<b>December activities at Hunting Island State Park</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. (no activities Dec. 24)</li>
 	<li>Tuesdays: CCC Video, 1 p.m.; Beach Walks, 3 p.m. (no activities Dec. 25)</li>
 	<li>Wednesdays: Reptile Talk, 11 a.m.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></li>
 	<li>Thursdays: Lighthouse Tour, 10 a.m. (Dec. 13, 27); CCC Video, 1 p.m.; Feeding Frenzy, 3 p.m.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></li>
 	<li>Fridays: Stepping Stones, 2 p.m. (Dec. 21); Tie Dye, 2 p.m. (Dec. 14, 28)</li>
 	<li>Saturdays: Pinecones for Passerines, 2 p.m. (Dec. 22); Full Moon Lighthouse Club, 5 p.m. (Dec. 22); Hunting Island Bingo, 2 p.m. (Dec. 28)</li>
 	<li>Sundays: Alligator Talk, 11 a.m. (Dec. 23, 29)</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>Cookies with Santa</b>

Cookies with Santa will be from 3-6 p.m. on Dec. 20 at United Way of the Lowcountry in Beaufort, located at 1277 Ribaut Road. Children will enjoy cookies and free pictures with Santa. This event is free and all are welcome to attend.

During the event, United Way of the Lowcountry will be collecting unwrapped toys for Operation Holiday Heroes, which benefits children in need throughout Beaufort and Jasper Counties.

Contact the United Way of the Lowcountry at 843.982.3040 for more information.

<b>Feel the holiday vibes at the Beaufort Drum Circle</b>

The Beaufort Drum Circle will be gathering indoors this month at&nbsp;Helena House, a senior living facility on Paris Avenue in Port Royal.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Everyone is welcome to attend from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, and spread some happy holiday vibes. No experience is necessary. Please bring an extra drum if you have one to share with the Helena Place residents.

For more information, email beaufortscdrumcircle@gmail.com or follow "Beaufort SC Drum Circle" on Facebook.

<b>Celebrate New Year’s Eve<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>in Beaufort Town Center</b>

Everyone enjoyed it so much last year, they're doing it again this year! Come celebrate "Old Fogey's Early New Year’s Eve Party" at Rosie O' Grady's on Monday, Dec. 31, from 4-6 p.m. They will have a covered dish special of various food with patrons bringing in a dish, a ball drop, drink specials, and a champagne toast.

For more information, visit rosiesbeaufort.com or call 843-379-7676.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

<b>Chill out at the&nbsp;</b><b>Pelican Plunge<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b>

The Friends of Hunting Island announce the 10th annual Pelican Plunge to be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, at Hunting Island State Park.

Register online at friendsofhuntingisland.org or at the Lighthouse Beach at noon on the Jan. 1. Adults $10, and kids $5. Proceeds go to help with park projects.

T-shirts and winter treats will be for sale. Park entry fees apply. Bring friends and family and join us for this always enjoyable and memorable event.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

For more information, go online or call 843-838-2011.

<b>YMCA Puppy Plunge<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b>

YMCA’s Puppy Plunge will be held from 9-11 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month (weather permitting) at the Y outdoor pool (1801 Richmond Ave., Port Royal). Pups can splash, swim and play in our safe, enclosed outdoor pool area.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>The 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>Playing with a Purpose</b>

Children in Africa continue to die of malaria. Nets must be replaced every three years and you can help save lives by participating in our fundraiser. Through the Imagine No Malaria Foundation, treated mosquito nets will be provided to African families. With your help, we have provided over 4 million nets, rehabbed 61 healthcare facilities, and trained thousands of volunteers.

Please help Carteret Street United Methodist Church raise money for malaria nets again this year by joining us in the Fellowship Hall from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18 for lunch and games. The cost is $15 per person. We ask that you purchase tickets for tables of four. Games may include bridge, Scrabble, Mahjongg or your favorite board game. All proceeds will be used to purchase life-saving malaria bed nets, which cost $10 each.

Tickets required in advance and may be purchased from Ellen Fabian (843-524-3841), Margey Pfeiffer (843-525-1761) or Lora Quincy (843-524-1356).

<b>Beaufort Arts Council presents Harlem Renaissance</b>

The Beaufort Arts Council announces its annual Harlem Renaissance “Afternoon of Jazz” event will be held Jan. 27 at the Dataw Island Clubhouse. The event is the organization’s premier annual fundraiser and supports a range of educational programming and community activities for artists and schools in Beaufort County.

This year’s event will feature live music from some of the region’s top jazz musicians and singers performing popular jazz standards through the decades, as well as dance performances, literary readings, silent auction, and an afternoon brunch. <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. To order tickets, go to www.beaufortartscouncil.org or call 843-379-ARTS (2787). Ticket prices are $65 before Jan. 10, and $75 after Jan. 10.

<b>YMCA to offer CPR classes</b>

The Wardle Family YMCA, located at 1801 Richmond Ave in Port Royal, offers CPR classes for community members on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon on the following dates in 2019: February 9, March 2, April 6, May 11, June 8, June 22, July 20, August 17, September 7, September 19, and November 23.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

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<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>843-522-9622 or visit beaufort-jasperymca.org.