Month: October 2025

Calling All Exhibitors – A Holiday Market 2025

On By SIPOAIn Activities, Holiday Events, Lake House

Seabrook Island is home to many talented artists, craftsmen, photographers, hobbyists, and more! All are invited to apply to exhibit their high-quality hand-made work at A Holiday Market. This year, A Holiday Market will benefit the two local public secondary schools: St. John’s High School and Haut Gap Middle School. All funds generated by the Holiday Market, including donations by non-exhibiting Guild members and visitors to the Holiday Market will be given to the schools to purchase art supplies to enhance their students’ growth and development in visual and applied arts.

A Holiday Market 2025
Friday, November 28, 2025
12:00pm – 6:30pm at the Lake House
Benefiting St. John’s High School & Haut Gap Middle School Art Departments

Exhibitor Guidelines:

  • Submit a completed registration form and $20 show fee (Checks should be made out to SIAG) no later than Saturday, November 1 @ 12:00 pm.
  • Non-Guild Members will participate in a soft jury process and pay the $20 show fee once notified of acceptance.
  • Donate 10% of gross sales (Checks should be made out to SIAG).
  • Set up from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.
  • Breakdown/Cleanup from 8am to 1pm on Saturday, 11/28. The Lake House is not responsible for works left on site beyond the designated take-down time.
  • Request up to 4 rack-panels (36” wide x 84” high) or 2 tables (3×3 or 6×2.5).  Please note, depending on response, the number of rack-panels/tables per exhibitor may be adjusted to accommodate everyone.
  • Request display location: outside in the circle in front of the Lake House or inside the Lake House. Please note, in the event of inclement weather, all displays will be set up inside the Lake House.
  • Have all artwork/photography wired for display.
  • Replace any work sold during the show immediately by another work that is display-ready and appropriately labeled. Each exhibitor who chooses to sell is solely responsible for doing so.  If you prefer not to sell your work, please indicate “NFS” (Not for Sale) on the label.
Holiday Market Registration

Registration form must be submitted no later than Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 12:00pm. No entries or walk-ins will be accepted.

Proclamation for Heather Paton – TOSI

On By SIPOAIn SIPOA, Town of Seabrook Island

During the September 30 Town Council meeting, Heather Paton was recognized. Heather has stepped down as Executive Director of the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA), after almost two decades of service to our community.

During the proclamation, Mayor Kleinman shared Heather’s accomplishments and proclaimed October 1, 2025 as Heather Paton Day.

Some of her SIPOA coworkers were also there to support her. We thank her for her years of dedication and service to Seabrook Island and wish her the best.

Submitted by the Town of Seabrook Island

Bicycle Safety on SIPOA Roads

On By SIPOAIn Bicycles, Safety & Security

Have you ever noticed how busy our island roads can get – with bikes, LSV’s, cars, walkers, and joggers all moving together? We share the same beautiful roads- whether on two wheels, four wheels, or on foot. SIPOA has rules and regulations related to bikes and it is important that we look out for one another. Courtesy and awareness are essential to everyone’s safety and as part of our “share the road campaign” here is how we can share the road responsibility and keep our community safe for all.

Prohibited Vehicles

Motorcycles, mopeds, go-carts, motorized scooters, motorized skateboards, and four-wheeled cycle vehicles are not allowed on SIPOA roads. Golf carts may only cross roads during golf play. Only Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes are permitted unless specially authorized. ALL Class 1 pedal assist e-bikes must be registered with SIPOA and display a SIPOA bicycle decal.

South Carolina Bicycle Law

Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Key safety reminders:

CYCLISTS – Safety Guidelines

  • Ride Right: Go with traffic, keep right, ride single file.
  • Follow the Rules: Obey stop signs, lights, and lane markings; use hand signals.
  • Use Proper Paths: Use bike/pedestrian paths when available. No riding on golf courses or golf cart paths.
  • Helmet Encouraged: Always wear a properly fitting helmet.
  • Ride Predictably: Stay straight, avoid swerving, check traffic before turning.
  • Be Visible: Wear bright clothes; use lights and reflectors at night.
  • Turns: Signal early, choose proper lane, ride in the right third/middle of lane.
  • Avoid Blind Spots: Don’t ride beside vehicles.
  • Signal Clearly: Use hand signals well before turns or stops.
  • Yield to Pedestrians: Pedestrians and joggers shall walk or run facing traffic and have the right-of-way over all vehicles and bikes.
  • Stay Focused: Headphones or mobile devices are discouraged while riding.
  • Stay Alert: Watch for car doors and avoid distractions.
  • Control & Maintenance: Keep at least one hand on handlebars and check brakes, tires, bell, etc.
  • Bikes after dark: No bikes allowed on SIPOA roadways after dark unless they are equipped with lights and reflectors.
  • No Bikes on SIPOA Boardwalks: Bikes and other vehicles are not allowed on boardwalks.

