November 2008, Volume 1, Issue 4
What do you enjoy doing during the holiday? Watching a holiday parade with the arrival of Santa and his reindeer? Gathering at a church courtyard to sing carols at the top of your voice? Viewing brightly decorated store windows at Coastal Grand Mall, Myrtle Beach Mall, or Myrtle Common? Wandering the cheerful maze of Barefoot Landing shops? Experiencing the many vibrant characteristics of Broadway at the Beach? Participating in a tree lighting ceremony or a sparkling sailboat regatta after dark?
Here on the Grand Strand, holidays are special, starting with Thanksgiving through Christmas and New Year's. The many possibilities of sights, sounds, joy, and festivities are endless around here!
While the word "beach" might be considered a summer-time thing to some, many of our guests consider coming to the beach to be a year-round option! In winter, some bring their wet suits, scuba, or snorkel gear to dive at sunken wrecks, poke around in the accumulations of historical artifacts stored just off shore, or explore developing man-made reefs with interesting types of marine life in residence there. Other people bring fishing gear for on- or off-shore adventures, binoculars for bird watching, maps to discover historical treasures dating back to the colonial era, cameras for nature walks to find the South Carolina wild orchids, or cover-alls for paint-ball "battles" in the countryside. Many other outdoor sports are also tantalizing such as cross-country bicycling, soccer, kite-flying on the beach, and so on.
The possibilities for indoor activities here are equally amazing. Visitors and locals alike take pleasure in choosing among the many selections - trying out the area's restaurants on their affordable off-season rates, visiting the world famous Burroughs and Chapin Art Museum, listening to live concerts with the Long Bay Symphony Orchestra, delighting in the song and dance of live theatrical performances with the world-renown Alabama Theatre and Carolina Opry, attending affordable and high-quality community theater performances such as those at Theatre of the Republic in nearby Conway, SC.
Whether holidays or just any other day of winter, people find so many things to see and do here!
Come join us on the beach!
Your Friends at The Horizon at 77th
To Grandmother's House We Go?...Or to the Beach? Let's Take Grandma to the Beach!
Life can get a little crazy at the holiday season. All that decking of halls and envisioning sugar plums can turn a merry little Christmas into a big blue Christmas blur with plenty of wind and weather but no "sing we joyous together."
The Horizon at 77th is here to help you! Pull yourself from the swirl and pressures of shopping and cleaning and fussing to the important things - family, friends, fun! Turn a season of "maybes" into a season of STAY-FREE. In other words, stay FREE of seasonal hassles and headaches by staying with us here at The Horizon.
Bring your entire group of family, friends, and others to our ocean-side resort and enjoy The Horizon's luxurious room accommodations, amenities, and glorious vista of the sea! Let us take you away to a place that only a beach can offer, plus we have a wide array of community events that will please everyone in your group.
No time at Christmas? With whole a week between Christmas and New Year's, plan a holiday de-stress period-freedom from the pushes and pulls of switching from one demanding event to another. Here, you can catch up with people you haven't seen in years, relax to the soothing sounds of the sea, and generally enjoy every minute of everything. Then, at New Year's Eve, revel in our special extravaganza New Year's Eve gala party at our sister property's Shoreline Café, right on the ocean! Go ahead! You deserve the treat!
The Horizon for the Holidays
Standing together on a chilly evening, parents and children watched as the tree-lighting ceremony concluded with fireworks. Families sang songs together and laughed together to hear each other's crooning voices. Children looked wide-eyed when the star bursts came over the top of the Christmas tree, as if part of the decorations.
Whether your plans include caroling, visiting family, staying home to watch the holiday events on television, or coming here to the Horizon for Christmas at the beach, we at Horizon at 77th hope that you and your loved ones have a cherished and most special Christmas season!
New Year's Eve at the Horizon
And if you are unable to join us for a Christmas at the beach, perhaps spending New Year's Eve at our festive dinner party would be a cheerful way to ring in 2009!
This year we at The Horizon want to help you launch your 2009 in a most joyful way! Come stay with us and treat yourself to an affordable and luxurious stay at the beach, especially now that the hectic holidays are behind us! Lie back. De-stress. Sleep in. You have breakfast at the Shoreline Café just out Horizon's front door. You have an array of shopping options only blocks away, and a wide selection of day and nighttime entertainment for your pleasure only a short drive away.
This year, at New Year's Eve we plan to celebrate the arrival of 2009 with a dinner party at the Shoreline Café . You will have a choice of mouth-watering selections from our chef's sumptuous menu. At the midnight hour we will toast loved ones and sing Auld Lang Syne! Then, whether you enjoy partying the night away or just taking in the inspiring night's sky with a walk out on the beach, your possibilities are endless here in Myrtle Beach at The Horizon at 77th!
Featured Recipe -- 
This recipe for cookies takes 25 minutes to prepare and 55 minutes to cook. The yield is 2 dozen cookies.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries
- 12 ounces good-quality white chocolate, chopped
- Red and green sugar crystals, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar, butter, lemon zest, and salt in a large bowl to blend. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in the pistachios and cranberries.
