The Funny Factor 4
Our humor divide
Walk for Water 7
Time to team up
Deliberately Unpredictable 8
Art beyond tradition
Salad Days 10
Cool summer meals
Underused Plants 11
Your garden needs these
Michael Spake 12
Takes the open mic
Mudflats Murder Club 12
Author Brian Thiem
July 30 – August 12, 2025 .{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.
Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.
July 2 – July 15, 2025
The image on our cover is by Donna Varner of Art Beyond Tradition, a group of Lowcountry artists who'll be showing their work at the Coastal Discovery Museum, starting August 25, in an exhibit called Deliberately Unpredictable. For more information, see our story on page 8.
Alisha Doud alisha@dcgilbert.com
Daun Schouten daun@dcgilbert.com
Laure Gallagher laure@dcgilbert.com
Ashley Hart ashley@dcgilbert.com
Joy McConnell joy@dcgilbert.com
Johanna Graham johanna@dcgilbert.com
Kathy Crowley kathy@dcgilbert.com
Dawn Shipsey dawn@dcgilbert.com
July 30 – August 12, 2025
untro w c o
LPublisher: Jeff Evans — Jeff@LCWeekly.com
Editor: Margaret Evans — Editor@LCWeekly
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Advertising Sales: Jere Russo — 401-787-3280 or JereRusso@gmail.com Delayna Earley — 804-347-8704 or Delayna.TheIslandNews@gmail.com
Art Director: Lydia Inglett
Layout & Design: Amalgamated Sprinkleworks
Contributing Writers: Bradley Beck, Katherine Tandy Brown, Debbi Covington, Luke Frazier, Wendy Hilty, Jared Madison, 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 2025 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.
Humor is a funny thing.
My husband and I have very different taste when it comes to being tickled, and it sometimes feels like a big deal. For instance, when he casually informed me – long after our wedding – that he doesn’t find ‘Seinfeld’ funny, it almost felt like grounds for divorce. Who was this freak, and how could he have withheld such crucial intel?!
I would later learn that he doesn’t like sitcoms in general, because “smart actors are playing stupid for a paycheck.”
Of course, this is also the man who doesn’t like musicals, because “people don’t actually break into song and dance on a regular basis,” and who can’t understand why I sometimes cry while watching reruns of Law & Order: SVU. “You know these people aren’t real, right?” he’ll deadpan. “What’s your point?” I’ll sob.
Okay, so maybe our differences go a bit deeper than “humor,” but I have already done that thing Jeff hates – oversharing – so I’ll move on. (Sorry, babe. Just trying to draw ‘em in.)
Lately, a couple of newsy events got me thinking about humor. First, it was announced that the Late Show with Stephen Colbert would soon be coming to an end. Next, South Park launched its 27th season with an outrageous episode skewering, among other people and things, President Donald J. Trump.
The discussions on social media surrounding these two events sparked my fascination with the question of why we find certain people funny... and others not at all. Throw in the conversations about Donald Trump that go on all day, every day, and the question becomes even more intriguing.
In an effort to explore it more deeply, I tried a little experiment on my Facebook page. I asked my FB friends to answer three questions, feeling free to elaborate:
1) Do you find Stephen Colbert funny?
2) Do you find Donald Trump funny?
3) If you saw the season opener of South Park, did you find it funny?
I got a wealth of responses – thanks, y’all –and they mainly mirrored the conversations I’d been seeing around social media. Most of the enthusiastic Trump supporters on my page think Trump is funny but Colbert is not. Most of the enthusiastic Trump disdainers on my page think Colbert is funny but Trump is not.
There were definitely exceptions and distinctions worth noting. Some Trump disdainers acknowledged that Trump can be funny, but qualified that word with others like “silly,” “absurd,” and “childish.” Meanwhile, those same people described Colbert’s humor with words like “clever,” “witty,” and “smart.”
On the other side of the fence, not a single Trump supporter acknowledged any humor on the part of Colbert. A few said he used to be funny, but now comes across as angry, arrogant, and petulant. Interestingly, those same words were used by some Trump detractors to describe the president, himself.
The responses to South Park were a bit more diverse, but let’s just say the Colbert fans were decidedly more amused than the Trump fans.
Then there were those I’ll call the “moderates,” the FB friends I’ve come to know as neither passionate Trump supporters
nor detractors – just curious people following the scene with as much emotional detachment as they can muster. Many of them answered “yes” to all three questions. (Yes, Colbert is funny. Yes, Trump is funny. Yes, the South Park episode was funny.) But some answered “no” to all three, and others mixed it up. In short, the moderates were all over the place . . . and very talky about it.
My people.
One Trump enthusiast said something simple that really resonated. “Trump is very funny . . . if you get him.”
Which got me wondering: Does the humor divide inform the political divide in this country? Or is it, maybe, the other way around? Or both?
It’s kind of a chicken/egg question, I think. Which comes first, the humor or the politics?
