Merry Christmas and Happy Shark Week!

Christmas spirit is in full swing this weekend in Summerville. We hope you enjoyed the “Christmas in July” third Thursday if you joined last night. This weekend is the Christmas in July sidewalk sales and if you want more of the Christmas spirit, join Summerville Parks and Rec’s Christmas in July Family Trivia Night next Friday night.

It’s also shark week! The South Carolina Aquarium is hosting a variety of special programs to celebrate and we will be posting local shark week events on our Instagram stories.

As promised, this week and next we are featuring three Summerville teachers’ wishlists! Let’s support our local teachers and help them get ready for the upcoming school year. As a former teacher, I can tell you that even a small item purchased off the wish list is such a morale booster for teachers.

Summerville’s Flowertown Players have two great shows for families coming up:

1) This weekend, there’s still limited tickets to see Mean Girls Jr. available. Tickets are available for this Saturday, July 19th, at the 1pm and 4pm showings. This is a youth production, put on by local teens.

2) Plan ahead and get your tickets for Shrek the Musical this August! Shrek the Musical runs from August 8th-24th. Get your tickets here. This is a great show for the whole family.

The Flowertown Players, Summerville’s beloved community theater, is not only a hub for top-notch local performances but also a fantastic place for young people to get involved in the arts. Their youth programming includes theater camps, acting workshops, and opportunities for students to audition for mainstage productions throughout the year. Kids and teens of all ages can gain experience both on stage and behind the scenes—building confidence, learning teamwork, and discovering the magic of live performance.

Dance Moves of Charleston is now open in Nexton at 432 Cross Park Lane! This non-competitive studio offers high-quality, affordable dance education for ages 2.5 (potty trained) through teens, with styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and more. Fall registration is now open! Classes start August 18th. Visit their website and follow them on Instagram for more information. And don’t miss their Parents’ Night Out tonight—kids ages 4–9 can enjoy a Lilo & Stitch Pizza & Dance Party while parents get a night off.

Does your family love ice cream as much as ours? Stop by Ever Creamery in Nexton for FREE ICE CREAM this Sunday, July 20th to celebrate National Ice Cream Day! Stop by between 1-3pm to get two scoops of the ice cream of your choice. You can purchase cones or additional toppings. If you plan on attending please register here.

Ever Creamery is partnering with Ernest the Dream Maker Agent and Roses in Concrete for this event. Roses In Concrete is a nonprofit organization that provides curriculum-based mentorship to today's youth by focusing on leadership development, career development, self-advocacy, workplace readiness, and post-secondary education. RIC offers motivational information and empowering experiences to assist youth in avoiding barriers that can hinder their progress in life. Cyrus Birch is the Executive Director of Roses in Concrete. As a child raised in a low-income community, he understands the value and importance of mentorship. Mentorship was crucial in saving his life, and he desires to offer the same life-saving experience to today's youth.

At the event, they will be collecting donations for Roses in Concrete in the form of cash or check.

Looking for a realtor who actually listens, cares, and shows up? Meet Ernest Govan—Summerville’s “Dream Maker Agent.” Ernest helped our family find our home after moving from Chicago in 2021, and since then, he’s become the go-to realtor for many of our friends and family.

What sets Ernest apart is more than his knowledge of the Lowcountry market—it’s his genuineness, patience, and responsiveness. Whether you're just exploring options or ready to make a move, Ernest walks with you through the entire process, no pressure, just genuine support. From casual browsing to paperwork and closing, he was steady, kind, and made every step feel manageable.

Thinking about buying or selling? Reach out to Ernest directly at [email protected] or reply to this email and we’ll gladly connect you. Because when someone’s this good, you can’t help but share them.

When Wakey Bakey Bagels opened earlier this year, we popped in to try it out—and then returned multiple times within just a few weeks. It’s that good. I’m not kidding when I say my mouth is watering just writing this.

With its cozy, inviting interior and a menu packed with flavor, Wakey Bakey is everything you want in a local breakfast spot. Their coffee drinks are top-notch (perfectly crafted lattes, anyone?), and the bagel sandwiches? Hearty, satisfying, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re craving something savory and melty or something simple and classic, they’ve got you covered.

And yes, they’ve thought of the kids too. The children’s menu is full of hits, including:

It’s the kind of spot that works whether you’re swinging through for a quick weekday breakfast or settling in for a slower-paced weekend bite with the whole crew. Friendly service, great food, and something for everyone. That’s a breakfast win in our book.

If you haven’t been yet, this is your sign to try it. Just be warned: once you go, you’ll be planning your next visit before you even leave the parking lot.

This week, I caught myself saying the same word to my toddler over and over again: “Quickly!”

Quickly, get your shoes.
Quickly, grab your water bottle.
Quickly, we’re leaving!

But then I paused. And I realized… we weren’t actually in a rush. We weren’t going to miss anything critical—we were just heading out for a playdate. Or worse, we were only running behind on my mental timeline.

I recently read a piece of research that stuck with me. Studies show a strong correlation between children who frequently feel rushed and heightened anxiety levels. One study published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology found that time pressure and hurried routines can increase stress hormones in children and negatively impact emotional regulation. That hit me hard. Because lately, I’ve been doing exactly that—creating hurry where there doesn’t need to be any.

My toddler typically doesn’t move slowly to be defiant. He moves slowly because his brain is still developing. He’s thinking through important things, like which toy needs to stay by the window, or whether it’s a croc-or-sneaker day. He’s three—and sometimes, just picking shoes is a deeply complex decision.

Sure, there are moments in life that call for urgency. But I want to save the “hurry ups” for when it really matters. And maybe more importantly, I want to help him be ready rather than expecting him to rise to my rushed pace. I’m learning that slowing down isn’t just kind—it’s foundational. Especially in these early years.

So this week, I’m challenging myself to create more margin. To build in a buffer for the getting-out-the-door routine. To be okay with being five minutes late to the playground. And to see his pace not as resistance, but as curiosity, processing, and growth.

Here’s to slowing down—not just for them, but for us too.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