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About Kidding Around®

Wondering who we are and what we do at Kidding Around? You’re in the right place because you’ve found our About page. We’ll tell you how we got started and who we are and what we do today. Then we’ll introduce you to our team members and some ways you can connect with us!

About Kidding Around

The Kidding Around® Story

Kidding Around Greenville started as a project in 2012 with two friends Bethany Winston and Susan McClure who had a big idea to create a one-stop resource for families in Greenville, SC.

Today, Kidding Around Media is the winner of the 2021 Best of the Upstate’s “Social Media Resource”, 2022 Entrepreneurial Success Award, and offers Upstate South Carolina’s largest family calendar, a popular Facebook page, frequent giveaways, and an ever-growing list of resources and tips for parents in the area.

Bethany Winston receives 2022 Entrepreneurial Success Award
Bethany Winston received the 2022 Entrepreneurial Success Award.

Kidding Around Greenville is known for tapping into the heart of Greenville and bringing readers firsthand reviews of the best things to do and see in the Upstate and Southeast region. Readers use Kidding Around® to find things to do, places to visit, and businesses and resources they need, helping them to make wonderful memories with their families.

Kidding Around® arrived in Columbia, SC in 2023. Kidding Around Columbia now offers readers the best resources and things to do in the Midlands. The number of people following Kidding Around Columbia has exploded over the last year. With a full team on the ground in Columbia, we are so excited to watch this community grow!

Kidding Around® is now in Charlotte, NC! Find us at Kidding Around Charlotte, and get ready for lots more to come in Charlotte!

The Kidding Around® Vision

Our vision at Kidding Around® is to be the go-to local family resource for fun, recommendations, dining, and travel.

We are locals, parents, and community members creating authentic content through experience.

We are the guide to fun for every generation of kid.

Connect with Kidding Around®

We want to hear from you!

Connect with Kidding Around

Follow Kidding Around® on Social Media

Find Kidding Around®Media on Instagram: KiddingAroundSC on Instagram

Greenville/Spartanburg

Kidding Around Greenville on Facebook
Kidding Around Greenville Facebook Community Page
Kidding Around Spartanburg on Facebook
Kidding Around Spartanburg Facebook Community Page

Columbia

Kidding Around Columbia on Facebook
Kidding Around Columbia Facebook Community Page

Charlotte, NC

Kidding Around Charlotte on Facebook
Kidding Around Charlotte Facebook Community Page

Coming Soon: Charleston

Kidding Around Charleston on Facebook
Kidding Around Charleston Facebook Community Page


Meet Our Team

The Kidding Around® Team

Kidding Around Media Team

Bethany Winston: Owner and Editor-in-Chief

Contact Bethany

Bethany Winston is the owner and editor-in-chief of Kidding Around Greenville & Kidding Around Spartanburg. She enjoys exploring parks, discovering local events, and meeting the people who make Greenville an amazing place to live.

Becca Foster

Contact Becca

Becca is one of the newest members of our Kidding Around sales team. Check back soon to find our about Becca.

Erin Gorges: Assistant Content Manager

Contact Erin

Erin is a Greenville, South Carolina native who loves taking her two young daughters on adventures around the Upstate. Erin enjoys gardening, hiking, and dabbling in DIY projects. Her favorite things to do with her husband and kids include sensory activities, swimming, playing with their dogs, and exploring the local state and national parks.

Hannah Rye: Columbia Team Contributor

Hannah grew up in Murfreesboro, TN but has called Columbia her home for over 5 years now. She taught elementary school for 8 years before becoming a mom. Now her 5-year-old and 3-year-old keep her and her husband on their toes. They love camping, movie nights, game nights, and just being together. Spare time is hard to come by in this phase of life, but when it does, Hannah enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and watching old, classic television shows.