Do people think Trump is funny because they like him as a leader? Or do they like him as a leader because they think he’s funny – i.e. they “get” him in a way others don’t? And what about Colbert? Everyone on social media who says he’s not funny – and they are legion – seems to be a Trump supporter. And those Colbert fans who argue that Trump’s “jokes” – his Truth Social posts, his Pope and Superman memes – aren’t funny? Well, they have made it clear that they hate Trump for copious reasons. Is that why they don’t get his humor? Or is their failure to get his humor just another reason they hate him?
An interesting sub-thread emerged in the “survey” on my FB page – a discussion of Colbert’s recent cancellation, and the public reaction to it. Edited for space and clarity, it essentially read like this:
Friend #1) “I think the angst that Colbert’s feeling—and I know the angst that his supporters are feeling—has to do with the capitulation of major institutions (e.g., CBS/ Paramount, Columbia University) to DJT.”
Friend #2) “I’m thinking it would have been really hard to be a Jewish student at Columbia last spring, and the 60 Minutes piece with VP Harris was pretty clearly edited in her favor, so not sure if that is capitulation or bringing truth to power with a hefty price tag.”
Friend #1) “I’m very interested in who/ what you define as having ‘power.’ Knowing how people in our country view that issue might be bring great insight to this moment in our nation’s discourse.”
Friend #2) “That’s an interesting question. I think there are a lot of institutions (media, education, government, corporate, Pharma, etc) that have largely been operating with unchecked authority for quite some time. But with a new sheriff in town a lot of that has changed. Some I agree with and some I don’t, but in this case perhaps power has to do with the ability to demand accountability?
Maybe that’s too simplistic.”
This is when I jumped in and tried to steer the conversation back to the topic at hand, commenting:
“Great discussion. It seems to me that Americans have very different ideas about who is ‘powerful’ in this country, and those ideas affect who we do, or don't, find funny. Nobody likes a comedian who ‘punches down,’ you know? But when we don't agree about who is ‘up’ and who is ‘down,’ well . . . ”
Other than that open-ended tidbit, I mostly stayed out of the comment section.
Because I’m not going to argue with people about their sense of humor. Why would I? It is what it is. You can’t convince someone that something is funny – or not funny – by sheer force of will. At the end of the day, humor is subjective. No matter how hard I try, I will never nag or shame my husband into laughing at George Costanza.
Still, my impromptu survey confirmed what I suspected, that what – or whom – we find funny often depends, at least in part, on the butt of the joke. As one FB friend astutely noted, both Colbert and Trump come from the genre of humor called “insult comedy.” There is almost always a butt. If it’s your proverbial ox being gored, you’re far less likely to be amused.
So, take it from a political nomad: If you love to laugh – and they say it’s the best medicine, after all – don’t get too attached to the oxen. Any of them.
For the record: I answered “yes” to all three questions.
Margaret Evans is the editor of Lowcountry Weekly. She has been writing her award winning column, Rants & Raves, for 25 years.
One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a c,harlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.
– Carl Sagan
Who doesn’t need a history lesson from time to time? Whether it’s the history of your family, your relationship to whatever or whomever, or a reminder of what happened when on the world stage. Context matters—nuance matters. Nothing is wasted if events are duly-noted.
Yesterday I completed listening to a long Joe Rogan podcast where he interviewed famed documentarian, Ken Burns. Can’t
recommend this interview enough. It’s worth the time.
For those of you who don’t know who Ken Burns is, he produced the most popular documentary of all time, The Civil War, as well as The Roosevelts, Baseball, National Parks, etc. Now, I like Joe Rogan, but the one knock on his podcast is that he tends to be interrupty. Is interrupty a word? Now it is. Anyway, my point is that he didn’t interrupt Ken Burns once in this two-and-a-half-hour interview. That ought to tell ya sumthin’ . . .
One thing to consider here: What has always been meant to be, was not always for you to see. Say that again in your mind’s ear, or even out loud. What has always been meant to be, was not always for you to see.
Okay, here’s where I woo woo you: Ever heard the expression, “Mad as a hornet”? They’re much smaller than we are, but you don’t want none, do ya? Where might that
apply to history. Interesting fact: September 2, 1945, the day the Japanese surrendered aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay to General MacArthur, Ho Chi Min declares Vietnam’s independence. One door closes, another opens.
Back to hornets: A hornet as an animal totem represents strength, resilience, and a call to action. Hornets symbolize the importance of respecting natural boundaries, the power of community, and the need to use one’s voice or influence wisely. The hornet’s sting serves as a reminder of the consequences of disrespect or intrusion. (Google)
What boundaries await us beyond what we think of as infinity? Are, perhaps the greatest sins the self-boundaries we breach again and again? Sometimes it only takes once. I’m speaking to myself here, too, so definitely not casting any stones, but where is the regard for the discipline of discipline?
