Join us at Village Social Habersham for a special workshop with Ceramic Artist Karley Brown of Savannah, GA. Karley will be teaching a fun, creative class in glazing bisque ceramics. She will bring a collection of her hand-made ceramic bud vases that have already been bisque fired and you may select your own special piece to glaze into your own creative masterpiece. Karley will show you different techniques to create different effects on your own work of art that you may keep for yourself or to gift to someone you love. 

You will select from a wide range of different shape and size vases. Karley will walk you through developing your very own design/style and give you all the tools to make your creations one of a kind and come to life in a functional art piece that will last a lifetime.

 Each participant will be able to pick up their glaze at VSH along with a small gift from the artist by the end of February.

You will also have a chance to shop some of Karley's ceramics in a pop up display of her work the day of the event. 

Join us for drinks, snacks and a fun, creative, experience in the art of ceramics!

Village Social will be closed during this time to host a private party.

Village Social Habersham will be celebrating the return of our favorite watercolor artist, Kate Gary, with a festive Galentine's Party and Chocolate Fondu! Bring a friend and come paint with us!!

Kate will be leading a beginner-friendly watercolor painting class of Habersham’s Iconic Post Office. You will have the option of making your painting seasonal by adding heart stamped Valentines or leaving that out if you prefer to enjoy your art all year round. All supplies and refreshments are included. BYOB.

At the end of the evening, you will take home your own 8x10 original painting which can be framed.

You can view Kate’s Southern, whimsical style of painting Architecture and other subjects on Instagram or at kategarydesigns.com

We are delighted to announce that Lowcountry Etiquette is coming to Beaufort!

This well-known Charleston area company will host 2 separate children’s etiquette classes for different age groups at Village Social Habersham in February. These initial classes will be considered Pop Ups to see how much interest there is here, and if successful, they will likely blossom into a regular series of children’s etiquette courses available at Village Social Habersham. This is something that has been missing in Beaufort for some time and we are thrilled to explore this new opportunity!

SPECIAL NOTE: Content Change… The second pop up class will combine both age groups, Grades K - 3 and Grades 4 - 8. The curriculum will now also focus on Dining Etiquette and Social Graces rather than the Art of Conversation curriculum as previously posted. It will include festive Valentine’s themed refreshments and treats. Parents should plan to drop their child off for the class and MUST PICK THEM UP PROMPTLY AT 6 pm.

Please purchase a ticket for your child to attend below… purchased ticket status will remain as pending until 24 hours prior to the event at which point they will become non-refundable.

NOTE: Tickets and details regarding the class for the younger children grades K - 3 can be found in a separate event listing.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS…

Lowcountry Etiquette, a local business teaching manners to children in the Charleston area, offers classes to children of all ages and teaches classes on table manners, handshakes, introductions, the art of conversation, thank you notes, kindness and respect.  Run by Beverly Sumner, Grayson LeVeen and Price Sigal, this mother daughter team has decades of experience teaching manners and etiquette to children.  

Beverly has over 33 years of experience teaching manners and etiquette to children in North Carolina. A former high school teacher with over 15 years of classroom experience, she recently relocated to Charleston to be near her four children and 13 grandchildren. Grayson, Beverly’s oldest daughter, was raised in the world of etiquette and ballroom dance. She has co-led classes with Beverly for children of various ages and brings a nurturing, enthusiastic presence to every session. Grayson is a certified instructor with Bar Method Charleston on Daniel Island and the mother of four children. Price, Beverly’s younger daughter, also grew up helping with her mother’s etiquette programs. As a teenager, she worked weekends as an assistant dance instructor. Price is also a practicing attorney and mom to three energetic children.

Lowcountry Etiquette holds classes in large group settings for their signature "French Fries and Thank You" classes, that include multiple weeks of teaching during a 3 course meal.  They also  have had smaller and more focused classes such as "Little Miss Manners," and "Junior Gentleman"for Kindergarten through third graders, and  "Chat and Thank You" for middle schoolers.  Recently, they offered a special mother-daughter tea party that focused on tea etiquette, in addition to the art of conversation and ladylike manners.  They also team private classes and hold pop-ups in areas surrounding Charleston as well. 

The ladies of Lowcountry Etiquette just published a book about teaching manners to children, and is cleverly titled French Fries and Thank You: A Guide to Making Manners Fun.  The title, named after their signature class, French Fries and Thank You, was to imply that manners education can actually be fun for children.  Through direct and concise methods in the book, Beverly, Grayson and Price take parents and teachers, step by step through all different aspects of proper etiquette, from dining at home or dining at a restaurant, handshakes, introductions, thank you notes, responding to invitations, manners games and trivia, and more.  Perhaps the most charming aspect of the book is that it is dedicated to Beverly's mother, Sudie Wilson, who started this family business in 1967 in Rock Hill, SC.  She encouraged her daughter and granddaughters to carry on this family legacy of teaching manners to children as a way to better their community.  With her legacy in mind, they have memorialized teachings that are over 60 years old through the publication of French Fries and Thank You. 

With the goal of making etiquette education affordable for all children through their book, they hope to reach families all over the country.  Spreading this message that good manners are door openers, and all children should have access, they have also partnered with local organizations KidsOnPoint and Horizons at Ashley Hall to teach underprivileged children their signature "French Fries and Thank You" class for free.  

In addition to their classes and newly published book, they also sell thank you notes, place setting placemats, and other manners-related products to enhance manners education at home.  Their curriculums are for sale for women who want to start their own manners business in other communities as well, for an affordable one time price. 

