“Summer is a reminder that grwoth is possible even in the hottest conditions"
– unkown
Dear Litchfield-By-The-Sea Owners,
The Results are in! Last week we conducted an owner survey to help us redesign the Litchfield By The Sea Newsletter, current called ‘Good Tidings’. I would like to thank all the owners that participated in a positive and helpful way. Your feedback helps us deliver communications that meet the community’s needs! Below is an Executive Summary of the survey results:
Overview
- Survey conducted on July 20-27, 2026, to gather homeowner feedback on rebranding the Good Tidings newsletter and improving content & design.
- Email invitations for the survey were sent to 3,552 recipients.
- 441 responses were received, representing a strong level of community engagement.
Note- In a very large-scale community (e.g., 3000 homes), reaching a high percentage response rate becomes mathematically difficult. Instead, the focus is on the total number of responses to achieve data validity. According to general sampling standards, obtaining 341+ completed surveys from a population of approx. 3000 gives you a 95% confidence level with a ±5% margin of error.
Key Findings
- Litchfield Living emerged as the clear winner for the newsletter’s new name.
- Respondents overwhelmingly supported a more visually engaging newsletter. 74% said Yes to seeing more photos, graphics, and color.
- More than 90% of respondents read the newsletter regularly, demonstrating that it remains the community’s most effective method of communication.
- Open-ended feedback revealed several owners’ needs for the redesigned newsletter:
- More community updates, events, and owner resources
- Include staff introductions and profiles
- Include Board updates with explanations of current issues
- Publish the newsletter once a month
The last comment was surprising, because we did not specifically ask a question about the newsletter’s frequency, but it was not unexpected.
According to the Community Associations Institute, most large-scale community association newsletters are published monthly. While a monthly cadence serves as the default standard for comprehensive updates, many large-scale homeowners associations split their communication strategy to balance deep information with timely event reminders. They accomplish this by sending a substantial monthly newsletter alongside brief, automated weekly or bi-weekly email bulletins. This approach is backed by Industry Metrics. Community communication platforms show that monthly newsletters achieve a much higher average open rate (42%) compared to weekly ones (28%). Weekly updates risk causing “subscriber fatigue” if they do not contain critical news and robust content.
Conclusion
The survey indicates strong support for refreshing the newsletter brand while maintaining its role as a trusted source of community information.
- Owners selected Litchfield Living as their preferred name.
- Owners favor a more visually engaging format and consistently read the newsletter.
- Future editions will blend practical updates with community-focused content that helps residents stay informed, connected, and engaged.
- Future editions will include staff/board introductions, profiles, and news
- We will adopt a Multi-Channel Hybrid approach:
- Litchfield Living will be a monthly newsletter for deep information including board updates, financial updates, large project/property updates, high-level security updates, and owner resources.
- We will utilize quick weekly or bi-weekly email bulletins for upcoming events, social gatherings, and minor maintenance & landscaping news (pool/road closures etc.).
Again, I would like to thank our owners for their feedback. Your input helps us to continually enhance Litchfield by the Sea to maintain its position as a premier South Carolina Coastal Community!
Sincerely,
Alan Dubroff, COO
Maintenance News & Project Updates:
Each day, your LBTS Management Team coordinates and performs many small & large repairs across both campuses. However, when larger projects may impact owners/guests, we will provide details regarding those projects so you can plan accordingly. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to maintain and improve your community.
Litchfield-By-The-Sea
- Upcoming Boardwalk Project
Maintenance is currently working on the boardwalk as part of the ongoing efforts to preserve and improve the structure for long-term safety and durability. To minimize disruption, the boardwalk will always remain open during the project. Work will be completed in 16-foot sections to allow continued pedestrian access while repairs are underway. This is a long-term improvement that will be completed in phases over time, rather than all at once, ensuring that our boardwalk remains open year-round for everyone to enjoy. Our team of three in-house maintenance employees is currently working on the boardwalk while also balancing many other maintenance needs and improvements projects through Litchfield By The Sea. By utilizing the skills and expertise of our in-house staff, the Association can complete this project in a more cost-effective manner, reducing the expense of hiring outside contractors. While progress may appear gradual, work is ongoing, and each completed section brings us one step closer to finishing this important community improvement.
- Tennis/Pickleball Light Update
The tennis and pickleball courts lights have been fixed. We installed a new outdoor link so that lights will come on at 5pm and go off at 10pm.
- Trimming around Retreat Beach Circle
The team trimmed all the bushes and overhanging trees on the marsh along the crab dock.
Please note: During the busy summer season, our beach showers and foot washing stations experience a significant increase in use, largely due to the volume of short-term rental guests who share these amenities with homeowners and residents. This higher volume of use has resulted in more frequent damage, requiring ongoing repairs throughout the season. Our Maintenance Team has worked continuously to repair broken shower heads and foot wash stations to keep these amenities operational for everyone to enjoy. Unfortunately, as repairs are completed, additional damage often occurs, creating an ongoing cycle of maintenance. While we welcome visitors to our community, we encourage homeowners to remind their guests to treat these facilities with care, so they remain in good condition for everyone.
