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We're thankful for our citizens who are approaching centenarian status. H E A LTH + W E LLN E S S

M ARY LOU PARCEL S FALCO IS 95 AN D STILL GO I NG STRO NG

N OV E M B E R 2 02 6

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

In November We Give Thanks, and Show Gratitude and Love. November 2026 As November’s chill comes blowing down the boardwalk, and the once warm breeze that felt so good on our faces, now blows through the fabric of our sweaters giving us the feeling that autumn is here. The Indian summer of October waves goodbye, we give thanks for the beautiful and colorful change of seasons and the feeling of peace in our hearts as we prepare the coming winter. With the holidays soon upon us and so much to do, I give thanks knowing that the community around me, and the businesses in our towns are ready to assist with whatever we need to make the coming holiday memorable. Our local restaurants and store owners are preparing to finish the year with the support of our local residents. Supporting the local businesses is essential to our thriving community. Please shop locally and support our community. We are blessed to be in a community like Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Wanamassa, Interlaken, Ocean Township, Tinton Falls, Neptune, Bradley Beach, Belmar and Avon where all our neighbors are keeping our local businesses alive by shopping local. It makes a difference. November is a time we give thanks to the friends and family we have around us, it’s always great to hear stories of families who’s love has endured through the years. Stories like Mary Lou Falco’s, an Asbury Park resident since birth and has been in Asbury Park her whole life. At 95 years young, Mary Lou has a heartwarming story to tell, and I was all ears and happy to share it! I hope you all enjoy hearing about Mary Lou Falco and find some of the love she shares with us. She truly is “one of a kind” and an inspiration to us all. May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday with family, friends and the people you love, and find a way to spread joy and peace wherever you go. Please, give back to the community if possible. All our local charities and nonprofit organizations need our support. This month we shine a spotlight on The Orchid Legacy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting nurses. Their mission includes: • Providing financial aid to ease the burdens nurses face. • Supporting their professional growth and education. • Assisting with student loan relief. • Funding essential work supplies. • Offering access to affordable mental health services. THEY ROCK! Peace, Love & Gratitude to all. JIMI BONARO, PUBLISHER @ A S B U R Y PA R KC I T Y L I F E S T Y L E

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Learn how to start your own publication at CityLifestyle.com//Franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Asbury Park City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Asbury Park area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

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Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Asbury Park City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue NOVE M B E R 2 0 2 6 | TH ANK F U L

12 Featured

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?

Departments

Thankful for Grandma

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Mary Lou Parcels Falco is a grandmother that is an Asbury Park lifer

Business Monthly

Must See HEALTH + WELLNESS

Giving Back EDUCATION

The Beloved Nurse

Travel Journal ARTS + CULTURE

Inspired By LIFE + CULTURE

Bank on Outer Banks

The Orchid Legacy is assisting nurses with scholarships in the name of Gladys Pavese

The Outer Banks offers a range of seaside options in November

On the Cover The community is thankful for Mary Lou Parcels Falco, who is 95 and going strong. The beloved grandmother has lived her entire life in Asbury Park. She embodies all that is great about the community. Photography: Connor Surmonte

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Mary Lou and Joe at an Asbury Park High School dance

THANKFUL FOR GRANDMA

When my grandma Mary Lou Parsells Falco talks about Asbury Park, she doesn’t begin with the landmarks visitors know today. She doesn’t start with Convention Hall or the beach, the Stone Pony or the city’s celebrated revival. Instead, her memories return to ordinary places that, over the course of 95 years, became extraordinary simply because they belonged to her. She remembers the walk from her family’s home at 1201 Sunset Avenue to Bradley Grammar School, a journey that required crossing Fifth Avenue, then Fourth and then Third before reaching the building at Third and Pine Street. To an adult, it was only a few blocks. To a kindergartner, it felt like independence. “I think walking back and forth to Bradley School for kindergarten was one of my earliest memories,” she recalled. “To me, that was a big deal.”

