Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand have become the world's playground. What began over a century ago as local beach retreats between Little River and Georgetown have changed so dramatically that their history is endangered. Wide beaches, warm surf, and abundant wildlife ignited a resort phenomenon that now offers world-class hotels, dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreation. This volume retraces the area's progression from Myrtle Beach's humble beginning in 1901 through the middle years of the 20th century to beyond 1954, when Hurricane Hazel crushed the Grand Strand and determined owners rebuilt their resorts with strength and grandeur. Included among these 240 vintage images are scenes of early dance pavilions, favorite tourist venues, and quaint cottage hotels in old Myrtle Beach. There are yesteryear views of Murrells Inlet and the beaches of Surfside, Garden City, and Pawley's Island, and vintage photographs of Ocean Drive and surrounding beaches in North Myrtle Beach. Susan Hoffer McMillan, author of two vintage postcard histories on coastal South Carolina, delves deeply into the history of Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand to share her fascination with its past through this unprecedented photograph collection. Whether you recall memories of places in this book or just seek to understand the evolution of Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, you will enjoy forgotten images that illuminate and preserve the past for future generations.

The culinary history of Myrtle Beach reflects a unique merging of Native American, European, African and Caribbean cuisines. Learn the techniques used by enslaved Africans created vast wealth for rice plantation owners; what George Washington likely ate when visiting South Carolina in 1791; how the turpentine industry gave rise to a sticky sweet potato cooking method; and why locals eagerly anticipate one special time of year when boiled peanuts are at their best. Author Becky Billingsley, a longtime Myrtle Beach-area restaurant journalist, digs deep into historic records and serves up both tantalizing personal interviews and dishes on the best local restaurants, where many delicious farm-to-table heritage foods can still be enjoyed.

The once-quiet towns of the Grand Strand are being replaced by mega-structures for accommodation, dining, and entertainment. Images in this volume span the 20th century, chronicling the evolution of a resort once touted as "the world's greatest playground." Featured are the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion, beach hotel expansions, and freshwater estuaries overshadowed by development.

Minutes after solving his first murder, Clark Thomas receives life-changing information about his past. But time waits for no one.He receives a late-night message from Detective Moody soon after the body of a locally famous entertainer washes up on the Myrtle Beach shore. The department is under enormous pressure to solve the high-profile case quickly. They call upon Clark to help investigate but to do it quietly.Clark soon learns there was more to this entertainer than met the eye. He goes behind the curtain of the popular Gladiator Games Dinner Show and meets the performers and victim's coworkers. He learns that the entertainer with a sparkling public persona was not as squeaky clean as he appeared.Clark lends his unique ability to tie seemingly unrelated clues together as he races to solve the case. Along the way, he learns more about his wife's death. What he learns shatters his perception of the woman he once loved.

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is normally an idyllic place. Until death arrives on recently widowed bookstore owner Clark Thomas' doorstep. When the body of a local businesswoman and environmentalist gets dumped by the back door of his shop, Clark finds himself in a unique position to investigate the crime. But should he? When it comes to murder, something else drives him he doesn't want to admit. As he launches his own search for the killer, Clark comes across a variety of colorful Boardwalk inhabitants who might have had reason to kill an otherwise beloved person. Can he do it and start putting his wife's death behind him in the process, or will it open up a fresh wound?

Barbara F. Stokes provides the first comprehensive history of Myrtle Beachs quick rise to prominence as she maps the development of the Grand Strands centerpiece.

Simeon B. Chapin was an entrepreneur and visionary who, along with Franklin G. Burroughs, helped create the foundation of what is Myrtle Beach today. B.B. Benfield built and opened the areas first movie theater, and Lawrence Boulier was a landscape artist and founder of the Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild. John Woodside built the grand Ocean Forest Hotel. Col. H.B. Springs was the towns first insurance and real estate agent, and James Bryan Sr. was the first president of Myrtle Beach Farms. Blanche Floyd was a beloved teacher and author, and W.L. Harrelson made history by serving as Myrtle Beachs first mayor. Earl Husted brought the first amusement park rides to this area, and Anthony James left after high school to make a name for himself as the first widely known actor from the Myrtle Beach area. The stories of these Myrtle Beach notables and many more fill the pages of this book. Some of these names may be unfamiliar, but each of these legendary locals, in his or her own way, has helped make Myrtle Beach the historical hometown and vacationers paradise that it is today.

You may think you know the South for its food, its people, its past, and its stories, but if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that the region tells far more than one tale. It is ever-evolving, open to interpretation, steeped in history and tradition, yet defined differently based on who you ask. This Is My South inspires the reader to explore the Southern States––Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia––like never before. No other guide pulls together these states into one book in quite this way with a fresh perspective on can’t-miss landmarks, off the beaten path gems, tours for every interest, unique places to sleep, and classic restaurants. So come see for yourself and create your own experiences along the way!

The Beach Ball Classic began in 1981 as a modest avenue for coach Dan D'Antoni to attract the attention of college scouts. It blossomed into one of the premier prep basketball tournaments in the nation. From Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter to Roy Williams, some of the game's biggest stars and most colorful coaches have taken part. They also brought attention to an area generally overlooked in terms of high school sports. With calculated moves, a few risky decisions and nationwide sporting trends, the tournament continued to expand its influence. Author Ian Guerin recounts the famous faces, upcoming stars and business acumen that have made the Classic an iconic event for thirty-five years.

The National Golf Foundation, the recognized leader in golf research since 1936, has just published the GOLF COURSE DIRECTORY. Taken from NGF's continually updated database of over 16,000 facilities, THE GOLF COURSE DIRECTORY is a two-volume, 563-page resource tool that provides facility name, address, phone number & key contact personnel. There is also information relative to facility type (e.g. daily fee, municipal or private), size (regulation, par 3 or executive), total number of holes, year opened, & whether the complex includes a practice range. THE GOLF COURSE DIRECTORY is also available in lists & mail labels. The price of the print directory is $199. ISBN 1-57701-079-5. As part of the introduction of this new directory, NGF has also created three additional niche directories from their extensive database: THE DRIVING RANGE DIRECTORY, of 1,700 facilities, Price: $99.00, ISBN 1-57701-080-9; THE PAR-3/EXECUTIVE GOLF COURSE DIRECTORY, listing 1,700 facilities, Price: $99.00, ISBN 1-57701-082-5; THE OFF-COURSE GOLF RETAIL SHOP DIRECTORY, listing 2,000 stores, Price: $99.00, ISBN 1-57701-081-7. The entire family of print directories, mail label services & lists are under the umbrella of NGF's new MarketLinks products.