In the meantime, our winter guests are making the transformation from warm weather to...well, less-warm weather. Sparkling holiday d?cor is beginning to appear here and all around town. Hard-working street crews are out and about, putting up colorful decorations on the street-side light posts, cleaning accessories on public beaches and waterfronts, and repainting road lines and parking areas. Up and down the Strand, the area is taking on a new radiance for the season.

This buzz of activity has everyone perking up for the holiday season. Early store sales are inspiring early shopping, and restaurants have switched their menus from the lighter fare of summer to the cozy dishes that we all love on a chilly winter's eve. The Grande Shores is busily welcoming long-term visitors, some of whom are frequent return guests; they are settling in, rekindling old friendships and booking tickets to exciting live shows such as the Carolina Opry. We hope that if you are looking for a relaxing, yet enjoyable place to avoid shoveling show, you will stop into the Grande Shores and stay awhile. The Grand Strand is even grander at the holidays, so come see for yourself!

See you soon!

Your Friends at Grande Shores Resort

Customer Service Training at the Grande Shores

Management responded to training needs as soon as the summer volume had subsided so as not to lose sight of the fundamentals that contribute to employees' success and guests' satisfaction. During October, Grande Shores' employees attended training sessions on this site and at Horizon to improve their own job performance, as well as expand their abilities to satisfy guests. With hospitality being the number one product here at Grande Shores, one goal of the training sessions was to teach employees further skills to enhance their already exceptional customer service.

The trainer was Freyaz Shroff, president and founder of the international corporation KurNiv Success Solutions. During her sessions, she applied principles of substance and learning, moving away from the traditional classroom to a hands-on approach in such areas as team-building, communication, housekeeping management, and other areas key to guest satisfaction.

New technologies, feedback from our guests, and the ever-changing economy dictate that a resort must maintain high standards, and Grande Shores depends on its employees to maintain a high reputation in the hospitality industry. .

Holiday Planning

By enjoying food, family, and friends, we renew our spirit and reconnect with loved ones. This holiday season, no matter what the economy is doing, Grande Shores eagerly invites everyone to have a Happy Holiday!

Thanksgiving at the Grande Shores

Oh, the sights and smells of roasted turkey, candied yams, pumpkin pie! At this writing, many people are still reserving their Thanksgiving places at restaurants around town, but Shoreline Caf? at the Grande Shores reached its reservation maximum even before November 1st. Its tempting menu must surely have been a significant enticement, plus the fact that dining right by the ocean is perfect for post-meal walks along the surf!

Concerned about not having leftovers if you dine out? Did you know that nearly 11% of Americans dine out rather than eat at home (a 35% increase over previous years). We Americans throw away an average of 163 pounds of edible food per person per year (that is $600 annually of unspoiled food for a family of four). Eating out can save money, too, especially with "doggie bags" for left-overs! So, if you missed Thanksgiving at Grande Shores, let's get you here for New Year's!

New Year's Festivities

New Year's Eve at the beach! Celebrate the arrival of your next new year with a fabulous party at The Grande Shores the night before.

Whether you stay a week or only a few days, you can have the time of your life! Then, beginning on January 1st, try an old Southern tradition, eating foods that mark the New Year in the Carolinas. For example, eating black-eyed peas is said to bring good luck upon the household serving them. Some cooks even add ham hocks, collard greens, or cabbage to enhance the flavor. Did you know that the tradition includes using pork meat because pigs root forward, signifying a forward motion to a great future?

We hope to see you at the Grande Shores for New Years!

Grande Shores' Featured Employees

At Grande Shores we enjoy every single day, and Halloween is just as special, though perhaps a bit more colorful and festive! This particular Halloween was especially GRANDE here at the Shores with some fabulous decorations that emerged from the creative energies of our staff: Anastassia Stoenelova, Alejandra Morazan, Ana Milena Aristizabal, Breanne Forsee, Carolina Blair, Jennifer Dolan, Mitchell Martin, Nickie Daniels, Rachael Michael, and Tami Tonkin. The costumed employees, the pumpkin people, and all the trimmings of autumn festooned in the lobby and other parts of the resort had infectious consequences on guests, too, who celebrated the fun right along with us. Some guests even voted for their most entertaining choices of Halloween decorations.

