Friends of Waccamaw Library Newsletter: Your bi-monthly newsletter is here!

What's happening on the Waccamaw Neck ~ compliments of the Friends of Waccamaw Library!

FOWL Community Connector

April 15, 2017

The Friends of Waccamaw Library's bi-monthly digital newsletter aims to let you know what's happening on the Waccamaw Neck and Georgetown (farther afield if it's library-related). This e-communication supplements the hard copy newsletter mailed quarterly and is sent to all Friends (whose e-dresses we have) and to all who ask to be added to the Constant Contact list.

In addition to the programming developed by the library system and the Friends (in red), we will cover other opportunities for quality experiences, education and entertainment. The information is organized by date, so scroll down to the date you are seeking. If you are part of a group or organization with news to share, we welcome your announcement. Keep it short; just the facts. We cannot reproduce an elaborate pdf with graphics and photos. The key information needed includes: Title of event, Where held, When (date and time), BRIEF description, Benefit for (if applicable), Cost (if any), Contact (phone and email), Website (for more information).

To be added to the e-mail list or to submit an announcement, please send your information directly to the e-newsletter editor Linda Ketron at: linda@classatpawleys.com.

www.thefowl.org

Visit Our Website

Kids & Families at Waccamaw Library - all programs free.

Manners Club is held the first Saturday each month, providing basic etiquette and manners training in a fun and exciting environment for children 4-10 years old. Contact Connie Graham (Ms. Manners) at PawleysIslandMannersClub@gmail.com.
Game on! We play a wide variety of family friendly board and card games at every branch, and always have a great time. Waccamaw Game Night, Tuesdays, 5:30-8:30 PM, free, ddennis@gtcounty.org.
Art with the Myrtle Beach Art Museum. Ages 7 and up, 1st Wednesday each month, 3-4 PM.
Canine Angels. Reading has gone to the dogs! Check out this link to see the benefits to children of reading to attentive pooches: www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/186708. All ages, 2nd & 4th Wednesday each month, 3-4 PM.
LEGO Free Build. All ages, Fridays after school.
Minecraft Club. Come share the worlds you've created! All ages, Fridays after school.

Adults at Waccamaw Library - most programs are free, although some require membership. Contact sbremner@gtcounty.org.

Tidelands Camera Club meets on the first Monday each month, 9-11 AM.
Technology Club meets on the second Monday each month at 9:30 AM to discuss advances.
Waccamaw Genealogy Club meets on the third Monday each month, 9-11:30 AM.
Knitting Group meets Mondays, 1-3 PM to knit and crochet with company and share patterns and techniques. Contact Carol Davison at caroldavisonk2tog@yahoo.com.
Mah Jongg Club meets Tuesdays, 1-3 PM, bring your set and current card.
iPad Club meets on the first Friday each month, 9-10 AM.
Mac Club meet on the first Friday each month, 10-11 AM.

April Artist at the Waccamaw Library: Nancy Bracken.

All of Nancy Bracken's tranquil watercolor paintings of "Beaches and Trees" on exhibit through April are for sale through the Friends Center. Each is $200, and Nancy is donating all of the proceeds to FOWL (Friends of Waccamaw Library). Moving to the beautiful Lowcountry of South Carolina over twenty years ago gave Bracken the opportunity to develop her skills and passion as an artist. She began her studies with Bruce Chandler, learning watercolor and collage techniques for depicting the beauty of the ocean, marsh and nature. Her training included many workshops and classes locally and abroad. She is a member of the South Carolina Watercolor Society, Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild, and Georgetown Watercolor Society. She enjoys painting with other artists, friends and groups. Her artwork is available at Art Works, Gray Man Gallery and Waterfront Books in Georgetown. Her paintings have been featured in exhibits at the Rice Museum in Georgetown, as well as in other galleries and shows. Bracken's artwork is often purchased by those who wish to take a memento of the Lowcountry home with them. She enjoys knowing that her beach inspired artwork serves as a reminder of good times and beautiful vistas.

April Photographer at the Waccamaw Library: David Fattaleh

Hailing from a family-owned photofinishing business, David Fattaleh has been in photography most of his life. He started his photographic career as a wedding, portrait, and school photographer. His career expanded when he was hired as the Photography Manager for the West Virginia Division of Tourism. There he had the privilege of photographing beautiful landscapes, wildlife, natural wonders, state parks, and historical areas of West Virginia. David's photographic career, in West Virginia, also included being part of the photographic team for the Governor's Office. As a freelance photographer, his clientele included hospitals, local businesses, national and local magazine publishers, industrial and commercial photography. David's work has been shown in many publications, such as: Time-Life Books, Newsweek, National Geographic Adventure, Louisville Magazine, Huntington Quarterly Magazine, Marshall Magazine, Wonderful West Virginia Magazine, and others throughout the US and abroad. He has taught photography classes and workshops at West Virginia state parks and at the Huntington Museum of Art. He has conducted presentations at local high schools, photography clubs, city and state conventions, and business luncheons. He retired from his WV career in 2009, and now resides in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. A member of the Carolina Nature Photographers Association (CNPA) and the Tidelands Photography Club, David also teaches an Advanced Photography class for Coastal Carolina University at the OLLI-Litchfield campus. To view more works by David check out his website at www.davidfattaleh.com. For more information about the photography displayed at the Waccamaw Library, email sbremner@gtcounty.org.

