That moment changes everything. Every heartbeat, every milestone, every beautiful unknown deserves the very best care. At Women's Specialists of Fayette, we are honored to walk alongside you from this moment through every one that follows. Your greatest adventure begins here.
FAYETTE’S LEADING
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Practice
Comprehensive, Compassionate Health Care for Women of All Ages
• Prenatal Care
• Family Planning
• In-Office Surgical Procedures
• Fertility Treatment
• High-Risk Pregnancies
• Gynecological/Urogynecological Surgery
1267 Hwy 54 West, Suite 3200, Fayetteville (Inside Piedmont Fayette Hospital) 403 Westpark Court, Suite 205, Peachtree City
Marlo Carter, M.D. OB/GYN Matthew Ralsten, M.D. OB/GYN
Nicole E. Quinn, M.D. OB/GYN
Nykia Burke-Bray, M.D. OB/GYN Sarah G. White, D.O. OB/GYN Deidra Printup, FNP-C
The Murano Stands Apart
For drivers looking to step into something more refined, the Nissan Murano offers a clear move into luxury–without sacrificing practicality. With its distinctive styling, premium interior, and advanced safety technology, the Murano stands apart in a crowded SUV market.
“It’s more on the luxury side,” said James Higginbotham, a sales professional at Cronic Nissan in Griffin and the region’s Best of the Best New Car Salesperson, according to votes received by the Griffin Daily News. “The styling is more unique, and the features really set it apart.”
Inside, the Murano is designed for comfort and connection. Available quilted seating, climate-controlled and even massaging front seats, and premium Bose
Cronic Howell, President and Dealer at Cronic Automotive Group in Griffin
audio create a driving experience that feels elevated from the moment you get in. Technology is seamless, with Apple CarPlay, available Google integration, WiFi capability, and intuitive displays.
But for many buyers, the biggest selling point is safety.
“Safety features are the biggest thing I focus on,” Higginbotham said. “You’ve got forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, blind spot protection, and lane intervention. There are six to eight safety systems built into these vehicles.”
That combination of safety and sophistication keeps customers coming back. Higginbotham, who has spent 30 years at Cronic Nissan, said many Murano
CHRYSLER
buyers are repeat customers upgrading for the latest technology and comfort.
“If I sell you one car, you’ll typically come back,” he said.
With pricing typically starting in the low $40,000s and reaching into the low $50,000s depending on trim—along with available incentives and competitive financing—the Murano offers a premium experience with real-world value.
To experience the Murano for yourself, visit Cronic Nissan in Griffin and schedule an appointment with James Higginbotham or another experienced member of the sales team. Whether you’re upgrading or exploring your options, their team is ready to help you find the right vehicle for your life.
Wanda
Drive Luxury for Less at Cronic Nissan. The 2026 Nissan Murano has your best life in mind.
The Best Part Was Coming Home
I was eight years old the summer our family boarded a plane and took off for Denmark. My mother was an exchange student in 1956, and she lived with a Danish family that summer. Twenty years later, we returned to visit her exchange family.
It was 1976, the year America turned 200, and even across the Atlantic Ocean, the celebration followed us. I remember being amazed that people in another country were marking OUR independence. Flags, festivities, a warmth toward Americans that a little girl from Palatine, Illinois relished. Even the then-Queen Margrethe II came to a massive celebration and rode right past us in her limousine. Something shifted in me that summer that I have never been able to fully explain, but I have also never forgotten it. Coming home was one of the best feelings of my life.
I was eight and did not have the vocabulary for what I was processing. I only knew that Denmark was beautiful and the people were kind and the pastries were yummy... and that I still wanted to go home. I wanted my country. Even at that age, I understood that something rare and extraordinary existed on the other side of that ocean, and I belonged to it.
