It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Old Town Hall gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Pawleys Island, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Pawleys Island Nature Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Chive Blossom Cafe or visit Pawleys Island Historic District, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Pawleys Island, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Pawleys Island, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Pawleys Island, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (WBTV) - A man drowned at a South Carolina beach while trying to save a group of people stuck in a rip current this past weekend.Sister-station WMBF reported that the man, 38-year-old Anderson “Chase” Childers, got in the water to help at Pawleys Island on Sunday, July 13.Four or five people were reportedly caught in the rip current when C...
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (WBTV) - A man drowned at a South Carolina beach while trying to save a group of people stuck in a rip current this past weekend.
Sister-station WMBF reported that the man, 38-year-old Anderson “Chase” Childers, got in the water to help at Pawleys Island on Sunday, July 13.
Four or five people were reportedly caught in the rip current when Childers and another person got in, police told WMBF. He likewise got caught in the current when he tried to help.
First responders recovered Childers’ body on Sunday evening, about an hour and a half after they arrived. WMBF reported that several agencies -- including the U.S. Coast Guard -- responded and used a helicopter and drone in the search.
Brian Henry, the mayor of Pawleys Island, took to Facebook to offer his condolences on Monday.
“We pray for the family members and offer our condolences,” Henry’s post said in part. “We would like to acknowledge the efforts of our first responders who worked tirelessly to recover the victim and bring comfort to the family.”
Henry urged beachgoers to stay alert to changing currents, particularly during high tide.
“While Pawleys Island beaches are consistently rated as some of the best on the entire East Coast, we would like them to be known as the safest as well,” the mayor’s post continued.
The mayor said the town council would investigate how it can prevent future drownings.
Pawleys Island is located about 45 minutes south of Myrtle Beach, near Murrells Inlet and Garden City.
While rip currents can obviously be deadly, there are ways to escape them.
According to the National Weather Service, a person stuck in a rip current should not swim directly toward shore, but instead swim parallel to the shore in the current’s flow. Once out of the current’s pull, the person should then start swimming at an angle to the shore.
If a person gets caught in a rip current and feels they can’t get out, the National Weather Service said they should stay relaxed and wave or call for help. The weather agency said rip currents do not pull people underwater.
It is safest for beachgoers to only swim in places with lifeguards.
Watch continuous news coverage here:
The Fourth of July is just around the corner and this year the Myrtle Beach area will light up with fireworks, festivals and parades. From Cherry Grove in the north to Pawleys Island down south, expect festivities across the Grand Strand.Whether you want to get soaked by water guns, compete in a tournament or enjoy live entertainment, there’s something for everyone. Here are 12 of the best ways to celebrate.7 Elm St., Conway, SC 29526Saturday, June 2810 a.m. - 10 p.m.Conway’s annual patriotic ce...
The Fourth of July is just around the corner and this year the Myrtle Beach area will light up with fireworks, festivals and parades. From Cherry Grove in the north to Pawleys Island down south, expect festivities across the Grand Strand.
Whether you want to get soaked by water guns, compete in a tournament or enjoy live entertainment, there’s something for everyone. Here are 12 of the best ways to celebrate.
7 Elm St., Conway, SC 29526
Saturday, June 28
10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Conway’s annual patriotic celebration returns with a golf cart parade, live music, games, local vendors, river races, a cornhole tournament and more. The free event at Riverfront Park and Marina Drive will feature fireworks over the Waccamaw River at 9:30 p.m.
1325 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Monday, June 30 - Friday, July 4
10 p.m.
Broadway at the Beach is celebrating the Fourth of July and its 30th birthday with five consecutive nights of fireworks, weather permitting. The displays will start over Lake Broadway every night at 10 p.m. Other Broadway at the Beach events the same evenings include live music, street performances, entertainers and more.
Friday, July 4
10 a.m.
South Causeway to 321 Myrtle Ave., Pawleys Island, SC 29585
The island town will celebrate July Fourth with floats, golf carts and more in its 1.5-mile parade from South Causeway to Old Town Hall. Prizes will be awarded for the best-decorated dock, float, golf cart and house.
16th Avenue North to Ocean Boulevard to 16th Avenue South, Surfside Beach, SC 29575
Friday, July 4
11 a.m.
Festively decorated golf carts will line up along Ocean Boulevard in Surfside Beach for the July Fourth parade. Attendees are encouraged to bring lots of candy and wear red, white and blue. Before the parade, visitors can join Fox and Friends’ Abby Hornacek for a live broadcast at Neal and Pam’s restaurant from 6 to 9 a.m. In the afternoon, folks can spot the Salute from the Shore flyover at the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier.
Cherry Grove to Bluffton
Friday, July 4
1 p.m.
Shaw Air Force Base will fly F-16s down the South Carolina coastline from North Myrtle Beach. The flight will be followed by an all-volunteer brigade of Warbirds, a vintage plane community with T-6s, T-28s and T-34s.
4025 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Friday, July 4
2 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Murrells Inlet’s 42nd annual celebration will feature a boat parade through the inlet at 2 p.m. and live music, food and drinks throughout the day. At 10 p.m. the festivities will continue with “the Grand Strand’s largest aerial fireworks show” on the MarshWalk. The next day, Murrells Inlet will host a 9 a.m. clean up to pick up debris and trash from the celebration.
Calhoun Drive, Garden City, SC 29576
Friday, July 4
3 p.m.
