June 13, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – Since 2006, the North Myrtle Beach free concert series have entertained visitors and residents alike. The inaugural performances were in McLean Park but have since expanded to concerts alternating among stages at 202 Main St, McLean Park located at 93 Oak Drive and the Horseshoe, 11 S. Ocean Blvd. This non-alcoholic, family-oriented event provides safe and fun entertainment for the community. Bring a lawn chair, picnic blanket, food, friends and family.
 
The first four concerts this season featured The Fat Jack Band, The Legacy, Tastes Like Chicken and Deluge (which was appropriated since it rained that day and Deluge was cancelled).  The schedule for future concerts are:

Thursday, June 13th , 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

Spider & Boogie Blues will give you a journey through time, taking you from the roots of the great Blues Players of yesteryear from Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson’s and the Blues of yesterday to the Blues of today including Cream, Clapton, Led Zeppelin and many more artists all of which have recorded the Blues.


Thursday, June 20th , 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

The winner of the 2003 and 2009 CBMA Group of the Year, The Holiday Band will bring the best of beach music to the Horseshoe. A frequent visitor to Ducks on Main Street, The Holiday Band is a favorite of locals and visitors.

Friday, June 21st , 7 pm to 9 pm at McLean Park

For music delivered with lots of dazzling, high-energy choreography come to McLean Park to hear Envision.  Envision's stage show covers hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s up to contemporary sounds of today's Top 40. Their repertoire includes a wide range of musical styles including Rhythm and Blues, Beach, Dance, Funk, Pop and Jazz.


Thursday, June 27th , 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

On stage at the Horseshoe will be a frequent player at the Spanish Galleon, Fat Harold’s, and Duck’s in North Myrtle Beach - The Atlantic Groove Band. The group plays a wide variety of music in the most popular genres including Carolina Beach, R&B, Rock, Funk, Disco and Country.


Thursday, July 4th, 7 pm to 9 pm on Main Street

Get ready to dance when the Caribbean Chillers present their Jimmy Buffet Tribute. The Chillers have the ‘look’, the ‘sound’, the ‘same’ experience and all of the FUN of a Buffett Concert. But no margaritas - this is an alcohol free event.


Friday, July 5th, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

If you frequent Fat Harold’s, the Spanish Galleon, the Pirates Cove or Ducks you are more than likely a fan of The Steve Craig Band. The Band plays beach, Motown, R&B, Oldies and just about anything that will set your feet to dancing.  Check them out in this quick clip of their performing at the Avista during the 2013 SOS Spring Safari as a preview of what you will see and hear at the Horseshoe.


Thursday, July 11th, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

The Big Time Party Band performs beach, Motown, rhythm and blues, and southern and classic rock.  Big Time has had three songs in the Top 10 on 94.9 FM The Surf.  Familiar songs are “This Is It, Carolina’s Calling Me,” and “Footprints In the Sand.”  Big Time’s “Drink Up” and “Do Ya’ Like were inducted into The Surf94.9 FM Hall of Fame.


Thursday, July 18th, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

As recipients of several Carolina Beach Music Awards, The Castaways are making new music and winning new fans every year.  "Generation Six", "Give It Up", and "I'm Just Sayin'" have received great reviews and won awards as they have showcased the variety of vocal styles and song selections that The Castaways can offer!


Friday, July 19th, 7 pm to 9 pm in McLean Park

Since 1990, The Nacho Mama Band has been pounding out 60s soul, R&B and Carolina Beach Music.

Visit their web site at http://www.nachomama.com/music.php#.

Thursday, July 25, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

The Carolina Coast Band features the beach music everyone loves.
 
Thursday, July 25, 7 pm to 9 pm on Main Street

Myrtle Beach-based The Tim Clark Band is known for adding their own flavor to favorite hits of the 70s, 80s, 90s and today.  Frequent visitors to the Main Street night clubs will recognize The Tim Clark Band as among their favorites.


Thursday, August 8, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

The Carolina Soul Band performs sweet soul sounds of such legendary groups as The Drifters, The Coasters, The Four Tops, The O’Jays, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and many, many more.


