Points North May 2016 by Points North Atlanta Magazine

In this May 2016

Issue 192

ISSUE

POINTS NORTH Atlanta

Celebrating 16 Years & Counting

8 12 34 34

Getting Schooled in the Kitchen After leading a local high school culinary team to victory, Derin Moore, one of only 65 certiﬁed master chefs in the country, took his talents to Reynolds Lake Oconee, where his fresh dishes are worth the drive.

Life on the Lake Life on the waterfront is clearly a priority this month. Whether you’re looking for boating adventures, a family friendly outing or simply a quiet spot to soak up the scenery, we’ve rounded up four of our favorites to enjoy.

A Reﬁned Refuge When choosing a destination for a girls’ getaway, Palm Beach was an all-too-easy escape. Stunning oceanfront suites, luxe shopping, sumptuous spa treatments and copious cabana time are expected, but discovering the area’s true charm requires a closer look.

Make Your Move Ahh, sweet freedom of summer. Sometimes, there’s too much. Keep your kids active during their time off with these unique activities and camps. Orrin Hudson of Be Somebody will be the ﬁrst to tell you how the right game can make all the difference.

DEPARTMENTS 6 66 70 74

ON THE COVER Photo courtesy of Stock.adobe.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS 22 Real Estate Report 62 51 Guide to Summertime Fun

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EDITOR’S LETTER GUY’S TIME DUE NORTH AFTERTHOUGHTS

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Monsignor Reynolds Charity Challenge

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES; ALAN BROOKS PHOTOGRAPHY

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Editor’s LETTER

PointsNorth Atlanta PRESIDENT / CEO Witt Beckman PUBLISHER Carl Danbury Jr.

Where the Wild Things Are

EDITOR Heather KW Brown CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robin Harrison SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Shannah J. Smith

MY MOM STILL HAS THE HANDWRITTEN NOTE FROM CAMP. The one in which I nonchalantly explain to her and my dad that while walking back to my cabin after dinner, I stepped on a copperhead snake. Don’t worry, I wrote, my foot landed on its neck so it couldn’t bite me. Whether the news of a camp counselor picking me up and running as fast as she could away from the fray actually softened the impact or not was never mentioned. Surprisingly, I was allowed to return to that residential camp the following year, but only with the promise of carrying a flashlight and scouring the path ahead of me after dark. Encounters with poisonous snakes (and tree frogs in the shower) aside, I loved summer camp. Long before disconnecting from electronics was even possible, camp is where I participated in a skit, sang around a campfire and exercised my independence for the first time. It was also an introduction to life near a lake, where I learned how to get in, paddle and steer a canoe — a skill I have used many times since. On the precipice of summer, this issue is dedicated to spending time with family and friends as well as making new connections, not knowing just how much they might affect the rest of our lives. Chef Derin Moore and Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson are examples of how such influences can impact not only individual lives, but an entire community. Moore took aspiring chefs under his wing and led them beyond the test kitchen to culinary careers while Hudson strategically teaches kids how the game of chess relates to valuable life lessons. More opportunities to learn new skills and expand young horizons await in our annual Guide to Summertime Fun. Camp or no camp, the epitome of summer is often found on the waterfront and though we wanted to dive into every lake in metro Atlanta, we had to settle for a quick dip. Our cover story should whet your whistle for the upcoming months, if not lead to a second home property, lakeside. As a beach girl, not a summer passes without my toes in the sand, so I packed for a memorable weekend in Palm Beach, Fla. Far from where the wild things are, I traded a cabin for a cabana and explored luxe hotels, spas and restaurants. Yet, it was almost like heading off to camp because once I got there, I didn’t want to leave.

HEATHER KW BROWN, EDITOR heather@pointsnorthatlanta.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Colleen Ann McNally CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sam Boykin Jennifer Colosimo EDITORIAL INTERN Madison Breaux ADVERTISING 770-844-0969 sales@pointsnorthatlanta.com SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANT Karen Poulsen ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE George Colmant CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Tiffany Willard

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Shape Up for the

Summer with Body Sculpting Surgical and Non-Surgical Options Available Call for Complimentary Consultation 770-587-1711

REAL Atastemaker Setting the standard for young chefs across the state written by JENNIFER COLOSIMO

When you think about your favorite part of high school extracurriculars, chances are they don’t include perfecting knife skills … or preparing a food service timeline. Neither option sounds as fun as spending a day at the pool, going to the movies or playing a team sport, unless you were part of the select few who made the ProStart team at South Forsyth High School (SFHS). Then, it sounds delicious. Those kids, and 140,000 others in all 50 states, would absolutely look back on sharpening metal with a proud, nostalgic grin. A two-year accredited high school course through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, ProStart invites students with an interest in the culinary industry to try out for a team that provides real-life experience and tests their abilities on a competitive level. The students work after school, honing the skills required in a professional kitchen. They also plan and practice serving a three-course meal in less than an hour, with only a couple of butane burners to get them through it. The students have the school year to prep, so for a group of juniors and seniors from Cumming to place third and second, in 2014 and 2015 respectively, amidst teams from around the country, is something particularly … palatable.

SOAKING UP FLAVOR The secret recipe to SFHS team’s success is, in large part, due to its past mentor Master Chef Derin Moore, one of only 65 certiﬁed master chefs in the country 8 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

who spent eight years traveling with the U.S. Culinary Team. Shortly after his daughters started high school, Moore walked into an open house at SFHS. He had relocated his family from Florida, where he was the esteemed executive chef for The Ritz Carlton’s flagship resort as well as Turnberry Isle Hotel and Resort Miami. When he approached the ProStart table, the program’s teacher, dietician Dawn Martin, remembered being overwhelmed by his offer to help. “You cannot imagine how excited I was for someone of that caliber to volunteer his time and talents,” she said. “We did not have a mentor at the time and I was wondering if we would be able to compete.” They did more than that. Moore, who had a 9-to-5 job for the first time in years, was excited to be involved and worked for months, sometimes four nights a week and Saturdays, with the students. They built their own refrigerators, practiced those knife skills and learned how to move as a team in the kitchen. “Teachers have always been taught not to allow students to call the chef. We were to gather questions and then send them to him at one time,” Martin said. “The first thing Chef did was give the students his number. He said, ‘Text me questions, your grocery list, your pictures of when you practice individually.’ This helped the students develop a unique relationship with him. He could encourage from afar with pictures, funny comments and bring them in line before practice ever started.”

“The interesting part is that you get so much more out of [young chefs] when you have a clean slate to work with.” CHEF DERIN MOORE

“These kids were sponges,” Moore said. “The stuff they were able to accomplish, they had no idea how extraordinary it was, because they didn’t know any better. But, when they saw other teams putting their food up, the light bulb went on.” It shone brightly, too. Both teams during Moore’s tenure as mentor won their state competitions and competed nationally. Several students he mentored decided to pursue careers in the culinary industry — one winning a four-year scholarship to Le Cordon Bleu, ﬁve others attending The Culinary Institute of America in New York and one entering Johnson and Wales in August of this year. The 2015 all-girl team’s efforts earned each student $85,000 in scholarships and a knife kit.

SHARPENING SKILLS Moore wrapped up his “regular” work schedule last summer and got back in the kitchen at Reynold’s Plantation on Lake Oconee as their new executive chef. Although he wasn’t able to continue his work as the ProStart team’s mentor, he stays in touch with his former students. In fact, one of his former winning students, Jisun Ham, just finished her first year at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and is in the middle of an externship under Chef Moore’s wing. “When I first tried out for the ProStart team, I doubted myself,” said Ham, who started cooking because it brought her family together after a long day apart at work and school. “I always thought I was just someone who loved cooking and did PHOTO COURTESY OF REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 9

CH EF DERIN MOORE

it’s not something you read out of a book, but rather practice and advance through trying new things, through touching the food and discovering what you can make with it. “The interesting part is that you get so much more out of [young chefs] when you have a clean slate to work with,” Moore said about working with Ham again. “When you hire experienced cooks that come with other backgrounds, you have a lot of fixing to do. They gain a lot of bad habits and shortcuts in the industry. These kids had the willingness to learn, dedication to bettering themselves and the ability to absorb new techniques so easily. I’m a firm believer that in this business you either have it or you don’t. This group had it. I will always remember that experience.” “When Jisun came [to Reynold’s], I made a point of grabbing her and sitting down for about two hours,” he said. “The schools have them reach for the stars, but those big restaurants that are heavily marketed don’t prepare them for the industry. The reality is they’re going to peel potatoes for five months. They’re not marketable [once they move on]. Here, she’ll learn the proper way … the foundations for making good food.” Ham also said Moore didn’t only teach her how to cook, “He molded us to become better future chefs. He taught me to trust myself.”

A MASTER PLAN TOP PHOTO: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Students Kaitlyn Abercrombie, Jisun Ham, Olivia Fisse, Makenzi Petrin, Tiffany Flatman BOTTOM: Interior and another delicious dish at The National Tavern

it as a hobby, while others seemed more serious and committed to it. But after receiving an offer, I made sure to prove myself wrong.” Ham now works fast, confidently and efficiently; she’s learned everything from how to sanitize her kitchen to rolling sausages and concocting roulades, recognizing flavor profiles and experimenting with different food combinations. She credits Moore for teaching her that there is no “right” way to cook — that

“I always thought I was just someone who loved cooking and did it as a hobby, while others seemed more serious and committed to it. But after receiving an offer, I made sure to prove myself wrong.” JISUN HAM | student at The Culinary Institute of America

That’s exactly why a lot of new chefs choose to work for Moore, who credits his own love for cooking to his grandfather. From weekends in Orchard Park, Mich. helping him tend a garden of fruits and veggies to all-day Sunday dinners, canning jams and jellies, baking muffins and bread from scratch, he was the food guy in Moore’s family. In fact, it was his grandfather who took him on his first visit to The CIA when he was young. Less than a year after high school, he moved to New York to start his training. He spent the next decade in fine dining restaurants learning the fundamentals of cooking, how business works and how to make money without sacrificing quality. He traveled with the U.S. Culinary Olympic team around the world, learning foreign cuisine as well as discovering regional specialties. “My positioning through my career was never financially driven,” Moore admitted. “Being a certified master chef, there were opportunities to jump just for the money, but I did it to become well rounded.” That included visits to Germany, Scotland and Switzerland, recruiting for The Ritz Carlton in South Africa, opening one in Shanghai and teaching more PHOTO COURTESY OF DAWN MARTIN; REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE

10 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

than 40 international students annually in Naples, Fla. “You need those roots to grow [as a chef]. No one can see them. They’re not glamorous. But you’ll know how to do things the right way,” Moore added. “Chef Moore has modeled the value of a community leader and the importance of giving back,” Martin said. “All of my students leave with more confidence and excellent experience; they’ve learned perseverance and tenacity, professionalism and [how to connect] with professionals in the industry. There is a reason for the ‘master’ in front of the chef. He has taken his knowledge and has chosen to share it with the next generation in a very meaningful way.” “Look, I was executive chef of a restaurant in Detroit in my twenties,” said Moore, who was recognized for his work at the city’s landmark Golden Mushroom Restaurant in 1999 by the James Beard Foundation as an Outstanding Chef in American Cuisine.” I had friends that were there then, and they’re still there now. They’re doing the exact same food they were doing 25 years ago. That’s why chefs come to work for me. “They’re not going to grow stagnant here. By the time my kitchen gets comfortable with the menu, it’s time to change it,” he said. Change indeed. The National Tavern, Reynold’s Plantation’s newest clubhouse restaurant, switched things up on the menu to reflect seasonal ingredients just four months after opening, while 60 percent remained the same due to popularity — a balance Moore believes is crucial to running a successful country club venue — especially this one, with more than a dozen restaurants. And that diversity he’s learned? It helps him serve award-winning specials for fine-dining patrons as well as what kids are craving by the pool. PN FOR MORE INFORMATION reynoldslakeoconee.com nraef.org/prostart

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 11

TAKE THE

plunge LIVING THE GOOD LIFE on GEORGIA’S LAKES written by SAM BOYKIN

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TOWARD THE TAIL END OF MY OFTEN STRESSFUL, hour-long commute home, my frayed nerves and percolating temper always start to mellow as soon as the glistening expanse of water comes into view. I’ve lived near a lake for nearly 10 years, and it’s been a wonderful experience. My family and I have spent countless hours enjoying all that it has to offer, whether that’s boating with friends, cooling off with a refreshing swim, watching my daughter land her ﬁrst ﬁsh, exploring the shoreline for critters or simply gazing at the water’s soothing and tranquil stillness. Lucky for us, Georgia boasts more than 30 lakes that encompass some 425,000 acres, making the sparkling bodies of water one of the state’s most abundant and accessible recreational features. Together, they offer something for everyone from adrenaline seekers in search of thrills to families and retirees who simply want to relax and soak up the scenery. Get ready to dive into Georgia’s top lakes this season — just don’t be surprised if one of these waterfront havens becomes your new year-round address.

