Susan Patterson is Knight Foundation's program director in Myrtle Beach.

The Gallup study results for Myrtle Beach show that residents love their community. And, how can you not? The wide, sandy beaches along the Grand Strand continued to draw vacationers in good numbers this summer, even in this tough economy.

An interesting result in this year’s survey was a significant spike in those attending local public meetings. The bike week debates probably contributed to that finding, but I think it gets at the passion for the place as well. Those on both sides of the issue, it seems to me, were voicing their desire to keep the area as they like it. Their visions might be different, but their passion certainly was shining through.

Myrtle Beach has got what many other communities would love to have: Residents who are passionate and loyal to the place they call home.