Kara's Blog

The Gallery Store at Aiken Center for the Arts has alot going on this holiday season.

Hours are extended - and the Holly Days schedule is as follows:

Saturday, November 29           11am - 2pm    Crafts and photos with Santa

Saturday, December 6            11am - Aiken Civic Ballet  "The Nutcracker"

                                            1pm -  Savannah River String Band

Saturday, December 13          10-11am - Holly Days Camp*

                                            11am  - Aiken Singers

                                             1pm - Fiddle Faddle

Saturday December 20           10am -2pm  Holly Days Camp*

                                            1pm - Palmetto Strings

 

                                                                                                     

*Holly Days Camp:  children ages 5 and up can come for a fun time while parents shop or eat downtown.  Enjoy pizza - a move - and an art project!  Fee:  $35 per day.  (if you have more than one child - the first child is $35, and $5 for each additional sibling)

Aiken Center for the Arts is located at 122 Laurens Street, SE -  Downtown Aiken  803.641.9094

Happy Holidays :)     Come Downtown and enjoy Holiday entertainment while you shop !

Thanksgiving Morning in Aiken is a special day.   Many of the townspeople flock into our Hitchcock Woods for the Blessing of the Hounds.    Held every Thanksgiving morning at Memorial Gate.  This year marks the 94th year of the Aiken Hounds :) 

My daughter and I experienced it together this morning.  It was indeed a beautiful day.   The foxhunters drink wine from stirrup cups before the hunt.  I don't know the significance of this - but it is something that foxhunters do before they head out on the hunt.

  

   

We do not hunt live foxes  here in Hitchcock Woods.   A scent is layed out and the hounds follow that.  (Do not call them dogs, lol - you will be corrected and corrected and corrected until it is drilled into your head that these are hounds)

Father Garrett Clanton prepares for the blessing. 

                                                

Happy Hounds - ready to hunt :)

Happy Faces:

We are a horse town and many of the Realtors are equestrians.   Riding in the hunt today I saw the following Realtors:  Susie Huiet, Kristy Summer and Billy Benton.  (there were probably others - I just didn't see them!)    Even some Realtors on the ground helping out.  I saw Mark & Jane Page Thompson, Randy Wolcott and Cissie Sullivan.    Many different companies represented!

Did I say that a lot of people come out for this --  here is the crowd ahead of us as we walk down the road after coming out of the woods.

Here is the crowd behind us, lol.

Did I mention it was a beautiful day?

 

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"Blessing for the Aiken Hounds"

Dear God, Creator of all creatures, Lord of all Men,

Mindful, we are gathered here, beside this gate,

Symbolic entry to the Hitchcock Woods.

 

Our horses are restive, our spirits are joyful.

We are deeply grateful to be here to give praise and Thanksgiving

For all our gifts and blessings on this,

The true Thanksgiving Day in this true Free land.

 

We thank you for these Woods, saved for us by the infinite wisdom

And prescience of our forebears, loving of sport and understanding

Of Nature's irreplaceable healing beauty.

 

Bless us all, especially our honest hounds, and our horses,

Keep us safe in our communion with these Woods.

Bless the creatures which fly, run, slither and scurry

Beneath this blessed  canopy of trees.

 

Bless those who lay the scented line;

Those who lead and those who follow

And those who love and care for this sport of fellowship

Which harms no being.

 

Finally, we beseech you to bless our Aiken Hounds

In these hallowed Hitchcock Woods.

Keep forever safe the souls of those

Who have galloped these forgiving trails in the past,

In the present, and in the years to come.

                                          

Amen

 

2003 M. Warfield

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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Well, here we go - the newest craze of the MeMe's.   Just when I thought I had read it all, lol.   This time I am asked to tell you SIX (not just one - but SIX!!!) useless things about ME.     Ths is not as easy as it sounds.     I'll do my best.   This was passed my way by one of my JerseyGirls Lisa Friedman .

1.  I don't drink coffee.   Never have - and most likely never will, lol. 

                                                                             

2.  I LOVE Cream of Wheat.   It was the best breakfast to have on a cold winter morning - especially if you were going ice skating or sledding :)     I have only had it a few times since I moved to South Carolina - now we eat grits, lol.

3.  I 'knock on wood' all the time .... but am not worried by a black cat crossing my path!

                                               

4.  I can spell Mississippi backwards.   ippississim   (not as impressive when you type it - call me and I will say it for you, lol)  

  

5.  my gallbladder.  yup, it's pretty much useless, lol.

                                                                                 

 

6.  I actually prefer instant mashed potatoes over the real ones.   I know that is weird - but I just love instant mashed potatoes, lol.   

                                                                                       

 

Well, there is some useless information for you :)  

I tag:   

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     YOU!!   hahaha       Tag!!   You're it!!

