I arrived at my house from the funeral home and went straight to bed. I’d been awake for nearly 36 hours, the final hours of my mom’s life. While saying my last goodbye, I was told by the hospital that we had 24 hours from her time of death to have my mother’s body picked up.
There was little time to grieve before decisions needed to be made. My husband, our son, and I had to go straight to the funeral home to begin making her final arrangements.
After my mom died I needed my friends. (Photo Credit: Yvette Manes)
Friends from near and far reached out to me after my mother passed
I slept for an hour, maybe two. It was still the afternoon and because writing is the only thing that has helped me get through hard times, I started a Facebook post, “It is with deepest sadness and utter disbelief that I announce the passing of my beautiful mother.”
Friends from near and far commented, messaged, texted, and called to pay their respects. I had my husband and mother-in-law reach out to friends and relatives who aren’t on social media to pass along the terrible news. In the following weeks my family received flowers, cards, and even more calls and texts.
So many friends reached out to me when my mom died. (Photo credit: Yvette Manes)
Some friends surprised me with their silence
While my sister and I took our time planning the memorial through our grief, so many people in our lives stepped up for support. And, then there were a few who surprised us with their silence.
“Anne” was a former colleague and someone I considered a friend for a long time. She’d watched my kids blossom into young adults and I was so excited when she became a mother, as well. We hadn’t seen or spent much time together in recent years.
She had her hands full with mom life, and I was sending my kids off to college and caring for my sick mother. But when Anne lost a parent in the middle of the pandemic, I reached out and tried to give her as much support as I could with the limitations we had in place.
I was really surprised when one friend in particular did not reach out to me
I was shocked, confused, and disappointed when several weeks went by after my mom’s passing and I still did not hear from Anne. I knew she was aware I had lost my mom because I could see that she watched every one of my Instagram stories.
She was still actively posting on her own socials so I went into our messages to check if maybe I had missed something. That’s when I noticed that the last few times I’d swiped up on a story or messaged her she hadn’t responded. Social media had been our main form of communication, and we weren’t the kind of friends who always replied right away. But even so, seeing these ignored messages struck me as odd.
I was at an absolute loss as to what had happened to my friendship
Had our friendship been over for months? Was I so consumed with my mom’s health and all the busyness in my own life that I didn’t notice? Did I do something wrong? Did I miss an important event in her life? As far as I could tell, I hadn’t. I was at an absolute loss and not quite sure what I should do.
If someone who was in my same situation asked for my advice I would tell them, “Be the bigger person. Reach out and ask if she’s OK.” But I am not someone else, and I’m also not good at taking my own advice. So, instead, I did nothing. I left things as they were. I am too tired, too grief stricken, and too old to chase anyone down for answers.
It really hurts when your friends don’t show up for you
It’s been close to six months since my mom passed away and I still haven’t heard from Anne. I suspect I never will, and by now I’m mostly at peace with it. The number of people who have shown up for me during this time still blows my mind, and I know that these are the people to whom I should dedicate my energy.
The one good thing about this entire scenario is that my children got to experience how it feels when your friends show up for you, and how much it hurts when they don’t. They learned that funerals are for the living, that grievers will always remember who stood by their side, and that small acts of kindness can make a world of difference to someone dealing with loss.
My hope is that in the future they will know how important it is to be the friend who checks in, and not the one who checks out.
I gotta tell ya, vacations with adult children are freaking awesome. They blow trips with toddlers out of the water. Sure, the merriment in your three-year-old’s eyes as they met the real, live, walking, talking Buzz Lightyear was special. But chilling on a Mexican beach with your 20-year-old who’s just tipsy enough to really tell you about his first weekend in college… waaayyy better.
We forgo new clothes and shoes that we don’t truly need, cancel subscriptions we barely use, and try not to pay for new things around the house that can easily be repaired. We sock away money during the year to cover the cost of a magical getaway with our favorite people on the planet.
So far, paying for the trips has worked out smashingly. Young adults understand the value of a dollar, which makes them more appreciative than they were as kids. They also tend to be agreeable to whatever you plan when they’re not the ones paying. I mean, if someone offered you a free vacation, would you have much to complain about?
But you gotta strike the right tone when you pitch this idea. You don’t want to come across obnoxious or grandiose, and you don’t want to give the impression you’re pinching every penny either. You also don’t want them to feel indebted to you, like they owe you anything afterward. That’s no fun for anyone. We present it to our kids like this:
“We understand money is tight when you’re just starting out. Now that we’re able, we’d like to share a trip with you that we could never have afforded when y’all were little. Plus, you’re fun to hang out with now. We’ll pay for airfare, accommodations, meals, and excursions. Y’all can cover your own souvenirs and any extras.”
Works every time. And when everyone knows up front who’s footing the bill, it sets the stage for a comfortable trip. No weirdness when the dinner checks come or awkward conversations about who owes what for their share.
2. Expect to pay double what you think
While we’re on the topic of money, let’s just get this out of the way. Our rule of thumb: Whatever the cost of airfare and accommodations, double it. That’s what we expect the final tally to be when the trip is over. If you go into it fully expecting to pay more, then you’re pleasantly surprised when you come in under budget. And if you do go a little wild, you won’t have a stroke when you see the credit card statement a month later.
3. Bring your kid’s significant other(s)
This tip might be controversial, but just hear me out: Offer to bring their significant other.
If your grown child is hesitant to go on vacation because they don’t want to leave their partner behind, can you blame them? Remember what it felt like to be young and in love. How could you fully immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of a tropical rainforest if the one person you wanted to share it with most was absent?
Not sure about this match? I say go ahead and bring them anyway. Nothing like traveling together to put a serious relationship to the test. And it will give you a chance to get to know their partner—it’s almost impossible to keep up pretense for an entire week.
You’ll get to see their true colors, and they’ll get to mix in with your family. By the end of the week, everyone will probably know if there’s a real future.
But what about sleeping arrangements? I hear you. My husband and I are relatively young, and we had our first child before we were married. We’re far from naive. But we’ve also become more traditional over the years. When we invited our son’s serious girlfriend on our family vacation, we were not comfortable getting a hotel room for them to share. As my husband put it, “That’s just too weird. And if she were my daughter, I would want her to have her own space.” We didn’t want to get her an entirely separate hotel room, cut off from the rest of the group—that would be weird too (and expensive).
VRBO for the win. Find a condo with enough bedrooms for your whole party. The couple can spend every waking minute together if they wish—and then retire to their own separate rooms at bedtime. Bonus: After an intense day of zip lining, rock climbing, and sunburns, a little alone time is nice for everyone.
Now is the time for international travel! Your kids are grown—they can handle a 9-hour flight to Europe. No sippy cups. No wiping someone else’s behind in a cramped airplane lavatory. No preteen attitude or mood swings.
Your kids are mature enough now to appreciate an afternoon stroll through the Louvre or a walking tour of the Hungarian Parliament. Buckingham Palace is more than just the setting of The Crown—it’s a real, live place they can experience in person.
Before you balk at the cost, just do a little research. If you book in advance, or set up alerts through a discount travel site, you can find some incredible rates on airfare across the globe. And you can actually get a lot more bang for your buck if you’re willing to venture outside the U.S. The American dollar stretches far in certain parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Trips to Mexico and the Caribbean are jaw-droppingly affordable.
Parts of Central America are safe, gorgeous, full of adventure, and way cheaper than you might imagine. True story: A couple of years ago, I was planning a trip to Yellowstone when one of my kids mentioned Costa Rica. An entire week in a stunning 4-bedroom, 4-bath beachfront penthouse condo would cost less than three days in a cramped cabin outside Yellowstone. I booked it, half expecting to be let down once we arrived.
There was no catch! It was absolutely gorgeous, exactly as advertised. We’ve been to a lot of places, and that Costa Rica trip ranks in our family’s top two.
For their next birthday, maybe pay for your young adult’s passport. Make sure everyone in your family has one handy. When that too-good-to-pass-up deal for Switzerland comes across your inbox, you won’t have to stress about anyone getting their paperwork in on time. Just book it!
The time is now for traveling with grown kids
One last thing to consider if you’re on the fence: If they are still single and childless, now is the time to travel with your adult kids, before they have children of their own. Not only for financial reasons, but because life gets hectic when babies enter the picture.
Who knows how long this window of freedom will stay open? And who knows what else the future holds? If you’ve got the energy, will, and flexibility to put aside the funds, then start planning your magical adult family vacation now.
When my daughter, Rose, was born, I was hoping for a calm, easy baby, but she was anything but. I know how challenging it can be when you have a child that is a whirlwind of energy. George Nikolov had a son just like that, and ABV Publishing wrote a book based on his journal about how he parented his son, who ended up becoming a world champion in Ju Jitsu.
What we learned while publishing a children’s book based on George’s journal
George, a lifelong teacher and educator in Bulgaria, along with his wife, had taught many students and influenced their community for years, advising parents on various parenting topics. Then, a surprise baby boy arrived.
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Born on a summer day coinciding with the final medal ceremony of the Moscow Summer Olympics in the USSR, George saw this as a good omen – their son arriving just in time for the medals.
By 9.5 months, their sleep-deprived and exhausted son started walking. George and his wife, feeling like zombies, envisioned him as a future athlete, perhaps even an Olympic champion.
Raising children is no easy feat, but raising a child with boundless energy can be overwhelming. As the boy grew stronger and more active, George and his wife found themselves startled, shocked, and outside their comfort zone. Their parental frustration mounted. George kept a journal for 15 years, often questioning why their pedagogical approaches weren’t working. He’d write in despair, unsure of the path their fearless and perpetually bruised son would take.
In the 1980s, Bulgarian parents took pride in active children, especially boys. Roughhousing with a giant stuffed bear, sparring with relatives and friends – this was how a healthy boy was supposed to behave. However, being the child of two educators, the parents expected their son to be constantly reading. George, despite seeing his son’s physical potential early on, harbored academic plans for him.
Despite loving reading, their son had little patience for quiet activities. This lack of patience extended to the musical instruments (a piano and an accordion) they owned. Sitting still drove him stir-crazy, leading him to prefer activities like leaping over furniture, climbing trees and street signs, or exercising with an expander.
Not only was the son energetic, but he also displayed a wide range of interests. To his parents’ frustration, however, as George recounts, the boy was inconsistent, trying and dropping different hobbies quickly tiring of them after the initial excitement.
The only constant interest for George’s son was physical activity. He loved being strong and fit, often flexing in front of a mirror or showing off his pull-ups in the neighborhood.
After George’s passing, ABV Publishing had the privilege of working on his journal. Based on this journal, they published a story retold through the eyes of George’s son, a now-established Bulgarian athlete, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, and successful coach. The book, titled “Born for Medals: How I Was Getting Ready for the Top,” is a children’s book (ages 5-8) illustrated by the talented Bulgarian artist Elina-Melina Bondokova and available on Amazon.
George lived to see his son win his first medal during a junior wrestling competition. He wrote of his immense pride that day, filled with happy tears. His energetic son was an achiever, his muscles working hard to secure his first medal.
Many more medals followed, thanks to constant training and practice, as well as the unwavering support of George and his wife. Though they didn’t always understand their son’s drive, they never gave up on him. They encouraged him to try his best in his various interests and hobbies, including judo, karate, and fishing.
The story of the Olympic medal omen became a family tradition, often finding its way into the boy’s dreams where he envisioned himself standing on the highest platform of the podium, raising the Bulgarian flag. This blend of “aiming-high” pedagogy, typical of the educational system where the two teachers were trained, and a touch of superstition about good omens, helped this energetic boy stay out of trouble. His energy was channeled productively – his extra energy was spent at the gym.
