Hunting Island State Park Nature Center March naturalist programs
All programs are free with park admission. Call 843-838-7437 for information or reservations.
Monday: Secrets of the Salt Marsh – 4 p.m.
Tuesday: Creature Feature – 10:30-11 a.m., Nature Center. Discover some of the wildlife found around Hunting Island as represented by the animal ambassadors. (all ages); Traces of Wild Ruffians – 12:30-1:30 p.m., Nature Center. Find ut what mammals are rummaging through Hunting Island and learn how to identify mammal tracks. (ages 7 to 12); Beach Walk – 3-4 p.m., Lighthouse. Walk along the beach with a naturalist to learn more about the treasures from the ocean. (all ages) (not held on Feb. 8).
Wednesday: Creature Feature – 10:30-11 a.m.; Turtle Talk – 12:30-1 p.m., Nature Center. Learn about the variety of turtles on Hunting Island. (all ages); Walk With a Naturalist – 2:30-3:15 p.m., Nature Center. Enjoy a 0.7-mile scenic walk that ends at Little Hunting Island, which you can explore on your own. Wear walking shoes, comfortable clothes, and bring sunscreen, bug spray and water. (limited to 15 walkers) Call by noon the previous day for reservations.
Thursday: Creature Feature – 10:30-11 a.m.; Gator Gab – 12:30-1 p.m., Nature Center. Congregate around our modern-day dinosaurs and watch our vicious hunters eat a delicious meal. (all ages); What a Wharf – 2:30-3 p.m., Nature Center. Walk down the pier and learn how Hunting Island and its ecosystems came to be. (all ages).
Friday: Creature Feature – 10:30-11 a.m.; Serpent Exploration – 12:30-1 p.m., Nature Center. Get a chance to fight your fears and touch a snake or two. (all ages); Beach Walk – 3-4 p.m., Lighthouse.
Saturday: Creature Feature – 10:30-11 a.m.; Sea Turtle Discovery – 2-3:15 p.m., Nature Center. Four species of sea turtles are found on the S.C. coast, and one is the state reptile. (all ages); Walk With a Naturalist – 2:30-3:15 p.m., Nature Center.
Beaufort County Library Ongoing Programs
These are the ongoing programs available at the Beaufort Branch Library Downtown: 2:30 p.m., 1st Tuesday each month, Knitting/Crochet Class; all day during business hours, 1st Thursday each month,
Chess Club; 2:30 p.m., last Tuesday each month, Book to Movie Club; daily during library hours, Escape Quest Games.
Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry Made Market
5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers. The first 20 shoppers of the night at the March 3 Bluffton Night Bazaar will get free market tote bags filled with surprises from our sponsors. Participating vendors for March 3: Miss Katie’s Sweets (food truck), Lite Foot Company, Kara Artman Art, Cottonwood Soap Company, Southern Botanica, Barb’s Boards, Pet Wants, Woodsman’s Wife & Co., Tout Sweet Macarons, 7th & Palm, The Herb Room Apothecary, Marsh View Candles, Kilted Bee Mead, Juke Joint Sweets, Palmetto Kettle Corn/Crescent Moon Macaroons, River Dog Shop, Fabula Collective, SH’ THAT’S HOT!, Lowcountry Livin’, True South, Mystic Mates Pillows.
The Historic Port Royal Museum
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, 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. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email unionchurch1004@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.
Tour Historic Fort Fremont
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Fort Fremont History Center, Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Docent-led tours are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Saturday. Travel back in time to the 1800s and the Spanish American War. Visitors to Fort Fremont can learn about the fort’s history by reading interpretive panels, taking a self-guided tour with a smart phone, visiting the history center exhibit hall, or attending a docent-led tour of the property. The Preserve is open to the public Monday through Sunday from dawn to dusk. For more information, visit www.fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks manager Stephanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net.
Port Royal Farmers Market
9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh cut flower bouquets. There are prepared food vendors serving barbecue, dumplings, she crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. No pets allowed. For more information, visit http://www.portroyalfarmersmarket.com/, visit @portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.
