August 2024 by Tara Hill Hanover

In This Issue

Food & Health

Nutrition After 40: Join Tara’s Journey...........................8

Talkin’ Sports

The good, the bad and the ugly, we’re now past the half way mark for our Atlanta Braves!.........................11

Featured Photographer

David Jones.......................................................................14

Cover Story:

Welcome to Gracepoint..................................................15

Local Fare It’s time for the Taste of Smyrna, hope to see you there................................................................18

Community Spotlight

So much to be excited about, as we go back to school...21

Book Club

Sit Down, Relax & Join Our Town’s Book Club.........23

Cobb’s Next Generation

Senior year is here, the bittersweet journey..........24

Real Estate

Is the real estate market like dating? Our Town’s real estate guru Josh Pitre thinks so!.....................................29

Back-to-School Gifts

It’s a back pack giveaway at Steve Rayman Chevrolet...30

Travel Looking for an easy escape with amazing experiences? Travel expert, Heather Meliski, has the island for you....................................................................34

Town Student Quotes What excites you about going back to

Enjoy more quotes throughout this

This month I have to remind myself, life is a marathon, not a sprint. As summer is coming to a close and back to school is upon us, I was recently reminded, stop focusing so hard on the goal and enjoy the journey.

Thank you to our readers, our advertisers and our community for being part of this amazing journey. Reach out anytime, I love hearing from you!

Our Town is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes in Cobb County. Opinions expressed by the editorial staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.

Our Town reserves the right to edit and or reject any editorial or advertising content.

Our Town is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR

Tara Hill Hanover

EDITOR/SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Justin Hanover

GRAPHICS AND DESIGN

Jules Fandos

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

West Cobb

Sara Young sara@ourtownmonthly.com

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER

David Jones Media

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Allyson Balzuweit

JRM Management

SMY Book Club

Evie Love

Josh Pitre

Heather Meliski OTM Staff PO Box 813610 Smyrna, GA 30081-8610 (678)337-7844 info@ourtownmonthly.com www.ourtownmonthly.com

Dr. Figaro

Cora Crumby, PNP

A Nutrition Adventure with your 40-ish friends Tara and Allyson

Hey friends! It’s time for a check in to see how things are going since Tara and I teamed up to work on her nutrition and health at the beginning of the summer.

But before we dive in, we wanted to let you know we recorded a podcast episode with our friend Rachel from the Self Centered Woman Podcast to chat through some of the deets and the importance of the journey that Tara is taking. Give it a listen on Apple or Spotify and you’ll likely find it relatable!

To recap, when Tara and I first started on this 6 month journey, as I do with all of my clients, I set her up with some basic starting goals to get the ball rolling. These were based on her own goals to tackle long gaps at work without the ability to eat (when on set) which often segued into grabbing whatever was quick and not the healthiest option when finished work and was ravenous. So we started off focusing on high protein options before and after her shift to optimize blood sugar balance and controlled eating.

She also wanted to resume some sort of consistent movement, which in the past had been a part of her daily routine but had fallen by the wayside. While we didn’t set a specific goal surrounding this, the idea was to start incorporating it when possible and to document both food and exercise to follow the trend.

Like many of my clients, Tara came out of the gate seeming enthusiastic and ready to roll, but as is the case with many of the people I work with, it took a bit more time than she expected to get things going. This is so common, and it’s also why I work with people for months and not weeks! It takes awhile to get organized and we focus on a few things at a time rather than completely revamping routines all at once.

I was impressed that Tara gave herself grace in the process and embraced the fact that this adventure is more like a marathon than it is a sprint. As a society, we’re engrained to search out the quick fix, the instant gratification and even the short cuts. This is why so many people are chronic dieters! There’s definitely no quick fix when it comes to changing eating and exercise habits – especially for women in their 40s and beyond. It does take effort and it does take time to adopt new habits and break away from old patterns and mindsets surrounding food.

After a recent check in with Tara, she had finally started to take the time to dive into some of the online curriculum that I provide in my program, part of which is mindset modules that an experienced life transformation and mindset coach, Lindsay created for my clients. I could see the light bulb go off when Tara referenced one of Lindsay’s videos where she encouraged people to embrace the journey instead of solely focusing on the goal.

