Sasee August 2012

August 2012 Priceless www.sasee.com

A

friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words. – Unknown

CHILD SAFETY SEAT CHECK AUG. 28, 2012 from 3 - 6 pm at the Myrtle Beach Kohl’s • Safe Kids certified child safety seat technicians will check proper installation of child safety seats, correct those in need and educate on proper installation and use.

• Participants must have both child safety seat and child present. Expecting parents, please bring seat.

• The technician will determine if a new child safety seat is needed. If so, 1 per family is available while supplies last.

• Rain cancels event.

For more information, please call Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal led by McLeod Health at 843-777-2592.

49473-McL Kids Safe-Sasee.indd 1

6/14/12 11:49:24 AM

McLeod Critical Care Takes Flight

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McLeod Air Reach Emergency response in our region has reached a new level of speed and efficiency as McLeod Air Reach takes flight. Committed to excellence in safety and clinical care, our 24/7 medical air transport program retrieves critically ill and injured patients throughout the greater Pee Dee and Grand Strand areas. From its centrally located station in Marion County, McLeod Air Reach can reach patients within 150 miles in just minutes. Awaiting them at McLeod Regional Medical Center is a team of the most experienced physicians, surgeons and nurses to care for everything from orthopedics and surgical to cardiac and trauma.

Staffed by highly skilled personnel and equipped with the most advanced life support equipment, this aeromedical helicopter serves both pediatric and adult patients. It’s another reason to look to McLeod as your most trusted and capable choice for medical excellence.

McLeod Health www.McLeo dHealt h.o rg

49580-AirReachSasee9x10.125.indd 1

The Choice for Medical Excellence

7/13/12 3:37:17 PM

featured articles

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August 2012 Volume 11, Issue 8

who’s who

How Do You Fire a Friend?

Publisher Delores Blount Sales & Marketing Director Susan Bryant Editor Leslie Moore Account Executives Amanda Kennedy-Colie Erica Schneider Celia Wester Art Director Taylor Nelson Photography Director Patrick Sullivan Graphic Artist Scott Konradt Accounting Ronald Pacetti Administrative Assistant Barbara J. Leonard Executive Publishers Jim Creel Bill Hennecy Tom Rogers

by Janey Womeldorf

Three Senior Ladies Tackle Marine’s Mud

by Carrie Luger Slayback

Southern Snaps

by Leslie Moore

Hand-Me-Downs

by Sonya Lee

Oldest and Dearest

by Diane DeVaughn Stokes

We Should Get Together…Sometime

by Diane Stark

BFFA – Best Friends for Awhile

by Kim Seeley

Where’s The Pause Button?

by Melissa Face

Forging Fabulous Friendships

by Ann Ipock

Journey of Purses

by Lisa Dickinson

PO Box 1389 Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 fax 843-626-6452 • phone 843-626-8911 www.sasee.com • info@sasee.com

I n T h is I ssue Read It! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ladies Night Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Women & Men Who Mean Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Teacher Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Scoop on the Strand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Sasee is published monthly and distributed free along the Grand Strand. For subscription info, see page 39. Letters to the editor are welcome, but could be edited for length.

Submissions of articles and art are welcome. Visit our website for details on submission. Sasee is a Strand Media Group, Inc. publication.

Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material, in part or in whole, prepared by Strand Media Group, Inc. and appearing within this publication is strictly prohibited. Title “Sasee” is registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

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contributing writers Lisa Dickinson is a freelance writer and native of Pawleys Island who now lives near Lake Tahoe on the border of Nevada and California. She frequently travels back and forth to the Low Country to spend time drinking sweet tea and eating boiled peanuts with her family.

letter from the editor August in South Carolina means heat, heat and more heat – interspersed with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. I love the dog days of summer, but I am glad to have air conditioning! This issue is all about friendship, and you’ll find plenty of fun essays and interviews highlighting the importance of friends – both old and new. A new friend of mine, Shannon Prouty, has recently opened All 4 Paws, a new animal rescue center in Pawleys Island, just off of Highway 17 on Waverly Road. I was able to volunteer for one of her fundraisers this summer and am very impressed with the dedication and caring of Shannon and her group of volunteers and staff. Because of the work of All 4 Paws, hundreds of dogs and cats have found their “furever” home and become someone’s new best friend. If you’re down that way, stop in and say hello. Even if you can’t adopt a pet, there are many other ways to help!

On the 16th of this month, the Sasee staff will be busy making new friends at Social Garden in Pawleys Island during a Sasee Meet Up! This fun event runs from 4-6 pm, and I hope you’ll be able to join us for a glass of wine and an appetizer. Cindy, the owner of Social Garden, will be our hostess. I hope to see you there!

Melissa Face lives in Virginia with her husband, son and dog. Her stories and essays have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul and Cup of Comfort. E-mail Melissa at writermsface@yahoo.com.

A native South Carolinian, Lisa Hamilton is the director of the First Presbyterian Church Preschool and Kindergarten. Of course she loves reading, but also finds time for cooking and walking her dog, Hurley.

Ann Ipock is an award-winning Southern humorist and speaker who writes for the Georgetown Times, Sasee and Columbia County Magazine. Ann lives in Wilmington, N.C., with her husband, Russell. Life is Short, I Wish I Was Taller (published October, 2010) completes the Life is Short trilogy. Contact Ann through her website, www.annipock.com.

Sonya Lee lives in Chesterfield, Virginia, with her husband and two children. She teaches high school English and enjoys writing candidly about her life experiences.

cover artist Just Be Yourself, by Susan DeBow Susan DeBow is an artist/writer who sees life as a series of vignettes woven together by time, laughter and, when necessary, a few curse words. Her art reflects those sentiments.

The artist has a fascination for taking beauty out of the equation and focusing on character and quirks.

“The characters in my paintings would make excellent party guests,” Susan says. As characters in novels do, Susan’s characters have attitudes, speak their minds and live colorfully, taking “guff” from no one.

Her art has been called “Biomorphic Whimsy.”

She paints what she sees in her mind’s eye versus landscape and still-life. Her paintings are not complete until she brings her paintings to life with a story that tells a tale about the characters in her paintings.

Her work can be purchased from her website, www.susandebow.com. She is Artist-In-Residence at Eight Gables Inn, outside of Gatlinburg. She is honored to have her work presented there.

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Kim Seeley, a former librarian and English teacher, lives with her husband, Wayne, in Wakefield, Virginia. She is a frequent contributor to Sasee and Chicken Soup for the Soul. Her most recent story, “Amanda’s Jonquils,” can be found in Chicken Soup: Messages from Heaven. She loves to read, play the piano, travel and spend time with her grandson, Evan.

Carrie Luger Slayback is an award winning teacher and marathon runner. Her articles appear in the L.A. Times, PersimmonTree.org, Sasee and Coast magazines. She lives in Newport Beach, California, with her husband and two Chihuahuas, Stella and Blanche.

Diane Stark is a former teacher turned stay-at-home mom and freelance writer. Her work has been published in dozens of magazines. She loves to write about the important things in life: her family and her faith.

Diane DeVaughn Stokes is the President of Stages Video Productions, Host and Producer for her TV show “Inside Out,” seen on HTC, and “Diane At Six” for EASY radio. She and her husband, Chuck love their three cats, traveling, theater and scuba diving.

Janey Womeldorf is a freelance writer who thrives on writing about the humorous, the poignant, and the continually-surprising sides of everyday life. She drinks too much coffee and scribbles away in Memphis, Tenn.

Growth…Strength…Achievement At South Atlantic Bank, you’ll find a community bank dedicated to credit quality, sound banking practices, and exemplary customer service. You’ll also find a bank that has been recognized on local and national levels for its financial performance, commitment to community, and economic impact.

South Atlantic Bank is... a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Business a BauerFinancial-rated 5-Star Bank for its financial performance the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year an American Bankers Association Certificate of Merit recipient for its financial literacy programs in local schools If you’re looking for a partner in success, look no further than South Atlantic Bank for your personal and business banking needs.

People You Know & Trust.

Member

10593 Ocean Highway, Unit B, Waverly Place • Pawleys Island, SC 29585 • 843.848.2049 630 29th Avenue North • Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 • 843.839.0100 11019 Tournament Boulevard • Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 • 843.848.2000 SouthAtlanticBank.com

Four Seasons Interiors

This offer can only be redeemed at:

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Limit one offer per customer. While supplies last. Only original offer will be honored - no photocopies or faxes will be allowed. © Benjamin Moore & Co. Benjamin Moore Color Selection Simplified and the triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks licensed to Benjamin Moore & Co.

ux • Belle Ame Pettiskirts • Sarah Louise • BOB Strollers • Petunia Pickle Bottom • Ju-Ju-Be • Ruffle Butts •

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7730 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach 843-449-5330

Myrtle Beach — 4.4167 in x 4.9792 in

Kids Day Sat., Aug. 11 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Join us for crafts, snacks, one-day specials, lots of fun activities, and to pick up your brand-new copy of The Penniless Princess.

Myrtle Beach LifeWay Christian Store Located on Seaboard Street off Pine Island Road, just south of the Coastal Grand Mall. • 843.839.9953

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VaLid 8/4–8/25/12

august

Sassyfras Monogramming

& Stylish Gifts

Your Hometown Jeweler Since 1970

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a beautiful grouping of faceted natural genuine stone earrings, bracelets and necklaces in 22K gold on sterling silver

5900 N. Kings Hwy., Suite D • Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 (843) 449- 1420 • Hours Mon - Fri 10 - 5 • Sat 10 - 4

317 Laurel Street • Historic Downtown Conway • 843-248-2624

Interior Design Service Available

6916 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach • 843-449-7673 www.rosearborfabrics.com • rosearborfabrics@aol.com Mon. - Fri. 9:30 - 5:30pm Sat. 9:30 - 4pm

august

www.sasee.com 9

e v e t S Tyrell

Plan An Awesome Autumn Weekend in Pawleys Island Pawleys Island Wine Gala

October 5 • $85 per person Sample over 60 fabulous boutique wines, delicious appetizers and delectable desserts

An Evening with Steve Tyrell October 6 • $35/$25 per person

Grammy Award Winning vocalist, artist, producer, songwriter and performer Under the Festival Tent at The Reserve Golf Club of Pawleys Island Vis it p aw l eys m us ic.co m o r c a l l 843- 626- 8911 fo r ti c ke ts

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Our Inventory is Always Changing…

Stop in Frequently!