Check out the housekeeping pumpkin (shown here) with a mop as "hair," empty shampoo bottles around it with lights inside each shampoo bottle, and a squeegee stuck in the hair. Another Halloween character, designed by the Front Desk staff, featured a golfer (shown below) in a yellow shirt, well into his 19th hole, with golf-ball eyes and golf tee teeth. In this photo, Anastassia is having a "chat" with him about his game.

So, whether Halloween or some other part of the year, expect to find a friendly greeting coming your way when you visit us at Grande Shores!

Featured Recipe

White Chocolate Raspberry Fantasy Cake

Allow a day for preparation. This recipe serves 10 people.

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs, divided
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely shredded
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 ounces good quality white chocolate, chopped
• 3/4 cup half-and-half
• 1/3 cup margarine or unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup fresh raspberry or sliced strawberries
• 3 tablespoons raspberry liqueur or raspberry extract
• 1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam or strawberry jam, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar, to dust
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberry, for garnishing

Frosting Ingredients:

• 4 ounces good quality white chocolate, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• 1/2 teaspoon plain gelatin powder
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• White Chocolate Curls
• 4-6 ounces white chocolate, at room temperature

Directions to make the cake:

• Separate eggs and place egg whites into a large mixing bowl and set aside; place yolks into a small bowl and set aside.
• Combine flour, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
• Melt the 3 ounces chopped white chocolate with 1/4 cup of the half n half in a small pan over very low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate begins to melt- immediately remove from heat and stir until smooth.
• Stir remaining half-and-half into the chocolate and let cool.
• Cream margarine or butter with granulated sugar on high speed until soft and fluffy.
• Beat in vanilla.
• Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after adding each.
• Alternately add the flour mixture and the chocolate mixture, beating on medium-low speed after each addition, just enough to combine (don't over beat).
• Beat egg whites using clean beaters on high speed until stiff peaks form (this may take some time).
• Gently fold the egg whites into the batter, then spread into 2 greased and floured 8" round baking pans.
• Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center tests clean.
• Let cake cool in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and let cool completely.
• In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of the berries and raspberry liqueur or extract, place covered in fridge until needed.

CURLS: Using a veggie peeler, carefully drag the peeler across the broad surface of the bar of white chocolate over sheets of wax paper- curls of peeled chocolate will fall.

Carefully arrange in a single layer in an airtight plastic container and chill (amount you make is up to you- you will want enough to completely cover the top of the cake at least).

Directions to make the frosting:

• Have ready a chilled mixing bowl and chilled beaters.
• Combine 1/4 cup cream and the white chocolate in a small pan and heat over very low heat, stirring constantly, until starts to melt; remove from heat and keep stirring until smooth.
• Let cool completely.
• Have a small pan heating to a boil (just a few inches of water).
• Combine cold water and gelatin powder in a 1-cup glass measure and let stand 2 minutes.
• Place measuring cup into the boiling water (wear kitchen mitts) and heat and stir until gelatin is dissolved (or place in microwave for a few seconds until dissolved).
• Using the chilled bowl and beaters, whip the remaining 1 1/4 cups cream and sugar on medium speed, while gradually drizzling in the gelatin mixture.
• Beat until soft peaks form.
• Continue beating, while adding the cooled chocolate mixture, this time beating until stiff peaks form- do not over beat.
• Use immediately to frost cake.

Directions to assemble:

• Place 3 large squares of wax paper onto the cake plate, overlapping edges and letting sides hang over the plate (these will be pulled out later).
• Place one cake layer onto the wax paper.
• Set berry mixture into a strainer over a small bowl and let juices drain.
• Using a pastry brush, brush the liquid over the cake layer.
• Stir jam to soften and spread over the cake layer.
• Top with 1/3 of the frosting and spoon 1 cup of the berries on top.
• Place remaining cake layer on top and frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting.
• Garnish with curls and gently pull out the wax paper sheets.
• Cover loosely with plastic wrap and chill up to 24 hours, if needed.
• Just before serving, sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup plain berries and dust with powdered sugar.

