Friday, February 26, 2010

Gala to benefit the U.S. Equestrian Team for the Olympics


On Tuesday, March 9th, at 7:30 p.m., you can join in and be part of a special event happening just moments away from downtown Aiken - the 3rd Annual Olympic Gala at Bridle Creek's Equestrian Development to benefit the U.S. Eventing High Performance Programs and the United States Equestrian Team Foundation.

Tickets, for $55, are available at Meybohm's downtown office, located at 142 Laurens Street, NW. For further information, please call (803) 644-1700.

This will be a festive gathering (cocktail attire, please) in the company of many of Aiken's equestrian community and the evening includes "heavy hors d'oeuvres," open bar and dancing. There will also be a raffle and silent auction as part of the evening.

If you've not yet been out to see the Bridle Creek equestrian community, which is the winter training facility to Philip and Evie Dutton, this is the perfect opportunity for a visit and to support the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation.

For more information about Bridle Creek, visit their website at www.bridlecreekaiken.com

Monday, February 22, 2010

Walking through Aiken's history


An interesting and unique walking tour of some of Aiken's historical locations has been organized by the "Celebrate Aiken" organization, established to commemorate Aiken's 175th anniversary this year.

Being held on February 27, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., this self-guided walking tour featuring 13 locations throughout downtown Aiken each with site docents to share historical information about the properties. Tour locations include, among others, the Old Aiken Post Office, a landmark in downtown Aiken, the Holley Building on Laurens Street, The Willcox, and churches including Aiken's oldest, St. Thaddeus, built in 1842, the Wesley United Methodist Church, built in 1855, and All Saints Anglican Church, built in the 1930s. Each of the tour locations have numerous historical features and stories that the docents will be discussing with tour participants. The tour will begin at Aiken Preparatory School, located at 619 Barnwell Avenue. A tour brochure and map will be available there, as well as parking. For those not wishing to walk, city tour buses will be available to transport people between the tour sites. At the completion of the tour, participants will be serenaded by the Aiken Choral Society at Rose Hill Estate, at 4:15 p.m. Drinks and food will be available there for purchase.

This is a wonderful opportunity to get out and about in Aiken, enjoy a walk through the town and visit and learn the history of sites that some of us might pass every day. Fingers crossed it will be a clement day!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Formerly posted "Getting to Know..." Businesses of the Month

New Bridge Polo is located at
862 New Bridge Road

(803) 648-3699

New Bridge Polo & Country Club, established in 2000 by Russ McCall & Matias Magrini, is one of Aiken's favorite locations for polo. Located only a few minutes from downtown Aiken, New Bridge Polo is situated within an 861-acre development which features world-class polo fields in a private, gated community. With a number of homes and residential lots still available, you, too, can call this equestrian community home.

*****
Banks Mill Feed is located at
1270 Banks Mill Road in Aiken,
803-641-0007

Banks Mill Feed has been serving Aiken's equestrian community since 1996, manufacturing and using only the highest quality ingredients for horses that benefits the horses, their owners and trainers.
*****

The Curiosity Shop
Located at 202 Richland Avenue West
(803) 644-0004

Aiken's Curiosity Shop, opened in 1998 by owners John Heaton and Amy Neely, is a treasure trove of hard to find items from Britain and beyond. Whether you're in the market for your stash of favorite English tea, lemon curd, or any variety of delectable grocery items the shop stocks, it is impossible to leave the Curiosity Shop empty handed. Also the perfect place for gifts, the shop has a large assortment of food, gifts, jewelry and knick knacks from Great Britain, Ireland, and beyond
*****

Linda's Bistro
135 York Street SE
(803) 648-4853

Located in a lovely Victorian-style house in downtown Aiken, the dining room at Linda's Bistro is one of Aiken Today's favorite places for dinner. Linda's seasonal menus reflect the freshest ingredients and delicious menu items, from seafood and chops to scrumptious pastas and risottos. This restaurant is one of Aiken's favorites!
*****

Plum Pudding Gourmet Kitchen Shop
101 Laurens Street NW
(803) 644-4600

Plum Pudding is ground zero for anyone who likes to cook or eat! This shop is packed wall-to-wall with tempting delights from sauces to flavored oils to baking mixes. Plum Pudding is also Aiken's outpost for kitchen gadgets, fine dinnerware and cookware, cutlery and glassware, as well as a wide range of gift items including a full line of Vietri products, Votivo candles, and Juliska linens.
*****