Fayette County, GA July 2023

We are really frugal when it comes to cars. We keep ours forever, and had never bought a new one,” said Ellie White-Stevens, marketing agency Creative Director at Dirt1x and recent Cronic Nissan customer. “The deal Cronic gave us was too good to pass up. And Nissan gave us a good financing rate, too. Combined, I’m now driving a brand new 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. I couldn’t be happier.”

Why shop Cronic for her new Nissan? “I know Wanda Cronic Howell through the business community. You won’t find a more civic-minded person. She gives back in so many countless ways. I also like that she won a recent national award for diversity. It matters to me when our local businesses are doing the right things.”

Ellie drove from her home in Coweta County to Cronic for her buying experience. “It’s really not that far to Griffin. And they made it so easy. I talked to the Sales Manager on the phone about what they had in stock. I picked my favorite of the options based on price and features. And they had it pulled up when I arrived for my appointment. I literally did not look at another car. I just knew that my red Pathfinder was it.”

Ellie and her husband Matt drove down to Cronic on a rainy day. “I told the general manager, JC Coissy, that’s how you know we’re serious buyers.”

Why is the sun now shining on her Nissan?

“I had been driving a 13-year-old SUV. And we are passing it along to our son who just graduated from Georgia Tech and is headed off to grad school in Iowa.”

“This new car is better in every way than the SUV I’m giving up. I love the rear camera and the blind spot warning. I’m impressed with the sound system and how the car interfaces with my Android phone to run my apps. And as any person who has driven a really old car can attest, it’s nice to have a radio that actually works all the time.”

To shop for the Nissan of your dreams, visit www.croniccars.com, call 678-967-2277 or go to the showroom in person at 2624 North Expressway in Griffin, Georgia.

Wanda Cronic Howell, President and Dealer at Cronic Automotive Group in Griffin

Cronic Nissan Salesperson Jason Presley, Ellie White-Stevens, her husband Matt White and General Manager JC Coissy in front of the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder that Ellie took home.

Fun in the Sun

I hope this letter finds you laying by the pool or lake and soaking in some much-needed vitamin D.

As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, I find myself eagerly anticipating the arrival of summer. There's just something about this season that brings about a sense of excitement and adventure. Sure, Fall has my favorite flavors and scents, Winter has its cozy charms, and I can't deny the beauty of Spring. But when the Summer solstice rolls around, I’m more than ready for the long, lazy days sitting by our friend's pool. It's always good to have friends with pools.

Growing up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, there were two beaches that we frequented. You might be thinking, "Beaches, northwest of Chicago?" Yes, but not on any large body of water. Our beaches were on Bangs Lake in Wauconda, IL, and they were full of fun in the sun for us midwesterners. Phil's Beach had a slide that flipped you up into the air at the bottom. It was about three stories high, which might as well be a mile to a little girl. I only braved the slide once and that was enough for me. If you saw the cult classic film, The Blues Brothers, and remember the scene where Jake and Elroy are announcing their "One Night Only" performance with that ridiculous loudspeaker on the roof of their 1974 Dodge Monaco sedan all over Chicago, the scene on the beach was at Phil's. Chicagoans are still proud of that film.

We hope our Summer Fun issue will help you make the most of this season in Fayette County. And even if Summer doesn't mean three months of summer vacation anymore (because we're, you know, adults) we can still look forward to an adventure by experiencing some Summer bucket list activities (check the table of contents for ours!), and curling up with a new favorite beach read.

Blessings and fun to you all,

July 2023

PUBLISHER

Jennifer Conforti | jennifer.conforti@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Byron Pugh | byron.pugh@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jennifer Conforti, Susan Walworth, Pam Reid, Amie Kok

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Stephen Wilson, Tyler Willis

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

JENNIFER

CONFORTI, PUBLISHER @FAYETTECOUNTYLIFESTYLE

Image

courtesy of the Daily Herald.

