Welcome!

Here and there around the Grand Strand, February's daffodils are emerging, sometimes as singles, others in masses. Sunny places around the Grand Strand with their hints of color encourage us in thinking that spring is near. Though temperatures range from warm one day to blustery the next, every little bit of warms brings buds farther out of their winter hideaways.

While gasoline prices are staying relatively low and specials deals on accommodations rates prevail, some people are visiting Towers on the Grove for no reason at all other than to have a stay at the beach. Even less-than-warm temperature does not deter golfers and beach-combers from their passion - to Get Out There! One of our major advantages over other oceanfront resorts is our accessibility–easy to find by air, sea, and road; and travelers who discover that benefit find Towers perfect for arranging restful mini-vacations. Other travelers with special occasions in mind, such as Valentine's Day weekend, are becoming even more familiar with the new Towers' amenities and longer term prospects as a summer vacation venue. Longer term guests such as the spring breakers and families looking forward to the summer, are already making plans.

During this time, Towers on the Grove's staff have been taking the opportunity to fine-tune staff training and property readiness to ensure that everything is finely tuned for our guests. The hum of preparation is in the air.

What else can you expect to see if you come this early in the year? Early spring not only offers a gentle serenity along the Grand Strand, it is that time when visitors can marvel at the changes in the natural environment. Our area is a checker-board salt marsh, ocean shoreline, and inland terra firma, all resting places for our many migratory neighbors. For example, birds stopping over on their way north or south include clouds of yellow warblers and finches, red-chested robins, and the vibrant bluebirds scouting out suitable nesting places.

So, no matter what your reason for coming to the beach, we at Towers on the Grove look forward to seeing you soon!

The Staff of Towers on the Grove!

What Is New and Happening at Towers?

Here are just some of the activities going on at Towers on the Grove:

• Valentine's Day Special and other great "specials." At last report, Towers had 72 Valentine's reservations and counting. While some people planned ahead and booked, others made last-minute reservations with champagne and chocolates, also rose petal turn-downs - sweet times for all.
  
  
• Fine-tuning. How can you improve on a place that is brand new, but Towers is doing just that. As those of you who have already stayed with us know, our condos boast handsomely furnished features such as granite countertops, leather upholstery, including soft micro-fiber suede accessories, plus many amenities.
  
  Of course, any building needs constant safeguarding to ensure that it stays fresh and new. We are painting the pool area, washing the beach chairs from their winter storage, and preparing in many ways for 2009 visitors!
  
  Among our completed amenities, guests can expect to have additional amenities such as the Business Center, newly opened near the Lobby on the 3rd floor, enabling use of the Internet. Reports that Towers' restaurant has the "green" light for construction with expectation of opening sometime in the summer of 2009.
  
  
• Planning. Our special packages are constantly being upgraded to include fabulous supplemental activities and experiences. Check out the Towers' web site under "specials" to see what is in the catalog now: TOG specials. The menu includes "seasonal," "theater and shows," "attractions and activities," and "romance and relaxation." Each one of these categories has offerings to explore to make YOUR vacation unique!
  
  
• Event-related Activities: Relay for Life. Towers has been participating with another of its sister properties, Prince Resort, to raise funds for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. The Grand Strand's Relay event occurs in April and will include numerous other fund-raising events between now and then. To date, the accumulated donations through sales and contributions, web or in person, have generated over $500 toward the goal of $2,000.

Diverse Guests, One Grand Strand = One Word - Welcome!

With temperatures inching upward, the sunshine glowing more brightly every day, and our coastal setting taking on the look of spring, hibernators of all kinds are emerging from their winter burrows to explore the new 2009. Of course, some never went into hibernation in their local areas of Ohio, New York, or other northern climes. They merely spent their winters here, including bikers! We have enjoyed our "biker" guests over the past several months and hope that they will continue to join us for the spring events.

Motorcycle riders look forward to the many spring rallies held up and down the eastern seaboard, with one of the most memorable being along the Grand Strand. May 8-17 when the Harley rally comes to town, then May 21-25 when the Atlantic Beach rally occurs. These are two of the larger events when we welcome bikers to come and enjoy the events and our beautiful area.

If your interests are in biking, consider joining us here in North Myrtle Beach for accommodations to one or both of these events! We welcome your arrival.

Whether your interest is biking, surfing, arts-and-crafts shows, shag dancing, or any of the diverse activities that bring people together here at the beach, come on over to Towers on the Grove! You will love it here!

Recipe - Cheese Soufflé

This delicious cheese dish comes from the FoodNetwork.com, courtesy of Jacques Pepin. Preparation time: 1 hour.

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, plus more to butter a 6-cup gratin dish
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups cold whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 5 extra-large eggs
• 2 1/3 cups grated Swiss cheese, preferably Gruyere (about 6 ounces)
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh chive blades

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Butter a 6-cup gratin or casserole dish, and set it aside. Melt the butter in a saucepan, then add the flour, and mix it in well with a whisk. Cook for 10 seconds, and add the milk in 1 stroke, and mix it in with a whisk. Keep stirring with the whisk until the mixture thickens and comes to a strong boil, which will take about 2 minutes. It should be thick and smooth. Remove from the heat, and stir in the salt and pepper. Allow about 10 minutes for the white sauce to cool.
• Meanwhile, break the eggs into a bowl, and beat well with a fork. Add the eggs, the cheese and the chives to the cooled sauce, and mix well to combine. Pour into the buttered gratin dish and cook immediately, or set aside until ready to cook.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the soufflé is puffy and well browned on top. Although it will stay inflated for quite awhile, it is best served immediately.

