Hilton Head News

State Rep. Jenny Horne is running for Congress, challenging incumbent Republican Mark Sanford in the coastal 1st Congressional District. The Republican primary election is June 14. Horne is a Republican member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 94. She was first elected to the chamber in 2009.

The U.S. National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program will recognize the Mitchelville Preservation Project, Hilton Head Land Trust’s Fort Howell, and the Heritage Library for their efforts in preservation and education at the National Underground Railroad Conference June 13-16, which is being held on Hilton Head Island.

The Shelter Cove Summer Community Market will take place at Shelter Cove Community Park on Tuesday evenings from 4:30-7 p.m. June 14 to Aug. 9, with the exception of July 5. The market will include produce, art, baked goods, specialty foods and prepared foods. There will also be activities for kids including a bungee jump, bounce houses, a rock wall and a zip line.

No cars or parking will be permitted at Islanders’ Beach Park until the current beach renourishment project is completed. Alternative beach access and parking can be found at Folly Field and Driessen Beach parks, and at Burkes Beach Road.

The Bluffton Police Department is now using the MyPD app, available for iPhone and Android. The public can receive alerts, look up department information, provide tips or request a police report using the app. To use the MyPD app, download it to your smartphone and then search for the Bluffton Police Department. 

The people have spoken. The winner of Monthly’s 2016 Cutest Kid Contest is Henley Jane Pankuch. This year’s contest took place on our Facebook page. We asked people to “like” our page and then “like” the photo they thought was the cutest. In just 15 days, more than 8,500 “likes” were cast. Pankuch racked up the most with 1,015.

Rethinking one of America’s most cherished ideals

Almost anywhere in the world, when someone mentions McDonald’s people instantly think of hamburgers, standardized food options, and a reliable quality of service. By any measure, this reflects brilliant marketing by the McDonald’s corporation. However, professor Jack Whelan has turned this McDonald’s phenomenon into a social critique, a metaphor for the way many Americans think.

Ebony Gadson, 17, a member of the Bluffton Boys & Girls Club, was named the Lowcountry Youth of the Year for the second year in a row. During her eight years at the Bluffton Boys & Girls Club, Gadson has proven herself an example of the values and skills that the Boys & Girls Club strives to instill in its members — determination, leadership skills and hard work. In 2015, Gadson won the S.C. Youth of the Year title as well, and will compete for the 2016 title this year. 

Bluffton was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 25 places to retire in 2016, citing the weather, the availability of many popular outdoor activities like golf and tennis, as well as reasonable taxes and cost of living. Bluffton was the only South Carolina town named to the list, though 14 of the 25 destinations are located in the Southeast. 

The new shopping center being constructed at the corner of Fording Island and Burnt Church roads in Bluffton will feature Hobby Lobby, The Fresh Market, and PGA Tour Superstore. There are also plans for the space to include some restaurants. There are also plans to include a Sleep Number store and an Aspen Dental office. The shopping center is planned to be completed in the first quarter of 2017. 

Clover native Scott Rohrer has always been athletic. He loved to play ball with his father when he was young.

But when he joined a tee ball team, Scott’s parents, Jeffrey and Elizabeth Rohrer, realized it wasn’t the right fit for him. He wasn’t playing like he played at home. 

When Scott started preschool, his parents were told that his speech and motor skills were on a 1-year-old’s level. He was later diagnosed with autism. 

Random stuff you should know about this year's Heritage...

RISING STAR GIVEN FIRST SPONSORS EXEMPTION

Sports Illustrated calls Bryson DeChambeau the hottest young golfer to watch in 2016, and Heritage spectators will get the chance to see him in person. DeChambeau has received the first sponsors exemption into the 48th annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. 

Simon Fraser loves playing the Harbour Town Golf Links with his 11 handicap, especially the four majestic and challenging par 3s and hole No. 6. The love of the course runs deep in the entire Fraser family, ever since Arnold Palmer took his first swing at the inaugural Heritage Classic golf tournament on Hilton Head in 1969, pocketing $20,000 as the winner.

RBC Heritage choreographs an ever-growing vehicle ballet

The best thing about the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing is that it gets a little better every year.

This year, one big improvement will be parking. Hilton Head Island officials and tournament planners came up with a plan this year to accommodate parking for the 100,000 people who enjoy tournament week. That’s a lot of cars.

I have a confession to make. I have been attending the Heritage golf tournament for 20 years and I might be able to count the number of times I’ve seen a ball arc through the air on one hand. (As for counting the number of cocktails I’ve had at the tournament, well, let’s just say I would need more hands.) I’m fairly certain I’m not alone on this one. After all, the Heritage has a longstanding reputation for being a “see and be seen” grandstanding event.