Cherokee County First Steps

06/17/2026

Summer is a great time for children to learn through outdoor play and exploration 💛 Spending time outside helps support physical development, encourages curiosity, and provides opportunities for children to build problem-solving and social skills. Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood, playing at the park, or exploring nature, everyday experiences can become valuable learning moments.

Here are a few ways to encourage outdoor learning:
• Explore nature together by observing plants, insects, and animals
• Encourage active play through running, jumping, and climbing
• Ask questions that spark curiosity and conversation

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

FARMERS MARKET OPEN TOMORROW! Come enjoy the weather, explore fresh-picked produce, shop for handmade decor, and enjoy a beautiful day in the Gaffney community! Market will be open from 8am-12pm TOMORROW at 210 W Frederick Street! Senior vouchers accepted by select vendors!

• Redlands Farm & Market LLC will have:
Redlands Farm-non produced items
Cantaloupes, white peaches, red tomatoes, vidalia peewee onions, , red seeded watermelons, red seedless watermelons, white corn, green beans, bell peppers, crowder peas, zucchini along with our own grown-yellow squash, herbs

• Happy Heart Farm & Home Bakery will have:
We’ll see everyone at Market this Saturday with all your favorite savory and sweet breads, produce-squash, zucchini, cucumbers, green beans, and spinach. We have a HUGE SURPRISE for our market friends! Come early in the cool of he morning, it’s gonna BEE great!

• Barbara Sue's Cozies will have:
Microwave Cozies, bowl covers, potato bags, different styles of aprons, plastic bag holders, egg bowls ,Hobo bags and cellphone crossovers, new items fabric chicken bowl, hanging kitchen towels, pot holders and snuggle goose, pioneer bonnets and porch goose dresses and bows $15.00 per set. Also have some adult dignity bibs. New item salt shaker tassels. Got lots of handmade fabric items that will make great gifts.

• Gal Livanting will have:
We have some new beautiful wooden door wreaths and wooden pallet coasters waiting to be taken home!
Check out all our America home decor as well as our large earring collection!

• Hines Muscadines will have:
Join us this week for our current fruit spread inventory 🥰
-Muscadine Jelly
-Muscadine Butter (Limited supply)
✨️ This Week's New Flavors✨️
-Peach Jelly
-Peach Maralade for a sweet citrus vibe
-Peach syrup *good for a sweet peachy addition to any breakfast or as a flavor addition for a Peach tea or peach lemonade 🍑 its not overly sweet so it easily compliments whatever you choose*
-Apple butter (Extremely limited supply) 🥰 slow cooked for 12 hours with love to bring out a caramelized apple flavor, we love it on toast or a big beautiful biscuit
*Ask us about our 👀 mystery flavor Jelly this week also in limited supply 🥰

Market will continue to be open every Tuesday and Thursday from 3-6pm and Saturdays from 8am-12pm throughout the summer!

06/12/2026

The Irene Pool and Splashpad is NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC! Come out and enjoy the weather and get some sun with the Gaffney community!

Irene Pool is $3 for admission, while the Splashpad is free. Operating hours are:
Tuesdays-Saturdays 12-7pm
Sundays 2-6pm

06/10/2026

Problem-solving begins long before children enter school! Every time a child explores, experiments, or tries something new, they’re developing important thinking skills. Giving children opportunities to work through challenges helps build confidence, persistence, and independence.

Here are a few ways to encourage problem-solving:
• Allow children time to figure things out before stepping in
• Ask open-ended questions like “What do you think we should try next?”
• Provide opportunities for hands-on play and exploration