North Myrtle Beach sits on a salty foundation of sand and shells. Dig a little deeper, though, and you’ll find deep roots in music and dance.  In April, the area holds its annual festival that celebrates Shag, a traditional dancing style popular along the Carolina coast.

The Society of Stranders (S.O.S) will host the Spring Safari festival from April 16–25. Each year, the event draws thousands of shaggers from up and down the East Coast. They come to display their moves and kickoff the official start of Spring.

Throughout the 10-day gala of tunes, food and dance, area lounges welcome visitors with various shindigs, long ago dubbed “tea parties.” The festivities usually include performances by popular beach-music bands, as well as instructors offering classes for everyone from novice to experienced shaggers.

Grand Strand Vacations, a North Myrtle Beach property rental firm, opens its more than 350 luxury homes and condos for the rhythmic guests. This year, Grand Strand is offering the gift of two free nights during a four-night stay.

“We love shag, and the folks who share in the boardwalk memories of couples dancing the night away,” said Nancy Seddinger, owner of Grand Strand Vacations. “After getting down in the sand, we want to give our revelers a comfortable place to kick back, relax and catch up with old friends. There’s no better way to do this than at a Grand Strand property.”

When out-of-towners aren’t sipping cocktails and enjoying the ocean view from their seaside getaway, they’ll most likely be exploring the goings on at North Myrtle.

On Saturday April 25, the Spring Safari wraps up with the beloved parade down Main Street. The tradition is presented by the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs (ACSC). During the parade, floats wow spectators, competing for the most original design and best shag theme.  The street turns into a fairgrounds, with dancers and day-trippers enjoying food, entertainment and tunes.

S.O.S. started in 1980. That spring, the first festival drew roughly 5,000 people eager to compete in dance contests and listen to beach music. Over the years, the bash grew in size and events. Today, the Spring Safari marks a time for getting back to summer and reuniting with friends.

“We absolutely love this time of year,” Seddinger said. “This is a big coup for our region. We’ve become synonymous with something very special to people – beach dancing. It’s more than just the entertainment value. This is people’s memories of the past.”

Aside from free nights, Grand Strand Vacations also is offering golf packages with discounted green fees, as well as girls’ weekend deals. Pets are welcome.

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For the Grand Strand region, Easter signals the unofficial start of the tourist season. This time of year, many families juggling school and work choose the North Myrtle Beach area for a week-long retreat from the daily grind.

In 2010, there is no shortage of activities to celebrate the upcoming holiday and welcome visitors. It all kicks off with several Easter Bunny appearances around town. This year, kids not only have the chance to see the furry hopper, but can actually eat breakfast with him as well.

-    Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Children’s Museum of South Carolina will be held from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, April 3. Reservations are required for this event. Admission includes a free photo with the Easter Bunny and continental breakfast. After the meal, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt and holiday crafts. For more information, call (843)946-9469 or e-mail the museum at CMSCprograms@sc.rr.com.

-    The Market Commons will have an Easter Bunny Breakfast at 9 a.m. April 3. Attendees can choose to eat brunch at Roy & Sid’s, Gordon Biersch, Travinia, or King Street Grille. The cost is $8 per person. There also will be an Easter Egg Hunt and complimentary photos with the Easter Bunny following brunch. To make a reservation, call Roy & Sid’s at (843)839-9770, Gordon Biersch at (843)839-0249, Travinia at (843)233-8500 or King Street Grille at (843)238-3900.

-    Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Hard Rock (located at Broadway at the Beach) also will be held April 3. There will be face painting and fireworks. For more information, call 1-800-FUN-INMB (386-4662).

This marks the 28th annual Easter Egg Hunt in North Myrtle Beach’s McLean Park. The hunt begins at 10 a.m. April 3. The Easter Bunny – or Ms. Blossom – is set to make an appearance to hand out candy to the children in attendance. Ms. Blossom also will be available for pictures. The Easter Egg Hunt will include divided areas for different age groups, which range from infant and above. Refreshments will be provided by the North Strand Optimist Club. For more information about this free event, call (843)280-5673 or go online at www.nmb.us.