I only know what I know. I have not been everywhere. But I believe with everything in me that if more Americans had the opportunity to travel outside our borders, they would return with a gratitude that is difficult to manufacture any other way. You cannot fully appreciate the air you breathe until you have been somewhere that breathes differently. Travel has a way of making patriots out of the most indifferent hearts.
This July, as we mark 250 years of this remarkable, complicated, stubborn, brilliant experiment called America, I find myself back in that same quiet place of gratitude I first discovered as a little girl stepping off a plane from Copenhagen. Imperfect as she is, there is no place I would rather plant my feet.
I hope this summer finds you celebrating, exploring, and maybe even wandering somewhere new, whether that is a European city, a California wine valley, or simply a town you have never stopped in before. Adventure has a way of bringing you home to yourself.
Happy 250th, United States of America! We are still worth celebrating.
Blessings to you all,
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Jennifer Conforti | jennifer.conforti@citylifestyle.com
Jennifer Conforti, Pauli Reep, Pam Reid, Sean O'Keefe
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
South Atlanta Photography, Pam Reid, Sean O'Keefe
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell Learn
JENNIFER CONFORTI, PUBLISHER
us
From major milestones, like buying a new home, to everyday financial needs, The Southern Credit Union is here for you. We offer a wide variety of deposit accounts, consumer loans, and mortgage options—all with competitive rates, flexible terms, and personalized local service.
Membership is open to anyone living or working in Fayette County. Once you’re a member, your family can join too! We have youth accounts and families at The Southern now have access to Greenlight®—the financial app and debit card for kids! Scan the QR code for more information. Visit a nearby branch today and experience the credit union difference.
Paffenroth, NP
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Fayette Humane Society’s FORE THE PAWS Charity Golf Outing was a huge success! 2: FORE THE PAWS brought together our community to help pets find loving homes. 3: FORE THE PAWS netted $48,000 to help support the Humane Society's mission. 4: The Fayette Chamber of Commerce recently held its annual Cornhole Tournament. 5: Chamber Cornhole winners came away with fabulous gifts and prizes! 6: More than just Cornhole, hospitality and good times were abundant at City Center Park. 7: Tyrone Recreation Center has a fresh new face thanks to Tyrone Rotary!
FAYETTE HUMANE SOCIETY
FAYETTE HUMANE SOCIETY
FAYETTE HUMANE SOCIETY
GOBI
GOBI
8: Rotaract volunteers at Southern Conservation Trust, prepping for tree saplings, flattening dirt and removing debris. 9: Dan Cathy and other Fayette County dignitaries celebrate the opening of Whitewater Creek Nature Area. 10: Derby for a Difference was a memorable evening to support projects at Piedmont Fayette.
to be seen in the magazine?
ROTARACT CLUB OF PEACHTREE CITY
PEACHTREE CITY GOVERNMENT
GEORGIA UROLOGY
business monthly
Nike Camp at Home Plate Baseball, July 27 - 30!
Nike Baseball Camp (age group 10- 14) is here! Campers will get hands-on instruction from Director Walker Searcy and his awesome coaching staff, all in a fun, positive environment. Packed with baseball—hitting, fielding, base running, and learning how to be a great teammate. Whether your child is just starting or taking their game to the next level, this camp is designed to help them improve. Call Home Plate at 770-631-3044 and register today!
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Open Prayer Spaces in Fayette
Open Prayer Spaces is a movement uniting people in prayer and compassionate action across Fayette County. Its mission is to awaken the Church and cultivate lives marked by compassion, presence, and prayer. Each year, Campuses Covered invites the community to gather at every school campus before the new school year begins. On August 2 from 4–5 PM, hundreds will stand across 25 campuses, praying for peace, wisdom, and hope for schools. Go to openprayerspaces.com for more information.
