Life + Culture

Where Wanderlust Meets Southern Comfort

An Enchanting Glamping Escape Inspired by Gypsy Vanner Horses, History and the Art of Slowing Down on a Peaceful Farm Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Down South Gypsy Glamping is the kind of place that feels discovered rather than booked, a hidden retreat where history, horses and Southern hospitality come together to create something truly unforgettable. Tucked away on a peaceful working horse farm, the glamping wagon offers guests an experience that feels both...

Life + Culture

When Love Runs the Business

How Local Couples Balance Love, Work and Entrepreneurship Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Working side by side, love and business can be a delicate dance, but for some couples, it’s the perfect rhythm. In Aiken and beyond, several local couples are proving that sharing both life and livelihood can be equal parts rewarding, challenging and joyful. Elier and Jessica Alberto are the owners of Rhumba, a vibrant Latin restaurant in downtown Aiken. Their story began in Miami...

Life + Culture

Hearts for Hope

Turning Love into Action for Aiken’s Children Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence Love is expressed in countless forms, but it shows up most powerfully when a community comes together to shield its children. This Valentine’s season the Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County (CAC) invites neighbors and friends to celebrate at “Hearts for Hope: Love in Action for Aiken’s Children” an intimate dinner party steeped in compassion and a responsibility to protect Aiken’s most vulnerable population...

Life + Culture

Community Through Picklebell

A Welcoming Sport Connecting Couples, Family and Friend with Fun Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Pickleball has quickly earned a reputation as one of the most welcoming sports around, and in Aiken, it’s doing far more than filling courts. It’s bringing people together across generations, skill levels and life stages, proving that competition and connection can go hand in hand. For couples, families and friends, pickleball has become a shared language built on laughter...

Life + Culture

Love Letters to Aiken

Locals Express their Appreciation for our City Article by Nikita Hanif Dear Aiken,   How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love that in any given week I can sit down with someone whose family roots run generations deep in Aiken—and someone who’s traveled halfway across the country (or the world) and instantly knew Aiken was home. I love our deep commitment to the arts and the caliber of experiences we enjoy right here at home. From the galleries and classes at the Aiken Center for...

Life + Culture

The Power of Stretch

How Stretch Zone Aiken is Helping Residents Move Better and Live Comfortably Every Day Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy & Gayle Bryan When the ribbon was first cut at Stretch Zone Aiken, David Jameson, then President of the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, didn’t expect a life-changing experience. Curious, he volunteered for a free demonstration and, within minutes, something remarkable happened. “I’d been stiff for a long time,” Jameson recalls. “After just a few stretches, I...

Health + Wellness

Advanced Orthopedic Care, Here in Aiken

Local Surgeons Brining Innovation, Compassion and Expertise to Aiken Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy At Aiken Physicians Alliance, orthopedic excellence meets compassionate care through the dedication of three highly-skilled surgeons, Dr. Jesus Castillo, Dr. Gregory Kalv and Dr. Richard Marks. Together they are redefining what it means to receive world-class orthopedic treatment right here in Aiken. Their mission, simple yet profound, is to provide advanced...

Life + Culture

Rooted in Faith and Friendship

Danny and Dean Blend Joy and Purpose to Real Estate Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Scott Webster In a town where real estate signs line most corners, it takes a special kind of realtor to stand out. In Aiken, two of those realtors just so happen to be best friends who laugh loudly, pray often and genuinely love helping people. Danny Minolfo and Dean Cavero may work independently, but anyone who meets them quickly realizes they are a matched set in all the best ways. Their approach...

Finance + Legal Services

Home Loans with Heart

Matthew Hunter at Assurance Financial Brings Boutique Service and Big Company Strength to Aiken Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Matthew Hunter’s path to becoming Aiken’s most trusted mortgage professional was anything but predictable. His journey began far from the world of home loans, rooted instead in chemical equations and engineering plans. A 1991 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Hunter earned degrees in chemical engineering and biochemistry before moving...

Health + Wellness

Innovative Paths to Wellness and Healing

Dr. Rupal Patel offers Compassionate, Cutting-edge Mental Health Care to Aiken Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Dr. Rupal Patel has always carried Aiken in her heart. Raised in this community, she knew that one day she wanted to return home, raise her family and give back to the town that helped shape her. Today, as the owner and founder of Integrative Flow Psychiatry, she’s doing exactly that by offering Aiken residents a new path to healing through compassionate...