Volunteers Needed for Library Landscaping
Our beautiful library is in need of volunteers to help keep it looking great! Unfortunately, budget constraints have made it impossible for Georgetown County to keep up the library landscaping, so FOWL is stepping up to fill the gap. If you have a green thumb and a big heart, please consider donating your time and experience to help FOWL make the front area of the new Waccamaw Neck Branch Library eye-pleasing and welcoming. A few friends, a little bit of exercise, and a couple of hours a week in the fresh air will lead to a huge improvement in the appearance of our Library. And, don't worry about taking on a huge project - we will divide the area up into different sections so you will NOT be responsible for maintaining the entire front! If you would like to help with this important and rewarding task, please email Diane Stern at d.stern26@gmail.com. Your participation will be greatly appreciated!

Monday, April 17

4:30 PM - The Grand Strand Camellia Society will meet at the Waccmaw Library. Topics for this meeting will be Camellia propagation methods. Visitors & guests always welcome, 843.995.1256.

Tuesday, April 18

9-11 AM - Carolina Nature Photographers Association Open House at the Waccamaw Library (41 St. Paul Place, Pawleys Island). Meet the CNPA's new coordinators/advisors David Fattaleh, Anne Malarich, Bill Barber, Phil Duwel and Deb Duwel for a discussion on future outings and regional goals. Featured presenter David Fattaleh will address "Creative Lighting and Nature." This event is free and open to the interested public. Future meeting dates at the Waccamaw Library are June 20, Aug. 22, Oct. 24 and a December holiday dinner to be announced. For more information, contact CNPA.org or duwelphotography@earthlink.com.

1:30-4:30 PM - Friendfield Village Tour. Introductory Tours pass through this African American village, once home to 100 slaves and lived in by black employees until 1952. This extended tour of Friendfield carries participants by bus, but allows a stop to walk through cabins and the 19th century church. $20 per person. Reservations required. 843.546.4623 or HobcawBarony.org.

Wednesday, April 19

10:30 AM-1 PM - Cane Pole Fishing at Hobcaw Barony. Fish the old fashioned way! Catch and release fish at the ponds of Hobcaw Barony. Cane pole and bait provided for each participant. Please remember to bring sunscreen, water and snacks. $20 per person. Reservations are required, 843.546.4623 or HobcawBarony.org.

1 PM - Brookgreen Gardens Gullah Program in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. Ron Daise, Vice-president for Creative Education and Gullah descendant, will present an entertaining and informative program about the culture, food, language, and history of the Gullah Geechee people. Also offered April 26. Free with garden admission, 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

Thursday, April 20

1:30-4:30 PM - Behind the Scenes Tour. Expanded tour of the property offers opportunities to see and experience more than Introductory Tour. Includes stops at the North Inlet salt marsh, the grounds of Bellefield Plantation, Friendfield Village, and the main floor of Hobcaw House. $30 per person. 843.546.4623 or HobcawBarony.org.

6:30 PM - Exploring Religious Cultures, a 6-month series sponsored by FOWL and the Waccamaw Library, presents K. C. Patel on "Hinduism: History of Culture, Beginnings and Spirituality" at the Waccamaw Library. This series will run through September, featuring scholars and lecturers presenting the diversities of cultures and spiritualities. Following each presentation, a question and answer session will be encouraged. Look to the bi-monthly connector and website for further dates and times of these lectures, the scholars and title. For more information, sbremner@gtcounty.org.

Friday, April 21

11 AM-1 PM - The Moveable Feast: Julie James (The Thing About Love) at Inlet Affairs. The New York Times bestselling author of Suddenly One Summer blows the covers of two FBI agents who can't hide who they are from each other. FBI agents Jessica Harlow and John Shepherd have a past. The former lawyer and cocky Army Ranger clashed during their training at Quantico and gladly went their separate ways after graduating from the Academy. Six years later, the last thing either of them expects is to be assigned to work as partners in a high-profile undercover sting. $30, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.

1:30-4 PM - Earth Day Open House co-sponsored by Baruch Foundation and the North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve & Foundation at the Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center. This event will feature various research and education activities at Hobcaw Barony. Visit NorthInlet.sc.edu and HobcawBarony.org and our Facebook pages for more details to come! Free, 843.904.9016.

Saturday, April 22

10 AM-Noon - Earth Day Bike to the Boardwalk hosted by North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve. Bike through Hobcaw's forest to the Reserve's beautiful salt marsh boardwalk on North Inlet estuary. Travel 5 miles (roundtrip) on gravel roads through Hobcaw Barony's pristine property. Upland forest habitats, wildlife, research and salt marsh ecology will be discussed during the trip. Bring your own bike (all terrain tires recommended), helmet, water, snack, camera/binoculars (if desired). Free, 843.904.9016.