We have so many good restaurants and eateries in Aiken, and I have many favorites.   One place that I really like is O'Charley's.    Located off Whiskey Road on Aiken's Southside.  (Next to CVS, across from Wal-Mart)

They have a great menu - something for everyone!   And it is just like the sign says - 'good food, good times'.  :)     The entire staff is awesome! 

One thing I especially like is that O'Charley's has a specific menu of 'good time platters'.  Great for this time of year :)  You can get the great food you enjoy at O'Charley's at your office for a special lunch - or for catering those holiday parties.

I love the California Chicken Salad  :)    I just had one the other day , if I had known I was going to write about it - I would have taken a picture.   Imagine a bed of  fresh spring mix of greens and romaine lettuce topped with grilled chicken, sliced strawberries, mandarin oranges, bleu cheese crumbles, candied pecans and dried cranberries.   It comes with a Balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

Other items on the 'platter' menu include:

Prime Rib Pasta - Chicken O'Tenders Combo Platter - O'Charley's Signature Baby Back Ribs -  Appetizer Combo - Wings - Fried Chicken Salad - Club Sandwich - Cajun Chicken Pasta -  Dip Sampler - and of course their delicious rolls! 

You can also get whole pies (Key Lime and Ooey Gooey Caramel Pie) and gallons of sweet tea...!

Don't fret over Holiday parties and drop-ins, give O'Charley's a call!  (24 Hour notice is recommended)

Check here to see if there is an O'Charley's near you!

 

 

You don't want to miss this.   Appearing December 5 - 7, 2008 at Millbrook Baptist Church.

The Wonder of Christmas

Features:  The Twin Living Christmas Trees , 140 voice Choir with 40 piece Orchestra and Drama cast

 

Performance times:    Matinee: Sat at 2pm, Sun at 10:30am.   Eve's:  7pm

Doors open one hour before show. - open seating

More info:  803.648.4167   or  803.641.8241

MillBrook Baptist Church is locatd at the Corner of Pine Log & Whiskey Road, Aiken South Carolina

Merry Christmas!

       

Ready to move yet?  We can help you anywhere in the world!  With our affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, we can help you anywhere! Buying...Selling... it doesn't matter.   Just call us first!               Happy Thanksgiving.

 

THanks to Gene for posting these upcoming Aiken events!

 

I may have posted about this a few weeks ago --- but this time is NOW!!!        Come and start the season in downtown Aiken!

 

Seems like every 'cottage' has a name here in Aiken. And a story of some sorts behind it.  I had a hard time picking which historic home to enter.  Many of these are on the register of historic homes.

Look at a few of my options:

• Ridgeley Hall.  

This is a historic brick home on Berrie Road. An intersting fact about this home is that it was the former home of FDR's mistress, Lucy Page Mercer Rutherford. He visited Aiken quite often. There are a few historic homes in Aiken that have elevators. Ridgeley Hall is one of them. She was with him when he passed,and had to be whisked away very very quickly...or so the story goes.    This is a beautiful house and has quite a story!  

 

• Let's Pretend.      

This house started as a simple home but was added onto over the years by the different owners.  The original owner had it built and moved him and his family to the home from Charleston -to get away from the mosquitos and malaria. (this was 1890) His son died - the wife left - the man was distraught and he left the home.  It went to tax sale and a local real estate agent, Eulalie Salley purchased the home - against her husbands wishes.  She paid something like $2000 -(her husband was pissed) - and then when checking out the property - she opened the closed at the end of the upstairs hall and the man had packed away all his china and silver - a treasure trove so to speak.  The house was sold many times over the years.  Let's  Pretend' recently was on the market and closed for $1,790,000.  Quite an increase from when Eulalie purchased/sold it!    Oh - and they did some filming here for a film a few years ago.  'Let's Pretend' was used as a setting in the movie "Who's Your Caddy?"   Funny funny movie, lol.   Well, this is a beautiful house with quite a story!

• The house on Hayne.      

I don' t  know if this house has a name - I'm sure it does, but everyone knows it as the house with  The Hope Diamond.  Yes, the Hope Diamond was in Aiken. Owned by Evelyn Walsh McLean and she was from Washington DC. Ms. Walsh McLean saw the diamond at Cartier's in Paris - loved it, but didn't love the setting. She came back to The States, Cartier changed the setting and brought it to her to hang on to for the weekend, and she fell in love with it. 

        

She purchased a home in Aiken so that she could be closer to her sons who were attending Aiken Preparatory School.  She wore the diamond out and about, it was seen by many people.  Eulalie Salley was the real estate queen back in the day - and she sold this property too. Ms Walsh McLean asked her if she wanted to see it - and of course she did.  It was rolled up in one of her silk stockings in the top dresser drawer :)  Harry Winston purchased her entire jewelry collection after her death and eventually gave the diamond to The Smithsonian for everyone to see :)    That is an interesting  house a with quite a story. 

