August 2008, Volume 1, Issue 1
Greetings from the Beach, Friends

Just a short distance from the Horizon at 77th, a gentle surf laps at our toes, washing out footprints as we stroll along the beach on this mild August day. Quite a number of other people from the Resort are also out here, taking walks, running along the shallows, playing in some of the bouncier waves, searching for shells, and flying kites in off-shore gusts. What a great day!

Since the resort opened in June, Horizon's guests have been enjoying such beach ventures. At first menacing gasoline prices threatened to waylay visitors, but people made their vacation plans anyway, especially when they realized what great savings materialized from the affordable rates, high-end luxury, many amenities, and a central location near the ocean and along the Strand. All this great value for their money was the key factor cited when we asked guests what drew them here.

Our summer guests were among the first to leave their footprints here . From their comments, we're guessing that staying in this brand new ocean-view resort was certainly a high-point of their year. They plan to return, and we hope to see you here soon, too. Say, are you coming for Labor Day? We have lots going on at Horizon!

Until then,

Your Friends at The Horizon at 77th

Featured Employee

Rachael Michaels, Homeowner Operations Manager at Horizon

Originally from Salisbury, NC, Rachael has been our Homeowner Operations Manager for the past 3 years, after coming to the company from her basic training with the Coast Guard. Her job description includes planning, directing, and coordinating homeowner procedures, as well as working with homeowner interests in relation to the functions of the company. Communication skills, strong leadership abilities, and Rachael's experience in analyzing and solving problems have contributed to her being a strong member of the team in The Horizon at 77th. Certainly establishing relationships with owners has been one of the key functions of her job, and she is in charge of all aspects of this in order to ensure that this new and evolving resort is among the best in the area.

Married 4 years and living in the Strand area for 10 years, Rachael loves the ocean and thoroughly enjoys coming to work at the beach each day since her office building is in an ocean location. She has just completed the move to her new 3rd floor office space (shared with Human Relations) at Horizon. Stop in and say "hello" on your next visit here.

Holiday Planning and Packages

The luxurious accommodations and amenities at The Horizon at 77th are only a few reasons why this is a great place to visit in the fall and around the holidays when you need a shoppers' vacation, but add on special package deals to indulge you further, and WoW! This is a great value for your money.

Look over these or any of our many other options for saving money and having a great time -

  • Hunting for family adventure? How about the Dixie Stampede Package!

    Your package includes accommodations plus tickets to a performance of Dixie Stampede for the adults and children in your group. Part dream, part adventure tale, part fun and games, Dolly Parton's Myrtle Beach Dixie Stampede thrills and excites, leaving you with many amazing memories. With this special package, you have gorgeous seaside accommodations in the brand new Horizon, the thrill of an equestrian extravaganza at Dixie Stampede, plus their sumptuous four-course meal. Click here to book. For more information about Dixie Stampede, go online to www.dixiestampede.com.

  • Looking to please a special someone? How about treating your sweetie with this appealing deal! Celebrate your red-hot romance with a Treat Your Sweet deal at The Horizon. When you check into your beautifully decorated accommodation, garnished with chilled champagne and scrumptious chocolates, the view of the ocean outside will take your breath away--just the setting to impress your loved-one. Each morning of your stay, enjoy a breakfast buffet as you soak up the splendor of your Myrtle Beach coastal romance location. Click here to book.

For more information about these two package options*, plus any of our other packages (including live shows, Hard Rock Park, and sports packages), or to book a special accommodations package online, click here. (* Some restrictions may apply.)

Local Events Calendar

8/29-9/1 Labor Day Weekend Celebration at Broadway at the Beach. From 10 am to 11 pm, see fireworks, Celebrity Square concert, street entertainers, mascot appearances, and much more. Kid-friendly. For details: 843-444-3200 or www.broadwayatthebeach.com.

8/29-9/1 The 2nd Annual Patriot Golf Day, Meadowlands Golf Club and Farmstead Golf Links, a joint initiative of The PGA and the U S Golf Association to benefit Folds of Honor Foundation (educational scholarships to families of those who have died or been disabled in the line of military duty.) For more information, see FoldsofHonor.org. Email contact: meadowlands1@atc.net, or phone 910-287-7529.