Lowcountry Made Markets
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., first and third Saturday of each month through December, Buckwalter Place Park, next to Kroger off Buckwalter Place Blvd., Bluffton. Each market includes local vendors, live music, food and drink. The events are free. Participating vendors include: Gullah Express LLC (food truck), Declan’s Delights, Pick N Paint Pottery, Preservation Tree Art, 7th & Palm, Kara Artman Art, Southern Botanica, Hedone (bath & body), Blue Door Boutique, The Herb Room Organic Apothecary, Juke Joint Sweets, BPC Custom Furniture, Back to Eden Self Care Products, LLC, Shutterbug Custom Designs LLC, Pet Wants Hilton Head, Grind Coffee Roasters, LLC, Fabula Collective, The Artsy Girl, KODA Glass Designs, Lowcountry Livin’, Legacy Art Gallery, Cottonwood Soap Company, Marsh View Candles and Crafted With A Purpose.
Lowcountry Made Markets in Port Royal
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., fourth Saturday of the month through May; second and fourth Saturday through November, Live Oaks Park, 904 14th Street, Port Royal. These markets showcase only local artists, artisans and small businesses. The open-air markets are held “farmer’s market” style with new vendors each month. Each market will also include live music, food and drink, and is free to attend. Vendors include Amidst the Alders, Preservation Tree Art, True South, Pet Wants, Meg’s Sweet Treats, Sativa Health Products, Back to Eden Self Care (Tea), Graceful Stitches, Cottonwood Soap Company (Bath & Body), Sweet Carolina’s Clothing Boutique, B&E Rustic Designs, Blue Door Boutique, Clayed by Reena LLC, Kara Artman Art, The Herb Room Organic Apothecary, Bliss Bites Cookies, Kilted Bee Mead (Soap), HandMade Beaufort, Lovin’ My Skin, LLC, Purely, Inc. and KODA Glass, Lovely Olive Designs, Gone Gullah, Tout Sweet Macarons, Moonlight Crow Creations, Fabula Collective, Finch Sign & Design Metalworks LLC and Honey Bunny Boutique.
“Pull Yourself Up” Group Exercise Class for women
9:30 a.m., select Saturdays, Wardle Family YMCA, 1801 Richmond Ave., Port Royal. This multi-generational women’s group training is a 5-week program taught by Kelly Blackston. It is designed for females who wish to be stronger especially using back muscle shoulders and arms plus build camaraderie and make new friends. Free for ages 13-19; $10 per class for YMCA members; $20 per class for adult non-member. Questions should be directed to Denice Davis, YMCA Healthy Living Program Director at 843-521-1904 or beaufort-jasperymca.org.
Full 30-hour lifeguard training
March 4-7 & 13; April 22-25 & May 1; May 13-16 & 22, location TBD. Cost is $170. Schedule: Thursday 4 p.m. – swim test; Friday 4-9 p.m.; Saturday 8-5 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m. Those interested need to register at the Y as space is limited and filled on a first come, first serve basis. Questions? Contact Contact Frank Hamilton at 843-525-0233 or ghh60fwh@comcast.net.. To register visit the Y front desk or online at beaufort-jasperymca.org and click ‘Register for a Program’ at the top of the page. See Frank Hamilton for lifeguard recertification dates and times.
FUN WOMEN 5K Race
8 a.m., Saturday, March 5, Newcastle and Bay Street, Downtown Beaufort. The certified 5K course will run through downtown and across the scenic Woods Bridge. This race is part of USC Beaufort’s Center For The Arts’ Women’s Wellness Retreat (March 18 and 19, 2022). Our mission is to elevate, empower, enlighten and enrich all women. Topics include financial, spiritual, physical and mental wellness. Register at https://bit.ly/3qjg1V9.
Maye River Quilters
10 a.m., Saturday, March 5, via Zoom. To get a link for the meeting, visit mayeriverquiltguild.com. For more meeting dates and times, and for membership forms to join the group, call 843-530-1244 or visit the website.
Beaufort Charities Oyster Roast
1 to 10 p.m., Saturday, March 5, Live Oak Park, Port Royal. All you can eat local oysters from 1 to 8 p.m. Live music by “The Entertainers” (4-7 p.m.) and “Steel Rail Express” (8-10 p.m.). Free kids zone (Ages 5 to 12) from 1 to 10 p.m. Two Live Auctions. Tickets are $40 pre-sale and $50 at the door. To purchase tickets or beverage cups, visit https://bit.ly/3rS4FZ2. Tickets are non-refundable, and music is subject to change in the case of inclement weather.