Can we say it’s akin to urinal cakes? They actually smell pretty good, but the smell instantly harkens us to an embarrassment like South Carolina’s “Welcome” Center just down I-95.
This begs the question: How disappointed will you be with how certain you were? You don’t have to write the poem, The Arrogance of My Certainty if you keep an open mind. I’m not really a poetry person, so . . .
The opposite of faith is certainty, which is where mystery goes to die. I believe I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. You can have your urinal cake and eat it, too.
What histories are disdained, decided against, then discarded in dark, dingy, smoke-filled back rooms? I’m sure they have a Native American flavor. If you’re looking for reason to make something make sense, you’re going to find it. What was the Tulsa massacre? Hasn’t been highlighted much, has it?
YouTube Tom Hanks’ reaction to learning of it. He’s far more eloquent than I can be on the subject in this forum. What about what America did in the Philippines during the Spanish-American war? What’s that? Exactly. What was Japan doing in China before the war? They really got down to business after Doolittle’s Raid from Shangri-La since they were already practiced in slaughter and oppression. Btw, Doolittle’s Raid was launched from the USS Hornet. Coinkydink? I think not.
Not everyone is dealt the same cards in the game of Clue called Life. Did Colonel Mustard kill Professor Plum in the Conservatory with the lead pipe? Get a clue.
by Sutty Suddeth
Why must we always seek to blame? I’m talking about in the larger sense here. The cause of, the reason for, the motivation to become. Let it be and tell me what you see. It’s a worthwhile academic experiment. The results could give you a clue.
Knowing is half the battle. Does an army not travel on its stomach? Food is the great link among us. Food for thought is only the genesis of it all. Throw in a side of mirth with some au jeux gravy. Are you ready to be wrong?
While considering all this, keep in mind the little-spoken ending to the quote, “Great minds think alike,” is, “fools seldom differ.”
Speaking of foolish, be cautious judging history by today’s prism. You may think it makes you sound woke. It does not. Context matters while being binary oversimplifies.
When you shift your awareness, reality responds. You’re a day late and a dollar more. Yesterday’s price is not today’s. Use this notion to apply urgency. God knows I need a deadline to get s*** done.
You’re in uncharted territory. You are traveling by feel. Connect your feelings to what is in your heart and you will see the light. Some people are not confused; they are just committed to misunderstanding you because it fits their immature awareness. History will teach you that.
Remember that a soul can never be owned, not even your own. Trusting in the unknown, leaves you no choice but to trust your soul.
In the end, I’m asking myself the same question I’ll now ask you: Are you afraid of what can go wrong because of history, or are you afraid of what can go right? It’s interesting the shift in perspective that happens when you look at it that way. I’m just realizing the possibilities.
The year: 1987. The setting: The Rocks of Fripp Island, SC. Sutty first answers the siren call of writing. In the years and publications since, the destination has been Divinely timed, while being Divinely unknown. A reformed Reiki Master of more than a dozen years, an emotional energetic alchemist, as well as a student in various energetic modalities. My favorite Buddha quote is, “Everything in moderation, even moderation.” Visit Home / Chris Suddeth (journoportfolio.com) for more info.
1,000 walkers expected to raise money for access to clean, safe water
Registration is open now for the ninth annual Beaufort County Walk for Water on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal and Sept. 20 at Wright Family Park in Bluffton. An estimated 1,000 walkers are expected to participate, helping raise a record $100,000 to fight the global water crisis.
Registration is open now on the Walk for Water website at walkforwater.com/beaufort. Registration is $25 for adults 18 and older, $10 for youths ages 5–17, and free for children 4 and under. Participants who register by Aug. 13 will get a T-shirt and a $5 discount using the code EARLYBIRD on the registration site.
Beaufort County Walk for Water promotes awareness of the global water crisis and raises money to provide sustainable, safe water around the world. All money raised benefits Water Mission, a nonprofit Christian engineering organization based in Charleston that builds safe water solutions in developing countries and disaster areas.
Participation by Beaufort County residents, businesses and churches makes a life-changing difference for thousands of people in desperate need, according to Nan Krueger, Beaufort County Walk for Water committee leader.
“The money the walk raises lifts up people for generations in communities around the world,” Krueger said. “As little as $50 provides one person ongoing access to safe, clean water, $500 can create latrine sanitation for a community, and about $1,000 can build solar panels for a power source. These are things most of us take for granted but make a transformational difference to those who don’t have them.”
Participants can carry a bucket of water on part of a 3-mile walk to symbolize the burden millions of women and children in developing countries carry daily to collect water that’s often contaminated. That unsafe water has dire consequences: A person dies from waterrelated illness every 37 seconds somewhere in the world, according to Water Mission.