LAKE LANIER: Ideal for enthusiasts looking for water sport activities Named after Georgia poet and musician Sidney Lanier, the lake was created to provide hydroelectricity, ﬂood control and water for Atlanta in 1957. Through the years, Lake Lanier, which spans ﬁve counties and

nearly 700 miles of shoreline, has become one of the state’s most popular summer destinations. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 60 miles north of Atlanta, the lake is bordered by several highways that provide easy access to area attractions, including a resort and marinas. The south end of the lake, which is closer to Atlanta, has wide, open water, making it a hub of activity during the summer. The north end is less crowded, with fewer marinas and open space. Of course, water-based activities are what attract millions to Lake Lanier every year. Near Browns Bridge toward the northern end of the lake, Port Royale Marina has private launching ramps, a full line-up of rentals and a ship’s store with all the toys, gear and supplies you’ll need for a day on the water. Amy Looby, Port Royale Marina’s marketing director, grew up water skiing and boating on Lake Lanier, where her parents still live. “It’s always been like my own private playground,” Looby said, adding that when she’s not working, she often hangs out at Pelican Pete’s, the marina’s Tiki hut bar and restaurant, featuring a sandy beach area and live music on the weekends. As the rowing and canoe/kayak competition site for the 1996

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STOCK.ADOBE.COM

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 13

L AKE LIFE

LEFT TO RIGHT: Fourth of July Wooden Boat Parade on Lake Rabun; Jumping off a boathouse at Lake Rabun

Olympic Games, the lake’s scenic northern end sports the Olympic Venue, which now hosts professional rowing competitions as well as rowing and paddling camps for enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Spread across 1,500 waterfront acres, more fun awaits at Lanier Islands, a family-friendly resort on the southern end of the lake, where accommodations include luxury suites, spacious ranch-style homes and lavish villas. While landlubbers gravitate to the greens for a round of golf (12 holes offer stunning lake views), horseback riding along a network of scenic trails or ziplining through the trees on a guided canopy tour, water enthusiasts can rent a boat or head to LanierWorld, an expansive waterpark with slides, wave pools and other rides. For something more rustic, hundreds of campsites are available at Lake Lanier. The 1,040-acre Don Carter State Park, on the northern end, has picnic shelters, playgrounds, miles of hiking and biking trails, a sandy beach area, boat ramps and plenty of spots to hook bass, crappie and catﬁsh. Sawnee, on the southern end of the lake near Buford Dam, is another popular camping destination with 44 sites, ﬁshing, playgrounds and beach areas.

LAKE RABUN:

Families seeking a laid-back destination, new style and sense of community

UCKED ABOUT 100 MILES north of Atlanta in a deep valley along the Tallulah River, the 834-acre Lake Rabun is relatively small, with 25 twisty and narrow miles of shoreline. Generations ago, prominent families from Atlanta began building second homes along the shoreline to escape the summer heat. This tradition continues today. While the area has experienced a big housing boom, residents have formed a powerful homeowners association to limit commercial development. The result is a close-knit, multi-generational community that has developed many cherished traditions. Among them is an annual Fourth of July celebration with a wooden boat parade, 5K and 10K races and a big ﬁreworks display. Lake Rabun also hosts an annual home tour along with auctions and ﬂea markets to raise money to support the local community. These are some of the qualities that convinced George and Laura Rhodes to buy a house on the lake nearly 13 years ago. The Atlanta-based couple travels to their lakefront home most weekends and throughout the summer. “We have all the water sports here like skiing and boating, but this is not the kind of lake where you just PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAKE RABUN

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L AKE LIFE

have fun for the weekend and then pack up and go home,” Laura Rhodes said. “Lake Rabun has a really rich history of families and neighbors getting together and connecting.” A prime example of this community spirit is the Pavilion at Lake Rabun. Local residents banded together and, through the Lake Rabun Association, acquired land to construct a local meeting place. Key residents oversaw the design and construction of the facility, which was completed in 2006. The beautiful open-air stone and wood building is nestled among the trees and overlooks the lake. It’s the site of numerous summer parties, complete with live music, dancing and BBQ cookouts. “These kind of events bring together generations,” Rhodes said. “It’s pretty awesome when you’ve got a grandmother dancing with her grandson at a Pavilion party. You just don’t see that very often this day and age.”

respite

RABUN’S written by JENNIFER COLOSIMO

WITH A LONG LIST OF REASONS TO VISIT, you probably don’t need another push toward planning a trip to Rabun County, but at the risk of making your stay something spectacular, we’re twisting your arm a little more, and with good reason. The quietly tucked away Lake Rabun Hotel is something you might miss if you didn’t know to look for it. Built in 1922 and renovated in 2008, this soon-to-be 15-bedroom hotel sits just yards from the blue-green water of Lake Rabun, but stays hidden among the towering pine trees, lush hemlocks and flowering mountain flora. In fact, on the twisting, scenic Andrea Lane, drivers might not even notice it. But once you park your four wheels in their lot, you’ll never be able to forget it. On the contrary, you’ll quickly forget a lot of other things upon arrival — like the hustle and bustle of city life and its conveniences. You won’t find a phone or a television in any of the guest rooms, but what you will enjoy is a rare piece of history in North Georgia’s last standing lake mountain lodge. You’ll daydream on serene tree-trunk supported balconies, relax in custom-made laurel and rhododendron furnishings that Jimmy Carter

LAKE OCONEE: Golf enthusiasts interested in a luxurious lake setting

BOUT 60 MILES EAST OF ATLANTA, Greensboro, founded in 1786, is noted for its revitalized downtown, with antebellum homes, quaint shops and restaurants.

16 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

once tried to take back to The White House and you’ll savor a weekend spent completely consumed by the unassuming culture of lake life. Time on the waterfront includes the area’s obvious outdoor attractions, but it also means spa time, evenings by the lobby’s giant stone ﬁreplace, friendly board games with your group or a glass of wine enjoyed al fresco. Wine, of course, hints at an appetite for the ﬁner things, which is exactly what the hotel’s award-winning restaurant delivers, open only April through November. After one bite of the fresh food from the designated “Farm to Table Capital of Georgia,” you may forget why you’re just a visitor and choose open-window naps snuggled in soft linens over anything that would dare pull you away from such a quaint, quiet piece of history. lakerabunhotel.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF REYNOLDS PLANTATION; LAKE RABUN HOTEL

L AKE LIFE

ABOVE & RIGHT: Aerial view of Reynolds Lake Oconee; Paddle boarding on Lake Oconee

Perhaps the town’s biggest attraction is the scenic 19,000-acre Lake Oconee. Hannah Wilcher, Tourism Coordinator for Greene County, has lived in the area for 12 years, and spends a lot of time on the lake. “One thing I love about Lake Oconee is that it’s only about an hour from Atlanta, but it feels like this totally unique, faraway destination,” she said. Wilcher said another nice feature is the size of the lake. “Even on holidays you don’t feel rushed or crowded. And there’s just so much to do here.” Such charactistics have drawn top-notch attractions to the area, including the AAA Five-Diamond Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Lake Oconee. Tucked among towering pine trees along a 30-acre stretch of the Lake Oconee shoreline, the luxury resort offers 251 guests rooms and suites. For something more private, there are spacious lakeside cottages with wraparound porches. Guests here can enjoy the newly renovated inﬁnity pool, which is just steps away from the lake, where you can rent Jet Skis and boats or go ﬁshing. When your

stomach starts to rumble, the dining options range from a classic steakhouse to a casual bistro specializing in fresh, regional and organic ingredients. For a little decadent pampering, be sure to check out the luxurious spa, which has relaxation lounges, a 24-hour-access ﬁtness center and manicure/pedicure room. The resort also hosts special events during the summer, such as live concerts, ﬁreworks and kids’ camps, during which the little ones can go on nature hikes, scavenger hunts or play sports. While the youngsters are busy, PHOTOS COURTESY OF REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE

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L AKE LIFE Boathouse at Harbor Club

parents can play too. Situated around Lake Oconee are 99 holes of championship golf. Most of these renowned courses are within the resort communities of Harbor Club, Reynolds Plantation and Cuscowilla, all of which are part of the new Georgia Golf Trail. The 1,600-acre Harbor Club course offers a sweeping lakefront design that winds along the shore, past creeks and several interior lakes. For accommodations, guests

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can choose from a number of multi-bedroom cottages and townhomes. Additional amenities include a junior Olympic swimming pool and tennis courts. The 15,000-squarefoot clubhouse offers full-service dining, a golf shop, locker rooms and a fitness center. New to the scene is the Boathouse at Harbor Club, which has a general store, fishing gear and mouthwatering barbecue that is smoked onsite. The Boathouse also has a boat ramp and community dock, where you can rent kayaks and Jet Skis. Reynolds Lake Oconee boasts the first golf course built on Lake Oconee, which was unveiled in 1986. It features a variety of holes that wind through naturally

wooded areas and rolling hills. Reynolds Plantation has three- and four-bedroom cottages with screened-in porches and golf course views. Guests can also enjoy a pool, tennis courts, playground, athletic ﬁeld, croquet court, driving range and the new lakeside park and pavilion. Finally, Cuscowilla is a residential and resort community in a beautiful natural setting. Accommodations include golf cottages, lake villas and romantic, Mediterranean-style Lodge Villas. The lakeside golf course is situated along 700 rolling acres and offers a number of challenging holes.

LAKE KEOWEE:

Blissful beauty beyond state borders NLY ABOUT A TWO-HOUR DRIVE from Atlanta in northwest South Carolina, Lake Keowee is a 17,660acre lake with 300 miles of shoreline, situated in the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors can explore the area’s natural beauty at places like the Keowee-Toxaway State Park, which has non-motorized public boat access, about 20 campsites, a three-bedroom rental cabin, and more than 6 miles of hiking trails, including a 1.3-mile loop with a natural bridge that crosses a picturesque creek. Another hub for activity is the Lake Keowee Marina, which offers a full lineup of boat rentals, a restaurant and bar, gift shop and launch ramps. Jerry Blankenship, one of the mangers at the marina, has lived at Lake Keowee for about 20 years. He says he’s resided near the water all his life, including in Miami and the Bahamas, and was lured to Lake Keowee by the clear, clean water and laid-back lifestyle. One of his favorite pastimes is simply cruising along the lake and exploring all the little islands and waterfalls. “You can go out during the week and maybe see only two or three other boats,” Blankenship said. “And with the beautiful mountains in the background, you always have a scenic view.” Blankenship says many full-time lake residents are retirees who live in gated communities, but there are also plenty of great vacation homes available in the surrounding towns of Seneca, Clemson and Pickens. To help preserve the area’s unspoiled beauty, local residents formed the Friends Of Lake Keowee Society.

Though the allure of lake life varies, the common thread, like a rope tying a boat to the pier, is how special life on the waterfront is for visitors and residents alike. PN

FOR MORE INFORMATION discoverlakelanier.com discoverkeowee.com lakerabun.org lanierislands.com visitlakeoconee.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARBOR CLUB

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S P E C I A L AD V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

REAL ESTATE

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When you’re ready to drop your anchor at a waterfront property to call your own, visit one of Points North Atlanta’s esteemed partners in real estate to make your next home your best home yet.