Sea Island Rotary Club Community Service blood drive
9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, Big Red Bloodmobile, Hilton Garden Inn, Beaufort. Future donation dates will be Tuesday, June 14; Tuesday, Aug. 23; and Tuesday, Nov. 15. OneBlood is testing all blood donations for the COVID-19 antibody. The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the your immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether you ever showed symptoms. You will be able to see their results approximately two to five days after donating by logging into OneBlood’s donor portal at www.oneblood.org. If you test positive for the antibody, you will be eligible to become COVID-19 convalescent plasma donor. All donors will receive a OneBlood gift and a $10 eGift card. Plus, a wellness checkup including blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening. OneBlood takes extra precautions to ensure that the donation process is safe from the COVID-19 virus including extra cleanings, wearing masks, etc. All time slots are currently available. Contact District Governor-elect Bob Gross, at bob@beaufortgroup.com or call 843-321-0196 and indicate the time slot that best suits you.
Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club’s March meeting
7 p.m., Thursday, March 10, Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, Lady’s Island, Meridian Road. Social begins at 6:30 p.m. Captain Jack Brown will discuss how to find your next local “Honey Hole” and the cold weather habits of our inshore local fish – spottail bass, AKA red fish, red drum, and puppy drum, etc. Beaufort Boat & Dock Supply, Butler Marine, and Adams Marine Seminars again are our drawing sponsors. Remember to weigh in your favorite catch at the Port Royal Landing Marina – Safe Harbor – during regular hours. Winners must be present at the next month’s meeting to receive the cash award. Guests are welcome. Reservations are not needed. For additional information, please contact Captain Frank Gibson at 843-522-2122 or fgibson@islc.net.
The Pickled Eagle pickleball tournament
8 a.m., Saturday, March 12, Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club. On-site registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $40, $5 for each additional division, three divisions total. Double elimination. Skill division 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0. Men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles. Singles, two divisions. Age divisions – skill divisions but limited to 50+, 60+, 70+. Proceeds benefit Beaufort High School Tennis. To register online, go to pickleballtournaments.com and search for pickledeagle. Register online and get a free T-shirt.
Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands guided tours
9 a.m., Saturday, March 12; Friday, March 25; Saturday, April 9. Sunset walk from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 22. The Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands (501c3) offers free tours with Master Naturalist Jill Moore as guide. Learn about the different types of wildlife, birds, and plants that inhabit this special place. Tours are approximately 90 minutes and limited to 12 participants. To sign up for a tour please email Kat Bray at info@foprcw.org. For more information, visit www.foprcw.org, follow us on Facebook at FriendsofPRCypressWetlands, or on Instagram at friendsofprcypresswetlands.
Beaufort County Library Special Programs
These are the special programs available at the Beaufort Branch Library Downtown: 2:30 p.m., March 17, Gardening Class; 4:30 p.m., April 6, Pat Conroy’s Love of Libraries; 2:30 p.m., April 12, Poetry Slam; 4:30 p.m., April 26, Pat Conroy’s Love of Poetry; 2:30 p.m., May 4, May the 4th Be With You Star Wars Celebration; 2:30 p.m., June 14, Hurricane Preparedness; 2:30 p.m., July 12, Comic Con; 2:30 p.m., Aug. 16, Local Art Display; 2:30 p.m., Sept. 13, Civic Awareness; 2:30 p.m., Oct. 20, Friends of the Library Celebration; 2:30 p.m., Nov. 15, Beekeeping; 2:30 p.m., Dec. 13, Gingerbread House Contest.
St. Patrick’s Festival
Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 19, Beaufort Town Center. Event benefits the Beaufort Area Hospitality Association. Area restaurants and food trucks will be selling food and drinks and there will be live music by Mike Martin and The Beautiful Mess. This family-fun event will have activities for children of all ages, and those young at heart. There will also be a cornhole tournament and a costume contest. Though the festival is free and open to the public, to have access to all activities, wristbands can be purchased on site for $5. Only cash is accepted. There is an ATM on site. Additional information regarding the cornhole Tournament will be available on Beaufort Town Center’s website at https://bit.ly/3rYcxs5.
