Today is National Voter Registration Day

Are you new to South Carolina or have you been here a while and have not had a chance to register to vote?  Today is not the only day you can register, but Tuesday, September 15, is set aside to heighten awareness of voter registration.

Every year, millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. National Voter Registration Day seeks to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities during a single 24-hour democracy blitz to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise.

If you need to register, go to scvotes.gov to learn the options for voter registration and what you will need to bring with you. Registration closes 30 days before the election, which is November 3, so time is running out!

  • Voter Registration Deadline (in-person): Friday, October 2, 2026
  • Voter Registration Deadline (online): Sunday, October 4, 2026
  • Voter Registration Deadline (by mail) *must be postmarked by this date: Monday, October 5, 2026

Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: nationalvoterregistrationday.org/)

Our Fire Department’s Many Programs

We would like to thank the men and women of the St. John’s Fire District (STJFD) for the work they do to make our lives safer. They not only respond to fires and medical emergencies but also actively support several proactive programs aimed at preventing these incidents. Below are some of these programs:

Citizen Safe Smoke Alarm Program

The STJFD offers complimentary 10-year lithium-ion smoke alarms to all residents. While many newer homes are equipped with hardwired smoke alarms, they do not provide these due to the variety of manufacturers. However, STJFD is committed to facilitating education and assistance for replacing hardwired smoke alarms. They can guide residents in understanding both new and existing smoke alarms to ensure early fire detection and enhance safety for timely escape.

Child Safety Seat Program

Vehicle crashes are among the top causes of injuries in children. The STJFD employs several certified Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians who are trained in car seat installation and usage. These technicians are available to assist caregivers in selecting and properly installing child safety seats. They will educate caregivers on the most suitable seat for their child and provide guidance on how to install it independently in the future. To take advantage of this service, please schedule an appointment by calling 843-559-9194.

School Age Programs including National Fire Protection Association’s “Learn Not to Burn” and “Risk Watch”

Learn Not to Burn: This program is designed for preschool and elementary school children, teaching them essential fire safety lessons. It uses engaging materials, including stories, videos, and activities, to help children understand the importance of fire safety. 

Risk Watch: A comprehensive program aimed at educating children about various safety topics, including fire safety, personal safety, and emergency preparedness. It targets school-aged children and focuses on preventing injuries and accidents. 

These programs can be provided in schools or day-care settings.

Business Fire and Life Safety

STJFD can provide businesses with fire prevention knowledge and skills to prepare for a workplace fire or emergency.

Fire Extinguisher Training

They also provide fire extinguisher training to businesses or groups to ensure the correct use of fire extinguishers in the event of a small fire.

Emergency Planning for HOA/Community Groups

Similar to businesses, the STJFD engages with homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and community groups to address fire and life safety concerns. For instance, they recently met with residents who expressed concern about a neighbor who often fell while exiting the shower, leading to multiple responses from fire and EMS. In response, the STJFD installed a grab bar to provide the resident with a secure support while getting out of the shower.

As a community, we are most grateful for all of the services provided by the St. John’s Fire District.

You may contact them at (843) 559-9194 or stjfd.org.

Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: SJFD)

TOSI Happenings for the Week of September 14

Fall Shredding Event – The Town will host a shredding event on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Town Hall.

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 alerts from the National Weather Service. To read more about it and to sign up, click here.

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

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

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

Seabrook Island Utility Commission Meeting 
Wednesday, September 16 – 8:30 am
The agenda can be viewed by clicking here.

Planning Commission Meeting
Wednesday, September 16 – 1:30 pm
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

Charleston Symphony Orchestra Announces CSO Pops 1: The Witching Hour

Thursday, October 29, 2026 
7:30 pm
The Gaillard Center

Join the Charleston Symphony Orchestra for an enchanting evening where gothic elegance meets the entertaining world of iconic film and Broadway brilliance. From the haunting power of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue and the darkness of Mozart and Berlioz, to spellbinding selections from WickedThe Phantom of the Opera, and Psycho, this concert celebrates music that is mysterious, seductive, and gloriously dramatic. Featuring powerhouse vocalists Morgan James and Broadway legend Hugh Panaro, you won’t want to miss an irresistibly thrilling night of symphonic grandeur.

Click here for more information and tickets.

Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: charlestonsymphony.org)

Photography Club Presents J. Pat Carter September 17


Pulitzer-Nominated AP Photojournalist J. Pat Carter

Thursday, September 17, 2026
The Lake House, 2319 Seabrook Island Rd
6:15 – 8:15 pm
Refreshments 6:15 pm
Announcements 6:45 pm
Presentation 7:00 pm

A retired photojournalist for the Associated Press, Getty Images, and The Baltimore Sun, J Pat Carter is a three-time Pulitzer nominee and Eisenstadt Award winner. His career spans the spectrum of human experience, from covering major national news stories. These stories include running into the Oklahoma City bombing site as others were running out, riding out a tornado under a bridge while protecting a mother and her children, and his current work in conceptual portraiture and freelance photography for organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and AARP. He is not short on powerful images and poignant stories.

Continue reading “Photography Club Presents J. Pat Carter September 17”

Shredding Event Wednesday, October 7

Town of Seabrook Island
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Now is the time to organize your files and discard old, unneeded, or duplicate documents. Gone are the days when we have to keep backup pieces of paper. Most information is now available online and is easy to access.