Lowcountry Etiquette's classes are fun and interactive, and as the book title implies, the meals are always served with French Fries and a little bit of fun. Check out all of the exciting things they are working on at lowcountryetiquette.com or on Instagram @lowcountryetiquette.  

Lowcountry Etiquette, LLC

www.lowcountryetiquette.com 

info@lowcountryetiquette.com

"Good Manners reflect something from inside—an innate sense of consideration for others and respect for self."  –Emily Post

THIS CLASS IS FULL, HOWEVER THERE IS STILL LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE IN THE 5 -6 PM CLASS WITH COMBINED AGE GROUPS… Please see the next event listing for details.

We delighted to announce that Lowcountry Etiquette is coming to Beaufort!

This well-known Charleston area company will host 2 separate children’s etiquette classes for different age groups at Village Social Habersham in February. These initial classes will be considered Pop Ups to see how much interest there is here, and if successful, they will likely blossom into a regular series of children’s etiquette courses available at Village Social Habersham. This is something that has been missing in Beaufort for some time and we are thrilled to explore this new opportunity!

The first pop up class for grades K-3rd will focus on age appropriate Table Manners and Social Graces with festive Valentine’s themed refreshments and treats. Parents should plan to drop their child off for the class and MUST PICK THEM UP PROMPTLY AT 4:30 so the next class may begin.

Please purchase a ticket for you child to attend below… purchased ticket status will remain as pending until 24 hours prior to the event at which point they will become non-refundable.

NOTE: Tickets and details regarding the class for the older children grades 4 - 8 can be found in a separate event listing.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS…

Lowcountry Etiquette, a local business teaching manners to children in the Charleston area, offers classes to children of all ages and teaches classes on table manners, handshakes, introductions, the art of conversation, thank you notes, kindness and respect.  Run by Beverly Sumner, Grayson LeVeen and Price Sigal, this mother daughter team has decades of experience teaching manners and etiquette to children.  

Beverly has over 33 years of experience teaching manners and etiquette to children in North Carolina. A former high school teacher with over 15 years of classroom experience, she recently relocated to Charleston to be near her four children and 13 grandchildren. Grayson, Beverly’s oldest daughter, was raised in the world of etiquette and ballroom dance. She has co-led classes with Beverly for children of various ages and brings a nurturing, enthusiastic presence to every session. Grayson is a certified instructor with Bar Method Charleston on Daniel Island and the mother of four children. Price, Beverly’s younger daughter, also grew up helping with her mother’s etiquette programs. As a teenager, she worked weekends as an assistant dance instructor. Price is also a practicing attorney and mom to three energetic children.

Lowcountry Etiquette holds classes in large group settings for their signature "French Fries and Thank You" classes, that include multiple weeks of teaching during a 3 course meal.  They also  have had smaller and more focused classes such as "Little Miss Manners," and "Junior Gentleman"for Kindergarten through third graders, and  "Chat and Thank You" for middle schoolers.  Recently, they offered a special mother-daughter tea party that focused on tea etiquette, in addition to the art of conversation and ladylike manners.  They also team private classes and hold pop-ups in areas surrounding Charleston as well. 

The ladies of Lowcountry Etiquette just published a book about teaching manners to children, and is cleverly titled French Fries and Thank You: A Guide to Making Manners Fun.  The title, named after their signature class, French Fries and Thank You, was to imply that manners education can actually be fun for children.  Through direct and concise methods in the book, Beverly, Grayson and Price take parents and teachers, step by step through all different aspects of proper etiquette, from dining at home or dining at a restaurant, handshakes, introductions, thank you notes, responding to invitations, manners games and trivia, and more.  Perhaps the most charming aspect of the book is that it is dedicated to Beverly's mother, Sudie Wilson, who started this family business in 1967 in Rock Hill, SC.  She encouraged her daughter and granddaughters to carry on this family legacy of teaching manners to children as a way to better their community.  With her legacy in mind, they have memorialized teachings that are over 60 years old through the publication of French Fries and Thank You. 

With the goal of making etiquette education affordable for all children through their book, they hope to reach families all over the country.  Spreading this message that good manners are door openers, and all children should have access, they have also partnered with local organizations KidsOnPoint and Horizons at Ashley Hall to teach underprivileged children their signature "French Fries and Thank You" class for free.  

In addition to their classes and newly published book, they also sell thank you notes, place setting placemats, and other manners-related products to enhance manners education at home.  Their curriculums are for sale for women who want to start their own manners business in other communities as well, for an affordable one time price. 

Lowcountry Etiquette's classes are fun and interactive, and as the book title implies, the meals are always served with French Fries and a little bit of fun. Check out all of the exciting things they are working on at lowcountryetiquette.com or on Instagram @lowcountryetiquette.  

Lowcountry Etiquette, LLC

www.lowcountryetiquette.com 

info@lowcountryetiquette.com

"Good Manners reflect something from inside—an innate sense of consideration for others and respect for self."  –Emily Post

SPECIAL NOTE: This workshop has been rescheduled from January 31st to Febrary 7th due to the wintery weather forecast for the end of January.

Join us for a Saturday Morning Textile Workshop with local artist, Margo Duke. Margo is a delightful former Habersham neighbor and renowned local textile artist who creates one of kind fabrications. She is the author of ‘Needle Felting Magic’ & Making More ‘Needle Felting Magic’ You can find her elaborate work on display at The May River Gallery in Bluffton, hermajestymargo.blogspot.com, or on her Instagram @southcarolinaqueen.