Celebrating our 19th Year in Business

Dr. Nicholas Pennings

Proud Supporter of PLASTIC FREE PAWLEYS!

914-850-5830 843-410-8735

Protecting our environment by not using plastic shopping bags Unique Decorating Items • New & Used Better Quality Furniture Ladies’ & Children’s Clothing 11115 Ocean Hwy., Pawleys Island (Next to Habaneros) • 843-237-8447 Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm • take2resale@yahoo.com

FABRIC SHOWCASE You can decorate...We can help!

Arcadian Shores - 10788 Kings Road - Myrtle Beach - 843-449-6728

Victoria’s Ragpatch 117 Causeway Dr. Ocean Isle Beach, NC 910-579-3158 Open daily 10 am-6 pm 10164 Beach Dr. SW Calabash, NC 910-579-2015 Mon.-Sat. 10 am-6 pm

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I smell the ocean and a trip to…

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august

*The success story represented in this advertisement is a Health Coach for Take Shape for Life®, a Medifast® support program. A Health Coach is not a substitute for a physician or qualified medical practitioner for monitoring those using Medifast Meals. Consult your physician before starting a weight-loss program.

On Any Regular Priced Clothing, Shoes and/or Jewelry Expires August 31, 2012. No Other Discounts apply.

A Unique Boutique

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Where Casual Meets Elegance Gauze galore, Anuschka Handbags, Jewelry, Hats and Accessories

www.cabanagauze.com The Hammock Shops

10880 Ocean Hwy., Pawleys Island

843-314-3344

Mon - Sat 10 to 5 • Sun 1 to 5

We’re Expanding....

Look for us in our new Charleston location. Opening in August!

6914 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, Next to Rose Arbor Fabrics

843-449-0448

Mon - Fri 9:30-5:30 • Saturday 9:30-4

43 John Street, Charleston

One Store . . . Everything Purple

2 fabulous stores at Barefoot Landing

843•272•PRPL (7775) • www.purpleologist.com

One Store . . . Full of Hope

843•427•7959

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Don’t wait…lose weight.

Pawleys Island Swimwear Kenneth Cole Reaction Tommy Bahama Miraclesuit Trina Turk Fantasie Coco Reef Speedo Next Freya

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Office Visit Includes Medications • Free Body Mass Composition HCG Now • Patient Available Discount Cards Injections, Nasal Spray • Free Body Imaging • Student Discounts

Feeling the heat?

Take a dip into our store!

Read It! Located south of The Market Common in the South Strand Medical Office Building

5046 Hwy. 17 Bypass South | Suite 206

Lisa Says…Read Swamplandia!

by Karen Russell

by Lisa Hamilton 14 www.sasee.com

The Village Shops (Just south of the Hammock Shops)

Pawleys Island, SC 843-235-3808

Inlet Square Mall Hwy. 17 Bypass Murrells Inlet, SC 843-651-9372

When the Pulitzer committee decided not to award a prize for fiction this year, it passed over a finalist, Karen Russell’s novel, Swamplandia! The book does indeed have great brilliance, and how could you live in this area and not be intrigued by a story about a family who owns an alligator theme park?

Ava Bigtree is the appealing 13 year-old narrator who lost her mother to ovarian cancer in the past year. Her quirky sister, Osceola, and her academically unchallenged brother, Kiwi, are also as heart-

august

Big Buddha Coast Apparel Southern Tide Corky’s Fish Hippie Mud Pie Southern Point Painted & Resale Furniture & Much More!

“The spirit of tea is one of peace, comfort & refinement.“ -Arthur Gray We invite you to join us for

Tuesday Tea

August 14, 4 - 6pm at Dr. Goh’s office Topic will be body contouring & CoolSculpting with live demo and complimentary evaluations

Thursday, September 13, 4 - 6pm at Dr. Goh’s office

www.kimberleygohmd.com

Topic will be Facial Rejuvenation including facelifts and topical treatments.

Let the Canfield camera reveal the health of your face with a complimentary take home photo.

Admission is free but space is limited.

RSVP required by phone or email, no later than 3 days before the event.

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broken as their father Chief Bigtree. The Bigtrees originated from Ohio and fabricated the Native American heritage to go along with their life of survival and adventure in a theme park where the family would swim and wrestle alligators. When Ava is left behind as her sister leaves home for a life with the Dredgeman, and her brother goes to work for a rival theme park, it is left to Ava to save the family from a relentlessly sinking world.

Russell is obviously extremely talented in her storytelling and weaves a beautifully written adventure. Part of the magic of Swamplandia! is that this family believes in a spirit world or ghosts, so to speak. You may, too, by the book’s end as you feel the invisible pull of darkness in the land of the swamps.

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Change your ladies night out from ordinary to extraordinary!

Uncork Your Creativity Gather up your best gal pals to make some fun. Creative After Hours events are the latest buzz for bridal parties, family reunions and girls’ night out! Call today and let us organize an event especially for you.

910.575.5999 www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com 10283 Beach Dr. SW (Hwy. 179), Calabash, NC

Variety of classes offered to help beaders learn new techniques or improve their skills. Group classes, beading parties or other special events available.

Perfect for a fun girls night out!

640-H Hwy. 17S Business Surfside Beach, SC, 29575 843-839-3535 www.moonstonebeads.com

www.croissants.net

843.448.2253

With every purchase of a skinny girl cocktail, each lady will be entered into a drawing for a free dinner entree at Croissants along with other prizes from Skinny Girl Cocktails.

Every Wednesday night will be

Skinny Girls Night Out sponsored by Skinny Girl Cocktails.

Classes Thursday - Friday - Saturday Kids Classes Private Parties Group Events

kitchencapersschool.com 5001 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC 10 am-6 pm Monday-Saturday • Reservations Required 843-449-4221

Wine and Design Byob Nights

“Where chardonnay meets Monet” Forget your typical happy hour, make this your new Girls’ Night Out Destination!

Call 843-839-2727

How Do You Fire a

Friend?

by Janey Womeldorf

We leave home, we scrimp, we study, we work. We move, we marry, fill our houses with stuff. We have children, we stress, we long for more sleep. We eat out, drive-thru, buy a slow cooker in hope. We gain weight, we diet, our closet has two sizes. Ten years fly by over bagged salad and lattes. We drink, we justify, we make lists and rush. Pain happens, we cry, we recover and move on.

We turn 40, find clarity, we slow down and breathe. We crave simple and downsize, we justify less. Then one day it hits us: We’d rather quit the race, grow our own veggies and spend Gone is the 20-something person checking off more time with the boxes, the 30-something making it work or family and the 40-something questioning the point. The chapters of our life have shaped our priorities, confidence and values, and friends we we are not the same person we were years ago. The reality is, our lives are love. dynamic; the problem is, not everything survives the ride – including friend-

ships. A special few will last a lifetime, others blossom in one chapter yet fade away later, and some fall by the wayside for different reasons.

“I’m firing Alice,” my sister announced one day. “Her constant whining is exhausting, and I’ve had enough. If she calls, just tell her I’m out.”

“Does your friend know she’s fired?” quizzed my father, confused by this new “modern” method of ending a friendship.

“No, it’s not like I’m going to send her a pink slip; she’ll figure it out.”

The demise of the friendship wasn’t just Alice’s fault. Maybe it was my sister becoming more selective about whom she chose to surround herself with; maybe it was being a cancer survivor. Either way, she no longer desired the company of someone who drained more from the well than they added. It wasn’t like my sister hadn’t tried; she had listened and counseled Alice for over ten years, but her friend’s unwillingness to actually change anything about her victim-attitude, unfulfilling life was grounds for termination.

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Many of us know an Alice. She is the colleague, the neighbor or the coffee buddy who probably doesn’t realize that her negativity and pessimism suck the joy out of what once was a fun, engaging friendship. As our sympathy dwindles and our frustration increases, we even begin to dislike ourselves and question how good of a person we really are. The fact is when a friend no longer makes you feel good about yourself, it’s time to move on – the question is how. Maybe we should just follow the example of children.

Kids show up at the playground one day and announce, “I don’t want to be your friend anymore.” The other child runs off crying, then ten minutes later is playing in the sandbox with a new best friend. It’s immediate, decisive and refreshingly free of the mind-consuming, over analysis we adults do so well.

Maybe I’m just lucky. My lesser friendships have always fizzled out on their own so I’ve never needed to fire a friend; I have, however, promoted a few.

-8-9 Journey 2 My husband and I recently promoted a couple who are friends of 6 Dr. Suess's the Lorax ours from “tier-two” to “tier-one” level. Tier-one friends are the select few who are your first line of defense to socialize with – they make you laugh, conversations are riveting, you share and respect their values, and they make you feel good about yourself. Tier-two friends are still enjoyable but you see them less often, stay less engaged in their lives, and getting together with them lacks the same urgency. There is also a third tier – distant Christmas-letter friends that you see on occasion or friends who instill the “should” word when you think about getting together with them, even though you always have a great time when you do.

We advised our friends of their promotion over a laughter-filled evening appropriately celebrated with a wicked amount of wine.

“Tier one – what an honor!” they gushed, as we toasted the friendship. The reality is, this couple are fun to play with and are welcome in our sandbox any day. Fingers crossed we will always feel that way about them – the alternative is too messy – it’s not like dating.

