Volume 2, Issue 9                              September 2009    

Welcome!

Now that we have moved past Labor Day, we are enjoying lighter traffic along the Grand Stand and more availability in golf tee times, with ample supply of warm weather to go around. If you have been postponing your 2009 summer vacation, now is the time to look at your calendar to select the right time to come. With no frost date in sight and sunset around 7 PM, you still have weeks and weeks ahead to enjoy balmy days and relaxing nights here at the beach - to provide the perfect environment for all of your favorite pastimes.

Dancing venues from north to south await you if your mind is set on sleeping late to the rhythms of the sea and then having a fabulous dinner before setting out on the town. In autumn, with relatively low humidity and mild temperatures, you will find that your stamina runs longer than in the height of summer when heat and humidity are at their highest.

The holiday season lies just around the next few calendar pages, so perhaps this is a wonderful time, too, to take advantage of discount brand-name outlets and mega-shopping malls, all of which have wonderful end-of-season bargains to tempt you.

Anglers, remember that at Towers on the Grove you are only a short walk to The Cherry Grove Pier for some of the best fishing spots in the mid-Atlantic coastline. As temperatures cool, find plentiful amounts and varied types of fish to catch in both salt water and fresh, plus don't forget to try the brackish back-waters of jetties and inlets. Oysters and clams are going to be harvested soon, too, and will appear on our area restaurants' menus if you would rather eat than catch.

Out on the greens and fairways, golfers claim that fall is the best reason and the best season to visit here. The area boasts some of the finest golf courses in the world, and with our particular golf packages, you can add them to your itinerary and find discounts as well - everything from entertainment to restaurants to accommodations.

Ah, autumn! A beautiful stay at the beach!

Your friends, the Staff at Towers on the Grove!



Golf Packages Galore!

September's golfers here at the beach often project a more concentrated approach to their game, especially when their stay is part of a golf package in which they arrange a certain number of days of accommodations with specific golf courses of their choosing. Some try to squeeze as many golf hours into their days here as possible. After about a week of intense golf, they begin to consider a spa treatment to add to their stay – a golfer's massage to target those over-used back and shoulders muscles.

As many golfers' first choice in booking their golf outings, our golf packages include an array of select courses, from the Burroughs and Chapin collection that range geographically from lower Grand Strand to North Carolina to the "cats" collection that showcase the fine courses at Ocean Ridge Plantation in Sunset Beach, NC (only about 20 minutes over the NC/SC border from Towers).

If you would like to work with one of our expert golf agents to plan your outing this fall, why not go online at http://www.myrtlebeachgolf.net/ or call us at 800.682.5699. We have plenty of courses to choose from so that you can stay near where you play, and your accommodations, daily buffet breakfast, golf fees, and cart included in the rate which can apply for our three or five round packages.



Spread the Word, not the Flu

With early warnings about flu from healthcare workers, we at Towers on the Grove support the cause for prevention. We plan to remind ourselves as often as possible that hand-washing is easy, quick (especially with all the waterless hand-sanitizer products out there), and effortless. Also, Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts is holding a flu clinic in several weeks, and we encourage all staff and guests interested in receiving the regular flu vaccine to look for the announcement of the date, time, and place, or alternatively find a flu vaccine opportunity nearest you.

The World Health Organization and other front-line monitors of viruses indicate that this year, the 2009-2010 season, will have higher than normal numbers of cold and flu sufferers. So, as we meet people here at Towers this season for fun, sun, Thanksgiving, and mid-winter get-aways, we encourage everyone to spread the word, not the flu, with these simple suggestions:
  • Wash hands often
  • Avoid close contact.
  • Avoid spreading germs. Keep hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • If you are sneezing and coughing, cover your mouth and nose
  • Practice good health habits (eat beneficial foods, get enough sleep, manage stress, etc.)

Let's all get through this flu season without suffering with its effects.



Featured Recipe - NORTH MYRTLE BEACH HARVEST CHOWDER

Similar to pot roast, this seafood meal has everything in it and can be modified to suit your own taste buds. Some people might also like to add calamari or other seafood to widen the medley.