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: Bourbon tasting at the Two Sparrows Village Bourbon and Bites fundraiser at Curious Pig PTC. 2: The owners of Your Pie, PTC, sponsored the Two Sparrows event! 3: Two Sparrows Village board of directors. 4: Sponsors, Steven Newton and Andrew Poliak with their guests and some delicious bourbon and bites! 5: The band, Bisky Rizzness, was joined by Zac Brown Band member, Clay Cook! (right) 6: Curious Pig owner, Scott Smith (center) provided some amazing bites! 7: Town Branch, Old Soul, Elijah Craig, and Four Roses were sponsors, along with Tito's Vodka! Photography by Jolie Loren Photography

Welcome to the epitome of luxury living in Peachtree City. Nestled amidst the serene landscapes and charming southern charm, our luxury community sets the standard for elegance, comfort, and sophistication Indulge in a lifestyle that seamlessly blends modern living with the tranquility of nature

Laurel Brooke is Peachtree City's first mini-village, offering live/work commercial shops, 19 single family custom homes, 6 townhomes, condominium buildings and 8 cottage guest houses as nightly rentals.

Scan this code with your phone's camera for the latest information about available homes and what this community is bringing to Peachtree City

hello@livelaurelbrooke com

direct: 404 909 9951 office: 770 632 1112

www livelaurelbrooke com

@livelaurelbrooke

Laurel Brooke is ready to welcome you to a life of luxury, sophistication, and tranquility in Peachtree City. Embrace the unparalleled beauty of our community and elevate your lifestyle to new heights

Payton Peoples, REALTOR® is proud to represent Redwood Homes in their newest luxury community, Laurel Brooke.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Tag your Instagram photos with @fayettecountylifestyle

8: The students at Joseph Sams School gave a great, rock-n-roll-themed, end-of-year performance! 9: Miss Leah Bear's class from the Joseph Sams School performs "School's Out for Summer"! 10: Another rockin' class from the Joseph Sams School. 11: The team at Walton Fayetteville Apartments hosted a Fayette County Lifestyle pop-up networking event. Thanks y'all! 12: Rotarians and business owners joined in the fun. 13: Some wonderful friends and advertising partners at the FCL event. 14: Dr. Tamara Lewis says a few words about being a Fabulous Woman of Fayette.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Arnold's Mediation Services

As a paralegal, civil dispute mediator, license adjuster, and notary public, hiring Ms. Arnold for your signings will ensure that you have a great signing experience. 20 years of experience with legal documents and contracts and a proven track record. In addition, We are Compliance- Manager focused on minimizing company liability by keeping all records, and processes in full compliance with established standards and legal requirements! For more information go to arnoldmediationandnotary.com

Jazzercise Tyrone is Open!

Jazzercise Tyrone is up and running (or should we say, dancing)! They offer group fitness classes for all levels. Classes incorporate dance cardio with strength training to sculpt and tone your muscles in the ultimate full-body workout. Whether you’re looking for physical results or a way to relieve stress and FEEL your best, our instructors will guide you every step of the way toward wellness! For information, go to www.jazzercise.com or scan the QR code.

Fayette C.A.R.E. Clinic New Location

The Fayette C.A.R.E. Clinic has moved to its new location at 1260 Hwy 54 W, Ste 100, Fayetteville, across from Piedmont Fayette Hospital.

Fayette C.A.R.E. Clinic is a Georgia Volunteer Health Care Program (GVHCP) of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) providing FREE healthcare services for uninsured, lower-income patients, including cardiology, primary care, dentistry, chiropractic, and more. Deserving patients never receive a bill. For more information go to www.fayettecareclinic.com or call (770) 719-4620.

William T. Cook, M.D. Marlo Carter, M.D. Matthew Ralsten, M.D.

Nicole E. Quinn, M.D. Yvonne Conaway, N.P. Nykia Burke-Bray, M.D.

New Physician at Women's Specialists of Fayette

The team at Women's Specialists of Fayette welcomes Dr. Nykia BurkeBray to the practice. Dr. Burke-Bray earned her Medical Doctorate at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Then, she completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Memorial Health University Medical Center-Mercer in Savannah, GA in 2021. During her final year of residency, Dr. Burke-Bray achieved the highest honor, becoming a mother to identical triplet girls. For more information, go to www.wsfayette.com

Summer Reading Series

The Fayette County Public Library in Fayetteville has lots of fun activities planned for their children's Summer Reading Series! With topics like "Friendship Field Day" and "Stories for Strong Communities", your kids can't go wrong. There's even a Cooking Class with Nora Pullen, so fun! All of the Summer Reading Series programs require registration. For more information, call the library at 770-461-8841 or email the children's librarian, Katie Rees at krees@fayettecountyga.gov.