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Report

BLALOCK LAKES

or anyone who loves the outdoors, there is no better place to have a home than Blalock Lakes. A vast, secluded property oﬀering 1,600 acres

of rolling Georgia woodlands, stocked lakes, miles of trails and a world-class sporting club and equestrian facility, Blalock Lakes makes you feel like you’re living in a place you’d normally just visit, and it’s only 30 minutes south of the Atlanta airport, near historic Newnan. A limited number of home sites are available, with swimming, ﬁshing, hiking, camping, riding and shooting right there for you, all day, every day. Spacious lots are available from $70,000 to $300,000, including lakefront properties. Imagine stepping into the country from your backyard, experiencing the beauty and peace of the outdoors impossible to ﬁnd in the city or suburbs. This is what sets Blalock Lakes apart and creates a place where special connections are made. With kids and family. With friends. With nature. For those who enjoy the outdoor sporting life, Blalock Lakes is hard to beat. Abundant quail, deer, turkey and clays complement an unrivaled sporting club and lodge with year-round amenities and ample in-season activities. Club memberships are available to property owners. And, for anyone looking to sample the Blalock Lakes life, stand-alone club memberships are available. There are many people who like the outdoors. And there are some who love it. These are the people for whom Blalock Lakes was created. It’s a place where you can love where you’re living. blalocklakes.com PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLALOCK LAKES

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S P E C I A L

A D V E R T I S I N G

S E C T I O N

REAL ESTATE Report

STERLING ON THE LAKE

ction packed or laid back, it’s lovely lake living your way. In beautiful Sterling on the Lake,

located within the city limits of Flowery Branch, Ga.,

Located in the historic town of Gainesville, Cresswind offers easy access to the northeast Georgia Mountains to the north, and less than 50 miles south is the city of Atlanta.

there’s always something wonderful to do. Kayak, canoe or drop a line in a tranquil lake. Explore miles of trails,

Design. The social hub of Cresswind at Lake Lanier is the

two tennis centers, a gorgeous Lakeside Clubhouse

award-winning, 40,000-square-foot clubhouse. Here,

with pools and a ﬁtness center, a movie theater, library

you can ﬁll your social calendar in endless ways: arts and

and café — all are right here. The kids’ Tree House is

crafts, billiards, aerobics, yoga, a ballroom, an indoor

awesome. And, from concerts under the stars to annual

pool with lap lanes, a rooftop bar overlooking the lake

holiday festivals, the socializing is lively and warm year-

and marina and even a demonstration kitchen. The club

round. As for relaxing? Ah, that’s where their lake living

is also complete with an expansive outdoor pool, bocce

gets really lovely. New homes range from $200s to

ball, a basketball court and tennis courts. Located in the

$700s. sterlingonthelake.com

historic town of Gainesville, Cresswind oﬀers easy access to the northeast Georgia Mountains to the north, and

CRESSWIND AT LAKE LANIER

less than 50 miles south is the city of Atlanta. Cresswind is located on a wide stretch of Lake Lanier, and Cresswind Landing, the community’s private marina, oﬀers boat slip

t’s all here and waiting for you at Cresswind at Lake

ownership and day-dock opportunities. Tour 11 designer

Lanier; the best-selling active adult community in

model homes, open daily Monday through Saturday from

Georgia for three straight years.* Cresswind oﬀers the

10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Homes

ﬁnest amenities and a resort-inspired lifestyle, centered

are priced from the mid $200s to $400s, with basements

around the pillars of ﬁtness, nutrition and relationships.

available. Go discover the Cresswind diﬀerence.

Just beyond the waterfall at Cresswind’s gated

888-825-7443, cresswind.com

entrance, you’ll find a variety of two- and three-bedroom, ranch-style floorplans, designed specifically for active

*Source: SmartNumbers, No. 1 selling active adult

living and featuring Kolter Homes’ unique Comfort Home

community in Georgia 2013, 2014 and 2015. PHOTOS COURTESY OF STERLING ON THE LAKE

24 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Just Move In â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Move Up The Manor Golf & Country Club in Milton, Georgia, is home to expansive lots, exceptional custom estates from $1.3 million, and homes from the $900s. Explore lots and listings on our website or call to learn more.

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Exclusive Sales & Marketing by

Live Where You Belong 15967 Manor Club Drive | Milton, GA 30004

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S P E C I A L

A D V E R T I S I N G

S E C T I O N

REAL ESTATE Report outdoor ﬁtness/wellness center. For your new home’s design inspiration, the two professionally furnished model homes are now open. The portfolio of single-level living ranch style homes range in square footage from 1,700 to 2,800 and are priced from the low $200s. Lake Arrowhead‘s newest neighborhood is nearing completion at Sanctuary Cove oﬀering lakeside retreat living with individual, deepwater docks. A new portfolio of plans is being designed to maximize the lake views and will range in square footage from 2,200 to 3,000. Keep in mind, Lake Arrowhead is conveniently located an easy 40 minutes from Atlanta and is unbelievably accessible to both the state-ofthe-art Northside Cherokee Hospital, currently under construction, and minutes away from the acclaimed Reinhardt University. They invite you to come by and visit with the Sales and Information Center, which is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. 770-720-2700, lakearrowheadga.com

NATURE WALK

f your summer break beach trip and its breathtaking coastal sunsets have you thinking it’s time to buy your

second home, you’re in luck. America’s favorite destination can be your place by the sea. Ideally situated oﬀ Florida’s scenic 30A highway, go discover the outdoor lifestyle of Nature Walk by Kolter Homes. Just footsteps from everything you love about

LAKE ARROWHEAD

ake Arrowhead is Georgia’s exclusive award-winning mountain, lake and golﬁng community. The ame-

nities are world class, showcasing a 540-acre crystal clear

this charming seaside community — 1 mile from Santa Rosa Beach and 1.5 miles from Seaside, to be exact — you’ll ﬁnd artsy villages, upscale resorts, funky beach bars and world-class restaurants. Explore the neighborhood’s endless trails for

lake with 21 miles of shoreline. Lake Arrowhead will keep

walking and biking with direct access to Point Wash-

you intrigued with your private viewing of wildlife, shim-

ington State Forest, amenities including a beach entry

mering lake, championship golf course, tennis facility,

resort-style pool, hot tub, children’s splash pool, large bar,

pickle ball courts, numerous swimming pools, miles of

barbeque grills and, of course, the best beaches in Flori-

hiking and biking trails and championship bass ﬁshing.

da. Across a welcoming wooden bridge, nestled amongst

And if that wasn’t enough, the new Lakeside Park fea-

preserves, winding trails and boardwalks, it’s the ultimate

tures walking trails, two docks for swimming and ﬁshing,

walkabout community. Models are open daily, and move-

picnic areas and oversized swings, in addition to the new

in-ready homes with three to ﬁve bedrooms are available. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAKE ARROWHEAD

26 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

S P E C I A L

A D V E R T I S I N G

S E C T I O N

REAL ESTATE Report Go for a tour today, and this summer you could truly be calling 30A your home away from home. View the photo gallery online. 888-503-0440, naturewalk30a.com

TRATON HOMES

rom the stately gated entryway to the stunning home designs, The Reserve at Old Atlanta oﬀers

And as part of ClubCorp, The Manor provides members with golf, dining and other privileges at private clubs nationwide. Manor – European, French Country, Old World and more – and each estate is crafted to the highest quality standards with timeless details throughout. Residents of The Manor enjoy membership to the

“Altogether More!” Sited in one of metro Atlanta’s most

club, with its breathtaking 7,200-yard, 18-hole golf

desirable areas in Suwanee, Traton Homes at The Reserve

course designed by golf legend Tom Watson. The club is

at Old Atlanta creates an unforgettable impression both

also home to 16 professional indoor and outdoor tennis

inside and out. Immediately upon entering, residents are

courts, an outdoor Junior Olympic competition pool,

greeted by 36 acres of beautiful and serene land that will

heated indoor pool and Jacuzzi, sports center, plush

be preserved as open space, the majority along the banks

men’s and women’s locker rooms, a full ﬁtness center, ﬁne

of a tributary that leads to the Chattahoochee River. Oth-

dining, a beautiful event lawn and so much more.

er amenities include two lighted tennis courts, a Junior Olympic pool and clubhouse. “The Reserve at Old Atlanta truly oﬀers the best of

And as part of ClubCorp, The Manor provides members with golf, dining and other privileges at private clubs nationwide. Locally, members have access to

luxury living and amenities in one of the most sought-

Laurel Springs, White Columns Country Club and Atlanta

after school districts in the state,” said Kimberly Garwood,

National Golf Club, among others. 404-800-3650,

Director of Marketing for Traton Homes. Traton’s homes at

themanorgeorgia.com

The Reserve at Old Atlanta are priced from the $530s and fall in the districts of Johns Creek Elementary, Riverwatch Middle and Lambert High Schools. Traton Homes has been a local homebuilder in the Atlanta area for 45 years strong! For more information on The Reserve at Old Atlanta and Traton’s other metro-At-

THE RIVER CLUB

he River Club was developed by Crescent Communities, a real estate developer of numerous mas-

ter-planned communities throughout the Southeast with

lanta communities, contact Kerri Peek at 404-314-4158

real estate holdings of more than one billion in valua-

or Ed Olwine at 404-245-3383. tratonhomes.com

tions including residential, multi-family, commercial and undeveloped land holdings.

MANOR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Located in Suwanee, The River Club is a gated, private membership neighborhood on a 622-acre site that oﬀers opportunities to purchase a newly construct-

he Manor Golf & Country Club is one of Atlanta’s

ed home or the option to purchase a lot and design your

most exclusive private club communities. Set

dream home. A newly opened area of development,

among the picturesque hills of Milton, minutes from

within walking distance of the main dining lodge, pro-

Alpharetta, The Manor oﬀers a selection of large lots and

vides opportunities to build more modestly sized homes

move-in-ready estates by the region’s top homebuilders.

from the $900s. Members of The River Club currently

Create your dream home overlooking a scenic golf

enjoy a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole championship

course, serene lake or peaceful woodlands, or choose

golf course, a craftsman-inspired 30,000-square-foot

from a selection of ﬁne homes ready for immediate

clubhouse and lounge area, a golf pro shop and a ded-

occupancy. There are many styles available at The

icated spa with both men’s and women’s locker rooms.

28 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

S P E C I A L

A D V E R T I S I N G

S E C T I O N

REAL ESTATE Report The separate amenity center is managed by an on-site

everyday lifestyle. Professional designers will tailor the

activities director and includes a full-size competition

selection process to meet the personal vision of each

pool, a children’s splash pool and a two-story water

customer’s home while educating them on the beneﬁts

slide. The amenity center also includes a tennis pro shop

of featured products and services. Exquisitely appointed,

and eight lighted hard courts.

the Design Center features full-scaled gourmet kitchens,

Great opportunities are still available to purchase

bathrooms, outdoor living spaces and endless selections,

new homes or lots within the community and the Club is

all presented in an inviting and comfortable setting. SR

currently oﬀering special incentives for outside residents

Homes builds single-family homes priced from the high

to become members of one of the most highly acclaimed

$200s to more than a million in sought after communities

clubs in the metro Atlanta market. riverclub.com

located in DeKalb, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett and Oconee. 678-252-2501, srhomes.com/design-studio

SR HOMES

he Design Center by SR Homes showcases more than 2,700 square feet of possibilities. As “A Build-

er Focused on You”, the showroom is designed to provide customers with assistance in the customization of their

COTTAGES AT RIVERBIRCH

ICTURE IT: Your own craftsmen-style cottage and dockable boat-site. It’s a nice daydream, but if the

thought of draining up-keep is stopping you, reconsider

new home. The ultimate goal is for each customer to

Cottages at Riverbirch with help from Lake Keowee Real

have a home that is unique and works for his or her

Estate.