10 AM-Noon - River Walk and Paddle for the Waccamaw River. Come celebrate the important work being done on the Waccamaw River to protect our rivers and waterways and learn about your watershed. A fun family event for all ages! This Earth Day show your appreciation for the countless number of researchers and professionals, local residents, and river enthusiasts who have dedicated their time to our river by walking with us along the River walk or paddling alongside it on the Waccamaw River. Free paddle boats. First come, first served. Public Parking at 110 Main Street & Laurel Street (across from the Warehouse). Starts on the Conway River Walk and ends at the Conway Marina, 4 Elm Street. Info at WinyahRivers.org.

11 AM-3 PM - Coastal Carolina Mustang Club Cruise-In at Palmetto Ace Home Center (8317 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island). Everyone is invited to bring their car, truck or motorcycle to this event to show it off. Top 5 winners and 50/50 raffle will be awarded. Free, 843.235.3555 or palmettoace.com.

Noon - Exploring Religious Cultures, a 6-month series sponsored by FOWL and the Waccamaw Library, presents Dr. Nils Rauhut from the Jackson Family Institute at Coastal Carolina University on "Socrates & Religion" at the Waccamaw Library. This series will run through September, featuring scholars and lecturers presenting the diversities of cultures and spiritualities. Following each presentation, a question and answer session will be encouraged. Look to the bi-monthly connector and website for further dates and times of these lectures, the scholars and title. For more information, sbremner@gtcounty.org.

1 PM - The Horry County Museum and the AVX Foundation present a lecture by Dr. Jim Luken on the Venus flytrap, known worldwide as a carnivorous plant catching prey with unique snap traps. However, few people know that the Venus flytrap is native to Horry County and that one of the last remaining refuges of the plant occurs here also. This talk will cover some fascinating aspects of the species as well as current efforts to conserve remaining populations. Dr. Luken is Associate Provost of Graduate Studies and Professor of Biology at Coastal Carolina University. He has studied local populations of the Venus flytrap during the last 15 years and is broadly involved in efforts to rescue and preserve rare endemic plant species in Horry County and beyond. Sat., 1 PM, free and open to the public, 843.915.5320 or hcgmuseum@horrycounty.org.

Sunday, April 23

9:45 AM-3 PM - 26th Annual Spring Tide - A Day for the Inlet. Twenty-five years and going strong, Spring Tide is South Carolina's biggest and longest-running one-day community clean-up. Join in to clean up the creek and streets of Murrells Inlet. The day begins with an invocation at 9:45 AM at Morse Park Landing (next to the Hot Fish Club). Volunteers check in at the Hot Fish Club to receive street assignments for clean-up. Workers head out at 10 AM to start picking up the trash. Everyone is invited back to the Hot Fish Club at 1 PM for the "Best Damn Chowder Cook-off," light-hearted festivities and live music to celebrate our hard work. More than 15 restaurant chowders will be available and the chowder is free to all our workers. Bring your boats, boots, bug spray, glove and your love of the Inlet. Free, 843.357.2007 or MurrellsInletSC.com.

4:30 PM - Sculpture Talk at Brookgreen Gardens. Hear sculptor, Heidi Wastweet talk about her design for the 2017 Brookgreen Medal in the Welcome Center Conference Room. Free with garden admission, 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

Monday, April 24

8:30 AM-6 PM - Road Trip to ArtFields hosted by the Burroughs & Chapin Art Museum. ArtFields is a unique 10-day (April 21-29) Southern art fest in the historic community of Lake City, SC. More than 400 masterpieces will be displayed in locally-owned venues, from renovated warehouses from the 1920s to Smithsonian-qualified art galleries to upscale restaurants and start-up boutiques, in a mutual celebration of art and community. Reservations by April 19, $60 members, $65 non-members, 843.238.2510.

10 AM-1 PM - Yachting with The Baruchs. Imagine you are a guest of the Baruch Family as you cruise Winyah Bay aboard Captain Rod's Lady Franada. Staff and volunteers have examined the history of the '30s and '40s and provide interpretation. Learn about Baruch's construction of Hobcaw House in 1930, Winston Churchill's arrival by yacht in 1932, the effect of the Great Depression on Georgetown's port, lumber yards and agriculture. Celebrate President Roosevelt's month-long visit in April of 1944 and learn of his fishing, the presence of the US military in our area and the officers and cabinet members who arrived in secrecy during a tumultuous time in US history. Guests will drive their own cars from the front gate to Hobcaw House (4 miles on a dirt road). $50 per person, reservations required. 843.546.4623 or HobcawBarony.org.

Tuesday, April 25

1:30-3:30 PM - Bellefield Plantation Tour. This program feature the permanent home of Belle Baruch, daughter of Bernard and Anne Baruch. As the house stands empty and awaits restoration, these tours provide a peek inside the home, as well as a chance to walk the grounds, see the stables, kennels, garage and gardens of a once stately home. $20 per person, reservations required. 843.546.4623 or HobcawBarony.org.