Relationships are straightforward when you’re dating – you marry or you break up; either way, there’s closure. The rules are unwritten, but we all know them. Take the face to face break up: There is no easy way to tell another person that you just don’t fancy them, so instead we lie through our teeth in a fake attempt to soften the blow on our unwanted victim and make out we care. Blaming the job is a popular choice and so much kinder than blaming the real reason – their personality; alternatively, fear of commitment is another crowd pleaser. Within a few days, the relationship is a memory, and life goes on – or at least for one person. Nowadays, however, who even needs to break up face-to-face when you can just e-mail, facebook or worse, send a text!

Unlike couple relationships, mutual friendships operate by different rules. Girlfriends can go months without calling, but all that means is that life is busy. If a man doesn’t call a woman for two weeks, it’s over. One girlfriend and I can go months between calls then pick up the phone and chat like it was yesterday. Time holds different values between girlfriends; maybe that’s why it took Alice so long to “get the message.”

As the chapters of our lives unfold and play out, friendships will come and friendships will go. Some endings we will orchestrate; others we are the Alice. I just hope that if ever someone wants to fire me as a friend, they’ll be kind. Don’t let me know, don’t send me a text and certainly don’t write me a letter.

SUMMER EVENTS

Especially if it contains a pink slip.

AT THE

MARKET COMMON Every Tues - Thurs 10 AM

August 7-8-9 Journey 2 August 14-15-16 Dr. Suess's the Lorax

Every Wednesday 9 PM • Valor Park August 1 - Goonies August 8 - Hook August 15 - Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom August 22 - Beetlejuice August 29 - Grease

Every Saturday 8AM - 12 PM Cooking at the Market - 11 AM Chef Demonstration Series at Williams-Sonoma featuring produce from the Farmer's Market.

Stop in to meet local chefs, learn new culinary skills, and register to win fabulous prizes.

Every Friday 6 - 9 pm Music on Howard and Reed Streets in the gazebos and complimentary carriage rides in front of Tommy Bahama.

MarketCommonMB.com located along Farrow Parkway between Highway 17 and Highway 17 By-Pass

august

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Three Senior Ladies Tackle Marine’s Mud

by Carrie Luger Slayback

“It will be fun,” Annie and Leslie, members of my ladies’ hiking group insist, coaxing me to join them in Camp Pendleton’s MUD RUN. Reluctantly, I pay close to $60 to experience 6.2 sloppy dirty miles. I consider backing out of the commitment all the way to the night before. I know I will hate the mud.

On June 18, 2011, we get up at 5:15 am and dress in old spandex pants, retired running shoes and shredded shirts. We tangle with freeway traffic, display I.D. at the gate, park on the Marine Base and finally, line up to begin.

At 9 am, six thousand “runners” push, dodge and scramble through the balloon arch marking the start. For the first three miles, Annie (61), Leslie (56) and I (67) run/walk, kicking up dust along California chaparral trails. We tramp beside marines in camouflage colors, listen to chattering participants, spot one fluffed up hawk on a telephone wire, but find nothing wet. Where is the mud? I allow a faint hope, “Maybe I’ll get through this dry.”

THEN, the first stream crossing cuts through the trail. I will NEVER dip my running shoes into water up to my calves!

The next instant I’m IN. Shoes fill with water and spandex slaps, sloshes, slips through the stream. Cool water, no danger of falling, mud at stream’s exit, I’m done and it’s fun.

At approximately Mile 4, we round a bush and come upon the biggest mud pit of the day – 30 feet across, waist deep with the smell of an excavated latrine site. I DO NOT EVER sink my skin into stink. I would run 15 miles to avoid this.

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I slide in. The technique is to pull your feet along through the waist high, brown, outhouse-smelling mix. In about ten feet we meet a 4 foot wall. I grab the top, stiffen my arms and flip my feet over.

Protecting my bad knee, I flex my legs and splash into the big “toilet” on the other side, muck up to my armpits. Perfumed by the “doo doo” pool, I slog out, run a bit to catch Annie and Leslie and continue on, happily.

We trip along the trail, unfazed by the slime splattering from all body parts. We’ve survived the stink hole. Warm weather, blue skies, we are filthy and euphoric until I spot a huge lake-like reservoir.

“I can’t swim across that!” I scream. I buy running shoes two sizes too big to accommodate the fact that my feet swell when I run marathons. Today, each shoe is a mud-packed anchor. Swimming? Impossible.

“Hang on to me,” says Leslie, a triathelete, “and me,” says Annie, a swimmer, and they are IN. I follow, desperate to keep up with my two living life rafts. Instead of holding on to the ladies, I grasp a line stretched across the water. So do 99% of the other participants. We WALK across. At 5’ 2” tall, I keep my head above water the whole way, I do not drink a drip of water which is good because just ahead of me, Annie is peeing in the reservoir.

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The “swimming” part I dreaded turns out to be my favorite. Cool clean water – poo pit washed away.

Momentarily clean, we walk a half mile to another stream crossing.

Fully initiated, I prance in, welcoming the cool current swirling around my ankles. My big running shoes store enough water at each toe to accommodate a couple of gold fish.

By the time we reach the second mud pit and wall, the water has drained from my shoes to be replaced with mud – sweeter smelling this time. I look at Annie’s back, pure sticky brown from shoulders down to ankles. Leslie turns to tell me, “Your face is full of mud.” Her face and blond hair are spotless.

A steep incline arises in front of us at about Mile 4.5, a hose shooting water down the path. We start uphill as water washes down. In spite of the fire hose, we make steady progress up, holding on to the fence wire, planting feet in the thick mud to prevent a backwards slide. Piece of cake, (gooey chocolate).

Next, a crawl through a pipe, the idea is to use hands and knees, but my knees have knobs which grind against the hard pipe, so I crab-walk – easy.

A half mile to a 20 foot stream with flags stretched across at 6 inches above the water level. We’re down on our bellies, heads under flags. People use arms to pull across, feet floating out behind. My water-filled size 8s do not float out behind me, so I crawl under the flags – refreshing.

We hear music and spot the FINISH ahead. We join hands and run down the chute, oops, wrong way. We are NOT registered as a team so somebody turns us around. We head backwards towards the “individual” chute, make a sharp left and squish on through, hands still joined, crossing at 1:42:22.

Marines provide showers but we all have commitments after the race, so we skip the long lines at the shower and stay filthy. We jump into Leslie’s Mercedes reeking of mud, satisfied with our mucky morning.

Quote from Annie: “I’m here because I like to do something new.”

Quote from Leslie: “I’m here because I can do this at my age and enjoy it.”

Quote from Carrie: “I like mud.”

We kiss each other good-bye; the only people on Earth who would touch us are us.

I am home by 1 pm. I shower and grab food to eat in the car. At 2 pm I sit in the Performing Arts Center, attention fixed upon the exquisitely classical National Ballet of Cuba. I gaze at the ideally feminine ballerinas on Pointe and the strong, leaping premier dancers. I sit on the edge of my seat and imagine myself moving in graceful synchrony with the dancers.

In truth, I’m better at slogging through a mud pit.

2012-2013

25th Anniversary Symphony Series

Season Tickets On Sale Now With such hits as: Cherish #1, Windy #1, Never My Love #2, Along Comes Mary #7

The Association Performing live with The Long Bay Symphony Pops October 20, 2012 | Myrtle Beach, SC

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Sunday, September 30, 2012

The World of the Dance Sunday, November 4, 2012

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Sunday, January 20, 2013

Masterpieces of the Modern Era

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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Romantic Blockbusters

featuring Sebastian Bäverstam, cello

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www.sasee.com 21

Southern Snaps Meet Jan Conrad and Ann Brittain – Friends for Life

by Leslie Moore

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” – Elizabeth Foley Forty years ago, when Ann Brittain and Jan Conrad first became friends, Myrtle Beach was much different than it is today. It was a small town, where locals knew each other and most everyone worked hard all summer to meet the needs of visitors who came to enjoy the wide beaches and southern hospitality. Ann Brittain’s parents owned Dayton House, then a hotel, now a resort, on Ocean Boulevard. Ann’s mother and father worked long hard hours caring for their guests and young Ann grew up helping them in the business.

“My mother, Clyde Thomas, cooked a big lunch for the entire staff every single day,” remembers Ann. Jan Conrad’s life was more sedate. Her mother, Ruth Gore, was a typical 1950s wife and homemaker. “I always felt Mrs. Gore was very elegant and creative,” remembers Ann. But, the two women knew each other and were friends for many years until Mrs. Thomas’ death.

Sitting in Sea Captain’s House in Myrtle Beach with Ann and Jan, it was immediately obvious that these two have a special bond. They are so at ease with each other and almost seem to read each other’s mind. Every other sentence was punctuated with peals of laughter, and just being with them was fun. Both are successful, professional women – elegant and attractive.

Ann is the managing partner of Brittain Resort Management, and Jan is an interior designer with Rose Arbor in Myrtle Beach.

Ann remembers the first time she saw Jan. “I was in 2nd grade and was standing in the lunchroom. I saw Jan across the room – she had a ribbon in her hair.”

The girls were friends from that point on, but Jan, Heidi & Ann didn’t truly bond until

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high school at Coastal Academy. “We knew each other through school, but became really close in the 11th grade,” remembers Jan. “I taught Ann to drive – she would only drive on Ocean Boulevard; I had to coax her to drive on the highway.” Both women began laughing at this fond memory and told me that at that time, there was no traffic in Myrtle Beach during the off season, so there was plenty of room to practice!

“I have older brothers, and Jan has younger brothers,” said Ann. “We both needed a sister.” I asked what kind of teenagers they were and Ann told me, laughing, “It’s not that we didn’t get into trouble, we just didn’t get caught!” Both girls had a lot of friends, but always came back to each other.

“We both accentuate the positive and always have a good time. Through the years, we’ve learned that things have a way of working out.”