He didn’t become a teacher, musician, or professor, but he developed his natural potential to the fullest, reaching goals in his area of greatest interest – physical activity.
Parents and educators can utilize our book, “Born for Medals” (also known as “The Medals”) in several ways. Children can read it independently; the text is easy and fun, suitable for a “My-First-Book” experience. However, the text is presented in cursive to maintain the style of George’s handwritten journal, and young readers might not be familiar with cursive yet. In this case, we recommend helping with the text or encouraging the reader to guess the text based on the illustrations on each page.
Another way to “read” with an energetic child is to follow the illustrations and tell the story of a busy boy growing up in 1980s Bulgaria. This would be a perfect opportunity to ask children to add their own stories and pictures.
Since the book’s subtitle is “How I Was Getting Ready for the Top” and ends with the question “How are you getting ready for the top,” parents, guardians, and educators involved in rearing busy children might find it useful to end the read-aloud session with a discussion about the child’s plans and dreams. At this point, the child’s dreams may not overlap with those of the adults in their life, but it will be a great moment for us, the adults, to learn as well, to accept the differences, and be okay with them.
Even when he was very young, George’s son would dream of being on top, of being a champion. His dreams came true, why wouldn’t the dreams of your little busy ones come true, too?
Looking for a campground that doesn’t require reservations months ahead? The Burrells Ford area is a great home base for a weekend of adventure, and KAG contributor Liene has all the details. You’ll find waterfalls, hiking, and an excellent campground at Burrells Ford Campground!
Burrells Ford Campground: A convenient location and interesting background
Despite being in a remote corner of the state, Burrells Ford remains a crossroads: historical and natural. The old wagon road (and later logging road) that forded the Chattooga was replaced with gravel Forest Service Road 708 (FS 708 or Burrells Ford Road) in 1968, allowing access to the section of the state bordering Georgia and North Carolina. Here the Foothills Trail intersects with the Chattooga Trail and East Fork Trail. Ellicott Rock Wilderness overlaps the Wild & Scenic Chattooga River corridor.
Spur trails to Burrells Ford and Spoonauger Falls depart from multiple trailheads. And three National Forests – the Chattahoochee-Oconee, Nantahala, and Andrew Pickens ranger district of Sumter National Forest – converge to form one giant natural area.
But the region remains wild. Isolated, winding mountain roads require 1 ½ hours driving time to reach the campground from Greenville, including the last 3 miles on gravel Burrells Ford Road. At one point those wishing to camp at the Burrells Ford campground could drive right to their campsite, but all that changed when the Chattooga River received the “Wild & Scenic” designation in 1974.
Now parking is in a lot just off the gravel road, and requires a ½ mile hike down the old road bed to reach the campground.
How to Find the Campground and Nearby Trails
The confluence of trails can provide some confusion, and the mileages can be hard to pin down. There are two parking areas: one for the campground, and a second closer to the Chattooga on the edge of Ellicott Rock Wilderness. The Chattooga Trail (blazed green) stays along the river through the campground and emerges at this second parking area, while the Foothills Trail (blazed white) curves away from the river south of the campground and emerges adjacent to the campground parking area.
There are several connector trails from the Foothills Trail to the Chattooga Trail, as well as additional spur trails to the waterfalls. Add in to that East Fork Trail leading to the only other road in this corner of the state (Fish Hatchery Road), and a not-very-accurate map posted at the trailheads, and you have an idea of why you need to come prepared with a good map if you’re planning on doing any hiking.
We used National Geographic’s Sumter National Forest map on our Chattooga Trail hike, but later I utilized a Forest Service map to make a more detailed version of the campground area, as seen here.
Map of Burrells Ford campground area, as adapted from USFS map.
About The Burrells Ford Campground
Close enough to Greenville that you would still have daylight to set up camp after a Friday evening arrival, or you could pitch camp Saturday and then spend the day exploring. Just make sure to park at the first parking area (for the campground), and then follow the road down to where you’ll have your pick of tent sites.
You’ve got bear-proof trash receptacles near the restrooms (in reality pit toilets, but luxurious compared to the alternative), and picnic tables, lantern posts, fire rings & bear poles in each campground. Some of the sites are right along the Chattooga, while others are scattered through the woods.
Remember to pack appropriately, as your return trip will be all uphill. The walk in possibly deters a portion of the car campers, and the campsites cannot be reserved ahead of time; plan accordingly.
Ellicott Rock
Things to do Near Burrells Ford Campground
Hiking
From the campground take a hike to Ellicott Rock Wilderness following the Chattooga Trail; Ellicott Rock is about 4 miles north (one way), but scenic Spoonauger Falls is less than a mile. Or, head south on the Chattooga/Foothills Trail, destination Oconee State Park (16.4 miles), Ridley Fields (11.8 miles), the Bartram Trail junction (8.1 miles) or Cherry Hill campground (about 10 miles). Of course, you could just go ahead and hike the rest of the Foothills Trail – 59.8 miles to Table Rock State Park!
Chattooga River
Fishing
Burrells Ford is the gateway to some of the most premium trout water in the Southeast. The SC DNR stocks the river with rainbow, brown, and native brook trout grown nearby at the Fish Hatchery. The river is easily accessed from Chattooga Trail & most of the campsites, and even in October the boys were happy to get their feet wet.
Spoonauger Falls
Waterfalls
The high point of a stop at Burrells Ford is the proximity to two of the most picturesque waterfalls in South Carolina, King Creek Falls and Spoonauger Falls. King Creek Falls is just west of the campground, and is a 70-foot, tiered waterfall that is less than a mile, roundtrip (about 1.4 there and back if you’re starting at the campground parking area). Spoonauger Falls is a 50-foot beauty, a short hike up a series of switchbacks from the Chattooga Trail.
King Creek Falls
This post was originally published on the blog Femme au Foyer.
Find more amazing things to do outdoors!
15+ Awesome Places to Go Fishing in Greenville, SC & The Upstate
Burrells Ford Campground: No Reservations Needed at This Remote Campground Near Scenic Waterfalls
This spring, thousands of college graduates will put on their cap and gowns and walk across a stage to receive their diplomas. Their parents will wave proudly from the stands and post their pictures all over social media.
Been there, done that, right?
No. Not really. This class, this collegiate class, deserves a little more recognition this season. You may wonder what makes them so special. The answer is simple. Many of them were the high school Class of 2020.
We all remember 2020. The Pandemic Year. The Year We Stayed Home. The Year Our Plans Changed. The Year of Cancellations.
The collegiate Class of 2024 is different. (Photo credit: Pam Molnar)
The Class of 2024 is unique
The teens who graduated high school that year are the same ones who will walk across the stage this spring. They are unique. The last four years of their education have been different than any other class before them. They were pioneers, innovators and guinea pigs.
There was no roadmap for them. They couldn’t ask their parents or older siblings for advice on how to navigate virtual classrooms, date while social distancing, make friends when their facial expressions were covered by a mask, or how to find closure for their senior year that was cut short.
At first the high school Class of 2020 enjoyed the break from in-person classes
At first, many of the Class of 2020 probably enjoyed the thought of two weeks off from in-person classes. It would be the best senior ditch day in history. Most of the schools and teachers were not prepared for virtual classrooms.
Attendance was harder to control so many didn’t show up to their virtual lectures. Many of the ones that did already had an infectious case of senioritis and didn’t really pay attention.
Who could blame them? Most of them were already accepted to their college of choice. Their GPA was calculated for the first 7 ½ semesters and the last one didn’t count. They would enjoy this break from routine and deal with the consequences when they returned to the classroom. In the meantime, they would do online assignments in their pajamas and turn them in minutes before the midnight deadline.
Everything would just be pushed back, they were told. Their final sports seasons would start later, cutting out just a few games. That’s alright, they reasoned. They would still get their varsity year, beat the school records they were so close to and be recognized on senior night. It would just be two weeks.
Two weeks off grew into one, long endless cancellation
So they waited patiently, but with the mandated social distancing, they missed their friends. They only had a few more months with these friends – many of whom they had known since kindergarten – before they headed off to college.
Some of those teens were also trying to navigate love relationships. The pandemic happened at a time of their lives when physical connections to people their age were as essential as breathing. Yes, they figured out ways to keep socializing through phone calls and FaceTime and video games, but it just wasn’t the same as being in person.
The two weeks morphed into four weeks and then eight weeks. Slowly they learned that the events that they had been looking forward to for four years – that they earned – would not be happening. There would be no spring season for athletes. No final play, concert or trips. No senior lock-in. No prom. Worse yet, for many, there would be no graduation ceremony.
Most of the seniors never returned to their high schools
Most of them never saw the halls of their high schools again. They finished their classes online, without the benefit of labs, PE or group projects. Their education was suspended, partially because there was no way to hold them accountable for their work.
The contents of their lockers were boxed up and returned to them along with their diploma. The closure that they hoped for never came.
It was for the greater good, they were told. You will be going to college in the fall and the cases are starting to go down. It’s almost over. Everything will be better after the summer, they were promised again.
All of their plans were cancelled
Without the formal closure of their high school years, the seniors did their best to enjoy the summer. They spent time with their friends and family, although many public events like concerts or 4th of July celebrations did not happen.
They worked their last days at their summer jobs and stopped off at all their old haunts, knowing in months that they would be headed to their post high school plans. But soon the reality of their situation set in. None of those plans would be as they expected.
The carefree days of summer masked their reality. (No pun intended.) College in the fall of 2020 would be as unique as their senior year. Just like the previous school year, this freshman class would be guinea pigs.
The Collegiate Class of 2024 would enter college without the freshman class picture on the football field. Without freshman mixers. Without festivals on the quad. Like everything else in their pandemic-driven worlds, rushing for Greek life would take place virtually.
College is hard enough without complications
College is hard enough when you don’t know anyone. We tell our teens to put yourself out there and make friends. But imagine moving to a new place where you knew no one and not being allowed to sit together at a dining table or play frisbee on the lawn.
Imagine meeting new people without the benefit of facial expressions that were hidden behind masks. Online social events and more online classrooms would give those freshmen flashbacks to the end of senior year. Would they really have to endure another year of this?
The answer is yes, they would. Many students struggled to learn in an online environment, especially those who were in hands-on fields like nursing or mechanics. Others grew frustrated having to teach themselves the curriculum they were given by professors who wouldn’t or couldn’t see them in person.
This class ended up being pioneers
This Collegiate Class of 2024 was once again pioneers traveling on roads that have never been taken. The roadblocks were maddening, painful and unfair. They would be met with ultimatums regarding their personal choice to take a new vaccine or not. Take it and stay in classes, Greek life and social events. Don’t take it and submit to weekly testing, denial of entrance to school events and quarantine in your dorm.
The isolation got to many of them. They missed life as it used to be. Being away from their families and isolated in their dorms made them crave human interaction. All of these things left our kids reevaluating their choices – stay and see how college plays out or leave and start over with plan B.
This class will soon graduate
The Class of 2024 will soon cross the stage at their universities – many donning a cap and gown for the first time. They are not only more educated but stronger for their shared experience. They endured everything we took from them, every pivot we asked of them and every ounce of patience we expected from them. They deserve not only our applause but also our admiration.
This group of young adults showed us how to stand firm in a storm, not knowing when or how it will end. This perseverance will serve them well in their lives.
It is a lesson they could not learn in a classroom. They discovered it is the light from within them that will guide them through the darkest days.
