Kids can watch stock car racing for free then participate in a kids’ box car races at intermission Fri. June 20 at Oglethorpe Speedway Park in Pooler.

The box car races were rained out earlier this month and are now rescheduled for Fri. June 20, weather permitting.

Grandstand Gate opens at 6pm. Stock car racing start at 8pm. The Kid’s Box Car Races at intermission around 9 PM. More info here.

Kids are admitted free with a Box Car.

Oglethorpe Speedway Park, 200 Jesup Rd. Pooler, Georgia 31322, (912) 964-8200, email ospracing@yahoo.com, http://www.ospracing.net

Congratulations Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge nearby in South Carolina which was spotlighted in the July 2014 issue of Parents Magazine, available now.

The article ’50 Free Attractions Across America’ found a fabulous free attraction in every state that won’t cost you a dime any day of the year. In South Carolina, the destination featured is nearby Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, and in Georgia, the destination is BabyLand General Hospital in Cleveland, Ga.

Pinckney is a great daytrip from Savannah, located 1/2 miles west of Hilton Head Island off of U.S. Highway 278. Details here. Bikes are welcome. Pinckney is perfect spot to see white ibis, herons, and egrets, maybe some alligators and deer. Bathrooms and picnic spots available. Free parking.

Parents Magazine, we couldn’t agree more. Pinckney Is. is an amazing free family-friendly attraction. Check out the Land of the Free feature on page 44 in the July issue.

There are 10 miles (16.1 km) of hiking trails on the refuge and nine recommended hikes:
Ibis Pond – 1.2 miles (1.9 km), round trip; one and a half hours walking at a leisurely pace
Shell Point – 4.6 miles (7.4 km), round trip; four hours and 15 minutes
Wood Stork Pond – 2.7 miles (4.3 km), round trip; two and a half hours
Osprey Pond – 3.0 miles (4.8 km), round trip; three hours
Nini Chapin Pond – 3.6 miles (5.8 km), round trip; three and a half hours
Bull Point – 5.0 miles (8.0 km), round trip; five hours
Dick Point – 7.4 miles (11.9 km), round trip; six and a half hours
Clubhouse Pond – 6.2 miles (10.0 km), round trip; five and a half hours
White Point – 7.8 miles (12.6 km), round trip; seven hours

Savannah Yoga Center’s POOLER location is having it’s GRAND OPENING July 5-6.

Free yoga, open house, and live music. For more information, email info@savannahyoga.com or call 912-988-1320.

Savannah Yoga Center, 111 Canal St. #101, Pooler, GA. Ph: 912-988-1320 www.savannahyoga.com Savannah Yoga Center is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Keep those brains stimulated during summer break with the help of Summer Bridge Activities at Barnett Educational Supplies in Savannah.

Store Hours:
M-F 9:00am – 7:00pm
Sat 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sun Closed during April, May and June

Please like Barnett on Facebook here to stay updated on their sales.

Barnett Educational Supplies, 38 W De Renne Ave., Savannah, 31405-6742, tel: 912-356-1878, emailbarneduc@bellsouth.net www.barnetteducationalsupplies.com , Barnett Educational Supplies is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Need a few free days without kids this summer but not a full summer camp?

Scribble Art Studio (with locations in Savannah & Pooler) offers a flexible drop-off program. Your little artist can come for part of the week or even just a day. Scribble offers a different theme each week. Mon-Fri. 10 AM-1 PM.

Scribble also offers rainy day workshops for all ages.

To learn more about those programs or Scribble’s art classes & children’s birthdays in Pooler & Savannah, click here or call 912-713-7376 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah & Pooler also offers private & group art classes, summer art camps, adult art parties & children’s birthday parties, both in the studio & at-home DIY art birthday kits. For gifts, Scribble as art kits & gift certificates. For more information, contact artist Carrie Christian at (912) 713-7376 or emailinfo@thescribbleartstudio.com . Click here for more info. Scribble Art Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

It’s not too late to sign up for next week’s June Kindermusik play date! Open to children ages 0-7. Theme is “Music and Motion at the Ocean!”

Class meets Monday June 23, at 11:10am. All participants get an instrument, a download card for 10 Kindermusik songs, and a BONUS gift at the end of class! Sibling discounts offered.

Sign up at www.88keysga.com (click on the Kindermusik tab) or call 912-988-KEYS (5397).

Kindermusik Savannah, email music@88keysga.com, 912.988.KEYS (5397), www.88keysga.com then click on Kindermusik link. Kindermusik is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

A reader asks “What is the top rated children/family friendly beach around besides Tybee Island?”

