<b>YMCA accepting preschool applications<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b>

The YMCA of Beaufort County, located at 1801 Richmond Avenue in Port Royal is now accepting<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>applications for its 2018-2019 Discovery Kids Preschool.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>Discovery Kids Preschool accepts 3-and 4-year old children and is a certified preschool teaching the creative curriculum (the same as BCSD). Financial assistance is available. For more information check out the Y website: beaufort-jasperymca.org or stop at the Y front desk.

<b>YMCA adult soccer registration open<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></b>

Adult Soccer Registration for adults age 18 and older is open now through August 20 at the Wardle Family YMCA located at 1801 Richmond Avenue in Port Royal.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>Games/practice will start Sept. 9 and run through Nov. 5. Cost: $45 Y member and $55 non-member. Register at the Y or online: beaufort-jasperymca.org. Questions? Contact Mike Woods, Y Sports Director 843-522-9622.

<b>Sea Turtle Talks<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>continue in August</b>

Every Tuesday in August, boys and girls and “children of all ages” are invited to Hunting Island State Park to learn all you ever wanted to know about sea turtles. The Friends of Hunting Island will be at the picnic pavilion near the lighthouse at 10:30 every Tuesday morning to talk about these wonderful creatures and answer all your questions. You’ll learn why and when the mother turtles return to Hunting Island, how they dig their nests and lay their eggs, what happens when the eggs hatch, and what challenges the baby turtles have on their way to the ocean. After the free talks there will be a free optional beach walk to see some nests and how they are kept safe. Sea turtles are so important to South Carolina beaches and learning about them is a first step in making sure they continue to be protected and keep coming back to Hunting Island and other coastal habitats. Please join us! Park admission entry fees apply.

For more information, go to the Friends of Hunting Island web-site and to the Facebook page: FOHI Sea Turtle Conservation Project.

<b>New featured exhibit coming to BAA Gallery</b>

“Blending Digital Art with Photography” is the title of an exhibit featuring artist Gordon Fritz at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery from Sept. 2 through Oct. 28. An open house and reception will be held at the Gallery on Friday, Sept. 7, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited.

<b>YMCA swim team registration open</b>

The BYAC Tiger Sharks Swim Team is registering swimmers for the 2018-19 season now through Sept. 10. The Wardle Family YMCA in Port Royal offers three levels of swim team depending upon an individual’s skill level. Youth ages 5 and up who meet minimum requirements will be evaluated by swim coaches to determine placement level. For more information visit beaufort-jasperymca.org, stop by the Y at 1801 Richmond Avenue, or call 832-522-9622.

<b>YMCA adds additional CPR training dates<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b>

The Wardle Family YMCA in Port Royal will offer four more CPR classes for community members this year. The courses will be held on four Saturdays — Aug. 18, Sept. 8, and Oct. 13 — from 8 a.m. to noon.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Cost is $30 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. Contact aquatics director Lou Bergen at 843-522-9622 to register or visit beaufort-jasperymca.org.

<b>CERT releases class schedule for August</b>

Beaufort County residents interested in learning more about self-sufficiency during a disaster are invited to participate in the Community Emergency Response Team Program. Participants will learn to provide emergency assistance to their families and neighbors. CERT classes are free of charge. The next series will start Aug. 7. Classes will be held at the Technical College of the Lowcountry campus in Bluffton at 100 Community College Drive in room 125.

The course will be taught in four class sessions from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and one Saturday exercise class from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Thursday, Aug. 16 — Disaster Medical II / CERT Organization</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Saturday, Aug. 18 — Fire Suppression /Disaster Search Techniques Exercise</p>
For more information or to register send an email to cert@bcgov.net or contact Major David Zeoli, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, at 843-812-8035.

<b>Join the YA Everlasting Book Club</b>

If you are an adult but still enjoy reading young adult literature, this book club is for you. The Young Adult Everlasting Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott St. The next title will be “Ghost” by Jason Reynolds (Aug. 8), followed by “The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano” by Sonia Manzano (Sept. 12). For more information, call 843-255-6458 or visit beaufortcountylibrary.org.