Pam Molnar is writer, storyteller and escape room creator living in Nashville, TN. This former Chicagoan and mother of three lives in an almost empty nest with her husband and two crazy cats. You can find her on Facebook.
Shiny Misfits is a children’s book about standing out.
It’s written by American comedian Maysoon Zayid (above) and illustrated by Colombian Shadia Amin.
The protagonist is 10-year-old Bay Ann, a Muslim girl with a disability who is passionate about tap dancing. She craves the spotlight and dreams of going viral. Bay Ann has two besties and a crush on a classmate. He’s a slick overachiever she’s determined to beat—whether at a talent show, a bake-off or in a school debate.
Bay Ann’s parents are divorced. “Pops,” a consistent and steady force in her life, runs a food truck. The “momster,” her annoying mother, is a burnt-out professor. Bay Ann is a vegetarian: “No food with a face,” she explains. Her greatest fan is a talking cat called Lucy, who travels with her in a pink baby carriage.
Bay Ann has a big personality. She can be thoughtful and kind. She can be a diva queen and a mean girl. One minute she’s supremely confident: “I have no competition,” she says. The next she feels like a “loser.” She wants people to admire her talent, not pity her for her disability. But sometimes she uses what she calls “the disability card.” For example, she claims her “flappy” movements caused her to accidentally squirt ketchup in her friend’s eyes.
Bay Ann has cerebral palsy, but it’s never formally introduced in the book, which is a welcome approach. Over time, clues show up in the illustrations. She rides a stairlift to go up to her bedroom at her dad’s house. Sometimes her feet turn in when she walks, and dressing is a bit of an ordeal. Her crush calls her “special” and “sick.”
It was only during a second reading that I noticed lots of other diversity in the images. A teacher uses a prosthetic arm and a student is in a wheelchair. There are lots of brown and Black characters.
In an author’s note, Maysoon writes that she herself is a misfit: “Growing up, I was the only disabled person in my family and I was the only visibly disabled student at my school… I was also the only brown kid in my class, and I was the only one of my friends who got skipped by Santa Claus every Christmas.”
She dedicates the book to misfits of all ages. “If you have never seen yourself reflected in a book, I hope you will in this one. If you don’t, it just means that you are one of a kind—and that is what being a Shiny Misfit is all about.”
Maysoon notes that she was never made fun of because of her disability as a child, but that in today’s climate “the DisCo (disability community) is mercilessly mocked.” Sometimes a pet like Lucy can be a best friend, she writes.
The illustrations in the book captivate. The humour appeals to readers of all ages. The importance of besties and family shine through. My eight-year-old granddaughter Rosie said: “It’s my most favourite book ever.” The book is geared to kids aged eight to 12 and published by Scholastic. Its release date is April 16.
Have you been to the Southern Growl and tried their delicious food or craft beer selection? The Southern Growl has grown from a little craft brew shop tucked away in a strip mall to a stand-alone force to be reckoned with in the Upstate. Not just for their craft brews, but with their weekly menu specials. Others have seen their success and tried to duplicate it, but The Southern Growl is GOAT. Find out why, when we “Grill” the folks at this Upstate Brewery!
Everyone can find a menu item to enjoy, even a vegan! The location off Wade Hampton in Greer has a lovely outdoor dining space, with an area for kids ( two and four-legged) to get their wiggles out while you enjoy your menu selection.
The Southern Growl in Greer, SC
Owner name: Matt Bowes
Do you have kids eat free night? No
Do you offer outdoor dining? Yes – Heated, Open Air
What makes your spot unique? The Southern Growl Beer Company’s facility is expansive, yet cozy with an oversized heated patio and enormous lawn. We pour from a huge selection of 70 taps, featuring 24+ beers brewed on our 10 bbl brewhouse, cocktails, wine, ciders, meads, and sodas. The food menu is concise, exceptionally executed, and changes frequently to highlight what we feel are the tastiest sandwiches of every season.
What dish is the most popular? The weekly burger and chicken sandwich specials
What dish are you the proudest of? Two things I’m most proud of are our in-house bakery making all our buns, loaves, crackers, and desserts fresh each day and our house-brewed IPAs, especially “Bury Me In Strata.” The name speaks truth and highlights my favorite hop, Strata.
It’s my first time at your restaurant, what do you suggest we order? TSG Beertenders are seriously knowledgeable and we strive for excellence in all we do. Best advice: Talk to the Beertenders to help you find the perfect beer (or 4 beers with a flight) and sandwich to fit your mood.
Southern Growl is an absolute gem! We frequent it as both a casual hangout and date night spot and it never disappoints. The staff is fabulous at recommendations (and everything really) and the ever-changing menu is superb. Plus there’s a beer for your every mood. Pro tip- the coffee caliente wings are amazing
Monica Pace Greene
Love The Southern Growl! Always an impressive beer selection. And the food is always delicious. We go there a lot! The Staff actually seems to love their jobs too! Sam Chaffin
Yes!! Those coffee caliente wings are my favorite! My husband and I really like Southern Growl.
Maddie Pace
The southern growl is a go to for us. Their covid safety is still happening, which is rare to find these days. Their food is AMAZING, and their takeout growlers are awesome.
Kristen Pace
100% recommend! There is also a green space where kids can run around.
Looking for a little Upstate, SC day trip? The town of Simpsonville, SC is a great place to spend the day with great parks, cute downtown area and excellent restaurant options. We have a suggested itinerary for a day in Simpsonville, plus a list of things to do, places to eat and even places to stay if you’re staying longer than a day.
The residents of Simpsonville, SC are in a great location for getting around the Upstate. Located near both major highways and one of Greenville’s major retail hubs, Simpsonville is the perfect place for busy families to settle down. With an abundance of places to dine and things to do, it’s no wonder new communities are sprouting up all over Simpsonville.
Looking for more places to spend the day with your family? Here’s our list of Day Trip Towns, just a short drive from the Upstate.
Spend A Day In Simpsonville
With all the entertainment, shopping and dining options in Simpsonville it’s easy to spend the day in this town and not have a need to leave. If you aren’t sure where to start the day, we have a sample itinerary to get you started!
Starting the day : We suggest grabbing breakfast at a favorite of one of our readers:
OMG! Authentique French Creperie. SO GOOD. I don’t like crepes, but theirs are AMAZING. I always take out of town visitors there. They have weird hours though, so make sure you check online before you drive over!
Carolina R.
After breakfast: Head over to the zip line & playground at City Park, or enjoy the seasonal farmers market!
If the weather isn’t cooperative, you can enjoy a matinee showing at the local IMAX theater.
For lunch: Stroll up the street to all the restaurants and shops of Main Street, and grab a frozen treat afterward at the Ice Cream Station.
If you are enjoying a day out without the kids a stop at a Sweet Sippin’ event would be a great way to end the day. They offer all kinds of different food and drink pairing events, live music events, game nights and more.
Upstate Pinball & Arcade Museum
Things To Do In Simpsonville, SC
Upstate Pinball & Arcade Museum: Play 50+ nostalgic pinball and arcade games for one low price- no coins needed! Family fun for all ages.
Head to one of the Simpsonville Parks: Simpsonville has a bunch of parks that offer everything from zip-lines to Frisbee golf and even a train ride!
During summer months you can participate in the Park Hop Scavenger Hunt that includes area parks. Kids have the chance to earn prizes with this free program.
Heritage Park | 861 Southeast Main Street This park is part of the Heritage Park Amphitheater that hosts festivals, concerts and other events throughout the year. We also like this park because of all the shady seating options for parents to sit in while the kids play on the large playground. There is also a a miniature steam engine train that guests of the park can enjoy for just $3 per ticket (kids under 2 ride free with a paying adult).
City Park | 100 Park Drive City park is a favorite among locals for its large ADA compliant playground and all the seating it provides parents. There’s a Frisbee golf course, restrooms, picnic shelters, a special sensory playground and more.
College Street Park | 330 West College Street This small neighborhood park offers guests a merry-go-round, swing set, jungle gym and baseball and basketball facilities.
Simpsonville Farmers Market| 405 East Curtis Street (temporarily located at Simpsonville City Hall, 118 NE Main Street)
Held every Saturday from mid May through the end of September, 8 Am – Noon. In the past there have been 30 plus local vendors at the market, selling everything from seasonal produce, locally roasted coffee, artisan cheese, soaps and more.
One of the newest library branches in The Greenville Library system, this location has it all. The kids area is enclosed and even has it’s own covered outdoor play area. Teens have there own space and grownups can check-up on their email with the free WIFI. Patrons with a valid library card can even check out a laptop for use on site.
A favorite of our readers, Stella’s is a great place to grab a gourmet meal.
Upscale, Stella’s Bistro is some of the best door I’ve ever put in my mouth. The service is beyond excellent and the seasonal menu means there are always new things to try.
Greenville’s most popular locally owned pizza chain has another location in Simpsonville. Be sure to sign up for their awesome birthday club. It’s free and you receive a free pizza on your birthday!
This hidden gem of Simpsonville is tucked away in the basement of a castle. OK, maybe not really a castle, but pretending is fun right? Once you enter, you’ll forget that you didn’t cross a moat to get in. The intimate size of Unterhausen. the German beer and the delicious Bavarian food will have you wondering how it took you so long to discover this place.
I’d be doing you a great disservice if I didn’t include one of the Upstate’s best places for BBQ, just because it sits a few feet outside the town limits. Located across from Heritage park, Bobby’s BBQ is a family owned restaurant that is unique for a few reasons. They pride themselves on the quality of their food. But that’s not why I find them especially unique. One visit to this place and you will see, that everything they do is done with love and care for the community they feed. Let me ask you, how many BBQ places have you seen offer a vegan option? That’s right, I said Vegan, at a BBQ place. For most Pit-masters that would be blasphemy. Bobby’s offers guests a vegan jack fruit “pulled pork” style sandwich, because they know that not everyone eats meat. And that’s OK at Bobby’s.
Something else I love the Nelson family for, is not even on the menu.
How many times have you been caught out and your infant has a wardrobe emergency that threatens to ruin your trip out? Like a messy bathroom-type emergency. Most parents have experienced that type of “what do I do now?” moment. Owner Sarah Nelson had this happen and decided if she ever owned a business she’d do something to help parents. In each restroom at Bobby’s is a cart, stocked with zip-lock bags separated by size with a diaper and a change of clothes.
Any place can serve food. Most places can serve good food. But when a place shows patrons it cares about people to the extent that the Nelson family does… Well, they’ve found a customer for life in me. The fact that they serve up pulled pork tacos doesn’t hurt either.
Where To Stay In Simpsonville
Use this map from STAY22 below to find hotels and vacation rental homes available in Simpsonville, SC.
This section contains affiliate links from STAY22.
Here are some of the common seasonal events that happen annually in Simpsonville:
Fair at Heritage Park | May This 11 day county style fair includes rides, food, live music and other attractions.
Simpsonville Independance Day Celebration | June A free celebration with live music and fireworks at Heritage Park
Simpsonville Labor Day Festival | September
Halloween at Heritage Park | October A free and safe way to celebrate Halloween for thousands of kids in the Upstate. The event offers kids candy, inflatables, games, performances and special visits from kid’s characters.
Making friends during adolescence is akin to navigating a labyrinth filled with twists, turns — and the potential for profound connections. For individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the journey toward friendship often presents its own set of unique challenges and opportunities. Individuals with ASD possess intelligence, compassion, and a propensity to be misunderstood, often leading to experiences of bullying and social isolation. It’s no wonder that depression rates in the autistic community are higher compared to those in neurotypical groups. For me, this reality underscores the importance of genuine friendships — even just one good friend is life-changing.
