<b>Exercise-A-Thon coming to Port Royal YMCA</b>

The YMCA of Beaufort County will hold a Back to the ‘80s Exercise-A-Thon from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Port Royal Y. This event is open to the public and will include four hours of group exercise classes including kick boxing, spinning and more. The fee is a $10 minimum to participate. All proceeds will benefit the Y Scholarship Program. Cyclers can reserve a bike by calling the YMCA at 843-522-9622. The Port Royal Y is at 1801 Richmond Ave.

<b>Drugs, news, ethics are topics of coming programs</b>

The Beaufort Branch Library will host an author book talk about “Operation Jackpot” at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14.

“Jackpot: High Times, High Seas, and the Sting that Launched the War on Drugs,” by Jason Ryan, is a book about a period in the late 1970s when some Beaufort County residents engaged in large-scale drug smuggling activities and were caught by the sting code-named “Operation Jackpot.”

At the Hilton Head Branch Library, former newsman Tom Crawford will discuss his book, “Resurrections of an Obituary Writer,” from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Sept. 6. The book’s essays and obituaries cover influential and memorable people whom Crawford knew during his travels at home and abroad.

Also at the Hilton Head branch will be a program called “Ethical Choices.” Attendees will be empowered to make thoughtful, responsible lifestyle decisions in order to improve their health, protect the environment and decrease animal suffering. It will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20.

<b>Wine tasting to be </b><b>held at Rose Hill</b>

Rose Hill Mansion in Bluffton will present An Evening Wine Tasting with Juan Carlos Jiménez, wine connoisseur, from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26. There will be wine tastings, assorted artisan cheeses, desserts and a silent auction. Guests will receive a Rose Hill wine glass keepsake. The cost is $35 per person. Reservations can be made at 843-757-6046.

<b>DragonBoat races </b><b>set for Sept. 2-3</b>

The 4th Annual DragonBoat Beaufort Race Day will be held Sept. 2-3 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. There will be a free concert at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, with The Cluster Shucks and The Sweetgrass Angels. Guests should bring blankets or chairs. On Saturday, Sept. 3, the dragonboat races will be held. Anyone can form a dragonboat team to compete at DragonBoat Race Day 2016. A team consists of 20 paddlers, two alternates (recommended) and one drummer. All teams will be trained how to safely and successfully paddle a dragonboat prior to DragonBoat Race Day with experienced coaches and boat steerers. On race day, teams will paddle in three races competing for medals. In the past, teams have included civic clubs, community neighborhoods, local businesses, cancer-survivors, schools and hospitals. Last year, teams raised over $65,000, which is used to support those impacted by cancer in Beaufort County. DragonBoat Beaufort awards outreach grants to local cancer patients to assist with specific needs they are unable to afford or for which they lack coverage. For more information or to register a team, visit www.DragonboatRaceDay.com or email info@DragonBoatRaceDay.com.

<b>Military appreciation </b><b>day set for Aug. 27</b>

The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual military appreciation day on Saturday, Aug. 27. This event allows the Beaufort community to show its appreciation for the local military and all they do for our country and community. This family event will feature children's games and activities, water fun, entertainment, volleyball and an abundance of food and drink. Sponsorships opportunities are available by contacting LaNelle Fabian at 843-525-8537 or LaNelle@BeaufortSC.org.

<b>Singers needed for </b><b>Lowcountry Chorale</b>

Singers are needed for the Lowcountry Chorale, a mixed-voice community of singers. The chorale has been singing as a group since the spring of 1997, with continuous performances twice a year, and it is preparing for its upcoming season.No auditions are necessary; anyone who loves to sing is welcome to join. Rehearsals begin at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 157 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort. Registration for the rehearsal will start at 6:15 p.m. Thirteen weeks of rehearsals will culminate in performances on Nov. 18-19. Call Shari at 843-252-3990 for more information.

<b>Catfish Fest to host 5K walk/run</b>

The 42nd Annual Hardeeville Catfish Festival is sponsoring its first Annual 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, Sept. 10, at the 4,700-acre Hilton Head Lakes residential community in Hardeeville.Start time is at 8 a.m. The registration fee is $35 until Sept. 9 and $35 plus a $5 sign-up fee on Race Day, from 7-7:45 a.m. Visit runsignup.com/Race/SC/HardeevilleCatfishFestival or pick up an application at the Hardeeville Chamber of Commerce.