Don’t miss another exciting event at Woodside.  Call 800-648-3052 today to make arrangements for your visit to Woodside!

Juilliard in Aiken – March 10-16                 

Spring Steeplechase – March 23-25

Woodside Golf & Polo – April 21-22 and May 19-20          

Festival of Homes – April 27-29 or private showing May 5-6!

Derby Days - May 5-6

Spring Fling – May 25-27

Since my first visit to Aiken more than 20 years ago, I have always said that the people in Aiken are special.  I heard a story recently that reminded me, once again, just how special.

One of our sales executives was touring a new model home under construction for our upcoming Festival of Homes with a visiting owner and his mother, Doris.  Upon returning to his car and helping everyone in, he saw that Doris had tears running down her cheeks.  Upon asking whether Doris was all right, she explained that she was so touched and happy that she was moved to tears. 

Doris explained that the kind young man, who had offered to help her out of the home where steps had not yet been installed, carried her all the way to the car at the curb rather than setting her down in the midst of a construction site.  The kind young man was Mike, one of our tile installers.  When Doris thanked Mike for helping her, he leaned in and whispered to her that it was his honor to do so.  You see, he had just lost his mother three days before.  Seeing Doris made him think of his mother, so he stopped what he was doing to help her.     

You see gestures like that more often in Aiken than any place I know.  It’s the genuine smile of the greeter at a local restaurant, it’s the compliments I receive at Pub Club on a Friday evening or the wave from one of our golf course maintenance staff.  At Woodside, we pride ourselves on the conditions and beauty of our golf courses, the quality and value of our homes, the beauty of our parks and landscaping and the many unique and engaging social events in Aiken.  But, it is truly the people that make us special. 

Thanks for being part of our community!

Rick Steele, Developer

By Chairman Z. Brackett

Career opportunities gave Sheldon Glorit and Stevi Cordie the chance to live in many states and in different types of homes.

By Haley Hughes, Staff Writer

Aiken’s own The Willcox has been named among the Top 50 Best Small Hotels in the United States in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards.

The Willcox is one of only 10 South Carolina properties on the list and the only hotel not located along the coast.

More than 8 million votes were cast in the Readers’ Choice Awards survey, according to the magazine, and the awards reflect the combined opinions of 28,876 Condé Nast Traveler readers rating the cities, islands and hotels they visited in the past year, and the airlines and cruise ships they traveled with. The voters evaluated more than 11,000 cities, islands, hotels, resorts, airlines and cruise ships in the survey.

Owners Geoff and Shannon Ellis had no idea that The Willcox made the list until a customer called to offer congratulations.

“We had no idea what they were talking about,” Geoff said. “I think it’s brilliant. This recognition is huge for us. It’s very gratifying.”

The Ellises first opened The Restaurant at The Willcox in November 2009 then bought the 113-year-old hotel on New Year’s Eve 2009 after learning the historic downtown property would likely close its doors.

“This success story belongs to our great staff and to so many wonderful people here in Aiken. Our staff has worked so hard to serve our guests, and the people of Aiken have rallied around their beloved hotel. People tell us every day how much they love The Willcox and how happy they are that it is alive and thriving again. The Willcox belongs to Aiken; we’re just another in the line of its caretakers over its more than a century of service,” Geoff said.

Willcox’s, as it was originally named, was a mainstay of Aiken’s Winter Colony. It was operated from 1898 to 1957 by members of the Willcox family.

“In turn, we hope that Aiken is proud of the number of votes that came in from around the world, in essence choosing Aiken as a top destination. The city has won numerous recent awards for its quality of life and as a destination in itself. This recognition is certainly an award for Aiken, as well as for our team. The Willcox is a big part of Aiken’s history, and we will keep working to make sure it’s a big part of Aiken’s future,” Geoff said.

The Willcox is listed 47 out of the 50 small U.S. hotels on the list.

By Amy Banton, Staff Writer

A local man could say he was graced by the bluebird of happiness after receiving an award for his contribution in preserving the feathered kind.