M UST SE E | HEALTH + W ELLN E SS

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONNOR SURMONTE

MARY LOU PARCELS FALCO IS A GRANDMOTHER THAT IS AN ASBURY PARK LIFER THAT HAS BEEN A FIXTURE FOR 95-YEARS

Mary Lou and her brother Dana as kids in Asbury Park

The route remains as vivid in her memory today as it was nearly nine decades ago. She can still picture the intersections she crossed, the neighborhood surrounding her family’s home and Deal Lake stretching behind the property. Time has altered the city in countless ways, but not the mental map she carries with her. Mention a childhood summer and she can tell you exactly where her grandfather stepped off the train at North Asbury Station before taking her to the boardwalk. Mention the Paramount Theatre and she remembers not only the movies she watched there but climbing onto the roof with her father after afternoon matinees. She recalls the inexpensive price of ice cream, riding her bike to the massive Monte Carlo Pool and the smell of fresh bread from her husband’s family’s Italian bakery. Mary Lou was born on May 25, 1931, at Ann May Memorial Homeopathic Hospital in Spring Lake, but by then her family’s story in Asbury Park was already well underway. Her father, John Parsells, born in 1891, served in the New Jersey Cavalry before being sent to France, where he served under General John J. Pershing during World War I. After returning

home, he resumed civilian life in Asbury Park, where he met Louise DeRose, a gifted pianist whose musical talent earned her a reputation as a prodigy. Their meeting took place at the Paramount Theatre, the beginning of a family story that would become deeply intertwined with the city. Long before Mary Lou was born, John and Louise experienced a serious loss. After Louise’s sister and her husband both died, they adopted the late couple’s young son, Dana, and raised him as their own. Mary Lou arrived eight years later. John and Louise had built their home on Sunset Avenue in 1924, seven years before Mary Lou’s birth. Asbury remained her world until she married and moved to neighboring Ocean Township years later. “My parents lost everything,” she said of the Great Depression, which struck just two years before Mary Lou was born. “They had all this money in the Savings and Loan. It closed, and they lost all their savings.” Yet even in telling the story, she doesn’t dwell on bitterness. Her father continued working, Louise found occasional work as a pianist and the family kept its home. “Everybody loved FDR when he was elected,” she said. “Herbert Hoover was president when I was born.” Mary Lou was 10 when the United States entered World War II. “I think I was too young to realize what was going on,” she said. Instead, she remembers the routines of wartime childhood. “We had to hide under our desks when they had the alarm go off.” But the war became deeply personal through Dana. After graduating from Asbury Park High School in 1942, he joined the Army Air Forces and became the pilot of a B-17 bomber. At just 21 years old, his aircraft was shot down over Europe. Captured by German forces, he spent months as a prisoner of war before being released in May 1945. CONTINUED >

Mary Lou, her eight children and their spouses during her 95th birthday party NOVEMBER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/AS BURY PA R K

Mary Lou's father John working as a projectionist at the Paramount Theatre.

“I always think back to when my brother got shot down during World War II,” she remembered. “My mother took it really hard.” Summer, meanwhile, meant long afternoons with her mother at what is now Loch Arbour. “I used to get burned so bad,” she laughed. “And then after, you couldn’t go to the beach because your sunburn was so bad.” Her father, meanwhile, created many of the memories she still cherishes most. John worked as a projectionist at the Paramount Theatre. During the summer, Mary Lou and her mother often met him for the final Saturday evening show before walking to Tompkins Double Decker for ice cream. “It was five cents for two dips,” she said, still amused by the price.

M UST SE E | HEALTH + W ELLN E SS

Sometimes, after afternoon matinees, she and her father climbed onto the roof of the Paramount before heading home. On Sundays, her grandfather traveled from Elizabeth by train, stepping off at North Asbury Station before collecting his granddaughter. “He would come down and get me, put me in the carriage and take me to the boardwalk every Sunday,” she said. “Put me on the little kiddie rides.” She paused before adding, “Those are all just great memories I have.” In 1941, when an indoor roller-skating rink opened inside the Casino at the southern end of the boardwalk, Mary Lou became a regular. During the winter, when Deal Lake froze, roller skates gave way to ice skates.

