<b>Activities at Hunting<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Island State Park</b>

There are fun, interesting and educational activities every day hosted by Park Ranger and Lowcountry Master Naturalist
Megan Stegmeier.

<b>Sundays: </b>Sand/Candy Art, 11 a.m.; Do You Want To Build a Snow Globe, 2 p.m.

<b>Mondays:</b> Reptiles of the Lowcountry, 11 a.m.; Walk In The Woods, 3 p.m. (Jan. 27).

<b>Tuesdays:</b> Beach Walk, 3 p.m.

<b>Wednesdays:</b> Alligator Talk, 11 a.m.; Stepping Stones, 2 p.m.

<b>Thursdays:</b> Interpretive Lighthouse Tour, 10 a.m.; Feeding Frenzy, 3 p.m.

<b>Fridays: </b>Fish Printing, 2 p.m.

<b>Saturdays: </b>Sunrise Lighthouse Climb, 7 a.m. (Jan. 25); Tie-Die, 11 a.m.; Pinecones for Passerines, 2 p.m. (Jan. 25).

For a description of these programs and a complete calendar of activities, go to southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island and click on “Programs &amp; Events.”

All are invited to attend these free events, though there is an entry fee to Hunting Island State Park and reservations are needed for lighthouse programs. For more information, call 843-838-7437 or go to the Friends of Hunting Island website and the Facebook page: FOHI Sea Turtle Conservation Project.

<b>Hunting Island<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Lighthouse Tours</b>

10 a.m., every Thursday in January (Jan. 23, 30). The Friends of Hunting Island will present Lighthouse tours of the historic Hunting Island Lighthouse. Keeper Ted and his team will tell you all about the history of the Lighthouse, which was built in 1875 and is the only Lighthouse in South Carolina open to visitors. If you are at least 44 inches tall you may also climb the 184 steps to the top of the Lighthouse. Reservations are recommended by calling the Nature Center at 843-838-7437. Regular Thursday tours are $2 per person. Park entry fees apply.

<b>Fripp Audubon Club welcomes Kelley Luikey</b>

7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, Fripp Island Community Center; Meet &amp; Greet at 6 p.m. Kelley Luikey of Nature Muse Imagery is a South Carolina-based professional landscape and wildlife photographer whose primary focus is our resident and migratory birds. She studied at Appalachian State University. Luikey won a billboard spot with ArtPop in 2016, was juried into Art Fields with her image "Dressed in Green" in 2018 and has won many other awards for her work. She has appeared in numerous publications and has been commissioned for advertising and large-scale commercial projects, including images for hospitals and advertising billboards. Her artistic birds are displayed in three galleries in Beaufort County and she resides in Port Royal with her husband and two children. Please join us for the Meet &amp; Greet and bring some snacks to share. For more information, visit

www.naturemuseimagery.com. For more information about Kelley Luikey, visit www.facebook.com/naturemuseimagery of www.instagram.com/naturemuseimagery.

<b>Beaufort County Historical Society “Historically Speaking” lectures</b>

All talks, held at noon on Thursdays, are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome. First-come, first-seated, doors open 30 minutes prior to event.

<b>Jan. 23:</b> Dr. Bernard Powers, “The New Face of African American Public History in Charleston: The Center for the Study of Slavery and the International African American Museum,” Beaufort County Library, 311 Scott St.

<b>March 12: </b>Dr. Lawrence Rowland, “Kate Gleason, Libby Rowland, and Beaufort in the 1920s,” St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis, Sr. Blvd. St. Helena Island.

<b>May 7: </b>81st annual meeting, Dr. Dale Rosengarten, “Blue Collars to Blue Serge Suits: Beaufort’s Jewish Settlers,” St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis, Sr. Blvd., St. Helena Island.

<b>Bringing History to Life,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Fort Fremont Dioramas</b>

10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday, Jan. 25, St. Helena Library. Though Fort Fremont is closed during the construction of an interpretive center by Beaufort County, the Friends of Fort Fremont is presenting historical lectures at on the fourth Saturday of each month. The first lecture will be “Bringing History to Life, Fort Fremont Dioramas,” by Dennis Cannady, Master Modeler. For more information, call at the library at 843-255-6187.

