November 20 – December 3, 2024
A Special Collection 4
From a special woman
A Timely Tome 5
A sigh of relief
Lynn & Cele Seldon 7
Lunch with Authors
Canapé Day 17
Thanksgiving apps
Harriet Tubman 20
The art of history Special Pull-Out Holiday Gift Guide
'Horatio the Cat' Creator 14
Kem Welch
The image on our cover is Beaufort Mayor Phil Cromer portrayed as a Nutcracker by artist Tatiana Tatum. Mayor Cromer is just one of many familiar faces you’ll see as “It’s a Nutty Christmas” unfolds this holiday season. To see more local nutcrackers, check out our Holiday Gift Guide in this issue.
November 20 – November December 3, 2024
o w c o unt
LPublisher: Jeff Evans — Jeff@LCWeekly.com
Editor: Margaret Evans — Editor@LCWeekly.com
Marketing Director: Amanda Hanna — 843-343-8483 or Amanda@LCWeekly.com
Advertising Sales: Jere Russo — 401-787-3280 or JereRusso@Gmail.com
Art Director: Lydia Inglett
Layout & Design: Amalgamated Sprinkleworks
Contributing Writers: Katherine Tandy Brown, Debbi Covington, Sandra Educate, Luke Frazier, Wendy Hilty, Jared Madison, Carolyn Mason, Cele & Lynn Seldon, and Sutty Suddeth
What’s Happening Calendar: Staff – Editor@LCWeekly.com
Letters to the Editor, comments or suggestions can be addressed to: Lowcountry Weekly
106 West Street Extension, Beaufort, SC 29902
Call: 843-986-9059 or Email: editor@lcweekly.com
Lowcountry Weekly is published every other Wednesday and distributed throughout Beaufort County at various restaurants, retail locations, hotels and visitor’s centers. The entire contents of Lowcountry Weekly is copyrighted 2024 by P. Podd Press, LLC. No part may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. A stamped, self-addressed envelope must accompany all submissions expected to be returned.
I’ve known Anne Errington for over 20 years, but neither of us can remember how we met. We think it had something to do with community theatre. We both used to do a lot of that.
“Were we in the Vagina Monologues together, maybe?” I ask.
“Yes! Back when the newspapers wouldn’t print the word,” she laughs. “They called it the V Monologues, remember?!” Indeed, I do.
At 95, Anne is just as feisty and irreverent as ever. Though, irreverent isn’t quite the right word for a woman whose deep, vibrant love of God shines through her merry blue eyes and guides her every step.
If this description makes Anne sound stuffy, or holier than thou, that’s on me. I didn’t say it right.
I’m here at Anne’s house to talk with her about the collection of 47 nativity scenes that she has just gifted to my church, First Presbyterian, for our 13th Annual Nativity Celebration. Over the past 12 years, the weekend-long event has become a holiday tradition for folks all over Beaufort. People even drive in from out of town to see our somewhat prosaic fellowship hall transformed into a magical exhibit of 150-plus creches from around the world.
Anne has been collecting nativities since she was a little girl. She remembers how it started: “My grandparents were very strict Methodists,” she says. “When I went to visit them on Sunday afternoons, I wasn’t allowed to play any games. All I could do was sit and read. So I would read the National Geographic. Well, one day, I was in a gift shop with my parents and I saw this little nativity. It was a round felt tent, with these tiny characters inside it. I said, ‘I know what that is. It’s a yurt! From Kazakhstan!’” It was love at first creche.
Whenever I think of Anne, I envision her wearing a large, handmade cross around her neck, against her heart. I vividly remember that cross, and a discussion we had about her Episcopal faith at a Charles Street Gallery party back in the day. This was long, long ago – before I’d found my way back to Christianity – and I remember listening to Anne, and watching the joy shine from her face, and thinking, “Hmmm . . . She’s really onto something.” I have no idea what she said that night; I only remember how she made me feel.
There’s something mystical going on with Anne Errington. Take her first encounter with Beaufort, for instance:
Her husband had just retired from GE, and the couple were sailing south from their home in the Berkshires in a 31-foot sailboat that Roger, a Naval Academy grad, had built himself. While traveling, Anne found a lump in her breast, and they stopped in Beaufort to have it checked out.
“Well, I had breast cancer,” she says, bluntly. “And Dr. Bush operated on me.”
But before that operation – and this all happened over the course of about a week –Anne met a local sailor who kept his boat near theirs at the Downtown Marina. He learned of her situation – and that she was an Episcopalian – and invited her to come sing Handel’s Messiah with the choir at St. Helena’s. This was around Christmas, sometime in the mid-80s.
“But I haven’t been to rehearsals,” Anne said.
“But you know it, right?” the sailor asked.
“Well, yes, of course!” Anne replied.
“They had a couple more rehearsals scheduled, and I went,” she remembers. “And I met all these wonderful people. I think there
were prayers said for me in every church in Beaufort that week. And the night before my surgery, I sang the Messiah.”
That was 40 years ago. Clearly, Dr. Tony Bush and the Messiah made a powerful team. Cancer didn’t stand a chance.
After living on their sailboat for five adventurous years, and dealing with some other, unrelated health issues, Anne and Roger decided they needed to settle down –preferably somewhere warmer than New England, where they’d raised their children. Remembering the kindness they’d been shown here during Anne’s Messiah moment, Beaufort seemed like a natural.
Anne thinks it was sometime in the early 90s when they put down roots here. Since then, this small but mighty woman has made her presence felt, with active roles in various community theatre groups, the Beaufort Garden Club, the Northern Beaufort County Democrats, and her beloved St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
“Roger and I were part of the original group that started St. Mark’s,” she says of the congregation planted in Port Royal when the Parish Church of St. Helena left the Episcopal Church for the Anglican Church of North America.
Anne has known she was an Episcopalian since she attended a funeral at an Episcopal church when she was a college student at Syracuse. “The door opened, and I just knew,” she says.
Before that, she’d struggled to find her place. “At 10, I told my parents I wanted to go to church. They didn’t. But they drove me to the Presbyterian Sunday school, and I learned I was NOT a Presbyterian. I told the pastor –don’t talk to me any more about that man Calvin. I don’t like him.”
That’s when Anne started “fussing at God,” praying, “There’s something missing but I don’t know what.” She swears she heard the following response, plain as day: “It’s alright. I’m here.”
“When God speaks to you as a little girl, and you hear actual words, it’s something you don’t ignore,” she tells me, explaining, in part, that mystical aura I’ve always sensed around Anne Errington. She truly, deeply believes.
But she never pushes anybody else to. She just lives her life as if God is real, and the wonders unfold. Ask her sometime about how God helped her quit her two-pack-a-day smoking habit. “He basically did it for me,” she deadpans. I believe her.
But back to the nativities. Anne has collected them for at least 85 years, and they come from all over – Mexico, Peru, Ireland, Indonesia, Rwanda, Russia, Kenya . . . You name it, she’s got a creche from there.
“Why nativities?” I ask her.
“They’re just so beautiful,” she says, eyes shining. “They express the birth of Jesus in this world! We wouldn’t be able to understand God without Jesus. I just love seeing all these different countries, and how their people see the nativity, which isn’t always how I see it, and knowing we’re all connected.”
See the Anne Errington Nativity Collection – and many other wonderful nativities – in the fellowship hall of First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, 1201 North Street, on Fri, Dec. 6 and Sat, Dec. 7 from 10am – 4pm, and Sun, Dec. 8 from noon-3pm. Admission is free and the public is very welcome. www.firstpresbeaufort.org
By Katherine Tandy Brown
These are the times that try men’s souls . . . ” Though American founding father
Thomas Paine penned these words to describe the Revolutionary War era, he could well have been looking into the future at the United States in 2024. Let’s change “men’s” to “people’s,” and change “try” to “stress,” and here we are.
How is one to rise above the country’s disturbing chaos? Many psychologists and medical professionals agree that taking care of one’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual state is the first step to a clearer perspective.
Fortunately, Beaufort resident Jared Madison has written a right-on-target self-help book for folks who want more peace in their lives. Considering the aforementioned state of today’s world, that’s a lot of us.
