Honored to Attend 2 Great Charity Events

   I'm always honored when someone asks me to attend their fundraiser or charity event because not only do I get to meet new people, but I also get to see some great work going on in the community.  This week, I was able to attend 2 different events benefitting some of my favorite things.
   On Tuesday, Marla Branson & I set off for True Blue Golf Course in Pawleys Island to hang out at the Honor Flight golf tournament.  Marla let me drive the "WMBF Stormchaser" because she wasn't sure where we were going.  I went to the golf tournament last year so she probably figured I knew where True Blue was located.  Well, I did know where it was located... but I tend to get caught up in conversation... so I drove right past the course and it wasn't until about 5 miles later ("Hey Georgetown!") that I realized we probably went a little too far. I'm guessing she won't let me drive next time.


Marla working hard at registration table

   Anyway, the Honor Flight is a wonderful charity that works to bring WWII Veterans to Washington, D.C. so they can see the memorials built for them.  It is an emotional day, as many of the veterans have never laid eyes on these memorials.  The Honor Flight flies a different group of veterans to D.C. twice a year.  Each veteran also has a guardian who stays with them throughout the day trip.  The Grand Strand is fortunate to have an Honor Flight group dedicated to raising money (they say it costs $60,000 per flight!) locally and having flights depart Myrtle Beach International Airport.  Their annual golf tournament is a big fundraiser for them and I'm so appreciative they invited Marla & me out to help get the tournament started!  You can read more about the group or show your support by clicking here: Honor Flight Myrtle Beach

Marla & I with an Honor Flight golfer

   The second charity event I went to this week is one I've always wanted to go to: a benefit for the Grand Strand Humane Society at T.I.G.E.R.S. preserve!!  GSHS Executive Director Sandy Brown & her staff work so hard to protect abandoned animals in Myrtle Beach and I always love the opportunity to help pets in need.  My own puppy, Remo, was a rescue and I don't know what I'd do without him... I am very grateful to the people who spent the time & money to rescue his litter and keep them safe.  So what better way to help GSHS than go to one of the few attractions I've yet to visit since I moved here!!

Reece the Orangutan having a conversation with me



   The T.I.G.E.R.S. exhibit has a lot of really cool animals, like orangutans, wolves, tigers, and "Bubbles" the elephant.  The trainers are with most of these animals from the day the animal is born.  I'm not going to try and rehash all the knowledge they shared with us (mostly because I can't remember it all correctly enough to quote) but if you ever have time to visit this Myrtle Beach attraction, you really should.  You will learn so much about the animal kingdom and also be amazed that something like this is in Horry County!!  Learn more about it by clicking here: T.I.G.E.R.S.



Me & a little Tiger Cub!

   Also, for more information on the great work the Grand Strand Humane Society does or any of their upcoming fundraisers, click here: Grand Strand Humane Society

I had a great flight! No, really!

   I've become somewhat of a "frequent flier" since moving to Myrtle Beach about 4 years ago.  I fly home to see my family, I fly around the country to see my friends and I'm usually flying if I want to go on vacation.  In the past few years, I've had some good flights and I've had some really, really bad flights.  Like so bad, I don't even want to reminisce about it.
   It seems everytime I go to book a flight, there is another charge or fee or the route/time/flight I want isn't available or is astronomically priced.  In fact, last month when I was flying home, I heard the flight attendant on a major airline tell a passenger they couldn't move to an empty row because those seats "cost money"... um, didn't all of our seats cost money?, I wondered.  In any case, she was referring to a new charge of $10-15 for "premium" seating on a plane (Less classy than first class but more premium than us "regular" coach fliers.)
   Last week, my boyfriend and I traveled to California for a friend's wedding.  We decided to fly Southwest, which is fairly new to South Carolina.  I'd flown Southwest years ago while living in the Detroit area, but have not been on a Southwest flight since they underwent some changes and a new branding/marketing campaign.  Both of us have heard good things about the airline recently so we figured we'd make the 2 hour journey to the CHS airport to try it out.  Pricewise, the flight was similar to some airlines out of MYR, but the timing of flights was better for us.  Plus, they still let you check a bag for free.  Wait, let me rephrase that: they let you CHECK TWO BAGS FOR FREE.  Two bags that weigh up to 50 lbs each.  I was already falling in love.

   The check-in & boarding process is unique to Southwest.  The earlier you check in, the better your spot in the boarding line.  You can pay an extra $10 to board first, because seats are on a first-come, first-served basis.  We decided to pay the money because we wanted to sit together, but I noticed a lot of people didn't and just took their chances.  Also, I saw a lot of passengers switching seats to let families or couples sit together.

   Now, I'm a person who really loves snacks.  When I don't get a snack on a flight, I just feel like something is missing.

   Ok, so maybe I don't get rolling pin angry, but still, the experience isn't complete.  Southwest not only still gives snacks and drinks out, but the flight attendants were very cordial and were offering them throughout the flight.  So, if you didn't want anything right away, but maybe like 30 minutes later, you could just ask.  They weren't rude or stingy, just very personable.