For people looking for a traditional Sunday Easter service at the beach, there are plenty of churches in the area. Go to www.myrtlebeachchurches.com to find one. The site provides church listings for North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Little River, Surfside Beach and Murrells Inlet.

With a variety of activities to keep visitors busy, the only thing left is to find a place to stay. Grand Strand Vacations, a beach vacation rental firm with more than 350 properties, is offering a Spring Special. Book four nights or more between now and April 30 and get two free nights. To make reservations, call 1-800-722-6278.

“There’s a reason people choose to spend their Easter breaks in the North Myrtle Beach area year after year,” said Nancy Seddinger, owner of Grand Strand Vacations. “Obviously, there’s the beach. But you’re treated like family around here.”

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Whether it’s with best friends or family, North Myrtle Beach offers the perfect setting for a girls-only trip. Leave the significant other, the kids and all worries at home while enjoying the sand, sun, shopping and more.

Obviously, the initial appeal of the Myrtle Beach area is the beach, and there’s plenty of it. The Grand Strand boasts more than 60 miles of white sandy beaches. Adventure seekers can rent a Jet Ski, sailboat or kayak, as well as take a ride on a parasail or banana boat. There also are opportunities to surf, scuba dive or go on a dolphin watch tour.

After working on tans, reading a good book or just catching up, some of the best shopping awaits. Bargain hunters will find two Tanger Outlet Centers. Some of the more than 100 stores include: Banana Republic, Coldwater Creek, S&K Menswear, Farberware, Liz Claiborne, Old Navy, Book Warehouse, Nags Head Hammocks, Bose Factory Store, Crabtree & Evelyn, Le Gourmet and Ultra Diamond Outlet.

Two of the area’s more popular destinations – Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing – offer more than just shopping. In addition to chain stores, boutiques and specialty shops, they also are packed with restaurants, entertainment venues and nightlife spots.

The newest indoor mall is Coastal Grand. With nearly 1 million square feet space, it houses more than 130 stores, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, Bed Bath and Beyond, Brookstone and Ethan Allen.

For ladies looking for more upscale finds, check out Hope Taylor & Company in downtown North Myrtle Beach. From linens, jewelry and art to collectibles, furniture and shoes, this boutique carries a plethora of brands: Brighton Jewelry, Liquid Metal Jewelry, Jan Barboglio, Mixed Bag Designs, Design-Design, Two’s Company, Spartina 449, Bunnies By the Bay, White River Designs, Lady Primrose, Vera Bradley, Arthur Court, Match Pewter, Waterford, Vietri, Timeworks, Tommy Bahama and more.

Besides shopping, one of the other attractions that make the Myrtle Beach area a popular girl’s weekend destination is golf. The Grand Strand is teeming with nationally recognized courses. In fact, one of the top LGPA courses is Grand Dunes, an oceanfront locale. They did away with advance tees from its membership course, inviting male and female golfers to tee off from the same tee boxes.

Other golf courses made popular by the ladies:
•    King’s North at Myrtle Beach National was listed by Golf for Women magazine one of the 100 best for women in America.
•    Willbrook Plantation also was recognized by Golf for Women magazine, which noted it was fun to play because of the open approaches.
•    The Palmetto Course at Myrtlewood Golf Club has garnered a reputation for playability. Measuring 4,906 yards from the forward tee, it’s light on water and rough.

Grand Strand Vacations, a property rental firm in North Myrtle Beach, has teamed up with Cinzia Spa to provide a package that includes a place to stay and relax after hitting the shops, fairways or other Myrtle Beach attraction.

Between now and June 1, girlfriends planning a weekend escape get a 20 percent discount off Grand Strand Vacations’ more than 300 North Myrtle Beach oceanfront, waterway and villa homes and condos. The starting rate is $200 for a two-night stay in a two-bedroom condo.

Grand Strand Vacations also can book an appointment for an afternoon of pampering at Cinzia Spa. They are offering the Express Diva Package, which includes a facial, massage and a manicure or pedicure, for only $117.

