December 18 – January 1, 2025 .{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.
Pull-Out Holiday Gift Guide
Lose These Words 4 In 2025
Elemental Alchemy 7 The art of Gloria Owens
Festive Bite 17 And holiday cheer
Heralding Horticulture 19 In the new year
Happy Trails 20
Hiking Hunting Island
Musical Marvels at USCB 5
Jeroen Berwaerts
The image on our cover is "Sunbeam" from "Elemental Alchemy: The Visionary Artwork of Gloria Owens," an exhibit opening at the SOBA Gallery on January 5, 2025. For more information, see our story on page 7.
December 18 – January 1, 2025
ro w c o unt
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Frank Bruni’s weekly newsletter in the NY Times often ends with a short section called “Retire These Words,” wherein he highlights words that have served their time and need axing. According to Frank Bruni.
As our year draws to an end, I thought I’d share my own list of words, phrases, and ideas that have run their course. If I never had to hear these expressions again, I wouldn’t miss them. Some seem to have lost all agreed-upon meaning, thus are no longer contributing to fruitful discussion. Others have just become cliché, the lazy writer’s default language. In either case, these words no longer “spark joy” – hat tip Marie Kondo – so I say we just throw them out!
First, and foremost: WOKE. Can we please lose this word and all its iterations? (Wokeness, wokeism, etc.) It once meant something good – enlightened, aware, justice-seeking – before it came to mean something bad – self-righteous, humorless, censorious – and now various people use it both ways, which is confusing. But worse than confusing, it’s just everywhere, all the time, and I’m sick of it. When “woke” was a revelation, an education, an aspiration, it had much to offer. Then woke came to power, went mainstream, and became a bully. I believe extreme woke got Donald Trump reelected, and now that he has been, woke is on the wane. But people still talk about it – and rail against it
– as if it were dominant. It’s not. Woke is on the way out, big time. I suspect we might come to miss it. But I won’t miss the word.
VIBES. Okay, this might be the word of the year – paired often, but not always, with the word SHIFT. How many gleeful articles did I read about the Vibe Shift that happened when Kamala Harris took the place of Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for president? How often was I told the election was all about vibes? That Kamala had the good ones – joyful, “bratty” – while Trump’s were dark and fearsome? But the thing about vibes? They’re nebulous, hard to pin down . . . and every shift has a counter shift. I read an article in The Free Press just yesterday entitled ‘The Vibe Shift Goes Global,’ claiming that “the Vibe Shift is a return to — a championing of — Reality, a rejection of the bureaucratic, the cowardly, the guilt-driven; a return to greatness, courage, and joyous ambition.” This was all in reference to the election of Donald Trump and its effect on the world. Vibes are a hard thing to hang your hat on because they’re so dang shifty and everybody brings their own vibes to the vibe. One person’s Hitler vibes are another person’s happy vibes.
Mainly, I’m just tired of reading and writing about vibes. The next time I need to describe a “vibe shift” I think I’ll use that old-timey term “mood swing,” instead. Just to shake things up.
MISINFORMATION. Much like its cousin, Disinformation, Misinformation is a slippery term that’s lost a lot of its oomph through overuse and abuse. If you accuse someone of spreading misinformation, they will just accuse YOU of the same thing, while probably adding an admonition to “do your research.” And here’s the problem: They’re often proved right. Much of what gets labeled “misinformation” by our cultural gatekeepers later turns out to be . . . just plain information. (Did you hear that Covid probably WAS the product of a lab leak after all?)
Obviously, we’ve lost a great deal of trust in our American institutions – especially the media – and I believe a little institutional humility would go a long way toward solving that problem. Instead of labeling any departure from the mainstream narrative “misinformation” – and maligning the “misinformer” – why not call it “speculation” or “skepticism” or even an “alternative take” until we know for sure? There are times when mainstream media – and its disciples – should just say, “We don’t know yet,” or “we’re not sure,” or “maybe, maybe not.” People would be a lot more forgiving when new info came to light, and trust might be slowly restored.
Margaret Evans
&
before we all pounced on “problematic” to describe every thorny, knotty, prickly, complicated, troublesome issue. Let’s start using them again! Problematic deserves a break.
And speaking of MAINSTREAM MEDIA . . . What does that even mean anymore? Conservative media – which sprang up decades ago in a true vacuum of representation – is now just about as pervasive and powerful as what we call “mainstream media.” And the “alternative media” has quite a large following, as well. So, I propose we now ditch the word “mainstream.” From here on out, we should just call it the media.
FASCISM. Does anybody really understand this word? I don’t. If fascism meant what I always thought it meant, then Donald Trump – whom I’m repeatedly told is a fascist – would get much better press. In fact, he’d control the press – aka the “mainstream media” – which is mostly critical of his every move. I just spent over an hour reading up on fascism – again – and I’m now more confused than I was when I started. When a word is this confounding, it’s no longer helpful to our public discourse. I think it needs a time-out.
PROBLEMATIC. Honestly, this word isn’t objectively . . . problematic. I simply don’t like it. I find it colorless, sterile, trendy – and it always bears the stench of politics. There are so many perfectly good words we were using
CONSERVATIVE & LIBERAL. Obviously, these aren’t going anywhere. They’re too ingrained in our tribal narrative. But I do wish we could have a national conversation about what they mean. As a MODERATE – a label one can still claim, I think – I was always drawn to conservatism because it sought to “conserve” our democratic norms and institutions, while being drawn to liberalism because it sought to correct and improve those norms and institutions. Today, those who call themselves “conservatives” want to make radical changes – or even “blow it all up” – while those who call themselves “liberals” want to conserve the status quo. This is a gross oversimplification, but you get my drift. These words no longer add to our common understanding and are due for a tune-up.
But enough of all that.
It’s Sunday morning as I finish this column that I started on Friday afternoon. My vibe has shifted. Outside my window, the late autumn sun sparkles through Spanish moss. Soon, I will leave my warm home and enter my glowing church, where I’ll sing a favorite carol with my choir, In the Bleak Midwinter. The Advent wreath will be lit –the candle of Joy for this third Sunday – then I’ll listen to the word that never fails to move me and only grows richer with time. The Word that renews and never retires.
And everything I’ve written above will be so much blather.
Thank you for reading, anyway. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
By Michael Johns
The New Year kicks off with USCB Chamber Music's second annual Youth Concert on Saturday, January11, 3:00, and the season's second chamber music concert on Sunday, January 12, 5:00. Both events lay out a delicious sonic smorgasbord traversing continents, centuries, genres, and instruments. Curated by Artistic Director, pianist, and host Andrew Armstrong, the Sunday concert will showcase the talents of an international trio of guest artists: Belgian trumpeter/vocalist Jeroen Berwaerts, Balkan-American guitarist Mak Grgić, and Hungarian-American violinist Abigél Králik. Music of Baroque composers Leonora Duarte and J. S. Bach, Classical-period friends Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Ludwig van Beethoven, twentieth-century nationalists George Enescu, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Miroslav Tadić, and song composers Richard Rodgers and Jacques Brel will be performed. It promises to be a luscious collage of tuneful, memorable, evocative, and in many cases first time musical delights. On Saturday, January 11, at 3:00, the players present a one-hour, Youth Concert. This FREEfor-Youth event features creative conversations about music and performances of works by Enescu, Beethoven, Tartini, and others.