Madison is one of three writers of the Lowcountry Weekly’s “Wholly Holistics” column and host of “Magical Minute,” a quick something to improve your day – and sometimes your life! – on YouTube and Instagram, with 2,500 followers combined. Turns out the idea for the book was a “gift” of sorts.
A few years ago, this wise young man began to notice that his outer circumstances –whether they be a breakup, a lost job, a health issue, an unexpected bill, or an angry driver cutting him off in traffic – had the power to affect his internal sense of self-worth, wellbeing, peace, and security. So he sent out a prayer to the Universe, asking how to grow his inner strength to keep him on course no
matter what. The 30 Day Guide to Inner Peace was the answer he received. When he worked the “practices,” his life changed for the better. Now at this crucial time, he’s sharing the method that helped him , through words that take you by the hand and lead you through positive life changes, a day at a time, for 30 days.
Each day offers a message and a practice; the latter clarifies the message. The chapters are not long and practices not difficult. But they work! For example, the practice for Day 7 suggests that whenever you feel stuck, take a nap. If you think about it, napping involves letting go, accepting, and getting comfy with the seeming non-movement you’re experiencing. Purely practical.
A flip through the table of contents will give you an overview of a few of this guide’s important topics – some are questions – that will lead you on your journey to a more peace-filled existence. To whet your spiritual appetite, a sampling of chapter titles includes the following: “Judge Not”; “Radical Acceptance”; “What Do You Fear?”; “What No Longer Serves You?”; “Peace Through Forgiveness”; and “Making a Loving Commitment to Yourself.”
According to Madison, to attain inner peace, you must look inside yourself with a clear mind, see and accept whatever you observe, change the things you don’t like, and move ahead. Sounds too good to be true, right? But when you apply the practices to your life, the changes can be remarkable.
“Life gives us no shortage of experiences that may normally trigger an adverse reaction within us,” he says. “However, (in this book) you are given the tools to counteract your reactiveness; instead, you will find yourself responding.”
The former is often stressful, the latter, way more peaceful.
Jared Madison will be signing The 30 Day Guide to Inner Peace at a book launch at the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center, Sunday afternoon, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m. at 601 Bladen St., Beaufort. The author will do a short reading from his book and answer questions at 5:30 p.m. Complete with appetizers and sippers, the event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for sale from 5 to 7 pm. Please call to reserve your seat: (843) 379-7025.
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host an evening with memoirist and cancer survivor William “Billy” Douglas, author of Hope Is All I Have, Wednesday, December 4, at 6:00 p.m., at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort). Free and open to the public. Books will be available for sale and signing. Seating is limited; please call in advance to reserve: 843-379-7025.
The three most shocking words you will ever encounter in your lifetime are: You Have Cancer! Once you hear those words, your life will be forever changed. For William Douglas, instead of being at the end of his lifetime in dealing with cancer, it was actually the beginning of a new path unlike any he had ever traveled. How did he prevail through a Stage Four cancer diagnosis and come out for the better? His memoir, Hope Is All I Have, champions the inspiration to live, no matter the circumstances. It is a story of faith, hope, love, friendship, medicine and how to
Author William Douglass
navigate through many unknown challenges while entrenched in the battle of your life. If you, a family member, friend, loved one, or just an acquaintance has ever been faced with cancer, this memoir will give you an insightful story of their enduring battle. An inviting read about a most difficult subject, Hope Is All I Have is an inspirational story of true perseverance and survival.
"Defying all odds after a shocking death experience in surgery, Billy Douglas did more than survive: he lived and he continues to live and to share his inspirational story with other cancer patients, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals. This is a compelling book of faith--in both the spiritual and humanistic senses of that word--in which, as Billy says, PAP: Positive Attitude Prevails. Hope Is All I Have is as engaging as it is empowering." – Jonathan Haupt, executive director, Pat Conroy Literary Center
William “Billy” Douglas had a successful fifty-year career in sales and marketing in the marine industry. As a product of the South, he
enjoys writing and any kind of water activity. He lives on Hilton Head Island with his wife Linda and their standard poodle Gianni. Douglas is the founder of the Terminate Cancer Foundation.
Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
If you love to listen to best-selling authors talk about their books, creative process and being an author, we have the perfect event for you: USCB Center for the Arts Lunch with Author Series. The series will continue December 17 with the dynamic author team of Lynn and Cele Seldon, award-winning travel journalists and published authors of travel guidebooks, including 100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die and 100 Things to Do in Savannah Before You Die. The Seldons will chat about their travels and travel journalism careers, including their published features and books. The duo has spent more than 35 years traveling the world and writing hundreds of magazines, newspaper and online features, with their work appearing in Garden & Gun, South Carolina Living, in-flight publications, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, USA Today 10Best, FoodNetwork.com and many more.
The Seldons provided the text for the bestselling coffee table book, Our Vanishing
Lynn & Cele Seldon
Americana: A South Carolina Portrait. Lynn is also a successful novelist, including Virginia’s Ring, which Pat Conroy called, “A triumph and a tour de force,” and Carolina’s Ring. Next up for Seldon Ink is 100 Things to Do in the South Carolina Lowcountry Before You Die (Fall 2025) and Pat Conroy’s South Carolina Lowcountry (Fall 2026).
Just in time for holiday shopping books will be available for purchase and signings at the event. All luncheons begin at noon and are held at Belfair Club, in Bluffton SC.
Tickets for Lunch with Authors are $60. Prior reservations are required, you may register online at uscbcenterforthearts.com or by calling 843-521-4145, before the December 10 deadline.
The USCB Center for the Arts Lunch with Author Series featuring Lynn and Cele Seldon. The event will be held at the Belfair Club, 200 Belfair Oaks Blvd, Bluffton, SC, on Tuesday, December 17 at 12pm. Tickets are $60. and the deadline to register is December 10.
In all the years I’ve lived on this earth, I believe the 2024 election for U.S. President was one of the most stressful ever. The process seemed to last for eons. Did you know that the majority of candidates in a Canadian election only have 37 to 51 days to campaign before election day? Wouldn’t that be a relief? Our current iteration seems to go on ad infinitum, not unlike the scenario of stores decorating for Christmas in January. Now that it’s over, many of the 68 million Americans that voted for democratic principles, human rights, and the rule of law are in shock, grief, and disbelief, certainly partially because their ubiquitous conviction reflected the words of an old Christmas carol that “the wrong shall fail, the right prevail.” Whether you happen to be one of those, or you’re simply exhausted from the process, this column is for you. From the heart. To perhaps begin the healing of a part of yours.
Myriad suggestions on seeking relief are flying around social media, and I’m latching onto several of those that seem to make sense to this Pollyanna. Pour yourself a cuppa tea, glass of wine, or shot of bourbon, put your feet up, get comfy, and read on.
In his Substack newsletter, “Steady,” newsman Dan Rather addressed his hundreds of thousands of subscribers after the election. While navigating the uncertain road ahead, he emphasized, “First, take care of yourself, and check in on friends and loved ones. A majority of Americans has spoken, and we must accept their choice. But there’s nothing that says we have to like it . . . Please don’t be discouraged.”
Rather then referred to Winston Churchill’s words to the people of England during World War II: “Never, never, never give up.”
To which I’ll humbly add, not on yourself, not on the world seeking balance, not on your country.
The level-headed Rather’s initial words about taking care ring true from many sources during this time referred to by author Daniel Hunter as one of “psychological exhaustion and despair.” If you’re feeling this even a tiny bit, stick with me.
Hunter advises us to “Pay grave attention to our inner states.” Not the red or blue ones, but the states of our emotions, of how we’re feeling after this all-too-lengthy time of over-watching and over-listening-to candidates, pundits, and the latest polls, and of wishing, hoping, and trying to determine the most effective ways to help. Did we need to give more money, write more notes, make more phone calls, plant more yard signs, knock on more doors, say more prayers, or work at the polls on election day? Whew!
If you’ve reached the end of your energy and hope is but a word you no longer trust, allow yourself time to grieve. Take life pressures off as best you can. Find ways to relax daily, if only for 15 or 20 minutes; if you do that regularly, it can help. Connect with like-minded friends whom you trust and talk out your frustrations. Find your own path and envision it leading to a positive future. This won’t happen overnight but stay focused on your goal(s).
Whatever you do, don’t give in to despair.
