Happy Friday!

We’re buckling up for Halloween week and all the festivities that come with it! We know families have a wide range of ways they like to celebrate (or not celebrate at all) and we hope this week is full of fun fall memories for your family, whatever that looks like.

This weekend’s weather is looking gorgeous and it’s perfect for all the special festivals and celebrations going on, like trick-or-treating downtown Summerville on Saturday. After the weekend we’re in for some slightly dropping temps to give us the epitome of fall vibes as we wrap up October. Our family is planning to make the most of it with some bonfires, outdoor movie nights, and pulling out the bins of warmer clothes that have been tucked away since March.

For many of you, this probably isn’t news — but one of our favorite Summerville traditions is back: Scarecrows on the Square! Every fall, local businesses, schools, and civic groups fill Hutchinson Square with creative displays of scarecrows and skeletons, turning downtown into a festive showcase of community spirit. If you haven’t gone to see them yet, this is your reminder to grab a fall treat from Cuppa Manna or Nonna’s, wander through the square, and cast your vote for your favorite creation.

I took my boys to see the displays on a random Wednesday afternoon, and even though it wasn’t crowded, there were plenty of families strolling around, pointing out their favorites, and taking photos together. What I love most is how all ages get into it. I saw toddlers giggling at the silly skeletons, elementary kids carefully choosing their favorites, and even a teenage boy asking his dad to stop for their annual photo. It’s a small-town moment that captures everything special about Summerville in the fall.

🗓️ Visit anytime October 18–November 1, 2025
📍 Hutchinson Square, Downtown Summerville
💵 Vote for your favorite scarecrow ($1 per vote) at Guerin’s Pharmacy, Simple Treasures, Cuppa Manna Café, or Wine & Tapas Bar.
All proceeds benefit the Junior Service League of Summerville’s School Supply Fund for Dorchester Districts 2 and 4.

If your family enjoys the over-the-top Halloween decor, take a night to do a tour of Summerville Halloween houses, put together by Summerville mom Jenny Silva. Here’s her recommendations:

🧛 @theredhouse_summerscorner (DM Jenny for approx location) - massive display of animatronics! This one can get a little spooky, so I’d say use your judgment.

👻 @niftyhouseoflights (373 Wategrass Way) - less than a 3 min drive from The Red House Summer’s Corner. This one is great for the whole family. Light display synced to fun Halloween tunes on 88.3FM. *just saw that this is up and running!

🐺 @oakforesthaunts (Oak Forest Blvd) - Oct 30 & 31 Only. This one is definitely for the older kids and adults. All proceeds are going to @campriseabove . Check the page for updates.

🎃 Cherrybark Oak St in The Oaks in Cane Bay - This was recommended by another Summerville parent!

Parent Tip: If you’re a parent of littles (like me), Jenny suggests just trying the Nifty House of Lights.

If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to spark your child’s love of reading and letter learning, meet Mr. Steve (Steve Fowler) — a former children’s librarian and Summerville local whose new picture book series, The Alphabittles, is already winning hearts!

This delightful 26-book series introduces a lovable character for every letter of the alphabet, blending humor, heart, and early literacy in a way kids adore. Each story includes a QR code that unlocks exclusive bonus content — from engaging videos to printable activities and worksheets — helping little readers continue the fun long after storytime ends.

The first three books in the series — The B Hive, Fishing is Fun, and P on Your Pants — are available now for preorder! Early reviews are glowing:

⭐ “This book is perfect for younger readers. It’s cute and silly.” – The Tales of a Modern Housewife (The B Hive)

⭐ “F is for Fantastic, and that is exactly what Fishing is Fun is — a creative blend of silliness and learning that will have kids laughing while practicing early literacy skills.” – Jennifer Senick, Readers’ Favorite

⭐ “Mr. Steve’s experience as a former children’s librarian clearly shows. He gently introduces young readers to the idea that letters are everywhere, sparking an early love for language and reading.” – Carol Thompson, Readers’ Favorite

🛒 Preorder now at The Alphabittles Shop using code PALMETTO for 20% off + free shipping through November 1st — before the books are released to the public!

✨ Support a Summerville author and shop local this season — these books make the perfect gift for learning littles. Stay connected and get exclusive updates by subscribing to Mr. Steve’s newsletter: Join Here.

One of Nexton’s favorite fall traditions is back! Join the community tonight for Boo Bash — a festive evening filled with family fun, a lively trunk-or-treat, and great music from a live DJ. Costumes are highly encouraged, so bring the kids (and your best Halloween spirit!) for a night of candy, laughter, and celebration with neighbors and friends.

