Nature Center April naturalist programs
All programs are free with park admission. Call 843-838-7437 for information or reservations.
Tuesday: Creature Feature – 10:30-11 a.m., Nature Center. Discover some of the wildlife found around Hunting Island as represented by the animal ambassadors. (all ages); Sea Turtle Discovery – 12:30-1 p.m., Nature Center. Four species of sea turtles are found on the S.C. coast, and one is the state reptile. (all ages); Beach Walk – 3-4 p.m., Lighthouse. Walk along the beach with a naturalist to learn more about the treasures from the ocean. (all ages) (not held on Feb. 8).
Wednesday: Creature Feature – 10:30-11 a.m.; Turtle Talk – 12:30-1 p.m., Nature Center. Learn about the variety of turtles on Hunting Island. (all ages); Walk With a Naturalist – 2:30-3:15 p.m., Nature Center. Enjoy a 0.7-mile scenic walk that ends at Little Hunting Island, which you can explore on your own. Wear walking shoes, comfortable clothes, and bring sunscreen, bug spray and water. (limited to 15 walkers) Call by noon the previous day for reservations.
Thursday: Creature Feature – 10:30-11 a.m.; Gator Gab – 12:30-1 p.m., Nature Center. Congregate around our modern-day dinosaurs and watch our vicious hunters eat a delicious meal. (all ages); What a Wharf – 2:30-3 p.m., Nature Center. Walk down the pier and learn how Hunting Island and its ecosystems came to be. (all ages).
Friday: Creature Feature – 10:30-11 a.m.; Serpent Exploration – 12:30-1 p.m., Nature Center. Get a chance to fight your fears and touch a snake or two. (all ages); Beach Walk – 3-4 p.m., Lighthouse.
Saturday: Walk With a Naturalist – 12:30-1:15 p.m., Nature Center.
St. Helena Library Activities
4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Mondays, Lego Club, all ages welcome; 2 to 4 p.m., Wednesdays, S.C. Works Job Coaching, free help with job searches, interviews; 1 to 2 p.m., Saturdays, Chess Club, ages 5 and older. 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island, 843-255-6540.
Beaufort County Library Ongoing Programs
These are the ongoing programs available at the Beaufort Branch Library Downtown: 2:30 p.m., 1st Tuesday each month, Knitting/Crochet Class; all day during business hours, 1st Thursday each month,
Chess Club; 2:30 p.m., last Tuesday each month, Book to Movie Club; daily during library hours, Escape Quest Games.
Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry Made Market
5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers.
Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes
5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal; 9 to 10:15 a.m., Whitehall Park or Pigeon Point Park. Rooted Beaufort is a collective of local Yoga teachers who host outdoor yoga classes and donation-based events with proceeds being donated locally on a rotating basis.
The Historic Port Royal Museum
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email unionchurch1004@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.
Tour Historic Fort Fremont
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Fort Fremont History Center, Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Docent-led tours are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Saturday. Travel back in time to the 1800s and the Spanish American War. Visitors to Fort Fremont can learn about the fort’s history by reading interpretive panels, taking a self-guided tour with a smart phone, visiting the history center exhibit hall, or attending a docent-led tour of the property. The Preserve is open to the public Monday through Sunday from dawn to dusk. For more information, visit www.fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks manager Stephanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net.
Port Royal Farmers Market
9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh cut flower bouquets. There are prepared food vendors serving barbecue, dumplings, she crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. No pets allowed. For more information, visit http://www.portroyalfarmersmarket.com/, visit @portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.
A War on Two Fronts: African Americans Fight for Victory at Home and Abroad
Through Saturday, Aug. 13, Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 S. Jacob Smart Blvd., Ridgeland. A traveling exhibit adapted from an original exhibition and book developed by the Athenaeum Press at the Horry County Museum. The exhibition and book explore how African Americans in the 92nd and 93rd Army infantry divisions fought for racial equality during wartime, and then went on to be active participants in the Civil Rights Movement. It traces the little-known stories of soldiers on the front lines, and how segregation affected their training, service and recognition. The exhibition draws from the work of Maggi Morehouse, Burroughs Distinguished Professor of Southern History and Culture at Coastal Carolina University and a daughter of a commanding officer in the 92nd infantry division. To learn more about “A War on Two Fronts” and other Athenaeum Press projects, visit www.ccu.press or www.warontwofronts.com. Morris Center is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.morrisheritagecenter.org or call 843-284-9227.