30 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

As one of the few oďŹ&#x192;ces in the area that truly specialize in Lake Keowee real estate, their staďŹ&#x20AC; and Head Broker Andy Lee have seen what people want. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They no longer want largeÂ 7,000-, 8,000-square-foot homes,â&#x20AC;? Lee said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They

$OUHDG\ ZHOO NQRZQ IRU LWV Ă&#x20AC;VKLQJ JROG KRUVHEDFN ULGHV DQG WKH IDPRXV %OXH 5LGJH 6FHQLF 5DLOZD\ WUDLQ WKDW ZLQGV LWV ZD\ WKURXJK WKH PRXQWDLQV QRZ WKH %OXH 5LGJH DUHD LV ERRPLQJ 1HZ VKRSV FRQWLQXH WR RSHQ UHVWDXUDQWV FRQWLQXH WR WKULYH DQG WKH ZD\ RI OLIH KHUH FRQWLQXHV DW D SHDFHIXO MR\IXO SDFH &RPH H[SHULHQFH LW IRU \RXUVHOI

now want a well-appointed, manageable property.â&#x20AC;? TheÂ CottagesÂ atÂ RiverbirchÂ are tapping into that market â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with land and cottage packagesÂ starting in the low $400s. These sensible and ornate cottages allow you to â&#x20AC;&#x153;live largeâ&#x20AC;? with 10-foot ceilings, granite countertops, hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;oors and color palettes handpicked by interior decorators. Call them today! 864-886-0098, lakekeoweerealestate.com

RACHEL CALLIHAN COWART FOR HARRY NORMAN REALTORS

native of Fannin County, Rachel Callihan Cowartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family was one

of the ďŹ rst to settle there. There are two mountains, a book and a creek named after them. She grew up riding her horse along the beautiful trails of Cashes Valley, and also grew up in real estate and construction, as her dad sold a lot of mountain properties, so she naturally has a good working knowledge of the locally built cabins. Already well-known for its ďŹ shing, gold, horseback rides and the famous Blue Ridge Scenic Railway train that winds its way through the mountains, now the Blue Ridge area is booming. New shops continue to open, restaurants continue to thrive and the way of life here continues at a peaceful, joyful pace. Come experience it for yourself. 706-632-7211 or 706-258-8067, harrynormanblueridge.com

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 31

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

REAL ESTATE Report

y family was one of the ﬁrst to settle Fannin County in the early 1800s. I grew up riding my horse into the beautiful trails, and also in real estate as my dad sold a lot of mountain property. Now it’s my specialty. This is my town and I would love to be your realtor. 2015 AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS BLUE RIDGE OFFICE: #2 INDIVIDUAL – TOTAL CLOSED VOLUME #2 INDIVIDUAL – TOTAL CLOSED UNITS COMPANY WIDE #5 INDIVIDUAL – TOTAL CLOSED UNITS

CORNERSTONE RESIDENTIAL

ed by developer Louis Reynaud, diﬀerent levels of construction are

underway at 12 of the most coveted lots in The Manor Golf and Country Club, Milton’s most prestigious gated community. With more than 25 years of experience building more than 500 high-end residential properties in Buckhead, Alpharetta, Milton and Naples, Fla., Reynaud is not your average builder. He is also the only custom builder with lots now completed and available for the public to choose and start building immediately in The Manor. Location, location, location is key, and his premium lots – some located in Fulton County and some located in Forsyth – oﬀer beautiful golf course and lakefront views, starting at $1,350,000 and up. “We are selling the best of the best. No question,” Reynaud said. In Forsyth, there’s a lower tax base. In Fulton, you’ll ﬁnd the best remaining lots in the Manor. He sources his own architects so that buyers are guaranteed to get a dynamite house that isn’t the same PHOTO COURTESY OF CORNERSTONE RESIDENTIAL

32 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

BUILD YOUR CUSTOM

Dream Home

as everyone else’s in the neighborhood. “If you’re spending this kind of money, we will make sure we get it right,” Reynaud said. To see how the lots compare for yourself, call Cornerstone Residential today. 404-680-3122, reynaud@live.com

EDWARD ANDREWS HOMES

ust down the road from Old Roswell and inspired by historic Charleston, Edward

Andrews Homes’ newest community, Harlow, is a fresh, energetic interpretation of the past. There is a familiarity in the

Selling

THE BEST of the best in THE MANOR, Milton's prestigious gated community.

architecture - warm brick that seems like it’s been here for decades, porches that beg for a rocking chair and sidewalks that suggest an evening stroll. Oﬀering a modern living experience that harkens back to a time when life’s

12 of the BEST LOTS available in different stages of construction. Fulton or Forsyth County | Golf Course & Lakefront Views $1,350,000 AND UP

richest experiences could be found just outside your door, this unique, new neighborhood brings a life all its own and creates a new kind of community. From badminton tournaments to food-truck nights, Harlow features an array of activities and amenities, including a social dog park, zero-entry resort pool, tennis courts, ﬁre pit circle and community hall, so you can enjoy your favorite places and people without ever leaving home. In addition, Harlow is conveniently located in the Milton High School district, meaning you are just minutes away from GA-400 as well as key shopping and dining destinations. Yes, you are in the Atlanta “suburbs,” but Harlow is anything but suburban. eahomes.com/harlow. Q

Cornerrstone Residential

DEVELOPER: Louis Reynaud | 404-680-3122 | reynaud@live.com

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 33

Elite AN

RETREAT ENJOYING THE BEST OF PALM BEACH written by HEATHER KW BROWN

ANYWHERE ELSE, the ﬁckle Floridian forecast might have deterred our sunny dispositions. Not here. Not tucked into the comfort of a cabana in an otherwise postcard perfect Palm Beach, Fla., where a rebuttal to rain is as simple as untying the canvas ﬂaps. No sooner had we slipped into slumber, the rat-a-tat-tat relented and our cabana boy returned with another round of umbrella-adorned drinks while the sun shooed away the uncooperative cloud like a pesky sibling. Beyond cabanas, Palm Beach beckons travelers to its sophisticated shores with promises of posh pampering among palm trees. This 16-mile town, touted as America’s First Resort Destination, arguably offers the best shopping in the country, creative culinary chops and well-appointed accommodations inclined to impress even the most travel-savvy Atlantans. When it came to choosing a destination for an annual girlfriends’ getaway, it seemed only natural to head for a hotspot well versed in spoiling guests.

OF VIAS AND BOUGAINVILLEAS

LEFT: Iconic entrance to The Breakers Palm Beach TOP RIGHT: Private cabana at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa BOTTOM: Another full house for dinner at Buccan

Driving over the bridge onto the island of Palm Beach, we immediately noticed an air of much more than briny ocean breezes. Indisputable high style unapologetically resides among immaculate tree-lined streets, presiding over a community both coiffed and captivating. Situated two hours

south of Orlando and one hour north of Miami, The Palm Beaches consists of 38 charming cities and towns, tying together 15 distinct districts including Palm Beach and Worth Avenue. Loosen those purse strings and plan to spend a day in decadence on Worth

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BREAKERS PALM BEACH; DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 35

PALM BEACH Avenue. Considered to be one of the most beautiful shopping venues in the world, this landmark is home to fashion-forward luxury labels such as Jimmy Choo, Chanel and Tiffany, among countless others. In addition to many of the finest retailers, we also found locally owned boutiques tucked along the avenue and inside nine spectacular vias. These romantic pedestrian alleys are packed with as much charm as prestige and rightfully, garner their own attention. Walking through courtyards filled with fountains, I realized the area’s undeniable sense of place is ultimately what makes this area so special. Found within architectural details of Addison Mizner (responsible for the area’s mixed Venetian, Spanish and Moorish decoration), beautiful bougainvilleas and endless historical glamour, are the characteristics — not the high price points — that define Worth Avenue and, in many ways, the island of Palm Beach. Still, Cartier crowds are aplenty on a road that is said to have been Rodeo Drive long before the stylish street became a reality in Beverly Hills, Calif. After all, being original is fitting for this lavish locale, as that is precisely how the island’s story started.

A GILDED LEGACY In 1894, oil, real estate and railroad tycoon Henry Morrison Flagler built the Royal Poinciana Hotel. With 1,081 rooms, it was the largest wooden hotel structure in the world at the time and connected his railroad from the northern U.S. to South Florida. Years later, he opened the Palm Beach Inn, now The Breakers Palm Beach, a legendary, AAA Five Diamond property. The inimitable resort is still owned and operated by the Kenan family, descendants of the Flaglers, and the lush gilded isle continues its century-long tradition of hosting everyone from Hollywood elite and heads of state to literary icons and international business magnates. Knowing its signiﬁcance and reputation, we planned our day’s end with enough time to explore the opulent lobby of The Breakers before dining in its latest venue, HMF at the Breakers. Named to honor TOP: One of nine beautiful vias on Worth Ave. BOTTOM: The opulent lobby inside The Breakers Palm Beach PHOTOS COURTESY OF DALE PAULLEY; THE BREAKERS PALM BEACH

36 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

PALM BEACH

the founding father, this venue sports a younger crowd and to-die-for tapas. After much debate and deep discussion with the waitress, we ﬁnally decided on a round of bites that became increasingly hard to share, especially when it came to items off the sushi menu like the spicy dragon roll. Thankfully, the best of friends will always share the last morsel of warm chocolate “Whoopie Pie” sundae and the remaining sip of rare wine, hand selected by an esteemed sommelier. Beyond the resort’s 140 acres, Palm Beach is replete with fabulous restaurants boasting a well-balanced fusion of celebrity chefs, cutting-edge newcomers and classic masters. The diverse team of talent contributing to the area’s culinary landscape includes world-renowned chefs Clay Conley and Daniel Boulud. We unabashedly dove into innovative dishes at Buccan, where the acclaimed Conley sets the bar high and pleases palates in such fantastic fashion that nibbling on sushi and Asian-inspired dishes next door at Imoto, Buccan’s little sister restaurant, warrants a second reservation. At Imoto, the seared blue ﬁn toro with foie gras, momiji, scallion and ponzu accompanied

TOP: A tropical welcome awaits at The Brazilian Court Hotel, a member of the Leading Hotels of America BOTTOM: Perfection on a plate at Imoto

by sake sangria had my heart. Meanwhile, at Buccan, we were downright spoiled: an appetizer of lobster-stuffed squash blossoms with black garlic aioli and hazelnuts; sweet corn agnolotti with bacon, buffalo ricotta and English peas and steak tartare with grilled bread, black truffle and crispy

egg yolk. Adding dessert to the mix would have been detrimental if Buccan and Imoto weren’t a 3-minute walk back to The Brazilian Court Hotel. Hardly a hidden gem, due in large part to its storied guest list and endless esteem, The Brazilian Court Hotel offers fabulous dining at Café Boulud, one of Chef Daniel Boulud’s well-established eateries, as well as chic boutique accommodations. Nestled in a neighborhood of mansions, the quintessential Mediterranean-design hotel is nothing short of a reﬁned refuge. Dating back to 1926, when it ﬁrst opened, the property offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, all equipped with a wealth of comforts including imported luxury linens, handsome mahogany crown molding and cabinetry as well as every modern amenity you could possibly need. The Brazilian Court, a member of the Leading Hotels of America, exquisitely redesigned its 80 rooms — three of which are named after Fred Astaire, Katherine Hepburn and Marlon Brando — only adding to its legacy. Café Boulud, which opened inside the property in 2003, is a coveted dining destination, with repeat four-star distinctions in the Forbes Travel PHOTOS COURTESY OF DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES; ANDY RYAN

38 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

PALM BEACH

The wishing well inside the award-winning Eau Palm Beach Spa

Guide and Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence.” Palm Beach, it seems, is rarely under the radar, providing plenty more excuses to escape.

POSH PAMPERING Proof of this proclivity is evident within the walls of Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa (pronounced “oh”). Designed more like a hip family estate that just so happens to sit on 7 acres of oceanfront property with its own private beach and breathtaking views of the ocean, Eau Palm’s style is best described as relaxed luxury rather than swankiness for the sake of it. Upon check-in, guests are treated to a complimentary glass of champagne and an opportunity to revel in the resplendent setting. Meanwhile, luggage is whisked off to guestrooms redesigned by famous visionary Jonathan Adler, whose recognizable hues of navy blues and bright yellows played together in modern patterns throughout the expansive space as contently as we clinked glasses on our balcony overlooking the ocean. Motivated by mere mention of posh pampering, I ventured to the 42,000-square-foot Eau Palm Spa, one of only 48 spas in the world with a prestigious five-star rating from the 2015 Forbes Travel Guide. A glass of champagne (yes, another one) and a sinful cupcake later, I immersed myself in the spa’s inviting Pause, Play and Perfect philosophy. Always up for time to reflect and indulge, I was temporarily powerless by the amenity possibilities. Unlike most spas, Eau Palm includes 19 treatment villas, private garden villas, a scrub-and-polish bar, fitness center, boutique, salon, a wishing well and PHOTO COURTESY OF HEATHER KW BROWN

40 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

PALM BEACH

A poolside view of the sun setting at Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa

OOKING CABANA TIME in this wealthy beach haven is easiest May through the end of October (the off-season) when local snowbirds have all ďŹ&#x201A;own back to their cooler climes for the summer months. Those of us from Atlanta, however, can handle the humidity of Palm

Beach, especially if that means reservations at B tthe best tables in town are more readily accessible. Forgo Miami or Orlando and ďŹ&#x201A;y directly

into Palm Beach International Airport.

hanging nest chairs perched above a pad of water that my feet could skim. I dangled in the chair before my heavenly massage treatment and couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t resist dipping my toes once more before reuniting with my friends for lunch at Breeze, Eau Palmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poolside restaurant. Besides a convenient location near our cabana, Breeze featured a Floridian blend of Latin, Caribbean, Asian and American ďŹ&#x201A;avors best enjoyed with a cool cocktail and warm breeze. Typical of girlfriend getaways, time escaped quickly. Making the absolute most of our experience, we stowed our bags, checked into our ďŹ&#x201A;ights and turned our attention to Tideline Ocean Resort and Spa. Hours before saying good-bye, we enjoyed a pedicure prior to a memorable meal in Tidelineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reimagined Brandonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s by the Beach restaurant overlooking the ocean. One last look at the waves cresting over the shore reminded me of the wishing well back at Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa. As I stood there determined not to waste my moment and wish for something FOR MORE INFORMATION fabulous, I realized my wish visitpalmbeachďŹ&#x201A;.com had already been granted: a worth-avenue.com weekend with girlfriends of thebreakers.com pure pampering in a place thebraziliancourt.com like Palm Beach. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not eaupalmbeach.com sure it gets any better tidelineresort.com than that. PN PHOTO COURTESY OF TIDELINE OCEAN RESORT AND SPA

42 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

The

Game CHANGER TEACHING CHILDREN TO PLAY – AND WIN – IN LIFE written by COLLEEN ANN MCNALLY

RRIN “CHECKMATE” HUDSON teaches children how to play chess as if his life depended on it, and that’s no exaggeration. “The life I save may be my own,” the fast-talking, two-time World Open Speed chess champion said. In one breath, he will tell you a tear-jerking comeback story of a would-be juvenile delinquent. In the next, he’ll be belly laughing at his own wise crack. He knows when to use both the stern voice and jovial sense of humor to not only grab the attention of students he mentors, but to leave a lasting impression. “My goal is to teach a million young people,” Hudson said, who made this his sole mission

44 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

after founding Be Somebody, Inc. in 2000. The nonproﬁt organization is more than halfway to that goal, using numerous tools, including the game of chess, to promote self-esteem, responsibility and analytical thinking among at-risk kids.