Thursday, August 15, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

Come out and hear the Carolina Beach Music Association 2012 nominee for song of the year - "Coastin"  & the CD  of the year.  Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot will be performing original and contemporary funky R&B.

Friday, August 16, 7 pm to 9 pm in McLean Park

Show up at McLean Park and you will have the opportunity to hear the winner of the 2012 Charlotte Music Award for Best Blues Band and the Best Woman in Rock Award.  The Pam Taylor Band features Pam Taylor on the guitar and her father, Mike Taylor, on the Saxophone.


Thursday, August 22nd, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

Craig Woolard has been recognized as the Male Vocalist of the Year for 12 times by the CBMA.  In 2012, the CBMA recognized the band for Male Vocalist, Album of the Year, Blues Song, Live Production and Instrumentalist of the year. This is your chance to see a great performance from an aknowledged lead group in beach music.


Thursday, August 29th, 7pm to 9 pm on Main Street

The Dickens mix up classic R&B, classic and modern rock, 80s retro, reggae, old skool and current hip-hop and everything in between.


Thursday, September 5th, 7 pm to 9 pm on Main Street

Six Stylex will be on stage playing top 40 hits.


Thursday, September 12, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

If you are looking for fun, entertainment and all the songs you love, then the 2009 CBMA New Performer winner, Hip Pocket is your choice. Hip Pocket has been compared to the Band of OZ in the 1980’s and Bill Deal & The Rhondels in the 70's. Check them out at the Horseshoe and get the party started.

 
Thursday, September 19th, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Horseshoe

Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame Inductee, The Attractions, perform beach music at the Horseshoe for this next to the last concert of the season. Count on them performing some of your favorites like ’60 minute man,’ ‘Up on the Roof,’ ‘Mustang Sally,’ and “Be young, be foolish, be happy.’


Friday, September 20, 7 pm to 9 pm in McLean Park

This final concert of the season features The Fantastic Shakers.  The Grand Strand is the band's summer home and their hit single "Myrtle Beach Days" catapulted The Shakers to the top of the Carolinas musical groups. The Shakers have won many awards through the various beach music awards associations through the years. This list includes two-time show group of the year, three time album of the year, and lead singer, Bo Schronce, has been named male vocalist of the year on four different occasions as well as induction into the CBMA Hall of Fame in1997.

 

July 13, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC –   Coastal Carolina Adaptive Sports & Recreation announced today that it will be hosting a free Adaptive Golf Clinic in conjunction with U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, and the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center.  The event is scheduled for June 29, 2013 at Possum Trot Golf Course, 1170 Possum Trot Road, North Myrtle Beach.   

“Coastal Carolina Adaptive Sports and Recreation in conjunction with the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center is excited to offer this informative and inspirational experience to our community,” said Melinda Chappell, President of Coastal Carolina Adaptive Sports & Recreation and Director of North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center.

The event is open to individuals with physical disabilities at all skill levels, including youths, adults and military veterans. There will be two single-rider golf carts for use during the clinic. In addition to participating in an instructive and inspiring golf experience, the individuals will interact with members of Coastal Carolina Adaptive Sports and Recreation, students from The Golf Academy of America, a physical therapist from McLeod Hospital, and Instructor Bob Ronne.

Bob Ronne, a T-10 Paraplegic incomplete, was a recreational golfer before his accident. A member of the Board of Trustees for the Porters Neck Country Club, North Carolina, and a co-founder of a non-profit that empowers people with disabilities to live independently in his community, Ronne is an inspirational leader with a passion for the sport of golf. Bob Ronne has a certification to teach disabled golf to others and will participate as the instructor in this Free Adaptive Golf Clinic.
Pre-register by June 27 for the North Myrtle Beach event, email mechappell@nmb.us or call 843-997-7688. Participation in the Golf Clinic is free.  

About Coastal Carolina Adaptive Sports and Recreation:
The mission of CCSR is to improve the quality of life by providing sports and recreational opportunities for people with physical and visual disabilities and their families.

About U.S. Paralympics:U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and to promoting excellence in the lives of persons with physical and visual disabilities. Visit the U.S. Paralympics website at www.usparalympics.org. 