Local Events Calendar

12/1 to 12/31. South's Grandest Christmas Show at the Alabama Theatre. Presented six nights a week with selected matinees and "kid friendly." For more information, 800.342.2262 or www.alabama-theatre.com.

12/1 to 12/31. Carolina Opry's Christmas Special Presented by Calvin Gilmore. A yuletide experience for the whole family, "kid friendly." For more information, 800.843.6779 or ww.TheCarolinaOpry.com.

12/1 to 12/31. Christmas at Broadway. Musical performances, tree lighting, mascot appearances, holiday lights, festive plays, fireworks shows, and many "kid-friendly" activities during business hours. Location is 1325 Celebrity Circle in Myrtle Beach. For more information 843.444.3200 or www.broadwayatthebeach.com.

12/2. A Coastal Christmas with the Coastal Chorale. 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Precious Blood Catholic Church, Waverly Road, Pawleys Island. Superior choral ensemble singing the best of holiday music with outstanding sacred and secular scores to the accompaniment of an orchestra. Tickets $12. For more information, 843.215.2216 or www.thecoastalchorale.com.

12/4. Grand Strand Strutters Square Dancing Event. Enjoy this fun event held from 7 pm to 10 pm at the Senior Center in Myrtle Beach. Features national "caller" Tony Oxendine with Jeanie Whetsell cuing. For more information, 843.497.0470 or 843.650.2043.

12/5. Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach. Starting at 6 pm, see luminaries, decorations, music, the spirit of Christmas with Santa Claus. For more information 843.281.2662.

12/5 to 12/20. Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens. Delight to thousands of "kid-friendly" visions of sugarplums and hand-lighted candles, plus other traditional holiday decorations around the park. Open from 3 pm to 10 pm with live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Location is 1931 Brookgreen Drive in Murrells Inlet. For more information, 800.849.1931 or online at www.brookgreen.org.

12/6. Annual Christmas Parade in North Myrtle Beach. Songs, floats, bands, beauty queens, Santa Clause. Starting at 5:30 pm, the parade moves from Main Street to Ocean Boulevard to 2nd Avenue North. For more information, 843.281.2662.

12/6. North Myrtle Beach Woman's Club 15th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes. Visit beautiful homes fully decorated in holiday finery. Tickets available from North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, also at homes on the day of the event. Light refreshments served at Chamber on the day of the event. For more information, 843.281.2662. Proceeds from this event go to local charities.

12/7. Eddie Miles in "An Elvis Christmas" at Alabama Theatre in Barefoot Landing. Starting at 7 pm, enjoy a delightful and traditional evening. A "kid-friendly" event, located at 4750 Highway 17 South. For more information, 800.342.22262 or online at www.alabama-theatre.com.

12/7. Kathryn Martin's Comedy Tidbits. One of two performances. This afternoon event from 2 pm to 4 pm includes bite-sized theater and gourmet treats including 3 comedies by award-winning playwright Kathryn Martin, performed right at your tableside while you munch holiday treats with wine or beer. The Cypress Inn in Conway, SC. Tickets are $22 (excludes beverages). Limited seating. For more information, 843.248.8199 or online at www.kathrynmartin.net.

12/11 to 12/15. Singing Christmas Tree at the Ocean View Baptist Church. Enjoy music and choral singing starting at 7:30 pm, 7300 North Kings Highway (Thursday, Friday, Monday). Two performances (2 pm, 5 pm) on Saturday. Sunday's performance is to be determined. A "kid-friendly" event. For more information, 843.448.3384.

12/12. Voices of Christmas Past and Present-Carolina Master Chorale with Eric Whitacre, Stephen Paulus, and Andrew Fowler. Starts at 8 pm at the Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church in Pawleys Island. Enjoy choral music and arrangements of holiday songs. For more information, 843.444.5774 or online at www.carolinamasterchorale.org.

12/13. Conway Christmas Parade. Starts at 10 am in downtown Conway. Floats, band music, colorful holiday decorations and costumes, Santa. This is a "kid-friendly" event. For more information, 843.248.2273.