Discover the art of wet felting in this creative and hands-on flower-making class! In this wrkshop, you will learn how to transform soft wool fibers into beautiful, vibrant flowers using traditional wet felting techniques. Guided by Margo Duke, who is an experienced instructor, you will explore the basics of layering, shaping, and embellishing your felted creations.

This class is perfect for beginners, and anyone interested in exploring felt making.

All supplies and refreshments included.

MORE ABOUT MARGO DUKE…

Margo considers herself a pioneer. She was born in Scotland and came to the US with her +++++family when she was twelve; the love of working with fiber and color in her genes. Some of Margo’sancestors were Harris Tweed weavers and even today still live on the island of Stornoway in the same croftwhere they used to weave, surrounded by their flock of sheep. It was a dream come true to visit them several years ago.

This journey into the world of felting began when she first discovered the Baby Lock Embellisher and was infact, one of the first to own this new tool. This fascinating needle felting machine has provided many hours of pleasure and has truly become a wonderful and colorful obsession. Today, however, Margo focuses primarily on Nuno felting using silk, wool, soap and water, however, can still be found at the Embellisher adding special touches. Margo was given the opportunity of teaching Baby Lock USA dealers at their St. Louis annual conference how to use the Embellisher in 2005 as well as design projects for their website and kits for their instructors; she provided her samples to Baby Lock for teaching events and conferences from time-to-time and has given many presentations and lectures about her craft and appeared in one of their ads to promote their machine.

By endless experimentation and learning how to incorporate machine needle and wet felting, Margo has taken felting one step further and finds no greater satisfaction than seeing the magical colors and texture come together; she won numerous ribbons and awards for her garments year after year at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival including Best of Show in 2012 prior to moving to the Low Country. Margo had the opportunity to study under many world-class instructors in felt making as well as numerous other crafts while she lived in the suburbs of Washington, DC. Never one to stop learning and expanding her knowledge, some other passions besides felt making share her life: studying, endless experimenting, documenting, eco printing and natural dyeing have all become obsessions. Margo is honored to share her experiences when invited to give a workshop – she loves all things fiber related and has yet another obsession – Joomchi! (the ancient art of Korean paper making) and teaches that as well. Margo (Her Majesty Margo) has been fortunate enough to be invited to share her felting experience by traveling and teaching at events all over the US and in fact has taught in the Netherlands, Australia and in Scotland; this sharing of information has indeed become another passion and has only served to enhance her own knowledge and has permitted her to connect with the most amazing people and to make a myriad of lifelong friends. Sincemoving to the SC, Margo has taught at Artworks, Coastal Art Supply, the Fiber Guild of the Savannahs andSpring Island. She was invited to share her work via a feature in the 2011 issue of FUN magazine, an article in the December 2021 issue of LOCAL Life and her Hilton Head Garden Club entry will also be included in their May 2023 issue. This year, Margo was fortunate enough to win the Surface Design Award of Excellence forher entry in FACE (Fiber Guild of the Rockies) in Estes Park, Colorado, and can be viewed on You Tube; she is a member of The Fiber Guild of the Savannahs as well as FAB (Fiber Guild of Beaufort, SC)

Instructor: Pat Branning, author of seven bestselling books on the Lowcountry and the voice behind the bi-weekly Substack The Diary of a Southern Author at patbranning.com. 

SPECIAL NOTE: A MUTUALLY CONVENIENT DATE FOR WEEK 4 OF THIS SERIES WILL BE DETERMINED AND POSTED AFTER FEBRUARY 5TH.

There is a moment—quiet, persistent—when a story asks to be told. 

Not a grand story.

Not a polished one. 

Just yours. 

This four-week creative writing workshop invites writers of all backgrounds to explore memory, place, and personal experience as the foundation of meaningful storytelling. Guided by author Pat Branning, participants will learn to write vivid scenes, develop cofidence, write honestly, and discover the power already living in their own voice. 

Our most enduring stories are often found in small moments: 

the kitchen table where conversations linger, 

a handwritten recipe passed down, 

a walk through the neighborhood at dusk, 

a front porch where time slows and memories surface. 

Writing is an act of noticing. 

Of honoring what shaped us. 

Of giving our lived moments a place to rest and be remembered. 

Through gentle prompts, shared reflection, and thoughtful discussion, participants will learn to trust their instincts, shape everyday experiences into story, and build a writing practice grounded in curiosity rather than perfection. 

No prior writing experience is required. 

Only a willingness to show up and be present. 

Your voice doesn’t need fixing. 

It needs honoring. 

Join us at Village Social Habersham, Thursdays, 6 pm to 7:30 pm January 8, 15, 22, and 29.

Note… The information taught in this 4 part series is cumlative and weekly attendance at each session is encoraged. Please see weekly lesson plan below. TICKETS FOR EACH SESSION MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY ON THE CORRESPONDING EVENT LISTING.

4-PART CRATIVE WRITING LESSON PLAN

Theme: Finding Your Voice Through Memory, Place, and Story

Format: 4 sessions | 90 minutes each

Audience: Adult writers of all levels (beginners welcome)

Goal: Help adults uncover meaningful stories, write with confidence, and develop a sustainable

writing practice

LESSON 1: YOU ALREADY HAVE A STORY

Focus: Confidence, observation, and breaking the “I’m not a writer” barrier

OBJECTIVES

● Help students understand that lived experience is valid material

● Quiet inner criticism and perfectionism

● Begin writing immediately

DISCUSSION TOPICS

● Why adults hesitate to write (fear, comparison, “doing it right”)

● Writing as noticing, not performing

● The power of ordinary moments

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● 10-Minute Free Write:

Prompt: “Write about a place where you felt safe, seen, or at home.”