Sunday's concert begins with the soothing flow of J. S. Bach's “Zion hears the watchman singing” from his “Sleeper's, Awake” cantata, followed by Heitor Villa-Lobos' mesmerizing Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, a blend of Brazilian folk music and Bach-ian compositional rigor. Beethoven is represented by his stormy Violin Sonata No. 7. Written during the period when he fully realized deafness was inevitable, it is filled with tension, mystery, and heightened emotions. Following intermission is a lighter work, Johann Nepomuk Hummel's Trumpet Concerto Rondo. Written only months after Beethoven's Violin Sonata, it is tuneful and pleasing, a world away from Beethoven's intensity and declamation. Next is a hybrid trumpet blend of two compositions from very different times and places: Richard Rodgers', “My Funny Valentine” (Broadway), and George Enescu's, Légende (Paris Conservatory) . This creative smashup convincingly combines song-like, poetic
expression and virtuosic, heroic display. Three short solo guitar pieces by Serbian guitarist and composer Miroslav Tadić showcase every expressive, pulsing, sentimental, and florid gesture of which the instrument is capable. Seventeenth-century Flemish musician and composer, Leonora Duarte, is represented by three skillfully crafted, early-Baroque movements from her Sinfonie à 5. The concert concludes with something completely different: Jacques Brel's songs “Ne me quittez pas” and “Mathilde,” two hyper-emotional views of love's power for rapture and destruction.
Andy has again reached around the globe to bring multi-talented, innovative, top-ofthe-class talent to Beaufort. Belgian trumpeter Jeroen Berwaerts is a musical force to be reckoned with. Highly esteemed around the world for his outstanding technical capabilities and sensitive musicality, his repertoire encompasses every epoch, from baroque to jazz. He has appeared as soloist with leading orchestras across Europe and Asia, continues to be a regular guest of internationally renowned music festivals, and is a sought-after chamber music collaborator, Berwaerts' all-embracing love of music knows no boundaries; alongside his active career as a trumpeter, he completed jazz vocal studies at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent.
Hungarian-American violinist, Abigél Králik is quickly gaining attention as “a shooting star in the truest sense of the word” (Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk Kultur). Králik, a citizen of the world, began playing the violin in Dublin, continued her musical journey in Budapest, earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from The Juilliard School in New York, and now calls Brussels her home. She is a passionate soloist, chamber musician, and top-prize winner in multiple international competitions. Currently Artist in Residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, the 24-25 season contains many exciting projects including her first solo album, releasing a series of recordings, and working with TARA Chamber Concerts in Brussels, a music series of which she is Founder and Co-Artistic Director.
Touted as a “gifted young guitarist” by the New York Times, and “a guitarist to keep an eye on” by the Washington Post, two-time Grammy-nominated artist Mak Grgić is a star on the worldwide stage. His expansive and adventurous repertoire attests to versatility and wide-ranging interests. From the ethnic music of his native Balkans to extreme avant-garde and microtonal music, He excels as a soloist and a collaborator, presenting performances fueled by curiosity, imagination, and boundless energy. An avid new music proponent, Mak has commissioned a multitude of new works for solo guitar and guitar with ensemble. He averages eighty-five performances a year, encompassing the western hemisphere, two annual Asian tours, and concerts in Europe every other month. Other pursuits include world championships in karate (now retired) and an assistant professorship (current) at the University of South Carolina.
Pianist Andrew Armstrong continues to build on his already substantial career: regularly performing chamber music, recitals, concertos, duo concerts with violinist James Ehnes, and shepherding several successful chamber music series. Avoiding the trap of routine performances, he seeks opportunities to revisit beloved repertoire staples with new audiences. During the 24-25 season that includes Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 and Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto.
Traveling the world also exposes him to new insights, new talents, and jokes which he gleefully shares with his home-awayfrom-home Beaufort audience. USCB Chamber Music prides itself on presenting accessible, thought-provoking music for every palette and sensibility performed by impeccably trained and technically polished artists. Experience in-the-moment creativity in real-time with the musicians and let your spirit soar as the audience basks in the glow of music's unspoken, sublime power. There are three ways to enjoy each concert: in person at the Arts Center and virtually by Live-Stream and OnDemand. All virtual concerts are professionally produced, creating great viewing opportunities.
OnDemand is accessible four days after the concert and available to view at your leisure for three weeks. For concert, artist, event, and ticket information, go to www.uscbchambermusic.com or call 843-208-8246, Monday through Friday. Both USCB Chamber Music's second concert of its 45th season, Sunday, January 12, 2024, 5:00 and the Youth Concert on Saturday, January11, 3:00 will be at the USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort, in the downtown historic district.
Daniel McSweeney will share his pottery exhibit with members showing impressionistic paintings in January & February
Ihave been in love with clay since I was a child, finding it in the riverbeds behind our house in Virginia,” says Daniel McSweeney. “That love of clay is the best thing I can teach my students.”
His work can currently be found at the Beaufort Art Association and at his studio in Beaufort.
Danny is a skilled pottery teacher, having worked with young and adult students alike at his own galleries, The Art Garage in Columbia, SC and Spark Studios and Gallery in Charleston, SC, the Kansas City Clay Guild, Columbia Parks and Recreation, and Blythewood Parks and Recreation.
A native of the southeast and resident of many places, McSweeney is a maker and teacher of pottery. After formalizing his skills at the Kansas City Art Institute, Danny returned to South Carolina to make pottery his own way, mixing his own clay and glazes and even digging clay from local riverbeds for some of his work. Danny has exhibited his work in the Midwest and throughout the Southeast, including Nina Liu and Friends, Carolina Clay Gallery, and Margo Kaufman Gallery.
Danny was also the ceramics instructor and taught classes to home school and after-school children, evening classes to adults, and family classes for both at the Artist’s Loft School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. At present, Danny runs his own studio, McSweeney Clay Studio, offering classes to children and adults in Beaufort and surrounding areas. In his spare time, Danny enjoys spending time with his family, consisting of his wife, Anna and two daughters, Eleanor and Evelyn. The many rivers and creeks of the Lowcountry serve as his inspiration and second home. Danny enjoys fishing, sailing, and camping and prefers the serenity of nature to city life.
Danny is sharing his show with Beaufort Art Association Exhibiting Artists showcasing their impressionist-style paintings inspired by the Impressionist Masters. The exhibit will run from January 5 – March 2.
