President’s Blog January 2026
“Eye Opening”
I believe that this month is the 6th anniversary of the LKCC Blogs. I like to read the past ones and the oldest one I can find is the January 2020. It was very short and talked a lot about all the changes that had happened on the course in the previous 10 years. It is fun to look back and see all that has taken shape at our little piece of Heaven in Lovell Maine.
Recently my wife talked me into driving to Myrtle Beach for a week of golf, New Years and beach. It was a fun trip, and the drive was only 16 hours. I always tell friends that you can’t see all the sights from an airplane. I call it viewing “Americana”. We didn’t get to see Trumpie’s new ballroom, but we did get to do my favorite stop, The Waffle House in N.C. There is usually a diverse cross section of people having breakfast and that Saturday morning was no exception. The waitresses are always the show and so friendly it makes you smile. I got my homefries covered and smothered. Awesome!
I met up with a LKCC member and friend for a great round of golf at The Arnold Palmer Myrtle Beach National. The facility had 3 – 18 hole courses. I asked the starter: “How many players can you guys put out on a busy day?” He replied, “In March, April and May we put out around 725 a day.” If my math is right (and it usually is) that is just North of $50,000. You can buy a lot of microwave cheeseburgers with that kind of coin. We could even add a haddock or salmon burger to the menu for my special friend. Oh well, I can always dream.
Somehow my wife and son have got me hooked on Dunkin Donuts. I only get the large Ice Tea but I do get it regularly. There are a lot of DD in South Carolina but I had to go to several before the tea tasted right. We went to a location on rt. 17 for our usual drinks. The daily damage at State Line Store is $8.88. I ordered the 2 drinks and cashier said it will be $7.89 at the second window. I was skeptical but drove up to her window. The drinks were ok and much better than her attitude. She would never make it in a Waffle House. She handed me the drinks and the receipt. For some reason I glanced at the receipt. It seemed much longer than I would have expected so I stopped and took a good look. The drinks were only $7.08 but there were 6 taxes added to get the total. I was in shock. Myrtle Beach tax, SC tax, Capital Projects, Education, Tourist Development and a Horry County tax. So, with these 2 seemingly insignificant beverages, we have helped out the State of SC, cleaned the beach, put monies away to build buildings, helped educate the children and develop ourselves (tourists). What a huge start to the morning.
I will admit that I didn’t watch a minute of news when I was down south. We watched the weather but that was it. When I returned and went to my favorite lunch spot, the waitresses were all up in arms about some Venezuelan leader and our “beloved” President. I had heard about the ship full of deadly drugs that got sunk but not the news about this most recent event. I did read on the giant sign as I entered the parking lot that I should not make a New Year’s resolution but Take Action! The word must have got to The White House.
I hope that everyone is finding something to brighten their days. The short, cold winter days are always the hardest. Find an event locally to go to, take a walk, go to lunch, call or visit a friend or even go bowling (that seems to work for the Tuesday group).
I must apologize for the misspelling at the end of the second blog in December. My architect buddy made sure to point it out at lunch. It was supposed to say “God Bless You All” but I left the l in bless, so it said God Bess You All. I took the hit for my editor and didn’t want to tell him that she had just had eye surgery before I sent it to her. I think she had dark glasses on, limited vision and possibly was wearing one of those dog cones they wear for protection. I will proof read this more carefully.
I’ve got several other topics to touch on but they will have to wait. To paraphrase the great Winston Churchill; “A good blog should be like a woman’s skirt: long enough to cover the topics and short enough to create interest!”
I wish good health and fortune to all. Be safe out there and support each other. Make a positive difference in someone’s life. Go Huskies and Go Raiders.
Yours in Golf,
Brad
