Dear Friends,

When you think of excitement at the beach its golf, shopping and shows that usually come to mind, but excitement came in a very unexpected form on January 25, 2007. That Thursday morning the cast and crew of the ABC television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" arrived in a nearby community to make the dreams of one family come true. The Avista was a buzz with the news, trying to find out who the family was and where exactly they lived. As the week progressed, it became increasingly harder to get near the work site, though many guests and employees tried, and as the "Move That Bus!" day arrived, many braved the freezing rain to be a part of it. If you would like to be a part of it, you can watch the episode on ABC at 8pm on March 25th or you can visit www.extremehomemakeoverSC.com.

Hope to see you soon,
The Avista Staff

On February 2nd there was a Wine Tasting Dinner at Just Off Main. Guests were treated to a variety of wines paired with a delicious menu that included Asian Lobster, Penne Arrabita, Chilean Sea Bass, Roast Stuffed Veal Loin and Bananas Foster Praline! If you missed this wonderful feast, fear not, there will be more events to come in the future!

What's New?

Ripley's Pirate Exhibit
Argh-Matey! Ye surely will not want to miss the new "Pirates-Predators of the Sea!" exhibit at the Ripley's Aquarium. Taking the place of the now extinct Mars exhibit, the Pirates exhibit will chronicle the history of pirates and their impact on the Carolina coast. It will also explore the myths and realities of pirate life. If ye wish not to walk the plank, go to www.ripleysaquarium.com to find out more!

Places to go
During your next visit the Myrtle Beach; make sure you take a trip down to Brookgreen Gardens. With spring around the corner, the gardens will come to life with a variety of flowers and wildlife. With over 9,000 acres featuring several gardens, sculptures, and a wildlife preserve, there is something for everyone at Brookgreen. If you would like more information on Brookgreen Gardens, you can visit their wonderful website at www.brookgreen.org.

Weddings
Congratulations to the following couples on their recent nuptials:
       Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sturzenbecker
       Mr. and Mrs. Chris Gastardi

We would like to thank the following groups who stayed with us this past month: Saddletree Church of God Choir Retreat, Colonial Baptist Church Worship Retreat, Winter Rush Youth Retreat, Apostolic Tabernacle Marriage Retreat, Southern Deliverance Fellowship Ministries Board Retreat, and Hydro Service and Supply Regional Meeting.

La Belle Amie March Festivals
Wine and Music lovers will love these events at La Belle Amie Vineyard. During the month of March, La Belle Amie is hosting 2 festivals both with a musical theme. On March 10th, the Remember When Oldies Fest will take place. Then on March 24th, they are having the Spring Swing/Big Band Fest! The festivals at La Belle Amie are legendary with the locals, as they cater in the best food the beach has to offer to serve with their delicious wines. If you would like more information about La Belle Amie and their festivals, visit www.labelleamie.com.

NMB 19th Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival
The North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival will be held on Saturday, March 17th on Main Street. The parade will start at 9am and will run the entire route of Main Street. Children of all ages line the street to watch the parade in hopes that a little gold, or candy, comes their way. After the parade, you can make your way to the vendor area, where you can purchase arts and craft's, food, and maybe a funnel cake!