🌴 Peach Festival, 3rd Thursday, and New Splash Pad!

Hi there, Palmetto Parent!

It’s an exciting time for Summerville! Last week we wrote about the new library and this week we introduce a new splash pad.

There is so much to do this summer for kids of all ages — indoors and outdoors. Take a look at our previous posts in the “To-do” section if you’re new here to see how you can access free bowling, discounted movies, and a variety of parks this summer.

Tomorrow’s Third Thursday event celebrates Summerville Parks and Recreation. If you’ve been working on your Parks and Rec Bingo Board, tomorrow is your night to cash in! Bring your pictures to prove your bingo to the Parks and Recreation tent and you’ll get your prize. There will be basketball, pickle ball, and a gaga pit set up for kids to enjoy during the event.

The band Rhythm 54 will be on stage and there will be many local vendors and food trucks, as always. Watch this video to see what people love about the Third Thursday events.

Have an American flag you need to retire? Drop it off with the Mason Team booth (spot 52) during Third Thursday and they can retire it properly for you.

To Do: New Splash Pad At Doty Park

On Friday there is a brand new splash pad at Doty Park officially opening! The ribbon cutting takes place at 9am and the grand opening is at 10am. In the summer heat, splash pads are a family favorite to spend time outdoors while staying cool. Doty Park (320 N. Laurel Street) is a large park that has a playground, walking trails, picnic shelters, and tennis courts — and now a splash pad. The splash pad will be open from 10am to 6pm daily from June 21 to August 13 and from August 17 to September 29 only on weekends.

More library news…

Last week we gave an overview of the kids programs the libraries have to offer this summer. We wanted to add a couple more that are available that you can find at the Summerville location (76 Old Trolley Rd.), so that no good opportunity is lost!

• Storytots (Ages 0-5), storytime with books, fingerplays, and rhymes, Wednesdays at 11am, 6/12-8/21

• Freeplay Saturday (Ages 5 & under), social time with toys and activities, Saturdays from 10:30-11:30am, 6/15-8/24

• Little Lego Club (Ages 5 & under), Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30pm, 6/11-8/20 (except 7/30)

• Lego Club (Ages 6-12), Thursdays from 3:30-4:30pm, 6/13-8/22 (except 7/4)

• Baby & Me (Ages 0-2), Wednedays at 10:30am, 6/12-8/21

You can see more details about each class and full programing for the summer here.

The Best Bone Broth on the Planet

The best broth, now with NEW flavors. Created by James Beard award-winning chef Marco Canora. No preservatives, concentrates, or short cuts. Shop here.

If you want your Summerville business in front of over 1,300 Palmetto Parents, click here.

An Event: Lowcountry Peach Festival

Coming up this weekend is the Peach Festival at Jedburg Junction. The festival will have lots of games for kids, craft vendors, live mubic, food trucks, and local bakers. Food vendors currate special menus with peach in the spotlight.

One of the vendors, baristabearcoffeeco, will have fun peach inspired drinks like the Peach Cobbler Latte, Peachy Bean Cold Brew, and Peach Matcha Lemonade.

The festival features Shuler Strawberries and Peaches. They posted the picture below of their peaches ripening and getting ready for picking! If you are a peach fan but not a festival fan, consider taking your family to their Ridgeville or Holly Hill locations where they have both peaches and blackerries that you can pick yourself.

Check out their Facebook page for more details about you-pick hours and availability. The festival this weekend is open from 10am-4pm on Saturday and 12pm-4pm on Sunday at 850 East Butternut Rd. Summerville. If you plan to go with friends, be sure to carpool as parking is limited.

Restaurant: Sweetwater 123

Our family recently rediscovered Sweetwater 123. When we moved here from Chicago three years ago, it was the first restaurant we ate at in downtown Summerville. We enjoyed the brunch food and experience, but forgot about it as we were on a mission to try lots of new places.

But recently we had family in town and decided to go back and realized we’d been missing out in the years that have passed. The food was amazing, and Daniel particularly enjoyed their Sweetwater Delight dessert which was described as a combination of pudding and cheesecake (shown below). None of us actually wanted dessert but we no one could resist taking a bite.

We just went back yet another time with the same family members to try out their breakfast menu. I loved the corn beef hash & eggs and Daniel loved the Arctic salmon omelet. So, we officially confirmed that the breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner menu are all delicious. They also have a monthly rotating menu for specials.

Click here to see June’s rotating menu.

Another fun aspect is that they have a store attached to the restaurant that sells local goods. I’ve always missed it, assuming it was a part of the restaurant. We stopped in a couple weeks ago and I found some prints of Charleston that I plan to buy to hang in our home. I definitely plan to go back when I needs gifts for friends.

Palmetto Piece: The Science of Hugs

As parents we always want to do what’s best for our kids. Sometimes, what is best isn’t always clear. One thing that is absolutely certain is the power of hugs. Hugging your kids has proven benefits to their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Most of the benefits of hugs can be traced back to the release of oxytocin, a powerful hormone. An article published by Parenting for Brain summarizes the benefits of hugs in seven categories:

1. Hugs make kids smarter. Studies show that babies who receive consistent, gentle touch score higher in developmental testing.

2. Hugs help kids grow. Oxytocin, which is released during hugs, is a growth stimulant. It also encourages the release of other growth hormones.

3. Hugs help kids stay healthy. Oxytocin also strengthens our immune system by decreasing inflammation.

4. Hugs stop tantrums. Hugs can be used as a powerful tool to regulate emotional responses. Oxytocin helps reduce anxiety and stress, which allows kids to access the calming parts of their brain.

5. Hugs build resilience. Hugging lessens the negative impacts of consistently high cortisol levels (stress hormones) and the negative impacts of conflict.

6. Hugs increase happiness. Hugs improve a kid’s self esteem and optimism (also thanks to oxytocin).

7. Hugs bond parents and children. Oxytocin allows children to build trust and take risks, resulting in a better bond with the parent. This creates more secure, healthy attachments for children with their parents.

So when in doubt, give your child a hug. If you can make it a 20-second hug, even better. Research supports the power of a long, 20-second hug.

Go ahead and get hugging!

P.S. Hugs are a great tool to use with your partner, too.

BONUS: Great Parenting Newsletters

We try our very best to include things in Palmetto Parents that you simply won’t find anywhere else. We sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed it these last several months.

That said, we’d be remiss not to also shout out some other awesome newsletters that we think you might be interested in. All you have to do is click the link of the newsletter you’re interested in exploring below and you’ll be subscribed to some awesome new newsletters.

• The Mommy - The Mommy is your warm cup of coffee before the little ones wake up, with a mix of practical, educational, and entertaining content designed just for mamas.

• Mom’s Morning Memo - Daily inspiration delivered right to your inbox with activities to do with your kids.

• Birdie - Birdie is a free email newsletter that touches on topics of women's health, beauty/self-care, nutrition, parenting, and shopping.

• FamilyMade - Your mid-week dose of love and support, wherever you are on your family journey!

• The Starglow Weekly - From the #1 Kids & Family podcast network comes The Starglow Weekly, a TLDR on all things purposeful parenting, lessening screentime, and helping you find that balance we're all seeking.

Links may be affiliate links, but content is still worth checking out.

Until next time

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦 

If you liked part or all of this issue, please share with your people. We want every parent in Summerville to join the Palmetto Parents village.