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

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 e-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:  [email protected] .
www.thefowl.org
Kids & Families at Waccamaw Library - all programs free.
Game on! We play a wide variety of family friendly board and card games and always have a great time. Free, [email protected].
  • Mondays - Open Gaming & Cooperative game day, ages 10+, 3-6:30 PM.
  • Tuesdays - Open Gaming & Tabletop, ages 10+, 3-6:30 PM.
  • Wednesdays - Open Gaming & Magic the Gathering Day, ages 10+, 3-6:30 PM.
  • Thursdays - Open Gaming & Art Day, 10+, 3-6:30 PM.
  • Fridays - Minecraft Friday, all ages (under 10 accompanied by adult), 2:30-5 PM.
  • Saturdays - Open Gaming, 10+, 11 AM-5 PM. First Saturday each month - Magic the Gathering Draft and competition; Last Saturday each month - Library Game Days, 11 AM-1 PM focus on games for children and families; 1-9 PM focus on games for teens and adults.
PLUS, 
  • Storytime! Every Wednesday, 10:30 AM. Ages birth to 5.
Adults at Waccamaw Library - most programs are free, although some require membership. Contact [email protected].
  • Tidelands Camera Club meets on the first Monday each month, 9-11 AM.
  • 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 [email protected].
  • Mah Jongg Club meets Tuesdays, 1-3 PM, bring your set and current card.
  • Toastmasters meets noon-1 PM on the second and fourth Thursday each month (Aug. 9, Aug. 16). Improve communication skills, increase self-confidence, think on your feet, give a great "elevator" speech, share stories. Free and open to the public, [email protected].
July/August Artist at the Waccamaw Library: Pat Hartman.  Having lived most of her life in Baltimore, Maryland, Hartman was inspired by the vistas of her new home in South Carolina. She often ventures out with her camera in tow to record distinctive images of local culture for later reference, such as a young girl entranced with a butterfly at Brookgreen Gardens, a woman weaving sweetgrass baskets by the roadside, and sailboats moored in a natural harbor. With her paintbrush, she recollects the beauty and calm of these moments in tones both bright and peaceful.
 Hartman shares her love of art with her twin sister and they enjoy spending an afternoon painting together when Hartman is not busy volunteering at Brookgreen Gardens or helping out at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Hartman is a member of the Georgetown County Watercolor Society and her work has been featured at a solo show at the Georgetown Cultural Council Gallery. For more information, dturner@gtcounty.org.   
      
July/August Photographer at the Waccamaw Library: Paulette Thomas and Cathie & Pat Walsh.  Paulette Thomas has been a fine art photographer for more than forty years, with experience in portrait and sports photography. Since moving to South Carolina a decade ago, Thomas has become known for her images of the wildlife that abounds in the coastal area. Her images have been published in various magazines, including Grand Strand Magazine, where her Great Blue Heron image was published on the front cover, and her work has won national awards and competitions. Ever since husband and wife Pat and Cathie Walsh relocated to Murrells Inlet in 1995, they have been indulging their shared passion for photographing area vistas. Their artistic goal is "to create moments in time for all to enjoy." A number of their photographs are on display throughout the Grand Strand.  For more  information, [email protected].

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS  
Calling all bargain-hunters: Hunt for FOWL! Planning is well underway for the Fall FOWL Luncheon and Auction, which turns out to be the 28th of these fabulous events AND the 30th anniversary of the Friends of Waccamaw Library organization. Since pearls are emblematic of 30 years of anything, the event is titled "Pearls for Southern Girls."  Here's our challenge: If you don't need a single thing, but like  to shop, visit your favorite consignment outlet and look for the best bargain ($10 max) in the accessory or home/holiday decor departments. Then bring your find/donation to the Friends Center (in the Waccamaw Library). Our staging guru, Bariedel Llorens, will put these items together in vignettes worth way more than the sum of their parts! If you've questions or a carload to donate, call or text Diane Stern (908.310.2953) and she'll arrange a pick-up! Tickets for the event on Tuesday, September 25 (11:30 AM-2 PM at Pawleys Plantation) are available at the Friends Center, $30 ($20 of which is tax deductible). Come solo or put a group of friends together - tables seat 10.