That got us thinking. Here are our picks:

Sea Pines Beach Resort, Hilton Head Is., S.C. Convenient access to the Surf Shop, restrooms, shower facilities & Surfside Market featuring to-go sandwiches, salads, snacks &  cold beverages. Details here.
87 North Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928. Details here. (While on HHI, be sure to check out Sandbox Children’s Museum (especially if it rains), the free petting farm at Lawton Stables, climb the Harbour Town Lighthouse or stay after dinner for a FREE kid-celebrated Gregg Russell concert at Harbour Town. ($6 Sea Pines Resort gate fee per auto) Details on Gregg Russell concerts here.

Neptune Park Fun Zone, St. Simons Island, Ga. Offers an 18 hole miniature golf course, an interactive Kiddie Pool, a zero entry swimming pool and playground right on the beach. Details here. 550 Beachview Dr. Saint Simons Island, Ga. 31522. Details here.

Hunting Island State Park, S.C. Five miles of pristine South Carolina beaches, thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon and ocean inlet are all part of the park’s natural allure.
The historic lighthouse at Hunting Island State Park is the only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina. For an admission of $2, visitors can climb the 167 steps & walk around the observation deck for a lofty view of the barrier island and surrounding seascape. CHILDREN MUST BE AT LEAST 44″ TALL TO CLIMB THE LIGHTHOUSE. Details here.

FREE Family Movies in the Park this Summer 2014 in Memorial Park on Tybee Island.

Come out for a free family movie in the park and enjoy an evening of summer breezes @ Memorial Park, located off Butler Ave. between the Tybee library at 405 Butler Ave. and Tybee YMCA Gym at 202 Fifth St. If it rains, movies will be shown inside the gym.

June 21 

Frozen will be shown on the side of the gym beginning at dark on Saturday, June 21. Please bring your chair and / or blanket.

July 19

Dolphin Tale will be shown on the side of the gym beginning at dark on Saturday, July 19. Please bring your chair and / or blanket.

Aug. 16

Despicable Me 2 will be shown on the side of the gym beginning at dark on Saturday, Aug. 16. Please bring your chair and / or blanket.

Presented by Tybee Island Main Street.

FREE & open to the public.

Check out this Summer Photography portrait sale from Savannah photographer and artist Ashley Gaddy

Ashley is currently booking a limited number of family photo sessions at a hugely reduced rate.

Through the end of June 2014,  she will be selling 1 hour sessions for $150 (regularly $250.) Each session includes a CD of edited photos from the shoot. Payment must be received by June 30th, but sessions can be scheduled any time – perfect for summer beach photos, back to school photos of the kids, or next year’s Christmas cards.

Ashley  will only book 10 sessions at this price. For more information please email Ashley at ashleygaddy@comcast.net. See examples of Ashley’s amazing family and children portraits by clicking here.

FREE summer outdoor children’s concerts by kids’ musician Gregg Russell, Harbour Town, Hilton Head Is.
Sunday through Friday evenings during summer (weather permitting).

A classic on Hilton Head Is. for almost four decades, Gregg Russell Concerts under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town happen every night during summer (weather permitting) except Saturdays, 8-9:30 p.m. During Summer 2014, Gregg Russell will perform June 1-August 22 (every night except Saturdays) & August 28-31.

This beloved family-oriented singer/storyteller performs sing-a-longs, ballads and silly songs with audience participation. Kids often make & bring “pick-me-to sing-with-you” signs to hold up for Gregg to see.

The concerts are FREE. There’s a $6 per auto fee to enter the gates to Sea Pines Resort. The concerts are open to the public.

Call ahead to confirm: (843) 842-1979 or www.seapines.com

HWY 21 DRIVE IN, BEAUFORT, S.C.

If your summer to-do bucket list includes hauling the kids to an old-fashioned Drive In movie theater, check out Hwy. 21 Drive In in Beaufort, S.C.

The Drive In accepts most major credit cards.

For directions or to see what’s playing, click here or follow the Drive In on Facebook here.

Hwy 21 Drive In, 55 Parker Dr, Beaufort, South Carolina 29906, tel (843) 846-4500, Email hwy21drivein@embarqmail.com
http://hwy21drivein.com/

JESUP DRIVE-IN

There’s also a drive in theatre in Jesup, Ga., which is a farther trek from Savannah than Beaufort. For info on the Jesup Drive-In schedule, click here
Follow the Jesup Drive-In on Facebook here.

Jesup Drive-In, 3686 Savannah Hwy. Jesup, Ga 31545 tel 912-559-2183 (office) or 912-427-7254 movieline, email jesupdrivein@yahoo.com, http://www.jesupdrivein.com

Whitemarsh Day School Summer Camp Schedule
____________________________

Under the Sea
July 14^th-18^th
There is a special celebration in store as campers learn what’s under the sea and on the shore.
Details here.
____________________________________________

Pirate and Princess
August 11^th -15^th
Get ready for a high seas adventure as your little pirate or princess dress the part to search for buried treasure.
Details here.