(Encourage sensory detail—what could you smell, hear, taste?)

SHARING (Optional)

● Read aloud in pairs or small groups

● Emphasize listening without critique

TAKE-HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Keep a small notebook or phone note

● Write one paragraph a day about something noticed: a meal, a walk, a memory

triggered by scent or sound

LESSON 2: WRITING FROM MEMORY & PLACE

Focus: Memory as a doorway; grounding story in setting

OBJECTIVES

● Teach writers how to anchor memory through physical details

● Explore place as character

● Move from vague recollection to vivid scene

DISCUSSSION TOPICS

● Why place carries emotion

● Memory doesn’t need to be “perfect” to be true

● Writing what you remember feeling, not just what happened

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Guided Memory Map

○ Students sketch or list a meaningful place (kitchen, shoreline, front porch, farm,

city street)

○ Write a short scene beginning with:

“I remember the way...”

MINI CRAFT TALK

● Show how sensory details (sound, texture, smell) create intimacy

● Explain scene vs. summary in simple terms

TAKE HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Write a one-page memory vignette set in a specific place

● No backstory—drop the reader straight into the moment

LESSON 3: FINDING YOUR VOICE (AND TRUSTING IT)

Focus: Authentic voice, rhythm, and personal truth

OBJECTIVES

● Help writers recognize their natural voice

● Encourage emotional honesty without overexposure

● Let go of “writing like someone else”

DISCUSSION TOPICS

● What voice really is (and isn’t)

● The danger of over-polishing

● Writing the way you speak—on the page

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Voice Comparison

○ Write the same short moment twice:

1. As if telling a close friend

2. As if writing for publication

○ Discuss which feels more alive

GROUP ACTIVITY

● Read short excerpts aloud and identify:

○ Lines that feel true

○ Places where the writer “showed up”

TAKE HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Revise one earlier piece lightly—focus on clarity, not perfection

● Highlight your favorite sentence and bring it to the next class

LESSON 4: SHAPING SHARING AND SUSTAINING A WRITING LIFE

Focus: Revision, courage, and building a habit

OBJECTIVES

● Introduce gentle revision strategies

● Practice sharing work with confidence

● Help students envision a sustainable writing practice

DSCUSSION TOPICS

● Revision as listening, not fixing

● When to stop tinkering

● Writing for yourself vs. writing for others

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Guided Revision

○ Cut one unnecessary sentence

○ Add one specific detail

○ Read the piece aloud to hear rhythm

CELEBRATION READING

● Volunteers read a short piece

● Emphasis on bravery, not polish

CLOSING REFLECTION

● Students write a note to themselves:

“Why my story matters.”

OPTIONAL NEXT STEPS

● Substack, journaling, small writing groups

● Continuing memoir or essay work

● Writing as a form of attention and care

Bring a friend and a full-sized bottle of your favorite wine, prosecco, or champagne to Village Social and we will go through a step by step tutorial on how to add a gorgeous fresh floral Valentine arrangement tied on the bottle with ribbons. These make elegant hand-made gifts to take home to your sweetheart or share with a galantine bestie!

Fresh Flowers and all supplies will be provided with light seasonal refreshments. BYOB a second bottle to enjoy for yourself if you wish!

SPECIAL NOTE: This event may be cancelled if the threat of Black Ice remains from the weekend snowstorm.

Instructor: Pat Branning, author of seven bestselling books on the Lowcountry and the voice behind the bi-weekly Substack The Diary of a Southern Author at patbranning.com. 

There is a moment—quiet, persistent—when a story asks to be told. 

Not a grand story.

Not a polished one. 

Just yours. 

This four-week creative writing workshop invites writers of all backgrounds to explore memory, place, and personal experience as the foundation of meaningful storytelling. Guided by author Pat Branning, participants will learn to write vivid scenes, develop cofidence, write honestly, and discover the power already living in their own voice. 

Our most enduring stories are often found in small moments: 

the kitchen table where conversations linger, 

a handwritten recipe passed down, 

a walk through the neighborhood at dusk, 

a front porch where time slows and memories surface. 

Writing is an act of noticing. 

Of honoring what shaped us. 

Of giving our lived moments a place to rest and be remembered. 

Through gentle prompts, shared reflection, and thoughtful discussion, participants will learn to trust their instincts, shape everyday experiences into story, and build a writing practice grounded in curiosity rather than perfection. 

No prior writing experience is required. 

Only a willingness to show up and be present. 

Your voice doesn’t need fixing. 

It needs honoring. 

Join us at Village Social Habersham, Thursdays, 6 pm to 7:30 pm January 8, 15, 22, and 29.

Note… The information taught in this 4 part series is cumlative and weekly attendance at each session is encoraged. Please see weekly lesson plan below. TICKETS FOR EACH SESSION MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY ON THE CORRESPONDING EVENT LISTING.

4-PART CRATIVE WRITING LESSON PLAN

Theme: Finding Your Voice Through Memory, Place, and Story

Format: 4 sessions | 90 minutes each

Audience: Adult writers of all levels (beginners welcome)

Goal: Help adults uncover meaningful stories, write with confidence, and develop a sustainable

writing practice

LESSON 1: YOU ALREADY HAVE A STORY

Focus: Confidence, observation, and breaking the “I’m not a writer” barrier

OBJECTIVES

● Help students understand that lived experience is valid material

● Quiet inner criticism and perfectionism

● Begin writing immediately

DISCUSSION TOPICS

● Why adults hesitate to write (fear, comparison, “doing it right”)

● Writing as noticing, not performing

● The power of ordinary moments

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● 10-Minute Free Write:

Prompt: “Write about a place where you felt safe, seen, or at home.”