Follow Beaufort County Walk for Water on Facebook and Instagram @Beaufort WalkforWater, and on Twitter #bftwalkfor water. For more information, call (843) 769-7395. For sponsorship information, contact Robert Lasher at (843) 906-8118 or rlasher5519@gmail.com
On Sunday, Aug 3, 2025, cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point will participate in a panel discussion titled, “Digitizing History of Fort Fremont,” at 3 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 1004 11th Street in Port Royal. The public is invited, free of charge.
The panel discussion is sponsored by the Friends of Fort Fremont, the Beaufort County Historical Society, and the Beaufort County Library. James Shinn, Assistant Professor of History at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, will moderate.
military technology in the late 19th century helped shape America’s emergence as a global power following the Spanish-American War.
Fort Fremont was constructed in 1898 for coastal defense of the Port Royal Sound and the Naval Station at Parris Island during the Spanish-American War. It stands today as an artifact of an era that represents national security and homeland defense when the military threat was from modern naval forces of competitor nations.
The Friends of Fort Fremont (FFF) is collaborating with the West Point Department of History Digital History Center (DHC) to develop a historical work of Fort Fremont including digital simulations of Homeland Coastal Defense at Fort Fremont at the turn of the 20th century. The project will apply state of-the-art technology to bring history to life through digital animation of the building and operation of Fort Fremont — information that is currently available only in manuals and textbooks.
West Point cadets will be at Fort Fremont from July 31 through August 5 to conduct an on-site survey and digital mapping, and primary- and secondary-source research. As part of their academic curriculum, they will study Fort Fremont as an example of how geography, international politics, and advanced
Beaufort County purchased 18-acres of the original fort for use as a passive park. The site encompasses mixed hardwood forest with walking trails, a picnic pavilion, remains of historic batteries, and a History Center with a diorama and period artifacts. Fort Fremont is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Fort Fremont Preserve is open to the public free of charge Monday through Sunday from dawn to dusk. The History Center exhibit hall is open Friday through Sunday and staffed by Friends of Fort Fremont volunteers. The Friends also offer docent-led walking tours by appointment.
The Friends of Fort Fremont work with Beaufort County to preserve and promote Fort Fremont’s educational, historical, natural, and cultural resources.
For more information visit www.fortfremont.org
The Coastal Discovery Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, will present Deliberately Unpredictable, a new exhibition by the Art Beyond Tradition Group, from August 25 through November 4. This biennial show features 12 Lowcountry abstract artists working in various media, including painting, collage, encaustic, sculpture, mixed media, and ink. Admission is free.
The public is invited to attend an opening reception on Thursday, September 11, from 5 to 7 pm. A gallery walk with participating artists will take place on Thursday, September 25,at 11 am.
The Coastal Discovery Museum has hosted several exhibitions by the Art Beyond Tradition Group, most recently the 2022 show Interpretations. Formed in 2006, the group was created by a handful of local artists seeking to bring more attention to abstract art in the Lowcountry.
“This show brings together artists who work independently yet share a commitment to experimenting to push the boundaries of the ordinary,” said Elizabeth Greenberg, Director of Exhibitions at the Coastal Discovery Museum.
Participating artists in Deliberately Unpredictable include: Cindy Chiappetta, Arla Wible, Vickie Jourdan, Sharon Licata, Mark Larkin, Margaret Crawford, Jo Dye, Earline Allen, Donna Varner, Joanna Chalson, John Crum, and Linda Tully.
The Museum gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 4:30 pm, and Sunday, 11 am to 4:30 pm. Learn more at www.coastaldiscovery.org
The Coastal Discovery Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is an educational and cultural organization whose mission is to inspire people to care for the Lowcountry. Founded in 1985 and located on Hilton Head Island’s historic Honey Horn grounds, the Museum offers exhibitions, programs, workshops, and events that explore the region’s history, wildlife, culture, art, and environment.
Ialways gain weight in the summer. I guess it's because my event schedule is not as busy, and likely because I'm spending more time on the couch with my sweet kitty Belle, binge watching movies on Netflix. Yep. The couch is most certainly the culprit. I recently decided to get back on track and get rid of those pesky pounds before things totally got out of hand. I love salads, but I'm also a carnivore. I can easily forgo desserts if I can fill up on protein. My challenge was to come up with a selection of healthy and filling salads that included enough protein to be as satisfying as a complete meal. As it turns out, it was easy. This week’s photos are for salads that are beyond delicious and are also simple to throw together. The recipes this week are mostly for the vinaigrettes, chili, condiments, and toppings. You can increase or decrease the salad ingredients to serve one or to serve twenty. We're blessed with the best of the best summer fruits and vegetables in the Lowcountry. Take the time to slice, dice and chop. It's worth it. I promise.
Substitute fried chicken tenders from the deli if you don't feel like cooking.
For the vinaigrette:
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon sugar
Place all ingredients in a small jar and shake to mix. Set aside until ready to serve.
