BIFMC Welcomes Dr. Dave Peterseim As New Medical Director

Posted on September 17, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

On behalf of the Board of Directors’, Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic (BIFMC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dave Peterseim, MD, as Clinic Medical Director, effective September 1, 2021.

Dr. Peterseim has served as Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeon for Roper St Francis Healthcare from 1998-2013 before joining Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic as a volunteer medical practitioner in 2014. Having received his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Peterseim completed his residency in General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. During his tenure at BIFMC, Dr. Peterseim has managed roles including Coordinator for Minor Surgery and the Doxy.me Virtual Medicine Physician Coordinator, in addition to heading the Clinic’s Strategy Initiative Committee.

Dr. Peterseim replaces Richard Ulmer, MD, who served in this capacity since 2013. David Dunlap, former CEO of Roper St. Francis Healthcare and current Board Chair of BIFMC, as well as members of the Board, expressed their gratitude to Dr. Ulmer for his time, dedication and leadership at the Clinic. Dr. Ulmer has been instrumental in improving quality initiatives and ensuring staff members and clinicians place quality and patient service at the forefront, as well as his exceptional leadership navigating the clinic through the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown and ensuing telemedicine initiative.

Having worked closely with Dr. Ulmer in the current transition, in his role as the Medical Director, Dr. Peterseim will carry on the activities of his predecessor and provide medical leadership assisting the medical staff in the delivery of patient care, continuing medical education, and for the advancement of clinical equity for the underserved.

About Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic

Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic is large, 7-exam room free medical clinic located on Johns Island, SC, serving uninsured adults who live or work on Johns, James, and Wadmalaw Islands; Folly Beach; or who serve downtown Charleston’s hospitality industry. Through the volunteer efforts of over 140 medical and administrative staff, the clinic has served over 50,000 free medical visits since 2008, treating over 5,000 adults across the Lowcountry.

Our mission is to understand and serve the health and wellness needs of the uninsured, low income adults who live or work across the Barrier Islands or serve downtown Charleston’s Hospitality Industry. 

Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic is a free clinic in Charleston, SC, that provides free medical care to eligible patients, just like any family practitioner or internist. The Free Clinic serves uninsured adults living at or below 299 % of the Federal poverty level who live or work on Johns, James, & Wadmalaw Island or Folly Beach, or serve the Hospitality Industry of Downtown Charleston. You can sign up for our monthly e-news updates, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

-Submitted by Carrie Moores, BIFMC Development and Communications Manager

(Image credit: BIFMC)

Posted in Health and Wellness | Leave a comment

New Alligator Signs

Posted on September 17, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

Have you seen these new signs warning everyone about the danger that alligators can pose? Please read the sign carefully and understand that alligators can attack if they are looking for food, are females protecting their young, or are males looking for a mate. They can lunge at prey, whether it is human or animal, a few feet from the water’s edge.

Be aware – stay safe.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Christine Dudzik)

Posted in Nature | Leave a comment

The Seabrooker September 2021

Posted on September 17, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

The September 2021 edition of The Seabrooker can be accessed online through the Town of Seabrook Island’s website.

Click here and select the September 2021 link to read the following columns:

  • From Town Hall – “An Historical Perspective on Seabrook Island” page 1
  • SIPOA Environmental Committee – “Invasive Plant Species on Seabrook Island” page 6
  • COVAR Corner – page 10

–Tidelines Editors

Posted in Organizations on Seabrook, Town of SBI | Leave a comment

Turtle Patrol Report for the Week Ending September 12

Posted on September 16, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

On July 13th, we had a crawl up and over the rocks just north of the Beach Club. No nest was detected at the time despite promising signs, and ever since, we have been wondering whether our rock-climbing mama did all that work for nothing. Fifty-eight days later, in the midst of flooding rains, we received a call from Lindy, an island resident, letting us know that she had seen three babies in the grass in this area! Thank goodness for Lindy!

Amanda and Josh immediately went to investigate and were soon joined by Jane and Joe. Ten additional babies were found crawling on the empty lot, including one wading in some standing water on the lot. Ultimately, we found nest 76, conferred with the DNR regarding its location, and helped a total of 85 hatchlings to the water!

Live Stranding: Adventurine aka Doug

Around 5:00 pm on Friday, Sept. 10, the Turtle Patrol was notified that a sea turtle had been caught on a hook-and-line and that the folks that caught it were holding onto it so we could respond. The group had named the turtle “Doug.” Josh and Mike responded and found that the turtle was a Kemp’s Ridley, the most endangered of the seven extant sea turtle species. They determined that the hook was not removable on the beach. A DNR rep came to pick up the turtle and transported it to the Sea Turtle Care Center at the South Carolina Aquarium. The aquarium has named the turtle Adventurine, which is a green form of quartz. Adventurine underwent surgery to remove the hook on Monday, and initial indications are that he or she is doing well.