June 8, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – City spokesman, Pat Dowling, advised that rescue officials had met with the family of a missing surfer this morning and advised them that an active search was over.  North Myrtle Beach Lifeguards and Beach Patrol personnel will continue to monitor the beach as part of a continuing recovery effort.

Dowling also said that oceanfront jurisdictions north and south had been advised to be on the alert for the missing surfer.

At noon yesterday, a surfer was reported missing at around noon.  The individual was a 19 year old white male from the local area. His board washed ashore but he was not to be found.  His name is not being released.  

Rescuers in jet skis, boats and a helicopter dispatched from the Charleston Coast Guard were on the job searching the area around 48th Avenue North throughout the day yesterday.  The Coast Guard helicopter searched for the missing man for a couple of hours.

An active search will continued to about 8:00 p.m. last night. North Myrtle Beach Fire/Rescue crew maintained a presence along the beach from 8:00 p.m. to dawn.

The search for the missing man this afternoon also included Waites Island, SC.

Dowling advised that swimmers of any level of expertise should be aware that severe rip currents are occurring inshore and offshore along the Grand Strand. These conditions may remain in effect through Sunday evening or into early next week.

June 6, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – Tropical Storm Andrea, the first named storm of the 2013 hurricane season, drenches Florida and dampens vacationer's stays in North Myrtle Beach.
 
Ed Piotrowski, WPDE Chief Meteorologist, advises of the potential for 2 to 4 inches of rain in the area, 5” near the coast, resulting in the possibility of some localized flooding.  Piotrowski does not expect high sustained wind speeds but occasional gusts 35 to 40 mph.  Andrea should clear the area by Friday and the area weather should return to normal.

So what should the vacationer do for the next few days?
 
Even when it’s raining in paradise, it is still paradise.  There are lots of indoor activities in North Myrtle Beach.
 
Stay fit

The first place to go that comes to mind is the North Myrtle Beach Aquatics and Fitness Center.  A daily rate of $15 per person, age 5 and older and $5 per person, age 4 and under, is available. Even better if you have children, with a daily pass, the Center will watch your child for $3 per hour per child.

For that little amount, folks that were jogging on the beach can enjoy an indoor two lane track.  Miss your beach volleyball, play basketball or racquetball instead. Go wild on the treadmills, recumbent bikes, rowers and so much more.
  
Oh, and it’s an Aquatics center, so of course, instead of that ocean swim enjoy the large indoor pools.  While there is an indoor water slide, check with the center for its schedule at 843-281-3737.

Miss your personal trainer? The Center has two AND a massage therapist available.

Arcades

Looking for a good way to keep teens busy at low cost? Arcades are a great choice.  They are family friendly, offer food and activities that will also keep the adults busy - if you like billiards.

The OD Arcade and Grill is on Ocean Boulevard at 100 South, one block off Main Street.   The Black Pearl miniature golf is on Sea Mountain Highway at 614 Sea Mountain Highway.  We recommend either.

Go Bowling

North Myrtle Beach has two bowling centers in the area.
 
The North Myrtle Beach Bowling Center, at 1105 Hwy 17 S, has 32 lanes. The Center also offers a full range of food and drink services at their snack bar.  Plus they too have an arcade.

The Little River Bowling Center is on Hwy 17 North in Little River. While its address is 300 Bowling Lane, unless you have a GPS, it is best to head into Little River and look for the River Hills Medical Center on the west side of the highway.  LR Bowling is behind the medical center.  They have 32 lanes, an arcade as well, a wide range of food, a bar and pool tables.   Check them out.

See a movie

The nearest theater is Carmike Colonial 12  in the Myrtle Beach Mall at 10177 N. Kings Hwy, just past Briarcliff Acres.  Want to check out a movie ahead of time? Fandango is where to go for movie trailers.  We recommend “The Internship.”

Go Shopping

Spend lots of money.  Help the North Myrtle Beach economy. Myrtle Beach Mall at 10177 N. Kings Hwy is an indoor mall with lots of stores like Bass Pro Shop, Books A Million, Belk and many, many more. 