Jan then added, “And, we’ve never been jealous of each other’s friendships, we grew with each other.”

“Friends have to have the ability to take each other for granted,” said Ann. “And, never hold it against the other.”

After the girls graduated from high school, both attended Converse College, but Jan soon transferred to Clemson. Ann moved to Boston after college, changed her name to Anna (her real name) and learned to drink coffee during the cold New England winter. Of course, Jan had to join her friend, and, of course, they had a few adventures.

“We flew to Nantucket on a very small plane,” Ann remembers.

“After we arrived, we hitchhiked to a friend’s house where we lived on Anna & Catherine peanut butter and marsh-

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mallow sandwiches! We were young and broke, but the local bar had free food during happy hour – we never felt deprived!”

Eventually Jan and Ann returned home to Myrtle Beach. Both married. Both were each other’s maid of honor.

“Ann was six months pregnant at my wedding,” Jan said. “She carried three dozen roses to cover her stomach. My bouquet was four dozen roses – Ann had to struggle to hold them all.”

Ann, raised in the hotel business, was determined not to have anything to do with the industry as an adult.

“God shows me constantly that I am not in charge,” she said. “I met David [Brittain] at a Chamber of Commerce meeting. My daddy liked him and pointed him out saying, ‘How about that boy? He’s got good character.’ David was old fashioned in matters of dating, so he planned a party and had someone invite me. The rest is history.”

Both women had a boy and a girl. Life was a whirlwind of work, children and family. But, the friends stayed close. They told me they had every hairstyle and went from skinny to plump several times. This was told with much more laughing. “Most sisters I know fight, but Jan and I have rarely had any disagreements,” said Ann thoughtfully. “Our relationship is closer than most sisters I believe.”

As much laughter as the two women have shared, it was only through the tears that they became aware of how much they meant to one another. Jan and her husband divorced, leaving her to finish raising her children alone. Ann and David stood by her side while she grieved the loss of her marriage. “Ann and David never gave up on me,” said Jan. “They would come by and insist I go out to dinner with them and included me in most everything they did.”

Tragedy struck Ann just a short year and a half ago when she lost her beloved David. Now it was Jan’s turn to comfort, and she is still Ann’s rock as she journeys through her grief. “Jan and all my friends have helped me get through this,” Ann said thoughtfully. “Our friend Heidi Vukov has also been very good to me – she likes to take care of both of us. You have to let people love you.” Ann has stayed in the Brittain family business and works long hours this time of year. “The Brittain family has been wonderful to me. It’s easy to work with everyone – I grew up in this business!”

Today, both women rely on a strong faith that helps them navigate

life’s ups and downs.

“We wake up and watch Joyce Meyer on television every morning, and then, later, we discuss it,” said Jan. Both women believe their positive outlook on life has allowed their friendship to grow and remain strong. Jan has remarried, and her husband, Carl, has become one of them. “We gave him our stamp of approval,” said Ann. Jan’s children, Trask, 22, and Catherine, 24, are both very close to their mom and to “Aunt” Ann. Catherine lives in Atlanta and Trask is in college in the area.

Ann’s son, Rand, 25, is finishing law school at USC, and her daughter Anna, 23, lives in Charleston. Both feel they have a second mom in their Aunt Jan. After growing up together, these young adults also share a special bond, especially Anna and Catherine who’ve become nearly as close as their mothers.

Jan’s daughter, Catherine, remembers her mother and Aunt Ann planning a trip to New York City, her first. “The 9/11 bombing happened just before we planned to go, and we considered cancelling out trip. Mom and Aunt Ann decided that not even terrorists were going to stop us from going.

We had a great time, even though we were a little nervous, especially when American troops bombed Iraq during our stay – it was a week after 9/11. I have been blessed with two amazing and strong willed mothers.”

When I asked Anna about her mom and Aunt Jan, she told me, “My mother and Aunt Jan have a special friendship. They certainly epitomize ‘B.F.F.s.’ Since birth, I have essentially had two mothers, one being Ann, my real mother, and the other being my Aunt Jan. In her eyes, I am her other daughter, and she often sweetly refers to me as such. Also, through Aunt Jan, I was provided with the most precious gift, my ‘sister’ and life-long best friend, her daughter Catherine. My mother, Aunt Jan, Catherine, and I were always a foursome – the dynamic that exists between the four of us is rare and special.

With Catherine living in Atlanta, and me being in Charleston, it is often hard to find the time to communicate as much as we would like. As with many relationships, like the tide, it is constantly ebbing and waning, and we go through stages where we are closer than others. However, our mothers help keep our friendship kindling. Catherine and I are certainly well on our way to being ‘B.F.F.s’ like our moms.”

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www.sasee.com 23

Hand-Me-Downs

F

by Sonya Lee

Friendships form in many different ways and at many different points in life. Some form in grade school, high school, college or the work force, but rarely do they form at birth. However, born just six weeks apart, that is exactly when Whit and Katie became friends. Due to the friendships of their parents, they spent so much of their youth together that people often mistook them for twins.

Over the years, Whit and Katie ceased to favor as much as they once had – emerging into individual beings with independent interests. All the while, their friendship continued to grow as a result of annual family vacations, teenage parties and some matchmaking attempts by Katie. They were close – family in some respects.

When I began dating Whit in college, I would accompany Whit’s family on their vacations and to friendly gatherings. I was introduced to Katie, and we had the occasional conversation. We were acquaintances I guess one would say – friends by association. However, it seemed only natural when Whit and I became engaged four years later, that I ask Katie to be a bridesmaid. She had been like a sister to Whit, and like other things in marriage, I was hoping the “what’s mine is yours” adage would hold true. I wanted Katie and me to be friends too, so I was happy when she accepted. And throughout our engagement and wedding process, I would like to say our relationship was upgraded from friends by association to friends.

As the years went by, we continued to vacation with Katie’s family and to gather together for our annual Christmas party and other milestones, like weddings and the births of our children. Throughout those years, we grew closer – not only because of our connection to Whit but because Katie is a teacher, wife, and mother like me. We shared commonalities that led to conversations filled with venting, advice, empathy and often laughter.

I would, at that point, liked to have said we were good friends, but I

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have always been a little selfconscious – thinking maybe she didn’t see our relationship the way I saw it; maybe I really was just Whit’s wife. But two years ago, I got confirmation that I wasn’t just a friend of a friend.

One night while I was bathing my daughter the phone rang, and unlike most of the time when I would have just let it ring and returned the call at a less hectic time, I answered because it was Katie. Though we didn’t talk that often, I always enjoyed hearing from her. She was the friend I could always be candid with – no sugar coating. I don’t remember all that we talked about that night, but I will never forget the one question that she did ask.

“Listen, ideally I wouldn’t do this over the phone, but Dan and I are having Daniel dedicated at church soon, and we were wondering if you and Whit would be Daniel’s godparents?”

I immediately answered, “Oh, Katie! We would be honored.” She urged me to talk it over with Whit and to think about it because, of course, this would mean if anything ever happened to them we would be adding one more to our rambunctious brood of two. What was there to think about? Katie was Whit’s oldest friend and over the years had become one of my dearest.

That December we all gathered in a small, country church, and Whit and I stood up and graciously accepted the role of godparents. There were tears in my eyes and joy in my heart. While Katie may have started out as a handme-down friend, she had become so much more over the last ten years. She had become a true friend.

And in just a little over a week, both of our families will pack up and head down to Hatteras, North Carolina, for our annual family vacation. While we don’t see each other that much during the year due to insanely busy schedules – we will spend the week catching up on what we’ve missed. We will sit on the beach together watching our three children play in the sand and talking about the one on the way. At some point, I am sure we will sit in silence – enjoying the crashing of the waves, the squawking of the sea gulls overhead and the vision that one day the squeals of laughter from our children down by the water’s edge will lead to friendships such as ours.

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Oldest and Dearest

by Diane DeVaughn Stokes

Let me tell you about my oldest and dearest friend. It’s a friendship that was destined to be part of God’s plan. I’m sure of it. And here is the story.

It was 1952, and my nineteen-year-old mom was taking me for a walk in my baby carriage when she met another neighborhood mom, Dolly Schott, who was also pushing the carriage of her daughter, Randy. At the time we were both three months old. Randy is one month older than me, which I still remind her of to this day. But this serendipitous meeting of our moms produced a beautiful lifelong friendship.

Sadly, after nine months, my father took off as fast as he could, leaving my mom and me high and dry, forcing our move out of the neighborhood and back to live with my maternal grandparents ten miles away.

Fast forward five years when I was bussed into my old neighborhood to attend first grade at St. Charles Borremeo Grammar School. There I met a skinny, vivacious blonde who I hit it off with immediately. From playing Chinese jump rope to red rover, we were inseparable, always on the same team. When I told my mom about my new friend Randy, she asked me her last name.

Instantly my mom said, “She is not your new friend, but your old friend!” This was the very same Randy who was side by side with me in our carriages as our moms strolled the streets of Newark, New Jersey.

We became the best of friends through-

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out our entire eight years at St. Charles. Many of my “firsts” happened with Randy. The first time I ever spent the night away from my mom was very traumatic, but Dolly assured me that if I came to Randy’s pajama party and got homesick, she would instantly take me home. I cried, threw up and called my mom three times to make sure SHE was okay, but thanks to the warmth of the Schott family, I made it through the night.

I remember Randy’s first boyfriend, Georgie, as well as my own. And I remember the first “B” on my report card because I was talking too much to Randy in class. I wish those nuns could see me now. I get paid to talk! Touché!

Sister Jean, our fourth and fifth grade teacher nicknamed Randy, “Rubber-Neck Randy” because she was constantly turning around in her wooden desk talking to the girl sitting right behind her…me!

When my mom and my new dad got married, it was Randy who encouraged me to not dislike him and give him a chance. At eight years old, it was tough sharing my mom with someone else.

