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At The Willcox, we take land conservation very seriously, with our beloved Hitchcock Woods so close at hand. The Aiken Land Conservancy aims to preserve Aiken’s unique character and natural and historic resources for present and future generations through advocacy and land protection.

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What’s Growing and Blooming?
Spring Botanicals in Aiken with Bill Tiszai

What are some of the “favorites” that will grow and bloom in Aiken in the spring?
There are several classic trees and shrubs that let us know we’re on our way to spring. Camelias are at the top of the list and begin before spring with their brilliant blooms in various colors and combinations. We also love the Japanese Magnolia, commonly called the Tulip Magnolia, with its vivid purple tulip-shaped blooming flower. Yellow Forsythia is another favorite that will produce a wonderful yellow flower before the leaves. Of course, you can’t forget the okame cherry trees with their beautiful pink blooms.

What are or is some of the most common “spring” gardening problems in Aiken?
As soon as we hit our first warm week, many customers want to plant tomatoes, which is still a bit early in February. We always run the risk of a late frost in March, so we recommend paying attention to the weather and covering or moving plants when frost is expected. We are blessed in Aiken to have very favorable conditions for planting throughout the year, so there really isn’t a bad time to garden. While it may sound obvious, it’s easy to overlook the importance of watering regularly, especially when rain is not sufficient.

Do you have any “spring surprises” that you could share?
One of our favorites right now is Edgeworthia Chrysantha, also known as the paper bush. It blooms in winter with beautiful white florets that pack a punch with its scent. Another shrub with a wonderful scent is winter daphne that also provides beautiful blooms earlier than others. Because it’s harder to find, we really enjoy having it when it’s available. We’ve been fortunate this year to find several different varieties of camelias with beautiful color combinations. We love sharing things that are unique and only found in small numbers. We just received a nice shipment of palms, which adds a tropical feel to any landscape.

If there were one garden resolution to make during the spring what would you suggest that be?
Don’t be afraid to try things, and if it doesn’t work out, try again. While we like to reduce things in our lives to an exact science, gardening is still working with mother nature. Things might not always work just the way we want them to, but don’t let that discourage you – try again. Once you experience a little success with nurturing something and experiencing its beauty, you will be hooked. It’s a wonderful way to relieve stress and connect to nature, which is something we could all use more of these days.

“If winter were a beer, it would be Stones IPA with a good balance of piney notes and citrus/grapefruit. The hops profile is complex and rounded with a lingering bitterness, pairing well with the creamy yolk from the egg, the fat from the sausage, and bitterness of the Stones IPA Mustard. That is why if winter were a beer it would be Stones IPA.”
– Matthew Sayer, The Willcox Restaurant Manager
Matt’s Favorite Winter Snack: Scotch eggs

Food: “Oyster Roasts… salty, briny low country oysters enjoyed around a fire with friends…”
Activities: “Hiking in Hitchcock Woods… each season brings a different view, scent, and experience.”
Book to read by the fire: “One of my favorites is Beryl Markham’s Memoir – West with The Night.”
– Tina McCarthy, General Manager

“Enjoying plays at The Aiken Playhouse, walking the Aiken Arboretum Trail, bundling up and enjoying the Aiken State Park, and riding Pedego electric bikes.”
– Teresa Noel, Guest Services

“Enjoying winter meals with family and friends, having friends over for drinks around the fire pit, and last but not least… football, football, and more football!”
– Derek Brown

Food: “Cooking mom’s cheddar biscuits & dad’s Argentine empanadas.”
Activities: “Walking the dogs downtown to Tailgate Tavern and watching football outside under the heaters, ordering chorizo mussels, and seeing Wendy our favorite bartender.”
Book to read by the fire: “Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier”
– Alex Carranza, Guest Services and Vacation Rental Manager

It is Christmas time in Aiken. That is a delightful thing. Colder weather is sweeping in and thus, the inviting fireplaces of The Willcox beckon.

And for a little bit longer, I am ensconced in the embrace of her most comfortable cocoon. I am happy to stake out my ground and declare she is special, charming and an enchanting top of the hospitality heights. The Willy is, simply put, iconic.

I have grown to know her well. For over a decade, I have, from often time to time, camped out here while at work, while in trial, while writing my books, while simply seeking some ‘down time’ and rest. I admit, when here, I luxuriate in her manifold and many comforts. Her food and drink, her people are all just easily beyond fine. Good humor and good manners and good conversation abound.

Her ambiance is Southern unique. She is a throwback time warp, the transfer portal to a proper touch serendipity and a just right, comfortable hedonism. When here, I am a happy sybarite, and she helps my brain calm and work thoughtfully.

Surely, you say, surely you exaggerate.
No, not at all, not in the least. She is, flatly put, a gem.

-E. Vernon F. Glenn, Author, Attorney & Raconteur

Guests often ask: How can I enjoy equestrian culture in the winter?
There are plenty of activities and competitions during the winter season that welcome spectators.

