Yes - FREE!! Free concerts all summer long. What a great little town I live in. Aiken, South Carolina.
We are so blessed to have this beautiful public garden in town. Originally part of The Iselin family estate, Hopelands Gardens was given to the City of Aiken, and opened as a public garden in 1959.
Enter the gardens and you get the feeling that you are in a different world - possibly even stepping back into time. Giant old trees tower over the main entrance path provide shade on a summers day. Listen to the birds. Smell the flowers. Hear the fountains from afar. Stroll along the path and you will see fields of grass, flowers galore, beautiful magnolias with flowers the size of dinner plates - really - they are some big old trees!. As you wander through the gardens you will come upon ponds (complete with some ducks and turtles!), fountains, amphitheaters and brides. Yes, brides! And entire wedding parties, lol. Many local brides have their wedding photos done in the gardens :) Actually - so many events are marked with a picture at Hopelands Gardens it seems. Proms - Graduations - Weddings - Family visiting from out of town...! (One of my nieces had her wedding at Hopelands Gardens, it was absolutely beautiful)
There is even a touch-and-feel walkway with braille signs.
Museums on the property
the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, the Dollhouse, and the Carriage Museum.
Hopelands Gardens offers year round beauty, but in the summer you can combine the beauty of the gardens with the sound of music! A picnic supper, a blanket, family and friends make for a perfect Monday evening during the summer months. Most of the concerts begin at 7:00 P.M. And admission is ALWAYS free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, and enjoy!
Here is the 2008 Summer Concert Series Lineup 
|
May 5 |
Aiken Community Band |
|
May 12 |
South Boundary |
|
May 19 |
Savannah River Winds |
|
May 26 |
Aiken Civic Ballet |
|
June 2 |
Carolina Rebels |
|
June 9 |
Fort Gordon Concert Band |
|
June 16 |
Maureen Simpson and Friends with Aiken Choral Society |
|
June 23 |
Preston and Weston featuring Sandra Simmons |
|
June 30 |
DePriest Trio |
|
July 7 |
US Marine Corp Band-Parris Island Marine |
|
July 14 |
Chris Mangelly |
|
July 21 |
Alysa Smith |
|
July 28 |
Aiken Brass |
|
August 4 |
Fort Gordon Dixieland Band |
|
August 11 |
Fabio Mann and Friends |
|
August 18 |
Southern Nights |
|
August 25 |
Aiken Community Band |
Come and enjoy the concerts and the gardens. You'll be glad you did.
Hopelands Gardens is located at Whiskey Road and Dupree Place, Aiken SC. Open from 10am till dusk. We'll talk about the Christmas display later in the year! :)
I don't know how everyone else does it, but I don't title my blog until I have finished writing. I usually have a main topic that I plan to write about - and the title usually ends up being pretty much about the subject matter, but sometimes I like to throw a reader off a little, haha. So that is why I wait till last to fill in the title. My subject is about the answer to a question that I get asked alot. How did a Jersey girl end up in Aiken,SC? It usually one of the first things people ask when they meet me, lol. It is pretty much the same story that everyone has. This is the readers digest condensed version: I came here on vacation - loved Aiken - and moved here......
This is the full blown version,. My sister-in-law and her family moved to the area in 1986. They kept saying how nice it was, yet nobody ever went to visit. Some of their friends went to visit, but nobody from the family. Well, we finally came down to visit in 1996 - a whole 10 years since they had moved down. It was during all the excitement of the Olympics in Atlanta, GA - which I learned was only 3 hours away! (and less than 3 hours to the beach - and less than 3 hours to the mountains - and about 7 hours to Disney!!!) We stayed for two weeks. It was a little boring out in country where she lived, but when we came to Aiken - wow. it was nice. We loved it! What a nice city, everyone is so friendly, the cost of living was so much lower down there than what we were used to, the weather was great! We saw an ad in the newspaper for apartments for rent - I don't remember exactly, but I think they were like $325/month. At the time, we were paying $675/month for a small two bedroom. We thought - OMG, what could they possibly be renting for that price! This is going to be funny - a joke...and what a story we will have for when we get back home, lol. So we made appointments to go see the apartments. Well, the joke was on us! The apartments, although older than ours, were very nice. Not only was it a great location - it was larger than our present apartment, had a swimming pool on the property, a huge laundry room on the property (we had one washer/dryer in the basement for four apartments to share...ugh), tennis courts, and playground across the street. We were shocked! It was great :) During our 12 hour drive home, after a great vacation, we discussed maybe moving to Aiken. Our 4th grader was not happy about that at all. By the time we got home - the decision was made. We were moving. We looked at the calendar - picked a date - called the apartments to see if they had one for us.......and we moved to Aiken six weeks later. .....
