Tidelines

Hurricane Preparedness Week May 5-11

It’s that time of year when it’s important to start preparing for hurricane season. Although the official start of the hurricane season is June 1, 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is urging everyone to begin their preparations now.

You can take several steps to get ready, such as assessing your risk level, creating an evacuation plan that includes your pets, and discussing your hurricane preparedness plans with your neighbors.

For more helpful information visit NOAA’s Hurricane Preparedness Week webpage.

Let’s all be ready!

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: NOAA.gov)

TOSI Upcoming Meetings for the Week of April 29

Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals Work Session
Monday, April 29, 2024 – 10:00 am
Seabrook Island Town Hall, Council Chambers, 2001 Seabrook Island Road. The agenda may be viewed by clicking here. Watch Live on YouTube.

Town Council Special Called Meeting
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 – 2:30 pm
Seabrook Island Town Hall, Council Chambers, 2001 Seabrook Island Road. The agenda may be viewed by clicking here. Watch Live on YouTube.

General Information about TOSI Meetings

To view agendas, minutes, and videos for meetings, visit TownofSeabrookIsland.org. Click on the “Meetings” drop down box, “Agendas & Minutes” to locate committee information. Agendas will be posted at least 24 hours in advance of each meeting. All videos can be found on the town’s YouTube channel.

Meetings are available to watch live on YouTube. Individuals who wish to participate in the meeting via Zoom may call (843) 768-9121 or email kwatkins@townofseabrookisland.org for log-in information prior to the meeting.

View the calendar of meetings beyond this week by going to the home page of Townof SeabrookIsland.org

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

Seabrook Island Water Tower Maintenance

As many of you have surely noticed, all three major cell phone carriers use the top of the Seabrook Island Water Tower, which is adjacent to the fire station on Captain Sams Road, to locate their cell signal transmitters/receivers. For the use of our water tower, they pay us an annual fee which reduces our rates.

The carriers have requested some structural upgrades on the water tower and Seabrook Island Utility Commission (SIUC) has agreed that these improvements make sense. The three cell carriers and SIUC will split the cost four ways.

The work itself will take two to three months and will require the existing cell equipment to be removed from the water tower during the work. The three carriers plan to utilize a temporary 125′ tower for their equipment during this time. This temporary tower will be installed near the current water tower. Once work is complete, the temporary tower will be removed and the equipment re-installed on the top of the water tower.

Although outside our area of expertise, we asked the cell companies whether the island could expect any change in cell coverage and they said there could be some changes.

We expect this work to be started and completed before the end of the year.

-Submitted by Jim Ferland, Seabrook Island Utility Commission

SIAG May Artist of the Month, Lee Fritz

Please join the Seabrook Island Artist Guild for a reception to meet Lee
and view her beautiful art on Tuesday, May 7, from 4:30 pm-6:00 pm at
The Lake House.

Lee Fritz has been painting and drawing since she was very young, but never settled down to concentrate on her art until her retirement in 2019. As the Administrator of her husband’s CPA firm in Fairfax, VA for 25 years, Lee spent most of her time working, taking care of her three children, her dogs, house and garden. Retirement offered Lee time to concentrate on her hobbies. She started painting and became involved in many clubs and activities on Seabrook.

An avid cyclist, she belongs to the Seabrook Seabikers, a group of women who share a love of being on a bike and spending time together. She recently completed her first century ride, biking 100 miles in eight hours. You can usually see the Seabikers on Tuesday and Thursday mornings meeting at the entrance of the Equestrian Center before their 30 – 40 mile ride.

Lee also enjoys walking her two Westies on the beach, incorporating texture and color in her courtyard garden, golfing and bird watching. She considers herself a naturalist and gets excited when she sees a snake or unusual insect.

Acrylics has been Lee’s predominate medium, but she has recently transitioned to oil painting and is enjoying learning to work with this medium. Her subjects are usually pets; she loves to capture the expression of a beloved pet and will ask for many photographs of a pet before selecting the one that speaks to her. She also enjoys working on portraits of people. Her favorite style however is whimsical. She has painted several murals in children’s rooms and is currently working on illustrating a children’s book.

More information about the Seabrook Island Artist Guild can be found by clicking here.

-Submitted by Bonnie Younginer, Seabrook Island Artist Guild

(Image credit: Lee Fritz)

SIB May Activities

May is a time for mothers and migration. SIB will celebrate both with activities. Migration and mothers will be observed on Global Big Day, on the golf course and in Backyard Birding. We end the month with an evening program on May 30 with Patrick Moore of Open Space Institute.

Beyond Our Backyard at May Forest State Park

When: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 9:00 am -12: 00 pm
Location: Meet at Real Estate office at 8:15 am
Max: 12 people
Cost: Free for members; $10 for guests.

Join SIB for birding a variety of diverse habitats in this lush, new state park.

May Forest State Park is located on James Island at the end of Fort Johnson Road. The 23 acres, once owned by the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy, is rich with history dating back to the Archaic Period. The property includes a canopy of live oaks, native plants and exotic vegetation. By far, the stand-out feature of May Forest is the stunning view of the Charleston Harbor, where visitors can see a beautiful perspective of Charleston. One can point out the famous Battery, the Cooper River Bridge, the Yorktown and all the way to Sullivan’s Island. Visitors can enjoy the serenity of this majestic property, take in the breathtaking scenery, picnic on the bluff, enjoy the screened gazebo or relax in a swing.

