Many anglers are using circle hooks for Reds though not necessary... your choice.

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 has been producing some slot Red Drum as well as a few Spotted Trout. Reports say anglers are catching them in that area in good numbers. Watch the water temperature as the Reds will be in the warmer areas only. As in all the inshore fishing this time of year, you have to really slow down your presentation.

Black Drum are now in most of the creeks and waterways. 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.

As usual, Saltwater Catfish (Blue Catfish) are all along the ICW. They are in the area of the Main Street Bridge and south. They are still catching them at Barefoot Landing and at the Causey boat ramp under the Hwy17 Bridge. Some are doing great near Dock Holidays as well. A few Reds have been caught there too. Most anglers are using any kind of cut bait and having success. Keep your line tight and on the bottom.

Remember if you fish south of the LR swing bridge, you will need a fresh water SC fishing license.

As always, the Jim Caudle Reef, close to the Little River Jetties, (3-miles) is a good bet for having fun on a nice day (if you can find one!). Reports say they are hooking tons of Black Seabass, some Flounder, Grunts, Whiting, Weakfish, Sheepshead, Croaker, as well as many other species of reef fish.

However, numerous Spiny Dogfish Sharks are on the reef. Kids love to catch them tho. But they tear up your tackle!

If you stay over the structure they are less apt to bother you but stray off the reef a little and they will grab your line.

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!.

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 will soon follow on May 1st and be open for the summer. We are hoping the regulations on Black Seabass are lifted for this year but won’t know that for sure for a couple more months. We need to pray to the SAFMC gods!

Offshore, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Tuna, and Dolphin will become more abundant as the month progresses. King Mackerel can be caught from the piers and close to the beach as early as late April if conditions are right.

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 barometer of 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.

March 30, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – The 4th Annual North Myrtle Beach Mayor’s Community Prayer Breakfast was held March 26 at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center in North Myrtle Beach. It was preceded by a free continental breakfast catered by Boulineau’s IGA Food Store.

Participants prayed for the military; the business community; federal, state and local elected and appointed officials; North Myrtle Beach residents and visitors; and other aspects of the community.

Mayor Marilyn Hatley welcomed those present and emphasized that it is always good for people to gather together to pray for the success and safety of their community and country. She noted that the concept of gathering together in prayer has been a part of American life since the Mayflower Compact in 1620.

North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce President Marc Jordan served as master of ceremonies, and Rev. John Kassouf of Risen Christ Lutheran Church brought together clergy from throughout the community to join in interdenominational prayer.

Participating in leading prayers this year were Rev. John Kassouf; Rev. John Gambrell, First Baptist Church of North Myrtle Beach; Rev. Wilmont Merchant, St. Stephens Episcopal Church; Rev. Jim Mezick, Emeritus; Rev. Beaver Greenway, Church of the Lost and Found; Rev. Daryl Bush, Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church; Deacon Peter Casamento, Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church; Rev. Michael Ritter, Trinity United Methodist Church; and Rev. Tom Clymer, Waterbrook Community Church.

Inspirational songs were provided by Greg Rowles, Alabama Theatre’s Master of Ceremonies; Ronnie Nichols, a well-known area singer; and the North Myrtle Beach Middle School Choir.

The North Myrtle Beach High School Junior Naval ROTC presented the colors.

March 28, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC –  This morning, city spokesman, Pat Dowling released the following information.

On March 27 at 2001 hours, North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Dispatch received several complaints of a white male on the peak of the Highway 17 bridge that spans the Intracoastal Waterway between North Myrtle Beach and Little River who appeared to have one leg over the bridge as if he were going to jump into the Waterway.  North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Officers responded to the area and did observe a white male, approximately 18-25 years old, wearing a winter jacket, khaki shorts, and no shoes standing on the side of the bridge (on the south bound traffic side).  

As officers turned their vehicles around to go south to get to the person, they lost sight of him.  When officers made it back to the spot where he was last seen, the male was gone. Several vehicles had stopped in the south lane and their occupants shouted that they had not seen the male jump but they also did not see him walk off the bridge.  

Several North Myrtle Beach officers began to search the area on land on both sides of the Waterway but did not locate anything out of the ordinary. The North Myrtle Beach Fire Division, its battalion chief, and Horry County medics arrived on scene. The operator of a small boat near the Johnny Causey boat landing was asked if he had seen anyone jump or fall from the bridge and he stated that he did not.  The boat operator searched the water but did not locate anything.  