There will be an opening night reception at BAA Gallery on Friday, January 10, 5-8pm at the Gallery of the Beaufort Art Association, 913 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort, under the black awning. For further information, please visit the BAA website at www.beaufortart association.com
Tues - Sun: 11am-9pm
Founded in 2021, DAYLO, or Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization, is a student-led book club and community literacy service group fostering empathy and understanding through the power of story, with a growing number of chapters across South Carolina, including five chapters in Beaufort County.
DAYLO was recently awarded an honorable mention for the South Carolina Library Association’s 2024 Intellectual Freedom Award. Presented at the SCLA’s statewide conference in Columbia, the Intellectual Freedom Award recognizes those in the library services and advocacy community who have contributed to an awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues in South Carolina libraries—on the local, state, or national level.
nationally, and has empowered the creation of new DAYLO chapters across South Carolina.
The student leaders and advisors of DAYLO, and their mentors Claire Bennett and Jonathan Haupt, are honored to be commended by the SCLA with this honorable mention—and all the more so in a year in which the Intellectual Freedom Award was presented to past South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL) president Tamara Cox.
Earlier this year, DAYLO was also recognized with a national commendation from the American Association of School Librarians at the recommendation of the SCASL and presented by Tamara Cox at the statewide SCASL conference. The South Carolina Education Association (SCEA) also awarded DAYLO their Richard W. Riley Award for Human & Civil Rights at their statewide awards dinner.
DAYLO was first established at Beaufort High in 2021 by Holland Perryman, then a high school junior, inspired by literary and social justice community programs she experienced as an intern of the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center.
During the 2022-2023 school year, six DAYLO students from Beaufort High, Beaufort Academy, and Battery Creek High spoke out in public comments at Beaufort County School Board meetings in response to challenges against 97 books in district school libraries. Earlier this year, five DAYLO students from Beaufort High, Beaufort Academy, USC Beaufort, and Charleston’s Academic Magnet High School also spoke publicly against statewide restrictions impacting the freedom to read, as documented in a nationally broadcast segment for Nick News. The inspiring advocacy of DAYLO students has led to additional opportunities regionally and
DAYLO’s student-led pro-literacy efforts have also been profiled nationally in the feature-length documentary film Banned Together, and in Education Week, Book Riot, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal, in addition to front-page news stories in the Charleston Post and Courier and The Island News.
DAYLO students have spoken at the annual conferences of the American Library Association, South Carolina Association of School Librarians, South Carolina Council of the Teachers of English, and Palmetto State Literacy Association, as well as in virtual events hosted by the American Library Association, PEN America, the Children’s Book Council, the Right to Read Network of the National Coalition Against Censorship, EveryLibrary’s Library Advocacy and Funding Conference, and as keynote presenters at the 12th annual Dufford Diversity and Inclusion Week at Newberry College.
In addition to being on-campus book clubs, current DAYLO student leaders and members enhance community literacy efforts through community read-alouds at the Port Royal Farmers Market on first Saturdays, by stocking dozens of little free libraries across our communities with inclusive books for all ages, by decorating and donating little library book boxes for local laundromats and a food pantry, by facilitating the annual Beaufort Human Library, and by collaborating with the Conroy Center to host local and visiting authors at public events like the Lowcountry Children’s Book Fair, Lowcountry Book Club Convention, March Forth, and the Pat Conroy Literary Festival.
To learn more about DAYLO’s pro-literacy community service outreach and continued advocacy for the right to read freely, please follow DAYLO on Instagram at www.instagram.com/daylo_reads or Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/DAYLO.reads
The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) is proud to present "Elemental Alchemy: The Visionary Artwork of Gloria Owens," an exhibition showcasing the transformative and meditative art of Gloria Owens. The show will run from Sunday, January 5, to Saturday, February 1, at SOBA’s gallery located in Old Town Bluffton.
An Artist’s Reception, open to the public, will be held from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, January 11 at the gallery, 6 Church Street. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artist, explore her work, and gain insights into her creative process.
Owens also will present “The Wonders of Sacred Geometry” from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the SOBA Art School, located next door to the gallery at 8 Church Street in Bluffton. This free presentation will unveil the hidden patterns and proportions that shape our world, weaving together the threads of nature, history, math, science, art, architecture, and mysticism. RSVP by emailing Barbara Pecce at pecceb@gmail.com
Owen’s unique background as a creative artist, graphic designer, and yoga teacher gives her a rare ability to simplify complex concepts, making them accessible, relatable, and profoundly inspiring.
“Whether you’re an artist eager to infuse sacred geometry into your work, a seeker curious about the intersection of science, spirituality, and the natural world, or simply someone who loves exploring new ideas, this event is for you!” said Owens.
Owens, an accomplished visionary artist, photographer, and yoga teacher, combines
her expertise in graphic design with her passion for spirituality and nature to create intricate mandalas, surreal landscapes, and fine art photography. Her latest collection, "Elemental Alchemy," draws inspiration from the five elements — Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Ether —inviting viewers to connect with themes of growth, transformation, and consciousness.
“In times of uncertainty, my art reconnects us to awe, peace, possibility, and a sense of something greater than ourselves,” Owens shared.
A longtime graphic designer with over 40 years of experience, Gloria’s work bridges the gap between traditional artistic techniques and modern digital innovation. Each piece is meticulously crafted, printed on substrates like canvas and metal, and presented as limited-edition prints. No A.I is involved.
Her art has been described as “transcendent,” “luminous,” and “evocative.”
This exhibition marks an exciting opportunity to experience Owens’ unique artistic vision, which merges sacred geometry with the natural world. It is a must-see for art enthusiasts, yoga practitioners, and anyone seeking awe & inspiration.
About Gloria Owens: Born and raised in New York City, Gloria earned her BFA from SUNY Purchase and built a thriving graphic design career. Her journey into yoga and spirituality deeply influences her artwork, which has been featured at events such as the United Nations’ Culture of Peace symposium. Owens moved to Bluffton in 2020. She is currently an active member of SOBA and continues to share her talents as both an artist and yoga teacher.
About The Society of Bluffton Artists: SOBA is the heart of the flourishing art hub in Old Town Bluffton’s historic district at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets. As a non-profit art organization, SOBA offers regular art classes, featured artist shows, exhibitions, scholarships, outreach programs and more. The gallery is located at 6 Church Street and is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays. Please visit www.sobagallery.com for a complete calendar of events and other information or call 843-757-6586.
“The Wonders of Sacred Geometry” Exhibition: Jan. 5 – Feb. 1 Reception: Jan. 11, 3-5 p.m. Presentation: Jan. 15, 1:30-3:30pm
By Lila Meeks
As a young summer camp counselor in 1931, Leonard Bernstein entered the bustling dining hall on July 11 and announced to the noisy crowd that George Gershwin had died. Without another word he went to the piano and played Gershwin’s very slow, very sad Second Prelude. The only sound in the hall was that of the piano. Bernstein later said, “As the last notes wafted away, I rose from the piano and left the hall in silence. That was the first inkling I ever had of the power of music, of its possibilities for control. It was a great turning point to me.”
