By AMY BANTON   Staff writer   12/29/2011 9:22 PM   

The 20th Annual Christmas in Hopelands was a hit this year, and more than 19,000 came out to see the illuminated gardens. Kiersten Warfield, recreation program coordinator with the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, said 19,809 ...

By BEN BAUGH   Staff writer   12/26/2011 11:45 PM   

In the spirit of the holiday season, Why Worry Hounds hunted Monday morning (Boxing Day) with Three Runs Plantation serving as the fixture. The hunt was registered with the Masters of Foxhounds America in 2000, and was formally recognized in 2003. A ...

By HALEY HUGHES   Staff writer   12/23/2011 12:21 AM   

GRANITEVILLE -- For the children of 90 families, the holidays are a bit brighter this year thanks to GVW Community Investment Corp. and Sage Valley Golf Club. GVW Community Investment Corp. and Sage Valley came together for the fourth year Wednesday ...

Submitted article     12/22/2011 12:32 AM   

Free Riders Motorcycle Club delivered Christmas cheer recently at its annual toy drive. On Dec. 17, Free Riders provided Christmas to more than 24 families, which consisted of 47 children. Applications for this event were accepted from October throug ...

By SUZANNE R. STONE   Staff writer   12/21/2011 7:40 PM   

Santa Claus traded in the old sleigh for the romance of the rails Wednesday. St. Nick was the guest of honor Wednesday afternoon at the City of Aiken Visitors Center and Railroad Museum, located at 406 Park Ave., S.E., on the corner of Park and Union ...

Submitted article     12/21/2011 7:37 PM   

On Dec. 19, URS Corp. participated in the Aiken County Salvation Army's Toys for Tots campaign, raising $4,380. This marks the seventh year the company has supported this campaign. The funds from URS Safety Management Solutions in Aiken helped make C ...

By SUZANNE R. STONE   Staff writer   12/20/2011 11:35 PM   

An empty building in Kalmia Plaza has looked a lot like Santa's workshop for the past few weeks, thanks to the Salvation Army. The local Salvation Army chapter took over the former Belk location in the Richland Avenue shopping center the first week o ...

    12/19/2011 8:21 PM   

Santa will make his first visit to the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum. Jolly old Saint Nick will be at the reconstructed depot Wednesday from to 2 p.m. The drawing for a Lionel Penn Flyer Train set will also be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. Ticket ...

  Submitted article   12/18/2011 12:32 AM   

Cumberland Village Senior Living Community held its second Festival of Lights on Dec. 9 and 10. Visitors enjoyed hayrides, roasting marshmallows, hot chocolate, hot dogs, carolers and pictures with Santa Claus. Monetary gifts and 900 pounds of nonper ...

By ASHLEEY GALLOWAY   Staff writer   12/17/2011 11:15 PM   

A select amount of struggling parents who have found themselves wondering how they were going to provide their children with Christmas gifts this year had their minds placed at ease on Saturday. In Clearwater, hundreds of members of Heights Church ga ...

By ASHLEEY GALLOWAY   Staff writer   12/17/2011 11:15 PM   

Sounds of the season performed by a local Elvis tribute artist may be quite the incentive for local members of the community to donate new toys for children this Christmas. On Thursday at 7 p.m., Jason Sikes will take the stage at Mi Rancho in Clearw ...

By ROB NOVIT   Senior writer   12/17/2011 10:27 PM   

When Craig Childress entered the parking lot at Greendale Elementary School in New Ellenton last week, he drove right past the entrance to the main office. "Isn't that the walkway?" asked his mother, Ernestine Childress. "Yes, but I don't want anybod ...

By ASHLEEY GALLOWAY   Staff writer   12/17/2011 10:27 PM   

Although he's a very busy man with lots of toys to build, appearances to make and houses to visit, the one and only Santa Claus took a few minutes out of his time this week to give insight to the life of Santa Claus at Christmastime. He sat down with ...

  Submitted article   12/16/2011 9:25 PM   

The Willcox invites the community to join it in bringing toys to local children who might otherwise have none for Christmas when it hosts the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots celebration on Wednesday. The festive afternoon event, which will ...

By ROB NOVIT   Senior writer   12/14/2011 7:51 PM   

When Megan Kehoe arrived back at the downtown location for the Sand River Women's Club's annual kids' Christmas shopping trip recently, her young daughter and son excitedly described how much fun they had. "But I can't tell you what I got my grandmo ...

By ASHLEEY GALLOWAY   Staff writer   12/14/2011 7:39 PM   

About 180 area residents filled the community room at Aiken Electric Cooperative on Wednesday for Operation Santa, presented by Mental Health America of Aiken County. The yearly tradition, which has gone on now for nearly 25 years, is aimed at provid ...

By SUZANNE R. STONE   Staff writer   12/14/2011 7:39 PM   

Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site takes a look at the more somber side of the season Saturday with its annual Christmas in the Quarters event. Christmas in the Quarters will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the state park, 181 Redcliffe ...

By ROB NOVIT   Senior writer   12/13/2011 10:08 PM   

Nicholas Garris is a charming 5-year-old with a ready smile and some huge health challenges throughout his life. He attended the Aiken Area Make-A-Wish benefit breakfast at Applebee's Saturday with his grandmother, Tina Wright. Seven months ago, she ...

By SUZANNE R. STONE   Staff writer   12/13/2011 10:08 PM   

The Tri-Development Center's volunteers are helping Aiken make the season bright with their annual gift wrapping booth at the Aiken Mall. The booth opened Saturday in the aisles at Aiken Mall next to Foot Locker. Tri-Development volunteers will wrap ...

By LAUREN CHATTMAN   McClatchy-Tribune   12/13/2011 12:33 AM   

For most of the year, I am happy to serve humble drop or bar cookies to family and friends. But as the holidays approach, I aim to create a selection of beautifully shaped, cut-out and decorated cookies that almost always are crowd-pleasers. The tric ...