Randy reminded me that having a father could lead to having a little sister someday, like the two of hers that we both adored. And four years later, after we both

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prayed and lit candles at church that it would happen, my beautiful baby sister Donna was born.

Over the years, I was always in attendance at Randy’s dance recitals, and she was always there when I sang solos in church. We have never been jealous of each other, only totally supportive. I fondly recall her grandparents, her dog “Rags,” her love of salad dressing versus mayo, the socks she wore in her hair at bedtime instead of curlers and her skimpy appetite which caused me to devour her lunch as well as my own, the beginning of my weight problem.

And every time I hear the song, “Downtown” by Petula Clark, it reminds me of us singing at the top of our lungs and acting out the entire song at a friend’s birthday party.

Randy and I were definitely the class clowns. Just looking at each other would crack each other up and send us to the cloakroom for detention. But that paid off for us in the eighth grade when we were selected to go to New York City to help Father Cassidy purchase items for our school talent show, picking out hats, vests and props for our final act at St. Charles prior to graduation. I still have the cane Randy and I used in our soft shoe routine to the song “Chicago, Chicago that Toddling Town,” and I still remember the dance steps!

As we said goodbye to St. Charles, I was unaware that my new dad was soon to be transferred to Philadelphia. Moving away from Randy and my grandparents was heartbreaking, but within a year, Randy and her family moved to Mountainside, New Jersey. Just as I was getting used to the two hour drive to visit her, my dad was transferred again to what I thought was the end of the world – Florence, South Carolina.

Randy was not a letter writer. I knew she loved me, but letters from me to her always went unanswered. Writing was not her thing. I understood that. And needless to say, our high school and college years found us preoccu-

pied with parties, boys and our studies, in that order, with little time left to visit each other six hundred miles away. But even though for eight years we hardly saw each other, she came down south to be in my wedding.

Unfortunately, a few years later, I did not have the money to fly back to be in hers, but she understood.

Then in the late seventies, I got this wild idea about having a little reunion with Sister Jean and few of the girls we were friendly with at St. Charles. Dolly hosted it for us and it was terrific reminiscing about the good ole days.

After that, it was ten years before we saw each other again. I phoned Randy upon the birth of her two children, but life got busy for both of us, and time slipped away. But one day, my husband Chuck surprised me with a trip to New York City where he arranged for Randy to pick us up at the airport and have dinner together before hitting the Big Apple. It was awesome. And just last year, we hit the city again with our spouses, for another great reunion, promising to do it more often.

Just as Randy never writes letters or sends Christmas cards, she also does not e-mail, use her cell phone or text. But when I need her she is always there. When my dad died, she flew in to be with me. When her mom died, I flew in to be with her. On my fiftieth birthday, she flew in to surprise me. And most recently, when Randy’s daughter got married, I was thrilled to be cheering in the aisles.

This friendship is a huge blessing. There’s a bond that is as strong as an oak. No matter how long we go without talking to each other, we can pick up the conversation where we last left it. Our lives are totally different. Our worlds are miles apart. But there is a love we have for each other that started in the cradle and will certainly take us to the grave.

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www.sasee.com 27

We Should Get Together…

S o m e t i m e

by Diane Stark

I’m not much of a joiner. Although I consider myself very outgoing, (read: I talk too much) I don’t get involved in many activities without some persuasion. Some not-so-gentle persuasion.

My daughters take gymnastics for an hour each week. So every Monday evening, I sit in the waiting area with the other moms while the girls flip and jump. And every Monday evening, we talk about our kids and our husbands and our jobs and our lives. I enjoy the company of these women. We share funny kid stories, and we laugh, and we gripe about our husbands, and we laugh some more. And at least once a month, one of these women invites me to lunch or out for coffee. I always smile and say, “Yes, that would be fun.

We should do that sometime.” But “sometime” hasn’t come yet.

And I’m not sure why.

Sometimes it’s because the other woman is…well, intimidating. Too well put together. I’m a natural beauty (read: I have five children and can only get seven minutes alone in the bathroom on any given morning.) So if she’s a ten in the looks department, and I’m only a seven, (OK, a six without my miracle bra) why would she want to have lunch with me? So when I say we’ll have lunch “sometime,” I never quite work up the nerve to call her and make more definite plans.

Sometimes the lunch never happens because the other woman is too quiet. Or too talkative. I worry that we’ll go out and have nothing to talk about, that there will be empty silences that I’ll feel obligated to fill with meaningless chatter. (Never mind that I actually like meaningless chatter.) Or I worry that the other woman will talk too much, and I won’t be able to get a word in. I hate that even more than the silences. If I have to listen to her blabber on, it’s the least she can do to return the favor.

And sometimes, the “We’ll get together sometime,” stays just “sometime” because I’m worried that I won’t have fun, but I’ll feel obligated to do it again because I see this woman at my children’s school functions and extra-curricular activities. What if she likes me more than I like her?

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What if she keeps calling and calling, and she just won’t take a hint? Or, worse yet, what if I like her, but she doesn’t want to get together again? I mean, come on, nobody likes rejection.

And then there’s the whole kid issue. My kids have to like her kids, or there’s just no future for the relationship at all. I couldn’t possibly consider sharing low-fat double mocha lattes with someone my children don’t care for. If my potential coffee date has children of similar ages to my own and the genders match up right, that scores her some major points. She might even get a second coffee date – possibly even a weeknight dinner – because of that one.

But sometimes and this sometimes is really more of a most of the time, I think the reason I don’t pursue these invitations is because I’m lazy.

Making friends – and keeping them – takes time. It takes effort and energy, and those things are in short supply in my life. I save the crux of my energy for my family, and that’s exactly how it should be.

But I’m entitled to take some time for myself. For myself, but not necessarily by myself. If going out for coffee or lunch with another mom makes me happy and helps me to relax, that makes me a better wife and mother. Going out on a Mom-date gives me an hour or two to myself, it might introduce my kids to some new playmates, and I get to tell someone else the stories that my husband really doesn’t want to listen to anyway. You see, everyone benefits.

So if this whole “Moms having coffee and lunch dates thing” is so great, why don’t I make more time to do it? Why don’t I overcome my laziness/fear/slightly neurotic worries and just ask another Mom to lunch? Why is something this wonderful so difficult to do? Why, I ask you, why?

All right, that’s it. Enough is enough.

I’m starting an eHarmony for Moms.

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www.sasee.com 29

BFFA – Best Friends for Awhile

by Kim Seeley

“Mama, are you coming? Phyllis and Corkus are waiting!” I sit at the tiny table with my tea set and accessories all in place. My mother takes a seat and pretends to pour her tea. “Isn’t everything lovely, Mama? Phyllis says these cookies are her favorites.” I hand my mother an empty plastic plate.

My mother agrees, “Everything is just perfect, Kim. And how are Phyllis and Corkus today?” My mother glances over to the two empty seats at my tea table.

Oh, they are just fine, Mama. Phyllis is all better from her sore throat, and Corkus had a skinned knee, but she is all better, too.” I pour more tea into the cups for my friends and place pretend cookies on their plates.

These are my best friends during the early years of my childhood, Phyllis and Corkus, two imaginary playmates. My mother was a young mom, married at 17 and a mother at 18, but she was wise beyond her years. She gamely played along with my imaginary friends and involved them in conversations and playtime. They went along with me to Grandma’s house and played outside with me under the large oak trees.

Gradually, Phyllis and Corkus came to play less often. Mama had another baby girl when I was three, and still another when I was four and a half. Once my sisters became more interesting, I spent more time with them, and Phyllis and Corkus were abandoned along the way. But they were my first friends, my best friends for awhile.

My mother’s good friend Peggy, who lived just down the street, also had three girls who were just a little younger than I was.

They were always called Candy, Cookie and Taffy, and no, I am not making that up. Their birth names were Donna, Lynette, and Peggy, but I never

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heard them called that. They went to my school, they attended my church, and they lived down the street from us.

Our mothers were close, and it was only natural that they became good friends of ours. For awhile, they were my best friends.

My next best friend was Margo, who moved in next door to me when I was about ten. Margo was a year older and a grade ahead of me in school. She and her family had just transferred from Alaska, and her dad worked for the FBI. Her travels and her dad’s job added a sense of mystery to Margo, and I was captivated. We spent a lot of time together looking at teen magazines in her room. I was allowed to ride the bus with her (and no adults) to Woolworth’s and a movie. I felt so grown! I had great plans for Margo and me, but my hopes were short-lived. Her dad was being transferred again, and in a few months, she and her family were gone. She, too, had been my best friend for awhile.

Through junior high and high school, one of my closest friends was Debbie. Debbie was a vivacious redhead, witty and smart, with one older brother in the service and elderly parents. I loved visiting at her house because we had all the privacy in the world. We could read her Mad Magazine

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collection and laugh our heads off with no one to bother us. I do believe she loved coming to my house too, for entirely different reasons, to experience a house full of siblings, laughter and noise. We shared classes, sleepovers and vacations together. Our friendship seemed bound to endure, as we enrolled in the same university and kept in touch throughout the four years.

Shortly after graduation, however, Debbie started experiencing some symptoms and underwent testing. She was diagnosed with cancer. She was optimistic and upbeat when we had our lunch dates, despite the scarves and wigs that hid the evidence of her struggle.

We lived about an hour away from each other, but we talked and visited often.

I fell in love and married, and Debbie came to my wedding. A few months into married life, I invited her to our little duplex for lunch, and she spent the afternoon with my new husband and me. We had such a delightful visit, filled with news about high school and college friends.

A few months after Debbie visited me, my mother received a phone call from Candy’s mom. Debbie was in a hospital, and the prognosis was grim.

