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July marks the turning point of summer, when temperatures settle into a routine. Beach-goers have no concern for whether the next day is going to be cool or comfortable. Here in the Carolinas in July people know what to expect! They can wear the same type of clothes day after day -- either shorts/shirts or bathing suits. This is the laid-back, kick-off-the-shoes warmth that everyone has longed for all winter long.
The other advantage of July is its abundance of festivities, starting with the spectacular Independence Day celebration on July 4th. Arguably THE busiest day for Avista Resort out of the entire 365 days, our party featured the renowned TV personality Cecil Chandler (now with station WPDE/Channel 15 for the Pee Dee region). He worked the DJ helm, running tunes, games, fun, and smiles. Along with that fun, Avista guests also enjoyed barbequed chicken legs, hamburgers, hotdogs, and other traditional cook-out food that Food and Beverage Manager Chip Stack and our intrepid Chef Marvin and his kitchen staff all worked hard to prepare for the party. Dependably delicious! Comfortably relaxing! Plus, the Fourth provided the expected hot weather for poolside and oceanfront enjoyment, all kept cool and refreshing with frozen beverages from our pool bar. Fireworks from the Cherry Grove Pier at 9:30 PM capped the evening. Known as the best pyrotechnical show in the area, organizers of the night made sure to hit the mark for "wow"! Bursts of color and light, lots of movement, and non-stop action. Just in case you missed the fun this year, it all happens on exactly the same date next year, so let us help you with a 2011 reservation so that you get in on the action!
Of course, much more summer is yet to come. With picnics and free summer concerts at McLean Park, the evening lights and arcade rides and games at O.D. Pavilion, plus so much more, July's heat has certainly been a delightful part of summer 2010, and yet we are so fortunate here on the coast to enjoy ocean breezes to cool us. While some more urban areas inland rose to triple digits of heat, here we enjoyed relatively moderate heat, all bearable with cooling Southern iced tea, crispy summer salads, and plenty of ice cream and watermelon.
If you have yet to get away this year, we have plenty of summer waiting for you. We invite you to go online or give us a call. You might be surprised at our late summer discounts, too!
Best wishes for the happy remainder to your summer,
Your Friends at Avista Resort!
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Sleepy Sprouts
For an unforgettable experience where characters come to life and story time becomes magical, book your precious ones individual room reading or group story time that will keep them talking for months! Call reservations today for more information on our Sleepy Sprouts package.
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August 6-8 = Tax Free Weekend
Take a shopping vacation and save money on things you need such as back-to-school supplies! End-of-season sales are now in full swing. Discounts plus August tax-free days add up to cash staying in your pocket. Contact our Reservation agents now to book accommodations, and ask about discounts with us! A great time to shop! A great time at the beach!
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New at Avista Resort
At your next visit to Avista, stop by the Front Desk to preview our new electronic message boards mounted on either side of the main counter in the lobby. Looking every bit the flashy digital technology that they are, they show you the latest weather and time, the menu at Just Off Main restaurant for that particular day, greetings to special groups staying at the resort, and much more.
The presentation rotates panels of information, photos, and more, so take a peak and let us know what you think!
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A Community Effort
As we mentioned in the June newsletter, Avista and its sister properties are helping to raise funds for Heart Walk, an organized grass-roots effort to fight heart disease in all age groups. This is a company-wide participation with some of our properties holding pool events such as rubber-duck races. Others have bake sales, marathon walks, and other events. If you would like to contribute to our Heart Walk effort or help sponsor a walker, please talk with a Front Desk agent.
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Peace of Mind for Travelers ~ Travel Guard Insurance
Protecting guests' vacation investments grew much easier recently when Avista Resort included the option of Travel Guard Insurance. If you have any concern at all about booking in late summer, early fall, or any time, ask a Reservation Agent for more details about travel insurance through Travel Guard or click here Vacations should be as stress-free as possible, so let us help.
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Fourth of July Fun at Avista!
As mentioned briefly in the introduction, our Fourth of July guests had a great time here at the beach. DJ Cecil Chandler's special flair to spin out beach tunes helped guests relax from their regular lives and get into the rhythm of the coastal living.
Food in abundance included hamburgers, hotdogs, barbeque, and "fixin's" that had people lining up for more. Slices of cool watermelon, dishes of ice cream, cold-cold beverages, and many other options kept people well-hydrated and energies pumped up for the evening's fireworks from Cherry Grove Pier at 9:30 PM. By then, most people had established whether they wanted to view the rockets-red-glare from their condo balconies, a beach chair near enough to the surf to dangle hot toes in cool water, or perhaps by the pool. At Avista, nearly every spot had advantages to it, giving everyone a certain satisfaction for an Independence Day well spent!