By the time she entered Asbury Park High School in 1944, she had become a cheerleader. There she met football player Joseph Falco Jr, whose family maintained its own connection to the city through Falco’s Bakery at 1504 Bangs Avenue. Although the two went on a handful of dates to the movies and a school formal, their real love story didn’t begin until a bus ride two years later. Mary Lou was traveling with the cheerleading squad to an away game. Joe was aboard with the football team. Somewhere between Asbury Park and their destination, the pair picked up where they had left off. By 1948, both had begun stepping into adulthood. Mary Lou accepted a position at Steinbach, the beloved Cookman Avenue department store that stood at the heart of downtown Asbury Park for decades, while Joe started working at the Coca-Cola distribution plant on the Asbury Park Circle in Neptune. CONTINUED >

Mary Lou Parsells Falco as a cheerleader at Asbury Park High School

“MY STORY BEGAN IN ASBURY PARK. ” NOVEMBER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/AS BURY PA R K

Mary Lou and Joe on their wedding day

On Christmas Day 1949, Joe asked Mary Lou to marry him. Eight months later, on Aug. 6, 1950, family and friends gathered inside Mount Carmel Church as the couple exchanged vows in the city where they had both grown up and fallen in love. The following year, they welcomed their first son, Joseph. A second son, John, followed in 1953. Soon afterward, they moved across Deal Lake to the Wanamassa section of Ocean Township. Over the next 17 years, James, Garry, Jessica, Janet, Joy and Gaye completed the family, filling the Falco household with the joyful commotion that comes with raising eight children. Summer almost always brought the family back to Asbury Park. The beaches and boardwalk that had shaped Mary Lou’s childhood became part of her children’s childhood, too. Days were spent at Seventh Avenue Beach and the Seventh

M UST SE E | HEALTH + W ELLN E SS

Avenue Pool, where neighborhood families gathered from morning until evening. “My kids all learned to swim,” Mary Lou said. “Janet and Joy were great divers. They could dive like crazy. They were into gymnastics and all of that, so they were really clever.” One story still makes her laugh. Her son Jimmy climbed to the roof of the pool deck and jumped into the water. While Mary Lou raised eight children, Joe spent nearly 50 years at the Coca-Cola distribution plant. Together, they built a life defined by steady work, family and an appreciation for simple things. Ask Mary Lou what life has taught her, and she doesn’t hesitate. “Appreciate what you have,” she said. “I’ve never been one who worried about material things. I figured that if we had food on the table and my kids were all healthy, that’s all that mattered to me.”

MARY LOU PARSELLS FALCO

When she looks back now, her greatest source of pride isn’t difficult to identify. “They’ve all grown up to be great, responsible, independent adults,” she said of her children. “Which I am thankful for.” After more than six decades of marriage, Mary Lou faced one of life’s greatest heartbreaks. Joe passed away on Sept. 12, 2014, following a heartbreaking battle with dementia. They had been married for 64 years and 37 days. He was loved by all and is still so dearly missed. In April 2015, Mary Lou returned to Asbury Park. She moved into Asbury Towers on Ocean Avenue, across the street from the beach and only blocks from many of the places that had shaped her childhood. It was a return to the city where nearly every chapter of her life had begun. This past May, the life she and Joe built was on full display. For her 95th birthday, Mary Lou’s eight children gathered nearly 100 family members and friends from across the country to celebrate and watch as Mayor John Moor presented her with a Proclamation from the City of Asbury Park. Almost all of her 29 grandchildren attended, joined by more than 40 great-grandchildren. The room was filled with four generations of a family that began with two teenagers who met at Asbury Park High School. At 95, Mary Lou still drives. She still goes to the pool. She still finds joy in the routines that have anchored her life for decades. Asked what the best part of being 95 is, she smiled. “That I’m still alive. That I’m still able to move and go to the pool and drive. And, of course, having a wonderful family helps.” Nearly a century has passed since the little girl from Sunset Avenue first walked to Bradley Grammar School. She has lived through the Great Depression, watched her brother survive World War II, raised eight children, mourned the loss of her husband and returned to the city where it all started. Asbury Park may have changed almost beyond recognition in that time, but Mary Lou’s connection to it never really did. For her, home has never simply been the place where she was born. It is where her parents met, where she met the boy who became her husband, where she learned resilience from her family, where she raised children who would one day raise children of their own, and where, after a lifetime of memories, she chose to return. Asked where she belongs, Mary Lou’s answer is as certain today as it has always been. “My story began in Asbury Park,” she declared. “And it’s going to end in Asbury Park.”

