<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>Share the good vibes at the Beaufort Drum Circle</b>

Join us this month, bring a chair, and exchange some good vibes at our free, family-friendly, monthly Drum Circle from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 13, at the Contemplative Garden at Henry Chambers Waterfront Park. In the case of inclement weather, we’ll move under the pavilion. Dancers and hula hoops are welcome!

<b>Friends of Hunting Island upcoming events</b>

For a behind-the-scenes look at the lighthouse, Ted Panayotoff, Lighthouse Director of Friends of Hunting Island, will conduct his popular Interpretive Lighthouse Tour at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9. Attendees meet at the lighthouse. Reservations are necessary. Call 843-838-7437. The Hunting Island Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in SC open to the public. There is a $2 fee to climb it and you must be over 44 inches tall.

On Friday, Aug. 10, at 2 p.m., a ceremony will be held to honor the last keeper at Hunting Island Lighthouse, Theodore Gaillard, and his wife, Estelle Ellen Gaillard. It will be at the Parish Church of St. Helena Cemetery at St. Luke’s Gate on Newcastle St. between King and Prince streets in downtown Beaufort. Keeper Gaillard retired in 1942 after serving at a lighthouse in Savannah Harbor to which he was transferred when the Hunting Island Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1933.

A U.S. Lighthouse Service grave marker will be placed on their graves with a benediction by Rev. Todd Simonis, and “Taps” will be played by a bugler from the Coast Guard.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>A poster with a photo of the Gaillards will be on display, and Panayotoff will give a summary of keeper Gaillard’s lighthouse service and Coast Guard career. <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

On Saturday, Aug. 11, at 2 p.m. at the Hunting Island Lighthouse, the Beaufort Harbormasters will present a concert to honor and celebrate the history of this historic lighthouse.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>Bring lawn chairs for better enjoyment.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

All are invited to attend these free events, though there is an entry fee to Hunting Island State Park.

<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. 9 — Disaster Medical I</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Tuesday, Aug.14 — Disaster Psychology/Terrorism Response</p>
<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>Sportfishing and Diving </b><b>Club sets August meeting</b>

The Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club’s August meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club located on Lady’s Island off Meridian Road. The social begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Well-known local Captain Adam Sauerborn of Tide Ryder Charters from Port Royal Landing Marina will discuss the flounder species. Flounders are often overlooked in the Lowcountry, but Capt. Sauerborn will discuss how and where to find this great table fare fish.

Guests are welcome and you do not need a reservation. For additional information, please contact Captain Frank Gibson at 843-522-2122 or email fgibson@islc.net.

<b>Beaufort Branch Library hosts adult game night</b>

Celebrate the end of summer by coming by the Beaufort Branch Library at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 13 to play the board game that started it all – Bookopoly – plus a few other favorites. Punch and light snacks will be served. Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott St. Free. For more information, call 843-255-6458 or visit<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>beaufortcountylibrary.org/subscribe.

<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>Beaufort Digital Corridor partners to present event</b>

A partnership between Beaufort Digital Corridor members Allen Technology Advising (Allen IT) and Enterprise Technologies, Inc. (ETI) offers a four-part series addressing everyday technology, tailored exclusively for the local businesses of Beaufort.

Sip and learn socials take place on the second Tuesday of the month after work hours. This complimentary event is co-hosted by the Beaufort Digital Corridor at its BASEcamp facility. The second session on Aug. 14 is designed as a deeper dive with these local experts to address specific business technology needs.

Ryan Curtis of Allen IT and Sam Kolner of ETI are local tech experts that are passionate about seeing Lowcountry businesses thrive. They will show you how to formulate a technology plan for your business that looks forward five years to maximize your finances. They will go over common things that business owners don’t consider when planning an IT budget, if they have an IT budget at all. Technology should optimize your business and bring you peace of mind, so bring an open mind, tech related questions, and business card for the opportunity to set up a private appointment after the presentation.

<b>Hop-hop dance basics taught in Port Royal</b>

Ifetayo White and Neesa's Home on St. Helena Island is excited to present Sanja O., who will be teaching hip-hop dance class for boys and girls ages 5-13. The classes will be held at Effervescent Yoga Spa, 1613 Paris Ave., in Port Royal from 5:30-6:15 p.m. on Aug. 14-16 and from noon-1:30 p.m. on Aug. 18. The cost for these fun and instructional classes is Tuesday-Thursday $10/session or $25/3 sessions; Saturday $10/session, $15/2 sessions.

Sanja O. is a dancer from the Washington, D.C., area who has performed and choreographed hip-hop routines for schools, community events, and talent shows.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>She is also co-chair her school's Hip Hop Dance Club.

Bring the kids for a fun time learning or building new dance skills and moves. To register or for more information, contact Ifetayo White at 843-271-1923 or neesamoon@gmail.com.

<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 Bay Street.