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Woodside News & Events

Spring Steeplechase – An Aiken Classic!

Recent blog by Diana Peters on March 26, 2012

The 46th renewal of the Aiken Spring Steeplechase took place on Saturday, March 24 under blue skies and surrounded by the colorful blooms of dogwoods and azaleas.  Woodside’s guests enjoyed a quintessential Aiken experience beginning on Friday evening with dinner at the elegant and historic Willcox Inn.  Saturday’s festivities kicked off with a continental breakfast at the Woodside Discovery Center where guests had the opportunity to meet one another, and the ladies had the opportunity to admire one another’s finest headwear!  Then, it was off to the races!  Guests were treated to the festivities from the Guarantor Tent complete with lunch, open bar, live music, dancing and, oh yes, horse racing!  There were plenty of residents from Woodside enjoying the festivities, as well.  In addition to the camaraderie, they were also happy to fill guests in on the active and dynamic life they’ve been experiencing since making Woodside their home.  Before guests departed on Sunday, brunch at The Reserve Club was on the schedule along with ample time to make arrangements for a return visit to Woodside – next time, to stay! 

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

 



Meet the Kramers!

Recent blog by Diana Peters on March 19, 2012

In January 2011, Bill and Patsy Kramer visited Woodside’s booth at the Live South Expo in Philadelphia.  They quickly scheduled a visit to Woodside and fell in love with the community; so much so that, during their visit, Pat and Bill selected a home site.   They immediately began making plans to build their new home with Carolina Signature Homes and moved into their home in September.  read more…



Announcing … Woodside Festival of Homes 2012!

Recent blog by Diana Peters on March 19, 2012

The Woodside Plantation Festival of Homes will be held April 27-29, 2012.  This highly anticipated event will feature ten new homes, each featuring the latest in home design and function with interiors by Aiken’s most sought-after decorators.  read more…



Current Events – Spring 2012

Recent blog by Diana Peters on March 18, 2012

There’s always something going on here at Woodside.  Call 800-648-3052 or visit www.woodsideplantation.com today to schedule your visit during one of these fun and well-attended events:

read more…



Introducing Pine Glen!

Recent blog by Diana Peters on March 16, 2012

The pre-grand opening of Woodside’s newest neighborhood, Pine Glen, has generated a high level of interest from new prospects and current owners alike.  Several of these homes are already under contract!  Incredible savings are available now with the Grand Opening Special.  read more…



From the Developer…

Recent blog by Diana Peters on March 16, 2012

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. 

read more…



Today's Home: Woodside Plantation

Recent blog by Chris Dyer on November 29, 2011

By Chairman Z. Brackett

Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011

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

Over the years, they compiled a list of “must haves” for their retirement home. In August, they moved into it with no regrets. read more…



Aiken Historic Landmark Recognized by Conde’ Nast

Recent blog by Chris Dyer on November 2, 2011

Aiken Standard, October 31, 2011

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.

 



Woodside Resident Recognized by Bluebird Society

Recent blog by Chris Dyer on November 2, 2011

Aiken Standard, October 24, 2011

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. read more…



Fall for Fun at Woodside!

Recent blog by Chris Dyer on September 26, 2011

Fabulous events make Fall a great time to visit Aiken and Woodside Plantation.  The seasonal events range from golf to galas and everything in between. read more…



Resident Recounts Sept. 11 Response

Recent blog by Diana Peters on August 30, 2011

Aiken Standard, August 30, 2011, By Rob Novit

 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. read more…



Woodside Ranks Among Ideal Living’s Top Picks

Recent blog by Woodside Plantation on August 5, 2011

Woodside voted best place to retire in Ideal Living Magazine.

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, read more…



Woodside Recognized by Where To Retire Magazine

Recent blog by Woodside Plantation on June 10, 2011

Where to Retire reveals “The Short List: 50 Best Master-Planned Communities in the United States” in the bi-monthly magazine’s July/August issue on newsstands June 21 – and Woodside Plantation is pleased to announce this active adult, amenity rich community has once again been recognized as an award-winning community! read more…



Woodside Plantation’s 2011 Spring Fling

Recent blog by Woodside Plantation on June 1, 2011
woodside-spring-fling

Woodside Plantation’s 2011 Spring Fling was the best attended Spring Fling since 2008! The optimism portrayed by the guests who have shown interest in Woodside’s lifestyle is an encouraging signal that mirrors forecasts for the economy in general. Several Woodside properties – both homes and home sites – were purchased by guests who fell in love with the lifestyle and amenities package unique to Woodside and Aiken. read more…



Woodside’s Spring Fling

Recent blog by Woodside Plantation on May 9, 2011

Preparations are underway for Woodside Plantation’s Spring Fling – the event of the season! This event is one of Woodside’s best attended each year and is the best time to discover what life at Woodside is really all about. The Reserve Club serves as an exquisite stage every Memorial Day weekend for the Spring Fling, featuring enjoyable social events and a golf tournament. read more…



Nurture Home Receives over 7k from Woodside Development Co

Recent blog by Woodside Plantation on April 30, 2011
new homes aiken sc

The 2011 Festival of Homes raised over $7,000 for Nurture Home of Aiken, which facilitates stability for homeless women and single mothers. Woodside Development Company’s Festival of Homes with Women of Woodside volunteers hosted read more…



The Joy of Living In Woodside.

Recent blog by Woodside Plantation on April 27, 2011

From time to time, we need to “stop and smell the roses.” Not only do we live in Aiken but we are also blessed to reside in Woodside Plantation taking advantage of amenities offered. Golf courses, Woodside Reserve clubs, walking trails, neighborhood organizations such as W.O.W (Women of Woodside) and more offer unparalleled opportunities for community involvement. read more…



Real Estate: It’s Time To Buy Again

Recent blog by Woodside Plantation on March 28, 2011

Forget stocks. Don’t bet on gold. After four years of plunging home prices, the most attractive asset class in America is housing. The following article was originally published by Fortune Magazine.

From his wide-rimmed cowboy hat to his roper boots, Mike Castleman fits moviedom’s image of the lanky Texas rancher. On a recent March evening, Castleman is feeding cattle biscuits to his two pet longhorn steers, Big Buddy and Little Buddy, on his 460-acre Bar Ten Creek Ranch in Dripping Springs, a hamlet outside Austin in the Texas Hill Country. The spread is a medley of meandering streams, craggy cliffs, and centuries-old oaks. But even in this pastoral setting, his mind keeps returning to a subject he knows as well as any expert around: the housing market. read more…