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Articles: Buy Local ProďŹ ting From The Green Movement Bunker Shot Perfection
Contents From The Editor
5
Colonial Charters Subdivision, in Little River/Longs
8
Kitchens
10
10 Reasons To Plant Trees...Now!
11
Margate Tower At Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach
13
Pillows
14
Bunker Shot Perfection
16
Sunrooms
20
Grande Dunes 2008 Market Report
21
Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach, SC
23
Wardrobes
24
Prince Resort
25
Crescent Keys in North Myrtle Beach SC
27
Books
28
Baywatch Resort in North Myrtle Beach, SC
29
Chandeliers
31
Commerical Real Estate
32
Fan
33
Umbrella
35
Baths
37
Time To Refinace or Buy?!
39
Beds
41
Can You Find The Gorget?
43
Carolina Girl Gear
45
How To Make Grits
47
How To Set a Table
50
Neighborhoods
53
About Carolina Forest
54
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 2
From The Editor Buy Local Promoting local business is as simple as having other company’s business cards or brochures posted on a board in your store. In an effort to promote your area, we are distributing decals that say “Check us out at www.CherryGrove.sc,” in hopes that local shoppers will visit the site to find local restaurants, clothing, specials, coupons and more. We are doing our part, so please join us, and promote your local merchants, and everyone will benefit!
Buy
Top Ten reasons to Think Local Local - Be Local – Help Local Businesses
1. Buy Local -- Support yourself and Cherry Grove. Many studies have revealed when you buy from an independent, locally owned business in the your own area, rather than a nationally owned businesses, considerably more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses. Local businesses continue to strengthen the economic base of the local community. These include case studies showing that local owned businesses generate a premium in enhanced economic impact to the community and our tax base.
2.Support Local Area Community Groups:
Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller Cherry Grove area business owners than they do from large companies.
3. Keep Your Area Unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind local businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character. Local tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust.
4. Reduce Environmental Impact: Locally owned businesses in your area can make more local purchases requiring less transportation. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. Create Additional Jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in the community, provide the most jobs to local residents. 6. Receive Better Service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products and services they offer, and take more time to get to know customers. Cont. next page www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 3
Buy LoCaL Promoting local business is as simple as having other company’s business cards or brochures posted on a board in your store. In an effort to promote your area, we are distributing decals that say “Check us out at www. Greewood.sc,” in hopes that local shoppers will visit the site to find local restaurants, clothing, specials, coupons and more. We are doing our part, so please join us, and promote your local merchants, and everyone will benefit!
top ten reasons to think LoCaL Buy LoCaL - Be LoCaL – heLp LoCaL Businesses 1. Buy LoCaL -- Support yourself and Greenwood. Many studies have revealed when you buy from an independent, locally owned business in the your own area, rather than a nationally owned businesses, considerably more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses. Local businesses continue to strengthen the economic base of the local community. These include case studies showing that local local owned businesses generate a premium in enhanced economic impact to the community and our tax base.
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 5
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www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 6
CEO Dennis Stewart EDITOR IN CHIEF Larry Local CREATIVE DIRECTOR Daniel Holliday ART DIRECTOR Amy Coats WEB DEVELOPERS Allen Bayless Matthew Coats ADMINISTRATION & MARKETING Vivi Morillo Angie Woods
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Colonial Charters Subdivision, in Little River / Longs, South Carolina by Mirela Monte of Buyers Choice Realty When I embarked on the assignment to post a blog on the activity at Colonial Charters, the neighborhood I live in, I did not expect to find that Eureka moment, but I did. In spite of the slow market we had in 2007, Colonial Charters was actually buzzing with activity, selling close to 100% of it’s inventory!!!
