Published by FRIPP ISLAND PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

JULY 2006

New Owner Visits "Old House" on Fripp in 1933

by Page Putnam Miller

(This is the fourth in a series of articles about Fripp Island's past. Page Miller, a resident and historian who is writing a book on the history of Fripp, will coordinate the series and be one of the major contributors.)

On March 28, 1933, William R. Dorman of New Brunswick, New Jersey purchased Fripp Island for $4,500 from the family of New York publisher James McLoughlin. Dorman, whose father had valuable real estate holdings in New York, was only twenty-four years old at the time. Dorman learned about Fripp on a trip to Beaufort to visit Adam and Natalie Haskell, who were friends of his parents. The Haskells operated a guesthouse in an elegant antebellum mansion named Tidalholm that was built in the 1850s by Edgar Fripp. While at Tidalholm, Dorman fell under the spell of the beauty of the Lowcountry and had a real estate agent show him the barrier islands. Not only did Dorman purchase Fripp, but he also bought St. Phillips, Old, Pritchards, and Bay Point Islands.

Julian Levin, a Beaufort lawyer, recalled outings to Fripp as a young boy with Dorman and the Haskells’ twin sons, who were his playmates. Dorman usually came south around Thanksgiving. They would sail to Fripp in Dorman’s 35-foot, two-masted sailing vessel. Levin reminisced about staying for a week to ten days in the camp house known as Old House, which perhaps gave its name to the creek on the backside of Fripp. Although Old House may conjure up images of a handsome mansion, it was a rustic cabin that stood on the very edge of the tidal creek that winds through the middle of Fripp. A path through a jungle of heavy overgrowth led to the beach. Dorman and the three young boys were usually alone on Fripp to fish, swim, and explore the beach and the marsh creeks.

Like Levin, Pierre McGowan, author of The Gullah Mailman, stayed in Old House. The McGowans lived on St. Helena Island in a house that overlooked several barrier islands, including Fripp. Sam McGowan, Pierre’s father, loved the water and taught his three sons from an early age to handle boats with great skill. To give a sense of the idyllic nature of the islands, Pierre wrote that from the time he was about ten years old, his mother would let him, his brothers, and their friends head out on a Friday afternoon in a boat for the barrier islands for a weekend of camping unaccompanied by any adults. However, she never allowed her boys to play football for she considered that too dangerous. Pierre recently talked to me about staying many a night in Old House, which was located, he recalled, on a spit of land with a ridge. On one side was marsh and the other the second bend of the tidal creek that runs through the center of Fripp. Using a current Fripp map, Pierre marked the protected spot near the end of Blue Gill Road where Old House stood. Although McGowan couldn’t remember what happened to Old House, he surmised that the creek slightly changed its course sometime in the 1940s and the rustic cabin simply fell into the water.

In 1937 when Bill Dorman was planning a visit to Beaufort, he asked Sam McGowan, with whom he had become friends, to organize a deer hunt for him and his wife. Sam arranged to have "standers" posted about the island and "drivers" accompanied by dogs to move the deer along. Noting that Fripp in 1937 was much wider than now and mostly a jungle, McGowan wrote that his father selected a place called "The Narrows" with the ocean on one side and the marsh on the other to situate Mrs. Dorman. This location near the current tennis courts proved to be a most advantageous spot for her to bag an eight-point buck with her twenty-gauge double barrel shotgun.

Fripp continued to be a hunting preserve until 1960 when Jack Kilgore put together a group of investors who not only purchased Fripp but raised money to build a bridge to the island.

