12.21 Sasee_Ebook

December 2021

“Remember

this December,

that love weighs

more than gold!”

– Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

Call today for your FREE In-Home Consultation!

919.568.3120

RenewalNCWindows.com

Cannot be combined with any other offers. Minimum purchase of 4 windows required. Call for details. Offer expires December 31.

Enjoy ice skating on a rink

sponsored by Southwest Airlines,

walk-through holiday light shows

and events all season long.

Nov. 26 - Jan. 2

Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place

812 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

WinterWonderlandatTheBeach.com

says

“It’s A Wrap”

December 2021

Contents

Volume 20, Issue 12

About the Cover Artist:

The Budapest-based artist, Dorina Nemeskéri, has not stopped drawing

from the moment she could hold a pencil in her hand. It was never a

question that she would pursue her passion to become a full-time artist.

Her creations are inspired by an olden-time, vintage vibe. She wants her

art to offer people a chance to escape their reality and feel cozy. Dorina

explained, “I turned to fantasy to escape my environment of a city largely

consisting only of what is usually often referred to as ‘commie blocks.’

Painting gave me an outlet to briefly move away from that grey reality!”

To set this atmosphere, she usually goes for oil-based and acrylic

material. You may also notice that her characters have a unique taste

in fashion. That is because her other love is vintage fashion/fashion

design. As an introvert, art is definitely the best way for Dorina to truly

express herself.

ETSY: www.etsy.com/shop/AtelierDorina?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

CASETIFY: (phone case shop) www.casetify.com/atelierdorina/collection

SPOONFLOWER: (fabric/wallpaper design shop)

www.spoonflower.com/profiles/atelierdorina

WEBSITE: www.atelierdorina.com

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/atelierdorina/

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/atelierdorina

4 :: Sasee.com :: December 2021

8

12

14

16

22

26

34

40

42

44

What We Want for Christmas

by Erika Hoffman

Christmas in Our Hearts - But We Need Lights Around It

by Mary McClure

Karen Riordan: Making Magic in Myrtle Beach

by Sarah Elaine Hawkinson

The Season of Love, Joy, and Wisdom

by Rose Ann Sinay

Sasee Wish List

Perfectly Imperfect

by Margaret Lea

Songs of the Season

by Ellen Fannon

Evan’s Elf

by Melissa Face

December 2021 Events

Our Chinese Food Christmas

by Linda Baten Johnson

from the Editor

Growing up, my parents and

I mostly spent Christmas day

traveling to spend time with

my mom’s side of the family,

which is pretty big. Instead of

bringing gifts for every single

family member, we collectively

participate in a gift exchange.

The Santa’s Hat Gift Exchange

has a few various names, but

the rules pretty much remain

the same.

Everyone included brings one

wrapped gift of similar value

that is usually either really

great or really funny and the

gift is placed under the tree

anonymously. All participants

pick a number from a Santa hat and take turns choosing a gift in their

designated order. It’s important to note that you are not allowed to pick

up or touch a gift unless it is the one you are opening. In other words,

you cannot test how heavy the present is during your decision making.

The fun really begins when a player decides to “steal” an already opened

gift from someone else instead of opening a new one. Each opened

present is allowed two steals and the third person gets to go home with

it. From experience, it seems that the best numbers to have are either

the first or the last because those candidates have more gift options.

Regardless of the outcome, everyone involved goes home with a gift

and gets a good giggle out of the game.

However, my family coined an iconic gift about a decade ago that

(due to its lack of cuteness) reappears every year, the pink pig planter.

Family members have gotten a little more strategic with it now and do

not wrap the pig itself because it’s too easy to spot. We would think, the

bigger the gift, the more likely you are going home with the infamous

pig. So now, most gifters take a picture of it and place it with another

item that is actually a really good gift, to make up for the pig, of course.

Sasee wishes you all a wonderful holiday season surrounded by what’s

most important - loved ones and treasured memories.

Cheers,

Publisher

Delores Blount

Sales & Marketing Director

Susan Bryant

Editor

Sarah Elaine Hawkinson

Account Executives

Erica Schneider

Gay Stackhouse

Art Director

Patrick Sullivan

Contributing Photographer

Chasing the Light Photography

Web Developer

Scott Konradt

Accounting

Gail Knowles

Executive Publishers

Jim Creel

Bill Hennecy

Suzette Rogers

PO Box 1389, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

fax 843-626-6452 • phone 843-626-8911

www.sasee.com • info@sasee.com

Sasee is published monthly and distributed free along the Grand

Strand. Submissions of articles and art are welcome. Visit our website

for details on submission.

Sasee is a Strand Media Group, Inc. publication.

Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material, in

part or in whole, prepared by Strand Media Group, Inc. and appearing

within this publication is strictly prohibited. Title “Sasee” is

registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.


What We Want for Christmas

by Erika Hoffman

I attended a Christmas luncheon yesterday. A choir of older

women sang traditional holiday carols flawlessly. Yet, the

highlight for me was not the mesmerizing music and their

jovial red vests and joyful smiles but instead the performance

of a little old lady who is the troupe’s comedienne.

She stepped forward in front of her compatriots and with

a little twinkle in her eyes began her story. Neither Jimmy

Kimmel nor Jimmy Fallon can deliver a joke with better

timing, tone, affect, and enunciation than she did, and

she performed it live too in the midst of 100 folks. That’s

no laughing matter because most of us amateur jokesters

wouldn’t have had the nerve!

She segued into her joke from a song the group had warbled

about making a list to let Santa know what your heart desires

for Christmas. She said she knew a woman who hinted about

her wishes days on end before the holiday. This woman told

her husband repeatedly what she expected to see in her

driveway on Christmas morning. Like most husbands, her

spouse didn’t appear to listen. She became more explicit in

telling him what she wanted. The gift wasn’t to be delivered

under the tree but in front of the garage. “I want something

that goes from zero to 150 in three seconds” this woman had

trilled to her non-responsive hubby.

“Zero to 150” she repeated each day leading up to December

25. “No need to wrap it.”

That Christmas morning- we were told- this woman rushed

out to her driveway and looked to her right and then to her

left, turning in a complete circle. As our raconteur told this

part of the tale, she exaggerated the head turns, and then

our performer looked straight ahead at us with a bewildered

gaze. Our jokester twirled around. Imitating the woman in

her story, she searched for her zero to 150 surprise! And then

she looked down at her feet.

She said, “There set a digital scale.”

We all howled.

Mature women like jokes that resonate. Women of a

certain age understand the scenario of a nagging wife, an

unresponsive partner, her desire for something extravagant

and sporty and his answer to her wish - something frugal

and practical. A literal answer. A comical twist. And the

glaring truth of the joke which most of us accept - we gain

weight as we age.

We related to her joke.

So many women in their fifties and sixties complain

about husbands’ habits as though they’ve just discovered

these things about their partners, despite four decades of

marriage. I always elicit a stare from my pals when I declare:

“It’s too bad my husband was so dang good looking when he

was a young man.” Ears perk up. Brows raise. Smiles form.

“If he hadn’t been so handsome, I’d have noticed how odd

he was.” Then everyone guffaws.

People laugh because we’re all alike. We marry when we’re

young and pretty and then as the years go on and our faces

sag along with our bellies, we start noticing traits of our

partners we didn’t see in the heady days of youth. Suddenly,

it seems the smitten groom you married is morphing into

your grumpy father-in-law or you are accused of turning

into your husband’s critical mother-in-law. We start noticing

DNA we hadn’t considered when blinded by attractive looks

and springtime. C’est la vie. With age, we notice chinks in

our armor, but we also laugh about those chinks and do not

take the world or each other too seriously. We appreciate

truths we’ve discovered along the way.

So, with many Christmases behind us, we enjoy listening to

songs more than opening presents. We appreciate a good

joke more than a good cup of wassail. And the camaraderie of

friends and acquaintances over a pleasant meal in a pleasant

setting entertained by pleasant folks who “get us” is a merry

way to celebrate the season, to celebrate life.

Erika Hoffman

resides in Chapel Hill, North

Carolina with her one and only

husband for many, many years.

Her kids are grown and gone.

