🌴 New CHS County Park, Family Fest and Brunch at Poogan's

Hey Palmetto Parents!

How is your summer going? Hopefully you and your family have steered clear from the nasty virus going around. When I started writing this newsletter my daughter was laying on my lap at the trampoline park saying she wasn’t feeling good. I was typing while the kids were supposed to be bouncing. She ended up sick the next day, with a stomach bug. Sickness in the summer is the worst!

Now that we’re all healthy, we have some great recommendations for you this week! There is a new Charleston County Park in West Ashley, and it’s so worth the trip. For our event this weekend there is a Strawberry Jam, a family fest at New Realm Brewing which is a favorite spot on Daniel Island. I have friends who constantly rave about their drinks and food.

If you need a Saturday (or weekday) brunch option, don’t forget about Poogan’s Porch downtown. They are known for their drinks and dinner, but their brunch is just as impressive! Lastly, I take a few moments to thank all the family and friends who create the village that our families all crave and need. To all who make up our village, you are the real heroes!

Enjoy this week’s newsletter!

I loved Old Towne Creek County Park so much that I almost didn't share it because I want to keep it our little secret. But it's just too good not to!

After visiting three times in less than 24 hours, it's safe to say I'm hooked. Even though you're just minutes from the heart of Charleston, it feels like you've escaped to the middle of nowhere. The gated entrance made me feel safe, and while we passed plenty of other families enjoying the park, it still felt peaceful and never crowded.

We spent most of our time strolling the trails with the stroller, stopping to sit in the rocking chairs overlooking the marsh and taking in the salty air while spotting wildlife. The bathrooms were clean (and wonderfully air-conditioned!), and the little nature center was the perfect place to grab a cold drink before heading back out.

The kids loved finishing our visit at the nature-inspired playground with a giant log to crawl through, a merry-go-round, and rope climbing features. It wasn't a typical playground, but it was the perfect ending to our adventure.

Old Towne Creek County Park is open daily from 8am to 8pm. My niece and I lost track of time and accidentally stayed until 8:06 but didn’t get in any trouble! Admission is just $2 per person and is free for Gold Pass members. Trust me, this hidden gem is one you'll want to add to your family's list.

As summer starts to wind down, many Charleston families are getting back into the rhythm of weekend routines, but that doesn't mean the fun has to stop! One of the things we love about Charleston is how many local breweries have created welcoming spaces where parents can relax while kids burn off some energy. We can to talk with other adults and our kids are get to run around. It’s a win for everybody!

I have noticed this summer that these type of events seem to wind down, and be less common. But this weekend you are in luck! This Saturday afternoon, head to New Realm Brewing Co. on Daniel Island for their Strawberry Jam family event on Saturday, July 25, from 4 to 7pm. You can have some family fun and still make it home for a reasonable bedtime!

Enjoy live music from The Tripping Billy Goats while the kids bounce in the bounce house, get their faces painted, and play the afternoon away. Parents can kick back with a craft beer or a crisp Diet Coke, and enjoy delicious food. Come and soak in one of Charleston's best family-friendly brewery atmospheres.

One thing is for sure— it will be a hot one. Try something different and invite a few families to suffer in this heat together! Strawberry Jam is a great way to make the most of one of the final weekends of summer before everyone heads back into the school-year routine!

Last week I shared a story about my Mom’s sweet wedding. For our restaurant feature, I thought I would include one of the wedding weekend brunches we had together with her friends! When we were trying to decide how we should celebrate her wedding with all her friends in town, I offered everything from a booze cruise (lol) to a karaoke night with the girlies. But true to her style, she wanted something much more relaxed. We ended up gathering eight of her closest friends for brunch at Poogan's Porch, and it was the perfect choice.

For our out-of-town guests, it was a wonderful way to experience downtown Charleston. We ate upstairs in the historic home, which feels like it's been there forever. The staff even surprised us with complimentary champagne, making my mama feel extra celebrated.

Brunch at Poogan's Porch is everything you picture when you think of a decadent Southern breakfast. They feature local ingredients, including sausage from local farms, and the menu truly has something for everyone. My mom's friends loved the famous she-crab soup, and the fried green tomatoes were a must-order appetizer. Around the table we also enjoyed the chicken and waffles, crab cake Benedict, classic eggs with bacon or local sausage, and the blackened fish sandwich. They even offer lighter options like salads and soups, which were a hit with some of my mom's friends, along with fun brunch drinks like mimosas and iced coffee with Baileys.

One of the biggest surprises was how affordable it was for a table of eight. Before we left, we snapped some adorable photos outside on the iconic black iron porch.

If you're planning a bridal brunch, hosting out-of-town guests, or simply craving a delicious Southern breakfast, Poogan's Porch is a wonderful choice. They're located on Queen Street in downtown Charleston, and brunch is served daily from 9am to 3pm. They have a great dinner menu, but the brunch deserves it’s own shout out!

For my niece's birthday this year, I wanted to do something a little different. Instead of another toy or gift, I took her out on a special one-on-one date, and then let her pick out her gift of my Amazon account! It was simple, but watching her light up from having someone's undivided attention reminded me that kids don't always remember what we buy them. They remember how we made them feel!

As parents, we often talk about the importance of raising our children in a village, but I think it's just as important for kids to have adults in their lives who simply love them because they can. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, family friends, coaches, neighbors, and mentors all have the ability to make a child feel seen, valued, and incredibly special.

One of my favorite things about growing up was having adults outside of my parents who invested in me, and I hope my niece always knows she has that in me. Sometimes all it takes is an afternoon together, a fun conversation, or an ice cream date to build a memory that lasts far longer than a birthday present.

So here's a little encouragement to all the loving aunties, uncles, grandparents, and honorary family members out there. And an especially big shout-out to the friends who show up like family. To the adults who cheer from the sidelines, remember birthdays, take kids on little adventures, and love someone else's children so well, thank you. You may not be their parent, but your presence matters more than you know.

Kids can never have too many people in their corner, and the love of a trusted adult is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.

Have a great week!

Love, Jenna