Ladonna Armstrong

Latest Author Features

Be Evolving

“We keep thinking that the human is evolving. No, the human has evolved to its extent. What’s happening now is the organization of humans: just like cells organize to form people, people are organizing to form humanity.” Bruce Lipton We are evolving. Businesses have initiated changes and innovations over the last few months, and ours have led to the rebuilding of Bella’s foundation. Our mission is to facilitate a positive community lifestyle by creatively informing, inspiring, and entertaining. Our vision is to remain relevant and accessible through time, technology, and community changes. Within the pages of this month’s issue you will finally see the first glimpse of our new Palmetto

Be Hopeful

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” Nelson Mandela This month’s issue is Hope in Uncertainty. It began as The Wedding Issue … and then the reality as we knew it … changed. Weddings, graduations, and, well, all events were postponed and then eventually cancelled. Uncertainty is getting a good look in the eye, and some of us have been afraid of what we see. Others have fought on, innovating, thinking outside the box, taking a moment to breathe and re-center and remember what is important … and Hope arises. We were throwing ideas around for the cover and landed on featuring a couple whose wedding was postponed.

Be Strong

“All your life you are told the things you cannot do. All your life they will say you’re not good enough or strong enough or talented enough. They will say you’re the wrong height or the wrong type to play this or be this or achieve this. THEY WILL TELL YOU NO. A thousand times no. Until all the no’s become meaningless. All your life they will tell you no quite firmly and very quickly. AND YOU WILL TELL THEM YES.” — Nike I grew up playing every sport imaginable. My father was in the hospitality industry. We had the privilege of living in a golf community with

Twelve Years Of Joye In Aiken

When the Joye in Aiken Performing Arts Festival kicks off with its Second Annual New Orleans-Style Jazz Funeral Parade on March 5, it may change the way some Aikenites view the city’s unique relationship with The Juilliard School. Far from being a series of formal black tie concerts, says President Sandra Field, the festival week is meant to be a citywide celebration of Aiken’s tie with that world-renowned conservatory, with events in multiple venues, formats, and genres. “True, we’ll have classical concerts by Juilliard faculty like Paul Jacobs and by other Juilliard-trained artists like those of Decoda and the St. Lawrence String Quartet,” Field says. “And those concerts will be

Be Outside

“The enjoyment of scenery employs the mind without fatigue and yet exercises it; tranquilizes it and yet enlivens it.” ~ Fredrick Law Olmsted March is a magical month. The first day of spring is in March. Flowers are blooming and the earth is awakening after its winter slumber. Colors are brighter and everything feels fresh and new. The weather is warmer and it is the perfect time to Be Outside. Outside is where I go to refuel. There has never been anything that fills my tank more than being among nature. The website MentalFloss.com states that there are 11 scientific benefits of being outside. They are: Being outdoors boosts your

Polar Plunge | Scene Around Town

Polar Plunge – January 4, 2020 – The Fermata Club – Photography by Christine McKeel

Be Loved

We are one people; we are only family. And when we finally accept these truths, then we will be able to fulfill Dr. King’s dream to build a beloved community, a nation, and a world at peace with itself. John Lewis The title of my editorial this month is Be Loved. It should be “Be Overwhelmed”. That is what I am this month: Overwhelmed. Fair warning — you will cry in this issue. You will be moved. You will be Loved and overwhelmed. The writers for Bella blew me away again this month. The themes for February are Black History Month and Love. It seems natural February should be about

Pearl Friends | Scene Around Town

Pearl Friends – January 23, 2020 – Aiken Center for the Arts – Photography by Rebecca Judy

January Photo of the Month

The night time photo is from a trip to Moab, Utah last year. The pinion pine is situated on the edge of a cliff in Dead Horse State Park. The park has some beautiful views overlooking a canyon and the Colorado River. At night it is incredibly dark when there is no moon and the Milky Way is clearly visible. To get this shot, I had to position my camera on a tripod about 10 feet away from the edge of the cliff and 1000 foot drop. So I had to take great care when walking around in the dark. It was an incredible experience.