Splinters from the Board

by Kate Hines, General Manager

• The Annual Meeting was covered in the last issue, so this issue will cover items of interest from the May and June Fripp Island Property Owners Association Board meetings.
• The Board approved a resolution to transfer $171,300 of excess membership income over expense from the General Fund to the Capital Fund.
• A resolution was approved to inspect the Tarpon Boulevard; Fiddler’s Trace and Maxwell bridges at a cost of $12,300.
• 2006-2008 Property Owner decals are being distributed now. All black and gold decals expired on June 15 and should be scraped off.
• The 2006-2007 Umbrella insurance policy was increased to 25 million with Zurich and will be $12,000 under budget.
• Crossovers #26 and #23 will be closed for major renovations.
• Make a Difference Day was a great success and cost the budgeted amount of - $5,000
• Officers of the Board for the 2006-2007 year were elected in executive session. The President is Paul Hummer, the Vice President is Bob Young, the Secretary is Buck Mathews, and the Treasurer is Bill Buschur.
• At the June meeting, committee membership for 2006-2007 was approved.
• After discussion, the Board approved placing a pedestrian crossing signs in the middle of the road at Tarpon and Remora intersection and at the Beach Club.
• The Board members were given brochures from Phillips & Jordan in order to reconsider entering into a contract for hurricane debris removal with the large contractor. The disaster debris removal company currently has contracts with several communities and plantations in the low country area including the Town of Hilton Head and Dataw.
• The Board plans to review the 2004 Owners Survey and resulting changes this fall.

TRAWLER LINE

THE TRAWLER

Founded January 1978

Published by and for the Members of the Fripp Island Property Owners Association
Publishers:  FIPOA Board of Directors
Liaison to the Board:  T. Thomas
Coordinator:  Tina Reeves
Editorial Committee:
Don Aldrich, Patty Patek, Phyllis Conrad, Joy Thomas, John Dayner, Gary Flynn, Tina Reeves, Stewart deWitt

Trawler Deadline for September Issue is July 30.

If you would like to write to the TRAWLER, please send your letter to:
Attention: Letter to the Editor
FIPOA, 225 Tarpon Blvd.
Fripp Island SC 29920
or email: fipoa@islc.net

Board of Directors 2006 - 2007
Paul Hummer - President - President@fipoa.org
Bob Young - Vice President - VicePresident@fipoa.org
Buck Mathews - Secretary - Secretary@fipoa.org
Bill Buschur - Treasurer - Treasurer@fipoa.org
Mary Cantley - Mary@fipoa.org
Charlie Davis - Charlie@fipoa.org
Bob Davidson - Bob@fipoa.org
Joe Gannon - Joe@fipoa.org
Tom Hunter - Tom@fipoa.org
Alan Price - Alan@fipoa.org

Board Meeting Schedule
August 12, 2006 - 9:00 am

(This schedule is subject to change)
Meeting begins at 9:00 am at the POA building. All meetings are open. If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, call in by telephone. 888-311-9051, 56413#

Fripp Web Sites
FIPOA Home page - http://www.fipoa.org
Minutes from the last Board Meeting - http://www.fipoa.org/minutes.html
HOT NEWS! Breaking information for Property Owners - http://www.fipoa.org/hotnews.html
Gate Pass Email Form - http://www.fipoa.org/gatepass.html
F.Y.I. - http://www.fipoa.org/fyi.html
Governing Documents, Rules and Regulations - http://www.fipoa.org/govdocs.html
Links such as Beaufort County, POU, Fripp Owners Club websites, etc. - http://www.fipoa.org/locallinks.html

SIGN UP TODAY FOR FIPOA
E-MAIL SUBSCRIBER SERVICE
to receive notification of minutes and other pertinent information as it happens! Sign up by sending an email to khinesfipoa@islc.net and putting "add me to the minutes list" in the subject, or send a short note to FIPOA, 225 Tarpon Boulevard, Fripp Island, SC 29920 with your name and email address. We would like have EVERY owner subscribe to this service. Email addresses will be kept confidential.

Letter to the Editor

THE TRAWLER welcomes brief (a maximum of 250 words), factual and temperate letters from its readers. Only original letters, signed with the writer's name, address and telephone number, will be considered for publication. Letters are subject to editing, condensation and republishing in any format. All letters submitted become the property of THE TRAWLER. Publication does not imply agreement by FIPOA of views expressed. Regretfully, we cannot account for unpublished letters.