“For women who do too much for everyone except themselves, a little pampering and some time with friends works wonders,” said Nancy Seddinger, owner of Grand Strand Vacations. “And at such affordable prices, a getaway like this is a truly doable.”

For more information on the packages, call 1-800-722-6278.

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Artists and cultural buffs visiting North Myrtle Beach will discover plenty of opportunities to fan their creative flames, from a first-class museum to unique art events slated year-round.

The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum Art Museum of Myrtle Beach, which opened its doors in 1997, offers outstanding examples of regional art, as well as innovative educational programs for cultural enthusiasts of every age. Housed in a gracious building dating back to 1924, ongoing exhibits include the Waccamaw Arts & Crafts Guild Collection; the Art Museum Permanent Collection; the Bishop Maps and Prints Collection; and the Barbara Burgess and John Dinkelspiel Collection of Southern Art.

Special exhibits change regularly and feature folk art, contemporary painting and juried pieces. Chief among these is the Waccamaw Arts and Craft Guild Annual Juried Exhibition, April 29-May 27. With works from both amateur and professional regional artists, the show offers an eclectic sampling of oils, water colors, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, sculpture and more. Located at 3100 South Ocean Boulevard (across from Springmaid Pier), the art museum operates Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m. Although admission is free, donations are always welcome. Details: 843-238-2510 or www.myrtlebeachartmuseum.org.

Arts and craft shows in one form or another take place in the Grand Strand’s fine galleries, shops and boutiques pretty much throughout the year. Several of the larger events draw visitors from the entire southeast region.

Art in the Park, April 24-25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., presents 60 artists from the East Coast and west to Tennessee, including painters, woodworkers, photographers, jewelers, fabric artists, glass and metal artisans, potters and sculptors. What’s more, about 20 of exhibitors hail from the Grand Strand area. Admission to this child- and pet-friendly celebration, located at The Market Common Valor Park, 4017 Deville Street, Myrtle Beach, is free. Details: JoAnne Utterback, 843 446-7471.

The 2010 Craftsmen’s Classic™ Arts & Crafts Festival takes place Aug. 6-8 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach. Showcasing original designs and work from hundreds of traditional and contemporary artists and crafters nationwide, this award-winning event also features exhibitor demonstrations throughout the weekend. One admission fee (to be determined) covers the entire three days, and children attend for free. Details: www.gilmoreshows.com/craftsmens_classics_myrtle_summer.shtml.

The 35th Annual Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival happens Sept. 24-26 at Huntington Beach State Park near Murrells Inlet. With a focus on fine art, quality crafts and Low Country cuisine, the event features more than 100 exhibitors and live music from leading area performers. The daily festival admission fee is $6 for adults; a multi-day pass is $10; youngsters 15 years old and younger are free.  Details:  803-734-0450 and 843-237-4440; or www.scprt.com/state-park-service/atalayafestivalartists.aspx.

All of these and more are a brief drive from any of the more than 350 Grand Strand Vacations properties.

“More and more, our guests are learning that this area has an artistic personality with a true Southeast coastal character,” said Nancy Seddinger, owner of Grand Strand Vacations. “When they realize that so much is happening on the arts front, they can’t wait to get out to soak up the experience.”

While diverse art-related venues and events are a great way to enjoy the area’s cultural ambiance, Seddinger believes the natural beauty surrounding North Myrtle Beach and neighboring communities continues to provide the richest source of inspiration.

“We’re lucky to have so much art at our fingertips. But just step outside the front door of your Grand Strand Vacation property and take a look at the immaculate beaches, the dark blue ocean, all that sky,” she said. “Even the greatest painting can capture only a fraction of that artistry.”

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No matter what time of year you stay in your Grand Strand Vacations home, there’s always something fun to do around North Myrtle Beach – besides hanging out on the shore, of course! In the coming months, there are event staples, such as the Sounds of Summer Concert Series, and new ones like the Art, Antiques and Treasures Roadshow. As we see it, it’s never too early to start looking forward to your next visit.