For the tzatziki sauce:
Greek yogurt
English cucumber
Dried dill weed
Place yogurt in a bowl. Peel cucumber, remove seeds and dice into small pieces. Fold cucumber into the yogurt. Season to taste with dill weed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Store leftover tzatziki in the refrigerator for up with 5 days.
For the salad:
Chicken breast tenders
Green leaf lettuce, chopped or torn
English cucumber, sliced
Grape tomatoes, sliced
Red onion, thinly sliced
Kalamata olives
Pepperoncini peppers, sliced
Capers, drained
Feta cheese, crumbled
Cut chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces. Heat a skillet over mediumhigh heat and add a couple of tablespoons of the vinaigrette to the pan. Saute chicken pieces until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Season with salt and pepper. Place salad greens on a plate; dress lightly with prepared vinaigrette. Top with sliced cucumber, grape tomatoes, and red onion. Add chicken pieces, olives, peppers, capers, and feta cheese. Serve with tzatziki sauce on the side.
Grill the peaches (halved, skin on, pit removed) while you're cooking the meat.
Peaches cook quickly and are delicious
served warm or cold.
For the beef:
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ cup olive oil
1 (2 to 3-pound) London broil or flank steak
Combine balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and spices. Whisk in olive oil. Place meat in a gallon-sized zip-lock bag. Pour
marinade over meat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 12 to 48 hours. (The longer the meat marinates, the more tender it will be.) To cook, remove the meat from the marinade and let it come to room temperature. Preheat grill to high heat. Turn the grill down to medium high or let coals cool down before you put the meat on. Turn the meat about every 6 minutes. (Cooking time will depend on how hot the grill is and the size of your meat. The meat will continue to cook as it rests so it’s best to remove it from the grill when it’s a bit underdone.) When the meat reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees, remove from the grill, and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Cut meat into thin slices across the grain.
For the salad:
Green leaf lettuce, chopped Grilled peaches, sliced Grape tomatoes, quartered lengthwise Red onion, diced Bacon, cooked and crumbled Strawberries, sliced Blueberries
Sliced almonds, toasted Bottled balsamic dressing
By Debbi
I love this vinaigrette! Besides being super easy to make, it's fabulous on fruit salads. For the vinaigrette:
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
Place lettuce on a plate. Add grilled slices of steak. Top with grilled peaches, tomatoes, red onion, bacon, strawberries, and blueberries. Garnish with sliced almonds. Dress with bottled balsamic vinaigrette.
LADY'S ISLAND SHRIMP SALAD WITH BROWN SUGAR VINAIGRETTE
2/3 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Place all ingredients in a clean jar and shake to mix. Shake again just before serving. Store leftover vinaigrette in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
For the salad:
Shrimp, peeled and deveined
Green leaf lettuce, chopped Red onion, thinly sliced Bacon, cooked and crumbled
Boiled egg, sliced
Grape tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
Gouda cheese, shredded Grill, sauté, or boil shrimp; season with salt and pepper. Place salad greens on a plate. Top with Warm shrimp, red onion, bacon, boiled egg, grape tomatoes, and shredded cheese.
Dress with brown sugar vinaigrette.
may be reached at 843-525-0350 or by email at dbc@ cateringbydebbicovington.com
Atip of my trowel to Carol Hyde at the Port Royal Farmer’s Market for suggesting this topic. The first underused plant is one she sold me and it has become one of new favorite plants in my garden as well as the community Butterfly Garden that I maintain. That new favorite plant is Rue or Ruta graviolens. It seems that Rue is a plant that has a unique history. It has been used as a culinary plant as well as a traditional medicinal herb. Although I have never nibbled any, it is supposed to have a strong bitter taste. Despite this, I found that this spring the Swallowtail caterpillars loved it. They were all over my plant with the result that I have many swallowtail butterflies in my garden. In some cultures, Rue is associated with warding off evil. It can also be a symbol of regret, as in to “rue” doing something.
In appearance, Rue is a perennial herb with blueish green feathery foliage. Mine starting blooming in the early spring with tiny yellow flowers in clusters. Since it is native to the Mediterranean area, it does not seem to require a good deal of irrigation. And best of all for us- it is deer resistant.
Another underused and deer-resistant plant is Rattlesnake Master ( Eryngium yuccifolium). Despite the rather scary name, this plant is native to our region as well as much of midwestern and eastern North America. It is all the rage in Europe and yet rarely seen here. It has spiky yucca like leaves and the flowers are round white balls on the top of a long strong stem. No drooping for this plant. There was a misconception on the part of early pioneers that Native Americans used this plant as an antidote for rattlesnake bite, hence the common name. The flowers last for a very long time and dry nicely on the stalk for fall and winter interest. I had to order my plants online, but they do spread on their own so one purchase will ultimately provide many plants.