In 2014, I experienced a heartbreaking loss when my dear friend, Erin, essentially a sister to me, tragically took her own life at age 17. Erin was a remarkable individual filled with spunk, love, and empathy. Despite her supportive family, try-anything attitude, and impressive musical and culinary talents (her pasta dishes were truly legendary!), Erin struggled with social challenges and making friends. She was often excluded from weekend plans and parties, and she lacked a peer confidante to share her joys and passions. The complexities of social interaction, so effortless to neurotypical individuals, were often a puzzle for Erin — a reality she lived daily and felt deeply.
Making Friends with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Out of the tragedy of her death emerged Erin’s Hope for Friends, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering friendships among individuals with ASD. At Erin’s Hope for Friends, we believe in the profound impact of genuine connections. True friends accept you for who you are, quirks and all, providing a sanctuary free from judgment. Finding friends who embrace each individual’s differences can be transformative, instilling a sense of belonging and confidence.
Erin’s Hope for Friends offers dynamic social programs known as e’s Clubs virtually and in Atlanta, Georgia, and Lexington, Kentucky. These clubs provide a welcoming, safe space for autistic teens and young adults (ages 12 to 24) to connect and engage in various activities tailored to their interests. From Foosball to karaoke to crafts to video games, e’s Clubs offer diverse activities to foster interaction and camaraderie. If you visit a club, it only takes a very short period to witness the joy they create. Currently serving more than 500 members annually, our clubs continue to grow and thrive.
The potential for Erin’s Hope for Friends and e’s Clubs — and other groups like it — is limitless. By expanding our reach nationwide, we aim to significantly impact the autistic community by challenging stereotypes, promoting neurodiversity acceptance, and ultimately creating a space for our members to make life-changing connections.
If you’re passionate about supporting individuals with autism in their quest for friendship and acceptance, I encourage you to check out Erin’s Hope for Friends or another similar organization. Together, we can celebrate abilities, challenge societal norms, and empower individuals to navigate the landscape of friendship with confidence and joy. After all, it just takes one good friend to change the course of a life.
Autism in the Workplace: Next Steps
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In this blog, we’re excited to unveil top 20+ sabudana recipes for kids, meticulously curated for little ones. From the classic sabudana khichdi and fluffy sabudana vadas to innovative kebabs and tikkis recipe is designed to provide a wholesome balance of nutrients essential for growing bodies, while also being rich in flavors that cater to young palates.
Sabudana, being gluten-free and easy to digest, makes an excellent food choice for children. It’s packed with energy, making it perfect for kids who are always on the move. Additionally, when combined with other ingredients like vegetables, nuts, and dairy, it can turn into a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats.
Health Benefits of Sabudana
Energy Source: Sabudana is high in carbohydrates, providing essential energy that keeps kids active throughout the day.
Digestive Health: Its light and easy-to-digest nature makes it suitable for children, including those with sensitive stomachs, helping to manage digestion and alleviate bloating.
Bone Development: Being rich in calcium, sabudana supports the growth of strong bones and teeth, crucial during the developmental years of children.
Muscle Growth: Contains proteins necessary for the growth and repair of muscle tissues in growing children.
Gluten-Free: Offers a nutritious, gluten-free alternative for kids with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, preventing allergic reactions.
Metabolic Support: Provides essential minerals like potassium, which aid in maintaining healthy blood pressure, supporting heart function, and enhancing muscle strength and metabolism.
Iron-Rich: Some varieties of sabudana are enriched with iron, which helps in preventing anemia by improving hemoglobin levels in the blood.
Versatile Ingredient: Its neutral flavor and soft texture make it a versatile ingredient for a variety of dishes, from sweet to savory, catering to children’s diverse taste preferences.
Balanced Diet: While sabudana is nutritious, it’s important to incorporate it as part of a balanced diet that includes other food groups to ensure overall health and well-being of children.
20+ Sabudana recipes
This sabudana porridge recipe is tailored for little ones, ensuring it’s not only packed with energy but also enhanced with a mix of vitamins and minerals essential for growing bodies. By incorporating milk (or a dairy-free alternative for those with dietary restrictions), and a variety of fruits for natural sweetness and fiber, this porridge turns into a wholesome bowl of goodness.
Vegetable Sabudana Dosa recipe incorporates sabudana (tapioca pearls), which is an energy-rich carbohydrate, with a blend of vegetables to ensure a meal that’s not only filling but also packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber essential for growing children.
Sabudana Khichdi is a popular Indian dish, also a delightful, light meal that can be enjoyed any time. Made from sabudana (tapioca pearls), it’s a gluten-free dish that’s both nourishing and fulfilling. It’s not only nutritious but also appealing to their taste buds and easy to eat.
Sabudana Vada, is a delightful treat that can be adapted into a kid-friendly recipe, marrying nutrition with the flavors kids love. they’re a fantastic snack option for kids.
Sabudana Thalipeeth, typically a savory pancake made from a multi-grain flour mix, takes on a new avatar when sabudana (tapioca pearls) is the star ingredient. This version is softer and more palatable for little ones, with the added bonus of being gluten-free, making it suitable for kids with gluten sensitivities.
Sago Urad Dal Milk recipe from gk food diary, is a wholesome and nutritious concoction that combines the goodness of sago (tapioca pearls), urad dal (black lentils), and milk, making it an excellent dietary addition for kids.
Sabakki Uppittu from archana’s kitchen, is a popular dish made from tapioca pearls (sabudana or sabakki). Sabakki Uppittu is not only delicious but also offers a good energy boost, making it perfect for kids as a nutritious start to their day or a tasty after-school snack.
Sago Satay from cook pad, is a delightful and nutritious snack that kids are sure to love. This kid-friendly recipe infuses the goodness of sago (also known as tapioca pearls) with the fun and flavor of satay, making it a perfect option for parties, playdates, or after-school snacks.
Sabudana Tikkis from archana’s kitchen, are a delightful and nutritious snack perfect for kids, offering a wonderful blend of textures and flavors. These tikkis, made from sabudana (tapioca pearls), are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them an irresistible treat.
Sabudana Kebab from cookpad, offers a delightful twist on the traditional kebab, incorporating the chewy, pearl-like texture of sabudana (tapioca pearls) to create a vegetarian delicacy that’s both unique and delicious.
Soya Sabudana Kebabs from archana’s kitchens, combine the goodness of soy granules and sabudana (tapioca pearls), making them an excellent vegetarian snack that’s both nutritious and delicious.
Sabudana Dosa from Ruchi’s kitchen offers a delightful and nutritious twist to the traditional dosa, incorporating sabudana (tapioca pearls) for a unique texture and taste. This recipe is perfect for kids and adults alike, serving as a wholesome breakfast or snack option.
Sabudana Dahi Kebab from cook pad, is a deliciously unique twist on the traditional kebab, incorporating the creaminess of yogurt (dahi) with the chewy texture of sabudana (tapioca pearls) to create a dish that’s both flavourful and nutritious.
Carrot Sago Paratha from asknestle, blends the subtle sweetness of carrots with the unique, slightly chewy texture of sago (sabudana), creating a nutritious and delicious meal option that’s especially appealing for kids.
Sabudana Seekh Kebab from easy food smith, presents a delightful twist to the classic seekh kebab, where sabudana (tapioca pearls) are ingeniously used to craft a vegetarian version that’s both unique and delicious.
Sabudana Pulao from times food, is a delightful twist on the traditional pulao, where sabudana pearls are tossed with a medley of spices and vegetables. This dish is not only visually appealing with its translucent pearls and colorful veggies, but it’s also packed with flavor.
Sago Upma brings a spongy, from raks kitchen, is a classic South Indian breakfast dish. Made with soaked sabudana mixed with sautéed vegetables and a tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies, this version is an excellent way to start the day with a nutritious, filling meal that’s easy on the stomach.
Sago Papad from subbus kitchen, is a crispy, crunchy snack that can be enjoyed between meals or as an accompaniment to a main dish. These papads are made from a dough of soaked sabudana, rolled out thin, and then sun-dried until crisp.
Veg Sabudana Idli from t-one, infuses the traditional idli with the goodness of sabudana and vegetables, making it a more nutritious and fiber-rich option. These idlis are soft, spongy, and full of flavor, ideal for breakfast or as a light evening snack.
Sabudana Masala Dosa from bliss of cooking, incorporates sabudana into the dosa batter, offering a slight chewiness and a unique taste to the crispy crepes. Filled with a spicy potato masala, these dosas make for a satisfying meal that’s both hearty and flavorful.
Sago Kheer from kitchen katukutty, is a creamy and delicious dessert made from sago pearls, milk, sugar, and cardamom, often garnished with nuts and saffron.
Sago Biriyani, recipe from cookpad, is a light yet satisfying meal, combining the chewy texture of sago with a flavorful blend of spices, vegetables, and sometimes nuts and raisins for added texture and taste. This dish is a fantastic gluten-free alternative to grain-based biryanis and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Sabudana Payasam from indian healthy recipes, is a sweet and creamy dessert that’s an integral part of many festivals and fasting days. Cooked with milk, sago pearls, jaggery, and cardamom, and often garnished with ghee-roasted nuts, this payasam is a comforting dessert that soothes the palate. n the stomach.
Sago Vathal (or Sago Fryums) from raks kitchen, are sun-dried, crispy snacks made from a seasoned paste of sago pearls, which are then shaped and dried under the sun. Once dried, these can be stored for months and fried to crispy perfection when ready to eat.
The exploration of these top 20+ sabudana recipes for kids showcases the wonderful adaptability and joy that sabudana (sago) can bring into a child’s diet. From the gentle, creamy delight of sabudana porridge to the playful crunch of sabudana vadas and the innovative twist of sabudana dosas, each recipe offers a unique blend of nutrition, texture, and taste, perfectly suited for little palates.
These recipes highlight how sabudana, with its mild flavor and soft texture, can become a favorite among kids, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for gluten-free, easily digestible, and energy-packed food options for their children. Whether served as a comforting breakfast, a nourishing snack, a fulfilling main dish, or a sweet treat, sabudana dishes can add variety and excitement to a child’s mealtime, ensuring they receive a balance of taste and nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Sabudana and is it good for kids?
Sabudana, or tapioca pearls, is a carbohydrate-rich food extracted from the cassava root. It’s gluten-free and offers quick energy, making it a good choice for kids, especially as a meal during fasting days or as a snack.
2. Can Sabudana be given to toddlers?
Yes, sabudana can be introduced to toddlers, typically around the age of 8 months and above, but it’s advisable to start with small quantities. Its soft texture when cooked makes it easy for toddlers to swallow and digest.
3. How does Sabudana benefit kids?
Sabudana is energy-dense, providing the necessary calories for active, growing children. Its carbohydrate content supports physical activity and brain function.
4. Is sabudana easy to digest for kids?
Yes, sabudana is easy to digest for kids. Its light and soft texture makes it an ideal food choice for young tummies, providing a gentle way to satisfy hunger without causing digestive stress.
Buy Healthy Nutritious Baby, Toddler food made by our own Doctor Mom !
The SC7 Expedition is once again exploring the state from the mountains to the sea, this year in April and May 2024! The name South Carolina 7 represents seven natural wonders in our state, including National Geographic-recognized ecological areas and historical sites such as the Jocassee Gorges, Sassafras Mountain, and the Chattooga River.