This is ONE HOT NEIGHBORHOOD!!! I knew that it was a diamond of a neighborhood. That’s why I bought my home there (that, plus, my daughter begged me to buy there, because most of her friends lived here). You’ll find a high concentration of agent owners here and with good reason: Colonial Charters is the most bang for the dollar that you can get at the Beach, and no one knows that better than the Real Estate Agents. Located only 7 minutes to the blue Atlantic, within a very short distance to ALL four schools, hospital, doctors, shopping and main highways, and a mere three minute drive to North Carolina, Colonial Charters is positioned like no other. I take my daughter and her
friends to school in the morning (our group of mothers all take turns taking the girls to school, church, sports and activities), I go jog on the beach, then lift a few weights at the gym on the way home. It’s all in very close proximity of 3-7 minutes. In the evening we go bicycling on the wide streets or on the golf course trails, rollerblade on the smooth asphalt, or jog around the lakes. Whatever you want; it’s all here: golf course, preserves, lakes, fountains, wild life, and civilization. With fish and turtles in the lakes, Colonial Charters can accommodate almost every hobby... On Saturdays we go to Indigo Farms, located only 3-4 minutes away. The kids love the many farm animals there, and I love the fresh fruits and vegetables and the great nursery, where you can see for yourself the largest ficus plant I’ve ever laid my eyes on. It’s actually a ficus tree now, almost breaking through the rooftop of the nursery. Colonial Charters is a Huge neighborhood comprised of Four Residential Neighborhoods, three condo projects and two townhome developments. All in all, we have 9 neighborhoods within the neighborhood of Colonial Charters. The big Kahuna is coming shortly, a beautiful development of high end homes situated around several vast lakes, complete with fountains and lovely Waterfalls. It will be a gated community and it will be gorgeous.
course from my kitchen window: oh, what a lovely, verdant sight! You should be here!
Colonial Charters: Is it located in Longs or Little River, SC? Colonial Charters is a grand development comprised of several subdivisions and condo projects. Part of the development is located in Little River, SC, and part of it is in Longs, SC. I live at Colonial Charters, along with about a dozen other Realtors. This is a very popular place for us agents, because it is quiet and tranquil, yet it is close to the beach, schools, hospital and shopping, with easy access to both NC (via hwy. 57) and the rest of Myrtle Beach proper (via hwy. 31). Here you’ll find price points from the $ 100’s all the way to over $ 500’s. It is adjacent to a lovely golf course, recently renamed Palmetto Greens. My official address is in Little River, yet my friend, who lives only three houses away from me, has a Longs address. Go figure! When I walk to her house I can honestly say that I walked all the way to another city!
The old Colonial Charters Golf course has been re-directed and is in the last stages of being completely replanted and revamped. I can see the lovely green pastures of the new golf www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 8
Owning a second home at the Beach, or relocating to the easygoing coastal areas of the Carolinas could be more than a dream; Buyers’ Choice Realty can make it a reality for you! Servicing the entire coast from Charleston, SC, all the way to Wilmington, NC, and everything in between, we are best suited to help you locate your ideal home at the Beach. Areas serviced: Myrtle Beach Area: Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, Pawley’s Island, Murrell’s Inlet, Litchfield, Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Longs, Little River. South of Myrtle Beach: Georgetown. Charleston Area: Charleston, Daniel Island, Moncks Corner, Awendaw, McClellanville, Isle of Palms, James Island, Johns Island, Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, W. Ashley, Wild Dunes, Summerville, Folly Beach. Brunswick Islands: Ocean Isle, Sunset Beach, Holden Beach, Southport, Oak Island, to Wilmington, NC. If you are not sure which part of this lovely coastal area you want to invest in, the professionals at Buyers’ Choice Realty can help you compare the different locations and settle on that perfect spot for you. Location, location, location... Don’t waste your time with several different agents. See the whole picture with only one agent who will help you find your perfect spot in the Sun! Mirela’s Blog - http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/MyBlog
“If you can organize your kitchen, you can organize your life.” Louis Parrish
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 11
Margate Tower at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach by Mirela Monte of Buyers Choice Realty For the person who is used to the finer things in life, Margate Tower is the place to call home when in the Myrtle Beach Area. Margate Tower is the crown jewel of Kingston Plantation, a 145-acre, 450 million dollar master planned oceanfront resort community located within the Arcadian Area of Myrtle Beach, with easy access to highways 31, 22 and 17, 24/7 security, meticulously manicured grounds, a state of the art gym, restaurants, tennis courts, and an endless array of water features: lakes, indoor/outdoor pools and lazy rivers. This 29 story oceanfront luxury high-rise contains 251 condos varying in size from 1,806 to 2,787 heated square feet. With nine foot ceilings, open floor plans and generous decks overlooking the blue Atlantic, Margate Tower confers every luxury deemed necessary by the discerning buyer. From stylish indoor corridors with gorgeous views of the verdant surroundings, to double doors to each unit, to separate elevators for the staff, nothing is left to chance here. Once inside, even royalty will feel at home...