6 PM - Literary Discussion at the Author's Table featuring Dr. John Charles Williamson leading an interactive discussion of Colson Whitehead's 2016 National Book Award winning novel, The Underground Railroad. The Oprah Book Club selection tells the story of two slaves from Georgia, Cora and Caesar, as they escape to freedom following the Underground Railroad. Their first stop is in South Carolina, in a city that initially seems like a haven. Mr. Ridgeway, the relentless slave catcher, is on their heels as they try to escape. The story continues as they follow the Underground Railroad state by state, seeking true freedom. Williamson received his Ph.D. in American literature from the University of Virginia and has published numerous scholarly articles on African American literature and culture, including the monograph Abandoning the Black Hero: Sympathy and Privacy in the Postwar African American White-Life Novel (Rutgers UP 2013). To reserve a seat or for more information, email sbremner@gtcounty.org.

Wednesday, April 26

1 PM - Brookgreen Gardens Gullah Program in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. See April 19 entry for details. Also offered May 3, 10, 17 & 24. Free with garden admission, 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

Thursday, April 27

1:30-4:30 PM - Behind the Scenes Tour. Expanded tour of the property offers opportunities to see and experience more than Introductory Tour. Includes stops at the North Inlet salt marsh, the grounds of Bellefield Plantation, Friendfield Village, and the main floor of Hobcaw House. $30 per person, 843.546.4623 or HobcawBarony.org.

4 PM - Exploring Religious Cultures, a 6-month series sponsored by FOWL and the Waccamaw Library, presents Samih Baalbaki from Coastal Carolina University's OLLI program on "Basic Principles of Islam" at the Waccamaw Library. This series will run through September, featuring scholars and lecturers presenting the diversities of cultures and spiritualities. Following each presentation, a question and answer session will be encouraged. Look to the bi-monthly connector and website for further dates and times of these lectures, the scholars and title. For more information, sbremner@gtcounty.org.

7 PM - 9th Annual Celebration of Poetry at the Waccamaw Library. Come hear selections from the best teen poets on the beach! This glittering evening is the culmination of the Waccamaw Friends of the Library Poetry Contest - a panel will select five winners on site. Free and open to the public, sbremner@gtcounty.org.

Friday, April 28

11 AM-1 PM - The Moveable Feast: Kristy Woodson Harvey (Slightly South of Simple) at Myrtle Beach Marriott, Grande Dunes. From the next "major voice in Southern fiction" (New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand) comes the first in an all-new series chronicling the journeys of three sisters and their mother - and a secret from their past that has the potential to tear them apart and reshape their very definition of what it means to be a family. $30, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.

Noon-3 PM - Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art presents the fourth annual Low Country Garden Party at Chicora Wood Plantation in Plantersville, featuring a gem dig (combined values of $10,000!), live painting, a raffle, live auction and more. Proceeds to benefit the Kathryn Bryan Metts Scholarship Fund. Dress plantation casual (flats & hats encouraged). Reservations required, $85, 843.626.8911 or PawleysMusic.com.

6:30 PM - Total Solar Eclipse Program at the Waccamaw Library

with Astronomer Kevin Manning explaining how solar eclipses are formed, the phenomenon behind them, and the total solar eclipse coming our way on August 21, 2017. A gifted astronomer, Manning has worked as a consultant with NASA, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory launched on the space shuttle with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and other ground-based observatories. Manning won national and international awards in his field, was both a Wright Fellow and an Einstein Fellow, and did work with Brookhaven National Laboratory. Besides the numerous workshops he's presented over the years at libraries, observatories, and science centers, he has also wowed audiences at Tufts University, State University of New York at Stony Brook, the National Science Teachers Association's National Convention, American Association for the Advancement of Science Breakfast with Scientists, and the National Parks Service. Free and open to the public. For more information or to reserve a seat, email sbremner@gtcounty.org.

Saturday, April 29

10 AM-6 PM - Spring Into Art: Art Under the Oaks at the Litchfield Market Village, next to Eggs Up Grill, to benefit Tara Hall Home for Boys. Art, photography, jewelry, entertainment, music, food, silent auction and more! Bring the whole family, something for everyone. Rain date, Sunday, April 30. To see some of the artists and artwork featured: https://www.facebook.com/seasideframing. For more information, 843.314.0255.

10 AM-Noon - Kaminski House Museum welcomes some furry friends from Saint Frances Animal Shelter joining us on the lawn to promote Palmetto Giving Day. Come out to the lawn and make donations to the Friends of the Kaminski House and the Saint Frances Animal Shelter. Free (though donations welcome to both nonprofits!) and open to the public, 843.546.7706 or KaminskiMuseum.org.

6 PM - Bird Songs - Nashville Songwriters in the Round event to

benefit the Avian Conservation Center/Center for Birds of Prey in Awendaw. The program will feature some of Nashville's most popular songwriters performing in the spirit of the famous Bluebird Café, sharing their songs and the stories behind them while celebrating good company with a fine Lowcountry meal and lively bar... all accented with beautiful birds of prey as your hosts. The artists this year have written songs with a variety of popular country artists, such as Lee Brice, Leann Rimes, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Florida Georgia Line, Darius Rucker, and Luke Bryan. In addition to the music performance, tickets for this event also include a premium bar and elegant dinner buffet. Please dress appropriately for an outdoor experience. $125 per person, 843.971.7474 or TheCenterforBirdsofPrey.org.