Some of this year’s festivals and events include:

Oyster Festival
Jan. 10 from 12-9 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot
Cold weather means oyster roasts at the beach. There will be buckets of steamed and raw oysters, as well as fried fish and seafood gumbo. Local beer will be on tap. Live music will get you moving. This kid-friendly event also will have activities to keep them busy. For more information, call (843) 568-3778 or go to www.mrfish.com.

First Annual Art, Antiques and Treasures Roadshow
Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Franklin G. Burroughs – Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum
Do you have a hidden treasure in your attic or basement? Find out at this fund-raising event. In the same vein as the PBS series, “Antiques Roadshow,” there will be experts in fine art, jewelry, silver, china, crystal, ceramics glassware and furniture to verbally appraise your items. There will be an opening lecture and evening reception as well. You can purchase tickets at the Art Museum. For more information, call (843) 238-2510 or go to www.myrtlebeachartmuseum.org.

13th Annual Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon
Feb. 11-14
This event is so popular, the full and half-marathon are sold out. But there still are spots open for the
RBC Bank 5K and Ripley’s Family Fun Run on Feb. 12 as well as the Michelob ULTRA Bicycle Ride on Feb. 14. Participants of any event also get free entrance into the Ripley’s Post Race Party on Feb. 12 and the House of Blues Post Race Party on Feb. 13. A Runner’s Expo will be held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center from 5-9 p.m. Feb. 11 and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 12. For more information, go to
www.mbmarathon.com.

22nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
March 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach
The parade kicks off at 9 a.m. and features an assortment of marching bands. At 11 a.m., the street festival begins and includes two stages of live entertainment, food, arts and crafts vendors, as well as children’s activities. For more information, call (843) 280-5570 or go to www.stpatnmb.com.

28th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
April 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at McLean Park
The Easter Bunny will make an appearance to hand out candy to children, who also can get their picture made with Ms. Blossom. There will be multiple egg hunt areas divided by age group. The North Strand Optimist Club will provide refreshments. For more information, call (843) 280-5673 or go to www.nmb.us.

Earth Day ROCKS!
April 22 from 5-7 p.m. at McLean Park
This event will feature live music and a variety of green vendors. The children’s area will allow participants to plant flowers in a take-home flower pot, color murals, receive temporary tattoos and learn about how they can be more earth-friendly. People also are encouraged to bring athletic shoes to recycle through Nike’s “Let Me Play” program. For more information, call (843) 280-5570 or go to www.nmb.us.

Family Fitness Festival & Fun Run
April 30 to May 2 at The Market Common
This three-day event includes a stroller derby, mascot walk, family fun run, live music, vendors, inflatables for kids and more. By purchasing a ticket, you also get discounted admission to local family attractions. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Children’s Museum of South Carolina. For more information, go to www.cmsckids.org.

5th Annual Mayfest on Main
May 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach
This year’s headlining acts include Eddie Money, The Bar-Kays and the Mighty Might Tams. There also will be a car show, art, craft and food vendors, a community state and children’s activities. Performances start at 12:30 p.m. For more information call (843) 280-5570 or go to www.nmb.us.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series
Every Friday May 21-Sept. 17 from 7-9 p.m. at McLean Park
These free concerts are open to all ages and feature different bands that play family-friendly music. You are encouraged to bring a beach chair or a blanket, food and non-alcoholic beverages. Food and drink will be for sale on-site. For more information, call (843) 280-5570 or go to www.nmb.us.

Music on Main
Every Thursday June 3-Sept. 2 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach
When Music on Main revs up in June, it means you can enjoy two nights in a row of live music. If it’s looking like rain, you can call the Rec Check hotline at (843) 280-5570 ext. 1 for weather updates.

7th Annual Irish Italian International Festival
Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach
More than 20,000 people attend this ever-growing festival. The food, live music, arts, crafts and dance group performances all have some kind of tie to the event’s Irish Italian International theme. The festival also includes a friendly competition among restaurants, who will vie for Best Entrée, Best Decoration and Best Dessert. For more information, call (843) 280-5570 or go to www.nmb.us.