New Nonprofit, Rooted Youth, Launches in Fayette County
Rooted Youth has a critical mission: to provide crisis navigation, immediate access to therapy, and financial assistance so that youth in Fayette County can receive life-saving mental health care. Founded by Kim Ross, Rooted Youth was born out of tragedy and lived experience. Kim and her husband, Chris, faced severe mental health crises with their own two daughters in Fayette County. The organization will distribute comprehensive resource guides for students and families. Email rootedyouthoffayette@gmail.com for more info.
Photography by Christopher Collins Photography
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
WHERE WILDERNESS EXHALES
Exploring the uncommon grace of Sailrock South
ARTICLE BY SEAN O'KEEFE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAILROCK SOUTH CAICOS
I never know what to expect when I arrive at a new destination. That uncertainty is the whole reason I travel. Sailrock South Caicos did not make me wait long for the reveal. From the moment you arrive, there is a graciousness here that feels neither rehearsed nor performative; something warmer than
Caicos.
The Great House at Sailrock South Caicos is the epicenter of the property.
“Sailrock South Caicos occupies a peninsula of almost unreasonable geographic fortune.”
hospitality. Here, I felt less like a guest and more like someone who had simply been away for a long while and finally found my way back home. My adventure into the serene stillness of remote island life had begun, and I immediately knew that I would never be the same again.
Sailrock South Caicos is where luxury and wilderness meet. The salt-twisted and unruly sea grape presses close against the terrace of my beachfront villa, doing exactly as it pleases. Conch shells litter the landscape. As I stroll along the water’s edge, I cannot dismiss the feeling that I am being watched by everything on the land and in the sea. Much to my surprise, a family of donkeys, a living tribute to the salt harvests of years past, emerge from it all with a confidence of creatures who inherited this island and have made it their personal playground.
Sailrock South Caicos is not a resort that has imposed itself upon the landscape of the 770 private
acres of peninsula perfectly positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caicos Bank; this is luxury blended with nature, not as an aesthetic choice, but as a founding principle. This wonderfully beautiful, low-density luxury community exists in quiet conversation with the landscape around it and actively believes that nature, given room enough to breathe, is the finest amenity of all.
Whether you choose the quiet sophistication of The Great House or the Cove Restaurant and Beach Bar, be prepared for an incredible dining experience. And for those guests who want something very special, private dining brings the chef and his masterful creations to your villa’s dining room. Later that night, at the beach, the marshmallow roast gathers everyone together on the warm sand to further relax into the Sailrock South Caicos experience.
Sailrock South Caicos occupies a peninsula of almost unreasonable geographic fortune. The Caicos CONTINUED >
The spectacular two bedroom, ocean front villa; plenty of room for fun and frolic.
Bank, one of the world’s largest shallow water plateaus, spreads westward in every shade of turquoise, jade, and seafoam green that exists, as far as I can determine, nowhere else on earth. Meanwhile, to the east, the Atlantic offers a pale aquamarine at the shallow water’s edge that drops into the cobalt blue abyssal of the Turks Passage, deep enough to offer respite to the humpback whales that migrate here from late January to early April both to breed and give birth.
Charter a boating adventure into the deep Atlantic waters. Find Starfish Alley and stand among the gathered red, yellow, and green sea stars in the warm, clear shallows. Hunt for sand dollars along the tide line with the focused joy of a child who has not yet learned to be too busy for small miracles. Make your way to Iguana Island, where the iguanas, utterly unbothered by your arrival, watch from their limestone perches with one slow, prehistoric eye.
Slip a kayak into the Caicos Bank and paddle out across a stillness so complete the water seems sacred. The only sounds that accompany you on your voyage are the gentle winds and your breath. Stop to walk the sandbar where warm sands shift underfoot as the water barely whispers at your ankles. It is as if the sky meets the sea in every direction and that you are standing inside the horizon itself.
Explore the island’s interior by off-road vehicle, the scrub giving way to salt flats and unexpected vistas that remind you how wild and unspoiled this place truly remains. When the day calls you inward, step onto the outdoor yoga platform as the sun lifts over the Atlantic. The en plein air spa receives you like a long exhale, warm, fragrant, unhurried, and restorative. At Sailrock South Caicos, every activity is an act of return. A return to the natural world. A return to the present moment. A return, quietly and completely, to yourself.