- Form the dough into a 13-inch long, 3-inch wide log on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake until light golden, about 40 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.
- Place the log on the cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2 to 3/4-inch-thick slices.
- Arrange the biscotti slices; cut side down, on the baking sheet. Bake the biscotti until they are pale golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer the biscotti slices to a rack and cool them completely.
- Stir the chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until the chocolate melts. Dip half of the biscotti into the melted chocolate. Gently shake off the excess chocolate. Place the biscotti on the baking sheet for the chocolate to set. Sprinkle with the sugar crystals. Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm, about 35 minutes.
- The biscotti can be made ahead. Store them in an airtight container up to 4 days, or wrap them in foil and freeze in re-sealable plastic bags up to 3 weeks..
Local Events Calendar
December:
12/1 to 12/31. South's Grandest Christmas Show at the Alabama Theatre. Presented six nights a week with selected matinees and "kid friendly." For more information, 800.342.2262 or www.alabama-theatre.com.
12/1 to 12/31. Carolina Opry's Christmas Special Presented by Calvin Gilmore. A yuletide experience for the whole family, "kid friendly." For more information, 800.843.6779 or ww.TheCarolinaOpry.com.
12/1 to 12/31. Christmas at Broadway. Musical performances, tree lighting, mascot appearances, holiday lights, festive plays, fireworks shows, and many "kid-friendly" activities during business hours. Location is 1325 Celebrity Circle in Myrtle Beach. For more information 843.444.3200 or www.broadwayatthebeach.com.
12/2. A Coastal Christmas with the Coastal Chorale. 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Precious Blood Catholic Church, Waverly Road, Pawleys Island. Superior choral ensemble singing the best of holiday music with outstanding sacred and secular scores to the accompaniment of an orchestra. Tickets $12. For more information, 843.215.2216 or www.thecoastalchorale.com.
12/4. Grand Strand Strutters Square Dancing Event. Enjoy this fun event held from 7 pm to 10 pm at the Senior Center in Myrtle Beach. Features national "caller" Tony Oxendine with Jeanie Whetsell cuing. For more information, 843.497.0470 or 843.650.2043.
12/5. Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach. Starting at 6 pm, see luminaries, decorations, music, the spirit of Christmas with Santa Claus. For more information 843.281.2662.
12/5 to 12/20. Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens. Delight to thousands of "kid-friendly" visions of sugarplums and hand-lighted candles, plus other traditional holiday decorations around the park. Open from 3 pm to 10 pm with live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Location is 1931 Brookgreen Drive in Murrells Inlet. For more information, 800.849.1931 or online at www.brookgreen.org.
12/6. Annual Christmas Parade in North Myrtle Beach. Songs, floats, bands, beauty queens, Santa Clause. Starting at 5:30 pm, the parade moves from Main Street to Ocean Boulevard to 2nd Avenue North. For more information, 843.281.2662.
12/6. North Myrtle Beach Woman's Club 15th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes. Visit beautiful homes fully decorated in holiday finery. Tickets available from North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, also at homes on the day of the event. Light refreshments served at Chamber on the day of the event. For more information, 843.281.2662. Proceeds from this event go to local charities.
12/7. Eddie Miles in "An Elvis Christmas" at Alabama Theatre in Barefoot Landing. Starting at 7 pm, enjoy a delightful and traditional evening. A "kid-friendly" event, located at 4750 Highway 17 South. For more information, 800.342.22262 or online at www.alabama-theatre.com.
12/7. Kathryn Martin's Comedy Tidbits. One of two performances. This afternoon event from 2 pm to 4 pm includes bite-sized theater and gourmet treats including 3 comedies by award-winning playwright Kathryn Martin, performed right at your tableside while you munch holiday treats with wine or beer. The Cypress Inn in Conway, SC. Tickets are $22 (excludes beverages). Limited seating. For more information, 843.248.8199 or online at www.kathrynmartin.net.
12/11 to 12/15. Singing Christmas Tree at the Ocean View Baptist Church. Enjoy music and choral singing starting at 7:30 pm, 7300 North Kings Highway (Thursday, Friday, Monday). Two performances (2 pm, 5 pm) on Saturday. Sunday's performance is to be determined. A "kid-friendly" event. For more information, 843.448.3384.
12/12. Voices of Christmas Past and Present-Carolina Master Chorale with Eric Whitacre, Stephen Paulus, and Andrew Fowler. Starts at 8 pm at the Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church in Pawleys Island. Enjoy choral music and arrangements of holiday songs. For more information, 843.444.5774 or online at www.carolinamasterchorale.org.
12/13. Conway Christmas Parade. Starts at 10 am in downtown Conway. Floats, band music, colorful holiday decorations and costumes, Santa. This is a "kid-friendly" event. For more information, 843.248.2273.