12/14. Kathryn Martin's Comedy Tidbits. The second of two performances. This afternoon event from 2 pm to 4 pm includes bite-sized theater and gourmet treats including 3 comedies by award-winning playwright Kathryn Martin, performed right at your tableside while you munch holiday treats with wine or beer. The Cypress Inn in Conway, SC. Tickets are $22 (excludes beverages). Limited seating. For more information, 843.248.8199 or online at www.kathrynmartin.net.

12/14. Seaside United Methodist Church in Sunset Beach. Christmas Cantata at 4 pm and again at 7 pm. 1300 Seaside Road, SW, Sunset Beach, NC 28468. For more information, call 910.579.5753 or online to www.seasideunitedmethodistchurch.org.

12/16. Silver Celebration Holiday Concert-Christmas Garland. Performed in Conway by the Carolina Master Chorale in the Theatre of the Republic. Celebrate the holidays with a one-night-only, "kid-friendly" concert. Main Street in picturesque "old" town. For more information, 843.488.0821 or www.theatreoftherepublic.com.

12/20. Breakfast with Santa - Surfside Beach. A "kid-friendly" event held in at Ryan's Steak House (8671 Highway 17 Bypass) in Surfside Beach from 9 am to 10:30 am. Call for details at 843.913.6111.

We would like to pass along the following commendations from guests at Grande Shores:

I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to your resort. My son, Kevin Lane, and a few of his Marine brothers went to your resort last weekend and had a GREAT time. They just returned from Iraq and they spent some down time there. They were given the Penthouse (and that was such a surprise for them), and all they kept doing was raving about it. They were also treated to a Limo on Friday evening and to them that just topped the cake. I know that in New Jersey this fantastic weekend would not have occurred, so from a mom, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Note to Grande Shores from Judy Lane

Your resort WILL BE the only one that my family will stay at, and I will recommend your resort to everyone I know that will visit Myrtle Beach. I thank you again. Follow-up Email to Grande Shores from Judy Lane, November 5th.

We would like to let you know what a wonderful job Wendy S. did by helping us to find a room that fit our needs during our recent stay at Grande Shores. This was our last vacation before our first baby arrives so it meant a great deal to us to have someone work so hard to ensure that our trip was wonderful. Wendy helped to make our stay very pleasant and memorable. You should be very proud to have her as a member of your Grande Shores team. From communication directly to Grande Shores from Bryan and Jennifer Steward, October 2008.

I was just at the beach with my church group, and we had a wonderful time! We stayed for week at Grande Shores. Group sales really made our stay special. This place has the nicest staff I have ever encountered. They really know how to make your trip special. We will definitely return to Grande Shores! From TripAdvisor.com. Guest named as "Great_Groups," October 22nd, 2008.

My wife and I spent three nights (Oct. 16-18) at the Grande Shores for our anniversary. It was our first time there, and we were very happy with the room. The employees were very nice, and the room was clean and quiet which we very much appreciated. We are planning on coming back in the spring and will definitely consider coming back to the Grande Shores. :-) From TripAdvisor.com. Guest named as "Pservin69" from Virginia Beach, VA, October 22nd, 2008.

What a fantastic time! Just returned from our 3rd stay at the Grande Shores. The room, staff and everything & everyone are great. Will certainly be returning next fall. Keep up the good work. From TripAdvisor.com. Guest named as "Radio1SwNy" from southwest NY, October 6th, 2008.

Groups

Grande Shores enjoys welcoming groups of people with diverse reasons for being at the beach. This month the following organizations gathered their members to enjoy an outing at our Resort:

• Waxhaw Baptist Church
• Bennett Baptist Church
• SC Fraternal Congress (2nd annual meeting here at Grande Shores)
• Gold Sands
• Piedmont Goldwings - Road Riders Association (5th year staying at Grande Shores)
• International Code Council
• Christian Tours
• Dixie Chicks Softball Team
• Lexington Wildcats
• Mountain Fury
• Lady Lightening Softball
• Signature Golf - ASGA
• Jones Family
• Madden Family Reunion

Our thanks to these groups for selecting Grande Shores!

Fun Facts