Please visit SailRockSouthCaicos.com for more information.
Perfect stillness every morning with guided yoga and meditation.
The skies and seas are filled with as many stars as you can imagine.
INGREDIENTS:
• 4 (12-ounce) rib-eye steaks, 1 1/4-inch-thick, at room temperature
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest of 1 lemon
The Perfect Ribeye Steak with Garlic Butter
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
NOTES:
Serves: 8
Supreme Summer SIZZLER
ARTICLE BY PAULI REEP | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
There are meals you make, and then there are meals you remember. This is the latter. A great ribeye does not need much, but it does need respect: a ripping hot cast-iron skillet, a generous hand with the salt, and enough confidence to leave it alone while it does its work. What takes this one over the top is the garlic compound butter, a herb-packed, lemon-kissed, make-ahead secret weapon that melts luxuriously over the seared crust and turns an already spectacular steak into something your guests will talk about long after the plates are cleared. Simple technique. Serious results. This is summer entertaining done exactly right, and at eight servings, it is built for the kind of table worth gathering around. We truly hope you enjoy the applause.
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to broil. Place a large cast-iron skillet in the oven.
To make the garlic compound butter, combine butter, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, thyme, rosemary, basil, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl. Transfer mixture to parchment paper; shape into a log. Roll in parchment to 1 1/2 inches in diameter, twisting the ends to close. Refrigerate until ready to use, up to 1 week.
Let your steak sit out at room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking. This will yield a better crust and an even cook from edge to center. Then, using paper towels, pat both sides of the steak dry. Drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper to taste.
Remove the skillet from the oven and heat over medium-high heat.
Place the steak in the middle of the skillet and cook until a dark crust has formed, about 1 minute. Using tongs, flip and cook for an additional 60 seconds.
Place the skillet into the oven and cook until the desired doneness is reached, about 4-5 minutes for medium-rare, flipping once. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
Serve immediately with garlic compound butter.
The only ribeye recipe you will ever need.
Don’t Tell Anyone SHHHH...
Glen Ellen is California's best-kept wine country secret.
The Jack London Lodge. Photo provided.
What's left of Jack London's Wolf House.
There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when you stumble onto a place nobody told you about. Not because nobody knows, but because the people who do know love it too much to give up their secret sanctuary. Glen Ellen, California, is that kind of place.
Tucked into the Valley of the Moon in Sonoma County, Glen Ellen sits about 45 minutes north of San Francisco and operates at a frequency entirely its own. It is not Napa. It is not trying to be. It has the soul of a working ranch town that somehow also makes worldclass wine, and it wears that combination without a drop of pretense.
If you want luxury resorts, valet parking, and $40 cocktails, drive elsewhere. If you want the real thing, stay at The Jack London Lodge.
Named for the legendary American author who called this valley home, The Jack London Lodge is exactly what wine country should feel like: unpretentious, comfortable, and genuinely fun. Think less boutique hotel, more your favorite aunt and uncle’s place, if your aunt and uncle happened to have a sparkling pool, a full bar, and an actual saloon with billiard tables that draws the best kind of local crowd on a Friday night. The Saloon at the Lodge is not a theme. It is a living, breathing gathering place where visitors blend seamlessly with the people who actually live here. General manager for eight years, Bruce Hamilton, runs the lodge with quiet, seamless competence, knows this valley like the back of his hand, and is quick to help direct you on an adventure. I will never stay anywhere else. This place is my home in California.
