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Hey Florence, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s edition: Certified SC Cafeteria program, Francis Marion University security upgrades, and Lucky Shamrock Festival 2026 + fun things to do for free & local fundraisers worth checking out this week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Florence protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Connecting cafeterias with farmers: South Carolina’s Certified SC Cafeteria program brings local fruits, vegetables, grains, and honey to menus, backed by $1 million in annual reimbursement funding. Florence 1 and 2 schools are participating — see how the program works.

Energy expansion moves forward: Construction has begun on a 15-mile natural gas pipeline in Florence County after the South Carolina Supreme Court cleared final hurdles, reviving Dominion Energy’s long-delayed River Neck to Kingsburg project — see what cleared the way.

Enhanced security measures coming: Francis Marion University will receive over $500,000 to improve police, surveillance, and communications, part of funding secured by Rep. Russell Fry, after a hoax call last semester prompted student concerns — see how funds will be used.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Eat BBQ to support Lighthouse Ministries
• Enjoy lucky glow specials and giveaways
• Enjoy a traditional Easter egg hunt

🫶 We got your back

Shady trails, court time: Pickleball and tennis courts, an amphitheater, and shady creekside paths under towering oaks make Timrod Park an easy weekly reset. Friends, dogs, and that podcast you might finally finish all fit right in, without turning it into a big production.

Need a gift win? At HAKABOHU – The Toy Shop, find LEGO, Calico Critters, Tonies, and Jellycat, plus genuinely helpful humans who steer you right. When birthdays ambush you, expect screen-free picks, quick wrap, and that satisfied “I nailed it” glow on the ride home.

Lunch that feels fancy: Top Hat Special-Teas turns a quick weekday bite into a small win with stacked sandwiches, cozy soups, and scones worth pausing emails for. When you want a reset that isn’t the drive-thru, this Florence staple quietly overdelivers with calm charm and satisfying plates.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🧱 Lego Playdate @ Darlington Library | Friday (3/13) at 3:00 PM – Let the kids take over Darlington Library’s Children’s Area for a free, drop-in LEGO playdate, bricks included, instructions optional. They’ll build, imagine, and make new pals while you avoid stray bricks and enjoy a few minutes of adult conversation. No registration, just show up.

👴 SCSEP @ Goodwill | Thursday (3/19) at 10:00 AM – Ready for an encore career that pays more than free grandkid hugs? SCSEP’s hiring event is built for 55-plus locals, with part-time, community-focused roles, paid training, and people who actually read your resume. Bring your savvy, your questions, and comfortable shoes.

🩸 Red Cross Blood Drive @ First Presbyterian Church | Tuesday (3/24) at 12:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a low-drama way to be a hometown hero, this is it: the Red Cross blood drive needs donors, and your pint helps neighbors and patients nationwide. Sign up with sponsor code FirstPresFlorence, enjoy juice, cookies, and bragging rights.

💼 Hire Quest @ Goodwill | Thursday (3/26) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats a job lead you can look in the eye. Hire Quest is a no-nonsense hiring event where you talk to actual humans, trade resumes, and skip the black hole of online applications, leaving with contacts, next steps, and maybe a better commute.

🥚 Easter Egg Hunt @ Trinity Methodist Church (Darlington) | Sunday (3/29) at 12:00 PM – Right after worship, Trinity Methodist is hosting an Easter egg hunt, plus a free lunch. Expect tons of eggs, plenty of fellowship, and chicken nuggets, chips, and drinks. Bring the baskets, invite the neighbors, and let the kids sprint while you catch up.

🥚 Eggstravaganza @ Compassion Church Florence | Saturday (4/4) at 10:00 AM – Kids bouncing off walls? The annual Eggstravaganza is back for year five with free admission, egg hunts, the Easter Bunny, inflatables, prizes, balloon art, and free food. Bring baskets, friends, and your camera, because bunny cameos beat mall lines.

✨ Upcoming local fundraisers

🍀 Lucky Shamrock Festival 2026 @ Downtown Florence | Friday (3/13) at 5:30 PM – If you’re ready to swap winter grays for green, head to downtown Florence for the Junior League’s Lucky Shamrock Festival, a family-friendly spring kickoff. Come for the feel-good fun, stay knowing your dollars fund scholarships for local young women, and real community projects.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Florence report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 83°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 42%

A chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 89°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 5%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across South Carolina but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This 4-bed plus bonus room, 3.5-bath custom home in The Colony at Forest Lake spans 3,295 square feet with a side-entry insulated double garage and solar panels. Open living spaces and a first-floor primary suite pair with a kitchen featuring solid surface counters. Outside, a fenced backyard features a sparkling saltwater pool and a sprinkler system on a separate well.

Take a peek inside →