Kidding Around covered this epic month-long event in 2021; you can find everything about that year’s route in our article South Carolina’s Top 30 Beautiful Natural Spots! This year the team is following a similar path across the state, with a few new locations – including several in the Upstate.
What is the SC7 Expedition
The first SC7 expedition took place in July of 2020, following the Palmetto Trail across the state to highlight the ‘Carolina 7,’ seven geographic wonders unique to the Palmetto State. The purpose of the expedition was to bring attention to the natural marvels that need our protection, and the multitude of outdoor adventures that await us in our own backyard.
Along the way, the expedition discusses topics such as conservation, adult & childhood fitness, outdoor therapy, floodwater mitigation issues, and more. This year the SC7 will continue to include a “family expedition” aspect, and everyone is invited to join in on the fun of exploring the state that we call home – from the mountains to the sea!
SC7 Expedition; Photo Credit: SC7
Get Started on the SC7 Expedition
First things first: download your free copy of the 2024 SC7 Expedition Field Guide! A day-by-day handbook for this year’s expedition, it contains trail information, local places to see, and information on the various outings. Even if you’re not joining the expedition on the trail, the guide is a tremendous resource for exploring the various regions of South Carolina!
You can also download the SC7 Outdoor Adventure Book, perfect for kids who are joining in. The booklet has tons of information about our state, fun facts about wildlife, ecological principles, and so much more!
Next, check your calendar for the public participation days. The 2024 SC7 Expedition Field Guide has more information on how to participate, or you can follow along virtually through daily Facebook and Instagram videos.
The expedition will be in the Upstate the last week in April, though some of the Midlands locations can be done in a day trip from Greenville/Spartanburg, including the Enoree Passage of the Palmetto Trail, Congaree National Park, and Columbia.
2024 SC7 Key Events
April 22 – May 3, 2024: SC7 Earth Day Kick-off event statewide will happen on April 22, 2024. Hikes & adventures in the Upstate over the proceeding two weeks include the Chattooga River rafting, the Oconee Passage, Sassafras Mountain, Jocassee Gorges, Jones Gap State Park, Pickens Doodle Trail, downtown Greenville, the Swamp Rabbit Trail, the Cottonwood Trail, and the Mary Black Rail Trail.
Sassafras Mountain
April 22, 2024: Earth Day Kickoff Event! Join Lt. Governor Pamella Evette, the South Carolina 7, and Palmetto Pride in a Statewide Litter Cleanup on Earth Day 2024. The county that picks up the most litter by weight will earn the SC Environmental Stewardship Award. For more information on the litter pickup and to get involved, contact Abbey Crocker (abbey@scnhc.com).
2023April 27, 2024: Pickens Doodle Day! Join Easley residents in an exploration of the Doodle Trail, 7.5 miles of flat trail for hiking, biking, or walking. The event begins at 9 am at the Pickens trailhead: 409 E. Cedar Rock Street.
May 4, 2024: Enoree Passage Hike public participation day! The Palmetto Trail winds 10 miles through pine ridges and hardwood bottomlands of the Enoree. The public is invited to hike the second portion of the Enoree Passage, starting at Brickhouse Campground. Arrival at 8:30 am and the hike begins at 9 am.
SC7 Key Events in the Midlands
May 5th, 2024: Hike the Columbia Riverwalk, and the West Columbia Riverfront Park. Event begins at 3 pm, at which time the shuttle will leave from Savage Craft Ale Works to the trailhead. The hike length is 3.5 miles.
Newberry, SC
SC7 Key Events in the Lowcountry
May 11th, 2024: Join the SC7 team on a 4-mile beach walk, an out and back along the coast from Myrtle Beach State Park to Sunset Beach and back. The event begins at 9 am at Myrtle Beach State Park.
May 18th, 2024: Cooper River Bridge Hike. Hike the Cooper River Bridge with the Mayors of Charleston and Mount Pleasant! The event begins at 9 am, and participants coming from either side will meet the team in the middle of the bridge for a group photo opp.
Photo Credit: SC7 Expedition
The Adventure Continues
There is so much to do and see in South Carolina that it will take far longer than just a month to get to it all. And, while it is exciting to join an expedition to explore your way across the state, it can be just as thrilling to discover new places with your children and family.
It is our hope that the destinations featured here can serve as an outline to get you started, a framework for travel and exploration across the state!! Happy adventuring, South Carolina!
Waterfalls, wilderness areas, wildflowers and epic views… No, we’re not talking about a national park somewhere out west, but our very own Foothills Trail! Backpacker magazine rated it as “one of the best long trails (fifty-plus miles) in the country,” and it traverses the Jocassee Gorges, which National Geographic named one of “50 of the World’s Last Great Places—Destinations of a Lifetime”… this isn’t just any walk in the park! Well-suited for a through-hike for families looking for a challenge, yet accessible even for the shortest day-trip ramble, the Foothills Trail is rapidly gaining notoriety as one of the premier trails in the southeast.
Totaling 77 miles, the trail stretches from Oconee to Table Rock State Park with additional spur trails to numerous waterfalls and Caesars Head State Park. Major trailheads are located at the state parks, as well as US 178, SC 130, and SC 107. You’ll find all this and more on the Foothills trail’s website, and this interactive map has access points, campsites, water sources, and other info.
It can be daunting to choose the right hike for your family. We’ve put together a guide to help identify shorter hikes on the Foothills Trail that will take you to points of interest, as well as give you the info you’ll need to plan your trip: parking, hike difficulty, cost, etc. The trail has been broken down into sections, the numbers corresponding to the system the Foothills Trail Conservancy uses on their website: “A” denoting access points and “S” spur trails.
The push to protect the Appalachian Foothills began in the 1960s, with Clemson University and the US Forest Service (USFS) leading the way. The first component connecting Oconee to Table Rock was built in Sumter National Forest by the USFS, and by the early 1970s, the Foothills Trail effort was gaining momentum. Duke Power offered to build and maintain the central section of the Foothills Trail during the process of planning the Bad Creek Hydroelectric project, and in 1974 the Foothills Trail Conference was established.
The 77-mile trail linking Oconee and Table Rock State Parks was finished in 1981, and for the last 40 years the Conservancy has promoted and supported the trail through trail maintenance and developing the Foothills Trail Guidebook and map. To become a member, please visit the FTC’s website! Join Now – Foothills Trail Conservancy
The Foothills Trail
Table Rock State Park (A1)
Chances are, you’ve been on the Foothills Trail already, as a portion of this section shares trail with the beloved Carrick Creek Trail in Table Rock. The one mile of trail that follows Carrick Creek up from the Nature Center has a waterfall, countless cascades, and has a gentle grade with well-maintained trail, perfect for younger children.
From there you can keep hiking, although the trail gets much steeper. A short spur goes up to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain, but all the views are found along the Foothills Trail: Bald Knob (3.6 miles from Table Rock) and Drawbar Cliffs (4.6 miles from Table Rock). Both make great destinations, though be warned they are difficult hikes; less experienced hikers will want to stick to Carrick Creek!
Know before you go: State Park pass or park admission required, hikers must register at kiosk at Nature Center.
Sassafras Mountain (A2)
Another spot on the Foothills Trail you may have already checked out is Sassafras Mountain. Remember, as it’s the highest point in the state, any direction you hike from the summit will be descending… which means you’ll have to go back up to get to your car!
The easy way out(side): The observation tower and the rock outcrops located adjacent to the medium-sized parking area guarantee that you will not have to go far to soak in those views! Remember to bring a picnic to enjoy at one of the picnic tables.
Know before you go: Parking is free, but the road up can be closed in the winter for inclement weather; to check on the status, call the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office at 864.898.5500.
Sassafras Mountain
Chimneytop Gap (A3)
Just two miles from the summit, the section of trail from Chimneytop to the top of Sassafras makes for a nice day hike. Start at the Chimneytop parking area to get the hard part out of the way first; the views at the peak will be so much more spectacular as for having earned them with the climb up!
Know before you go: Up until Sassafras the Foothills Trail has just been passing back and forth into the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges, but after Chimneytop it heads right into the heart of the wilderness area. Be prepared for fewer road access points and limited cell service!
Caesar’s Head Trail: Sassafras (S1) to Caesars Head (S2) spur
The 14.2 miles from Sassafras Mountain to Caesars Head are strenuous, but the trail borders Greenville watershed property, some of the most pristine forest in South Carolina. A highlight of this section is Raven Cliff Falls, the tallest waterfall in the state. To reach a viewing platform across the valley from the falls, hike in from the Caesars Head SP end (use the Raven Cliff Falls parking area) – the 4-mile in-and-out hike is moderate in difficulty.
Know before you go: State Park pass or park admission is required, hikers must register at kiosk. The parking lot fills up fast, plan to get an early start and have a backup plan if the overflow lot is full.
Caesar’s Head
Laurel Valley (A4)
The medium-sized parking area on Horespasture Road serves as a gateway to the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges and marks the last vehicle access point to the Foothills Trail for many miles. A popular day-hike destination from this trailhead is Virginia Hawkins Falls, an 8.5 round trip, although by driving a bit further on Horespasture Road you can reach a second trailhead that cuts down the mileage to 2.6 miles in-and-out.
The easy way out(side): Take a slow, scenic drive on Horsepasture Road, with a stop at Jumping Off Rock to take in one of the most epic views of the Jocassee Gorges.
Know before you go: Horsepasture Road is a primitive road maintained by the SC DNR. It’s open year-round, but allow for extra travel time – the 9 miles to Jumping Off Rock can take around an hour.
Eastatoe Gorge: Laurel Valley (S3) to the Narrows (S4)
A moderate hike of 5.4 miles round trip (with a steep, if short section that might tend towards strenuous), a Foothills Trail spur takes hikers into the Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve. This section is characterized by amazing spring wildflowers and a view of Eastatoe Creek as it funnels through a narrow rock channel called “the Narrows.”
Know before you go: Park at the Laurel Valley parking area, not at the gate a little further up the road where the trail enters the forest – the road there serves as emergency access, and blocking the gate can get you heavy fines and possibly towed.
Bad Creek Access (A7)
The Bad Creek Hydroelectric Site is a 360 acre “pump-back” storage facility that pumps water from Lake Jocassee and stores it until needed for peak energy demands. It has a scenic viewpoint over Lake Jocassee as well as a public parking area providing access to the Foothills Trail, the Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area, and Lower Whitewater Falls.
The easy way out(side): It is 0.7 miles one-way from the parking area to the Foothills Trail and Whitewater River, a nice destination for those looking for a short hike with some time by the water. The viewing platform for Lower Whitewater Falls is a little more of a challenge, 4 miles in-and-out.
Know before you go: There are three boat access points to the Foothills Trail in the 33 miles from Laurel Valley to Bad Creek Access (Laurel Fork A5, Canebrake A6 and Horsepasture River) and a 5-mile connector trail (Cane Brake Trail from Frozen Creek), though no vehicle access save for a few intersections with 4WD forest roads. This is a popular section for camping, especially with families and novice hikers looking to get a feel for backpacking.
The Foothills Trail Hiking group on Facebook can be very helpful for planning purposes, with advice from experienced hikers/campers as well as up-to-date trail conditions. It is very important to be well-prepared if entering this section, as there is little-to-no cell service, and you are crossing through the heart of the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges in addition to Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve, NC Gorges State Park and the NC Gamelands.
Upper Whitewater Falls (A8)
The NC Hwy 281 Upper Whitewater Overlook parking area proves access to spectacular views of Upper Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies!