But they left their pets behind. So

now her doggies are her kids and

writing is “her thing.”


Wishing You...

All Things All Things

MERRY & BRIGHT

All Things

MERRY & BRIGHT

All Things

MERRY & BRIGHT

All Things

MERRY & BRIGHT

All T

MERRY &

All Things

MERRY & BRIGH

All Things

MERRY & BRIGHT

All Things

MERRY & BRIGHT

A Curated Collection of Sun-Kissed Style

December Hours 10am - 5pm (Closed Tues & Wed.)

910-579-1525 • 17 Causeway Drive • Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469

We Wrap & Ship! Text to Shop: 910-520-5197

XOXO

The SU Crew

Avoid Holiday Weight Gain and

Jump Start Your New Year’s Resolutions

Actual Results of Dr. Sattele’s Patients

Lost 92 lbs.

Lost 42 lbs.

Lost 42 lbs.

Lost 123 lbs.

16th Annual

Look Your Best For The Holidays

Donate 3 or more Toys to Receive the Following Promotional Discounts:

Botox ®

Cosmetic

$

11

a unit

Topix Pharmaceuticals

Medical Grade

Skin Care Products

20% off

Mesotherapy

Chin & Jowls

Treatment

$

25 off

Laser/Light

Facial Treatments

Mega Sale

30 % off

Latisse ®

For longer, darker

and fuller lashes

$20 off

Donate 4 or more Toys and also Receive...A FREE B12/Lipotropic Fat-Mobilizing Injection ~ a $30 Value!

These injections may be given twice a week to speed up your metabolism even more and it also helps Lower Cholesterol levels.

Donations accepted from December 1st to December 17th

Call today to schedule your FREE Weight Loss & Body Shaping Consultation

which includes a FREE Body Fat Analysis – $250 Value!

COVID Safety Update

Be sure to wear your face covering for everyone’s safety.

4 Convenient Locations

Florence • Hartsville • Murrells Inlet • N. Myrtle Beach

843-407-3124

www.RapidWeightLossCenters.com

FREE Medical Reports available online - go to www.RapidWeightLossCenters.com

Christmas in Our Hearts -

But We Need Lights Around It

by Mary McClure

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas,” I say

hopefully each December when the temperature drops

down in the 30s. I say, “feels like Christmas,” not “looks

like Christmas,” because we Okies know that a white

Christmas is as rare as a partridge in our pear tree. It

does happen, once in a while, but I am not one of those

looking at the sky and dreaming of a White Christmas

because snow can really foul up travel plans for everyone

but Santa Claus. What I’m hoping for, starting with the

first weekend in December, is the perfect day to put

up the outside Christmas decorations. A perfect day I

define as somewhere between 33 and 99 degrees, not

raining, although a little mist would be OK, and wind

gusts no more than 25 miles per hour. I would make a

list each year. Read it to my husband: “Go to the storage

place, get 15 boxes of decorations. Cut enough cedar

boughs for the lamp post and front door. Decorate lamp

pole. Decorate front door. Put lights in tree.”

“What was that last thing?” he always asked suspiciously.

“Put lights in tree,” I’d say cheerily. “We’ll just work it in

on a pretty day.” He would look noncommittal. He knew

I was using the editorial “we” and it was he who would

have to lug the ladders around the front and climb up

and down them to string lights in the elm tree.

occurred to me that they could take over this essential

part of the Christmas festivities. As it turned out, they

didn’t find it very festive either. I insisted for several

years until, finally, one son, high atop a ladder, said

bitterly, “Mom, you just ruin Thanksgiving making us

put these lights up in the tree.”

That got my attention. What kind of a Ma Scrooge, what

kind of a Grinchette had I turned into? So, I hired it

done by people who put ads in the paper saying if there

was anything they loved to do, it was climb up in brittle

old trees and wind strings of little light bulbs around

even more brittle branches. Or, more precisely, “We do

what others won’t.”

That elm tree is more than 50 years old now, which is not

that old for a tree, but high winds and bad ice storms,

have taken their toll. This year, there aren’t enough

reachable branches to wrap lights around. I finally had

to concede that what we’re reminded of every year - that

the true spirit of Christmas lies not in decorations, in

gifts, in celebrations, but in our hearts – that’s what is

important. I just wish I could find a way to string some

lights around it.

“I’ll help,” I’d add quickly. “I’ll go get stuff and hand it

up to you.”

Eventually, I’d encourage him - well, OK, nag him

into climbing up into the elm tree to string lights. The

Christmas spirit curve took a nosedive around our

house during this stage. It was a task he hated, as he

continually reminded me in left-over Marine Corps

terminology. But I always got a great rush of Christmas

joy when I’d drive up to the house and see our elm tree

aglow with twinkling-colored lights. Since our three

sons were always here for Thanksgiving, it finally

Mary McClure,

editor of the Fort Sill Cannoneer for 18

years when it was rated among the Army’s

top three newspapers, was also the first

woman inducted into the Army’s Public

Affairs Hall of Fame. She has received the

Lawton Citizen of the Humanities Award and

the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters

Outstanding Achievement award for Special

Programming among metro radio stations.


It’s the Moments Together

That Change Us Forever.

When your family is faced with difficult

end of life decisions, you need to focus

on what matters most.

PruittHealth Hospice is committed

to caring. We ensure your loved one

experiences a smooth transition from

the hospital to home hospice care

through our unique service offerings.

So that you can focus on more moments

together.

And be changed forever.

PruittHealth Hospice is part of the

PruittHealth Family of Services:

Florence • 843-662-8633

PruittHealth.com

2379 Cypress Circle, Conway, SC 29526

843-347-8179

Myrtle Beach • 843-353-1152

The PruittHealth Organization complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

PH HOSPICE Sasee Ad 12_13_2019.indd 1

12/13/19 4:16 PM


With a passionate background in tourism marketing and sales, Karen

Riordan made her way to the Grand Strand in 2018 to become the new

President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

(MBACC) and the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). “What I appreciate

the most is the incredible team I work with every day, and the fantastic

business community we have here!” Karen continued, “I enjoy the

legislative advocacy aspect of my role and I absolutely love getting the

opportunity to serve all of the amazing small businesses.”

Our local, small businesses deserve to be supported all year, but especially during the holiday season. Karen prefers to shop

at local stores and goes crazy for creative arts and crafts. She explained, “Art, candles, and the many other handmade type

gifts are my favorite to buy. They are all made with love and feel extra special and personal to give as gifts to my loved ones

because they are all such unique presents.” She likes to wrap as soon as she selects a gift and enjoys making them personalized

with gift bags and pretty tissue paper, tags, etc.

Karen and her husband get excited every year to decorate their Christmas tree with their collection of special ornaments

that they have received from their parents, friends, and family members through the years. One year, their kitten climbed

the tree and knocked it down, causing quite a few ornaments to fall. Luckily, not too many were broken, because pulling

each ornament out and placing it on the tree is like a lovely walk down memory lane for them as a couple.

Christmas is Karen’s favorite

time of year and she cherishes

her quality time spent with her

family who all travel to Myrtle

Beach to be together. They

celebrate with lots of great food,

especially cookies, pies, cocoa,

and many other chocolate

desserts. Karen’s family always

attends Christmas Mass on

Christmas Eve and they have

a tradition of opening one gift

that night as well. Growing up

in the north surrounded by

snow this time of year, Karen’s

family also had the tradition of

going ice skating. “This year, we

will just have to go ice skating at

the Winter Wonderland festival

right here in the heart of Myrtle

Beach,” she exclaimed with

enthusiasm.

Karen Riordan:

Making Magic

in Myrtle Beach


Winter Wonderland at the Beach is an exciting new festival that features a magical, walk-through light experience plus a

real ice-skating rink...just like Rockefeller center. This is the first time in many years that a real, outdoor ice surface has been

brought to the Myrtle Beach area and it will be located at Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place. The light show will take you on

a walking path through the park where you will be able to tour Toyland, Peppermint Valley, and several other interactive and

picture-perfect light displays. This family-friendly holiday attraction was created by the MBACC and the CVB along with the

City of Myrtle Beach and produced by the City of Myrtle Beach Parks, Recreation, and Sports Tourism Department. During

the whole month of December, every day (except Christmas Day) until January 2nd, the downtown and boardwalk areas will

be transformed into a sparkling holiday dreamland. Filled with twinkling lights and family fun, the Winter Wonderland at

the Beach festivities are a must this holiday season.

