Becky Billingsley

The Grand Strand has a long tradition of hardworking independence and the enthusiastic pursuit of leisure activities. Myrtle Beach is known as a hotbed of hearty partiers, and its chronicles include bordellos, bootleggers, rumrunners, gamblers and a variety of indulgent practices. From Civil War deserters to the excesses of the disco era, the area has a wicked streak running parallel to its beaches. Join author and historian Becky Billingsley as she uncovers the naughty side of the Grand Strand.

Myrtle Beach has long been a favorite vacation spot for families across America, giving parents and children alike a lifetime of memories. The Myrtle Beach Pavilion, considered by many to be the heart of the city since 1908, was demolished in 2007. The Ocean Forest Hotel was as beautiful as a castle, and resembled one, during its forty-four-year span. Members of World War II's Doolittle Raid trained at the Myrtle Beach General Bombing and Gunnery Range, which eventually became Myrtle Beach Air Force Base until its closure in 1993. Join author Becky Billingsley for a trip back in time as she examines some of the city's most memorable attractions.

The culinary history of Georgetown and Horry Counties reflects a unique merging of Native American, European, African and Caribbean cuisines. Learn how slaves taught their masters to create vast wealth on rice plantations, what George Washington likely ate when visiting South Carolina in 1791, how the turpentine industry gave rise to a sticky sweet potato cooking method and why locals eagerly anticipate one special time of year when boiled peanuts are at their best. Author Becky Billingsley, a longtime Myrtle Beach-area restaurant journalist, digs deep into historic records, serves up tantalizing personal interviews and dishes on the best local restaurants, where many delicious farm-to-table heritage foods can still be enjoyed.