<b>Activities at Hunting<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Island State Park</b>

There are fun, interesting and educational activities every day hosted by Park Ranger and Lowcountry Master Naturalist Megan Stegmeier. The Nature Center will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

<b>Sundays: </b>Do You Want To Build a Snow Globe, 2 p.m.

<b>Mondays: </b>Sand/Candy Art, 11 a.m.; No Bones About It, 3 p.m. (Dec. 23, 30).

<b>Tuesdays:</b> Alligator Talk, 11 a.m., CCC Video, 1 p.m.; Beach Walk, 3 p.m.

<b>Wednesdays:</b> Reptiles of the Lowcounty, 11 a.m.; Stepping Stones, 2 p.m.

<b>Fridays: </b>Feeding Frenzy, 1 p.m. (Dec. 20, 27); Pinecones for Passerines, 3 p.m. (Dec. 20); Hunting Island Bingo, 3 p.m. (Dec. 27).

<b>Saturdays:</b> Sunrise Lighthouse Climb, 6:45 a.m. (Dec. 28); A Walk In The Woods, 11 a.m.; Tie-Die, 2 p.m.

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>Hunting Island<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Lighthouse Tours</b>

10 a.m., every Thursday in December (Dec. 19, 26). The Friends of Hunting Island will present Lighthouse tours of the historic Hunting Island Lighthouse. Keeper Ted and his team will tell you all about the history of the Lighthouse, which was built in 1875 and is the only Lighthouse in South Carolina open to visitors. If you are at least 44 inches tall you may also climb the 184 steps to the top of the Lighthouse. Reservations are recommended by calling the Nature Center at 843-838-7437. Regular Thursday tours are $2 per person. Park entry fees apply.

<b>Black &amp; Blues –<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>The Artist and the artist</b>

Through Dec. 20, USC Beaufort Center For The Arts, 801 Carteret Street. An exhibition of unpublished photographs, comtemporary paintings, textiles and poetry created by Monique de LaTour and inspired by her years living in Harlem, N.Y. with the self-described bluesologist, Gil Scott Heron.

<b>Beaufort Beach Ball Fundraiser &amp; Auction</b>

6-11 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, Tabby Place, downtown Beaufort. Event presented by Bank of America, Merrill to benefit the Wardle Family YMCA. Music and dancing with Men of Distinction! Tickets on sale in December. $65/per person or $120/couple. $75 each at the door. All proceeds benefit the YMCA capital campaign. Visit beaufort-jasperymca.org.

<b>Sunrise Lighthouse Climb</b>

6:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, Hunting Island State Park. Come join a naturalist in climbing the lighthouse to experience the morning beauty of Hunting Island from above while learning about the history of the lighthouse. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture some amazing shots. A small breakfast of doughnuts and coffee is provided. Must be 44 inches tall to climb. $10 per person. Pre-registration required. Contact the Nature Center at 843-838-7437.

<b>Beaufort County Historical Society “Historically Speaking” lectures</b>

All talks, held at noon on Thursdays, are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome. First-come, first-seated, doors open 30 minutes prior to event.

Jan. 23: Dr. Bernard Powers, “The New Face of African American Public History in Charleston: The Center for the Study of Slavery and the International African American Museum,” Beaufort County Library, 311
Scott St.

March 12: Dr. Lawrence Rowland, “Kate Gleason, Libby Rowland, and Beaufort in the 1920s,” St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis, Sr. Blvd. St. Helena Island.

May 7: 81st annual meeting, Dr. Dale Rosengarten, “Blue Collars to Blue Serge Suits: Beaufort’s Jewish Settlers,” St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis, Sr. Blvd., St. Helena Island.

<b>The Historic<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Port Royal Museum</b>

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the merchantile. Informative short lectures are given every Saturday at 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. by historian Woody Collins. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>email unionchurch1004@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333. You can also find us on Facebook!

<b>Get moving with<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Beaufort Track Club</b>

Join the Beaufort Track Club at the Beaufort High School track from 6:30-7:30 p.m. each Tuesday night for an open community track workout. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced workouts are posted each week to ensure that you are getting the workout that you need.

Visit the Facebook page “Beaufort Track Club” for more information.

<b>May River Quilters Guild</b>

On the first Saturday of every month, the May River Quilters Guild meets at Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville. Members meet at 9:30 a.m. for social exchange. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. Please call 847-707-6034 or visit www.mayeriverquiltguild.com.

<b>Parkinson’s support group</b>

A support group for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and carepartners meets the first Thursday of each month at the Beaufort Memorial Lifefit Wellness Center from 1:30 to 3 p.m. For more information, visit our Facebook page or call Ric at 843-525-1229.

<b>Puppy Plunge at the YMCA</b>

YMCA Puppy Plunge will be held on the third Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. (weather permitting) at the Y outdoor pool at 1801 Richmond Ave. in Port Royal. Pups can splash, swim and play in our safe, enclosed outdoor pool area.

Cost is $10 per pup, and all proceeds benefit the Y’s Learn to Swim program, which teaches local children and adults to swim at a reduced cost or for free. Dogs must be well behaved, current on all required vaccines and leashed until inside the pool area. Owners must be present at all times and humans are not permitted to swim in the Puppy Plunge. Visit beaufort-jasperymca.org or call 843-522-9622 for more information.

<b>Register to be a Tiger Shark</b>

BYAC Tiger Sharks Swim Team registration is open for the 2019-2020 season. There are three levels of swim team for ages 5 and up who meet swim team group requirements: Shark Pups; Group 1; and Group 2. Evaluations on going on now for group placement. Learn more online at beaufort-jasperymca.org (click on Aquatics&gt;Swim Team), stop by the Y in Port Royal (1801 Richmond Ave.) or call the Y at 843-522-9622.