Visit the website and the Facebook page to keep up with the latest magical events:

www.WinterWonderlandatTheBeach.com • www.facebook.com/events/404655734369960

Sasee.com :: December 2021 :: 15

The Season of Love, Joy, and Wisdom

by Rose Ann Sinay

It was the year of the Cabbage Patch Kids, and I was making

my bi-weekly visit to the Zayre’s toy department to peruse

the aisles, hoping for a surprise shipment of the hottest doll

of the year. The toy was all my three-year-old daughter could

talk about. Some of her little friends carried their babies with

them everywhere they went, and Kailey wanted one of her

own to love.

Although I wanted more than anything to make it happen,

these special “kids” were nowhere to be found. There were

sightings of the doll and frantic buying, only for the toy to

disappear, again, leaving some moms triumphant and many

others dismayed that their child may not have the most

important toy on their list. Although I was doing my due

diligence to find the doll, I couldn’t relate to the craziness

reported on the news about parents stepping over one

another to snatch this plaything. What was the world coming

to?

Suddenly, the stock room doors flew open. A large cart

appeared piled high with boxes–Cabbage Patch Kids.

Women scrambled like crabs holding two or three boxes in

their pincers and under their arms. A high-pitched buzz and

a horde of bodies descended upon the toy section. My anxiety

spiked as I tried to find some space. As the boxes were being

attacked, I watched a carton being pushed across a shelf and

wedged between the lower shelf and the wall. I lunged for the

package, landing hard on the tiled floor. No pain, no gain, I

muttered to myself moving forward. I huddled the object like

a large football and retreated from the growing mob. I didn’t

care which Cabbage Patch Kid I had–blue-eyed, green-eyed,

red hair, blonde hair, no hair. It didn’t matter; I had scored!

My knees were wobbly as I made my way to the register, and

I thought I might have bruised a rib. The previous week, I

had snagged a He-Man figure (Masters of the Universe) and

a few of his freakishly muscled cohorts for my son, but there

had been no frenzy, just a calm, successful shopping trip.

The toys were already wrapped and hidden in a plastic bin

in my closet. Although I was pleased and relieved to have

them, there hadn’t been that desperation that I had just

experienced.

Battered and bruised, I thought an ice cream sundae and

a cup of coffee would be the perfect way to celebrate my

coup and lick my wounds. I made my purchase and headed

directly to Friendly’s next door. With my package in tow, I

found a booth, ordered my treat, and proceeded to take the

box from the bag. The doll had red hair in two thick pigtails

and freckles across her nose. She was perfect.

I couldn’t wait to see the looks on my kid’s faces on Christmas

morning. I took a long draw on my coffee followed by a

spoonful of fudge. Life was good.

“Mommy,” a young voice screeched, “a Cabbage Patch doll!”

“Excuse me,” her mother said, “Where did you find the doll?

Were there any left?” She looked as desperate as I had felt

before my death-defying lunge.

“Next door,” I said. “The boxes were disappearing as quickly

as the stock boys put them out, but, if you’re quick, you might

get one.”

Before I knew it, the woman and her child were out the door

rushing across the parking lot.

The chocolate in my mouth was suddenly too thick and

sickeningly sweet. Had I really charged like a linebacker to get

this red-headed piece of plastic and cloth? Embarrassment

set in. I had gotten caught up in a material mania and my

priorities had been scrambled. This was not the reason for

the season.

I went home, wrapped the package, and put it in the bin

along with He-Man. There was no longer any pleasure in the

fact that I had gotten the doll.

***

Christmas morning, my son and daughter were up early. We

heard them scramble down the stairs and squeal with glee at

the sight of the presents lined up under the tree. My husband

and I grabbed a glass of eggnog and snuggled on the couch,

watching our children open each gift. Their delight was

contagious, and we laughed at their excitement.


My son opened his assortment of

Masters of the Universe figures and

jumped up and down. His wish had

been granted.

My daughter opened the box containing

her doll and she began to cry and laugh

at the same time. “Santa brought me

a Cabbage Patch baby,” she managed

to say hugging her ginger-haired doll

to her chest. An hour later, she laid

the doll in a cradle, also delivered by

Santa. From time to time, she picked

the baby up, burped her, and ran her

small hand over the doll’s pigtails. She

was enchanted.

I was still embarrassed by my actions in

aisle nine of the department store but

watching my daughter’s happiness let

me forgive myself a little.

I fished the “adoption” certificate with

the doll’s name out of the box. I laughed

out loud. Her name was Joy; of course,

it was.

Shades &

Draperies

S I N C E 1 9 8 0

Your Complete Source for

Custom Window Treatments

and Bed Coverings

Shades • Shutters • Blinds

Shades & Draperies is

scheduling all visits into the

showroom by appointment

only.

This allows us to offer you a

personalized experience with

our window treatment expert.

Our Commitment To Quality,

Makes Shades & Draperies

The Best Choice For All Your

Window Covering Needs!

Call 843-651-8177

www.ShadesAndDraperies.com

4905 Hwy. 17 Bypass South

Murrells Inlet

Let Us Wrap You in Peace and Love

My self-recrimination slipped away. I

had learned my lesson well. This bit of

wisdom was my gift in this wonderful

season of love…and joy.

Rose Ann Sinay

Assisted Living & Memory Care

is a freelance writer newly relocated

Assisted Living Memory Care

of MURRELLS INLET

to Connecticut. She continues to write

of MURRELLS INLET

about moments worth remembering,

graciously provided by family and

friends.

Assisted Living & Memory Care

of MURRELLS INLET

Call to Schedule

your tour Today

843-353-1525

www.stgabrielmurrellsinlet.com

699 Prince Creek Parkway, Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576


It’s the time of your life...

why not enjoy all its privileges?

Introducing Inspire Coastal Grand,

an extraordinary senior apartment community

in Myrtle Beach designed for you.

Happy Holidays!

LampLighter

Lamp Repairs + Restorations + Creations

Most experienced Lamp &

Chandelier Repair Specialist

on the South Strand

We build beautiful custom lamps

to your specs.

Let’s see what we can design together!

Mention this ad for

$500

move in incentive

Repairs

We can repair almost all lamps and

chandeliers. Sometimes even while

you wait! If you are a Do-It-Yourselfer,

we’ll sell you what you need to get the

job done.

Restorations

We can make your old lighting fixtures

look new again! We are experts at

chandelier restoration, along with

lamp repair and the ability to restore

other light/electrical fixtures.

(This gem chandelier has approx 1000 crystals)

You Deserve This

Inspire Coastal Grand is a

55+ Active Adult Community,

thoughtfully designed to support a

healthy, active and social lifestyle.

833.675.1934

1749 Sea Pines Blvd

Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

www.inspirecoastalgrand.com

Professionally Managed by


Creations

You’ll be surprised at what we can

make a lamp out of - all you have to

do is ask! We can make lamps from

vases, urns, bottles and more. How

exciting would it be to have a lamp in

your home that YOU created?

NEW LOCATION

14363 Ocean Highway

In the Litchfield Exchange

Behind Applewood Pancake House

Two miles south of Brookgreen Gardens

Paul Sciurba

(843) 314-8087 / (843) 907-4301

www.lamplighterpro.com

800 Front Street, Georgetown, SC 29440

Mon-Fri 10:00-5:00 • Sat 10:00-4:00

843-546-6858 • www.doodlebugschild.com

Give Your Mom, Sister, Best Friend or Yourself

the Gift that Lasts a Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Name

Special Offer 12 Issues for $30

Email

Phone Number

Address

City State Zip

Send check or money order to

Strand Media Group, Inc.