   Free checked bags, snacks abounding and, finally, I got to see 2 new airports!  Ok, this is the dorky traveler in me... but I love seeing new places.  Southwest had us on a layover in Houston on the way out and Nashville on the way back.  2 more airports to check off my list!
   Ok ok, now I'm not out to bash any of the other airlines... but after some of the bad experiences I've had, it was nice to have such pleasant flights. Those flights led to a relaxing vacation and overall enjoyable week.  So thanks, Southwest!  My two 50 pound bags and I will see you soon!

 

Mega Millions Mania!!

   Wow!  When was the last time everyone jumped on board and was so excited about something... anything, for that matter??  This Mega Millions jackpot has been like the first day of spring after a long, nasty winter: it's putting smiles on faces and causing people, who otherwise had given up on a lot of things, to dream about how their life could be different.  Believe me, I've noticed it everywhere.  People are kinder to each other while standing in lines (they have to be, there are a lot of lines just to buy a lotto ticket), co-workers who usually try to avoid conversation are bubbly and bursting at the seams talking about all the things they'd do with the money, and others are pooling their cash together, hoping for better odds of winning.

   Whatever the reason (the weather could be to blame, as well), it is a delight to see people enjoy each other's company and conversation.  It makes you wonder, though: why does it take the promise of millions of dollars to make people dream about what they really want?  Now, I understand, no one could have 5 island homes or cure world hunger without a big sum of money, but some people I hear talking about "If I won..." are mentioning goals and dreams they could still achieve without winning the Mega Millions.  For instance, today I heard "I'd give to my church", "I'd pay back my parents for what they've spent on me", and "I'd buy a house".  With some budgeting and good financial sense, couldn't these "dreams" be achieved anyway?  I guess it would be the thrill of achieving them almost instanteously that makes people so happy.
   On that note, I'd better head out to get my ticket before they stop sales!  Good luck tonight and remember to share if you hit it big :)

Lunch with the Lion's Club

   Every so often, the WMBF News staff will be invited to an event in the community to represent our station and to meet new people.  Personally, when I get invited back I always feel a little sense of pride... kind of a "They like me! They really like me!" moment.  The Myrtle Beach Lion's Club has invited us out to their Carrabba's fundraising luncheon four years in a row now and I can honestly say I've gone all four years.  The members are always welcoming and they support WMBF News 100%.  They know everyone here by name and they're always eager to talk more about the stories we cover.
   This year Jamie, Heather, Brandon & I had the honor of representing the station.  In case you didn't know, the Lion's Club works hard on many endeavors but their main focus continues to be making sure every child has access to an eye exam and a pair of glasses so they can be successful.  We shared many laughs with the group and a fantastic lunch, too!  Here's a look at Jamie with his favorite luncheon lady (she had great dating advice for Heather & me):

Jamie & his ideal woman

  We also got a kick out of Jack Nixon, another member who had a quirky comeback for everything!  Jack had us laughing so hard during lunch.  He shared a story about forecasting the weather in the old days, but he forewarned us he didn't remember it correctly.  So today, he emailed us the story just in case he left an important part out.  I've copy and pasted it below, along with our picture.  I hope it makes you smile as much as it made us smile :)


Jack & me

from Jack:
It's late fall and the Indians on a remote reservation in South Dakota asked their new chief if the coming winter was going to be cold or mild.
Since he was a chief in a modern society, he had never been taught the old secrets. When he looked at the sky, he couldn't tell what the winter was going to be like.
Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he told his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the village should collect firewood to be prepared.
But, being a practical leader, after several days, he got an idea. He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service and asked, "Is the coming winter going to be cold?"
"It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold," the meteorologist at the weather service responded.
So the chief went back to his people and told them to collect even more firewood in order to be prepared.
A week later, he called the National Weather Service again. "Does it still look like it is going to be a very cold winter?"
"Yes"... the man at National Weather Service again replied, ... "it's going to be a very cold winter.'
The chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collect every scrap of firewood they could find.
Two weeks later, the chief called the National Weather Service again... "Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?"
"Absolutely," the man replied. "It's looking more and more like it is going to be one of the coldest winters we've ever seen."
'How can you be so sure?' the chief asked.

The weatherman replied... "The Indians are collecting firewood like crazy."

:) Please support your local Lion's Club!

Inaugural Post!

   I hope it's good luck to start a blog on Leap Day!  We're putting the finishing touches on WMBF News at 11 right now, there's a lot of new information to bring you tonight... from lawmakers moving forward with a new punishment for teens who "sext" to new food labels you'll see the next time you grocery shop. 
   Also, Jamie's tracking some rain tonight on HD Doppler Radar... but he assures us the storms won't be anything like what the Midwest saw today.  It is so heartbreaking to see a dozen lives lost because of nasty weather.  Please, if you don't have a NOAA weather radio yet, please consider getting one and keeping your family safe day & night!  Click here to get a special discount from WMBF News, Walgreens & Midland Weather Radio.

   Thought I'd start this blog off with a picture of my furry baby, Remo!  More about him later, I'm off to record some promos for the morning show & look over scripts.  Have a great night, see you at 11pm!