<strong>Local storytelling organization formed</strong>

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&nbsp;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.

<strong>Fripp Island Marina to host Labor Day Fishing Tournament</strong>

Fripp Island Marina's 2019 Fishing Tournament will take place Aug. 29-31. Fisherman are invited to compete for a payout of more than $5000 in the traditional Labor Day event. Prizes will include largest in the King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel categories and more. For more information, call 843-838-1517, register on our website at <a href="http://www.frippislandresort.com/">www.frippislandresort.com</a> or contact us via email at <a href="mailto:kingfishtournament@gmail.com">kingfishtournament@gmail.com</a>. Proceeds for the event go to benefit the Pledge The Pink initiative.

<strong>Make A Friend, Be A Friend</strong>

The Beaufort Bookstore, located off Boundary St, between Bi-Lo and The Tabby House, is hosting S.C. author Sharon E. Bellwood and local illustrator Cheryl Johnson at 11 a.m. Aug. 10 for a book signing of their children's book, The Friendship Crown.
Come and hear the story how making friends is the same regardless of differences and join the "Make A Friend, Be A Friend" movement! Along with a reading of the book, children will also be able to decorate their own crown! Don't miss this opportunity to support local business, local authors and artists, and have some fun along the way!<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

<strong>YA Everlasting Book Club</strong>

If you are an adult or teen who enjoys reading Young Adult Literature, this book club is for you. All meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Beaufort Branch Library on Scott Street downtown and are free to the public.

Upcoming book discussions: Aug. 14 – Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro.

<strong>Friends of Hunting Island’s Tuesday Turtle Talks</strong>

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.

<strong>Pat Conroy Center offers Anchorage retreat</strong>

Beaufort’s Pat Conroy Literary Center’s Anchorage Retreat is set for Sept. 6-8.

The Southern Living-inspired event is an exclusive writers retreat weekend at the award-winning historic Anchorage 1770 Inn.

Participating writers will immerse themselves in a collaborative experience. In the retreat’s intimate setting, writers will get to know one another as well as the retreat’s instructors over a span of three days and two nights of workshops, discussions, writing prompts, readings, critiques, and social gatherings.

The distinguished faculty of award-winning writers and publishing professionals will share their insights and experiences.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

This year’s faculty includes novelists Kimberly Brock, Carla Damron, and Reavis Z. Wortham; memoirist and humorist Harrison Scott Key; biographer and book review editor Adam Parker; and literary agents Jeff Kleinman and Marly Rusoff.

The cost for the retreat is $1,500 per person and includes a two-night stay at the Anchorage 1770 Inn on Sept. 6-8, all retreat sessions, evening receptions on Friday and Saturday, breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday, and lunch on Saturday.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The registration fee will be billed in three equal installments to be paid in full by Sept. 6. Rooms are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is now open and is limited to 15 participants.

For more information or to register, call the Anchorage 1770 Inn at 877-951-1770.

Proceeds benefit the year-round educational programming of the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center.

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

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: Aug. 17, Sept. 7, Sept. 19, and Nov. 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 843-522-9622 or visit beaufort-jasperymca.org

<strong>Activities at Hunting Island State Park</strong>

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: Sand/candy art, 11 a.m.; Hunting Island Bingo, 2:30 p.m.; Shark tooth excursion, 4 p.m. (Aug. 18).

Mondays: Dolphin ecology kayak tour, 10 a.m. (Aug. 19); Tie dye, 11 a.m.; Marine mammals of S.C., 2 p.m. (Aug. 12, 26); Secrets of the Salt Marsh, 4 p.m.

Tuesdays: Turtle Talk, 10:30 a.m.; CCC Video, 1 p.m.; Native American Dreamcatchers, 2 p.m. (Aug. 13); Beach Walk, 3 p.m.

Wednesdays: Alligator Talk, 11 a.m.; Stepping Stones, 2 p.m.

Thursdays: Dolphin ecology kayak tour, 7:30 a.m. (Aug. 15); Interpretive Lighthouse Tour, 10 a.m. (Aug. 15, 22, 29); Driftwood painting, 11 a.m. (Aug. 22, 29); Feeding Frenzy, 3 p.m.; Full-moon lighthouse climb, 8 p.m.

Fridays: Dolphin ecology kayak tour, 7:30 a.m. (Aug. 30); Lowcountry reptiles, 11 a.m.; Fish printing, 2 p.m.

Saturdays: Sunrise lighthouse climb, 6:30 a.m. (Aug. 24); A walk in the woods, 11 a.m. (Aug. 24); Sharks! 11 a.m. (Aug. 17, 31); Creatures of the night, 2:30 p.m. (Aug. 17, 31)

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.

<strong>Beaufort Drum Circle</strong>
All are invited to share some good vibes with the Beaufort Drum Circle. The Drum Circle gathers every second Monday of the month, 5:30-7:00 p.m. and every fourth Thursday of the month, 7-8:30 p.m., in the Contemplative Garden at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort.

The August Drum Circle dates are Monday, Aug. 12<sup>th</sup> – Joey and Naombi Shokes of Savannah will lead the group in drumming and dance – and Thursday, Aug. 22.

Everyone is welcome to attend this family-friendly event. No experience is necessary. Rain or shine. Please bring a chair, a friend, and maybe an extra drum or hand percussion if you have one to share.
For questions or to join our mailing list, please email us at <a href="mailto:beaufortscdrumcircle@gmail.com">beaufortscdrumcircle@gmail.com</a> or contact us on our Facebook page "Beaufort SC Drum Circle".

<strong>Get moving with Beaufort Track Club</strong>

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.