Twenty-seven years later, as the successful, charismatic conductor of the New York Philharmonic, Maestro Bernstein used that power to break down the cultural barriers between young, mainstream Americans and classical music. For some 15 seasons (19581972) his “Young People’s Concerts” on CBS successfully sparked a large-scale interest in and enjoyment of classical music. Without a full orchestra and the resources of CBS, but with every bit of the belief in the power of music and a modicum of his own charisma, Mr. Armstrong and three musical friends will welcome youth for a magical hour of music and conversation. Please make certain you, your children, grandchildren, youthful acquaintances, and/ or strays adopted for the occasion mark your calendars now to support this effort and be part of this exceptional opportunity.
We'll hear international artists playing the trumpet, violin, guitar, and grand piano. Each instrument has a story to tell, and together they create a symphony of narratives that will spark the imagination of each listener. We'll hear pieces from Enesco, Beethoven, and Tartini with each instrument's speaking to us in its own voice. Mr. Armstrong has promised that none of them is boring.
Andrew Armstrong
USCB Center for the Arts
805 Carteret Street, Beaufort Saturday, January 11
Doors 2pm, Open Seating, Concert 3pm Adults: $25 Children: Free Tickets: USCBChamberMusic.com
The Beaufort Digital Corridor has been selected to lead the South Carolina chapter of the Founder Institute, the world's largest pre-seed accelerator. This program is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs launch and scale tech companies and will now be available to South Carolina's startup community.
insights from Venture South, one of the region’s leading angel investment groups.
The initiative aims to strengthen South Carolina's entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing founders with access to global resources, expert mentorship, and a structured curriculum focused on building scalable business models.
"This is a transformative opportunity for our local entrepreneurs," said Jess O'Brien, Executive Director of the Beaufort Digital Corridor. "By partnering with the Founder Institute, we're equipping Beaufort’s founders with the tools and support they need to succeed and compete in a global market."
The Founder Institute operates in over 90 countries and has helped launch more than 6,500 companies that have collectively raised over $1.85 billion in funding. Its structured 14-week program helps early-stage founders validate their ideas, develop scalable products, and prepare for growth and fundraising.
Through this partnership, South Carolina entrepreneurs gain access to a global network of mentors and resources, positioning the state as a hub for innovation and high-growth startups.
To celebrate the launch of the Founder Institute South Carolina chapter, the Beaufort Digital Corridor will host several events designed to engage entrepreneurs, investors, and community members:
Jan. 21, 2025, at 6 p.m. – Meet the South Carolina Startup Ecosystem
Participants will be introduced to South Carolina’s entrepreneurial landscape and key players in the ecosystem.
Jan. 22, 2025, at 8 p.m. – What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research
Learn what makes successful entrepreneurs thrive, based on Founder Institute’s global research and data from over 6,500 startups.
Feb. 12, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. – Startup Funding in South Carolina, Featuring Venture South
This session will provide a deep dive into funding opportunities for startups, featuring
Feb. 25, 2025, at 6 p.m. – Speed Mentoring: Get Feedback and Network with Top South Carolina Mentors
Connect with experienced mentors for rapid, actionable feedback on your startup ideas and expand your network in the local entrepreneurial community.
Mar. 21-23, 2025 – Techstars Startup Weekend
Join a 54-hour immersive event where entrepreneurs, developers, and creatives collaborate to turn ideas into startups with guidance from experienced mentors.
Applications for the first cohort of the Founder Institute South Carolina chapter will open in early 2025, with the program officially kicking off in April. Additional events and deadlines leading up to the launch include:
Mar. 9, 2025 – Founder Institute Early Admissions Deadline
Apr. 13, 2025 – Founder Institute Final Admissions Deadline
Apr. 28, 2025 – Founder Institute Accelerator Kickoff
The partnership with the Founder Institute offers South Carolina startups a unique opportunity to leverage a proven framework, connect with global networks, and gain the skills necessary to succeed in today’s competitive market. The program's focus on early-stage founders fills a critical gap in the state’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
For more information about the Founder Institute South Carolina chapter or to register for upcoming events, visit https://fi.co/core
The Beaufort Digital Corridor is an initiative dedicated to supporting technology entrepreneurs in Beaufort County. Through education, mentorship, and communitybuilding, the organization fosters innovation and helps create a vibrant local economy.
Humans aren’t the only ones who look forward to autumn harvest. Fall brings a bounty of natural foods for our feathered friends, too. But while they’re feasting on fall’s cornucopia of delicacies, birds are also planning ahead, taking note of yards with bird feeders that can help them weather winter’s cold.
Many of birds’ favorite foods are actually more abundant in fall. Summer weeds ripen with seeds by October. Many berries only begin to emerge in late summer or early winter, and insects are plentiful. You may think there’s no need to feed birds during the fall, but if you want them to find your home in winter, start feeding in autumn.
The birds who visit feeders in fall are scouting, becoming familiar with feeding stations and making decisions on which backyards they’ll visit this winter. The feed you put out in fall lets birds know they’ll be welcomed and fed in your backyard when seriously cold weather arrives – and they no longer have the luxury of exploring for food.
Winter weather is hard on birds. Their calorie requirements increase, food becomes hard to find, snow covers up seeds and ice storms seal away tree buds and wild fruits. Tiny birds must eat one-third to three-quarters of their weight each day. When temperatures dip below zero, easy meals at a feeder can mean the difference between life and death.
An important rule of fall and winter feeding is to be prepared. By stocking up now on premium bird seeds and feed, bird lovers can help secure a wholesome food source without having to brave stormy weather.
It’s important to stock your feeders with high-quality foods that provide birds with the most fat, nutrients and energy. Look for a feed that packs nutrition, preserves freshness and gives you the most feed for your dollar.
In addition to seed, serve up some suet either in the form of Suet cakes for non-seed eating birds or suet mixed with seed. Consider suet which is mixed in a seed blend of premium fruits, preferred nuts, nutritious insect suet kibbles and whole-kernel sunflower meats that appeals to fruit and insect-loving songbirds. Or try a suet bursting with berry flavor and loaded with energy for increased stamina. These feed choices provide fat and a high-protein energy source to assist wild birds in weathering winter and may actually boost their chance of survival.
Just as birds need food year-round, they also look for water. This can be tricky in regions where water spends the winter as ice, but bird lovers can still help in a few ways. Experts suggest leaving icicles on the eaves to provide a regular source of water for birds that drink drops as the icicles melt. Birds are drawn to running water sounds, so spritzers or small fountains are beneficial. In the winter, try using quality bird bath heaters to keep water from freezing, plus they’re more convenient than setting out water every day.
Don’t worry about the birds if you must leave home for a while in winter. Birds are familiar with food sources disappearing. It might take them a while to rediscover your feeders when you return, but they’ll be back, grateful for your assistance.
For more ideas to help birds eat well through winter, and to learn about more feed choices, visit coleswildbird.com
Now – 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
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
The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) is thrilled to announce the return of its Holiday Market, a seasonal showcase featuring handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts by local artists. Through December, the SOBA Art Gallery’s featured artist room will transform into a festive shopping destination for the community.