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Letter to the Editor:     The generosity of the people on Fripp Island never ceases to amaze us. This year because of your generosity, we were able to raise over $7,000 (over $3,000 from Fripp alone) for the Franciscan Center who provide food for the migrant workers. Sister Sheila and Sister Stella, along with volunteers purchased, packed and delivered close to 400 boxes of food which will tide the workers over until they receive their first paycheck. Our heartfelt thanks to all who participated in the delivery of flyers, sponsoring worker(s), packing and delivering of the food boxes. Rita and Harry Merrill

Community Centre

by President Chris Assaf

What a service at Wednesday Evening Vespers tonight! During the children’s moment, the minister held up a limp balloon and said, "This is a human without faith." He then blew up the balloon and let it go. As it flew across the room, he said, "This is a person filled with the Holy Spirit!"
     I was listening to this as I sat next to the nicest two women from Columbia. They had vacationed on Fripp for 22 years, as their sister owned a home here. After 22 summers, they had finally decided to visit our Wednesday Vespers service!
     It was such fun to watch their amazement! They grinned throughout the minister’s message. When the choir began the anthem, their chins dropped in surprise. When the anthem ended, they applauded enthusiastically! Most of all, they were overwhelmed at the warmth and welcoming fellowship. I loved watching their faces as islander after islander approached them and thanked them for coming.
     As summer draws to a close and you plan that last trip to the beach, please include a visit to our All Faiths Chapel for Wednesday Evening Vespers. You already know how a vacation at Fripp can recharge you emotionally and physically. Let this be the year you experience a spiritual awakening as well.

Fripp-notes

Need a ride to the airport?
     Want to know if that new handyman you hired is trustworthy?
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There is a place where Fripp Island homeowners can communicate with each other, share information on service providers, transportation into town or to the airport and many other topics. Fripp-notes is the vehicle for this information. To get on the list, send a new message to majordomo@islc.net. Leave the subject line blank. In the body of the message type in "subscribe to fripp-note".

There are restrictions: No Jokes, No Advertising, and No Chain-letters

Fripp Island and the 2006 Hurricane Season
What Does the Future Hold for Us?

by Fire Department Chief Joshua Horton

I hate to be the bearer of bad news; however on June 1, 2006 the Beaufort county officially went to Operational Condition (OPCON) 5, which simply means that we are in the 2006 hurricane season. The Emergency Services on Fripp Island and in Beaufort County are prepared for this season as we always are, but with an added sense of appreciation for the strengths of hurricanes since last season. The plans that you make and carry out in the event of a hurricane bearing down of our island will directly affect all of our planning. The thing that I tell the owner’s every year is simply, “You have nothing tying you here other than your property. Make your plans and leave early. Don’t wait for the Governor to issue an order for evacuation.” Plan on hearing that Beaufort County has just been issued a mandatory evacuation order while eating breakfast at a second home or with family and friends out of town. There is nothing that anyone can accomplish by staying behind during a hurricane other than to tax the responding emergency services. Remember this somber fact of life on the coast: it would be a tragedy not to leave and be trapped or killed trying to protect something you have insured and can rebuild. Here’s what we suggest you do:

Planning and Preparation

• Make plans NOW! Gather and store all valuable paperwork, such as mortgage notes, insurance papers, and deeds. You must be able to show proof of ownership in order to claim the loss through insurance.
• Itemize furnishings, clothing, and valuables. Take photos or videos of your home and belongings, which will help adjusters to settle claims and to prove uninsured, tax-deductible losses.
• Assemble your disaster supply kit to include: non-perishable food, a three-day supply of drinking water (one gallon/person), several changes of clothes and shoes, hygiene supplies, first aid kits with prescription and non-prescription medications, a radio with batteries, flashlights, credit cards and cash, blankets or sleeping bags and anything else you or a family members might need.
• Plan and drive your evacuation routes, knowing ahead of time where you need to go. Be prepared to be away from you property for an extended period of time if the storm is severe.
• Plan now to protect your windows with boards or shutters. Pre-cut and store them.