Mary Lou Parsells Falco is an example of an Asbury Park lifer. The beloved grandmother was born and raised in the Asbury Park area nearly a century ago. Asbury Park is a much different place than it was during the 1930s but there are some key common denominators. Asbury Park post-depression was a premier, glittering resort destination. That's the same today as folks flock to Cookman Avenue to visit some of the finest restaurants in the state of New Jersey. The beach is the place to be for the summer and then there's the Stone Pony. Convention Hall and the Paramount Theatre opened in 1930 and attracted many seeking fun away from the sun. Parsells Falco is still buoyed by her memories of a glorious Asbury Park and she is spending her twilight years in Asbury Park. Who can blame her? It's a wise choice by a wise woman.

Mary Lou shortly before her 95th birthday

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Concentrating on winning featuring Mike Mailot, Jordan Davis, Luciana Tornambe, Marcel Pogosov.

T HE B E L O V E D

NURSE

NICK PAVESE ALWAYS WANTED TO BUY HIS MOTHER AN OVER THE TOP GIFT. HOWEVER, GLADYS PAVESE PASSED SUDDENLY AND HER SON IS KEEPING HER ALIVE ARTICLE BY ED CONDRAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK PAVESE

G IV IN G BAC K | EDUCATION

Shuffling the deck, let the games begin.

“I was a late bloomer. But anyone who blooms at all, ever is very lucky.”-Awardwinning American poet, Sharon Olds Gladys Pavese wasn’t a late bloomer but one of her beloved orchids failed to blossom despite how much care it received. The cherished married mother nurtured by nature. Pavese was a nurse for nearly 40-years. Her family, her patients and her precious orchids came first. After dedicating her life to everyone but herself, Pavese’s family looked forward to her enjoying a long and relaxing retirement. However, Pavese passed away unexpectedly just after turning 61 in

“It's not an easy job. It's not easy when people die. When someone dies that person just doesn't disappear. More work has to be done. You have to clean the person who passed away for decency and respect.”

CONTINUED > NOVEMBER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/AS BURY PA R K

Congratulations on winning the Costco Travel Gift Card Nick & Kelly Mergel (right side). Photo featuring Nick Pavese, Brielle Pavese & Nick Pavese.

December of 2023. As her family grieved, her son Nick couldn’t help but notice a surprising change. “She loved her orchids,” Nick Pavese said. “Not long after she passed, that quiet orchid finally did (bloom). It felt like her way of showing she was still with us. That moment became the inspiration behind ‘The Orchid Legacy.’ The orchid symbolizes resilience, patience, and enduring love. The word legacy represents the lasting impact nurses leave on the lives they touch every single day. The Orchid Legacy exists to honor that impact and carry it forward.”

G IV IN G BAC K | EDUCATION

Gladys Pavese lives on through the aptly named “The Orchid Legacy.” The Orchid Legacy’s mission is to provide financial aid that eases the burdens nurses face, support their professional growth and education, assist with student loan relief, fund essential work supplies, and offer access to affordable mental health services. The Orchid Legacy will host its second annual “All in for Nurses Casino Night” fundraiser December 5 at Porta. There will be games, craps, roulette and blackjack, food and drinks to support the nursing initiative in Gladys Pavese’s name.

Helping with scholarships and easing other financial burdens will provide a boost. But assisting with the mental health aspect, which is often overlooked in the world of health care, is essential. There’s typically a heavy emotional toll on nurses, who deal with life and death on a daily basis. Nick Pavese not only experienced that with his mother but also with his wife, Brielle and sister-in-law, who are angels of mercy. “It’s not an easy job,” Pavese said. “It’s not easy when people die. When someone dies that person just doesn’t disappear. More work has to be done. You have to

Matt not doubling his bet on the hard 8! VP & Co-Founder of The Orchid Legacy Brielle Pavese, Matt Decio, Nadia DiGiorgio, Pat Wishbow.