The battalion chief then contacted the Horry County boat/dive team.  They responded with two boats to visually search the water and to use sonar to search for irregularities in the water. Command cleared the location at 2251 hours after their search yielded no results.  The Horry County boat/dive team, together with SC Department of Natural Resources personnel, will resume searching at approximately 9:00 a.m. on March 28.

The Horry County Police Department was also notified of the incident.  Officers were unable to locate a possible vehicle belonging to the subject and neither the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department or the Horry County Police Department have received a missing person report.

Police completed a search of the waterway the next day and found no body.  The mystery remains.

March 27, 2013 Loris, SC - Markus David Vincent Seward, the 75th baby born this year at McLeod Loris has a better chance for a long and healthy life than earlier generations. During the month of March, the March of Dimes is celebrating its 75th Anniversary and its ongoing work to help babies get a healthy start in life. The South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes is presenting a gift box of items for the infant in honor of the 75th baby born at each hospital in the state. Markus was born at 1:32 p.m. on Monday, March 18, to Emily and John Seward of Little River.

According to the March of Dimes, babies born in 2013 will live longer and are less likely to have a birth defect than those born 75 years ago.  They are also much less likely to die from an infectious disease thanks to widespread use of vaccinations to prevent polio, rubella, measles and several other infections. Today, about 4 million babies are born in the United States each year and the March of Dimes helps each and every one of them through its history of research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.

“The birth of every baby is a joy and something to celebrate,” said Crystal Hummer, Executive Director, for the Pee Dee Division of the South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes.

“Babies, such as Markus who are born in this March of Dimes Anniversary year, represent how far we have come in infant health – and how much more we can do for our babies. We’re thrilled to be working together with McLeod Loris Seacoast toward a day when every baby gets a healthy start in life. We also invite families and businesses to join us for the March for Babies at Pelican Stadium in Myrtle Beach on Saturday, May 4.”

The March of Dimes was founded in January 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  A polio sufferer himself, FDR founded the organization to “lead, direct and unify” the fight against polio.  The March of Dimes funded the development of the Salk vaccine which was tested in 1954 and licensed a year later, as well as the Sabin vaccine which became available in 1962.  Nearly all babies born today still receive this lifesaving injection.

Babies born next year also will be screened for 31 genetic, metabolic, hormonal and/or functional conditions, including PKU (phenylketonuria) within the first hours of birth. March of Dimes grantee Dr. Robert Guthrie developed the mass PKU test, the first of many newborn screening tests infants now receive, and allowed for prevention of intellectual disabilities through diet. Today, every baby born in every state in the U.S. receives screening for dozens of conditions that could cause catastrophic health problems or death if not detected and then treated promptly at birth.

Many serious birth defects have declined over these 75 years. For example, neural tube defects or NTDs (birth defects of the brain and spine) have decreased by nearly one-third since 1998, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated that grain foods such as bread and pasta be fortified with folic acid.

Today, the March of Dimes is working to prevent the epidemic of premature birth, which affects nearly a half million babies every year.  Through Strong Start, a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the March of Dimes has been getting out the word that “Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait.” The campaign urges women to wait for labor to begin on its own if their pregnancy is healthy, rather than scheduling delivery before 39 completed weeks of pregnancy.
    
To learn more about the March of Dimes or for more information about how you can participate in the 2013 March for Babies, please call (843) 390-8326.

March 26, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC  -  Good news for the hospitality and accommodations industries, AAA Carolinas is forecasting Your beach awaitsheavy travel for the Easter Holiday week citing the 18-cent decrease in gas prices, pleasant weather predictions and school spring breaks in North Myrtle Beach’s market areas.   In 2012, Easter fell on April 8, roughly a week later than this year and outside of most spring break dates.

In their report, AAA noted that since peaking at $3.62 on Feb. 22, the average cost of a gallon of gas in South Carolina has fallen to $3.44.  Indeed in the North Myrtle Beach area, gas can be purchased anywhere from $3.39 to $3.50 according to GasBuddy.com.  Just download the GasBuddy.com ap for your smartphone to locate the station with the cheapest gas.

Gas prices typically increase in the early spring months, when refineries perform maintenance and make the switch over to summer-blend production, reducing supply. This year, the changeover occurred earlier than usual, driving prices up 60 cents from $3.02 on Dec. 20 to $3.62 on Feb. 22.

Enjoy the low prices while you can, because, while GasBuddy acknowledges the impact of the seasonal changeover on gas prices, they cite problems that typically arise from plant restarts and forecast prices will continue to climb until mid May to a nationwide average of $3.85 before declining. Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy Sr. Analysist, said, “Many times, there are some minor to major incidents that can arise from this [restarts]. Today's active refineries are very complex facilities, and problems do occur which sends traders running into a panic, driving up prices.”

