Month: February 2024

Exchange Club Requests Updated Contact Information

The Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club Handbook team is finalizing the content and layout of the 2024-2025 edition of the Handbook. Please review your listing in the 2023/2024 Handbook and if you find additions/changes/deletions that need to be made, please email them today to:  
KS-ExchangeNames@outlook.com.

  • Name is the name you use while you are here on Seabrook Island.
  • Contact number is the one you use when you meet someone on the Island. Cell numbers have become the most common entry. Two names and numbers can be listed for each address on separate lines, or one contact number on a single line listing with two names.
  • Address is your local address. Include number and street name.

The new edition will be sent to your primary home address on file with SIPOA around Memorial Day.

If you did not receive your copy or just want additional copies of the Handbook, they can be picked up at Seabrook Island Town Hall and the SIPOA office.

Thank you for your assistance in ensuring the accuracy of the new Handbook and your use of the information provided.

-Submitted by Bob Schick for K-S Exchange Club

Tidelines Anniversary Timeline

Some people have let us know that they were unable to access the link about the history of Tidelines in our anniversary post. Please click here to read about Tidelines‘ history since the beginning.

If you missed our anniversary post, please click here.

–Tidelines Editors

TOSI Upcoming Meetings for the Week of Feb 19

Public Safety Committee Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 – 10:00 am
Seabrook Island Town Hall, Council Chambers, 2001 Seabrook Island Road.
The agenda may be viewed by clicking here. Watch Live on YouTube.

Special Committee on ARPA Expenditures Meeting
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 – 6:00 pm
Seabrook Island Town Hall, Council Chambers, 2001 Seabrook Island Road.
The agenda may be viewed by clicking here. Watch Live on YouTube.

Utility Commission Meeting
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 – 8:30 am
SIUC Office at 2902-A Seabrook Island Road.
The agenda may be viewed by clicking here. Please note the agenda may not be available until 24 hours before the meeting. Watch Live on YouTube.

Short-term Rentals Public Forum #1
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 – 1:00 pm
Seabrook Island Town Hall, Council Chambers, 2001 Seabrook Island Road.
Click here for more information on the Special Committee for Short-term Rentals. **Each speaker will be limited to seven (7) minutes in which to make their comments. Due to space limitations, pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Katharine Watkins by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at kwatkins@townofseabrookisland.org. If the number of registrants exceeds the capacity of council chambers, attendees will be selected in the order they are received.

Environment and Wildlife Committee Meeting
Thursday, February 22, 2024 – 11:00 am
Seabrook Island Town Hall, Council Chambers, 2001 Seabrook Island Road.
The agenda may be viewed by clicking here. Watch Live on YouTube.

Short-term Rentals Public Forum #2
Thursday, February 22, 2024 – 5:30 pm
This is a virtual meeting only via Zoom Link: Click to Join Zoom Meeting. Meeting ID: 832 5987 5794; Passcode: 978729 **Each speaker will be limited to seven (7) minutes in which to make their comments. This forum is intended to enable individuals who are not full-time residents (or who are unable to attend an in-person session) to participate in a public forum.

General Information about TOSI Meetings
To view agendas, minutes, and videos for meetings, visit TownofSeabrookIsland.org. Click on the “Meetings” drop down box, “Agendas & Minutes” to locate committee information. All videos can be found on the town’s YouTube channel.

Meetings are available to watch live on YouTube. Individuals who wish to participate in the meeting via Zoom may call (843) 768-9121 or email kwatkins@townofseabrookisland.org for log-in information prior to the meeting.

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

SIB Shorebird Stewards Training Feb 24

SIB Shorebird Stewards (SS) will hold their 2024 training session on Saturday, February 24. It will take place from 10:00 am – noon at the Oyster Catcher Community Center. Please read Sally Budinot’s reasons for becoming a Shorebird Steward. If Sally’s experience appeals to you, please sign up for the upcoming training sessions  today! 

Like most of us, I spent much of my 40 year professional career inside, behind a computer screen. Retiring to Seabrook Island in 2020 was an epiphany for me and my husband, Doug. There is a whole world out here! There are no lions and tigers and bears, but plenty of alligators, dolphins, and, of course, BIRDS! I will stay clear of the alligators; the dolphins never cease to amaze me, but much of their time is spent where I can’t see them. But BIRDS? Who knew? Well, thankfully, many Seabrookers know, and are willing to share their knowledge and enthusiasm.

