Welcome, everyone, to my first column of the 21st century

Iam hopeful my foray into the 21st century will go well: This is the first column I've sent via e-mail. I am on pins and needles. To all of my friends at the Packet who've put up with my chicken scratch in years past, wish me well! If I get in trouble with this contraption I'll be in a real pickle, but then again, Rome was not built in a day.

• This is the time of year to dust off Julia Child's cookbook and whip out a few of her wonderful recipes, like beef bourguinon. It may seem difficult at first, but I promise you can do it. I wrote to Julia several times, and was thrilled that she wrote me back.

• The Coastal Empire Fair is under way in Savannah and continues through Nov. 8. The fairgrounds are at 4801 Meding St. Call 912-354-3542.

• The May River Theatre is holding auditions for its new musical, "Pal Joey," Nov. 16-17 at the Ulmer Auditorium inside the Bluffton Town Hall on Bridge Street. Performers should bring their own sheet music and dress to move around freely. The show calls for 10 men and 10 women between the ages of 20 to 40. Call 843-837-7798 for more information.

• It is exciting to see all of the great ideas for the long-neglected DuBois Park in old town. We are lucky it hasn't been paved over -- probably because no- one thought about it. Thank you to all of the participants who gathered to thrash out ideas and thoughts about what to do with the area's 1.25 acres.

• Join us Nov. 7 at Oscar Frazier Park for our first Bark in the Park fundraiser to benefit the Bluffton Dog Park, slated to be built. This dog-centric event will include a pet blessing by Josh Cooke, great local food by the Bluffton Oyster Co., Bluffton Barbeque and Ronnie Frasier, Doggie Makeovers, Classic Cars, a children's play area, music and lots more. The fun starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m. For details, go to www.BlufftonBarkPark.org.

Babbie Guscio is the social columnist for The Bluffton Packet. She can be reached at The Store on Calhoun Street.