After that shift in Tara’s mindset, I saw her start to take action more consistently with her movement (I even got a text with her feet on the treadmill). Another win that she shared was when she sought out a healthy snack after feeling like she overdid it with some Pirate’s Booty after a 10 hour shift whereas before that would have led to eating junk and waiting until the next day to start over. She called these “baby steps” but I call these great strides. THESE are the things that will add up over time and truly become more intuitive and habitual as we continue to build on them and work on other things.

I can’t wait to see what this next month brings as Tara continues on her journey with commitment but also grace, embracing the process. It won’t be linear, because that’s just how life is – but those little setbacks can serve as feedback to help inform new or different action, and that’s what this is all about! -AllysonBalzuweit

Hey guy’s, it’s Tara- and here’s my take on my new journey…

diets and embrace a healthy and realistic approach to eating for optimal health with individualized strategies that considers all aspects of life.

My entire life I have always run toward my goals like a runaway locomotive and either won big or burst into big ole flames…because I was taught to go big or go home. Luckily, I was also taught, you can fall down but you can not stay down.

I am going to be honest, I think my brain thought the moment I made this commitment to Allyson, I would magically be changed forever-welp (hard swallow), not so much! Between work, kids, husband, exhaustion and hormones, it kind of felt the same. UNTIL…I started putting in the work (which took me almost a full month to realize this was going to be serious hard work). I started listening to mindset videos as I drove into work, where as Allyson mentioned above, I had my “AH-HA moment”. I am not sure if I have ever embraced, appreciated or enjoyed the journey as I should have as I’ve always ran so hard for the goal, then when I reached it, I’d recalculate another, then another…sad but true, can you relate? I really never believed age, life and hormones would get “on me” but the hard fact is, it happened and I was not prepared.

Lesson #1:

This is not going to happen overnight, and many days will be a challenge.

Lesson #2:

Mindset matters and daily reminders of my goal and enjoying the journey is essential.

Lesson #3:

I need more protein, more weight training and consistent exercise…even when I do not feel like it, which is kind of often.

Lesson #4:

Everyday, I will not be perfect and that’s ok.

And as the old saying goes, if you fall down a step, would you throw yourself down the rest of the stairs? I hope not…so friends, I invite you to follow my over 40 health journey with Allyson. As a matter of fact, why don’t you join me? Everything is better if you do it together. Stay tuned for next month…remember what feels like a baby step may actually be a great stride!

Allyson Balzuweit is a Registered Dietitian based in Smyrna and has a private nutrition consulting business. She loves to help people ditch

Talkin’ Sports

By Justin Hanover

Sports

Grading theBraves First Half of

the Season

Injuries, slumps and surprisingly great pitching. Our Braves have pretty much seen it all throughout the first half plus of the 2024 season. With the All-Star game now in the rearview mirror, it’s a sprint to the finish. Unfortunately for Atlanta the Phillies are playing lights out baseball and Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna are

not coming back this season.

The Braves along with the Dodgers were the two teams that were expected to go north of 100 wins in the regular season and be forces in the playoffs. Things don’t always go as planned, however, as we saw firsthand. It was a dubious start to the season when arguably the best pitcher in baseball in Strider suffered a devastating elbow injury after only two starts and 9 total innings pitched.

Then quite possibly the best hitter in the game, and the reigning MVP, in Acuna went down with a torn ACL in his left knee after just 49 games played. Mix in other injuries to Sean Murphy, Michael Harris III and Austin Riley and it’s amazing how Brian Snitker was even able to keep the ship afloat.

PITCHING: A-

What an amazing job this pitching staff did after losing the ace of the team in Strider. Chris Sale led the league with 13 wins at the break and most importantly to this point has stayed healthy after not being able to for the last five or so years.

HITTING: D

After last season’s amazing collective offensive performance, which included a world record number of home runs, there was no reason to think the 2024 Braves would be anything but great. Snitker’s ferocious offensive studs were about to put up numbers that would knock anybody’s socks off. Well, that’s why you play the games, I guess.

As described above there have been trials and tribulations all season long. The Acuna injury was devastating but somehow this franchise won that last World Series in 2021 without him so...

The offense, though, has not been able to get in a rhythm and struggled for the entire first half of the season.

Matt Olson who belted a franchise record 52 home runs last year and drove in a whopping 139 runs has been somewhat missing in action this year.