“My mother was so happy being a nurse. She was a wonderful person. I can’t tell you how thankful I was that I’m her son.”

clean the person who passed away for decency and respect. You have to deal with the emotional part of the equation. You connect with the family that is grieving. On the other side there are some super highs when it comes to being a nurse but there are some super lows. It’s a roller coaster and the nurses, who support everyone, need as much mental health support as possible.” Nursing helped the Pavese family live the American dream. Both of Pavese’s parents arrived as immigrants. Gladys Pavese was from Argentina and his father, Nick Pavese, is from Italy. “It worked out for both of my parents,” Pavese said. “My mother was so happy being a nurse. She was a wonderful person. I can’t tell you how thankful I was that I’m her son.” Pavese decided to pay tribute to her shortly after his mother passed away. “I literally was inspired while sitting in front of my wife,” Pavese said. “We were putting photos together on a poster board and I thought about my parents as immigrants. They believed in the American dream. I thought about how I could pay tribute to my mother. She deserved so much. She was such a wonderful person.” Nick Pavese, who is the CEO of The Social Rift, always hoped to surprise his

mother with a fantastic gift for being a terrific mother and a dedicated nurse. “I wanted to buy my mother a car one day, a Mercedes with a bow on it,” Pavese said. “She deserved it. I can’t get her that car but if I can help out one nurse, well, that would make me happy.” The Ocean Gate resident is helping in tremendous fashion. The Orchid Legacy has three major categories. The non-profit is helping with scholarships for those in nursing programs. And then there are those receiving grants who have graduated, who need support with items such as scrubs and shoes. The aforementioned mental health support is the final part of the support troika. “It’s about giving back,” Pavese said. Pavese could have the casino night closer to home but he’s committed to holding the event in Asbury Park. “I love Asbury Park,” Pavese said. “I worked in Asbury Park until COVID hit. I ran into my old manager at Porta and we ended up doing the casino night there last year and it’s such a great place and so we’re back and want to continue giving back in Asbury Park.” If anyone has a positive experience with a nurse, they can nominate the nurse on: www.theorchidlegacy.org/nominate

Luck be a lady! Larry DiGiorgio, Ali Younes, VP & Co-Founder of The Orchid Legacy Brielle Pavese, Matt Decio. Nick Pavese, CEO of The Orchid Legacy joining in. NOVEMBER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/AS BURY PA R K

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An Outer Banks sunset

Th e Outer B anks of fe rs a range of seas id e options in Novemb e r

BANK ON OUTER BANKS ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ED CONDRAN When William Cowper wrote “Variety is the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor,” in 1785, the British poet could have been writing about the Outer Banks. The underheralded 120-mile run of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina is a terrific destination for those who prefer an eclectic experience. For those who enjoy a slow pace, pristine beaches and a laid-back vibe, there’s Ocracoke Island. Families who prefer a more typical beach experience with miniature golf courses and t-shirt shops will have a blast in Nags Head.

