Latest news with #natureplay
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
South Nashville woman turns homestead upbringing into business
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Skeesick family has found a way to live the farm life right in South Nashville. 'I'm from the Appalachian mountains of Virginia, biking, hiking, raising animals. My granny and pappy had vegetables garden, so when I had my boys, I knew that I wanted them to have that same knowledge,' Marinda Skeesick said. 'It only takes two generations to lose a life skill, and I didn't want that to be me.' Thousands join online homesteading group in Middle Tennessee Skeesick moved to Nashville to work as a child life specialist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. But unexpectedly, her Appalachian way of life became a business. 'Everybody wanted to know what I was doing, like, 'Oh, you're canning your food. How do you do that?' I'm like, 'Well, everybody where I'm from, cans food,'' Skeesick said. 'So then I started doing my hands-on homestead classes. It's elbow-to-elbow learning, just like I learned from my granny, my papa, (and) my mama.' Skeesick said God called her to start her farmstead nature play program after the death of her mother as a way to bring her community together. Children and their families come to Glory Be Mini Farm in the Nippers Corner area to learn about growing food, raising animals and getting their hands dirty. 'Just getting their first experience with nature play, walking in the creek, playing in a mud kitchen and knowing what that is, building and doing woodworking at the woodwork station, or just having a first experience with animals,' Skeesick explained. For Skeesick, her husband Aaron and their two sons, homesteading on their farm has allowed them to live life on their own terms, away from the pressure of a fast-paced world. 'For us, waking up, coming out on the porch, seeing what's growing, looking at the changes every day on the farm, watching the animals grow, or how they're they act up sometimes,' Skeesick said. 'I think slowing down and really not letting culture push you, but being like we were in the Appalachian Mountains or our older generations. Be fine sitting on the porch, rocking. Those are some of my special memories, sitting out here with my boys each morning and not rushing every day.' Family farm in Arrington shares love of homesteading with the community Skeesick also hosts chick hatching programs at area schools so children can see the process first-hand. You can to learn more about the Glory Me Mini Farm. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Your guide to things to do in Asheville and WNC this week
Enjoy a most unique summer festival in Salisbury, tour Camp Watia, and get grandparents and grandkids together for some fun – it's all on the calendar this week. Find even more to do on our full monthly calendar of events, plus get tips for teaching your children about money, ways to calm tantrums (and yourself) and much more at Stay in touch on social media @wncparent and get your events on our calendar by emailing chris@ is May 17 in Salisbury. The festival includes a free fun zone for families, live music and more. See details, the festival map and more at The Cheerwine Goo Goo Cluster makes its official debut at the festival. For details, visit It will be available at select retailers across North and South Carolina this summer. 9:30-10:30 a.m. May 17 at the Reuter Family Y. Children ages 5 and older are welcome. This class is open to the public. Visit is 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. May 17 at The North Carolina Arboretum, part of the Spring Into the Arb series. Spring Into the Arb events and programs are included with the regular parking fee of $20 per vehicle. Arboretum Society Members get in free. Visit is 6 – 10 p.m. May 17 at Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts. It features crafts, games, a movie and pizza. For elementary ages. Open to the public. Register online at presents its 2025 Gala Live Auction & Dinner May 17. For tickets and details, visit is 2 – 4 p.m. May 18. Walk the grounds, meet the staff and get a taste of what overnight camp is all about. The open house includes guided tours of the camp, activities for kids and a Q&A session with the camp team. No RSVP needed. Learn more at with YMCA of WNC from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. May 19 at the Corpening Memorial Y in Marion. Presented by Hopscotch Primary Care, this free community event is perfect for grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy together. The day will feature group exercise classes, pickleball, informative lectures, free health screenings, vendor booths, free food and drinks and giveaways. Learn more at at 4 p.m. May 19 at the Etowah Library. All ages are invited to learn the differences between reptiles and amphibians and meet some live animal friends. Registration is required for this free event, register online at or call 828-891-6577. are this month at the Cradle of Forestry in America. This is a ticketed event. Tours begin with an informative session at the outdoor amphitheater, where guests will have the opportunity to learn about the fascinating world of the Blue Ghost Firefly. Following the presentation, visitors will hike along a paved trail through the forest, at their own pace, where they'll have the chance to observe these enchanting creatures up close. For tickets and details, visit in Beech Mountain, North Carolina. Guided hikes and giveaways are available at the visitor's center. A comprehensive hiking guide is available at providing trail recommendations for all skill levels and tips. A different trail will be featured each week in May. continues through June 8 with more than 1 million vibrant blooms, menus featuring fresh tastes of spring in the Smokies and unique entertainment offerings, including 'Play On,' a new show to celebrate Dollywood's 40th anniversary season. The Imagination Playhouse, which features plays based on books from Dolly's Imagination Library, offers shows for younger guests through the end of September. During Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, new story time and character meet & greets are part of the Imagination Playhouse experience. Visit is open May 21 – Nov. 2 at The Island in Pigeon Forge. Admission is free. Wander amid 22 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, each with interactive elements and sounds. Included is a custom Island Fountain Show that tells the story of the dinosaurs. Interactive features include posted QR codes linked to details about each dinosaur, including sounds and free downloadable wallpapers. The Island is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and does not have gated admission. All ticketed attractions are ala carte. For details, visit On the Shelf: Books for kids who love mom, dinosaurs and houseplants – because reading is for everyone Money talks: Teach your kids about saving and spending Bonus Books: April showers bring new weather books Mental health in the moment May 2025: More than 100 things to do in Asheville and beyond Tracktivity: Inside a Flower Farmers markets are opening This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Things to do in Asheville, N.C. this week
