With Suzanne Christie
17JAN08
Margaret Daily-Plouffe DKM
Travel Services
Brant Branham, Chairman,
Myrtle Beach Area CVB
Our Fair Weather Myrtle Beach Friends
I do declare that the South Carolina sun did shine in Toronto this week. The gracious folks from Myrtle Beach came a callin' to express a deep gratitude for the bond between our two climates -- a bond that has existed for nigh onto 1/2 a century. Seems over 400,000 Canadians visit Myrtle Beach each year, in large part thanks to the efforts of the travel trade.
The place was hopping with dignitaries. Joining the genteel celebration was none other than native Carolinian son, The Honorable David Wilkins, U.S. Ambassador to Canada. And one may say, unequivocally, he is as charmin' and straightforward in person as he was on a recent This Hour Has 22 Minutes episode. Our second honorable, and no less charming, host was Brant Branham, Chairman of Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Our temperate zone neighbours said they don't rightly know why we Canadians insist on splashing in the frigid winter oceans along the South Carolina coast - but they sure hope we keep doing it. To be sure we'll keep comin' down, they've rolled out a special welcome mat in the form of www.MyrtleBeachLovesCanada.com. Our very own reason to love Myrtle Beach right back - it's chock full of offers, discounts on lodging, dining & attractions – just for us!
And, it seems we and SC share some treasured traditions. March Break, for instance, is well entrenched on both sides of the border. Our hosts fondly reminisced that one of our very own numbers reputedly took the honours in the "Catch The Greased Pig" competition a few years back. Regrettably, this festivity has been eliminated from the annual Can Am celebrations. But, there's still plenty of fun to be had along the Grand Strand or on the many links in the Myrtle Beach region.
It's good to be us in Myrtle Beach in March and y'all know you're more than welcome!
© Open Jaw