Max Fried is a stud and another guy who can be deemed an ace. He is also in the final year of his contract and seems more than motivated to continue the quality pitching as we have seen so far for the majority of this season

Reynaldo Lopez has been a career sub .500 journeyman pitcher who has now bounced around to his fifth team but you certainly could not tell it from his 7-3 record and miniscule 1.88 ERA at the break. The hope was that Lopez could be the fifth starter, nobody realistically expected him to become an All-Star.

Add in a bullpen that has been very good led by the closer Raisel Iglesias and his 22 saves at the break along with the old man in Jesse Chavez, Dylan Lee, AJ Minter and a few others and you can see how these guys have held things to a super high level.

Austin Riley was injured early and slumped for a good amount of time but did finally pick things up later in the first half of the season.

Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia have been disappointments in the middle of the infield. Arcia has been struggling mightily at the plate and Ozzie has been very mediocre for his standards.

Thank Goodness for “The Big Bear”, Marcel Ozuna. After busting out a season ago to the tune of 40 Home Runs and 100 RBI, many people, including myself, believed we would see a regression to the mean here in 2024. Well, that prediction couldn’t have been more wrong as Ozuna has been even better this season as evidenced by his 26 long balls and 77 runs driven in at the break.

The Braves are still in decent shape, despite it all, and even if they have to fight it out for a Wild Card and not another Division Championship it does not equate to a death sentence. This franchise found a way in 2021 with a team that frankly was not as talented as the one we have now, even sans Strider and Acuna. Plus, general manager Alex Anthopoulos always makes some great deadline moves and maybe, just maybe, we could have another amazing run and find a way to play deep into October.

“My

s a young child, your life is waiting like an open book to be filled with your amazing story and fantastic accomplishments. For as many as 1 out of 5 students, dyslexia seemingly closes the book before their story begins.

In 2012, two second-grade boys in Marietta felt their “books” were slowly being closed. Their mothers knew they were struggling in school and desperately wanted to help them. They grew frustrated in their search for educational opportunities specifically for dyslexic learners that met their sons’ needs and decided to create a school for their children. As overwhelming as the pioneering work of starting a school seemed at the time, with the guidance of the Executive Director of the Georgia Educational Training Agency, Brenda Fitzgerald, the doors of GRACEPOINT School opened with 4 students. Today, GRACEPOINT has grown to 130 students in grades 1-8.

GRACEPOINT School is a private school located in Marietta dedicated to bringing out the brilliance of the dyslexic learner in a Christ-centered environment.

The philosophy of GRACEPOINT is to provide a fully immersive instructional environment where the approach to learning is multi-sensory and prescriptive.

When students first arrive at GRACEPOINT, they tell stories of defeat, frustration, and being filled with anxiety. GRACEPOINT understands this and welcomes them in where they are treasured, known, and celebrated. The school helps foster their self-confidence and self-advocacy skills while creating positive work habits and study skills.

Schedule your personalized tour today! 678-756-8897

GRACEPOINT School’s new permanent home is at 1407 Cobb Parkway N, Marietta, GA 30062.

The mission of GRACEPOINT is to equip dyslexic students with the skills needed to become independent and confident learners. They strive to instill a lifelong desire for their students to grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, so each will fulfill God’s purpose and bring Him glory.

aste of Smyrna “Festival of Delectable” is coming to satisfy palates, quench your thirst, fill your soul with music & entertainment and please the kids, all in one day!!! We are very excited to announce that you will be able to sample a tasty array of amazing Smyrna restaurants on Saturday, September 7th from 11:00AM – 6:00PM around the beautiful Village Green in downtown Smyrna.

Admission is FREE and samples can be purchased for 1 to 10 dollars. We are expecting over 25 restaurants including – Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Williamson Brothers BBQ, Nagel’s Bagels, Copelands, Mezza Luna Pasta and Seafood, and more to tempt your taste buds and fill your senses. Last year’s winners were:

Enjoy great live music all day long as you sip and savor the day!

There will be a Kids Zone with interactive inflatables featuring a giant slide, obstacle courses, and much more. This is a great value for the whole family.

The anticipated attendance, weather permitting, is expected to be over 20,000 people. Plan to sample all Smyrna’s finest restaurants, visit the beer garden, and listen to music all day long near the beautiful Village Green.

For more information about the 2024 Taste of Smyrna Festival, please contact Missy Miller at JRM Management Services, Inc. at 770-423-1330 or missy@ jrmmanagement.com.