Jim Burke was awarded the North American Bluebird Society’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Bluebird Conservation in September during a convention in Jackson, Tenn. Burke is the president of the South Carolina Bluebird Society, which was started right here in Aiken a year ago.
“I was absolutely shocked, totally surprised and completely humbled by this award,” Burke said. “For me, it’s just been so rewarding to work with people from all over Aiken County who are excited about doing this.”

Burke became interested in bluebirds after attending a meeting held by Birds & Butterflies store owner Ron Brenneman shortly after moving to Aiken in 2007. He and his wife Sharon were intrigued, learning how to set up a house for bluebirds in their yard and quickly attracting a few.

Burke learned more of their behaviors and said this species has a fascinating family structure from how the male and female work together to build a nest to how the parents teach their young how to essentially be a bluebird.

“They are just a lot of fun, and we need more family groups in the world to function like they do,” Burke said. “We’d have less problems.”

The idea for the group, which was originally the Central Savannah River Blue Bird Society and recently gained nonprofit status, was prompted after Burke and current co-chairs of the trail monitors committee, Roger Brock and Brenneman, discussed the possibility of starting a local bluebird society. The first meeting held was on Oct. 19, 2010, and around 25 people showed up.

Since then, the group has grown to 58 members and has also garnered interest from individuals around the state.

“Jim is very deserving of the award,” Brenneman said. “He’s been very instrumental in getting the organization together.”

A total of 22 nest box trails and 22 “backyard” trails for 262 nest boxes have been installed in the Aiken area since the group’s inception, according to Burke. Those trails fledged 832 birds including 679 Eastern bluebirds, 96 Carolina chickadees, 20 Carolina wrens, 19 tufted titmice and 18 brown-headed nuthatches. The group has also offered educational presentations at various local happenings.

“It (this award) really belongs to our whole group,” Burke said. “Everybody did their part to get the group up and going fast and to do good things.”

Brock submitted Burke’s name for the award. He said Burke was quite deserving of the honor, and Brock’s recommendation letter to the North American Bluebird Society reflects his sentiment.

“For his vision for a NABS affiliate in Aiken, SC, his passion and interest in the welfare of bluebirds, his tireless efforts in making CSRBS a tremendous success including inspirational talks and his personal involvement in almost every activity and event,” Brock wrote. “Conservation is about protecting plants, animals, and their habitats. Jim is making a difference in our part of South Carolina and nearby Georgia. One that bluebirds and other second cavity nesters appreciate.”Anne Sturm, awards chair of the North American Bluebird Society, said she was quite impressed with the work Burke has done with the group as he seemed to do it all – from the organizational and educational standpoint to working in the field, as well.

“He is just dynamite,” Sturm said. “Mr. Burke – what makes him unusual is that he covers all the bases.”

The South Carolina Bluebird Society is planning to host the North American Bluebird Society’s 36th Annual Convention in October 2013 in Aiken. This event could attract between 150 to 200 people from across the United States and Canada to the area.

For more information about the South Carolina Bluebird Society, call Burke at 644-0235 or email him at jimburke271@gmail.com.

The Reserve Club is hosting its annual Men’s Member-Guest Tournament this weekend.  This tournament is always well attended and features play on the award-winning Nicklaus Design course.

The Village Family Fall Fest next weekend is a day of family friendly fun that benefits Aiken SPCA.  Last year’s event went into the record books as the highest number of adoptions during a one day event for Aiken SPCA.  This year’s event includes a pet costume contest, costume parade for everyone in costume – big or little, fall treats, pumpkin patch and much more.

The annual Founders Day Celebration from October 7-9 includes parties, a golf tournament or tour of historic Aiken and brunch on Sunday.

October 29 is the 20^th running of the Aiken Fall Steeplechase.  Events including a Pub Club on Friday, races on Saturday and brunch on Sunday make for a weekend of excitement and camaraderie.

The excitement doesn’t end with these events – be sure to ask about special incentives available during these events.  Secure your new home in Woodside today and be a part of all the fun from now on.   Why wait?  Begin living the life you’ve been dreaming of today!  Call 800-648-3052 today to make sure you don’t miss out!