Wednesday, August 1
2:30-4 PM - Wild Wednesday: Snakes Birthday . Even our snakes have birthdays!  Come to the Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center to learn all about them and celebrate with cupcakes, juice and a take home craft. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult (free of charge). (Exertion level: Low impact, sitting, crafting) Limited to 20, reservations required.  $10, HobcawBarony.org.

10 AM-2:30 PM - Children's Activity Days at Brookgreen Gardens ( Learning Lab 1 of the Wall Lowcountry Center).  The fun-filled event for 4- to 12-year-olds will feature make-and-take activities that emphasize "Extreme S.T.E.A.M. Science."   Children must be accompanied by adults. As the events are indoors, weather won't be an issue. Reservations are not needed. Also offered Aug. 9-11. Free for members and included with garden admission. 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.
 
8 PM - Swamp Fox Players  present  "So Glad We Had This Time Together:
A Tribute to The Carol Burnett Show, " directed by Joe Ford and  Lee Padgett, at the Strand Theater (Front Street, Georgetown).  The show showcases a collection  of hilarious skits with their  memorable zany characters  from The Carol Burnett Show  that changed prime TV forever.  Please join us  as we go back in time  and revive the laughter.  You'll be glad we had this time together. Also offered Thurs.-Sat., Aug. 9-11 at 8 PM and Sun., Aug. 5 & 12 at 2:30 PM. $18, 843.527.2924, ext. 1.


Friday, August 3
11 AM-1 PM - The Moveable Feast: Christopher Swann (Shadow of the Lions) at Pawleys Plantation. How long must we pay for the crimes of our youth? That is just one question that Swann - who is a graduate of Woodberry Forest School in Virginia, holds a doctorate in creative writing, and serves as the English department chair at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School - explores in this compulsively readable debut, a literary thriller set in the elite - and sometimes dark - environs of Blackburne, a prep school in Virginia. A sharp and moving tale full of false leads and surprise turns, Shadow of the Lions is also wise and moving. Swann has given us a gripping debut about friendship, redemption, and what it means to lay the past to rest.   $30, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.
 
2 PM - Book signing at Litchfield Books: Christopher Swann ( Shadow of the Lions), 843.237.8138 or LitchfieldBooks.com.

6-9 PM - Georgetown Business Association presents Jim Quick and Coastline in concert at Francis Marion Park (801 Front St.). Bring a chair, no coolers. Free and open to the public, GeorgetownSeaport.com.
 
Sunday, August 5
2:30 PM - Swamp Fox Players   at the Strand Theater (Front Street, Georgetown). See Aug. 2-4 entry for details.  Also offered Thurs.-Sat., Aug. 9-11 at 8 PM and Sun., Aug. 12 at 2:30 PM. $18, 843.527.2924, ext. 1.

7-9 PM - Cool Summer Evenings Concert Series  at Brookgreen Gardens. Bring a lawn chair and find your favorite spot under the shade of the Live Oaks to enjoy "Oracle Blue." Sing along, dance and enjoy the talents of local and regional favorite bands. Also offered August 12 & 19. Beverages and light refreshments available for purchase (no coolers please). 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

Monday, August 6
10:30 AM - Behind the Scenes Tour of Hobcaw Barony. Join us for an expanded tour of the property with opportunities to see and experience more than what is offered on the Introductory Tour. The program includes stops at the North Inlet salt marsh, the grounds of Bellefield Plantation, Friendfield Village, and the main floor of Hobcaw House, giving participants a chance to spend more time at each location. Reservations required.  Also offered Aug. 13, 20 & 27.  $30, HobcawBarony.org.
 
Tuesday, August 7
8:30 AM-1 PM - North Inlet Paddle . Join the 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 Aug. 20. Weather permitting; limited to 6; registration required. $50, 843.904.9017.

Thursday-Saturday, August 9-11
10 AM-2:30 PM - Children's Activity Days at Brookgreen Gardens ( Learning Lab 1 of the Wall Lowcountry Center). See Aug. 2-4 entry for details.  Free for members and included with garden admission. 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

8 PM - Swamp Fox Players at the Strand Theater (Front Street, Georgetown). See Aug. 2-4 entry for details. Also offered Sun., Aug. 12 at 2:30 PM. $18, 843.527.2924, ext. 1.