view. Units 2 through 7 are oceanfront. The condos ending in the number 2 are four bedroom units facing the south end, with 180 degree breathtaking views of the Atlantic from its expansive wrap around deck. Nothing impedes the views; even the most claustrophobic can feel comfortable here. With a total of 3,333 sq. ft. under roof, these units are truly magnificent. The units ending in “7” also have four bedrooms, although the floor plan is somewhat smaller and less exciting. The views from here are also quite good, although somewhat impeded by the next building over, the Brighton. The units ending in 3, 4 and 5 are three bedroom units. The units ending in “6” are two bedroom units, with a total of 2,129 sq. ft, out of which 310 sq. ft. belong to the deck, a veritable oceanfront veranda. If you are buying a condo here and are thinking of renting it out when you’re not using it, stay away from floors 4, 5, 28 and 29. These floors have been reserved for owner occupants only. The Margate Tower is Luxury at its best with nothing missing except for the 13-th floor. As in other high rises, this number is absent from the elevator buttons... Not a bad thing if you’re superstitious...
There are only 9 units on each floor. The condos ending in the numbers 7, 8 and 9 are ocean www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 13
“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.�
Lyn Yutang
Bunker shot perFeCtion: BLast your way to a Better GoLF sCore Bunker shots can be daunting but it’s really all in your head! Use these simple techniques the next time you’re in the bunker and blast your way to a better score. Golf ScoreFirst, don’t change your swing. Use the loft of the club and your back swing to determine your distance. Of course this will take some practice so you know how to shorten your backswing to get the distance you need. You use your back swing to adjust your distance because you always
want to accelerate through the ball. You never want to the club head to decelerate. Also open the club face if needed to decrease the distance the ball will travel. Use the “bounce” on the club to launch the ball out of the sand. Don’t worry too much about the definition of bounce but try this the next time in the practice sand trap. Take your sand wedge and swing at the sand. Vary the angle the club hits the sand. When you bring the club down steeply you’ll take a lot of sand and leave a large “divot” in the sand. Decrease the angle that you strike the sand until you can feel the club almost bounce off the sand. Feeling that is more important than the actual definition of bounce. The key is to have this bounce feel when hitting the ball out of the sand. Open the club face and aim slightly right with an open stance with the ball forward in your stance, slightly off of your left
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 16
heel for right handed golfers. When you swing follow the line of your feet. Keep the weight on your left foot and don’t try to lift the ball, let the club do the work; trust me the club will lift the ball. Hit about 1 inch behind the ball. The key is to get sand between the club face and the ball. This is where that bounce comes in to play. Also, expect more roll on the ball when faced with a down hill lie in the bunker because the ball won’t get as much spin and tend to roll quite a bit. Use and practice these techniques to get yourself off the beach and onto the green. For more helpful tips, advice, or to add some Golf Tips and Suggestions of your own - you are invited to visit the South Carolina Golfers Blog at www.Golf.sc/Blog/
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 18
In our lives there is bound to come some pain, surely as there are storms and falling rain; just believe that the one who holds the storms will bring the sun.
Grande Dunes 2008 Market Report by Mirela Monte of Buyers Choice Realty
10
homes have been sold
at the year.
Grande Dunes
this
The least expensive home sold at the Grande Dunes this year was originally priced at $795,000 and sold in April for $625,000. It was a two year old, 3BR/2.5BA, 3,600 sq. ft. home. It had been on the market for 275 days. The most expensive home sold at the Grande Dunes this year was originally priced at
$3,600,000 and sold for cash in January for $3,005,000. It had been on the market for 183 days and closed within 5 days of the accepted offer. The home had 4BR/4BA/2HBA and it was over 6,000 sq. ft. The home was brand new and located on the Intercoastal Waterway with its own boat dock. The average price of sold homes for 2008 at the Grande Dunes was $1,447,700 and the median price was $1,256,000.
