Hi Hilton Head, we made it to Thursday! In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Election results, indigo dyeing workshop, and Pilates on the Water + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Election results in Bluffton: Incumbent Mark Lawson won the Republican nomination for Beaufort County Council’s Bluffton-area District 9 on Wednesday, preliminary results show, and pledges to curb overdevelopment and back the fall transportation tax -- see the Bluffton results.
Conservation deal faces scrutiny: Beaufort County Council delayed a $42 million purchase of 4,950 acres in Bluffton, sparking debate over conservation guarantees, public access for hiking and hunting, and reimbursement from the Forestry Commission -- follow the land-buy debate.
Coastal travel momentum builds: Tourist arrivals to South Carolina’s beaches, including Hilton Head Island, rose for five straight months in early 2026, signaling rebound and stabilization while other beach destinations nationwide report mixed results -- read the full travel story.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill:If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Sneak in a reset: Swap screen time for live oaks, boardwalks, and the butterfly habitat at Coastal Discovery Museum this week, then snag a guided walk if you’re feeling curious. It’s a quiet, very Hilton Head way to recharge while actually learning something about the marshes you jog past.
Puzzle night upgrade: Whether your crew needs a screen-break or a fresh date-night plot twist, Escape Room Escape Island drops you into 60-minute adventures like True Grit, The Doctor is In, and Area 52. Team up, talk it out, and prove Hilton Head brains beat padlocks more often than not.
Comfort food detour: When you’ve had your fill of on-island seafood reruns, Taste of Europe comes through with cozy Hungarian comfort, paprika-kissed plates, and homey sweets that feel like a treat-yourself move. It’s the kind of spot you bookmark for an easy win on a midweek dinner.
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04 — Our recommendations
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Premiums are up roughly 46% since 2021: Home insurance has outpaced inflation for years, and renewals rarely move in your favor. Rather than take the new number on faith, FinanceBuzz lets you match your home with top-rated insurers and compare quotes side by side — free, in about two minutes. Even if you decide to stay put, you'll know you checked. *See your options → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Hilton Head for grown upsThe best events and nightlife experiences for adults this week. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🧘 Core Pilates Hilton Head Mahjong 3 Part Lessons- June @ Core Pilates (Hilton Head Island) | Thursday (6/11) at 4:00 PM – This leisurely three-part series teaches you Mahjong without the smoky backroom nonsense. At Core Pilates Hilton Head, it is more brain plank than side plank, with tiles, bams, and craks explained at a pace that lets you sip, chat, and still learn.
❓ Trivia @ Shelter Cove Community Park (Hilton Head Island) | Thursday (6/11) at 6:00 PM – Prove those Jeopardy shout-outs weren't luck at Tio's trivia, Tuesday in Bluffton at Buckwalter and Thursday on the island at Shelter Cove Towne Centre, with music, sports, presidents, movies, and pop culture. Slide in early for happy hour, then humble-brag your knowledge and snag prizes.
🎶 Live Music from Old Soul Band @ The Bank (Hilton Head Island) | Thursday (6/11) at 7:00 PM – Old Soul Band is taking over The Bank with tight harmonies, deep grooves, and that easy swing your shoulders remember. Consider it a safe deposit of real musicianship, good cocktails, and a crowd that actually listens, sings along, and gets home respectably late.
🥗 All-American Picnic Salads, Reinvented @ Hilton Head Olive Oils & Balsamics (Hilton Head Island) | Friday (6/12) at 2:00 PM – Picnic salads are getting a makeover, and your aunt's potato salad is nervous. Suzanne and Vicki lead a class on dressings, herbs, and seasonal twists that make slaws crunchy, pastas Mediterranean, and fruit play nice with savory. Finally, a pasta salad you will not ignore.
🧘 Pilates on the Water @ Broad Creek Marina (Hilton Head Island) | Saturday (6/13) at 9:00 AM – Pilates is setting sail with a mat class aboard Island Head’s luxury boat, Bonjour, complete with gorgeous Lowcountry views, a sea breeze, and a surprise core workout every time the water says hello. All mats provided, just bring balance, sunscreen, and your best plank face.
🎨 Indigo Dyeing Workshop @ Bluffton Gullah Cultural Heritage Center | Saturday (6/13) at 1:00 PM – Trade your to-do list for an indigo vat at Bluffton’s Gullah Cultural Heritage Center, where you’ll dye, hear Lowcountry stories, and honor the Gullah Geechee tradition. Herbalist and naturalist Jamillah Miller leads the way. Expect blue hands, richer roots, and no tie-dye clichés.
🎭 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street @ Ulmer Auditorium (Bluffton) | Saturday (6/13) at 7:30 PM – In the mood for something darker than overbrewed tea? May River Theatre stages Sondheim’s Tony-winning Sweeney Todd, a razor-sharp revenge tale in Victorian London with a haunting score, a barber seeking justice, and Mrs. Lovett’s infamous pies. Skip dinner, bring dry humor. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — Announcement In case you missed itWe opened The Insiders’ Club last week and hundreds of folks have already joined (seriously… can’t thank you enough!!). For a few bucks a month, The Club gives you every newsletter ad-free on your schedule, plus members-only updates to help you stay connected to your community. The Weekly Events Roundup is my favorite feature. You get one email a week with all the best events and nothing else cluttering it up. Want only that? Skip the daily emails and turn the rest off. Join the club → |
07 — The Hilton Head report Weather forecastToday — High: 90°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 9%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 6 to 12 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 79. Southwest wind 8 to 12 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 94°F — Low: 80°F — Precip: 20%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 80. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis proposed May Residential Builders home in gated Berkeley Hall pairs Lowcountry luxury with serious substance, offering over 4,100 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, and a 2.5-car garage. It is built to 180 mph hurricane-rated standards, comes fully furnished, and includes a pool, hot tub, and generator, all wrapped in championship golf community appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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