9/1 Last home game of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Team. Game event includes fireworks, fan appreciation day, and many other activities. Meet at Coastal Federal Field Park at 7 PM. For details, call 843.918.6000 or 877. 918.TIXX or go online at www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com

9/5 Basil's Pizza Family Run/Walk. Lots of music and fun, starting at 6 pm to whenever. Come to McLean Park (Oak Drive and 2nd Avenue South, North Myrtle Beach). The $8 entry fee entitles guests to dinner and a shirt. Tap your feet to the live music of the Fat Jack Band from 5 pm to 9 pm.

9/6 4th Annual Paws Across the Water Duck Race at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. This popular festival and charity event for the North Myrtle Beach Humane Society features 10,000 rubber ducks released into the Intracoastal Waterway and "raced" to the Barefoot Resort Bridge. See www.humanesocietynmb.com for details or call 843.272.4948.

9/6 Kenny Rogers at the Alabama Theatre, Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, 7 pm. He's a country music legend that you will want to see. Kenny Rogers performs hits, plus new songs. Click on www.alabama-theatre.com for more information, or call 843.272 1111 (toll-free 800.342.2262).

9/11 Square Dance Open House for the Grand Strand Strutters. Free, hands-on introduction to square dancing includes dancing, fitness, refreshments, and fun. Located in the Grand Strand Senior Center, 1268 21st Avenue North, Myrtle Beach. (843.497.0470 or 843.650.2043).

9/13 Wayne Newton at the Alabama Theatre, Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. This "Vegas-style" entertainer performs at the Alabama Theatre at 7 pm. More information through www.alabama-theatre.com or 843.272 1111 (toll-free 800.342.2262)..

9/13 Summer Breeze Music Fest. La Belle Amie Vineyard, noon to 5:00 PM. Enjoy wine tasting, 2:30 vineyard tour, live music, gift shop, and friendly folks, plus a serene vineyard landscape. Admission - $8 (free--under 18 and over 80). Bring a lawn chair! Sorry, no coolers or pets allowed. Hwy 90 and St. Joseph Rd (west of the NMB Middle School). For more information: 843.399.9463, www.LaBelleAmie.com.

9/13 Sounds of Summer Concert Series in McLean Park, North Myrtle Beach. Music, good food from 10 am to 4 pm. Located at the corner of 2nd Avenue South and Oak Drive. Entry is free. Food coupons available in increments of $1. Call North Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation Department, 843.280.5570 or www.nmb.us.

9/20 The Oakridge Boys at the Alabama Theatre, Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. Clap to the beat of country pop/gospel music, performance starting at 7 pm. Click on www.alabama-theatre.com for more information or call 843.272.1111 (toll-free 800.342.2262).

9/20 Beach Sweep at Huntington State Park. Held from 9 am to 12 noon at 4401 South Kings Highway. Have fun, meet new people, make a difference in beach ecology by helping wildlife environment. Prize drawings. Wear shoes and sunscreen; bring gloves and hat as needed. www.myrtlebeachsp.com or 843.238.0874.

9/20-21 Oktoberfest in Little River, SC. Little River waterfront, 11 am to 11 pm. Celebrate German culture with this fall festival. Horst Goetz prepares food (both German and American), and special musical guests, Die Mitternaechters German Band and Eugen and the Ralph Euro Duo, provide live German music throughout the day. Enjoy German beer, authentic German music, bratwurst, the Chicken Dance and polka!

9/23-25 The 28th Annual Myrtle Beach Ball. Come to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center (21st Avenue and Oak Street) for a dance event day and evening. Tickets available for purchase. Tony Oxendine and Jerry Story do the calling. For more information, call 803.731.4885 or email to bharrelson1@juno.com.

9/25 New Christy Minstrels at Brunswick Community College, N.C. Held in Williamson Auditorium (an easy drive north on Highway 17 to 50 College Road NW, Bolivia, NC 28422), tickets available at 910.755.7416 or 800.754.1050, Ext. 416. More details through www.bccowa.com.

9/25-9/28 The 17th Annual Greek Festival at St. John's Greek Orthodox Church, Myrtle Beach. A four-day event starting at 11 am, $1 admission. Learn about Greek culture, Greek foods, Greek music, Greek dancers. Have a great time! For more information, call 843.448.3773.