As a Kentuckian, I often turn for relief to the words of one my state’s honored native sons – farmer, poet, environmentalist, activist, academic, novelist, and essayist Wendell Berry. Winner of the National Humanities Medal, Berry has spread the word about the importance of sustainability – the protection of nature, the precarious state of the natural world, and our obligation as residents to make sure its balance remains intact – in more than 50 books. One of his much-loved poems seems perfect for these uncertain days. At least three times in the past week, I’ve received this in answer to “Now what?” from a fellow seeker.
In just a few words, “The Peace of Wild Things” creates a vision of finding comfort in nature. Let it sink into your heart and ease your mind.
“When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives might be,
by Katherine Tandy Brown WHOLLY HOLISTICS
I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”
We who live in the Lowcountry have easy access to the marvelous gifts that Berry mentions. Step outside and inhale the thick, salty air. Wrinkle your nose at the smell of sloughy pluff mud. Hearken to the cries of osprey and laughing gulls overhead. Marvel as sunshine spreads diamonds over ponds, lakes, rivers, and that big ol’ Atlantic. Laugh at the antics of dolphins and mullet as they leap into the air with seeming pure joy. Marvel at the rebirth of resurrection ferns after a rain shower and the emergence of green in the springtime marsh. Watch a Great Blue Heron at marsh’s edge carefully, quietly creep on spindly legs to catch her breakfast. Find the end of a dock on a clear night away from town lights and gaze into the night-black sky at the Big Dipper. And wait as a full, fat Carolina moon spreads her milky path over the river as she rises.
Once your soul is rested and you’re ready to move forward into life, heed the words of E.B. White, author of the beloved children’s book, Charlotte’s Web.
“Hang onto your hat. Hang onto your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.”
Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry’s annual Turkey Trot 5K will take place in downtown Beaufort at 8:00am Thanksgiving Day morning, November 28th, 2024.
Online registration for the race is open until 2:00PM November 26th, 2024. The link to sign up for the race is https://www. lowcountryhabitat.org/turkey-trot-2024.
After 2:00PM on the 26th, participants can register in person at Grounded Running, 2139 Boundary St., Unit 108, Beaufort, from 10:00AM until 5:00PM, and at Freedom Mall on Bay Street in Beaufort on race day until 7:45AM.
Proceeds from the race will go directly toward building a home for a local family.
The Turkey Trot is the third race in the Beaufort Triple Crown race series, preceded by the Run Forest Run race in October and the Swing Bridge Run earlier this month.
Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry is part of a global non-profit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating, and
lease join Beaufort Garden Club for pictures with Santa
Port Royal Farmers Market Gazebo Nov. 30th, and Dec. 7th & 14th, 9:30 -12 noon. Adults, Children, Grandchildren and Pets!
preserving homes, by advocating for fair and just housing policies, and providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple and durable place to live in dignity and safety and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action
for all. Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry serves Beaufort and Jasper counties and is the only organization in these areas building new homes for residents who earn between 30% and 80% of the median income of their county.
Nov. 22-24
23rd Annual Beaufort Home for the Holidays
Call 843-522-6503 for Ticket Information
Deck the Halls of Habersham - 7 Homes Benefits St. Peter's Catholic Church
Nov. 22-24
Beaufort Children's Theater presents Shrek USCB Center for the Arts - 805 Carteret St. https://centerfortheartstickets.universitytickets.com/w/
Nov. 25th – Jan. 3rd
Art League of Hilton Head Gallery of Gifts Art Center of Coastal Carolian Gifts, Jewelry & Artwork by Local Artists Call 843-681-5060 for more information
Nov. 28th 8am-10:40am
Hilton Head Turkey Trot 5k & Fun Run Call 843-681-7273 for Registration Information
Nov. 30th
Dec. 6th – 8th
City of Beaufort Holiday Weekend Dec. 6 – Night on the Town – 6-9pm Downtown Beaufort Dec. 7 – Gullah Taste of Christmas – 11am Lighted Boat Parade – 5:30pm Dec. 8 – Beaufort Christmas Parade – 3pm
Dec. 6th 4-7pm
Hilton Head Winter Wonderland Shelter Cove Park – 39 Shelter Cove Lane FREE!
Bounce Houses, Parade, DJ, Family Fun! Call 843-681-7273 for more information
Dec. 7th 9am-3pm
Beaufort Academy Holiday Market 40+ Vendors • Great Holiday Gifts 240 Sams Point Road www.beaufortacademy.org for information
Dec.
Dec. 14th & 15th
Dec. 14th
Wreaths Across America
Beaufort National Cemetery 1601 Boundary Street
Dec. 21st & 22nd Annual HHI Jingle Jingle Bridge Run Dec. 21 – Packet Pickup – TBA – 4-7pm Dec. 22 – 5k & 10k Runs – Crossings Park – 8am
Jan. 9th – 19th Restaurant Week South Carolina
It’s a Nutty Christmas’ is getting even nuttier this year! Danie Connolly and her crew have created a collection of truly “local” Nutcrackers, and they’re popping up all over Beaufort this holiday season. Next time you’re out and about, look
around. You might recognize one of these festive guys or gals.
“We presented Mayor Phil Cromer with a Nutcracker for City Hall,” Connolly says. “We’ve got Nutcrackers for the Chief of Police Stephenie Price, the guys at Rotten Little
Bastards Distillery, (healthcare provider) Eric Gearhart, and we’re working on one for Dick Stewart . . . “ Who knows who else might get Nutcracker’d when they least expect it? Watch out, Beaufortonian! It could be you!
The big day is finally here! It’s time to open gifts. It’s time to celebrate with family and friends. It’s also time to eat. Isn’t it interesting how everyone is extra hungry on Christmas morning? These delicious recipes will feed your crowd while you enjoy the joy and merriment of the day. Kick off the festivities with a sparkling Fountain of Youth cocktails. Shrimp and Grits Martinis and delicious Berry Strata complete the perfect Christmas Brunch. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (Photography by Susan DeLoach Photography)
This is a fun sparkling beverage – and the perfect starter for a morning-after-thewedding breakfast!
1 (48-ounce) bottle refrigerated 100% pomegranate juice
3 bottles Prosecco or sparkling white grape juice, chilled ½ cup vodka, optional
In 2 large pitchers, combine pomegranate juice, Prosecco and vodka. Pour into champagne flutes or wine glasses. Serve immediately. Serves 15 to 20.
SHRIMP AND GRITS
This recipe is adapted from one of the most popular entrees on my wedding catering menu! Delicious and fun!
8 cups water
1 stick butter
3 cups quick-cooking grits
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tablespoons butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 (14-ounce) can chicken or vegetable broth
1½ cups heavy whipping cream
3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces diced ham or cooked bacon
½ cup chopped Italian parsley
Chopped tomatoes, to garnish
Chopped fresh Italian parsley, to garnish
Boil 8 cups water in a heavy stock pot or
Dutch oven. Add butter. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover pot. Cook for 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in heavy cream; season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, cover and set aside. Cook shrimp in a
large pot of boiling water until just pink and cooked through. Remove from water and set aside. Melt butter in a large saucepan. Blend in flour with a whisk until smooth. Add the
By Debbi Covington
chicken broth and whipping cream. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture thickens and bubbles, stirring constantly. In a bowl, stir one cup of the sauce into the beaten egg yolks, mixing well. Pour egg-sauce mixture back into saucepan. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Stir in cooked shrimp and ham; heat until warmed through. Remove from heat and stir in parsley. To serve, place a serving of grits in a martini glass, top with shrimp sauce and garnish with chopped tomatoes and fresh Italian parsley. Serves 12 to 15.
BERRY STRATA
Strata is a distinctively southern term not found in most food dictionaries. Similar to a bread pudding, this strata features juicy raspberries and blueberries. You may use two (8x8-inch) baking dishes instead of ramekins – just extend baking time to 45 to 50 minutes.
12 slices wheat or white bread, cut into small cubes
2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
8 eggs, beaten 1½ cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Ground cinnamon
Heavy whipping cream, whipped Spray 12 (¾-cup) ramekins with canola oil cooking spray. Place cubed bread in the bottom of each ramekin. In a large bowl, combine berries, sugar, and cheese; toss gently to mix. Evenly divide berries on top of bread in each ramekin. In another bowl combine eggs, milk, and vanilla; mix well. Pour egg mixture over bread and berries. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Place ramekins on baking sheets, cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Uncover and bake (on baking sheets) in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Top with fresh whipped cream. Serves 12.