Two Sparrows Village Adult Day Center

Two Sparrows Village at Christian City has opened its Adult Day Center for adults with special needs. Two Sparrows Village believes all adults should have opportunities for independent life consistent with their individual capabilities. The Adult Day Center supports this mission by giving Two Sparrows Village residents and other community members the chance to participate in lifelong learning, social engagement, and volunteerism/vocational wellness inclusive of adults with intellectual disabilities or autism.  For more information, go to www.twosparrowsvillage.org .

Want

One Day in Chicago

Jennifer's favorite things about her kind of town, Chicago.

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER CONFORTI

| PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Second City, The Windy City, My Kind of Town... no matter what you call it, here are some things that I would absolutely not pass up on your day in the best city in the world, Chicago! Here’s a list of my all-time faves.

Architecture:

1.) Take an architectural boat tour of the lake and river. I think would be an excellent use of your time if you are interested in the history and details of Chicago’s architectural beginnings.

2.) The Willis Tower (true Chicagoans do not refer to this building by what it’s named today. It will always be The Sears Tower to us) is the tallest building in the city, but my choice is The Hancock Building. The views of the lake are beautiful and it’s near all the amazing shopping on Michigan Avenue.

Museums:

3.) The museums in Chicago are unsurpassed and rich in history and activity. For the art lover, The Art Institute is stunning. For the science buff, take a cab to Hyde Park and visit the Museum of Science and Industry. They have the most amazing exhibits and are well worth the drive.

4.) The Art Institute is smack dab in between Millennium Park where you can see the “Bean” sculpture, and Grant Park, known for Buckingham Fountain.  They’re easy to get to and nice to walk with some great photo ops of the city.

Food:

5.) No trip to Chicago would be complete without deep-dish pizza and, believe me, Chicagoans a very loyal to their favorites. Personally, nothing beats Lou Malnoti’s... but a close second is Giordano’s.

6.)  Chicago is known for its steak houses. My two favorites are Chicago Chop House and Gene and Georgetti’s ... you cannot go wrong with either one.

NOTE: If you see a street vendor with real, Chicago-style hot dogs, get one! However, and I can’t stress this point enough ... DO NOT ASK FOR KETCHUP!  Everyone will know you are a tourist and you will fall prey to scrutiny and evil glares. Besides, ketchup on a hot dog is just gross. Do it like a real Chicagoan and you will love every mouth-watering bite.

JENNIFER CONFORTI: I was born and raised about 35 miles northwest of the city of Chicago in Palatine, IL. Just a 40 min ride on the train and I was in my happy place. Chicago is teaming with life and love. It truly is the City of Big Shoulders and if you ever have the chance to go, just do it.

A Summer Fun Spot

Fun Spot America's ArieForce One thrills riders with near-flight experience.

ARTICLE BY SUSAN WALWORTH | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

The thrill of throttling a fighter jet or the terrifying exhilaration of rocketing into space is out of reach for most.  Fortunately, with a little imagination and an amazing roller coaster, it’s possible to experience the next best thing right here in Fayette County.

Fun Spot America Atlanta, opened ArieForce One in March and some roller coaster critics are already calling it one of the country’s top-tier coasters. Meshing the themes of space and jet flight, the coaster reaches 64 miles per hour as it zooms along 3,400 feet of patriotically painted red and blue tracks. After reaching altitude atop a 154-foot hill, the coaster hurtles down

146 feet at 83 degrees. During the 100-second experience, riders undergo four inversions, two zero-G rolls, the longest zero-G stall in the country, and the firstever Raven Truss Dive among other unique elements.

Skeptical? Take it from retired NASA astronaut Col. John Hurley who attended the coaster’s grand opening as a special guest.   “I know I could never pilot a fighter jet as tightly and smoothly as this experience,” he said. “It was truly amazing.”