The easy way out(side): A paved, accessible, ¼ mile trail leads to the upper observation area, then 154 steps further you’ll have reached the lower observation area. You can continue on to descend to the river – just remember, you’ll have to climb back up!
Know before you go: A parking fee of $3 per vehicle goes toward continued improvements of the park. Please don’t venture off-trail, as deaths and serious injuries have occurred here!
River at the bottom of Whitewater Falls
Sloan Bridge (A9)
The 5.5-mile hike from Whitewater to Sloan Bridge is along a ridge, and has superb views of Jocassee in the winter, but the majority of visitors are drawn to Sloan Bridge for a picnic at one of the tables, to cool down in the East Fork of the Chattooga River, or for a short hike to one of the several waterfalls to the south.
The easy way out(side): After a picnic at Sloan Bridge, drive over to the nearby Wigington Overlook for a picture-perfect view of Lake Jocassee.
Know before you go: There are no trash receptacles at Sloan Bridge Picnic Area; remember, if you pack it in, please pack it out!
Fish Hatchery Road (A10)
It’s just 3.3 miles to Sloan Bridge from Fish Hatchery Road, and with multiple trails in the area, many hikers plan a loop to make a day out of their visit to this corner of the state.
The easy way out(side): Just a little bit further up the road is the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery: take a self-guided tour, go fishing, have a picnic, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area!
Know before you go: A visit to the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery is free, but if you want to feed the fish, bring quarters for the fish food dispensers.
Burrell’s Ford (A11)
There is so much to do in this remote corner of the state! In addition to numerous major waterfalls, Burrell’s Ford offers camping, fishing, and picnicking along the Chattooga Wild & Scenic River. For more on Burrell’s Ford, see our article Burrells Ford Campground: Camp Near Scenic Waterfalls in Upstate, SC.
Know before you go: Burrell’s Ford is free, but can be popular on weekends. Get there early for parking and first choice of a campsite!
Spoonauger Falls
The Highway 107 access points
Headed south on Highway 107 from Sloan Bridge you’ll pass several access points to the Foothills Trail. However, being small dirt lots that only have room for a handful of cars, we’ve grouped them together for this guide.
Nicholson Ford Access: This access point to the Foothills Trail is also the trailhead for hikes to Licklog and Pigpen Falls (Explore Licklog and Pigpen Falls via Foothills Trail | AllTrails). The gravel road can sometimes get a little washed out, if you would rather stay on pavement park at Cheohee Road.
Cheohee Road (A12): Just off Highway 107, Cheohee Road is also known as Winding Stairs Rd. A gravel forest road leads to several popular waterfalls and a Forest Service campground.
Jumping Branch Trailhead (A13): The last access point before entering Oconee State Park!
The easy choice: Enjoy Oconee State Park! From multiple hiking trails leading to historic sites, views, and waterfalls, to putt-putt golf, boat rentals, and a beach – Oconee has got it all!!
Know before you go: State Park pass or park admission is required, hikers must register at kiosk at Nature Center
Hike the Entire Foothills Trail
Hikers who complete all 77 miles of The Foothills Trail—from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park – are eligible for the Peregrine Award, which was started in 2011 in honor of longtime FTC member Heyward Douglass. The word “peregrine” comes from the Spanish word “peregrino,” which means pilgrim. It is also the name of one of Heyward’s favorite birds; he was instrumental in the re-introduction of the Peregrine Falcon to the mountains of Upstate South Carolina. For more information, please visit the Foothills Trail website.
Hopefully, this guide helps you identify which sections of the Foothills Trail are closest to your home, and will assist in figuring out how you can best get your family out on the trail this summer! Please remember to hike within your comfort and skill level, and always plan ahead – research the trail, local regulations, weather, hazards, and what to do in an emergency. Happy hiking!
Ever feel like your wallet is stuck on repeat? Bitcoin might sound complicated, but it’s digital money that you can actually use to save up or even make some extra cash. This post will break down Bitcoin, so you can see if it’s the key to unlocking your financial future.
With a growing economy, it has become more and more challenging for parents to save money. Adding to that, the constant cycle of paying bills, taking care of kids’ needs (education, health, and other miscellaneous expenses), and planning for a secure future can be overwhelming. But what if we told you there’s a way to boost your income, and that too, from the comfort of your own home? Today, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of Bitcoins, a cryptocurrency that has been shaking the financial world with its massive potential and volatility.
Understanding the Bitcoin Phenomenon
Before we dive deep into how you can use Bitcoins to uplift your financial situation, it’s essential to understand what it is. Bitcoin is a decentralized cryptocurrency, meaning it operates without a central bank or single administrator. Transactions are made from user to user on the peer-to-peer Bitcoin network without the need for intermediaries. Bitcoins can be exchanged for other currencies, products, and services. Research estimates Bitcoingambling.org that there are over 5.8 million unique users using a cryptocurrency wallet, most of them using Bitcoin.
Using Bitcoin to Save Money
Now that you have a basic understanding of Bitcoin, let’s delve into our main topic – using this digital currency to bolster your savings. Here’s how to get started:
1. Purchasing Bitcoins
Buying your first Bitcoins might seem intimidating, but it’s a fairly straightforward process. You’ll first need to set up a Bitcoin wallet, which is a simple software application that allows you to send, receive, and store your Bitcoins securely. You can then proceed to purchase Bitcoins with your local currency on a Bitcoin exchange. Make sure you choose a reputable exchange to avoid any scams.
2. Saving with Bitcoin
Once you own some Bitcoin, you need to let it grow. An analysis from Bitcoingambling.org shows that interest-bearing Bitcoin accounts can yield up to 8% annually. This is exceptionally higher than any standard savings account.
Earning Additional Income with Bitcoin
Beyond savings, Bitcoin can offer an additional source of income. Here’s how:
1. Bitcoin Mining
Mining is a process of earning Bitcoins by validating transactions on the Bitcoin network. While this process requires some technical knowledge and can be setup-intensive, it provides a steady stream of income.
2. Bitcoin Trading
Trading Bitcoin shares similarities with stock trading. The idea is to buy Bitcoin at a low price and sell it at a higher price to earn a profit. With adequate knowledge and understanding, trading can significantly supplement your income.
Conclusion
With increasing financial pressures on parents, alternative ways of earning and saving money are becoming more relevant than ever. Investing in Bitcoin not only offers a unique way to save but also an opportunity to supplement your income. However, the volatility of Bitcoin requires careful consideration and planning. Taking one step at a time and arming yourself with knowledge is key to unlocking the possibilities that Bitcoin offers.
During COVID, Gunjan Seth (photo right) became very sick and realized she had to find some respite from caring for her son Ajay (left), now 16, who has autism.
Respite care gives parents a short break from the emotional and physical demands of caring for a child with a disability—while enabling the child to participate in activities in the community or learn new skills.
But not only was it difficult for Gunjan to find a worker, the cost was prohibitive. Prior to the pandemic, Gunjan hired a worker who charged $20 an hour through respiteservices.com, an Ontario service that helped match families with caregivers. Last June, the service closed its program to Toronto families.
The alternative was to go through private agencies. Their workers cost about $38 to $45 an hour, plus tax.
“When we receive respite we feel energized, we are refreshed, and we feel that we have the capacity to sit on this roller coaster everyday of meeting our child’s needs—of teaching them skills, travelling with them to appointments, and advocating for them at school,” Gunjan says. “I’m not enough. My body gets tired. I need someone else to help teach my son life skills, like going into the community to buy groceries or using the TTC. Respite benefits the parent, but it also benefits the child.”
Today, Gunjan can only afford to pay for two hours of respite a week—at more than double what she paid prior to COVID.
Gunjan’s family emigrated from India, so she has no family nearby to lean on. “We parents wonder for how long we can continue without support. We have no options. We have to do it.”
Social workers at Holland Bloorview confirm the barriers to finding and funding community respite workers. “Respiteservices.com used to manage an online database of qualified workers they screened, who charged a more reasonable rate, and families could create their own ads to attract people,” says Jessica Reid, a social worker and team lead for the Family Navigation Hub at Holland Bloorview. “They also helped families fill out forms to apply for respite funding. Other regions in Ontario still offer these supports, but Toronto as a region has closed.”
“Respite funding is very limited, and there is a waitlist for Ontario’s Special Services at Home, which covers respite care,” says Penny Sparling, a social worker in Holland Bloorview’s child development program. “On average, it seems families wait about one to two years if they’re applying now. Once they are on it, they continue to receive it until the child is 18. Another challenge for our low-income families once they receive SSAH funding is that they have to pay the worker up front, and then wait for reimbursement, often for several weeks. Many families cannot afford to do this, so don’t use the fund at all.”
Children with complex medical needs are eligible to receive Enhanced Respite, but this program also operates on reimbursement after families have paid for services.
Gunjath says the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) only covers core clinical services for children, but not respite for parents. “Caregivers support their children in almost every stage of receiving these services—from finding the providers to accessing them. That involves a lot of time and energy and often leads to deep physical and emotional fatigue.” Gunjan would like to see respite funded under the OAP, because caregiver wellbeing is critical to its success.
The Geneva Centre offers subsidized group respite programs on the weekend and evenings, but its weekend spots are full. A fee-for-service option costs $300 for a 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. day.
“Respite is a need for every caregiver,” Gunjan says. “We have to create policies at an operational level to support families like us.”
Gunjan is a family leader at Holland Bloorview who mentors other parents and sits on numerous committees, including our Extensive Needs Service. This is a multi-disciplinary treatment program for children with complex needs who are in crisis. “The program is able to offer 50 hours of respite to a family, and some families are consuming that in one or two months,” Gunjan says. But many children are not eligible for the program.
Gunjan notes that she benefited from some one-time Ontario Flex Funding for respite care, but that this funding needs to be consistent over time to benefit children and parents.
Flex Funding, and a program that supports autistic children in a community respite program or camp, are now allocated through a lottery system. ““Based on families I’ve worked with through this process, limited numbers are approved due to the high number of applicants,” Penny says.
“I don’t want any caregiver to feel isolated or ignored,” Gunjan says. “I want them to be supported emotionally and mentally, so they can lead a healthy, rich, happy life. That’s why we have to take more steps to create caregiver respite.”
Holland Bloorview offers a Sunday respite program from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sundays for clients aged four to 18. “The Sundays are quite full, but we have worked hard to ensure everyone gets something,” says Robyn Sanford, operations manager for Inclusion.
It’s important for clinicians to broach the topic of parent respite when a child is first diagnosed, Gunjan says. “I was so preoccupied with my son’s needs when he was born premature that I didn’t have one second to think about myself. I couldn’t even take a shower or cook meals. Later, as a proud immigrant to this country, you can imagine how challenging it was for me to think about caring for myself.”
The annual Spartanburg Spring Fling runs April 26-28, 2024 in the streets of downtown Spartanburg. If you are new in town or have not been to Spring Fling, plan to visit this special outdoor festival with your family. Most local families agree this is an event they look forward to all year.
Heading to Spartanburg’s Spring Fling? Here’s What You Need to Know
Spring Fling takes over downtown Spartanburg. The streets fill with thousands of people enjoying live entertainment on multiple stages, eating delicious food, shopping in the outdoor market, and having fun on rides and inflatables. It is also some of the best people-watching in town. There is no admission cost, so people can come and take in the sights for free.
Spring Fling has something fun for everyone in Spartanburg. There are multiple live performances by local groups and popular musicians. There are drink vendors for adults 21+ and shopping galore.
