The old saying of "March Wind and April Showers Bring May Flowers" must be an inland rhyme because here on the South Carolina coast, breezes are a part of life nearly all year long, perfect for keeping us cool in summer and sailing or flying kites at other times.

For now, spring is in full swing with the winds picking up and the increase in color. We have shifted from Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time, and also faint shades of pink, light green, and amber crisscross the landscape, both sure signs of the arrival of spring. We even see beach-goers wandering the surf-line in bathing suits, looking for unusual shells that might have washed up over the cooler months.

The wind isn't the only moving force around here. The entire staff has been active on a number of fronts lately, working hard on behalf of our current guests to ensure them a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Also, with the help of a wide variety of publicity efforts, we have had an equally vigorous drive to broadcast the word that vacationing is still very much affordable. Check out our exciting new price incentives and bundled entertainment packages that can help keep vacationing within the financial game plan. Another of our many efforts over the past month has been lead by the Reservations group, actively raising funds for the Relay for Life campaign as part of the national effort with the American Cancer Society. More about that appears below.

This month we enjoyed the continued friendship of our long-term guests and welcomed our Canadian friends in the celebration of Canada-America Week along the Strand. As the temperature climbs ever into the comfort zone, we look forward to the arrival of our SOS shag dance friends, biker devotees, and spring enthusiasts who want to escape winter's icy fingers. Some people are calling in to reserve their place by the sea for Easter, too.

So, put on your colorful spring gear and saunter on down to the beach. Avista is waiting for you! Hoping to see you soon!

Your Friends at Avista Resort!

As mentioned in the introduction, staff at Avista Resort have been extremely busy. One department that always seems to have a demanding and eventful schedule is Group Sales, lead by its director, Jennifer Morse. Most recently, Jennifer attended a "Marketplace Gives Back" reception, a fund raiser for the American Bus Association Foundation which helped raise money for The Pink House, a respite center in Charlotte, NC, for breast cancer survivors. Her photo appears on page 42 of the organization's April 2009 issue of their motor coach travel publication called Destinations magazine.

What is going on around Avista?

Spring offers great value here, with free, unlimited enjoyment of this fabulous beach weather. In particular, Avista Resort invites everyone to take a little break from their own brand of weather, as well as from the evening news. Coming here to tranquil North Myrtle Beach is a great place to thaw out, de-stress, and regain a sense of balance.

Fun times are upon us. As old friends prepare to visit us once again for their annual treks to see shag dancing or bike-week friends, we also look forward to greeting new friends who might not be aware of some wonder low and no-cost things to do around here.

Here are just some of the exciting activities on the program:

• Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball - first game is April 9th. You just cannot beat the value of coming to a baseball game. For an affordable cost, you can have an evening of great action and entertainment! Starting April 9th, the games begin. Be part of the action and come see a game!
• SOS Spring Safari - April 17-26 is party time in North Myrtle Beach. On the last Saturday of SOS, everyone dances on down to Main Street for a huge event, but in the meantime, Avista is having its own action! April 18th and 24th from noon to 4 pm, dance at poolside with DJ Jeff Foster as you enjoy our famous cocktails and snacks at the poolside bar. On April 25th from noon to 6 pm we are featuring live music showcase bands with beach music and numerous track artists in an afternoon of fun and dance. The Capital City Shag Club party will be occurring at poolside, as well, so call today for special rates, tee-time bookings, and lots of fun.
• Mayfest - May 9th on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. Some of the biggest names in beach music will be here to perform live on stage, and nothing says value as much as the word "free." All you have to do is show up - how easy is THAT. Food vendors and a children's entertainment zone are only a few of the added features, but the main reason to come is the music. Get comfortable on your beach blanket, lawn chair, or cushion of choice and settle in for great entertainment. Let's share what a previous guest said about Mayfest:

If you have not made arrangements for a get-away to the beach, give us a call.

As the mist lifts over Sandpiper Bay on this crisp spring morning, the cheery chortles of song birds fill the golf course. Even before sunlight, golfers have been arriving, off-loading their clubs, and strolling into the pro shop to check in for their morning golf game. Friendly chatter drifts out of the club house, and regulars greet guests as they all cross the wrap-around porch to the starter's window.