If you don’t mind carrying an umbrella and darting in and out of shops, two more centers provide a wide range of shopping.  Barefoot Landing located at 4898 Hwy 17 South, North Myrtle Beach or Tanger Outlets located at 10835 Kings Road
Myrtle Beach provide great deals and unique gifts.

See a show

Alabama Theatre, located in Barefoot Landing, runs continuous live shows.  Doors open at 7:30. Check with the box office for appearances of performers like Kenny Rogers, Bill Cosby and many more. The number is 1-800-342-2262.
 
The House of Blues, also located in Barefoot Landing, offers dinner and variety programs from stand-up comedians to well recognized musicians and bands. Check at 843-272-3000 for current schedule.

Carolina Opry - The Calvin Gilmore Theater presents award-winning live entertainment experiences, The Carolina Opry, Good Vibrations, and LIGHT Laser Extravaganza.  Located at 8901 North Kings Highway. 

Pirate’s Voyage – A Dolly Parton production.  Enjoy a four course meal and see spectacular acrobatic competition, live animals and a brand new original music score by Dolly Parton. Pirate's Voyage is located at 8901-B, North Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.  ‎

By Chris Carbone, Seacoast Anglers Association

June 2, 2013 Little River/North Myrtle Beach, SC - The big news is that Black Seabass season is now open in the Southeast Atlantic. The story is that they are no longer “overfished” so have at it! We have been waiting for June 1st for a long time.

Bottom fishing offshore is open for Vermillion Snapper (Beeliners). Along with them you can catch Triggerfish, White Grunt, Porgy (of various species), and Amberjack among others.  Grouper season is also in full swing.

I do have reports of surf fishermen having their share of luck presently. Sharks, Red Drum, Black Drum, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Whiting and Croaker are in the mix.

Reports say the Flounder bite has come alive in places like Tubbs, Bonapartes Creek and Dunn Sound. Of course the Cherry Grove creeks in North Myrtle Beach are giving up a lot of Flounder as well. They are about 50/50 keepers. Live mud minnows and mullet seem to be best bait right now. 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. Keep moving around and change up the bait until you hookup. Flounder move around, usually in schools.

Red Drum and Spotted Seatrout are in the back waters and at the Little River Jetties and there will be some big ones there as the summer goes on. Leadheads on plastic lures work well and use live bait. Live or fresh shrimp works best and fast water increases your chances. Try the 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 a great fish to target. Good eating and fun fighters, they will attack most cut bait like squid, cut mullet. If you can get some, try frozen clams or mussels.(Platt’s sells ‘em) I’m told circle hooks work well with this species although I have never tried it myself. Look for them where the smaller creeks empty into the larger creeks like Dunn Sound or Bonapartes Creek or the ICW.

Sheepshead are another great table fare and are fun to catch but can be difficult. First scrape barnacles off a piling into a bucket to use for chum. Use a small #4 circle hook and rig a large barnacle on the hook at the shaft of the hook. Take some sewing thread and wrap the thread around the barnacle to keep it on the hook, rigged like a Carolina Rig with a 2oz. sinker. Use 15lb. braid because of the proximity to the pier structure and all the demons a pier or reef presents which is very unforgiving.

After you crush the barnacles then scoop a small amount in the water next to the pilings of the pier or over the reef. Some anglers say they are so hard to catch that you have to hook ‘em just before they bite!

Now that the water temp has gone over 70 degrees, the Spadefish (Angelfish) have shown up. They are the fun fish to catch and the best eating as well. Use a Jelly Ball for a teaser, and cut up another Jelly Ball into 1-inch pieces for your hook. Drop your line and hang on!...you’ll think you hooked onto a freight train!

Offshore, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Tuna, and Dolphin have become more abundant. Sherman wreck, the 390/390 and the 410/510 are the places to start along with Myrtle Beach Rock or any of the artificial reefs offshore. Check with your local tackle shops for the right rigs to target these game fish.

Stop Wishin’... Go Fishin.’

