<b>Historical society to </b><b>host Fraser author</b>

The Beaufort County Historical Society will host speaker Charlie Ryan at noon Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club on Lady’s Island. Ryan will provide insight into the life of Charles Fraser, who developed not only Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island, but Amelia Island, Kiawah Island and Palmas del Mar. Publisher Pamela Martin Ovens, former BCHS president, will have Ryan’s book, “My Life With Charles Fraser” on sale and Ryan will be available to autograph them. An optional lunch will be served for $10 at 11:30 a.m. Reservations must be made by contacting Linda Hoffman at lindahof@earthlink.net, no later than Monday, Sept. 19. This lecture is free and open to the public. Visit www.beaufortcountyhistoricalsociety.org.

<b>Sea Island Quilters </b><b>to meet Sept. 15</b>

The Sea Island Quilters will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at Praise Assembly, 800 Parris Island Gateway. The guest speaker will be Susan Edmonson, an award-winning quilter from Concord, N.C. Edmonson will show many of her quilts and hold a quilting workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Carteret Street Methodist Church. For details, email Shelby Berry at eshelbyb@gmail.com.

<b>Annual catfish festival to be held </b><b>in Hardeeville</b>

The Hardeville Catfish Festival will be held Friday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Sept. 17, at 205 Main St. in Hardeville behind City Hall. This fun-filled, community festival includes an educational day, parades, beauty pageants, live entertainment, food and craft vendors, rides, games and tons of fun for the whole family. The festival kicks off Friday night with live entertainment and rides for the kids. There will be food vendors, crafts and handmade items. Annual Catfish Festival T-shirts will be available for purchase during the festival. On Saturday, there will be a parade in the morning, followed by bake-off and cook-off competitions. There will also be live entertainment, a cornhole competition, rides and an evening fireworks display.

<b>Bear Island bird walk </b><b>to be held Sept. 22</b>

The Fripp Audubon Club is conducting a bird walk on Bear Island on Thursday, Sept. 22. This is a peak time for the fall migration and Bear Island should have an abundant number of migrating shore birds and raptors. Bird walks are designed for folks with a serious interest in birds, their behavior, habitat and identification. The trip will begin with a brief orientation. Beginners are welcome and participants are encouraged to bring a lunch, water, sunscreen, binoculars and a bird guide. Attendees will meet in the parking lot adjacent to the Lady’s Island McDonald’s. Orientation begins at 7:45 a.m. and departure is at 8 a.m. Visit www.islc.net/audubon.

<b>Yard, bake sale </b><b>will </b><b>benefit school</b>

Friends of Shanklin, a community-based nonprofit organization, will hold a Yard and Bake Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Habersham Marketplace, 13 Market Street, in Beaufort. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary School. Bikes, furniture, home décor tools, toys, books and more will be available for purchase. Baked goods, including pies, cookies, cakes and other delights will also be on sale. Visit www.FOShanklin.org.

<b>Sunset parties to end </b><b>with Blufftemberfest</b>

The 2016 Bluffton Sunset Party Series concludes at The Bluffton Oyster Factory Park Saturday, Sept. 17, with BlufftemberFest, a Bluffton-style Octoberfest celebration on the May River. BlufftemberFest will be held from 4-8 p.m. and will feature live music from OCD and La Bodega. There will also be a food court with German and American favorites from area restaurants plus all beers (German, craft, harvest and domestic ) will be only $4. Tickets will be available at the door for $5; children 12 and under get in for free. Bluffton Sunset Parties are sponsored by River Dog Brewing Company, Coastal States Bank, Sport Clips, Advanced Integrated Controls, Bare Foot Wines, Hilton Head Honda, Angry Orchard Cider and I2 Recycle. For more information, call Bear Foot Sports at 843-757-8520.

<b>Tickets on sale </b><b>for Boots &amp; Bling</b>

The 7th Annual Boots &amp; Bling Fundraiser &amp; Silent Auction presented by CBC National Bank will be Saturday, Oct. 22, at Tabby Place in downtown Beaufort. This event raises funds for the YMCA of Beaufort County capital campaign. Boots &amp; Bling is an evening of food, music, dancing, an enticing silent auction and new this year will be a live auction. Also, back again by popular demand is the golf cart raffle ($25 per ticket and five tickets for $100). Tickets will be on sale starting Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the YMCA and at the event. The winning raffle ticket will be drawn at Boots &amp; Bling but ticket-holders do not need to be present to win. Event tickets are $50 per person and $90 per couple and can be purchased at the Y or online at ymcabeaufortcounty.com.

<b>Battle Ball coming </b><b>to waterfront park</b>

Battle Ball, a free family event sponsored by the Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Northern Beaufort County, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort. Otherwise known as bubble soccer, the game allows each participant to compete in several games. Participants will be in their own bubble ball and bounce into one another, run full speed ahead and come out unharmed. There will be five lanes for adults and children over 42 inches tall. Children and adults can play all day for $10. All Boys &amp; Girls Club members with their club T-shirts on can play for free.

<b>Restaurants offer </b><b>special menus, prices</b>

Restaurants in Beaufort, Port Royal and The Sea Islands will be offering special-priced menus as part of Fall Restaurant Week, which is being held through Sunday, Sept. 18. This is an opportunity to discover new dining hot spots or revisit a few of your favorites. Restaurants taking part include Breakwater Restaurant &amp; Bar, Crosta, Fat Patties, Nautilus, Old Bull Tavern, Plums Restaurant, Q on Bay, Red Rooster and the Saltus River Grill. More restaurants are expected to join in. Visit www.BeaufortRestaurantWeek.com for a list of participating restaurants and their menus.

<b>Libraries to offer </b><b>variety of programs</b>

Following are some upcoming free programs at local libraries:

<b>Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott St.
</b>• Teen Craft Night
When: 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15
What: Come socialize, get crafty and enjoy light refreshments; for ages 12 and over. Registration is required. Call 843-255-6435.

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