Also like pot roast, this dish tastes even better after the first day, after all the various flavors have had a chance to mix and mingle with each other. The following recipe serves 6. Preparation takes approximately 30 minutes, and the entire meal takes about an hour and a half.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 12 littleneck clams
  • 2 cups of dry white wine
  • 2 pounds of mussels
  • Homemade fish broth or water
  • 2 carrots, finely diced
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 3 sticks celery, finely diced
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 (12 ounce) can crushed tomatoes or 2 cup coarsely chopped fresh tomatoes
  • 12 large shrimp
  • 1 pound scallops
  • 1 pound halibut or other firm fish of your choice. Cut fish into 6 serving pieces
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A drizzle of olive oil
  • Some capers (10-15 or to taste)
  • Chopped fresh basil (to taste)

DIRECTIONS:
  • Clean the clams. Bring 1/2 cup wine and 1/2 cup water to a boil and steam the clams, covered, until their shells open. Put the clams and the broth into separate bowls, discarding any clams that have not opened.

  • Repeat the process with the mussels.

  • Strain the clam and mussel broths through a fine mesh sieve to remove any sediment. Combine them and add homemade fish broth or water to make 1 cup.

  • Make the mire pox (an aromatic mix of vegetables to serve as a flavor base). In a large pot that is wider than it is deep, sauté the carrots, onion and celery in the olive oil over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden. Add the minced garlic, raise the heat to medium and sauté 1 minute. Put in the remaining cup of wine and the tomatoes, lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring every once in a while.

  • Mix in the seafood broth and continue simmering, covered, for another 30 minutes.

  • When ready to serve, simmer the shrimp in the sauce for 2-3 minutes, then add the scallops and the halibut. Cook for 2-3 minutes more, until the fish becomes opaque. Put in the calms and mussels and cook just long enough to warm them. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

  • Transfer the stew to a serving bowl and garnish with the olive oil, capers and basil. Serve immediately in flat soup bowls. Serve with a good French bread and salad.

  • This recipe can easily by cut in half for 2-3 people. Serves 6.






Local Events Calendar - 2009

Mark your calendar for the exciting events that are on the calendar and also the many that just pop up unexpectedly. We can help you with reservations by clicking here.

10/1-3. Fall Bike Rally. The weather is still warm and the hospitality is, too! Come stay with us just moments away from the all the excitement, whether you participate in the motorcycle rally or just hang out at the local fun places. Enjoy our spacious accommodations near the water and count on our friendly service and much more! Call 800.968.8986 for more information, and ask about specials!

10/4. Beach Music Celebration called "Let the Good Times Roll!" Relive classic hits by some of the most popular performers in the Beach Music world (The Tams, Craig Woolard and Billy Scott to name a few). Full symphonic accompaniment to great beach tunes. Long Bay Symphony. More information at 843.448.8379.

10/11 and 12. Shrimp and Jazz Fest in Little River, SC. Held on Columbus Day weekend, this party in beautiful historic Little River is a major attraction in this part of the Grand Strand with non-stop music, family fun for all ages, a shrimp cook-off, arts and crafts vendors, plenty of food, and lots more. Come to the waterfront from 10 AM to 6 PM.

10/17-18. The 29th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival, held annually in Ocean Isle Beach (just over the NC/SC state line). Whether or not you are a long-standing fan of oysters or not, you will enjoy this fall festival because of its local color and culture, plus its tribute to fall and food and fun. This is great place to get a start on holiday shopping, to unwind while listening to live bands, and to roam the grounds watching all the sights. For information call 800.426.6644.

10/27. Taste of the Town. Each year the Grand Strand area enjoys a special fund-raiser for Come to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center to taste delicacies from some of the Grand Strand's most delightful restaurants. Over 50 top restaurants share their culinary specialties and compete for coveted prizes of being the "best" in various categories. For more information, Myrtle Beach Convention Center 843.448.5930.

10/31. The Annual Endless Summer Festival on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. For more information, 843.281.2662 or www.nmbevents.com.