THE FIRST MOVE Why chess? “Six major words: Take time to think things through,” Hudson said. It’s true that parallels can be made between the twoperson game played on a black and white checkered board and the way people approach tough decisions in life. Both take patience, thorough thinking, mental concentration and focus – or one mistake could end it all. The reality of loss hit him hard when watching the news one night, 16 years ago. As he watched a heartbreaking

story about seven fast-food employees robbed and killed for $2,000 in the cash register, something within Hudson triggered. Since then, he has spent time traveling to schools or teaching from his training center in Stone Mountain to help prevent the repetition of similar headlines. “I believe the only way to ﬁght is to use your head. Brains before bullets – think it out, don’t shoot it out,” he said with a rhythm to his voice that gave me the sense this phrase has been repeated countless times. The way he sees it is, if he doesn’t take the time to spread this message, how else can he hope to ensure that others, including himself, won’t be the next victim of a tragic news segment? He chose the name “Be Someone” from the advice Abraham Lincoln’s mother told her son before he ran for president, and it has become one of his many mantras that guide him and those he mentors. Still, Hudson’s passion for sharing his expertise at chess traces back even further. The longer we chatted, the more glimpses I gained into his complex childhood in housing projects, growing up in and out of foster homes as the seventh sibling of 13. Later, James Edge, a white teacher in

an all-black high school, helped Hudson realize his own potential when Edge taught him the game of chess. “ I started making better grades. He turned my whole life around,” Hudson said. “I’m living my dream because a teacher took the time to teach me something that was not on the school agenda.”

PLAYING ALONG The chess champ has made a habit of doing just that. Hudson will challenge anyone age 4 to 104 to a match. In fact, he seems to thrive off challenges, and the bigger the better. He has repeatedly led students to Atlanta Public Schools chess championships and been on call in the middle of the night to sign court papers. “My most famous [success] story is that a kid almost went to jail and the judge gave him one more chance to get his life correct,” Hudson said. “I found out about the story and went to the school to work with him and coached him to win a state championship.” To imagine how he makes moves like this, ﬁrst forget any image of chess as a quiet, stationary activity. Hudson’s high-energy approach involves techniques

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALAN BROOKS PHOTOGRAPHY

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 45

THE G AME CHANGER like a life-size board and pieces to get students in the game and a catchy rap song he wrote, with lyrics – and good morals – likely to be stuck in their heads. Even his conversational speech is full of mnemonic devices and popular culture anecdotes, from Donald Trump to Atlanta Hawks stars that surely help make connections for younger audiences. “I’m on a mission to teach young people that the new currency is KASH,” Hudson said, rattling off one of many quirky mottos. “K for knowledge, A for attitude, S for skills and H for habits. Once you get this KASH, no one can take it away from you. I’m committed to teaching young people how to KASH in.” The money motif is appropriate as one of Hudson’s favorite topics, and most rewarding parts of his newfound profession, is a discussion on adding value. “Always give people more value than they are giving you,” he said.

WIN BY CHOICE Hudson pushes students to out perform and outsmart the competition, reminding them often how each move matters. Positive beneﬁts for students include

improved grades, prolonged attention spans, enhanced ability to think strategically, a desire to compete in a positive atmosphere and improved team-building skills. Hudson said kids leave inspired and motivated to apply their newly acquired skills from the game board to a boardroom someday. Hudson has made his own headlines on news networks on the national level, published a book, earned award recognition from the FBI and the nickname “Checkmate” from Jane Fonda, who endorsed his methods through her work with the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention. His “Win by Choice” program is mobile, so Hudson is often hired for corporate presentations and motivational seminars, private coaching sessions, parenting or teacher workshops and chess camps. Hudson has a unique ability to breakdown patterns and decision-making in a way anyone – even those who have never played chess before – can understand. Checkmate! PN

Summer to Remember A

hether school’s already out or you’re in the ﬁnal countdown, we’ve got you covered

with a wide range of unique summer activities and camps for children, young and old. While “camp” may conjure cabin nostalgia for many of us, these local daytime options cover interests from art to computer coding, as well as put the “active” in activities with sports. We won’t tell your kids how much they are actually learning if you don’t, but we can’t say the same for leaders like Orrin Hudson whose chess camps send kids back to class with a leg up and memories they’ll be eager to share. Check out our Guide to Summertime Fun in this issue as well as online at pointsnorthatlanta.com for more camp listings.

Serve It DATES: Multiple weeks offered, 9 a.m. to noon AGES: 5 to 16 COST: $200 per week LOCATION: Falls of Autry Mill, Johns Creek All skill levels are welcomed at this tennis camp

FOR MORE INFORMATION besomeone.org

taught by certiﬁed instructors, including Julius Robinson, current director of junior programs for The Falls of Autry Mill Tennis Club. This camp is unique because it caters mainly to beginners

ASK AWAY

and recreational level players; and has a very

Here’s A Question all began around Atlantan Scott Bowen’s family dinner table with kids ages 11, 9 and 4.

relaxed and fun atmosphere. The kids start each

“My wife and I were looking for ways to engage our children in conversations that gave us a deeper under-

day with light conditioning, focused develop-

standing of their hearts and minds,” Bowen said.“We’ve found in our family that even simple questions can

ment, team-building activities and competition,

lead to great conversations. It has been fun to see our kids enjoy asking and answering these questions.

then end it with fun summer games and daily

We’ve gained a better understanding of how they see they world and what makes them who they are. Our hope is that the book adds

swimming. Registration deadline is 8 p.m. the

value to your family time and you enjoy it as much as we do.” The book is available now and might be the answer you’ve been looking

Thursday before a session starts. 404-291-4550,

for to turn off the television during meals or keep ear buds at bay on your next road trip. heresaquestion.org

fallstennisclub.com

404.642.0862

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Learn to Code

providing kids with a physical disability the chance

Plant Seeds for Learning

DATES: Multiple weeks offered

to learn, play and participate in a variety of adaptive

DATES: Tuesdays through Oct. 25,

AGES: 7 to 14

sports and recreational physical activities. Both

10 a.m. to noon

COST: $269 for half day and $499 for full day

ambulant and those who use a wheelchair will have

AGES: Pre-schoolers

LOCATIONS: Kids 4 Coding Center, Roswell; Gwin-

the opportunity to participate in archery, kayaking,

COST: Free

nett Technical College, Alpharetta and Lawrenceville

rock climbing, swimming, track and ﬁeld, wheelchair

LOCATION: Avalon Plaza, Alpharetta

Kids 4 Coding, a leader in technology and design education for youth, offers camps grouped by age and offered at three locations in North Atlanta. Camp fees include a T-shirt, healthy snacks and certiﬁcate of completion. Space is limited. Camper to instructor ratio is nine to one. Campers bring their own devices, or rentals are available. Programs are offered in:

basketball and much more! Kids eligible for camp

Parents and caregivers are invited to bring their tots

must have a physical impairment such as cerebral

for playtime and weekly surprises including face

palsy, spina biﬁda, acquired brain injury, dwarﬁsm,

painters, storytellers, magicians, zoo animals and

amputation, spinal cord injury, visual impairment or

more. experienceavalon.com

other related physical disabilities. BlazeSports AllStar Summer Sports Camp is held in partnership with Camp Twin Lakes. 404-270-2000, blazesports.org

Game Design, Programming, Robotics, Minecraft, Mobile Design, 3D Design, 3D Modeling and Animation, Mobile App Design and Web Development. 770-642-0004; kids4coding.com

Make a Mess

Let’s See That Smile! • Serving the Dental Needs of Children Ages 1 to 21

DATES: Multiple weeks offered, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. AGES: 5 to 12

• State-of-the Art Facility

COST: $175 per week for members,

• Internet Access & WI-FI

$200 per week for non-members LOCATION: Hudgens Center for the Arts, Duluth

• Teens Have Their Own Wing

Print, paint, draw, sculpt, sew, throw, hammer, carve

• School Forms • Board Certified Pediatric Dentist serving Atlanta’s Northside for 15 years.

and glue! The Hudgens Center for the Arts offers seven weekly ﬁne art camps for budding young artists. Each week is an all-new experience themed with different projects and activities. Each weekly session will conclude with a Fabulous Friday Art Exhibition where the budding artists showcase their works cre-

Christy Haffner

D.M.D.

Pediatric Dentist

ated during the week of discovery. 770-623-6002, thehudgens.org

Dr. Haffner is a Board Certiﬁed Pediatric Dentist specially trained to treat the dental needs of children. Dr. Haffner is also on staff at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Be an All-Star DATES: June 5 through 10 AGES: 7 to 17 COST: $300 (scholarships available) LOCATION: Camp Dream, Warm Springs The BlazeSports America All-Star Summer Camp offers a weeklong overnight camp experience

Dr. Christy Haffner Pediatric Dentistry 3300 Old Milton Parkway Suite 250 Alpharetta, GA 30005

770-777-9400 www.drchristyhaffner.com

Pediatric Center | 3300 Old Milton Pkwy | Suite 250 | Alpharetta, GA, 30005 PHOTOS COURTESY OF KIDS4CODING; LITTLE ACORNS

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 47

B A R R I N G T O N

H A L L

CREATIVE WRITING SUMMER DAY CAMPS

“Kids Can Write” June 20–24: Beginner’s Camp June 27–July 1: Beginner’s Camp July 11–15: Beginner’s Camp July 18–22: Advanced Camp July 25–29: Advanced Camp

Express Yourself

Make History

DATES: Multiple weeks offered between

DATES: Multiple weeks offered,

All camps are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

May 31 to Aug. 5

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

AGES: 6 to 14

AGES: 5 to 10

The City of Roswell’s Recreation, Parks, Historic & Cultural )ЄIQZ[ ,MXIZ\UMV\ XZM[MV\[ Q\[ ÅN\P [MI[WV WN KZMI\Q^M writing camps at Barrington Hall with award-winning children’s book author and accomplished children’s writing instructor Mary Ann Rodman.

COST: $200 for half day and $350 for

COST: $110 for half day, $160 for full day

full day

LOCATION: Heritage Sandy Springs

LOCATION: Art & Beyond, East Roswell

Museum, Sandy Springs

Let your young artist create and express

Heritage Sandy Springs is excited to an-

themselves! Art & Beyond offers 10 week-

nounce their popular bi-monthly Amer-

ly themed summer arts and crafts camps

ican Girl Club is now a summer camp!

for children. Each week there is a different

These programs expose participants to

theme that guides the art projects. Led

the unique historical perspectives of the

by professional teachers, campers will

American Girl Dolls through crafts, food

create a variety of artworks including but

and games. For those who have attended

The fee is $250 per camper. Ages 10–14. Advanced registration is required.

