Halloween festivities at Waterfront Park set for Oct. 21
Are you ready for some scary good times?
Then put Saturday, Oct. 21, on your calendar and plan to bring the kiddies to the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, where the City will host a Halloween Celebration beginning at 10 a.m. with trick-or-treating at 12:30 p.m.
DJ Donna Smith will be spinning the tunes. The kids will be able to play games (with prizes), participate in crafts, and, of course, go trick-or-treating!
Sponsorships are still available. Please fill out the information in the Sponsor Application Packet at https://bit.ly/3F8uoSZ.
Highway 21 Drive-In Trunk Or Treat
Highway 21 Drive-In is hosting a Trunk or Treat weekend from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21.
There will be lots of activities for the kids, including face painting and balloon animals brought to you by Coastal Events and Character Parties. There will be prizes, bounce houses, a dunk booth, the Burton Fire Department and, of course, candy.
Make sure to stay after for a movie.On Screen 1, it’s Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour for both showings. On Screen 2, it’s Hocus Pocus, followed by the 30th Anniversary of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
You can pre-purchase tickets online at hwy21drivein.com.
County Council hosting a ‘chat’
County Council is hosting one remaining Community Council Chat – Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Council Chambers – for members of the public to get to know Council members and ask questions.
The chat is informal and registration is not required. There will be a sign up sheet for those interested in speaking however no minutes will be taken, the meetings will not be televised, nor will County staff be on premises. Council members are encouraging all members of the public to attend and ask questions on any topic of concern to them.
Historic Port Royal Foundation Oyster Roast Fundraiser
The Historic Port Royal Foundation is hosting an Oyster Roast Fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28 at Live Oak Park in Port Royal. Tickets are $40 online at www.portroyalhistory.org or $45 at the event. Enjoy oysters, homemade chili, desserts and a raffle. An award will be given for the most creative Halloween costume.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park to host bird, nature walk at Penn Center
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park invites the public to attend a free birdwatching and nature hike along the Capers Creek Nature Trail at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District at 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 28. The hike will begin at Darrah Hall, last around an hour and cover approximately one mile of walking.
As the summer heat of the Lowcountry turns to the relatively cooler weather of fall, many of the region’s birds are on the move. Join a Park Ranger and Bill Jirousek from the Fripp Island Audubon Club for a guided walk to learn more about environmental stewardship of the coastal marsh, and the birds, trees, plants, and wildlife that call St. Helena Island home.
Participants are encouraged to wear long pants and closed toed shoes, and dress appropriately for the weather. The park will have binoculars to loan out for the hike, but participants are invited to bring their own as well.
Gullah Family Trunk Or Treat Oct. 29
The Gullah/Geechee Initiative Foundation is hosting its first Gullah Family Trunk Or Treat from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29 at 16 Penn Center Circle West, St. Helena Island.
There will be safe and fun trick-or-treating for the whole family. Enjoy free candy, prizes, music, photo booth, movie night, trunk costume, costume contests and more. Stop by early to register for the costume contests at Penn Center. Dress up your little ones in their favorite costume or pick a theme for the whole family. Win and take home a goodie bag and several prizes including tickets to theme parks and local attractions.
Please reserve one ticket per child so we know how many trick-or-treaters to expect. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/3Fl2DGH.
Local businesses that would consider decorating a trunk or setting up a booth or organizations that would like to sponsor the event, visit https://bit.ly/46EMDeL.
Contact love@GullahGeecheeIF.orgwith any questions or concerns.
Underwater inspections coming soon
As part of Beaufort County’s continued effort to provide safe and operable public facilities, the County’s consultant McSweeney Engineers, LLC will be conducting underwater inspections of the Spanish Moss Trail Bridge over Albergotti Creek and the Broad River Fishing Pier as part of routine annual safety inspection program.
The inspections are expected to occur at Albergotti Creek on October 20 and at the Broad River Fishing Pier between the dates of October 21 and November 8, weather permitting.
Both structures will remain open while inspections occur but expect to see equipment and personnel in the vicinity. Please take caution while in the area. For any questions, please contact the Beaufort County Engineering Department at 843 255-2700.
Beaufort County State ATAX Grant Applications available
The Beaufort County Accommodations Tax Board has begun accepting State ATAX grant applications from organizations in Beaufort County wishing to receive grants from the 2% state accommodations tax fund.
South Carolina law allows for a 2% tax levy on the rental of all transient accommodations to help provide financial support to promote tourism and fund tourism-related activities in municipalities and counties within the state.
As a result, individuals staying overnight in hotels, motels, inns, and vacation rentals pay 2% in addition to the statewide sales tax and any local sales and use tax applied to their lodging cost.
The current year application (2023/2024) is available online at https://bit.ly/3zzZLE4.
Applications will not be accepted or reviewed if received incomplete or after 5 p.m. on November 3.
Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Brycen Campbell at atax@bcgov.net.
County Assessor hosting events for Quadrennial Property Reassessment
Beaufort County Assessor Ebony Sanders is hosting multiple community events at County Library Branches to allow the public an opportunity to meet with her staff and share questions and concerns regarding Quadrennial Reassessment Notices.
Each event will be from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The dates are as follows:
October
Monday, Oct. 23 – Hilton Head Island Branch Library
Monday, Oct. 30 – Bluffton Branch Library
November
Tuesday, Nov. 7 – Lobeco Branch Library
Thursday, Nov. 9 – St. Helena Branch Library
Monday, Nov. 13 – Bluffton Branch Library
Thursday, Nov. 16 – Hilton Head Island Branch Library
December
Tuesday, Dec. 5 – Lobeco Branch Library
Wednesday, Dec. 6 – St. Helena Branch Library
Wednesday, Dec. 13 – Bluffton Branch Library
Thursday, Dec. 14 – Hilton Head Island Branch Library
In the event of an unforeseeable change in the date, time, or location, the Assessor’s Office webpage will be updated to reflect rescheduling.
SCDNR seeks nominations for environmental award
The State of South Carolina is seeking nominations for an award to recognize individuals who are doing extraordinary work for the natural environment. Nominations will be accepted through October 24.
The S.C. Environmental Awareness Award, now in its 31st year, was established by S.C. General Assembly during the 1992 legislative session to recognize outstanding contributions made toward the protection, conservation and improvement of South Carolina’s natural resources.
Each year the public is invited to submit nominations that are then reviewed by an awards committee. In judging nominees, the committee considers excellence in innovation, leadership and accomplishments that influence positive changes affecting the natural environment.
Members of the awards committee represent the S.C. Forestry Commission, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.
Nominees must be a South Carolina resident, possess upstanding moral character and exemplify extraordinary dedication to preserving and improving the environment and natural resources of South Carolina.
Areas of accomplishment include, but are not limited to:
- Protection, conservation or improvement of soil, water or air
- Protection or conservation of native plants, animals or their habitats
- Improvement of natural resource management
- Benefits to wildlife (game or non-game)
- Increased recreational or aesthetic values
All nominations must include completed nomination forms as well as written responses to the information requests within the form. Completed nomination forms and materials should be emailed to stoneb@dnr.sc.gov no later than October 24.
Please contact Ben Stone at stoneb@dnr.sc.gov or 843-953-9062 for additional information.
The 2021 Environmental Awareness Award winner, James Frederick, was honored for his extraordinary work advocating for conservation of the state’s natural resources during his 33 years of service with Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.
View nomination forms and a list of previous winners at https://bit.ly/3PBA4JZ.
