Good morning, Summerville!

We hope you've all had another wonderful August week. It's been hot, it's been stormy... just as we've come to expect this time of year!

Like many families, the back-to-school germs have made their way through our house this week. While we'd certainly rather skip the sickness, we're also soaking in this sweet stage of life where missing a day of school is actually disappointing for our kids. Thankfully, it's been a smooth start to the school year overall. And I won't lie—there's something surprisingly satisfying about filling those little bento lunch boxes each morning. I know that season won't last forever, so I'm enjoying it while I can.

This week's newsletter has (hopefully!) a little something for everyone and for families with kids of all ages. We have the details on Tot Time for those of you still entertaining little ones during the weekdays, an outdoor concert series from the Summerville Orchestra for anyone who enjoys live music, and information on the RiverDogs' first playoff game. A family baseball game always feels like a great way to spend an evening, no matter how old your kids are.

We're also sharing our latest parents' night out at Wine & Tapas in downtown Summerville—a reminder that we need to make date nights happen a little more often—as well as a love letter to Summerville summers. Now that we've called the Lowcountry home for five years and another summer is winding down, I've realized I've grown to love many of the things that once caught me completely off guard.

We hope you have a wonderful week and a great start to September!

‼️Coming soon‼️

A boutique coworking space directly in Hutchinson Square! If you work from home and have been looking for a desk right in the heart of Summerville, look no further. Hutchinson Yard, Summerville’s newest neighborhood workspace, is opening next month!

Memberships are first come first serve, and spots are limited. If you’re interested in learning more, fill out this short interest form and they’ll be in touch.

Some days you just need to get out of the house. It's too hot to be outside for long, or it's raining, or the kids are bouncing off the walls and you need somewhere contained where they can burn energy without you tracking them across a giant open space. Tot Time is exactly that kind of option, and it's officially back at the Rollins Edwards Community Center starting tomorrow. In celebration there’s a special Back to Tot Time Picnic happening (details below).

Tot Time is an indoor open play session for little ones ages 1-5. Tot Time is held at the Rollins Edwards Community Center (301 N. Hickory St., Summerville) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8:30am-12pm. It's $3 per child with no pre-registration required. It’s a big, contained gym space set up for toddlers to run, climb, and play with inflatables, hula hoops, bean bags, sports equipment and more. It's simple, it's affordable, and it's one of the easiest ways to break up a long day at home. The kids get to move and socialize, and you get to chat with other parents who are in the exact same season of life. Some of the best mom friendships start standing around a community center gym watching your toddlers circle each other suspiciously before deciding to play.

What makes it especially great is how low-pressure it is. There's no big commitment, no fancy setup, no need to pack for a whole outing. You show up, the kids play, and when everyone's worn out you head home for what will hopefully be an epic nap. It's perfect for those days when you want to try something new but don't have the energy for a big production.

Back to Tot Time Picnic
Friday, August 28 | 10–10:45am | Rollins Edwards Community Center, 301 N Hickory St | $10

To celebrate weekly Tot Time coming back to the Rollins Edwards Community Center, Parks & Rec is hosting a special picnic this morning. The $10 covers a picnic bag with snacks and a drink for your little one, and it also covers Tot Time open play in the gym from 8:30am to 1pm. Bring a blanket or a towel to sit on. There’s an iced coffee station for the grown-ups (the right choice for any morning event). They’re taking registrations until it fills.

Right after it, at 11am, Dance Mode runs 11–11:45am for $5. It’s a 45-minute parent-and-child dance class with Miss Laurel, who trained in dance at the College of Charleston and has taught locally at Barre Nation in Nexton and Magnolia Dance Academy on Old Trolley. The $5 covers one toddler plus the caregiver, at least one caregiver has to stay in the class, and that same caregiver can cover siblings. If you can’t make it to today’s Dance Mode but would like to join in the future, there’s sessions on September 3rd, 11th, and 24th as well.

PLAYOFF BASEBALL IS HERE! 

Cheer on the RiverDogs at The Joe on September 10 as the road to a championship begins! Plus, the first 2,000 fans through the gates get a FREE RiverDogs playoff T-shirt!

Get your tickets here!

If an indoor performance at an auditorium is a bit too much for your family but you like the idea of listening to live performances outdoors, the Summerville Orchestra's Encore Series is the perfect opportunity for your family!

These are free, laid-back chamber concerts where a small group of musicians plays outdoors in the shared parking lot of Coastal Coffee Roasters and Splurge Vintage Market & Boutique in downtown Summerville. No quiet concert hall, no pressure to keep a wiggly child perfectly still. You bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab a coffee or a bite from Coastal Coffee Roasters or Godwin's Beer Hall next door, and just enjoy the music. It's about as relaxed as live orchestral music gets.

Every show runs from 7–9pm (seating opens at 6:30) at 108 E. 3rd N. St. Here are the four performances on the 2026–2027 calendar:

A little about each one: the season opens with Golden Age Broadway and operetta hits — Rodgers & Hammerstein, Gilbert & Sullivan, and more — brought to life by SO musicians and two local vocalists. October's L'Histoire du Soldat is the most story-driven of the bunch, a Stravinsky work that blends music and narration to tell the tale of a soldier who trades his violin to the Devil (fun for older kids who can follow along). March brings SOJazzy & Solos, the most upbeat and energetic night of the series. And they close out in May with an SC250 Celebration of American music, from John Williams and Gershwin to bluegrass and blues.

