Breathe in the Senses of Fall
Welcome, fall! As the leaves begin to change and the temperatures cool, our cravings shift toward comforting flavors that warm both body and soul. October is one of our most delectable issues of the year, and this month we’re celebrating the food and drink that makes our city such a delight for the senses.
We had the privilege of sitting down with Pamela Borgel, owner and founder of Painted Horse Winery & Vineyard, Georgia's first woman-founded farm and winery. This fall, take a trip to the winery and meet all the friendly animals and spend a day with tasty bites and glasses of wine.
For me, the smells of fall bring back memories of sitting in my mom’s kitchen. The aroma of cinnamon, baked apples, pumpkin pies, and hearty soups fills me with nostalgia. My family’s favorite tradition was gathering around the table for a big pot of homemade chili on chilly evenings, the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out.
There’s an art to creating a dish that not only satisfies your taste buds but also stirs memories of home. Food has a unique way of connecting us to our past while bringing us together in the present. Whether you’re enjoying a meal out with friends or hosting a cozy dinner at home, these shared moments are what make life flavorful.
Here’s to savoring every bite this fall!
SARA HAGEN, EDITOR @WOODSTOCKCITYLIFESTYLE
October 2025
PUBLISHER
Marco Rossi | marco.rossi@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Sara Hagen | sara.hagen@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Danny Litton | danny.litton@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Sara Hagen
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
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city scene
1: Matt Bonvissuto won top poster 12th annual Birla Carbon Scholars Research Symposium 2: Cherokee Fire Foundation ribbon cutting ceremony 3: Reinhardt University nursing graduates 4: Service League of Cherokee County’s Golfing FORE! The Children committee raised over $18,000 for children. 5: August was Black Business Month 2025 6: Civic Update at Cherokee By Choice investor meeting 7: History Cherokee’s 2025 Historic Preservation Awards
THE SEASON’S BEST SANDWICHES
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Stacked forFall
There’s something deeply satisfying about a well-made sandwich—especially when it comes together with minimal effort but delivers big on flavor. As the season changes and appetites grow heartier, fall is the perfect time to get creative with ingredients tucked between slices of crusty bread or buttery rolls. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your lunch routine, enjoy comforting flavors and bold textures, or impress guests with a no-fuss meal, these easy-tomake sandwiches strike the perfect balance between simple and sensational.
Roasted Tomato & Mozzarella Caprese French Bread
INGREDIENTS
• French bread loaf, halved lengthwise
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp thyme or rosemary
• Salt, pepper, chili flakes (optional)
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
• 1 cup arugula
• 2–4 tbsp pesto (thinned with olive oil)
• Balsamic glaze
• Optional: 4 slices prosciutto
• Fresh basil
INSTRUCTIONS
Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Roast at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until soft and caramelized. Brush bread with olive oil. Toast in the oven at 375°F for 5–7 minutes until crisp. Layer mozzarella slices on the toasted bread. Add fresh basil. Return to the oven for 3–5 minutes, just until melted. Optional: Top with roasted tomatoes, arugula, and prosciutto (if using). Drizzle with pesto and balsamic glaze.
Honey Glazed Pear & Chicken Sandwich
INGREDIENTS
• 3 oz goat cheese
• Fresh arugula
• ¼ cup caramelized onions
• 1 pear, thinly sliced
• Honey, to taste
• Butter for toasting the bread
• Rotisserie chicken breast thinly sliced
• Sourdough bread, buttered (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Spread goat cheese on one side of the bread. Top the cheese with arugula, caramelized onions, sliced pears and chicken breast. Drizzle with honey. Top with remaining slice of sourdough bread. Use a griddle or panini press to heat the sandwich.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 slices crusty bread (sourdough, ciabatta, French bread)
• 6 oz roast beef
• 2 slices provolone cheese
• 2 tbsp butter (for toasting)
• 2 ½ tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp horseradish sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Arugula
• Cherry tomato
• Caramelized onions
INSTRUCTIONS
Toast the bread. Butter one side of each slice and toast in a skillet until golden. Heat roast beef briefly in a pan. To make the spread, mix mayo, horseradish sauce, and Dijon. Spread on the toasted bread. Layer roast beef, cheese, and broil briefly to melt. Add arugula, tomato, and caramelized onions if using. Top with the second slice of bread.
