Hello friends,
Back-to-school shopping was a highlight of our August summer vacation. Well, along with sailing, sleeping in and corn on the cob. There was a general store and a small department store near the cottage, so my mom would take us shopping on rainy days and we would pick out jeans, sneakers and sweaters for our September start date.
These wardrobe items would remain untouched until the first day of school, laundered and ready for action. One year, I dared to wear my new shoes, just for a minute to run out to the ice cream truck. We lived on a dirt road out in the country, so the prospect of a Bomb Pop delivery wasn't terribly common. I slipped on my new shoes, grabbed my brother's coin jar and dashed across the wide green lawn toward the road. I tripped while jumping across the mushy ditch and the jar crashed and broke, the coins (most pennies - RIP) rolling into the road. I honestly can't remember whether or not I was able to stop the truck, but I certainly will never forget the trouble I got into for wearing my school shoes outdoors. The drama of back-to-school!
In our annual KIDS and PETS issue, we celebrate the joys of each.
Pedal Forward partnered with Bike Alpharetta to host Bikes For Kids, which works with 20 local bike shops to refurbish used bikes at the YMCA. Their story is on page 18.
Our writer Summer visited Island Resort in Ft. Walton, where kids play with mermaids and pirates. That story is on page 30.
The residents of Village Park share their sweet pets in portraits on page 12.
Enjoy the tail end of summer and a gentle school introduction.
All my best,
Sue and Vito (my tuxedo cat)
SUE G. COLLINS, EDITOR @ALPHARETTACITYLIFESTYLE
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Jim Newman | jnewman@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Sue G. Collins | scollins@citylifestyle.com
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
Karyn Slovin | karyn.slovin@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Karla Wilkinson | Karla.Wilkinson@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Summer J. Robinson | summerjrobinson2@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Summer J. Robinson
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Aleks Kapetanovic
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Are you implementing the tax-saving strategies your business needs?
Every year, new rules and opportunities emerge that can lower your tax bill—but only if you know how to use them. Without a plan, you could be missing deductions or paying more than you should. The right approach
With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online.
Ready to double your local reach? Contact your local publisher by scanning below.
Celebrating Pet Love
Kimberly Hazekamp and Dr. Michael J. Dellaria are celebrating one year of Faith. They adopted their dog Faith from an organization that rescues maltipoos from a hoarding breeder out of state. She was outside, kenneled with 70 other dogs, malnourished at 5 1/2 pounds and four teeth were pulled. "It took us 13 years to get over our Maltese, Angel, passing away. Faith is the perfect name," says Kimberly. Cheers to all the rescues!
Student Awarded Scholarship
Joyce Kim of Alpharetta became one of 16 students nationwide — and the only one from Georgia — to receive a Gold Medal Portfolio Award, the organization’s highest honor. The winners were recognized at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The award comes with a $12,500 scholarship, which will be handy when she heads to Yale University this fall.
New Business En Route
Philadelphia Insurance Companies plans to expand in Alpharetta. The company will occupy the new space at 2325 Lakeview Pkwy in January. Philadelphia Insurance Companies, a member of the Tokio Marine Group, designs, markets and underwrites commercial property/casualty and professional liability insurance products for select industries. In business for over 50 years, PHLY is nationally recognized as a member of Ward’s Top 50, one of the Best Places to Work in Insurance.
Elevating
When you step into your kitchen, what do you aspire to do? Master a new cooking technique? Serve food even your pickiest family member will eat with enthusiasm?
Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances are meticulously crafted to achieve a higher standard of performance, dependability, and style—so you can raise the bar on every meal you make.
Your future kitchen starts with Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, featured at
Furry Friends Forever
Seniors and their pets in the limelight.
ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEKSANDER KAPETANOVIC
Judy Mckinley and Lucy
Lucy, Cinnamon and Flint see each other now and then and may stop for a polite greeting. Otherwise, they prefer to blaze their own trail, or better yet, plop down in a lap for a nap.