Speaking of Jack London, you owe it to yourself to know a little about the man before you arrive. Jack London was one of the most celebrated American writers of the early 20th century. Born in San Francisco in 1876, he went on to write some of the most enduring adventure literature in the English language, including “The Call of the Wild” and “White Fang”. He purchased his Beauty Ranch in Glen Ellen in 1905, and you can feel why the moment you arrive. Jack London Historic State Park preserves more than 1,400 acres of his ranch, including the haunting ruins of Wolf House, the grand stone mansion that burned to the ground just days before London was to move in. The park is worth an unhurried morning.
Madame Pascale Merle.
Sheer deliciousness at Les Pascals.
Now, about those mornings.
Every morning of every visit to Glen Ellen, I am up early. Across the street from the Jack London Lodge, there is a small French bakery called Les Pascals, and it is, without exaggeration, one of the finest ways to begin a day I have ever experienced. Les Pascals opens early enough for the devout early risers among us, and I cannot recommend it strongly enough as a destination for quiet time, prayer, or simply sitting still before the world wakes up.
The bakery is owned and operated by a husband and wife team, Pascal and Pascale Merle (yes, they share the same name!), along with their son, Enzo. That detail alone should tell you something about the spirit of this place. The pastries are made with real butter and real care, the kind of care that cannot be faked. The French and Italian coffees are exceptional. The case is full of open-faced savory melts, eggtopped toasts, beautiful quiches layered in golden strata, soft rolls filled generously, and pastries arranged on checkered paper like a tiny French dream. Chef Pascal and Enzo invited me to see the inner workings of this outstanding patisserie while Madame Pascale, in broken but adorable English, serves the line of eager customers with the energy and spunk of a teenager. I can still smell the freshly baked French loaves standing like perfect soldiers, waiting to be taken home and devoured by some lucky patron. It is genuinely one of my favorite places anywhere. I go every single morning I am in Glen Ellen, and I can’t wait to go back.
Jen and Byron soaking up the magic at Imagery Estate Winery, glasses raised and hearts full. If there is one thing that sets Glen Ellen apart beyond the wine and the beauty, it is the people. Warm, genuine, and completely unpretentious, they have a way of making you feel like you belong there. We are already planning the return trip.
The Jack London Saloon in downtown Glen Ellen.
Les Pascals at 6:30 am.
“That's the charm of Glen Ellen... everything is right here, but you feel a million miles away.” – Bruce Hamilton, GM at The Jack London Lodge
When you are ready to explore wine, Glen Ellen puts you in an exceptional position. Benziger Family Winery is just up the road and is one of the most beautifully situated and sustainably operated wineries in the state. Their biodynamic farming practices and tram tours through the vineyards make it as educational as it is enjoyable. Imagery Estate Winery, also nearby and part of the same family, takes a more artistic approach, commissioning original artwork for every label they produce. Their tasting room reflects that creative sensibility and is a wonderful contrast to the more traditional wine country experience.
And if your appetite for exploration extends beyond Glen Ellen, the geography rewards you handsomely. Healdsburg, one of the most charming wine towns in all of California, is less than an hour north, lined with boutiques, exceptional restaurants, and tasting rooms around a classic town square. A few miles further, Geyserville offers a quieter, more rustic character with equally compelling wine. Both are easy half-day excursions that make Glen Ellen an ideal home base for a broader wine country adventure. As Bruce Hamilton puts it, “That’s the charm of Glen Ellen... everything is right here, but you feel a million miles away.”
Some places are destinations. Glen Ellen is a return trip.
My morning coffee and quiet before the rush at Les Pascals.
MÉRIDA... ¡Viva México!
The Yucatán is México's best kept secret.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAM REID
Seven years ago, some very dear friends moved to Mérida. They had fallen in love with the jewel of the Yucatán Peninsula after vacationing there years earlier and eventually decided to make it home. Since then, I have visited often, discovering that Mérida is far more than a beautiful destination. It is a place that feels like a warm embrace, vibrant, welcoming, and wonderfully alive.