Friday, August 10
11 AM-1 PM - The Moveable Feast: Kristan Higgins (Good Luck With That) at Kimbel's, Wachesaw.  New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins is beloved for her heartfelt novels (18 and counting!) filled with humor and wisdom. In her newest, she tackles an issue every woman deals with: body image and self-acceptance. Emerson, Georgia, and Marley have been best friends ever since they met at a weight-loss camp as teens. When Emerson tragically passes away, she leaves one final wish for her best friends: to conquer the fears they still carry as adults. For each of them, that means something different. For Marley, it's coming to terms with the survivor's guilt she's carried around since her twin sister's death, and which has left her blind to the real chance for romance in her life.  For Georgia, it's about learning to stop trying to live up to her mother's and brother's ridiculous standards, and learn to accept the love her ex-husband has tried to give her. But as Marley and Georgia grow stronger, the real meaning of Emerson's dying wish becomes truly clear: more than anything, she wanted her friends to love themselves. A novel of compassion and insight, Good Luck With That tells the story of two women who learn to embrace themselves just the way they are. $30, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.

2 PM - Book signing at Litchfield Books: Kristan Higgins (Good Luck With That), 843.237.8138 or LitchfieldBooks.com.
 
August 11-October 28
9:30 AM-5 PM - National Sculpture Society 85th Annual Awards Exhibition at Rainey Sculpture Pavilion, Brookgreen Gardens. The annual juried exhibition of the National Sculpture Society, the oldest professional organization of sculptors in America, presents the work of masters alongside rising stars in American sculpture. Brookgreen Gardens is the only venue for this exhibit. Fifteen awards are presented by the Society along with the popular People's Choice Award, determined by votes of visitors to Brookgreen Gardens. This exhibit is on display in both the Jenniwein and Noble Galleries in the Rainey Sculpture Pavilion and is free with garden admission, Mon.-Sun., 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.
 
Saturday, August 11
10 AM-5 PM - Paint-in with Danny McLaughlin  at the Litchfield Exchange (14363 Ocean Highway, behind Applewood House of Pancakes). Join this day-long opportunity to paint with one of the region's finest. Bring finished/unfinished works in any medium, any subject matter, any skill level for review, suggestions and instruction in color theory and composition by one of the area's local art treasures. Tables and chairs provided; bring art supplies and easel if needed. Offered bi-monthly, space is limited. $45, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com. 
   
Sunday, August 12
2:30 PM - Swamp Fox Players at the Strand Theater (Front Street, Georgetown).  See Aug. 2-4 entry for details.  $18, 843.527.2924, ext. 1.

7-9 PM - Cool Summer Evenings Concert Series at Brookgreen Gardens. Bring a lawn chair and find your favorite spot under the shade of the Live Oaks to enjoy "Palmetto Mastersingers." Sing along, dance and enjoy the talents of local and regional favorite bands. Also offered August 19. Beverages and light refreshments available for purchase (no coolers please). 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.
 
10 PM-1 AM - Perseids Meteor Shower. Join Ron Revere, adjunct professor at Coastal Carolina University, for a brief talk about the Perseids Meteor Shower and a field trip to Clambank to view the Perseids. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24. It peaks this year on the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13. The thin crescent moon will set early in the evening leaving dark skies for what should be an excellent show. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus, but can appear anywhere in the sky. Participants will board buses and travel to Clambank landing at Hobcaw Barony for observation. (Exertion level: Moderate impact, walking, standing for long periods) Limted to 26, reservations required. $35, HobcawBarony.org.
 
Monday, August 13
10:30 AM - Behind the Scenes Tour of Hobcaw Barony. See Aug. 6 entry for details.  Also offered  Aug. 20 & 27. $30, HobcawBarony.org.