Grande Dunes, Luxury Real Estate in Myrtle Beach Grande Dunes, is the Big Daddy of Luxury Living at the Beach. An exclusive Ocean
to Intercoastal address, it features classic Mediterranean architecture and abundant amenities including two golf course clubhouses, two 18-hole championship golf courses, as well as the new Marina Inn. The 2,200 acre community also offers an award-winning tennis and fitness center, a 25,000 square foot Ocean Club, and a 130-slip marina within a planned Marina Village. Whether you are looking for a million dollar home, a waterway or oceanfront luxury condo,Grande Dunes is where you will find it if you require five star accommodations. For the ultimate in luxury and tranquility in the Myrtle Beach area, this gated community is the answer.
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 21
Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach SC by Mirela Monte of Buyers Choice Realty As if the blue Atlantic and white sand was not enough, Avista is also surrounded by both man made and nature’s bounty. To the North of it lays the most picturesque part of the beach, also known as “The Golden Mile of North Myrtle Beach”, Ocean Drive’s finest tenant, Tilghman Estates. With sprawling mansions and charming low country style homes set amidst oak and magnolia trees, you have to pinch yourself to see if you haven’t drifted into some movie induced la-la land.
To the South of it lays Main Street, the heart of North Myrtle Beach and the shagging capital of the World. Familiar names like “Fat Harold’s” and “The Spanish Galleon” beckon the passerby’s with its upbeat music and bucolic crowds. The fact that Avista is within a stone throw away, certainly doesn’t hurt its popularity with the revelers. Add to that the highest rating accorded to it by TripAdvisor. com, the iconoclast of travel, and you’ve got yourself a winner. Whether you’re investing at the Beach, or just want to soak in the sun for a few days, there is no better place than Avista. With prices lower than they’ve been since pre-construction in 2005, now is the time to purchase a piece of this hugely popular resort.
available for sale at Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach. The Quarterly absorption rate stands at 16.07%, almost double that of the local area condos, which stands at 8.96% for the quarter, concrete proof that Avista is one of the best Oceanfront Projects in the entire Myrtle Beach Area. Avista has many different floor plans for the 1,2 and 3BR. condos. Some 1BR units have not one, but two balconies and a wall of glass to the living room. The 3BR corner units are the most exciting condos at the beach with panoramic views of the Atlantic from walls of glass and expansive balconies. The interior and exterior pools and lazy rivers make this a year round resort and a favorite with the tourists and investors alike.
There are currently 56 condos
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 23
Just let the wardrobe do the acting Jack Nicholson
Prince Resort by Mirela Monte of Buyers Choice Realty
Prince Resort. I never thought it could happen. I wasn’t happy about it when they started building it. I hated the idea of a concrete and steel building encumbering the tranquility of the Cherry Grove Pier, a legendary edifice treasured by all the fishermen. Then it happened: I fell in love with Prince Resort! The project is simply gorgeous. The decor is ultra modern, South Beach Style. There are two towers, one oceanfront,
the other one second row, with amazing views. Each tower has heated pools, Jacuzzi and lazy rivers, all of them outdoors. The second row tower has all the water features on the 9-th floor. Imagine the weird feeling sun tanning and swimming 9 floors above sea level. Yeah, it’s awesome! The Cherry Grove Pier is attached to Prince Resort, so your husband can just wake up and go fishing. The kids can enjoy the pools downstairs, and you can watch all of them from your balcony. You can have lunch at the wonderful grill restaurant on the pier and dinner at the fancy, oceanfront
restaurant within the Prince Resort. You can put a boat on the channels behind the Resort. What I like best about Prince Resort: the tranquility and the amazing setting, along with the stunning building and modern decor. There is water EVERYWHERE. My favorite condo: the one bedroom corner units. They have so much bang for the dollar (I just sold one there for $ 155K). With amazing views from the wall of windows on both sides, they simply have no rivals (with the exception of the Baywatch corner units) when it comes to views. See you at the Beach!
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 25
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Crescent Keyes in North Myrtle Beach SC by Mirela Monte of Buyers Choice Realty This two year old Oceanfront Condo project located in the Crescent Beach Section of North Myrtle Beach, has all the views and amenities desired by a very selective Buyer. With around 100 condos in the building, superb water amenities, indoor/outdoor pools
and lazy rivers, in-building parking, storage, weight room and unobstructed views of the Atlantic, this is certainly worth looking at when shopping for a 3 bedroom oceanfront condo.
