Life + Culture

Pawsitively Picture-Perfect Pups

Celebrating Aiken’s Four-Legged Locals and Their Playful Personalities in Downtown Aiken Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Aiken is known for its Southern charm, vibrant downtown and, perhaps most of all, its love for dogs. With so many dog-friendly shops, restaurants and hangout spots, it only made sense for Aiken City Lifestyle Magazine to celebrate our town’s best four-legged friends with a special photoshoot on Newberry Street. We invited Aiken locals to come downtown...

Life + Culture

Hope Has a Home

Leesville Sanctuary Provides Compassionate Care, Healing and Hope for Rescued Pigs Facing Difficult Circumstances Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Cotton Branch Sanctuary, a haven for pigs since 2004, is nestled on a tranquil 20-acre property in Leesville, South Carolina. Operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Cotton Branch offers refuge to pigs rescued from challenging and often heartbreaking situations. My recent visit to the sanctuary left a lasting...

Life + Culture

Spreading Kindness One Shirt at a Time

Meet 14-Year-Old Entrepreneur Maycie Moore Article by Jessica Lawrence | Photography by Megan Hutchins Photography At just 14 years old, Maycie Moore is already a successful entrepreneur with a heart for spreading positivity. Her business, MM Creations, sells custom shirts and crew necks featuring uplifting Bible verses and kindness quotes. Maycie’s journey began in the fifth grade when she participated in Augusta’s Arts in the Heart festival, where kids could be vendors for free. “I fell in...

Health + Wellness

Good Dental Habits Start Early

Tips for Healthy Smiles and Stress-Free Visits for Every Child Article by Ashley Elvis | Photography by Rebecca Judy Dr. Thom at Kitfox Pediatric Dentistry gave Aiken City Lifestyle some great tips and tricks for kids’ dental health.   When should a child’s first dental appointment be? By the time your child is one year old or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting. Early involvement with a pediatric dentist is important!    What should parents be doing at home with babies and...

Local Services

Home to Home

Giving Pets a Softer Landing in Tough Times Article by Nikita Hanif When life changes suddenly, rehoming a beloved pet can feel like an impossible decision. That’s why Ellen Priest, a dedicated board member of Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS), runs the Home to Home program from her own home, offering a compassionate alternative to surrendering pets to the Aiken County Animal Shelter. “The shelter isn’t a good environment for family pets,” Priest shared. “It’s loud, stressful and...

Life + Culture

Aiken’s Rising Stars

Celebrating Aiken’s Young Talent in Music and Visual Arts Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Aiken is brimming with creative energy thanks in part to young artists like Sandi King, Jonathan Blankenship and Savannah Bundy. These talented artists have found a place to nurture their passions at the Aiken Center for the Arts, an inspiring space that encourages young creatives to explore and grow. Seventeen-year-old Sandi King is no stranger to music. Born and raised in Aiken...

Life + Culture

Barbecue, Fireworks and Friends

A Dukes-Catered Fourth of July Made the Holiday Unforgettable in Classic Southern Style Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy There’s something about the Fourth of July that brings out the best in summer: warm evenings, glowing sparklers, laughter echoing off the water and the unmistakable smell of barbecue in the air. This year Rick and Lisa Pelfrey hosted a celebration that captured the very heart of Independence Day, welcoming friends to their home in Aiken for a relaxed...

Local Services

Rooted. Resilient. Revolutionary.

Transforming Pasture Management in Aiken, SC with Horse First Strategies, Scientific Precision and Deeply Personal Experience Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Gayle Bryan In Aiken, South Carolina, where horse culture runs deep, a new business is raising the bar for pasture management. Juniper Equiland isn’t just another service provider; it’s a mission-driven, forage-focused enterprise born from personal experience, scientific partnerships and a deep understanding of horse-first land...

Life + Culture

Saddles, Streams and Southern Trails

Explore the Beauty of the Carolinas on Horseback with The Trail Riding Company Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy LaDonna Heise, owner of The Trail Riding Company in Aiken, SC, has always had a deep-rooted passion for horses. From her earliest memories, she was drawn to the quiet strength of nature and the loyal companionship of horses. She grew up helping her grandfather plow fields with his mules, learning early on the value of hard work and the unbreakable bond between...

Entertainment

Short Drives, Long Days, Unforgettable Summer Fun

Just Easy, Breezy Escapes Packed with Adventure, Flavor and Southern Charm - No Passport Required Article by Gayle Bryan | Photography by Terri Bauerlin, Micah Decker, Edmalin Photography, E.R. Smith & Shell Suber July in Aiken brings the kind of summer heat that begs for an adventure—and fortunately, you don’t have to go far to find one. Within a short drive from Aiken, you’ll discover a world of fun that’s perfect for cooling off, making memories and exploring new corners of the Palmetto...