Robert Slick

Jimmy Widener, of Hanahan, SC, landed a 16 pound 6 ounce Sheepshead in March on the Wando River breaking the state record by 10 ounces. Douglas Hover of James Island, S.C. was the previous record holder. Widener was fishing the Wando River with Captain Steve O'Neil of Summerville when the record Sheepshead struck the weighted Blue Crab Widener was using for bait. His Penn rod and reel combo sealed the deal as they remained anchored in Berford's Creek.

For a current list of South Carolina's State Record Game Fish, visit the DNR website at www.dnr.sc.gov/fish/saltrecs/record.html

Winter fishing has its rewards in Georgetown County, South Carolina as anglers hit pay dirt. Sean Murphy, of Myrtle Beach, SC, landed a three pound White Grunt on February 2^nd, 2008. This fish species was added to the S.C. State Record Marine Game Fish list in 2002 and the record remained unclaimed until Murphy snatched it with his 3 pound White Grunt. Three pounds is the exact minimum weight that is accepted as a state record. Murphy made his catch at the Bill Perry artificial reef site about out 30 miles offshore from Murrells Inlet, SC. Murphy was using shrimp pieces on a J-hook weighted bottom rig. At first Murphy wasn't sure what he had caught as he had never seen such a big White Grunt. David Player from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) identified the catch and reported the record to the Marine Resources Division in Charleston.

For a current list of South Carolina's State Record Game Fish, visit the DNR website at www.dnr.sc.gov/fish/saltrecs/record.html

The final link in the Bike the Neck chain of South Carolina Bike trails is being forged to bridge the section in Murrells Inlet, SC. Although vehicle traffic will be re-routed and even stopped at times during the construction of the bike bridge, residents and seasonal visitors will have one sweet ride when it is finished. The bridge will connect the bike lane along U.S. Highway 17 in Murrells Inlet and the recently constructed bike trail along the edge of Huntington Beach State Park that connects to a trail leading all the way into Litchfield, SC. The Huntington Beach State Park trail is paved and meanders through gorgeous wooded and wetland sections of the park.

The annual award from the S.C. Association of School Administrators was announced in Columbia, SC. Waccamaw High School has been a finalist for the award for three consecutive years and this year took top prize. The award is one of the state's most prestigious and is considered a great honor for public school principals. The award is based on the instructional program, school culture, student achievement, and the quality of the faculty and staff. Waccamaw High School in Pawleys Island, S.C. rates "excellent" on the state report card and meets "adequate yearly progress" goals under the federal education law. The award continues to motivate administrators, teachers, and students to "keep up the good work."

Prudential Source One Properties, with offices in Pawleys Island, SC and on Front Street in Georgetown, SC is hosting its second Open House Blitz of 2008 this coming weekend. The schedule is as follows: Saturday, February 23^rd 10AM-2PM and Sunday, February 24^th from 1PM-5PM. 9 homes will be open on each day. We did this in January when everyone was downplaying the importance of Open Houses and had terrific response not only from attendees, but local buyers and sellers that saw our advertising and called with other real estate needs. I am a true believer in Open Houses when the location is good and the home's condition is above average. Pooling our efforts and advertising made this event so much better than going solo. Agents that may not have listings of their own get the opportunity to sell active listings and meet potential buyers. Listing agents get the opportunity to prove their commitment to their clients through consistent and persistent effort. When the weekend is over, our agents can swap stories and compare numbers at the next sales meeting. It promotes camaraderie and team spirit in the office. Looking forward to seeing you at our Open House Blitz this Weekend!