Saturday, April 29-May 10

Brookgreen Gardens Curators Auction Exhibit of works by Glenna Goodacre. In preparation for the Fine Art Auction on May 5th, sculpture and art to be auctioned will be on display in the Rainey Sculpture Pavilion. This once in a lifetime exhibit of fine art is free with garden admission. Daily, 9:30 AM-4:30 PM, 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

Sunday, April 30

3-5 PM - Long Bay Youth Symphony performs on the Kaminski House Museum lawn (1003 Front St., Georgetown). Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic basket and enjoy some of the area's most talented young musicians for an afternoon of orchestral delight. This concert will kick off the museum's 2017 Made in the Shade Concert Series. Free and open to the public, 843.546.7706 or KaminskiMuseum.org.

Monday, May 1

7:30 AM-Noon - North Inlet Boat Tour. Enjoy a rare opportunity to travel as a group of six to explore the creeks and islands of "the best understood estuary in the world." Captain Paul Kenny and Foundation staff explain salt marsh ecology, international research and coastal history on a very special boat trip with a walk on North Island, where Lafayette landed in 1777. Departing from Hobcaw's Clambank Landing, the boat meanders through serpentine creeks from the Inlet to Pumpkinseed Island, to Muddy Bay and back. Snacks, water and PFDs provided. Reservations required, limited to four. $125/person, 843.546.4623 or HobcawBarony.org.

Sign up for Summer Reading at all four library branches (Georgetown, Waccamaw, Andrews and Carvers Bay). Enrich your child's summer with great storytelling, performances, science experiments, puppet shows, magic tricks, reading competitions, movies, crafts, parties and more! This year's program is theme "Build a Better World," so expect a science and engineering twist at all four branches. Sign up with ssullivan@gtcounty.org.

Tuesday, May 2

All Day - Palmetto Giving Day recognizes the valuable work that not-for-profit organizations do in our community throughout the year. It is a day that we ask individuals to make donations to their favorite not-for-profit groups. If you attended the Volunteer Fair held at the Waccamaw Library in February, then you have these great organizations on your radar: All 4 Paws Rescue Shelter, American Red Cross, Back Pack Buddies, Baskervill Food Pantry, Bike the Neck, Black River United Way, Family Justice Center, Friends of Waccamaw Library, Freedom Readers, Friends for Coastal South Carolina, Friends of Huntington Beach State Park, Grand Strad Surf Rider Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Hobcaw Barony, Long Bay Symphony, Miss Ruby's Kids, Neighbor to neighbor, Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art, Rape Crisis Center, Smith Medical Clinic, SC Maritime Museum, St. Frances Animal Shelter, Tara Hall, Teach My People, Tidelands Community Hospice Foundation, Winya Rivers Foundation/Waccamaw Riverkeeper.

Tuesdays, May 2-23

7 PM - Steele Bremner offers Meditation at the Waccmaw Library on Tuesdays at 7 PM. Free and open to the public, sbremner@gtcounty.org for more information.

Tuesdays, May 2-June 6

Noon-1 PM - Lisa Rosof opens the Mindfulness group to those interested in the five-week Section VI - Being In Difficult Life Situations: Stress & Suffering. No meeting May 30. Tuesdays, noon-1 PM, $100 (register with ClassAtPawleys.com or 843.235.9600). For information about Mindfulness, 843.504.1057 or lcrosof@gmail.com.

Wednesday, May 3

1 PM - Brookgreen Gardens Gullah Program. See April 19 entry for details. Also offered May 10, 17 & 24. Free with garden admission, 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

Thursday, May 4

8:30 AM-1 PM - North Inlet Paddle. Join the North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Surf the Earth for a naturalist-guided tour through the creeks of North Inlet. The program includes instruction in basic kayaking, a natural history overview, and educational highlights of the North Inlet ecosystem. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, snack, and camera/binoculars (if desired). Also offered June 2, June 20, July 19, Aug. 17 & Aug. 31. $50/person; weather permitting; limited to 6 participants; register at 843.904.9016.

10 AM-Noon - First Thursday Speakers Series at Waccamaw Library.

This FOWL-hosted event features Andrea DuMuth presenting "Lowcountry Native Animals - What's New at the Zoo." Explore our area's native species, the projects the zoo does to support them, and delve into what's new at Brookgreen's Native Wildlife Zoo with its vice-president and curator of zoological collections. First Thursday also offered June 1. Free and open to the public, stpetepic@aol.com, theFOWL.org.

Friday & Saturday, May 5-6

Georgetown Library Book Sale at 405 Cleland Street, Georgetown, will feature gently-used library books with plenty of bargains for all ages. Stock up on classics, fiction, non-fiction, children's books and more! Friday, 10 AM-7 PM and Saturday, 10 AM-2 PM, free to browse, 843.545.3316.

Friday, May 5

11 AM-1 PM - The Moveable Feast: Wendy Wax (One Good Thing) at Pawleys Plantation. Embroiled in a battle to regain control of their renovation-turned-reality TV show, "Do Over," Maddie, Avery, Nikki and Kyra find themselves holding tight to the frayed ends of their friendship and relationships. But friendship is made for times like these, to keep each other - and their dreams - from crumbling. $30, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.