The writer owns Catering by Debbi Covington and is the author of three cookbooks, Celebrate Beaufort, Celebrate Everything! and Dining Under the Carolina Moon. For more great recipes and to view her cooking demonstrations, visit and subscribe to Debbi’s YouTube channel. Debbi’s website address is www.cateringbydebbicovington.com. She may be reached at 843-525-0350 or by email at dbc@ cateringbydebbicovington.com
Kemagic Publishing Group is excited to announce a read-aloud and book signing at the Beaufort Bookstore, located at 2127 Boundary Street, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Local author, Kem Welch, will read his two new children’s books about Horatio the Cat and sign purchased copies of the books.
Everyone is invited to explore the world of the curious cat who not only learns to read, but also decides his destiny is to become a writer. He has no idea the obstacles he must overcome, but Horatio is a very determined cat indeed. Join us in celebrating the adventures of this special kitten and his emerging world!
About the Author: Kem Welch is a Southern man, raised in the Charleston, SC area with frequent visits to his aunt and uncle’s farm out in the country. Animals have always been a great influence model-wise in his artistic endeavors as well as everything related to classic Disneyanimated films.
Writing and music became additional passions in his youth, and he has performed in bands, written and produced musical plays, and competed in many art competitions, even winning a few accolades along the way. His background in television, commercial art, and video production helped him learn the art of succinct, entertaining storytelling, which became invaluable when he began his journey on the Chronicles of Horatio the Cat series.
Give loved ones a bite of refreshing flavor with a sweet but good-for-you treat. This Hot Honey Frozen Grape Bark is a perfect snack or dessert to share, whether you’re celebrating a successful day at school or simply enjoying time together. With a handful of ingredients and limited time in the kitchen, just prep a day in advance so the bark can freeze overnight then break into pieces for a sweet, shareable bite of frozen bliss. An ideal recipe for busy families, it highlights the ease and versatility of grapes from, which are both delicious and convenient, to help make family time a breeze from cooking to cleanup.
HOT HONEY
FROZEN GRAPE BARK
1 container (14 ounces) vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon hot honey
1 1/2 cups green grapes, halved 1/3 cup shelled, broken pecans
1. Line 9-inch square metal baking pan with sheet of parchment paper, creasing into corners.
2. In medium bowl, whisk yogurt, maple syrup and hot honey until blended. Fold in grapes. Spoon into parchment paper-lined pan and, with back of spoon, spread into even layer.
3. Sprinkle pecans on top, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours, or overnight.
4. Unwrap bark, grasp ends of parchment paper and pull up to remove confection from pan. Crack bark into pieces by rapping on work surface. Store bark in resealable container in freezer up to 1 week.
The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn invites holiday shoppers to its annual Museum Store Holiday Event, on Tuesday, November 26, from 10 am to 1 pm. Visitors can browse a selection of local artwork, jewelry, ornaments, books, Gullah sweetgrass baskets, and other unique gifts that celebrate the Lowcountry.
Local authors and artists will be available to chat with shoppers as they sample sweet and savory regional specialties. The museum is offering a 10% discount on non-consignment items and a 20% discount for members. Members also enjoy exclusive early access at the “Shop & Sip” preview on Monday, November 25, from 4 to 7 pm.
museum store and director of finance and administration. “Store purchases can make a difference in our community.”
“Our holiday event is a fun experience for people who want to support the museum and our local artists and businesses,” said Jennifer Stupica, manager of the
In addition to hand-crafted items, games, eco-friendly gifts and home accessories, visitors can enjoy samples of Lowcountry favorites. Highlights include food tastings from Marsh Hen Mill, Lowcountry Produce, Charleston Tea Garden and “We Island” Gumbo.
For a special gift that supports the museum’s conservation efforts, shoppers can adopt a sea turtle nest that comes with a certificate of adoption and other items depending on the adoption level.
More gift options and local food are available at the Hilton Head Farmers Market at Honey Horn every Tuesday, year-round, from 9 am – 1 pm.
Located at 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island, the museum is open Mon-Sat, 9 am – 4:30 pm and Sundays, 11 am – 4:30 pm. The museum and grounds will be closed on November 28, Thanksgiving Day; December 24, 25 and 31, and January 1, 2025.
Since 1979, St. Helena’s Church in Beaufort has welcomed the community for a Thanksgiving service and meal. This year St. Helena’s Anglican Church will again throw open its doors to all who would like to join this special tradition. On Thursday, November 28 the day will begin with a service at 10:30 a.m. at St Helena’s (505 Church Street). At 11:30 all are invited for a Thanksgiving dinner in the Parish Hall (507 Newcastle St.) in Downtown Beaufort.
The Thanksgiving worship and sit-down meal regularly draws several hundred people, with a menu of turkey dinner with cornbread stuffing, green beans, sweet potato casseroles, cranberry sauce, and a variety of desserts. Last year more than 600 meals were served. The dinner will be served from 11:30-2:00.
Whether seeking food, fellowship or a new tradition, all are encouraged to come and join others in the community – residents and visitors alike. Invite family, friends, neighbors and strangers. The meal is free though donations are welcome.
Church and community volunteers plan for weeks to assure that the special gathering will be both festive and welcoming. From preparing turkeys to baking pies and cookies, to arranging transportation of meals to those who cannot get out, the event involves over 150 volunteers.
All are encouraged to attend the meal
in person but delivery of meals will be available to anyone who is home-bound. To place an order in advance, contact St. Helena’s church office at (843) 522-1712. The deadline for home-delivery requests is Noon on Wednesday, November 27. For further information contact Jai Dowell, Director of Local Missions at (843) 522-1712 (Ext. 219) or email jdowell@ sthelenas1712.org
A canapé is an hors d’oeuvre, a miniature and often decorative food, consisting of a small piece of bread or cracker, topped with some savory food, held in the fingers and often eaten in one bite.
It’s Thanksgiving Day. Hungry guests are arriving. The bar is open. Folks are chatting and socializing. Everyone is ready to eat. But…the turkey isn’t quite done. What to do? Satisfy your invitee’s munchies without spoiling their appetites with these three delicious make ahead canapés. (Photography by Susan DeLoach)
CRISPY PHYLLO WRAPPED ASPARAGUS WITH HONEY-MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE
These are a great make-ahead appetizer! They're even better when they're reheated. For the phyllo wrapped asparagus:
½ (16-ounce) package frozen phyllo dough
1 stick butter, melted
24 slices of thinly sliced ham
1 bunch green asparagus, trimmed (24 pieces)
2-3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
For the dipping sauce:
¾ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons mustard
½ teaspoon lemon juice
Dash hot sauce, optional
Thaw phyllo dough in refrigerator, according to package directions. (You will not use it all.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, honey, mustard,
lemon juice and hot sauce. Reserve until ready to serve. Remove phyllo dough from package and place a barely damp paper towel over it to keep it from drying out. Remove one sheet of dough and lay it on your work surface: brush with a thin layer of melted butter. Place another sheet of dough on top and repeat until you have 3 layers. Using a sharp knife, divide the phyllo into 4 equal strips and then slice down the center so that you have 8 rectangles. Place a slice of ham on each rectangle. Position a stalk of the asparagus on the bottom edge of each slice of ham and roll it up. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet, seam side down, making sure that the rolls do not touch each other. Repeat, until you have 24 pieces. Brush the outside of the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until rolls are golden brown and crispy. Serve hot with the dipping sauce. To reheat, place on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until crispy. Serves 8 to 12.
Pickled Pimento Cheese tastes best if prepared a day in advance, allowing time for flavors to blend.
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and diced finely
4 tablespoons grated onion
1 (4-ounce) jar diced pimentos, drained
1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
1 cup mayonnaise, or enough to blend mixture smoothly Crostini or water crackers
Mix first six ingredients together in a large bowl. Adjust amount of mayonnaise to make mixture spread easily. Spread cheese filling on crostini or serve with water crackers. Serves 12.
