Beaufort resident Eric Horan presents “Portrait of the Lowcountry,” a photo exhibition at the Saul Alexander Gallery in the Charleston County Public Library through the month of December. Horan’s exhibition features new and previously shown images that showcase his extensive work photographing South Carolina. His work captures the natural beauty of a wide diversity of sea and shorebirds and other wildlife along scenic waterways, pristine beaches and inland maritime forests.

Newcomers to the Lowcountry are sometimes astounded at the beauty to be found in our gardens and woodlands in the depth of winter. We binyahs* sometimes forget just how lucky we are to have such a rich variety of winter-flowering garden plants at our disposal for use in the garden.

The Society of Bluffton Artists presents “12,” a new and exciting collection of 12 x 12 inch paintings and photographs by over 100 local artists, each selling for only $125.

There is an old joke about the birth of Christ that goes something like this:

          What would have happened if it had been three wise women instead of three wise men?

            They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stables, and bought practical gifts.