Activities at Hunting Island State Park

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>

Sundays: Dolphin Ecology Kayak Tour, 8:15 a.m. (Oct. 13); Sand/candy art, 11 a.m. (Oct. 6, 20, 27); Hunting Island Bingo, 2:30 p.m. (Oct 20, 27); Story River Dolphin Cruise, 5:30 p.m. (Oct. 13); Full Moon Lighthouse Climb, 6:30 p.m. (Oct. 13).

Mondays: Reptiles of the Lowcountry, 11 a.m. (Oct. 28); Secrets of the Salt Marsh, 4 p.m. (Oct. 7, 14, 21).

Tuesdays: Marine Mammals of South Carolina, 11 a.m. (Oct. 15); CCC Video, 1 p.m.; Beach Walk, 3 p.m.; Going Batty, 4 p.m. (Oct. 29).

Wednesdays: Alligator Talk, 11 a.m.; Stepping Stones, 2 p.m.; Lowcountry Legends &amp; Lore, 4 p.m. (Oct. 30).

Thursdays: Interpretive Lighthouse Tour, 10 a.m. (Oct. 10, 17, 24, 31); CCC Video, 1 p.m.; Feeding Frenzy, 3 p.m.; Shark Tooth Excursion, 4 p.m. (Oct. 31); Spooky Lighthouse Lantern Tours, 6-8:30 p.m. (Oct. 31).

Fridays: Fish printing, 2 p.m. (Oct. 4, 18, 25); Story River Dolphin Cruise, 5:30 p.m. (Oct. 11).

Saturdays: Sunrise Lighthouse Climb, 6:30 a.m. (Oct. 19); Tie-Die, 11 a.m. (Oct. 19, 26); Story River Dolphin Cruise, noon (Oct. 12); Dolphin Ecology Kaya Tour, 1:15 p.m. (Oct. 5); Trunk or Treat, 5-9 p.m. (Oct. 26).

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.

Sportfishing and Diving Club to hold Oct. meeting

The Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club’s October meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 10 at the Beaufort Yacht Club on Lady’s Island off Meridian Road. The social begins at 6:30 p.m.; the meeting at 7 p.m.

Joseph Ballenger, PhD from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, will give a brief presentation on inshore fisheries – monitoring flounder issues in South Carolina.

The team of locally well known "Cast Away Fishing Charters," Capt. Tim Deckard and Capt. Joe Marshall will present flounder fishing inshore and near shore. This will include favorite setups, baits, and locations. Tips will also be presented on the local black drum species.

Congratulations again to Phillip Hodges for winning the $50 weigh-in drawing in July sponsored by Butler Marine.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Guests are welcomed and you do not need a reservation. For additional information, contact Captain Frank Gibson at 843-522-2122 or <a href="mailto:fgibson@islc.net">fgibson@islc.net</a>.

Register to be a Tiger Shark

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 <a href="http://beaufort-jasperymca.org/">beaufort-jasperymca.org</a> (click on Aquatics&gt;Swim Team), stop by the Y in Port Royal (1801 Richmond Ave.) or call the Y at 843-522-9622.

YMCA to offer CPR class

The Wardle Family YMCA, located at 1801 Richmond Ave in Port Royal, offers CPR classes for community members on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Cost is $35 for this YMCA-certified course and those interested need to register at the Y as space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Questions? Contact Lou Bergen, Aquatics Director to register for this class. Call the Y at 843-522-9622 or visit beaufort-jasperymca.org

Get moving with Beaufort Track Club

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.

May River Quilters Quild

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.

Seaside Stitchers return to action

The American Sewing Guild (ASG) is a notional Organization of sewing enthusiasts. The S.C. Central Savannah River Chapter of the American Sewing Guild has a neighborhood group in the Beaufort area named Seaside Stitchers, which hs returned from hiatus. The meetings are the third Monday of the month at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club at 1 p.m.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Monthly meetings are for everyone who sews. It is for sewers of a variety of skill levels and interests so anyone who has an interest in sewing is encouraged to attend and find out what ASG is all about. For more information, go to <a href="http://www.asg.org/">www.ASG.org</a>. For more information about Seaside Stitchers, contact Sheila Tindall at 843-838-9473

Parkinson’s support group
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.

4th Touch A Truck Fundraiser

The <a href="http://www.jslbeaufort.com/">Junior Service League of Beaufort</a> will host its 4th Touch A Truck fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 16 in downtown Port Royal from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Paris Avenue. Cost of admission is $5 per person.

Touch A Truck is a family event that offers a unique and interactive experience for children of all ages. Children will have the opportunity to see, touch, and safely explore their favorite vehicles that serve our community.

The event will feature many different types of equipment to explore, including a fire truck, ambulance, a Humvee, construction vehicles, and even a helicopter. The entertainment area will include a variety of activities including face painting, bounce-houses for kids and much more. And to round out the experience, enjoy music and fabulous food, drinks, and libations available for purchase.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

In the case of rain, the event will be postponed to Dec. 7. Pets are not allowed at the event.

