SIPC Photographer of the Quarter Jeri Mearns

Please join the Seabrook Island Photography Club for a reception
to meet Jeri and view her photography.

Tuesday, April 7, 2026
4:30-6:00 pm 
The Lake House

In her own words…

I’ve been capturing moments with a camera since I was a child—the one who always snapped the Christmas photos, birthday celebrations, and pictures of our dogs. That was me. I was always behind the camera, whether it was with a Brownie box camera, a Kodak Instamatic, or a Nikon point-and-shoot. As I ventured into my professional life (always an early adopter of technology!), I continued to shoot on film, filling albums with my cherished snapshots.

Then came digital cameras, and that changed everything. I shot many more images, did workshops with Moose Peterson & Joe McNally, and was twice published in National Geographic Traveler. I taught myself to “post-process” images with Lightroom and Photoshop and other post-processing software – Topaz, NIK, ON1, Smart Photo Editor. These tools allowed me to “play” with the pixels, dramatically changing what originally came out of the camera. I could now convert to B&W, Sepia, and add textures and backgrounds and other effects that would be impossible with the camera alone. And I loved it. I spend hours on each image. Although I sometimes have a vague idea of what I want to end up with – more often I just start working with the various tools trying one thing and another until I get something I’m happy with.

In 2015, I became a member of The Arcanum, an online mentoring program founded by Trey Ratcliffe, where I had the privilege of working with Master Photographer Janice Sullivan for two years. During that time, I gained invaluable insights from her expertise and critiques, as well as from engaging with photographers from around the globe.

Since moving from Mill Valley, CA in 2019, I have continued “Playing with Pixels” as a member of both the Seabrook & Kiawah Island Photo Clubs.

-Jeri Mearns

Continue reading “SIPC Photographer of the Quarter Jeri Mearns”

April Events at Freshfields Village

Freshfields kicks off the Spring schedule with the following events:

Friday, April 3 – Music on The Green from 6:00-9:00 pm

Celebrate the arrival of spring with a special Music on the Green concert on Friday, April 3 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Head to the Village Green at Freshfields Village for a complimentary, outdoor concert featuring The Island Trio. Guests are encouraged to bring beach chairs and blankets as we welcome back one of our favorite events.

Music on the Green will return this summer every Friday from May 22 through September 5!

Saturday, April 4 – Outdoor Movie Night starting at 7:00 pm

Celebrate the arrival of spring with an outdoor movie night on the Village Green! Join us on Saturday, April 4 at 7:00 pm for a family-friendly film under the stars. Bring your chairs, blankets, and favorite picnic treats, and make it a cozy evening with friends and family!

Tonight’s Feature: Peter Rabbit (2018, PG, 100 minutes)

Saturday, April 18 – Cars & Coffee from 9:00-11:00 am

Arrive in your favorite ride or stop by the Village Green to browse unique, antique and other cool cars at our monthly Cars & Coffee! The event will take place on the 3rd Saturday of each month from February to September, from 9:00 to 11:00 am.

Sunday, April 19 – Blues by the Sea from 3:00-7:00 pm

Join us for the 20th Annual Blues by the Sea on Sunday, April 19 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm! Head to the Village Green for a complimentary blues show for the entire family.

This year’s line up: 

3:00 – 4:00 pm – Legends of Modern Chicago Blues, featuring Maurice John Vaughn, Freddie Dixon, John Watkins, Tim Taylor

4:15 – 5:30 pm – Mac Arnold & Plate Full o’ Blues

5:45 – 7:00 pm – Hitman

This event is presented by the Kiawah Island Arts and Cultural Events Council

Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. The event will take place rain or shine under the tent on the Village Green. 

For more information about these events and other happening at Freshfields Village, click here.

–Tidelines Editors

Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy (SIGSC)

Dear Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy Friends and Supporters,

By now, you may have heard about the Kiawah Conservancy’s expansion and rebranding efforts. You might have even recently received their beautiful magazine, Roots. Their work has now broadened to include Johns Island and Seabrook Island, prompting their new name: Conservancy of the Sea Islands.