5-8 PM - Island Art Gallery Open House and Art Show: "Mon-o-chrome." Open to area artists. Free admission, 843.314.0298 or PawleysIslandArt.com.

6 PM - Friends Fine Art Auction. Brookgreen Gardens and the Friends of Brookgreen are honored to partner with Morris & Whiteside Auctions for a once in a lifetime Fine Art Auction featuring the works of noted sculptor, Glenna Goodacre. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to support Brookgreen Gardens' mission to collect, conserve, and provide education opportunities. 843.235.6018 or Brookgreen.org.

6-9 PM - Georgetown Business Association presents Jason Michael Carroll in concert at Francis Marion Park (801 Front St.). Free, GeorgetownSeaport.com.

6:30 PM - Friday Night Film Series at the Waccamaw Library presents "Inferno" (2016, PG 13), directed by Ron Howard. After waking up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, Robert Langdon teams up with Dr. Sienna Brooks, and together they must race across Europe against the clock to foil a deadly global plot. Starring Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones and Irrfan Khan. Free and air conditioned, sbremner@gtcounty.org.

Saturday, May 6

9 AM-4 PM - Blessing of the Inlet at Belin United Methodist Church. Join in this 21st annual day-long celebration of worship, entertainment, great food, family fun and arts and crafts. The "Blessing of the Inlet" ceremony will start at 11:30 AM. The festival is a free event with no admission or parking charge and is always held rain or shine. Due to Belin's focus on the people and lives of Murrells Inlet and the surrounding South Strand, the event does not include a blessing of animals. "See Ya' Saturday!" Free admission, 843.651.5099 or BlessingoftheInlet.com

11 AM-6 PM - 2017 Rivertown Music & Craft Beer Festival will be packed with classic car show, two stages of music, vendors and craft beer tastings. Local and regional bands provide music all day ranging from jazz to gospel to beach music. Local artists, crafters and merchants will line the downtown streets offering an assortment of wares and food. Bring a chair, no coolers. Free, 843.248.6260 or ConwayAlive.com.

3-5 PM - CLASS Productions presents Dixieland Swampers at Kimbel Lodge, Hobcaw Barony. Coordinated by previous headliner and performer Ceasar, The Dixieland Swampers is an amalgam of terrific musicians, many of whom play part-time for their local symphonies, as well as for big band events all over the region. Think tuba, clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, percussion and strumming banjo or guitar, featuring favorites like "My Old Kentucky Home," "Maple Leaf Rag," "When the Saints Go Marching In," and "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey." Ticket includes great music, a seat, snacks, iced tea & water. $25, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.

5-7 PM - Carnevale di Venezia at Brookgreen Gardens. Expect an evening of masks, music and merriment at this year's spring gala fundraiser. Set in the enchanting Poetry Garden, the event promises a flavor of Venice with opulent décor, masked guests, a silent auction, and fanciful festivities. The Friends have been planning this black-tie-optional affair with a unique attention to detail. Dance to the tunes of "Paperwork," dine on Italian-themed delicacies, and sip luscious libations. The Friends of Brookgreen Gardens are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the unique experience, "Ribbit the Exhibit" created by J.A. Cobb and proceeds from the gala will help support this enchanting exhibit. Space is limited and reservations required for this rare opportunity to experience the renowned gardens "after-hours!" $175 per person, 843.235.6018 or Brookgreen.org.

6-9 PM - Georgetown Business Association presents The Embers in concert at Francis Marion Park (801 Front St.). Free, GeorgetownSeaport.com.

Monday, May 8

10 AM - Workshop for Parents at the Waccamaw Library. Educational advocate Sheri Smith will present the third in a series called "Let's Get Started: Navigating a Path for your Children's Success." The series will help parents navigate the educational system, create valuable relationships between school and home, and prepare for the ups and downs of a child's educational lifetime. Smith has been an educational advocate for 20 years. After earning her degree in early education, she became a preschool teacher. She also owned and operated her own preschool in California. She holds a degree in communication disorders and has worked as a speech therapist. After retiring, she started her own company called L.E.A.R.N LLC. In each of these workshops, Smith will provide the parents with a specific set of tools, vocabulary methods to empower them with confidence and enable them to easily handle any situation which might arise during their child's educational lifetime. Free and open to the public. To reserve a seat or for more information, email

sbremner@gtcounty.org.

Tuesday, May 9

10 AM - The Author's Table at the Waccamaw Library presents Ann Hymes with her debut novel Shadow of Whimsy, set in 1980 and in current time. The story of several generations of one family that have lived, loved and lied at Whimsy Towers, a unique oceanfront house in Chatham, Mass., follows the newest heiress and her struggles with independence. Free and open to the public, sbremner@gtcounty.org.

6-8 PM - Surf The Earth Sunset/Full Moon Kayak Tour. This naturalist guided two-hour tour takes place from dusk through the rising moon. Enjoy a leisurely paddle through the beautiful salt marsh system, and watch the sun set and give way to the moon's rise. If you have a camera, there are a lot of opportunities to capture our spectacular wild life (turtles, dolphins, and shore birds), beautiful sunsets, and spectacular moon rise over the ocean. Bring your favorite beverage and be prepared to kick back and enjoy the spectacular view. Also offered June 8, July 6, Aug. 7. $75, Surf-the-Earth.com or 843.235.3500.

