<b>Activities at Hunting<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Island State Park</b>

There are fun, interesting and educational activities every day hosted by Park Ranger and Lowcountry Master Naturalist Megan Stegmeier.

<b>Sundays: </b>Sand/Candy Art, 11 a.m.; Do You Want To Build a Snow Globe, 2 p.m.; Full-moon Lighthouse Climb (Feb. 9), 5:45 p.m.; Stargazing Lighthouse Climb (Feb. 23), 5:45 p.m.

<b>Mondays: </b>Reptiles of the Lowcountry, 11 a.m.; A Walk In The Woods (Feb. 10, 24).

<b>Tuesdays: </b>Interpretive Lighthouse Tour, 10 a.m. (Feb. 11, 18); Driftwood Painting, 11 a.m.; CCC Video, 1 p.m.; Beach Walk, 3 p.m.

<b>Wednesdays: </b>Alligator Talk, 11 a.m.; Stepping Stones, 2 p.m.

<b>Thursdays: </b>Interpretive Lighthouse Tour, 10 a.m.; CCC Video, 1 p.m.; Feeding Frenzy, 3 p.m.

<b>Fridays: </b>Fish Printing, 2 p.m.; Valentines Day Couples Lighthouse Climb (Feb. 14), 5:30 p.m.

<b>Saturdays: </b>Sunrise Lighthouse Climb (Feb. 29), 6:30 a.m.; Tie-Die, 11 a.m.; No Bones About It (Feb 8, 22), 1 p.m.; Pinecones for Passerines (Feb 15, 29), 1 p.m.

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>Hunting Island Lighthouse Tours</b>

10 a.m., every Thursday (Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27), as well as couple of Tuesdays (Feb. 11, 18). The Friends of Hunting Island will present Lighthouse tours of the historic Hunting Island Lighthouse. 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. If you are at least 44 inches tall you may also climb the 167 steps to the top of the Lighthouse. Reservations are recommended by calling the Nature Center at 843-838-7437. Regular Thursday tours are $2 per person. Park entry fees apply.

<b>Books Sandwiched In</b>

Noon-1 p.m. each Monday,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort. The Friends of the Beaufort Library host the popular 8-week series, featuring book talks by local personalities to provoke interest in books; both fiction and non-fiction. After each talk presenters will welcome questions. The series is free and open to the public. For program details, email Vicki Mix at scvgamix7@gmail.com. For more information, visit friendsoftheBeaufortlibrary.com.

Schedule: Feb. 10 – State of the Heart: South Carolina Writers on the Places They Love, a panel discussion with Aida Rogers (Editor), Patti Callahan Henry, David Lauderdale, Stephen G. Hofflus and Sallie Ann Robinson, presented in cooperation with the Pat Conroy Literary Center; Feb. 17 – Minnow authored and presented by James McTeer; Feb. 24 – Being Mortal by Atul Awande, presented by Dr. Steve Kessell; March 2 – Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway, presented by Liz Farrell.

<b>Black Chamber of Commerce First Friday event</b>

5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 7, Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce. Event will be hosted by H&amp;H Comprotax Beaufort, LLC (Wilma Holman). This networking event is for all members and the community at large. Everyone is invited. Bring your business cards to exchange. There will be light refreshments and giveaways. For more information call 843-379-4588.

<b>Harlem Renaissance<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Rent Party</b>

2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9, TCL Auditorium. Hosted by Beaufort Arts Council. 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, a silent auction and a surprise that is sure to have everyone talking. The opening reception begins at 2 and the concert starts at 4 p.m. To order tickets, go to: www.beaufortartscouncil.org, or call 843-379-ARTS(2787). Ticket prices are $40.

<b>Full Moon Lighthouse Climb</b>

5:45 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9, Hunting Island Lighthouse Complex. Cost $15. Come and join a naturalist in climbing the lighthouse to explore the stars and the full moon all from the quiet of the lighthouse. Must be 44-inches tall to climb. Pre-registration is required. 15-person limit. For more information, contact the Nature Center at 843-838-7437.

<b>Beaufort Sportfishing<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>and Diving Club’s<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>February meeting</b>

7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, Beaufort Yacht Club, Lady’s Island off Meridian Road. The social begins at 6:30 p.m. February's species is a great Lowcountry table fair – Sheephead. Local, well known Captain Kevin Mears of Cast Away Charters will be the presenter. Congratulations to John Mucha, winner of the monthly weigh-in drawing sponsored by Beaufort Boat &amp; Dock Supply. Guests are welcome. No reservations are needed. For more information, contact Captain Frank Gibson at 843-522-2122 or email fgibson@islc.net.

<b>Valentine’s Day Couples Lighthouse Climb</b>

5:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, Hunting Island Lighthouse Complex. Cost $20 per person. Take a tour of Hunting Island Lighthouse and watch the sunset and moonrise over the ocean with your Valentine. Must be 44-inches tall to climb. Pre-registration is required. 16-person limit. For more information, contact the Nature Center at 843-838-7437.

<b>Beaufort Lions<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Club Sweetheart<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Pancake Breakfast</b>

8 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, Sea Island Presbyterian Church. Stop by and support those needing vision services in northern Beaufort County by enjoying fresh, hot pancakes and sausage, real scrambled eggs, cheese grits, homemade sausage gravy and biscuits and juice or coffee. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance from a Lion. Ticket prices are $8 adult and $5 for those younger than 12. All major credit cards are accepted. Donations accepted. Bring the family and enjoy a leisurely, healthy breakfast while helping those in need of vision services.