<b>August events at Hunting Island State Park</b>

There are fun, interesting and educational activities every day hosted by Park Ranger and Lowcountry Master Naturalist Megan Stegmeir.
<ul>
 	<li>Monday: Tie Dye at 2 p.m.; Boardwalk Tours and Secrets of the Salt Marsh at 4 p.m.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></li>
 	<li>Tuesday: Sea Turtle Tracks at 10:30 a.m.; Beach Walks at 3 p.m.</li>
 	<li>Wednesday: Alligator Talks at 1 p.m.</li>
 	<li>Thursday: A Sunrise at the Lighthouse at 6:30 a.m. (Aug. 16); Lighthouse Tours at 10 a.m. (Aug. 9, Aug. 23); Feeding Frenzy every Thursday at 3 p.m.</li>
 	<li>Friday: Stepping Stones at 1 p.m.</li>
 	<li>Saturday: Fish Printing at noon; Creatures of the Night (Aug. 11, Aug. 18)</li>
 	<li>Sunday: Reptile Talks at 11 a.m.; Sand/Candy Art at 1 p.m. (Aug. 12, Aug. 19); Full Moon Lighthouse Climb at 8 p.m. (Aug. 26)</li>
</ul>
<b>Learn to use digital services at the library</b>

Learn how to instantly access and download free ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, and more. Bring your own favorite mobile device (tablet, cell phone, or laptop) and learn how to use the digital services offered by the library.

Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2 p.m.; Monday, Aug. 27, 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott St. Free. For more information, call 843-255-6458 or visit beaufortcountylibrary.org.

<b>Lowcountry Chorale looking for singers</b>

The Lowcountry Chorale, a mixed-voice community of singers, has begun preparation for its upcoming season. The Chorale has been singing as a group since the spring of 1997, with continuous performances twice a year. Voices needed – no audition necessary, just a love of singing! Rehearsals begin at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 21, at St. John’s Lutheran

Church, 157 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort. Thirteen weeks of rehearsals will culminate in performances on Friday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 17. All who love to sing are welcome to join! The Chorale is led by music director Jordan Plair, a well-known Beaufort area music teacher and choral director. The theme for this concert is “Through The Seasons,“ and includes a variety of songs reflecting the four seasons. There is a $35 membership fee to help defray music and performance costs. Please call Marsha at 207-323-1498 for more information.

<b>Island Girls Night Out </b><b>hits Bay Street this month</b>

The August edition of Island Girls Night Out is set for Aug. 23. The event will be co-hosted by Reflections Old and New Antiques, Collectibles, Art and Glass at 928 Bay Street and It's Me Fashions, specializing in unique, affordable fashions, at 928 1/2 Bay Street.

<b>Join the Port<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Royal Challenge</b>

The YMCA Exercise-a-thon is now the YMCA Port Royal Challenge! Join us Saturday, Sept. 9,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wardle Family YMCA located at 1801 Richmond Ave. in Port Royal and complete as many exercise classes as you can in four hours. From HIIT Circuit, Power 30, and running to Aqua Bootcamp, test your mettle with our Y instructors. All money raised will benefit the annual 2018 Scholarship Campaign, which funds financial assistance for local individuals and families in need. The public is invited to attend. Cost is $10 per person with additional donations welcome. Contact Y Wellness Director, Denice Fanning at 843-522-9622. beaufort-jasperymca.org.

<b>Explore the Medicine of Gone with the Wind</b>

Some say that Margaret Mitchell’s depiction of the Old South came from her childhood experiences in Beaufort. The beloved novel Gone with the Wind has a lot of characters – and a fair portion of them get sick or wounded. Living historian Dave Smoot has created a new program to share his deep knowledge of mid-19th century medical treatments and practices based upon the medical manuals of the time.&nbsp;Wednesday, Aug. 29, 5:30 p.m., at the Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott St.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>