<b>New workshop group looking for screenwriters</b>

Lowcountry Screenwriters is a new workshop group in Beaufort looking for committed individuals who either have screenwriting experience, some prior experience in film or prose writing, or who have a strong interest in pursuing film writing.

This will not be a class on screenwriting but rather a workshop to critique and provide feedback to the group.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>If you have any interest on attending the initial get-together, please email us at emilydfj@gmail.com or bakerjef@hotmail.com and tell us a little about yourself.

<b>November activities<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>at Hunting Island</b>

There are fun, interesting and educational activities every day hosted by Park Ranger and Lowcountry Master Naturalist Megan Stegmeier.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>
<ul>
 	<li>Mondays: Secrets of the Salt Marsh, 3 p.m.</li>
 	<li>Tuesdays: Alligator Talk, 11 a.m.; CCC Video, 1 p.m.; Beach Walks, 3 p.m.</li>
 	<li>Wednesdays: Reptile Talk, 11 a.m. (Nov. 28)</li>
 	<li>Thursdays: Lighthouse Tour, 10 a.m. (Nov. 29); CCC Video, 1 p.m.; Feeding Frenzy, 3 p.m. (Nature Center closed Nov. 22)</li>
 	<li>Fridays: Fish Printing, 2 p.m. (Nov. 16, 30); Stepping Stones, 2 p.m. (Nov. 9, 23); Full Moon Lighthouse Club, 5:30 p.m. (Nov. 23)</li>
 	<li>Saturdays: Tie Dye, 2 p.m. (Nov. 10, 24); Pinecones for Passerines, 2 p.m. (Nov. 17)</li>
 	<li>Sundays: Walk in the Woods, 11 a.m. (Nov. 25)</li>
</ul>
For a description of these programs and a complete calendar of activities, go to southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island and click on “Programs &amp; Events.”

All are invited to attend these free events, though there is an entry fee to Hunting Island State Park and reservations are needed for lighthouse programs.

For more information, call 843-838-7437 or go to the Friends of Hunting Island website and the Facebook page: FOHI Sea Turtle Conservation Project.

<b>Tour Historic<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Fort Fremont<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b>

Travel back in time to the 1890s and the Spanish American War with an informative tour of historic Fort Fremont at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The tour begins at the St. Helena Branch Beaufort County Public Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Learn the history, see a scale model of Fort Fremont as it stood in 1898, and take a guided tour of the remains of the fortifications. Tour lasts approximately two hours. No reservations are necessary. Free and open to the public.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

For more information call the St. Helena Library at 843-255-6487 or visit fortfremont.org

<b>NaNoWriMo Write in</b>

Stop by the library for a quiet space to work on your novel for National Novel Writing Month. Coffee and Snacks will be provided.
<ul>
 	<li>Saturday, Nov. 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.</li>
</ul>
Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott St. Beaufort. Free. For more information, call 843-255-6458 or beaufortcountylibrary.org/subscribe

<b>Shorts At High Noon </b><b>film series returns this fall</b>

Beginning on Oct. 3, the popular Shorts at High Noon film series will return to the Technical College of the Lowcountry for another eight-week run. The program features the best of Short, Student, and Animation Films from the archives of the Beaufort Film Society.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The films selected for screening have all screened at the Beaufort International Film Festival as finalists from 2007 through 2018, with one exception — the programs scheduled for screening on November 28 will be from the submissions to the 2019 festival. The audience in attendance that day will vote for their favorite film, and the winning selection will compete in the 2019 BIFF as a finalist.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The complete schedule is at beaufortfilmfestival.com. All screenings are from noon to 1 p.m. at the Technical College of the Lowcountry, Building 12, Auditorium, at 921 Ribaut Road. Admission is Free.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

<b>Classes set for first-time homebuyers</b>

The Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce will hold its next round of classes for first-time homebuyers on Nov. 27, Dec. 4 and Dec. 18. With these classes and one-on-one sessions on budgeting, you will earn a 15-credit-hour certificate which can be presented to your lender when getting ready to purchase your home.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>All classes will be held at the new chamber building located at 711 Bladen Street at 6:00 p.m.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>Call 843-986-1102 or 843-379-4588 for additional information.

<b>St. Helena's Community Thanksgiving Dinner</b>

The Parish Church of St. Helena will host the 39th annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner and Community Worship Service on Thursday, Nov. 22, at 507 Newcastle Street in downtown Beaufort. The Community Worship Service will be held in the historic parish church at 11 a.m. Following the service, dinner and fellowship will be served across the street in the Parish Hall. All are welcome. Dinner will be served from noon to 2 p.m. Take-away meals are available from 9 a.m. to noon for those who want to carry meals to the elderly or home-bound. The dinner is a gift to the community with admission being a smile and a thankful heart. Donations are welcomed.

For more information or to order meals, go to www.sthelenas1712.org/community-thanksgiving/dinner or call the church office at (843) 522-1712.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

<b>TCL presents “Sounds of the Season” concert</b>

This free concert will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29 in the TCL Beaufort Auditorium, building 12, 921 Ribaut Road. The concert will kick off with students, alumni, faculty and staff performing the college's new Alma Mater. Holiday and Christmas classics will follow featuring local vocalists and musicians on the piano, bass, drums, saxophone and trumpet.