Tuesday-Friday, August 14-17
Make Your Own Brookgreen Medal with Heidi Wastweet at Campbell Center Studio. A single-sided art medal is a bite-size project that can be done in four days. On the first day, Heidi Wastweet will take students around the grounds to take their own reference photos. Then there will be two-and-a-half days of sculpting and a half-day of mold-making. For an additional fee of $100 to cover the cost of casting, patina, and shipping, she will send your piece to a foundry and ship to you a finished bronze medal. Those who don't want a bronze can take home a plaster cast.  $550, plus materials fee, 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

Thursday, August 16
11:30 AM-2 PM - Bunnelle Foundation 
"Common Issues/Common Threads" at Waccamaw Library. 
Anton J. Gunn, a nationally recognized leadership development and healthcare reform expert, will deliver a presentation on how individual accountability can transform community direction. Gunn works with organizations who want to help their leaders embrace change, overcome adversity, and increase outcomes by using his Presidential Leadership Principles. The event is sponsored by the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation, which will provide refreshments for attendees. Gunn's talk will mark the tenth anniversary of the Bunnelle Foundation's "Common Issues/Common Threads" public discussion series that explores community building on a local level.  Free and open to the community. However, seating is limited, so reservations are required. A one-minute promotional video for Gunn's upcoming lecture and luncheon at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEXKCmS4pOk&feature=youtu.be 
To register, please RSVP or on the Eventbrite page

1-2 PM - Brookgreen 101 , a program sponsored by the Campbell Center for American Sculpture, is a public information program offered in the Welcome Center Conference Room. The topic for August is The National Sculpture Society Annual Awards Exhibition. Free with Garden admission, 843.235.6000.

5-7 PM - Mary Edna Fraser Celebrates Belle's Birthday. Celebrate Belle Baruch's birthday at Hobcaw Barony with a gourmet reception featuring wine, cheese, pastry and more hosted by Foundation staff featuring artist and pilot Mary Edna Fraser. An international educator and author, Fraser has consistently received honors and awards for her art depicting breathtaking perspectives of space, earth, and the deep sea. Whether photographing the coast from an open cockpit of her family's plane or painting plein air in the backwoods of national parks, each adventure is distilled into a moment of visual poetry in her studio. In 2009, Fraser was commissioned to create an aerial view of Hobcaw Barony, resulting in a four-panel batik installed at the Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center, depicting what Belle called, "the friendliest woods in the world." (Exertion level: Low impact, sitting) Limited to 90, reservations required. $50, HobcawBarony.org.
 
Friday, August 17
8:30-11:30 AM - Carolina Nature Photographers Association at the Waccamaw Library (41 St. Paul Place, Pawleys Island). Special presentation on photographing birds by Don Wuori. CNPA.org or [email protected].
 
11 AM-1 PM - The Moveable Feast: Amanda Stauffer ( Match Made in Manhattan) at Carefree Catering. A graduate of Yale and Columbia Universities who works as an architectural conservator, restoring historic landmarks across the country, Amanda headed to match.com when she grew frustrated with New York City's dating scene. Her experiences provided her with a lifetime of warm and fuzzy memories, a few friends, and an abundance of material for a book or a career in comedy. Match Made in Manhattan  is a fast-paced, contemporary story about the struggles of dating in the digital age. Replete with online profiles, witty dialogue, and a super-supportive group of female friends, this all-too-real and relate-able debut novel will have readers laughing, crying, and rooting for Alison all the way to the end. $30, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.

1-2 PM - Feeding Frenzy. Feeding time at Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center is the most exciting time of the day - for our animals, at least! Help Reserve staff feed our hungry exhibit critters, including our North Inlet fishes, crabs, turtles, snakes, and even our alligator! During the feeding, learn about the animals' biology and their natural habitats.  Free; limited to 15; registration required. 843.904.9017.
 
2 PM - Book signing at Litchfield Books :  Amanda Stauffer ( Match Made in Manhattan ), 843.237.8138 or LitchfieldBooks.com.

Sunday, August 19
7-9 PM - Cool Summer Evenings Concert Series at Brookgreen Gardens. Bring a lawn chair and find your favorite spot under the shade of the Live Oaks to enjoy "Tru Sol." Sing along, dance and enjoy the talents of local and regional favorite bands. Beverages and light refreshments available for purchase (no coolers please). 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.
 
Monday, August 20
8:30 AM-1 PM - North Inlet Paddle. See Aug. 7 entry for details. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, snack, and camera/binoculars (if desired).  Weather permitting; limited to 6; registration required. $50, 843.904.9017.
 