Call 770-640-3855 to register. www.roswellgov.com

not limited to drawings, paintings, clay,

our programs before, the summer camp

sculpture, printmaking and collage. Each

sessions are all new, providing more

Friday will culminate into a mini art show

in-depth content and even more inter-

showcasing the art created that week at

action. Each day will highlight a differ-

camp. Supplies and T-Shirt are included.

ent American Girl and feature activities

aandbartstudioalpharettaga.com

related to the time period in which she lived. Deadline for registration is June 3. 404-851-9111, heritagesandysprings.org

Be Part of a Tradition DATES: May 31 to July 29, except for the week of July 4 AGES: Varies per camp

DATES: Multiple weeks and mini

COST: Varies per camp

camp offered

LOCATION: Pinecrest Academy Campus,

AGES: 5 to 11

Cumming

COST: $285 for full week, $165

Pinecrest Academy has been hosting summer camps for more than 15 years on the 68-acre campus. Camps are al-

for mini camp LOCATION: FarmHouse in the City, Roswell

ways open to all, and there are more

Come see what all the parents and kids

than 40 camps available for children

rave about each summer! A day with the

and teens of all ages, including Atlan-

lovable animals and creative art proj-

ta Braves Baseball, NIKE Basketball,

ects at Farmhouse in the City will create

Archery,

Cheer,

memories for a lifetime. They have a dif-

Computer, Drama, Driver’s Ed, Karate,

ferent theme each week of the summer.

Musical Theater, Pre-school Art, 12 dif-

Each camp day includes mixed media art

ferent science camps, Spanish, Sports

projects like canvas painting, watercolor

Performance, Summertime Fun, Vol-

painting and pottery. On the last day of

leyball, Wrestling and many more.

camp, you and your family will enjoy an

Your child will experience a great camp

art show to view all of your child’s mas-

program that will build virtue, conﬁ-

terpieces. Additional siblings that attend

dence and friendships while teaching

receive a 10-percent discount, and af-

new skills in a faith-ﬁlled environment.

ter-camp care is available for $10 per day.

Please see the Summer Camps regis-

770-587-3001, farmhouseinthecity.com

Babysitting,

Band,

tration page on the Pinecrest web site for details. New camps are added daily, so check back often! 770-888-4477, pinecrestacademy.org

48 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

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BEST SUMMER EVER! ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

WHEN IT COMES TO FRIENDLY COMPETITION, the staff at Slingshot Entertainment are experts, especially adept at combining “I dare you” with big wipe-outs and even bigger laughs. Located at the corner of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Jimmy Carter Boulevard, the 13,000-square-foot white building is hard to miss from the street. Curious, our staff went to race through the giant playground, created for kids of all ages in mind, for ourselves. +RPH WR WKH ODUJHVW LQGRRU QLQMD REVWDFOH FRXUVH LQ WKH 8 6 ŋbZHōUH talking courses like what contestants attempt on the popular television show ŏ$PHULFDQ 1LQMD :DUULRUŐ ŋb6OLQJVKRW RIIHUV VRPH RI WKH PRVW XQLTXH ZD\V to play hard. And we should know. We failed more often than not. With two separate courses — one for kids, one for adults — our strength, balance and sheer determination were tested with a healthy amount of running, jumping, hanging, hopping and climbing. If you fair as well as we did, your time at Slingshot will also be spent getting up after a failed attempt to try, try, try again. The good news is that Slingshot’s unlimited play pass grants you plenty of chances to try again and again until you can move as stealthily as the guides that make it look easy. If that doesn’t tire out the 2-to-12 crowd, set the junior ninjas loose on the world record-sized, multi-level netted kids’ play structure, give the electric go-karts a spin or take your turn in their 14-lane bowling lounge with touchscreen scoring and interactive gaming. With a full-service bar and restaurant, arcade, party rooms and meeting space for corporate events, head to Slingshot for a memorable day, whether it’s for a birthday, date night, bachelor/ bachelorette party, graduation celebration or just spending an afternoon out with the family. We can attest that no matter how you play, you may leave with EUDJJLQJ ULJKWV ŋ DQG PRVW OLNHO\ D IHZ VRUH PXVFOHV ŋbEXW \RXōOO ZDQW PRUH 678-585-2268, slingshotplay.com To sling you in the right direction of summer, we’ve compiled a long list of great options in our annual Guide to Summertime Fun. Flip the page for more ways to play, whether soaking up the sun, beating the heat inside or packing your bags and hitting the road.

enjoy the outdoors ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

ASO returns to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre for an evening of “Great American Music” on Thursday, June 15 at 8 p.m. The evening features a salute to the American West with John Williams’ “The Cowboys Overture” and Aaron Copland’s Three Dance Episodes from Rodeo, plus music from Duke Ellington and Bernstein’s “West Side Story.” Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and children under 12 will be admitted free on the lawn with a ticketed adult. aso.org

EVENTT! ALER

PHOTO COURTESY OF SLINGSHOT ENTERTAINMENT

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 51

summertime fun

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BLAIRSVILLE SCOTTISH FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES

Come experience three days of everything Scottish in the North Georgia Mountains on June 10, DQG b+HOG DWb0HHNV 3DUN LQ %ODLUVYLOOH WKH IXQ VWDUWV RQ D )ULGD\ QLJKW ZLWK Ĺ?&HLOLGK LQ WKH &RXUWKRXVH Ĺ? KHOG IURP WR p.m. Listen to the sounds of St. $QGUHZV $SSDODFKLDQ 3LSH DQG 'UXP %DQG 7URXEDGRXU &ROLQ Grant-Adams and Scot tish &RPHGLDQ %RE 9DOHQWLQH Festivities continue SatXUGD\ DQG 6XQGD\ EHWZHHQ D P DQG S P ZLWK PRUH OLYH music, weaponry, reenactors, FKLOGUHQĹ?V JDPHV IXQ DPDWHXU *DPHV Ĺ&#x152;.LUNLQ RĹ? WKH 7DUWDQV and so much more. The Seven Nations concer t Saturday HYHQLQJ ZLOO URFN WKH PRXQWDLQV &HXG PLOH IDLOWH \Ĺ?DOO b blairsvillescottishfestival.com

CITY OF NORCROSS

6FKRRO LV QHDULQJ WKH HQG DQG QRW RQO\ LV WKH ZHDWKHU KHDWLQJ up, but so is the Norcross events and music scene. The &LW\ RI 1RUFURVV LV SOHDVHG WR DQQRXQFH LWV H[FLWLQJ OLQHXS RI VXPPHUWLPH HYHQWV LQFOXGLQJ the Summer Concert Series NLFNLQJ RII RQ 0D\ 27; a Memorial Day Celebration on May 30; the BluesBerry Music and Beer Festival on June 18; Red White and Boom RQ -XO\ DQG Jazz in the Alley EHJLQQLQJ RQ -XO\ -RLQ WKH City of Norcross this summer in JURRYLQJ WR Ĺ?V PXVLF VLQJLQJ DORQJ WR -LPP\ %XIIHW WXQHV DQG VZD\LQJ WR FRRO MD]] $OO FRQFHUWV DUH IUHH DQG ORFDO UHVWDXrants are happy to create the perfect picnic for concert and event goers. aplacetoimagine.com

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52 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

FREEDOM BOAT CLUB

Days do not have to be ordiQDU\ DQG ERDWLQJ VKRXOG EH DQ escape rather than a nuisance. %RDWLQJ VKRXOG EH D ZD\ IRU SHRSOH WR UHOD[ FRQQHFW ZLWK IULHQGV DQG FUHDWH SRZHUIXO PHPRULHV ZLWK IDPLO\ (QWHU )UHHGRP %RDW &OXE WKH ZRUOGĹ?V ODUJHVW PHPEHUV RQO\ ERDWLQJ FOXE $ VLPSOH DOWHUQDWLYH WR boat ownership, Freedom GRHV DOO WKH ZRUN MXVW JHW WR WKH GRFN DQG WKH\Ĺ?OO KDYH D ERDW ZDLWLQJ IRU \RX IXHOHG XS DQG UHDG\ WR JR :LWK ORFDWLRQV LQFOXGLQJ /DNH /DQLHU )UHHGRP RIIHUV DFFHVV WR D Ĺ´HHW RI ERDWV WKDW FRPH ZLWK OHVV VWUHVV DQG D ORZHU SULFH WDJ WKDQ RZQLQJ \RXU RZQ 7KH\ FOHDQ PDLQWDLQ VWRUH DQG GR DOO WKH SUHS ZRUN DV ZHOO DV HOLPLQDWH KDVVOHV OLNH GRFN IHHV LQVXUDQFH DQG WUDLOHUV 770-831-6082, freedomboatclub.com

GEORGIA MOUNTAIN FAIRGROUNDS

/RFDWHG DORQJ WKH VKRUHV RI EHDXWLIXO /DNH &KDWXJH LQ WKH North Georgia mountain comPXQLW\ RI +LDZDVVHH Ĺ&#x2039;bRQO\ WZR KRXUV IURP $WODQWD *UHHQYLOOH $VKHYLOOH DQG &KDWWDQRRJD Ĺ&#x2039;bWKH *HRUJLD 0RXQWDLQ )DLUJURXQGV SOD\V KRVW WR VHYHUDO SRSXODU DQQXDO HYHQWV DV ZHOO as of fers a wide-variety of XQLTXH YHQXHV DQG EHDXWLIXO \HDU URXQG FDPSLQJ IDFLOLW LH V 0 DU N \RXU FDOHQGDU IRU The Georgia Mountain EggFest May 14, Appalachian Wine, Jazz and Art Festival June 10 through 11 and their Fourth Of July fireworks celebration MXVW to name a few. 706-896-4191, georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

EV ALEERNT T!

GIBBS GARDENS

([SHULHQFH DFUHV RI EUHDWKWDNLQJ JDUGHQV LQ %DOO *URXQG DGMDFHQW WR VSULQJ IHG SRQGV VWUHDPV DQG ODNHV VXUURXQGHG E\ KLOOVLGHV FRYHUHG ZLWK PDWXUH ZRRGODQGV ,Q VXPPHU HQMR\ IUDJUDQFH DQG FRORU ZLWK URVHV K\GUDQJHDV GD\OLOLHV ZDWHU OLOLHV DQG FUDSH P\UWOHV 7KH -DSDQHVH Garden enchant s visitors WKURXJKRXW WKH \HDU ,QIRUPDO PRQWKO\ JDUGHQ WDONV KLJKOLJKW EORRPV LQ WKH JDUGHQV Their Saturday Twilight series in May and June offers extended evening hours and OLYH PXVLF EHJLQQLQJ ZLWK Apostles of Bluegrass on 0D\ (QMR\ IRRG DQG GULQN DW WKH A r bor C afĂŠ and shop for unique items at The Seasons gift store. From midJune to mid-December, they are open Wednesday through 6XQGD\ IURP D P WR S P (QWU\ JDWHV FORVH DW S P 770893-1881, gibbsgardens.com

EVENT ALERT!