Wee Ones Boo Bash
Oct. 29 from 5-7 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of South Carolina
This event is for younger trick-or-treaters – specifically children 6 years old and younger. There will be Halloween treats, games and exhibits. For more information, call (843) 946-9469 or go to www.cmsckids.org.

Howl-O-Scream
Oct. 30 from 5-8 p.m. at McLean Park
This event provides fun for everyone in the family – hayrides, pumpkin painting, music, marshmallow roasting, trick-or-treating and other activities. For more information call (843) 280-5570 or go to www.nmb.us.

So mark your calendars to enjoy some of our favorite festivities during your stay at North Myrtle Beach. Or plan your vacation around one of these popular events.

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Most people’s ice cream cravings go into hibernation during the winter months. The mere thought of cold weather and double-scooped waffle bowls sends some folk’s minds into instant brain freeze.

However, with an array of soda fountains and desert parlors in North Myrtle Beach, we at Grand Strand Vacations indulge in the frozen treat year round. Hand-dipped; soft served; or shaken thick – ice cream sort of serves as a key food group here at the coast.

Come see for yourself. Just one visit to our beach community and you’ll experience firsthand our affinity for cones, sundaes and everything drenched in whipped topping!

Something about the frosty concoction and ocean living go hand in hand, serving as the perfect recipe for memories.  Lapping up a couple scoops of Rocky Road while watching the breakers spray mist… Resting in a hammock and slurping on a rich milkshake… Life doesn’t get any sweeter – literally and figuratively.

See, ice cream just tastes a bit better at the beach. Maybe it’s the saltwater air. Maybe it’s the mild temperatures. Maybe it’s the relaxed pace. But you can’t beat the delectable joy that comes from plucking a Maraschino cherry with your teeth as seagulls fly overhead.

With that said, we at Grand Strand Vacations recommend ducking into some of these local mom & pop sweet shops during your next visit to North Myrtle. Eat there or pick up a pint and bring it back to the beach house. Either way, we’re certain you’ll quickly share our passion for this icy decadence.

Original Painters Homemade Ice Cream
2408 Hwy 17 South, North Myrtle Beach
Around here, this house of treats serves up a taste of Hollywood with each bite. Patrons arrive to windows covered in pictures of famous personalities. According to regulars, Wheel of Fortune even featured Painters on one of its episodes, drawing compliments from the show’s own Vanna White. Those who visit the old fashioned shop today can delve into Vanna Banana – a tribute to her love of Painters rich specialties!

Mr. G’s Ice Cream and Grill
311 17th Ave, South, North Myrtle Beach
When you’re finished downing a savory sandwich at this local hotspot, top off the meal with one of their signature frozen desserts. Go ahead, indulge. You’re on vacation!

Ice Cream Factory
4019 Hwy 17 South, North Myrtle Beach
You’ve never visited a factory like this! The minute you step into this parlor, you’ll know their assembly line only manufactures sweet dreams. Try a variety of flavors, decadent specialties and more.

Kirks 1890 Ice Cream Parlor
6101 Hwy 17 North, Myrtle Beach
Journey back to a simpler time, when dessert served as a real luxury. Kirk’s long-lasting reputation as an ice cream shop, and nostalgic experience, keeps patrons coming back year after year.

Calabash Creamery
9910 Beach Drive, Calabash, N.C.
Just a quick car ride up the street, you’ll find a creamery like no other. This shop regularly creates new flavors using only the best ingredients – many local. Everything is made on site, fresh. Can’t solve your sugary hankering, try a sampler.

There are many more ice cream shops to explore in and around North Myrtle. However, these parlors will help get you started on your sweet tooth tour the next time you’re relaxing in our community.

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“Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it.” – Eudora Welty

Eudora Welty is one of our favorite authors. Reading her short stories and novels about the American South is like listening to Grandmother talk about the way things used to be here at North Myrtle Beach. Welty’s right, you know. Travel is so much more than just getting away. At Grand Strand Vacations, we believe travel is about discovering new places, enjoying the little moments and growing closer to family and friends.