Along with their friends, Azzy, Flint and Panda these pups are living their best lives with their favorite humans at Village Park Alpharetta. Pets are welcome at all Galerie Living properties including Corso Residences and Village Park Senior Living communities. With dog parks, waste stations, water bowls and the freedom to walk the campus with their pet, these seniors feel the warm welcome.
Jane Foy and Panda
"I really think pets make a huge difference for seniors. They bring companionship, unconditional love, and give people a reason to get up and stay active every day," says Francisco Marcano, Life Enrichment Director at Village Park. "They also help residents meet and connect with each other. It's always fun to see conversations start just because someone stopped to say hello."
Bungalows and cottages, independent and assisted living and memory care homes are scattered across the pretty campus. Residents can have the care, supportive community and elegant lifestyle that fit their needs for today and tomorrow.
Every detail of Village Park works intelligently and dynamically to create a lifestyle and community focused on social, physical and mental wellbeing. By designing the entire community for assisted living, we help residents age in place independently or with a spouse to develop lasting relationships with their neighbors, caregivers and chefs, in a home that adapts to their needs.
Sue Souerwine and Flint
Margaret Miskell and Muddy
Joan Kearney says Cinnamon is cute, social and spontaneous
At Village Park, care is a catalyst, not a conundrum. The team offers compassionate care through customized care plans and regular wellness assessments. Personalized support enhances communication and the care experience, giving residents peace of mind and the freedom to spend their time the way they want. And for these pets and their humans, this freedom means more games of fetch, more safe walks and plenty more cuddles.
Shot on location at Village Park Alpharetta. VillageParkSeniorLiving.com
CorsoResidences.com
GalerieLiving.com
Joe and Sharon Pattie with Azzy
FUN ON TWO WHEELS
PEDAL FORWARD PARTNERS WITH BIKE ALPHARETTA TO HOST BIKES FOR KIDS
In January of 2025, REI Co-op exited its Experience business, shutting down the bike training classes it previously offered. Now, there was an ever-present need for a new way for kids to learn to ride, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds who relied on bikes to get to school and eventually to work.
ARTICLE BY JONATHAN THAI
To address this problem, Milton and Lassiter high schoolers founded The Pedal Forward Foundation to provide children of all ages, regardless of their socioeconomic status, with bike riding lessons at no cost, and to donate
bikes and helmets to kids unable to afford their own. Since then, across 12 bike training camps, Pedal Forward has taught over 400 children from financially disadvantaged communities across North Fulton how to ride, partnering with 10 chapters of NCL, YMSL, NHS and Beta Club to provide over 450 bikes and 550 helmets to families in need.
In addition to hosting its own bike training camps, the youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit supports community initiatives. In December 2025, Pedal Forward partnered with Bike Alpharetta to host Bikes For Kids, which works with 20 local bike shops to refurbish used bikes at the YMCA and donate 300 bikes and helmets to the NFCC for the holidays. Starting in 2026, Pedal Forward will be taking over the 20th annual Bikes For Kids alongside Bike Roswell and RAMBO.
At 1882 At Old Canton, home means more than just square footage.
Pedal Forward continues to spread nationally with chapters in Tennessee and New York, raising over $50,000 for its programs through individual/community donors and business/corporate sponsorships. Growing globally, the nonprofit has launched international initiatives such as PedalForVietnam, a two-week humanitarian trip to rural villages in Vietnam, during which the team distributed 308 bikes to disadvantaged students living far from school across four communes. To fundraise for this program, Pedal Forward organized a Miles for Bikes challenge, bringing together 55 athletes to log 6000 miles across six weeks. The executive team plans to organize more of these trips in the future.
In addition to being featured on Fox 5’s Good Day Atlanta and Appen Media, the nonprofit has received Proclamations of Appreciation from the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and the Alpharetta City Council and Mayor, and Letters of Commendation from Governor Brian Kemp and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff.