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

June 1, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – May was busy – Festa Italian, Mayfest and the 32nd World Famous Blue Crab Festival kept us entertained.  The weather was great for all the events and record crowds came out to all three festivals.

May was also noisy with both the Harley Davidson Crusin’ the Coast Bike Festival and the Atlantic Beach Bike Fest.  Our Public Safety officers were busy.  During Crusin’ they made 63 arrests, gave out 231 tickets, took care of one bike accident and handled 741 calls for service.

Pat Dowling, city spokesman said over 300 thousand people came into the area during Atlantic Beach Bike week,.  The city was prepared, bringing in an additional 50 officers. With their support, Public Safety made 70 arrests, gave out 411 tickets, took care of 11 motorcycle accidents and responded to 1,436 calls for service.

One couple was arrested in North Myrtle Beach for nudity and one for exposing her buttocks. BTW they were all tourists, not home folks.

Now that May is over, what can we expect for June?

The Summer Concerts Series gets into full swing with free musical entertainment weekly on Thursday evenings on Main Street (alternating between the horseshoe and 202 Main) and on the 3rd Friday of each month in McLean Park, May through September.  All concerts will run from approximately 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm.  See http://parks.nmb.us/Page.aspx?news=true&id=5 for a schedule of performers.

The Ocean Drive Pavilion Amusement Park opened on Memorial Day week and will stay open from 4 pm to 11 pm through Labor Day.  At the top of the Ferris wheel and many of the other rides, visitors have one of the most scenic views of the beach and ocean. Along with rides such as a Ferris Wheel, Carousel, Tilt-a-Whirl, Mulligan Swings, Orient Express Coaster, Gravitron, American Flyer Coaster, Flying Bobs, Berry-go-Round, and the Teacups, promoters say many rides are new for 2013.  The park offers free admission and free parking. The Park is located adjacent to the Horseshoe at the terminus of Main Street and Ocean Drive Boulevard.

Remember the Hippo – the 70 foot high water slide located on the beach at 1st Avenue S?  It’s gone. The Hippo waterslide’s was retired last year. In its place is TRIPPO, with three times the number of sliding chutes. Trippo stands about 40 feet tall, is about 175 feet long and weighs about 7,000 pounds. It offers two curved side chutes and one straightaway main chute. Trippo’s hours of operation are 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  A single ride is $3, 4 rides $10 and a daily pass is $20.  A weekly pass may be purchased for $60, a season pass for %65 and a family season pass for $185.

Beach concessions have been rolled out.  The City of North Myrtle Beach offers residents and tourists the convenience of beverages, food and sunscreen on the beach. Available are Roberto's Italian Ice in lemon and cream flavor, candy bars, Pepsi products, water, Gatorade, and Panama Jack Sunscreen.

Starting in June, residents and visitors can spend Friday evenings watching a free movie under the stars at McLean Park. All movies shown are G or PG rated and are subject to change depending upon availability.  Movies will begin 15 minutes after sunset.  Attendees should bring their own beach chair or blanket. Popcorn and a drink are available from the North Myrtle Beach Lions Club.  Admission is free.  

The 2013 schedule is:   
Friday, June 14, 2013 @ 8:45 pm – National Treasure (PG)
Friday, July 12, 2013 @ 8:45 pm – Escape From Planet Earth (PG)
Friday, August 9, 2013 @ 8:30 pm – Here Comes the Boom (PG)
Friday, September 13, 2013 @ 7:40 pm –Brave (PG)
Friday, October 11, 2013 @ 7:00 pm – Frankenweenie (PG)

May 29, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – Not to be out done by the Myrtle Beach Police when they arrested four women for exposing their buttocks, North Myrtle Beach Public Safety arrested Nieshea Nocile Brown, 28 for wearing a dress whose slit on one side exposed her buttocks.

All incidences occurred over the Memorial Day weekend.  

The first incidence occurred when Tiara Monique Garness was on the beach in the early morning hour of 5 am on Friday, May 24th when Myrtle Beach Police on regular beach patrol spotted her and requested she change or cover up.  According to the incident report, police warned her twice before they took her into custody.  She was charged with indecent exposure.  The arrest took place near the Atlantica Resort at the 1700 block of Ocean Boulevard.  Garness is a hairdresser from Richmond, NC.