LANE SOUTHERN ORCHARDS

+DYH VRPH UHDO I XQ WKLV V XPP HU RQ W K H I DU P D Wb / DQHb 6RXWKHUQb 2UFKDUGV /RFDWHG RII ([LW RI ,QWHUVWDWH WDNH D WRXU WKURXJK DFUHV RI SHDFKbRUFKDUGVbWR VHH KRZ *HRUJLDĹ?V PRVW IDPRXV IUXLW LV KDUYHVWHG b(QMR\ OXQFK DW WKH 3HDFKWUHH &DIÂŤ b,QGXOJH \RXUVHOI ZLWK KRPHPDGH SHDFK LFH FUHDP DQG FREEOHU 6WUROO WKURXJKb /DQHĹ?V KXJH LQGRRU URDGVLGH PDUNHW ILOOHG ZLWK IUHVK ORFDO SURGXFH b%X\ IUHVK SLFNHG VZHHW *HRUJLD SHDFKHV DQG Ć&#x201C;QG HYHU\WKLQJ \RX QHHG to create your own homemade treats. 1-800-277-3224, lanesouthernorchards.com

SWEETLAND OUTDOORS

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COOL OFF INSIDE ATLANTA HOBBY

6LQFH $WODQWD +REE\ KDV EHHQ WKH JR WR SODFH IRU IXQ Located west of Georgia 400, MXVW RII RI ([LW WKH\ DUH QRW LQ DQ H[SHQVLYH UHWDLO VWULS FHQWHU EXW D ODUJH VTXDUH IRRW ZDUHKRXVH IDFLOLW\ DQG VWRFN PRUH WKDQ GLIIHUHQW SURGXFWV b $WODQWD +REE\ LV NQRZQ DOO RYHU WKH ZRUOG DV Ĺ?WKH SODFHĹ? IRU DQ\WKLQJ UDGLR FRQWUROOHG LQFOXGLQJ SODQHV FDUV WUXFNV KHOLFRSWHUV WKH YHU\ SRSXODU GURQHV DQG PRUH b7KH\ DUH IDPLO\ RZQHG DQG DUH WRWDOO\ FRPPLWWHG WR SURYLGLQJ \RX ZLWK DQ H[FHSWLRQDO H[SHULHQFH *HW WKH NLGV RII WKH YLGHR JDPHV Ĺ&#x2039;bWKH\ H[FHO DW DOO NLQGV RI IXQ DQG ZLOO QHYHU EH

summertime fun

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undersold so click, call or come visit one of the most unique shops in the Atlanta area. 678513-4450, atlantahobby.com

BARRINGTON HALL WRITING CAMPS

Mary Ann Rodman, award winning childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book author and popular childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creative writing instructor is back at BarULQJWRQ +DOO IRU KHU Ć&#x201C;IWK VHDVRQ of leading creative writing camps at Barrington Hall. Rodman uses creative exercises and guided instruction to show children that writing can be fun. Camps are given the weeks of June 20, June 27, July 11, July 18 and July 25. Call Bill Browning for further information and to register. 770-6403855, roswellgov.com

BOWEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

THREE DAYS OF EVERYTHING SCOTTISH IN THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS

Find cool summer art at The Bowen Center for the Arts in Dawsonville, located just north of Historic Square. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new art show every month at the most beautiful Art Center in Georgia! Join them at receptions and meet the ar tists. Check the website for dates. 706-216-ARTS, dawsonarts.org

JUNE

FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

10,11&12 MEEKS PARK, BLAIRSVILLE, GA Live Music ( Massed Parades Reenactors ( Falconry Highland Cattle ( Border Collies Clans and Societies ( Heavy Athletics Pipe and Drum Bands ( Weaponry Gordon Setters ( Children's Games Fun Amateur Games ( â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kirkin oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the Tartans AND SO MUCH MORE! ( Honored Clan~Hay

www.blairsvillescottishfestival.com 54 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

For everyone who has ever been mesmerized by the twinkling glow of fireflies on a summer night, Fernbank Museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Creatures of Lightâ&#x20AC;? exhibit will capture your imagination. Revel in the beauty and awe-inspiring science behind the thousands of living organLVPV WKDW EOLQN JORZ Ĺ´DVK DQG Ĺ´LFNHU &KLOGUHQ DQG DGXOWV DOLNH will explore what makes some DQLPDOV UHĹ´HFW DQG HPLW OLJKW

and where new bioluminescent discoveries are being made. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also enjoy â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wild Musicâ&#x20AC;? which lets you create your own musical masterpiece in this traveling hands-on exhibit that showcases the songs and sounds of nature. Experience animal songs from across the globe, speak without using your voice, hear a spiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call, mix a musical masterpiece and hear the songs of the deep sea. Plus, at the end of summer, you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss the grand opening of Fernbankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outdoor adventures, including 75 acres of all-new nature experiences, immersive trails, hands-on exhibits and more. All exhibits are free for museum m e m b e r s! 404 -929- 6300, fernbankmuseum.org

TELLUS MUSEUM

Get ready for summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest indoor/outdoor event at Tellus Science Museum! Held June 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., gem, mineral, fossil and jewelry dealers from all around the country will set at the museum. You will see rare and exotic jewelry, plus ancient fossils and mineral specimens from around the world that you can purchase for your own collection This event is suitable for all ages and there will be various geology-themed childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities in the Great Hall. You can purchase a geode at one of the demonstration tents and have it cracked open right in front of you to see what treasure may lie inside, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll give away door prizes every hour. The event is free for members and the cost of regular admission for non-members. 770-606-5700, tellusmuseum.org

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 55

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DESTINATION: HALF-MILE FARM

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WKH FRPIRUWV RI 2OG (GZDUGV on the outskirts of Downtown +LJKODQGV LQ 1RUWK &DUROLQD +DOI 0LOH )DUP LV WKDW SODFH ZKHUH \RX UHOD[ DV VRRQ DV \RX GULYH RQWR WKH SURSHUW\ $ KLOO\ H[SDQVH RI JUHHQ ODZQ ZHOFRPHV \RX DQG WKH PDLQ historic farmhouse reveals itself LQ WKH GLVWDQFH $ORQJVLGH WKH GULYH $SSOH /DNH JOLVWHQV DQG offers canoes along its shore for D VRRWKLQJ SDGGOH $ FKHI SUH SDUHG EUHDNIDVW EHJLQV HDFK GD\ IRU HYHU\ JXHVW DQG HYH QLQJV EULQJ FRPSOLPHQWDU\ ZLQH DQG KRUV GĹ?RHXYUHV WR HQMR\ ZLWK IHOORZ JXHVWV RU WR take to your own little corner of the farm. 828-526-8170, halfmilefarm.com

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,WĹ?V WLPH WR UHOD[ UHQHZ DQG UHMXYHQDWH IURP WKH ORQJ FROG winter at Brasstown Valley in <RXQJ +DUULV %RRN DQ DSSRLQW PHQW DW WKH (TXDQL 6SD RU VLW LQ D URFNLQJ FKDLU RQ WKH 9HUDQGD 7DNH D WUDLO ULGH WKURXJK WKH PRXQWDLQVLGH RU SOD\ D URXQG of golf. There is so much to GR IRU WKH HQWLUH IDPLO\ DW %UDVVWRZQ 9DOOH\ 5HVRUW 6SD Ĺ&#x2039;b DOO \HDU ORQJ 800-201-3205, brasstownvalley.com

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Meanwhile, the uptown Black Sheep is committed to providing guests with great service and an innovative menu in an DXWKHQWLF VHWWLQJ )RU Ć&#x201C; QH GLQLQJ ORRN QR further than Black Sheep, located inside a beautifully restored 1914 house that was built by Colonel William Butt, a former Blue Ridge mayor. Black Sheep specializes in upscale Southern comfort food, such as shrimp and grits, BBQ pulled pork, steaks and meatloaf. To really embrace your mountain town surroundings, imbibe in the restaurantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own brand of moonshine, including apple pie, peach and chocolate FKHUU\ Ĺ´ DYRUV &DOO DKHDG IRU UHVHUYDWLRQV because you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss either one. 706-946-3633, blacksheepblueridge.com WHERE TO PLAY: Family owned and operated for 72 years, Mercier Orchards is now in its fourth generation! Boasting more than 35 varieties of apples, the orchard also raises several types of berries and fresh produce. There are many u-pick opportunities throughout the year. Also available PHOTOS COURTESY OF HALF MILE FARM

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 57

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WHERE TO STAY: When the summer sun shines, the radiance highlights some of the coveted reasons why people VD\ Ĺ?, ORYH %OXH 5LGJH Ĺ?b)URP the enchantment of the Blue Ridge Mountains to finding your place next to the babbling brooks of Fightingtown Creek. The exhilaration of white water rafting down the Ocoee River or zooming across Lake Blue Ridge on a wave runner. Meandering through Downtown Blue Ridge shops, then sitting down at a local restaurant WR UHIOHFW RQ WKH GD\ b :KDWĹ?V not to love about Blue Ridge? No matter the reason, a visit to Blue Ridge is always in season. Less than 90 minutes from Atlanta, Blue Ridge is FDOOLQJ b/HW Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals help plan your perfect mountain adventure this summer! 1-866-4-CABINS, southerncomfortcabinrentals.com Formerly the Kincaid House, the charming Blue Ridge Bed and Breakfast is located in one of the oldest residences in Blue Ridge. Built in the 1890s, the three-story Victorian inn features eight rooms, 12-foot ceilings, original hand-carved ZRRGZRUN DQG KHDUW SLQH Ĺ´ RRUV â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all just one block from the downtown antique shops and local restaurants. 706-632-0222, blueridgeinnbandb.com If Noontootla Creek Farms is the target on your trip, then stay on property in the four-bedroom farmhouse sleeping eight for a bull-eyes experience. The accommodations can serve as your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home base for any and all Blue Ridge area activities. 706-838-0585, ncfga.net <

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 59

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Best Dining Experiences in Blue Ridge 60 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

ESCAPE TO

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May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 61

Guy’s TIME

was then that we came to understand this valid concept: there are places you go with the fellas (to eat, drink and party), places you go to meet up with the ladies (drink and party), and those rare establishments and occasions where the two overlapped. During our early teen years, my buddies and I were exposed to many areas of Trenton because of

Is This Stool Taken? Written by CARL DANBURY, JR.

W Where I was raised

, even the circumferentially challenged are obsessed with food. It’s a rite of passage, particularly for those “Damn Yankees” who relocated to other climes like Atlanta, to compare, contrast and incessantly reference the foods you grew up enjoying. It’s simple to understand really. While countless marvelously iconic restaurants reside in the Southeast, particularly in Charleston, New Orleans, 30A, Birmingham, Nashville and metro Atlanta, there is something curiously absent from the culinary landscape here, and what is missing rarely has anything to do with the ingredients, the execution, the menu or the chef. An inordinate amount of money is spent by restaurateurs and their financial backers to create aesthetically pleasing atmospheres for their customers who may come to feel like in “Field of Dreams” “as if they dipped themselves in magic waters” and “they’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it; for it is money they have and peace they lack.” In reality, I too, believe people revel in comfortable surroundings, but the gratification they seek comes more from familiarity than faux finishes.

THE USUAL CHARACTERS In the west central part of New Jersey where I grew up, our dining-drinking “Field of Dreams” was, of all places, Trenton. Working class neighborhoods with narrow streets lined with post-war row houses were commonplace, as were family-owned and operated restaurants, bars and grills, taverns and the like. When you got your driving “per-mitt” (the local pronunciation) and then license, you were free to begin exploring those places where your parents rarely went. Not so coincidentally, 95 percent of those places served alcoholic beverages without a hassle (nor your ID card), and the chance of running into someone you had hoped you wouldn’t were scant. It

62 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

our athletic endeavors. As we traversed high school, our sphere expanded even wider due to the geographic footprint of the parochial school we attended, and since many of our teammates were older, of course, we had to tag along and seek their approval. The first of such moments of indiscretion came at Top Road Tavern after an American Legion baseball game, during which I was introduced to the perils of Jack Daniels. Tomato pie (pizza), beer and shots of Jack aplenty had me flagged from the establishment within two hours of our arrival. My banishment, along with the tavern itself, apparently lasted into the Yelp era. Top Road was like many others in the area. While perhaps not dingy, they were not exactly serving beer in glorious steins and serving food on fine china. Whenever my neighbor, Dr. Peter Nictakis — a renaissance man, dentist by trade, drummer by zeal, baseball purist who possessed a rather unique Old-World outlook on life — asked me if I wanted to go for a ride, the answer was always an excited “sure.” Pete grew up in Trenton, knew all of the best places to go, particularly those with a television, cold draft beer and a great sandwich. Mr. and Mrs. Gaetano Chiacchio owned Hudson Gardens at the corner of Hudson and Mott. The place had character, and characters. Lights turned low, the black-and-white set tuned to “The Untouchables,” a few patrons already well into their daily shot-and-beer ritual at the rectangular bar, and a somewhat engaging bartender who grunted, “What’s yours?”

There are places you go with the fellas (to eat, drink and party), places you go to meet up with the ladies (drink and party), and those rare establishments and occasions where the two overlapped.