The coaster was named in honor of John Arie Sr., founder of Fun Spot, who has had a lifelong passion for flight. “ArieForce One is the realization of our

The multi-level go-kart track is still a favorite at Fun Spot.

The Fast Track at Fun Spot is a favorite among guests.

The ferris wheel is one of 25 attractions at Fun Spot in Fayetteville.

Fun Spot's iconic Ferris Wheel watches over the park's newest attraction, ArieForce One.

dreams,” said John Arie Jr., president, and CEO of Fun Spot America, which also operates amusement parks in Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida.  “It’s fun, it’s unique, and most importantly, it’s huge!”

John Chidester, Fun Spot’s senior vice president of marketing said, “It brings tears to your eyes. It’s very fast and it just takes your breath away. It goes from one maneuver to the next and the twists and turns that are part of the ride are so unique. It’s why roller coaster enthusiasts love it, and why it’s destined to be one of the top roller coasters in the country. It’s not a slouch. It doesn’t take a back seat to many, if at all.”

Built by the renowned roller coaster company, Rocky Mountain Construction, for $13 million, ArieForce One is Fun Spot’s single largest investment. But more is on the way.  Chidester said the company has plans to continue improving and enlarging the Fayetteville park, which originally opened in 1990 as Dixieland Fun Park and in 2012 became Fun Junction USA.  Fun Spot bought the park in 2017.  At 120 acres Chidester said there is plenty of space for adding attractions and eventually shows and accommodations. “We’re very confident that using ArieForce One as an example of the quality and scope of what we have in store, we’ll be able to continue to develop the park into world-class or certainly a strong regional park.”

While Disney is considered the pinnacle of parks, Chidester said smaller parks such as Fun Spot offer big advantages.  “It’s, close, it’s convenient, it’s

very economical and you can have worldclass fun, world-class thrills,” he said adding that Fun Spot’s rides are built by the same people who build the rides for Six Flags and Disney. Perhaps the biggest advantage is line lengths. “We make memories too,” Chidester said. “Our memories come from being on rides and not being in line.”

As a local business, Fun Spot also wants to be a good community member. The company makes cash donations to schools and even invited high school journalism students to ArieForce One’s grand opening to cover the event and STEM students to question the engineers involved with developing the coaster. As an employer, Fun Spot trains and develops young employees in work habits, grooming standards, and how to communicate and interact with the public. These skills make them appealing to future employers.

ArieForce One may be the stand-out star of Fun Spot, but there are 25 other rides and attractions including Screamin’ Eagles and Tilt-A-Whirl in addition to a multi-level go-kart track and indoor arcade and batting cages. As a family-owned and operated company, the target audience is households with children. The park also has spaces available for birthday parties and corporate events. Safety is a priority with daily inspections and frequent test cycles on all the rides.

A wide variety of food is available at Fun Spot—pizzas, burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, Dippin’ Dots—as well as Fayette

“I know I could never pilot a fighter jet as tightly and smoothly as this experience.

It was truly amazing.” Retired NASA astronaut Col. John Hurley

John Arie, Jr. of Fun Spot, flanked by Col. John Hurley and John Arie, Sr., welcome visitors to the grand opening of ArieForce One.

The $13 million ArieForce One roller coaster is already considered one of the best in the country.

County’s only Auntie Anne’s pretzels. No outside food can be brought into the park, but visitors have the flexibility to leave for a meal outside the park and return.

Open daily to defeat summer doldrums, admission to Fun Spot is free.  Tickets are sold for each ride, although most visitors purchase an allday ride pass. In the fall, the park switches to a hybrid schedule and is open on weekends. Interestingly, when the park is not open to guests, it is often used for location filming for the series Cobra Kai, which is based on kids working at a theme park.

For more information about Fun Spot, visit funspotamericaatlanta.com

“It brings tears to your eyes... it's destined to be one of the top roller coasters in the country. It's not a slouch. It doesn't take a back seat to many, if at all.”

John Chidester of Fun Spot

John Arie, Jr. and Col. John Hurley experience the thrill of ArieForce One.

Top: Riders head into the country's first Raven Truss Dive.