.........and been loving it ever since :)
...
Memorial Gate in Hitchcock Woods..Yes, right here in the center of lil' ole Aiken, SC, pop. @25,000, is Hitchcock Woods. Over 2000 acres - one of the largest urban forests in America. Over 75 miles of walking/riding trails. ONLY HOOF AND FOOT TRAFFIC ALLOWED!! (oh, horse drawn carriages are also permitted) It is so beautiful, that I just don't have the words to describe. Peaceful, serene, beautiful. So many different trees, birds, flowers, animals, plants - even a river of sand running through it.! People have been riding their horses and foxhunting on this land for over 100 years , (It didn't become Hitchcock Woods till 1939), and the hunt continues today. Of course they don't use live foxes...the hounds follow a scent trail......the horses follow the hounds..... up hills, through meadows, over fences...... very exciting! You can walk your dog in The Woods, go for a stroll, jog, take a picnic........ Walking (or riding) along Kalmia Trail in late spring is so pretty with all the Kalmia blooming, and there is another trail where you can see Spanish Moss (like the Old South)..and beautiful wildflowers - - every trail is different, but just as beautiful.
...sand river in hitchcock woods
All of this natural beauty and history right here in the middle of our great city!
The Hitchcock Woods are not funded by The City - but depends on private support.
If you want to learn more about The Hitchcock Woods... you could visit: www.hitchcockwoods.org
Check it out on Google Earth! It is pretty cool. Look at Central Park.... then look at The Hitchcock Woods.
As far as real estate goes....The Hitchcock Woods is like our ocean.....and the property surrounding it is prime beach front property!! LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!! And ohhh - the homes that Aiken's Winter Colony built are absolutely AMAZING! but that will be a different blog!
Here is a little peek into our great city. I came here on vacation about 12 years ago...and was so 'taken with Aiken' that I moved here 6 weeks later! I hope you get the opportunity to visit soon. You may be 'taken with Aiken', too :) A quiet little horse town - very near Augusta, GA. (you know - where they play The Masters Golf Tourny every April)
 |
|
|
Aiken, SC ~ One of the most beautiful cities that I have had the honor to live in. I'm serious. I fell in love with Aiken the first time I visited. I'll tell you all about it in a blog, sometime.
Hi. My name is Kara, and I am a Realtor in Aiken, South Carolina.
I like to bake cupcakes! I am a football girl, I like the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Rams :)
I grew up in New Jersey, and lived there most of my life. (pleeeeease--- don't say Joyzey!) Small town. North Western part of the state. I love being a Jersey Girl. Jersey will be in my heart forever. I've been in Aiken since 1996 and wish I had moved here sooner. Seriously! It is one of the prettiest little towns. I'll have to write a post on 'why I love Aiken'.
I took this picture for a photo contest a few years ago. I won 2nd prize :) How cool is that! I also took a picture at New Bridge Polo that ended up on the cover of Farm & Ranch/Country Estates Magazine! Isn't that awesome :)
I've been involved in real estate in some way, shape or form for the past 10 years - but have been a SC Licensed Real Estate Agent and a Realtor for about the past 3 years. I am surrounded by top producers in our office :) I am learning a lot, that's for sure.
A little bit more about me...well, I have a grown child, and I am recently divorced and back doing the dating thing. I have a feeling you will see a blog or two about this, lol. (for those of you who may not be familiar---- lol = laugh out loud) I tell you this, because I use that term ALOT!!
downtown fountain :) (photo credit: City of Aiken)
I love my family, friends and I love the beach. I have a very large extended family....tons and tons of cousins. If you think you have a large family, I think mine can beat yours! And not going back 100's of years!! I mean starting with MY Grandparents :)
Aiken is about 2 1/2 hours from Hilton Head Island :) my favorite beach!
Well, as you can see, I'm a talker. Guess I'll save all that stuff for my blog. Oh - there will be plenty of real estate tips, news, updates, things to do, etc...... Watch for it!