Adventurine is still a juvenile but a good bit larger than Pyrite, aka Christy, a Kemp’s Ridley which we sent to the Sea Turtle Care Center earlier this year. We will now have two patients to track at the aquarium!

We are so glad the group contacted us after catching this turtle! To learn more about what to do if you hook a sea turtle while fishing, see our article on fishing bycatch by clicking here.

This Week’s Nest Inventories

To view this week’s inventory results, click here.

-Submitted by Joshua Shilko

(Leucistic Hatchling Image Credit: Town of Kiawah)


Posted in Nature, Organizations on Seabrook | Leave a comment

New Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy Signs

Posted on September 16, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

As you moved around Seabrook Island during the Labor Day weekend, we hope you noticed the signage in front of each of our conserved properties. The new dual-sided signs are easier to spot when driving past one of our 40 properties than the older signage.

The Conservancy would like to thank the Town of Seabrook Island Community Grant Program which provided the funding to purchase the signs to help property owners, renters and guests identify our protected land.

Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy’s goal is to acquire properties that preserve the natural environment and habitats. If you have additional questions about the Conservancy and its mission, please visit the SIGSC website sigsc.net

-Submitted by Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy Communications Committee

Posted in Nature, Organizations on Seabrook | Leave a comment

Helping Good Causes

Posted on September 16, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

There are many ways to donate to those in need without giving cash and the Lake House is providing several ways to do that.  Your support doesn’t cost you any additional money because these are items you have around the house.

You may have seen the Box Tops for Education on packages you purchase every day.  Box Tops for Education was started in 1996 by General Mills to help support education and provide schools with a way to earn money. You can find box tops in hundreds of products including cereal, storage bags, frozen products, etc. For a complete list of products, click here. Each of the box tops is worth 10 cents to a school. Mt. Zion is a local elementary school that participates in this program.  You can clip the box tops and put them in the container near the front desk at the Lake House.  Mt. Zion’s coordinator will send them in twice a year for cash to use for much-needed school supplies and art/music programs. Please note that the school cannot accept expired box tops.

You can help the Ronald McDonald House by bringing in Pop-Tabs from cans.  These are the little tabs you use to open soda, soup, tuna or other aluminum cans.  The money made by recycling these is used to offset the expenses of the Ronald McDonald House.  Ronald McDonald Houses are places where families can stay or gather while a sick child is in the hospital.  There is a paper Ronald McDonald House near the front desk where you can put them.

Finally, the Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation (SIHAF) and the clients it serves continue to count on the brown paper grocery bags with handles that Seabrook residents have been so faithfully dropping off at the Lake House for several years now. The bags are packed with groceries, produce, meat, eggs and bread and distributed to residents of Johns and Wadmalaw Islands at the Blessing Basket on the second Saturday of each month. The program utilizes between 1,200 and 1,800 bags per month and donations are greatly appreciated. These bags are collected in a container placed near the front desk. Special thanks to the Lake House staff who help sort and organize these bags for the Blessing Basket recipients. 

–Tidelines Editors

(Photo credits:  Box Tops for Education and Amazon.com)

Posted in Lake House | Leave a comment

TOSI Clips: Town Council Special Called Meeting 9/14

Posted on September 15, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

A video of the September 14, 2021, Town Council Special Called Meeting can be accessed online through the Town of Seabrook Island’s website. To view the 46 minute video click here and select the Video link under September 14, 2021.

If you have limited time and are just interested in a specific topic, select that item from the list below to watch that particular part of the meeting.

Executive Session:

Reports Miscellaneous Business:

  • Resolution 2021-22: A resolution committing the Town of Seabrook Island to providing a local match for a Municipal Association of South Carolina Hometown Economic Development Grant and following its procurement policy when securing services and products with grant funds.

-Submitted by the Town of Seabrook Island

Posted in Town of SBI | Leave a comment

TOSI Clips: Ways and Means Meeting 9/14

Posted on September 15, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

A video of the September 14, 2021 Ways and Means Meeting can be accessed online through the Town of Seabrook Island’s website. To view the 1 hour and 40 minute video, click here and select the Video link under September 14, 2021.

If you have limited time and are just interested in a specific topic, select the item from the list below to watch that particular part of the meeting.