Once the order for a mandatory evacuation is issued, Fripp’s Emergency services will remain on the island to do evacuation assessments, which determine who is leaving and who is staying. If you are staying, someone from the Departments will be come to get pertinent information from you, such as the names of next of kin and an emergency contact. All completed assessments will be passed on to the Beaufort County Emergency Operations Center. At this point, Fripp Island Fire Department will relocate to our in county shelter and Beaufort High School, and Fripp Island Security will relocate to its predetermined evacuation point. Keep in mind that if you choose to stay, there will be no one here to answer your call for help. Once again, it is imperative that you leave the island when a hurricane threatens. Please monitor local weather outlets and, for further information, browse the following web pages:

• http://www.scemd.org/News/publications/06hurricaneguide/contents.htm
• http://www.fipsd.org/images/hurricanepreparednessbrochure.pdf
• http://www.bcgov.net/Emerg_mgt/houtlook.php
• http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

From the Desk of the General Manager:

By Kate Hines, CMCA, AMS, MCM

Know Your Officers

This issue I would like to highlight Lieutenant Richard McCants. Lieutenant McCants has been a member of the Fripp Island Patrol for 4 years. He currently is the Administrative Officer for the Department.
     Lieutenant McCants retired after 33 years from the South Carolina Department of Corrections, attaining the position of Warden. He is a graduate of the Citadel and the University of Georgia and holds a Masters Degree in Corrections.
     Lieutenant McCants lives on St. Helena Island with his wife Jan and 10 dogs. He and his wife are actively involved with the Beaufort Kennel Club and Humane Association of the LowCountry Dog Rescue Program.

Living Around Alligators

By Chief Mike Binkowski

Fripp Island Resort Update

Club Reminder
We would like to remind members that all unaccompanied guests over the age of 12 need amenity cards. Remember to get the request in as early as possible for all guests including immediate family members listed on the back of your 2006 renewal form.

Activity Center News
As you roam the Island this summer, visiting the amenities or joining us for programs and activities, you will notice young, smiling faces working throughout the island. The Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort Activity Center Staff spent the winter and early spring gathering resumés and interviewing students at colleges around the country to come live and work on Fripp Island during the summer. “This summer there are approximately 40 interns and we have a great group of kids,” says Recreation Director Jen Roberts. Interns are from Central Michigan University, Johnson and Wales, New Mexico State, Eastern Washington University, Indiana University, Eastern Illinois University, University of South Carolina, Clemson, Elon, Western Illinois University, Penn State, Georgia Southern, Florida State, Michigan State University and many others. They will be working in various departments such as the Recreation Department, Guest Services, Food and Beverage and Excursions. We would like to thank our summer interns for traveling from far and wide to help make this summer a success. If you have you are interested in any programs available during our summer schedule, please feel free to call the Activity Center for more information or to register for activities at 838-1516.