Lowcountry Made Markets
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., first and third Saturday of each month through December, Buckwalter Place Park, next to Kroger off Buckwalter Place Blvd., Bluffton. Each market includes local vendors, live music, food and drink. The events are free. Participating vendors include: Gullah Express LLC (food truck), Declan’s Delights, Pick N Paint Pottery, Preservation Tree Art, 7th & Palm, Kara Artman Art, Southern Botanica, Hedone (bath & body), Blue Door Boutique, The Herb Room Organic Apothecary, Juke Joint Sweets, BPC Custom Furniture, Back to Eden Self Care Products, LLC, Shutterbug Custom Designs LLC, Pet Wants Hilton Head, Grind Coffee Roasters, LLC, Fabula Collective, The Artsy Girl, KODA Glass Designs, Lowcountry Livin’, Legacy Art Gallery, Cottonwood Soap Company, Marsh View Candles and Crafted With A Purpose.
Lowcountry Made Markets in Port Royal
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., fourth Saturday of the month through May; second and fourth Saturday through November, Live Oaks Park, 904 14th Street, Port Royal. These markets showcase only local artists, artisans and small businesses. The open-air markets are held “farmer’s market” style with new vendors each month. Each market will also include live music, food and drink, and is free to attend. Vendors include Amidst the Alders, Preservation Tree Art, True South, Pet Wants, Meg’s Sweet Treats, Sativa Health Products, Back to Eden Self Care (Tea), Graceful Stitches, Cottonwood Soap Company (Bath & Body), Sweet Carolina’s Clothing Boutique, B&E Rustic Designs, Blue Door Boutique, Clayed by Reena LLC, Kara Artman Art, The Herb Room Organic Apothecary, Bliss Bites Cookies, Kilted Bee Mead (Soap), HandMade Beaufort, Lovin’ My Skin, LLC, Purely, Inc. and KODA Glass, Lovely Olive Designs, Gone Gullah, Tout Sweet Macarons, Moonlight Crow Creations, Fabula Collective, Finch Sign & Design Metalworks LLC and Honey Bunny Boutique.
“Pull Yourself Up” Group Exercise Class for women
9:30 a.m., select Saturdays, Wardle Family YMCA, 1801 Richmond Ave., Port Royal. This multi-generational women’s group training is a 5-week program taught by Kelly Blackston. It is designed for females who wish to be stronger especially using back muscle shoulders and arms plus build camaraderie and make new friends. Free for ages 13-19; $10 per class for YMCA members; $20 per class for adult non-member. Questions should be directed to Denice Davis, YMCA Healthy Living Program Director at 843-521-1904 or beaufort-jasperymca.org.
Beaufort Digital Corridor Startup Weekend
April 29 to May 1, South Coast Cyber Center (old Bridges Prep Building), 1100 Boundary Street. Tickets are now available for purchase and include options for both participants and observers as well as student discounted tickets. Sign-up today at https://event.techstars.com/event/goX1RLOnho.
Birthday for the Birds
9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 30, Amphitheater on Paris Avenue, Port Royal. Hosted by the Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands and the Town of Port Royal. Event will include party hats, artwork created by students from Port Royal Elementary and Riverview Charter schools and birds and wildlife critters from Hunting Island Interpretive Center and Birds of Prey. The boardwalks will have Tour Guides along the way to answer any questions about plants, reptiles or birds. Kids will enjoy a scavenger hunt and be rewarded with a fun bird pin designed by Aki Kato and the Beaufort Conservation District will have coloring books to take home. The festivities will end with birthday cupcakes, kazoos to play and a birthday song for the chicks. The dedication of a plaque, remembering event founder Pete Richards to Port Royal, will take place at 9 a.m. This is a free event.
Katie McAllister and Vintage Vibes
4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, Morgan River Grill, 100 Marina Drive, Dataw Island. With Mark Flasch on piano and Allyn Perdue on bass. Reservations recommended, call 843-838-3474.
The Black Man’s Cow But The White Man’s Milk – The Rise and Fall of the Freedman’s Bank
6 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, 813 West Street, Beaufort. Chris Barr – Chief Interpretative and Public Affairs Officer for the Reconstruction Era National Historical National Park – will give a presentation about the Freedman’s bank during Reconstruction. Hosted by Citizenship through Learning History Center.
Beaufort County Library Special Programs
These are the special programs available at the Beaufort Branch Library Downtown: 2:30 p.m., May 4, May the 4th Be With You Star Wars Celebration; 2:30 p.m., June 14, Hurricane Preparedness; 2:30 p.m., July 12, Comic Con; 2:30 p.m., Aug. 16, Local Art Display; 2:30 p.m., Sept. 13, Civic Awareness; 2:30 p.m., Oct. 20, Friends of the Library Celebration; 2:30 p.m., Nov. 15, Beekeeping; 2:30 p.m., Dec. 13, Gingerbread House Contest.
Taste of Beaufort
Friday and Saturday, May 6-7, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort.
Maye River Quilters
10 a.m., Saturday, May 7, Church of the Palms, 1419 Okatie Highway. The wearing of masks is encouraged. For more meeting dates and times, and for membership forms to join the group, call 843-530-1244. To attend the meeting as a guest, send an RSVP email to mayeriverquilters@gmail.com.