10:30 AM - Behind the Scenes Tour of Hobcaw Barony. See Aug. 6 entry for details. Reservations required.  Also offered Aug. 27. $30, HobcawBarony.org.

Tuesday, August 21
4:30 PM - Grand Strand Camellia Society at Waccamaw Library. 
Members begin the new year with a planning meeting for the upcoming ACCS Fall Convention (Sept. 14-15 at the Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort), plus the list of available camellias from County Line Nursery for the 2019 Camellia show on Jan. 12-13. For more information, [email protected].

Friday, August 24
11 AM-1 PM - The Moveable Feast: Tom McConnell  ( Wooden King ) at Pawleys Plantation. A professor of English at the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg and a Fulbright Scholar in the Czech Republic (2005-2006), McConnell taught American literature and creative writing at Masaryk University. His debut novel is set in German-occupied Czechoslovakia in the 1940s where Vicktor Trn's life is slowly stripped away as creeping authoritarianism envelopes his city and his family. In the end, this quiet history professor and man of contemplative pacifism finds himself caught between two titanic armies-the Nazis and the Soviets-and must decide how to save all that he loves. This heart-pounding World War II story, infused with the tension of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale , and Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See , asks what is a peaceful man to do when totalitarianism takes everything he holds dear. $30, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.
  
1:30-4 PM - Women's Beach Walk. Commemorating Women's Equality Day in August, join Foundation staff to celebrate Belle's independence as a women's suffragist, an active leader in the Jr. League of Nations, and as a World War II Coastal Observer. After brief remarks in the Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center, women will travel to Hobcaw Beach and have the opportunity to walk in the steps of Belle where she patrolled for Nazi spies. Fearless and capable, Belle lived a remarkable life and her gifts to conservation are also worth celebrating. (Exertion level: High impact, hiking for three miles) Limited to 28, reservations required. $25, HobcawBarony.org.
 
2 PM - Book signing at Litchfield Books:  Tom O'Connell ( Wooden King ), 843.237.8138 or LitchfieldBooks.com.

Friday & Saturday, August 24 & 25
6-9 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. All gear is top of the line (11' & 13' Hobie kayaks, fiberglass paddles, and high back comfortable seats).
$75 (single), $120 (tandem), 843.235.3500 or Surf-the-Earth.com.

Saturday,  August 25
10 AM-5 PM - Paint-in with Danny McLaughlin at the Litchfield Exchange. See Aug. 11 entry for details. Offered bi-monthly, space is limited. $45, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.
 
Sunday, August 26
6-9 PM - The Rectory Lawn at All Saints church features Dangermuffin with special guest, Fireside Collective. Free and open to the public, Sun., 6-9 PM, 843.240.0425.
 
Monday, August 27
10:30 AM - Behind the Scenes Tour of Hobcaw Barony. See Aug. 6 entry for details. Reservations required. $30, HobcawBarony.org.

Wednesday-Friday, August 29-31
Storehouse Tours offers The Biltmore and the Chihuly Glass Exhibition. Single $683, double $482 per person. Call for details,  843.235.2966

Friday, August 31
11 AM-1 PM - The Moveable Feast: Lisa Patton (Rush) at Inlet Affairs. "There's not a better Southern author writing today than Lisa Patton. Her delightful new book is a modern look at what is perhaps the most sacred of all Southern rituals: sorority rush at The University of Mississippi, 'Ole Miss.' And happily for us, Miss Patton captures to absolute perfection the hilarity, hysteria, and heartbreak of it all. Funny, touching, and full of twists and turns. I couldn't have loved it more." ~ Fannie Flagg. $30, 843.235.9600 or ClassAtPawleys.com.

2 PM - Book signing at Litchfield Books:  Lisa Patton ( Rush ), 843.237.8138 or LitchfieldBooks.com.

LOOKING AHEAD!
Sept. 5, 12, 19 & 26 - The Adult Learning Coaches program at the Georgetown Library will be running a Voter Education Center this fall, every Wednesday in September, 2-6 PM. The purpose is to have volunteers available with materials and information to help those who may be confused or intimidated by the voting process. You can help in two ways ...
  • Spread the word by posting flyers at churches, schools, laundromats, community centers, etc. A copy of the flyer is available from Sue Cross at [email protected].
  • Volunteer to help at the Voter Education Center, contact Sue Cross at [email protected] or 843.237.0289.
Sept. 7, 14, 21 & 28 - Solar System Ambassador Ron Revere will present a four-week series called The Wonders of Our Universe at the Waccamaw Library on Fridays at 2 PM.

