Celebrate the season with a candlelight tour of the Nathaniel Russell House, where Charleston’s post-colonial elite marked the holidays in 1808. Built by merchant Nathaniel Russell, the home reflected both international connections and the grandeur of Charlestonians at that time.
By candlelight, visitors will experience a uniquely curated tour designed for the holiday season. Guests will have the opportunity to see first-hand how Russell’s family celebrated the holidays in an era of prosperity and display, while also considering the vital labor of the enslaved men and women who made such celebrations possible.
Tickets are $45 and must be purchased in advance. Tours will be offered four times each evening on November 20 and 21 starting at 5:30 pm.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
The November edition of Currents has arrived! Click on the cover above or visit the SIPOA website and access it through the News dropdown menu.
November is here, bringing cooler mornings, a season of gratitude, and plenty of reasons to come together on Seabrook Island!
This month’s issue is packed with important updates, including a first look at the new SymLiv Gate Access platform, progress on the sand scraping project and Lake House renovations, and opportunities to get involved with SIPOA. You’ll also find a heartfelt reflection from Rebecca, CEO | Executive Director, as she celebrates her first year with SIPOA, along with a particularly uplifting Saltwater Story that reminds us why we’re so fortunate to call Seabrook Island home.
And because November is about more than turkey and pumpkin pie, there’s plenty of fun on the horizon! From community gatherings and our season of giving to the much-anticipated Jingle Palooza Thanksgiving weekend festivities, there’s no shortage of reasons to celebrate.
Settle in, get cozy, and take a few minutes to explore everything that’s happening on Seabrook Island this November!
To receive SIPOA’s weekly Highlights email as well as special notices and alerts from SIPOA, please click here to sign up.
Email your comments and feedback to publiccomment@sipoa.org
Town Hall will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in observance of Veterans Day. Town Hall will reopen at 8:00 am on Thursday, November 12.
Beach Off-Peak Season– Temporary beach rules are now in effect. Temporary beach rules began on October 15 and will continue through December 31, 2026. Pets must remain on leash at all times. Beach fires are not permitted while the temporary beach rules are in place. The beach will be closed to the public from sunset to sunrise. To learn about the temporary beach rules, click here.
2026 Holiday Drop-In and Toy Drive – It’s never too early to begin thinking about the holidays. The Town’s Holiday Extravaganza is planned for Tuesday, December 8, 2026, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
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, including all National Weather Service alerts. To learn more and sign up, click here.
TOSI Monthly E-newsletter – Sign up for the town’s e-newsletter by clicking here.
MEETINGS
To stay up to date on meeting dates and times, visit TOSI’s calendar located on its homepage.
Environmental & Wildlife Committee Meeting Thursday, November 12 – 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 TownofSeabrookIsland.org homepage.
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.
Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11, 2026. It is a federal holiday, which means that non-essential federal government offices are closed and every federal government employee is paid for the holiday. South Carolina also observes Veterans Day. Most banks, credit unions, and schools will be closed.
The local holiday hours are as follows:
SIPOA offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, and will reopen on Thursday, November 12, with normal hours.
Town of Seabrook Island offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, and will reopen with normal hours on Thursday, November 12.
Vincent’s Pharmacy will be open on Wednesday, November 11, with normal hours.
Post and Computer Center will be open on Wednesday, November 11, with normal hours.
Harris Teeter will be open on Wednesday, November 11, with normal hours.
The U.S. government recognizes 12 federal holidays: 11 annually and Inauguration Day every four years. South Carolina observes most of them and adds a few others.
The Seabrook Island Artist Guild (SIAG) is continuing its commitment to local arts education with a special fundraising auction featuring an extraordinary item: a custom basketball personally autographed by Dawn Staley, head coach of the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team.
For the past two years, SIAG members have contributed thousands of dollars to the art departments at St. John’s High School and Haut Gap Middle School. These contributions help provide valuable opportunities for students in the local Title I schools to explore and develop their artistic talents.
Coach Staley, widely recognized for her basketball accomplishments and commitment to disadvantaged student-athletes, has graciously donated this distinctive basketball to support the Guild’s efforts. These commemorative basketballs are rare, making this a particularly special opportunity for basketball fans and collectors alike.
Fold3 Revolutionary War Pensions: New and Improved Full-Text and Transcription Viewer November 11, 1:30 – 3:30 pm Osprey Room 2, Seabrook Island Lake House
The Seabrook–Kiawah Genealogy Club is pleased to welcome Lynn Baker. Lynn will introduce the Fold3’s new and improved search technology and transcription viewer and demonstrate how these tools can help genealogists uncover valuable historical records and improve their family history research. Fold3 is considered one of the leading resources for locating U.S. and colonial military records.
Lynn will also be available following his presentation for a Q & A session.
No sign up is required. The club requests a $5 donation from non-members to support them in providing enjoyable events and valuable resources for the community.
If you are interested in becoming a member, the annual membership is $20.
To join or if you have questions, please email the Seabrook-Kiawah Genealogy Club at Seabrookkiawahgc@gmail.com for more information.
The Emanuel Nine Memorial is scheduled to open to the public on Saturday, November 14, 2026, providing a permanent place to honor the nine worshipers killed during Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015, as well as the five survivors and those impacted by the historic tragedy.
The memorial will preserve this pivotal moment in American history and invite future generations to consider issues of faith, community, race, resilience and the choices people make in the face of hatred.
The memorial and events will be at 110 Calhoun Street from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The public opening event is open to everyone who wants to see the memorial, reflect on and honor the Emanuel Nine, and be part of the memorial foundation’s mission to eradicate racism and inspire greatness from all humankind.
The day will begin with remarks from dignitaries, performances by local musicians, and a dedication of the memorial. The public will then be able to visit the memorial throughout the day.
Parking and Logistics:
Calhoun Street will be closed between Meeting and Anson streets. Please plan accordingly.
The parking lot adjacent to the church and the memorial will be unavailable.
The event is free and open to the public.
Foundation leadership will not be available for interviews as they focus on the public event.
For more information about the Emanuel Nine Memorial, click here.
Join SIPOA and the Sea Island Hunger Awareness Foundation for a canned food drive benefiting our community!
November 2 – December 10, 2026
One way to make holiday celebrations even more meaningful is to help our neighbors in need on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. When you go grocery shopping, consider purchasing a couple of extra cans of food, or even better, multi-packs of canned food items, for distribution to the clients of the Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation(SIHAF). Protein items like hearty or chunky soups, stews, chili, corned beef hash, tuna, and canned chicken, as well as canned vegetables and fruit, are especially appreciated. Please check expiration dates before donating.
Donations and contributions can be delivered to the Lake House lobby.
Together, we can fight hunger, one meal at a time!
Hutchinson Square in the heart of historic downtown Summerville
Free Admission for this family-friendly festival
Attendees can indulge in an array of authentic Italian dishes—from classic pasta and pizza to cannolis and gelato—prepared by over 100 vendors and food trucks. The festival also features a selection of Italian wines and beers, allowing guests to savor the rich flavors of Italy in the Lowcountry.
On Friday, October 30, 84 Mah Jongg mavens descended on the Atlantic Room at the Island House to enjoy a day of good food provided by the Seabrook Island Club, lots of Mah Jongg fun meeting new people, and playing the game while raising money for Seabrook Island Village (SIV).
Winners were as follows:
First place: Patricia Kotila
Second place: Lauren Thornton Jones
Third place: Karen Luders
Beginner prize: Beth Jalazo
New Mah Jongg set: Jill Boissonnault
Our thanks to all our sponsors and to all the people who helped make this event a success. SIV’s next Mah Jongg day is March 4, 2027.