Call Brittany Rosson at 618-967-6815 or visit <a href="http://www.touchatruckbeaufort.com/">www.touchatruckbeaufort.com</a> for more information.

Legal clinics at downtown library

The Beaufort County Library is offering free legal clinics at the downtown branch at 311 Scott St.

Each clinic will feature a 30- to 40-minute lecture followed by an open question-and-answer session. All session run from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

Get free answers concerning landlord/tenant law issues (Oct. 14) and family law issues (Oct. 28).

For more information, call the S.C. Bar Pro Bono Program at 803-799-6653, ext. 158 or 1-877-797-2227, ext. 158 or visit <a href="http://www.scbar.org/clinics">www.scbar.org/clinics</a>.

The clinics are not designed to provide guidance on a specific situation. If you need legal advice on a specific situation, you will need to contact an attorney.

Royal Pines arts and crafts event

The artists and crafts people of Royal Pines invite you to their fall event on the patio of The Tavern at the Lady’s Island Country Club from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 12. Items include handmade soaps and lotions, kiln-fired glass, bottle candles, photography, tie-dye clothing and much more. Bruster’s ice cream cart will be there with ice cream cups, apple dumplings, and their fall flavor.

Friends of Hunting Island lighthouse tours

The Friends of Hunting Island will present tours of the historic Hunting Island Lighthouse at 10 a.m. every Thursday in October. 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.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

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 843-838-7437 and the fee is $2 per person.

Puppy Plunge at the YMCA

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 <a href="http://beaufort-jasperymca.org/">beaufort-jasperymca.org</a> or call 843-522-9622 for more information.

TCL hosting annual oyster roast, 5k

The Technical College of the Lowcountry will host its annual oyster roast and 5K on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Beaufort Campus at 921 Ribaut Road. The Halloween-themed Oyster Ghost Roast &amp; 5K by the Bay takes place on the TCL Beaufort Campus along the beautiful Beaufort River. The 5K starts at 5 p.m., spanning the campus and Spanish Moss Trail. The oyster roast kicks off at 6 p.m. with all-you-can-eat oysters, chili, hot dogs, brownies, lemon bars and more catered by Jim'N Nick’s. All-You-Can-Drink wristbands are available for purchase at the gate for $10. The event will feature a live DJ, karaoke, cornhole, a college football viewing area, and lots of children’s activities.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The Oyster Ghost Roast (only) costs $30 for adults, $15 for ages 13-17 and is free for kids 12 and younger. The Oyster Ghost Roast and 5K by the Bay, which includes Oyster Roast/Afterparty Ticket, medal, and T-shirt, costs $60 for adults and $30 for those 17 and younger. All proceeds benefit the Student Veterans of America TCL Chapter and TCL’s Student Government Association. Learn more at <a href="http://www.tcl.edu/oyster">www.tcl.edu/oyster</a> or call 843-525-8264.

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Friends of Hunting Island’s Tuesday Turtle Talks

The Friends of Hunting island announce the 2019 Tuesday Turtle Talks running through Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 10:30am at the picnic shelter by the Lighthouse. There is no fee for the TTT, but the park entry fee does apply.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Each week various topics will be discussed including the natural history of loggerhead turtles, what happens when the turtles come to Hunting Island to lay their eggs, and the conservation and challenges specific to a barrier island such as Hunting Island State Park. Participation, ideas and questions are always welcome.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

After the talk, participants can join TTT host Denise Parsick on a short beach walk. All ages are invited to attend this educational and engaging program.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

And for early risers: If you want to join a turtle patrol to check out loggerhead nests, come to the Visitor’s Center parking lot at 6 a.m. sharp any day of the week, and talk with a volunteer in an orange shirt to join a group for that day’s patrol. All ages welcome.

Local storytelling organization formed

Evelene Stevenson, owner of the Spirit of Old Beaufort Tours, has formed a local storytelling organization, the Sea Isles Storytellers, which will be headquartered in the Sea Island Center at 876 Sea Island Parkway, St. Helena Island.

All are invited to come to the first meeting from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, which will be

christened by the Back Porch Storytellers from Charleston.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

All have stories to tell, and Stevenson wants an organization that listens and encourages those of all ages to tell a story, sing a song and listen to others tales.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Please send an email, including name and phone number, to seaislandcenter@gmail.com or call Evelene Stevenson at 843-271-2478.

Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation District hosts First Saturday program

The Beaufort Conservation District’s new FIRST SATURDAY programs begin Sept. 7 at Crystal Lake Park on Lady’s Island. The first program is called Snakes are Not Scary and is one of the most popular of their classroom presentations.
The program begins with a 9:15 a.m. trail hike, followed by the Snakes are Not Scary Presentation at 10 a.m. and story time at 11:15 a.m. For more information, call 843-255-7306 or email <a href="mailto:bswcd@islc.net">bswcd@islc.net</a> <a href="http://beaufortconservationdistrict.org/">beaufortconservationdistrict.org</a>