From East Africa to Fripp Island

By Page Miller

Perminder Bindra, a new full-time resident on Fripp Island, grew up in East Africa, went to school in England, worked in Denmark, Germany, Cleveland, and New York, and has retired to Fripp Island. How did this person with a broad international background end up on Fripp Island? 
     Perminder has fond memories of his early years in Kenya. His father, a native of India, was a civil servant in the operation of the Kenyan railroads for the British colonial government. As Perminder remembers these years, he bicycled to school for morning classes. In the afternoon because it was very hot, they would stay inside. But in the evening the boys would play field hockey, a game at which he became quite proficient and subsequently played on both his high school and college teams.
     When Perminder was fourteen years old, he received a British Council Scholarship to go to a boarding school in England. He recalls that many of his friends from abroad chose at this time to change their names to something easy to pronounce, like Peter. However, he valued his family roots and decided to keep his name. While attending Cambridge University, where he majored in chemistry, he met Annelisa, a Dane who had also gone to England to study.
     The couple moved to Denmark where Perminder taught chemistry to medical students at the University of Copenhagen and also engaged in chemical research for the first time. Perminder and Annelisa began a family in Denmark with the birth of their son. While Perminder spoke Danish well and liked the country, he felt that because of his brown skin he was an object of curiosity there. He concluded that it would not be easy for him to be totally integrated into the Danish culture. Thus the couple returned to England where Perminder began graduate studies in electrochemistry at the University of Southampton. In 1974 he received his PhD. For the following three years, Perminder was a visiting fellow at the Fritz Haber Institut der Max Planck Geselschaft in Berlin where their daughter was born.
     As Perminder was taking stock of his life and future career, he decided it was time to explore his options in America. He knew it would be relatively easy to emigrate to America since his graduate school training was very suitable for alternative energy research. Annelisa and Perminder moved to the US at the time of our first energy crisis in the 1970's. Perminder joined the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland as a Senior Research Associate. He soon became an Assistant Professor and taught electrochemistry to graduate students before leaving for the IBM Research Center in Westchester, New York. His career in IBM was bifurcated. He spent about a third of his 23 years with IBM at The IBM Research Center and the remainder in upper management in other IBM divisions. While at Research, Perminder was able to publish about 50 technical papers and also received 17 patents. At the time of his retirement, Perminder was the IBM Vice President, Strategy and Alliances, Wireless e-business Services.
     When Perminder retired from IBM, he adopted a philosophy of life that viewed the retirement years as one for spending wealth, accumulated in the earlier part of one's life, and thinking. On a trip south to visit Savannah, a town which from afar he found quite fascinating, he and Annelisa stayed for a month on Skidaway Island. Skidaway Island introduced Perminder to the concept of a gated community, which he found appealing for its quality of hominess and security.
     Perminder and Annelisa wanted to put down roots and become a part of a small community. They definitely did not want to consider Florida which Perminder called “a waiting room for death.” They looked for properties in Hilton Head and Skidaway Island. Annelisa found Hilton Head too commercial and Skidaway didn’t have a beach. Thus Annelisa went to the Internet and found Fripp Island. An added attraction was that there was a stable for Annelisa’s horse not far away on St. Helena Island. They drove to Fripp, went out with a real estate agent and saw several properties. When looking at a home in Fairway Club that overlooks the Fripp Inlet, a pelican dove into the near by lagoon and caught a fish. It seemed a sign of the wonders to behold on Fripp. One half hour later they decided to buy and make Fripp Island their retirement home.
     Perminder’s plan for spending accumulated wealth and thinking are taking shape. After considerable time and expenditure, their house has been totally redone with a new upper floor and decks with expansive views of the inlet, Hunting Island and the Atlantic Ocean. He also now has a study where he plans to write a book. Since they can see three holes of the Ocean Point Golf Course from their house and since they are both athletic by nature, they have decided to take up golf.
     It was on the golf course that Perminder’s African experiences came in handy. As Annalise was trying to decide what to do about an alligator that was too close to her golf ball, Perminder recalled from his boyhood a tactic for distracting alligators. He walked about thirty feet away from the alligator and used his golf club to make big splashes in the lagoon. The alligator thinking a meal might be nearby slid off the bank and into the water and away from the golf ball.
     For Perminder and Annelisa life on Fripp is proving to be an adventure and a great place for retirement.

Commodore's Corner

By P.J. Fineis

Yacht Club members got into full swing the second quarter starting with the second annual "Blessing of the Fleet" April 6th. Fleet Captain Chuck Tarczynski made special arrangements with Chaplain Jerry Hammet to insure all boats enjoyed safe passage and bountiful catches throughout the year. Jerry lived up to his faithful tradition of blessing the fleet, with the proper attire, holy water, and a generous prayer. The fleet included eight member boats and "Fripper." Following the blessing, all boats and Fripper departed for Dataw Island where 70 plus yacht club members enjoyed a low country boil and fried chicken.

The traditional "Oyster Roast" was our next event, and Base Captain Steve McKay had all members sharpen their oyster knives to shuck through 12 bushels of oysters. For those not inclined to prying open shells for nourishment, hot dogs, chili, coleslaw, potato salad, and corn on the cob was also available. The Yacht Club provided all refreshments, the oysters were awesome, food was great, and approximately 100 members had a wonderful time.

