For Keller Williams The Trembley Group Real Estate Professionals, every day is a good day to live in Myrtle Beach and along the Grand Strand. Last year we did a blog dedicated to all those things we’re grateful for.

Everyone likes to be home for the holidays, and Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand residents are no exception. Of course, lots of Grand Strand residents spend the day in the kitchen cooking elaborate Thanksgiving dinners at home. Others like to treat themselves to a Thanksgiving feast at one of the excellent local restaurants. There are plenty of places in Myrtle Beach and along the Grand Strand that offer excellent Thanksgiving specials. So, be thankful for the opportunity to live in beautiful Myrtle Beach and along the Grand Strand. And whether cooking an elaborate dinner at home or celebrating at one of the fine Myrtle Beach dining establishments, have a blessed day.

Every year in November is a great time to pause and give thanks, and on November 11, especially for the veterans who sacrificed so much to make America what it is today.

Here are a few more things that make Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand a wonderful place to live…

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Barc Parc South

For dog-lovers looking for more ambitious exercise than The Market Common’s manicured village streets have to offer, The Market Common is also home to Barc Park South at Mallard Lake Drive and Cactus Street, near Grand Park. The park is the Grand Strand’s first off-leash dog park where owners and their pets can run and play.  The park is fully fenced and offers separate areas for large and small dogs.

The Barc Parc South is one of the dog park favorites of both locals and tourists. The 14-acre fenced dog park features a large lake that dogs love. Anyone living near the south end of Myrtle Beach between highway 501 and highway 544, Barc Parc South is probably the closest dog park. And its proximity to The Market Common adds a level of convenience. One family member can go shopping for a new Myrtle Beach home at Keller Williams The Trembley Group while the other watches the family pet at the park. Read more…

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The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum

Burroughs and Chapin Art Museum, 3100 South Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Throughout November

Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand is proud to be home to the Franklin G. Burroughs Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. Many of the Keller Williams The Trembley Group Real Estate Professionals recommend the museum as an ideal spot for waiting out a cloudy afternoon or as a shady place for a sunburn to subside. The museum is a great place to spend a few hours on even the sunniest of days. Since 1997, the historic Springmaid Villa is the home of the Franklin G. Burroughs Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum, just south of Myrtle Beach, between downtown and Myrtle Beach State Park.

There is much to love about the museum. For starters, admission is free for everyone. The museum houses 11 galleries with exhibitions that change throughout the year, featuring a variety of artists and types of work, including paintings, textiles, sculpture, photography, video, ceramics, assemblage, collage, and more. In the past, exhibitions have featured the renowned work of Ansel Adams, Frank Lloyd Wright, Norman Rockwell, John James Audubon, and Jasper Johns, we well as regional names like Jonathan Green and Brian Rutenberg.

Exhibitions change regularly, so return visitors are always likely to see something new. The museum’s website lists opportunities like opening receptions, docent tours, and lectures. The museum is home to a tea room that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. It has a fantastic gift shop where some of the Keller Williams The Trembley Group Realtors shop for unique Christmas gifts for that special someone.

The museum’s role as innovator, supporter, and advocate of the arts in the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand community has been significant. The Franklin G. Burroughs Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum was the recipient of the State of South Carolina’s prestigious Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award for Outstanding Arts Organization.

One of the museum’s recent accomplishments was the addition of the Lineta Pritchard Pottery Studio. The studio includes six potter’s wheels, an area for hand-building, stations for glazing and cleaning, and a kiln room. With small class sizes, instructors provide students (ages 16 and up) with one-on-one attention. Classes are open to the public.

Don’t miss these November exhibits.

Betsy Havens | Congregate

Betsy Havens of Georgetown, SC, and grew up in Savannah, GA. At age 12, she began her study of art at the Telfair Museum of Art. Educated at the University of Georgia and the University of South Carolina, Havens received a Bachelor of Arts in Design and completed post-graduate studies in the history of architecture and Southern literature. She lived and worked in Columbia, SC, for 30 years, opening a studio with her now-husband, James Calk, in 1998. In 2002, the couple sold their businesses and relocated to their riverfront home in Georgetown, where they faithfully devote their time and energy to their art.

The Congregate exhibit speaks to a common thread in Havens’ work – the human figure. The artist’s love of the human figure has led her to paint subject matter of the street scene, the café, markets, fishermen, dancers, historical figures, and portraiture. It is Havens’ unique ability to capture the individuality of the human spirit among large assemblies of people that makes her work so unique.

In addition to Havens’ paintings of crowds of people moving through bustling city streets worldwide, Congregrate includes new works of mythological figures, a large-scale installation of human faces, as well as a new series of painted medleys of Havens’ favorite things.

James Calk | Rhythm and Hues

Betsy Haven’s husband, Georgetown-SC artist James Calk, grew up in Saluda, SC, and attended Newberry College (Newberry, SC). He has received numerous awards, and his work has been exhibited widely and collected by many. In addition to his artistic studies with master painters David A. Leffel and Charles Reid, Calk is a classically trained pianist and is the organist and choir director at Prince George Winyah Episcopal Church. Every day in their riverfront atelier, Calk and his wife, Betsy Havens, produce widely sought after new work in SC galleries – in Charleston and Columbia, as well as in Blowing Rock, NC.