Bottom: Arie Force One and John Arie Jr.

Another Peachtree City Gem

ARTICLE BY PAM REID | PHOTOGRAPHY

If you can imagine blending the North Cove neighborhood in Peachtree City with the Town at Trilith in Fayetteville, you may have a good idea of the vision for Laurel Brooke — a beautiful, walkable community in Peachtree City, Georgia, designed for a distinguished homeowner and loaded with all the bells and whistles.

Redwood Home Builders was one of only four builders selected from an interview pool of about thirty during the planning for the Town at Trilith. In fact, they built the very first home there. Redwood partners Jason Morris and Dan Bonner are still involved in the Trilith community. “We worked with the Trilith development team to build in that community. We started that in 2017 as one of the first builders, and have been active in Trilith since it started.”

Beautifully nestled in the McIntosh School district in Peachtree City, Laurel Brooke is what many of today’s homeowners are looking for — beauty, convenience, and the all-important option to customize a home to best fit the family’s needs. Jason and Dan have left nothing to chance when it comes to anticipating buyers’ needs.

“Buyers do not want to maintain an old home. They do not want to maintain a large lawn. They’d rather have quality finishes and quality time. They’d rather have less maintenance on the outside.” The quaint, purposeful meeting squares, complete with fountains, add to the overall charm and beauty of the neighborhood.

Renowned architect, Jim Strickland, played a significant role in the design of Laurel Brooke. The plans for the community

BY TYLER WILLIS

Laurel Brooke delivers on the vision with high-end, new construction homes in much-desired Peachtree City.

Jason Morris and Dan Bonner, partners at Redwood Home Builders

unfolded right before the COVID-19 pandemic. The city was on board with the plans, and they started breaking ground when suddenly, the world stopped and everything went on hold in 2020.

Payton Peoples of Payton Peoples and Company, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners, was selected to be the exclusive representative for the community. “I grew up here. I was in the first class to graduate from Starrs Mill High School. I left, got married, had kids, and came back to Peachtree City. I understand what other families are looking for, and need, and are expecting for their lifestyle and for their kids.” Payton works with a lot of families and loves having Laurel Brooke in her hometown. “My entire business is built on building relationships with people in the community, and helping the community be better.”

Dan lives in the neighborhood. He and his wife manage eight cottages that were built on his property for the purpose of nightly rentals. Payton explains, “The original intention for the cottages was an onsite guest house option for people who live in Laurel Brooke - an alternative place to stay versus a hotel.” Today, anyone can rent an available cottage, sort of like an Airbnb/ hotel hybrid.

Ultimately there will be 20+ homes and 24 condominiums in the pocket community. “The single-family homes will have state-of-the-art technology and high-quality craftsmanship, as well as some sustainability components. We build first-class finishes with materials that will last.  There’s going to be some timeless architecture, durable exteriors, and some really nice kitchens and bathrooms; just beautiful, first-class luxury homes,” says partner, Jason Morris.

The builders see Laurel Brooke as part of the “new urbanism” movement — a relatively new term they have adopted, which is walkable, convenient with smaller lot sizes, and, according to the builders, “Distinguishes itself by being more of what people want it to be — a walkable community, closer to your neighbors, and with much less to maintain. People want to enjoy their weekends, not spend it maintaining their property.” There is a homeowner’s association that was established with the development when it first broke ground. “The amenity is Peachtree City and all the attractions that are here; adjacent to and accessible to all the golf cart paths. You can be just about anywhere in Peachtree City within minutes.”

CONTINUED >

Wine bar off of the dining area

Payton, Dan, and Jason, ready to show the property Partially

Laurel Brooke offers high-quality luxury housing for everybody across the spectrum. Jason describes potential homeowners as, “Someone who needs the schools for their kids; someone who wants to stay in the market because this is where their life is, or someone who is downsizing from a very large home to something more manageable. The people that we work with like to travel. They spend time out of town. They look at this as a second home option.  They want to maintain the Peachtree City lifestyle. We have some great homes with southern vernacular which is what we’re going for from the aesthetic — attractive and timeless architecture. The floor plans layout very well. This option is a new chapter for a lot of folks.”