Kayla Simmons: Columbia Team Contributor and Events

Kayla grew up right outside of Charleston, SC, and is a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina. She has lived in Columbia for a combination of 5 years. Kayla has a background working with special needs children, but now enjoys nothing more than being a stay-at-home mom of two. She enjoys keeping her kids busy by finding unique play spaces and events, involving them in hands-on activities, and watching them learn about the world through play. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exercising, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Kelly Johnson: Columbia Team Contributor

Kelly is a native of Hartsville, SC and lives in West Columbia with her husband, two-year-old daughter, and pets George and Gigi. She is now a stay-at-home mom after a long career in beverage sales at Republic National Distributing Company and Sazerac Company. Kelly is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and has a degree in print journalism. She’s passionate about her family, writing, shopping, and any and all crime dramas.

Kristina Hernandez: Social Media and Newsletter, Greenville Team Contributor

Contact Kristina

Kristina Hernandez is a mom of two girls, freelance writer, and a photographer. Originally from New Jersey, she is in love with the Upstate and could not imagine raising her kids anywhere else. She enjoys hiking to waterfalls, kayaking, camping, cooking, and exploring all that Greenville has to offer. And she really loves baby goats. Follow her on Instagram at @scadventurer.

Maria Bassett: Content Manager

Contact Maria

Maria Bassett is a former school orchestra teacher, turned homeschool mom. She and her husband homeschool their 3 sons and 1 daughter, who range from 5th grade through 10th grade. Believing children learn best when they are engaged and having fun, this family loves to take their homeschool on the road, around Greenville and beyond. Their home is run by a spoiled bearded dragon named Frankie, and a ridiculous number of house plants and laundry.

Meagan Carroll: Columbia Team Contributor

I am a born and raised local who has a passion for exploring new towns, hiking, and attending local events. As a mother and full-time web developer, I balance my career and family life while still finding time to travel the world with my husband. My love for trying new foods and visiting breweries keeps my adventures exciting and flavorful! I am always on the lookout for new experiences and so excited to share them with you!

Rachael Townsend: Columbia Social Media & Newsletter, Columbia Team Contributor

Contact Rachael

Rachael is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but is happy to now call Columbia, South Carolina home. She worked as an Athletic Trainer and holds a Masters Degree in Performance Enhancement. Currently a stay-at-home mom of three, she enjoys exploring the area with her family and finding fun experiences for them to share. She loves going to the beach and soaking in sunshine whenever possible and enjoys gardening and crafting in her free time.

Rebekah Williams

Contact Rebekah

Rebekah is the newest member of the Kidding Around sales team. Check back for more about Rebekah.

Sara Wierer: Client Manager

Contact Sara

Sara is a new member of the Kidding Around team! Check back soon to learn about Sara.

Shannon Pruitt: Greenville Team Contributor

Contact Shannon

Shannon moved to the Upstate after college, and other than a brief few years in Florida, has stayed. A former teacher, she is now the mom of one beautiful girl and works from home as a writer, web designer, and social media strategist. She believes tacos don’t have to be reserved for Tuesdays, shamelessly listens to crime podcasts, and fuels herself on a daily cup of coffee (or two). You can find her on Instagram @shannonroyalpruitt

Golly: Kidding Around Mascot

Golly

Meet Golly

Golly is always on the lookout with his Golly Goggles. When he puts his hands to his face and peers through his fingers, he’s ready for an adventure! Golly’s job is finding new things to do and see, and places to go!


Advertise with Kidding Around®

Kidding Around helps local businesses, regional travel destinations, and Upstate resources connect with readers looking for the services they offer. Our readers come back to Kidding Around® for ideas and information again and again. Find out how to advertise with us on our Kidding Around Advertising page.

Kidding Around Kids sharing

We Share All The Fun!

Kidding Around is made up of locals who live, travel, and do the things they write about. We are parents, moms, community members, baby goat lovers, writers, outdoor enthusiasts, coffee drinkers, hobbyists, travelers and so much more. Readers love Kidding Around because we share authentic information and fun!