Now may be the perfect time to buy one. There are currently seven available 3BR/3BA units for sale priced between $456,900 to $559,900. There have been no sales of a 3BR unit in the past 6 months (this is the paralysis period preceding a pricing plummet we’ve experienced in this area).
per month, and that includes the building insurance. That is remarkably low for such a large size unit (1,800sq.ft). By comparison, there are some 1BR/1BA oceanfront units with HOA fees in the $600’s. The building is modern, the condos are spacious and they have superb views. Dollar for dollar this is a project you should consider before making a buying decision in the Myrtle Beach Area.
The HOA fees for a 3BR/3BA oceanfront unit are only $654
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 27
“A lot of people ask me if I were shipwrecked, and could only have one book, what would it be? I always say ‘How to Build a Boat” Stephen Wright
Baywatch Resort in North Myrtle Beach, SC by Mirela Monte of Buyers Choice Realty Baywatch is not just another TV Show. In the North Myrtle Beach area, Baywatch Resort is a prime example of Oceanfront Vacation Nirvana. With three nineteenfloor towers located right on the sand, over a dozen indoor/ outdoor pools and lazy rivers, Baywatch rules over Crescent Beach. Here you’ll find over 500 oceanfront condos with ample balconies overlooking the blue Atlantic, comfortable interiors, on site management, two restaurants, a couple of pool side bars and convention halls,
making Baywatch Resort seem like a small city. Located within 2-3minutes of Restaurant Row, Colonial Mall, Tanger Outlet Mall, Barefoot Landing, Alligator Adventure, Alabama Theater, the House of Blues and Kingston Plantation, Baywatch Resort is an ideal vacation destination. If you are thinking of investing where you vacation, Baywatch is a perfect oceanfront investment opportunity. With prices starting at only $ 90,000 for a fully furnished condo, now is the time to jump in! Having sold a multitude of units in Baywatch, I can advise you of every opportunity extant here. Buy at the Beach! Life is short; live it well! Here you’ll find over 500 oceanfront condos with ample balconies overlooking the blue Atlantic, comfortable interiors, on site management, two
restaurants, a couple of pool side bars and convention halls, making Baywatch Resort seem like a small city. Located within 2-3minutes of Restaurant Row, Colonial Mall, Tanger Outlet Mall, Barefoot Landing, Alligator Adventure, Alabama Theater, the House of Blues and Kingston Plantation, Baywatch Resort is an ideal vacation destination. If you are thinking of investing where you vacation, Baywatch is a perfect oceanfront investment opportunity. With prices starting at only $ 90,000 for a fully furnished condo, now is the time to jump in! Having sold a multitude of units in Baywatch, I can advise you of every opportunity extant here. Buy at the Beach! Life is short; live it well!
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 29
There really are some incredible chandeliers on the market now. The designs are a lot softer and warmer than they used to be. I think the overriding design factor that most homeowners are seeking is something that says their home is warm, inviting and comfortable. Susan Humphress
CommerCiaL reaL estate rentinG
in
location against premium rent. Some malls require that all tenants stay open during mall hours, and pay for common area usage as well as the store’s own space and upkeep. Stores may also be asked to pay a percentage of sales to the mall.