Visitors can explore and purchase a wide array of artfully crafted items perfect for the holiday season, including wreaths, small paintings, holiday décor, and gift-worthy treasures. Each piece is thoughtfully created by talented Bluffton artists, making the Holiday Market an ideal stop for unique and personal holiday shopping.
“The Holiday Market is a beloved SOBA tradition, perfect for anyone looking for a unique holiday shopping experience,” said Karen Richards, President of SOBA.
The Holiday Market is now open, and will follow regular gallery hours:
• Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Society of Bluffton Artists is the cornerstone of Bluffton's vibrant art scene, located in the heart of Old Town Bluffton’s historic district. As a non-profit organization, SOBA is dedicated to enriching the community through the arts by offering regular art classes, exhibitions, scholarships, and outreach programs. The gallery is open to the public at 6 Church Street, with hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
For more information about the Holiday Market or upcoming events, visit www.sobagallery.com or call 843-757-6586
Afestive tradition continues this holiday season as Art League Gallery is transformed into a Gallery of Gifts, featuring one-of-a-kind decor and gift items handmade by local artists. Shoppers can shop for works of art—whether paintings, photography, pottery or mixed media—artistic stocking stuffers, jewelry, and unique ornaments and holiday decor.
“This is the fifth year we’ve turned our art gallery into a gift gallery during the holiday season. Each year has been a stunning success, and we’re excited to continue the tradition. We’re proud to offer gifts from local artists at affordable prices,” says Lyndsi Caulder, Gallery Manager of Art League Gallery. “Art League Gallery remains a must-see for holiday shopping.”
Gallery of Gifts will be open through January 3, Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm and Sundays 12-4pm.
Art League Gallery is located mid-island inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, 843.681.5060.
This season, the artists of Atelier Off Bay are hosting their first ever Square Works Holiday Show, which runs through December 30th. The artists are offering 12”x12” pieces, priced at $500 or less. Perfect for holiday giving!
The Atelier houses a collective of 13 professional artist studios and galleries, each of which is open to the public. Visitors are treated to a unique, engaging fine art experience year-round, featuring changing exhibits and demonstrations, as well as the opportunity to talk with the artists and watch them at work.
All 13 Atelier artists are participating in the Square Works Holiday Show, so now is your chance to purchase affordable fine art from some of Beaufort’s most accomplished and celebrated creators.
The artists of Atelier Off Bay include: Earline Allen, Gloria Dalvini, Pam Hagan, Courtney Hunt, R. James Louque II, Sue McCarthy, Amy Minson, Audrey Montgomery, Laura Schuler, Mary Segars, Linda Tully, Jennifer Heyd Wharton, and Beth Williams.
Atelier Off Bay is located at 203 West Street in historic downtown Beaufort. For info visit www.atelieroffbay.com
Don’t you just love appetizers? What’s more fun than a bunch of tasty little bites that can easily add up to be a full meal? After hosting and catering years of dinner parties and cocktail buffets, I find that a table of unpretentious nibbles make for the most fun events. My husband Vince and I entertained a handful of our closest friends last week. We served the hors d’oeuvres featured in this Gift Guide along with the hors d’oeuvres featured in my regular Lowcountry Weekly column, Celebrate Every Day. Be sure to pick up both papers to get all six delicious recipes. Don’t put off having a party until next year. It’s not too late to host a holiday gathering. This is the time of year to hold family and friends close and tight. Celebrate Everything! Vince and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, safe, and happy 2025!
Cocktail meatballs in a sweet and spicy chipotle BBQ sauce! An easy appetizer for holiday entertaining.
2 cups bottled BBQ sauce
1 (12-ounce) jar grape jelly
2 chipotles in adobo sauce, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 dozen frozen cocktail-size beef meatballs, thawed in the refrigerator
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, grape jelly, minced chipotles, and Worcestershire sauce. Add meatballs and stir gently to coat.
Pour meatballs and sauce into a baking dish. Cover and cook for 60-70 minutes. Serve in
a crockpot or chafing dish. Serves 12 to 15.
Paired with sweet and spicy pepper jelly and everything bagel seasoning, these mini sausage rolls are sure to please. I guarantee they’ll be gone in minutes. So much flavor for such a simple recipe!
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed in refrigerator
1 (12-ounce) beef smoked sausage or kielbasa
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard, divided 1 egg, beaten ½ cup pepper jelly
Everything bagel seasoning
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with baking spray.
Unfold puff pastry sheet and place on a large cutting board. Cut it in half. Wipe the sausage with a paper towel making sure it is dry and then cut it in half. Spread 1 tablespoon of the mustard on each piece of the puff pastry. Add sausage to each piece of pastry and gently roll the dough to secure. Stretch pastry gently as you roll the sausage and pinch together at the seams. Slice each roll into 10 pieces and place on prepared baking sheet. Brush individual appetizers with beaten egg. Bake for 15 to 18
minutes or until pastry is puffed and golden. In the meantime, heat pepper jelly in microwave for about 30 seconds or until it is melted. Remove appetizers from oven. Brush with melted pepper jelly and sprinkle with bagel seasoning. Return to oven and bake for an addition 5 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 20.
By Debbi Covington
A favorite recipe from Betty Waskiewicz, this delicious dip has graced many a Covington Christmas party buffet table!
1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach,
thawed and squeezed dry
1½ cups parmesan cheese, divided
1 (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons diced pimentos
Paprika, to garnish
Combine spinach with 1 cup grated parmesan cheese. Add cream cheese, mayonnaise, onion, and garlic. Mix well to combine. Gently stir in pimentos. Spread mixture evenly in a serving dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with remaining parmesan cheese and garnish with paprika. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes or until warmed through. Serve warm with crackers. Serves 8 to 10.
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
Over the past few holiday seasons, Beaufort's been blessed with the whimsical sight of Nutcrackers all over town, thanks to the endless energy of Danie Connolly and her team of local artists. Together, they've brought 'It's A Nutty Christmas' to life for everyone to enjoy. Here's a look back at some of our favorite nutcrackers from years past.
After the amazing success of the inaugural 2024 Chalk It Up! festival this past spring, we’re excited to invite artists from all over to come and create vibrant chalk illustrations on the pavement of downtown Beaufort in March 2025! This fun and creative event, hosted by the Freedman Arts District, mixes community spirit with a love for art, and it’s happening for FREE during the weekend of March 28-30!
We’re thrilled to welcome back popular professional chalk artists Chelsey Scott and Brittany Williams from Georgia, along with Tennessee’s very own Mary Ward, who wowed everyone with her chalk portrait of Dolly Parton and won the People’s Choice award! Chalk It Up! will showcase local talent as well as artists like Chelsey, Brittany, and Mary, who are traveling from across the country to join our festival.
introduction to Beaufort’s Gullah history from Dr. Valinda Littlefield. Then, over the next two days, our talented artists will create stunning works of art and connect with the community right in the adjacent parking lot.