This is also a good time to go paperless. Many companies, such as banks, credit cards, and insurance companies, offer this service. Not only is it safer, but it can also be helpful when you are away from home. A bonus is using less paper, which is good for the environment!

Since most of your documents probably have personal information, you don’t want to just throw them away. The best way to dispose of these documents is by shredding them.

Continue reading “Shredding Event Wednesday, October 7”

Exchange Club Learns about the Ronald McDonald House

On Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Caroline Roach, Community Engagment Manager for Charleston’s Ronald McDonald House, spoke to the Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook.

Her message was, “If there’s a sick child, there’s a sick family.”

When a child needs hospitalization, it can be a massive and costly disruption to the family, especially if the family lives a long distance away from the Charleston Area. The average length of stay at Ronald McDonald house is 24 nights, so the impact can be significant. There are families spending their savings to stay in hotels and residences or even sleeping in their cars so that their child can get the help they need. Ronald McDonald House was created to provide families with a safe, clean, and convenient living space at no charge while their child is in treatment. 

Charleston’s Ronald McDonald House presently has 32 bedrooms for families needing a place to stay, which is not nearly enough to meet the need. 1,600 families are currently on the waiting list for the house.  To better meet the need, the House is doubling its capacity, with a $34 million expansion project underway. 

There are a lot of ways that people can help with this important effort, ranging from providing meals to guests (Meals That Heal), volunteering in the house, or working on special projects. For more information on how you can help, please visit their website, RMHCharleston.org.

The Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook is a group of neighbors committed to making a measurable difference in our community—especially across Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. To learn more, click here.

-Submitted by Thad Peterson for the Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook

(Image credit: Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook)

Stay in the Know with Lake House Text Alerts

Want to stay up to date on what’s happening at The Lake House? Sign up for our text alerts to receive important updates right on your phone or other device!

Lake House text alerts are a quick and easy way to stay informed about class cancellations, facility updates, schedule changes, closures, and other time-sensitive announcements.

1. Open the Text Message App on your phone or other device.

2. Open a new message

3. In the “To” box, enter: 84483

4. In the message box, type: seabrooklakehouse

5. Press SEND.

That’s it! You’re signed up to receive Lake House text alerts directly on your phone.

Message and data rates may apply.

-Submitted by Hannah Rice, Lake House Manager

Reminder: St. Christopher Sustainability Workshop Series

St. Christopher Sustainability Workshop Series
Session 1: Coastal Gardening for Native Pollinators 
September 17, 2026
6:00 pm

All are welcome to join us at St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center for the newest round of our sustainability workshop series!

Our first session this semester will be held on site in the Chapel of the Palms on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 6:00 pm. The theme of the night will be “Coastal Gardening for Native Pollinators”. Tyler Harris, Associate Director of the Barrier Island Environmental Education Program, will be our main presenter.

Also included will be a tour of our newly established pollinator garden, made possible with grant funding from the Town of Seabrook Island and contributions from the Seabrook Island Garden Club.

Sign up today for this free workshop to learn how you can implement sustainable practices in your own life, hear from our team of environmental educators, and see the practices put into action.

-Submitted by Lauren Harris, Director of the Conference Center, St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center

(Image credit: St Christopher Camp & Conference Center)

WineLines: A Bit of CDP History

A colleague of mine once advised that, should I be the one ordering wine at a business dinner, I should always order Châteauneuf-du-Pape, because it is reliably good and everyone will be impressed that I could pronounce it.

At the time, I didn’t know the difference between red and white Zinfandel, so it was great advice. 

And it turns out to be a really interesting wine.  The name translates literally as “Pope’s new castle,” so named because the Catholic Papacy had moved to nearby Avignon, in southeastern France, in the 1400s.   The town of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is in the Rhône wine region and is known for its interesting terroir:  Vineyards are covered in large, round pebbles that absorb heat during the day and radiate it back to the vines at night.

The wine is also notable because its quality is regulated by local wine growers.  Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are permitted to use a maximum of 13 grape varietals, but are mostly dominated by Grenache, often supported with Syrah.  A white version of the wine is also available, but in very limited quantities.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are also noted for their distinct bottles, which can only be used by wineries that meet the local requirements.  Those bottles typically have a papal crest embossed onto the glass.

The wine itself is rich and bold, with notes of red fruits and earthy undertones reflecting the unusual terroir.  It also usually has a relatively high alcohol content.  Reasonably good bottles of the wine can be found in the $30-$50 price range.

Some wine snobs simply refer to it as “CDP” to avoid the matter of pronunciation. My advice is the same advice I received all those years ago:  Go for it, and enjoy.

Cheers!

-Submitted by Bill Good

(Image credit: Pixabay.com and Vinepair.com)

September 2026 Issue of Currents

The September 2026 issue of Currents is now available. Click on the cover above or visit the SIPOA website and access it through the News dropdown menu.

The temperatures may still say summer, but we’re looking ahead to a busy fall on Seabrook Island—and there is plenty you’ll want to know about.

This month’s issue is packed with important updates, including new technology coming to SIPOA, the first phase of Citizenserve launching this month, upcoming beach management work, opportunities to get involved in your community, and SIPOA’s Q2 Treasurer’s Report. And because fall on Seabrook Island isn’t all business, you’ll also find a preview of upcoming events, activities, and plenty of reasons to mark your calendar.

There’s a lot happening this fall—take a few minutes to explore what’s ahead!

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

-Submitted by SIPOA