Whenever I mention traveling to México, I am often met with safety concerns. Mérida is consistently ranked among the safest cities in México and is often recognized as one of the safest cities in North America. Families stroll through the plazas late into the evening while children laugh and play beneath softly glowing lights. Music drifts through the streets, couples walk hand-inhand, and there is an undeniable sense of peace woven into everyday life.
Mérida checks nearly every box. It is affordable, safe, culturally rich, and genuinely livable. Colonial architecture stands gracefully alongside modern restaurants, boutique hotels, and contemporary art galleries. The city honors its history while embracing the future, and somehow it does so effortlessly.
Now, let me be honest about the weather. Mérida feels synonymous with the word hot. Not simply warm, but tropical, sundrenched, humidity-filled heat that invites flowing dresses, linen shirts, icy drinks, and slow afternoons. The humidity, however, is not always kind to afros like mine. The shrinkage is real, and after one trip, I decided that braids are a smart decision before visiting the Yucatán.
One of the things I love about Mérida is its location. Although the city itself is inland, the beaches along the Gulf Coast are only about twenty-five minutes away. That inland setting is part of Mérida’s charm because it feels quieter and less commercialized
Touring Mérida Pam and Maya woman.
than many tourist destinations. My favorite beach is Progreso, where warm water stretches endlessly beneath bright blue skies, and the atmosphere feels peaceful rather than crowded.
One of my favorite indulgences is splurging on access to a beach club for the day. Imagine fresh seafood delivered to your lounge chair, tropical drinks, attentive service, soft ocean breezes, and massages on the beach. Vendors stroll by carrying colorful handmade treasures, hoping to earn a few pesos, yet even that feels relaxed and unhurried.
I love history, so visiting Chichén Itzá is unforgettable. Standing before one of
Cenote Mucuyché
Freshly made tortillas with sikil p'ak, a traditional Maya/Yucatecan dip.
Mayapán
the New Seven Wonders of the World is difficult to describe. I also visited Mayapán, one of the most important archaeological sites near Mérida. I climbed its pyramid, modeled after the Temple of Kukulcán at Chichén Itzá, and sat at the top with the wind rushing through my braids, taking in the vast beauty surrounding me and imagining the lives that once filled that sacred place.
My visit to a Maya community touched me deeply as well. The people were warm, welcoming, and gracious. Their lives were simple and humble, yet their generosity felt extraordinary. They would gladly offer you the last of what they had simply because you were a guest in their presence.
One of the most special parts of visiting Mérida is the way my friends and I gather. We often rent beautiful haciendas with colorful courtyards, lush tropical gardens, and sparkling pools tucked behind historic stone walls. A personal chef prepares incredible Yucatán cuisine, a mixologist crafts fresh tropical cocktails, and sometimes local musicians fill the warm evening air with music.
Then there are the cenotes, one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most breathtaking wonders. My first visit to a cenote felt almost sacred. Crystal clear water shimmered beneath openings in ancient limestone caves while vines draped gracefully down the rock walls. The water was cool, pristine, and impossibly blue. Floating quietly there became one of the most peaceful and spiritual travel experiences I have ever had.
I would be remiss not to mention Yucatán cuisine. It is unlike any Mexican food I have experienced. Cochinita pibil, slow-roasted pork seasoned with citrus and achiote, is rich and unforgettable. Fresh ceviche, handmade tortillas, sopa de lima - a light, fragrant, savory, flavorful soup and tropical fruits somehow taste sweeter beneath the Yucatán sun.
The bottom line is that Mérida is an experience that lingers long after you leave. It is beauty, culture, warmth, history, and peace wrapped into one remarkable city.
Here are a few must-see highlights that make Mérida enjoyable and unforgettable:
• Visit Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a breathtaking glimpse into the brilliance of the ancient Maya civilization.
• Relax at Progreso beach where turquoise waters, fresh seafood, and laid-back beach clubs create the perfect coastal escape.
• Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Cenote Ik Kil, one of the region’s most stunning cenotes, surrounded by lush vines and limestone walls.
• Wander through the colorful plazas and historic streets of Mérida, filled with colonial architecture, live music, local markets, and vibrant culture.
• Experience authentic Yucatán cuisine, including cochinita pibil, sopa de lima, handmade tortillas, tropical fruits, and fresh ceviche.
Climbing the pyramid at Mayapán.
PEACE OF MIND IS WORTH EVERY PENNY
My mission is simple: to help my members feel confident and at peace about their financial future. I believe everyone deserves honest guidance, clear communication, and a plan that fits their life — not just their portfolio. Whether you’re saving for retirement, your kids’ future, or simply a good night’s sleep knowing you’re covered, I’m here to make the process easy to understand and built on trust.
Trilith LIVE invites you to ring in America’s 250th birthday with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra’s “Celebrating America”! The performance will include sweeping orchestrations, uplifting surprises, and beloved patriotic anthems featuring Grammy Award-winning vocalist David Phelps. Tickets available at Ticketmaster or Trilith LIVE’s box office. A special meet-and-greet with David Phelps will also be available. Go to trilithlive.com for more information.
JULY 4TH
Peachtree City Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks
Drake Field, 155 Willowbend Rd, Peachtree City | 9:00 AM
Join the City of Peachtree City as we celebrate AMERICA 250! Beginning with the July 4th Parade and closing out with fireworks over Lake Peachtree. The parade begins at 9:00 am at the Village on the Green, travels Northbound on Peachtree Parkway, and ends at the McIntosh Trail Complex. Fireworks are at dark.
JULY 4TH
Sunset Sounds - Peachtree City Recreation
Drake Field, 155 Willowbend Rd, Peachtree City | 3:00 PM
Get ready to celebrate America 250 with a special Patriotic-themed summer concert at Drake Field with Sunset Sounds! This is a free concert series, so plan to come out and enjoy hot nights and cool beverages! Bring a chair and dinner, and dine and dance under the stars.
ARTISAN CUSTOM
events
CONTINUED
JULY 4TH
America’s 250th: A Historic 4th of July Weekend
City Center Park, 210 Stonewall Ave West, Fayetteville | 5:00 PM
Join Main Street Fayetteville for a once-in-a-lifetime Independence Day Celebration. We have a jam-packed schedule of fun for the whole family! Delicious food trucks, Inflatables for the kids, a splash pad, vendors, and a DJ! The party concludes at the park with a Massive Fireworks Show! Grab your lawn chairs, blankets, and your favorite people!
Get ready for an action-packed and fun-filled day at the annual Ruck & BBQ Bash, where grit, community, and great food come together to support our nation's veterans. Whether you’re rucking or cheering from the sidelines, your participation fuels Camp Southern Ground's life-changing programs. Come hungry, bring friends, and be part of something powerful! Go to campsouthernground.org/ruck for more information.
JULY 24TH
Movie in the Park:
Lilo & Stitch
City Center Park, 210 Stonewall Ave West, Fayetteville | 7:00 PM
Join Main Street Fayetteville as our Movie in the Park Summer Series continues with a FREE showing of Lilo & Stitch. Round up the family, load up your lawn chairs, pack your favorite blankets, and find the perfect spot on the grass. Grab a bite from one of our vendors or bring your own! Show starts at dusk.
This Summer, Don’t Let Leg Pain Delay Your Departure
Traveling can worsen symptoms of vein disease, causing leg pain, swelling, heaviness, cramping, and fatigue, especially during long flights, road trips, and busy vacation days.
Don’t let uncomfortable legs hold you back from the memories waiting to be made this summer.
At Truffles Vein Specialists, we specialize in advanced vein care and minimally invasive treatments designed to help you move comfortably and confidently again.
Whether you’re heading to the beach, the mountains, or across the world, healthy legs can help you enjoy every step of the journey.