Late on Friday – at 7:20 pm - Faye Latosha Collins, age 27 from Dalton GA, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and public nudity.  The arresting officer wrote that the “offender was on back of a purple motorcycle shaking her bare bottom in the air.”  The incident took place at 199 8th Ave N/ N Ocean Blvd.

Also on Friday, just a couple of hours later at 9:45 pm, Tenisha Blair, age 34, from Shelby, NC was also charged with disorderly conduct and public nudity. The arresting officer wrote that she was walking on the sidewalk wearing a black dress with nothing on underneath and exposing her bare bottom.” The incident also took place at 199 8th Ave N/N Ocean Drive Blvd.  

In the wee hours on Saturday – 2:30 am, Latoya Mickens, age 31, from Philadelphia, Pa was arrested on the same charge.  The arresting officer wrote in his incident report that the “subject [was] walking northbound on blvd exposing [her] bare bottom.” This incident took place at 200 19th Ave S/S Ocean Blvd.

Slow to meet the challenge, it took North Myrtle Beach Police until 10:30 pm on Monday, the last day of the holiday, to make a comparable arrest.  According to the incident report, Nieshea Nocile Brown, 28, of Adairsville, Georgia was spotted walking on Ocean Boulevard by a patrol officer who reported that "three quarters of her buttocks was exposed from her skirt to the public's view."  Brown did not take kindly to the officer stopping her. According to the report, Brown resorted to profanity and the situation got ugly.  Friends came towards the officer. The officer reported a commotion starting and requested backup.  Brown was arrested.  

May 26, 2013 North Myrtle Beach, SC – Tomorrow is Memorial Day.  The last Monday of May has been set aside to remember those that gave their lives to preserve our freedom and free others from tyranny.  There are may ways to honor our fallen heros. Some may require some travel.

In observance of the holiday, many people visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers often place American flags and flowers on each grave site at national and state cemeteries. National veteran’s cemeteries are located in Beaufort at 1601 Boundary Street, Florence at 803 East National Cemetery Road and Fort Jackson at 4170 Percival Rd in Columbia.  The only SC Veterans Cemetery is located at 140 Inway Drive, Anderson, SC.

SC has numerous veterans’ memorials.  The 175 acre Edisto Memorial Garden in Orangeburg is the largest and, established in the 1920’s, perhaps the oldest. It features a 25 foot high obelisk, six granite sections representing the branches of service, and granite plaques identifying the wars in which our country has been engaged.  Nine flags grace the park, representing the United States, the state of South Carolina, the six branches of service, and the POW/MIA’S.

However, there are other ways you can recognize and honor our deceased soldier.  Many of us have flags on our homes.  Participate by lowering your flag to half staff.   Memorial Day is the only day that the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon and then raised to the top of the staff.  Also, a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time.

Memorial Day has a long history, one that goes back to the Civil War.  Two events compete for recognition as the precursor to Memorial Day.

The first took place in Charleston, SC on May 1, 1865 a few short weeks after Lincoln’s death. Black residents along with teachers and missionaries organized a May Day grave decoration ceremony to honor the nearly 300 Union soldiers who had died while held as prisoners of war and buried in unmarked graves.  Nearly ten thousand people, mostly former black slaves, cleaned up, landscaped and built an enclosure around the burial ground. The event was recorded in the journals of the New York Tribune and other national Papers.  

The second event took place three years later, on May 5, 1868. General John Logan, Commander-in-chief of the veterans’ organization for Union Civil War veterans, issued a proclamation calling for "Decoration Day" – a day to honor those who had died by bringing flowers, ribbons, flags and other patriotic symbols to decorate their graves.  General Logan’s proclamation called for the occasion to be observed annually and nationwide. It was observed for the first time that year on May 30.

"Decoration Day" gradually changed to "Memorial Day” over the next century but did not become the official name by Federal law until 1967.  When Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act on June 28, 1968, Memorial Day moved from May 30th to last Monday in May to create a convenient three-day weekend.

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 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.