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“Couple of drafts, two cheesesteaks and fries,” Pete said. We went to eat, but really just as an excuse to talk sports and catch up on things. When Pete’s boys, Bill and Mike, were “down the shore,” for a few weeks, he grabbed me. We talked about the Yankees, we talked about the American Legion coaches I was saddled with, we talked about where I might be going to college and the like. Then, we ate the greatest cheesesteaks of all time, served on an amazing long hard roll, American cheese dripping out of the ends, perfect onions and peppers atop the shaved rib-eye. “Another draft!” Pete said to the barkeep. And then, more baseball talk! That was it. Simple, never more than two drafts, a great sandwich, a stop at his mom’s house nearby and then back home. Over the years, I’d take a few friends to Hudson Gardens, where we’d run into bartender and horse handicapper “Tommy the T,” and repeat the same schedule that the Doc and I enjoyed. If it wasn’t a visit there, it was the infamous Rossi’s for the best burger, fries with gravy and a Heineken on tap. When we all were were home from college during the Christmas break, I always tried to return Pete’s kindness. I grabbed his sons, hopped into the 1972 Olds Cutlass and headed over to see our old pal, Eugene “Nubby” Warwick. Warwick, a gregarious, yet no-nonsense

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TURNKEY CATERING FOR GRADUATIONS, COMMUNIONS, REHEARSAL DINNERS, SABBATH DINNERS. CALL BRIE 678-491-8768 11730 A Jones Bridge Road • Johns Creek • 770.772.6456 • rosamiaitalian.com

ILLUSTRATION BY ROBIN HARRISON

May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 63

Guy’s TIME U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, was the owner of Nubby’s Tavern on Liberty Street. Nubby’s served decent food, but we appreciated him more for the 7-ounce Rolling Rock “grenades” he sold for 25 cents, and shots of whatever we could stomach for 40 cents. Typically, peppermint Schnapps, blackberry brandy or Old Rotgut were our sweetly novice choices, “while the old man sitting next to me was making love to a tonic and gin” – to borrow the words of Billy Joel – a Rusty Nail, Teacher’s or J&B Scotch. Funny thing was, Nubby and everyone else in the joint knew we weren’t working class neighborhood kids, yet they never seemed to mind our intrusion into their world. They welcomed it and we checked whatever adolescent snobbery we had at the door.

A PAGE OF MY BOOK The other side of the specter, which might have only been down the street a few blocks from some of the others we frequented on a more regular basis, were the places where you would have no problem inviting the ladies to dinner. Crecco’s, LaGondola, Diamond’s, Roman Hall or Marsilio’s Kitchen, were reserved for the more special occasions. All were top-drawer dining experiences with attentive tableside service, nice wines and incredible four-course meals. You could cut up at Nubby’s, but you had to act grown up at these places. Men wore coats and ties to dinner and ladies dressed in their ﬁne gussied-up best. We preferred sweaters. Clams casino, a Caesar salad, some kind of veal dish with a side of pasta, a bottle of Valpolicella, followed by dessert and an espresso. Live it up girls — you just set us back $32, plus tip, that’s $36.80! I am more apt to ﬁnd in Atlanta many more of the latter types, than the former. Where in Atlanta can you can sit at the bar, enjoy a few drinks with the boys, talk about sports, the family and enjoy a great meal, without feeling like you are in the middle of someone else’s novel, or at the very least in the midst of someone’s cell phone conversation or text battle? And maybe that’s it! Do you know why you can’t replace my vivid memories of the Anchor Bar and Grill, JoJo’s Tavern, the Merry Go-Round Bar & Grill, The Houghton Inn, Rossi’s or Hudson Gardens? The only thing distracting me then was the beer, the food, the conversation, the friends, and at times, maybe even a lovely young lady who happened to pass by. You can never replace those kinds of memories and you certainly can’t replace the people with whom you shared those moments. Pull up a stool, unplug, unwind and tell Nubby I sent you! PN TELL US ABOUT YOUR OWN FAVORITE PLACES ON TWITTER @GUYSTIME

64 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

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n Integrated office designed to offer the highest quality healthcare to their patients, Forsyth County Wellness has combined the best possible group of chiropractors, nurse practitioners, athletic trainers and massage therapists working together to better serve you. Their chiropractors offer specific adjustments and spinal traction to alleviate symptoms of back pain, sciatica, headaches, neck pain and shoulder pain. They also provide specialized care for auto accidents, sports injuries, and disc herniations. The nurse practitioner is available for any additional recommendations including blood work, allergy testing, physical therapy or general prescriptions. This not only gives a higher quality of healthcare to the patient, but also the convenience of staying under one roof. Working closely with the nurse practitioner, the athletic trainers can provide on-site physical therapy and strengthening to alleviate symptoms and facilitate the healing process to prevent future injuries.

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Due NORTH

Cook WITH MOTHERS on our minds this month, we thank inspiring women like Jonnetta Patton. She will tell you she has never met a challenge she didn’t like, and we can only imagine the ones she faced while managing the careers of her eight-time-Grammy-winning, multi-platinum son Usher and fellow award-winning brother, Producer J Lack. Now the business-savvy Patton has launched J’s Kitchen Culinary Incubator to help local chefs execute their dreams. Located in Doraville, J’s Kitchen Culinary Incubator is not your average shared commercial cooking facility. With three cutting-edge kitchens, a private studio, a baker’s kitchen, a tasting room, a business center, mobile food service operations and a food/supply procurement operation, she caters to entrepreneurs — certiﬁed chefs, bakers, caterers, personal chefs, mobile food service and specialty food producers seeking an accommodating work space at an affordable price. “After working with some of the best chefs in the world, I found a lot of calm and joy in [it] and wanted to be in [the culinary] world,” Patton said. jkitchenculinaryincubator.com

Order In WIN POINTS with your picky palate coworkers by getting the city’s best food delivered to your office. Foodee, the fresh curated, corporate lunchtime concierge for “foodies with jobs” has officially hit the Atlanta market. Based in Vancouver and already available

70 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

Milton’s Garden Dinner Series

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in a handful of other cities, the company partners with leading chefs and restaurants to courier only the ﬁnest local food. Current menu options include Bell Street Burrito, Gypsy Kitchen, Naan Stop, Noni’s, Nancy’s Pizza, Panbury’s Double Crust Pies, Reuben’s Deli, Roots Juices, Ray’s in the City, Little Tart Bake Shop, The Southern Gentleman, UrbanTaali and more, with plans to offer fare from more than 50 top providers in the coming months. Not your typical food delivery service, they are on

Dine Out Companies based in Foodee’s Atlanta delivery zone are invited to sign up for a complimentary meal for up to four coworkers by registering at eat.food.ee/ welcome-atlanta. a mission to solve the biggest problems facing the corporate lunch hour: a lack of variety, meals served too early or too

GRAB YOUR SEAT at the table: the 2016 Garden Dinner Series at Milton’s Cuisine and Cocktails begins May 15, with monthly gatherings planned for June 12, July 17, Aug. 21, Sept. 18 and Oct. 9. Mouths start watering as soon as the ﬁrst hors d’oeuvres and libations are passed during the evening reception. During this time, guests have an opportunity to tour Milton’s Acre. Then, it’s on to a memorable seed-to-fork, four-course meal — inspired comfort foods accompanied

May 2016

by wine pairings, family-style servings and a canopy of stars while the soothing sounds of a cellist surround. Executive Chef Derek Dollar has only just begun to envision the plethora of possibilities for the yellow pattypan squash and the Romanesco tomatoes he’s planning to add to the garden this year. We’re told menu items may include delicate squash blossoms stuffed with prosciutto and cream cheese or pimiento cheese and crawfish, or perhaps roast duckling with fingerling sweet potatoes, oyster mushrooms, heirloom snap beans and candied pecan apple butter … We can’t wait to find out. Tickets to the Garden Dinner Series are $135 per person, per dinner. Tickets are nonrefundable and include wine pairings, tax and gratuity. The dinners start at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., depending on the sunset. miltonscuisine.com

Sprint START LACING UP your running shoes because the Quarry Crusher Run is coming to the Vulcan Materials Company’s Norcross site on May 21. What began in 2012 as a humble, local event in Columbia, S.C. as part of the area’s Olympia Community Festival, has decided to take the race on the road. Now a four-state series, more participants can see if they have what it takes to run down massive declines into the earth and straight back up to the top. Those interested can register to rock the Single Crusher 3.7-mile race or the Double Crusher 7.4-mile race. Once you’re in each quarry,

the route will wind down an average of a 10-percent grade (expect more in areas) through granite cliffs to the quarry floor. The approximately 400- to 500-foot ascent from the quarry floor to the finish makes the grueling event one of the nation’s most challenging foot races. Another upcoming race nearby is June 11 in Birmingham, Ala. quarrycrusherrun.com — Madison Breaux

Listen AS THE CITY OF Johns Creek matured, the demand for a civic chorus became greater. A dream of many in the community, this new choral ensemble satisﬁes that need. Guided by the vision of its creator, Dr. Nathan Frank, The Johns Creek Chorale is dedicated to bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to experience the joy of singing and to continue a lifelong love for choral music. The Johns Creek Chorale strives to nurture the unique gift each person brings, to encourage all to reach for excellence. With a focus on choral music of the 20th century as well as great master works from the classical music canon, their inaugural season continues May 22 with a 3 p.m. concert titled “Let the River Run” at Johns Creek Methodist Church. Tickets are $15 each, or buy-one, getone for seniors and students. They are also hosting The Johns Creek Summer Singers, which is a non-auditioned summer chorus. thejohnscreekchorale.com

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May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 71

Due NORTH Symphony Orchestraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Music for the Very Young makes a return and a packed calendar of other artful, story-related events ďŹ ll up the three-day festival. Children under age 5 are free. alliancetheatre.org/ toddlertakeover â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Jennifer Colosimo

Remember ILLUSTRATION FROM â&#x20AC;&#x153;BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE?â&#x20AC;? ÂŠ 1983 BY ERIC CARLE. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I SEE A STORY: THE ART OF ERIC CARLEâ&#x20AC;? IS ORGANIZED BY THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART, AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS.

Play WHILE MIDTOWNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ART hub is kicking off summer by catering to the kiddos, their latest ankle-biting artwork celebrates something everyone in the family can appreciate â&#x20AC;&#x201D; generational icon Eric Carle and his portfolio of vivid story telling. June 3 through 5, his littlest fans take over The Woodruff Arts Center. The High Museum presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Very Hungry Caterpillarâ&#x20AC;? and other Carle stories brought to life through vibrant exhibitions, art tours for infants and

June 3 through 5, Eric Carleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s littlest fans are invited to The Woodruff Arts Center for a Toddler Takeover.

hands-on classes for toddlers. The Toddler Takeoverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world premiere performance of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pancakes, Pancakes!â&#x20AC;? inspired by Carleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book, is on stage at the Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Alliance Theatre for the Very Young; meanwhile Atlanta

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ONCE THE CAUSE OF good-hearted mischief and hilarity as a middle schooler at North Cobb Christian School (NCCS), John-Michael Ritchey would go on to become a beloved member of the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff as its British Literature teacher and perhaps most importantly, a steward, sharing the message of faith. As Megan Strange, the principal at NCCS, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;He connected with everyone â&#x20AC;Ś students he taught, students he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t teach, teachers from across the school and parents. No one was too insigniďŹ cant for John-Michael. He loved people quickly and deeply.â&#x20AC;? According to Ritcheyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mom, Sharon, his personality endeared him to many, particularly his students. In remembrance of him, those same students shared their appreciation for the teacher who had an uncanny knack for helping them learn while making them laugh. A rock scribbled with messages of love sits on the campus of NCCS. Last September, the young teacher, son, brother and newly married husband died in a camping accident. As much as he is missed, his family and school have peace, knowing his imprint on the lives of many in the community. So much so that police escorted seven fully loaded school buses of students and colleagues, totaling into the hundreds for Ritcheyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memorial service.

Shortly thereafter, the school created The John-Michael Ritchey Scholarship Fund, which will fund a scholarship to be awarded to NCCS students next year. Find more of his story and donate to the fund online. 24586.thankyou4caring.org/johnmichael-ritchey-memorialfunds

Read LOCALLY KNOWN for heading the committee which formed the City of Milton and founding of Olde Blind Dog Irish Pubs, Ron Wallace has published a new book titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leadership Lessons from a UPS Driver: Delivering a Culture of We, Not Me.â&#x20AC;? Wallace was a package delivery driver for six years in rural northern Idaho before he rose through the ranks to become president of UPS Inc. In this, his third book, Wallace shares his insights and advice from a career of nearly four decades, pulling back the curtain on never-before-revealed principles into successes spanning a century. What readers will ďŹ nd is not the average business memoir, but stories focusing on people Wallace worked with, the challenges they overcame and the principles and practices that deďŹ ned a company. Pick up a copy for anyone searching to build on past successes and adapt to future challenges. leadershiplessonsbyron wallace.com PN PHOTO COURTESY OF BYRON WALLACE

72 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

FLOWER of the MONTH C

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MAKING MAGIC HAPPEN Tune into Atlanta Bon Vivant on Atlanta and Company every Tuesday to see Sean in action.

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May 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 73

After THOUGHTS What was your favorite summer camp or vacation as a kid?

Tiffany

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Shannah

Share your answer with us on social media using #PNAfterThoughts

74 | POINTS NORTH | May 2016

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