Moving to Seabrook during the middle of the COVID pandemic proved a difficult time for meeting new friends and neighbors. My desire to get out and meet people was my first incentive to become a Shorebird Steward. While precautions were paramount, I was still able to be outside, safely at a distance from visitors, and experience the wonders of the many migratory birds that are our part-time guests. Little did I know at the time, this Shorebird Steward experience would become a very important part of my life on Seabrook.

Being a SS means having a reason to put “beach time” on my calendar. Life can get in the way of enjoying so many of our natural wonders, but signing up for a shift causes me to get beach time “set in stone”. I never regret time spent on the beach. Even if there are few others on the beach with me, I can experience the awesome power of the ocean and the wildlife dependent on it.

I enjoy meeting people! Many of those I encounter on my SS shifts are residents of SI, either full-timers out on their regular beach walk, or part-timers taking in the changes that have occurred on North Beach since their last time there. And the visitors! They are here because they love this island! Many visitors I have met have been visiting SI longer than I have been living here, and they love it! They, too, marvel at the changes, and are always intrigued by the migratory birds. Visitors who are here for the first time are mesmerized by the array of wildlife, especially birds, that have found their way to our island home. For many, it is their first time to encounter Red Knots, Skimmers, Oyster Catchers, and Least Terns. And always, those newcomers ask “Do you live here? What is it like?” And I get to share how much I love it here, and appreciate how lucky I am, as indicated by their envy!

How do I know what I am seeing? How do I answer the questions thrown my way? Honestly, I can’t always! Shorebird Stewards are given thorough training by our birding enthusiasts, headed by Mark Andrews and Bob Mercer. We have refresher courses late each winter, in preparation for the upcoming season. Remember, we haven’t seen our migratory birds since last spring, so a refresher course is quite helpful! At first, I found it helpful to sign up with a more experienced birder, so that I could observe and listen to their interactions. I soon realized that one doesn’t have to be a birding expert to create a meaningful experience for our curious visitors. The Shorebird Steward leadership team provides excellent visual aids that accompany us on our shifts, and we always encourage those with whom we come in contact to visit our website for more photos and information. It is there that one can look at the photos up close (there is usually a sun glare on our phone screen) and can get more info on migratory patterns of our traveling birds.

I have never heard of Red Knots before my involvement with the Shorebird Stewards, since, when they arrive here, they are not red, I was a bit confused about them. But as I have learned about their notably long migration and Seabrook Island’s importance in their ability to make it to their nesting area in the far north, I have been compelled to learn more about other migratory birds. I have had the opportunity to see Whimbrels occasionally on our island, and to learn about how important Deveaux Bank is to their survival. I have been amazed at our resident Oyster Catcher U5 and his mate, and got to see them take care of their eggs, watch their chicks fledge, and to have my heart broken with Least Tern eggs that have been stolen by a predator. I am curious about how the changes to our dunes from the recent flood tides and storms will impact the upcoming spring nesting season.

Lastly, being a Shorebird Steward provides me with an opportunity to increase awareness of the fragility of our shoreline habitat. While we welcome new neighbors and visitors, our very presence creates challenges for the natural world and its inhabitants. I try to kindly and with grace show others that it is possible to enjoy our wonderful island while respecting our bird inhabitants and their needs.

Sally Boudinot

If you are interested in becoming a Seabrook Island Shorebird Steward, please visit the SIB website and click on the Shorebird Stewards tab. Sign up with your spouse or a friend, or meet new friends during the upcoming training sessions. Send an email to SIBStewards@gmail.com to join the group or ask for more information. It is a rewarding experience that you will surely cherish.

-Submitted by SIB

(Image credit: SIB)

Tidelines Marks Its Tenth Anniversary

Anniversaries are a time to reflect on the path traveled as well as look forward to the road ahead. Since its launch in 2014, when it was named the Official Community Blog of Seabrook Island, Tidelines has endeavored to be faithful to its mission:

“To serve as a vehicle for improving awareness of the myriad activities and the richness of living on Seabrook Island and surrounding area. It is also meant to supplement the independent communication channels of the three primary entities on the Island; namely, the Town of Seabrook Island, SIPOA, and the Seabrook Island Club.”

