The online travel site Expedia recently published a list of its favorite destinations to celebrate life’s biggest moments. For expecting mothers, the site said there’s no place like Hilton Head Island, ranking it the No.1 destination for a “babymoon.”

Southern Living recently included Bluffton on its list of 15 “Best Places to Retire.” The magazine focused on towns that have unique amenities, a low cost of living, opportunities for volunteering, part-time work and continued learning. Other important factors were a stable housing market, access to medical care, and an airport or train station close by.

An English teacher with more than 30 years of classroom experience was named the 2016-17 Beaufort County School District Teacher of the Year. The selection of Elizabeth MacMurray, who teaches ninth-grade English at Hilton Head Island High School, was announced during a recent breakfast celebration to honor teachers of the year from all of the district’s schools.

More South Carolinians will soon be able to harness the power of the sun, thanks to a new solar energy initiative by South Carolina Electric & Gas Company. The company recently announced plans to launch a community solar partnership with Clean Energy Collective. An alternative to rooftop solar, CEC’s RooflessSolar will give SCE&G residential electric customers, schools, churches and municipalities the opportunity to subscribe to or purchase panels in solar farms and receive credit for solar generation on their energy bills each month.

Beginning Oct. 1, operating hours will expand at southern Beaufort County’s two library branches. The Hilton Head Island library will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Town of Hilton Head Island issued $27.885 million GO Refunding Bonds on Sept. 1 to achieve savings through lower interest rates. The new bonds replaced 2005, 2008 and 2010 bonds totaling $28.440 million. The town will realize $3,000,322 in savings over the life of the bonds. Recently, the town underwent a rigorous bond ratings process; all three municipal bond rating agencies affirmed the town's strong ratings citing strong financial practices leading to ample financial reserves and high liquidity as well as a very strong economy.

Open enrollment is the period each year when you’re allowed to start, stop or change your health insurance plan. Normally, you sign up around the end of one calendar year for coverage that lasts the full next year. The open enrollment window for private, individual health plans will last three months for 2017 coverage: Nov. 1 to Jan. 31.

To those of you on the island who appreciate when Hilton Head turns to fall, slows down and relaxes a bit, will want to attend the Coligny Outdoor Market on September 16th. 

From 4-7pm, the popular Coligny Outdoor Market, now a year old will return to Hilton Head's Downtown. With food trucks, street-style vendors, artists and craftsmen and music by Whitley Deputy and the B Town Project, plus TONS of kids activities, this is a simple return to the beach after a very popular summer! 

Want to find the friendliest city in the world? Here in South Carolina, you won't have to go far. Charleston has topped Conde Nast Traveler’s list of the  "Friendliest Cities" in the world. In justifying the ranking, the magazine quoted one reader who said, "it has the charm of the South, the sophistication of the city, and a warmth and friendliest that is unmatched."