Savory Roast Beef with Horseradish Cream
Sweet & Spicy Grilled Chicken Sandwich
INGREDIENTS
• 1 grilled chicken breast
• 2 slices pepper jack cheese
• 2 slices cooked bacon
• 1 tbsp fruit jam (fig, raspberry, or jalapeño recommended)
• A handful of fresh arugula
• 3–4 cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 tbsp garlic aioli
• 1 brioche bun (toasted)
INSTRUCTIONS
Lightly butter the inside of the bun and toast in a skillet or oven until golden brown. Spread a layer of garlic aioli on the bottom bun. Add the sliced grilled chicken breast. Place the pepper jack cheese over the hot chicken to slightly melt it. Layer on the crispy bacon slices. Add halved cherry tomatoes and a small handful of arugula. Spread the jam on the top bun. Enjoy!
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
How To Stay Festive And Healthy? Sure Thing
Halloween is typically filled to the brim with salt, sugar and carbs. It can be hard to stay on the nutrition wagon during spooky season, but there are plenty of fun ways to add a festive spin to favorite healthy dishes.
pumpkinFRUIT BOWL
With luck finding a melon or watermelon at the store, simply carve it like a jack-o-lantern and make the mouth large enough to have other sliced fruit emerging, such as cut pineapple, sliced grapes and apple chunks. Along the side, peel mini oranges and add a green stem to mimic pumpkins.
spooky CHARCUTERIE
These fan favorite boards can easily be kept healthy with some additions. Make any treat spooky with edible eyeballs. Adding them to a small snack such as mini bell peppers or grapes and strawberries is a fun way to stay on theme without sacrificing a healthy streak. Eyeball salami rolls also can be added, starting first with a green olive in the center, surrounded by a roll of mozzarella cheese and then surrounded by salami or even prosciutto.
stuffed PEPPERS
This fall staple easily can be incorporated into a fall gathering or Halloween night by carving jacko-lantern faces in orange peppers, and resuming a favorite recipe from there. Serving bread on the side? Use a skull or pumpkin shaped cookie cutter to re-shape it.
ghostly DIP
Hummus and pitas can be made scary in no time. Use a ghost shaped cookie cutter to shape pita bread, lightly toast and serve with red pepper hummus, which is usually orange in color.
jack-o-lantern VEGGIE TRAY
The easiest bet for a quick and healthy Halloween treat? You can’t go wrong with a veggie tray shaped like a jack-o-lantern. Use baby carrots as the base, and cucumber or celery to shape the mouth and stem. The eyes? Two round bowls of veggie dip.
ARTICLE BY WOODSTOCK CITY LIFESTYLE
Local Faves
Bizarre Coffee
Bizarre Coffee is a funky and creative coffee shop located in Downtown Woodstock, Downtown Canton, and Roswell (coming soon!). Check out their popular menu items including cafe lattes, cold brew, bagels, sandwiches, and more.
Woodstock Flowers and Gifts
Woodstock Flowers and Gifts is the perfect choice for beautiful flowers and gifts for any occasion. They offer fresh flowers, green & blooming plants, gourmet baskets, chocolates, and balloon bouquets.
Deep Roots Wine Market
Deep Roots Wine Market offers a unique wine tasting experience with wines from all over the US, and visitors can also enjoy small plates from the kitchen.
Upscale Mexican restaurant serving tacos, fajitas, cocktails, and other fare. Try out their woodfire grill menu items. Their one-year anniversary was in September; go show them some love!
Artisan olive oils and kitchen items perfect for gifting to the home chef in your life. Check out their frequent cooking classes to learn how to make pasta, sushi, and much more!