Spartanburg Spring Fling is a Family-Friendly Festival
A big plus is that this festival also caters to families with children. The reason so many families look forward to this event each year is because it is fun! Your children will be thrilled to see the sights, eat all the festival food, all while using their outside voices. Spring Fling is loud, packed with crowds and exciting. As you prepare for Spring Fling with your children, here is what you need to know.
The Family Fun Zone
If you are going to Spring Fling with kids, you need to plan on spending most of your festival time at the Family Fun Zone. This area of the festival is located in front of the downtown library on East Broad Street and Church Street. The streets will be packed with inflatables and carnival rides. Children will need tickets for the rides and inflatables; tickets are sold individually.
In addition to the rides, the Family Fun Zone is also where your children will see costumed characters and princesses. Traditional festival favorites like face painting and balloon artists will also be at this location, as well as other kid favorites.
Spartanburg Spring Fling Food
Come to Spring Fling hungry! There will be food vendors and food trucks lining the streets, some offering kid-friendly staples. Since this is a festival, you should also leave room for some traditional festival foods like funnel cakes and cotton candy.
Entertainment
Spartanburg’s Spring Fling is filled with free entertainment including live music and acts on various stages. Check out the performances and schedule to see where your favorites will be performing.
Sensory Friendly Kits
Spartanburg Parks has teamed up with the City of Spartanburg Parks & Recreation to offer a Sensory Friendly kit for families who have children with special needs and who may have trouble handling a crowd.
The kits will be offered on a first come, first served basis on Saturday from 11 am – 6 pm and on Sunday from Noon – 6 pm. They can be picked up at the Spartanburg Parks tent in the Broad Street parking lot. An ID will be needed to check out the bag so if you’re planning on getting a 21+ wristband, get it before you check out a Sensory Friendly kit since you won’t have your ID until the kit is returned.
Other Things to See at Spartanburg Spring Fling
In addition to the music and other forms of live entertainment, Spring Fling also has many other things to see.
Things to Know When You Go
Event Hours: April 26 (5 pm-10 pm) | April 27 (11 am-9 pm) | April 28 (12 pm-6 pm)
Bring Cash (While Spring Fling is free admission, your kids will want to eat all the food and ride all the rides.)
I’m a voracious reader. Reading is one of my favorite things to do. Growing up I’d go to the library every week or two, getting a huge stack of book, and then after I’d devour them, I’d replace them with an all new stack.
Living in a non English speaking country, where we don’t have the same expansive public library system as I had growing up in the US (interlibrary loans, how I love and miss thee!), I used to periodically go to the second hand book store, buy some books, and then sell them back after… but it was an expensive “library” since I was only getting a fraction of the money I was spending back each time I sold them.
I was so thrilled when I found out about our “little free libraries” locally. Not so little, though. There are more and more locations, many of them in old bus stops, which were converted into libraries with shelves and shelves of overflowing books and referred to as bus stop book stops. The ones I tend to go to are in neighborhoods with lots of American expats, so a large majority of the books there are in English. And they’ve become some of my favorite places to visit.
While I absolutely have my favorite authors and genres to read, fantasy and science fiction, I enjoy most genres as long as the books are readable and at least somewhat interesting. I don’t particularly want to spend money on books of all genres- these days I tend to only spend money on very specific fantasy authors (Brandon Sanderson is my all time favorite) and some self help books (Brene Brown is a favorite there). But if I don’t have to pay for it? Sure, I’ll give it a chance to read it.
So on Friday, I was in the area of the bus stop book stop with the largest amount of English books, so I brought with me my massive stack of books I had at home that I’d already read, and I “exchanged them at the library” and brought home another large pile. If I lived near the bus stop book stop I’d probably just get take and return a few books at a time, but since my visits are only once every 6 months or so, I bring and return a large quantity at a time.
I’m really excited about these.
If I had to rate my favorite genres in order, they’d be fantasy then science fiction, followed by action/thriller/mystery and then a tie between historical fiction and chic lit.
Unfortunately, there was no fantasy, and only one science fiction book, Flash Forward, which was made into a TV series that I really enjoyed (but, unfortunately, was canceled after only one season), so I’m looking forward to that.
There are so many great looking action/thriller/mysteries, some from authors I’ve already read and loved such as Tom Clancy and Daniel Silva, but I’m looking forward to reading books from and discovering authors like Tess Gerritsen, Michael Crichton (I think I might have read something from him), Mary Willis Walker, Val McDermid, Philip Friedman, John Abbott, Vince Flynn, John Burdett, Brian Haig, Joy Fielding, Peter Niesewand, and Tilly Bagshawe.
As an adult, I started loving to learn history (hated it as a kid) so I now enjoy reading historical novels, especially ones based on true stories, especially ones that teach me some of what living in that time was like. I’d heard of two of these, the Book Thief, and Beekeeper of Aleppo, and Ark sounds interesting as well.
I have a little less “hopes” for these two books, one is a historical mystery- The Hippopotamus Pool, and one seems more historical romance, The Storm Sister, but we’ll see what they’re like.
The last of my new fiction books I put in the “unsorted” pile… I hadn’t heard of any of those other than the Rosie project, but Chuck Klosterman apparently is a bestselling author that I’d never heard of. Arabella by Gerogette Heyer apparently is a historical romance, Rosie Project seems totally chick lit/romance. Google tells me We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves is a coming of age story, and the Visible Man is psychological fiction… not sure exactly what that means. This shall be interesting.
Lastly is my non fiction pile. Another Chuck Klosterman book which I also hadn’t heard of, Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs which explores the not so great parts of American society. I have heard of Born to Run, about what makes a certain tribe such great runners and Year of Yes, what happened to the author when she started saying yes more often, and I had wanted to read them. Geography of Bliss is about what makes people happy around the world, and Me Talk Pretty One Day is a humorous memoir.
I am really excited to read all these books. And in some ways, that’s the nice thing about not having access to a library- I get to explore authors and genres that I might otherwise have not picked up, and discover some read new reads.
Are you also a big reader? Do you usually buy books or borrow them? What are your favorite genres and authors? Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them?
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is getting set to shift into summer mode and open its doors Monday through Sunday for the fair-weather season. The public will have even more opportunities to discover the Museum’s vast collection in addition to the three new exhibitions that will be available.
In a Canadian exclusive, the MMFA will showcase Flemish masterworks from The Phoebus Foundation’s collection. It will also present a new body of works from Winnipeg artist Wanda Koop. Thirdly, it will draw from its storage one of the most iconic series by Andō Hiroshige, master landscape printmaker, which will take us on a journey to Japan of the late Edo period.
Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools: Three Hundred Years of Flemish Masterworks
This major exhibition shines a spotlight on The Phoebus Foundation’s world-class collection of Flemish art. It will transport the public to the Southern Netherlands of the 15th to the 18th century (today mainly Flanders, Belgium) during a dynamic period of social, scientific, economic and artistic development. Spanning close to 300 years, it bears witness to the role Flemish artists played in asserting this tiny, yet influential, region’s place in a fast-changing world.
The nearly 150 works on display, including paintings by celebrated artists Anthony van Dyck, Hans Memling, Peter Paul Rubens, Jacob Jordaens and Michaelina Wautier, address timeless themes of vice, virtue, desire and folly. The selected works comprise monumental paintings, sculptures, maps and silverwork. Furthermore, the exhibition is complemented by a dozen or so masterpieces from the MMFA’s prestigious collection, featuring paintings by such masters as Adriaen Isenbrandt, Jan Fyt and Jan Brueghel the Elder.
April 11 – August 4, 2024
Wanda Koop
WHO OWNS THE MOON
Winner of a Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts (2016), Wanda Koop is one of Canada’s most renowned artists of her generation. Her work has been the subject of some sixty solo exhibitions in Canada and abroad. Born in Vancouver to parents from the Zaporijjia region (present-day Ukraine), the artist lives and works in Winnipeg.
For her first monographic museum presentation in Quebec, Koop is unveiling an entirely new body of work. In these twenty or so paintings, the artist expresses her engagement with her family history. The trauma of the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe was, in fact, the point of departure in these painterly meditations on issues of territory, the environment, memory, loss and ever-present war. With the all-seeing moon as its central motif, the exhibition invites us to reflect on our relationship to history and the most pressing questions of our time.
April 27 – September 8, 2024
東海道 Tōkaidō
Dreamscapes by Andō Hiroshige
In the 19th century, the Tōkaidō was one of the most travelled roads in Japan. Towards the end of the Edo period, Andō Hiroshige revolutionized the woodblock publishing industry when he illustrated scenes of everyday life unfolding at the 53 relay stations along the famous route that connected the Tokugawa capital of Japan, Edo (today Tokyo), to the former imperial capital of Japan, Kyōto. Inspired by earlier travel guides and magazines in circulation, this print series sparked a desire in the masses to take the nearly 500-kilometre journey on foot. This imaginary work treats the landscape and its atmospheric appeal as subjects in their own right, a novelty in Japan at that time.
This exhibition presents the very first edition of the “Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō” in its entirety, which was published by Hoeidō and Senkakudō publishing houses in 1833 and entered into the MMFA’s collection in 1972. The show looks at the talent of Hiroshige and his team as the makers of a world people wanted to buy into and inhabit, as well as at the publishing industry that made the dream come true. It also examines the factors that led to these prints becoming an astronomical commercial success and fuelled the emergence of Japonisme in Europe.
Where are the healthy kids’ menus in Greenville, SC?Can’t bear to put together another meal for your kid that consists of cheese and a carb? Me neither.
As a parent, meals can be a difficult and dreaded time. Ask your kid a million times to finish eating or suggest they try a new vegetable and be greeted with a look that could kill. So we asked our readers for some help – where do they suggest for a healthy restaurants in Greenville for their kids? Here are several local restaurants that fit the bill. Your family will have plenty of healthy restaurant options for the next time you want to eat out with kids.
Looking for more meals for kids? Check out Free Kids Meals in Greenville where you will find a list of restaurants offering free and discounted kids’ meals sorted by day of the week.
So what’s healthy?
Healthy can be somewhat subjective but in this sense, we are searching for meals that aren’t full of processed and fried foods, preferably that include fresh ingredients with a protein, vegetables or fruit and maybe even a new food or two. We want parents to feel good about choosing these meals for their kids.
Some of the places below don’t necessarily have menus specifically for kids but are recommended for their fresh food in general, and that have healthy options for children (and adults).
Brixx
Aware that nearly everyone loves pizza, Brixx makes sure they offer options that not only appeal to lots of people but also that even their customers who are vegetarian or vegan or gluten-free can eat them. They bake their focaccia bread daily so it’s fresh and only use natural flavors. Their kids menu is basically smaller portions of their normal menu but bonus points because they have crayons and coloring paper available.
“Simple, honest, scratch-made ingredients” is the tagline of this national restaurant. Cheddar’s has a “lighter side” menu with healthier options available like Lemon Pepper Chicken and Grilled White Fish. Kids have the option of grilled or BBQ chicken with the sides of green beans or steamed vegetables if they are feeling adventurous.
Jason’s Deli touts gluten-free options and a healthy kids menu that features a baked potato, grilled cheese on multigrain wheat, or a chicken tender meal with antibiotic-free chicken. They don’t use any artificial colors or dyes nor any high-fructose corn syrup.
Crosspointe Plaza, 824 Woods Crossing Road, Greenville Jason’s Deli Menu
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina
Mexican food and healthy don’t necessarily go together in the same sentence all the time, but On the Border does give healthier options on their menu, especially for kids. For example, kids can build their own mini-tacos and make them healthier by substituting soft corn tortillas for the fried ones and choose grilled veggies as a side.