The annual Holiday Market and “Best of Beaufort” all-member exhibit are still going strong at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery!
See the work of over seventy local members, along with unique, artist-created ornaments and other
handmade gift items. Don’t miss the 6x6 pieces that make perfect stocking stuffers!
The Beaufort Art Association Gallery is located at 913 Bay Street downtown. For further information, please visit www.beaufortartassociation.com
Chalk It Up! is a family-friendly weekend that promises fun for all ages! Enjoy amazing large-scale street chalk art, live music from local musicians, hands-on activities for kids, artisan demos, delicious food trucks, and so much more!
We’ll kick off the weekend with a special Meet & Greet the Artists reception on Friday evening at the Tabby Place on Port Republic St. There, you’ll hear an engaging
Don’t miss the exciting conclusion of the festival on Sunday, March 30, at 5 PM with our awards ceremony! We’ll be giving away three fantastic prizes: $700 for First Place, $500 for Second Place, and $300 for People’s Choice.
Call for Artists: Are you an artist aged 18 or older and want to join in on the fun?
Simply fill out the online application at www.FreedmanArtsDistrict.org. It’s free to participate, and you don’t need any street painting experience to get involved! You can find all the guidelines and rules at www.FreedmanArtsDistrict.org. We can't wait to see your creativity shine!
Don’t you just love appetizers? What’s more fun than a bunch of tasty little bites that can easily add up to be a full meal? After hosting and catering years of dinner parties and cocktail buffets, I find that a table full of unpretentious nibbles make for the most fun events. My husband Vince and I entertained a handful of our closest friends last week. We served the hors d’oeuvres that I’m sharing in this week’s column along with the hors d’oeuvres featured in the latest Lowcountry Weekly and Island News Gift Guide. Be sure to pick up both papers to get all six delicious recipes. Don’t put off having a party until next year. It’s not too late to host a holiday gathering. This is the time of year to hold family and friends close and tight. Celebrate Everything! Vince and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, safe, and happy 2025!
Wrap the scallops in prosciutto for a different twist on a classic recipe.
For the aioli:
1 cup mayonnaise
2 chipotles in adobo sauce
1 tablespoon adobo sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Place mayonnaise, chipotles, adobo sauce and lime juice in a food processor and puree; set aside.
For the scallops:
12 slices bacon
24 sea scallops
Paprika
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut bacon slices in half to make 24 pieces. Wrap each scallop in a piece of bacon. Secure bacon with an oven-safe toothpick. Place scallops on a lightly greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until scallops are
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
3 green onions, sliced
¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 (1.9-ounce) packages frozen phyllo shells, thawed in refrigerator
Paprika
Sliced grape tomatoes, to garnish
Grated parmesan cheese, to garnish
cooked through. Serve warm with a dollop of aioli or with the aioli on the side. Serves 6 to 8.
These were originally going to be stuffed mushrooms. Guess who forgot to add mushrooms to her shopping list? No matter. Phyllo tart shells were a crispy and tasty substitute, and the canapes were gone in a flash.
1 lb. Italian sausage, cooked and drained on paper towels
1 (8-oz) cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix cooked Italian sausage with cream cheese, mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic, green onions, and chopped parsley. Stir to combine. Mixture will be stiff. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Fill each phyllo shell with sausage mixture. Sprinkle with paprika. Top each canape with a grape tomato slice and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until canapes are crispy and warmed through. Makes 30.
BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUT ORNAMENT CHEESE BALL
So easy to make and so fun to eat!
Add a decorative ornament hook and a beautiful bow for a festive flair.
1 (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened
8 ounces crumbled blue cheese
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
By Debbi Covington
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, mix cream cheese, blue cheese crumbles and whipping cream until well combined. Mixture will be stiff. Turn cheese mixture out onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Form cheese into a ball. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Spread chopped walnuts on a large cutting board or baking sheet. Remove cheese ball from plastic wrap and roll in chopped nuts, pressing gently until the cheese ball is covered with walnuts. Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap, reshaping as needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with cocktail crackers. Serves 8 to 10.
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
Tis the season once again to hang boughs of holly on banisters, indoor and out; imitate the Frozen North with icicle lights on the eaves, and decorate a ceiling-high fir with multicolored twinkles topped by a star. Cover the yard with inflatables, and – What the hey? – put a Santa sleigh with reindeer on the roof. Rescue the kids’ presents from hidey-holes where they’ve been stashed since last January’s half-price sales, root out your grandma’s recipe and sugar-cookie cutters, make your kids’ costumes for a Christmas play, and wish every soul you see a “merry” and a “happy.”
According to the works of beloved Americana artist Norman Rockwell, the holidays are a time for family to be together, talking, laughing, and enjoying annual traditions. Finding that “perfect” fir tree in the woods, dragging it to the truck through the snow, and once home, sipping hot cups of something tasty to warm everyone’s innards as they decorate what becomes “the most beautiful tree ever.”
But what if you’ve lost a loved one and just can’t rock the seasonal jolly’s? It seems that myriad souls leave the earth around the winter holidays. Once a loved one passes away, the entire tenor of this time of celebration can change for those “left behind.”
Author, public speaker, and death and grieving expert David Kessler assures, “The
goal is not to forget a loved one or get over the loss as soon as possible but to live a life that honors them, to embrace their memories with more love than pain. Though we must deal with the sadness, it’s easy to get stuck and suffer from loss and become unable to live life fully. Sometimes these feelings must be talked through with a confidant, counselor, or support group to find resolution.”
For those who are grieving, joyous participation in holiday revelry is rarely an option.
Kessler, who has written numerous books, including two with psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, pioneer in the study of death and dying, offers resources on www.grief.com, where you can find a virtual support group and helpful workshops, and on www.davidkessler.com.
A gem of a local resource is Friends of Caroline Hospice (www.fochospice.org). This organization is truly a treasure for the grieving and dying.
Above all, says Kessler, “Be gentle with yourself. Give yourself the time you need. Your tears are evidence of love. Pain from loss is inevitable.”
Remember, your grief is your own, however it manifests. Everyone’s grief journey looks different. Says spiritual teacher, author, and lecturer Marianne Williamson, “It takes as long as it takes” to work through grief. Find
solace in whatever works for you, whether it’s self-care, the support of loved ones, reading quotes and/or scripture on grief, writing daily in a journal, seeking professional help, or a combination of these things.
But what do you say to bring a bit of comfort to someone who’s grieving? You want to help but you don’t want to say the wrong thing. Not knowing what to say can keep us from saying anything. So we don’t contact them and then feel guilty. Fortunately, Kessler has covered this base with a couple of lists.