Spring golf in the Carolinas - a vacation of the spirit.

Have you seen our newest web site at www.MyrtleBeachGolf.net?

Easter is April 12th this year. Come to Avista Resort for your special celebration of spring and Easter. Just Off Main has a fabulous Easter brunch menu to tempt you. The following events are suited to everyone, from young people to the young at heart, and with your participation you also can donate to the Relay for Life fund-raising event here at Avista. Share Easter memories with your family, take home a keepsake from Easter 2009 at the beach, and also donate to Relay for Life!

April 10, Friday - $1 donation to Relay for Life receives an age-appropriate coloring page and egg with candy. Age groups: 0-3, 4-5, 7-11, and 12-15.

April 10, Friday - sold at Front Desk. Donate $2 for 1 egg. Donate $3 for 2 eggs.

April 11, Saturday - Let the artists in your group color to their hearts' content from 1pm - 3pm. Go to the 2nd floor, Ballroom A, to find tables set up for children to come and color together. Paper and color tools provided.

April 12, Easter Sunday - from 10:30 am--11:15 am. Have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny for a donation of $1. (Note: 80¢ of each donation goes to Relay for Life). Pick up your photo at Avista's Front Desk the same day, after 6 pm. Optional Upgrade: for $2, also donated to Relay for Life, we will mail your photo to you.

April 12, Easter Sunday - Come to the Grand Ballroom with your eager Easter Egg hunters at the times appropriate for the age of your child (see below). Join the fun and watch the excitement of little ones as they run and squeal with delight at each discovery! At each hunt session, the winners of the coloring contest for the appropriate age group will be announced.

Age-appropriate -
    11:40am -12:00 noon for ages 0-6. 12:10;
    12:10-12:30 for ages 7-15.

Nationally, Armed Forces Day occurs on May 16th, and locally the Grand Strand hosts Myrtle Beach Military Appreciation Days from May 28-30. All along the Grand Strand during the entire month of May, focus is on thanking our military for their sacrifices in the line of duty, but year 'round Avista Resort and all of our other Myrtle Beach Seaside Resort properties offer military personnel a 20% discount from published rates. Avista has some wonderful specials to customize a beach R & R, too. Suggestions include spa escape options, golf packages, and entertainment deals such as at the shows of Alabama Theatre, Carolina Opry, Dixie Stampede, and Medieval Times. For more information about Military Appreciation Days see www.militaryappreciationdays.com/welcome.html.

Participating in our local branch of the American Cancer Society's marathon called Relay for Life is the Avista team, comprised of reservation agents. They are out and about, raising funds through sales and other efforts representing Avista Resort to raise money toward the fight against cancer.

Twenty-five years ago, Relay for Life started on the west coast in Washington state when a volunteer for the American Cancer Society vowed to walk for 24 hours and raised some $27,000 in his effort. Since then, the movement has spread across the country and the world. Today, with over 4,000 relays across the U.S. and the world, volunteers at the "grass-roots" level are raising dollars to help fund research. The relays last year in Charlotte, NC, alone raised over one quarter of a million dollars. Cancer can affect anyone at any time, either directly or indirectly such as knowing someone with this disease.

Our Relay for Life team members have been building donations toward their ultimate goal of $2,000. Some efforts include "selling" dress-down opportunities for employees to wear jeans to work, selling "footprint" donations at the Front Desk, and building prizes for the silent auction coming up next month.

Click here to donate

Enjoy a meal at Avista Resort's Just Off Main Restaurant and taste the culinary expertise in every bite from the kitchen of Chef George Elefantis. Healthy eating at its best!

With a connection to culinary traditions of Greek culture, George's heritage serves him well, especially regarding the importance of flavor and diversity, two key characteristics of his meals at Avista. Being the only son of proud parents who immigrated to North Carolina from Greece, George was brought up with a healthy appreciation of taste and the care needed to achieve it. At Just Off Main, Chef George uses his unique talents, plus careful preparation of menu choices and fresh ingredients to bring the best flavors right to guests' tables -such entrées as bacon-wrapped salmon, tasty grouper filet, carefully blended sauces, succulent steaks.