<b>Calvary Youth Choir concert</b>

6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, Parish Church of St. Helena, 505 Church Street, Beaufort. Free and open to the public. The Youth Choir from Calvary Church in Bundang, South Korea, under the direction of Hyodong Sohn, will perform a concert featuring folk songs, well-known classical selections and music written by Korean composers. There will be 19 elementary and middle school students performing who are visiting the area as part of their mission trip.

<b>Sunrise Lighthouse Climb</b>

7 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 25, Hunting Island Lighthouse Complex. Cost $15. Come and join a naturalist in climbing the lighthouse to experience the morning beauty of Hunting Island from above, while learning about the history of the lighthouse. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture some amazing shots. A small breakfast of doughnuts and coffee is provided. Must be 44-inches tall to climb. Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact the Nature Center at 843-838-7437.

<b>Sarah Best at Fripp Island</b>

5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 26, Fripp Island Community Centre, 205 Tarpon Blvd. The mezzo-soprano, dancer and storyteller Sarah Best, accompanied by pianist Michelle Papenfuss, will perform. You receive a free pass at the security gate. Admission at the door — cash or check only, no credit cards — for adults is $30; students and children are free through a grant from the Peg Gorham Memorial Fund. You are invited to the catered "Meet-the-Artists" reception that follows the performance. This concert is sponsored by the Fripp Island Friends of Music and the S.C. Arts Commission, and it helps sustain the FIFOM’s Music-in-the Schools Program. See our website frippfriendsofmusic.com for more information.

<b>Books Sandwiched In</b>

Noon-1 p.m. each Monday,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort. The Friends of the Beaufort Library host the popular 8-week series, featuring book talks by local personalities to provoke interest in books; both fiction and non-fiction. After each talk presenters will welcome questions. The series is free and open to the public. For program details, email Vicki Mix at scvgamix7@gmail.com. For more information, visit friendsoftheBeaufortlibrary.com.

<b>Schedule: Jan. 27</b> – Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, presented by Dawn Freeman; <b>Feb. 3</b> – The Tubman Command by Elizabeth Cobbs, presented by Roland Gardner and Herman Gaither; <b>Feb. 10</b> – State of the Heart: South Carolina Writers on the Places They Love, a panel discussion with Aida Rogers (Editor), Patti Callahan Henry, David Lauderdale, Stephen G. Hofflus and Sallie Ann Robinson, presented in cooperation with the Pat Conroy Literary Center; <b>Feb. 17 </b>– Minnow authored and presented by James McTeer; <b>Feb. 24</b> – Being Mortal by Atul Awande, presented by Dr. Steve Kessell; <b>March 2 </b>– Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway, presented by Liz Farrell.

<b>Concert by Dr. Andrew Scanlon, organist</b>

Noon, Friday, Jan. 31, Parish Church of St. Helena, 505 Church Street, Beaufort. Free and open to the public. Scanlon is the organist and choirmaster of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Greenville, N.C. and serves as a Teaching Assistant Professor of Sacred Music and Organ Performance at East Carolina University School of Music. He will perform on St. Helena's famous Taylor and Boody mechanical action pipe organ.

<b>Friends of Fort Fremont membership meeting</b>

1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, St. Helena Branch Library Large Conference Room. Agenda will include accomplishments of the past year, the status of the Interpretive Center, upcoming events and election of officers and directors. Members, guests, and the public are cordially invited. Light refreshments will be served.

<b>Harlem Renaissance<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Rent Party</b>

2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9, TCL Auditorium. Hosted by Beaufort Arts Council. The event is the organization’s premier annual fundraiser and supports a range of educational programming and community activities for artists and schools in Beaufort County. This year’s event will feature live music from some of the region’s top jazz musicians and singers performing popular jazz standards through the decades, as well as dance performances, literary readings, a silent auction and a surprise that is sure to have everyone talking. The opening reception begins at 2 and the concert starts at 4 p.m. To order tickets, go to: www.beaufortartscouncil.org, or call 843-379-ARTS(2787). Ticket prices are $40.

<b>Lowcountry<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Christian Women's Connection luncheon</b>

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, Hampton Hall Clubhouse, Bluffton. The featured guest will be Lila Arnold, founder of Low Country Raptors, and she will have live birds on display. Our speaker is Sharee Darian from Ridgeland. The cost $26 and must be prepaid by Feb. 12. Make checks payable to "CWC Bluffton" and mail to Carol Mock, 607 Argent Way, Bluffton, SC 29909. For details, call Carol at 843-705-7604.