today’s market
First make sure that the area you have chosen is right for your intended business. If you plan on expanding, take that into consideration. Do you need to be close to an expressway, or the local airport? Before you decide, think ahead, because you may be getting into a long term commitment. Make sure that any space you’re considering is big enough for both your current needs, and your foreseeable growth. Be realistic and never over-commit. Do your homework beforehand. Investigate traffic patterns; tour the area and building. Find out who the previous tenant was, and why the business left. Learn what kinds of marketing the location does in support of its tenants (if any) and whether co-operative marketing funds are available to you. Weigh the benefits of guaranteed foot traffic at a mall
Identify your closest competitors. Also check out neighboring businesses with an eye for complementary products or services. If you are locating in a mall, check the lease agreement for any guaranteed protection against competition. Evaluate whether the physical location and space is a good fit with your product line. Do you need a large, bright space or is an office warehouse sufficient? Investigate any restrictions on signage. Signs are vitally important to retail businesses, yet many landlords decide on what a store can and cannot do. The rules may be even stricter in a mall, which closely monitors its physical appearance. Negotiate the terms of your lease aggressively. Think about consulting a realtor that is familiar with the area. Never accept wording that’s confusing or that leaves you wondering who is liable for what. Ask for the right of first refusal on adjacent space in case you need to expand. Negotiate for free improvements, free rent, and other incentives before signing your lease. Hire a real estate attorney who not only specializes in lease negotiations, but knows your area and, preferably, has dealt with your kind of business before. A lease negotiation can cover tens, if not hundreds, of terms, and you want someone in your corner who has seen it all before. Know who is responsible for maintaining the heating, air-conditioning and other systems, as well as keeping up the parking lot and building exterior. This can be critical in older buildings. Who pays for the utilities and trash pick-up? The time has probably never been better to start a new venture if you have a business that is not being adversely affected by this economy. Just make sure you get the right location……
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 32
“What is my loftiest ambition? I’ve always wanted to throw an egg at an electric fan.” Oliver Herford quotes (1863-1935)
Don’t sit under an umbrella waiting for it to rain
Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine. Saint Thomas Aquinas
rate with the tax advantages of a mortgage, and you have an incredibly cheap way to build wealth, but you better act now.
time to reFinanCe Buy !?
or
Right now, mortgage rates are at their lowest level since 1971. Think about that. Twenty-five years ago, homeowners were paying as much as 18% on a 30-year fixed. Today it’s just a little over 5%.Combine that
Real estate guru Barbara Corcoran has already seen a tremendous surge in refinance applications – more than triple the average – and the number of people getting approved is astronomically higher as well, she says. But that doesn’t mean the low rates are a panacea for the ills of the housing market. It is only once home prices start to go up that we will finally see a light at the end of tunnel, Corcoran says. Until that happens, we are still going to have to crawl out of this mess. “[Low interest rates are] a not a lifesaver,” Corcoran says. “This is just a helping hand.”
David Kittle, chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association, has this advice to homeowners looking to refinance: Do it. Don’t get greedy searching for another quarter-point. Lock in rates now. He is seeing applications soar over 125% just since Thanksgiving due to the low rates. Of course, you should only refinance if it saves you at least 3/8 on the rate and if you plan on staying in your home for at least four years, Kittle says. Along with good credit, proof of income and money by means of a down payment or equity in the home, there are certain things every homeowner needs regardless of interest rate levels.
www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 39
Visit www.Jobs.sc To Find Your Dream Job!
Click & Point To See Jobs Now! A proud member of www.Only.sc which includes:
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www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 40
“The bed has become a place of luxury to me! I would not exchange it for all the thrones in the world� Napoleon Bonaparte
Can
you find
the gorget? The South Carolina State flag is immediately recognizable to native Carolinians, and if you’re spending some time out-of-State, it will probably bring a tear to your eye to see it whizzing by on a bumper sticker or rippling in the soft blue sky of a native license plate. Most folks, however, consistently confuse our flag for a simple representation of a moonlit palm tree. The truth it, the sliver of crescent suspended in the upper left hand corner is not a moon phase: it’s a piece of ornamental armour known as a “gorget”. A holdover from the days of knights in shining armour, the gorget was originally used to protect the throat and block blows from non-projectile weapons such as swords. Since the gorget originally rested
around the throat, the shape was that of a crescent. In formal armour, the gorget was placed beneath the breastplate and backplate set and supported the weight of the armour. They were often equipped with straps in order to attach some of the heavier armours. By the Renaissance, the gorgets had already achieved an ornamental status and by the American Revolution, it could be seen hanging from delicate chains and ribbons around the throats of officers, signifying their rank. The first South Carolina flag, designed in 1765, displayed the dark blue of the American troops’ uniforms and a large crescent with the word “Liberty” written within it. While most historians agree that the crescent is the representation of the gorget, which was also worn as a symbol on the caps of American soldiers, there is some argument that the symbol could also stand
for the river bend on which Charleston sits (the crescent was a common symbol used by early American settlements when their Town rested on the curve of a river), or it was a borrowed symbol from the crest of the Bull family, one of Charleston’s early settlers. The palmetto tree on today’s flag was not included until January 28, 1861, the day of South Carolina’s secession from the Union. The palmetto tree represents the defense of Fort Moultrie from British attack, as the Fort itself was made of palmetto logs: an unexpectedly brilliant construction, as the logs of the palmetto tree are incredibly resilient and absorbed the enemy cannon fire like a sponge. Either way we have a pretty cool state flag, and gorget is hard to pronounce!
