Growing up, our family's summer vacation meant piling into the station wagon for two glorious weeks on Lake Michigan. It was the only time I ever saw my mother napping mid-day, on the deck of the cottage under a canopy of jack pines.
We asked a few of Roswell's brightest leaders to hit pause and share their vacation memories, plans and hacks. Bon Voyage!
Kali Boatright
President & CEO, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
The whole family: Kali and David Boatright have two children, Aiden (27) and Devon (24).
On Independence Day: Unplugging with friends and family and eating great food.
Postcard memories: We traveled as a family to Argentina over the holidays. Our favorite activity was wine tasting in Mendoza and our most memorable meal was at one of the wineries that has a Michelin star restaurant (something we were only able to do because the Argentinian pesos dropped right before we arrived). Mendoza, Argentina is the only producer of malbec wine in the world – hence the need to visit!
Summertime, summertime: I’m taking a trip with my husband to Portugal in June to focus on yoga, reading, and centering myself so I can be a better leader for the Chamber and business in our region.
Travel trinket: I always wear an anklet if I’m on vacation. It’s like a little symbol to myself to relax and truly enjoy the break.
Danielle Montepare
Assistant Principal and Enrollment Director, Queen of Angels Catholic School
The whole family: Rob and Danielle Montepare have been married for 14 years and have four children: Hannah (12), Kolbe (9), Caeli (6), and Lily (3). They have a unique family situation in that they all work and attend school on the same campus! Rob is the director of mission at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church. Danielle is the assistant principal at Queen of Angels Catholic School and three of the children attend school there as well. "We feel truly blessed to work for the church and to bring Christ into this corner of Roswell, and hopefully beyond,” says Danielle.
On Independence Day: Friends and family and fireworks! We live in Wexford and one of our awesome neighbors puts on the best fireworks display I have ever seen!
Postcard memories: My husband and I took a quick solo trip to Nashville in April to see a concert at the Ryman Auditorium. This is a famous music venue and a bucket list item for sure! We got to see one of our favorite musicians, Johnny Swim. It was very memorable!
Summertime, summertime: We have family in Florida and will visit them and spend time on the beach! We love to play in the ocean, take boat rides, and look for dolphins.
Travel trinkets: Baby wipes and wine! Two necessities when traveling with children.
Jon-Paul Croom
President, WellStar North Fulton Hospital
Senior Vice President, WellStar Health System
Family affair: Millicent and Jon-Paul will celebrate their 22nd anniversary this year. They married in the Roswell Presbyterian Church's Historic Chapel in 2002. Keagan, their oldest son, attends the University of Georgia and will be a sophomore this fall. Gavin is a rising high school sophomore and rows for Atlanta Juniors, based out of Roswell on the Chattahoochee River. He attends Walton HS. Cara is a rising seventh grader and enjoys ballet and Girl Scouts.
On Independence Day: We will spend it with our family in Roswell and Atlanta. We try to avoid traveling that week, so we will most likely be at our neighborhood pool.
Postcard memories: Last summer, our family visited London, Paris and Bavaria. While any international travel has its challenges, having those shared experiences with your family is invaluable. We attended mass at Westminster Abbey, ate escargot at a Parisian cafe and climbed a hill in southern Germany to visit the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle.
Summertime, summertime: We do plan to travel this summer, but have yet to agree upon a location. We are open to any recommendations!
Travel trinkets: Perhaps the only unique item I bring is a portable CPAP. I believe it is one of the best devices available for a good night's sleep. And if you are a snorer, it is a gift to everyone traveling with you. At the hospital, I know an excellent pulmonologist who can schedule you for a sleep study!
Tod Baker
General Manager, Carl Black Buick GMC Roswell
Family affair: Family is everything to me, and I feel incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful and loving family. My name is Tod (aka Smiley). I'm 62 years old and am the general manager and partner of Carl Black Roswell. I have an amazing wife named Shica, who is 41 years old and is the CEO of Shica Baker Beauty. We are a blended family with three children: two beautiful daughters and one handsome son. Ashley is 35 years old and is the director of operations at Roswell Inc. Amanda is 30 years old and works as a veterinarian technician, and our incredible son Mason is 14 years old and a rising freshman at Roswell High School. We also have an awesome son-in-law, Benjamin, who works in ecology. Our family is made complete with our two adorable granddaughters, Benjamin and Ashley's children, who light up our lives. They bring so much joy and laughter to our family, and we cherish every moment we spend with them.
Independence Day: July 4 is a special day for our family. We have a tradition that we look forward to every year. We host an annual Fourth of July party at our home. It has become a cherished tradition for our family and friends. This year, however, we have an exciting twist to our plans. We will be heading to Disney World as a family to create unforgettable memories. Our family will be celebrating the holiday a day early, on July 3, so that we can embark on this magical adventure together. Disney World is one of our favorite places. We can't wait to make lasting memories with our children and grandchildren.
Postcard memories: Last year was a truly special year for our family. We had the incredible opportunity to go on a family trip together. It was a trip of a lifetime. One of the most memorable moments was seeing the pure joy and excitement on our granddaughter's face when she saw Olaf and Stitch and watching fireworks on Main Street. It was a magical experience for all of us, and it's a moment that will forever be etched in my memory. Growing up, I never had the chance to witness such pure happiness. It made me realize the importance of creating unforgettable experiences for our loved ones.
Maintaining a demanding schedule at the dealership can be challenging, but my wife has taught me a valuable lesson: life is short, and we should make the most of every moment. After our July trip to Disney World, we are considering going on a cruise to simply enjoy some "us time." Our son Mason plays travel baseball, so his schedule keeps us quite busy. It can be difficult to make concrete plans with his schedule, but we always prioritize family time and creating lasting memories together.
Travel trinket: When it comes to packing for our trips, I have to give credit to my amazing wife. She takes care of all the packing details and ensures that we have everything we need. My motto is if we forget something, we can buy it or we don’t need it. However, there are a couple of items that we always make sure to have with us. Wireless chargers are a must-have and we also carry rose water for burns, just in case.