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO SAY TO SOMEONE IN GRIEF:
1. I am so sorry for your loss.
2. I wish I had the right words. Just know I care.
3. I don’t know how you feel, but I’m here to help in any way I can.
4. You and your loved one will be in my thoughts and prayers.
5. My favorite memory of your loved one is . . .
6. I am always just a phone call away.
7. Give a hug instead of saying something.
8. We all need help at times like this. I am here for you.
9. I am usually up early or late, if you need anything.
10. Saying nothing, just be with the person.
And just so you know . . .
THE 10 WORST THINGS TO SAY TO SOMEONE IN GRIEF
1. At least she lived a long life. Many people die young.
2. He is in a better place.
3. She brought this on herself.
4. There is a reason for everything.
5. Aren’t you over him yet? He’s been dead for a while now.
6. You can have another child still.
7. She was such a good person God wanted her to be with him.
8. I know how you feel.
9. She did what she came here to do and it was her time to go.
10. Be strong.
Though I’ve heard all of these said at one time or another, I hope that the inappropriateness of all the above is obvious without discussion.
For the past 25 years, my sister has given
by Katherine Tandy Brown WHOLLY HOLISTICS
me a subscription to a small-format magazine called Guideposts , a spiritually focused publication founded in 1945 by Ruth Stafford Peale and Norman Vincent Peale, the clergyman who wrote The Power of Positive Thinking. It’s the only monthly that I read from cover to cover. The stories are short and always touching in some respect. Written by grief counselor Kate J. Meyer, an article in the latest issue dealt wisely with how to help someone who’s grieving over the holidays. For a few final thoughts, I’ll paraphrase her suggestions.
Don’t be afraid to mention the name of the deceased when speaking about a deceased love one. Saying his/her name shows you care.
Don’t judge a person’s reaction to their loss. If they choose to spend a holiday in a way that doesn’t meet their family’s expectations or that you might think unusual, support their wishes. They’re riding a rollercoaster of emotions and likely doing the best they can to care for themselves emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Be patient with someone who’s grieving if they turn down your offers of help initially. Be specific as to how you might help. For instance, you might offer to cook and take them dinner or go for a walk. If they seem interested, be specific about a date. Don’t just say, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” That response is just giving them another decision to make.
A question that shows you care when you’re visiting might be, “Would you like to talk about Dave today? Or would you like a distraction? Or shall we just be quiet?” If sitting quietly makes you uncomfortable, take silent, deep breaths in a mini meditation. Being able to accommodate their need will make them feel cared for and will bring joy to your heart.
The words of Kalil Ghibran in his classic tome, The Prophet, ring true for both the griever and the comforter: “The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.”
May you find comfort and joy in the year’s final days.
Ihave been fortunate to get several gardening books for Christmas and two of my favorite books are about Gertrude Jekyll. Jekyll was probably the first preeminent female English garden designer and writer who did her main work at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. She designed over 350 gardens and wrote over 1,000 articles for magazines. My favorite thing about her (other than her famous herbaceous borders) is her philosophizing and musing about gardening. She sees gardens and gardening as a tremendous source of pleasure and hope: “A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.”
I have read time and time again and believe it firmly that a garden is hope. When you plant a garden, you are investing in the future. You are creating a promise of future beauty and nourishment. So that is my theme for the New Year - Hope.
I used to carpool to work with an extremely thoughtful fellow teacher. He drove a beat up old car that leaked when it rained so if you sat in the back seat, you had to wear boots. He smoked a pipe and ran through every red light in the 20 minute drive from Newton to Lexington. (Well, it was Massachusetts where drivers believe that red lights are just a suggestion.) Occasionally, he would chew on his pipe and offer a profound observation. One day in the spring, he said “Ever notice how little old ladies always buy annuals?” I have often mulled over that statement and have firmly decided that this old lady prefers to foster lasting hope and will continue to plant perennials and shrubs. You must have hope and faith that there is a bright and shining future ahead for plants and people alike. Hope.
I have decided to make some gardening resolutions this year. It is certainly more cheerful than the usual shed ten pounds or to give up sugar. (It is difficult to binge watch the Great British Baking Show without eating.)
Here are my non calorie related resolutions for 2025.
Resolution 1 – I am a plunker. I tend to plant one little plant here and one little plant there. I will work hard at overcoming this “plant plunker syndrome.” I will purchase multiples of each variety and plant them in a sweep or block for maximum impact.
Resolution 2 – I will try to use more native plants like Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolia), ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis),
and narrowleaf sunflower ( Helianthus augustifolia). A southeastern native is the Perennial Plant Association’s Plant of 2025 – mountain mint ( Pycnanthemum muticum). Native plants appear to hold up to our heat and humidity and they are not a favorite browsed by deer. Our local deer seem to like exotics rather than natives.
I am not sure what deer are thinking, but why eat local fried chicken when you can have a tasty Asian treat? Bring on the deer version of Pad Thai!
Resolution 3 – Gertrude Jekyll wrote that if a plant does not please you or makes you feel guilty because it has not thrived, get rid of it. We all make mistakes. Sometimes our garden centers carry plants that will not grow well in our zone. It is tempting to try them. If I have tried a plant and it has died, I will not feel remorse. It can become compost.
Resolution 4 – I will try to be more sustainable in water use. I do not use pesticides and I only fertilize my roses and geraniums, but I do use more water than I
By Wendy Hilty
should. Given that my house has a south-southwest exposure my garden cooks in the summer sun and I need to be more judicious in plant selection to avoid those that are water hogs. I also know that I could mulch more to keep my soil cooler and make it more amenable to holding moisture. It does not matter if you use pine straw or shredded hardwood. Both are helpful in retaining moisture. Three inches of mulch is ideal.
Resolution 5 – I will try to get out more to just enjoy my garden and sit on my bench and reflect. Another quote from Gertrude Jekyll: “The purpose of a garden is to give its owner the best and highest earthly pleasure.”
May your gardens give you hope and pleasure this year.
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.
There’s a lot you can get up to in the woods.
As a kid I lived near a marshy forested area in Connecticut thick with spindly trees that fired my revolutionary war fantasies as I darted about and between; as a teen it was more about beer, campfires and general mayhem in the farm-adjacent Ohio suburbs. As an adult I’ve come to appreciate the woods for their quiet, and associate hillsides with climbs to contemplation.
Moving to the Lowcountry introduced me to a different kind of vista characterized by a pervasive flatness. Tidal marshes stretch and sway into the distance, insinuating seaward motion. Creeks give way to rivers and piggyback rides to the ocean. You can look in any direction and be aware of water just waiting for your acknowledgement. Gazing over water is like constantly saying yes; it’s the vista of freedom with your feet grounded on earth, no climbing required.
I will say this view from sea level has taken some getting used to, and I’ve jonesed for altitude a couple of times. There was inordinate excitement at the top of the four-story Port Royal Boardwalk Observation Tower and I felt like planting a flag or something. And I breathlessly related my conquering of the elevated McTeer Bridge span to my wife the first time I biked over it.