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www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 44
Get Your Carolina Girl Gear!
how
to make Grits
By now, you should know that grits are not only the starch of choice in South Carolina, it’s also the acronym for “Girls Raised in the South”; so if you don’t have your recipe down by now, it’s time to get boiling. Proper grits do not come in an easy to open, plastic-lined paper packet. As My Cousin Vinny put it, “Real grits take at least 20 minutes to cook”. In fact, they take a couple hours, but it’s worth every simmering second.So get rid of the Quaker Instant Grits and mosey on down to the rice isle. Grits can usually be found either here or in the baking isle. If you’re lucky enough to live near a locally produce market or farmer’s market, 99% of the time you’ll find more than enough grits in stock. Some local favorites include Anson Mills grits and Charleston’s Favorite Stone Ground Grits.
filling the bowl with water until the water is an inch or so above the grits. Skim off the chaff and drain. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be completely dry, just get it as close as possible. Now, dump the wet grits into a pot and pour in twice as much chicken stock as grits. Bring this to a boil, then reduce to medium-low. Now add equal portions cream and milk up to 2 and ½ times the amount of grits. So, if I was making this recipe for two, I would have used 1 cup dry grits, 2 ½ cups chicken stock, 1 ¾ cups cream and 1 ¾ cups milk. Add salt and pepper to taste, then sit back and let it simmer. The longer the grits simmer, the richer they’ll be. Typical time is 20-30 minutes, but some of the best grits sit for an hour to two hours at low to medium-low heat, just soaking up that cream and milk. Right before you serve the grits up, stir in a healthy pat of butter and, if you’re feeling a little wild, grate a handful of parmesan or cheddar cheese over the top. Play with and perfect this dish to your liking. The recipe is purposefully simple for the sole reason that it’s up to each southern girl to come up with her own special twist on this Southern Classic.
Now that you have the dry goods, make sure you have some fresh chicken stock, milk, cream and butter. Oh yes, you’re making these the way God intended. Measure out your dry grits (1 cup of dry grits makes roughly 2 servings) and clean them by placing them in a bowl and
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How
to set a
table As a lady of the Carolina’s, small shows of simple grace and etiquette should become as second nature to you. Now, this isn’t saying that you have to run out immediately and have visiting cards printed, or go buy a sterling silver tea set, but having knowledge of little things like place settings means a lot to locals and ultimately, shows that you truly care for and respect the civility which is the heart of South Carolina. Even at an informal dinner, it’s a good idea to create a centerpiece. This can be a week-long labor of love or, in most cases, a small setting thrown together about five minutes before the guests arrive. A few snippings from the juniper tree for frilly greenery and aromatic scent, a handful of flowers arranged in a low bowl or small vase, a couple strategically placed pieces of fruit and a candle or two and your centerpiece is complete. A bouquet of flowers from the local florist or, better yet, a nearby farm, would also work, but no matter what, the point is that you have one. Another little pointer: don’t make the centerpiece taller than eye level. Guests would like to be able to see each other when they speak and it could mess up a lovely arrangement if you’re having to part the sunflowers every time you want to ask a question. As for your silverware, if you have sterling silver, use it. Even, and especially, if it’s your great grandmother’s set that’s been passed down for generations.
She never intended for you to keep it wrapped up in crumbling bags of velvet. Silverware and formal china, however pretty and expensive, were meant to be used and this is a great time to show them off. Even if you don’t have formal silverware, though, the point is to have the place settings properly arranged and in the end, no one will really care what the silverware looked like as long as there’s plenty of food and wine.
of passing bowls and dishes around. If it is Thanksgiving at Grandma’s, none of the above applies.