PO Box 1389, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

Locally Owned & Operated

for 26 Years

Foreign • Domestic • Cars • Trucks • SUVs

Brakes • Oil Changes • Maintenance • Diagnostic

AC & Heating • Cooling System • Check Engine Lights

Carolina Car Care

843-357-0862

860 Inlet Square Drive, Murrells Inlet


Vintage Wares | Women’s Apparel

Wonderful Goods | Boutique Clothing Labels

Experience the Wonder of the

South Carolina Coast

Mon thru Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4 (unless it’s a Holiday)

720 Sunset Blvd N, Sunset Beach, NC 28468

bleuboutique.blogspot.com (910) 579-5628

@BleuInCarolina

#bleuatsunset


RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

RoverBoatTours.com

Your one-stop

shop for holiday

gift ideas.

No supply chain

issues!

C O M M U N I T Y H O S P I C E

F O U N D A T I O N

Services of Remembrance

Services of Remembrance

A time to reflect, celebrate, and light a candle

A time to reflect, celebrate, and light a candle

honoring loved ones who are no longer with us.

honoring loved ones who are no longer with us.

Across From The Fresh Market in Pawleys Island

843-314-3316 RescuedTreasuresSC.org

Tuesday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm

Make your Holiday Reservations Now!

Join us in the Gazebo

Full menu, drinks, and live music!

Enjoy live bands in The Gazebo Thur - Sat!

Early Bird Specials & Happy Hour 4-5:30pm

Gift Cards make

Great Stocking Stuffers

Indoor &

Outdoor Dining

Available

843-357-9175

Open Wed - Sat at 4pm (Closed Christmas Week)

4911 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.hotfishclub.com

Sunday, December 5 th at 2:00 pm

Sunday, December 5th, 2:00 pm

Prince George Church

300 Prince Broad Street George Georgetown, ChurchSC

300 Broad Street, Georgetown, SC

Wednesday, December 15 th at 1:00 pm

Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church

Wednesday, 2631 Hwy 17 December Business Garden 15th, City, 1:00 SC pm

Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church

Blue 36 Years Christmas of Caring Service

2631 Because Hwy 17 Every Business, Moment Garden Counts City, SC

Your community’s only locally based not-for-profit

hospice provider serving Georgetown, Horry,

and Williamsburg Counties since 1985.

36 Years of Caring

Georgetown

Myrtle Beach

Because Every Moment Counts

2591 N. Fraser Street 29440 1600 Farrow Pky #B6 29577

843-546-3410 843-839-3410

Your community’s Tidelandshospice.org only locally based

not-for-profit hospice provider, serving

Georgetown, Horry, and Williamsburg Counties

since 1985.

Georgetown

2591 N. Fraser Street 29440

843-546-3410

Blue Christmas Service

www.tidelandshospice.org

Myrtle Beach

1600 Farrow Pky #B6 29577

843-839-3410


Wish List

Sasee is incredibly thankful for all of you, our devoted readers, and we hope all of you understand just

how important our advertisers are to our magazine. Our advertisers are all local and offer unique gifts

for you and your loved ones so please join us in supporting them this holiday season. Sasee encourages

you all to give thanks as well as give gifts from our Wish List.

This limited-edition Gingko Leaves sculpture was

created by Tony Hochstetler. The Ginkgo’s distinctive fanshaped

leaf has carried symbolism along with its singular

beauty. The Ginkgo has been a symbol of longevity and

endurance because the tree can live for a thousand years.

Cheryl Newby Gallery

11096 Ocean Hwy, Suite 4

Pawleys Island

843-979-0149

This Palmetto necklace is sure to be the best gift

under the tree. This beautiful piece of jewelry was

designed by Dawn at Grady’s Jewelers.

Grady’s Jewelers

317 Laurel St

Conway

843-248-2624

Unique and decorative, these whimsical planters and

watering pitcher are sure to liven up any household or

porch setting as they are cute and functional.

Design on a Dime

1918A US 17 Busines

Surfside Beach

843-232-1026

These one-of-a-kind Glacier Earrings from the Brackish

Collection are a statement like no other and are lovingly

handcrafted from start to finish in Charleston, SC.

Crafted with teal goose, gold & green peacock, and

orange & yellow pheasant feathers, each feather is

hand-selected giving each pair a unique coloring.

Good Deed Goods

3579 US-17 BUS

Murrells Inlet

843-651-7979

Featuring accents created by artisans from

regions throughout Mexico, Consuela Bags pair

playful patterns with joyful colors & interesting

textures. Showcasing hand-embroidered textiles,

papier mâché bag charms, and braided or woven

bag straps, they are stylish as well as durable and

comfortable to carry.

Bleu

720 Sunset Blvd N.,

Sunset Beach, NC

910-579-5628

Looking for just the right gift that can complement a

home or workspace? This Chanel inspired pillow is a

must for any woman on your gift list.

Rose Arbor Fabrics

Myrtle Beach • 6916 N. Kings Hwy. • 843-449-7673

Pawleys Island • 11382 Ocean Hwy. • 843-979-9970

These statement piece Sea Life Pendants and Charms come in

Sterling Silver or Gold Enamel. Call or shop in store to see all of

the available sea life options.

Darden Jewelers

12078-C Bypass 17

Murrells Inlet

843-651-5067

This is a luxury melamine cake pedestal or chip & dip platter all in one from

Beatriz Ball. This item can be used two different ways and is the perfect gift for

someone who has everything.

Sara & Beth Gifts & Home

1003 Prince St., Georgetown • 843-833-8768

The Urban Villa Complete Doll House Playset from Small Foot

Wooden Toys comes fully furnished and includes 12 pieces

of custom-made play furniture. This large, stable, wooden

doll house has an open front side that makes playing easier.

The bright outer facade and modern color scheme fit

neutrally with tasteful living room/nursery interior designs.

Doodlebugs

800 Front Street

Georgetown

843-546-6858

Large 13” Plush Warmies are fully microwavable to provide hours

of soothing warmth and comfort. Warmies are scented with real

dried French lavender and perfectly weighted for a positive sensory

experience. Choose from sloths, turtles, sharks, flamingos, red pandas,

and more. Warmies make an ideal gift for all ages.

Gay Dolphin Gift Cove

916 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach

843-448-6550

For him or her, these reclaimed wood

bar accessories compliment any home

bar while entertaining guests during the

holidays and all year long.

Coastal Luxe Interiors

6613 N Kings Hwy

Myrtle Beach

843-946-6644

Artfully designed and handset by Julie Vos, these Milano

Bangles in candy-colored hues are gilded in 24kt gold and

make for the Ultimate “Stacking” Stuffer!

Surf Unlimited Mercantile

17 Causeway Drive

Ocean Isle Beach, NC

910-579-1525

Perfectly Imperfect

by Margaret Lea

Standing back to admire and enjoy the lovely decorations

I’d put up in our home for Christmas 2020, I noticed that

the table runner on the long table in our family room was

extremely uneven. One side dangled nearly to the floor, while

the other side barely hung over the table.

On top of this wayward table runner was an elaborate display

consisting of pinecones, cute ornaments, a small glass

Christmas tree, and a dancing Santa who boogied to “Jingle

Bell Rock” when his start button was pushed. (My three girls

pushed this often.) Two long strings of shiny beads, placed

precariously around the outer edges of the table runner,

completed the festivities.

It had been a lot of creative fun placing everything just

so on the table, but I did not want to remove it all, adjust

the runner and do it again. So, the funkily-placed runner

just lay there mocking me, “Hey, Little Miss Perfectionist,

congratulations on the FANTASTIC job you did of placing me

on my table! A little too jolly with the wine while decorating?”

As I’d had no wine at all while decorating, I knew this was a

ludicrous taunt. However, the intent behind the query still

stung. How could I have allowed this quite rude table runner

to be placed so negligently in my very own home? Mr. Table

Runner was quite correct in his keen assessment of me as a

perfectionist - well, as long as you don’t count how tidy and

clean the house is… or isn’t.

With three teenagers, I long ago waved the white flag for

that battle. Technically, I waved the grey flag; I can’t keep

anything snowy white anymore. So, while my kids have

steadily chipped away at my perfectionism for years,

COVID-19 dealt it the final blow. Our family vacation in

2020 was to the delightful island nation of Hobby Lobby,

with special add-on shore excursions to Walmart and Dollar

Tree. To be fair, we did spend a good bit of time at the lake...

the tiny, man-made one in our subdivision, which we walked

around frequently for exercise and to keep some sanity.