Introducing Dr. Jeremiah Cook

Dr. Chris Shim and The Oakdale Family Dental team is excited to introduce Dr. Jeremiah Cook!

A native of the Smyrna area, Dr. Cook has been in the field of dentistry for over 13 years, first as an assistant, then as a dental hygienist for 8 years. Dr. Cook recently received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from The Dental College of Georgia in 2023. As an associate dentist, Dr. Cook is looking forward to providing excellent and gentle dental care for all our patients at Oakdale Family Dental. He has been married to his wife Kim for 6 years. Dr. Cook enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and friends, along with fishing and playing soccer.

OCTOBER 15, 2024 SOUTH

What are you looking forward to this school year?

Emmie is most excited to start her first year of Middle school at Durham and meet her teachers and reunite with

Everleigh ~

“I’m most excited about performing at the halftime shows this year for football season!”

is most excited about meeting new friends.

Cooper ”seeing my friends”

I’m excited to see everyone again. Yeah I kept in touch with a few people for this summer but it’s nice to see those familiar faces that you dont know that well. See that they’re still out there, living their own life separate from your own. It’s nice to have that reminder that life is much bigger than what you experience.

Cooper

Senior class of 2025! Harrison High School

Brooklynn - ‘All of it!

I’m excited to see what new projects we have for art class and see my old friends and meet new friends.’ 2nd Grade at St. Benedict’s Episcopal

- ‘I’m excited to eat lunch and bring my water bottle and be a good listener.’

St. Benedict’s Episcopal

“Maggie said she is excited to meet new friends”

Davis “recess and seeing my friends”

Age 7, 2nd grade

said she is looking forward to learning new subjects this year.

I’ve had so much fun this summer with so many different adventures, but I can’t wait to get back to school to see my best friends and my favorite Hunter

“I looking forward to participating in an advanced art program that earns me high school credit. And playing my new favorite sport volleyball. “

Elise Durham Middle School rising 8th Grade

“Sally is looking forward to painting at school (art)” Age 5, K

Alex

Lillie is most excited about seeing her friends and meeting new ones.

In-Home Services for Seniors by Seniors

There’s

In-Home Services for Seniors by Seniors

There’s

Book Club

re you ready to dive into an epic, sweeping novel? We have just the selection for you this month!

Our Book: The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne

Our Scene:

With temperatures rising, Jennifer hosted us this month at the pool! Outdoor dining is one of our favorite things about early summer in our area. The weather was perfect to enjoy Jen’s menu around the pool deck. She whipped up hummus with vegetable dippers, green salad with grilled chicken, pasta salad, and several delights from Publix for dessert. Do you have a go-to end of summer dinner party menu? We’d love to know!

Our Synopsis:

The Heart’s Invisible Furies is a coming of age story that spans the decades of Cyril Avery’s life in Ireland between 1945 and 2015. Prominent themes include sexual identity, family, religion, political unrest, and the AIDS epidemic. Despite the heaviness of these themes, the book has many funny moments, and Boyne’s writing feels honest, heartfelt, and sincere. While Cyril (andothers) encounter much cruelty, there are also moments of kindness and tenderness that our group found incredibly touching. We encourage you to pick up this title, but give yourself plenty of time: this is a 600+ pager! The story moves quickly, however, and several members of our book club finished it in record time.

Our Favorite Questions:

We get our discussion questions from a variety of sources but most often find them online or generate our own. Without spoiling the story, here are some that spurred interesting conversation:

1 2 3 4 5

Do you feel like Cyril has agency over his own life, or does life just kind of happen to him? Why do you feel this way?

What lessons does Cyril learn about family as the story unfolds?

Ireland itself almost seems like a character in the story. What details make the story unique to Ireland and its history? Where else could a story like this one take place?

Despite the heavy themes, there are many laugh-out-loud moments in this book. Which ones stand out to you?

Consider the title of the book. What are the furies Boyne seems to reference? In what ways are they invisible?

Our Key Takeaway:

Our key takeaway this month surrounds the transformative power of true love. Love can come in different forms and through unconventional avenues, as Cyril experiences throughout the seventy years we follow along with his story. From family, friends, and spouses, love has the power to alter one’s life path. Do you agree?

If you’re looking for a title you can really sink your teeth into, we can’t recommend The Heart’s Invisible Furies enough!

