<b>Sea Turtle Talks<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>continue in August</b>

Every Tuesday in August, boys and girls and “children of all ages” are invited to Hunting Island State Park to learn all you ever wanted to know about sea turtles. The Friends of Hunting Island will be at the picnic pavilion near the lighthouse at 10:30 every Tuesday morning to talk about these wonderful creatures and answer all your questions. You’ll learn why and when the mother turtles return to Hunting Island, how they dig their nests and lay their eggs, what happens when the eggs hatch, and what challenges the baby turtles have on their way to the ocean. After the free talks there will be a free optional beach walk to see some nests and how they are kept safe. Sea turtles are so important to South Carolina beaches and learning about them is a first step in making sure they continue to be protected and keep coming back to Hunting Island and other coastal habitats. Please join us! Park admission entry fees apply.

For more information, go to the Friends of Hunting Island web-site and to the Facebook page: FOHI Sea Turtle Conservation Project.

<b>Film Society to hold Meet &amp; Greet</b>

The Beaufort Film Society will hold a Meet &amp; Greet from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Papaya Thai &amp; Sushi Bar in Beaufort. The event is free and open to the public. Come out to meet your fellow film aficionados and learn about some exciting news regarding South Carolina Film Incentives, local film news, and the upcoming 13th annual Beaufort International Film Festival. For more information about the Beaufort Film Society, please visit beaufortfilmfestival.com.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

<b>Drum Circle adds second monthly session</b>

By popular demand, the Beaufort Drum Circle has added a second session for each month. We will continue our second Mondays from 5:30-7 p.m. and have added the fourth Thursday each month from 7-8:30 p.m.

All are welcome to enjoy some good vibes at our free, family-friendly events. The next drum circle is Thursday, Aug. 23, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Contemplative Garden at Henry Chambers Waterfront Park. (Gazebo for inclement weather.) Bring a chair and your favorite percussion instrument. No experience necessary. Rain or shine.

<b>Bloody Sunday tourney returns to Parris Island</b>

The Bloody Sunday Tournament returns to The Legends at Parris Island on Sunday, Aug. 26. The event is open to all players and ability levels. All males play from the red tees and the females play from 80 percent of that yardage.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Check-in at 1:30 p.m. followed by shotgun start at 2 p.m. Entry fee is $20 for Gross Division, $20 for Net Division (must have USGA handicap) or $40 for both divisions, which includes green fees and cart.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

To sign up, call the Pro Shop at (843) 228-2240 or email Craig Dixson at craig.dixson@usmc-mccs.org.

<b>Blood drive to<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>be held Aug. 31</b>

Help save lives in the local community on Friday, Aug. 31, from 9 a.m. until noon when Helena Place Senior Living holds a OneBlood blood drive. OneBlood is the sole provider of blood to Beaufort Memorial Hospital. All donors will receive a OneBlood beach towel, a wellness checkup and be entered<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>into a raffle to win a Mac Coxwell 24 x 36 canvas print. Reserve your appointment time now at www.oneblooddonor.org using code #31608. Questions can emailed to rewing@enlivant.com or call 843-252-3001. Helena Place Senior Living is an assisted living community located at 1624 Paris Avenue in Port Royal, directly across from the Port Royal Post Office.

<b>New featured exhibit coming to BAA Gallery</b>

“Blending Digital Art with Photography” is the title of an exhibit featuring artist Gordon Fritz at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery from Sept. 2 through Oct. 28. An open house and reception will be held at the Gallery on Friday, Sept. 7, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited.

<b>YMCA swim team registration open</b>

The BYAC Tiger Sharks Swim Team is registering swimmers for the 2018-19 season now through Sept. 10. The Wardle Family YMCA in Port Royal offers three levels of swim team depending upon an individual’s skill level. Youth ages 5 and up who meet minimum requirements will be evaluated by swim coaches to determine placement level. For more information visit beaufort-jasperymca.org, stop by the Y at 1801 Richmond Avenue, or call 832-522-9622.

<b>YMCA adds additional CPR training dates<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b>

The Wardle Family YMCA in Port Royal will offer four more CPR classes for community members this year. The courses will be held on four Saturdays — Aug. 18, Sept. 8, and Oct. 13 — from 8 a.m. to noon.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Cost is $30 for this YMCA-certified course, and those interested need to register at the Y as space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact aquatics director Lou Bergen at 843-522-9622 to register or visit beaufort-jasperymca.org.

<b>Join the YA Everlasting Book Club</b>

If you are an adult but still enjoy reading young adult literature, this book club is for you. The Young Adult Everlasting Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott St. The next title will be “Ghost” by Jason Reynolds (Aug. 8), followed by “The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano” by Sonia Manzano (Sept. 12). For more information, call 843-255-6458 or visit beaufortcountylibrary.org.