Registration is encouraged so they can plan for the crowd, but walk-ups are always welcome. You can learn more and register

I've been to Wine & Tapas Bar a couple of times over the years, but if I'm being honest, I never really had a reason not to go back—I just never had a reason that pushed it to the top of my list. But a rare ladies' night out (especially for this pregnant mama!) this past Wednesday night brought me back to Wine & Tapas, and I left wishing I had gone back sooner.

The first thing that surprised me was how vibrant it was for a Wednesday night. We walked in around 9 p.m. expecting things to be winding down, but instead the restaurant was full of people enjoying drinks, catching up with friends, and lingering over conversations. It had exactly the kind of atmosphere you hope for when you plan a night out.

Even better, owner Jason was serving our table that evening. Jason also owns La Chev, another one of downtown Summerville's fantastic restaurants, and it's clear that hospitality is something he values. He was incredibly welcoming and made us feel right at home from the moment we sat down.

They had a solid selection of wines and cocktails available. What really made my night, though, was seeing that they don't forget about those of us who aren't drinking alcohol. Instead of settling for water or a soda, I had multiple mocktails and other non-alcoholic options to choose from which made this pregnant mom feel like I was still getting to enjoy the experience alongside everyone else.

The kitchen menu also has something for just about everyone. Even though it may seem like an odd choice at 9pm, the Summer Salad with fresh fruit and goat cheese sounded exactly like what I wanted. It wasn’t super fancy but I am not exaggerating when I say I've thought about that salad at least five times today wishing I were eating it again.

Around the table, my friends ordered a flatbread and the Caprese Salad, both of which looked delicious. We were also tempted by the spinach dip, nachos, sandwiches, and several other menu items. Wine & Tapas also has a build-your-own charcuterie selection with a wide variety of meats and cheeses, and I can already picture my husband and me sitting downtown sharing a board while enjoying an evening together.

One thing I especially appreciate about Wine & Tapas is that it's one of the few places in Summerville that's open late. If you've ever tried to plan an evening out downtown, you know your options become pretty limited after dinner. Wine & Tapas is open from 3pm-Midnight Monday-Thursday, 12pm-Midnight on Saturdays, and now they’re open 12-8pm on Sundays with a limited food menu.

Beyond the food and drinks, they also host a variety of events like happy hour, trivia, live music, bingo, and wine tastings throughout the week. I was truthfully having too much fun catching up with friends to snap a picture of their event schedule, and I couldn't find an up-to-date calendar on their social media afterward. So here's my recommendation: the next time you're in downtown Summerville, stop in and ask what's coming up. I have a feeling you'll leave with a reason to come back.

Wine & Tapas is located at 103 S. Main Street, Unit A, right in the heart of historic downtown Summerville, making it an easy stop before or after exploring Main Street!

When we moved to Summerville five years ago, I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to summer.

There were the lizards. Every time I opened the front door, one would dart across the porch and I'd jump like I'd seen something much larger. Now? I smile when I see them. We've reached an understanding. They take care of the bugs I really don't want around, and I let them continue their tiny neighborhood patrols uninterrupted.

Then there are the August thunderstorms. The first summer we lived here, the afternoon skies seemed to change in an instant. Sunshine one minute, dark clouds the next. The thunder wasn't the slight rumble I'd grown up with…it shook the windows. The rain came sideways. The lights flickered just enough to make you wonder if dinner would actually finish cooking. Now those storms have become part of the rhythm of August. There's something oddly comforting about hearing the first distant rumble while you're wrapping up dinner or watching the kids play inside. You know it's coming. You know it'll probably be over in thirty minutes. You know there's at least a decent chance the power might blink off for a bit.

The heat took the longest to understand. At first, I fought it. I'd plan outings in the middle of the afternoon be miserable. I'd complain about sweating before I even reached the mailbox. Then I learned the unwritten rules of a Lowcountry summer.

Around here, no one expects you to look perfectly put together in August. We all know the humidity has other plans. Once I stopped trying to beat the weather and started working with it, summer became a lot more enjoyable.

Summer here has taught me that every place has its own personality. The Midwest has temperate summers and crisp autumns. New England has brilliant foliage and snow filled winters. And the Lowcountry? It has humidity that fogs your sunglasses the moment you step outside, thunderstorms dramatic enough to pause conversation, and tiny green lizards that eventually become friends.

Those things that once felt strange have slowly become familiar. And the familiar has become appreciated. Maybe that's what happens when a place starts to feel like home. You stop wishing it were different and start appreciating it for exactly what it is.

So here's to Summerville summers. To the storms that remind us we can't control everything. To the sweat that proves we spent the day outside instead of watching it through a window. To the lizards standing guard on our porches. And to another summer that, without me even realizing it, has become part of the story of home. Because somewhere along the way, I stopped enduring Summerville summers and I fully embraced them.

Love,

Courtney, Daniel, and the Berk Boys

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