My husband lost his job due to the pandemic, thus freeing

him up for a couple of months of luxury home-spa relaxing.

Well, I guess it could have been relaxing if not for the

constant networking, job searching, and extremely expensive

COBRA health insurance payments. (Thankfully, he did find

a new job that he enjoys even more than his previous one.)

Our kitchen nook was turned into a ceramics workshop

thanks to virtual school. Our daughter’s teacher informed

her that working with ceramics is not advised in small closed

spaces like bedrooms, due to the possibility of breathing

invisible toxic particles of silica dust. Apparently, it’s much

better to share that noxious dust with the entire family.

Two of our three girls succumbed to Netflix and Hulu’s

siren songs, with a corresponding drop in GPA. One girl

blamed us, the parents, and claimed that her grades would

dramatically improve when we let her return to in-person

school. (She did return to campus for the last three months

of the school year. Alas, the wondrous improvement in her

grades never materialized.)

Like everyone in the pandemic, we were forced to spend an

inordinate amount of time at home with only immediate

family, to stop going most places we love, and to basically

just survive in a weird limbo, learning to negotiate cramped

quarters and trampled-on emotions. It made me realize that

perfection is grossly overrated.

I even learned to appreciate the freakishly weird aspects of

my fellow family members, as they did with me. Peaceful

coexistence, progress, kindness, and good health have

replaced my former goal of perfection. I know now without

a shadow of a doubt that nothing will ever be perfect, and

that’s OK. If things are running even moderately smoothly,

that’s a major win.

So, take that my dear Mr. Table Runner! I’m not listening to

any more of your jeers. You were just fine the way you were

in 2020. Perhaps I’ll even place you in exactly the same goofy,

lopsided position again this Christmas. Then again…Nah!

Margaret Lea

is a wife, piano teacher, writer, and

mother of three beautiful teenage

girls. She has been published in

“Chicken Soup for the Soul.”


Fabulous

Gifts

in Historic

Georgetown

Gifts • Home Decor • Fashion

Designer Jewelry • Bridal Registry

Pat Puckett Fine Art

1003 Prince Street, Georgetown, SC 29440 • 843-833-8768 • www.saraandbethgifts.com • Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm

Cheryl Newby

GALLERY

Is proud to introduce

Award Winning

Watercolorist,

Brittney Tough

843.979.0149

11096 Ocean Highway

in The Shops at Oak Lea

Pawleys Island, SC 29585

CherylNewbyGallery.com

TROPICAL GARDEN SAMPLES

By Brittney Tough | Watercolor on Paper | 36” x 36”


Presents with Personality


For some gift-givers, the actual wrapping of the present is one of the most important and fun elements when

giving a gift. Whether the aesthetic matches you or the one receiving the gift, try wrapping your presents

with some personality. Here are a few gift-wrapping styles that are trending this holiday season:

The Modern Minimalist

The Traditional Lady

The Eco-Friendly Conservator

The Crafty Queen

The Glam Goddess

Stay Local, Eat Local,

Support Local...

How big is Your heart?

Get Your Holiday Goodies Here!!

The Sweetest Little Place in Pawleys Island

843-237-3100

10517 Ocean Highway

Pawleys Island, SC 29585


Hours of Operation:

Monday-Saturday 6am-3pm

Sunday 6am-1pm

www.pawleysislandbakery.com

email: max@pawleysislandbakery.com

NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER

843-293-1137

4452 Socastee Blvd • Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

WE DELIVER WHEN YOU DO!

Saltwater Storks & More

offers the finest lawn sign rentals

on the Grand Strand!

Our storks are 6 ft. tall and a

wonderful way to surprise a loved one

when a new baby arrives and to

celebrate life’s finest moments.

Contact us today!

saltwaterstorksandmore.com

843-446-1039

Samuel B Cuff

From the Royal Bali Collection

Sterling Silver and 18k Gold

with Multi-Colored Gemstones

843-248-2624

317 Laurel Street

Conway, SC 29526

(Closed Sundays)


Give the gift of Adventure, Family Time

& Memories this Holiday Season!

PRODIGY

Kitchens & Baths

Great for all leveled anglers

Fully outfitted

Inshore • Offshore • Gulf Stream

1/2 Day • 3/4 Day • Full Day Charters

Reservations can be made at

www.laidbackchartersoib.com or

by calling (910) 733-2608

Owned by Allison Harrington and Daniel Walters

Captained by Danny Cox

(910) 733-2608

contactlaidbackcharters@gmail.com


YOUR LUXURY

KITCHEN & BATH

DESIGN CENTER

8435 Ocean Highway,

Pawleys Island, South Carolina 29585

Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm • Saturday: 9am - 1pm

www.prodigykb.com • (843) 314-0444

Speech Solutions Inc.

Meeting the Speech and Language

Needs of Our Community Since 2003

We assess, diagnosis and treat our patients to

help improve their speech, language, cognitive,

communication, voice, swallowing, fluency

and other speech disorders We also have the

equipment and certified Speech-Langugage

Pathologists to provide Vital Stem Therapy.

TRUNK SHOW

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

10:00 - 5:00

Nationally Accredited

and State Licensed

Speech Solutions, Inc.

is owned by

Allison Harrington

M.Ed., CCC-SLP

“The mission of Speech Solutions, Inc. is to provide speech

and language needs with integrity and accountability in

the communities we serve, to give back through community

service and to inspire moments of optimism and happiness

while creating value and making a difference.”

910-754-3484

127 Village Drive, Suite B

Shallotte, NC 28459

www.speechsolutionsinc.com

THE SHOPS AT OAK LEA

11096 OCEAN HIGHWAY

PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC 29585

(843) 237-8080

WWW.ELEANORPITTS.COM


Songs of the Season

by Ellen Fannon

I love all kinds of Christmas music–carols, secular

songs, children’s songs–provided it is not played before

Thanksgiving. That being said, there are a number of songs

associated with Christmas time that really don’t seem to

have anything to do with Christmas.

Take the old standard, “Jingle Bells.” There is no mention

of Christmas in the lyrics. According to Wikipedia, it

was written by James Lord Pierpont, J.P. Morgan’s uncle,

in 1850, and was inspired by one-horse open sleigh

races between Medford Square and Malden Square in

Medford, Massachusetts. It was originally intended for the

Thanksgiving season and was often sung as a drinking song

at parties. Personally, I’ve never been in a one-horse open

sleigh, so I don’t know if it is fun or not, yet I sing with gusto

as if I know it is.

There are several other “winter-themed” songs heard only

during the Christmas season, such as “Winter Wonderland,”

“Frosty the Snowman,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “Sleigh

Ride,” and “Let it Snow.” Living in the south and having

lived for two years on the equator, it is hard to appreciate

the requisite for snow in order to have a real Christmas, but

it must be true as all the Christmas movies feature snow.

I sometimes wonder how other people who live where

Christmas falls during hot weather feel about this stereotype.

As for me, I am quite happy not having a white Christmas,

which is one of the reasons I escaped Ohio. In fact, the song,

“I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” conjures up visions in

my mind of shoveling snow, having my car stuck in the snow,

and breaking my neck on ice. More like a nightmare than a

dream. Snow is only beautiful when one is inside a warm

house with a roaring fire, sipping a mug of hot chocolate

with marshmallows, and gazing out the window at the

pristine newly fallen snow before it turns into black slush.

One of the traditional Christmas songs which never fails

to amuse me is “Little Drummer Boy.” Now don’t get me

wrong, I like the tune and the lyrics are sweet. But I have

to consider it from the perspective of Mary, the mother of

Jesus. The poor woman had to travel approximately seventy

miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the joyful purpose

of paying taxes (talk about rubbing salt in the wound), in

the condition of being “great with child.” This couldn’t have

been easy. The Bible doesn’t tell us whether she walked or

perhaps rode a donkey or had other modes of transportation.