My mother and I drove to the hospital the next day. I was shocked at my friend’s appearance, but I tried not to let it show. I hugged her and told her I loved her. In a few days, she was gone. Her funeral was the most difficult I had experienced at that time in my life, and I felt her loss keenly as they wheeled her casket past me down the aisle. She too, had been my best friend for awhile, but I would mourn her loss for a lifetime.

I feel a touch of envy for people who claim to have a best friend forever, people who have been confidants and companions their entire lives; however, God seems to know when I need a friend, and he has amply provided through the years. I have been blessed with friends from church, co-worker friends, parents of my children’s classmates; each phase of my life seems to have brought new friendships my way.

In the past two years, I have reconnected through social media with some of my high school classmates, people who can share tales and jokes about Debbie and the old neighborhood. We go to the beach together and meet for lunch, and they have brought a sense of coming full circle and connecting my past and present. Unlike Phyllis and Corkus, they are made of flesh and bone, but they fill a gap in my life just as my tea partner buddies of my childhood once did.

I am thankful for all of the folks who have brightened this journey called life, and I am richer indeed for knowing each of my best friends for awhile.

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Where’s The

P a u s e Button?

by Melissa Face

Most people would agree that a great way to gain a new perspective on life is to escape the ordinary routine. Traveling is good for the body, mind and spirit, and I have often felt better physically, mentally and emotionally upon returning from a trip.

I spent a week camping in the mountains and was reminded that there is much more to life than cell phones, laptops and e-mail. I rejuvenated my spirit when I spent seven days in the Caribbean challenging myself with activities that I had previously been too skeptical to try. I cleared my head and got back to my roots when I traveled to Duck, North Carolina, for a week of resting, reading and leisure.

I am aware that sometimes people need to get away in order to learn more about themselves and find the true meaning of life. Still, I never ever expected this to hold true when I traveled to Disney World a few years ago.

Disney World vacations are for absolute and utter enjoyment, entertaining fun and thrilling amusement. Walt did not design his parks for deep thought, selfdiscovery and philosophy. Or did he?

Okay, get a hold of yourself. I’m sure you are laughing as you envision me in a philosophical pose aboard the Dumbo ride, staring in awe at Cinderella’s Castle or involved in a deep, spiritual conversation with Mickey, Minnie and Pluto. But stay with me; I promise I have a point to make.

It happened on It’s a Small World and Pirates of the

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Caribbean at the Magic Kingdom. It happened on Spaceship Earth at Epcot.

Then it happened again on the dinosaur ride at Animal Kingdom. I realized that I was doing the same thing on every ride at every park.

Regardless of how much fun I was having, I was always looking down the path to see what was ahead. And I was constantly planning what to do next while I should have been enjoying the current attraction. And then I realized that this problem is far bigger than Disney World. It is about much more than rushing through rides at a park; it is about rushing through valuable moments of life – moments we will never have the opportunity to relive.

We spend ordinary days driving fast, working fast, eating fast and shopping fast. We hurry up and get the day over with as quickly as possible so that we can begin the next one. We tap our fingers on the steering wheel while we wait in line at the drive-thru. Then we sigh in exasperation while our food cooks in the microwave. But it’s a microwave for crying out loud!

It’s already fast!

So my question is, we’re in a rush all of the time but for what? Where are we going and what are we going to do when we get there? It would appear that we are trying to accomplish the mundane tasks as quickly as possible so that we can have more time with our families. But this can’t be the case in a day and age where the family meal is virtually non-existent, children receive lessons in morality from TV instead of from their parents and divorce rates are at their highest.

Perhaps we’re in a hurry because we are simply trying to squeeze too much into a 24-hour period. Maybe we should take inventory of our lives and determine how much of what we are doing is really necessary. And more importantly, is it worth sacrificing valuable and irreplaceable family time?

I have always heard that life is not a dress rehearsal, but now I am really trying to live by this wise saying. I want to enjoy the entire process of life and not rush through it. We all know the end result, so why not take pleasure in the journey?

It may seem like a silly analogy, but Disney World was my wake-up call. I can somewhat understand rushing through a business meeting, hurrying through a meal or speeding down the highway. But rushing through a vacation (at the most magical place on earth I might add) is inexcusable. Do we really want to hurry up and get life over with? I don’t. I want to press the pause button.

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Luanne Pigford Luanne Pigford, owner of The Pink Cabana, enjoys having friends over for dinner and just hanging out. When asked what was special about close friends, Luanne said, “I think the comfort level you have with close friends makes it easy and fun with no stress.” Luanne and her best friend, Laurie, met when they were four years old. “We did everything together,” Luanne remembers, “school, shopping and even vacations. Laurie lives in Texas, so we don’t see each other as much as we would like, but when we can get together it’s like we’ve never been apart.” When asked how she meets new people, Luanne laughed and said, “I work all the time it seems, so I meet most new people through work!”

When asked her preferred method of communication, Luanne said, “I text, e-mail and talk on the phone, but I prefer using the phone with close friends since it’s more personal. I do like being able to say a quick hello through a text if I have time constraints and e-mail is great in the business world.” An iPhone user, Luanne admits she never turns her electronic devices off.

There are lots of new and exciting happenings at The Pink Cabana. Luanne is excited about adding more things for men and introducing new fall lines for men and women.

“Customer service is important to us,” said Luanne. “We have an amazing staff that is friendly and attentive to all of our customers—we give honest opinions, too. We want everyone to feel welcome and enjoy their experience.”

The Pink Cabana, 5900 North Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach 843-839-3571 facebook.com/thepinkcabana

Nicole Engblom Nicole Engblom, owner of Artzfolk, likes having her closest friends over and enjoys cooking for them. “We often talk until the wee hours of the morning when we get going!” She went on to say, “My friends know my stories, but my closest friends live them with me.” Growing up, Nicole had a few best friends that she is still in touch with today. “Each one is different and unique in her own way—we did everything together. We still visit each other frequently, and it’s like we were never apart.” Outgoing Nicole can meet new people anywhere. “I am always smiling and talking to people.

I LOVE people, they are all interesting.”

When asked her preferred method of communication, Nicole said, “I don’t like to talk on the phone, and I hate texting, but it is easy. E-mail is good because I can answer on my own time. I like to talk to people in person best of all, because I like to look into a person’s eyes and see how they react.” Nicole checks her messages in the morning while drinking her coffee, and said, “After that, I just let my phone sit there and beep and ding and sing songs to me—it’s like an electronic pet. Then, when I have finished what I need to do for the day, I will look everything over and respond.”

“My business is in full swing this month,” Nicole began. “It is my busy time with summer and fall orders, then Christmas will come, and I won’t stop until Feb. I sell wholesale, retail, and I also make prototypes for large department stores. What makes me unique is that while each line is similar and obviously my ‘style’ every line is different so they don’t compete with each other. Artzfolk has great customer service, and our ever changing styles keep customers coming back.”

Artzfolk & Co., Myrtle Beach, artzfolk@yahoo.com www.artzfolk.com

Todd Gruenemeier Todd Gruenemeier, owner of The Barefoot Cottage, enjoys relaxing with his closest friends, but says, “Most importantly, I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend, Donna. I’m fortunate to have her, she helps me so much with the store, and we enjoy spending time together.” Growing up, Todd and his best friend were always at football or baseball practice, but still managed to have some mischievous moments. “You know it is a close friend when you still communicate 30 years after high school graduation!” A Jacksonville, Florida, native, Todd enjoys meeting new people—usually through his shop or through Donna.

When asked about today’s instant communication, Todd said, “I prefer face-to-face communication, but if I can’t have that, I use the phone, but don’t expect me to talk long! Of course, I have two children, so I’m well versed in texting—LOL!” Todd went on to say that today’s electronic way of staying in touch is necessary for him to stay in touch with his children, but he doesn’t really like it.

“Even though I know I should disconnect occasionally, I’m always wired—old habits are hard to break from the corporate world.” Todd uses an iPhone, iPad and a laptop—all three are always on!

This is an exciting month at Barefoot Cottage. “In August we’ll be starting a drive in support of Juvenile Diabetes, donating a portion of our monthly earnings to the JDRF. Why diabetes? My beautiful 18 year-old daughter was diagnosed at 8 years old with Type 1 Diabetes. Also, we’ll run weekly specials on MudPie, Corkys Footwear, Southern Tide, Coast Apparel and Big Buddha handbags.” Todd went on to tell me, “The uniqueness of a collective boutique, the beautiful decor, and both men and women’s clothing keeps our customers coming back. Everyone has been so kind with many great things to say about The Barefoot Cottage.”

The Barefoot Cottage, 2201-4 Hwy. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach, 843-307-3856 www.thebarefootcottagenmb.com

BUSINESS Kathy Besse & Buffy Patterson

Buffy Patterson and Kathy Besse are the co-owners of breathe~pieces of the soul, a boutique and artist collective in Pawleys Island. Kathy loves spending time with her closest friends participating in outdoor activities. “My friends and I mostly do activities like paddleboarding, surfing or spending time at the river. Being with them is comfortable; they accept me for who I am.” Buffy and her best friend met in junior high. “We got into some trouble, but we turned out well,” she laughed. “We did everything together and even if we don’t talk for months, we pick right back up where we left off. “Buffy went on to say, “Kathy and I work together and meet new people through our business. We’re both also real estate brokers and met a few years ago working for the same brokerage firm. I left when my mother developed Alzheimer’s. Kathy’s dad also had Alzheimer’s, and this bonded us. We kept in touch, and about five months ago, the two of us got together and created breathe.”

Kathy said she really prefers writing letters, but because of her work schedule she communicates more through phone calls and texting. Both Kathy and Buffy are always “wired, wired, wired!”

