🌴 Summerville's Halloween Festivities Are Here

Happy Friday, Palmetto Parent!

We hope those of you who had fall break enjoyed it with your families! The weather is now somewhat fall-esque, and the town of Summerville has a week packed with autumn fun. Even though stores are already full of Christmas decor (what 😳), we want to embrace fall for all it’s got.

If you want to head to the zoo this weekend, join the Bee City Zoo in dressing up like minions and your family will be entered to win a four person pass, including a fifteen minute animal encounter with an animal of your choice.

Come to the zoo dressed as minions on October 19th, 20th, 26th, or 27th to be entered to win this prize!

Here’s the Reel from our visit. It really is a Lowcountry gem and we highly recommend going with the whole family.

TO DO

Scarecrows on the Square

It’s that time of year again—Summerville’s beloved Scarecrows on the Square is back, and it’s a must-do for families.

Starting today, October 18th through November 1st, the heart of downtown Summerville transforms into a whimsical display of scarecrows, created by local businesses, schools, and civic groups. From funny to spooky, and everything in between, these handmade creations bring a lively dose of autumn spirit to Hutchinson Square.

Grab a coffee from Cuppa Manna or Cafe de Fleur, an ice cream from Simple Treasures, or a giant pizza from Benny Mazzetto’s and make it a full family evening on the square.

The scarecrows will be on display throughout the month of October, so there’s plenty of time to explore! Don't forget to vote for your favorite scarecrow—winners are announced at the end of the month. Votes are $1.00 each and will be collected at Guerin’s Pharmacy, Simple Treasures, Cuppa Manna Cafe, and Wine & Tapas Bar. Voting opens October 18th. Proceeds support JSL of Summerville’s School Supply Fund for Dorchester School Districts 2 and 4.

Bring the family, snap some fun photos, and make it a tradition to kick off the fall season in Summerville!

FROM OUR SPONSORS

🐶 Unleashing Luxury at Every Appointment

At Palm Belle Grooming, we believe grooming should be a stress-free and enjoyable experience for your dog. That’s why we offer a unique, cage-free, one-on-one grooming service designed to give your pet the undivided attention they deserve.

Why Choose Us?

• Private, One-on-One Sessions: Your dog will enjoy a completely private grooming session, ensuring they receive personalized care in a calm, comfortable environment.

• Cage-Free Comfort: We don’t use cages or kennels. Instead, your dog has the freedom to relax and feel at home while being pampered.

• All-Inclusive Packages: From bathing and brushing to nail trims and ear cleaning, our comprehensive grooming packages include everything your dog needs to look and feel their best!

Treat your dog to a grooming experience like no other.

Book their private, cage-free appointment today and discover the Palm Belle Grooming difference!

Use code: Palmetto Parents for a FREE mud bath upgrade in October! 

This treatment is rejuvenating, hydrating and a true ZEN experience! ($40 value)

Call 854.333.7312 or schedule an appointment here.

LOCAL EVENT

Halloween Festivities Around The Town

• Down the Rabbit Hole Halloween Fest is tomorrow (10/19) from 12-6pm at Brown Family Park in Nexton. This Alice in Wonderland themed fest will feature trick-or-treat stations, costume contests, and live performances including local Dylan Carter who competed on The Voice. There will be lots of local food vendors there like Sticky Fingers, Viva Chicken, Local Ice Cream Shop, Sno Biz of Summerville, and many more.

• The Junior Service League’s Ghostwalk is tomorrow (10/19) from 6-9pm in Hutchinson Square. This event features a Ghostwalk of varying fright levels (G, PG, & Haunted) hosted by the Flowertown Players (Summerville’s Community Theater). Guests are encouraged to wear costumes and enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, games, and hayrides. Purchase tickets for the games, hayride, and/or tours here. Children 3 & under are free. You can purchase tickets day of, but they are more expensive. All proceeds for this event benefit the JSL School Supply Fund for Dorchester School Districts 2 & 4.

• The Boo Bash at Nexton Square is a fun-filled Halloween event happening on Thursday, 10/24 from 5-8pm. Festivities will be kicked off with a Zombie Crawl Parade around the square. There will be trunk or treating, a live DJ, and a variety of spooky games. Everyone is encouraged to wear their best costumes, and there will even be a costume contest, so make sure to get creative. Don't forget to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the activities comfortably. P

Does your business have an upcoming event that you’d like to include in Palmetto Parent’s weekly newsletter to 2,700 parents? Find out how.

Looking to buy, sell, or invest in your next home?

Meet Ernest Govan, aka "The Dream Maker Agent," your go-to realtor for Summerville and Charleston! As a Palmetto Parents Preferred Partner, Ernest is trusted by our entire family—he helped us, my brother, and even my parents find the perfect homes. He’s known for being patient, communicative, and never pushy. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to invest, Ernest will guide you through the process with ease. Ready to make your real estate dreams a reality?

Contact The Dream Maker today!

If you haven’t yet, consider joining the Palmetto Parents Community to chat with fellow parents in real time! It’s like a big group DM to ask questions, communicate about IRL meetups, get advice, and more. It’s small but growing. 😄

RESTAURANT

Nancy’s Kitchen

We have found our new favorite casual dining spot in Summerville. 🌮 

Nancy’s Kitchen, a new Mexican restaurant, opened about three weeks ago off of Central Avenue. It would be really easy to miss but I’m so glad it caught my eye. We went for dinner this past weekend and were thrilled to find such delicious, authentic Mexican food.

It’s a very small but cozy place and we felt like special guests. It was very different than the larger Mexican restaurants in the area (which don’t get me wrong, we also love). We talked to the owner, Rico, and he was so kind to our family. We ordered tacos, sopes, and enchiladas and loved the pastor meat (marinated pork). While we waited we ate thin and crispy chips with a salsa packed with flavor.

The food came quickly, was fairly priced, and it was one of the best meals we had out in a while. We definitely left with a sense that our business truly mattered to the people there, and we love to support new and local places that way.

Please go and check them out because we desperately want them to thrive! This isn’t a paid ad. We literally just love their food and want them to succeed. Go eat your heart out.

You can find Nancy’s Kitchen at 820 Central Ave, Summerville. It’s open from 10am-9pm every day but closed on Mondays. Soon the new hours will be 7am-11am for brunch, 11am-3pm for lunch, and 3pm-9pm for dinner.

PALMETTO PIECE

Life Lessons From Potty Training

Potty training a toddler—it's one of those parenting milestones that feels both exciting and challenging. This week we are potty training our two-year-old, and it’s definitely had its ups and downs. But beyond the frustration and the accidents, there are some big life lessons we, as parents, are taking away from this experience.

First, patience is key. If potty training teaches anything, it’s the importance of patience. There are accidents, setbacks, and moments when it feels like we’re getting nowhere. But just like in life, progress takes time. Embracing those small victories and allowing our son to learn at his own pace reminds us that not everything happens on our schedule.

Another lesson is the value of consistency and routines. Toddlers thrive when they know what to expect, and the routine of regular potty breaks helps them build confidence. In life, too, consistency leads to success—whether it’s in work, relationships, or personal growth. It’s the small, everyday actions that add up to big change.

Finally, celebrating progress — not perfection — is something potty training teaches us well. This one is tough for me, but I know it’s essential to my sanity and joy as a parent. Every successful trip to the potty, no matter how small, is a reason to cheer. In the same way, recognizing and celebrating the little wins in life helps us stay positive and motivated through the tougher times.

So while potty training may be messy and unpredictable, it’s also been full of teachable moments—for both our toddler and us! Wish us luck as we continue on the journey.

That’s it for today! See you next Friday 🙂 

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 

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