Pedal Forward is always looking to grow and expand its outreach and impact. All families are welcome to participate in our events and initiatives. In addition, the nonprofit is looking to transition operations to emerging leaders and allow young people to have a positive impact on the community. Email info@ pedalforward.net if you have questions about their events, are interested in supporting/helping them grow or are looking to play a role in leading the organization!
IF YOU ARE READING THIS... SO IS YOUR BEST CLIENT.
2 OUT OF 3 of our readers regularly purchase from our ads.
ALL KIDS FISH BRINGS KIDS TO FLY FISHING
MENTORSHIP MEANS EVERYTHING
ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS
Judging by the whoop and holler on the beach at Lake Lanier, you’d have thought the girl just landed a whale. Her guide and everyone fishing along the shore cheered and patted her on the back, admiring her catch. She’d worked for it, casting, adjusting movements based on her guide’s tutelage. The sun was beating down so she kicked off her shoes and sunk her toes into the mushy sand at the water’s edge. When she saw the indicator bob, she set the hook, stripped and reeled in a 3” minnow, the catch of her lifetime! The pride, the glee, the victory!
CONTINUED >
Elegance that elevates
From concept to completion, we’re your full-service partner for transforming your space. Whether you’re dreaming of a stunning kitchen, a luxurious bathroom, or fully custom closets, we’ve got you covered. With 13 cabinet lines, 25+ custom closet colors, and an extensive selection of countertops, tile, and flooring, we offer options to suit every budget and every style. Let us help bring your vision to life - and turn your house into your dream home.
The Designery Atlanta 404.999.4585 | TheDesignery.com 6080 Sandy Springs Circle NE | Atlanta, GA 30328
The annual Becca Sue Klein All Kids Fish events inspire the next generation of fly anglers and conservationists through full-day fly fishing retreats. Kids, ages 10 - 18, will learn to assemble and cast a fly rod, tie knots, handle fish safely, select proper gear and learn about how a healthy river sustains life.
At the June retreat, nearly 30 kids from all over metro Atlanta gathered for a one-on-one fishing experience. Founded by fly fishing guru the late Becca Klein, the event’s mission is to cultivate a community that promotes equity and inclusivity, so that the kids who participate see themselves reflected in the many volunteers, guides and staff members present. That means that the All Kids Fish program not only welcomes all identities, perspectives and cultures but also celebrates diversity so that each angler feels a true sense of belonging – both on and off the water.
The next event, open to the public, is on October 17 in Helen, Georgia.
Chattahoochee.org
“THE EVENT’S MISSION IS TO CULTIVATE A COMMUNITY THAT PROMOTES EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY, SO THAT THE KIDS WHO PARTICIPATE SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN THE MANY VOLUNTEERS, GUIDES AND STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT.”
1,2,3, LEARN!
McGinnis Woods School 5380 Faircroft Drive, Alpharetta McginnisWoods.org
Enrollment: Infants through 8th grade
Mission: Inspiring students with the passion to excel, with a mission to provide superior academics through hands-on approaches, which foster self-confidence and self-esteem, preparing students for the challenges of high school and college and inspiring a lifelong love of learning.
The school year is launched with Meet the Teacher nights the week before school begins. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with one another.
PROFILE: MCGINNIS WOODS SCHOOL
A Family-Friendly Gulf Coast Getaway
When most people think of Florida beach resorts, destinations like Miami, 30a or the Palm Beaches usually come to mind. But tucked away along Florida’s Emerald Coast is a beachfront gem that deserves a spot on every family’s vacation list: The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach.
Located just 20 minutes from the Fort Walton Beach Airport, The Island Resort makes it easy to go from baggage claim to beach chair in no time. From the moment I arrived, I could tell this was a place designed for making memories. During my stay, I saw families with toddlers and teenagers, couples enjoying romantic getaways and groups of friends soaking up the sun together.