We will explore the paths through the woods as well as areas overlooking the harbor. A preview visit in February resulted in seeing 33 species. Hopefully we will see some of our migrating warblers during this visit.

There is a currently no entry fee for this state park.

There will be restrooms available, as well as benches and picnic tables.

As always, be sure to bring your binoculars/cameras, hats, water bottle, snack, sunscreen and bug spray.

Please register no later than April 29. All registrants will receive a confirmation letter the day prior to the trip. If you need to cancel, please let us know.

Habitat for Humanity Golf Tournament May 6

Please join Sea Island Habitat for Humanity on
May 6, 2024 at Seabrook Island’s Ocean Winds Course

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity proudly announces its annual Golf Tournament, set to take place at the prestigious Seabrook Island Club’s Ocean Winds Course on Monday, May 6. This event promises a day of camaraderie, competition, and charitable giving, all in support of the organization’s mission to provide affordable housing solutions in our local community.

The tournament, now in its 28th year, brings together golf enthusiasts, community leaders, and local businesses for a memorable day on the greens, all while making a meaningful impact in the lives of families in need. Participants will enjoy a challenging round of golf on the stunning Ocean Winds Course, known for its breathtaking views and meticulously designed layout.

Information About Medical Transport Flights

The Town of Seabrook Island has an agreement with the AirMedCare Network to provide air medical transport flights for medical emergencies within Charleston County. Those who live on Seabrook Island are covered under the town’s municipal membership plan. To be eligible, a covered individual must be flown by Meducare Air to the closest appropriate medical facility. The flight must pick up within Charleston County.

Membership in the AirMedCare Network ensures that the covered individual will have no out-of-pocket flight expenses if flown by a network provider. If you would like to extend your membership to nationwide coverage, you can contact AirMedCare to receive additional coverage.

To learn more about AirMedCare and how it works, check out the town’s website where you will find information about this service. Go to townofseabrookisland.org , click on Services, scroll down to Public Safety, then to AirMedCare Network.

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

Alligator Alert Friday, Apr 26

The Town of Seabrook Island received a report from Beach Patrol around 2:30 pm that there is an alligator in the Edisto River near Pelican Watch Villas. They are asking beachgoers to avoid that area of the beach right now. There are crews on the scene monitoring the situation.

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

Beachfront Lights Out May 1 – Oct 31

Turtle Season will be starting again, so please don’t forget that from May 1 through October 31, all outdoor lighting facing the ocean on beach front units must be turned off from dusk to dawn. Also, close the drapes or shades on windows facing the ocean during this time period.

Mama turtles dig nests by moonlight and can be easily spooked by a bright light, even a camera flashing a picture. Later in the summer newly hatched turtles will use moonlight reflecting from the ocean waves to find their way to the water.

When on the beach at dark, please use red filters on flashlights. Artificial light such as flashlights without filters can disturb the turtles. This includes flashlights on phones as well.

Brown & White Pickup May 3

The next monthly
Brown & White Pickup is Friday, May 3, 2024

Bulk items can be left curbside by 7:00 am. Place items including furniture, appliances, grills, lawn furniture, or other similar household items where you would normally leave your trash and recycling.

Hazardous waste such as old paint cans, electronics, batteries, fluorescent lights, and old yard or household chemicals can be taken to the Maintenance Area (adjacent to the Community Garden) that morning between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. Hazardous materials must be handed directly to the attendant on duty. The materials cannot be left on the ground.

Before you put your used furniture or other items on the curb for Brown & White Pickup on Friday, consider recycling them with Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Restore. Contact the store at 843-559-4009 for more information and to arrange for free pick up of large items.

Click here for the 2024 SIPOA Garbage, Recycling, Yard Debris Pickup Schedule.

–Tidelines Editors

Parts of Deveaux Bank Seabird Sanctuary Closed

April 24, 2024

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has temporarily closed parts of Deveaux Bank Seabird Sanctuary to protect coastal birds during the nesting season. This closure occurs annually and is based on bird activity and suitable nesting habitat at the site.

Thousands of brown pelicans have already begun nesting on the island, which sits at the mouth of the North Edisto River. In 2023, Deveaux Bank hosted more than 3,000 pelican nests, which accounted for three-quarters of South Carolina’s nesting pelican population and made it the largest pelican colony on the Atlantic coast.

Billfishing Series Begins May 8-11

South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series is pleased to announce this year’s schedule:

May 8-11, Charleston Billfish Invitational
May 22-25, 56th Annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament
June 19-22, Carolina Billfish Classic
July 3-6, HMY Lowcountry Cup
July 17-20, Edisto Invitational Billfish Tournament

This year’s first event, Charleston Billfish Invitational (formally known as Bohicket Invitational) will be hosted at Seabreeze Marina, 50 Immigration Street, Charleston, May 8-11, 2024.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Seabreeze Marina)

The next monthly Brown & White Pickup is Friday, May 3, 2024

The next monthly
Brown & White Pickup is Friday, May 3, 2024