Your monthly news & updates |
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Welcome to the City of Beaufort's monthly newsletter. Any feedback? Please send to Kathleen Williams, kwilliams@cityofbeaufort.org. |
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Mayor Billy embarks on new path |
After 16 years serving the City of Beaufort -- four years on City Council, and 12 years as mayor, Billy Keyserling -- Mayor Billy to his hometown -- is starting on a new chapter. He'll turn his passion and energy to making Beaufort the epicenter of Reconstruction history through the continued expansion of the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, as well as nurturing his nonprofit: The Second Founding of America: Reconstruction Beaufort.
Keyserling has just published "Sharing Common Ground: Promises Unfulfilled but not Forgotten," a memoir that examines how his life shaped his commitment to the cause of bringing light to Reconstruction history.
Good luck and thanks for all you have done for Beaufort, Mayor Billy!
The mayor will hold a book signing from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 9 at Saltus River Grill Terrace, 802 Bay St.
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New mayor, council members to be sworn in Dec. 8 |
At the Dec. 8 City Council meeting, Stephen Murray (photo) will be sworn in as mayor, and Neil Lipsitz and Mitch Mitchell will be sworn in as our new councilmembers. Municipal Court Judge Ned Tupper will do the honors. We'll also be thanking outgoing Mayor Billy Keyserling and Councilmembers Mike McFee and Nan Sutton.
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City offices to be closed Dec. 23-25 for holidays |
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City of Beaufort offices will be closed for the Christmas holidays on Dec. 23-25. City offices will also be closed on Jan. 1, New Year's Day.
WastePro will not be picking up trash and recycling on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, which fall on Fridays. Those pickups will happen on Saturday, Dec. 26, and Saturday, Jan. 2, instead.
The City of Beaufort wishes all its residents, visitors and businesses a very happy holiday season!
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Holiday happenings in Beaufort |
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Celebrate the Season
USCB Center for the Arts and the City are sponsoring “Celebrate the Season,” a free outdoor exhibit of holiday traditions and practices from around the globe. It will kick off on Dec. 1 and run through Dec. 13.
Community members, students, and faith groups will share their insights and talents to create beautiful and informative interpretations of customs and practices central to their holiday traditions.
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Light up the Town!
We're challenging Beaufort neighborhoods to bring out the bling! Who gets the bragging rights as the best-decorated neighborhood in Beaufort? Bonus: Take your kids on a family outing and drive from neighborhood to neighborhood to check out the displays!
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Santa Mail
Through Dec. 18, we’ll have special mailboxes set up on the lawn of City Hall (1911 Boundary St.), at Waterfront Park playground, and at City of Beaufort fire stations (Headquarters: 135 Ribaut Road; Station 2: 1120 Ribaut Road; Station 3: 1750 Ribaut Road; Station 4: 571 Robert Smalls Parkway).
Kids can drop their letters off at these mailboxes, or they can email letters to Santa at events@cityofbeaufort.org. Make sure clear return addresses are on the envelope or the email!
Videos of Santa reading the letters will be posted to Facebook beginning on Dec. 19.
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Santa at the airport
Santa will be flying into the Beaufort Executive Airport Terminal on Lady's Island from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13. He'll be bringing his bag of gifts for the kiddies! This event is open to all.
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Free parking!
FREE holiday parking is available at the downtown marina parking lot through New Year’s Day. Downtown merchants will be open until 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays this month.
Because we want to ensure our residents’ and visitors’ safety, and because a State of Emergency continues to exist in South Carolina that prohibits gatherings of 250 or more people, the City will not be holding Night on the Town, the Christmas Parade, or the Boat Parade.
However, First Friday (below) WILL BE HELD this Friday!
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First Friday
First Friday in Beaufort will be held from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4. The night air will be filled with the sounds of holiday melodies to set the mood for shoppers to explore downtown. Come have a meal and spend time checking out the eclectic mix of specialty stores, boutiques, galleries, restaurants and treat shops. Vote for your favorite storefront!
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Holiday Under the Sea
Here’s a fun activity for kids -- scavenger hunts in our parks to search for decorated sea animal ornaments. Take a picture of the ornaments (but leave them there, please!) and tag us on Facebook with #bftHolidayUnderTheSea. This will begin Dec. 16 and run through New Year’s Day.
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Zoom with Santa!
From 2-3 p.m. on Dec. 19, Santa will be zooming with Beaufort kids who can tell the big guy what’s on their list. We’ll be sharing a Facebook link for this as we get closer.