(Encourage sensory detail—what could you smell, hear, taste?)

SHARING (Optional)

● Read aloud in pairs or small groups

● Emphasize listening without critique

TAKE-HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Keep a small notebook or phone note

● Write one paragraph a day about something noticed: a meal, a walk, a memory

triggered by scent or sound

LESSON 2: WRITING FROM MEMORY & PLACE

Focus: Memory as a doorway; grounding story in setting

OBJECTIVES

● Teach writers how to anchor memory through physical details

● Explore place as character

● Move from vague recollection to vivid scene

DISCUSSSION TOPICS

● Why place carries emotion

● Memory doesn’t need to be “perfect” to be true

● Writing what you remember feeling, not just what happened

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Guided Memory Map

○ Students sketch or list a meaningful place (kitchen, shoreline, front porch, farm,

city street)

○ Write a short scene beginning with:

“I remember the way...”

MINI CRAFT TALK

● Show how sensory details (sound, texture, smell) create intimacy

● Explain scene vs. summary in simple terms

TAKE HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Write a one-page memory vignette set in a specific place

● No backstory—drop the reader straight into the moment

LESSON 3: FINDING YOUR VOICE (AND TRUSTING IT)

Focus: Authentic voice, rhythm, and personal truth

OBJECTIVES

● Help writers recognize their natural voice

● Encourage emotional honesty without overexposure

● Let go of “writing like someone else”

DISCUSSION TOPICS

● What voice really is (and isn’t)

● The danger of over-polishing

● Writing the way you speak—on the page

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Voice Comparison

○ Write the same short moment twice:

1. As if telling a close friend

2. As if writing for publication

○ Discuss which feels more alive

GROUP ACTIVITY

● Read short excerpts aloud and identify:

○ Lines that feel true

○ Places where the writer “showed up”

TAKE HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Revise one earlier piece lightly—focus on clarity, not perfection

● Highlight your favorite sentence and bring it to the next class

LESSON 4: SHAPING SHARING AND SUSTAINING A WRITING LIFE

Focus: Revision, courage, and building a habit

OBJECTIVES

● Introduce gentle revision strategies

● Practice sharing work with confidence

● Help students envision a sustainable writing practice

DSCUSSION TOPICS

● Revision as listening, not fixing

● When to stop tinkering

● Writing for yourself vs. writing for others

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Guided Revision

○ Cut one unnecessary sentence

○ Add one specific detail

○ Read the piece aloud to hear rhythm

CELEBRATION READING

● Volunteers read a short piece

● Emphasis on bravery, not polish

CLOSING REFLECTION

● Students write a note to themselves:

“Why my story matters.”

OPTIONAL NEXT STEPS

● Substack, journaling, small writing groups

● Continuing memoir or essay work

● Writing as a form of attention and care

Instructor: Pat Branning, author of seven bestselling books on the Lowcountry and the voice behind the bi-weekly Substack The Diary of a Southern Author at patbranning.com. 

There is a moment—quiet, persistent—when a story asks to be told.

Not a grand story.

Not a polished one. 

Just yours. 

This four-week creative writing workshop invites writers of all backgrounds to explore memory, place, and personal experience as the foundation of meaningful storytelling. Guided by author Pat Branning, participants will learn to write vivid scenes, develop cofidence, write honestly, and discover the power already living in their own voice. 

Our most enduring stories are often found in small moments: 

the kitchen table where conversations linger, 

a handwritten recipe passed down, 

a walk through the neighborhood at dusk, 

a front porch where time slows and memories surface. 

Writing is an act of noticing. 

Of honoring what shaped us. 

Of giving our lived moments a place to rest and be remembered. 

Through gentle prompts, shared reflection, and thoughtful discussion, participants will learn to trust their instincts, shape everyday experiences into story, and build a writing practice grounded in curiosity rather than perfection. 

No prior writing experience is required. 

Only a willingness to show up and be present. 

Your voice doesn’t need fixing. 

It needs honoring. 

Join us at Village Social Habersham, Thursdays, 6 pm to 7:30 pm January 8, 15, 22, and 29.

Note… The information taught in this 4 part series is cumlative and weekly attendance at each session is encoraged. Please see weekly lesson plan below. TICKETS FOR EACH SESSION MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY ON THE CORRESPONDING EVENT LISTING.

4-PART CRATIVE WRITING LESSON PLAN

Theme: Finding Your Voice Through Memory, Place, and Story

Format: 4 sessions | 90 minutes each

Audience: Adult writers of all levels (beginners welcome)

Goal: Help adults uncover meaningful stories, write with confidence, and develop a sustainable

writing practice

LESSON 1: YOU ALREADY HAVE A STORY

Focus: Confidence, observation, and breaking the “I’m not a writer” barrier

OBJECTIVES

● Help students understand that lived experience is valid material

● Quiet inner criticism and perfectionism

● Begin writing immediately

DISCUSSION TOPICS

● Why adults hesitate to write (fear, comparison, “doing it right”)

● Writing as noticing, not performing

● The power of ordinary moments

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● 10-Minute Free Write:

Prompt: “Write about a place where you felt safe, seen, or at home.”

(Encourage sensory detail—what could you smell, hear, taste?)