Flavorful bacon teamed with cream cheese and mushrooms is always a surefire party hit!
1 (16-ounce) package whole fresh mushrooms
4 ounces bacon
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Paprika
By Debbi Covington
Wash mushrooms and remove stems; drain on paper towels. Cook bacon in a frying pan until crispy; drain on paper towels. Cool and crumble cooked bacon. In a small bowl, combine bacon with cream cheese and chives. Fill mushroom caps with cream cheese mixture. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet; sprinkle with paprika. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven
for 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 20 to 24 appetizers.
The writer owns Catering by Debbi Covington and is the author of three cookbooks, Celebrate Beaufort, Celebrate Everything! and Dining Under the Carolina Moon. For more great recipes and to view her cooking demonstrations, visit and subscribe to Debbi’s YouTube channel. Debbi’s website address is www.cateringbydebbicovington.com. She may be reached at 843-525-0350 or by email at v
When my daughter sent me my grandson’s first-grade report card, I expected the usual rundown of grades and academic milestones. Instead, I got a masterclass in humility, parenting wisdom, and a window into the mind of the coolest little seven-year-old.
As I scanned the report, my eyes stopped at the teacher’s character assessment: “kind and flexible.” My first thought? Wow, I must have done something right to raise a daughter who’s raised a child like this. But, no—that’s not quite right. She’s the amazing one. If I were a fairy godmother, dispensing magical gifts, kindness and flexibility would be right at the top of my list. Move over, math skills and reading comprehension — my grandson’s got traits that are even more valuable.
Kindness: A Rare and Precious Gift Kindness feels so rare these days, doesn’t
it? Think about how many times we’re given the choice to be kind rather than “right.” Or consider those impressive, high-achieving people who somehow lack warmth and connection. Peruse social media during an election season. My grandson’s kindness reminds me that something as simple as a kind word, a warm hug, or even eye contact with a stranger is a superpower. It’s a superpower with unlimited potential—one that will serve him as well as any future all A report card.
Flexibility: The Superpower I Wish I Had Then there’s flexibility—or as I like to call it, “bouncebackability.” It’s that rare trait that will carry him further than his love for numbers or his ability to write words with blends. Flexibility is like having a built-in trampoline for life’s curveballs. When I think of all the times I’ve wished I could bend a little, push the boundaries, or take the leap, I’m reminded of how hard that actually is. Widening
the circle, climbing the cliff, taking a chance: all these things are a struggle for me.
“But you’re good at rewriting the story,” my friend likes to remind me. Fair enough. I’ve been knocked down enough times to know that almost any hardship can be turned into a lesson—or at the very least, a funny story with a twist ending. The alternative? Staying mired in life’s inevitable mud puddles, or worse, letting things that happen to me become who I am. So yes, I’m semi-good at changing my attitude. But if my grandson is already flexible enough to transition between activities smoother than a Slip ’N Slide, that’s a huge life advantage.
The Reality Check
Just as I was basking in the glow of this parenting win-by-proxy, life served up a reality sandwich. Mid-conversation, my daughter got a text: her younger son had been put in toddler time-out for running wild in the halls and using “potty words.” Whoops! Just when you think you’re nailing this grandparenting gig, life reminds you it has a wicked sense of humor.
The Evolution of Parenting Wisdom
I do give parenting advice from time to time, although carefully and with restraint. Things have changed a lot in three decades. You can’t let babies sleep on their stomachs anymore, or with a pillow, a blanket, or — God forbid — a stuffed animal. Installing car seats now requires
By Carolyn Mason
an engineering degree, and “gentle parenting” sounds like a foreign language that, if I’m honest, might actually be better.
But there’s one piece of advice I always give, which I completely ignored when reading that report card: Don’t take credit for your children’s successes or blame for their transgressions. It’s just easier that way. Yet here I was, ready to accept a “World’s Best Grandma” trophy for traits my grandson developed largely without my input.
Perhaps the real lesson here is that flexibility isn’t just for the young — we grandparents could use a dose of it, too. So, here’s to kindness, flexibility, and the humbling journey of watching the next generation grow. May we all be blessed with the wisdom to recognize these gifts, the humility to nurture them without taking credit, and the flexibility to laugh when life reminds us that we’re still learning, too.
Carolyn Mason is a freelance writer who writes about everything from long haul trucking to how to retire gracefully. She and her husband Jeff live on Lady’s Island and have embraced the delights of the
Yaupon holly is native to South Carolina as well as other states in the American South. You have seen it a hundred times growing along the road or marsh even if you did not know its name. It has small shiny dark green leaves and the female plants have small red berries in the winter. It can be tall and skinny, weeping, or dwarf and rounded. It is considered a perfect landscape plant because it is evergreen and very tough. Hurricanes, hard freezes, drought, floods –nothing seems to affect this hardy shrub. You may very well have a variety in your yard.
was discovering the coast of Texas in 1542. The Spanish referred to the tea as the “Black Drink” due to its dark color and they came to consume large quantities in their colonies. Colonists observed Native tribes using this tea in a men-only purification ritual. It was believed that consuming the tea in large quantities lead to a clarity of mind.
As North American became populated by European settlers, yaupon tea was grown for domestic consumption. It was also exported to London and sold as South Seas Tea. It Paris it was called Apalacine and served in salons of the aristocratic class. By the 1780’s, yaupon tea had become so popular that the British East India Company decided that it was a threat to their market of teas from Asia. Thus began a smear campaign against this North American product. In 1789, the first superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew gave yaupon its scientific name, Ilex vomitoria. The word was spread that this tea could cause vomiting and other unwanted side effects even though there was no proof of this.
Yaupon, though, is more than a pretty face and a robust plant. The leaves can be made into a tea. It is the only naturally caffeinated plant in America. Native Americans used this tea as a restorative and believed that it gave them strength and vigor. The leaves were picked, roasted over an open fire, and then boiled in water. Yaupon has dozens of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, polyphenols and antioxidants which are said to fortify the body and calm the mind.
Yaupon tea was also used in purification ceremonies. The earliest use of yaupon tea can be traced back to the Cahokia Mounds in Illinois where tea residue was found inside a ceramic vessel that dated to 1050 C.E. Early descriptions of Yaupon tea were told by explorers such as Cabeza de Vaca while he
maligned in a political slander is now reaching many people as a popular beverage.
In 2018, the American Yaupon Association was initiated to connect yaupon growers as well as consumers. It also is dedicated to ensuring that growers will honor yaupon’s past in an ethical and sustainable way. It is important also to recognize the indigenous roots of this product as part of our heritage.
By Wendy Hilty
woody, earthy flavor and I would definitely drink it again. I cannot say that I felt like stalking a deer or plowing a field after I drank it, but it did have a little zing to it.
As well as providing a source for America’s only native tea, yaupon is a great landscape plant. I have three dwarf yaupons at the side of my driveway that have been driven over by trucks several times and they bounce right back. I have pruned them once in ten years. The wild varieties tend to be leggy, but you can cut them into any shape. Yaupons are often recommended as a buffer along the marsh to prevent erosion. The weeping variety is particularly attractive and grows around 20 feet high. The red berries in the late fall are nice pop of color. Do not bring them in the house for a decoration. Unlike other hollies, they fall off immediately and roll everywhere. Leave them on the bush for the birds to enjoy and they will help spread more of this great native shrub which not only looks nice, but makes a pretty decent cup of tea.
The campaign worked and by the mid 1800’s, yaupon holly tea’s popularity and use became nearly nonexistent. It did not help its image that it was only still in use among poor, rural areas where they could not afford the luxury of imported tea.
Today yaupon tea has not only been rediscovered, but looks to become a $81.6 billion dollar industry by 2026. How did this happen? We owe this to two people- Texas native Abianne Falla and Floridian Bryon White. After a devastating drought, Falla discovered that the only plant on her family’s farm that seemed to survive and remain healthy was yaupon holly. White also discovered that yaupon holly thrived while hiking through the coastal forests near his home. They both independently researched this “miracle” plant and discovered its unique history. Both now own yaupon tea companies and the numbers of new companies is growing. This plant that was
What does the tea taste like? I ordered some to try and it is not unpleasant. It has a
Wendy Hilty is a Master Gardener and member of the Lowcountry Master Gardeners organization. She is also a member of the Royal Horticultural Society and likes to spend her time attempting to grow an English Cottage Garden in our heat and humidity. Her Comyagardener blog won a state-wide award from Clemson University last year. Wendy firmly believes that the most important tool for a gardener is a good sense of humor.
