The newsroom

Low Gas Prices = Bad Economy

Sure, it's great to see gas prices under two dollars a gallon. I remember paying as much as $4.07 one day back in July. However, I'm not smiling when I fill up my car. To me, low gas prices are the only good thing to come out of the global economic collapse. I'd rather pay $4 a gallon and not have my IRA chopped by more than 30%. I also hope this doesn't curtail our country's approach towards developing alternative energy, since gas prices will inevitably go back up. While it is more affordable to drive now, it likely won't be in the future. In response to falling prices, OPEC is expected to cut worldwide production, something that will drive prices up again. Those countries are betting we won't shake our addiction to cheap gas. It's important to continue pursuing efforts that will allow us to become more efficient with the energy we do have.

Jason Barr

Let's Talk Temperatures

I'm no weather expert, but I like to think I've experienced my fair share of weather patterns being as I grew up in Michigan.  There's a saying in the Midwest that goes "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute."  In my quick research I performed before penning this blog, I realized that saying is popular in many parts of the country.  It basically means the weather changes quickly, and often.  But I challenge anybody in Texas (it came up in research) who says that to spend a year in Michigan.  No, really, you should.  It's great up there...

Anyway, I remember one summer my family went camping (long story, look for it in my memoir) in the Upper Peninsula.  It was the middle of July and hanging around 80 degrees when we pulled away from our home in the Detroit area.  The second day of our camping trip, it was below freezing and snowing.  Now, as kids, we were at that age where you seek independence from your parents, and the first way to do that is pack your own bags for vacation.  So of course we packed bathing suits, tank tops, and shorts.  I mean, its vacation.  In July.  80 Degrees. 

Needless to say, my father is the only one who got out of the camper that day, in all his warm clothes glory.  I remember watching him from the window as he put a fire together thinking “I wonder how close the nearest hotel is…”  My mom finally put her foot down and ended that camping trip early the next morning.

I am reminded of those cold days, and nights, now that temperatures have plummeted around the area.  I won’t lie; I really thought I wouldn’t see temperatures below freezing at this time of year down here, even though I know they’ve already had their first few snows up in Michigan.

 I think it’s funny I went from wearing a tank-style summer dress on Saturday (wasn’t it beautiful outside?!) to my thick, down, winter jacket on my way to work this morning.  Almost feels like home.

I guess “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute” really does apply outside the Midwest.

Stay warm out there!

Paula Caruso | pcaruso@wmbfnews.com

It's about where you're going.. and where you came from

With pulling a full courseload at CCU and working 40+ hours a week here at the station... it seems like the only thing that can get my head out of the books and out of the workload is catching up with old friends.

...and with catching up with old friends comes a sometimes much needed walk down memory lane.  Well, today it was courtesy of my old high school swim coach Craig, who was "Craiggles" in my book back in the day. 

Part of his message just goes to show that I wasn't always the "cooperative one" and the "get it done" type:

    "I still remember a young, teary-eyed little girl crying because she didn't want to get into the cold pool 
    at 6 AM for practice.  I'd be thinking, 'What do I have to do to get this girl to swim?!?'  Sometimes I'd be
    nice, sometimes I'd be mean about it.  'GET IN THE POOL AND SWIM.. NOW MEGHAN MILLER!' haha"

You better believe I was a cry baby at the beginning of those lovely 6AM practices in a freezing cold (this is in the middle of a Pennsylvania winter) YMCA pool that were topped off with some FANTASTIC (sense the sarcasm?) lung busters.  If you're not familiar with lung busters, it's a set where you have to swim a certain amount of yards without taking a breath.  Now on the days that we were able to use fins, I could actually make them.  But on those days when we didn't, we'll just say I got yelled at, cried, and had to keep doing lung busters until I could complete the set. 

If it weren't for being in the middle of a newscast right now, I'd be hysterically laughing at myself at the top of my lungs.  While swimming definitely brought out the worst in me (ONLY during those morning practices), Craig could tell you I was always all-smiles and a ball of sunshine when I hopped out of the pool each day.  I can definitely say those years swimming for West York contain some of the best moments of my life.  I swam with some AMAZING people, learned how to challenge myself, walked outside of my comfort zones and even scored a school record or two :) 

So what's the lesson in all of this?  Take a few minutes to get away from whatever you're doing and catch up with old friends from the past.  Every once in a while, it's good to have a reminder of where you came from so you can appreciate where it is you're going.

Meghan Miller | meghanmiller@wmbfnews.com

Tom McCullough: Morning Director

I was at a loss for what to blog about this morning, so I asked WMBF News Today director, Tom McCullough, for ideas and he said "me".  Now, Tom's kind of a jokester, but I thought I would really throw him a curveball and actually do it.

You never get to see Tom because he is behind the scenes in the morning, but I thought I'd take this time to fill you, and possibly him, in on his job here at WMBF News.

Tom calls all the shots during our show each morning.  His job is to execute the rundown our producer, Shannon Mortimer, has created.  It is Shannon's job to decide what goes where and how it looks, but Tom must find a way to make it happen, with the help of his great production team.  I've also made his job include letting me know if my hair looks crazy or I have food in my teeth (I like to have a snack during the show:)  He also is really great about bringing snacks when I have nothing to eat at work.

See, Tom and I worked together at our last job in Lima, Ohio.  I know this sounds crazy, but I was the morning anchor and he was the morning director.  For the record, I secured my Myrtle Beach job first, and we always joke about how he followed me to WMBF News.  Well, he jokes about it.... 