SHARING (Optional)

● Read aloud in pairs or small groups

● Emphasize listening without critique

TAKE-HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Keep a small notebook or phone note

● Write one paragraph a day about something noticed: a meal, a walk, a memory

triggered by scent or sound

LESSON 2: WRITING FROM MEMORY & PLACE

Focus: Memory as a doorway; grounding story in setting

OBJECTIVES

● Teach writers how to anchor memory through physical details

● Explore place as character

● Move from vague recollection to vivid scene

DISCUSSSION TOPICS

● Why place carries emotion

● Memory doesn’t need to be “perfect” to be true

● Writing what you remember feeling, not just what happened

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Guided Memory Map

○ Students sketch or list a meaningful place (kitchen, shoreline, front porch, farm,

city street)

○ Write a short scene beginning with:

“I remember the way...”

MINI CRAFT TALK

● Show how sensory details (sound, texture, smell) create intimacy

● Explain scene vs. summary in simple terms

TAKE HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Write a one-page memory vignette set in a specific place

● No backstory—drop the reader straight into the moment

LESSON 3: FINDING YOUR VOICE (AND TRUSTING IT)

Focus: Authentic voice, rhythm, and personal truth

OBJECTIVES

● Help writers recognize their natural voice

● Encourage emotional honesty without overexposure

● Let go of “writing like someone else”

DISCUSSION TOPICS

● What voice really is (and isn’t)

● The danger of over-polishing

● Writing the way you speak—on the page

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Voice Comparison

○ Write the same short moment twice:

1. As if telling a close friend

2. As if writing for publication

○ Discuss which feels more alive

GROUP ACTIVITY

● Read short excerpts aloud and identify:

○ Lines that feel true

○ Places where the writer “showed up”

TAKE HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Revise one earlier piece lightly—focus on clarity, not perfection

● Highlight your favorite sentence and bring it to the next class

LESSON 4: SHAPING SHARING AND SUSTAINING A WRITING LIFE

Focus: Revision, courage, and building a habit

OBJECTIVES

● Introduce gentle revision strategies

● Practice sharing work with confidence

● Help students envision a sustainable writing practice

DSCUSSION TOPICS

● Revision as listening, not fixing

● When to stop tinkering

● Writing for yourself vs. writing for others

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Guided Revision

○ Cut one unnecessary sentence

○ Add one specific detail

○ Read the piece aloud to hear rhythm

CELEBRATION READING

● Volunteers read a short piece

● Emphasis on bravery, not polish

CLOSING REFLECTION

● Students write a note to themselves:

“Why my story matters.”

OPTIONAL NEXT STEPS

● Substack, journaling, small writing groups

● Continuing memoir or essay work

● Writing as a form of attention and care

NOTE… The start date of this 4 week Creative Writing Series has been pushed back 1 week to allow people more time to sign up. The new date for Week 1 will be NEXT THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH. The following weekly sessions will continue on Thursday evening through February 5th.

Instructor: Pat Branning, author of seven bestselling books on the Lowcountry and the voice behind the bi-weekly Substack The Diary of a Southern Author at patbranning.com. 

There is a moment—quiet, persistent—when a story asks to be told. 

Not a grand story.

Not a polished one. 

Just yours. 

This four-week creative writing workshop invites writers of all backgrounds to explore memory, place, and personal experience as the foundation of meaningful storytelling. Guided by author Pat Branning, participants will learn to write vivid scenes, develop cofidence, write honestly, and discover the power already living in their own voice. 

Our most enduring stories are often found in small moments: 

the kitchen table where conversations linger, 

a handwritten recipe passed down, 

a walk through the neighborhood at dusk, 

a front porch where time slows and memories surface. 

Writing is an act of noticing. 

Of honoring what shaped us. 

Of giving our lived moments a place to rest and be remembered. 

Through gentle prompts, shared reflection, and thoughtful discussion, participants will learn to trust their instincts, shape everyday experiences into story, and build a writing practice grounded in curiosity rather than perfection. 

No prior writing experience is required. 

Only a willingness to show up and be present. 

Your voice doesn’t need fixing. 

It needs honoring. 

Join us at Village Social Habersham, Thursdays, 6 pm to 7:30 pm January 8, 15, 22, and 29.

Note… The information taught in this 4 part series is cumlative and weekly attendance at each session is encoraged. Please see weekly lesson plan below. TICKETS FOR EACH SESSION MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY ON THE CORRESPONDING EVENT LISTING.

4-PART CRATIVE WRITING LESSON PLAN

Theme: Finding Your Voice Through Memory, Place, and Story

Format: 4 sessions | 90 minutes each

Audience: Adult writers of all levels (beginners welcome)

Goal: Help adults uncover meaningful stories, write with confidence, and develop a sustainable

writing practice

LESSON 1: YOU ALREADY HAVE A STORY

Focus: Confidence, observation, and breaking the “I’m not a writer” barrier

OBJECTIVES

● Help students understand that lived experience is valid material

● Quiet inner criticism and perfectionism

● Begin writing immediately

DISCUSSION TOPICS

● Why adults hesitate to write (fear, comparison, “doing it right”)

● Writing as noticing, not performing

● The power of ordinary moments

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● 10-Minute Free Write:

Prompt: “Write about a place where you felt safe, seen, or at home.”

(Encourage sensory detail—what could you smell, hear, taste?)