The next set of homes for the public is currently underway. “We have a lot of work to do to make Laurel Brooke what we are promising it to be.” Jason continues the sentiment with a compliment to Payton Peoples, “I am very impressed with Payton’s approach to the market. Her enthusiasm is fantastic. With her knowledge of the market and her being from Peachtree City, she knows what is best for Peachtree City. I’m impressed with her professionalism, and really excited to see how she brings about the marketing for the community. I feel

like the community needed her to get involved for that.”

Both Jason and Dan are third-generation Atlanta home builders. “We work with the same trade partners we’ve been working with for decades. We are utilizing the best, as far as sustainability and technology in homes.  The team that works with us is very experienced and has great relationships with trade partners. We’ll be doing this for several more decades, so stay tuned. We love being involved in Fayette County. It’s all about the people and the families. It’s just a wonderful place to live.”

Payton shares, “Laurel Brooke is within walking distance to The Campus, a private school option in Peachtree City. There are multiple great school options within walking distance or a  golf cart ride.” She continues, “They’ve done a good job tucking this community back and giving it more of a private feel. At this price point, you want to have some privacy and have that luxury feel inside and out.” If you are interested to learn what options are available at Laurel Brooke, you can contact Payton directly at (770) 630-3408 or email her at  payton@peoplesandco.com. The website address for the community is   www.laurelbrookedevelopment.com

“Buyers do not want to maintain an old home. They do not want to maintain a large lawn. They’d rather have quality finishes and quality time."

SummerBucket List

ARTICLE BY AMIE KOK PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Raise your hand if by July your kids have told you they are bored too many times to count. Here’s a refresh on your to-do list and a few extra activities to look forward to this summer. These local favorites are convenient and have tons of entertainment for the whole family. Cheers, guys!

Gregg Farms

Where: 5634 Concord Rd. Concord

What: If you are local like me and still haven’t heard of Gregg Farms, don’t worry you are in good company. This spot has become a local favorite for its homemade ice creams, acres of peach picking, and endof-summer flower picking. Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it!

Contact: www.greggfarms.com  770-227-4661

Peachtree City Fireworks

Flat Creek Golf Course, 100 Flat Creek Rd. Peachtree City  One of my favorite lyrics is “May we all get to grow up in a red white and blue little town”, and there isn’t a single place on earth more patriotic than

PTC on the 4th of July. The parade starts the day at 9 am on Peachtree Parkway with a kid-focused hour and a half of pure joy. Then later that evening is the most spectacular fireworks display that this small-town girl has ever seen. You can get more fireworks, but there is no other place in the world where you can see thousands of golf carts decked out for the occasion. We watch by the Flat Creek golf course driving range, but they can be seen all over our city.

Contact: www.invitedclubs.com  770-487-8140

Barnstormer’s Grill

349 Jonathan’s Roost Rd, Williamson

What: A little outside of town, a little different, and a lot of local entertainment. This spot started as a pilot hangout and evolved into a viewing restaurant in 2005. Bring the family for lunch or dinner, and watch vintage and modern-day airplanes take off and land at the on-site airstrip. Barnstormer’s provides a family-friendly menu, wild entertainment, and a memorable experience and serves it up weekly from Wednesday to Sunday.

Contact: www.barnstormersgrill.com  770-227-9989

Amie Kok

Hi! I'm Amie Kok. Upon moving to Fayette County I knew there was no other place for me. I'm a counselor at Arise Counseling and your local Instagram-over-poster. My husband and I live in PTC with our three children. @amiekokblog

Three places to knock off your things-to-do list with the family this summer.

TOP: Top: The PTC fireworks display are second to none.

RIGHT: Right: Folks gather at Barnstormer's Grill to watch vintage planes.

LEFT: Left: Gregg Farms' famous homemade peach ice cream.

