North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years

By Kaye Collins Common Valentine’s Day customs include the exchange of cards, flowers (notably red roses) and chocolates, enjoying romantic dinners, and presenting jewelry. Many of these traditions also encompass family and friends through notes and gifts, occasionally featuring distinctive practices such as conversation hearts. A few brief and heartfelt messages for loved ones or friends include: “Life is more enjoyable with you around.” “You are my top reason to smile.” “You make me whole.” “Always yours, now and forever.” “With you, every day feels like Valentine’s Day.” The well-established and commonly embraced customs of exchanging cards that convey messages …

By Kaye Collins A Cornhole Championship Tournament will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Crossway Church beginning at 9 a.m. at 2000 US-701 Highway in Loris. There will be cash prizes, food and fun for all. The Lucky Last Sunday Tarot Event is a monthly gathering that takes place on the final Sunday of each month at Strawberry Moon’s new location. On Sunday, February 22, three intuitive readers will unite to provide tarot and oracle readings to individuals in a shared environment. This event is scheduled to occur at 1032 Highway 9 Business East in Loris. For appointments, please …

By Daphne Bass The Loris Garden Club met on Wednesday, February 4, at 4 p.m. at A.J.’s on Walnut, the Mishoe Stoudenmire Building in Loris. President Gloria Kinney welcomed club members and gave the invocation. The meeting began with a reception to celebrate Dorothy Richardson’s 50 years of membership in the Loris Garden Club. Mrs. Richardson has been an active member of the club since January 1976. During this time, she has served as president of the Loris Garden Club for nine two year terms, Coastal District Co-Director from 2001-2003  and Coastal District Director from 2003–2005. Most recently for 2023-2025, …

By James Pease II On Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., a candidate forum was held in the main room of the Tidewater Amenity Center for the two candidates competing to fill the empty North Myrtle Beach City Council Crescent Beach seat. Tidewater, a private gated community, hosted the event and invited all residents on Little River Neck Road to attend. Tidewater Community Homeowners Association Board of Directors Cathy Weis and Jennifer Austin opened the forum and went around the room to anyone who raised their hand to give them a chance to voice their question. Ray …

North Myrtle Beach residents may now apply for the free 2026 North Myrtle Beach Citizen’s Academy. The Citizen’s Academy exposes participants to all facets of North Myrtle Beach government and includes tours of key city facilities. The first meeting is Thursday, March 5, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at City Hall at 1018 Second Avenue South. The deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday, February 25, at 5 p.m. The city is only accepting 30 applicants. Due to limited space, if you have previously attended the Citizen’s Academy, you will only be allowed to attend if spaces are available. Participants …

By Pat Kastner On Friday, January 30, Knights of Columbus Assembly 2431 representing the patriotic degree, celebrated with 100 year old Art Duym and his wife Joan of 71 years at a Quilt of Valor ceremony. The Quilt of Valor Foundation mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Art served in World War II in the Army Air Corp and was honorably discharged in 1945. The ceremony took place at The Barclay of Little River assisted living facility. The ceremony was performed by volunteer Dot Kenny of the Quilt …

The Horry County Solid Waste Authority recently recognized Little River resident Thomas McMillan as the “Caught Green Handed” recipient for the month of January. “The ‘Caught Green Handed’ recognition is presented monthly to an Horry County resident caught in the act of recycling” stated Esther Murphy, Director of Recycling and Corporate Affairs for the Solid Waste Authority. “It’s the Solid Waste Authority’s way of recognizing and thanking citizens who have made the effort to recycle. Through their recycling efforts, natural resources are saved and the amount of waste being landfilled is reduced.” Mr. McMillan, a regular recycler at the Brooksville …

Former mayor of North Myrtle Beach, Marilyn Hatley, has been appointed to the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank Board by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. Her inclusion on the board reflects a gubernatorial appointment, as the Governor of South Carolina appoints two directors to the bank’s board. The purpose of the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank is to select and assist in financing major qualified projects by providing loans and other financial assistance for constructing and improving highway and transportation facilities necessary for public purposes, including economic development.

By Mary Templeton Why does the world seem quieter in the winter? It just might be due to the absence of our feathered friends! During this cold time of year, local garden clubs help provide food for the birds that visit their gardens and look forward to warmer weather when the world will again be treated to a beautiful bird concert. While waiting for the arrival of spring, the Yaupon Garden Club, Driftwood Garden Club and Sea Oats Garden Club met together on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to learn more about Coastal Birds: Common Birds of the Marsh and Beach. …

To keep the spark alive safely this Valentine’s Day, the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) encourages extra caution when cooking and using candles to celebrate the holiday. According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires and injuries – nearly half (49 percent) of all reported U.S. home fires involve cooking equipment – while an average of nearly 6,000 home fires involving candles are reported to U.S. fire departments each year. “Valentine’s Day at home often includes a special meal and candlelight,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “Keeping an eye on …