January 2009 Newsletter
Volume 3, No 1
As 2008 rolled out, it held different meanings to different people, but because of the various challenges at year's end, we hear that many people felt glad to see it go and feel especially optimistic to summon in the New Year 2009. While revelry and gala events brought the New Year in, some people spent their final days of 2008 in quiet reflection, and certainly walks on the beach here at Seaside are perfect for that! With all the busy schedules of the holidays behind us, wouldn't this be the perfect time to arrange a mid-winter get-away!
We at Seaside are eager to see you, and we look forward to the many, many of our "frequent visitors" who have expressed enthusiastic praise of our customer service and amenities. At this past year's end, some of our long-term guests shared our holiday spirit, and as a staff we also enjoyed many year-end activities, including a spectacular pot-luck party in which each member wished everyone well for 2009! So, as we continue to polish, paint, and make extra improvements for eager vacationers in the months to come, we hope that you, too, will take a moment to look at your calendar to make time for yourself this coming year. With a little planning, now is the perfect time to take advantage of some great deals in accommodations, plus we have fabulous new special packages to consider with them.
Seaside is ready to serve your vacation and get-away needs!
Your friends at SeaSide
Hotel News and Happenings
New Valentine's Day Special Package at Seaside!
Plan your romantic escape to the sea, in particular to Seaside, where you can enjoy pampered treatment, a romantic environment, and time away from the every-day world.
Join us for a February excursion into the world of love, amore, Die Sprache der Liebe,"Te amo." Whatever your language of love, our Valentine's Day celebration is truly for you.
Click here to view The Valentine's Day package that includes lodging, champagne and chocolates, turn-down bed service with rose petals, daily continental breakfast in our breakfast room, and optional dinner at Just Off Main at nearby Avista Resort. Plan now for your romantic Valentine's at Seaside.
Watch Our Spirits Thrive in 2009!
Our staff includes many talented people with skills extending far beyond their responsibilities here at Seaside. Just look at some of the photos of everything from tree decoration to cooking to design that were part of our festive holiday activities at Seaside during the last days of 2008.
Now, as we move on to 2009, this one-of-a-kind family-like atmosphere would like to share the excitement with you, too. Often, guests have commented on our friendliness and relaxed atmosphere, and we plan to be even more customer-ready, if that is possible.
Both during the holidays with all spirit and excitement from that period and now while we assume preparations for mid-winter and the New Year, we have always enjoyed the interaction, whether sharing recipes with each other or with guests, trimming our turkeys and Christmas trees, and now we are even trimming down from all the sweets of the holidays so that we can meet the new year in great shape.
Here are just a few of the special options that we have put together for guests! Check out these, our newest special packages to inspire you to join us here at the beach:
Seaside's Employee in the Spotlight
Maria Romero, Housekeeper
Maria has been with the company since July of 2005. Her remarkable efficiency and work ethic have brought consistent commendations from many guests who greet her on their return visits, pleased to know that she is available to help them with their housekeeping needs. As a dependable worker, Maria stays in tune with the needs of Seaside's Housekeeping team. Her flexibility and willing to help out when needed make her an essential part of the overall team.
In fact, her experience with both Seaside and our sister resort properties makes her a wonderful asset to our team. Whether housekeeping duties such as cleaning and tidying or keeping an eye to the quality of appearance for the common spaces of Seaside, it is clear that Maria Romero's professional focus is to help keep Seaside's appearance true to its high standards.
At home, Maria delights in bringing up her child, enjoying music, and savoring Mexican food.
Featured Recipe
Yielding 20 cupcakes, this delightful recipe includes coconut-cream-cheese frosting, which tastes especially wonderful when topped with freshly cut pineapple pieces (not canned). Alternatively, mango also makes an exotic and irresistible topping (again, fresh, not canned).
Cupcake Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cup of sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup of canned coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups of flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 cup of sweetened/dried coconut
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), room temperature
- 8 oz of creamed cheese (1 package), room temperature
- 1/2-1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup of sweetened dried coconut
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add sugar and cream until light and fluffy again, scraping down the sides halfway through to ensure even mixing.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating for 30 seconds each to ensure mixing. Be sure to scrape down the sides after each egg to ensure even mixing.
- Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder in one bowl. In another add 1 cup of a well-shaken canned coconut milk and a teaspoon of vanilla. Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients and mix.
- Add 1/2 of the wet ingredients. Continue alternating with the wet and dry mixtures, ending with the dry. Stop mixing once just as the ingredients become incorporated. Note: do not overbeat.
- Fold in the coconut. Scoop into cupcake papers about ½ to ¾ of the way full (Note: do not overfill). Bake for 18-22 minutes, rotating the pan after the first 15 to ensure even baking. Be sure to check with a toothpick to see if the cupcakes are done. If the toothpick comes out of the cupcake clean, then they are ready. Allow the cupcakes to cool for a minute or two in the pan. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Directions for Making and Applying Frosting:
- Cream the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes. Scrape the bowl down the sides and bottom to blend all.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar to the mixture, tasting as you go to make as sweet as you want. Add powdered sugar until you reach your desired sweetness.
- Fold the coconut into the mixture. Spread the mixture onto cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle on a bit of extra shredded coconut on top. (Optional: top with a piece of fresh pineapple or manger for each cupcake.) Serve.
Local Events Calendar
2/1. Murrells Inlet Community Theater (: 4450 Murrells Inlet Road, Murrells Inlet) presents A.R. Gurney's "Later Life." Enjoy a romantic comedy/drama about a couple who reunite at a party after 30 years. Starts at 8 p.m. Cost: $10. Reservations required to this "kid-friendly" event. 843.651.4152 www.mictheatre.com.
2/2 Groundhog Day. Originally a weather day, Groundhog Day is when the woodchuck emerges from his hibernation hole and check the weather. If he sees his shadow (that is, the sun is out), then he retreats back to his burrow for 6 more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow (that is, the day is cloudy), then winter will soon end. See the countdown at www.groundhog.org.
2/5. Grand Strand Strutters Invite You to Square Dance. Starting at 7 pm and lasting until 9 pm, this variety of square dance includes a pre-dance training from 6-7 at the Grand Strand Senior Center (1268 21st Ave N., Myrtle Beach). For more information, call 843.497.0470.
2/12-15. The 12th Annual Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon. Pasta dinner, expo, fun run, 5K, half-marathon, and marathon (no relay this year), with a post-race party. For more information, 843.293.RACE or www.mbmarathon.com.
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Guest Comments
Sometimes guests take the time to log online to TripAdvisor.com and send in their comments about their stay at Seaside. Other times, they stop one of our staff during their stay or as they check out and describe the efficiency, friendliness, and relaxation that they experienced here. We also hear by notes left in the condo units, too - sometimes just brief expressions of a kind exchange with someone in Engineering or Housekeeping.
Fun Facts
Love oysters but hate opening the shells to find the meat? Try cooking them in their shells. As the oysters cook, they open by themselves. Cooked oysters are slightly sweet-tasting and flavorful, especially with their hint of salt from the ocean - great served as is or with garnishes such as in Oysters Rockefeller.
The live oysters breathe much like fish, gills.
To catch oysters, gather them from their beds. Some use hand, rake, divers, or dredge, and everyone seems to have his own technique.
Oysters can live in shallow to deep water, depending on the type of oyster. Many of the Grand Strand oysters live in the shallows, but check with local restrictions before taking them.
Once collected commercially, oysters are sorted and either processed for canning or selling live in their shells.
Oysters should be stored out of water in refrigeration but not frozen and in 100% humidity. Stored in water under refrigeration, they will open to use their small reserves of oxygen and die.
Consume this shell fish only when fresh, as their taste reflects their age. If the oyster smells at all questionable, leave it alone.
Eat them on the half-shell, smoked, boiled, baked, fried, roasted, stewed, canned, pickled, steamed, broiled (grilled), or used in a variety of drinks.
Oyster preparation can be as simple as opening the shell and gobbling it down. Some people like flavor accents such as butter and/or salt or even more elaborate tastes.
In-shell oysters are not only tasty, but also low-calorie. They are high in vitamin and mineral content, and they contain protein, carbohydrates, and lipidsand. Some people even them medicinally.
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