Ionce interviewed the Director of the Cleveland Museum of Art and one thing he said has stuck with me: it’s okay for art to sometimes be difficult. You don’t have to always try and reduce it to the lowest common denominators or simple aesthetics.
What I took from that is that there is often context and nuance embedded in works of art, and there can be complicated meanings and messy back stories that can add richness to the experience of that piece of art. That sometimes we are called to “work at it” a little bit and stretch out of our comfort zones. The challenge for me is that I firmly believe that art ought to be celebrated by all and should not be a source of intimidation or a restrictive cultural currency. Museums aren’t just for the highbrows. So while I want the experience of connecting to works of art to be universally accessible, I acknowledge that effort on our part is part of the equation. But what about the realm of public art, specifically the monument-memorial variety?
Outside the realm of galleries there are sculptures everywhere; they are part of the landscape. They proclaim values and inspire awe; they recognize sacrifice and bear witness. They call on us directly to take note of something deemed important. Historical ties notwithstanding, they tend to blur into the background after a while, especially if we’re talking about ones in the area where you live.
This all brings me to Beaufort, my new home, and as of this past June, the home of the new Harriet Tubman Monument by sculptor Ed Dwight. It sits on the grounds of Tabernacle Baptist Church on Craven Street, and I’ve visited a half-dozen times, richer for it each time. It ties back directly to the question of challenges beneath the surface of a
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seemingly simple artistic presentation of a “hero,” and the risky proposition of standing for something eternal in a fly by night world.
The Tubman monument centers on the Combahee River raid in early June 1863 that freed more than 750 enslaved individuals from several plantations. Depending on how it’s shaded, Harriet Tubman was either a co-leader (with God or a mere mortal Lieutenant) or the solo leader of 100 Black Union soldiers on gunboats who stealthily ran up the river and then blew steam whistles to get the exodus started. According to a former army counterintelligence officer who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony back in 2017 (as recorded for Gullah/ Geechee TV episode 217) Harriet paved the way for women like her to work in the intelligence field and lead military operations. This was news to me as someone who only associated Tubman with underground railroad lore.
The monument itself is a wondrous combination of motion and declaration. A seven foot tall Tubman gazes into a brighter future with reflective intention while her left arm extends behind her to lift up those in bondage. Somehow sculptor Dwight illuminates night, and the feeling of Harriet and the other figures moving under the cover of dark persists no matter what time it is when I’m there.
On both sides of Harriet’s elevated platform the soldier’s gazes are steady, they are functionaries to her vision and the righteous inevitability of the raid’s success. But it’s the figures that wing out behind the soldiers that speak the loudest to me, in their release from bondage being represented in a kind of steady reveal from the solid bronze background.
Dwight masterfully suggests movement
By Luke Frazier
with individual leanings and body positioning but keeps facial details nonexistent. They are orderly and aligned with the angelic Harriet. I imagine that a more chaotic scene took place on the actual night with men, women, and children racing to the boats representing freedom. These are trekkers of purpose and hope.
These figures stand in contrast to Dwight’s work in several Underground Railroad monuments he has done. Those figures are more detailed and traditionally in motion. At the Tubman Monument they seem to float and reverberate, almost in a watery, shimmery glint. One view looking from the end of the line strikes me as wave-like ripples, individuals delivered to the shore of humanity after a journey in darkness.
In this sense we are all part of their emergence as well, with Tubman’s historical record being deservedly expanded in a visible monument about the Combahee River raid. I have much to learn about Southern history, and I recognize the need to tread humbly in the narratives. So while enjoying the gorgeous sculptural expression there on Craven Street, I’m fully aware that there are many more roads through the story, including that of the sculptor himself.
Ed Dwight is a former Airforce test pilot and the first Black astronaut candidate who faced racism and eventually left the military, turning to fine arts in his 40’s after an engineering career. Look him up.
What he has in common with Harriet Tubman, that instrument of human freedom, is the concern for adding meaning to the world. Separated by more than a century, they both cared enough to uplift others in their own way. Dwight put it simply in a CBS news interview when asked about his legacy, saying, “The legacy that I want is that I gave a damn, and that’s it.” We already know that is true for Harriet.
Luke Frazier is a writer and
media producer who recently transplanted to the Lowcountry. He runs NOW Communications, which focuses on the needs of missiondriven organizations. Luke believes questions are often more important than answers, and that capturing stories always matters.
ITALY: Tuscany townhouse for rent by the week in historic UNESCO village. Sleeps 4, large furnished garden, easy walk to shops and excellent restaurants. www.cozyholidayrentals.com or 401-862-2377.
FURNISHED LUXURY APT In the heart of downtown Beaufort. 2BR, 2BA, W/D, Housewares. Please call 843-812-4229.
FREE HYPNOSIS/HYPNOTHERAPY INFORMATION
session and guided group meditation workshop. This free session will focus on stress reduction and relaxation. Open to the public, every 3rd Monday of the Month, at 7 pm Eastern via Zoom. Bring a friend, learn more and RSVP for Zoom Link at www.guidepathhypnosis.com or contact Chris at chris.guidepath@gmail.com
BEAUFORT COUNTY LIBRARY ONGOING PROGRAMS & CLASSES Stitch Happens, Mondays @ 1:30, Bluffton; Basic Computer Skills Class 1st & 3rd Fridays @ 11:30am, Lobeco; Dungeon & Dragons Teen Club Mondays @ 4; Teen Gaming Club 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 4
FRIDAY SOCIAL DANCES The Hilton Head Carolina Shag Club hosts Friday dances from 6-9:30 pm at Dolphin Head Golf Club, 59 High Bluff Rd, Hilton Head Plantation. Open to the public. Shag, ballroom, swing, country, or line. Singles welcome. Cash bar and light dinners available. $5 floor fee. HHICSC also teaches beginner Shag lessons Tuesday nights. www.hiltonheadshagclub.com, or www.facebook.com/HHICSC
ART LEAGUE OF HH CLASSES & WORKSHOPS With over 25 local professional art educators, and guests from around the world, Art League of Hilton Head offers classes and workshops in all media for all levels of students. Visit www.artleaguehhi.org or email academy@artleaguehhi.org for more info.
POTTERY CLASSES IN BEAUFORT McSweeney Clay Studio offers morning, afternoon and evening classes for children and adults. Pottery dates and parties available as well. Classes are on going. Beginner or advanced welcome. mcsweeneyclaystudio.com or call 843-694-2049.
LOWCOUNTRY SHAGGERS Mondays - Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd. 6-9pm. Shag Lessons with Tommy & Sheri O'Brien and others. Occasional Ballroom and once a month Line Dance. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www.lowcountryshaggers.com or lowcountryshaggers@aol.com
WEDNESDAYS, BEAUFORT SHAG CLUB meets evenings at AMVETS, 1831 Ribaut Rd., Port Royal from 7-9pm, and the 2nd Sat. of the month 7-10pm. Free lessons to members Sep. to June. Visit the Beaufort Shag Club on Facebook
SEA ISLAND ROTARY CLUB has a 12:15 lunch meeting every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information about the Rotary Club of Sea Island please visit our website at www.seaislandrotary.org
BRIDGE CLUB at the Beaufort Branch Library Wednesdays at 11am. Join a session is for beginners new to the game, other sessions will provide some instruction and we will learn as we play. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the military lounge at the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport. It is operated by a cadre of volunteers. Formerly the USO Lounge it has been renamed “Savannah Salutes,” and continues to provide a respite for travelling active duty, retired and reserve military, veterans and their families. The facility requires volunteers to keep the lounge open from 8 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. There are three shifts each day, with two volunteers on duty for each shift. Interested in volunteering? More info and application forms are available at the www.savannahsalutes.org or call John Findeis at (912) 507-4848. The airport will provide free parking.
