At the 25th Annual Myrtle Beach Relay for Life held on April 24-25, Team-Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts received an award for winning the First Annual Miss Relay competition. The honors went to Dennis Chestnut, Director of Engineering, who donned his best smile for the occasion and posed as a fitting representative of the fun and teamwork that went into making the event a huge success.

Held at The Ripken Experience in downtown Myrtle Beach, the Relay event lasted from 7 pm on April 24th until 7 am the next morning. During the night each Relay team representative walked the sports track at The Ripken Experience, replacing one member with another throughout the night. This 12 hour festivity increased our company's entire contribution to The American Cancer Society to $9,000-a fabulous tribute to The Relay for Life!

The Avista team also held a quilt raffle, extended to April 29th, and on that date we drew the winning name, Jessica Skiff, who proudly accepted her prize of the beautiful quilt.

Additionally, more fund raising events are ongoing-book sales, "footprint" donations, and others. The Silent Auction is currently being planned and coordinated by Nikki Allman of Avista Resort. Bidders in the auction will be able to buy chances to win wonderful prizes contributed by donor companies, with all proceeds donated to The American Cancer Society. Here are some of our wonderful contributors on the list for this auction. To all, we give our heart-felt thanks for their support and generosity:

• T-Bonz
• Family Kingdom
• Ripley's Aquarium
• Tanger Outlets
• Tri-County Mechanical Inc.
• Enchanted Sailing Charters
• Wal-Mart
• SeaBoard Signs
• Target Media
• Legends in Concert

For every dollar raised in support of the American Cancer Society's campaign to bring awareness and ultimately a cure for cancer, one more step moves toward a cure of this disease.

Another of the events here is the First Annual "Swing Fore the Cure" Golf Tournament at Myrtle Beach National's Kings North Golf Course on Saturday, August 1st. We anticipate that this event will draw much interest by the many golfers out there! This exciting event should be lots of fun, beginning with its 9 am "shotgun" start, then the awards luncheon, and plenty of prizes, not only for top placement, but also for last place, closest to the pin, longest drives, and so much more. The tournament has its own website at www.MBSRAnnualGolfTournament.com with contact information through Brenna (843.251.3519) or Jenna (843.655.1409). With beverages, lunch, and fun all included, costs range from $75/individual to $260/foursome team, and hole sponsorships are $100 each. An added feature is a "bonus package" of entry tickets for prizes (2 mulligans plus 5 raffle tickets) at $20/individual and $80/foursome. Also, announcements of the winning bids in the silent auction occur during the awards luncheon at the golf tournament. We hope to see you out there on the course!

During the past month, probably our most noticeable presence around town involved Relay for Life. Additionally, we have enjoyed meeting people who stayed with us so that they could participate in the shag dancing events nearby, biker events, Mayfest and the many other activities.

The Relay for Life on April 24-25th brought our team together at The Ripken Experience where everyone had a wonderful time and also raised money in the fight against cancer. Here are some of the many faces of volunteers on our team!

This event also brought us a special prominence across the region when it was announced that the 2009 Ms. Relay-Myrtle Beach award went to our team member Dennis Chestnut, selected from among all the teams from across the Strand. This parody competition brought out strong acting skills from all the participants, and how fun that our own Director of Engineering, was the ultimate selection in this competition. Shown here in pink with his arm up, Dennis proudly wore his best smile, most theatrical demeanor, and finally his sash and crown throughout the event until he returned to his real world of manly solver of engineering problems.

Another of our "around town" observations is that the SOS spring event brought out the bluest of skies to our North Myrtle Beach location. Comfortable weather and the best sounds of beach music occurred right around the Avista pool as the SOS Sounds of Summer rocked and rolled from noon until dusk on April 25th. Our own Avista's SOS'ers who had been dancing all week wrapped up their festivities at our poolside for the sounds of The Royal Scotsman Band, The Fabulous Hot Dog Daddy O's, The Out of Towners' Band, The Carousels, and the Big Time Party Band. Reports were that this free concert was quite a hit with everyone who attended.

Also around town were visiting bikers who came for the annual bike rally. With a 69-year history of expositions and get-togethers in the Grand Strand, the Myrtle Beach Rally this year saw a big change, not only because of the economic slump, but also the changes to Myrtle Beach's biker laws. Bikers changed their rally sites, staying further north and south. Here in North Myrtle Beach, we welcomed bikers, school groups, and others who came here to enjoy the beach, the diversity of things to do, and the wonderful warm weather! Guests celebrated their vacations with everything from beachside weddings to fishing and golf tournaments.

As we wander into summer, the calendar's events are multiplying, the temperature is climbing, and we are looking for you to join us here at Avista and around town for whatever activity relaxes you!

With plenty of sunshine to take in, the May 9th Mayfest party-goers came out to see the annual music festival in North Myrtle Beach, unofficially launching summer with a rolling great start!

The Executives and Chairmen of the Board got the beach music going shortly after noon. Dancing feet started moving and grooving to the sounds, and other people milled around the vendors' booths looking for bargains. Around the outside of the venue, curious onlookers could not take their eyes off of Bubba, the camel, who came in specifically for the fun from Eudora Farms outside of Aiken. Camel and pony rides kept the children's attention, too, as did the play area. Fun-lovers of all ages had a great time.

