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Founded as a quiet Southern town in 1835, Aiken became well known for its mild winter weather, beautiful forests, and soft ground, ideal for horses and polo fields. By the late 19th century, it had become a destination for wealthy politicians, royalty, and captains of industry from the North as they escaped the harsh winter conditions of their hometowns. Aiken eventually became known as the original Winter Colony of the South. Meet two of the most well-known Winter Colonists, Charles and Hope Goddard Iselin in the video below.

 

 

Local authors, Anna Dangerfield and Lil Brannon, co-authored a book about Hopelands Gardens together, titled “Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch: The Friends’ Story.” Their book gives you more background and history on the Iselins’ property, and can be purchased locally around Aiken. Proceeds from the book will go towards continuing the maintenance and up keep of Hopelands Gardens.

Find it in:

• City of Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum
• Aiken Antiques & Uniques
• Cold Creek Nurseries
• 3 Monkeys
• Nandina
• York Cottage Antiques
• Security Federal Bank at 1705 Whiskey Road
• Aiken County Visitors Center

 

The history of women’s suffrage in the United States is a long and tumultuous story, one that Eulalie Chafee Salley, an Aiken, South Carolina resident, helped to write. Eulalie was the wife of Aiken’s mayor, Julian Booth Salley, a caring mother of two, and a tenacious suffragist. Her passion in advocating for women’s right to vote began in 1909, when Lucy Tillman Dugas’ children were deeded to her husband’s mother during an illness. Outraged, Salley took to a Carolina newspaper to respond to an advertisement seeking new members of the South Carolina Equal Suffrage League (SCESL), and claimed it was “the best dollar I ever spent.”

Salley served as the first president of the SCESL and organized a number of evocative campaigns for women’s suffrage, flying in an airplane dropping suffrage flyers below and canvassing door- to-door in the unpaved countryside. While her husband was mortified and some of the public outraged, Salley harnessed her determined spirit to empower other women to fight for their rights. She received her real estate license in 1915, becoming South Carolina’s first female real estate agent, helping put Aiken on the map as one of the South’s most charming small towns.

Finally, at the age of 85, Salley witnessed former Governor Robert McNair sign the 19th Constitutional Amendment into action in the State of South Carolina. It is because of Salley’s persistence, compassion, and tenacity that women’s right to vote transformed from a dream into reality. The City of Aiken and The Willcox are proud to honor the inspiring legacy of a woman who had a large hand in writing the story of women’s suffrage. Salley exemplified every characteristic of what it means to be a true Southern woman, igniting change that would last for generations to come.

As the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold,it’s a time most South Carolinians use to explore the great outdoors during fall festivals and holiday gatherings. Still, this cherished time of year can quickly slip away as the calendar fills up with long- awaited activities. Just as the trees shed their leaves and creatures of the wild begin to hibernate, the natural world offers a poignant reminder every autumn. Rest is a necessary aspect of life.

Nature encourages us to appreciate the simple joy of slowing down amidst life’s busyness. Maybe it’s with the help of a good book, a phone call with an old friend, a crackling fire, or a warm cup of tea, but nothing encapsulates the comforts of this cozy season more than a fresh-baked pumpkin pie that’s fresh from the oven with a dollop of whipped cream.

With a rich history, early American colonists adapted traditional English pie recipes to incorporate native pumpkins, creating a precursor to the modern pumpkin pie. Over time, pumpkin pie became synonymous with Thanksgiving, and it has since evolved into a beloved dessert enjoyed best on an evening at home with loved ones to share it with.

CLICK HERE for a classic Southern Pumpkin Pie Recipe from Southern Living!

As the all-too-familiar humidity of summer yields to the crisp, cool magic of fall, South Carolinians still find themselves in pursuit of something to warm their bones. Whether it’s gathered around a cozy campfire or crowded amongst loved ones during a beloved holiday celebration, the spirit of fall often takes shape in the form of a cocktail glass and an old friend to share it with.

Many distilleries call the Palmetto State home, and there’s no better time to raise a glass than during the comforts of the fall season. Here are just a couple that we’re pleased to offer at The Willcox:

Firefly Vodka

Made from locally-grown tea leaves less than five miles from the distillery in Charleston, Firefly Spirits is a versatile favorite used in many libations, but are most famous for their sweet tea vodka that captures the heart of any Southerner. Creating the world’s very first sweet tea vodka, Firefly’s sweet tea vodka trail-blazes both in flavor and originality.

Spiked Sweet Tea Cocktail

Throughout America and across Great Britain, hunters, hounds, and onlookers gather on Thanksgiving Day to celebrate the time-honored tradition known as “The Blessing of the Hounds.” With origins that trace back to the eighth century with St. Hubert of Liege, patron saints of hunters, the cherished bonds between humans and hounds are affirmed once again as enthusiastic viewers assemble to pay homage to this age-old partnership at the dawn of a new fox hunting season.

The heart of South Carolina’s thoroughbred country lies in Aiken, where sprawling fields, dense forests, and a deep love for equestrian and hunting traditions are as firmly planted as the live oak trees. This Thanksgiving Day tradition began in Aiken in 1914 when The Aiken Hounds was initially founded. For over a century now, this celebration marked so distinctively by the autumn season has an inexplicable tie to Aiken’s longstanding hunt culture.

With modern adaptations now the norm, the cunning fox can rest easy during this bustling event, where an artificial scent now takes its place. Recognized as the oldest drag hunt in the nation, hounds take to this fixating scent of a saturated cloth that has been dragged across the terrain to create a winding trail for the hounds. At the same time, riders outfitted in traditional clothing reminiscent of their 19th-century counterparts hark to the cry of the hounds and direct the chase atop their horses.

