Activities at Hunting Island State Park
There are fun, interesting and educational activities every day hosted by Park Ranger and Lowcountry Master Naturalist Megan Stegmeier.
Sundays: Walk in the Woods, 10 a.m.; Hunting Island Bingo, 2 p.m.
Mondays: Sand/candy art, 11 a.m. (Nov. 25); Secrets of the Salt Marsh, 3 p.m..
Tuesdays: Alligator Talk, 11 a.m., CCC Video, 1 p.m.; Beach Walk, 3 p.m.
Wednesdays: Reptiles of the Lowcounty, 11 a.m.; Stepping Stones, 2 p.m. (Nov. 27).
Thursdays: Interpretive Lighthouse Tour, 10 a.m. (Nov. 21); Feeding Frenzy, 3 p.m. (Nov. 21).
Fridays: Stepping Stones, 2 p.m. (Nov. 22); Fish printing, 2 p.m. (Nov. 29).
Saturdays: Pinecones for Passerines, 11 a.m. (Nov. 23, 30); Tie-Die, 2 p.m. (Nov. 23, 30).
For a description of these programs and a complete calendar of activities, go to southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island and click on “Programs & 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.
Hunting Island Lighthouse Tours
10 a.m., every Thursday in November (except Thanksgiving).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 184 steps to the top of the Lighthouse. At 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 there will be a unique Sunrise Climb.
Reservations are recommended by calling the Nature Center at 843-838-7437. Regular Thursday tours are $2 per person. The Full Moon Climb is $10 per person and the Sunrise Climb is $15 per person. Park entry fees apply.
Beaufort County Historical Society “Historically Speaking” lectures
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.
Nov. 21: Maxine Lutz, “Not Just Gossip: Who Dwelt in Beaufort’s Historic Houses,” Beaufort County Library, 311 Scott St.
Jan. 23: Dr. Bernard Powers, “The New Face of African American Public History in Charleston: The Center for the Study of Slavery and the International African American Museum,” Beaufort County Library, 311 Scott St.
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.
Wardle Family YMCA’s Enhance Fitness program
1:30-2:30 p.m., Monday and Wednesday; 1-2 p.m. Friday. Began Monday, Nov. 4, Wardle Family YMCA, 1801 Richmond Ave., Port Royal. Open to Y members and non-members. Participants can jump into the 16-week class after this date if the program is not full. Geared toward older adults and those with chronic health conditions, like arthritis. Class meets 3x per week for 60 minutes. Free for Y members and $150 for non-members. Become a Y member as part of this program and we’ll waive your joining fee! For more info, contact Denice Fanning at 843-522-9622 or beaufort-jasperymca.org.
Fripp Audubon Club
7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, Fripp Island Community Center. S.C. Audubon Bird Friendly Communities Coordinator Jennifer McCarthey Tyrrell will be the guest speaker. Meet & Greet begins at 6 p.m. Bring snacks to share. For more information, email frippaudubonclub@gmail.com.
3rd annual Holiday Market of Beaufort
5-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, Beaufort Academy Gym, 240 Sam’s Point Road, Lady’s Island. More than 40 unique local vendors all for your shopping enjoyment. All purchases made at The Holiday Market will receive free gift wrap. Friday is Sip & Shop. Bottomless beer and wine wristbands are available and include beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres. 21 and older only. Purchase your presale drink wristband on eventbrite for $20, or buy wristbands at the door for $30. On Saturday, bottomless mimosa wristbands are available for those 21 and older. Purchase your presale drink wristband on eventbrite for $20, or buy wristbands at the door for $30. There will be a booth for pictures with Santa on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Pictures are $10. All proceeds go to the BA Speech & Debate Club.
YMCA to offer CPR class
The Wardle Family YMCA, located at 1801 Richmond Ave in Port Royal, offers CPR classes for community members on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 8 a.m. to noon. 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.
Smile for Santa
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, Port Royal Farmer’s Market. The Beaufort Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Smile for Santa event. Bring your children, grandchildren and/or pets to the Gazebo area at the market and have your picture taken with Santa. Your photo will then be emailed to you. A $5 donation is suggested. All proceeds will go to local charities.
Lowcountry Christian Women’s Connection luncheon
11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, Hampton Hall Clubhouse. The feature and speaker will be Tempe Brown. She will sing a medley of songs and lead us in our annual sing-along. There will be a raffle, games and prizes. Ladies are asked to bring non-perishable items for Bluffton Self Help. Cost for the luncheon is $26 and must be prepaid by Nov. 27. Make checks payable to “CWC Bluffton” and mail to Carol Mock, 607 Argent Way, Bluffton, S.C. 29909. For details, call Carol at 843-705-7604.
Beaufort Christian Women’s Connection luncheon
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Dec. 5, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive. Beaufort Christian Women’s Connection will host their luncheon catered by Cynthia Holmes. Cost is $18 payable at the door. Our feature will be Debbi Covington, chef, caterer and author. “Putting Together Life’s Puzzle Without the Boxlid” is the topic of our speaker Tempe Brown. There will be a Stonecroft Fundraiser. If you can, please bring an unwrapped gift for a child age birth through 12 years to support Toys for Tots. For reservations by by Nov. 29, please call, text or email Marti Myers at 843-321-0962 or puddlesportia@gmail.com.
4th Touch A Truck Fundraiser
The Junior Service League of Beaufort will host its 4th Touch A Truck fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 7 in downtown Port Royal from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Paris Avenue. Cost of admission is $5 per person.
Touch A Truck is a family event that offers a unique and interactive experience for children of all ages. Children will have the opportunity to see, touch, and safely explore their favorite vehicles that serve our community.
The event will feature many different types of equipment to explore, including a fire truck, ambulance, a Humvee, construction vehicles, and even a helicopter. The entertainment area will include a variety of activities including face painting, bounce-houses for kids and much more. And to round out the experience, enjoy music and fabulous food, drinks, and libations available for purchase.
Pets are not allowed at the event.
Call Brittany Rosson at 618-967-6815 or visit www.touchatruckbeaufort.com for more information.
Bluffton Christmas Parade Toy Drive
10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 7. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Bluffton Christmas Parade. Collins Group Realty’s elves will pick up toy donations as they come down the parade route. All donations will go to Bluffton Self Help’s Holiday Toy Shop to help local families in need this holiday season.
Beaufort Beach Ball Fundraiser & Auction
6-11 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, Tabby Place, downtown Beaufort. Event presented by Bank of America, Merrill to benefit the Wardle Family YMCA. Music and dancing with Men of Distinction! Tickets on sale in December. $65/per person or $120/couple. $75 each at the door. All proceeds benefit the YMCA capital campaign. Visit beaufort-jasperymca.org.
Get moving with Beaufort Track Club
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.
May River Quilters Guild
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.
Parkinson’s support group
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.
Puppy Plunge at the YMCA
YMCA Puppy Plunge will be held on the third Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. (weather permitting) at the Y outdoor pool at 1801 Richmond Ave. in Port Royal. Pups can splash, swim and play in our safe, enclosed outdoor pool area.
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.
Register to be a Tiger Shark
BYAC Tiger Sharks Swim Team registration is open for the 2019-2020 season. There are three levels of swim team for ages 5 and up who meet swim team group requirements: Shark Pups; Group 1; and Group 2. Evaluations on going on now for group placement. Learn more online at beaufort-jasperymca.org (click on Aquatics>Swim Team), stop by the Y in Port Royal (1801 Richmond Ave.) or call the Y at 843-522-9622.
