SIV Hosts Cooking Demonstration and Brunch

Seabrook Island Village (SIV) members gathered at the Lake House on July 21 for a cooking demonstration and brunch that celebrated local ingredients, hands-on learning, and community connection.

The event was coordinated by Debbie Ely, SIV Social Membership Chair, with support from Sue Coomer, who helped bring the idea forward. Seabrook Island resident Tracey Gillespie led the demonstration, and Mary Beth Halligan assisted as sous chef, supporting the extensive preparation required for the fresh, local menu.

Tracey designed the menu around seasonal Johns Island ingredients, including local shrimp, tomatoes, corn, peaches, and berries. She chose recipes members could easily recreate at home using accessible ingredients and straightforward techniques. Members participated throughout the demonstration, asking thoughtful questions and joining in the hands-on portion of the event. Tracey said she was especially pleased by their enthusiasm and willingness to take part. After the demonstration, members enjoyed brunch together, reconnecting with familiar friends and making new ones. Tracey said the gathering reflected the spirit of Seabrook Island.

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TOSI Happenings for the Week of August 10


NEWS YOU CAN USE

TOSI’S New Emergency Alert System – The Town of Seabrook Island is switching to Everbridge, a mass notification system that delivers only critical, local emergency alerts. This system will be used exclusively for emergency notifications. To read more about it and to sign up, click here.

Beach Rules – Peak season beach rules are now in effect.

TOSI State Accommodations Tax (SATAX) Grant Program – TOSI is currently accepting applications from eligible organizations for funding from the Town’s State Accommodations Tax (SATAX) Grant Program. This program is intended to support eligible organizations in carrying out projects that attract or provide for tourists within TOSI. The program is funded by revenues received from a two percent (2%) tax imposed by the State of South Carolina on the gross proceeds from overnight lodging within the town limits of Seabrook Island. For more information, click here.

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.

Environment & Wildlife Committee Meeting
Thursday, August 13 – 10:00 am
The agenda can be viewed by clicking here. Watch live on YouTube.

View the calendar of meetings beyond this week by visiting the home page of TownofSeabrookIsland.org.

Agendas will be posted at least 24 hours before each meeting. All videos can be found 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.

-Submitted by the Town of Seabrook Island

Boardwalk 1 Detour Monday, August 10

Beginning on Monday, August 10, 2026, the short section of boardwalk from the Oyster Catcher Community Center parking lot toward Rolling Dune and Boardwalk 1 will be closed. 

The boardwalk is being replaced with a concrete sidewalk. There will be a detour walking path immediately to the left of the existing boardwalk that will have signs, stakes, and rope. 

Construction will take 5 days or less, and the sidewalk will be reopened on Friday, August 14, 2026. 

Thank you for your patience as we work to keep our facilities in great condition.

-Submitted by Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA)

(Image credit: Google Maps)

Grape Stomp Festival August 15

Grape Stomp Festival

Saturday, August 15, 2026
9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Deep Water Vineyard
6775 Bears Bluff Road, Wadmalaw Island, SC

Grab your tickets now for the 22nd annual Grape Stomp Festival at Deep Water Vineyard on Wadmalaw Island. The festival will include live music, food trucks, local vendors selling unique gifts, and of course, grape stomping.

Gates open at 9:30 am. Parking passes can be purchased in advance here for $10.00 per vehicle or $20.00 per vehicle the day of the festival.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit:  Deep Water Vineyard website)

Save the Date: Get the Scoop on Beach Management

Steve Hirsch (SIPOA) and Patrick Barrineau (Coastal Science & Engineering) will present the planned sand scraping project that will take place in October 2026. They will also provide an update on the status of the future Captain Sams Inlet Relocation project.

When: Tuesday, September 14, 2026
Where: New Location: Oyster Catcher Community Center
Time: 3:00 pm
Click here for Zoom link

According to John Lassiter, President of Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA), in the August issue of Currents:

Sand Recycling along Boardwalks 7, 8 and 9: Our engineering team and consultants have been closely monitoring the status on the beach along this area and paying careful attention to the integrity of the dunes and impact on nearby villas and Club properties.

Erosion has continued to limit access and require regular repairs to the boardwalks and stairs to the beach. Beginning in October, SIPOA will resume scraping sand north of Boardwalk 1 and bringing sand to the area in front of Beach Club Villas and Pelican Watch Villas.

This is the same process we used in late 2024 to add sand along most of our beaches to retain broader strands for each of us to enjoy. Though this process is expensive, dredging like the project underway at Isle of Palms runs more than twenty times this project’s cost.

–Tidelines Editors

City Of Charleston Announces New James Island Park

The City of Charleston is excited to announce a new waterfront park on James Island. Fort Pemberton Park, an 8.7-acre site along the Stono River with a story spanning hundreds of years, is now open.

What started as a Civil War-era earthwork fort built to protect Wappoo Creek later became farmland, then private property for decades, and now it’s a waterfront park for everyone!

Fort Pemberton Park includes a new fishing dock, kayak launch, walking paths, and a picnic shelter. Keep an eye out for eagles, wood storks, foxes, and even the occasional armadillo!

The park is located at 221 Yates Avenue in Riverland Terrace. There are separate ADA entrances on either side, providing access to both the upper part of the fort and the waterfront!

-Submitted by City of Charleston

(Image credit: City of Charleston)

August in Your Charleston County Parks

Check out the wide variety of activities available during August by Charleston County Parks!


Festivals & Events
August 7 Reggae Nights Summer Concert
August 9 Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series
August 15 Dog Day Afternoon – James Island
August 15 Dog Day Afternoon – Mount Pleasant
August 15 Inclusive Prom
August 21 Moonlight Mixer
August 22 Sunrise Yoga
August 26 Wine Down Wednesday

Nature, History & Culture
August 8 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 12 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 14 Gator Tales
August 14 Homeschool In The Parks: Wonderous Water
August 14 Lighthouse Inlet Bird Walk
August 15 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 15 Rooted Knowledge: Community Healers
August 19 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 20 Seashore Exploration
August 21 The Water’s Edge: Old Towne Creek County Park
August 22 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 24 Shark Tooth Sleuthing
August 26 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 28 Seashore Exploration

Outdoor Adventure
August 9 Intro to Lead Climbing
August 15 Team Charleston tryouts
August 22 Team Charleston tryouts
August 29 Intro To Archery
August 29 Family Archery

Youth Sports
August 3-October 24 Johns Island Youth Football Ages 11-12
August 5-November 11 Baptist Hill Youth Cheerleading Ages 5-12
August 10-October 28 Johns Island Youth Cheerleading Ages 7-12
August 11-October 29 Johns Island Ready, Set, Run! Ages 8-13
August 18-October 21 Johns Island Youth Flag Football Ages 7-10

-Submitted by Charleston County Parks

(Image credit: CCPRC.com)

Be Alert: School Starts Soon

School bells will soon welcome students and staff back for the beginning of a new school year. Charleston County Schools, which includes Johns Island, will have its first day of school on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Expect increased traffic on the roads, so allow yourself extra time to travel on or off the island, especially during early morning and mid-afternoon hours. During those times of day, you are likely to encounter school buses on the road. Extra patience and caution are often required. Read more to find out when you have to stop for a school bus, and when you don’t.

The College of Charleston will open residence halls on Friday, August 14 and 15, and the first day of classes will be Monday, August 17. This will cause additional traffic downtown around the College of Charleston, so plan accordingly.

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