Mayor John Gregg

Town Councilmembers:

Jeri Finke

Patricia Fox

Barry Goldstein

Town Administrator Joe Cronin

  • Second Reading Items
    • Ordinance 2021-10: An ordinance amending the Zoning Map of the Town of Seabrook Island so as to change the zoning designation for Charleston County Tax Map Number 147-01-00-062, containing approximately .037+/- acres located at 2517 Pelican Perch, from the SR Single-Family Residential District to the AGC Agricultural-Conservation District.
  • First Reading Items
    • Ordinance 2021-11: An ordinance amending the Town Code for the Town of Seabrook Island, South Carolina; Chapter 32, Waterways and Beaches; Article II, Beachfront Management; Division 2, Restrictions; Section 32-42, Vehicle Use; so as to amend the requirements relating to the operation of motor vehicles on the beaches of Seabrook Island.
    • Ordinance 2021-12: An ordinance adopting a temporary moratorium on the consideration of zoning map amendments (i.e., “rezoning’s”), annexation requests, and certain subdivision approvals for a period not to exceed one hundred and eighty (180) days.
    • Ordinance 2021-13: An ordinance amending the Town Code for the Town of Seabrook Island, South Carolina; Chapter 2, Administration; Article V, Financial Administration; Division 2, Purchasing Requirements; so as to amend the policies and procedures related to the procurement of goods and services by the town.
  • Items for Information/Discussion

-Submitted by the Town of Seabrook Island

Posted in Town of SBI | Leave a comment

Seabrook Island Village Cornhole Fun – October 2

Posted on September 15, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

Sign up now with your partner for the SIV Cornhole Tournament on October 2!

Seabrook Island Village, Neighbors Helping Neighbors (SIV) is finalizing arrangements for an exciting day of Cornhole fun and games. This is our only fundraiser of the year.

Date:   Saturday October 2

Place: The Lake House lawn                                  

Time: 10:00 am to mid afternoon. If you win, you play another round.

We are requiring all players to be vaccinated against COVID19, as is required for both our members and volunteers. In addition, we will have masks available.

The signup deadline is Thursday September 23. Application forms are available in the Racquet Club, The Lake House and golf locker rooms, or by clicking here.

Divisions: Mens, Womens, Mixed and Childrens (12 and over). Great prizes to the winners. Cost is $70/team, $35/team for children 12-15.

Questions? Contact Sue Coomer at 843-901-0447 or seabrksue@att.net.

Seabrook Island Village (SIV) Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a 501 (c) (3) organization that provides services to help community members remain independent in their home, using trained and vetted volunteers.This event is our only fundraiser this year, so come on out and support us! 

If you are interested in becoming a member or a volunteer, please visit www.seabrookislandvillage.org.

-Submitted by Seabrook Island Village – Neighbors Helping Neighbors

(Image credit: piclick.com)

Posted in Fundraisers, Organizations on Seabrook | Leave a comment

Keep Up With The Lake House

Posted on September 15, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

The Lake House continues to offer a wide range of fitness activities, including fitness, yoga and semi-private classes.

Check out the full listing September classes and the Semi-Private Series at sipoa.org.

The Seabrook Island Property Owners website includes everything you need to know about these classes, any cancellations that may occur, and The Lake House Spa as well as The Lake House Guide. Once in the SIPOA website, look at the area close to the top of the homepage for The Lake House. There is a dropdown menu with all this information.

Please note that everyone (vaccinated and unvaccinated) is required to wear a mask inside The Lake House.  However, masks may be removed while exercising.

NOTE:  The following classes will be canceled on Thursday, September 23, for the Blood Drive:
Get Pumped at 11:00 am
30/30 Cardio Stretch at 12:00 noon

-Submitted by Jamie Mogus Mixson, The Lake House Manager

Posted in Lake House | Leave a comment

Recap of the Whimbrel on Deveaux Segment on CBS Sunday Morning Show

Posted on September 14, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

You may remember the story of the amazing discovery of 20,000 migratory Whimbrel that roost on Deveaux Bank from this past spring. CBS Sunday Morning aired a segment about Whimbrel on Deveaux on Sunday, September 12. Please click here for the recap of the CBS Sunday Morning segment.

The CBS segment that aired on Sunday, September 12, was produced in the spring of 2021 while Maina Handmaker, grad student from USC, and Felicia Sanders, coastal biologist for SCDNR, were trying to capture Whimbrel to tag to study their movements into the marshes to feed. Because of our proximity to Deveaux, Seabrook Island is a big part of the story. Deveaux has always been known as an important nesting location for seabirds and stop over for migrating shorebirds, but Felicia’s discovery that half of the remaining Atlantic Whimbrel population roost there was a wonderful surprise. Deveaux needs our support for its protection.

The CBS correspondent who was part of the filming and put the show together is Seabrook Island’s own Martha Teichner!

-Submitted by Seabrook Island Birders

(Image credit: Phys.org)

Posted in In the News, Nature | Leave a comment

TOSI Meeting Agendas for September 14

Posted on September 14, 2021 by seabrookislandblog

The Town of Seabrook Island Ways and Means Committee will meet virtually at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.  Click here to access the meeting agenda and view the supplemental information for specific agenda items.

The Seabrook Island Town Council will hold a special called meeting virtually at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 14, 2012. Click here to access the meeting agenda and view the supplemental information for specific agenda items.

– Submitted by Seabrook Island Town Hall

Posted in Town of SBI | Leave a comment