10/31. Trick or Treating at Broadway at the Beach, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Bring your children of all ages to trick or treat at Broadway at the Beach where you'll find much to see and do, plenty of kid-friendly events, and opportunities for shopping and dining. Come to 1325 Celebrity Circle. For more information, 843.444.3200 or go online to www.broadwayatthebeach.com.

10/31. Trick or Treating at Market Common from 6 PM to 8 PM. Each store has clues to find treats. Great for kids of all ages. For more information, go to www.MarketCommon.com or call 843.839.3500. Address of the event is 4017 Deville Street in Myrtle Beach 29577.

Check our full list of events by clicking here on the Towers web site.
Guest Comments


From your house to ours, we appreciate your comments about the experiences that you have with your reservations, your stay here, and the newsletter you receive monthly. Here are some of the recent responses:

My husband, daughter, her husband, and myself were all extremely pleased with the room, the service, the staff all were professional and friendly. The lay out and amenities were exceptionally nice, the elevator speedy and not crowded, and we are looking forward to returning in August with our other children and grandchildren. Another point, the rates are very affordable, and that is why we initially booked there. Thank you all for such a pleasant vacation. I can't think of another thing that could have been done to make our stay any better
Email from a newsletter response from the Chastaine family, 06.19.09.

We stayed at Towers on the Grove from June 4-8th. We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the hotel, the pools, beach etc. We were so impressed that we are looking to come back and bring my parents. We hope to return soon. Thank-you from the Steininger Family
Email from a newsletter response from the Steininger family, 06.11.09

There was not a thing I would change. They called to make sure our room was perfect, then they called to see if we needed any housekeeping. Excellent, best experience I could have had.
Online survey comment with rating of "10" from the Schwartz family, 06.19.09

Just wanted to let you know we had a wonderful stay with you all about a week ago. It was very relaxing and we enjoyed every minute of it!!! We usually go to Florida but this year decided to come there and we were not disappointed at all!! The only things negative is that we couldn't stay longer. I have a very stressful day to day life so I truly appreciate you making my mini-vacation stress free!!!! We hope to be back someday!
Online email comment from Davis family, 06.22.09

I took a chance [in making the reservation at Towers] since the hotel was fairly new. I'm glad I did. We had five different rooms all nice. Lesson learned, don't [worry] about reviews ….We had a great stay and best of all the kids were very happy and occupied each day. The Towers was a nice place and in a good location minutes from everything!
Online email comment from Bennett family, 08.03.09



Fun Facts


Applying sunscreen is never a wasted effort, even on a cloudy or autumn day. Whether you see it or not, the sun is still shining. Apply sunscreen each day, whether or not you go into the sun.

Even if you think you are too old, burned, or even too wrinkled, you can benefit from sunscreen.

Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays - ultraviolet A (UVA) rays and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Remember that "A" ages your skin and "B" burns it.

UVA rays penetrating even window glass has the following effects: suppresses your immune system, interferes with your immune system's ability to protect you, and also leads to signs of premature aging such as wrinkling.

Besides your arms and shoulders, don't forget to apply sunscreen to your lips, ear edges, and other areas that you might not see, but the sun will shine there. Golfers, your hat might not cover your ears and nose tip, often places which are overlooked in blocking sunburn.

Types of sunscreen (ointments, creams, gels, lotions, sprays and wax sticks) depend on your personal preference. Ideally, sunscreens should be water-resistant at an SPF of 15 or higher.

When you shop for sunscreen, check the container for its date of manufacture to make sure it is not older than 3 years. The FDA requires all sunscreens to be stable and at their original strength for at least 3 years, so mark the purchase date on the sunscreen container after you buy it.

The SPF number on sunscreens only reflects the product's screening ability for UVB rays. No sunscreen provides 100% protection against the UVB type. At present, there is no FDA-approved rating system that identifies UVA protection.

UVB protection does not actually increase proportionately with a designated SPF number. For example, an SPF of 30 screens 97% (not 100%) of UVB rays. An SPF of 15 screens 93% of UVB rays.

The sun's rays are strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM, even in seasons other than summer. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.

Use extra caution near water as water reflects damaging rays of the sun and increases your risk for sunburn.

 

 

Towers on the Grove             2100 North Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach, SC              Phone: 888-905-3001