Nevertheless, any journey in her late stage of pregnancy

would have been uncomfortable. Then when she arrives in

Bethlehem, there is no place to stay, so she ends up having

to give birth in a stable (which was probably a cave rather

than what we think of as a wooden structure). Although the

Bible doesn’t explicitly say, it is assumed there either were

animals present, or the area had been used for animals, as

baby Jesus was laid in a manger, which is a feeding trough

for animals. So, in addition to the ordeal of having just given

birth, the lack of cleanliness and the barnyard odors most

likely added to her discomfort.

Then what happens? A snot-nosed little brat shows up and

bangs on a drum! He probably woke the baby after she’d just

gotten him to sleep! Somehow, I find it difficult to envision

any woman who had just gone through what Mary did

nodding her head when the drummer boy asked if he could

play his drum for baby Jesus, rather than asking Joseph to

please get rid of the kid and especially his drum. Who wants

to hear a drum solo when one is stressed, exhausted, and (oh

yes) just given birth in a stable? But as the little drummer

boy is not scriptural, I suppose I shouldn’t attach too much

significance to the scenario.

Enjoy all the wonderful music of the season, don’t worry

about analyzing it too deeply, and “Have Yourself a Merry

Little Christmas.”

Ellen Fannon

is an award winning author,

a practicing veterinarian,

former missionary, and church pianist/

organist. She originated and wrote the

Pet Peeves column for the Northwest

Florida Daily News. She and her

husband have also been foster parents

to more than 40 children, and the

adoptive parents of two sons. Her

first novel, Other People’s Children,

the humorous account of the life of a foster parent, was released

November 2017 and is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and

the trunk of her car. She lives in Valparaiso, Florida, with her husband,

son, and assorted pets.


Trusted. Experienced. Compassionate.

For All Your Estate Planning Needs.

Our Areas of Practice

Family Law • Estate Planning

Probate Administration • Corporations

Community Associations • Civil Litigation

Debt Collection • Personal Injury • Mediation

V. Lee Moore • Sarah A. Johnson* • Elizabeth J. Saraniti • Angela D. Harrison • Sarah K. Stapleton

(843) 650-9757 • GrandStrandLawyers.com • 1271 Glenns Bay Road, Surfside Beach, SC 29575

*Sarah A. Johnson: Retired


Delores

Patrick

Susan

The Sasee Staff wishes all our readers, writers,

advertisers and artists a Very Merry and

Sasee Christmas!

Gay

Erica

Sarah

Holiday

Magic!

Design Services available!

Fabric, Furniture, Accessories & More

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10th

AND

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11th

AT THE

KAMINSKI HOUSE MUSEUM

Photo by Paula Supina

HOLIDAY MARKET • CAROUSEL RIDES

ANNUAL LIGHT UP THE LAWN EVENT

Myrtle Beach • 6916 N. Kings Hwy. • 843-449-7673

Pawleys Island (Across From Fresh Market) • 843-979-9970

It’s never too late to get something

FRAMED before Christmas!

1003 Front Street • Georgetown, SC

kaminskimuseum.org

843-546-7706

Lead Sponsor

Emma Marie’s

Antique Shoppe

C & C Auction Company, Inc.

Kuma by John Bickle

Frame Factory

& Gallery

Voted Best of the Beach since 1998

843-449-6282 • 6912 North Kings Hwy. • Myrtle Beach


Licensed & Insured

Commercial • Residential

FROM OUR FAMILIES TO YOURS:

Merry

Christmas!

Cleaning & Linen Rentals

May this season bring love and happiness to all!

Love The DJO Team

702 Country Club Drive

Conway, SC 29526

843-488-2526 | drjenortho.com

843-299-0247

671 Jamestown Dr., Unit R2

Garden City, SC 29576

thecleanupclub@gmail.com


Design on

a Dime

Consignment

& Gift Shop

Beachy Coastal Home Décor, Gifts & More!

40 Local Crafters/Artisans

(843) 232-1026

1918A US-17 Business

Surfside Beach, SC 29575

Mon - Sat 11am - 3pm

Merry Christmas

Jewelry Repairs

Custom Designs

Bridal and Wedding

Watch Batteries

There’s still time to create that one of a kind

gift for this year’s holiday season, stop in

anytime and design the perfect piece.

Free drawings and estimates.

Darden Jewelers

Serving the Grand Strand since 1940

843.651.5067

12078-C Hwy 17 Bypass • Murrells Inlet

Between West Marine & T-Mobile

www.dardenjewelers.com


Evan’s Elf

by Melissa Face

“I’m never allowing an elf on my shelf - or anywhere

else in my house for that matter,” I proclaimed at my

firstborn’s baby shower. I was a new mom and full

of ideals, philosophies, and many other “I’ll never”

statements. I hadn’t read the popular book, and I really

didn’t want to read it. I didn’t like the idea of having

something else to monitor during a season that is

already so hectic.

For about eight years, things went as I planned. We

enjoyed Christmas with our son, Evan, and eventually

with our daughter, Delaney. We wrote letters to Santa,

visited him at the mall, and enjoyed Santa-themed

pancake breakfasts. None of us mentioned the elf, and

we still didn’t have one in the house. I laughed at images

my friends posted on social media of their elves getting

into mischief and making whipped cream and sprinkle

messes on kitchen countertops. It still wasn’t enough to

make me want one.

Kids have a way of learning about things, though. Elf

stories circulated around my kids’ elementary school

and at dance class.

“Why don’t we have an elf?” my children asked.

“We don’t need one,” I said. “We know that Santa is

watching your behavior.”

“Well, my friends have an elf,” Evan said. “He does fun

things around the house and leaves notes for them.”

“Yeah! And he moves to a different spot every day!”

Delaney echoed.

I didn’t budge, and we enjoyed another “elfless”

Christmas season.

Two years ago, we went shopping a couple of days

after Christmas. I wanted to buy some discounted

wrapping paper, bows, and decorations. My children

were enjoying rummaging through a holiday toy bin.

They resurfaced with several small, plushy creatures

including a fox, a reindeer, and an elf. I didn’t think

much about it at the time. My arms were full of gift

wrap; I was distracted, and I had no rebuttal for my kids’

best argument: “Everything is seventy-five percent off!”

They got me.

On the way home, they chatted incessantly about their

new friends and how excited they were to finally have an

elf. I cut my eyes at Evan in the rearview mirror. He saw

me and quickly said, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve got this.”

For almost a year, the elf and his cohorts hid out in

Evan’s room. When the following Christmas season

came around, Evan stayed up a little later than his sister

each night to help the elves find a new spot around the

house. He helped them hide behind canned food in the

pantry, set up a carnival on the living room floor, and

write notes about being good and eating vegetables.

Delaney was in love with the elf. She couldn’t wait to

get up each morning to find out where he was and what

kind of message he had left for her. In fact, she got up

so early some mornings that I had to tell her to go back

to bed - even the elves were still asleep.

One morning I was exceptionally grumpy when Delaney

came into my room at five a.m. and stood by my bed,

waiting for me to notice her arrival.

“Mom, can I go check on my elf?”

“No!” I shouted. “Go back to bed. And if you wake me up

again, the elf is leaving for good!”

Delaney returned to her room without much

complaining, but a few minutes later I heard Evan

quietly crying in his room. I got up to check on him and

asked him what was wrong.


Furniture, Bedding, Custom Window Treatments, Wallpaper,

Throw Pillows, Area Rugs, Full Interior Design Services

“I’m just sad about the elf,” he said.

“I’m really having fun surprising

Delaney each day. I don’t want him

to go away.”

I told him I understood, and I

promised not to ban the elf. While

I didn’t exactly appreciate being

woken up at five in the morning, it

was a small price to pay for the joy

that my children were experiencing.

Delaney loved the excitement of

finding her elf each morning, and

Evan loved creating that magic for

his sister.

I still haven’t read the popular book,

but I have accepted the elf as part

of our Christmas tradition. I’ve also

allowed a few other items into our

home that I said I never would, years

ago, before I was a mom, and before

I really understood the wonder of

creating magic for little ones.

Come see our new model located at the Waterside Edge Community in the

Grande Dunes Area, off of 71st Ave. North and Bypass 17 on the Intracoastal Waterway.

