<strong>Lobeco Library offers children’s events</strong>

On March 12th, starting at 11:15 a.m., join us with your 0-4 year olds for Storytime at the Lobeco Library. Enjoy listening, singing songs and positive social interaction for your little ones. No registration required and there is no fee. On Wednesdays March 18th &amp; March 25th at 4:30 p.m., join us for our “Crazy 8’s Math Club” where we make it fun for your children ages 8-12 to learn math by building cool things, running, jumping and even making music. Both programs are held at the Lobeco Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, Lobeco. For more information or to register for Crazy 8’s, please call Jennifer at 843-255-6479.

<strong>New boutique hosting opening event</strong>

Spring cleaning isn’t just for houses. Most women feel the need to spruce up their wardrobes as well when the weather turns balmy. Maybe it’s the psychological effect of shedding the heavy layers that cocoon us in the winter that makes us all yearn to be butterflies by sporting bright colors, gossamer fabrics and a bit of sparkle. Whatever the reason, a new boutique has just opened in ARTworks at Beaufort Town Center which will satisfy those cravings for something fun and frilly. Run by three very elegant women, the boutique is actually a collective, comprised of Ngome (Pronounced “En-Go-May”) Enterprises, The Stylist Café, and Mahoganee’s Vintage Pieces. This well-curated mix of vintage and modern fashion and jewelry, draws from a range of cultures and eras. The partners are Donellia Chives, a young clothing and accessories designer; Mahoganee Amiger, a local songstress and fan of glamourous vintage style; and Cynthia Stewart, a former cosmetologist and self-described “fan of jewelry and feminine beauty since childhood”.  To introduce the boutique to stylish ladies of Beaufort, the trio will be hosting a “Sip &amp; Shop” event on Saturday, March 14th with a variety of hot and cold teas available for sampling starting at noon, and a “Royal Tea” Tea Party from 4 to 6 p.m. with the additional offering of finger foods and homemade sweets. In addition to a social event and opportunity to preview the wares, special deals will be offered to shoppers throughout the afternoon. The boutique is located inside ARTworks at 2127 Boundary St., Suite 18-A in the Beaufort Town Center shopping plaza. For more information, please call 843-575-3725.

<strong>Lecture by Dr. Ken Meyer date changed</strong>

If you love birds, and support the protection of our birds, don’t miss this important lecture by Dr. Ken Meyer who founded and now directs the nonprofit Avian Research and Conservation Institute (ARCI), located in Gainesville FL where they study and supports management and conservation of rare birds. Prior to the 1900s, Swallow tailed Kites nested in 21 states, but a decline from 1880 to 1940 resulted in the present scattered population mainly in six southeastern states. The Swallow tailed Kite is of critical conservation concern to all state agencies, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners in Flight, Audubon, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Since 1988, the staff of Avian Research and Conservation Institute (ARCI) has studied the year‐round ecology and behavior of Swallow‐tailed Kites to inform management and conservation planning. Ken will share with us critical strategies in place for conservation and the support of a rigorous population monitoring program. The Meet and Greet will begin at 6:00 p.m., at the Fripp Community Center followed by the lecture at 7:00 p.m. If attending, please bring a small plate of nibbles. For additional information, please contact: patrick.r.cotter@gmail.com.

<strong>Sport Fishing Diving Club meeting scheduled</strong>

Beaufort Sport Fishing Diving Club next meeting will be held Thursday, March 12th at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club off Meridian Road on Lady’s Island. The social begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Jane Kokinakis, a well-known local Ophthalmologist, will give the first presentation on protecting your eyes and skin while fishing followed by tips on how to see more fish, birds, and baits. She will conclude with a presentation on how to protect your eyes from fishing disasters and what to do if a hook is caught in the eye with graphic pictures. Following Dr. Kokinakis will be a presentation by both the Beaufort Marine Rescue Squad and US Coast Guard representatives. These presentations will give insights of who can respond to issues on the water, and how to contact them in case of an emergency by VHF, cell phone, or satellite phone. It will conclude with comments mainly concerning what to expect when someone has to be evacuated in an extreme emergency by helicopter. The Marine Rescue will also have their command post available during the social. You don’t need a reservation and all avid boaters are welcomed. For further Information please call Captain Frank Gibson at 843-522-2122.

<strong>Musical night planned at the Spaghetti Club</strong>

Maggy Norden and Bill Zimmer bring songs from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s for their “Memories” show to the Spaghetti Club in the Habersham Marketplace. Showtime is 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 14. Dinner is served; call 466-3663 for reservations.