Anyway, back to talking about snacks (can you tell I'm hungry right now?)  Last week I really wanted a cookie, something really sweet.  He came back from break with a cookie for me and it was great!  Sometimes he'll grab me a Starbucks if he has time, and that always goes over well since I'm usually tired and cold!  And Tom always keeps candy in a secret place for me here at work, kind of like how your grandparent's always had a special treat for you at their house.  You know that feeling when you're having a not-so-great day and then you have a piece of candy (or chocolate...) and the world seems a little brighter?  Isn't that a great feeling?!  I agree.

Now you've been introduced to our director, go ahead and send him an email to say "HI!"  Or let him know what you think of the show.  Either way, he'd love to hear from you!

  tmccullough@wmbfnews.com

Paula Caruso | pcaruso@wmbfnews.com

Taking a Trip Back Home

Taking a trip back to Pennsylvania was so nice because I was able to see my family and friends.  As soon as I got off of the plane my one year old nephew was there smiling to greet me.  He talks to me on the phone all of the time (even though the only words I understand are hello and bye-bye) but now I could play with him and give him a big hug.  The visit was fast-paced and wonderful, but it was such a challenge to get back to South Carolina.  My plane was delayed three times, then finally cancelled leaving me stuck in Atlanta overnight.  Then when I finally got on the plane from Atlanta to Charleston the next day, it was an hour late.  It was smooth getting to Pittsburgh, but rough traveling back.  Anyway I love being with my family, but it's nice to be back in Myrtle Beach too.

Cute Pets Invade Broadway

If you were at Broadway at the Beach this Saturday, you may have noticed plenty four-legged pets out and about during the Grand Strand Humane Society's "Walk for the Animals" event.

While the event aimed to raise some needed dough for the organization and place animals in some good homes, it was also a chance to have a good time with some pretty funny entertainment.

Yours truly served as a judge during the "entertainment portion" along with several other folks from WBTW, the Sun News, and Mix 97.7.  Now being that I can some times be indecisive I brought my trusty sidekick, Laura Thomas--a fellow WMBF'er.  

 As a judge we had the difficult task of judging pets in various categories.  Perhaps the funniest category out their was the best kisser contest.  In this challenge, pets and their owners had to kiss.  And as easy as it sounds, it wasn't!  Some of the dogs didn't want to kiss their owner even if their life depended on it.  For example, one contestant had to place food in her mouth in order to get her golden retriever to pucker up--which he did by the way and then some!

During the best pet trick contest, we had some pretty talented pups out their.  One dog, Maddie, could stand on her hind legs and give her owner, Debbie, a high five.  Another furry critter, Isabella, could play patty cake with her owner.  

Perhaps the hardest category to judge was the best costume contest.  Needless to say, I had assistance from sidekick Laura Thomas with making a decision--which wasn't easy.  You wouldn't believe how creative some of the pets and their owners got.  We had dogs dressed up as lobsters, bananas, Uncle Sam, cows, and, yes, even bikers.  However, the pet that stole the show in my and Laura's books went to contestant number ten.  This little dog not only dressed up as a race car driver--but even brought the car to go along with it.  

During the event, three dogs were adopted but the Grand Strand Humane Society still has many more up for adoption.  If you'd like to adopt or donate money to the organization, please call (843)448-5891.

In the meantime, if you missed this year's adorable event, there's always next year to take part in the event--one that I'll guarantee will put smiles on your face as well as generate a few laughs.

Hope to see you all there.

Nikki & Laura

Reporter | ngaskins@wmbfnews.com Reporter/| lthomas@wmbfnews.com

Feels good to be an American

No matter if your candidate won the White House or not, you have to admit it feels really good this morning to be an American.

After years of hearing how Americans didn't care about their government and were apathetic about what's happening in our society, millions of people showed up at the polls, energized by two presidential candidates who successfully gave us a big boost of self-esteem just when we needed it most.

Taking a look at the turnout numbers in our area, you feel good, too.

72% of eligible voters cast ballots in Horry County.

Darlington County did even better with 77%.

And Georgetown had nearly 80% turnout.

It is often said we Americans could learn a few things from our friends in Europe or Asia.

But last night, two men peacefully --- yes, even gracefully --- ended campaigns in which they had invested so much emotion and so much energy.

The world was watching.

And this time, I hope, they were learning a few things from us.

Matthew Nordin | mnordin@wmbfnews.com

Halloween Fun

There's something so exciting about Halloween... no matter what age you are.  I love the faces of young kids shopping in the days leading up the holiday... they are so excited to find their costume and can't wait to get home and try it on.  Our morning producer, Shannon Mortimer, was the same way with her costume, trying it on everyday up until the holiday.  I assure you, she is no child.

I love hearing kids talk about their strategies for trick-or-treating... you know you all did it too.  Which houses you would hit first.  Maybe you would spread out around the neighborhood, meet up and share your ideas on which houses were best to hit twice (heck three times if the people were nice!)  I'm crazy about chocolate, and I don't blame it on anything other than a love for all things chocolate!  I surely miss trick-or-treating, the sheer adrenaline rush of running from house to house, trying to get the most treats.

The past three Halloweens, I've spent with a different group of people in different locations because of different jobs.  I can honestly say I've had more and more fun each year.   It's funny how no matter where you are, everyone gets into the spirit, and returns to those feelings of being a kid on Halloween, even if just for one night!

Paula Caruso | pcaruso@wmbfnews.com