To date, Tidelines has published a total of 10,362 posts and had 1,312,470 views. Readership of Tidelines has steadily grown and as more newcomers arrive in Seabrook Island, these numbers will continue to rise. Thank you to Tidelines readers for their loyalty and enthusiastic support over the years! 

Total Number of SubscribersFebruary 2024
Tidelines 2,800
TidelinesAlert732

Some Tidelines trivia: The most popular day for reading Tidelines is Monday, the preferred time of day is 5:00 am, and readers regularly follow Tidelines from various countries around the world.

Through its daily articles, Tidelines provides information on local activities, events, and organizations, Charleston area cultural happenings, and a broad variety of diverse topics of general interest. During times of community emergencies, Tidelines relays official announcements and other timely important information on behalf of the Town of Seabrook Island and the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association.

In addition to the daily articles, the Tidelines website offers an abundance of useful information such as “Do You Know” articles on topics ranging from “Living on Seabrook Island” to “What Drowning Looks Like” as well as “Hurricane Hints.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, posts featured book, movie, and recipe recommendations to help Seabrookers stay engaged during stay-at-home periods. Tidelines also distributes important information through its TidelinesAlert Twitter account which notifies its subscribers about urgent local traffic, weather, and emergency conditions.

The Tidelines team is a group of dedicated volunteers who function in a self-directed and collegial manner with a commitment to providing timely, relevant, and accurate information to Seabrookers. The current team members are Holly Bryan, Debbie Fink, Mary Fleck, Judy Gimson, Sarah Good, Elise Haderer, and Cathrine Scully.   

To review the timeline that captures the history of Tidelines, click here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Clipart)

CPR/AED Class February 27

CPR/AED Course
Sponsored by Seabrook Island CERT
Tuesday, February 27, 2024

The Seabrook Island Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is sponsoring a CPR/AED class that will be taught by the St. Johns Fire District on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Oyster Catcher Community Center. This course will be taught by certified instructors and include instruction in the current method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the operation of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

This class is taught in a friendly atmosphere with time for questions. Consideration for each person’s physical ability is given. You will learn how to take steps to help save a person’s life.

The class is free but is limited to 12 persons. Pre-registration is required. For information and to register contact Steve Pollock, Team Leader at spollock455@gmail.com.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a volunteer, FEMA trained and certified organization of residents whose primary mission is to provide first response to the community in the event of an emergency or disaster. For more information about Lowcountry (Charleston County) CERT, click here.

-Submitted by Steve Pollock for CERT

March Events with CMC


Upcoming events in March with Chamber Music Charleston (CMC) offer something for everyone in the family.

Peter and the Wolf

Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 11:00 am
C of C Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street

Share the magic and excitement of live classical music with your children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends. Each 45-minute program is designed specifically for the youngest of audiences. The classic children’s story comes to life with music of Sergi Prokofiev performed by CMC’s wind quintet.

Regina Helcher Yost, flute; Kally Moziek, oboe; Charles Messersmith, clarinet; Sandra Nikolajevs, bassoon; Debra Sherrill Ward, horn; Matt Masie, percussion; Laura Ball, narrator

Chamber Music with Friends Finale

Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 3:00 pm
C of C Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street

This concert is a spectacle of sound with the sonic fireworks of clarinet, horn, strings, and piano to create a truly unforgettable performance. This program includes:
Rachmoninov Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G minor
Saint Saens Romance, Op. 36 for Horn and Piano 
Gershwin Prelude No. 1 in B-flat
Von Dohnanyi Sextet in C Major, Op. 37

Andrew Armstrong, piano; Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet; RJ Kelly, French horn; Amy Schwartz-Moretti, violin; Matthew Lipman, viola; Raphael Bell, cello

Ovation Series Finale

Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street

Guest artists join musicians of CMC for an hour long performance of chamber music. This program includes:
Mozart Quintet for Piano and Winds in E flat, K452 
Bartok Contrasts