"This is the perfect way for the College to wrap up its year-long anniversary celebration of 150 years of The Mather School and 50 years of TCL," said Leigh Copeland, Assistant Vice President for Marketing.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

TCL commemorative anniversary ornaments will be available for $10.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Please contact Leigh Copeland for more information at lcopeland@tcl.edu or 843-525-8231.

<b>Lowcountry DHEC offers free testing for World AIDS Day</b>

Join Lowcountry DHEC on Nov. 29 in support of World AIDS Day to promote HIV testing, prevention, treatment and care. The organization will offer free fast track (HIV, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HEP B and Syphilis walk-in testing) from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Beaufort Health Department, 601 Wilmington St., Beaufort. For more information contact Shauntae at 843-694-1740 or Charmella at 843-987-7559.

<b>Give thanks for good health by giving blood or platelets</b>

The American Red Cross urges people to share their good health this holiday season by donating blood or platelets for patients in need.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. However, medical treatments and emergencies that require blood don’t stop for the holidays. The Red Cross is thanking those who carve out time to give Nov. 21-24 with a long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.

By giving blood or platelets, donors may give patients more time – and more holidays – with loved ones. Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The next drive will be from noon to 6 p.m. on Nov. 29 at Carteret Street United Methodist Church, 408 Carteret Street.

<b>Smile for Santa<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b>

The Beaufort Garden Club will hold its third annual Smile for Santa event at the

Port Royal Farmer’s Market on December 1, 8 and 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring your children and/or pets to the gazebo area at the market and have your picture taken with Santa. Your photo will then be emailed to you. A $5 donation is suggested. All proceeds will go to local charities.

<b>Fripp concert series continues Dec. 2</b>

Craig Butterfield, double bass, and Bert Ligon, piano and guitar, both from USC in Columbia and equally comfortable in jazz and classical music, will perform at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, at the Fripp Community Centre, 205 Tarpon Blvd. This remarkable concert is presented by Fripp Friends of Music and supported by the SC Arts Commission. Attendees get a free pass at the Fripp gate. Tickets at<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>the door: adults $30 (cash or check only), students free thanks to the Peg Gorham Memorial Fund. You are invited to join the musicians at a complimentary catered reception after the performance. For more information, visit www.frippfriendsofmusic.com or call 843-263-5916.

<b>Festival of Trees brings holiday fun</b>

The annual Festival of Trees to benefit Friends of Caroline Hospice is one of Beaufort’s most beloved holiday celebrations, and the 2018 event continues a tradition that started more than 30 years ago.

Events kick off with Snow Day on Sunday, Dec. 2 at Tabby Place at the Beaufort Inn. Bring the kids from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy playing in the snow, building a snowman or having snowball fights in the outdoor snow fields, face painting and more. Elsa and Anna from Disney’s Frozen will also be there to enjoy talking with the kids and taking photos. Admission is $3 for children 5 and older; children 4 and younger admitted free.

Tree viewing will be open to the public from Dec. 4-6. More than 60 beautifully and whimsically decorated trees will be available for purchase, and tickets for some spectacular raffle items will be sold all week. General admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Santa will also be in attendance all week for photo opportunities with attendees.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

This year a special Angel Tree will be adorned with ornaments in memory or honor of a loved one. Ornaments are $25 and will be tagged with your special message during the event. The ornaments can be picked up after the event at the Friends of Caroline Hospice office at 1110 13th Street, Port Royal.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

This year’s Celebration of Giving Gala will be from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6 at Tabby Place amidst the trees with music, wine, beer and lots of food from 10 of Beaufort’s best local restaurants. Opening Gala Reception tickets can be purchased online by visiting http://www.FriendsofCarolineHospice.org/Events.

<b>Christian Women’s holiday luncheon<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b>

The Low Country Christian Women's Connection will hold its December luncheon and Holiday Celebration at the Hampton Hall Clubhouse on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 11:30 a.m. Our feature will be our annual sing-along led by Terry Wigglesworth. Our guest speaker is Kelly Stigliano from Orange Park, Florida, and her topic is "Messy Places." This is our annual fundraiser and we will be raffling off gift baskets.

Lunch is $25 and must be received and prepaid by Wednesday, Nov. 28. Please make checks payable to: Carol Mock, 607 Argent Way, Bluffton, SC 29909. For details, please call Carol at 843-705-7604.

<b>Beaufort Christian Women's lunch to support "Toys for Tots"</b>

The Beaufort Christian Women's Connection’s annual Christmas covered dish lunch will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Fellowship Hall at Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady's Island Drive. The program will include singing Christmas songs accompanied by Whitney McDaniel. Bring an unwrapped toy to present to a Marine Reserve officer for Toys for Tots. Kelly Stigliano will be the guest speaker, and a covered dish lunch will be served with meat provided.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>Cost is $8 per person.

Reservations due by Friday, Nov. 30. Contact Marti Myers at 843-321-0962 or puddlesportia@gmail.com.