📅 Friday, October 25 | 5–8pm
📍 Nexton Square (overflow parking available at 201 Sigma Drive)

Tomorrow there’s a full day of family fun at Westbury Farms Fall Festival! This festive event has everything you love about fall — a 2-acre corn maze, yard games, a kids’ costume contest, a pumpkin carving contest, and even a real u-pick pumpkin patch where you can clip your own right from the vine. There’s also a big market full of local goodies, delicious food, and fun activities for kids, including face painting and fall crafts.

🕐 Event Schedule:

📅 Saturday, October 26 | 10am-5pm
📍 1005 North Gum St, Summerville
🎟️ Pre-purchase tickets for $8 per person (ages 3 and under are free) here.

Join a night of family fun at Central Creek Park tomorrow night! The Halloween Carnival kicks off at 4:30pm with tons of family activities, followed by a free outdoor movie screening of Live Action Scooby-Doo at 7:30pm. Families can enjoy games, a candy drop, pony rides, a dunk tank, and more — all perfect for making fall memories together.

🎯 Don’t miss the costume contest, open to all ages this year! Plus, bring your canned goods to support Helping Hands and earn a chance to dunk local Goose Creek icons in the dunk tank!

🎟️ Free Entry
📅 Saturday, October 25 | 4:30–7:30pm (movie begins at 7:30)
📍 Central Creek Park, 147 Old Moncks Corner Rd, Goose Creek

One of our favorite Summerville Insta-couples, Amanda and Dex, recently shared a delicious find — a brand-new Greek restaurant has opened nearby, and we couldn’t be more excited! The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill just launched its Goose Creek location at 100 Gosling Way, Suite A, and it’s already creating some serious buzz.

In their post, Amanda and Dex showed off a spread that had us instantly craving Mediterranean flavors: the Four Dip Combo (Tzatziki, Hummus, Tirokafteri, and Melitzanosalata), Greek Salad Wraps with steak and chicken, a Souvlaki Plate complete with salad, tzatziki, pita, and grilled chicken skewers, and a Dessert Sampler featuring baklava, rice pudding, and baklava ice cream (yes, you read that right).

Greek food is always a family favorite — fresh, flavorful, and something for everyone to love — and this new spot hits all the right notes.

The restaurant’s story is just as special as its menu. The original Great Greek Mediterranean Grill opened in a Las Vegas suburb back in 2011, founded by a Greek-Armenian family sharing recipes passed down through generations. Today, the restaurant has expanded across the country but continues to make everything from scratch — from spice blends imported directly from the Mediterranean to in-house sauces and marinades. Even with so much growth, they haven’t changed one ingredient in the original recipes. Their commitment to quality has won them “Best Of” awards year after year, including being hailed as the second-best Mediterranean franchise in the country by Entrepreneur.

Whether you’re a longtime Greek food lover or just craving something fresh and hearty, this is one local spot to put on your must-try list.

📅 Open daily, 11am-8pm
📍 100 Gosling Way, Suite A, Goose Creek

If you’d like to partner with Palmetto Parents to put your business in front of a highly-engaged audience of 8,000 parents, click here.

Every family does things a little differently — and that’s how it should be. Whether it’s how much Halloween candy your kids can eat, what holidays your family celebrates (or doesn’t), or how you choose to spend your weekends together, parenting is full of decisions that reflect your family’s values, rhythms, and beliefs.

But in a world where social media, group texts, and comparison culture can make us second-guess even small choices, it’s easy to feel uncertain. That said, research consistently shows that confident parents raise more secure, emotionally grounded kids. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that parents who make decisions with calm confidence — even when their choices differ from others — model emotional regulation and consistency, both of which help children feel safe and stable.

That doesn’t mean we’ll always feel sure of ourselves. But it does mean that when we make thoughtful choices rooted in our family’s needs and values, we can let go of guilt and comparison. You might let your kids indulge in a few extra Halloween treats; another family might trade candy for a small toy — both are okay. What matters is that you’re doing what works for you.

Just as importantly, confident parenting teaches our kids to respect other families’ choices, too. They learn that not everyone celebrates or lives the same way — and that’s something to be embraced, not judged.

So if you feel led to set a boundary this season — around candy, holidays, or anything else — set it with confidence. Take the time to talk to your spouse or co-parent, communicate the boundaries with your kids and others when needed, and enjoy the holidays knowing you made a thoughtful choice for your family.

Parenting isn’t about getting it perfect; it’s about being grounded in what matters most to your people. When we parent from that place, our kids see what real confidence — and respect — look like.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