From now until Jan. 3, you have the chance to discover a side of Welty and 59 other authors not often seen by readers in an exhibit at the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. Faces and Stores: A Portrait of Southern Writers, features black and white portraits by internationally acclaimed photographer Curt Richter.

Louis D. Rubin, a native of South Carolina, originally commissioned Richter to photograph the founding members of the Fellowship of Southern Writers. The project grew over seven years to include more than 200 writers. This traveling exhibit features 60 of those photographs, which is being presented by the Southern Arts Federation. Part of the funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts – a group that believes “a great nation deserves great art.”

Welty was the first author to be photographed for the series. Alice Walker was the last.

“[Richter] waits for the expressive moment that has little or nothing to do with the face people usually present to the world,” said Ann Beattie, one of the Southern authors featured in the exhibit.

Beattie added that Richter’s Faces and Stories “inspires the audience to see aspects of themselves in the photograph while acknowledging the subtle strength of each author’s portrait.”

The faces included in the exhibit are:
Lisa Alther
William Baldwin
Richard Bausch
Robert Bausch
Ann Beattie
Doris Betts
David Bottoms
Larry Brown
Rita Mae Brown
Robert Olen Butler
Jimmy Carter
Pat Conroy
Harry Crews
James Dickey
Andre Dubus
Clyde Edgerton
John Egerton
Ralph Ellison
Horton Foote
Shelby Foote
Jesse Hill Ford
Richard Ford
William Price Fox
John Hope Franklin
Kaye Gibbons
Sarah Gilbert
Jim Grimsley
Allan Gurganus
Cathryn Hankla
Barry Hannah
Hunt Hawkins
Beth Henley
Mary Hood
Josephine Humphreys
Madison Jones
Donald Justice
Larry L. King
Bobbie Ann Mason
Tim McLaurin
Robert Morgan
Albert Murray
Victor Nunez
Ann Patchett
Walker Percy
Reynolds Price
Ishmael Reed
Louis D. Rubin, Jr.
Valerie Sayers
Dave Smith
Lee Smith
John Stone
William Styron
Donna Tartt
Brent Wade
Alice Walker
Eugene Walter
Robert Penn Warren
Eudora Welty
Bailey White
Jonathan Williams

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Entrance into the museum is free, but donations are accepted. For more information, call (843) 238-2510.

Welty reminds us that pens smiths and those exploring other places have something in common: “Writers and travelers are mesmerized alike by knowing of their destinations,” she said.

Let Grand Strand Vacations help you draft a chapter in your life’s story that you’ll want to revisit again and again.

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It’s no secret that around this time of year, we at Grand Strand Vacations love to talk turkey. Yes, when the palm trees start blooming their holiday lights and folks replace seashells with jingle bells – it’s time to celebrate our favorite fowl!

Here in North Myrtle Beach, it’s somewhat customary to satisfy festive food cravings with deep-fried turkey and oyster dressing. All through the season, you’d be hard pressed to find a party without these two dishes headlining the spread. Call it this area’s take on “Surf & Turf.”

While dunking a 20-pound bird into a vat of scalding-hot oil poses some dangers, the end result makes up for the risk – at least in most cases.

Still, Grand Strand Vacations does not recommend trying this time-honored culinary tradition without detailed instructions (and a knowledgeable cook). So for today, let’s not focus on the turkey, but rather what goes inside.

Oyster dressing – or stuffing depending on your geographic location – brings a whole new flavor to holiday dining. This unique blend of bread, cheese, herbs and, of course, oysters, will beckon memories of summer and fall all in one bite. Since now is the time to enjoy the remaining harvest of shell fish, Thanksgiving and this recipe seem to go hand-in-hand around here.

We’ve ripped a page from our family cookbook and included our own, personal recipe below for “Grand Strand’s Buttery Oyster Stuffing.” Give it a try at your dinner table this year, and please let us know what you think. We’re always looking for ways to doctor up this coastal classic, so don’t hesitate to drop us a line.

In the meantime, pass the pumpkin pie and remember:

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GRAND STRAND’S BUTTERY OYSTER STUFFING
Serves 8 people. Enough stuffing for a 14-15lb turkey.

