Life + Culture

Furry Friends Forever

Seniors and their pets in the limelight. Article by Sue G. Collins | Photography by Aleksander Kapetanovic Lucy, Cinnamon and Flint see each other now and then and may stop for a polite greeting. Otherwise, they prefer to blaze their own trail, or better yet, plop down in a lap for a nap. Along with their friends, Azzy, Flint and Panda these pups are living their best lives with their favorite humans at Village Park Alpharetta. Pets are welcome at all Galerie Living properties including Corso...

Education

1,2,3, Learn!

Profile: McGinnis Woods School Article and Photography by McGinnis Woods School 5380 Faircroft Drive, Alpharetta  McginnisWoods.org Enrollment: Infants through 8th grade Mission: Inspiring students with the passion to excel, with a mission to provide superior academics through hands-on approaches, which foster self-confidence and self-esteem, preparing students for the challenges of high school and college and inspiring a lifelong love of learning. The school year is launched with Meet...

Travel

A Family-Friendly Gulf Coast Getaway

The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach Article by Summer J. Robinson When most people think of Florida beach resorts, destinations like Miami, 30a or the Palm Beaches usually come to mind. But tucked away along Florida’s Emerald Coast is a beachfront gem that deserves a spot on every family’s vacation list: The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach. Located just 20 minutes from the Fort Walton Beach Airport, The Island Resort makes it easy to go from baggage claim to beach chair in no time. From...

Fitness

Fun on Two Wheels

Pedal Forward partners with Bike Alpharetta to host Bikes For Kids Article by Jonathan Thai In January of 2025, REI Co-op exited its Experience business, shutting down the bike training classes it previously offered. Now, there was an ever-present need for a new way for kids to learn to ride, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds who relied on bikes to get to school and eventually to work.  To address this problem, Milton and Lassiter high schoolers founded The Pedal Forward...

Education

Mentorship Means Everything

All Kids Fish brings kids to fly fishing Article by Sue G. Collins Judging by the whoop and holler on the beach at Lake Lanier, you’d have thought the girl just landed a whale. Her guide and everyone fishing along the shore cheered and patted her on the back, admiring her catch. She’d worked for it, casting, adjusting movements based on her guide’s tutelage. The sun was beating down so she kicked off her shoes and sunk her toes into the mushy sand at the water’s edge. When she saw the...

Travel

Lubbock Lights Up Unexpectedly

The west Texas city is quietly becoming a surprising and trending getaway destination. Article and Photography by Valerie Shepherd As someone who loves discovering destinations that feel equal parts creative, relaxing and unexpected, I was caught off guard when I visited Lubbock, Texas. In a good way. Beneath the wide-open West Texas skies is a city filled with one-of-a-kind art, trending music, interesting food, a large college scene and a developing wine community that deserves far more...

Travel

Silver Linings

Family trips, hiccups and golden memories Article and Photography by National Lampoon’s (The Unexpected) Christmas Vacation By Ashley Davis During the holiday travel meltdown right before Christmas 2022, we were flying from Mammoth, CA to Atlanta with a layover in Denver, CO. Our flight was delayed to Denver, and we missed our connecting flight. With no other options on any airlines and no rental cars available, we ended up renting an RV to get home. It took 25 hours and 1450 miles, but...

Arts + Culture

Jamaica is Calling

Princess Senses The Mangrove and Princess Grand Jamaica Article by Dennis Malcolm Byron, aka Ale Sharpton | Photography by Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica One of Jamaica’s newest luxury resorts—Princess Senses The Mangrove and Princess Grand Jamaica—couldn’t have arrived at a better time for me. Escaping the nonstop pace of Atlanta for a few days of indulgence, relaxation and some Caribbean healing was a high priority. My experience delivered all of that and then some. Jamaica has always...

Travel

Hit The Road

Editor's picks for travel gear Article by Sue G. Collins The Sun-Day Collapsible Tote is made for sandy towels, pool days, grocery hauls, road trips and spontaneous sunny detours. It folds flat when you don’t need it and pops open when you do.  Owalalife.com Women's Bamboo Shade Hoodie II from Free Fly Apparel is soft with built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. Naturally odor-resistant and temperature-regulating, I wear it for gardening, fly fishing and chasing grandchildren. 10 cool colors.   ...

Finance + Legal Services

Philanthropy and Appreciation

Saluting the 21st Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction Photography by Kiara Watson Photography The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) is pleased to announce that the 21st Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family raised a record-breaking $4 million for children in need in Northwest Florida. The amount raised is a $550,000 increase over the previous year and the most ever raised at an auction in DCWAF history. A sold-out crowd of more than 600 guests...