I like to read blogs...and I am enjoying writing this blog - and the ActiveRain community. :) A bunch of blogging Realtors, how fun is that!! And to be part of this great community of real estate related professionals is just wonderful. Advice - opinions - suggestions - perspectives - comic relief - insight - sounding boards ...... from so many different professionals in so many different locations. I'm happy to be here.
Photo Credit Disclaimer: I use my own photographic images whenever possible. Other photo sources who deserve credit are: Photobucket, Microsoft Clipart, City of Aiken, Aiken County.
Even though I work as a licensed administrative assistant, I AM A REALTOR! I have been a member of the Aiken Board of Realtors - Education Committee since 2006, and have been asked to serve on the Grievance Committee in '09. '10, and '11. I also served at the State level for grievance hearings in 2011 and it is an honor to be asked to serve again in 2012. I feel very honored to have been selected for this position, and I am hoping for another VERY SLOOOOW year, haha -- let's all play by the rules - ok guys!?
Hard to separate business from personal sometimes, I am who I am - I am no different with my clients as I am with my friends. Always honest - always looking out for them - dependable - ethical - loyal...... Ok, so I know you need to get to know me, and you will, but I'm not here to brag on myself by no means. (even though that is what 'they say' to do.)
Hey, I know that I still have alot to learn when it comes to real estate. The way I look at it, I am learning from some of the best in the business, as their assistant. :)
I love doing the administrative stuff, keeping things organized. (as best I can anyway) No problem for me, I'm a Virgo, haha. I love meeting new people and showing them around this great city, too.
In 2008 I took some extensive education to earn a designation of "Seniors Real Estate Specialist"and was very excited to put it to work for me ----- after weighing the expense of maintaining this designation, it was with a heavy heart that I chose to let my membership lapse. (it didn't bring us any more business, so why keep on paying for it - times are tough these days, afterall!) NOW REMEMBER - I can help a buyer/seller of any age, but I had hoped to create a specialty niche with the mature crowd. I hate the word 'senior citizen', and I never want to hear it said to me, so I will never use those words here on my blog, again. (I don't even like being called ma'am...and in the South you hear that ALOT) I may be a Baby Boomer, but I'm far from old. And most of the other Boomers I know feel the same way. When does old happen? Hmmm.... sounds like a good blog topic to me, lol.
I'll be posting all sorts of things! I hope you come back and check from time to time so you can get to know me ----and then hopefully when you or someone you know needs some real estate assistance, you can contact me ---even if you/they are not moving to/from my town...I can help by way of a referral. With our affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of The World, we are connected to over 5500 offices worldwide!! Please come back and get to know me. I'd like the opportunity to assist you with your real estate needs. Let me find an agent to help you no matter where you are moving to/from ----whether you are buying/selling.
Like I said, my topics will vary, please enjoy :)
Welcome to Aiken :)
You will see reference to Jane Page in some of the notes I received from clients. That is because I was Jane Page's assistant for a number of years before she moved on to a new company. Most of the notes went to her, but I did get a few! There were many times when we had more than one client coming in on the same day and I would be 'out in the field' so to speak :) I do enjoy showing folks around our town, and our great neighborhoods, and houses for sale - historic - luxury - equestrian - in town - you name it! :)
Here are a few of the notes that I have received from previous clients:
"....we had a wonderful visit to Aiken. You and Jane Page just couldn't have been more pleasant to work with as well as thoughtful. Thanks to both of you for your efforts on our behalf....... Fondly, Beth S"
"Thank you Kara for the informative packet.... You have been the most helpful out of all the real estate people I have contacted, which is a tribute to how hard you work. I prefer to work with people like you.... All the best, Jan M"
"...thanks for all your efforts involving the Drafts property. But most of all thank you for the kind words on the note you sent...... That was very thoughtful......See you in Aiken soon. Frank
"Hi Kara, Thank you!! Thank you for just an exceptional wonderful afternoon of 'house shopping'!! You are the consummate pro for that job!!!..... Love, Jan and the two horses"
(Jan, her husband Bob, and their horses are all retired. The house they purchased was the first house we looked at - it was perfect! I had a great time helping them through the entire process from the first look at the property .... all the way to the closing table)!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even though I wasn't born here, Aiken feels like home.
Come see for yourself! What are you waiting for?
Photo Credit Disclaimer: I use my own photographic images whenever possible. Other photo sources who deserve credit are: Photobucket, Microsoft Clipart, City of Aiken, Aiken County.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2013 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
