Linda Kanc, Melissa Denardo, Carol Wood and their compatriots in the Aiken Newcomers' Club haven't had much fellowship over the past 18 months, due to COVID-19 precautions, but the women's clu…

The Rev. Charles Matthews, as a longtime member of Second Baptist Church of Aiken, is known to some as the leader of the congregation's ministry to children. He's known to others as a former S…

• Date and place of birth: I was born (September, 1957) and raised in Aiken, S.C., in the old Aiken hospital.

Second Baptist Church in Aiken, under the leadership of the Rev. Doug Slaughter, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new church facility on Sunday, Oct. 3. The new church building is locate…

After observing wild birds on her own for many years, Mary Jo Dawson decided to get involved in the Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society.

• Date and place of birth: I was born in Aiken, South Carolina, on June 7, 1969.

For 25 years, Joey Patsourakos proudly wore the badge of a law enforcement officer, working undercover narcotics, patrolling neighborhoods, serving in administration and making cases.

The promoters of the Best of the West Horse Sale hosted a social for everyone associated with the auction and the public in general on Friday, Oct. 1. The social was held at the Aiken Training…

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Pink Ribbonettes have been out in downtown Aiken putting up pink ribbons to call attention to the cause.

• Date and place of birth: 1987; Loris, South Carolina.

Deedee Vaughters has worn a lot of hats in Aiken over the years.

Young learners can once again experience up close and personal interaction with STEM professionals this year during the 36th annual Science Education Enrichment Day (S.E.E.D.) STEM Festival.

Jim Lee dealt with a variety of challenges during his 31 years as an engineering manager at the Kimberly-Clark plant, in Beech Island, and his skills remain in demand in his retirement, with A…

• Date and place of birth: November 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Michigan's Upper Peninsula at the age of 3 and will always identify as a Yooper - Someone from the UP!

The Aiken Center for the Arts held a reception Sept. 9 as it opened a new exhibit featuring works by Marius Valdes, Brooks Brown and Elizabeth Shirey. Also, a select group of 36 photographs ta…

A sturdy, inviting chair is playing a major role in a new series of events being held at Aiken Center for the Arts, with emphasis on storytelling by local residents from a variety of backgrounds. 

• Date and place of birth: June 8, many years ago in Petersburg, Virginia.

Peggy Ford has dedicated her life to helping children. Whether it be through social work or her most recent position at an Aiken nonprofit, Ford aims to make a difference.

Beth Newburn always knew she wanted to give back to Aiken and not just be a receiver of what it had to offer.

• Place of birth: Aiken, South Carolina.

On Wednesday, Sept. 1, Aiken Technical College hosted an event on its Jefferson Davis Highway campus that doubled as its Annual Scholarship Fundraiser and as the start of a year-long celebrati…

The Concerned Ministers Fellowship recently recognize a distinguished former high school senior that applied and qualified for the 2021 CMF Scholarship.

If Dr. Lloyd Barrington Daniels had not gone to medical school to study obstetrics and gynecology, he might have been a professional cricket player.

My guiding and constant principle for life: "Love thy neighbors as thyself," and never forget, "Service to others is the rent we pay to live on this earth."

The Aiken County Historical Museum on Thursday, May 13, hosted the grand opening of its Aiken County exhibit celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of Aiken County. The new exhibit …

After a one-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aiken's Makin' arts and crafts show is returning to downtown Aiken.

Place of birth: Daytona Beach, Florida.

Liz Stewart doesn’t refer to the stage of life that she’s in now as retirement.

A local nonprofit is partnering with Fact Forward to offer a program supporting teen mothers in Aiken County.

Officer Alan Willing has built his career on taking advantage of every open door.

Aiken residents braved the heat and humidity on Aug. 13 to attend the Aiken Standard's second Beach Music Festival. The musical event was held at The Village at Woodside. Pedego Electric Bicyc…

With the glitz and glamour of pageantry, 22 girls crossed the stage to compete in the Aiken regional competition for the Little Miss South Carolina title.

• Place of birth: Aiken, South Carolina.

Jason Rabun has called Aiken home for his entire life.

Woodside Country Club was the site of the Aiken Standard's 6th annual Young Professionals 2 Follow awards dinner on July 22. The event, sponsored by SRNS and USC Aiken, was a way of honoring y…

Although Palmetto Dog Club is moving to a new location soon, its mission will remain the same: to train dogs from all around Aiken County.

• Date and place of birth: July 1944, Sumter, South Carolina.

Thelma Jackson, a retired educator who began her teaching career in 1965, has more than a few "back-to-school" memories from the course of her decades on duty, including some from the final ye…

The Aiken Branch of the NAACP Youth Council is giving teenagers and young adults the tools they need to make an impact in the community.

Dr. Rose Lee Hayes’ career in public health took her from the banks of the Nile River in Sudan, Africa, to the far reaches of the Amazon in South America, tracing the origin of diseases.

On July 13, the Aiken Center for the Arts held a reception for its five new board members at the center located on Laurens Street in downtown Aiken. The reception allowed the new board members…

Inside St. Mary Help of Christians Church, Rev. Francisco Oñate-Vargas stands often at the altar and gives the blessing to the Body and Blood of Christ. The congregation joined him in Spanish …

• Favorite movie: "Band of Brothers" and "Saving Private Ryan."

He has served as a lifeguard at Daytona Beach, driven Army tanks, helped run an Indiana-based petroleum company, explored the U.S. via motorhome over the course of two retirement years and bee…

For people who enjoy hunting for shark teeth, making jewelry or collecting rocks, the Aiken Gem, Mineral and Fossil Society, or AGMFS, is an organization that provides an opportunity to meet o…

• Place of birth: Columbia, South Carolina.

Dr. Harry Shealy has spent much of his life consumed with botany, calling the field his "first love."

The Aiken Master Gardeners Association is back after a hiatus due to COVID-19.

• Date and place of birth: Nov. 30 in Augusta.