With the dinner plate as the center, silverware should be placed in line, an inch from the edge of the table, and arranged from the outside – in, in order of use. On the right, salad fork (smaller fork), appetizer utensil (or another small fork or none at all if you aren’t having an appetizer between salad, soup and dinner), then dinner fork (your biggest fork) closest to the plate. On the left, soup spoon, spreading knife for the bread and the dinner knife closest to the plate. Be sure to turn the blade of the knives toward the plate, as an outwardly turned knife is a symbol of aggression toward the other diners (don’t you love these quaint little old world idiosyncrasies?). The dessert fork and spoon for after dinner tea or coffee should go across the top of the dinner plate, with the tines of the fork facing right and the bowl of the spoon facing left. Napkins should be folded either as simply or ornately as you like, and placed in the center of the dinner plate. Glasses are also placed an inch above the knives and in order of use starting from the far right: white wine, red wine, dessert wine and water tumbler. Dinner should be served from the kitchen and ideally, placed on each diner’s plate by the server/host instead www.CherryGrove.sc Online Magazine | 2009 50
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Neighborhoods 1. Neighborhoods are where we all grew up a long time ago. Today, because of golf courses, shopping areas, subdivisions, jobs, schools, and a transient society, a neighborhood means different things to different folks. 2. Neighborhoods can be as small as a dozen or so houses, and be as many as thousands of homes. 3. Neighborhoods are common, and perhaps close to universal, since most people in urbanized areas would probably consider themselves to be living in one. 4. Neighborhoods are convenient, and always accessible, since you are already in your neighborhood when you walk out your door. 5. Successful neighborhood action frequently requires little specialized technical skill, and often little or no money. Action may call for an investment of time, but material costs are often low. 6. With neighborhood action, compared to activity on larger scales, results are more likely to be visible and quickly forthcoming. The streets are generally cleaner; the crosswalks are painted; the trees are planted; a festival draws a crowd. 7. Visible and swift results are indicators of success; and since success is reinforcing, the probability of subsequent neighborhood action is increased. 8. Because neighborhood action usually involves others, such actions create or strengthen connections and relationships with other neighbors, leading in turn to a variety of potentially positive effects, often hard to predict. 9. Over and above these community advantages, neighborhood activity may simply be enjoyable and fun for those taking part. But in addition to these benefits, considerable research indicates that strong and cohesive neighborhoods and communities are linked –quite possibly causally linked – to decreases in crime, better outcomes for children, and improved physical and mental health. The social support that a strong neighborhood may provide can serve as a buffer against various forms of adversity. Sometimes a neighborhood isn’t a neighborhood until an event occurs, which draws people together, to become “neighbors”.
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About Carolina Forest Carolina Forest is one of the more popular communities for people living and working in the Myrtle Beach area in South Carolina.
Recent Development Carolina Forest boasts one of the top school districts in the state, and is an unincorporated town made-up of numerous neighborhoods communities and new commercial developments conveniently situated between the beaches Myrtle Beach and the historic city of Conway. The Carolina Forest community enjoys residential family-friendly neighborhoods and businesses, as well as top schools and preserved natural foliage and wildlife create a master-planned community in Horry County and a unique and sought after place to live.
Master Planned for the Communities Benefit
Golf! Residents are afforded with recreational opportunities in the Carolina Forest area. There are two golf courses in Carolina Forest, Man O’ War and The Wizard golf courses. Both are situated beside Windsor Green and Waterford Plantation. The River Oaks neighborhood, which borders Carolina Forest, also features numerous golf courses as well. Carolina Forest has plans for ten golf courses, but the slight decline of the golf industry in Myrtle Beach has not permitted this.
Future Plans Upcoming recreational plans have been set aside in Carolina Forest. International Paper initially planned parkland, roadway easements, reserves, and animal corridor land, some of which has not been started and for now remains virgin forestland. Lewis Ocean Bay Preserve, a gigantic tract of land reserved by the state of South Carolina, borders Carolina Forest and is easy to get to through International Drive and Highway 90.
Carolina Forest is an one-of-a-kind, master-planned, unincorporated area of Horry County SC that’s an example of how excellent neighborhoods, family-friendly businesses, and superior schools mix to form one of the most desirable places to live.
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Final Words
Try not to become a man of success but a man of value. Albert Einstein
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