1lb bread, including crusts (10 cups packed and cubed)
1 pint oyster, raw
4-8 tablespoons butter
1 cup celery, finely chopped
2 cups onions, chopped
1 cup diced portabella mushrooms
1/2 cup of grated pecorino cheese
1/4-1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced
1 tablespoon sage, minced
1 tablespoon thyme, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, ground
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1/8 teaspoon clove, ground
1-2 teaspoons of Tabasco sauce (depending on desired heat)
1 cup chicken stock
2 large eggs, well beaten (optional)

DIRECTIONS

- Preheat oven to 400°F and toast the bread until golden brown on the middle rack. Then pour into a large bowl.

- Meanwhile heat butter until melted and foam subsides. Add onions, celery and mushrooms and cook about 5 minutes until tender.

- Remove from heat and stir in the spices.

- Stir in the bread cubes, cheese and drained oysters and toss well, until the stuffing is moist, but not packed together; stir in the stock and eggs.

- Place stuffing in bird while moist. Remoisten and adjust spices as necessary.

- If placed in a casserole dish, cook at 350°F for 25-40 minutes until heated through with a crust on the outside.

Once you’ve settled into your Grand Strand Vacations beach haven, you might want to venture beyond the sand dunes of North Myrtle to discover all that the area offers.

October presents the perfect time to hop in the car and explore a real working farm. Located less than 20 minutes up the road, you’ll find the small town of Calabash, NC. While this South Carolina neighbor is well-known for its lightly-fried style of seafood, it also has a long history and solid reputation for its farming roots. Enter Indigo Farms.

Being continuously owned by a family for 100 years or more, Indigo holds the distinction of being a century farm. In fact, this agricultural mainstay has been in the Bellamy family for six generations. Named for one of its earliest crops, Indigo Farms keeps its history alive by inviting people to visit for events like Farm Heritage Day on October 3.

A handful of experts will be on hand to demonstrate:
- How indigo plants are used for dye. You’ll be able to ask questions about the process and its history. Faye Ahuja and Cathy Perry will show how the indigo plant can give wool or cotton a natural steadfast color that, for centuries, was considered a treasure throughout the world.

- The art of blacksmithing. Meck Hartsfield learned from master craftsman blacksmiths across the globe.

- The history of guns. Carl Hannekin knows about how they were made, the kinds of people who made them, the history of how guns developed, myths about old black powder guns and more.  Hannekin has made replicas of famous guns. He also has crafted guns for movies, including “The Patriot.”

- Basket making, weaving, spinning, paper making, cow milking and more.

In addition to the demonstrations, Farm Heritage Day will feature exhibits of old tools, artifacts from the 1800s, antique tractors and engines, old farm equipment, and a 1915 vertical hit and miss engine turning a 1920s grist mill from the Horry County Museum.

Other activities at this family-friendly event include pony rides, live music, hay rides, pick your own pumpkins, hay maze and stock pig racing.

Another October tradition at Indigo Farms is the nighttime hayride. Rides are scheduled most Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and last 30 to 40 minutes.

Whatever your reason for stopping by the farm, be sure to check out the bakery and produce market while you’re there. The bakery’s shelves are stocked with freshly baked apple, blackberry and blueberry pies, as well as cakes and breads. Craving something a little unusual? Try their apple taffy pie. They also serve sandwiches and small lunches.

The produce market carries a variety of fruits and vegetables for sale. For the last six years, the farm also has devoted a portion of its fields to grow organic produce and herbs – including strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, asparagus, lettuce, various greens, radishes, turnips, kale, kohlrabi, cabbages, pac choi, napa cabbage, carrots, beets, spinach, garlic, onions, chard, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, beans, potatoes, corn, peppers, cantaloupes, watermelons, beans, cilantro, dill, fennel and basil.

After an exciting day learning about life on a farm and picking out some dinner fixin’s, don’t forget to stop by a seafood stand in North Myrtle for the fresh catch or a couple of pounds of shrimp. There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal made from local ingredients. Top off the evening with a relaxing stroll on the beach.

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Grand Strand Vacations