Andrew Armstrong, piano; Gabriela Diaz, violin; Charles Messersmith, clarinet; Kelly Moziak, oboe; Sandra Nikolajevs, bassoon; Debra Sherrill Ward, horn

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: chambermusiccharleston.org)

SI Dolphin Education Program

The Seabrook Island Dolphin Education Program is a field-based program designed to engage and educate beachgoers while reducing human disturbances to the local dolphin population. Under contract with the Town of Seabrook Island, the program is managed by the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network under the direction of Lauren Rust and relies on the support of citizen volunteers. Educators are present at Captain Sams Inlet each day during the peak tourist season to interact with beachgoers and collect valuable data about strand-feeding activities. Many Seabrookers volunteer in this program at North Beach near Captain Sams Spit greeting beachgoers with a smile to share important information about how each one of us can help protect our local dolphin population (Jaws, Koko, Hook, and High Scoops, to name a few).

The Dolphin Education Program will hold two introductory meetings at the Seabrook Island Community Center (2241 Oyster Catcher Court) in March. Kiawah and Seabrook residents will have the opportunity to learn more and ask questions about the volunteer program. See dates below:

Sunday, March 10 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., followed by a walk to the spit

Thursday, March 14 from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., followed by a walk to the spit

The walks are optional but will provide attendees with a better understanding of what the volunteers do. Attending the meetings above does not commit you to being a volunteer. 

​​Email Lauren Rust at kiawahdolphineducation@gmail.com to RSVP.

–Tidelines Editors

Republican Primary Feb 24

Eligible voters who did not participate in the Democratic Presidential Primary on February 3 may exercise their right to vote in the South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary on Election Day, Saturday, February 24. You can vote at any early voting center in your county or in-person on election day. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot was 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 13.

Vote Early

  • The early voting period began on Monday, February 12, and ends Thursday, February 22. (Closed Sunday, February 18 and Monday, February 19, Presidents’ Day).
  • Early voting centers are open 8:30 am – 6:00 pm during the early voting period.
  • Voters will be asked to present Photo ID when checking in to vote.
  • Visit scVOTES.gov or contact your county elections office to find a list of early voting locations.

Vote on Election Day 

  • Vote at The Lake House on election day. Polls are open 7:00 am – 7:00 pm. 
  • Don’t forget to bring your Photo ID to the polling place.

Prep for the Polls

Every vote matters. Every vote counts.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: scvotes.gov)

TOSI Special Committee on Short-term Rentals Hosts Forums

Seabrook Island Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals to Host Public Forums

To hear from all individuals and groups who wish to comment on short-term rental activities and regulations within the town, the town’s Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals will be conducting a series of public forums on the following dates, times and locations:

Public Forum #1

  • Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2024
  • Time: 1:00 PM
  • Location: Seabrook Island Town Hall (2001 Seabrook Island Road)
  • Time Limit: Each speaker will be limited to seven (7) minutes in which to make their comments. 
  • Notes: Due to space limitations, pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Katharine Watkins by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at kwatkins@townofseabrookisland.org. If the number of registrants exceeds the capacity of council chambers, attendees will be selected in the order they are received. This forum will also be live-streamed and archived on the town’s YouTube page. 


Public Forum #2

  • Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024
  • Time: 5:30 PM
  • Location: Virtual Meeting (Via Zoom)
  • Zoom Link: Click to Join Zoom Meeting
  • Meeting ID: 832 5987 5794
  • Passcode: 978729
  • Time Limit: Each speaker will be limited to seven (7) minutes in which to make their comments. 
  • ​Notes: This forum is intended to enable individuals who are not full-time residents (or who are unable to attend an in-person session) to participate in a public forum. While the committee will not stop full-time residents from participating in the virtual meeting, the committee urges those who can attend an in-person session to appear in person instead of via Zoom. If an additional Zoom session is required, it will be scheduled for a later date. To join the meeting by phone, please contact Katharine Watkins by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at kwatkins@townofseabrookisland.org for dial-in instructions. The virtual forum will also be live-streamed and archived on the town’s YouTube page.