I have always liked one of the oldest known perennials, Tradescantia or spiderwort. This unassuming little plant was named after the Tradescants, a father and son both called John. The Tradescants were plant hunters, botanists, and royal gardeners in 17th century England and John Tradescant the Younger collected this plant in Virginia and introduced it to Europe. It is native to North America and has the most vivid small blue flowers. I have grown it in Massachusetts, Ohio, and South Carolina and it flourishes in the dry shade, the most difficult of growing conditions. With our heat, I did not think that it would thrive here, but it seems happy
enough. I have also seen it growing profusely in the Garden Museum gardens in Lambeth, London. Ironically, the Garden Museum is in an old Church and the Tradescants are buried in the churchyard along with Captain William Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty fame. It is well worth a visit if you are in London and are interested in the history of gardening. The setting along the Thames is spectacular and of course, there is a pub on a boat anchored nearby.
My last underused plant is an annual herb –Thai basil. It will not winter over, but it will give you so much in its growing season that you must forgive its brief life. Readily available at big box stores and garden centers, this herb grows quickly to a large nearly shrub-like plant. It has purple edged dark green leaves and, best of all, is covered by purple clover like flowers. The bees absolutely adore the blossoms and I can hear them buzzing even before I see the plant in my jungle of a garden. Thai basil is used in Asian cooking, but I grow it strictly for the pollinators. It
By Wendy Hilty
can be easily propagated by taking cuttings and putting them in water. In a matter of days, the cuttings root and you will have new plants. You can also keep it alive in the winter by taking cuttings and putting new plants on a sunny windowsill.
These four plants are musts in any garden. You may have to search a bit to find a few of them, but it is well worth it.
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 will be a book launch event for Brian Thiem’s new novel The Mudflats Murder Club on Friday, August 1 from 4-6pm at the SOBA Schoolhouse, 8 Church Street in Old Town Bluffton. The public is invited to come meet the author. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided.
The Mudflats Murder Club is the first book in the Mudflats Murder Club series.
Thiem is also the author of the Detective Matt Sinclair Mystery series, which includes Red Line, Thrill Kill, and Shallow Grave.
Former homicide detective and recently widowed Sean Tanner has settled into Spartina Island’s private retirement community, hoping to find solace after his wife’s death in their chosen paradise. He soon finds himself drawn into the Mudflats Murder Club, an enthusiastic group of retired detectives, prosecutors, and forensic experts who are engrossed in solving the 38-year-old unsolved murder of Theresa Goldberg.
But the quiet of the community is shattered when Sean’s neighbor, Nancy Russo, is found dead in her home. Ignited by the crime, the club jumps into the fray, much to the annoyance of Sergeant Charlotte “Charlie” Nash, the lead detective spearheading the murder investigation. When Sean and his cohorts uncover a shocking connection between Nancy’s murder and their long-standing cold case, everything they thought they knew goes up in flames.
Amidst rising tensions and thrilling discoveries, Sean and Charlie must confront their doubts about each other – and acknowledge their reliance on the team – to outsmart a killer who’s closer than they ever imagined.
USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan calls Thiem’s new book,
“Totally charming and completely relatable,” saying, “I’m dubbing it Only Murders in the Mudflats! What a winner!”
In his previous life, Brian Thiem spent 25 years with the Oakland Police Department, much of it working Homicide, and retired as a lieutenant. He’s also an Iraq War veteran, retiring from the Army as a lieutenant colonel after 28 years of active and reserve service. He holds an MFA in creative writing and is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Island Writers Network.
Brian lives with his wife, yellow Lab, and Tonkinese cat in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where he’s also a member of the sheriff department’s Cold Case Team, consisting of retired law enforcement professionals from around the nation who examine unsolved murders.
For more information, visit www.brianthiem.com
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center’s monthly Open Mic Night will be held at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St.) on Thursday, August 14, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The featured novelist will be Michael Spake, author of Life Close to the Bone. Open Mic will also feature short readings of 3 to 5 minutes each by local writers in many genres.
The program is free to attend and will be live-streamed on the Conroy Center’s Facebook page. Writers interested in reading from their work during Open Mic should contact the Conroy Center in advance to sign up: contact@patconroyliterarycenter.org
Michael Spake is the author of Life Close to the Bone, his debut novel exploring the intricate layers of the past and the challenge of connecting them to the present. Inspired by his experience playing junior tennis in South Carolina and his career as a healthcare attorney, the novel delves into themes of memory, heritage, and personal transformation. Michael has published short stories in Well Read Magazine’s Best of 2023 and 2024, capturing the culture and history of his hometown, Anderson, SC. Michael graduated from The Citadel in 1994 where he received the Granville T. Prior Award for his exploration of Christian Mysticism in the works of T.S. Eliot. Michael lives in Lakeland, Florida with his wife Mary Lucia Spake. Together they have four children: Henry, Mary Clare, Kathryn, and Vivian.