In-Home or In-Store Interior Design Consultation by Appointment

New Construction & Remodel Material Selections

(Cabinets, Lighting & Flooring)

Coastal Luxe Interiors

Better Living by Design

843.946.6644

6613 N. Kings Highway • Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

www.coastal-luxe.com

Tues - Fri 11am - 4pm

Merry Christmas

from our family to yours!

...I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for

all the people: today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord,

was born for you in the city of David.

- LUKE 2:10-11 HCSB

Melissa Face

is the author of I Love You More Than

Coffee, an essay collection for parents

who love coffee a lot and their kids...a

little more. Her essays and articles

have appeared in Richmond Family

Magazine, ScaryMommy, and twentyone

volumes of Chicken Soup for the

Soul. Read more at melissaface.com.

843-395-4402 bethearetirement.com


December 2021

Events

Light Shows

Winter Wonderland at the Beach

Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place

Myrtle Beach

Dec 1 - Jan 2, 2022 (closed Christmas Day)

Check website for hours

www.winterwonderlandatthebeach.com

Nights of a Thousand Candles

Brookgreen Gardens

Murrells Inlet

Dec 2 - Jan 2, 2022 • 4:00-9:00pm

Check website for specific dates

www.brookgreen.org

The Great Christmas Light Show

N. Myrtle Beach Parks & Sports Complex

Dec 1 - 31

(closed Christmas Day)

5:30-9:30 PM

www.nmb.us

Charlestones Christmas Show

Winyah Auditorium

Georgetown

Dec 3, 2021 • 7pm

www.winyahauditorium.org

The South’s Grandest Christmas Show

Alabama Theatre

North Myrtle Beach

Dec 1 - Jan 1, 2022

Check website for show times

www.alabama-theatre.com

Christmas at Pirates Voyage

Myrtle Beach

Dec 1 - Jan 1, 2022


www.piratesvoyage.com/myrtle-beach

Holiday Entertainment

Carolina Opry’s

The Christmas Show of the South

Myrtle Beach

Dec 1 - Jan 5, 2022


www.thecarolinaopry.com

A Magical Christmas and Comedy Show

GTS Theatre, Myrtle Beach

Dec 3 - 28 • 7pm


www.gtstheatre.com

Original Motown Christmas Tribute Show


Dec 1 - 29


www.gtstheatre.com

Christmas with Elvis

Starring Alex Mitchell


Dec 7, 14, 28 • 2pm

www.gtstheatre.com

Step into Christmas

with Elton John Tribute Show


Dec 2, 9, 16, 23, 26 • 7pm

www.gtstheatre.com

Joy To The World:

A Celebration of Christmas

Theatre of the Republic, Conway

December 9 - 12 & 16 - 19


www.theatreoftherepublic.com

Christmas Parades

Georgetown

Candyland Christmas Parade

Front Street

Dec 4 • 11am

www.historicgeorgetownsc.com

North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade

Main Street (from Bilo to Ocean Blvd.)

Dec 4 • 5:30pm

www.nmbpark.com

Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade

Highway 17 Business

(from Wilcox Avenue to Wachesaw Road)

Dec 5 • 3pm

www.murrellsinletsc.com/events

Surfside Beach Christmas Parade

Ocean Boulevard/Surfside Drive

Dec 11 • 2:00pm

www.visitmyrtlebeach.com

Barefoot Landing

Holiday Golf Cart Parade

Dec 12 • 3:00pm

www.bflanding.com

Franklin & Boone Charcuterie Christmas

Hand-Poured, Citrus Preserved Resin Charcuterie Board

Gorgeously gilded along the edges.

Luxury gifting from Franklin & Boone at Good Deed Goods.

...More to see in store!

Located inside Lee’s Inlet Apothecary

843.651.7979

3579 U.S. 17 Business

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

gooddeedgoods@gmail.com

www.GoodDeedGoods.com

Surfside Beach Resident

Golf Cart Christmas Parade

Dec 18 • 1:00pm

www.surfsidebeach.org

41

YEAR

ANNIVERSARY


Our Chinese Food Christmas

by Linda Baten Johnson

In 2021, the polar vortex left millions of Texans with no

electricity or water available. My niece’s family, warned

about the stoppage of water, filled bathtubs and containers

with the precious liquid. Other friends with no electricity left

their homes to go to warming shelters or to live with those

who were experiencing only temporary electrical shutdowns.

We connected with our three daughters during that

challenging week through a joint text fest. My husband and I

experienced rolling blackouts but had water. We camped out

in our smallest room, the office, a sanctuary in the middle

of the house with only one window. We ran a small electric

heater when the power was on and hung blankets in front

of the lone window. We even wore our long underwear,

coats, and hats while working puzzles and reading during

the daylight hours.

In one text, our youngest daughter said, “When it’s this

cold, I get a taste for Chinese food.” Her comment drew

immediate responses of LOL, happy faces, and Yum-Yum.

We all regard our Chinese-food Christmas as one of our best

holidays.

The year before our girls left home, we planned a family

vacation to Europe. We dreamed of a delightful Christmas

as we boarded the airplane to take us from sunny Texas to

the “blessed plot” of England, the place we’d seen in films,

on television, and imagined when reading books.

My husband mastered driving on the left side of the road

and roundabouts. Our youngest daughter organized

our underground excursions, and our older daughters

organized our must-see stops. Emerging from the tube

station and seeing Big Ben brought gasps from all of us. We

walked cobblestone paths with a nippy chill in the air and

marveled at the shop decorations celebrating the season. As

in America, people rushed through the English streets, many

armed with packages, and most wearing smiles as the bells

and recorded carols competed with the busy traffic sounds.

For our English Christmas, we’d booked a charming bed and

breakfast in Bath, which promised a separate apartment

for our family. With Jane Austen’s memorable characters

in our heads, we rang our host for final directions and

confirmation.

“We’re expecting you, but the weather is going to be

unusually cold. Bring your jumpers and plenty of 20p and

50p coins.”

After she terminated the call, we surmised that a jumper was

a sweater, but we were puzzled about the need for coins.

Advertising pictures can be deceiving.

When we arrived, our daughters dubbed the abode as the

Munsters’ Homestead as the exterior reminded them of the

black-and-white television show. Optimistic that the inside

would be better, we knocked on the door. We saw no spiders

weaving webs, bats flying through the rooms, or a dragon

peering out.

We issued a collective sigh of relief until our hostess led us

to our private apartment–a cramped and unheated space

unless you put 20 pence or 50 pence in the heating meter.

Our abode did have four beds as promised but distinctly

lacked charm and ambiance. We unpacked and went to the

local market for breakfast and lunch supplies as we planned

to celebrate Christmas in an elegant restaurant.

The predicted unusual cold arrived, and we abbreviated our

scheduled Christmas Eve exploration of Bath. We hurried

back to the apartment, snuggled up under blankets we

pulled from all the beds, and sat on the sofa wearing hats

and gloves. The heating meter had a voracious appetite, and

our stack of pence coins dwindled. We decided to feed the

machine only when absolutely necessary. It became a game

as to who would be the first to request heat. Despite the

cold, we were warm and happy, all bundled up and spending

Christmas Eve together.

Christmas Day dawned, and we dressed warmly as we

searched for a nearby restaurant with notions of a blazing

fireplace, gleaming china on white tablecloths, and perhaps

some figgy pudding.

Nothing. We agreed to postpone our special English dinner

until the next day and compromised on Chinese food for

Christmas. Stomping our feet to keep warm, we begged for

as many 20 and 50 pence coins as the proprietor of the takeout

shop could spare and gratefully ordered our favorite


dishes and extra egg rolls. Of course, we

received fortune cookies.

Our fortunes didn’t tell us that

restaurants would not be open the

next day either. England celebrates

Boxing Day on the day after Christmas,

a holiday designated for the workers

to spend with their families. So, we

ate leftover Chinese food on Boxing

Day. Fortunately, we didn’t worry

about spoilage as our tiny apartment

was colder than the inside of any

refrigerator.