Each camp runs Monday-Friday from 9 AM-1 PM. Price is $100 each week per child and for ages 2-6. Limit of 20 kids per session. Visit Whitemarsh Day School website for more information by clicking here.

Whitemarsh Day School, 104 Penrose Dr. Savannah GA 31410, 912-659-8185 www.whitemarshdayschool.com Whitemarsh Day School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser/

The Club at Savannah Harbor has the perfect Father’s Day gift special: $99 for two lessons & a round of golf.

Contact Paul Killgallon for more information at 912.201.2240, email paul.killgallon@westin.com or click here.

The Club at Savannah Harbor, Hutchinson Is., 2 Resort Drive, Savannah, 31421, 912.201.2240, email Golf.savannah@westin.com https://www.facebook.com/TheClubAtSavannahHarbor, www.theclubatsavannahharbor.com   The Club at Savannah Harbor is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Looking for a quality, loving preschool for your child for 2014-15?

Check out First Presbyterian Preschool in Savannah, a well-established preschool that serves children from ages 1 through pre-K and has spaces available for the 2014-15 school year. Learn more by clicking here.

Also, please read my tribute to one of the best preschools in Savannah in today’s Savannah Morning News by clicking here .

Free Sand Gnats tickets Friday from St. Joseph’s/Candler. Just bring a non-perishable food item to the game and receive a free ticket.

WHAT: St. Joseph’s/Candler Community Night to benefit St. Mary’s Community Center. Everyone is invited.
WHEN: June 13, 2014 7:05 p.m. Food drop off and ticket pick up will begin at Grayson Stadium at 6:00 p.m.
WHY: The non-perishable food items will benefit the St. Mary’s Community Center.
WHERE: Historic Grayson Stadium, 1401 E Victory Dr, Savannah 31404

THE DETAILS: St. Mary’s Community Center serves the westside of Savannah from its base in the historic Cuyler-Brownville neighborhood. St. Mary’s Community Center is a community outreach initiative of St. Joseph’s/Candler and a living demonstration of its mission. The center helps residents through education, job training and children’s services. To learn more go to www.sjchs.org/StMarys

FOR MORE FREE LOCAL KIDS’ SUMMER EVENTS, CLICK HERE.

Sandals & Sundresses Ladies Night Out, Monday, June 16th, at The Melting Pot, 232 E. Broughton St. Savannah, 31401

Normally $29 per lady, ONLY $25 PER LADY IF YOU WEAR A SUNDRESS AND SANDALS! Tropical drink specials. Bring your girlfriends and take a tropical dip, fondue style! $25 per lady includes: Three-Course Fondue includes: Cheese course – Combo Entree Course – Chocolate Fondue Course $6.5 Tropical cocktail concoctions $5 Prosecco, Mimosas and select wine by the glass

Summer Deal @ The Melting Pot: CRAVE COMBO

Let’s say it’s a weeknight and you’ve got the craving for The Melting Pot’s unique experience but not the two hours! Well, the “Crave Combo” is the perfect solution.

It starts with your choice of any of The Melting Pot’s delicious salads. Next select any one of The Melting Pot’s signature cheese fondues served with all the traditional Melting Pot dippers. In addition, the “Crave Combo” includes delectable cured meats for your dipping enjoyment.

Of course, no Melting Pot experience is truly complete without one of their famous mouthwatering chocolate fondue desserts. Your challenge will be deciding which one to select.

Experience the “Fondue Effect” all for just $23.5 per person. Two person minimum.

Click here for details about The Melting Pot’s Sandals & Sundresses Ladies Night Out & the Summer Deal Crave Combo.

The Melting Pot, 232 E. Broughton St. Savannah, Ga 31401 tel: 912-349-5676 for reservations, www.meltingpot.com/savannah  The Melting Pot of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Treat Dad to a 60 Minute Swedish Massage for Only $47 at Dr. Ranicki’s Creating Wellness Center  in Pooler. Use Referral Code FDAY14. ($65 Value)

Call (912) 376-1506 to schedule your appointment today.

Ranicki Chiropractic Wellness Center, a wellness center at heart located in Pooler & serving greater Savannah, 1147 US Highway 80 West, Pooler, Ga 31322, (912) 376-1506, email: info@RanickiChiropractic.com , www.RanickiChiropractic.com Ranicki Chiropractic Wellness Center is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Where can you trick-or-treat with Alice and the White Rabbit, meet the ghosts from Haunted Mansion, and dance the night away with Woody & Bullseye? Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, of course!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is held on select nights in September and October at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort and you must purchase a separate party ticket to attend. The Magic Kingdom is transformed into happy haunted hollows with special music, lighting, and more. And since it’s “not-so-scary” it’s perfect for children of all ages.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is truly the best opportunity to see the Disney Villains – from meet ‘n greets, to the parade, to the Disney Villains Mix ‘n Mingle show, you’ll see more Villains at the Halloween party than any other time of the year.