Leaning Ladder Olive Oil
La Cantina on Main
Painted Horse Winery & Vineyards
GEORGIA’S ONLY SOLELY WOMAN-OWNED WINERY
ARTICLE AND
BY SARA HAGEN
Milton is home to Georgia’s only woman-owned winery and the only winery in Fulton County. For Pamela Borgel, it all started with a bad day. She hooked a plow onto her dad’s old Ford tractor and started plowing a field. Three days of plowing later, she began wondering what to do with the patch of land. Inspired by her trips to European wineries, she decided to plant vines. Eight years later, Painted Horse Winery & Vineyards is a beloved and award-winning Georgia winery fueled by the passion of Pamela and her team.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Pamela Borgel
Painted Horse Winery & Vineyards is also an equestrian center, farm, and apiary. The farm began over 30 years ago and remains very active today, staying true to its roots. Pamela’s dad’s tractor is one of the first things guests see when arriving at the winery.
They harvest 500 pounds of honey every year, which is available to purchase at the winery. It’s harvested twice a year by hand and used to make mead.
Guests can visit with the Hooch the pig, Sunshine the pony, Daisy the cow, and other animal friends.
When Pamela founded Painted Horse, she knew nothing about winemaking. A friend from her church connected her with a retired wine master, who lived less than five miles away and had won 12 medals in winemaking. Pamela says she felt God’s hand guiding her through the process, leading her to the thriving community and business she has built today.
“She hooked a plow onto her dad’s old Ford tractor and s tarted plowing a field.”
“Painted Horse Winery & Vineyards is a beloved and award-winning Georgia winery fueled by the passion of Pamela and her team.”
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were starved for community and feeling the restless reality of wanting connection while needing to stay safe. This was an unexpectedly game-changing moment for Painted Horse. What they offered was a place to get out of the house while honoring safety protocols. People were finally able to feel connected in a spacious, outdoor setting that was perfect for families.
We recommend spending a day exploring the farm, vineyard, and winery. Pamela advises avoiding high heels, as there’s usually a lot of walking around, and Painted Horse is both a farm and a winery. Stay and listen to the live music concerts every Saturday.
Starting with a plowed field and evolving into a beautiful business, Pamela has created a truly remarkable place in Painted Horse Winery & Vineyards. We hope you visit her and tell us we sent you!
You can find Painted Horse and schedule a tasting at thepaintedhorsewinery.com and find them @paintedhorsewinery on Instagram.
Pamela's dad's Ford tractor
Wedding Gazebo
NUE Strand NUE Strand
GIVE
(317) 967-0846
@inklessbeauty.ga
10971 GA-92, Woodstock, GA 30188
We proudly source from 7 local flower farms and feature gifts from 20+ women-owned businesses. Visit our bloom bar for stunning local blooms and shop products from inspiring local women.
We offer intentional gifting, custom floral design (including weddings & events), and fun workshops!
Open 7 days a week—stop in to build your own bouquet or order online for pickup or delivery.
Scan the QR code to shop or sign up for a workshop!
8582 Main St. Woodstock, GA 30189 678-403-2577 @gather.and.bloom
Gather & Bloom
Feed Your Soul
Food is exciting to cook, and satisfying to eat but is it enjoyable to read? Novels where food is prominently featured can be a veritable feast for the eyes. Food imagery, also called gustatory imagery, adds depth to a novel, providing a springboard for all kinds of descriptive and symbolic language. Different dishes can transport a reader to new regions of the world, reveal a character’s culture, or symbolically deepen the meaning of a text. So, dive into this list of autumn reads and don’t forget to save room for seconds.
ARTICLE BY HANNAH BARRICKS
Stanley Park
by Timothy Taylor
True crime fans and foodies alike will enjoy this beautifully written novel. The novel follows a Vancouver based chef, Jeremy Papier and his failing bistro. As Papier tries to hold his dreams together, his homeless father drags him into a real-life, 1940s “cold case” investigation. The novel mindfully uses the investigation as well as Papier’s commitment to locally grown foods to pay tribute to Vancouver’s landscape and history.