Our next trip took us on our "Overnight Boat Trip" to Charleston, and we had a ball. 22 Members signed up to travel by boat and land yachts for the Charleston excursion. Fleet Captain Tarczynski made arrangements at Spring Hill Suites for overnight accommodations, and boats were moored at Ripley Light Marina, directly in front of the hotel. The weather Monday morning started out quite damp, however, by 3:00 PM, we were all lounging around the pool in bright sunshine. Good job on the weather, Chuck. Monday night we enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres around the pool, and had a wonderful dinner at California Dreamin, on the water across from the hotel. Tuesday night we traveled to Patriots Point and boarded the Spirit of Carolina for a dinner dance cruise. It was delightful, and thanks to all of you who joined us to make this a fun trip.

We would like to welcome new members: Michelle Basso, Phil and Carol Ann Noyes, Ed and Susan Hodge, Walter and Ann Dany. If you are interested in joining the Yacht Club, please contact our Treasurer, Al Koehler, at 838-7755, and he will make arrangements to get you an application.

The low country provides great boating, beautiful scenery, and great places to visit, and we try to enjoy as much as possible.

Community Centre Daily Activities

Mondays:
  7:30 am- Low Impact Aerobics
  8:30 am- Fitness
11:00 am- Bridge
  4:00 pm- Yoga

Tuesdays:
  4:30 pm- BINGO
  1st Tues 10:00 am- Men's Investment
  2nd Tues 12-2:00 pm- ROMEO Lunch
  3rd Tues 3-4:00 pm- FIYC

Wednesdays:
  7:30 am- Low Impact Aerobics
  8:30 am- Fitness
  3:45 pm- Choir Rehearsal
  5:30 pm- Vespers
  8:00 pm- AA Meeting
  2nd Wed Craft Club
  4th Wed 10:00 am- Women's Investment

Thursdays:
  7:30 am- Low Impact Aerobics
  8:30 am- Fitness
  9:45 am- Duplicate Bridge
  1:00 pm- Mah Jongg
  4:00 pm- Yoga
  2nd Thur 8:15 am- FICC Board
  3rd Thur 9:30 am- Friends of Music
  4th Thur 7:30 pm- Audubon Club

Link to FIPOA Events Calendar

Fripp Island Women's Club Ends Season

by Linda Sigafoos

Dues are $10.00 a year and may be paid at any meeting or mailed to Barbara DeBartolo, 502 Tarpon; 838-7035 or Lorraine Tarczynski, 6 Crooked Creek Lane, 838-3175.

Fripp Island Friends of Music

by Lloyd Arnold

Audubon Club Plays Multiple Roles on Fripp

by Arlene Jacquette

Most full-time residents and part-time "Snowbirds" are familiar with the Audubon Club’s monthly programs (from October to April) of interesting speakers and films highlighting local, regional and global wildlife and conservation efforts. But few are acquainted with the other crucial roles that the club—a 501(c)(3) charitable organization—plays both in preserving Fripp as a wildlife refuge and in supporting selected local groups involved in habitat preservation and ecology education.

The Fripp Island Land Acquisition program (FILA) was developed in 1997 by residents concerned that all unspoiled areas on the island would eventually be lost to home construction. Working with the Audubon Club, FILA encouraged donations of land and of funds for the purchase of properties that would remain wild in perpetuity. Such parcels, including those at the corner of Tarpon and Remora and on Fiddler’s Ridge, serve as greenway habitats for wild- and plant life. FILA also sought to protect the pristine character of scenic vistas.

The Fripp Island Turtle Patrol, whose volunteers daily monitor loggerhead turtle nests from May to September, is also organized under the Audubon Club umbrella.

The Club donates funds to local and regional organizations whose goals are preservation of wildlife habitats and ecology education. The Club’s Board recently gave a grant to the new International Center for Birds of Prey, which houses over 200 birds in Avendaw, SC.

