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...

Fitness

Built By Friends, For Friends

Sometimes, you just want that one friend. Take her to Firelight at Shope Creek. Article by Sue G. Collins | Photography by Ryan Theede Decades ago, when two friends shared their dreams for life after nine-to-five, their stories collided and intertwined. Both had a vision to create a wellness retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains where guests could seamlessly embrace nature during a luxury stay. Amy Cavanaugh and Shari Robins purchased a piece of property along Shope Creek, in the outskirts of...

Arts + Culture

The New Educator

Dr. Kristy Beam Is Reimagining What Opportunity Looks Like for Atlanta Students Article by Tiffany Dilliardt Mclean Dr. Kristy Beam has spent her entire career doing the thing most people only talk about: Closing gaps, opening doors and building systems that actually work for students who have been overlooked, underestimated and underserved. Now, with the Academy for Innovation in Medicine, she is changing what is possible for an entire generation of young people who deserve to see their...

Arts + Culture

From a Mother’s Faith to a Chef’s Dream

The 34th Taste of Alpharetta celebrates women chefs Article by Tia Greene- Granger Chef Nahm is the founder and chef behind Nahm Fine Thai Cuisine in Alpharetta. For nearly two decades, she has been dedicated to sharing authentic Thai flavors, culture and hospitality with the local community. Known for her passion, craftsmanship and commitment to quality, Chef Nahm continues to celebrate the traditions of Thai cuisine while creating memorable dining experiences for her guests. She is one of...

Real Estate

The Hidden Workforce

How Caregiving Is Reshaping Careers in America Article by Rob Sauthoff In the quiet hours before dawn, millions of Americans are already at work, not in offices or on calls, but beside aging parents, disabled spouses or chronically ill loved ones. They are caregivers, and today they represent one of the most powerful yet overlooked forces shaping the U.S. labor market. More than 63 million Americans now provide unpaid care to family members or friends, a nearly 50 percent increase over the...

Life + Culture

Hometown Girl: Tori Gideon

Singer songwriter's star is on the rise! Article and Photography by Downtown Alpharetta has always felt like Tori Gideon's second home. She loves spending slow afternoons walking the streets with her family, popping into local shops, soaking in the charm and admiring the beauty of the town. There’s something about the brick sidewalks, open spaces and friendly faces that feels grounding and inspiring. Tori is 12-years old and already, her music career is unfolding in beautiful ways. She has...