<b>August events at Hunting Island State Park</b>

There are fun, interesting and educational activities every day hosted by Park Ranger and Lowcountry Master Naturalist Megan Stegmeir.
<ul>
 	<li>Monday: Tie Dye at 2 p.m.; Boardwalk Tours and Secrets of the Salt Marsh at 4 p.m.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></li>
 	<li>Tuesday: Sea Turtle Tracks at 10:30 a.m.; Beach Walks at 3 p.m.</li>
 	<li>Wednesday: Alligator Talks at 1 p.m.</li>
 	<li>Thursday: A Sunrise at the Lighthouse at 6:30 a.m. (Aug. 16); Lighthouse Tours at 10 a.m. (Aug. 9, Aug. 23); Feeding Frenzy every Thursday at 3 p.m.</li>
 	<li>Friday: Stepping Stones at 1 p.m.</li>
 	<li>Saturday: Fish Printing at noon; Creatures of the Night (Aug. 11, Aug. 18)</li>
 	<li>Sunday: Reptile Talks at 11 a.m.; Sand/Candy Art at 1 p.m. (Aug. 12, Aug. 19); Full Moon Lighthouse Climb at 8 p.m. (Aug. 26)</li>
</ul>
<b>Learn to use digital services at the library</b>

Learn how to instantly access and download free ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, and more. Bring your own favorite mobile device (tablet, cell phone, or laptop) and learn how to use the digital services offered by the library.

Monday, Aug. 27, 5:30 p.m. and, Thursday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott St. Free. For more information, call 843-255-6458 or visit beaufortcountylibrary.org.

<b>Island Girls Night Out </b><b>hits Bay Street this month</b>

The August edition of Island Girls Night Out is set for Aug. 23. The event will be co-hosted by Reflections Old and New Antiques, Collectibles, Art and Glass at 928 Bay Street and It's Me Fashions, specializing in unique, affordable fashions, at 928 1/2 Bay Street.

<b>Join the Port<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Royal Challenge</b>

The YMCA Exercise-a-thon is now the YMCA Port Royal Challenge! Join us Saturday, Sept. 9,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wardle Family YMCA located at 1801 Richmond Ave. in Port Royal and complete as many exercise classes as you can in four hours. From HIIT Circuit, Power 30, and running to Aqua Bootcamp, test your mettle with our Y instructors. All money raised will benefit the annual 2018 Scholarship Campaign, which funds financial assistance for local individuals and families in need. The public is invited to attend. Cost is $10 per person with additional donations welcome. Contact Y Wellness Director, Denice Fanning at 843-522-9622. beaufort-jasperymca.org.

<b>Maritime Center hosts 2<sup>nd</sup> </b><b>annual STEAM Festival</b>

The Port Royal Sound Foundation is gearing up for its second annual STEAM Festival on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Maritime Center in Okatie.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Sponsored by Lockheed Martin and the Stanley B. Farbstein Endowment of Coastal Community Foundation, the STEAM Festival will provide hands-on, innovative and super-cool activities for families to enjoy. STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math, is an important initiative for educating and preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs. The festival will showcase demonstrations, simulations, experiments and hands-on activities by area businesses, organizations and schools that are using STEAM to succeed in our highly technical world.

Featured vendors at this years’ festival include Lockheed Martin, Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department, Beaufort-Jasper Water &amp; Sewer Authority, The Sandbox, South Carolina Aquarium, Technical College of the Lowcountry, Coastal Conservation League, SC Department of Natural Resources, Beaufort Memorial Hospital and many more. Each vendor will provide a hands-on and engaging activity for the whole family. Guests are invited to have lunch at the Maritime Center. Food vendors will include Time to Eat, Murican Border, KC Mikes Smokin and Kona Ice.

The Maritime Center features many STEAM-based exhibits and offers a variety of STEAM-based programs to educate visitors about the Port Royal Sound.

The festival will be a great kick-off to the 2018-19 school year. A comprehensive list of participating vendors, demonstration schedules and parking information will be posted on the Port Royal Sound Foundation’s website and Facebook page. For more information, contact the Foundation office at 843-645-7774.

<b>Explore the Medicine of Gone with the Wind</b>

Some say that Margaret Mitchell’s depiction of the Old South came from her childhood experiences in Beaufort. The beloved novel Gone with the Wind has a lot of characters – and a fair portion of them get sick or wounded. Living historian Dave Smoot has created a new program to share his deep knowledge of mid-19th century medical treatments and practices based upon the medical manuals of the time.
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Wednesday, Aug. 29, 5:30 p.m., at the Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott St.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p>
<b>Smoked meats for<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>sale for Labor Day</b>

The Sons of American Veterans will be holding a Labor Day sale offering smoked pork butts and smoked chickens. The butts are $30, and chickens are $10. Both are prepared on site in the smokehouse at the post and can be reserved at the Post and must be paid in advance.

The pick up date is Sunday, Sept, 2, between 9 a.m. and noon.

Brunch also will be served at that time, and the public is invited. The brunch cost is $8, drinks included. Breakfast is made to order, and you can have anything on the menu. To reserve or for more information, call the post at 843-524-1494.