The Ginn Group is proud to serve the Southeast with contracts in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and more! In our 25 years of serving the Southeast, we have pursued excellence to bring our customers quality services and help our clients grow their businesses Contact us to learn more about

DIY Your Way To a Bug-Free Summer

Adult- and Kid-Friendly Natural Bug Repellents from A Beautiful Mess

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY A BEAUTIFUL MESS

Adult Blend Kids Blend

(age 15 and over)

MATERIALS:

• 10 drops lemon essential oil

• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil

• 8 drops lavender essential oil

• 8 drops eucalyptus essential oil

• 1.5 ounces distilled water

(minus 1 teaspoon to make room for the essential oils in the bottle)

• .5 ounce 95% proof grain alcohol*

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a 2-ounce spray bottle, add the grain alcohol (or Solubol) and drop in essential oils. Swirl to combine. Place the cap back on the bottle. Allow the oils to disperse in the alcohol for about 1 hour, then add distilled water, swirling again to combine.

MATERIALS:

• 10 drops lemon essential oil

• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil

• 4 drops lavender essential oil

• 1.5 ounces distilled water

(minus 1 teaspoon to make room for the essential oils in the bottle)

• .5 ounce 95% proof grain alcohol*

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a 2-ounce spray bottle, add the grain alcohol (or Solubol) and drop in essential oils. Swirl to combine. Place the cap back on the bottle. Allow the oils to disperse in the alcohol for about 1 hour, then add distilled water, swirling again to combine.

*The grain alcohol is used as a preservative as well as a carrier for the oils, but you can also use a product like this instead of grain alcohol at a 1:4 ratio (1 drop essential oil to 4 drops Solubol) if you’d rather and then just fill the rest with water to fill the 2-ounce spray bottle.

While there can be concern about citrus oils on the skin when exposed to sunlight, lemongrass isn’t a photosensitive oil, and if lemon essential oil is steam-distilled rather than cold-pressed (Oui Fresh essential oils are cold-pressed) it can be used on the skin. So just make sure to note which one your lemon oil is and only spray on clothes if you don’t have a skin-safe lemon oil (which is an application method a lot of people prefer anyway if they are more sensitive to oils).

Find more DIYs at ABeautifulMess.com.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

Rotary Club of Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE CITY HALL, 210 STONEWALL AVE WEST | 11:00 AM

Join our regular club meetings at the new Fayetteville City Hall. Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. We'd love to meet you! Info at rotary6900.org .

Peachtree City Farmers Market

ABERDEEN VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER, 215 NORTHLAKE DRIVE PTC | 9:00 AM

Food, Fun, Gifts, Music... Saturday’s market brings approximately 60 vendors offering a variety of fresh produce, poultry, beef and pork, bread, sweet treats, honey, eggs, prepared foods, and so much more. Whether you’re looking to create a feast or simply don’t want to cook at all, we have you covered. 9 AM - 1 PM.

Independence Day Celebration at the Town at Trilith

TOWN AT TRILITH, 305 TRILITH PARKWAY, FAYETTEVILLE | 4:00 PM

Join us for a good old-fashioned patriotic fun Independence Day Celebration. Dress in red, white, and blue and spend the afternoon enjoying activities for all ages including a spectacular magic show, superheroes, music from the impeccable DJ Wonder Bread as well as balloon twisting and face painting from talented artists, Black Bear Mobile Axe Throwing and more!

PTC Fourth of July Parade

PEACHTREE PARKWAY TO MCINTOSH TRAIL  | 9:00 AM

The parade route follows Peachtree Parkway from Village Green north to McIntosh Trail and concludes at the McIntosh Trail Complex. Visit peachtree-city.org/126/Recreation-Special-Events

Peachtree City Fireworks

LAKE PEACHTREE, PEACHTREE CITY | 8:00 PM

Bring a blanket and the entire family for a Fireworks show over Lake Peachtree. Show will begin at dusk.  peachtree-city.org/126/Recreation-Special-Events

Summer Monday Movie Series

THE AVENUE PEACHTREE CITY, 239 CITY CIRCLE | 6:30 PM

The Avenue Peachtree City's outdoor movie series is back this summer! Bring your chairs and blankets and meet us at Central Park for tons of fun! The July 10th show is  "The Bad Guys"!  Fun begins 2 hours before the movie at 6:45pm, movies begin at sunset. Weather permitting.

Get That Summer Smile Shining Bright!