So when a friend told me there was a wooded trail out on Hunting Island that had some elevation to it, I perked up. How could this be? I’ve been out to that state park a dozen times by now, but my focus is always on getting to the beach. I’d seen the trail signs but never ventured off the paths to the water. I figured I had paused my pursuit of Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” a Japanese ecotherapy term, when I left the Smoky Mountains in the rearview mirror. I mean the paved park drive is stunning, but I thought
Alisha Doud alisha@dcgilbert.com
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Kathy Crowley kathy@dcgilbert.com
Dawn Shipsey dawn@dcgilbert.com
Derek C. Gilbert
derek@dcgilbert.com
Melissa R. Wicker melissa@dcgilbert.com
Sam Bailey samuel@dcgilbert.com
any trails would be just flat and buggy. Wrong.
I found the suggested Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail just down from the nature center and took it. It turned into a magical walking wander that transported me beyond
By Luke Frazier
my beach-bound mind into a realm of shifty dimensions and sleight of lands. The overwhelming conclusion is that I stumbled on a portal of some kind, and the 1.9 mile trail connects to a segment of imagination not far from the Twilight Zone.
There are actual ups & downs as you wind your way north, and although you are never that far from Route 21 to the west, the totality of the trail encapsulates, you are both on a trail close to a road and far beyond any directional tethering. It is simultaneously a walk in the woods and not a walk in the woods. With just the easiest of surrenders, you are equidistant from the past and future, and the timeless light graces the tall trees, low shrubs, piney tufts, fronds both dead and alive, and occasional sandy patches. If you inhale deeply you’ll be rewarded with a crisp whiff of the present, no purchase required.
notions of “far” and “very quiet” might be more like signifiers than requirements here in the Lowcountry. I was fully bathed and connected in this short stretch of forest on Hunting Island, and I emerged sparkling on a Tuesday afternoon ready for anything. Driving back on Sea Island Parkway I couldn’t shake the notion that there was a band of energy keeping pace with me from those woods. It was like I was pulling some of that depth of fecund richness mile after mile, past Coffin Point and Beedos, beyond the Parker’s and the Dataw turn off, onto Lady’s Island and across the Beaufort River. When I got home, I sat for a moment in the driveway and gave thanks for new heights in the Lowcountry.
843-524-4006
It was the Eastern-oriented writer Alan Watts that talked about hermits realizing that going far into the woods and getting very quiet leads to understanding that you’re connected to everything. Fair enough, but
Luke Frazier is a writer and award-winning media producer who recently transplanted to the Lowcountry. He runs NOW Communications, which focuses on the needs of missiondriven organizations. Luke can be reached at nowandfuturecomms@gmail.com
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 9a Wednesdays via Zoom. Seen the buzz on “life span VS health span”? Want to grow better, not older? Haven’t heard of BEMER yet? Come for Q&A about how this longevity-enhancing medical device can enhance your health, fitness and overall well-being in just 8 minutes 2X/day. 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 - Fridays., 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; Karaoke Wed, Fri & Sat - 10pm. 25% off Apps & Wings for NFL Ticket; College sports Saturdays. (843) 379-7676 or Rosie's on Facebook
Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 379-3474 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; - OR - 17 State of Mind St., Bluffton, Thursdays Jevon & Andy, FridaysJason LaPorte. 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. 12/18 Quiana Parler with Levon Stevens Trio, 12/20 & 12/21 A Motown Holiday Spectacular with Reggie Deas & Deas Guyz, 4/24 & 2/25 CLOSED - Merry Christmas, 12/27 & 12/28 Noel Freidline & Maria Howell with Ray Greene - Great Duets, 1/1/25 CLOSEDHappy New Year!, 1/3 & 1/4 Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino tribute with Reggie Deas & Deas Guys. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com
The Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. 12/21 A Christmas Nightmare - The Misfits
and Black Sabbath tribute with Horror Business and Rat Salad, with Dirt Nap, 12/28 Corey Smith, 21/31 New Year's Eve with Easy Money; The Simplicity; FO Daniel. (843) 8532252 or www.musicfarm.com
The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. 12/18 Toubab Krewe, 12/19 Drunken Doja Monkey; Krampus Kristmas; Trolgar, 12/20 Same As It Ever Was - Talking Heads tribute, 12/21 The Psycodelics - Isley Brothers holiday tribute, 12/23 Broken Speaker's Funky Jingle Ball VII, 12/24 & 12/25 CLOSED Merry Christmas, 12/27 Sam Fribush Organ Trio; Natalie Brooks, 12/28 Quincy Jones tribute with Slim & Friends, 12/30 & 12/31 Doom Flamingo, 1/2/25 Unheard Experience 3 - NU; Slim Soul; Manny Houston; DJ Dollabenu; Black Nerd Mafia; Rhodium, 1/4 54 Bicycles. (843) 571-4343 or www.charlestonpourhouse.com
Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms. 12/20 Congress, 12/21 Randall Fowler, 12/27 The Yacht Club, 12/28 The Midnight City, 12/31 New Year's Eve with Weird Science; The Broken Hearts - Tom Petty tribute. (843) 886-8596 or www.the-windjammer.com
Editors Note: Events listed here may be subject to postponement or cancellation. Please check for further information.
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 - 1/3, 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.
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
1/5 – 2/1 – Elemental Alchemy: The Visionary Artwork of Gloria Owens at the SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Opening reception Fri 1/11, 3-5pm. www.sobagallery.com
1/5 – 3/2, Daniel McSweeney’s Original Pottery & Members’ Impressionist-Style Paintings, a dual exhibit at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery. Opening reception on Fri 1/10 at 913 Bay Street, Beaufort. www.beaufortartassociation.com
Thur 12/19, Jen Marie Wiggins ( The Good Bride) at the Pat Conroy Literary Center at 5 pm. Free and open to the public. Books available for sale and signing. Seating is limited; please call to reserve: 843-379-7025.
Sat 12/21, John Doriot, award-winning Georgia author and poet, will be reading and signing his books at Marshview Mercantile, 2631 Boundary St. in Beaufort. At 11am, John will read from his beloved children’s books about Oreo, an adventurous dog. Children will be served milk and cookies and have a chance to meet the real Oreo. At 12:30, John will read and sign his award-winning poetry books including the latest, Spiritual Roots. The event is FREE and John has generously offered to donate $100 to CAPA and Golden Harvest Food Bank for every 10 books sold.
Youth Concert at 3pm, USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St, Beaufort. This one-hour concert is FREE for youth. For program information and tickets visit www.uscbchambermusic.com
Sat 1/11, Brian Ashley Jones & Melanie Jean perform at Music on Malphrus as part of the 2025 Singer-Songwriter Series. The show starts at 7pm. Tickets are $25 at door or through www.uulowcountry.org. The UUCL is located at 110 Malphrus Rd, Bluffton.
Sun 1/12, USCB Chamber Music concert at 5pm, USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St, Beaufort. For program information and tickets visit www.uscbchambermusic.com
Tuesdays, Tours of Hunting Island sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For info call the Nature Center at 843-8387437. 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.
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