The golf cart parade in Garden City encourages attendees to bring water guns and cash to donate to first responders. Although participants should plan to get wet, water balloons aren’t allowed.
1000 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Friday, July 4
9 - 9:30 p.m.
Downtown Myrtle Beach’s weekly hot summer nights series and fireworks will feature a special display on July Fourth. Before the main event, visitors can the First Friday Art Walk and live music in Plyler Park.
3500 N. Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Friday, July 4
9:30 - 10 p.m.
The city of North Myrtle Beach will put on a free fireworks show in Cherry Grove to celebrate the Fourth of July. With traffic reversals and road closures, the city asks attendees to drive patiently and cautiously. More information about traffic and parking is available here.
4898 Highway 17 S., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Friday, July 4
10 p.m.
As part of its SummerFest! lineup, Barefoot Landing will set off a Fourth of July fireworks display over the lake. Other free entertainment includes live music, street performers and family-friendly shows.
1251 21st Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
July 4 - 6
Various times
During the July Fourth weekend, attendees can watch fireworks after the Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ games with the Charleston RiverDogs at the Pelicans Ballpark.
N. Main St., Aynor, SC 29511
Saturday, July 5
5 pm.m
Fun around the Grand Strand doesn’t stop Friday–the town of Aynor will host its celebration on July 5. The After the Fourth Celebration will have live music, local food trucks, face painting and a free fireworks show at 9 p.m. in the Aynor Town Park.
PAWLEYS ISLAND — For the past six years Brian Jallema's family has made a summer trip from their Indiana home to Georgetown County.Much of their two-week vacatio...
PAWLEYS ISLAND — For the past six years Brian Jallema's family has made a summer trip from their Indiana home to Georgetown County.
Much of their two-week vacation is spent surf fishing.
“That’s our draw," he said. It "is fishing in the ocean. We don’t have any saltwater around us, so that’s why we come around here."
But for many tourists and locals, plans for casting a line may have to change if county leaders approve a summertime ban on fishing near the beach.
County Council on June 24 voted in favor of an ordinance that would restrict summertime bait and surf fishing on public beaches. The ordinance, which needs one more favorable vote to pass, would make surf fishing from beaches illegal between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 1 to Sept. 30.
The ordinance was originally created to prohibit individuals and companies from actively fishing for sharks, County Council Chairman Clint Elliott said. The intent was to reduce the risk of injury to beachgoers.
Most anglers surf fish early in the morning and pack up once beaches start to get crowded, he said, but some people don’t.
“You don't want to hook a little kid in the foot, or an adult, or, you know, cause anybody any harm,” Elliott said.
Since word spread about the potential ban, many residents have pushed back against the ordinance, calling it too restrictive. Elliott said the county plans to tweak the wording of the ordinance to make its intent more clear. That could include changing or removing the restrictive hours, but Elliott said nothing has been decided.
County officials plan to meet with stakeholders and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources to discuss the ordinance and try to craft a policy that balances the interests of fishermen with public safety concerns, Elliott said.
"We're trying to get a happy compromise to protect the community, but also kind of minimize the blowback on it (the ordinance)," he said.
The ordinance would not apply to Huntington Beach State Park or the Town of Pawleys Island, which has its own fishing rules, said county spokeswoman Jackie Broach.
Neighboring Horry County has an ordinance that prohibits intentionally catching sharks from piers, beaches or any other coastal waters within one mile of the beach. The ordinance states that fishing from piers or beaches in a manner that presents an "unsafe condition" to beachgoers is illegal, and that anyone who surf fishes must obtain a valid South Carolina surf fishing license. It doesn’t include any restrictions on when surf fishing is allowed.
On the morning of June 26, Mickey Sweeney stood on the shore in the Pawleys Island area, gripping a fishing pole in front of him. He’d accidentally hooked a small, juvenile shark. He admired it for a moment before releasing it back into the waves.
Sweeney lives in Murrells Inlet. He said his fishing routine won’t change much if the proposed ordinance passes, except for when he takes his grandchildren fishing a few times a year. He usually arrives at the beach around 4 a.m. and is packed up by 8 a.m.
“I don’t want to see anybody be told, 'No,'" he said. "Myself, it won’t affect me."
Restricting fishing on heavily populated stretches of the beach or having designated fishing areas could be better solutions than what the county has proposed, he said.
A Grand Strand woman knew exactly which scratch-off lottery game she was going to buy when she stopped at a convenience store along the coast, according to South Carolina Education Lottery officials.She had been having good luck playing the $5 Money Money Money scratch-off, officials said in a news release. Her latest ticket purchase didn’...
A Grand Strand woman knew exactly which scratch-off lottery game she was going to buy when she stopped at a convenience store along the coast, according to South Carolina Education Lottery officials.
She had been having good luck playing the $5 Money Money Money scratch-off, officials said in a news release. Her latest ticket purchase didn’t disappoint, as the woman won the game’s $200,000 grand prize, according to the release.
“It was so exciting,” the winner said in the release.
The winning ticket was purchased at the Pawleys Express gas station/convenience store on Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island, officials said.
The winner will be allowed to retain some privacy, as South Carolina is one of 11 states — along with Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia — that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous.
The winner did not reveal how she plans to spend her newfound windfall, saying only the six-figure jackpot has “definitely made life better.”
The woman overcame 870,000-to-1 odds to win the Money Money Money game’s grand prize, according to the release. One of the game’s four top prizes remains unclaimed, officials said.
Pawleys Express received a commission of $2,000 for selling the claimed ticket.
843-640-0129