EVENTS CONTINUED

JULY 10TH

Camp WILD at Fayette Environmental Education Center

SOUTHERN CONSERVATION

TRUST, 305 BEAUREGARD

BOULEVARD, FAYETTEVILLE

| 8:00 AM

Camp WILD at Fayette Environmental Education Center offers children an immersive outdoor experience. Join us for one or all five weeks! Each week offers a different theme with fun games, activities, live animal encounters, and crafts so your camper can keep the fun going. For more info and to register visit  sctlandtrust.org/event-calendar/ summer-camp-week-1/.

JULY 14TH

Sunset Sounds

DRAKE FIELD, 155 WILLOWBEND RD, PTC | 7:00 PM

Sunset Sounds is back for 2023! Join us for a free evening of music at Drake Field. Don't forget to B.Y.O.C (Bring Your Own Chair) and grab some dinner and your spot to sing and dance to some great music under the stars.  For more info please visit peachtree-city.org/.

JULY 14TH

The Gathering at Grazing Here - BWFC

GRAZING HERE, 2850 HIGHWAY 54, PEACHTREE CITY | 12:00 PM

Join us for a networking lunch at Grazing Here restaurant. This event is for Members and Visitors of The Business Women of Fayette and Coweta. This is a great way to get to know more about the BWFC and each other. Lunch, fun, and good conversation. Attendees pay for lunch individually but RSVP is required. More info at bwfc.org

JULY 20TH

Third Thursdays, Live Music Series

THE AVENUE PEACHTREE CITY, 239 CITY CIRCLE | 7:00 PM

Join us for an adult night out after work. Get some fresh air while en-

joying live music by The Andrews Brothers Dueling Pianos. Yard games and food and drink specials. LOCATION CHANGE - Firepit and Friend's Table front patio area The first 50 guests receive a free drink, compliments of The Avenue Peachtree City. For more info visit  https://www. avenuepeachtreecity.com/event/ Third-Thursday/2145570512/.

JULY 24TH

Summer Monday

Movie Series

THE AVENUE PEACHTREE CITY, 239 CITY CIRCLE | 6:30 PM

The Avenue Peachtree City's outdoor movie series is back this summer! Bring your chairs and blankets and meet us at Central Park for tons of fun! The July 24th show is "Minions: The Rise of Gru"! Fun begins 2 hours before the movie at 6:45pm, movies begin at sunset. Weather permitting.

JULY 28TH

REEL Friday at Trilith: "DC League of Super-Pets"

TOWN AT TRILITH, 305

TRILITH PARKWAY, FAYETTEVILLE | 7:00 PM

It’s showtime at Trilith! Join us to watch this magical feature film on the 25-foot permanent screen on the green. Bring a chair or blanket, kick back and enjoy family-friendly films. Before and after the movie, check out our curated shops and restaurants including a bakery, gelato shop, grocery store, doughnut shop and more. Weather permitting.

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/FayetteCounty

ARTICLE BY BAHLI MULLINS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Smoked Caribbean Red Snapper

Bahli Mullins: Bahli Mullins is the owner of Best Seafood Direct Market in Fayetteville. Traveling to the coast each week, he works with his three sons and fiancè to deliver high-quality, fresh fish to his customers.

SEND

SOME FISH TO FLAVOR TOWN WITH THIS EASY RECIPE.

It’s hard to beat freshly caught fish cooked outdoors in summertime. Here’s my recipe for foolproof Caribbean Red Snapper on the grill or smoker. If you’re not a whole fish kinda person, have your fishmonger filet it for you! Either way, your tastebuds will thank you. Enjoy this with some white rice or potatoes, roasted asparagus, and a fruity pinot noir or your favorite summer wine.

ingredients:

• One whole red snapper, fresh from the sea and prepped by your fishmonger.

Homemade Caribbean Jerk Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon onion powder

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1 - 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper

• 2 teaspoons dried thyme

• 2 teaspoons brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground allspice

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon ground clove

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

directions:

1. Prepare smoker/grill with fruitwood (I recommend cherry) and bring to 300° F. Dry rub seasoning mix over outside and inside of fish if serving whole. Oil the grates with vegetable oil. Roast the fish directly over the coals for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through and making sure to check the skin for even cooking.