Situated directly on the sugar-white sands and emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the resort offers the perfect blend of relaxation and family fun. The property features 335 coastal-inspired guest rooms, multiple pools, on-site entertainment and direct beach access—all within steps of the shoreline. One of the things I appreciated most was how much there was to do without ever leaving the resort. Upon check-in, the friendly staff welcomed me with a map of the property and a calendar packed with activities for guests of all ages.
ARTICLE BY SUMMER J. ROBINSON
For parents looking for a little downtime, Neverland Island Kid’s Camp offers supervised fun for children through both morning and afternoon sessions. Kids can spend their day enjoying games, activities, crafts and snacks while parents relax poolside or stroll along the beach. The resort also leans into a sense of whimsy that children will love. On Wednesdays, guests can meet Misty the Mermaid, the resort’s real-life resident mermaid, who makes appearances at The Grotto Pool for photos and fun. There’s even a resident pirate who leads games and activities for young adventurers.
Adults aren't left out of the fun either. Guests can enjoy yoga classes on the Island Green, aqua Zumba, dive-in movies, DJ pool parties, live music and The Grotto Pool, home to the area's only seasonal swim-up bar.
The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach
Food is never far away. The Island Resort features four on-site dining options, including the newly redesigned Sea Oats Kitchen & Bar and Cabana Cantina, along with food trucks and convenient beachside and poolside service.
Still, my favorite part of the trip was the simplest: slowing down. One day, I spent hours lounging by the pool. The next, I settled into a beach chair and listened to the waves roll in. Whether you're on the sand or by the water, food, drinks and beautiful views are always within reach.
The resort is also conveniently located just a short walk from popular attractions like the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone and the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, making it easy to add even more family-friendly adventures to your itinerary.
Whether you're planning a Labor Day escape, a spring break adventure or next summer's family vacation, The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach offers something every family member can enjoy—a place where parents can unwind, children can play and everyone can leave with memories that last long after the tan lines fade.
TheIslandFL.com
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
PICKLE BETTER, BEND EASIER, MOVE STRONGER
Rediscover Freedom of Movement! If HIP or KNEE pain is limiting your life, it’s time to take the next step. Dr. Brandon Naylor is a nationally recognized expert in joint pain, offering a spectrum of treatments, from injections to minimally invasive and advanced arthroplasty techniques proven to reduce recovery time and maximize function.
“I was back on my feet in no time. Dr. Naylor gave me my life back!”
– Susan M., Age 67, Total Knee Replacement
AUGUST 2026
AUGUST 14TH
Alpharetta
Moonlight Market
Alpharetta City Center | 5:00 PM
The Alpharetta Moonlight Market returns for 2026 on select Friday nights (8/14,28) transforming North Broad Street and the City Center retail district into a bustling open-air street market alongside the On the Green Summer Concert Series. Discover unique finds from local artists and makers, enjoy live music and soak up the energy of Alpharetta after dark. AwesomeAlpharetta.com
AUGUST 15TH
OLD TIME SAILORS
Alpharetta Arts Center | 6:30 PM
You are invited to board the Sailorette and join the plentiful crew, The Old Time Sailors, for a night of foot stomping, dancing and singing! You will be sailing back to the 19th century for an immersive experience of traditional seafaring music performed in a way you have never seen before. The Motley Crew will entertain. AwesomeAlpharetta.com
AUGUST 27TH
GRAND TASTING
The Hotel at Avalon & Alpharetta Conference Center | 6:00 PM
Enjoy complimentary tastes from 30+ of Alpharetta’s top chefs and bakeries, wine, beer and cocktail tastings, cooking demos and live music. Guests must be over 21 to enjoy unlimited bites, bottomless bevs and fantastic live music. You will be the judge to award Best Taste, Best Dessert and Best Beverage. Please note that this is a ticketed event. TasteofAtlanta.com