<b>Beaufort Christian<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Women’s Connection lunch</b>

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Feb. 20, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, Lady’s Island. Lunch by Holmes Catering is $18. Sheree Darian is the guest speaker. Tours of Beaufort is the focus of Bill Reynolds’ feature talk. Call Marti Myers at 843-321-0962 by Feb. 14.

<b>Republican Women’s Club Membership Drive Luncheon</b>

11:30 a.m. February 22, Dataw Island Club, 121 Dataw Dr., St. Helena Island. State representative Shannon Erickson will be the featured speaker. The cost of the luncheon is $30 and is by reservation only. This year is the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote. Please join us to hear how you can get involved in the 2020 election campaigns and the celebration of our right to vote. For reservations, please call Elaine Gantt at 843-379-0056 or email eygantt@gmail.com.

<b>3rd annual St. Patrick’s<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Day Festival</b>

Noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 14, Beaufort Town Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Area restaurants and food trucks will be selling food and drinks, and there will be live entertainment. The event will also have activities for children of all ages. New to the Festival this year will be an adult and kids costume contest. The event benefits Beaufort County Animal Services. The Festival is accepting vendor applications online until March 1. Additional information can be found on the Beaufort Town Center website (www.beauforttowncenter.com) and Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/BeaufortTownCenter).

<b>The Historic<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Port Royal Museum</b>

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, 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. Informative short lectures are given every Saturday at 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. by historian Woody Collins. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>email unionchurch1004@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333. You can also find us on Facebook!

<b>Al-Anon Family Groups</b>

Are you concerned about a loved one’s drinking or drug use? Join a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics and addicts who share their experience, strength, and hope to solve common problems. Free. Al-Anon meetings take place on Hilton Head Island, in Bluffton and in Okatie. Ala-Teen meetings are 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Bluffton United Methodist Church. To find a local meeting, go to al-anon-sc.org.

<b>Free vessel safety checks</b>

Beaufort Sail and Power Squadron aka America’s Boating Club of Beaufort, a local non-profit organization with a focus on boating safety and education is offering free vessel safety checks to community boaters. Please contact Charlie Weaver at 843-836-1500 to schedule your inspection (please leave a message) or email us at beaufort.sailandpower.squadron@gmail.com.

<b>Get moving with<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Beaufort Track Club</b>

Join the Beaufort Track Club at the Beaufort High School track from 6:30-7:30 p.m. each Tuesday night for an open community track workout. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced workouts are posted each week to ensure that you are getting the workout that you need.

Visit the Facebook page “Beaufort Track Club” for more information.

<b>May River Quilters Guild</b>

On the first Saturday of every month, the May River Quilters Guild meets at Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville. Members meet at 9:30 a.m. for social exchange. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. Please call 847-707-6034 or visit www.mayeriverquiltguild.com.

<b>Parkinson’s support group</b>

A support group for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and carepartners meets the first Thursday of each month at the Beaufort Memorial Lifefit Wellness Center from 1:30 to 3 p.m. For more information, visit our Facebook page or call Ric at 843-525-1229.

<b>Puppy Plunge at the YMCA</b>

YMCA Puppy Plunge will be held on the third Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. (weather permitting) at the Y outdoor pool at 1801 Richmond Ave. in Port Royal. Pups can splash, swim and play in our safe, enclosed outdoor pool area.

Cost is $10 per pup, and all proceeds benefit the Y’s Learn to Swim program, which teaches local children and adults to swim at a reduced cost or for free. Dogs must be well behaved, current on all required vaccines and leashed until inside the pool area. Owners must be present at all times and humans are not permitted to swim in the Puppy Plunge. Visit beaufort-jasperymca.org or call 843-522-9622 for more information.

<b>Register to be a Tiger Shark</b>

BYAC Tiger Sharks Swim Team registration is open for the 2019-2020 season. There are three levels of swim team for ages 5 and up who meet swim team group requirements: Shark Pups; Group 1; and Group 2. Evaluations on going on now for group placement. Learn more online at beaufort-jasperymca.org (click on Aquatics&gt;Swim Team), stop by the Y in Port Royal (1801 Richmond Ave.) or call the Y at 843-522-9622.