Initially studying cuisine under the watchful eye of his father, also a chef, George departed from the food industry for a while, first as a Marine right out of high school and later as a mechanic in the field of aviation. Later, with renewed enthusiasm for the world of cuisine, perhaps brought on through his Greek heritage, he furthered his education in cooking as sous-chef under Chef Shawn Werr at Flint Hill Vineyards in East Bend, NC, then side by side with Food and Beverage Director Lou Favata at Prince Resort where he worked for a year before assuming his current position as Executive Chef at Avista Resort's Just Off Main. Chef George brings skill and understanding of the food industry to Avista's restaurant. His greatest pleasure in the kitchen comes from presenting distinguished dishes to please his customers.

Now as a father himself, (two pre-school age children), Chef George delights in sharing his expertise, as well as learning new ways to prepare delicious dishes. When not on duty at Avista, he enjoys being a father and sharing his love of surfing with his black Labrador puppy.

Just Off Main offers delicious dining at reasonable prices. On your next visit to Avista, we hope you will stop in to enjoy one of Chef George's specialties - perhaps sun-dried tomato Alfredo linguine with jumbo shrimp served with toasted pita points. Another item often on the menu is panko (a Japanese technique of using breadcrumbs to create a light crust on fish and meats) with parmesan encrusted grouper and topped with wilted combination of spinach, mushrooms, and roasted red peppers finished with a roasted garlic lemon dill cream sauce.

See the web page about Just Off Main.

This recipe takes about 20 minutes, start to finish, for a delicious and different main course serving 4-6 people.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pound salmon filet (12-inch tail piece)
• 2 teaspoons fresh garlic salt
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bottle (12-ounce) beer

Directions

• Preheat grill for medium-high direct heat.
• Using aluminum foil to create an oblong cooking tray, approximately 13×8×2-inches. (Make sure tray is watertight.)
• Place salmon filet in center of tray.
• Season with garlic salt and sprinkle with brown sugar.
• Dot the filet with pieces of butter and top with onion slices.
• Place tray on grill.
• Pour beer into tray to just below the highest point of filet.
• Cover tray with aluminum foil to envelop the fish completely.
• Close the lid of the grill.
• Cook on the grill for about 8 minutes or until salmon just begins to flake.
• Remove from the grill. Place the filet on a warm platter and serve immediately.

4/1. Lenten Organ Meditation, an event at the First United Methodist Church in Conway, SC. Beginning at 12 noon at 1001 Fifth Avenue in Conway, SC, this event is lead by Billy Fallaw, Music Director. Call 843.488.4251 for details.

4/1-10/31. Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo. Anglers are invited to enter their catches in the tournament held all along the Strand with cash prizes. More information at 843.626.7444.

4/3-4. Prince George Plantation Tour. The majority of the plantations and town houses on this tour are privately owned and lent to the Episcopal Church Women of Prince George. Ticket prices for the tour are $35 for either day (see web site for details). Online at www.pgwinyah.org or call 843.545.8291.

4/4. Celebration of Market Common's First Birthday. This free event includes food, family activities, a fashion show, and plenty of surprises. Join in the fun from 1 pm to 5 pm at Market Common in Myrtle Beach. Call 843.839.3500 for details.

4/4. Park Palooza at Myrtle Beach State Park. Outdoor family activities and programs running from 10 am to 3 pm. Park location 3 miles south of Myrtle Beach off Highway 17. Meet at Shelter B at the park. For more information see website www.myrtlebeachsp.com or call 866.224.9339.

4/5. Vespers for the Passion of Our Lord, an event with the Chancel Choir of the Long Bay Symphony. Held at the First United Methodist Church (1001 5th Avenue) in Conway, SC, starting at 5 pm. For more information, 843.488.4251.

4/5. Eddie Miles' Salute to Elvis at the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach. This live performance begins at 7 pm. Call 800.342.2262 or see www.alabama-theatre.com for more information.

