NAMI hosts program to help caregivers

NAMI Beaufort County, the local organization of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will offer its evidence based Family-to-Family Education Program beginning Saturday, January 10, 2015. NAMI Family-to-Family is a free 12-session education program for family caregivers of adults living with mental illness. It will be held on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon in Beaufort at Harrington Place at 1211 Harrington Street. The course provides a broad perspective that will help parents, spouses, siblings and adult children better understand and support loved ones living with mental illness, while taking care of their own needs.

“Mental illness does not involve just one person,” said NAMI Beaufort County Board President John Aiello, “Entire families are affected. NAMI offers help and hope to families. People who take the course describe it as life-changing. It is taught by trained family caregivers who themselves have loved ones living with mental illness. They know first-hand what families face.”

For more information or to register for the course please contact Sarah Eliasoph, Executive Director at nami@hargray.com or by telephoning 843-681-2200. The course provides information about major mental illnesses and current research on their biological aspects; information about treatment strategies and prospects for recovery; empathy based on the “lived experience” of a person living with mental illness; specific skills for communication, problem-solving and handling crises and relapse; coping skills for family caregivers to alleviate worry, stress and emotional overload; and guidance on finding appropriate mental health care and supports in the community and how to advocate for them. Mental illness includes major depression, major anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia.

Fly the American Flag on Monday

According to US Code Title 36, Section 174, Chapter 10, The Exchange Club would like to remind everyone to fly their American Flag from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting on all patriotic holidays including the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 19th. No symbol better signifies our nation’s greatness or inspires respect and love of country than our American flag—the Stars and Stripes. The Exchange Club has a program known as Proudly we Hail. It encourages regular display of the flag by individuals, commercial establishments and industries by honoring them through the presentation of a specially designed plaque. This outstanding program promotes Americanism as well as community recognition by the Exchange Club. If you know of a business or individual that proudly and properly flies the flag, please contact Angel Flewelling at 525-0102.

Beaufort Memorial offers joint pain seminar

Do you suffer from hip and knee pain? Beaufort Memorial will host a free seminar on Monday, January 19 at 9 a.m. in Room 364 of the hospital’s Medical and Administrative Center at 990 Ribaut Rd. (directly across the street from the main hospital campus), where Beaufort Memorial Orthopedic Care Coordinator and Physical Therapist Andrea Sadler will provide information about normal knee and hip anatomy, signs and symptoms of joint-related problems, and treatment options to relieve or resolve pain. From in-home exercise and medical management, to physical therapy and surgery, she will explain appropriate options that can be personalized for a patient’s specific needs. The seminar is free but registration is requested. To learn more or make a reservation call (843) 522-5585.

Celebrate the New Year  in Beaufort

The Beaufort Republican Women’s Club invites members, guests and newcomers to a cocktail party at the cost of $10.00 (excluding drinks) on Tuesday, January 20 at 5:00 p.m. at The Holiday Inn on Boundary Street.  Please RSVP to 338-1824; lzkeaton@aol.com; or www.beaufortrepublicanwomensc.com.

Souper Bowl of Caring accepting donations

The BCHS SADD Club is working with youth groups around the nation on the Souper Bowl of Caring Campaign to collect cans of any kind of soup for local food banks/pantries. Collection started January 6th and ends January 30th.  Donations may be dropped off in the front office of Battery Creek High School. For more information, call Diane Grooms at 322-5580.

YMCA offers Creative Movement Class

The YMCA of Beaufort County is offering a new, 12 session Gymnastics/Creative Movement class for kids age 4-7 beginning on Feb. 2, 2015. This is a non-competitive movement class that will incorporate dance, tumbling and gymnastics at a basic level. Curriculum will include warm-ups and learning tumbling skills like the cart-wheel, round-off, bridge, various roll-overs as well as dance, stretching and flexibility movements. Register at the YMCA or online (ymcabeaufortcounty.com).The class will be taught by instructor Destinee Andrews who brings more than 9 years of gymnastics training. Students should wear comfortable t-shirt, shorts (or leggings) and tennis shoes. Register soon - space is limited!
The 4-5 year old student class is Mondays (starting Feb. 2, 2015) and 6-7 year old student class is Wednesdays (starting Feb. 4, 2015) at the Wardle Family YMCA, 1801 Richmond Avenue, Port Royal, SC 29935. The cost $100 per student for YMCA members and $120 per student for non-members for all 12 sessions. Please contact Lisa Redwine, Sports &amp; Aquatic Boating Director at ymcasportsco@gmail.com  or 832.522.9622 or visit ymcabeaufortcounty.com for more information.

Sea Island Fly Fishers to meet

Sea Island Fly Fishers, will meet on February 11 at 6 p.m., at Bay Street Outfitters, 825 Bay St. Beaufort.  The event is free and the public is welcome.  The speaker is local guide Ja Malphrus, born and raised on the Broad River.  Ja will talk about fishing for redfish with top water flys and on tactics for Winter reds.  Join us for refreshments and tall tales.  Contact Jack Baggette at 522-8911 with questions or visit our website at www.seaislandflyfishers.com.

Events for Adults at the St. Helena Library

• Family Law Issues: Divorce, Custody, Visitation &amp; Support: This 30-45 minute lecture will be followed by an open question and answer session and will be held Monday, February 16th, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathon Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena. The price is free. For more information, please contact Meghan Kilgore at 843-255-6559 or mkilgore@bcgov.net  or visit beaufortcountylibrary.org

• End of Life Issues: Health Care Power of Attorney, Living Wills, DNR Orders, Power of Attorney, Funeral Planning &amp; Cremation: This 30-45 minute lecture will be followed by an open question and answer session and will be held on March 16th, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathon Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena, The price is free. For more information, please contact Meghan Kilgore at 843-255-6559 or mkilgore@bcgov.net  or visit beaufortcountylibrary.org.

Photography contest underway

Each year the Photography Club has awarded monetary prizes and awards to local Beaufort County High School students for excellence in nature photography.  The contest is underway, and submissions are being accepted. Judging will be on March 9.  Area high school teachers are award of the contest, but home schooled students are also encouraged to participate. The 2015 Dale Westcott Memorial Nature Photo Award will be given to the student photographer who submits the best nature photograph, as judged by the Photography Club of Beaufort. Any area student currently enrolled in a Beaufort County high school or home schooled is eligible. Each student may only submit one photograph. The photo may be black &amp; white or color and must be 8”x10” or larger and mounted on 11x14 board. The photo may not be framed. The photo must be in the club’s possession by Friday, March 6, 2014. Arrangement can be made with Sandy Dimke (263-4340 ordimke@hargray.com) to deliver photos before this time.

Beaufort District Collection’s Program

The Beaufort District Collection (BDC) is the Library system’s special local history collection and archives. BDC supports research and provides free programs about the people, places, events, and themes of our long, broad, and deep history. The Shaping of South Carolina is on loan from the South Carolina Historical Society and will be on exhibit Mondays – Fridays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Beaufort District Collection, 2nd floor, 311 Scott Street through January 30, 2015 except Mon., Jan. 19th when the library system is closed to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. day.  Learn how troublesome establishing our state boundaries was and remains in this traveling exhibit on loan from the South Carolina Historical Society. The price is free. For more information, please contact Grace Cordial, 843-255-6468 or gracec@bcgov.net or visit the website at beaufortcountylibrary.org.