For some of you reading this from the comfort of your cozy homes, the weather conditions outside might still feel like winter, yet here, signs of spring are evident -extra sunlight (7 more minutes of daylight than last week) and robins searching for worms that are migrating towards the earth surface from their hibernation below ground. No matter where you live in the north or south, spring inspires excitement in people and animals, a little hopeful happy feeling deep down.

Here in North Myrtle Beach, Prince Resort and The Cherry Grove Pier are both sprucing up and looking lively for the spring visitors who are already arriving to enjoy days at the beach. Of course, in February, warmth comes and goes, but we see fewer coats and jackets out there on the beach lately.

Celebrations and festivals turn to the out-of-doors. Most recently, Prince Resort invited guests to pay tribute to loved ones during the Valentine's Day weekend with our grand "special." The 3500 Ocean Grill created a delightful menu, and guests filled the resort. Reservations activity is also bustling with calls for everything from the up-coming mid-March Canada/American Week to April's SOS Spring Safari to Mayfest on May 9th on Main Street to "bike" week in mid-May, and so on. The calendar is filling up, so if you have not made your spring and summer plans to come to the beach, log on to our website or give us a call!

Your friends at Prince Resort!

What is Going on at Prince Resort?

• Sprucing up Prince! Nothing says "spring" like fresh, bright surroundings, so when you come for your vacation later this spring, expect to find a sharp new appearance along hallways and on doors at Prince Resort. All are being painted with work expected to be completed by early May, if not sooner. For guests coming before the work is completed, please be assured that this effort will not inconvenience you.
  
  
• Community fund raising benefits local efforts in the fight against cancer. On Friday, February 6th, Prince Resort held a Managers' Cook-Off, raising over $500 in support of the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer. This effort, all part of our participation in ACS's Relay for Life, included a delicious hot meal of many tasty treats including meatballs, ham, macaroni and cheese, rolls, and specially decorated "pink" cupcakes. Held at 3500 Ocean Grill, the event began at noon, quickly fulfilling appetites and expectations. Servings had been pre-sold at $3.00 per plate which included the dinner and dessert, plus a beverage.
  
  
• 3500 Ocean Grill continues its exciting specials and menus in the coming months. Located right at the oceanfront, this brightly colored restaurant delights diners with its creative meals and beautiful view. The special Valentine's Day meal delighted guests with its filet mignon, tender chicken piccata, and other entrees, along with sumptuous side dishes and mouth-watering desserts. Check the website at 3500 Ocean Grill where you can see menu options and also print out a cost-savings coupon.
  
  
• The Cherry Grove Pier. Looking for someplace to go with ambiance and casual food? Check out The Cherry Grove Pier. Not into fishing? You don't need to be an angler to enjoy this wonderful landmark. Take some friends and have an event. Look right out over the in-coming waves as you sit in the open-air boardwalk café on a warm spring day with a delicious sandwich and beverage. The possibilities extend to the depth of your imagination, and we can help you think of other ways to enjoy the pier that you might not have even considered. Into photography? The gazebo at the end of the pier is elevated so that you can see quite a distance, perfect viewing, especially with a camera on a tripod, in your search for passing marine wild life. We have picnic tables, and each and every one of the 51 benches along the boardwalk has been completely rebuilt with new materials. Even the lighting on the pier is in the process of being remodeled.
  
  

Featured Employee - Travis Bauer

Guests can count on Travis Bauer. Returning guests look for his trademark smile. His friendly personality and easygoing style indicate his natural willingness and flexibility to go out of his way to make them happy, to make their stay at Prince a worthwhile experience.

His attributes include paying attention to the smallest of details, attending to guests' needs as they arise, and finding solutions. Considered by his colleagues as a "really nice guy," Travis came here to the beach from his home state of Ohio several years ago. Originally working at three of our sister properties beginning in 2006, he has been with Prince for about a year. Recently promoted to Night Manager from the position of PM supervisor, Travis inspires the confidence of his supervisors and peers at Prince.

As a valued asset to the company, Travis's dedication to customer service ensures that he has guests' well-being and comfort in mind at all times. If you arrive at Prince during Travis' time on duty, we hope that you will say hello!

Featured Recipe - Succotash

This tasty side-dish recipe comes from the kitchen of Rachel Ray, but many of us enjoyed succotash as we grew up. Then, no two recipes were the same as the creative minds of our parents changed something with each dish. Try this one, and make it your own by adding the pizzazz of cayenne or the flavor of some other spice.

This recipe makes 4 cups, serving 6.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 pounds of baby lima beans, shelled
• 3 ears corn
• 1 tablespoon of butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup of heavy cream
• Salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• 1 cup finely chopped carrots (optional, but how can you have succotash without carrots)

DIRECTIONS:

• In a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, in 1 inch boiling, salted water, heat the beans (and the carrots) to boiling.
• Reduce the heat to low. Cover, simmer for 20 minutes or until the beans are tender.
• Drain and return the beans to saucepan.
• Meanwhile, with sharp knife, scrap pulp from cob. Stir in corn and butter into beans.
• Over low heat, cook 5 minutes. Stir in cream and heat throughout.
• Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with a few sprigs of chives.

Local Events Calendar

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.

I enjoyed getting the newsletter. I like the personal touch that The Prince Resort gives to its past guests. You're not forgotten like so many other vacation places.

We have stayed at The Prince Resort 2 years in a row, the first year 2007 we rented a private condo from one of your owners … we had a very good experience the week we stayed.

Last year 2008 we rented directly from your resort, and we enjoyed it even better.

Email from Burke Family, January 23, 2009

My husband and I just stopped in to check if any vacancies were available at the Prince Resort at Cherry Grove. We stayed two nights in an ocean front one bedroom condo on the 15th floor, and we couldn't have asked for a better place to be. It was November 12th and 13th, 2008, and [we were] heading back to Ohio. We walked the beach, went out to eat, and just sat on the balcony watching the ocean and enjoying the waves. The view was absolutely breathtaking at sunset and gave us such a peaceful feeling. We would recommend this place to anyone...one of the nicest places we've stayed in our travels. The condo had everything we could have thought we needed, and the people running it so friendly and helpful. Again...........a wonderful place to stop and regroup...restore you soul with the ocean and Prince Resort!!!

Email from the Evans Family from Ohio, January 22, 2009

Groups

Groups enjoy coming to Prince Resort because our list of amenities and accommodating North Myrtle Beach location allow them please everyone in their assembly. Whether a golf group, a school graduation, a family reunion, or other function, we can accommodate you!

Here are some of the recent groups staying with us:

• Andy's Burgers Shakes and Fries
• Wesley's Chapel United Methodist Church
• Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church
• New Hope Worship Center
• Foundation for New Beginnings

Fun Facts