“We just had our grand opening celebration,” said Kathy. “The excitement and response was overwhelming and exceeded our expectations.” Buffy went on to say, “We had over 500 people here that night. We’re really blessed. Both of us were trying to make a living, and we came together and created this entity that has turned into an amazing thing. We’re in the process of adding a warm and inviting café with a light food and beverage offering. We hope to have it open in September.” Kathy said breathe’s diverse inventory, unique atmosphere and genuine appreciation of their clientele keeps customers coming back.

breathe~pieces of the soul, 9674 Ocean Hwy., Pawleys Island, 843-314-3320 facebook.com/breathepiecesofthesoul

Fabulous Fo rg i n g

Fr i e n d s h i p s

by Ann Ipock

I began writing this column with the emphasis on our world being so small. Oddly, I ended it with the emphasis on friendship being so large! And I am reminded of a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “I didn’t find my friends; the good God gave them to me.”

Two friends have recently come into my life, and I am both happy and humbled. Both occurrences were spontaneous and life-changing. One, a new friend, a single woman, Jessica, lives at the end of my street. The other, an old high-school classmate, Carol, lives a mere three streets away.

There are more contrasts than similarities between them – Jessica, then Carol, respectively: younger vs. older, single vs. married, childless vs. having children and grandchildren, a mover-and-shaker in the health care industry

36 www.sasee.com

vs. a manager retired from a power company. Both are attractive tall brunettes, smart, fun, gregarious, resourceful and self-confident. Both have brought energy and excitement into my life: Jessica, whom I dub Miss Socialite, brings knowledge of fashion trends and pop culture. She’s a connector and loves to help others by bringing people together. Carol is more of a mac ‘n cheese kinda girl. (She calls ALL adults “girls” and “boys.”) She brings nostalgia mixed with a can-do attitude and lots of playfulness. Optimism and generosity are two of her strongest suits.

Jessica and I have quite a bit in common – most incredibly, the same exact BIRTHDAY; also, the same china pattern, Classic Collection by Nikko, our love of shagging and beach music and a medical/dental background.

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843-238-3622 www.homespuncrafters.com

But, Carol and I have even more in common: same age, same high school alma mater (an hour from our present homes) and the same background. Both of our families owned shoe-related businesses: mine, retail shoe stores: Carol’s, shoe repair shops.

Funny, but I met Jessica not through high-tech social media like you might have expected, such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, but a TRUE social media – an old-fashioned, though always trendy sport – walking! Upon seeing Jessica outside in her front yard with her teacup Chihuahua, I don’t know which I found more engaging, Jessica or Sassy Martini. Sassy melted my heart, such a sweet baby! If you picture Jessica’s puppy with a pearl necklace, monogrammed pillows on her sofa and beach music wafting out of her iPod, you get a pretty accurate description of preppy Jessica.

I re-met Carol in a polar opposite way: the high-tech route of Facebook. And yet, when Carol messaged me, I had no idea who she was.

Unlike me, she didn’t include her maiden name on her Facebook page.

Once she cleared that up, she messaged me for weeks from Birmingham, Alabama, where her husband’s business is located. She planned to come to her Wilmington home soon, she said, and I just kept hoping! One night at dusk, after finishing up dinner, I saw this odd movement at the end of my sidewalk. What? A girl on a bicycle, flapping her arms not unlike a wild bird. I did a double take, dropped my pork chop and marched forward to see what all the fuss was about. It was Carol! She came inside, and we laughed – even snorting at times – for hours. It was as if the forty-some years of absence just melted away.

In fact, we couples have become such good friends that Carol and Frank invited us to Destin, Florida, where they have an ocean villa, to spend a week’s vacation. We had a blast! Hub Russ and Frank played golf, Carol and I stayed on the beach. We ate out several times and went shopping – even “junking” as Carol calls it. She is an antiques aficionado and dabbles in sales.

Well, the rest is history – at least, with Carol. It’s been a case of reliving a lot of the past, and yet, planning a lot for the future. With Jessica, it’s been more of a case of getting to know each other and oohing and aahing over the continued, “It’s a small world” similarities we share – mutual friends, favorite clothes and even functions we attend.

And because our daughter, Katie, is much closer in age to Jessica, they have also become very good friends – having dinner together, drinking wine on our front porch and now meeting each other’s friends. Jessica, the connector, is even trying to help Katie secure a nursing job. So with yet another friendship, several words come to mind: synchronicity, serendipity, God winks.

But back to Carol, who among her many talents, is also an event planner extraordinaire, and with Katie’s upcoming wedding to Michael in October, she has offered much welcomed input – bordering genius – on colors, flowers, menu, etc. Carol’s daughter, Christie, an interior designer in Raleigh, has even helped us finalize the colors for the wedding.

On a recent evening at Carol’s home where she prepared a huge dinner for Russell’s birthday – this girl can COOK like it’s nobody’s business – we six gathered together, including Katie and Jessica. It was great fun watching Carol and Jessica get to know each other. Maybe it was the awesome meal – finger-licking ribs with all the trimmings or the perfect wine accompaniment or even the birthday cake, but something wonderful happened.

Carol, already hosting Katie’s bridesmaids’ luncheon in her home, asked Jessica if she’d like to host the bachelorette party. The latter will be held at Carol’s beach home fifteen miles away. In the sweep of a hand, we were looking at party invitation samples and planning yet another celebration of friendship.

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www.sasee.com 37

Journey of

Purses

I remember the long, hot ride through the state capital of Columbia, looking at the back of her head as she steered the car, the jet-black “Jackie-O” over-sprayed flipped up hairstyle, the occasional cigarette ash-flick out the window, listening to the clink of empty Pepsi-cola bottles on the floorboard and finally feeling the cool mountain air in my face as we started up the switch-backed mountain roads. Even though the trip seemed to take forever, my mom kept me entertained with stories of growing up and how she was kissed by Elvis at age seventeen. Armed with a steady supply of candy and soda to keep me maintained on a prolonged sugar buzz, we cheerily headed down the road together.

On this particular trip, we were planning to stay at my grandmother’s house for a few nights and then the three of us would go to the little town of Cherokee, North Carolina, to see the sights and do a little shopping. Cherokee is a tourist destination with a Native American theme, with lots of little variety stores selling moccasins, leather goods and beaded gifts. After finding a parking place and getting my grandmother out of the car, I was ceremoniously handed a five dollar bill. “This is for you to spend today,” my grandmother said. “You can get anything you want,” my mother told me. Yes! Let’s go shopping! My mother loved to shop, and she had passed the shopping gene onto me.

I looked down the center of town, the wide cobble-stoned street was closed to traffic and walkable, with so much to explore. Was that an ice cream shop at the end? Excitement was in the air, and that five dollar bill was burning a hole in my pocket. We heard an announcement over a loudspeaker: “Hey everybody, the Wild West show is about to start in front of town hall so duck down and look for cover.” We immediately darted into a huge gift shop, loaded with trinkets and treasure; it was almost too much to take in.

That’s when it caught my eye – a bright and shiny daffodil-yellow patent leather purse with a big buckle on the front. I was in love.

It was absolutely gorgeous and I had to have it.

by Lisa Dickinson

When I was a young girl, my mother took me on a road trip to visit my grandmother to beat the summer heat in the mountains of North Carolina. She put me in the back of the family station wagon on top of a quiltcovered mattress where I could play with my dolls and make faces at the drivers behind us along the eight-hour journey to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Many parents didn’t use car safety seats for their kids back then; it was the late sixties and not yet legally required.

38 www.sasee.com

august

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Sponsors Pretty in Anything • Karen Elliot Photography Zumba with Paula • Cruising with Mike (Vacations) Made Over with Carol (Make-up Consulltant) Stella and Dot Jewelry by Mary Kate Hair and Nails by Restless Style “But this is the first place we’ve been into. Don’t you want to see what’s in the other stores first? Maybe there is something else you’d like better,” they said to me, almost in unison.

“No, I want this purse. This is the one,” I stubbornly declared.

This decision was not readily accepted by the older women. “Lisa, we just got here. This purse cost five dollars, and you’d use up all your money.

There would be nothing left for the rest of the day. Are you sure?” my mother asked. The next ten minutes were spent trying to persuade me to save my money for later, but I was unshakable and wouldn’t hear of it. I took the beaming yellow purse to the counter and passed my money to the sales clerk. She put it in a paper bag and gave it back to me: Victory.

For the rest of the afternoon, I could only watch as my mother made her purchases while I carried my purse with pride and stubbornness. I still have that yellow purse, darkened with age and the fierce independence that was carried inside of it.

Over the years, my mother’s health began to fail, but she continued to buy dozens of purses for me – special occasion clutches, oversized baby bags, fashionable beach carry-alls, basic black handbags and the required high-quality leather purse for everyday use. These gifts were facilitated by the accessibility of online shopping and her inherently strong opinion that every woman should carry a good “pocketbook” that matches her outfit.

I have a feeling she was carrying some type of fabulous accessory over her shoulder on that particular day when she happened to catch the eye of the one and only Elvis Presley.

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ation, works overtime, loves Teach·er [tee-cher] imparts inform

children, Makes a Difference Gretchen Almeida r 8th grade English Language Arts teache Forestbrook Middle School

education – How long: This will my 18th year in and seven eleven in the middle school classroom in staff development (teacher learning). e my love of the Why teach: Teaching allows me to shar s in the hopes that English language with middle schooler be contagious! my passion for reading and writing will

Gretchen Almeida

ging, Best thing about your job: It’s challen ever spent an rewarding, and entertaining! (Have you s a day?!) hour with 90 different middle schooler ership and Best thing about your school: Our lead , and we are teachers have a positive, can-do attitude always looking at ways to improve. to start – New School Year: I’m ready for school rs go back on the I do much better on a schedule. Teache t on the 22nd. I’m 14th of this month and the students star new students! really looking forward to meeting my

Lives: Conway ing and travel Loves: Family, friends, sunshine, read

ing a book, either t, by Gayle Forman. I am always read Wen She re Whe lts: adu ng you for es seri nd book in a Reads: Right now, I’m reading the seco students or books for adults. my to end mm young adult books to reco ion University in Florence. essor of political science at Francis Mar prof a is who k, Ric rs, yea t eigh of by Family: I live with my hub adopted a cat from the e it to her 15th birthday! Soon after, we mad ost alm who y, kele Ber iel span e to our cocker come addition to our home!

