<strong>Harriott Powers, Extraordinary Quilter</strong>

The Sea Island Quilters will meet on Thursday, April 16, 6 p.m. at Praise Assembly, 800 Paris Island Gateway. A special presentation will be made by local quilter and guild member Mary Hampton Campbell on African-American quilt maker Harriott Angeline Powers, born into slavery in Georgia in 1837. How did her quilts make their way into collections of the Smithsonian and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts? Mary will tell Harriott’s story along with stories of the people who lovingly cared for her quilts so that they can be admired and enjoyed today - over 100 years later. She will also show a replica of Harriott Angeline Powers’ iconic Bible Quilt. For details contact Sharon Kimber at 838-2870 or skimber76@gmail.com.

<strong>Concert at the Parish Church of St. Helena</strong>

Steven Young of Bridgewater State University will present the fourth in the free spring series of Friday organ concerts at noon on Friday, April 17th,  at the Parish Church of St. Helena, 505 Church St. in downtown Beaufort.  Dr. Young is a Professor of Music at Bridgewater, where he teaches music theory, music history, and choral techniques and is Director of Choral Activities, conducting the college’s two choral ensembles. He is also the organist and music director at the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Taunton, MA. He holds degrees in organ performance from Barrington College and New England Conservatory of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts from Boston University. He also holds the Associate Certificate from the American Guild of Organists.  He will perform on the church’s historic Taylor &amp; Boody organ as the fourth guest organist in the spring series. Concerts are free and open to the public.  The spring concert series will conclude on May 1 with a presentation by JeeYoon Choi of Charleston.

<strong>Love theatre?</strong>

Blithe Spirit, a comedy by famous playwright Noel Coward, is playing April 17th and 18th at 7:30 p.m. and April 19 at 3 p.m.at the USCB Center for the Arts. Please join us in celebrating this genius play and fantastic ensemble of actors. Directed by USCB Theatre Professor George Pate.

<strong>Earth Day at the Farmers Market</strong>

On April 18th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon celebrate Earth Day at the Farmers Market in Port Royal. Numerous environmental groups will be set up with information and giveaways.  Judge the Rain Barrel decorating Contest. Learn how to put fittings into a rain barrel. Help plant a tree. Come learn about your environment, shop, and eat local foods at the Farmers Market! For additional information, contact Shelby Berry, Beaufort Conservation District at 843-522-8100.

<strong>“Coming home” is important!</strong>

The old adage, “There’s no place like home” can mean even more when we consider our relationship with God.  If you have been away from the Catholic Church or are newly returned to the practice of your faith, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 70 Lady Island Drive welcomes you to join us April 18 through May 23 for six consecutive Saturdays, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. for presentations, discussions and Q/A designed to help brothers and sisters come home.  For more info, please contact Deborah Richard at 843-575-3742 and deborahmrichard@hargray.com or Theresa Pulliam at 843-524-2604 and pulliams@hargray.com.

<strong>Don’t miss the Soft Shell Crab Festival</strong>

Celebrate the 12th annual Soft Shell Crab Festival with food, fun and festivities for all on Saturday, April 18, from noon to 5 p.m. on Paris Avenue in cool, coastal, far from ordinary Port Royal, SC. The festival is free and open to all. It will feature a variety of eclectic cuisine in addition to the Lowcountry’s soft shell crabs prepared in a variety of styles by area chefs. In addition to live music, there will be an all-ages cornhole tournament, a kids’ zone entertainment area, a craft/artisan fair and a car show by Beaufort’s Classic Car &amp; Truck Club. The festival will also feature Port Royal’s annual Crab Race where approximately 5,000 rubber crabs are “adopted” by individuals for $10.00 each. Proceeds from the Crab Race benefit the Rotary Clubs of Beaufort, which support several charitable causes. To adopt a crab and learn more about the charities, visit www.PortRoyalCrabRace.com. For more information about the Soft Shell Crab Festival, visit www.oldvillageportroyal.com or call (843) 592-2356.