<b>Lowcountry<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Christian Women's Connection luncheon</b>

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, Hampton Hall Clubhouse, Bluffton. The featured guest will be Lila Arnold, founder of Low Country Raptors, and she will have live birds on display. Our speaker is Sharee Darian from Ridgeland. The cost $26 and must be prepaid by Feb. 12. Make checks payable to "CWC Bluffton" and mail to Carol Mock, 607 Argent Way, Bluffton, SC 29909. For details, call Carol at 843-705-7604.

<b>Beaufort Christian<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Women’s Connection lunch</b>

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Feb. 20, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, Lady’s Island. Lunch by Holmes Catering is $18. Sheree Darian is the guest speaker. Tours of Beaufort is the focus of Bill Reynolds’ feature talk. Call Marti Myers at 843-321-0962 by Feb. 14.

<b>Republican Women’s Club Membership Drive Luncheon</b>

11:30 a.m. February 22, Dataw Island Club, 121 Dataw Dr., St. Helena Island. State representative Shannon Erickson will be the featured speaker. The cost of the luncheon is $30 and is by reservation only. This year is the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote. Please join us to hear how you can get involved in the 2020 election campaigns and the celebration of our right to vote. For reservations, please call Elaine Gantt at 843-379-0056 or email eygantt@gmail.com.

<b>Lowcountry Community Concert Band’s “Folk Frolic”</b>

7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 157 Lady’s Island Drive. Admission is free, though free-will donations will be gratefully accepted. The program – “Folk Frolic” – includes “The Running Set” and “Rhosymedre” by Vaughan Williams, “Second Suite for Military Band,” by Gustav Holst, “Pineapple Poll (Opening Number)” based on music by Sir Arthur Sullivan, “Irish Tune from County Derry” and “Themes from ‘Green Bushes’” by Percy Grainger, and “Galop” from “Moscow, Cheremushky,” by Dmitri Shostakovich. The Lowcountry Community Concert Band consists of about 60 volunteer musicians and is sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at USC Beaufort. For more information, contact Pete Johnson at 267-884-6805, Rick Eckstein at 843-707-7813 or Carolyn Christy
at 843-540-7605.

<b>American Legion Youth Programs Golf Tournament</b>

Friday, Feb. 28, The Legends at Parris Island golf course. The tournament supports various local America Legion youth programs, including baseball, Boys State, Law Cadet Academy, college scholarships and oratorical contests. Participants will enjoy a box lunch, drinks, prizes and Mulligans. Prizes include closest to the pin on all par 3s, hole-in-ones on all four par 3s including $10,000 on hole No. 10. Hole sponsors and players may visit www.bftamlegpost9.org or contact American Legion Golf, P.O. Box 2540, Beaufort, S.C. 29901 or call George Miller at 843-470-0928. Registration to play should be completed by Feb. 24 to gain access to MCRD Parris Island.

<b>Sunrise Lighthouse Climb</b>

6:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 29, Hunting Island Lighthouse Complex. Cost $15. Come and join a naturalist in climbing the lighthouse to experience the morning beauty of Hunting Island from above, while learning about the history of the lighthouse. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture some amazing shots. A small breakfast of doughnuts and coffee is provided. Must be 44-inches tall to climb. Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact the Nature Center at 843-838-7437.

<b>Beaufort County Historical Society “Historically Speaking” lectures</b>

All talks, held at noon on Thursdays, are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome. First-come, first-seated, doors open 30 minutes prior to event.

March 12: Dr. Lawrence Rowland, “Kate Gleason, Libby Rowland, and Beaufort in the 1920s,” St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis, Sr. Blvd. St. Helena Island.

May 7: 81st annual meeting, Dr. Dale Rosengarten, “Blue Collars to Blue Serge Suits: Beaufort’s Jewish Settlers,” St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis, Sr. Blvd., St. Helena Island.

<b>3rd annual St. Patrick’s<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Day Festival</b>

Noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 14, Beaufort Town Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Area restaurants and food trucks will be selling food and drinks, and there will be live entertainment. The event will also have activities for children of all ages. New to the Festival this year will be an adult and kids costume contest. The event benefits Beaufort County Animal Services. The Festival is accepting vendor applications online until March 1. Additional information can be found on the Beaufort Town Center website (www.beauforttowncenter.com) and Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/BeaufortTownCenter).

<b>The Historic Port<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Royal Museum</b>

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Informative short lectures are given every Saturday at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. by historian Woody Collins. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>email unionchurch1004@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333. You can also find us on Facebook!

<b>Al-Anon Family Groups</b>

Are you concerned about a loved one’s drinking or drug use? Join a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics and addicts who share their experience, strength, and hope to solve common problems. Free. Al-Anon meetings take place on Hilton Head Island, in Bluffton and in Okatie. Ala-Teen meetings are 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Bluffton United Methodist Church. To find a local meeting, go to al-anon-sc.org.

<b>Free vessel safety checks</b>

Beaufort Sail and Power Squadron aka America’s Boating Club of Beaufort, a local non-profit organization with a focus on boating safety and education is offering free vessel safety checks to community boaters. Please contact Charlie Weaver at 843-836-1500 to schedule your inspection (please leave a message) or email us at beaufort.sailandpower.squadron@gmail.com.

<b>Get moving with<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>Beaufort Track Club</b>

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.

<b>May River Quilters Quild</b>

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 or visit www.mayeriverquiltguild.com.

<b>Parkinson’s support group</b>

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.

<b>Send in your events!</b>

To submit an event for the What's Happening section, email theislandnews@gmail.com. Please note that submissions are not guaranteed to run.