“In Life Close to the Bone, debut novelist Michael Spake skillfully explores the complexity of the past and the impossibility of ever escaping its impact on the present. As protagonist John Greenburn, a former tennis star turned pharmaceutical ethics attorney, struggles to uncover the potential danger of a new drug, he is drawn back into a past that threatens to undermine all he’s worked to achieve. Despite his reluctance to revisit old traumas, John’s only hope for redemption is to face headlong the long-buried demons he has yet to acknowledge. Ultimately, John’s journey in connecting the past to the present belongs to all of us.” – Cassandra King, author of Tell Me a Story: My Life with Pat Conroy
To learn more about the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center, please visit www. patconroyliterarycenter.org
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.
FOR RENT ON FRIPP 371 Speckled Trout Rd, Charming coastal retreat! Enjoy serene water views, mod -
ern amenities, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living, and quick access to fishing, beaches, and local dining. $3,500/mo. Call Diana Lopez at 276-6851260. Relaxation awaits!
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 - Holiday Inn, 2225 Boundary St. 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
FREE VESSEL SAFETY CHECK by local members of the America's Boating Club of Beaufort. If your boat passes, you will receive a VSC decal to mount on your boat that will be visible to other boaters and maritime law enforcement personnel. Contact safety@beaufortboatingclub.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to staff The Lending Room, 954 Ribaut Rd across from Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Help us receive donations of gently used medical equipment and distribute them to those in need. We need to staff our showroom M-F 9:30-3:30 and Sat. AM. Shifts only 3 hours long. No experience is required but a familiarity with commonly used medical equipment helpful. Training will be provided. If you are looking for a rewarding volunteer job, learn about TLR and find volunteer application forms at lendingroombft.com or call Barbara at 314-660-4233.
LOCO SCRIBBLERS 3:00 5:00 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Are you a scribbler (professional or hobby writer)? Check out our small, informal Beaufort area writers club. All skill and subject levels welcome: fiction, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and memoirs. Free. Call or email for more info and meeting location in Port Royal: beaufdick@gmail.com or 843-322-0616.
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 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 Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for military lounge at the Savanna/Hilton Head Airport operated by a cadre of volunteers. The former USO Lounge is now “Savanna Salutes,” and continues to provide a respite for travelling active duty, retired and reserve military, veterans and families. We need 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 for each shift. Interested in volunteering? Info and application forms are at the www.savannahsalutes.org or call John Findeis at (912) 507-4848. The airport provides free parking.
VETERANS FIRST THRIFT STORE is in need of volunteers. Summer hours are Thursday thru Saturday10am-4pm. 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 meditation experience needed. 843-489-8525.
HABITAT RESTORE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS We're looking for volunteers. Cashiers, sales floor associates, donation processing, donor data entry, and donor ambassadors. Visit lowcountryhabitat.org/volunteer or call 843-525-0055.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Calhoun Station Thrift Store in Bluffton. All funds generated are returned to other nonprofits in the community. Open Wed & Sat 10am to 1pm at 77 Pritchard St. Volunteers can stop by 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're 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 – Running through July, the Fort Fremont History Center will expand operating hours to Thursdays from 1 to 4 pm, Fridays from 1 to 4 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm, and Sundays from 1 to 4 pm. No admission fee. Docent-led tours are available by request. The Fort Fremont Preserve is open from dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday. A self-guided walking tour is available for smartphones from the Apple or Google Play stores. For more information or to download the app, visit www.fortfremont.org
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 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.
CRESCENT HOSPICE SUPPORT GROUP: Last Wed. and Thurs. of the month. Weds. 10-11am at Sun City; Thurs. 12-1pm 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, 843689-3616 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 stages - Mondays 1pm, Respite Programs: Social Day Program- 10am-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, 1011:30am, $10/person, $15 couple, Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; Memory Screenings available call 843-521-9190 or make an appointment, 1500 King St., Beaufort, free; Purple Haven Project - Educate local staff's 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 items to ANYONE in need. Open Tuesdays 9am12pm at 114 Beach City Rd., Hilton Head. Donations of food and funds needed. For info: Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson at 843-715-3583 or 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 Graduation Days. Closed 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) 5211888 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 Phillys; Karaoke Wed, Fri & Sat10pm. Daily Lunch Specials. (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