River Club
- Community Sign Maintenance Update
Our Maintenance Team has resumed work on community signage and is currently refurbishing the Fairway Lane sign. The sign has been temporarily removed so necessary repairs and maintenance can be completed to improve its appearance and durability before it is reinstalled. As well as in the process of installing a new rule sign at the main gate.
- River Club Pool Updates
The pool perimeter lights have been fixed, and they are back online with Outdoor link. Also, the pool, bathroom, floors and walls have been steamed for cleanliness.
Landscaping News and Updates
The following landscape maintenance update is provided by our Landscape Maintenance Partner, United Land Services, to ensure we meet the needs of the community and address any issues caused by weather, pests/bugs, accidents, etc.
LBTS Common Area Landscape Maintenance
Turf Grass Mowing and Ponds
- Completed all mowing and weed eating on both campuses this week.
- Mowing will continue daily on both properties (LBTS & River Club).
- Mowing and weed eating will continue weekly in Compass
Ornamental Detailing
- Detailing around Beach Club
- We continued trimming the shrubs at River Club in the medians.
- We went through the beds and removed all of the volunteer growth.
- We trimmed the shrubs around the Beach Club house this week.
Fertilization, Weed Control & Pest Services
- Weeds were sprayed throughout the entire property in LBTS.
- Weeds were sprayed throughout entire property in River Club.
- We sprayed all the weeds around the Beach Club
Irrigation Inspections & Maintenance
- System will be routinely inspected for operational efficiency and
- Visual inspection will include controller and electronic components, spray and rotor heads and shrub risers.
- Minor adjustments for efficiency will be made during inspection.
- Repairs for malfunctioning, broken or worn-out components (heads, line breaks, controllers and electronics, pumps, etc.) will be done after client approval.
On the Security Scene
Security Spotlight: Think Before You Click
Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the way they target victims. Modern phishing attacks often appear to come from trusted family, friends, colleagues, vendors, financial institutions, or even internal company systems. A single click on a malicious link can lead to credential theft, malware installation, or unauthorized access to company data.
What to Watch For
Be cautious of emails that:
- Create a sense of urgency or pressure immediate action
- Requests for gift cards or retailer cards, a big red flag
- Request passwords, verification codes, or sensitive information
- Contain unexpected attachments or links
- Come from email addresses that look like legitimate senders
- Include unusual grammar, formatting, or tone
Even if a message appears to come from a trusted source, verify the request through a separate communication method if anything seems unusual.
Quick Security Check
Before clicking a link:
- Hover over the link to view the actual destination.
- Verify the sender’s email address carefully.
- Consider whether you were expecting the message.
- Report suspicious emails using the appropriate company process.
- When in doubt, don’t click.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
Passwords can be stolen, guessed, or reused across multiple sites. MFA adds an additional layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification before access is granted. Even if credentials are compromised, MFA can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Did You Know?
Many successful cyberattacks begin with a single compromised account. Strong passwords, MFA, and careful email practices remain some of the most effective ways to protect both personal and company information.
Action Item
Take two minutes this week to review your passwords for critical business applications and ensure MFA is enabled on all supported accounts.
Remember: Security is everyone’s responsibility. Staying alert and reporting suspicious activity promptly helps protect our organization, our customers, and our data.
Stay safe, stay vigilant, and thank you for doing your part to keep LBTS secure.
LBTS Social Events, Activities, & Community Outreach
08/05/2026– Tai Chi– 10:00AM at Beach Clubhouse, 790 Retreat Beach Circle, Pawleys Island
08/06/2026- Yoga– 9:30AM at Beach Clubhouse, 790 Retreat Beach Circle, Pawleys Island
08/06/2026– Chair Yoga– 11:00AM at Beach Clubhouse, 790 Retreat Beach Circle, Pawleys Island
FUN Events Happening Around Town
Georgetown’s Music in the Park August 1st 6:00PM-9:00PM
A free outdoor concert, enjoy live beach music from Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, relax by the harbor, and enjoy an evening of live entertainment with family and friends. Food and beverages, including beer and wine, will be available for purchase on-site. Please note that outside coolers are not permitted. Admission is free, making this a perfect way to experience Georgetown’s vibrant waterfront and enjoy one of the area’s favorite summer traditions
Location: 725 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440. Maritime Park
NADD Dock Diving Event August 6th – 9th 1:00PM-6:00PM
The NADD Dock Diving Event in Murrells Inlet is an exciting canine competition where dogs of all breeds leap from a 40-foot dock into a pool to retrieve a toy. Hosted by North America Diving Dogs at A Dog’s Way Inlet Flyers, the event features disciplines like Distance Jump, Air Retrieve, and Hydro Dash. Open to both purebred and mixed-breed dogs, it’s a fun-filled weekend celebrating the athleticism and teamwork between dogs and their handlers.
Location: 761 Pendergrass Ave, Murrells Inlet SC 29576
13th Annual Edward Mengel Memorial Golf Tournament August 8th 8:00AM – All Day
This annual tournament honors the memory of Edward Mengel while bringing the community together for a day of friendly competition, camaraderie, and support for a meaningful cause. Whether you’re an avid golfer or simply want to cheer on the participants, this event is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy one of the area’s premier golf courses and connect with fellow community members. Be sure to mark your calendar for this special day!
Location: Pawleys Planation Golf & Country Club, 70 Tanglewood Drive Suite, Pawleys Island SC 29585