Club membership is open to Fripp and Beaufort County residents. Dues ($20 per family) can be forwarded to FI Audubon Club, 199 Tarpon Boulevard. The Club’s website is: www.islc.net/audubon. 

Yacht Club Photo & Schedule

TENNIS

Courtside 

By Patty Patek

Congratulations to our 2006 Tennis Club Champions. Men’s Singles - Ben Ten Eyck Women’s Singles - JoAnne Cskany Men’s Doubles - Rusty Prohater and Ed Smith Women’s Doubles - Carolyn Hunter and Page Miller.

All the new clay is down and the courts are in excellent condition.

If you are looking for a match, stop by the pro shop and sign-up on the “hit list.” The staff will assist in matching players and abilities.

Don’t forget about the Friday Round-up Doubles. Play is from 9:00 -11:00 AM, and you just pay for your share of the court.

Men's Golf Association 

By Dick Briggs

April and May golf were good: 

• The MGA had between 40 and 50 golfers each Monday.
• The North beat the South.
• Mike Marusha from the White Tees and Bob Davidson from the Gold were the winners for the Fripp version of the Masters.
• We entertained the women in April, including cold drinks and a lunch featuring shrimp and scallops.
• In May our featured event was the annual Memorial Tourney. It resulted in a six way tie - Rich George - Pat O'Donohue - Bob Pfaffroth - Steve Makgill - Tom Hindes and Ben Hays - all had net 64s. Rich George was declared the winner by scorecard play-off.

Our late summer/early fall program is loaded with good events: three weeks of flight championships in September, and the Red Ball on October 2.
     We invite all Fripp Club men to join in the play each Monday at 8:30 AM. Simply sign up for play in the MGA book in the Creek Pro Shop.

GOLF

Women's Nine Holers

by Lorraine Tarczynski

The Nine Hole ladies finished the season with two tournaments. On May 18 we traveled to Dataw for a golf outing and luncheon. The Fripp winners of the tournament were: Third place-Maura O'Donohue and Linda Kaduk, Second place-Gwen Hudetz and Lynn Herron;First place-Teresa Hergert and Helen Marie Lloyd. The end of the year tournament results were: Most improved-Betsy Koehler; Low net-Lynn Herron; and Low gross-Barbara DeBartolo. Members were in "Hog Heaven" when Susan Price hosted the tournament luncheon at her beautiful home with lunch provided by Harold's Catering. Outgoing President Teresa Hergert did an outstanding job and all the members appreciate her leadership and many contributions. New officers for September 2006 are: President-Barbara DeBartolo; Vice President-Lorraine Tarczynski; Secretary/Treasurer-Rita Merrill.
     Our golf schedule will continue during the summer on an informal basis and new members are always welcome. Email - fripplady30@hotmail.com

Fripp Island Women's Golf Association - FIWGA

By Joyce Zanone

The Member Guest tournament in May was a grand affair, co-chaired by Bev Fineis and Judy Newby. The theme was Viva Las Vegas, with members and guests gathering on Monday evening for a fun get-together with old and new friends. The tournament on Tuesday was a winning day of beautiful weather and fun competition. The winning team was Kit Griffin and Barbara Sealey, members of FIWGA, with their guests, Dottie Lohr of Virginia and Donna Zebley from Pennsylvania, who are past members of FIWGA.
     Congratulations to Ann Warner, winner of the Memorial Tournament! Betty Edmonds was the runner-up. The Memorial Tournament is match play and several ladies participated. Good playing, ladies!
     Our summer golf schedule will find us enjoying a slower pace.
     If you would like to join the FIWGA, please ask at the pro shop or any of the ladies you meet on the island for more information. We welcome you to join us, and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.

