Thirteen will be a lucky number when the thirteenth annual Beaufort International Film Festival hosts thousands of film lovers from around the world from February 19 - February 24. Considered one of the fastest growing film festivals in the southeast and a top 100 best reviewed film festival in the world according to FilmFreeway, BIFF should see its biggest crowds yet this year.

By Margaret Evans, Editor

It’s time, once again, to honor the tradition I started last year. (Two years in a row is a tradition, right?) After a harrowing excavation of my Facebook timeline, which I treat as a public diary, I’ve stitched together a “year in review,” made of personal observations, great and small. (Note: Some are very small and “great” is a relative term.) Here’s a taste of what was happening in the world, in the Lowcountry, and in my head in 2018.

What a fun time of year to be in the kitchen! I love preparing all of the savory goodies and sweet treats that I grew up with at Christmastime. This is the time of year for sausage balls, cheese straws, baby fruitcakes and yule logs. I've been feeling inspired to try some new sweets recipes.

Please join the Wardle Family YMCA on January 19^th at the Walsh Palmetto Room at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Lady’s Island for the Beaufort Beach Ball Fundraiser & Auction presented by Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Doors open at 6 pm for music and dancing with Deas Guyz, silent auction, golf cart raffle, heavy hors d'oeuvres and full tikki bar.