Life + Culture

Aiken Ag & Art Tour 

Connecting the Aiken Community with Local Farmers and Artisans Article by Ashley Elvis | Photography by Ag + Art Tour Spring is here! And with it comes sweet, juicy strawberries, vases of fresh cut flowers, local honey and jams, blueberries fresh off the vine and colorful salads full of garden veggies all thanks to our local farmers and artisans, many who are participating in the third annual Aiken Ag & Art Tour. Join along for a chance to visit farms and markets in the area, see where our...

Life + Culture

Mother-Daughter Duo Build Community Through Service

Vikki Crosland and Brandi Cook Give Back Beyond Real Estate Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy In Aiken, South Carolina, the spirit of community runs deep, and no one embodies that more than Vikki Crossland and Brandi Cook, the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind Aiken Homes Team with Meybohm Real Estate. Together, they are not only top-tier REALTORS® helping clients find their dream homes but also dedicated advocates for the people, pets and programs that make Aiken such a...

Life + Culture

Celeste Almendarez Serves Aiken with Strength and Heart

A Dedicated Public Safety Officer, Protecting Her Community While Inspiring Women to Pursue the Force Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Celeste Almendarez is a proud public safety officer with Aiken Public Safety. She serves as both a police officer and firefighter, roles that demand strength, skill and heart. For the past three years, she’s been breaking barriers and making a difference in a field traditionally dominated by men. She does it with quiet confidence, humility...

Professional Services

Timeless Confidence

How Dr. Sheila Milot Blends Science, Innovation and Empathy to Bring Out the Best in Every Patient Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Dr. Sheila Milot is no stranger to the medical field. She has over 25 years of experience in internal medicine, but in 2003, when Botox was first introduced, she began incorporating aesthetic medicine into her practice, offering both specialties.  In the rapidly evolving field of aesthetic medicine, Dr. Milot believes one can never stop...

Life + Culture

Overcoming Every Obstacle Through Faith

Ebony Dillard’s Journey Proves that Resilience, Faith and Perseverance Can Turn Trials into Triumphs Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Ebony Dillard’s journey is one of faith, resilience and defying the odds. From the beginning, life seemed unfair. Born in Las Vegas, her struggles started at just five months old when she contracted bacterial meningitis from a bad batch of the pertussis vaccine. Doctors warned her mother that the fever had severely damaged her brain...

Home Services

Rooted in Friendship

Lifelong Friends Turn Passion for Landscaping into a Growing Business Article by Jessica Lawrence | Photography by Rebecca Judy Two childhood friends from the heart of horse country are making a name for themselves in the landscaping realm. John McFall and Jordan Anderson grew up admiring the beauty of idyllic Aiken with its designer homes and lush gardens. Together they are continuing to enhance the aesthetic of the community by launching their own full-service landscaping business, FullTilt...

Life + Culture

Christopher Emanuel: Investing in Aiken’s Youth

Through Mentorship, Education and Faith, The Teen After School Center Helps Students Shape their Future Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Christopher Emanuel is on a mission to shape the future of Aiken’s youth through his leadership at the Second Baptist Church Teen After School Center. This center provides a safe environment where individuality is celebrated and young people take control of their destinies despite the challenges they face. Serving students from third to...

Home Services

Two Local Guys, One Clean Community

Lifelong Aiken Residents Tyler Stuart and Brent Batton bring Quality, Reliability and Hometown Pride to their Pressure Washing Business Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Freedom House Wash has quickly become a trusted name in pressure washing for Aiken. Founded on July 4, 2023 by lifelong Aiken residents Tyler Stuart and Brent Batton, the business has a strong work ethic, dedication to quality and a passion for serving the community. Though the company is still young...

Finance + Legal Services

Trading Reins for Returns

Nick Bertelli Transitioned from Professional Equestrian to Financial Advisor to Help Clients Invest in their Futures Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Nick Bertelli’s journey to becoming a financial advisor at Raymond James is anything but conventional. He moved to Aiken in 2012, driven by his passion for horses, a love that has been a part of his life since he received his first pony at the age of six. From that moment, he knew horses would always play a significant role...

Home + Design

Raising the Bar in Home Improvement Services

A Woman-Owned Painting Business Dedicated to Quality, Transparency and Stress-Free Home Transformations Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy Sheri Osburn is a powerhouse in the trade industry, owning and operating CertaPro Painters in Aiken, Augusta and Columbia. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she brings a unique perspective and an undeniable edge. She understands exactly how homeowners feel when embarking on a home improvement project because she has been on the other...