SHARING (Optional)

● Read aloud in pairs or small groups

● Emphasize listening without critique

TAKE-HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Keep a small notebook or phone note

● Write one paragraph a day about something noticed: a meal, a walk, a memory

triggered by scent or sound

LESSON 2: WRITING FROM MEMORY & PLACE

Focus: Memory as a doorway; grounding story in setting

OBJECTIVES

● Teach writers how to anchor memory through physical details

● Explore place as character

● Move from vague recollection to vivid scene

DISCUSSSION TOPICS

● Why place carries emotion

● Memory doesn’t need to be “perfect” to be true

● Writing what you remember feeling, not just what happened

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Guided Memory Map

○ Students sketch or list a meaningful place (kitchen, shoreline, front porch, farm,

city street)

○ Write a short scene beginning with:

“I remember the way...”

MINI CRAFT TALK

● Show how sensory details (sound, texture, smell) create intimacy

● Explain scene vs. summary in simple terms

TAKE HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Write a one-page memory vignette set in a specific place

● No backstory—drop the reader straight into the moment

LESSON 3: FINDING YOUR VOICE (AND TRUSTING IT)

Focus: Authentic voice, rhythm, and personal truth

OBJECTIVES

● Help writers recognize their natural voice

● Encourage emotional honesty without overexposure

● Let go of “writing like someone else”

DISCUSSION TOPICS

● What voice really is (and isn’t)

● The danger of over-polishing

● Writing the way you speak—on the page

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Voice Comparison

○ Write the same short moment twice:

1. As if telling a close friend

2. As if writing for publication

○ Discuss which feels more alive

GROUP ACTIVITY

● Read short excerpts aloud and identify:

○ Lines that feel true

○ Places where the writer “showed up”

TAKE HOME ASSIGNMENT

● Revise one earlier piece lightly—focus on clarity, not perfection

● Highlight your favorite sentence and bring it to the next class

LESSON 4: SHAPING SHARING AND SUSTAINING A WRITING LIFE

Focus: Revision, courage, and building a habit

OBJECTIVES

● Introduce gentle revision strategies

● Practice sharing work with confidence

● Help students envision a sustainable writing practice

DSCUSSION TOPICS

● Revision as listening, not fixing

● When to stop tinkering

● Writing for yourself vs. writing for others

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

● Guided Revision

○ Cut one unnecessary sentence

○ Add one specific detail

○ Read the piece aloud to hear rhythm

CELEBRATION READING

● Volunteers read a short piece

● Emphasis on bravery, not polish

CLOSING REFLECTION

● Students write a note to themselves:

“Why my story matters.”

OPTIONAL NEXT STEPS

● Substack, journaling, small writing groups

● Continuing memoir or essay work

● Writing as a form of attention and care

Calling all Habersham Boaters and beyond….

Captain Brian McCaffree of Holden On Charters will be leading a discussion on general boating safety rules and dock etiquette, particularly regarding the temporary use of the deepwater dock here in Habersham.

He will follow with a question and answer session on upcoming fishing seasons and boating in our local waters during the winter months.

Learn more about his Charter Fishing Trips and Pleasure Cruises with Holden On Charters directly out of Habersham.

Includes Free Drink Ticket to Criollo.

Bring a friend for January Girls Night Out and join us a Village Social Habersham . Learn step by step how to make these beautiful DIY Decoupage Ceramic Coasters (set of 4) to keep for yourself or give as a gift. Many patterns and designs possible …use your imagination!! All supplies and refreshments included. BYOB welcome.

Our favorite Gullah Sweetgrass Basket Artists, Chealsea and Andrea Cayetano-Jefferson, will be back at Village Social Habersham and offering two separate classes on Sunday, January 4th.

This listing is for the afternoon class from 2:00-4:30 pm. The morning class from 10:00-12:30 will be listed in a separate event listing.

Seating is limited and there is a lot of interest so space should fill up for both classes quickly, however please note: IF SPACE DOES NOT FILL UP, IT MAY BE NECCESSARY FOR US TO CONSOLIDATE BOTH CLASS INTO THE AFTERNOON SESSION at 2 pm. You will be notified in advance if you have signed up for the morning session and this happens.

Andrea and Chelsea are 6th and 7th Generation Sewers and will share the art of weaving famous Lowcountry Sweetgrass Baskets along with a dose of cultural charm and local Gullah history. If you have attended previous classes, they will offer another style basket for you to try this time. Please note Andrea and Chelsea hand gather all of the natural materials needed themselves and bring all their supplies to us from Mount Pleasant. The classes are approximately 2 1/2 hours long and you will take home your own handmade basket. Light refreshments included.

Our favorite Gullah Sweetgrass Basket Artists, Chealsea and Andrea Cayetano-Jefferson, will be back at Village Social Habersham and offering two separate classes on Sunday, January 4th.

This listing is for the morning session from 10:00 am-12:30 pm . The afternoon class will be listed in a separate event listing from 2:00 - 4:30 pm.

Seating is limited and there is a lot of interest so space should fill up for both classes quickly, however please note: IF SPACE DOES NOT FILL UP, IT MAY BE NECCESSARY FOR US TO CONSOLIDATE BOTH CLASS INTO THE AFTERNOON SESSION at 2 pm. You will be notified in advance if you have signed up for the morning session and this happens.

Andrea and Chelsea are 6th and 7th Generation Sewers and will share the art of weaving famous Lowcountry Sweetgrass Baskets along with a dose of cultural charm and local Gullah history. If you have attended previous classes, they will offer another style basket for you to try this time. Please note Andrea and Chelsea hand gather all of the natural materials needed themselves and bring all their supplies to us from Mount Pleasant. The classes are approximately 2 1/2 hours long and you will take home your own handmade basket. Light refreshments included.