Beaufort Twilight Run
3:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, March 19, 11 Market, Habersham Marketplace, Beaufort. The annual race benefits Riverview Charter School (RCS), a free public school open to Beaufort County K-8th grade students (www.RiverviewCharterSchool.org). This year’s efforts will raise funds for the School’s athletic fields and expansion. To register and for details visit www.BeaufortTwilightRun.com. Live Music will be performed by the band Broke Locals. A wide variety of food and beverages will be available from food trucks and the Habersham Marketplace restaurants. The BTR is one of only two events in South Carolina to offer a 10-mile race. All race courses are spectator-friendly and offer beautiful marsh views beneath canopies of live oaks. Events will be held rain or shine.
CPR re-certification
9 a.m to noon, Saturday, March 19, Wardle Family YMCA, 1801 Richmond Ave., Port Royal. Cost is $25. Those interested need to register at the Y as space is limited and filled on a first come, first serve basis. Questions? Contact Contact Frank Hamilton at 843-525-0233 or ghh60fwh@comcast.net.. To register visit the Y front desk or online at beaufort-jasperymca.org and click ‘Register for a Program’ at the top of the page.
Power of the Purse
6 p.m., Thursday, March 24, Saltus River Grill. Heavy Hors d’oeuvres, open bar, silent auction. Tickets are $80 per person, $150 per couple. Purchase tickets at uwlowcountry.org/POP. Proceeds benefit United Way of the Lowcountry Women United’s Breaking Barriers to Education Fund. For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Wendy Jones at wjones@uwlowcountry.org.
CPR training
8 a.m to noon, Saturday, March 26, April 9, Wardle Family YMCA, 1801 Richmond Ave., Port Royal. Cost is $35 for YMCA certified course. Those interested need to register at the Y as space is limited and filled on a first come, first serve basis. Questions? Contact Contact Frank Hamilton at 843-525-0233 or ghh60fwh@comcast.net.. To register visit the Y front desk or online at beaufort-jasperymca.org and click ‘Register for a Program’ at the top of the page.
Race for Life Fundraiser 5K Run/2-mile Walk
8 a.m., Saturday, April 2, Live Oaks Park, 904 14th Street, Port Royal. Hosted by Radiance Women’s Center. Check in time from 8 to 8:30 a.m. 5K race takes runners down to The Sands and then through the historic district of Port Royal. Race medals will be awarded for best race times. Race starts at 9 a.m. Walk begins at Live Oaks Park, journey to The Sands, and return to Live Oaks Park. Prize awarded to individual/team that raises the most money. All riding in strollers will receive a colorful gift. Walkers depart at 9:15 a.m. Register at https://radiancewomenscenter.com/2022-race-for-life/. Registration before March 18 is $35 for adults and $25 for ages 18 and under. Registration Fee includes run and T-shirt. Race T-shirts are not guaranteed for registrations after March 18. Registration March 19 and after is $40 for adults and $30 for ages 18 and under. T-Shirt/packet pickup is from noon to 6 p.m., April 1, at Radiance Women’s Center, 21 Marshellen Drive, Beaufort.
Bridges Prep Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament
April 8, 9. Captains meeting, TBD. Weigh in at Butler Marine Dry Stack. Species include spottail bass, spotted sea trout and flounder. Cost is $150 per boat. All funds raised support Bridges Prep athletic programs. Cash prizes for combined weight. Great opportunity to fish and help support the school. Those interested in sponsoring the event, contact Coach Gruel (bgruel@bridgesprep.org) or Gaylets (sgaylets@bridgesprep.org). To register for the tournament, visit https://bit.ly/31JnBi9
THIS WEEK’S MOVIES AT HWY 21 DRIVE-IN
The movies scheduled for this week (Thursday, March 3 through Sunday, March 6) at the Highway 21 Drive-In are The Batman (PG-13, 7:30 p.m.) on Screen 1 and Dog (PG-13, 7:30 p.m.) and Uncharted (PG-13, 9:00 p.m.) on Screen 2.
Online ticketing is available at hwy21drivein.com on the Now Playing page. Patrons are asked to arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Management would appreciate the wearing of masks while in the concession stand.
“Our family at the Hwy. 21 drive in feel a responsibility to our community,” a statement from Highway 21 Drive-In management reads. “We are concerned about many things in these trying times and in making the right decisions. We are concerned with our employees, our patrons, our business, our community’s businesses, and the health and well-being of all.”
A reminder: no outside food or beverages can be brought into the drive-in.
Upcoming movies include Lost City (March) and Morbius (April).
– Staff reports