<strong>March Events at the St. Helena Branch Library</strong>

The library has two great events coming up. The first is called “Irish Heritage” on Thursday, March 12th at 1 p.m. Here you will learn and appreciate Irish Heritage through lecture, songs, and dancing presented by the Sun City Irish Society Members. Seating is limited.
The second event is a “Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre” on Friday, March 20th at 4 p.m. This is a fundraiser for teen services through the Friends of the Beaufort Library. Join Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson along with a host of book characters to solve the mystery of who killed King Henry, VIII. The cost is $10 per person (payable at the door) for dinner which gives you a choice of either Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo or Plain Pasta with marinara sauce and steamed broccoli. Dinners are served with beverage, salad, garlic bread, and dessert. All proceeds are tax deductible. Both events will take place at the St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Rd; St Helena Island. For additional information or to RSVP, please call 843-255-6487.

<strong>Sea Island Quilters to host speaker</strong>

The Sea Island Quilters (SIQ) will meet on Thursday,  March 19, 6 p.m. at Praise Assembly, 800 Parris  Island Gateway. Special guest speaker will be Nancy Prince an award winning quilt artist from Orlando, Florida, specializing in thread painting. She will also conduct a workshop on Saturday, March 21 at Carteret Street United Methodist Church from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For details contact Sharon Kimber at 838-2870 or skimber76@gmail.com or Trudy Flanaghan flanag@embarqmail.com.

<strong>Spring cleanup planned for Port Royal</strong>

The Beaufort County Public Works Department, Solid Waste and Recycling Section, and Keep Beaufort County Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., are jointly hosting a Great American Cleanup event in the Town of Port Royal.  The event will take place on March 21st. Keep Beaufort County Beautiful will lead a land cleanup beginning at 7:30 a.m. Beaufort Kayak Tours will lead a water cleanup beginning at 10:00 a.m. from the Sands Beach to the Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve. Great American Cleanup events offer volunteer opportunities for individuals, schools, communities, businesses, and other groups to take action and get involved with their environment. Volunteers are needed to help make this event a success. Those interested in volunteering for the land cleanup should contact Kathryn Madden at kmadden@bcgov.net and plan to meet at the Port Royal Town Hall located at 700 Paris Avenue. Individuals interested in the water cleanup should contact Beaufort Kayak Tours to reserve a kayak free of charge at info@beaufortkayaktours.com or 843-525-0810. Event organizers will provide trash bags and safety vests.  Volunteers are strongly encouraged to bring gloves and a bottle of water.

<strong>Meet the (unexpected) Beaufort Beauties</strong>

It’s not every day that you get to see seven gentlemen dress up as women and compete in a beauty contest. Right? Well that is just what is going to happen as Main Street Beaufort hosts Beaufort Beauties on March 21st starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Shed of Port Royal to raise money to support the efforts of four local charities: Main Street Beaufort, USA, Friends of Hunting Island, HELP of Beaufort, and the Humane Association of the Lowcountry. The good natured beauty contestants are: Will Achurch, Doug Boyne, Bob Ellis, Dick Geier , Zack Manley, Seth Parsick, and Bill Zimmer. The pageant’s judges are Representative Shannon Erickson, Pat Green, Beppie LeGrand, Nan Sutton, and Councilman Stephen Murray. They all promise that you will feel you are in Atlantic City as they judge the talent and evening gown competitions plus crowning Miss Congeniality, the contestant who has raised the most money for the event. Tickets can be purchased from Main Street Beaufort at (843) 525-6644 or at 101 West Street Extension in downtown Beaufort for $35.00 each. Tables of 10 or 12 are available for reservations as well as VIP on-stage seating this year for $250, includes seating for 5 and complementary drinks. You can also donate money towards a specific beauty’s quest to become Miss Congeniality. The event is expected to sell out. For inquiries call (843) 525-6644 or email director@downtownbeaufort.com.

<strong>Join the second annual VOLKSMARCH</strong>

The Friends of Hunting Island announce the second annual VOLKSMARCH or People’s Walk on Saturday, March 28th. Walks along the lagoon and through the maritime forest will feature major segments of the Hunting Island Trail System. Walkers can start from the Nature Center (next to the fishing pier) anytime from 9 a.m. to 3pm. Following signs along the path, the walk can be completed in 1.5 hours. Contributions ($10 for a participation pendant) will benefit the Discover Carolina Program for local schools.So, get your friends and neighbors together and join us! For more information, visit www.friendsofhuntingisland.org.