From staff reports
Mary Foster and Ellen Mayer of the Families Against Book Banning (FABB) will be the guest speakers at the next Beaufort Indivisible meeting at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 26 at the Beaufort Downtown Library at 311 Scott Street. The event is free and open to the public.
Foster, a Board member of FABB, is a professional educator with a degree in Elementary Education from Auburn University. She has taught elementary and preschool students for most of the last 27 years and currently owns a licensed preschool.
Foster also spends much of her time advocating at the local and state level on education issues and LGBTQ+ rights.
Mayer is a former public school teacher and currently works as the senior manager at The Ford & Ford Group where she spends much of her time teaching folks how to advocate within their communities. She also has a leadership position at FABB.
Both speakers will discuss this South Carolina legislative session.
SCDNR using area boat landings for shellfish bed reseeding
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) will be conducting its annual shellfish ground management efforts (oyster shell reseeding) at several Beaufort County boat landings beginning this week and running through the end of May.
The boat landings will remain open to the public, however there will be increased truck and barge activity throughout each day while SCDNR reseeds the oyster beds at each location.
The schedule is as follows:
- Through Friday, May 2: Port Royal Boat Landing/The Sands, Port Royal.
- Monday, May 12-Thursday, May 15: Broad River Boat Landing, Beaufort.
- Monday, May 19-Wednesday, May 21: Edgar Glenn Boat Landing/Chechessee Landing, Okatie.
The barge will occupy one ramp while it is being loaded. Loading will take approximately two hours. At least one ramp will be available for public use while the barge is being loaded.
For questions and more information, contact County Public Works Director Bradley Harriott at 843-255-2740.
Poll workers needed; training available
The Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County will be holding 10 new poll worker training classes.
All of the classes will be held at the main office, located at 15 John Galt Road, Beaufort, S.C. 29906. The classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the following dates: Wednesday, May 14; Saturday, May 24; Wednesday, June 18; Wednesday, July 16; Saturday, July 26; Wednesday, Aug. 20; and Wednesday, Sept. 17.
To sign up for a class, visit https://beaufortsc.easypollworker.com/home.
Rotary Club hosting annual Vidalia onion fundraiser
The Rotary Club of Beaufort is hosting its annual fundraiser – the sale of farm-fresh Vidalia onions in either 10-pound or 25-pound bags ($12 or $25).
The onions must be pre-ordered before Friday, May 9 and will be available for pick-up between noon and 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Sea Island Presbyterian Church, Lady’s Island, on Wednesday, May 14.
The money raised by this fundraiser is used to support grant requests from nonprofit organizations north of the Broad River in Beaufort County. Onions can be ordered and paid for at www.beaufortrotaryclub.org.
Leadership Beaufort application window open
The application window for the 41st class of Leadership Beaufort (August 2025-May 2026) is now open. Visit https://bit.ly/3EnhSlz to learn more and access the application.
Deadline to submit applications is Friday, May 23. The program builds community trustee leadership through an in-depth view of cultural, economic, historic, social, educational, environmental and government resources.
USCB Institute for the Study of the Reconstruction Era hosting spring symposium
The USC Beaufort Institute For the Study of the Reconstruction Era presents “Her X Mark: Women’s Voices During Reconstruction.”
Join the Institute for the third annual Breathing Democracy Into Spaces, Spring Symposium on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 at USCB’s Center For The Arts. Enjoy presentations, exhibits and interactive discussions about the presence and impact women had during Reconstruction. The event is free and open to the public.
To register, and for additional details, schedule and information about guest presenters, go to https://bit.ly/4ciAnEg.
Open Land Trust hosting Brunch on the Bluff
The Beaufort Open Land Trust is hosting Brunch on the Bluff from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26. There will be live entertainment, an open bar, and food by Susan Mason Catering.
Tickets are limited and available now at www.openlandtrust.org.
Beaufort County business license renewals due April 30
Businesses that operate within the unincorporated boundaries of Beaufort County must renew their County business license by April 30 or face late penalties.
Business license renewals can be processed at the County Business License office, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort. Business owners can also renew online through the Civic Access portal.
For more information visit the Beaufort County Business Services website at https://bit.ly/3FPXgD7 or call 843-255-2270.
United Way of the Lowcountry offers additional free tax prep days
United Way of the Lowcountry’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering additional free tax preparation days to help qualifying residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties file their federal and state tax returns accurately and efficiently.
The program – a collaboration between the IRS, Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, and United Way of the Lowcountry (UWLC) – is designed to assist low-income individuals and families, non-English speaking taxpayers, people with disabilities, and seniors with their tax filing needs.
In Bluffton, the service is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays, April 21; April 28; July 28; and September 29, at the Bluffton Public Library at 120 Palmetto Drive.
In Beaufort, the service is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays, June 23 and August 25 at the United Way of the Lowcountry Beaufort Office at 1277 Ribaut Road.
Limited spots are available, and in-person appointments are required. Visit www.uwlowcountry.org/VITA to reserve your spot, check for eligibility requirements and to find a list of necessary documents to bring.
Military Appreciation Day set for May 9
The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Military Enhancement Committee of Beaufort are hosting Military Appreciation Day from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, May 9 at Laurel Bay.
The community event is free and open to veterans, active-duty military and their families. There will be family entertainment, a kickball tournament, kids bounce houses, local business giveaways and appearances by base commanders and local elected representatives. Free hot dogs, popcorn and soft drinks will be served.
Veterans Wills Clinic to be held May 9
Lowcounty Legal Volunteers is hosting a free Veterans Wills Clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, May 9, at the Beaufort County Disabilities and Special Needs Office at 100 Clearwater Way in Beaufort.
Pre-registration is required. Apply at LowcountryLegalVolunteers.org.
County VA to offer End of Life Planning Seminars for veterans, families
Beaufort County Veterans Affairs is hosting End of Life Planning Seminars for veterans and their families.
These seminars address things veterans and their families can do today to ensure their personal effects are in order. They also discuss Veterans Affairs benefits that surviving spouses may be entitled to receive.
They will be offered at either 9 a.m. or 1 p.m., at convenient locations around Beaufort County:
- Tuesday, May 20: Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road.
- Tuesday, May 27: Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street.
RSVPs are required for space and resource purposes. Please contact Crystal at 843-255-6880 to reserve your seat. For questions and more information please contact Beaufort County Veterans Affairs at 843-255-6880.