Submitted by the Safety & Security Committee

GOMC Update – Fall 2025

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, GOMC

I am now in the final year of my SIPOA Board term. Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving on four different committees: Safety and Security, Environmental, Long Range Planning, and the General Operations and Maintenance Committee (GOMC). Serving on the Board has given me a much deeper understanding of how our community is managed and exposed me to countless details I might not otherwise have known. While many committee names clearly reflect their functions, GOMC is often the least understood by property owners—even though it plays a critical role in daily operations.

Purpose of the GOMC

The General Operations and Maintenance Committee is responsible for overseeing SIPOA’s physical assets from both a facilities and land-management standpoint. The committee reviews and makes recommendations on policies, programs, and projects, and advises the Board of Directors whenever the maintenance or modification of existing assets—or the creation of new ones—is under consideration.

Committee volunteers typically bring expertise in construction, engineering, architecture, design, or community planning. Our staff liaison is Steve Hirsch, Director of Engineering, who has been with SIPOA for more than 12 years. Steve’s leadership is vital to tracking and managing the wide range of facilities, projects, and maintenance activities that keep our island functioning smoothly.

Scope of Responsibility

GOMC oversees the operation, maintenance, and improvement of a wide array of SIPOA assets and contracts, including landscaping, garbage collection, lake management, and infrastructure projects.

Highlights include:

  • Land Area: Seabrook Island encompasses roughly 4,700 acres (7.3 square miles), with 1,800 acres of highlands situated above four feet of elevation.
  • Buildings & Facilities: SIPOA maintains the Administrative Building, Gate House, Lake House, Oyster Catcher Community Center (OCCC), three swimming pools, maintenance building, recycling center, crab dock, kayak launch, viewing tower, and 10 boardwalks.
    • This year, we completed an OCCC floor and bathroom repair, interior painting at OCCC and the Lake House, and a crab dock assessment, while also initiating Lake House Master Plan conceptual design efforts.
  • Roads & Traffic Improvements: The island’s 82 named roads total 27.5 miles. A condition assessment this year confirmed the need for a community-wide repaving in 2028. Additionally, Phase 2 of the Lake House Median Project was completed, adding a second crosswalk and extending a multi-use path while providing a traffic-calming effect.
  • Bike Paths & Wayfinding: More than 1.5 miles of bike paths are maintained. This year, bicycle wayfinding graphics were added to guide riders safely through high traffic areas.
  • Bridges: Five bridges were assessed this year—all found to be in good condition.
  • Parking: SIPOA manages over 500 parking spaces across facilities and beach access boardwalks.
  • Storm Drainage: The system includes 13.4 miles of pipes, 1,500 structures, and three pump stations. Pump Station 2 upgrades were completed this year, with further work planned for Pump Station 1 in 2026.
    • Several outfall excavations are also underway or planned to improve drainage.
  • Lakes & Ponds: SIPOA maintains 23 of the island’s 45 lakes and ponds, ensuring water quality and wildlife balance.
  • Signage: The island has 208 traffic signs, 110 street signs, and 50 alligator signs. Late last year, all street signs and mailbox posts were repainted.
  • Street Lighting: 157 streetlights are maintained by Berkeley Electric, electricity paid by SIPOA.
  • Beach Management: GOMC oversees Cap’n Sams Cut relocations (next scheduled for 2028), beach sand relocation (11 projects completed to date), and seawall maintenance.
  • Beach Access: The island has 10 boardwalks and viewing areas totaling nearly 9,000 linear feet, plus 241 parking spaces.
    • This year, BW4 was replaced, sections of BW2 and BW3 were rebuilt, and BW9 was repaired after repeated storm and high tide damage.
  • Beach as Trust: About 100 acres of protected Dunes, Vegetation, and Marshes are owned and maintained by SIPOA. This is the area above the high water mark at the beach, up to ocean-front property lines. The Trust is home to various wildlife and nesting area for endangered Birds and Sea Turtles.
  • Conservation Land: About 45 acres, donated by property owners, are maintained by SIPOA as green space.
  • Community Gardens: 64 garden plots are available for residents to grow vegetables and flowers.
  • Walking Trails: Six trails totaling four miles are maintained, including Lake House, Old Drake, Hidden Oaks, Six Ladies, Bobcat Dune, and Camp St. Christopher.

Closing

As you can see, Steve and the GOMC oversee a tremendous scope of responsibilities that keep our community functioning and our assets preserved. Through careful planning and stewardship, GOMC ensures that your SIPOA dues are effectively directed toward maintaining and enhancing the infrastructure and amenities that make Seabrook Island such a special place to live.

Submitted by Sue Ferland, GOMC Chair