Month: August 2024

You don’t need an excuse to curl up by the fire as the days get colder, but these titles will have you wrapping up in your warmest blanket and losing track of time as you explore new worlds, real and imaginary.

 

Don’t Tell Me You’re Afraid by Giuseppe Catozzella, Anne Milano Appel (Translator)Have our interviews with Dacre and Ellen rekindled the Olympic flame inside you? This true story tells the tale of a remarkable Somali girl as she risks her life on the migrant journey to Europe to run in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, in hope of a better future.

 

Piranesi by Susanna ClarkeThis short novel will bend your mind and leave you guessing right until the very last page. Summaries don’t do it justice, so dive in on a lazy Sunday afternoon and explore the “house” alongside the main character.

 

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-GarciaIf Piranesi leaves you with a desire for more stories of enigmatic houses, let Mexican Gothic draw you in to its countryside home of fading glamour, family secrets, and mysterious dreams.

 

I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine by Daniel J. LevitinListening to the Aiken Symphony is more than just a fun night out on the town. In this book, neuroscientist, composer, musician, and author Levitin compiles numerous studies on music and the brain, demonstrating how music can have profound benefits for those both young and old.

 

We Are What We Eat: A Slow Food Manifesto by Alice WatersWritten by the famed chef, author, food activist, and the founder and owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant, this book urges us to take up the mantle of slow food culture, which champions values such as biodiversity, seasonality, stewardship, and pleasure in work. All it takes is a taste.

A holistic ritual for purifying and exfoliating the skin, dry brushing is a long-held practice that provides both health and beauty benefits. First developed hundreds of years ago in India, dry brushing may improve your body’s detoxification process while smoothing and polishing your skin. The bristles, made from natural fibers, gently scrape away dead skin, dirt, and other impurities that clog pores. This may better allow you to filter toxins organically.

Beyond natural exfoliation and detoxification, dry brushing is a sensory experience, akin to a massage, that even improves circulation. This act of self care, especially when integrated into a daily routine, can serve as a soothing, tranquil moment for meditation.

Before your shower, brush along your feet and ankles before sweeping the brush up your legs in sweeping motions. When you reach your torso, transition into rounded movements with your brush before moving to your arms. Step into a shower to wash away the exfoliated impurities, then apply moisturizer when complete.

A simple method with lasting effects, dry brushing is a rich experience where you can bring the luxury of a spa into your very own home.

Dry brushes and brushing instructions are available at The Willcox Salon & Spa.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, members of the British aristocracy began eating dinner around eight or nine o’clock in the evening. The introduction of artificial lighting meant they could socialize after the sun went down, though several hours now stretched between their mealtimes.

Because of this change, Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford and lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria, began snacking on buttered bread, cakes, and tea so she wouldn’t grow hungry in between meals.

This practice quickly spread amongst her friends, becoming a key element of London’s social calendar. Women regularly dressed for the occasion and hosted tea gatherings within their own homes. Over the years, afternoon tea has become an even more cherished reason to gather between meals and enjoy the company of one’s family and friends.

Today, countless hotels around the world host guests in the afternoon for tea and an assortment of refreshments. The Willcox is pleased to continue this tradition by offering an afternoon tea service of our very own starting this October! Every day between three and five o’clock, visitors can catch up with friends over tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and flavorful desserts alongside a hot cup of tea in our lobby. Call 803.679.5050 to reserve your afternoon tea service, and enjoy taking part in this custom of connection and conversation.

For the past decade, the Aiken Symphony has created a home in this city for breathtaking classical performances and vivid musical talent. Founded by Thomas and Sally Hofstetter, David Allen, Doris Begley, Sandy Costanzo, David Tavernier and Beverley Zigelman, the symphony debuted its first concert in September of 2015—and it hasn’t stopped evolving since.

The symphony has welcomed new musicians and a new conductor over the years, expanding the group’s repertoire, skills, and annual performances. “We now present an annual subscription series that includes four masterworks, two chamber and two pops concerts,” Music Director & Conductor Scott Weiss said.

With performances of Bach, Beethoven, Berlioz, and many other well-known composers, Weiss says this tenth anniversary season will be “practically a Greatest Hits of classical music.” Pianist Ying Li, who gave a striking performance with the symphony last season, will be playing with the symphony once again in January for a concert exclusively featuring Mozart compositions.

Weiss is excited for this next season, as well as for the many years he will spend leading and growing the symphony. “Enriching the cultural life of Aiken and its residents through all we do is probably the most rewarding part of my work with the Aiken Symphony,” Weiss said. “I’m not going to lie, though… standing in front of these professional musicians and THAT SOUND is an indescribable feeling!”

Annual subscriptions and individual concert tickets are available at the Aiken Symphony’s website.