The missions of Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy and the Conservancy of the Sea Islands align closely. We are both dedicated to preserving the natural environment through land and easement acquisition, as well as through education and advocacy for the long-term protection of our islands’ natural assets. The Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy is grateful for the invaluable work of the Conservancy of the Sea Islands and we fully support all conservation efforts.

Continue reading “Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy (SIGSC)”

TOSI Happenings for the Week of March 23


NEWS YOU CAN USE

A Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 24, at 2:30 pm at Seabrook Island Town Hall. During the public hearing, Town Council will receive comments on the following ordinance:

Ordinance 2026-01
An ordinance amending the Town of Seabrook Island Development Standards Ordinance (DSO) to establish a Planned Development (PD) District and to update various development regulations, administrative procedures, and definitions.

Beach Off-Peak Season – Off-peak season beach rules are now in place. Click here to read the off-peak rules.

Spring Shredding Event – The Town will host a shredding event on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at Town Hall.

TOSI Monthly E-newsletter – To stay up-to-date with town communications, sign up for the e-newsletter by clicking here.

MEETINGS

To stay up to date on meeting dates and times, visit TOSI’s calendar located on its homepage.

Town Council Meeting
Tuesday, March 24 – 2:30 pm
The agenda can be viewed by clicking here. Watch Live on YouTube.

Agendas will be posted at least 24 hours before each meeting. All videos are available on the town’s YouTube channel. Individuals wishing to participate in the meeting via Zoom can call (843) 768-9121 or email pwiggins@townofseabrookisland.org for login information before the meeting.

To view the calendar of meetings beyond this week, visit the home page of TownofSeabrookIsland.org.

-Submitted by the Town of Seabrook Island

Reminder: Getting Your Affairs in Order, A Practical Approach

Seabrook Island Village (SIV) will host an interactive presentation entitled “Getting Your Affairs in Order, A Practical Approach”.

Friday, March 27, 2026
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Live Oak Hall at the Lake House

The event is free of charge, and SIV invites everyone to attend.

“Getting your affairs in order” is a phrase that we usually don’t want to think about, because the phrase itself can bring about fear, anxiety, and worry. Instead of thinking about “the end”, how about working to get our affairs in order before we travel abroad, or before we relocate to another state? It’s true, we’re all busy folks, but it’s possible we put off thinking about “getting our affairs in order” because we don’t know where to start. Once we have our important affairs in order, we may feel relieved knowing that essential items are documented in an orderly manner. 

Join us for an interactive session with Ashley Andrews, JD, of LaFond Law Group. In this session, we will explore a practical approach to getting our affairs in order, covering topics such as assigning power of attorney, tax considerations, healthcare directives, and other important matters.

Ashley focuses her practice on probate and estate matters, guardianship and conservatorship cases, and real estate closings and litigation.

Click here to register for this event or scan the QR code below:

-Submitted by Seabrook Island Village

Save the Date: Pennsylvania Connection April 13

If you’re from Pennsylvania … lived in Pennsylvania … traveled through Pennsylvania … or thought about Pennsylvania, mark your calendar for Monday, April 13. 

Seabrookers with the Keystone State on their minds will gather at Oyster Catcher Community Center on April 13 from 5:30 – 8:00 pm for the Pennsylvania Connection. Organizers bill it as an opportunity to meet or renew ties with other islanders whose interest might range from Eagles, Steelers or Phillies to Rolling Rock, the Schuylkill Expressway, or Beaver Stadium. 

The BYOB event is open to all interested Seabrookers. Participants are asked to bring an appetizer, main dish, dessert, or favorite “Pennsylvania food item” (think ring bologna, sticky buns or shoofly pie). Five dollars per person will be collected at the door to cover cost of soft drinks and disposables. 

For questions or to register, contact Katherine Kunkleman kkunkelman@comcast.net. Please RSVP by March 31.

-Submitted by Kathy Kunkleman

(Image credit: Kathy Kunkleman)

Kids Coming to Visit? 15 Things to Do

Do you have children or grandchildren coming to visit? Wondering what to do while they are here? Here are a few suggestions:

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: AI)

Charleston RiverDogs Tea Party

Pinkies out! Join the RiverDogs for their first annual tea party on April 4, 2026.