 

• The Balcony             

This is an awesome awesome home.  Once owned by a well known polo family, and named after the elaborate railings and balcony that overlooks the grounds. (always something in bloom!!) I got the 'nickel tour' by the previous owner - what a fabulous fabulous home.  She told me they had coats and coats of paint to scrape away and they ended up finding the most beautiful carved door mouldings.  OMG - the hand carving was amazing.  And hidden storage panels in the living rooms - where the 'winter owners' would stow away their knick knacks etc for the summer.  The silver either went back with them on the train, or was locked in a safe, usually off the kitchen.   (this house is surrounded by a large wall - and it is very difficult to get a good picture)

 

More Aiken 'cottages' and historic homes. 

 

Sandhurst - Red Top - Kellsboro House - Walnutcroft - Banksia - Rest Period - Rond Point - Pine Grove - Rosemary Cottage....the list goes on and on. 

All beautiful historic homes.      Why all the names?  Well, Aiken was a 'Winter Colony' made up of wealthy northerners.  Their northern estates had names, and so did their Aiken Estates.  Although the Aiken homes were considerable smaller in most circumstances and thus called 'cottages'.

 This is how houseguests and visitors would find their way to the right home - by name.  It was easy to remember the name of your friends/family estate instead of having to remember the actual address.  You could just tell the carriage driver to take you to Red Top, and he knew exactly which cottage to go to. 

Of course, 'cottage' is an understatement here.  Some of these cottages are over 4000 square feet!   One such cottage is called 'Joye Cottage'.  (my choice!!)  

 

                     

 Said to be one of the largest homes in the state with 60 rooms.  Some cottage huh?!  This is the old Whitney/Vanderbuilt Estate.  Located on Easy Street.  Really - here is the street sign:

                                                                                              

Originally a small two room farmhouse built in the 1830's. A later owner, Sarah Joye, made it an Inn. In 1898 William Whitney(NY Banker - and served on Grover Clevelands cabinet as Secretary of The Navy) purchased the estate. Stanford White(NY Architect, several well known historic architectural landmarks, including the re-design of The White House and another Aiken cottage named Sandhurst) was involved in the redesign of this home - turning it into the 20,000 sq. ft wonder that it is.  It was in full swing back in the day with socialite parties - The Vanderbuilts were frequent guests.   I don't know what happened, but the house was vacant for a number of years and in disrepair when two men from NYC saw it in a real estate ad.  Oh - these men - are pulitzer prize winning authors!  Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith.  From what I understand - they sold their NYC apartment and purchased Joye Cottage. (purchased for less than $500,000) A lot of blood, sweat and tears...not to mention cash, went into the repair and restoration.   They wrote a book about their experience, it is a riot!  On a street called Easy, in a cottage named Joye. 

The renovations have long been completed and the home is beautiful once again.   Mr. Naifeh and Mr. Smith have bequeathed the home to Julliard, and we will have annual concerts every spring beginning in 2009!  This house has an artful past (back in the days of Whitney/Vanderbuilt several performances were held there - even Fred Astaire came to Aiken!)  These men are giving back to the community, and giving such a generous gift to Julliard.  It can be used as a retreat for future generations of Julliard students, faculty and alumni. With a weekly festival every Spring for the community.  This is an amazing story of how this home was brought back to life, and will continue to give a gift of music and art for generations to come. 

                       

Joye Cottage encompasses an entire city block, and is surrounded by walls/ fences / hedges and other plantings. It is very hard to get a picture that does the property justice.  Click this link for more pics and For more information on Joye Cottage

I would love to someday be able to tour this exquisite piece of Aiken history.  I am hoping that Mr. Naifeh and Mr. Smith have a google alert set for their names, and they come across my blog and invite me in for tea!  How cool would that be :)

 

Looking to own a piece of history?  Let me help you find something in Aiken :)

 

 

The Blessing of the Hounds is held every Thanksgiving morning - rain or shine - at Memorial Gate in Hitchcock Woods.         Join us!    Add this morning event to your Thanksgiving traditions!

Walk into the woods from the South Boundary Avenue entrance - and straight ahead approx 1/2 mile to Memorial Gate.

                                                            

What:  Blessing of the Hounds.   (Aiken Hounds)   And Opening Meet!

When:  Thanksgiving Morning.  11am

Where:  Memorial Gate, Hitchcock Woods

                                                

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Season, as well as a Happy THanksgiving.

 

Give me a call when you are ready to move to Aiken :)  

 

 

What:  AARP Senior Driving Course

                                                                                           

Where: Aiken Regional Medical Centers  (302 University Parkway, Aiken SC)

When:  Thursday, December 4 and Friday, December 5

Time;  8:30am - 12:30pm

Cost:  $10/per person (payable by check at the first class session)   Make Checks to: AARP

Register:  800-882-7445  (hospitals registration service)

Attendance is required BOTH DAYS.  

 

Come on out and give it a spin!

Have a great day and a lovely Thanksgiving.