Pets: In January, we sadly said goodby ld never know it. She’s feisty and a wel wou you but , eye one just has la Lee Noah Program in Surfside. dancing with my niece whether I’m belting out tunes in my car, me, for pe esca an are cing dan and life. Singing Inspiration: Music is a large part of my . the Theatre of the Republic in Conway of e stag the on and nephew or entertaining reading a great book. d, heading to the beach with friends and ban hus my with ch brun for out g goin Perfect Day: Sleeping in, not too choosy)! seafood; any dessert with chocolate (I’m Favorite Meal: Pasta with any kind of Work Out: Yoga and walking

lump, and I had a ram in January. My doctor detected a mog mam first my had and er emb Nov need chemotherapy . I turned 40 in nodes and bloodstream, so I should not ph Beauty: I am a breast cancer survivor lym my red ente it re befo cer can journey, I asked my e caught the visiting my other breast. Throughout my mastectomy in April. I am blessed to hav from cer can of type my ent prev to well. I was moved and will take a pill itivity to endure the unimaginable, as pos and or radiation. For the next five years, I ngth stre the me n give has itive for me. God itive attitude. friends and family to be strong and pos as the staff member with the most pos me d vote ily fam ool Sch dle Mid honored that my Forestbrook te Challenges: Procrastination, chocola

s the soul! girlfriends is rejuvenating. Laughter feed Friendship: Spending time with my world and write a book!

Dream: To someday retire, travel the

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In 71 Days, you could start working as a Dental Assistant!

You can now find a career of helping people improve their dental health.

You could be in a new career by summer!

From overland excursions on the Trekker to garden tours and new exhibits, there is always something new and exciting at Brookgreen.

For more information call or visit our website

(800) 849-1931 www.brookgreen.org

The Academy of Dental Assisting offers hands-on, skill-focused, dental career training. Our mission is to promote the dental profession through practical and affordable learning.

Admission: $14 Adults, $12 Seniors, $7 Children 4-12 & Children under 3 are FREE!

Licensed by the SC Commission on Higher Education Now affiliated with the Military Program MYCAA

Butterfly Exhibit Opens Spring 2012

“We will never criticize or put you down for the condition of your teeth” 843-238-5634

811 5th Ave. N., Surfside Beach

Admission is Good for 7 Days!

www.DoctorAltman.com

On Highway 17 south of Myrtle Beach between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island.

Advertiser Index

Art & Soul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Artzfolk & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Barbara’s Fine Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Barefoot Cottage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Breathe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Brookgreen Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Butler Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Cabana Gauze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Coastal Carolina OBGYN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Coastal Dance Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Consign@5th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 CRH Interior Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Croissants Bistro & Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Croissants Bistro & Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 David E. Grabeman, D.D.S., P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Elderberry Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

• Dental Theory • Terminology • Four-handed Dental Assisting • Radiology • Impressions & Model Preparation • Sterilizing Techniques • Job Interview Techniques for Dental Assistant, Front Desk, Office Manager & Steriliztion Technician

Eleanor Pitts Fine Gifts & Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 En Facé . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Fabric Showcase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Finders Keepers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Four Seasons Interiors, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Grady’s Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Grand Strand Homewatch Caregivers . . . . . . . . . 33 Grand Strand Plastic Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Hannah B’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Homespun Crafters Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Hopeologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Island Shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 The Joggling Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 The Kangaroo Pouch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Katie’s Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Kitchen Capers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

LifeWay Christian Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Litchfield Dance Arts Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Long Bay Symphony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 The Market Common . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 McLeod Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Moonstone Beads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 North Beach Fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Palmetto Ace Home Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Palmetto Paint & Design Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art . . . . . . . . . 10 Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art . . . . . . . . . 44 Pawleys Island Swimwear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Pink Cabana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Pounds Away of Myrtle Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Purpleologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Restless Style Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

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Rose Arbor Fabrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Sassyfras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Scents Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Shades & Draperies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Social Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 South Atlantic Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Southern Living Showcase Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Sunset River Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Take 2 Resale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Take Shape for Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Taz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Victoria’s Ragpatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 WEZV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 William E. Altman, DDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

www.sasee.com 41

12

The Scoop

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Visit www.sasee.com for a full calendar and more Sasee events!

1-9/23

1-29

1-29

1-31

3-31

4-19

6-10

10

The Paul Grimshaw Band, 7 pm, Brookgreen Gardens’ Cool Summer Evenings, free with garden admission. For more info, call 843-235-6000 or visit www.brookgreen.org.

17

Sounds of Summer Concert Series, McLean Park, North Myrtle Beach, 7-9 pm. For more info, call 843-280-5570 or visit www.nmbevents.com.

23

24

9/2-4

Andrea Baldeck: Sea Treasures, The Art Museum of Myrtle Beach, 3100 S. Ocean Blvd.

For more info, call 843-238-2510 or visit www.myrtlebeachartmuseum.org.

Children’s Nature programs at Myrtle Beach State Park, Tues.-Sat., most free with park admission.

For more info, call 843-238-0874.

Summer Musical Arts Camp, 9-12:30 pm, Litchfield Dance Arts Academy, Pawleys Island. Featuring instruction in acting, singing, musical theater, dance and choreography for students 7-17, $125.

For more info, call 843-237-7365 or e-mail ldaaoffice@gmail.com.

Music on Main, Main St., North Myrtle Beach, 6:30-8:30 pm. For more info, call 843-280-5570 or visit www.nmbevents.com.

42 www.sasee.com

Coastal Birding, 10-11am, Wednesdays, Huntington Beach State Park, bring binoculars and field guide. For more info, call 843-235-8755.

Ocean Isle Concert Series, Fridays, 6:30-8 pm, Museum of Coastal Carolina parking lot, E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. For more info, call 910-579-2166.

Moveable Feast, Tom Poland discusses Save the Last Dance for Me, 11 am, JD’s Steak House, $25. For more info, call 843-235-9600 or visit www.classatpawleys.com.

august

Gullah/Geeche Mania, Wednesdays, 1 pm, Brookgreen Gardens, free with garden admission.

For more info, call 843-235-6000 or visit www.brookgreen.org.

The Marvelous Wonderettes written & created by Roger Bean, Swamp Fox Players, Strand Theater, Georgetown. For times and ticket info, call 843-527-2924 or visit www.swampfoxplayers.com.

Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival, Valor Park, The Market Common. For more info, call 843-916-7221 or visit www.MarketCommonEvents.com.

Fashion Forward Shoes for the Fashion Conscious Woman! s r Join u y Night fo nesda ight Out d e W every ny Girl’s N of a Skin e s a h e c will b h pur c u a o e y With ktail, ng for a c o c l y Gir to a drawi er $200 n n i k S h ov d in t e r r o e t w en kage tificates c a P Prize in gift cer Prize Package includes Gift Certificates from Croissants Bistro & Bakery, Sasee Magazine, Grand Strand Magazine, Core Fitness, Rose Arbor Fabrics, Barbara’s Fine Gifts & Accessories, Ooh La La, Kitchen Capers and Studio 77 Gifts & Accessories www.croissants.net

Jon Josef, J. Reneé, Mephisto, Naot, Dansko, Sanita, Jack Rogers, Sam Edelman, Jeffery Campbell, just to name a few…

We carry sizes 5 to 11 and narrows when available

843.448.2253

august

www.sasee.com 43

2012

Performance Schedule

Unless otherwise noted, all events held at The Reserve Golf Club of Pawleys Island

2 0 t h

A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization

A N N I V E R S A R Y

The Wearable Art Luncheon

Mac Arnold

Thursday, September 27 • 11:00 am – 1:30 pm • $30 At Tommy Bahama Restaurant @ The Market Common

Sunday, October 7 • 5:00 pm • $25

A Classical Evening featuring Taylor Johnson

Gallery Crawl

Tuesday, October 9 • 7:00 pm • $25 at All Saints Church

Sunday, September 30 • 2:00 – 6:00 pm • Free admission At Various Galleries from Murrells Inlet to Georgetown

Fireworks Ensemble’s American Tapestry

Independent Films

Free admission, reservations required, donations accepted At Tara Theatre, Litchfield Golf & Beach Resort Tuesday, October 2 Young @ Heart • 3:00 pm The Baruchs of Hobcaw • 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 3 World’s Smallest Airport, The True Story of the Thrasher Brothers Aerial Circus • 3:00 pm Jack Kerouac, King of the Beats • 7:00 pm

13th Annual Pawleys Island Wine Gala

Friday, October 12 • 7:00 pm • $50 / $35 / $25

The Tabled Event

Legends of Motown starring Horizon Saturday, October 13 • 7:00 pm • $35 & $25

Family Day

3rd Annual Chalk Walk

Bright Star Theater’s production of Once Upon A Time

Steve Tyrell

Sunday, October 14 • 3:00 pm • Adults $15, Children 15 & under Free

Saturday, October 6 • 7:00 pm • $75 / $35 / $25

Murrells Inlet Seafood The Reserve Golf Club of Pawleys Island Marketing Strategies Blue Cross Blue Shield Traffic Patrol Broadcasting

Deborah Silver

Sunday, October 14 • 1:00 pm • Free admission

Friday, October 5 • 7:00 pm • $85, beginning Sept. 1 $100

Waccamaw Community Foundation The Market Common The Jackson Companies First Federal

Thursday, October 11 • 7:00 pm • Adults $25, Students Free at Waccamaw High School Auditorium

Strand Media Group Grand Strand Magazine WEZV – 105.9 WPDE-TV 15 Trip Smarter – Beach TV

Tickets on sale now! Call 843-626-8911 or visit PawleysMusic.com