Fans with this ticket package will have exclusive access to a tea party in the tented Murray’s mezzanine down the first base line. Enjoy the game from one of the premium picnic areas while sipping tea in partnership with the Charleston Tea Garden and indulge on a tea party menu of snacks, sandwiches, and sweet treats.

For tickets and more information, click here.

The Charleston RiverDogs are the Single-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They play in the Joseph P. Riley Stadium, also known as “The Joe”, which sits near the Ashley River and catches the breezes from the river and adjoining marshland. It has been rated one of the best stadiums in the minor league and collegiate levels. (The Citadel baseball team plays there as well.)

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Charleston RiverDogs)

Spring Arrives Today

It’s been an unusually cold winter with temperatures well below freezing on several days. Blissfully, that is changing now with the arrival of spring. We welcome spring when the vernal equinox occurs on March 20, 2026, at 10:46 am EDT.

Do you have a hard time remembering which date is the first day of spring? If so, that’s because the March equinox can take place on either March 19, 20 or 21. During most of the 20th century, spring arrived on March 21 but the event slides earlier and earlier during the 400-year Gregorian calendar cycle. In the 21st century, the March equinox has only occurred twice on March 21- in 2003 and 2007 and the next time it will happen is in 2101!

Continue reading “Spring Arrives Today”

Seabrookers Committed to Protecting our Environment

This article is first in a series showcasing how Seabrookers are actively working to protect and enrich our natural environment.

As you enter Seabrook Island, you are greeted by a sign proclaiming it an ‘Audubon International Certified Sustainable Community.’ This designation signifies more than just a title; it reflects the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship and quality of life.

In 2017, the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA) became the first private community in South Carolina—and one of only six in the world at the time—to be designated as an Audubon International Certified Sustainable Community. The certification is based on three main pillars: a healthy local environment, economic vitality, and high quality of life. To maintain this status, the community manages 14–15 focus areas, including wildlife conservation, habitat enhancement, water conservation, and energy efficiency. SIPOA successfully maintained this designation with recertifications in 2020 and most recently in May 2024. Recertification occurs every three years.

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf

The relationship with Audubon began decades earlier through the island’s golf courses.  In 1995 Seabrook Island’s two golf courses were the first in South Carolina to be certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf.

Continue reading “Seabrookers Committed to Protecting our Environment”

Summerville Flowertown Festival March 27-29

YMCA 53rd Flowertown Festival
Summerville
March 27 – 29, 2026

Every spring, the Town of Summerville is awash in color –  from the hot pink azaleas to the purple wisteria to the delicate white dogwood. On one three-day weekend during this season, thousands of festival-goers arrive in this gracious Southern town to take in the flowers and hospitality and attend one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast- The YMCA Flowertown Festival.

Festival hours are:

  • Friday, March 27: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Saturday, March 28: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Sunday, March 29: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

The three-day festival features:

  • Artists’ displays
  • Delicious foods from restaurants and commercial food vendors
  • Fun activities and rides for children
  • Free admission
  • Food trucks

For more information about Flowertown, click here. 

(Image credit:  Summervilleymca.org)

–Tidelines Editors

SIV Presents: Navigating Wise Use of Artificial Intelligence

April 14, 2:00-3:30 pm
Live Oak Hall at the Lake House

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the new buzz word. But what exactly does it mean and how can we expect it to impact our lives?  Chad Droze, of Compu-Experts, in conjunction Seabrook Island Village, will present a dynamic presentation and interactive workshop to help us better understand the power of AI. 

Highlights of the session will include:

  • A brief introduction and history of AI 
  • An overview of the companies and industries that are using AI and how they are integrating it to leverage performance
  • A brief look at popular tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Rufus, and Siri/Apple Intelligence
  • Live demonstrations of the impact of AI
Continue reading “SIV Presents: Navigating Wise Use of Artificial Intelligence”