Panera Bread has turned a corner on their menu, evaluating their ingredients and making substantial efforts to only serve high-quality food without any additives, MSG, or artificial trans-fats. They have an entire website dedicated to their kid’s menu, where they explain the options, talk about what’s in the food, and generally try to help parents feel comfortable about choosing Panera for their kids (and themselves). They don’t offer fries or onion rings for kids but instead, organic yogurt, whole-grain rolls, and apples. For entrees, they have soups, salads, and sandwiches in kid-size portions.
The only farm-to-table fast food restaurant in the Upstate, Farm Fresh Fast sources 80% of its ingredients from local farmers! Their food is both healthy and tasty and they can help kids choose something that they will like and is good for them.
A Middle Eastern café and grocery shop, the Pita House serves hummus, homemade pita bread, and typical foods from that region of the world. There is chicken, falafel, tabouli salad, baba ghannouge, and shawarma. This is one of my favorite cuisines and the Pita House does a great job of making up a plate that contains lots of different food so that kids will be able to find at least something they like. Be sure to bring cash since they don’t accept credit cards.
A salmon, asparagus, and fruit plate for a kid? Most definitely you can find this at Roost in downtown Greenville. They serve fresh, local ingredients and have an awesome brunch buffet on the weekends.
Swamp Rabbit Cafe has an entire menu full of local, fresh ingredients and with minimal prepping, they are able to make the ingredients themselves shine to their full potential of delicious flavors. Everything – yes, everything – they have is amazing. My own little kids love their stecca bread and I’m a huge fan of their oatmeal, which is filled with an antioxidant mix of dried fruit and nuts. Their pizza is also loaded up with local ingredients that aren’t always traditional for pizza, but totally delicious. They frequently adjust their menu with the seasons. I never feel guilty giving my kids anything to eat from Swamp Rabbit Café.
The first thing I think of when Tandem pops into my head are their delicious crepes filled with bananas and Nutella, which isn’t the healthiest option by any means (but boy is it good). There’s more though! Besides sweet crepes, Tandem also offers savory crepes like Chicken & Mushroom, the Green Club, or the Sausage Potato. They combine fresh ingredients in a fun way that kids will at least give it a second look. And if you need to bribe them with a Nutella crepe afterward, no judgment here.
Using a made-from-scratch artisan approach to making street tacos and Tex-Max favorites, Tipsy Taco prides itself on bold flavors and fresh food. They do have a small kids menu but with their extensive menu for everyone else, kids may want to pick from the grown-up options.
Many KAG readers enjoy Tropical Grille, which serves up healthy Cuban-style cuisine. Customers can choose from a variety of different “chops” that include flavorful chicken, rice, beans, steamed vegetables, plantains, roasted pork, or a vegetarian option. They also serve wraps, sandwiches and salads and have a menu devised by a local fitness trainer as well as kids options.
Tupelo Honey takes traditional Southern cuisine – including the freshness and flavors – and gives them a creative twist. They also responsibly source their ingredients, which means they visit the farms where the food comes from and form relationships with these suppliers. While Southern food typically doesn’t equal low-calorie cuisine, Tupelo certainly raises the bar by selecting only the best ingredients with their dishes of shrimp & grits, farm-fresh burgers and vegetable plates, sweet potato pancakes, Southwestern omelets, grilled salmon, and their signature salad. I’ve seen parents rave about how much their kids enjoy eating at Tupelo.
It was the first time the card table was used for its stated purpose.
In our excitement playing cards, we got too noisy and woke up the toddler. There was laughter and arguing. There was winning and losing.
I’d like to say my son, Ocean, was a gracious winner. I’d also like to say that I’m never a sore loser. Regardless, I was elated that we were playing – win or lose. I never thought my kid would land on card games as a special interest. And I know it won’t last, so I’m savoring these precious moments with extra gratitude.
Special Interests: My Son’s Rotating Fascinations
Ocean has autism and ADHD. Rather than sticking to one deep and abiding interest or bouncing around several interests at once (like me), he cycles through a different obsession every few months. There are some that repeat, like soccer, BEYBLADES, and various video games. I’m always happy when Pokémon comes up in the rotation.
My husband and I have always joined him in his interests, even when (as a baby) he just wanted to stare at the spinning ceiling fan. I’ll admit I didn’t enjoy spinning wheels on baby strollers when that was his fixation, and his interest in other peoples’ soccer balls didn’t make us popular at the playground. (On the other hand, soccer balls do have really cool designs, especially the Jabulani and Brazuca. Do you know how hard it is to find an original Jabulani? Can you guess how many hours I spent bidding on eBay?) While I didn’t love subway trips to a busy intersection to watch the pedestrian traffic light count down, he’s now traveling alone on public transportation – something I never imagined then.
When my son finds a new special interest, it feels a bit like opening a Christmas gift. I have no idea what it will be, but I know it will surprise me… and that it will get old eventually.
I’ve observed the pattern. He learns all the planets and moves on to galaxies. He maps the states, then the world… But his fixation doesn’t hold; eventually, he gets restless. He spends a few weeks absentmindedly dabbling until something grabs his attention again. I have no influence on his infatuations, or how long he will stay interested in each one. I’ve tried. It backfires. I don’t think he has much say in what grabs him either.
The one time I successfully held the line was when hot peppers became his interest. When his own pediatrician told us that eating too many of them raw could cause internal damage, my own gut wrenched and I felt like the worst parent ever. Nope. No more. I told him, “You can talk about Scoville heat units, you can draw and categorize and research peppers to your heart’s delight, but no more raw spicy pepper eating challenges under my roof!” I value autonomy, but I value his health more. It wasn’t easy, but we moved on, with his stomach lining intact.
Was Celebrating My Son’s Special Interests Wrong?
Ocean was first flagged for early intervention at 13 months. He wasn’t crawling on all fours or showing any signs of walking.
It would be a while before I put all the pieces together: developmental delays, social differences, special interests, sensory avoidance, and difficulty regulating emotions. Still, we hadn’t considered autism. I even brushed off an evaluator who casually mentioned “red flags for autism” when Ocean lined up a set of toy cars instead of playing with them as expected.
Then he went to preschool, where was expected to do things that were not his absolute favorite. The stimulation was a lot for him. He was having multiple meltdowns a day and struggled mightily with transitions. Even with the support of a 1-to-1 special education teacher, he barely endured the year.
At a new special-education school, his teacher asked for reward ideas that could motivate him. When I told her how much he liked letters and numbers, she was dismissive. “But that’s just stimming,” she said. I was speechless.
My confidence eroded. I started to think that all our celebrating of Ocean’s fascinations had been wrong. I wondered if I should have steered him away from the things that gave him comfort and joy. But I couldn’t. I loved to see the spark in him when he engaged with his true loves.
That year was damaging for both of us, and with perspective I am glad to have learned this lesson: Just because someone has a degree, doesn’t mean they are an expert – and they certainly aren’t an expert in your child.
Celebrating My Son’s Special Interests – and Strengths
We moved on to a more enlightened and neurodiversity-affirming elementary school, and my education in celebrating neurodiversity began. Those teachers and therapists brought Ocean’s interests into everything. They encouraged his strengths and nudged him along in his challenges. They partnered with us parents, and it felt like almost every professional truly cared about my son. He thrived.
Still, being neurodivergent in an ableist world is hard, and we leaned on supports as we overcame one struggle after another.
He’s moving on to high school next year, and I want to share a reflection with parents of younger neurodivergent kids: The problems fade with time, especially when you focus on encouraging their strengths. The glimmers of joy are what I recall, like snapshots.
When Ocean wasn’t meeting developmental milestones and was having multiple meltdowns a day, I never could have imagined this scene: my siblings, nieces, parents, all playing a card game that Ocean had organized and taught them, and all having a blast!
I can’t think of anyone with whom I’d rather stare at the fan, draw soccer balls, line up numbers, or play cards.
Special Interests, Autism, and ADHD: Next Steps
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I grew up with two brothers, and between us we played every sport offered at our school and park league. While I was a good athlete, I was outstanding at nothing in particular, but I loved sports for the feeling it gave me of being part of a team, something bigger than myself.
ESPN YouTube interview after game with Elite 8 game with LSU.
I’m watching the shift in women’s basketball
Now I’m sitting years later, watching a shift in women’s athletics like nothing I’ve ever seen before, all thanks to Caitlin Clark, the phenom basketball player who grew up in Iowa, playing with the boys because her father couldn’t find a girls’ team.
Admittedly, I have an extra bias in my admiration for Clark, having been a Hawkeye myself back in the 1990s. But the girl athlete in me can’t help but do what the entire country is doing: watch her on the court and shake my head in awe.
Social media is exploding with reels and GIFs featuring Clark, and not just from women, but also men, from everyday dads to Hollywood actors to NBA players. Fathers all over the country are learning new ways to connect with their daughters by watching Clark and her team, taking their girls to basketball games and local parks so they too can practice winning 3-point shots.
There’s a shift in women’s basketball with Caitlin Clark. (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
We need to make this a movement, not just a moment
My mother’s station wagon logged more miles traversing the streets of the Milwaukee suburbs, going from gym to field to court with bags of cleats, rackets, helmets and sliced oranges. Even when she went back to school for her master’s degree, her class schedule was planned around my brothers and our activities. I can’t recall a single game or match in which I played where she wasn’t on the sidelines.
As a mom of boys who played sports starting at age 4 and continued in college, I know the demands and exhaustion of it all: the early morning alarm clocks, the missed vacations, the endless outpouring of money on equipment, tournament fees, and hotel rooms in cities you would never otherwise step foot in if not for your child’s athletics. And with multiple kids, there is always the ‘divide and conquer:’ so many weekends not spent together as a family, but split up between two different fields, parks or gyms.
Caitlin Clark after ELITE 8 WIN vs. LSU 🗣️ ‘THIS A LITTLE DIFFERENT!’ | ESPN College Basketball
Clark is breaking athletic records but she’s also making it okay to be a female athlete
But what’s the alternative? To say no to a girl wanting to play sports is like tying just one hand behind her back. telling her that the glass ceilings she is supposed to break someday in the real world can’t be broken everywhere.
Clark is admirable not only for having broken through those ceilings with her athletic stats, but also in the ways she is making it ok to be a female athlete who is strong in body and leadership. She is unapologetically aggressive, but humble off the court.
She shows sportsmanship without weakness, and makes no excuses. Clark is a team player, and boldly knows her worth. She is writing her own story, and her voice is one that speaks to girl athletes everywhere.
Our daughters may not have the same athletic gifts as Caitlin Clark, but at the heart of it, that doesn’t matter at all. Let a girl bang a tennis ball for hours against the garage, pretending to be Serena Williams; let her practice 100 free throws in a row, imagining she is in the Final Four.
Let our girls believe they can achieve extraordinary things both on and off the playing field. Just as importantly, teach our sons to support them. Let them see the values that female athletes have to offer in the world of sport, and that the lessons they can teach can have worth and meaning in their lives.
One of my sons is at a university where the men’s basketball team has a long-standing reputation as one of the best in the country, but he and his friends will gather to watch women’s basketball just to see Clark and her wizardry on the court. The girl athlete in me loves the grit and the grace that Clark shows on and off the court. But more importantly, the boy mom in me loves what Clark is doing for sons like mine, showing them that girls can reach the same heights, attain the same goals, break the same records.
We need to harness that magic she brings to what she does; to do anything less would be a disservice to women everywhere, on and off the athletic playing field.
