🎄 On a one-horse open firetruck in Summerville

Happy first week of December!

And also congratulations to you for living in the nation’s #1 hottest suburb! The State’ newspaper recently highlighted Summerville as the nation’s hottest suburb and South Carolina’s #1 blooming suburb. The article, published at the end of last month, showcases why our town is thriving. We know being a blooming suburb comes with its issues (ahem… traffic) but there’s a reason so many people want to move here. It truly is just that great.

‘Tis the season for lots of Summerville holiday fun… and for sickness. Our family was bummed to miss the tree lighting this week due to illness, but we’re hopeful we can still enjoy this upcoming weekend’s activities and festivities. This newsletter includes sections about PJs with Santa on Saturday night in downtown Summerville and the town’s Christmas parade on Sunday.

Some other events going on around town include:

• The Living Christmas Story at Bethany United Methodist Church where you can drive through and experience live enactments of the birth and life of Jesus Friday and Saturday night.

• A visit with Santa and the Grinch at The Pickle Bar in Nexton with a free Polaroid picture and a $3 hot cocoa bar on Saturday.

• The holiday farmer’s market at Summer’s Corner on Sunday afternoon.

If you missed it, be sure to check out our exclusive Summerville Parent Gift Guide. All gifts are designed to support local, small businesses. There’s a collection of local vendors offering special, customizable gifts, unique experiences to gift, and delicious treats like decorative cookies and hot cocoa bombs.

Finally, if your business would like to sponsor our weekly newsletter to 3,250 Summerville parents, we would love to feature you. Click here to learn about becoming a Palmetto Parents sponsor.

TO DO

See the Christmas Trees on The Square

If you enjoyed the Scarecrows on the Square, the Christmas edition begins December 7th! Starting tomorrow through December 22nd, check out the trees set up in Hutchinson Square decorated by a variety of local civic groups and businesses. All the lights and decorations the town put up already make Summerville feel like a scene out of a Hallmark movie, and the extra decorated trees just make it that much more magical.

The top winners in their categories for Scarecrows on the Square included Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, KidsCare at Bethany UMC, Rollings Middle School of the Arts, and JAG Medical Spa. If you saw them, it was clear the participants went all out! It will be exciting to see what amazing designs the contestants have up their sleeves for the trees. You can vote for your favorite tree by paying $0.25 at Guerin’s Pharmacy, Cuppa Manna, Café Simple Treasures, or Wine & Tapas Bar. Funds go toward the School Supply Fund for Dorchester School Districts 2 & 4.

Plus, don’t miss the Junior Service League of Summerville’s PJs with Santa event tomorrow! Families can wear their festive pajamas and enjoy holiday crafts, a snowball station, face painting & tattoos, Christmas stories with Mrs. Claus, and a meeting with Santa. You can purchase your tickets here or purchase them at check-in. Tickets are $10/each and need to be purchased for kids only. Adults do not need to purchase tickets. There will be hot chocolate, hot dogs, and baked goods available for purchase.

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LOCAL EVENT

Summerville’s Christmas Parade and Artisan Market

Summerville is gearing up for its annual Christmas Parade and Artisan Market this Sunday, December 8th, bringing the community together to celebrate the holiday season with festive cheer and local flair. The events are free, family-friendly, and perfect for kicking off your December celebrations.

Artisan Market

• When: Sunday, December 8

• Time: 11am-4pm

• Location: Hutchinson Square, Downtown Summerville.

  Start your day with the Artisan Market, where local vendors offer handcrafted gifts, seasonal decorations, and delicious treats. It's a great opportunity to shop small and find unique presents while enjoying a festive atmosphere. There will be food trucks and warm drinks available as well!

Christmas Parade

• Time: 2:00 PM

• Route: Begins at West 4th Street and finishes at North Hickory Street

  The parade is themed "Christmas Songs," featuring vibrant floats, marching bands, dancers, and even Santa Claus himself. This beloved tradition highlights the creativity and community spirit of Summerville, making it a must-see event for families.

Don't miss this festive day filled with holiday shopping, community connections, and magical moments in the heart of Summerville. Check out what roads will be closed for the festivities here.

RESTAURANT

Thai Taco Sushi

Nestled at 109 Holiday Drive in Summerville, Thai Taco Sushi Bar & Grill offers a delightful fusion of Thai and Japanese cuisines, creating a unique dining experience that caters to a variety of palates.

Fun fact, in our very first Palmetto Parents newsletter, we wrote about this restaurant. We liked it so much that we came back, but this time with both our kids! The food is delicious and unique, and our waitress was so good with our toddler.