Wild Women’s Tea Party
2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7, Indigo Hall at Indigo Run, Hilton Head Island. Tickets are just $50 and includes admission, food, a French-themed fashion show and silent auction. All proceeds will benefit Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing equal justice to those in need within Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties. In 2021, Lowcountry Legal Volunteers provided assisted more than 400 people and held 16 legal clinics. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to buy a ticket, visit lowcountrylegalvolunteers.org or call 843-815-1570.
Full 30-hour lifeguard training
May 13-16 & 22, location TBD. Cost is $170. Schedule: Thursday 4 p.m. – swim test; Friday 4-9 p.m.; Saturday 8-5 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m. Those interested need to register at the Y as space is limited and filled on a first come, first serve basis. Questions? Contact Contact Frank Hamilton at 843-525-0233 or ghh60fwh@comcast.net.. To register visit the Y front desk or online at beaufort-jasperymca.org and click ‘Register for a Program’ at the top of the page. See Frank Hamilton for lifeguard recertification dates and times.
Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands guided tours
Sunset walk at 6 p.m., Saturday, May 14; 9 a.m., Friday, May 27. The Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands (501c3) offers free tours with Master Naturalist Jill Moore, from Moore2Life, as guide. Learn about the different types of wildlife, birds, and plants that inhabit this special place. Tours are approximately 90 minutes and limited to 12 participants. To sign up for a tour please email Kat Bray at info@foprcw.org. For more information, visit www.foprcw.org.
Listen on the Lawn Concert Series: Gwen Yvette
6 p.m., Sunday, May 15, USC Beaufort’s Center For The Arts Lawn. Bring a chair or blanket, a picnic or snacks and beverages. The CFA Lawn will open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 a person – children younger than 12 are free. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.uscbcenterforthearts.com or by calling 843-521-4145. In case of inclement weather, the performance will be moved into the CFA theatre.
Aviation Careers Expo
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 4, Beaufort Executive Airport. Sponsored by the Beaufort Aviation Association. Learn about the many great careers available in aviation – maintenance and repair; design and engineering; management; avionics design; installation and repair; piloting; airline in-flight cabin service; space exploration; air traffic control; flight instruction; university and college opportunities; airline ticketing; cargo and ground servicing; and military aviation. Participants include American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Beaufort County Airports Department, the Beaufort County School District, the Civil Air Patrol, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, the Society of Women Engineers, Technical College of the Lowcountry, and Women in Aviation International. For more information, text 843-812-9909.
Listen on the Lawn Concert Series: The Cluster Shucks
6 p.m., Sunday, June 5, USC Beaufort’s Center For The Arts Lawn. Bring a chair or blanket, a picnic or snacks and beverages. The CFA Lawn will open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 a person – children younger than 12 are free. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.uscbcenterforthearts.com or by calling 843-521-4145. In case of inclement weather, the performance will be moved into the CFA theatre.
Broadway Bound Summer Camp
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, June 20 through July 1, USC Beaufort Center For The Arts. Campers will engage in all aspects of musical theatre, while gaining self-confidence and the ability to express themselves as they learn basic acting skills, vocal instruction and choreography. The highlight of the camp will be the children’s creation of their own show. Tuition is $275. Register and pay at https://www.uscbcenterforthearts.com/summer-camp.
Creative Arts Camp
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 11 to July 16, USC Beaufort’s Center For the Arts. Cost is $130. Camp is for ages 7 to 11. Subjects include Drawing and Clay, Mixed Media and Trash to Treasures – Focusing on Recycled Art. To register or for more information, go to www.USCBCenterForTheArts.com.
Musical Theatre Audition Skills Camp
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 11 to July 16, USC Beaufort’s Center For the Arts. Cost is $130. Camp is for ages 7 to 11. Class showcase at noon on July 15. Subjects include Monologue and Vocal Performance.
To register or for more information, go to www.USCBCenterForTheArts.com.
THIS WEEK’S MOVIES AT HWY 21 DRIVE-IN
The movies scheduled for this week (Thursday, April 28 through Sunday, May 1) at the Highway 21 Drive-In are The Bad Guys (PG, 8:30 p.m.) and The Lost City (PG-13, 10:15 p.m.) on Screen 1 and Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (PG, 8:30 p.m.) and Fantastic Feasts: Secrets of Dumbledore (PG-13, 10:40 p.m.) on Screen 2.
Online ticketing is available at hwy21drivein.com on the Now Playing page. Patrons are asked to arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Management would appreciate the wearing of masks while in the concession stand.
“Our family at the Hwy. 21 drive in feel a responsibility to our community,” a statement from Highway 21 Drive-In management reads. “We are concerned about many things in these trying times and in making the right decisions. We are concerned with our employees, our patrons, our business, our community’s businesses, and the health and well-being of all.”
A reminder: no outside food or beverages can be brought into the drive-in.
Upcoming movies include Top Gun (Memorial Day Weekend) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 6).
– Staff reports