If you are a morning person, The Aiken Training Track will have young thoroughbreds training typically from 7-9am – enjoy watching Railside during their morning training ritual.

Recently a guest who had never attended a horse show asked about spectator etiquette…which is a great question! I shared this article which they found very helpful, and it still holds true!

There are so many ways to enjoy thoroughbred country, and we hope you find it as exciting as we do!

Happy Spectating!
Tina McCarthy
Willcox General Manager & Horse Enthusiast

Where to Spectate Horse Shows & Competitions
National USEF Jumper Shows – Aiken Horse Park
USEA Horse Trials and USDF Competitions – Stable View
Hunter Jumper Shows – Highfields

Winter Art Classes
Interested in learning about oil painting? Or maybe try your hand in acrylics and drawing!
Join classes at Aiken Art Annex this Winter.

Register here – https://aikenartannex.com/registration/

Take time to rejuvenate…
Let this be a season to give yourself freedom from expectation, create presence of mind and peace from the many distractions of life…

Lose yourself in a great novel
Meditate & breathe with intention
Take a long walk somewhere in nature
Relax & laugh at a silly movie or show
Turn your phone off – if only for 30 minutes
Spend time with yourself and those you love
Write away worries in your journal
Remember to be kind to you

When in doubt, take an extra-long bubble bath, pour a glass of something delicious & turn up your favorite tunes.

Stay tuned for more details on special spa & self-care packages this winter.

“My passion is the restaurant industry,” Matt said. “Every day is a school day and I love to learn. The Court of Master Sommeliers was a perfect fit for me. Level One really sets the standards for what the Court expects you to know and learn over the course of your training. My goal is to eventually become a Master Sommelier—it’s my 10 year goal, and my next step in the certification process will be completed in early 2021. I have always had the ‘wine bug’ and the Court has definitely taken me to the next level.”

Matt and Lindsay’s training and education will bring new experiences to The Willcox for all of our guests, age 21 and up, to enjoy.

“Wine service has already begun changing at The Willcox as we now have trained sommeliers gathering information from customers to offer sound advice on great wines,” Matt said. “We’re helping them to select wines that apply to their specific tastes. We’re also engaging in the correct service methods and ensuring that all of our wines are at the correct temperature.”

While Matt’s favorite wine offered at The Willcox is Leclerc Briant NV Champagne from France, he takes all kinds of elements into consideration before offering his suggestion and advice to a guest as they select what they would like to drink.

“It all depends on the day, time of year, and the guest,” Matt said. “As a sommelier, it is our duty to listen to the guest and see what they are in the mood for. It isn’t for me to tell them what they like.”

In celebration of this achievement, they will be introducing a new wine by the glass program at The Willcox consisting of wines described sa having a superior character and style, and rated 85 or above by Wine Spectator. The next time that you stop by The Willcox, be sure to congratulate them! This is a huge accomplishment and we are immensely proud of them.

There’s a palpable energy in Aiken this month as the heat of summer begins to fade away and the cool, crisp autumn air begins to blow down Laurens Street, through The Alley, and right up to our front porch. Fall is here and with it comes a bustling social calendar filled with the Aiken Steeplechase, family gatherings, and holiday parties.

Before life gets too busy for you, we invite you to take a minute to appreciate the little things this month that make living in and visiting Aiken so wonderful.

Spend a morning hiking through Hitchcock Woods. Known as one of the largest urban forests in the country, it’s less than half a mile away from our hotel. You can take to the trails by foot or by hoof—there’s nothing we love more than an early morning horseback ride through this forest. Time your visit just right and you’ll even enjoy some autumn colors gracing the canopy of the trees around town and in Hitchcock Woods.

Make plans to meet up with a friend one day this week to sit in one of our rocking chairs with a tall glass of sweet tea or lemonade, and take the time to catch up with one another as you enjoy the beautiful Aiken weather. Sip a glass of red wine from our award-winning wine list in the evening as the sun sets and the cooler temperatures descend around you. Before it gets too chilly, step back inside the warm embrace of our lobby to grab a seat by the fire or a table in our dining room for dinner.

For the ultimate relaxation, escape to our Salon & Spa where you’ll be graciously welcomed into a truly serene atmosphere that promotes rejuvenation. You’ll leave your cares and worries at the door as you indulge in spending a little time pampering both your mind and your body in our Spa.

Before you know it, it’ll be time to put on your Steeplechase best, to begin shopping for the perfect hostess gift for all of your holiday parties, and to gather around the table with your family. Be sure to take a moment to soak in the beauty that surrounds you this fall season in Aiken!

The slow, leisurely days of summer are about to slip by us as we welcome the fall season with open arms in Aiken. Our town begins to come alive again as the heat waves roll away and are instead replaced with cool mornings and 70 degree days. Social calendars begin to fill up in advance with everything from afternoons at Whitney Field to weekends spent perusing local arts festivals.