Public Forum #3

  • Date: Monday, February 26, 2024
  • Time: 1:00 PM
  • Location: Seabrook Island Town Hall (2001 Seabrook Island Road)
  • Time Limit: The chair will determine the length of time allocated to each presenter in advance of the forum. 
  • ​Notes: The purpose of this meeting is to accommodate individuals and groups who wish to make a formal presentation to the committee. Individuals and groups who wish to make a presentation should contact Katharine Watkins by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at kwatkins@townofseabrookisland.org no later than noon on Friday, February 23, 2024. Please include the presenter’s name, the length of time desired, and whether any audio/visual materials or handouts will be used. Due to space limitations, attendance may be limited only to those individuals and groups making a presentation to the committee. This forum will also be live-streamed and archived on the town’s YouTube page. 


Public Forum #4

  • Date: Monday, March 4, 2024
  • Time: 6:00 PM
  • Location: The Lake House (2319 Seabrook Island Road)
  • Time Limit: Each speaker will be limited to seven (7) minutes in which to make their comments. 
  • ​Notes: This forum will take place behind the SIPOA Security Gate. Any individual wishing to attend the forum who does not have access behind the security gate should contact (843) 768-9121 for assistance prior to the meeting. This forum will be live-streamed and archived on the town’s YouTube page. 


No one who wishes to speak will be denied the opportunity. It is impossible to predict whether demand will be greater than the capacity of each venue. The committee will schedule additional session(s) if they are deemed necessary to accommodate those who wish to speak. If a forum is suspended by the committee chair due to the length of time it has been going on, another session will be scheduled and priority will be given to any attendees who were unable to speak at the previous session.

Short-Term Rental Public Comment Portal

In addition to the public forums listed above, the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals is currently accepting written comments via the town’s Short-Term Rental Public Comment Portal.

Individuals may use the public comment portal to provide comments regarding any issue or topic related to short-term rental activities within the Town of Seabrook Island. The committee will accept public comments submitted through the portal until Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at noon.

All comments received through the portal will be forwarded to members of the Committee for review. Individuals who submit a comment will not receive a written response; however, comments may be addressed or discussed by members of the Committee during a public meeting.

Meeting Information

To view agendas, minutes, and videos for all meetings of the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals, please click here. 

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

Brown & White Pickup March 1

The next monthly
Brown & White Pickup is Friday, March 1, 2024

Bulk items can be left curbside by 7:00 am. Place items including furniture, appliances, grills, lawn furniture, or other similar household items where you would normally leave your trash and recycling.

Hazardous waste such as old paint cans, electronics, batteries, fluorescent lights, and old yard or household chemicals can be taken to the Maintenance Area (adjacent to the Community Garden) that morning between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. Hazardous materials must be handed directly to the attendant on duty. The materials cannot be left on the ground. 

Before you put your used furniture or other items on the curb for Brown & White Pickup on Friday, consider recycling them with Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Restore. Contact the store at 843-559-4009 for more information and to arrange for free pick up of large items.

Click here for the 2024 SIPOA Garbage, Recycling, Yard Debris Pickup Schedule.

–Tidelines Editors

Monday, February 19 is a Federal Holiday

On Monday, February 19, we celebrate Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday. According to almanac.com, the official federal holiday is called Washington’s Birthday. In the late 1960s, it was decided to honor both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and it became Presidents’ Day to honor all presidents, past, and present, on the third Monday of February.

Even though it is a federal holiday, states do not have to observe it and they can call it whatever they would like to call it. The name ranges from President’s Day to Presidents’ Day to Washington and Lincoln Day to George Washington/Thomas Jefferson Birthday to George Washington’s Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day as well as several other names.  Click here to see what each state calls the third Monday in February and which states do not observe the holiday. South Carolina observes it as a state holiday and calls it either President’s Day or George Washington’s Birthday.

The US Post Office will be closed and there will be no mail delivery on Monday, February 19.  Most banks, as well as some schools, will also be closed.  ATM machines, of course, will still be available for you to get cash or make deposits into your accounts.

In addition, the following will be open or closed:

Town of Seabrook Island Offices will be closed all day on Monday, February 19.

SIPOA Offices will be closed all day Monday, February 19.

Harris Teeter will remain open.

Vincent’s Drug Store will remain open.

Post and Computer Center will be open.

The Lake House will remain open. 

–Tidelines Editors

(Image Credit: istock.com)