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...

Travel

Hike, Sauna, Beef, Repeat

Trailborn Highlands is the spot Article by Sue G. Collins Trailborn believes guests don’t have to rough it to explore the great outdoors. With boutique hotel vibes and resort-level amenities, the brand is a contender, with outposts in Mendocino, California; Wrightsville Beach; Williams, Arizona; and soon, Jackson Hole. Nearby, Trailborn Highlands (North Carolina) sits on 4.5 wooded acres, walking distance from the charming downtown for shopping and dining, close to waterfalls and hiking and...

Food + Beverage

The Good Life

Joe Gransden brings his Tony Bennett tribute to Marietta. Article by Sue G. Collins "I love entertaining people; I strive to make them feel good, and they make me feel wonderful. To explain it simply, I like what I do, and my ambition is to get better as I get older. That's really what I'm all about." Tony Bennett To celebrate the late great Tony Bennett’s 100th birthday, Atlanta's Joe Gransden has produced a musical tribute that will open at Lincoln Center in August. Lucky for us, the...

Travel

The Thrill of the Catch

An elevated beach stay for fishing and friends. Article by Karyn Slovin Once again, Newman-Dailey Properties delivered with 3112 Sanctuary by the Sea in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, a spectacular four-bedroom condo that really captures the essence of refined beach living. As one of their many luxury rental properties, it blended elevated design with sweeping, panoramic views, creating the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable stay. Inside the condo, the decor is a sophisticated take on...

Arts + Culture

Sinatra, Bourbon and Me

Podcast alert: Frankly Drinking With Friends Article by Luke Boggs For years, I’ve been an enthusiastic fan of bourbon and Frank Sinatra. In 2024, I launched Frankly Drinking With Friends, a podcast toasting these two American classics. So, what’s the story? Our family moved to Alpharetta when I was a kid. Back then, the nearest movie theaters were in Roswell, and only pickup trucks seemed to travel north of Holcomb Bridge on 400. After graduating from Milton, I earned a history degree at...

Education

Rooted in Community

Chattahoochee Nature Center celebrates the women who planted the seeds. Article and Photography by As the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) nears its 50th anniversary, its story is one of tremendous impact, built over decades through community support, thoughtful leadership and a mission that has never wavered: connecting people with nature. For long-time supporter, Dotty Etris, that mission was clear from the start. After volunteering in the earliest days of the center and encouraging...