Whether you were here with us or somewhere else, we hope that your July 4th left you with warm memories!
For those yet to have any kind of a vacation, summer or otherwise, you might feel that, with so many more weeks remaining in the summer, you have time to procrastinate. Why not select some options now and let us help you pin down a seashore vacation just for you and your loved ones! Anticipating the fun in the count-down is part of the fun, too!
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Featured Recipe: Refreshingly Chilly Cucumber and Yogurt Soup
Originating from the blistering climate of the Middle East, this cold summer soup recipe is easy to make, extremely flavorful, and so good for you. It makes a delicious hot-weather dish when served with fresh bread.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons golden raisins (don't skimp-some say this is the best part)
- 1 1/2 cups hot water
- 3 cups plain (non-flavored), good-quality yogurt (Middle Eastern or Greek)
- 1 1/2 cups ice water
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream (use reduced fat if you prefer)
- 1 1/2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and grated
- 3 scallions, green parts only, sliced very fine
- 1 handful of fresh chives
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill or spearmint (whichever you prefer)
- 2 slices Persian flatbread (or Middle Eastern bread) (optional)
Directions:
- Soak the raisins in the hot water for 1 hour. Then drain them.
- Place the yogurt in a serving bowl, then beat with a fork or whisk until creamy. Beat in the ice water and the sour cream. Add the cucumber, scallion, walnuts, salt, and pepper, and mix well. Sprinkle the raisins and dill or spearmint over the top.
- Serve the soup immediately, or chill until you're ready to eat.
- Serves 4.
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Groups at AVISTA RESORT
Avista Resort welcomes the following groups staying with us during this past month. We hope that each of you had a delightful experience and will be back again soon:
- Ripken Experience
- James Family Reunion
- Paschal Jones Reunion
- USBA Basketball Tournament
- Harley McCray Family Reunion
- Dawson Family Reunion
- National Masonry Instructors Association
- AMG, Inc.
- Reiner Family Reunion
- Carter Family Reunion
- Brown Family Reunion
- Houston Family Reunion
- Hardy / Miller Wedding
- Lilly Family Reunion
- Mattison Family Vacation
For a wedding, a group meeting, or family gathering, consider using our event space here at Avista Resort. Here are some of the areas for your selection:
- Avalon Room (3,599 square feet)
- Ballroom A (744 square feet)
- Ballroom B (1,616 square feet)
- Ballroom C (1,226 square feet)
- Ballrooms A and B combined (2,363 square feet)
- Ballrooms B and C combined (2,848 square feet);
With vaulted 14-foot ceilings, you have the combination of spaciousness, comfortable temperature settings yet acoustical efficiency. We will set up the chairs and tables as you wish, whether you need meals served, conversational space provided, or simply seating. This link to our experts in the Group Sales office will get you started in pricing out your options and arranging the details
Click here.
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Avista Resort ~ Green Efforts
Environment responsibility within the hospitality industry is a concept said to be growing annually across the world (34 percent growth just last year alone). In fact, this aspect of tourism is increasing 3 times faster than are any other parts of the business. Often, when guests call, they ask if we recycle or ask for ways in which we practice environmental responsibility. Their questions reflect a trend in which more and more guests want to do their part to help conserve fossil fuels and renew energy when they are on vacation.
For Avista Resort, our efforts extend across numerous segments of the property. We replace light bulbs with more energy efficient florescent bulbs. We are installing a wind turbine system on the exterior of the structure to provide energy assistance to Avista. Recycling of bottles, cans, and paper are also among our endeavors.
Avista is dedicated to finding as many ways to sustain and renew its energies as possible. Previous newsletters have identified ways in which we recycle including our towel re-use option for guests. Additionally we use cotton bedding and towels, both for guests' comfort as well as to use renewable fiber source.
While we at Avista strive to balance our "carbon footprint" of what we use versus what we contribute to the environment, we know we must work daily toward the overall goal of being a more responsible consumer of energy. We welcome your suggestions.