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Water Safety on Fripp Island

Swimming Safety

DIAL 911 FOR ALL WATER EMERGENCIES

DO NOT ENTER THE WATER UNLESS YOU ARE A TRAINED RESCUER

Rip Currents

This part of the coast experiences the highest tide shifts on the east coast south of Nova Scotia. Because of this large movement of water, rip currents are always a concern. Rip currents vary in speed but can be faster than even the strongest swimmer. They can be narrow or more than 50 yards wide. Sometimes rip currents end just beyond the breaking waves, however they may continue to pull hundreds of yards offshore. Rip currents do not pull people under the water; they pull people away from shore. If caught in a rip current stay calm and do not fight the current. Escape the current by swimming in a direction following the shoreline. When free of the current swim at an angle away from the current toward the shoreline. If unable to escape by swimming, float or tread water. When the current weakens swim at an angle away from the current toward shore. Last year the Fripp Island Fire Department rescued 6 people who were being pulled off shore by rip currents.

Sand Bars

The sand bars forming just off the beach are inviting but there is nothing there worthwhile to explore. There are no shells, sand dollars or any life at all. The waste-high water between the beach and the sand bar could be over 10 feet on your return. Dangerous rip currents can also develop near these sand bars.

Swimming

Always try to swim with a companion. If swimming alone tell someone where you will be. Small children should always wear life preservers and be supervised by a responsible adult. Never swim at sunset or after dark when sharks tend to feed. Do not wear bright colored jewelry. This could attract sharks if they are in the area.

Jelly Fish & Sting Rays

If stung by a jellyfish apply denatured alcohol or meat tenderizer. The best remedy for an injury from a stingray is to put the injured area in the hottest water you can stand. Vinegar applied to the injured area is also a very effective cure.

Boating Safety

Always carry required Coast Guard safety equipment, including flares, personal floatation devices, and a throwable life ring.

All children age 12 or under are required to wear a life preserver on boats 16’ or under. All persons on personal watercraft (i.e., Jet Ski’s) are required to wear life preservers.

     Check the weather carefully before departing.

     Always carry a chart or map of the local area.

Know the tides. Many boaters end up stranded because they have failed to pay attention to the tides. The height change in Fripp waters is 6’ to 11’ depending on the phase of the moon.

Make a float plan before departing and be sure it is in the hands of someone responsible.

Always have an operable VHF radio for contacting the Fripp Island Marina or the Coast Guard at Tybee Island on Channel 16. A cell phone is a good backup communications system. Beaufort County has the capability to track location on certain types of cell phones. Check with your cell phone service provider. If you call 911, they will contact Fripp Island Sea Rescue, Security or the Fire Department.

Have some type of navigation equipment. GPS systems are very economical and easy to use.

If you lose power or become disabled, drop anchor so your position can be maintained and stay with your boat until help arrives.

Pay attention to the “no wake” areas and know who has the right of way when approaching other boats. Be sure to understand the meaning of channel markers.

Know the local waters. If you are unfamiliar with the local area, contact one of the local certified captains. For a reasonable fee, they can provide a tour of the local waters. There is also a brochure available, “Navigation Around Fripp Island”. Contact Captain Ralph at 838-2530 for information.

Fripp Island Sea Rescue

by Paul Field

During April and May, we responded to five cases. On April 23, two unrelated vessels were reported overdue after launching from Russ Point. After a two-hour search, we located one lost boat west of the Harbor River and guided it back to the landing. Just at dusk, we began an area search for the other vessel when it returned on its own after being aground for some four hours without any communication capability. On April 25, two jet skiers beached their units on Pritchards Island for a brief visit. However, a rising tide swept both units up Skull Creek leaving the boaters stranded. We responded to their cell call for assistance, picked them up and then located their two units. On May 20, a jet ski with two persons on board went aground just west of the Harbor River Bridge at around 3pm where it remained until 9pm. At that time our vessel, which had responded to only a hearsay report, found the unit and evacuated the two persons to Hunting Island. On May 26, a vessel with seven persons on board became disabled in the Story River. Our large boat found the distressed unit and towed it back to Fripp Island Marina.

We are delighted to welcome two new members to our organization, Curt Blake and Kent Smith.

Our training program with the Coast Guard helicopters during nighttime hours continues to be conducted in Fripp Inlet.

To report a marine emergency, call Fripp Island Security at 838-2334 or Beaufort County Dispatch at 9-1-1.