Gasbuddy notes that gasoline prices are lower than they were a year ago in the United States. And not just in a few cities, but every major city that GasBuddy tracks- some 166 of them across all 50 states. Prices in some areas are over 50 cents per gallon lower than where they were this date last year- like in Chicago and nearby Gary, Indiana.

AAA spokesman, David Parsons acknowledges that as good news and points out that South Carolinians are paying 27 cents per gallon less than last Easter. "As we head into the summer travel season, we expect prices to remain lower than what we saw last year, barring any supply issues or tensions in the Middle East."

The Charleston area has the highest-priced gasoline in South Carolina at $3.50; Spartanburg has the cheapest at $3.37.

March 26, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – Polls are open today from 7am to 7pm for voters to select the next Horry County council chair.  The seat was left vacant when former chair Tom Rice was elected to the 7th congressional district position.

Voters will choose between Mark Lazarus who received 41 percent of the vote in the primary election and Al Allen who polled 24%.

Lazarus and Allen were the top two vote getters from a field that included former councilwoman and council chair, Liz Gilland, local businesswoman and radio personality, Debbie Harwell and businessman Fonzie Lewis.
 
Because no other party’s candidate filed to run, today’s runoff election will determine the next chair.

Voters will be required to present a voter ID today as they were in the March 12 primary.  The law requires that all of South Carolina’s registered voters present some form of a photo ID at the voting polls.  The forms of photo ID that are accepted include a driver’s license or DMV-provided ID, a passport, a military ID, or a special voter ID card.  Student ID’s or any other photo ID will not be accepted.

March 25, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC –  Last Saturday, two hundred fifty people attended the 2012/2013 Annual Awards and Member appreciation dinner and gala at North Beach Plantation’s Event Center.  This year’s theme was Mardi Gras and entertainment was provided by the Marsha Morgan Band.
 
In his introductory remarks, President/CEO Mark Jordan welcomed the chance to celebrate that the Chamber had reached 1,000 members.  The 1,000 member number reflects a rebuilding from the losses that occurred as a result of the poor economy during the last few years.

The annual awards are presented in six business categories – New Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Excellence in Customer Service, Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year and Excellence in Community Service.  Nominations are made in writing and a panel of members of the National Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee selects the winners.
 
The Award for New Business of the Year was awarded to Teasers Hair Salon from a nominated field that consisted of Divine Dance, Grand Hospitality Inc, and The Barefoot Cottage.
 
The North Strand Optimist Club won the Non-Profit of the Year award, selected from among nominees The North Myrtle Beach Humane Society, Ocean Drive Shag Club, Teen Angel and the Center for Counseling and Wellness.

BB&T, CresCom Bank, Office Depot and Summit Place all were nominated for Excellence in Customer Service along with winner the Alabama Theatre.

Small Business of the Year award went to Elegantz from a field that included Harley Davidson of NMB, Legacy Interiors, Mister Sparky, The Shack, Webster University and Yoga Divita.

Barefoot Landing won the Large Business of the Year Award.  Other business nominated included the Belk Department Store, Bell & Bell Pontiac Oldsmobile and GMC Trucks, Full Steam Ahead, Jud Kuhn Chevrolet and Re/Max Southern Shore.

Excellence in Community Service was awarded to Wyndham Vacation Resorts.  Others nominated were Duffy Street Restaurant, Mar-C’s Custom Interior Decorating, Sonic Driven-In North Myrtle Beach and Tiki Tan.

In addition to awards to businesses, the Chamber recognizes an Ambassador of the Year.  Among the 16 ambassadors, Austin Cox of BB&T was selected as the winner.

Norton Geddie, Chairman of the Board of the Chamber had the opportunity to select a business or an individual to recognize for the Chairman’s Award. Geddie selected Mendel Bell, Membership Chair and owner of Touch MedSpa.
 

March 7, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC - Although thyroid cancer is not common in the United States, rates seem to be increasing. No one knows what causes thyroid cancer, but because it is normally detected early, most people do very well with treatment.

Dr. Marie LiVigni, of McLeod Seacoast Internal Medicine, will be conducting free thyroid cancer screenings on March 15, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center. Dr. LiVigni will be screening for possible thyroid nodules using neck palpation. In addition to a one on one consultation about the screening results, she will also offer thyroid cancer education to participants.

To schedule a screening appointment or to learn more about this or other educational opportunities offered by McLeod Loris Seacoast, please call (843) 390-8326.