7-9:30 PM - ART WEEK: Cultural Council of Georgetown County presents "De'Sean Jones... Night of Jazz" with Denny Hess on bass and Jesse Willis on drums at Howard Center. $25, 843.520.0744 or CulturalCouncilofGeorgetown.com.

Wednesday, May 10

1 PM - Brookgreen Gardens Gullah Program. See April 19 entry for details. Also offered May 17 & 24. Wed., 1 PM, free with garden admission, 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

Friday, May 12

11 AM-1 PM - The Moveable Feast: Stephanie Danler (Sweetbitter) at Ocean One, Litchfield. Shot from a mundane, provincial past, Tess comes to New York in the stifling summer of 2006. Alone, knowing no one, living in a rented room in Williamsburg, she manages to land a job as a "backwaiter" at a celebrated downtown Manhattan restaurant. This begins the year we spend with Tess as she starts to navigate the chaotic, enchanting, punishing, and privileged life she has chosen, as well as the remorseless and luminous city around her. $30, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.

5:30-8:30 PM - ART WEEK: Cultural Council of Georgetown County presents "Wine Walk" for participants to taste a variety of wines and hors d'oeuvres at participating businesses along Front Street. $25, 843.520.0744 or CulturalCouncilofGeorgetown.com.

Saturday & Sunday, May 13-14

Georgetown 2017 ARTWALK, sponsored by Cultural Council of Georgetown County.Beautiful waterfront parks and quaint shops along Front Street will display a diverse selection of fine art. To round out this special weekend event, there will be local musical performers, children's art and activities, along with great food. Saturday, 10 AM-5 PM & Sunday, 11 AM-4 PM, free to attend, 843.520.0744 or CulturalCouncilofGeorgetown.com.

Saturday, May 13

6:30 AM on - 6th Annual Paddle Fest to benefit Tara Hall Home for Boys, a nationally accredited long-term residential home and school that accepts neglected, troubled and abused boys. The fundraiser sees hundreds take to the water every year, venturing out on Black Mingo Creek in kayaks, canoes and even on paddleboards. They navigate a scenic two-mile route to the shores of Tara Hall Home for Boys, where they and others enjoy outdoor activities, live music from local bands, food and more. Activities for children will include waterslides, face painting and afternoon races - kayaks for the older kids and barrel races for the younger. The On-site Event Registration Booth will be open 6:30-9 AM at Union Station, 333 Henry Road, Hemingway (Hwy41/51). Kayak rental is first come first serve with a paid registration. Cost for the event is $40 for paddlers ($25 for youth 8-16 and free for those 7 and under with an adult); or $10 for non-paddlers ($5 for youth 8-16 and free for kids 7 and under). For more information, 843.546.3000 or TaraHall.org.

7:30-1:30 AM - Birding Adventures at Hobcaw. Come celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at Hobcaw Barony and learn about migrant and resident birds in our area including warblers, buntings, flycatchers, and shorebirds. Join Wendy Allen, Reserve Manager, for a guided birding trip through the forests and marshes of Hobcaw. Bring water, snack, and binoculars (if you have them). Registration required; weather permitting; limited to 14 participants. $10, 843.904.9016.

10:30 AM-12:30 PM - Osprey Fisheagle Boat Excursion at Santee State Park (251 State Park Rd., Santee). Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with a stopover adventure on Lake Marion. Explore this unique lake habitat including Osprey Village in the Stumphole Swamp on this two-hour boat excursion with Fisheagle Nature Adventures. Journey into the heart of this important migratory stopover site. Possible sightings include a multitude of migratory species including Mergansers, Wood Stork, Night-heron, Ibis, Kites, Flycatchers, Vireos and Warblers. Sat., 10:30 AM-12:30 PM; arrive by 9:45 AM. $32 for members; $40 per non-member (add a $10 donation and receive an annual membership to the Center); please note there is an additional $2 fee for parking at Santee State Park. 843.971.7474 or TheCenterforBirdsofPrey.Org.

11 AM-2 PM - "Second Saturdays" at the Kaminski House Museum. Craftswoman Adrina Glover demonstrates the traditional craft of sweetgrass basketmaking and will offer a variety of baskets for sale. Also offered June 10, July 8, Aug. 12. Free to watch, 843.546.7706 or KaminskiMuseum.org.

4 PM - Common Threads in Diverse Spiritualities at Waccamaw Library presents "Cultivating a Peaceful Mind." Ahbay Rinpoche was initiated as a Buddhist monk at the age of nine and later ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He has taught widely in the US, Europe and India. Rinpoche will talk about finding peace by eliminating the negative mind of hatred and anger. Free and open to the public, sbremner@gtcounty.org.

7:30 PM - ART WEEK: Cultural Council of Georgetown County

presents Long Bay Symphony String Quartet at Winyah Auditorium performing classical composers, romantic and modern period masters, popular jazz and tango pieces. $25, 843.520.0744 or CulturalCouncilofGeorgetown.com.