Sept. 25 - The FOWL Annual Luncheon & Auction at Pawleys Plantation.
Get your ticket to this sell-out event at the Friends Center.

Sept. 27 - Tim Conroy 
will present "Pat Conroy's Great Love of Poetry" at the Waccamaw Library, 10-11:15 AM.  Tim will explore his brother's lifelong connection with poetry as a devoted reader, as a self-described "failed poet," and as an iconic bestselling novelist who wove the rhythms of poetry into his lyrical prose. Tim Conroy is a retired education and founding board members of the Pat Conroy Literary Center, established in his brother's honor. Free with ticket (available at the Friends Center).

Oct. 15 - Travel to China and benefit FOWL : 
Barbara McGhee of Cameo Travel Enrichment offers a 9-day cultural tour of China for $2,290 including international airfare roundtrip from JFK-Beijing. Five-star hotels and most meals, as well as the Great Wall of China, Terra Cotta Warriors, Summer Palace-UNESCO, Museums-Ancient Antiques, Tang Dynasty Dance & Music, Olympic venues: Bird Nest & Water Cube, Beijing Zoo-Giant Pandas. (Not included, but can be arranged for you roundtrip flight from your home to JFK, single room supplement $280, personal travel insurance, VISA for China, $200 gratuities). 843.650.4501 or [email protected].

ONGOING!
Cultural events on the Grand Strand - Check out this updated nonprofit website,  www.theartsgrandstrand.org,   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.

Through Aug. 19 - Brookgreen Summer Lights Festival.  Brookgreen will light up your summer nights, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 7-10 PM! Created by Chinese Craftsmen in the tradition of famous Chinese lantern Festivals, this exhibit will inhabit the Lowcountry Zoo with larger-than-life, illuminated silk lantern sculptures in a variety of native animals, insects and plants. The festival will also include games, performances, crafts for the kids, and local food truck vendors. $20 for adults and $15 for children 4-12. Children 3 and under are free. Members receive a $5 discount on the ticket price. During the Festival, Brookgreen will close at 5 PM and gates will re-open at 6:30 PM. 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

Through August 24 - Adult Summer Reading Challenge  at the Waccamaw Neck Branch Library. Participate for a chance to win a gift certificate to The Moveable Feast. Contact [email protected].

Through Sept. 2 - "The Water's Fine" at The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum,  a group exhibition of work by five exceptional contemporary artists working in black-and-white photography and hyperrealistic painting, all who depict imagery of people in water. Participating artists include Samantha French (Brooklyn, NY), Carl Kerridge (Myrtle Beach, SC), Wayne Levin (Honolulu, HI), Matt Story (New York, NY) and Charles Williams (Charlotte, NC). Museum guests will see a variety of captivating, large-scale depictions of people swimming, floating, diving into, contemplating getting into and turning flips in water. Photography will be juxtaposed with paintings in ways that present striking aesthetic relationships between imagery. Gallery hours from 10 AM-4 PM, Tuesday-Saturday and 1-4 PM, Sundays. Free and open to the public (donations welcome), 843.238.2510 or MyrtleBeachArtMuseum.org.

Through Sept. 16 - " Making Waves,"  A Drew Brophy Retrospective
o n view at the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. 
Gallery hours from 10 AM-4 PM, Tuesday-Saturday and 1-4 PM, Sundays. Free and open to the public (donations welcome), 843.238.2510 or MyrtleBeachArtMuseum.org.

Through Oct. 15  - Whispering Wings Butterfly Experience at Brookgreen's Butterfly House. 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. We will add dozens of other species 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 AM-4:30 PM, adults $4, children $3 for a 30-minute timed visit, in addition to garden admission, 843.235.6000 or Brookgreen.org.

FOWL Community Connector | Friends of Waccamaw Library| |  [email protected] | www.theFOWL.org
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