4/6. American Heart Association Charity Golf Tournament. This once-in-a-lifetime event is being hosted at the exclusive Reserve Golf Club in North Litchfield, SC. Open to the public, entry is $80 for age 18 and up. Sign your golf team up with Christie Holland at 843.333.7066. Includes a raffle, chances to win prizes, and an opportunity to benefit a great cause.

4/10. Killswitch Engage with Chimaira (KEC) and Lacuna Coil. This popular heavy-metal music group is coming to the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach. See this live performance of "KEC" starting at 7 pm. See the group's web site at www.killswitchengage.com to sign up for their "meet and greet" at the concert. For more details, call House of Blues at 843.272.000.

4/9-11. The Palmetto Golf Championship. The Palmetto High School Golf Championship. 800.833.8798 (press option 7) or email to palmetto@golfholiday.com. This premier event hosts 150 high school golf teams and includes a fall championship, as well (dates as yet undetermined). If not cheering on a team, come watch future PGA players in the making!

4/10. Spring Fling at the First Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach. Starting at 10 am, this family-oriented event includes inflatables for the children, an Easter-egg hunt, and much more. Held at 500 Fourth Ave. North, Myrtle Beach, SC, 29577. Call 843.448.3155 for more details.

4/13. Hootie and the Blowfish Monday-After-Masters Golf Tournament. Held at The Dye Club at Barefoot in North Myrtle Beach, this fund-raiser draws celebrities from near and far, both in the world of golf and otherwise. See more information at www.HootieGolf.com.

4/17-26. SOS Spring Safari. This is the first major outing of summer for the shag dancing enthusiasts, and it is held in North Myrtle Beach. Enjoy 10 days of this big party, plus smaller member-club parties for the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs. For more information, see the web site at www.shagdance.com.

4/18. George Jones at the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach. Don't miss this live performance by one of country music's greats. A legend in his own right, George Jones begins his show at 7 pm. Call 800.342.2262 or see www.alabama-theatre.com for more information.

4/18. Blues and Jazz Festival at La Belle Amie Vineyards in North Myrtle Beach. 843.399.WINE (9463) or send an email to info@labelleamie.com. Plenty of food, live music, art, wine, and fun. Plenty of opportunities for memorable fun! Bring your own outdoor chair and stay awhile.

4/18. Jewelry Art in the Park. Artists with specialty in necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings bring their award-winning wears for sale out-of-doors at Market Common from 12 noon to 6 pm. For more information, call the Waccamaw Art and Craft Guild at 843.448.7690.

4/18. Oak Island Lighthouse, NC, Run-Walk. A leisurely hour's drive north leads you to Oak Island for this relaxing and enjoyable event. See the lighthouse, visit the Intracoastal Waterway up close, use the many public oceanfront access points, and savor life on an island. Sponsored by the Southport Chamber of Commerce, this event begins at 8:30 am and includes 10K and 5K runs. Call 800.457.6964 for more information or see "events" at www.southport-oakisland.com.

4/24. John Brown Big Band. Located only an hour's drive north of Myrtle Beach, the Brunswick County Community College's Williamson Auditorium is the site of this lively evening of big-band jazz. Performance starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets on sale at 800.754.1050, Ext.416, or www.bccowa.com/contact.html.

4/25. SOS Spring Safari Parade. All eyes turn to Main Street in North Myrtle Beach where excitement fills the air and SOS dancers and floats fill the street. Be a part of all the fun and excitement generated by The Association of Carolina Shag Clubs (ACSC).

4/25. Art in the Park. The 37th annual juried art show presented by a local art guild in Chapin Park. From 10 am to 4 pm, this outdoor show includes food vendors and other interesting sights. For more information, call 843.448.7690 or see www.wacg.org.

4/25. First Annual Forget-Me-Not Ball Benefiting the Alzheimer's Association in the Grande Strand. Fine food, beverages, live entertainment by the Arlin Strader Band, and a silent fund-raiser auction. The event occurs at 6:30 pm in Myrtle Beach at the Marina Inn in Grande Dunes. More information at 800.860.1444 or by email at cameron.renwick@alz.org.