Monday, May 15

9-11:30 AM - Shell Midden Island Kayak Trip. Join the Reserve and Surf the Earth for a naturalist-guided tour to the shell middens of North Inlet. The program includes instruction in basic kayaking, a natural history overview, and educational highlights of the North Inlet ecosystem. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, snack, and camera/binoculars (if desired). Registration required; weather permitting; limited to 6 participants. Also offered June 13 and July 12. $50, 843.904.9016.

5-7 PM - Cocktail Reception/Benefit: Dorothea Benton Frank (Same Beach, Next Year) at Pawleys Plantation. Join us for a pre-launch party at one of our favorite venues for wine and appetizers for a talk by one of our favorite authors to benefit one of her favorite causes, The Family Justice Center in Georgetown. New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank returns to her magical Lowcountry of South Carolina in a bewitching story of marriage, love, family, and friendship that is infused with her warm and engaging earthy humor and generous heart.One enchanted summer, two couples begin a friendship that will last more than twenty years and transform their lives.*This event includes the book, the opportunity to chat with Dottie while sipping wine and nibbling tasty appetizers, and a donation to the center for abused women and children. $60, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.

Looking Ahead!

June 13 - Georgia Comfort needs volunteers NOW to help her sell tickets for the Annual Waccamaw Indian Pauwau at Hog Heaven. We need to support our own native people who are doing their best to retain and share native American history and culture. Please contact Georgia at 843.240.3087 or georgiacomfort@yahoo.com.

Ongoing!

TheArtsGrandStrand.com - Check out this updated nonprofit website, created and maintained by Murrells Inlet resident John Morken, to keep you informed about all of the cultural events on the Grand Strand. Dedicated to making it easy to know about all the Fine Arts events, it strips away pop culture and tourist attractions found in other guides. The What's Happening page has artists, performers and sponsors personally telling you what they are presenting NOW, along with ads for events. The calendar displays as a month, week, day or agenda. Each event is categorized (e.g., music, art), and you can choose to view any or all of the categories by clicking on them in the dropboxes at the top of the calendar.

Though April 23 - Sculpture Exhibit at Brookgreen Gardens. Life in the American West is on display in the Rainey Sculpture Pavilion. Daily, 9:30 AM-5 PM, free with garden admission, 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

Though April 23 - The 2010 The Quilts of Gee's Bend exhibition, presented by the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum, remains one of the Museum's most popular and talked-about exhibitions, according to Museum director Patricia Goodwin. A new exhibition, Gee's Bend: From Quilts to Prints, examines the work of four well-known Gee's Bend quiltmakers and their recent exploration into the art of printmaking. To complement the Art Museum's fabric-rich exhibitions - Gee's Bend: From Quilts to Prints and Stitchin' and Pullin': Painted Illustrations by Cozbi Cabrera - the Art Museum presents 12 works from its Permanent Collections, pieces that reference and explore fabric and other forms of fiber in a variety of ways. Included in The Fabric of Our Collection is Burgess, The Legacy, a photo-collage quilt by Carolynne Miller and three works by Jonathan Green. Gallery hours for Gee's Bend: From Quilts to Prints will be from 10 AM-4 PM Tuesday through Saturday and 1-4 PM Sundays.

Through April 30 - Brookgreen Gardens "Open Late Till 8" through April. After a day on the golf course or on the beach, see the beauty of Brookgreen's spring flowers when the gardens remain open. Gift shop and food service are available. Ride with an interpreter on a Graveyard Trekker Excursion and explore some of the cemeteries on the 9,000 acre property of Brookgreen. The excursions are available on Sun., Tues. and Thurs. at 5:30 PM and cost $15 per person in addition to garden admission. Daily, 9:30 AM-8 PM, free with garden admission, 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

Through August - "Then and Now: The Transformation of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base" The Horry County Museum's exhibit, dedicated to the rich history and special memories of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. The Base served The United States and the Horry County Community for more than 50 years. This exhibit explores the development of the MBAFB, its unexpected closing, and redevelopment into one of the Grand Strand's top destinations, the Market Common. Also showcased is the impressive history of the 354th Fighter Wing. This exhibit is sponsored by The Order of the Daedalians Flight 77 and Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union. Free and open to the public. For further information, 843.915.5320 or HorryCountyMuseum.org.

Through Oct. 31 - Whispering Wings Butterfly Experience through October. This seasonal exhibit features a lush garden filled with tropical plants where hundreds of butterflies soar through the air. Monarch, Zebra Longwing, Polydamas Swallowtails, Pipevine Swallowtails, Spicebush Swallowtails, Julias, Buckeyes, Queens, Painted Lady, and American Lady are just a few of the species that call Whispering Wings home. Dozens of other species will be added throughout the summer and fall. Whispering Wings contains a pupae emergence room where visitors may observe the transformation from chrysalis to adult butterflies. Interpretive signs throughout the exhibit and benches provide a restful place to watch their delicate beauty in flight. Daily, 10:30 AM-4:30 PM, adults $3, children $2 for a 30-minute timed visit, in addition to garden admission, 843-235-6000 or Brookgreen.org.