In addition to many favorite Disney attractions, you’ll be invited to trick-or-treat throughout the park and the party is filled with lots of special entertainment including:

• Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade – including Disney Characters and the Stars from the Haunted Mansion attraction. You’ll even see the Headless Horseman riding the parade route.
• Happy HalloWishes – a spectacular fireworks show
• Characters, and more characters – You’ll have a chance to meet your favorite Disney characters, some in costume, and opportunities to meet all sorts of characters that aren’t usually out and about in the parks.

For more information on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or a no-obligation Disney vacation quote contact Tara McCoy at Two Sisters Travel. 843.284.3241 or email tara@twosisterstravelco.com

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Two Sisters Travel
843.284.3241

Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/twosisterstravel

Two Sisters Travel is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

To learn more about Scribble’s art classes & children’s birthdays in Pooler & Savannah, click here or call 912-713-7376 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah & Pooler also offers private & group art classes, summer art camps, adult art parties & children’s birthday parties, both in the studio & at-home DIY art birthday kits. For gifts, Scribble as art kits & gift certificates. For more information, contact artist Carrie Christian at (912) 713-7376 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com . Click here for more info. Scribble Art Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Join

It’s not too late to sign up for next week’s June Kindermusik play date!

Open to children ages 0-7: theme is “Music and Motion at the Ocean!”

Class meets Monday June 23, at 11:10am. All participants get an instrument, a download card for 10 Kindermusik songs, and a BONUS gift at the end of class! Sibling discounts offered. Sign up at www.88keysga.com or call 912-988-KEYS (5397).

For more info or to enroll online, visit the 88 KEYS PIANO website at www.88keysga.com then click on the Kindermusik tab or call 912-988-5397. Spaces are limited.

Kindermusik Savannah, email music@88keysga.com, 912.988.KEYS (5397), www.88keysga.com then click on Kindermusik link. Kindermusik is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Two great Puppet Workshops and Shows in the Month of June at the Puppet People studio in Savannah

Bobby Bear’s Berry Best Day workshop and show is for all ages. It will be on Friday June 20th beginning at 11 AM. For event details click here.

Soft Sculpture Puppet Making Workshop is great for Early Childcare Educators, Recreational Leaders, Scout Leaders, Art Teachers and anyone above ten years old. It will be 9 AM-1 PM Sat. June 21. Details here. 

Contact 912.355.3366, email puppets@puppetpeople.com  or visit www.PuppetPeople.com

Puppet People, 912.355.3366, www.PuppetPeople.com , email puppets@puppetpeople.com , 3119 Furber Ave. , Thunderbolt, 31404 Puppet People is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Hook (1991)
Saturday June 14 at 3 pm
Presented by Lucas Theatre

Don’t miss Happy Half Hour before each of Lucas Theatre’s Summer Movies. From 2-2:30 enjoy half price beer and popcorn specials.

The film acts as a sequel to J. M. Barrie’s 1911 novel Peter and Wendy, focusing on a grown-up Peter Pan who has forgotten his childhood. Now known as Peter Banning (Robin Williams) he is a successful corporate lawyer with a wife and two children. Hook (Dustin Hoffman) kidnaps his children, and Peter must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit in order to challenge his old enemy. Granny Wendy (Maggie Smith) now tells him who he really is and encourages him to re-discover his happy thoughts, transform himself into the Peter Pan of the past, and go rescue his children. With the encouragement of Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts), it’s off to Never Land to rescue his kids.
Directed by Steven Spielberg.
Rated PG. 144 mins.
Tickets are $8 general admission or $5 student/senior/military/child. Also eligible for use with the Lucas Theatre Movie Pass. Available online by clicking here or by calling 912-525-5050.

Get more out of your visits to state parks & national monuments.

This summer kids can get a limited edition Civil War badge from Georgia State Parks. Georgia State Parks and Historic sites are commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with this limited addition Junior Ranger badge.

Children are required to complete a certain number of activities such as visiting certain state parks, attend special events, find historic markers et. For ages 7 and older. Details here.

FREE Junior Ranger booklets at National Parks

This state park program is similar to the Junior Ranger program available at National Parks & Historic sites like Fort Pulaski in Savannah, Cumberland Island, Ga. and Fort Frederica on St. Simons Island. For more information about the Junior Ranger program click here.