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GUEST COMMENTS
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Just to let you know that my husband and I really enjoyed our stay at Avista Resort May 19th to May 22. My son, his wife, and two kids joined us, also. They all had a wonderful time, and we did not want to leave. Our room was very nice and comfortable for all. Our family really enjoyed the short time we had there, and are looking forward to returning to Avista resort soon. Thank you.
Email received from Quality Control system. B. Odham and family, 05.29.2010.
Our oceanfront suite was amazing! The view was well worth the price. The resort was clean and well-maintained. I will definitely recommend Avista to friends and family, and we will stay here again when in the area.
Guest comment from writer "RoadieMom66," from San Jose, CA. TripAdvisor.com on 06/20/2010.
My wife and I have recently returned to England after our fifth golf vacation at the Avista Resort, and we want to say "thank you" to all of the staff who, as they do every year, made us so welcome. We are both well into our 70's but still enjoy our annual two week visit to the Grand Strand. The long flight across the "pond" get more tiring but when we arrive at the Avista it is like coming home. We are very pleased that the property has, and is, being properly maintained because the condos are very comfortable and the location is great for the beach, golf courses and some excellent restaurants. We want to give our special thanks to "Golf Guy" Brian and his team who organise our golf for us - in the five years that Brian has looked after us he has arranged about 50 round of golf without a single problem - not easy because I have, from time to time, had to make last minute changes. We have already made our reservation for 2011 and look forward to seeing you all again next year.
Email received from Quality Control system. Tattam and family from the U.K. 06.15.2010.
Got a great price...on a 1 bedroom room. Was perfect for our family of 4. Small kitchenette and washer/dryer combo was a nice surprise. Room was very clean. Staff seemed attentive and very visible at the pool and luggage unloading area. This is a great part of North MB. We walked to dinner and ice cream one night. Definitely will be back!
Guest comment from writer "NCDeb73." TripAdvisor.com on 06/28/2010.
This was my family's first stay at the Avista. I must say our overall experience was very good. Our major likes: oceanfront (steps to the beach), pool area/lazy river (great both inside and outside), spacious bathroom, adequately sized bedrooms, adequately sized living room, with a small balcony. We checked in on Saturday, 6/12/10 ... So many condo choices in NMB, decided to try Avista, and were well pleased with our stay. We booked in January this year to get a $100 discount (which helps once you add in the sales tax). Hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did! Absolutely love the NMB/MB area, plenty of southern charm and warm weather!
Guest comment from writer "PSUTuckers," North Huntington, PA. TripAdvisor.com on 06/22/2010.
Fun Facts
According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, there are at least 26 SC piers and bridges from which you can fish.
In 1996 there were 32 public fishing piers in North Carolina. By 2001 there were 25 public fishing piers in the state, and today only 20 piers remain with only 19 as fishable.
In North Carolina, the northern-most pier is Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills on the Outer Banks. The Southern most pier is Sunset Pier just east of Calabash (only a few miles across the NC/SC border).
Kure Beach Pier in North Carolina is the oldest pier in the state, built in 1923.
The top 10 states drawing the most adults to fishing are Florida, California, Texas, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Louisiana, North Carolina, New York, and South Carolina.
About 60% of U.S. anglers practice "catch and release."
Woman make up about 33% of fresh water anglers, and about 85% of fresh water anglers begin fishing at 12 years of age.
Recreational fishing contributes more than $108 billion to the national economy. If sport fishing were a corporation, it would rank 13th in the Fortune 500 list of America's largest businesses in terms of revenue.
A South Carolina Resident Saltwater Fishing License is required for individuals catching, attempting to catch, or landing shellfish (oysters or clams). This license is not required for youngsters 16 years or younger or residents holding a valid Gratis Over 65 or Gratis Disability License.
The smallest lake in South Carolina is Lake Monticello, measuring 7,100 acres.
The 14 most common fish in South Carolina lakes are the striped bass, hybrid bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, redeye bass, shell-cracker, white crappie, black crappie, white catfish, channel catfish, rainbow trout and brown trout (source: www.SouthCarolinaLakes.net).
Local Events Calendar
As we near the middle and end of summer, you might wake up one morning and realize that you have not taken any kind of a vacation or getaway this year. Sometimes events move along too fast, leaving us wondering what happened to time gone by. That is why long weekends make such a superb opportunity to get away.
If you can book your never-too-late vacation, you might find a price savings if you make a reservation during a period of plentiful availability, usually late August and after Labor Day which this year is September 6th. The end-of-summer calendar of events just went up on our internet, so why not see what is going on and check availability through our online booking system. Click here for events.
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