Calk paints large-scale, abstract landscapes in oil filled with thick applications of paint. He often refers to them as “abbreviated landscapes.” His paintings are composed of carefully orchestrated, vibrant bursts of color. They are juxtaposed with soft, less saturated hues, that together form majestic, sweeping vistas, that all beckon viewers to explore them. Closely tied to his love and understanding of music, Calk has a mastery of color and light. For each note on the musical scale, Calk has assigned a color. If you see him painting in his studio, you can bet there is music playing in his ears, guiding his palette knife along as he goes.

Rhythm and Hues features an assortment of Calk’s abstract landscapes and still-lifes. It also includes a sampling of semi-abstracted paintings from his “tonalist” period, which exhibit the artist’s ability to work with a minimal palette.

Collection Connections | A Visual Exploration of Southern Heritage

Collection Connections | A Visual Exploration of Southern Heritage is an exhibition of approximately 40 works from the Art Museum's rich permanent collections. It includes antique maps and historical prints, works on paper by Southern artists, including William H. Clarke, Cassandra Gillens, and Jonathan Green, fabric quilts and photographs. By using Southern-history-themed works of art from our collections, the exhibition uses the visual arts to teach and explore the history and culture of South Carolina and our entire region. It is designed for both school students and adults alike.

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Biking Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand

One of the best ways to experience Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand is by bicycle. By biking, visitors can cover a lot of ground, yet can also go slow enough to take in otherwise missed and not fully appreciated scenery viewed from a vehicle. With spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the beautiful marsh and flat terrain, the Grand Strand is the perfect place to knock out a few miles on a bicycle. Cycling is great family fun, and the kids add to the enjoyment of exploring the Grand Strand on a bike. Join some of the Keller Williams The Trembley Group Real Estate Professionals and their families in November and explore the area's bike paths and beautiful coastal terrain and stop and smell the wildflowers along the way.

While much of the Northeast and Midwest are beginning to experience winter-like temperatures during November, the weather in Myrtle Beach and along the Grand Strand is quite mild and just about perfect for bicycling.  The average air temperature in November in Myrtle Beach is around 69º, which is warm enough for outdoor activities, and some days a light jacket may be necessary, but a cyclist won’t be freezing.

Whether an experienced cyclist with several bikes or an occasional, casual rider who prefers one of the many local bike-rental services, traveling by bike allows cyclists to explore miles of asphalt, dirt, and sand, all while discovering a Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand that can be seen no other way. Here are some of the Keller Williams The Trembley Group Realtor's favorite places biking the Strand:

Bike the Neck

Bike or hike the Waccamaw Neck Bikeway, a 12 mile multi-purpose path paralleling U.S. 17 from Murrells Inlet to Huntington Beach State Park. The path is nearly completed and riders can use the Share the Road routes between the completed sections, all the way Pawleys Island. 

Huntington Beach State Park

The highlight for local cycling enthusiasts is Huntington Beach State Park's 26-mile bicycle trail that runs from Murrells Inlet down to Litchfield Beach. Along the way, you'll see oceanfront forests and lagoons and the Atalaya castle. Be sure to bring a camera on this ride. The trail runs oceanfront and through the maritime woods of Huntington Beach State Park. The trail runs past natural sights like ancient live oak trees covered with Spanish moss and eventually ends on the beach, perfect for a quick dip to cool off.

The Market Common

The Market Common, Myrtle Beach’s upscale shopping and dining wonder, and also the home of Keller Williams The Trembley Group Real Estate, also boasts a fantastic 2-mile paved walking and bicycling trail that overlooks the area’s lake and recreational fields, in both a urban and rural setting. Or take a spin down the side streets that surround the shops and restaurants. Cyclists can take a break at the picnic shelters, and there’s playground equipment for the kids. And by all means, feed the ducks and geese that call the park home. There are also trails that run through the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and beyond, including one that crosses Kings Highway into Myrtle Beach State Park.

Cycling is a great way to spend some time outdoors before enjoying a good meal, upscale shopping, or one of The Market Common’s many entertainment options. For more information, go to MarketCommonMB.com.

Horry County Bike and Run Park -  The Hulk

Officially known as the Horry County Bike & Run Park, this mountain bike trail lives up to its nickname with big hills and a scenic green landscape. The trails are home to the Waccamaw Trail Blazers Mountain Bike Club, so you might even make a few friends along the way.

Also known as "The Hulk," this local single-track mountain biking trail began in the summer of 2012. Located off River Oaks Drive in Carolina Forest, the Horry County Bike and Run Park doesn't let cyclists off easy. The coastal terrain on the Grand Strand is mostly flat, so cyclists who love a little elevation change will definitely want to take on The Hulk. It begins with a 30-foot climb and continues in topsy-turvy fashion from start to finish.  It’s called "The Hulk" but all that’s needed is a sense of adventure and fun! For more information, go to WaccamawTrailBlazers.com.

Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens

Just one mile south of the South Carolina state line, the lush Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens is a 114-acre tract of woodlands and salt marshes that's a nature enthusiast's dream. Vereen Gardens hosts paths for bicyclists, joggers, and hikers. It’s a venue that shouldn’t be missed! For more information, go to HorryCounty.org.

East Coast Greenway

For cyclists thinking about tackling this entire trail in one outing, you'd better take your vitamins. The East Coast Greenway is a project under construction. It is a bicycle trail system that spans 3,000 miles, from Canada to Key West. In the Myrtle Beach area, it crosses S.C. 31 near Carolina Forest. It continues to be a project that will thrill serious bicycle enthusiasts of all ages. For more information, go to Greenway.org.

Ocean Boulevard

The city of Myrtle Beach recently installed bike lanes on northbound and southbound Ocean Boulevard, allowing cyclists to enjoy the same scenic views as those who have cruised The Strip in cars all these years. Although the downtown area might be more congested than you'd like for a carefree bicycle ride, Breakers guests can head north to the Golden Mile section for one of the most delightful rides on the Strand. Pedal past old beach homes and take in breathtaking vistas of the ocean, beaches, and dunes. The bike paths run to The Dunes Golf & Beach Club before you have to turn around.

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Mindfulness in the Marsh

Hobcaw Barony, 22 Hobcaw Road, Georgetown, SC 29440

November 15, 2019, 9:00 am to 11:00 am 

Earlier in November, visitors to Hobcaw Barony will have an opportunity to learn about salt marsh. While the Atlantic Ocean and the 60 miles of white Grand Strand beaches are the number one attraction of Myrtle Beach, many of the Keller Williams The Trembley Group Real Estate Professionals equally enjoy the beauty and diversity of Georgetown and Horry counties salt marshes. High tide is a special time to experience the beauty and unique features of the saltmarsh ecosystem. Howcaw Barony offers regular morning mindfulness and guided meditations that draw on the peaceful setting of the marsh boardwalk. The experience is free, weather permitting. Call for reservations.

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Hobcaw Barony Bike to the Boardwalk

Hobcaw Barony, 22 Hobcaw Road, Georgetown, SC 29440

November 25, 2019, 10:00 am to 12:15 pm

For more information, call: (843) 904-9017

For cyclists interested in mixing a little history and ecological education with their cycling should be sure to catch the Hobcaw Barony Bike to the Boardwalk. The five mile ride (roundtrip) on gravel roads through Hobcaw Barony’s pristine forests ends at the reserve’s beautiful salt marsh boardwalk on North Inlet estuary. Wildlife, history, research and salt marsh ecology will be discussed during the trip. Bring your own bike (all terrain tires recommended), helmet, water, and a snack. The program is FREE, weather permitting. 

Hobcaw Barony is an internationally known center for research, education and conservation. Tours of the property include the Hobcaw House, where Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, and other leaders of the 20th century stayed.  The property also has the only, fully-intact, slave village on the Grand Strand. Bellefield Plantation, the home and stables of Bernard Baruch’s daughter, Belle can be toured as well through guided tours. In addition to the bicycle rides to the boardwalk, visitors can enjoy ecology programs through hikes at the beach, marsh, and forests.

The property is owned by the Belle W. Baruch Foundation, a private nonprofit foundation created through the vision of Belle Wilcox Baruch. Established as a trust at her death in 1964, the foundation’s primary mission is to conserve Hobcaw Barony’s unique natural and cultural resources for research and education.

Located between Georgetown and Pawleys Island, Hobcaw Barony’s 16,000 acres encompass a rich diversity of every common ecosystem found on the South Carolina coast, making it an unparalleled site for research in the environmental sciences. In addition, over 70 cultural sites on the plantation including cemeteries, slave cabins, and the Baruch’s homes all provide a time capsule for educators.

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Veteran's Day Activities in Myrtle Beach

Veteran’s Day honors and celebrates the service of military veterans who have bravely and nobly served America. This day is celebrated around the country on November 11th because it is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, which ended World War I. Many veterans live in Myrtle Beach, and along the Grand Strand. The Keller Williams The Trembley Group Real Estate Professionals even include a Marine combat veteran. Anyone in Myrtle Beach for Veterans Day should take a few minutes to honor and thank the area’s veterans at one of a variety of special, planned Veterans Day events taking place in the area.

Need help? Call Keller Williams The Trembley Group at 843.945.1880 ext. 1 and we’ll help you look for the perfect listing or buyers agent! 

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At Keller Williams The Trembley Group, we pride ourselves on being the experts at more than just selling real estate. We are local residents, some of us have been here for a lifetime. The rest of us will be here until the end of time. We love living, working, and playing in the diverse backyard of Coastal Carolina, and look forward to helping you live and love your dreams soon too. Please reach out to us by phone or email for personalized 6-star service and one-on-one advice. 

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Our agents write often to give you the latest insights on owning a home or property in the Myrtle Beach, SC area.