<strong>Birders take note</strong>

Fripp Audubon is sponsoring a field trip to the Edisto Nature Trail on Thursday, April 23rd.  Edisto Nature Trail is a one-mile walk through typical low country forest with a spur trail leading to a bottomland swamp of the Edisto River. We hope to find early Swainson’s, hooded and Kentucky warblers. Depending on time and interest, we will ride through Donnelley WM/A on the way home. Meet at McDonald’s, Lady’s Island, for 8 a.m. departure. Bring binoculars, bug spray, sunscreen, water, snacks/lunch etc. In order to have an idea about the size of the group, please email Patrick Cotter at patrick.r.cotter@gmail.com if you are coming on the Edisto trip.

<strong>Community bible study brunch for visitors</strong>

The Beaufort Women’s Day Class of Community Bible Study will hold an informational Visitor’s Day Brunch on Thursday, April 23, from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. at Parish Church of St. Helena’s Parish Hall, Beaufort. This event is open to all area women interested in joining Community Bible Study for the 2015-16 class study of the books of Daniel and Revelation beginning in September. Community Bible Study is non-denominational presenting an in-depth Bible study in a caring format. The Beaufort class meets weekly from September to May on Thursday mornings and is open to women and children, infants to age 12; classes are limited. Women may bring children to the brunch, but advance reservations are required for childcare. For more information call Sandi Fischer 838-0212 or visit the Beaufort CBS website at beaufort.cbsclass.org or Beaufort CBS on Facebook.

<strong>Renowned speaker at the Archaeological Society speakers series</strong>

On Thursday, April 23rd at 6 p.m. the Beaufort Chapter of the Archaeological Society of SC and the Beaufort District Collection will present a lecture by Dr. Chester DePratter discussing Santa Elena at the Beaufort District Collection Space upstairs in the Beaufort County Library, 311 Scott St., in Beaufort. Dr. DePratter is a Research Associate Professor at SCIAA South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of South Carolina. Chester DePratter has worked on a variety of Native American sites, primarily in South Carolina and Georgia, and has written numerous articles on prehistoric archaeology, exploration routes of Spanish explorers and the early European presence in the southeastern United States. Seating is limited to the first 50 guests. There is no charge for this event.

<strong>Opportunity to try new healing methods</strong>

Integrative Healing Arts Sampler is on April 25th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Clinical style delivery of acupuncture, Christian counseling, massage, chiropractic, neuro emotional, Healing Touch, nutritional, holistic MD and more by licensed volunteer practitioners and Christian healing prayer team. The event will take place at 705 Bladen Street, Beaufort, SC.  There is a $10 donation for a 20 minute session to raise funds for those with mental and a disability condition is requested. Scholarship applications for free services are available onsite. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and spots are limited but entry is free to public if you just want to visit. Samplers will occur on the last Saturday of each month. Sponsored by Ministries for Synergetic Wellness, Inc. a filed nonprofit to raise funds for those who cannot afford holistic mental health and integrative services. For questions email reneesutton@healthierhealing.com or see ministriesforsynergeticwellness.org.

<strong>Bird and turtle volunteers needed</strong>

The Fripp Audubon Club is planning a work day on Saturday, April 25th to clean and organize the Beaufort Elementary School outdoor garden/living lab. But we need volunteers to make this all happen. We need you from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and that should do it if we get a lot of volunteers so entice your neighbors to join you.  If you would like to help, email Betsy Richards at richardsbetsy43@gmail.com. Volunteers are asked to bring any of the following: Spades, screw drivers, hammers, drills, shovels, clippers, saws (for small Popcorn trees) and mallets. Plus, your own gloves. We will have water, coffee, snacks, plastic gloves, feeders, plants, bird seed, and rocks.

<strong>Youth Rally</strong>

Don’t miss the “Souled Out” Youth Rally on April 25th between 5 to 8 p.m. This is the perfect Saturday night for kids between 7th to 12th grades. This is a free region-wide youth rally featuring performances by Clear Vision Drama Co. (Springfield, MO), “One Way” (student praise band of FBC of Richmond, GA), guest speakers and pizza. The rally takes place at the Red Dam Baptist Church, 488 Red Dam Road, in Hardeeville. For additional information, please call (843) 784-6083, email info@reddambaptistchurch.org, or visit www.reddambaptistchurch.org.
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Next events at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center:
Sat. April 18:</strong> Kayak Tours, 12 to 2 p.m
<strong>Sat. April 18:</strong> Prayers for the Water Community Concert, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
<strong>Wed. April 22:</strong> Story Time, 12:30 p.m.</p>