However you choose to experience Aiken this fall, we know that you’re going to love the variety of activities that there are for you to enjoy. Planning a trip? We can help you pick out the perfect weekend to come to town based on what you and your travel companions like to do on a weekend getaway.

We’ve rounded up just a few of our favorite things happening in town this fall:

Aiken’s Makin’
September 6-7, 2019
For 43 years, Aiken’s Makin’ has been gracing the streets of historic downtown Aiken with their two day arts and crafts festival. Local artists and vendors showcase everything from jewelry, ceramics, and pottery to wood-crafts, furniture, toys, and more for you to shop.
Click here for more information.

Oktoberfest
September 21, 2019
This year, you don’t have to travel to Germany or even to Europe to experience Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest—traditionally a 16-18 day folk festival held in Bavaria, Germany from mid September to the first weekend of October—is a perfect excuse to get together with friends and enjoy time together outside in a biergarten. Did you know? Oktoberfest have been held annually around the world since 1810!
Click here for more information.

Fall Steeplechase
October 26, 2019
Easily the highlight of the fall social calendar, the Fall Steeplechase is the event to go to in the fall in Aiken. This family friendly event includes six steeplechase races around the track, a day of tailgating, a carriage parade, and a Village of Shops that you can peruse at your leisure throughout the day. There are even stick horse races for kids of all ages! It’s a wonderful way to spend the day with your family and friends as you socialize and watch the races.
Click here for more information.

Blessing of the Hounds
November 28, 2019
Start off your Thanksgiving Day festivities with one of Aiken’s most time honored traditions: the Blessing of the Hounds. Held at 11am on Thanksgiving morning each year, The Blessing immediately precedes the the Aiken Hounds’ formal Opening Meet. The traditional ceremony is open to the public in Hitchcock Woods, and lasting just 30 minutes, it’s a great event for the entire family to enjoy.
Click here for more information.

Which event are you most looking forward to this fall? We know that we can’t choose just one—you can bet that you’ll find us at each one of these events this season. We hope to see you out there!

Deep in the woods, we find enhanced fitness, accelerated healing, increased mental focus, and improved biological responses to reducing stress and disease. Groundbreaking scientific research has found that trees and plants emit airborne compounds called phytoncides. These compounds have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, and when inhaled, they simulate white blood cells to produce cells that fight against disease. In Japan, they call this shinrin-yoku or forest bathing.

What exactly is forest bathing? Per TIME Magazine, forest bathing is “bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses.” It isn’t an outdoor activity like riding your horse through Hitchcock Woods or even attending one of the summer concert series in the gardens. It’s a quieter, more relaxed activity where you leave behind your phone and your camera, turn off all outside distractions, and simply allow for your senses to experience the outdoors.

Two of our favorite places in Aiken to go to experience nature are Hitchcock Woods and Hopelands Gardens. Hitchcock Woods, one of the largest urban forests in the entire country, is filled with over 70 miles of trails that you can enjoy by hoof, by foot, or by bike. The key with forest bathing though is that you’ll need to sit down and experience nature silence, so we suggest exploring the woods by foot so that once you find the perfect spot, you can easily sit down and settle in for a few peaceful moments. Take a deep breath and breathe in everything that nature has to offer your senses.

In Hopelands Gardens, you can walk down one of the pathways until you find a secluded corner of the garden where you can retreat from the outside world to allow for you senses to fully explore the gardens. Breathe in the fresh, floral scent of the flowers that are blooming all around you. Listen to the low buzz of the bumblebees as they flit from flower to flower and the chirping of the birds. Reach out and feel the leaves of the ivy growing all around you.

The key to forest bathing is finding a spot that’s just right for you. Where are your favorite spots to experience nature in Aiken? We’d love to see your photos! Tag us in your forest bathing adventures this summer on social media by tagging @thewillcox and #thewillcox.

Read more about forest bathing in Time Magazine’s article here.

We invite you to join us by the pool this month for an exciting new craft beer release party!

Aiken’s own Bobby Hottenson, a partner of Nicaragua Craft Beer Co, is introducing South Carolina to their flagship beer on Tuesday, June 18th. This will be a tasting event with a special food menu created by our Chef Ed and will be out by our pool. You’re welcome to sample the beer, enjoy the food, and even jump in our pool for an evening swim!

Bobby, along with partners Brendan DeBlois and Matt Greenberg, moved to South America and brought the first brewery to Nicaragua in 2013 in Nicaragua’s most famous beach town, San Juan del Sur. They started with three flagship beers—the Boom IPA, Nicarao Wheat Beer, and Popoyo Passion Fruit Ale—and have since expanded. We’re excited that they have chosen The Willcox as where they would like to introduce our state to their fantastic craft beer.

If you are a craft beer connoisseur or if you want to keep the Father’s Day celebrations going for your craft beer loving father, this is one event that you won’t want to miss. Be among the first in our state to try out this delicious new beer!