Our Rating: 5 Stars

Our Next Book: RemarkablyBrightCreatures by Shelby Van Pelt

K4 through 8th Grades

3130 Atlanta Road | Smyrna, GA 30080 | 770-435-1596 ccs-admissions@ccssmyrna.org

K4 through 8th Grades 3130 Atlanta Road | Smyrna, GA 30080 | 770-435-1596 ccs-admissions@ccssmyrna.org

By Evie Love

t seems like just yesterday I was beginning my first year in high school (honestly it feels like yesterday was the start of first grade).

As a little freshman, I was nervous about what the next four years would hold, which friends I would keep, and the new ones I would make. However, I am now walking into my last year of high school which comes with many emotions. Part of me is really excited to be the oldest in the school, participate in all the fun senior festivities, and begin thinking about what my future holds. But, the other part of me is sad thinking that this year will include my final volleyball season, my final soccer season, and the last year with my friends in high school. My usual routine will soon change.

Everyone has always told me that senior year is the best year of high school and I have always looked forward to becoming older and more independent. I remember thinking how old seniors looked and how cool it’s going to be when I am just as big as them. That time of being older is now here and honestly I do not feel any more grown than I did years ago. It is funny how life works; when you are young, you can not wait until you are old. However, when you become older it seems like time has moved too quickly.

Do not get me wrong, I am SUPER excited that senior year is here. We get to paint our cars and parking spaces at school, enjoy lunch off campus, be a part of our schools first flag football team, enjoy senior breakfasts, and many more amazing things that come with being the “Big Man on

House Dates

October 7, 2023 9:30am Saturday, January 20, 2024 9:30am Thursday, February 15, 2024 6:30pm

2023-2024 Open House Dates Saturday, October 7, 2023 9:30am Saturday, January 20, 2024 9:30am Thursday, February 15, 2024 6:30pm

what make being a senior so exciting and are great ways to positively remember my senior year.

This year has come so fast and it is already bittersweet. One second it was the start of summer, the next I was starting my first day of senior year. I look back at all the previous senior classes that have made such a positive impact on my life. I will forever cherish the friendships and memories that have come from those people.

As I begin this next year of my life, I hope I can make the same amazing memories and be a positive light in a younger classmate’s life. I am going to hold on to the little things that have made high school such an enjoyable experience and create my own memories that make me unique.

I am excited to start, sad to be so close to the finish, but eager for everything in between and beyond!

Campus.” All these activities are

NOW OPEN!

varenita.com/westcobb

AGE IN PLACE

At Varenita, residents can “age in place” comfortably and securely.

One of the main benefits of choosing Varenita of West Cobb is that residents can stay in the same community and, in many cases, the same “living area” even as their health care requirements change. This means that once you or your loved one moves into our beautiful community, it’s home. No matter how much needs to change over time.

ASSISTED LIVING

The perfect option for independent seniors who want support with daily tasks and personal care.

Varenita of West Cobb’s personalized assisted living care is designed for primarily independent seniors looking for a rich and rewarding lifestyle with an enhanced level of support. Guided by compassion and clinical expertise, our highly trained team members offer residents the gentle, individually focused support they need to flourish while retaining their independence.

Personalized Care for All Stages of Aging

ASSISTED PLUS

This specialized program is ideal for those living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early memory loss. Our industry-leading transitional care program is built around an inclusive “open campus” model. It is specifically designed for residents experiencing the early symptoms of memory loss or MCI but may not require the full attention or secure environment of a traditional memory program. Residents who are appropriate for transitional care continue to reside in the Assisted Living area of the community while receiving additional support with daily activities.

MEMORY CARE

An enriching and supportive program designed for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Based on the latest research, Varenita’s memory care program offers a truly compassionate approach to care designed for those residents living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. This living option combines an engaging, secure memory care neighborhood with a stimulating, person-centered lifestyle often missing from other cognitive care programs.

ON-SITE THERAPY SERVICES

Unlike many other senior living communities, Varenita offers comprehensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy services for all our residents without the hassel of having to leave the community.

FIVE-STAR RESTAURANT-STYLE DINING

Varenita offers residents and their families an impressive mix of delicious cuisine and rich dining experiences. Our accomplished chef and culinary team create an ever-changing menu of delicious entrees made with organic, locally sourced ingredients across three beautiful dining venues. These include vegetarian, gluten-free, and specially designed dishes for residents with specific dietary needs. In addition, we have a registered dietitian available to help with residents’ nutritional needs.