As Aiken approaches its 110th season, this historic chase is not to be missed for thrill seekers who admire such time-honored traditions. Although Black Friday sales have swept the nation to mark the day after Thanksgiving, this morning looks much different in Aiken, South Carolina, where loved ones huddle together in crisp November air to experience this priceless show.

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For thousands of years, humans have been intricately intertwined with nature and its therapeutic shelter. Fast-forward to the 1980’s in Japan, where shinrin- yoku, meaning “forest bathing”, became the ideal physical and mental exercise to refresh oneself from the big tech boom of the time.

In today’s fast-paced world, forest bathing remains the ultimate form of eco-therapy. Forest bathing isn’t just a quick hike or jog through the woods; it’s a mindful practice centered around being present in natural surroundings. By deliberately engaging all senses in this experience, a profound connection with the natural world is formed; whether by laying in a bed of grass, scooping a handful of rocks, or exploring dirt’s texture.

 

Forest bathing has a host of proven health benefits. Here are a few:

• Regulates blood pressure and heart rate
• Decrease in cortisol hormone levels (stress and anxiety)
• Immune system boost: phytoncides, a natural compound found in trees, enhances white blood cell function and strength.
• Improved sleep quality (regulates sleep patterns)

Nature operates on its own rhythms and cycles, and there are amazing opportunities to practice forest bathing right in The Willcox’s backyard. Visit Hitchcock Woods and Hopelands Gardens to fully experience nature’s healing beauty in the heart of Aiken. In a world that often pulls us away from our roots, forest bathing beckons us to slow down, immerse ourselves in the natural world, and rediscover the healing power of the environment.

Learn more about forest bathing at the links below:

• The secret to mindful travel? A walk in the woods
• Shinrin-yoku: The Simple and Intuitive Form of Preventative Care
• Forest Bathing Is Great For Your Health. Here’s How To Do It

 

Bellino Fine Linens is a luxury linen brand with a rich history dating back to 1930 when it was founded by a family in Italy. Over the decades, it has become world-renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship, establishing itself as a symbol of elegance and sophistication in the world of fine linens.

Maurizio Bussolari, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, sat down for an exclusive interview as The Willcox takes on an exciting new partnership to offer Bellino Fine Linens for their guests. From Bellino’s fascinating history to modern-day evolution, sustainability efforts, and innate luxury to the touch, this fine Italian brand weaves quality in every stitch.

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Ripe for the Picking: Watermelon Rules

South Carolina produces over one hundred and thirty-three million pounds of watermelon each year. You aren’t alone if this mouthwatering fruit ranks highest among your favorite summertime snacks, and our state proves itself to be ripe for the picking.

There’s nothing better than taking a big bite from a bright pink watermelon, with its juicy remnants dripping down your chin being a hallmark of a perfect morsel. But from all the watermelons to choose from at the roadside stand, which one looks best? How do you know if your watermelon is ready to slice open? We break down our “Watermelon Rules” for you below:

– Pick the heaviest watermelon. Oftentimes, this means that it will taste sweeter and has more water content.

– The more yellow the field spot, the riper. The dark color of the field spot means it has had more time to sit on the vine, which leads to better flavor.

– Look for a robust and dark stripe pattern. This means the watermelon has had plenty of time to grow and mature before you dig in.

Regarding how you prepare your watermelon or whether or not you should add that sprinkle of salt, the jury is still out. When it comes to how you enjoy summertime’s most beloved treat, what are your watermelon rules?

YOUR SUMMER READING LIST

There’s nothing like sitting out on the porch in the summer with a glass of iced tea and a brand new book to dive into. Check out the list below for some of our favorite reads!

Reunion Beach: Stories Inspired by Dorothea Benton Frank

This anthology includes interviews, stories, poems, and more in honor of Benton Frank, a beloved icon of South Carolina literature, and her love of her native lowcountry.

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese 

Featured in Oprah’s Book Club, this sweeping, epic tale follows a family through three generations in India as they seek the answers to a strange family secret.

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Lyrically written and full of wonder, this collection of essays by Kimmerer, esteemed botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, will have you looking at our Southern landscape with new eyes.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson 

A brother and sister get an unexpected inheritance from their mother: a family recipe, and a long lost tale that challenges everything the siblings thought they knew.

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

Set on a fictional island off the coast of South Carolina with a wholly unique premise, this epistolary novel is a linguistic tour-de-force, sure to expand your vocabulary.

Eat a Peach by David Chang 

Chang discusses the challenges of opening his famed restaurant, Momofuku, and how his upbringing and personal struggles shaped him into one of the most influential people of the 21st century.

 

Sommelier Matt’s Summer Wine Corner

Matt Sayer, our resident sommelier, has a gifted palette and playful imagination when it comes to discovering seasonal favorites within the world of wine. Matt joins us for another installment of our “Wine Corner” series, where he invites us on his journey to find summer’s finest glasses, one sip at a time.

Skull Wines’ Pink Wine is Matt’s wine of choice this summer. Organically farmed from Contra Costa and Lodi AVA, this wine is a delicate blend of Zinfandel (90%) and a hint of Petite Sirah to finish (10%). A fun everyday drinker, this summer selection matured after four months in neutral oak. Pink Wine is light, crisp, and a refreshing blend with hints of ripe strawberries. Enjoy it on a hot summer’s day and pair it with a seasonal salad, garden-fresh vegetables, and a plate of seafood. A fun and funky fact about this selection by Skull Wines? You’ll know when it’s cold enough to drink as the skull on the label turns pink!