For unique gifting this season come shop our curated gift collection on consignment at Village Social from our many talented Vendors and Artisans. Most items are hand-made and one-of-a- kind so plan to shop early, because once they are gone, they are gone…

Sweet Treats and Seasonal Beverages available.

Free gift wrap with purchase!

Bring your Holiday Houseguests to Village Social to entertain them with a festive afternoon of sweets and sandwiches at our First Annual Christmas Tea. With only a few days left before Christmas Eve, this will be a lovely way to celebrate the season with friends and family out of the house. We will be serving a variety holiday teas and treats with Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker playing in the background, and who knows… Santa himself may even make an appearance!!

For unique gifting this season come shop our curated gift collection on consignment at Village Social from our many talented Vendors and Artisans. Most items are hand-made and one-of-a- kind so plan to shop early, because once they are gone, they are gone…

Sweet Treats and Seasonal Beverages available.

Free gift wrap with purchase!

COME VISIT WITH SANTA AT VILLAGE SOCIAL and share in the merriment of the season at Habersham’s December 3rd Friday Event. Village Social will be offering a curated collection of Pop-Up Retail Items in-house that evening suitable for holiday gifting. Gift wrap is free with purchase or you can drop off gifts you have gotten elsewhere to be custom gift wrapped for a small fee.

Please drop by to enjoy a holiday cookie and cup of something warm and be sure to pick up a copy of our upcoming events schedule for the beginning of the New Year. There will also be horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, food trucks, and outdoor vendors in the Marketplace that evening so plan to make night of it and discover everything Village Social and Habersham have to offer!

For unique gifting this season come shop our curated gift collection on consignment at Village Social from our many talented Vendors and Artisans. Most items are hand-made and one-of-a- kind so plan to shop early, because once they are gone, they are gone…

Sweet Treats and Seasonal Beverages avalable.

Free gift wrap with purchase!

Please join us for a Christmas Cookie Exchange at Village Social this month. Space is limited and this event likely to sell out quickly so sign up now to claim your spot!

Work smarter not harder… bake one batch of holiday cookies to swap for a collection of others. Please bring a large tray of 3 dozen individually packaged home-made holiday cookies and 36 copies of the recipe along with a tote bag to take home other cookies you collect. Please package 2 cookies per bag if smaller than 3” but make sure to bring 36 bags. We will put all the cookie trays out on tables and then filter through in a line, filling your tote bags with one copy of the recipe and once cookie package per tray to take home. You will leave with a wide variety of holiday cookies to enjoy or serve this season.

Each tray of cookies placed on the table will be assigned a number. There will be small panel of Santa’s Elves who will go through the cookie line first to gather one of each cookie to sample for a taste test and a decision in two categories “Best Decorated” and “Best Cookie Recipe.” 

The judges will make their decisions while the rest of us go through the line and gather our cookies to take home. The winners will be announced, and prizes will be awarded at the end!

Hang around after the exchange to enjoy extra cookies and hot cocoa with friends. BYOB.

A small service fee per person will be charged as admission to cover set up and clean up.

Please purchase tickets below:

Get into the holiday spirit with this fun and festive cookie decorating class with Frosted Artestry!

 In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to create six adorable Christmas character cookies: Santa, an Elf, Mrs. Claus, a Gingerbread Cutie, a Snowman, and a sweet Reindeer. I’ll guide you step-by-step through icing consistency, outlining and flooding techniques, adding clean details, and creating smooth, professional finishes. These designs are perfect for beginners and experienced decorators alike—no prior experience required!

You’ll leave class with:
• Six beautifully decorated cookies ready to share or gift
• A new set of decorating skills you can use for future bakes
• A festive, creative evening full of holiday cheer

All supplies are included, cookies will be boxed up for you at the end of class. Cookie and Icing recipes are also included. BYOB

Q & A:

Is this class for beginners?

YES! Many of our classes are appropriate for beginners to more advanced Cookies!! Some classes will be more detailed than others or advanced. I break down the steps and provide step by step instructions that are clear and easy-to-follow. You will leave with some beautiful cookies and new skills!

Are children allowed to attend?

Yes, classes are recommended for children ages 8 and over who can remain seated. Parent must attend as well. 

Frosted Artistry Policy Info:

All Ticket Sales are Final. In the event that you cannot attend class, all tickets are transferable to another student but tickets are non refundable. If you cannot find someone else to take your place, please email me with at least 24 hours notice because I often have a waiting list. However, this does not guarantee I can find a replacement for you. Please let me know if you transfer your ticket to another friend so that I can update the attendee list. I reserve the right to cancel this class due to illness or low enrollment in which case you will be offered a full refund.

Bring up to 8 of your holiday gifts to wrap yourself at Village Social’s gift wrap party. We have plenty of stylish boxes, tissue, gift bags, tags, tape wrapping paper, and ribbon to share so save yourself the trouble of gathering those things and join us for an evening full of holiday cheer as we all get ready for Christmas together. BYOB

For unique gifting this season come shop our curated gift collection on consignment at Village Social from our many talented Vendors and Artisans. Most items are hand-made and one-of-a- kind so plan to shop early, because once they are gone, they are gone…

Sweet Treats and Seasonal Beverages available.

Free gift wrap with purchase!

THE INSIDE VENUE WILL BE CLOSED ON THIS DAY TO HOST A PRIVATE EVENT.

However, weather- permitting…we will still have a small sidewalk sale outside and will be offering Sweet Treats and Seasonal Beverages.