Featured Employee - Michael Driggers

Michael Driggers, Front Desk Agent, has a strong and assured telephone greeting when he talks with callers to Towers on the Grove and his face-to-face demeanor shows equal poise and confidence. When "customer service" is mentioned, Michael most certainly is one of the employees that people visiting Towers remember in a most positive way.

He began working with the company through a college work/study program, the AHA (American Hospitality Association), while attending college at The University of South Carolina in Columbia. Hired by our sister property, Avista Resort, as part of that program, he spent four months working at that location in North Myrtle Beach. Following his completion of the AHA program, Michael returned to college to complete his degree in hospitality and retail management. With graduation in May 2007, Michael brought his new degree to Myrtle Beach where he continued working in North Myrtle Beach, and then later in November 2008 joined Towers on the Grove.

His early efforts with Towers helped with that property's final stages of preparation and completion of Towers. Now, with the property's grand opening well under way and guests enjoying their stay at the beach there, Michael has settled into his role as one of the smiling faces of Towers on the Grove.

Among his talents and skills, Michael's customer service has made him an employee-of-choice with both guests and other employees. They know that his attention to detail and courteous manners ensure guests' satisfaction with prompt attention and efficient service. His independence and strong work ethic are both testimonials to Towers' pledge of great service. Well liked by peers and guests alike, he is an asset to the PM front desk.

Local Events Calendar

Bring the kids along on a special weekend get-away or plan for a whole week, with activities for everyone. Either way the Grand Strand is full of things to do:

3/1 to 10/09. Coastal Kayaking, Huntington Beach State Park. Every week from Oyster Landing on Monday during this period, from 10 am to 12 noon. Call 843.235.8755 for more information. Participants should meet at the Education Center for this guided tour of the salt marsh (bring drinking water, sunscreen, and lace-up shoes for muddy conditions.)

3/1 to 10/09. Coastal Birding, Huntington Beach State Park. Every week on Wednesdays depend on fabulous birding experiences from the causeway through freshwater and salt marsh areas with experienced bird experts. Event lasts from 10 to 11 am. Call 843.235.8755 for more information. Participants should meet at the Education Center for this guided tour.

3/6-21 on selected days. Singles Speed Date Competition. From 7:00pm - 9:00pm Friday, Saturday - week 1, 2, 3 every month, the SOS Singles' Club has dedicated the month at the 2001 Night Club to this event for single people 25 to 65 years old. Participation is low cost, no pressure, and safe, designed to help people of like interests meet other people. See www.sossinglesclub.com (need not be a member to attend.)

3/6-8. Craftsmen's Classic™ Arts & Crafts Festival in Columbia, SC. Huge crafters' (over 300 artists) show and sale with something for every style, taste, and budget with items pleasing to the most traditional to the most contemporary. Located at the SC State Fair grounds at 1200 Rosewood Avenue. For more information, email contact@GilmoreShows.com or call 336.282.5550.

3/7. The Myrtle Beach Area I. C. E. (Incredible Customer Experience) Awards. Palace Theatre at Broadway at the Beach. 6 pm to 10 pm. Tickets $30 includes cocktail reception, awards ceremony, and after-party event. For more information, www.MyrtleBeachICEAwards.com.

3/14. Pine Lakes Country Club. Grand Re-Opening following renovations to the course and club house. See more information at www.PineLakes.com or book tee times with us at www.teetimesonly.com.

3/14. 21st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival. Come see the parade at Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, starting at 9 am. The event lasts until 4 pm with bands, street festival, children's area, arts and crafts, food, vendors, and lots of fun. See more at www.StPatNMB.com or call 843.280.5570.

3/14-22. The 48th Annual Canadian-American Days in Myrtle Beach. The nine-day event line-up will feature events, activities, and discounts, including welcome receptions, military band concerts, athletic tournaments and wildlife and history days. For more information, call .800.356.3016 or visit www.CanAmDays.com.

3/21. Taste of the Coast at Barefoot Landing. Affiliated with the Risen Christ Lutheran School, the event lasts from 10 am to 5 pm. For more information, see www.tocnmb.com or call 843.272.8163.

3/19-21. Pee Dee Street Rodders. Classic Car Rally at Waccamaw Factory Shops at 3200 Pottery Drive in Myrtle Beach. For more information, www.peedeestreetrodders.com or through the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce at 843.626.7444.

3/27. Brewers' Dinner. Affiliated with the Myrtle Beach Beer Festival. This event kicks off the festival shown below. Dinner from 7pm until 9 pm with admission $50 for dinner and sampling. For more information, please contact Andrea Hensley at 843.712.2618 or email andrea@festivalpromotionsmyrtlebeach.com.

3/28. Myrtle Beach Beer Festival at Market Common, from 12 noon to 7 pm. Plenty of food (including non-alcoholic beverages), live entertainment and more. This is a great opportunity to sample beer from all around the world, with tastes for every interest. Admission $25 in advance ($35 at the time). For more information, see www. myrtlebeachbeerfest.com.

We listen to our guests.

If you have not shared your thoughts about a stay at the new Towers on the Grove, come stay with us and tell us yourself what you think. This is an ocean-front living experience not to be missed! Here is just a sampling of what we are overhearing about Towers.

Towers on the Grove "...certainly took care of the details in every way."

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Groups Staying at Towers on the Grove

Towers is dedicated to making every guest's stay complete perfection. If you are looking for something different for your group, consider Towers on the Grove. Our oceanfront location at the north end (and a tranquil setting it is!) of the Grand Strand offers sites and amenities for everyone.

For information about how to reserve space for your family reunion, school break, graduation celebration, business meeting, or other large assembly of people, just call us at 888-905-3001.

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Fun Facts

Fine points, like fine sand, are interesting in pieces or compiled.