The morning of the 27th, we boarded a

plane back to the United States. When

family and friends trot out stories of

Christmas memories at holiday times,

I often notice smiles or winks between

our daughters. We all remember our

perfect English Christmas when we

learned that shared times with family

members create a warmth greater than

any 20 or 50 pence coin can purchase.

So, when our daughter texted that the

polar vortex conditions made her want

Chinese food, she reminded us all that

bad times pass, but the joy and love of

family and friendship are forever.

916 N. Ocean Blvd., ld Myrtle Beach, SC

On the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk one block south of the SkyWheel®

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Available a t

Celebra ting 75 years!

Linda Baten Johnson

loves traveling, meeting people,

and collecting stories. Her favorite

memories include parasailing, white

water rafting, and being mistaken for

a tour guide in Mexico and Russia.

Named Best Consignment Shop 13 years in a row

Visit us at our NEW LOCATION

843-780-1136

1468 Hwy 17 • Little River

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm


SHOP THE UNUSUAL

HOME FURNISHINGS • ACCESSORIES

ANTIQUES • INTERIOR DESIGN

CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

RED DOT

CLOSEOUTS

70% OFF

YELLOW DOT

CLOSEOUTS

60% OFF

John S. Gore,

Owner, Designer, Allied ASID

843-692-7844 • bgrahamint@aol.com

SHOWROOM LOCATION: 1307 ENTERPRISE AVE. MYRTLE BEACH

BETWEEN GRISSOM PKWY. & SEABOARD STREET • BGRAHAMINTERIORS.COM

MON - FRI 9am - 5pm • SAT BY APPOINTMENT

INDEPENDENTLY

OWNED & OPERATED

HANDEL’S

Messiah

FREE

ADMISSION

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2021 | 2:30 PM

In lieu of tickets, nonperishable food items or monetary donations

for Sea Haven are appreciated and will be collected at the door.


South Myrtle Beach

843-626-7272

North Myrtle Beach

843-280-3222

Garden City

843-357-6400

Socastee

843-293-7272

Conway

843-347-7272

papajohns.com

Ring in the New Year with Long Bay Symphony

Strauss on the Strand

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 | 2:30 PM

“Provide a Safe

Place for Youth in

Crisis” with respect

and dignity.

TICKETS

$25

Both holiday concerts will take place at First Presbyterian Church

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 843.448.8379

OR VISIT US ONLINE AT www.LongBaySymphony.com

Advertiser Index

AIM | Acupuncture &

Integrative Medicine............................47

Angel Oak Nursing

& Rehab Center..................................30

Angelo’s Steak & Pasta.........................43

B. Graham Interiors Collection...........46

Bethea Retirement Community...........41

Bleu.....................................................20

BloominGail’s......................................45

Brightwater ...........................................7

Brookgreen Gardens .............................5

Carolina Car Care...............................19

Cheryl Newby Gallery.........................27

Class, LLC...........................................39

The Clean Up Club.............................38

Coastal Luxe Interiors..........................41

Darden Jewelers...................................39

Design on a Dime...............................39

Doodlebugs.........................................19

Dr. Grabeman.....................................39

Dr. Jen Orthodontics...........................38

Dr. Sattele’s Rapid Weight Loss

& Esthetics Centers.............................11

Eleanor Pitts Gifts & Jewelry...............33

Flooring Plus.......................................19

Frame Factory......................................37

Gay Dolphin.......................................45

Good Deed Goods..............................43

Grady’s Jewelers...................................31

The Hammock Shops Village...............10

Hot Fish Club ....................................21

Inspire Coastal Grand..........................18

The Kaminski House...........................37

Laid Back Charters..............................32

The Lakes at Litchfield ........................48

LampLighter........................................18

Long Bay Symphony...........................46

Moore, Johnson & Saraniti..................35

Papa John’s Pizza .................................46

Pawleys Island Bakery..........................30

Prodigy Kitchens & Baths....................32

PruittHealth........................................13

Renewal by Andersen ............................2

Rescued Treasures................................21

Rose Arbor Fabrics...............................37

Rover Boat Tours.................................20

Salt Water Storks & More....................31

Sara & Beth Gifts & Home.................27

Shades & Draperies.............................17

Speech Solutions .................................33

St. Gabriel Assisted Living

& Memory Care..................................17

Surf Unlimited Mercantile.....................9

Tidelands Community Hospice...........21

Winter Wonderland at the Beach...........3

Wilson Senior Care..............................35

comes in many shapes and sizes.

Pain

of the most debilitating being the

One

and tingling that comes with

burning

neuropathy. A disease that

peripheral

with years of shooting,

comes

pain that gradually ends in

stabbing

balance problems and on

numbness,

amputations. A disease that

occasion,

R. of Murrells Inlet was facing

David

a fate.

such

neuropathy is a result of

Peripheral

to the nerves, commonly

damage

by a lack of blood flow to the

caused

in the hands and feet. This

nerves

the nerves to begin to

causes

due to lack of nutrient

degenerate

Most peripheral neuropathy

flow.

experience a heightened

sufferers

to touch making it almost

sensitivity

for those diagnosed to

impossible

wear shoes, much less enjoy life.

even

was like walking on sharp river

"It

CAN WALK BAREFOOT

I

THE BEACH AGAIN!

ON

David, whose experience is

shares

uncommon for those diagnosed

not

is until he found Dr. Tonya

That

of AIM|Acupuncture &

Weber

Medicine of North Myrtle

Integrative

Dr. Weber and her staff have

Beach.

a cutting edge, medical

pioneered

to treat neuropathy,

solution

or greatly reduce its

eliminate

and give people their lives

symptoms

And they’re doing it without

back.

use of prescription medications

the

is incredible at

“Acupuncture

blood flow and stimulating

restoring

nerves preventing them

damaged

dying off,” tells Dr. Weber. “We

from

our treatments a step further by

take

ATP Resonance

integrating

which targets specific

BioTherapy

in the body using micro-

nerves

ATP therapy is like watering

current.

plant. This treatment will stimulate

a

blood vessels to grow back

the

the peripheral nerves and

around

them with the proper

provide

to heal and repair.”

nutrients

for the staff at AIM. "We have

atypical

90% success rate in treating

a

neuropathy," shares Dr. Weber.

number of treatments needed to

The

the nerves to fully recover will

allow

from person to person and can

vary

be determined after a detailed

only

and vascular evaluation.

neurological

long as you have not sustained

So

than 85% nerve damage AIM

more

hope where there once was

offers

David’s peripheral neuropathy

While

idiopathic meaning the cause is

was

Dr. Weber’s treatments

unknown,

also help people whose

can

is caused by diabetes or

neuropathy

chemotherapy.

schedule a consultation and

To

evaluation call (843)273-

complete

but do so quickly because AIM

4467

taking a limited number of new

is

patients. For more

neuropathy

and to take advantage of

information

new patient offer visit

their

AIMLiveLife.com.

www.AIMLiveLife.com to learn more

Visit

to take advantage of their NEW PATIENT OFFER!

and

Local acupuncture clinic is treating the untreatable,

peripheral neuropathy with incredible results!

with peripheral neuropathy.

was once classified as irreparable.

“I stopped golfing. I wasn’t taking

walks on the beach with my wife.

I was living on gabapentin and

antidepressants and everywhere

I went; my doctor, the specialists,

the pain institute, told me there

was no cure. How are you

supposed to live your life knowing

that everyday brings pain

and suffering?”

and invasive surgeries.

none.

“We have seen tremendous

success in treating neuropathy

of all types through very

personalized treatments,

specifically tailored to treat

each individual case.”

Three months later David is

thrilled with his progress,

“I can walk barefoot on

the beach again!”

rocks. I barely left my recliner.”

Success stories like David's are not

As a fresh holiday season settles

over Pawleys Island, revelry and song fill

the halls and fends off the chill as The

Lakes at Litchfield collective gather and

visit with family and friends, all in the safety

of their perfectly wonderful community.

Call Us Today • (843) 353-6040

Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Skilled Nursing • Rehab

120 Lakes at Litchfield Dr. • Pawleys Island, SC 29585 • Lakes-Litchfield.com • (843) 353-6040

12.21 Sasee_Ebook

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?