Life + Culture

The Glow of Santa’s Southern Lights

Sara’s Farm Adventure is Lighting Up the Holiday Season Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Provided To help tell the story of this year’s Santa’s Southern Lights, we sat down with Karisa Ruth,  director of retail sales at Sara’s Farm Adventure . With a front-row view of both the farm’s growth and its festive traditions, Karisa shared how the event has become a magical holiday experience for families across the community. Can you tell us a little about Sara’s Farm...

Life + Culture

Shop Local, Win Big

How Aiken’s Red Ticket Campaign Boosts Local Business Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Rebecca Judy The Aiken Chamber of Commerce is spreading cheer with its annual Red Ticket Campaign, now in its fifth year. From November 1 to December 15, shoppers earn one red ticket for every $25 spent at participating local businesses. Each ticket becomes a chance to win cash prizes totaling $4,500. Drawings will be held live on the Chamber’s Facebook page on November 24 and December...

Arts + Culture

A Timeless Tradition

The Magic of The Nutcracker in Aiken Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by AP Gouge Photography Every December as the air in Aiken turns crisp and downtown streets twinkle with Christmas lights, families gather in eager anticipation for one of the city’s most cherished holiday traditions, the Aiken Civic Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker . For fifteen years, this enchanting performance has captured hearts, kindled nostalgia and brought the magic of the season to life on stage. ...

Life + Culture

Evergreen Christmas Magic

A Family’s Faith and Hard Work turn Still Creek Tree Farm into Aiken’s Holiday Haven Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy When our team at Aiken City Lifestyle reached out to Charles Shoup, owner of Still Creek Tree Farm, about hosting a Christmas photoshoot on his property, his response reflected the very heart of southern hospitality, kindness, graciousness and warmth. It was clear upon arrival that Still Creek was more than just a tree farm; it was a living, breathing...

Food + Beverage

Finance to Fire

Trading Spreadsheets for Smoke, Turning Passion into Delicious Barbecue Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Scott Webster at Webster Photography For most people, barbecue is a summertime pastime, a chance to gather around the grill with family and friends. For Kurt Mueller, it’s a lifelong passion that started when he was just a kid. Growing up, weekend cookouts were a family affair. His dad was the pitmaster, and Mueller, barely eight or nine years old, was his apprentice. Together they...

Travel

Chasing Christmas

Two Holiday Road Trips Worth the Drive Article by Gayle Bryan | Photography by Lilly Livarchuk, Brookgreen Gardens, Anne Malarich, Chuck Lawson, Hotel Bennett, Clayton Stairs/Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce/South Carolina's Hammock Coast If you’re ready to hit the road for a little seasonal cheer, two South Carolina destinations promise unforgettable holiday experiences—each just a few hours from Aiken and filled with the sights, sounds and flavors that make this time of year so special...

Travel

Diving Into The Palm Beaches: A Goliath Adventure

Where Luxury Resorts Meet Once-in-a-Lifetime Dives Article by Gayle Bryan | Photography by Gayle Bryan, Tyler Benson, Alex Gaetner I first became intrigued by scuba diving in my late twenties before my husband and I had children. We had booked a trip to Grand Cayman after reading The Firm , and I signed up for lessons at a local dive shop in Texas. I made it through the coursework and pool sessions, but the day before my open-water test in a murky Texas lake, I found out I was pregnant with...

Arts + Culture

Celebrating Success in Aiken

Aiken Medical Aesthetics and Board and Brush Team Up for Milestones and Memories Article by Nikita Haniff | Photography by Rebecca Judy Kristin Cadavos recently received not one, but two, reasons to celebrate. Her business, Aiken Medical Aesthetics, was named Best of South Carolina for 2025 and became the first medical spa in the state to introduce the brand-new Halo Tribrid laser from Sciton. This groundbreaking device is designed to rejuvenate skin by targeting tone, texture and clarity all...

Finance + Legal Services

From Service to Stewardship

How the Wiland-Foley Advisory Group Helps Families Navigate Their Financial Futures Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Rebecca Judy For Jim Foley with Wiland-Foley Wealth Advisory Group of Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, financial planning isn’t just a career — it’s a calling. “I graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in accounting, and the Navy put me through school on a scholarship,” Jim recalls. “When I separated from the Navy in 1990, I wanted to use my education in a way...

Arts + Culture

The Future of The Arts

A New Nonprofit Empowers Young Creatives through Mentorship, Scholarships and Community Support Article by Nikita Haniff | Photography by Rebecca Judy When I met with Richard Hill, Board Member and Treasurer of The Carhill Scholarship for the Visual and Performing Arts, it was immediately clear how deeply the arts shape his life. Sitting across from him at The Willcox, his passion came through not only in his words but also in the rhythm and energy with which he spoke. An artist and musician...