VETERANS FIRST THRIFT STORE is in need of volunteers. Summer hours are Thursday thru Saturday - 10am4pm. Volunteer hours are very flexible! Stop in the store at 612 Robert Smalls Parkway to fill out a volunteer application or call the store at 843-263-4218. Please consider helping this very worthwhile organization!!
SECOND HELPINGS seeks volunteers to crew trucks in Bluffton and Beaufort to distribute food to local charities. Offering a flexible schedule at your convenience. Email officeadmin@secondhelpingslc.org
BEMER LONGEVITY TECHNOLOGY 10-11a Fridays via Zoom. Haven’t heard of BEMER yet? Want to grow better, not older? Have one and want to learn more about it? Come for Q&A about this longevity-enhancing medical device can enhance your health, fitness and overall well-being. Sessions are designed to support those who have their own unit but everyone is welcome. Offered by BEMER Specialist - Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.
CARIS HEALTHCARE: WE HONOR VETERANS Hospice Program. You a Vet with a little time to share with other Vets with limited time? The We Honor Veterans program seeks volunteers who are Vets to offer a listening ear for our Veteran patients. Volunteers also participate in our Pinning Ceremonies for Veteran patients. Contact 843473-3939 or smilliken@carishealthcare.com
SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY: Non-denominational meditation, silent prayer and healing group forming. All welcome. No previous meditation experience needed. Call Michael 843-489-8525.
HABITAT RESTORE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS We're looking for volunteers for cashiers, sales floor associates, donation processing, donor data entry, and donor ambassadors. Interested? Go to lowcountryhabitat.org/volunteer or call 843-525-0055.
LOCO SCRIBBLERS 3:00 5:00 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Are you a scribbler (professional or hobby writer)? Check out our small and informal Beaufort area writers club. All skill levels and subjects welcome including fiction, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and memoirs. Free. Call or email for more info and the meeting location in Port Royal: beaufdick@gmail. com or 843-322-0616.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Calhoun Station Thrift Store in Bluffton. All funds generated are returned to other nonprofits in the community. Store is open Wed & Sat 10am to 1pm and located at 77 Pritchard St. Volunteers can stop by store or contact Cate Taylor, 843-310-0594 or catetaylor@frontier.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for HELP of Beaufort, 530 Charles St. Looking for committed volunteers for clothes sorting, pantry help, front desk help and Mobile Meals drivers. We are open M-F from 9:30-12:30, Mobile Meals delivers to home bound seniors 5 days/week, routes takes about 3045 mins. Email Lori at helpbeaufort@gmail.com, or call 843-524-1223, or stop in and fill out an application.
PORT ROYAL MUSEUM is open Thursday through Sunday at 1634 Paris Ave., from 10 - 3 or upon request. Free admission! Call 843-524-4333 or email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com to request a special opening.
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP - First Thursday of the month at Beaufort Memorial LifeFit Wellness Center, from 1:30-2:45pm, 900 Ribaut Rd. Beaufort. We are individuals with Parkinson’s care partners of those with Parkinson’s, and individuals or companies providing products or services for Parkinson’s patients. For more info: Rick Ostrander at pdawaresc@gmail.com or Facebook at Parkinson’s Support Group Of Beaufort SC Port Royal & Lady’s Island.
TOUR HISTORIC FORT FREMONT—Travel to the 1800's and the Spanish American War. The Fort Fremont History Center is open from 10am to 2pm Fridays, Saturdays from 10am to 4pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm at Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land's End Road, St. Helena Island. 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 grounds are open to the public Monday through Sunday from dawn to dusk. For more Information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact the Passive Parks Department Director, Stefanie Nagid, at snagid@bcgov.net
US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, Flotilla 07-10-01, Port Royal Sound, a uniformed, all volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard. We conduct safety patrols, assist search & rescue, teach boat safety, conduct free vessel safety checks and other boating activities. Monthly meetings are open to all and held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom at 7pm. For info call Flotilla Commander Pattie McGowan (706-633-6192) and visit us on FacebookUSCGA Beaufort
BEAUFORT TOASTMASTERS CLUB meets from 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm the first & third Tuesday, in the Beaufort College Building, Rm. 103 (USC-Beaufort Campus), 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort. To learn more visit beauforttoastmastersclub.toastmastersclubs.org
FREE ACUPUNCTURE FOR VETERANS – Veterans, Active Duty, Transition. Their Families and First Responders are Eligible. First & Third Wednesday 46pm. Walk In Clinic. No Need to Pre-Register or Call. Nourishing Health Acupuncture and Herbs Clinic. 1214 Prince Street, Downtown Beaufort
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for a few hours each week at St. Francis Thrift Shop. Open Tuesday thru Saturday. Call 843-689-6563 or come in to speak with Miss Ann. Definitely shop.
CRESCENT HOSPICE SUPPORT GROUP: Last Wed. and Thurs. of the month. Weds. 10-11am at Sun City; Thurs. 121pm Brookdale Hilton Head Ct., Hilton Head; for those who provide physical, emotional or practical support to a family member or friend. Jodi Johnson, LMSW. Bereavement Group: 5-6 pm., Fridays, 10 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Suite A, Bluffton; for those who have experienced a loss and would like support and info associated with grief and bereavement. Corrie VanDyke, LMSW or Marie James, MA. 843-757-9388.
INTERESTED IN HEALTHY EATING? Second Helpings, of Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties, seeks committee members and chairperson for Healthy Food Program. Funding available to procure fresh produce and protein for the 60 food pantries and soup kitchens served by Second Helpings. Contact Exec. Dir. Lili Coleman, 843-689-3616 or execdirector@secondhelpingslc.org
BORN TO READ working for early childhood literacy, needs volunteers to deliver books and materials to new mothers at Coastal Community Hosp., HH Hosp., and BMH. Visits are from 10am – noon. More info at borntoread.org or call 843-379-3350.
ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER BEAUFORT, Support Groups: Caregiver - Weds., 12:30pm, Living with Alzheimer's - for those in very early stagesMondays 1pm, Respite Programs: Social Day Program10am-1:45pm $40 Day Fee, Weds. & Friday. All meetings are at Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; In Home - Respite Aides available for 2 hr. minimum, $13-$26. Early Memory Loss: Maintain Your Brain - 2nd & 4th Thursday, 10-11:30am, $10/person, $15 couple, Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; Memory Screenings available call 843-5219190 or make an appointment, 1500 King St., Beaufort, free; Purple Haven Project - Educate local establishment staff to better interact with a person with Alzheimer's call 843-521-9190.
THE LITERACY CENTER is seeking volunteers to tutor adults in reading, writing, math and ESL. Students hope to acquire skills to pursue life goals, support families, and contribute to our community. Daytime and evenings in Bluffton and HHI. Call 843-815-6616 (Bluffton); 843-6816655 (HHI). No teaching, tutoring or other language knowledge necessary. www.theliteracycenter.org
THE SANDALWOOD COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY. Volunteer-based, non-profit provides groceries, clothing and basic needs items to ANYONE in need. Open Tuesdays 9am-12pm at 114 Beach City Rd., Hilton Head. Donations of food and funds needed. For info: Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson at 843-715-3583 or email sandalwoodpantry@gmail.com
PARRIS ISLAND MUSEUM. The legacy of the Marine Corps and the history of the Port Royal region. Thousands of artifacts, images, and other materials illustrate the stories in exhibit galleries from Native American to modern Marines. FREE admission. Mon-Sat 10am4:30pm and 8am on Family Graduation Days. Closed all Federal Holidays. Info at parrisislandmuseum.org or 843-228-2166.
CHRIST CENTERED RECOVERY MEETINGS At Praise Assembly Church Fridays for “Celebrate Recovery”, addressing life’s problems by looking to scripture. Meal at 6pm; Praise, Worship; Big Meeting. 6:30pm; Small Groups at 7pm. 800 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Info at 205-475-3600 or 303-521-1891.