Ambiance and Atmosphere

The restaurant boasts a pleasant and inviting ambiance, making it an ideal spot for both casual meals and special occasions. Guests can choose from various seating options, including a sushi bar, dining tables, a bar area, and outdoor seating. The interior is beautifully decorated, contributing to a warm and welcoming environment.

Culinary Highlights

Thai Taco Sushi Bar & Grill is renowned for its innovative dishes that blend the best of Thai and Japanese flavors. A standout menu item is the "Great Crunch" roll, featuring tempura shrimp, spicy tuna, crab, avocado, cream cheese, tempura flakes, spicy mayo, and eel sauce—a harmonious combination of textures and tastes.

If you’re craving authentic Thai dishes, the Pad Thai—a stir-fried noodle dish with tamarind sauce, egg, scallions, and ground peanuts—is a popular choice. Additionally, the Drunken Noodles, prepared with flat rice noodles, garlic, eggs, peppers, and a sweet and spicy basil sauce, offer a flavorful experience.

Customer Experience

Patrons frequently praise the restaurant for its fresh and delicious food, attentive staff, and overall welcoming atmosphere. The sushi, prepared by skilled chefs, is noted for its outstanding flavors and presentation. The diverse menu caters to various preferences, ensuring that every guest finds something to enjoy.

Operating Hours

Thai Taco Sushi Bar & Grill operates with the following schedule:

• Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

• Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM

• Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

These hours provide ample opportunity for both lunch and dinner visits.

Location and Contact Information

• Address: 109 Holiday Dr, Summerville, SC 29483

• Phone: (843) 261-2121

• Website: Thai Taco Sushi Bar & Grill

Whether you're a fan of Asian fusion cuisine or seeking a new dining experience in Summerville, Thai Taco Sushi Bar & Grill offers a diverse and flavorful menu that is sure to impress.

PALMETTO PIECE

Give Back with A Reverse Advent Calendar

Summerville Rotary Club member David Powell is asking members of the community to join him in a “Reverse Advent Calendar” where you intentionally fill items in our communities blessing box each day. Even if you can’t place one in the box each day, putting a few things in this month will go a long way. And if your family needs some support and extra groceries, the post contains a list of blessing boxes in Summerville that you can use. Here’s David’s post with all the details.

As we approach Christmas many families and individuals will struggle to have adequate food and hygiene items. An easy way to help those in need is to consider using this reverse Advent Calendar as a guide to collect non-perishable food and fill one of the many Summerville area Blessing Boxes. The Rotary Club of Summerville continues to help maintain the area’s Blessing Boxes through its “Adopt-A-Blessing Box” campaign. Club members are regularly placing non-perishable food and hygiene products in Blessing Boxes throughout the community and would appreciate your help and support in making sure that the Blessing Boxes are a resource for those families and individuals in need. Together we can help to make the Christmas season a little brighter for the less fortunate. Won’t you help us?

The following is a list of Summerville area Blessing Boxes and their locations.

417 Central Avenue (Summerville Baptist Church)

206 Central Avenue (St. Luke's Church)

888 Central Avenue (Cornerstone Baptist)

Sangaree Library, 595 Sangaree Parkway

102 Sangaree Park Court

209 Mikel Drive (Quail Arbor)

183 Apache Drive (Indian Springs)

10 King Charles Circle (Newington Elementary)

610 Cedar Street

1001 Beech Hill Road (Beech Hill Elementary)

438 Marketplace Drive (Church at Cane Bay)

9800 Delemar Highway (Ashley Ridge High School)

303 Central Avenue (Bethany United Methodist Church)

111 Waring Street (St. Paul's Church / Skardon Hall

100 Limehouse Drive (Stallsville United Methodist Church)

801 Boone Hill Road (Boone Hill United Methodist Church)

449 Old Trolley Road (Dorchester County Career Development Center)

301 Chandler Creek Road (Sires Elementary)

835 S. Main Street (Summerville Elementary School)

1253 Jedburg Road (New Hope United Methodist Church)

2102 State Road (Providence Wesleyan Church)

505 North Pine Street (Flowertown Home Builders)

1600 Old Trolley Rd. (Grace Lutheran Church)

306 Old Fort Dr. (Oakbrook Elementary School)

10505 Dorchester Rd. (Old Fort Baptist Church)

500 Greenwave Blvd. (Gregg Middle School)

406 N. Gum St. (Beyond Basic)

901 John McKissick Way (Spann Elementary)

308 Canaberry Circle

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