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. 7/30 Grammy winning vocalist Quiana Parler with The Lavon Stevens Trio, 8/1 & 8/2 Benny Benack III, 8/6 Bobby Ryder, 8/8 & 8/9 Kenneth Mason with Kevin Bales and Quentin Baxter, 8/13 7/30 Grammy winning vocalist Quiana Parler with The Lavon Stevens Trio, 8/15 & 8/16 The Billy Thornton Trio. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com
The Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. 7/31 Pony Bradshaw; Zach Russell, 8/1 80s & 90s R & B Hip Hop Party, 8/2 Lovesong: The Cure Tribute; First Wave, 8/7 Metal Night, 8/8 Johnny Delaware; Tounds, 8/9 Disciple of the Garden, 8/10 Barrington Levy; Operation Irie, 8/14 Attack Attack!; Savage Hands; Versus Me, 8/15 Anime Rave, 8/16 It's a 2000s Party, 8/17 Emo Nite. (843) 853-2252 or www.musicfarm.com
The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. 8/30 Jacoozy, 8/1 & 8/2 Dumpstaphunk; Magnolia Boulevard, 8/6 Grateful Dub; Roots of Creation, 8/7 Fireside Collective, 8/8 The Reckoning - early Dead, 8/9 Sea Island Full Moon Revue, 8/14 Duwayne Motley; Arthur Brothers, 8/15 Thurston Howell, 8/16 Old Mervs; Colors of Corduroy. (843) 571-4343 or www. charlestonpourhouse.com
Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms. 7/31 Superfine, 8/1 Departure - Journey tribute, 8/2 Easy
Honey; Freddie McClendon, 8/5 & 8/6 Drive-By Truckers; Deer Tick, 8/7 Groove Kitty, 8/8 Ward Jammer 5, 8/9 & 8/10 Rumors ATL - Fleetwood Mac tribute, 8/13 Bumpin' Uglies; Kash'd Out, 8/14 Chris Lane, 8/15 The Hang on Hazelnut Isle 2025, 8/15 Drivin' 'n' Cryin', 8/16 Sister Hazel, 8/17 Cowboy Mouth. (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 – 8/10, Flight-n-Fancy, exhibit of featured artist Janet Urbanic at SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. www.sobagallery.com
Now – 8/17, Wild Bees Photography Exhibit, featuring work by Paula Sharp and Ross Eatman at the Coastal Discovery Museum. For more info, visit www.coastaldiscovery.org
Now – 8/22, Two Points of View, featuring photography by William Bosley and oil paintings by Murray Sease. Art League Gallery on Hilton Head. www.artleagueHHI.org
Now – 8/30, Beth Stern’s ‘Reflections’ is the featured exhibit at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery in downtown Beaufort. www.beaufortartassociation.com
8/3 – 8/30, Everyday Life on Hilton Head featuring the work of Nancy Huson at The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Opening reception from 3 - 5 pm on 8/7. www.sobagallery.com
Tues 8/5, Fripp Island Artist Guild Meeting from 7-8:30 pm at the Fripp Island Community Center or on Zoom. Celebrated Lowcountry artist Mary Segars will be the featured speaker. To learn more about her work, visit www.marysegars.com Open to the public. RSVP required. Contact joan@4rentonfripp.com
8/25 – 11/4, Deliberately Unpredictable, a new exhibition by the Art Beyond Tradition Group at the Coastal Discovery Museum. Opening Reception on Thur 9/11, from 5 to 7 pm. Gallery walk with participating artists Thur, 9/25, at 11 am. Admission is free. www.coastaldiscovery.org
Thur 8/14, Pat Conroy Literary Center’s monthly Open Mic Night will be held at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St.) from 6-7:30 pm. Free to attend and livestreamed on Facebook. Featured novelist, Michael Spake (Life Close to the Bone.) Also featuring short readings by local writers in many genres. Writers interested in reading from their work should contact the Conroy Center in advance to sign up: contact@patconroyliterarycenter.org
Tues 8/5, Martin Lesch Band will perform a FREE concert beginning at 7:30 pm, at Lowcountry Celebration Park at Coligny, Hilton Head Island. Sponsored by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra.
Sun 8/3, “Digitizing History of Fort Fremont,” at 3 pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 1004 11th Street in Port Royal. Panel discussion sponsored by the Friends of Fort Fremont, the Beaufort County Historical Society, and the Beaufort County Library. James Shinn, Assistant Professor of History at the USCB will moderate. www.fortfremont.org
Thursdays 8/7-9/4, The Beaufort Chapter of America's Boating Club offers a basic boating course for all boaters on five consecutive Thursdays evenings from 6:15 to 8:30. First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, at 1201 North Street. $50 for the first family member, $15 for each additional member. Contact: education@ Beaufortboatingclub.com
Tuesdays, Tours of Hunting Island sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team.
- Sunday 11am-4pm
Thru August 30
For info call the Nature Center at 843-838-7437. Tours free are and park entry fees apply.
2nd Tuesdays - Most Months at 6pm, Beaufort Chapter of America’s Boating Club Monthly Meeting, at various Beaufort/Port Royal venues. Meetings begin with a Social, followed by Dinner and may include an guest speaker. For info or educational opportunities, contact Paul Gorsuch: admino@beaufortboatingclub.com Boat ownership not required, but a passion for safe boating is mandatory.
First Saturday of the Month, Teddy Bear Picnic ReadAloud at Port Royal Farmers Market. DAYLO students 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 5:307:30pm. 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. Booklets with a map and tree info available FREE at the Beaufort Visitors Center.