Foolish Frog, 846 Sea Island Pkwy, St. Helena Island. (843) 838-9300. Foolish Frog on Facebook
Luther’s Rare & Well Done, 910 Bay Street. (843) 521-1888 or Luther's on Facebook
Q on Bay, 822 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 524-7771 or www.qonbay.com
Rosie O’Gradys Irish Pub, in Beaufort Town Center. Irish American Sports Pub & Eatery. C'mon down! Rock & Roll Lunch. Monday - 25% Off Burgers; Tuesday - 25% Off Fish & Chips. Wed, Fri & SatKaraoke. (843) 379-7676 or Rosie's on Facebook
Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 3793474 or www.saltusrivergrill.com
Big Bamboo, Coligny Plaza. (843) 686-3443 or www. bigbamboocafe.com
Captain Woody’s, 14 Executive Park Rd., Hilton Head, 843-785-2400; Thursdays - Pete Carroll. 11/21 & 11/22 Eric Daubert, 11/23 tug Boat Tradd; - OR - 17 State of Mind St., Bluffton, Tuesdays - Chris Jones, 11/22 Jason LaPorte, 11/29 Lalie & Todd. www.captainwoodys.com
The Jazz Corner, Village at Wexf1ord, Hilton Head. Sundays - Deas Guyz; Mondays - A Journey Through Jazz with The Martin Lesch Band; Tuesdays - Fat Tuesdays: A Swingin' Celebration of New Orleans and Beyond; Thursdays - Lavon Stevens with Louise Spencer. 11/20 Quiana Parler with Levon Stevens Trio, 11/22 & 11/23 Stephen Gordon & Friends Sullivan Fortner, Rodney Jordan & Derek Douget - The music of Thelonious Monk 11/27 Bobby Ryder, 11/29 & 11/30 Noel Friedline & Maria Howell - Signed, Sealed & Delivered, music of Stevie Wonder with vocalist Adam McKnight, 12/4 Quiana Parler with Levon Stevens Trio, 12/6 & 12/7 Zach Stevens Band. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com
The Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. 11/21 Le Youth; Warung, 11/22 Microwave; Prince Daddy & the Hyena; Just Friends; Ben Quad, 11/23 Stop Light Observations, 12/2 Peezy & Icewear Vezzo; Krispy Life Kidd; RMC Mike; Bossman Webbie, 12/5 Santa Rave, 12/7 Avery Anna; Lauren Hall, 12/8 Beatles Music for Kids; Ft. the Rock; Roll Playhouse. (843) 853-2252 or www.musicfarm.com
The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. 11/21 5AM; G-Space, 11/22 The Grateful BrothersGrateful Dead, Allman Brothers tribute, 11/23 George Porter Jr. & the Runnin' Pardners; Electro Lust, 11/27 Andy Greenberg Birthday Bash with Corey Stephens; Sean Bing & Noah Jones, 11/29 & 11/30 Perpetual Groove, 12/6 1972 presents Tribute to the Sons of Sagittarius - music of Gregg Allman, Jim Morrison, Jimi, Keith Richards, Dickie Betts, JJ Cale and more, 12/7 All Star Christmas with Reckoning - request night of The Dead and Jerry. (843) 571-4343 or www. charlestonpourhouse.com
Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms. 11/22 Baby Fat, 11/23 Weird Science, 11/29 Greg Keys & Co., 11/30 90s Party, 12/5 Fox 'n' Vead, 12/6 SKWZBXX, 12/7 Cody Webb. (843) 886-8596 or www.thewindjammer.com
Editors Note: Events listed here may be subject to postponement or cancellation. Please check for further information.
11/22-11/24, Shrek the Musical, Jr. will be performed by the Beaufort Children’s Theatre at USCB Center for the Arts in Beaufort. Fri & Sat at 7pm, Sun at 3pm. For tickets www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
Now – 12/30, Square Works Holiday Show at Atelier Off Bay. Thirteen local artists will exhibit 12”x12” works, priced at $500 or less, perfect for holiday giving! Wine, apps, free gift-wrapping! 203 West Street in downtown Beaufort. www.atelieroffbay.com
Now - 12/30, Beaufort Art Association Holiday Market, featuring unique handcrafted ornaments and gifts, 913 Bay Street, Beaufort. www.beaufortartassociation.com
Now – 1/14/25, ‘Timeless Treasures,’ student artwork created at Camp Conroy at Beaufort Art Association Gallery. www.beaufortartassociation.com
Now – 2/22/25, Language of Clay: Catawba Indian Pottery and Oral Tradition at Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, US 17, Ridgeland. www.morrisheritagecenter.org
Now – 3/23, This Is Not: Aldwyth in Retrospect at the Coastal Discover Museum on Hilton Head. www. coastaldiscovery.org
Sat 11/16, ‘Tapestry of Life’ Open House Exhibition & Art Sale benefits HELP of Beaufort. Work of over a dozen artists. Noon – 5pm at The Arts Port Royal, 1404 Paris Avenue. For info, email shereerichnow@gmail.com
11/26-1/3, Holiday Gallery of Gifts at Art League Gallery, featuring gift-worthy original art and crafts from Art League members. Opening reception Wed 12/4, 5-7pm. Inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head. 843-681-5060.
11/23 - 12/12, Book events for ‘Elf Dust,’ a new children’s book by Nancy Merrill. Events will happen at: Sassafras, Beaufort (11/23, noon); Sandbox Children’s Museum (12/6, 5-9pm); Pat Conroy Literary Center, Beaufort (12/12, 6-7:30 pm). Visit www.elfdustbook.com
Fri 11/15, An evening with memoirist Nancy Murray (No Experience Necessary) from 5 – 6:30 pm at the Pat Conroy Literary Center in downtown Beaufort. For more information visit www.waywordbooks.com
Wed 12/4, William Douglas (Hope Is All I Have) will be at the Pat Conroy Literary Center (601 Bladen St, Beaufort) at 6pm. Free and open to the public. Books available for sale and signing. Seating is limited; please call to reserve: 843-379-7025. www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
Wed 12 4, Kem Welch (Horatio the Cat children’s series) will be at the Beaufort Bookstore (2127 Boundary St) for a read-aloud and signing, from 3-5pm.
Sun 12/8, Jared Madison will launch his new book The 30 Day Guide to Inner Peace at the Pat Conroy Literary Center (601 Bladen St, Beaufort) with a reception starting at 5pm. Books available for sale and signing. Free and open to the public. Call to reserve your spot. 853-379-7025. www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
Tues 12/17, Lynn and Cele Seldon at USCB Lunch with Authors Series. Belfair Club in Bluffton at noon. Tickets $60. Deadline to register 12/10.
Fri 12/13, Grammy-winner Pam Tillis brings her ‘Belles and Bows Christmas Tour’ to USCB Center for the Arts at 7:30 pm. For tickets, visit www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
Tues 11/26, Museum Holiday Store Event at Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, from 10am – 1pm. Shoppers can browse a selection of local artwork, jewelry, ornaments, books, Gullah sweetgrass baskets, and other unique gifts that celebrate the Lowcountry.
Thur 11/28, Habitat for Humanity Turkey Trot 5K in downtown Beaufort at 8 am. Online registration open until 2pm 11/26. Register at https://www.lowcountryhabitat.org/turkey-trot-2024
Thu 11/28, 45th Annual Thanksgiving Service and Dinner at St. Helena’s Anglican Church. Service begins at 10:30 am in the sanctuary (505 Church St), followed by dinner at 11:30 in the Parish Hall (507 Newcastle St.). Dinner will be served until 2:30. All are invited.
Sat 12/7, 14th Annual Thumbs Up Fundraiser Car Show. To benefit the Children’s Learning Center in Beaufort. Free entry, fun for all ages! From 10 am – 2 pm at 1 Market Street in Habersham, Beaufort.
Tuesdays, Tours of Hunting Island sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For info call the Nature Center at 843-838-7437. Tours free are and park entry fees apply.
First Saturday of the Month, Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud at Port Royal Farmers Market. DAYLO students and other volunteers will read to young children between 9am and noon. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal.
Third Thursday, TECHconnect, a monthly networking event for professionals working in and around tech. Join the conversation at BASEcamp 500 Carteret 5:30-7:30pm. 843-470-3506. www.beaufortdigital.com
Thursdays, History Tours of Fort Mitchell by Heritage Library, 10am. $12/Adult $7/Child. 843-686-6560.
Ongoing, Beaufort Tree Walk by the Lady’s Island Garden Club through the historic Old Point. Takes about an hour and is a little over a mile. Starts at the corner of Craven & Carteret Streets ending in Waterfront Park. Booklets with a map and tree info available FREE at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven St.