"We really enjoy the open-air feeling of the streets and the vendors. It's nice," said one of the visitors, Tom Davis from Pennsylvania.

"Congratulations to North Myrtle Beach and their Mayfest. It was wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable," said another, a local resident.

"It's an absolutely perfect place to play," Dean Torrence said. As one of the musicians, an original member of The Beach Boys, he loves coming here to Mayfest to make music with The Surfcity Allstars. They came on stage at 4:30 that afternoon for their portion of the show. "Great beach town and outdoors! I've always enjoyed playing outdoors." He has been coming to the Grand Strand for years because his wife's family lived here for several years.

In addition to the Allstars, guests enjoyed music by the Coco Loco Band, Carolina Dance Partners, and "General" Norman Johnson and the Chairmen of the Board.

Did you attend Mayfest this year? We would love to hear about your experiences there on Main Street. See the contact information at the end of this newsletter.

Those of you who have stayed with us in the middle of summer, especially around July 4th, know that Avista Resort puts together a great Independence Day celebration.

This year we are once again planning a festive combination of poolside entertainment, great food, sunny day, and eye-popping fireworks displays above the ocean waves. Intermingled will be activities for children for a full day of relaxation and celebration on the occasion of our nation's 233rd birthday.

July Fourth occurs on a weekend this year, so give serious thought to spending a long weekend here with us for a full-service Fourth -just fun and comfort at oceanfront! Let us do all the work for you! No stress about where to park to see fireworks! Just come and relax!

Don't you deserve a get-away, this year especially? Let us indulge you in a beachfront lifestyle!

We count calories. We count carbs. Now we're counting carbon footprints.

Garbage, yard waste, glass, incinerator ash, cooking oil, plastics, paints, used printer cartridges, etc. can all be considered waste, carbon left-overs of our existence. These items can be processed and recycled. At Avista Resort, we take steps toward zero waste by helping to minimize our carbon footprint as much as possible. Here are some of the ways:

• Placing and using recycle boxes around Avista;
  
  
• Changing air filters regularly;
  
  
• Sending the used printer cartridges back to the manufacturer for recycling;
  
  
• Using water efficiently (for example, repairing drips, shutting off needless running, repairing water seepage on toilets, etc.);
  
  
• Printing on both sides of computer paper. Recycling useless draft print copies by turning the pages over for future print jobs helps conserve paper;
  
  
• Recycling old newspapers;
  
  
• Reusing our own personal mugs for office beverages rather than Styrofoam;
  
  
• Supporting the beach renourishment projects.

Reports from people who have tasted this recipe say that it is delicious. Since our area has many strawberry fields, especially fun if you go out and pick your own berries, making this recipe can be a real treat !

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup quick oats
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups crushed fresh strawberries

DIRECTIONS:

• Beat eggs and sugar together.
• Add oil and vanilla to the mixture.
• Mix in flour, oats, cinnamon, soda, salt and baking powder.
• Add strawberries to the entire mixture and mix well.
• Pour into two greased and floured 4- x 8-inch loaf pans.
• Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.
• Optional - Serve warm with a pat of butter on each slice or garnish with a topping of your own favorite recipe for creamed-cheese frosting, perhaps mixing in some crushed strawberries for extra zip.

May unofficially marks the point at which people come to the beach. Here are a few of the many events that you can find in the Grand Strand area:

Currently underway until 8/30. Jack Thompson: The Wonder Years: Myrtle Beach Photographs from the '50s and '60s. A photographic chronicle of Myrtle Beach history since the 1950's. See the glory days of the Pavilion, the Ocean Forest Hotel, Fat Harold's, Gene's Poolroom, and the Springmaid Villa, plus many other legends of the beach. Burroughs-Chapin Art Museum, 3100 South Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach. Email at artmuseum@sc.rr.com or telephone 843.238.2510.

6/1. Barefoot Landing SummerFest! Held at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach from 7 pm to 11 pm, this event includes fireworks, live music, stilt-walkers, a strolling parade, kids' karaoke, and much more. Different events on designated days. Barefoot Landing is located at 4898 Highway 17 S. in North Myrtle Beach. For more information, call 843.272.8349 or go online at www.barefootlanding.com.

6/4-8. Sun Fun Festival. Includes 5K run, sea-doo tour, food vendors, crafts, and much activity. For more information see www.sunfunfestival.com or call 843.626.7444 or toll-free 800.356.3016.

6/12-14. Spring Pier King Mackerel Tournament. Be a part of the 2009 Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo by entering your catch caught from the pier. More information at 843.626.7444 or toll-free at 800.356.3016.

6/19. Jazztrack at McLean Park. Enjoy jazz music from 7-9 pm, suitable for the entire family. Live performance and plenty of picnicking possibilities at the same time. For information, call 843.280.5570.

6/21. Father's Day. Take dad to the beach, maybe a fishing or golf outing, a sports massage, a night at the theater! So many ways are available here to thank dad for his role in your life!

6/27. First Blush of Summer Music Fest. Music, food festival, and fun with wine tasting at the vineyard, 1120 St. Joseph Road in Little River, SC. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy. For more information, 843.399.WINE (9463).

See more at the web site under "2009 Events."

For your convenience, here is a quick link to check accommodations availability.