Food + Beverage

A Legacy in my Kitchen

Please meet my favorite and the greatest of all time cooking companions! Article by Sean O'Keefe Having been a private chef for many years and now cooking primarily at home for my family and guests, I’ve come to appreciate that great meals begin long before the first ingredient hits the pan. They start with the tools of the trade that you trust; those shaped by history, craftsmanship and experience. Pots and pans are the quiet partners in every successful dish, influencing flavor, texture and...

Arts + Culture

Grounded By Music

Article and Photography by Since opening in 2008, Ameris Bank Amphitheatre has become North Georgia’s premier live entertainment venue. After hosting 35 concerts in 2025 and with 17 events already on the calendar for 2026, this world-class venue is preparing to welcome more than half a million music fans to Alpharetta. “Pairing the highest quality production and everything the City of Alpharetta has to offer is what makes Ameris Bank Amphitheatre stand out as a concert venue,” says Trevor...

Arts + Culture

Building Community

Walking the walk with Habitat For Humanity Article and Photography by Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia and North Point Ministries have joined forces in a powerful partnership that is changing the trajectory of life for one local family and strengthening the fabric of the community in the process. Through a $180,000 all-house sponsorship made possible by North Point Ministries’ Be Rich campaign, along with an extraordinary commitment of volunteer time, this partnership is helping...

Life + Culture

Polishing History

The Everett Hotel, Bryson City, NC Article and Photography by Sue G. Collins Leaning against the exposed brick wall of my pretty suite at The Everett Hotel, I closed my eyes and imagined the captains of industry who had, in this very space, built a bank and contributed to the growth of Bryson City in the early 1900s. Stanley W. Black and D.K. Collins built and managed Bryson City Bank, one of the few small banks able to survive the financial crises in the early 30s and pay the depositors in...

Real Estate

Market Round-Up

Three top realtors share their views and favorite homes on the market. Article by Alpharetta City Lifestyle staff Rob Sauthoff Life in North Metro Atlanta continues to evolve in a way that feels intentional and community-focused. Neighboring communities like Alpharetta and Cumming stand out as areas I see experiencing meaningful growth in 2026, driven by carefully planned expansion and lifestyle-centered destinations like The Gathering and Continuum, which are currently in development. Life...

Education

World Cup Countdown

Kevin Egan and the Soundtrack of a City Ready for the World Article by Kirk Reynolds When Kevin Egan talks about the World Cup coming to Atlanta, it isn’t with the detached enthusiasm of a broadcaster covering a major event. It’s with the pride of someone who lives here, raising a family here and believes the city is ready for its biggest global moment yet. “I’m just so full of pride and joy that the world’s game is coming here to Atlanta,” Egan says. “Essentially, we have eight Super Bowls...

Arts + Culture

Relax at the Ritz

Front and center for the Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival Article by Sean O'Keefe | Photography by The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee Set along 30 acres of pristine shoreline and cradled by towering Georgia pines just 90 minutes from Atlanta, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee is where refined luxury meets effortless lakeside calm. This spring, March 20–22, 2026, the resort becomes the center stage for the Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival, one of the Southeast’s most anticipated...

Education

History Restored

Alpharetta's first settlement will be a park Article by Alpharetta City Lifestyle staff The Farm House Heritage Park will receive a $1.9 million facelift from Hasbun Construction. Located at the northeast corner of Ga. 400 and Old Milton Parkway, the park will mark a site that many consider the first settlement in Alpharetta.  The settlement at the Farm House site predates Alpharetta’s 1858 charter and once included a grist mill, sawmill, cotton gin, post office and general store. A dam was...

Arts + Culture

Pattern Power

Custom lamps transform a room, one shade at a time. Article by Alpharetta City Lifestyle staff "To me, creating a home is less about decorating and more about surrounding yourself with pieces that spark joy and encourage relaxation and creativity," says Kristina Holdorf, owner and designer at Urban Fresh Home. "I’ve always loved exploring how texture, color and light work together, and that curiosity has become the heart of my lampshade designs." As a keen photographer, gardener and former...

Home + Design

Brimming with Joy

Create your signature hat at Star's Article by Sue G. Collins “Without hats there is no civilization”  - Christian Dior Ashley Davis would agree. Ashley is the owner of Star’s Hat and Jewelry Bar in Alpharetta, where hats take center stage, next to jewelry and the curation of personal style. “We offer a variety of hats at a variety of price points. Many hat bars only offer a few styles in a variety of colors, but we have numerous styles and colors and can find a hat for anyone who...