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Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America will hold its annual wreath-laying ceremony at Beaufort National Cemetery beginning at noon on Saturday, Dec. 19. Similar ceremonies will take place at 1,600 locations across the United States.
While COVID-19 will not allow a formal public ceremony this year, volunteers are invited to participate in the laying of wreaths while observing safety guidelines by wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
From Mayor Keyserling: “This is our opportunity to tell families and friends locally and nationally that we REMEMBER and HONOR the sacrifice of our veterans who are no longer with us by purchasing at least one wreath to be sent to Beaufort National Cemetery--the cost is $15/wreath. However, by using the Local Sponsoring Group Code SC0045, the purchase of 2 wreaths for $30 guarantees a 3rd wreath will be sent to our cemetery by WAA at no cost to you. We have more than 22,000 veterans interred in Beaufort National Cemetery! Our goal is a wreath for EVERY VETERAN.”
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BMH offers flu, strep, Covid test locations |
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Free electronic recycling
The Beaufort County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling will host two free electronics recycling events for county residents from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Locations:
- Beaufort County Public Works, 9 Benton Field Road, Bluffton
- Beaufort County Public Works, 140 Shanklin Road, Beaufort
Decals for your car
Also, as a reminder, county residents will need to obtain decals for their cars to use county recycling centers beginning on Jan. 1, 2021.
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Verdier House reopens
Historic Beaufort Foundation is delighted to announce that the John Mark Verdier House will reopen to the public on Thursday, Dec. 3, with regular hours 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mon-Sat.
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Contributions sought for Chambers memorial |
Contributions to Beaufort Pride of Place are helping to finance a memorial honoring former Mayor Henry C. Chambers, whose tenacity brought the Henry C. Chambers Park -- popularly known as Waterfront Park -- to Beaufort.
Bronze lettering of Chambers' name will be affixed to a brick wall at the park. The cost is approximately $10,000, and the City is soliciting donations through Beaufort Pride of Place, so that taxpayer dollars are not used. Currently, only a small plaque indicates that the park was named after Chambers.
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New businesses, new milestones |
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Every month we'll feature the new businesses that have opened in Beaufort, as described in the owners' own words. |
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Shelly Leeke Law Firm
2015 Boundary St., Suite 319
Always open
The team at Shelly Leeke Law Firm is committed to assisting you after an accident by answering your questions and protecting your legal rights in a compassionate and professional manner. No matter if your injury was caused by a motor vehicle accident or a dog bite attack, accident victims often have one thing in common: They are not sure what to do next. The period immediately following an accident or diagnosis often leaves victims feeling frightened, confused and overwhelmed. Call us today and learn how we can help you.
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One Salon
73 Sea Island Parkway #20
Tuesday- Saturday
Conveniently located in Lady’s Island Marina, One Salon is here to deliver the best in hair, beauty and style. Owner Liesle Keeler has 20 years of experience.
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Sugar Belle
Has moved to: 818 Bay St.
Unique boutique Sugar Belle has moved from its previous Boundary Street location to Bay Street.
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Bay Street Outfitters
825 Bay St.
Celebrating 25-year anniversary
For more than 25 years, Bay Street Outfitters has made sure our staff had the experience and knowledge to assist each customer. Our staff and guides have fished all over the world, spent countless hours testing knots and rigging techniques, and have studied and used the equipment in our shop.
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Cabana22
819 Bay St.
Celebrating one-year anniversary
This coastal chic home and gift shop was created as a bright happy place where the sun always shines.
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Otis Dry Goods Co.
202 A Carteret Street
Celebrating one-year anniversary
At Otis Dry Goods Co., Southern California meets the Lowcountry, offering sustenance for the well-lived life. Specializing in curated objects for the home and unique gifts.
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Emma’s Earth Shop
1002 Bay St.
Celebrating one-year anniversary
Gemstones, fossils, high-end CBD products, cathedrals, bike rentals, historical golf cart tours and so much more!
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6 p.m. Dec. 8 Regular Session (in Chambers for swearing-in of mayor, new members)
5 p.m. Dec. 15 Work Session
7 p.m. Regular Session
Meetings will be held via Zoom and streamed on the City's Facebook page. You can find agendas closer to the date of the meeting on our website's Agenda Center.
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Historic Review Board, 2 p.m. Dec. 9
Design Review Board, 2 p.m. Dec. 10
Metropolitan Planning Commission, 5 p.m., Dec. 14
Park & Tree Advisory Committee, 3 p.m. Dec. 19
Meetings will be held via Zoom and streamed on the City's Facebook page. You can find agendas closer to the date of the meeting on our website's Agenda Center.
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