12/14. Kathryn Martin's Comedy Tidbits. The second of two performances. This afternoon event from 2 pm to 4 pm includes bite-sized theater and gourmet treats including 3 comedies by award-winning playwright Kathryn Martin, performed right at your tableside while you munch holiday treats with wine or beer. The Cypress Inn in Conway, SC. Tickets are $22 (excludes beverages). Limited seating. For more information, 843.248.8199 or online at www.kathrynmartin.net.
12/14. Seaside United Methodist Church in Sunset Beach. Christmas Cantata at 4 pm and again at 7 pm. 1300 Seaside Road, SW, Sunset Beach, NC 28468. For more information, call 910.579.5753 or online to www.seasideunitedmethodistchurch.org.
12/16. Silver Celebration Holiday Concert-Christmas Garland. Performed in Conway by the Carolina Master Chorale in the Theatre of the Republic. Celebrate the holidays with a one-night-only, "kid-friendly" concert. Main Street in picturesque "old" town. For more information, 843.488.0821 or www.theatreoftherepublic.com.
12/20. Breakfast with Santa - Surfside Beach. A "kid-friendly" event held in at Ryan's Steak House (8671 Highway 17 Bypass) in Surfside Beach from 9 am to 10:30 am. Call for details at 843.913.6111.
Guest Comments
Your facility and staff were AWESOME. For years I stayed at [another] resort and then had some issues with their housekeeping and workout facilities back in August. This trip, I decided to try someplace new and found that my NRA life membership gave me discounts to multiple facilities there in MB. I settled on the Horizon, and I am so glad that I did. If you continue [at] the level of service you provided on my recent visit, you will be packed as word is sure to get around. I personally have been spreading the good word about your condotel here in NJ, and I look forward to my next visit in the spring. Thank you again! Email to Horizon at 77th from guest R Manners on November 16, 2008.
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I booked this condo for a mother/daughter getaway. We originally booked this condo complex through a timeshare presentation. 2 free nights to go through a timeshare talk. We booked 4 additional nights to extend our "vacation". We reserved a one bedroom unit but we were given a complimentary upgrade to a 2 bedroom. It was lovely! Very roomy, comfortable and convenient. Although I would prefer to stay oceanfront if I were there strictly for a beach vacation, or if we had small children, it was nice for the two of us. We had a beautiful view of the ocean from our balcony. I would recommend this complex for an off-season getaway, for a group that were going to Myrtle Beach to play golf, shop, or see shows. But, if the beach and ocean are your main focus, I would want to be ocean front. I loved the layout of the unit. It was very well appointed, as well. Email on TripAdvisor.com from "Doone853" from Beckley, WV, November 7, 2008.
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This hotel was top notch!! My husband and I booked a mini getaway and was VERY impressed with the room. The room was cozy and very romantic. This would be my hotel of choice whenever visiting the Myrtle Beach area. This hotel surpassed everything I had hoped it would be. Thanks Horizon for making our stay so memorable! We'll be back! Email on TripAdvisor.com from "Chillin2Cool79" from Jacksonville, NC, October 20, 2008.
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Employee Spotlight - Jenna Hillman, Front Desk Manager
During her tenure here at Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts, Jenna Hillman, the new Front Desk Manager at Horizon, has proven herself to be a hard-working, dependable, and multi-talented employee. Her career with the company began in 2002, first on a part-time basis in the auditing department, then moving on to full-time. She trained as a dispatcher in Engineering, later promoted to Golf Manager in Reservations, then on to Night Manager. Being a "people person," Jenna welcomes the opportunities offered as Front Desk Manager, a chance to showcase her skills in organization and management, her strengths in customer service, her friendly personality, and her professional commitment to her profession.
Originally from St. Joseph, Michigan, Jenna was living in California in 2002 when she decided to visit a friend in Myrtle Beach, and that visit turned into a permanent love-affair with the Grand Strand area. By August 2002 she had packed up and moved to take up residence in Myrtle Beach with a job at an oceanfront resort. Now, years later, she still reminds herself that she is very fortunate to have a job on the beach with easy access to fresh sea air.
At home, Jenna enjoys reading, cooking, and caring for her pet cat named Poppy Seed. Favorite pastimes include improving her golf game, watching NBA games, and playing with Poppy Seed. One of her most rewarding endeavors is volunteer work for organizations such as Make-a-Wish Foundation, Children's Miracle Network, the American Red Cross, the Light the Night Walk fundraiser, and the Waccamaw Animal Rescue Mission (WARM).
Jenna's favorite holiday is just around the corner, so when you visit the front desk area on your next visit to Horizon, look for her jolly seasonal spirit to brighten your day!
Groups
Horizon at 77th has the perfect location to offer its guests. Even better for groups staying here because the beach location, the close proximity to shops and entertainment all mean that everyone in the crowd is satisfied.
The following groups stayed here recently and enjoyed our amenities, our location, our friendly staff, and, of course, our comfortable accommodations:
- Lady Lightening Softball Team
- Mountain Fury Softball Team
If your group is looking for somewhere to meet this fall, consider The Horizon at 77th!
Fun Facts