A Moveable Feast
by Ernest Hemingway
Published after his untimely death, A Moveable Feast is Hemingway’s memoir. A love letter to 1920s Paris and the literary movement, Hemingway charters the reader through his early years there, one cafe at a time. Along the way, familiar characters like Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald float in and out. This no-frills prose will stick to your ribs and leave you satisfied.
The School of Essential Ingredients
by Erica Bauermeister
Love is in the air at this Monday night cooking school. The novel follows a cast of hapless students as they are instructed in both the kitchen and in life by the school’s owner, Lillian. Lillian is the group’s fairy godmother as she hands out morsels of advice and challenges the students with advanced recipes. A cozy read, be prepared to fall in love with the decadence of the school’s dishes as well as the sweet message that lingers long after you put down the book.
The Sol Majestic
by Ferrett Steinmetz
If you love science fiction, this big-hearted, culinary space opera is sure to hit the spot. The story follows impoverished Kenna, an aspiring guru who hungrily wanders the cosmos until he wins dinner at the galaxy’s most renowned restaurant, The Sol Majestic. A novel that is both fun and thought provoking, Steinmetz uses striking food imagery to explore what truly excites the spirit.
Marco turned a magazine into community.
City Lifestyle isn’t just a publication — it’s a pulse. A rhythm of voices, neighbors, and stories woven together by someone who believes in the power of connection. As we expand, we’re looking for people ready to turn care into community. Are you ready to be that spark?
Woodstock
City Lifestyle
Published by Marco Loved by Woodstock
events
OCTOBER 4TH
Oktoberfest Pub Crawl
Downtown Woodstock | 2:00 PM
On Saturday, October 4th, Visit Woodstock GA invites you to celebrate Oktoberfest in Downtown Woodstock with a festive, fun-filled pub crawl from 2 pm-6 pm. Crawl-goers will visit participating bars and restaurants and enjoy themed food and beverage specials.
OCTOBER 23RD
An Evening with Olivie Blake
Books-A-Million - 1810 Cumming Highway #610 | 6:30 PM
The event will feature a lively moderated conversation with Olivie and fellow bestselling author Renée Ahdie, and an audience Q&A, followed by a book signing and photo op. Each ticket includes a copy of the stunning hardcover deluxe edition of Girl Dinner, featuring hot pink sprayed edges!
OCTOBER 28TH
Boo Bash!
Woodstock Public Library | 5:30 PM
A spook-tacular evening full of fall fun! With games, crafts, and more! There's something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Feel free to come dressed in a boo-tiful costume, as well! All ages welcome, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
OCTOBER 29TH
Day of the Dead Blind Tequila Tasting
2840 South Main Street Kennesaw, GA 30144 | 6:30 PM
A unique event where you can put your taste buds to the test. Can you guess which tequila is which? Sample 4 different tequilas and truly savor the flavors without any preconceived ideas. Can you guess which tequila is which? It's a fun and interactive way to celebrate the Day of the Dead.
OCTOBER 30TH
The Haunted Vineyard featuring Orin Swift
4975 N Main Street Acworth, GA 30101 | 6:00 PM
Welcome to The Haunted Vineyard featuring Orin Swift! Join us for a spooky evening filled with delicious wines from Orin Swift at Main St. Events by 1885 Grill. Get ready to sip on some hauntingly good wines while enjoying the eerie ambiance of the vineyard.
OCTOBER 31ST
Halloween Trail of Tricks & Treats
Rubes Creek Trail | 4:00 PM
The City of Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department will host the 5th Annual Halloween Trail of Tricks & Treats on October 31st from 4 pm to 8 pm on the PAVED & LIGHTED Rubes Creek Trail across from Fire Station 14 on Arnold Mill Road.
Want