THE VALUE OF CONNECTION

At Varenita, we offer an impressive mix of activities, classes, and events that foster engagement, stimulate the mind, and provide a rewarding sense of purpose.

• Arts & Crafts

• Daily Gardening

• Group Outings

• Move & Dance

• Animal Activities

• Cooking Classes

• Music & Song

• Live Concerts

• Exercise Classes

• Family Events

• Guest Speakers

Varenita

Back 2 School Giveaway

9-10TH

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Empowering Communities through Automotive Excellence: Our Vision is to redefine the buying experience, fostering innovation, integrity, and unmatched customer service. With a commitment to sustainability and a passion for progress, we aim to be the foremost destination for automotive needs, enriching lives one mile at a time. STEVE RAYMAN CHEVROLET 2155

770-953-0100 / 800-578-0732

FREE LUNCH

100 FREE BACKPACKS STUFFED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES! TO THE FIRST 100 FAMILIES IN ATTENDANCE! While suppiles last.

l Bath w/Hydro Massage l Ears cleaned Nails Trimmed l Sanitary Trim

l Basic De-matting

l Full Brush & Blow Dry

l Shave downs

l Full cuts

Mobile Dog Grooming

The waggin’ wagon provides professional mobile dog grooming services to the North Atlanta community. We are currently servicing Buckhead, Brookhaven, Smyrna, Vinings, East Cobb, West & South Marietta, Sandy Springs & Dunwoody extending 3 miles north of I-285.

BSaint Lucia

ack in the days when both the internet and Google were still relatively new, my husband and I were two youngsters trying to figure out where we would like to spend our honeymoon when we stumbled upon Saint Lucia. We instantly fell in love with this beautiful island and that love only grew once we visited. I’m headed back to Saint Lucia this month to experience a few of my favorite resorts and thought I’d share some information with you about the island.

Situated in the Eastern Caribbean, Saint Lucia is a stunning, mountainous island best known for the infamous Pitons (“Petit Piton” and “Gros Piton,” twin volcanic spires soaring out of the sea). It is nicknamed ‘the Hawaii of the Caribbean’ for good reason - it is much lusher and more mountainous than most other Caribbean islands. Saint Lucia has a wonderful, tropical climate and the trade winds keep the island temperate year-round. June through November is the rainy season so if you want the best chance at completely sunny skies you would want to visit from December to May.

Getting to the island from Atlanta is very easy with daily direct flights on Delta. Most resorts are some distance from Hewanorra Airport so expect your transfers by vehicle to take up to two hours. The drive is winding so account for this if you have motion sickness concerns. Another great option are helicopter transfers, which we did upon arrival. Within minutes you can be anywhere on the island and you will have a birds-eye view of the scenery. It’s a very fun, unique experience.

“Ready for another amazing year at cola” Jordan -16

Journey - “I look forward to intramurals and basketball with my friends.”

Justice - “l look forward to seeing my friends.”

There are so many amazing experiences on the island. There is a drive-in volcano, zip lining, rainforest hikes on the Pitons, various boat tours, and Sulphur Springs in Soufriere. Another popular location to visit is Pigeon Island National Park, which is home to an old British Military Base, Fort Rodney. Saint Lucia also hosts the very popular annual Saint Lucia Jazz Festival in May in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. They also celebrate Carnival in July.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a car so you can see more of the island. Some important things to know beforehand are that you are required to purchase a permit, you will be driving on the left-side of the road, and there are lots of hairpin curves so make sure that you are comfortable driving in mountainous conditions.

The most popular resort areas include Soufriere, Marigot Bay, Rodney Bay, and Gros Islet. We stayed in Soufriere at an amazing open-air resort, Ladera, but we were able to experience several of the other areas during our drive through the island and at the Friday ‘Jump-Up’ Street Party in Gros Islet.

If you haven’t yet visited Saint Lucia, now is the time!

Heather Meliski is a travel agent specializing in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, Australia, the South Pacific, cruises, theme parks, and more. She lives in Smyrna with her husband two sons. Heather@yellowshoetravel.com FB @ heatheryellowshoetravel IG @yellowshoetravelheather