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!  

 On Sept. 11, 2001, Rick Doran and other off-duty New York firefighters had literally commandeered a public transit bus and headed frantically toward the World Trade Center towers in Lower Manhattan following the terrorist attacks.

As Doran, now an Aiken resident, described it to Aiken Rotary Club members Monday, they were on the way when the second jet slammed into the south tower.

The 13 firefighters on the bus reached the Midtown tunnel, which has tollgates. To their amazement, a tollbooth operator wouldn’t let them through the gate.

Doran made it clear: They had already “kidnapped” the bus driver and, if the tollbooth attendant continued to block their way, they would run him over and keep going. The attendant let them through.

“He kept us there five minutes and saved our lives,” Doran said. “We would have been in the first tower going down, but did get caught in the dust of the second tower going down.”

Before becoming a firefighter, Doran worked as a public school teacher and was an assistant director of environmental health and safety in higher education. At the time of Sept. 11, Doran was serving with Rescue Company 4, providing combined rescue and firefighting services.

Following the tragedy, Doran had the honor of putting out the first U.S. flag on the site. He is pictured on a Time magazine cover.

His own company lost nine men, while the entire battalion lost 92. With cellular service out of commission, it took Doran’s wife two terrifying days before she learned that her husband was still alive.

For the next five and one-half months, Doran spent a week at a time in the vicinity of Ground Zero. He showed the Rotarians photos of the massive cloud of toxic dust right after the attack – the cloud lingering on for much longer.

Doran retired in 2004 because of health issues and balky knees he injured in the line of duty.

“A lot of people are worse off than me,” he said. “It’s still amazing that some would claim that people weren’t affected by the cloud and dust.”

Only last year did Congress agree to fund health care for workers who took part in the cleanup and rescue efforts.

“You don’t have to be a scientist to know that civilians, firefights and policemen are all having problems,” Doran said. “I take medications now that the government is paying for, thankfully.”

Following his retirement, Doran looked at 26 areas in the South before buying property in North Carolina. Then he heard about Aiken and Woodside Plantation “and fell in love with the community” before relocating in 2009.

He won’t return to New York on Sept. 11, but expects to visit soon afterward to meet with the relatives of those from his company and battalion who lost their lives 10 years ago – many of them he had known well.

“I’m still in pretty close contact with many of those families,” Doran said. “That day will be special for me.”

Woodside Plantation was recently named one of the “Top Places to Retire” by Ideal Living magazine in its July/August issue. Ideal Living compiled this year’s list of the best retirement communities from the results of reader surveys. The article highlights some of this carefully planned community’s best qualities: elegant homes, four championship golf courses, lush landscaping, the city of Aiken and the rich, active and engaged lifestyle unique to Woodside.

Woodside is the perfect retirement destination, so don’t miss out! Take advantage of our discovery package and see for yourself why Woodside is so special. Call today to schedule your personal tour – 800.648.3052.

The July/August issue marks the seventh biennial honor roll of America’s best master-planned communities compiled by Where to Retire, and the seventh time Woodside Plantation has been included as a Best Master-Planned Community!