9/26-9/28 33rd Annual Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival at the Huntington Beach State Park. In this historical setting, enjoy arts, crafts, music, food. Information through SC Parks Recreation and Tourism (PRT) at 803.734.0450 or Huntington Beach State Park 843.237.4440.

9/27 Irish/Italian International Festival. Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, 10 am to 4 pm. Free to the public. Enjoy live music, Irish game competitions, and Italian arts and crafts and more. For more information, contact Heather Smith at 843.281.3737

9/27 Ray Stevens at the Alabama Theatre, Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, 7 pm.
Country pop/gospel music, plus humor and lots of fun. Click on www.alabama-theatre.com for more information or call 843.272 1111 (toll-free 800.342.2262).

Guest Comments

We hope you enjoy reading the comments from these guests, expressing pleasure at having stayed at the brand new Horizon at 77th, just after its opening days this summer. They were written when all but a few elements at the resort remained to be completed, but now in August, with the production behind us, you can expect everything at Horizon to be fully up and ready for YOUR visit! Come on over!

~~~~~~~~~

Email from a July guest, "SLYCAL" from Memphis, TN:

We did not want to leave! The new Horizon at 77th is beautiful. We stayed in the 3 bedroom (1 king and 4 queens) over 2300 sq. ft.--the first ones in that room. The beach was less than 5 minutes away. The kids enjoyed Magic Quest and the amusement parks. Already planning a return trip.

~~~~~~~~~

Email from a July guest and TripAdvisor.com member, "RG1 Toronto_Canada"

I stayed at the Horizon at 77th in July 2008 and had a wonderful experience. The property is brand new and you can definitely tell! The room was in immaculate condition! The rooms were spacious, modern and fully equipped. Contrary to other [instructions], we were able to check in early since our room was ready. The amenities were nice although the indoor pools were not ready yet since the hotel is so new. The customer service was fine... did not have to speak to anybody much because the room was excellent and we didn't need anything. Very close to the beach and an excellent view. In a quieter area, all little further away from the Ocean Blvd. SOUTH but all in all it was an amazing experience!

Fun Facts - Potpourri

  • The hottest day on record here on the Strand was 105 degrees in August 22, 1983. When you have a beach, though, bring on the heat! On average, only 46 days soared to over 90 degrees over the past several decades. Most summer months have 18 days of sun.

  • Our oak trees, eastern red cedar, southern magnolia, and bald cypress (any measuring 4 inches or more in diameter) are all protected species, both on public and private properties.

  • If you dream of a beach wedding here at Myrtle Beach, be sure to add local regulations to your "to do" list. In general, no special permission is needed for a personal wedding. Though there is a prohibition on most wedding structures on the beach (arches and gazebos), who needs them with our long stretches of ocean, beautiful beaches, dunes, and Carolina-blue sky for photo sessions and wedding back-drops. If questions, contact the City of Myrtle Beach at 843-918-1000 where an average of 500 marriage licenses per month are issued, most to non-residents.

  • Before 1900, long before the name "Myrtle Beach" was official, locals referred to Conway as "old town," and Myrtle Beach as "new town." The name changed to "Myrtle Beach" from a naming contest (second place was "Edgewater").

  • Have you been to any swashes lately? A "swash" is a naturally formed canal that links the beach to the ocean. Tidal flows pull sand in and out of a beach area, and water current often moves more swiftly around a swash area. The 5 main swashes of Myrtle Beach are Midway Swash, Withers Swash, Deephead Swash, Canepatch Swash, and Bear Branch Swash. Whitepoint Swash is in North Myrtle Beach. If you swim in or near a swash, be very careful of rip currents.

  • Interested in shells? Check out the lobby of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center for its display of sea shells. The four large shell cases near the spiral staircase in the northeast corner of the building hold shells from all over the area. For details, 843.238.5242.

  • Some aerial photographs taken in the 1930's near Myrtle Beach first revealed thousands of surface-level impressions, known today as Carolina Bays. These are marks in the landscape made from ancient meteors, breaking up as they landed on our planet. The tens of thousands of these shallow, oval depressions (200 feet to 7 miles across) lie in a northeast-to-southwest direction around the area. Lake Waccamaw is one of these craters.

    Today the marks are fading, but their "then" and "now" photos show them distinctly.