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Travelers who gravitate toward quaint waterfront towns with charming shops, boutique hotels and a lush, botanical garden will love Roanoke Island’s Manteo. A free ferry from Hatteras, which transports automobiles, is the way to reach Ocracoke Island Notorious pirate Edward Teach, who was known as Blackbeard once ruled Ocracoke. Teach took advantage of the island’s shallow water and hidden inlet for his raids during the 18th century. To learn more visit the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum. However, a more fun way to score background on Blackbeard is to embark on a sunset schooner ride with Captain Rob Temple from Schooner Windfall (https://www.schoonerwindfall. com/). The entertaining old salt, who has been navigating the coast of Ocracoke for more than 40-years, was featured in the History Channel documentary, “True Caribbean Pirates.” Temple details the Blackbeard saga and reveals that the legendary pirate was all about pilfering but not torturing. The Blackbeard vibe is present at historic Blackbeard’s Lodge (https://blackbeardslodge.com). The serene hotel, which has modern amenities such as a pool and a game room, is located in the center of town. The Lodge is charming and comfortable. The golf cart culture of Ocracoke is reminiscent of Catalina. Zip through the cute town for dining and outdoor fun. Parasailing is a great way to enjoy the expanse of Ocracoke. The view from 400 feet above the Atlantic was spectacular as my daughter Jane and I enjoyed a thrilling experience on a sun-dappled day. It was Jane’s initial parasailing experience and it exceeded her expectations as we gazed at the entirety of Ocracoke during our 15-minute flight, which ends with a controlled dip in the water, just your legs and feet, prior to landing gently back on the boat courtesy of Ocracoke Parasail (https://www.ocracokeparasailing.com). The plunge is optional but why not cool down on a tepid day? A kayak experience is just as relaxing as the beach. Paddle from Ride the Wind Surf Shop’s (https://surfocracoke.com/rentals-ocracoke/) dock on Silver Lake Harbor toward Springer’s Point Nature Preserve. Look for wildlife along the salt marsh creeks. The Ocracoke Beach is an oasis away free of anything commercial. There’s no shops or distractions. Just bask in the sounds of the waves crashing to shore on the pristine beach.

Jane Condran and Ed Condran Parasailing over Ocracoke

“See where Wilbur and Orville Wright changed everything as their powered airplane, the ‘Wright Flyer,’ took off over the sands for a historic aerial experience.” Jane kayaking in Ocracoke

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“ The Ocracoke Beach is an oasis away free of anything commercial. There's no shops or distractions. Just bask in the sounds of the waves crashing.”

The view from parasailing from 400 feet

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It’s a small island but Ocracoke touches all of the culinary bases. For those looking for an elevated experience, check out Daijos (https://dajiorestaurant.com) The fried green tomatoes, which are comprised of house candied jalapeno, pimento cheese, bacon jam, scallions and crostini, are sublime. The Low Country Purloo is the go-to dish. It’s a Southern delight with andouille sausage, sauteed shrimp and oysters, seared sea scallops and local littleneck clams, served over lemon jasmine rice. The view from the pier at S’MacNally’s Waterfront Grill (smacnallys.com) is right up with the lunchtime fare. The shrimp salad sandwich with curly fries preceded by an order of a half pound of Peel n’ Eat Shrimp is the way to go. Ocracoke’s first brewery is the venue for fresh beer brewed on-site at 1718 Brewing (https://www. facebook.com/1718BrewingOcracoke). The establishment is inspired by the year of Blackbeard’s demise. 1718 offers a range of craft beers from Kölsch to IPA to coffee stout. An order of chicken wings is a perfect accompaniment. For those who love an old school breakfast, make sure to hit Pony Island restaurant (https://www.facebook.com/p/Pony-Island-Restaurant) . Order some flapjacks with a side of refreshingly salty country ham and a cup of Joe. Howard’s Pub (https://www.facebook.com/howardspub/) has a laidback vibe and a varied menu that features an array of seafood options. The sauteed jumbo scallops and crab cakes are hard to pass up. Start with the conch fritters, which are served with green and bell peppers and onions. Prior to traveling to Nags Head, folks should consider stopping in Hatteras, which is a destination in its own right. The island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Pamlico Sound on the other, which is perfect for kayakers. Jane and I stayed at the idyllic Inn on Pamlico Sound (https://www.innonpamlicosound.com), which features cozy rooms, which are right off the

Sound. Kayaks and paddleboards are free to use to navigate the calm waters. Cafe Pamlico’s breakfast is part of the package. The Cafe Eggs Benedict is a Southern delight with country ham, fried green tomatoes, along with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Dinner at Cafe Pamlico is even more impressive. The shrimp and grits, which features locally sourced shrimp, smoked andouilie sausage, onions, peppers, aged cheddar and ground grits, and the roasted lamb, are some of the highlights from the extensive menu. The latter features pistachio pesto, brown butter gnocchi, sundried tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms and garlic cream. Next stop, Nags Head, which is the place for outdoor adventure. We embarked on a jet ski run with Outer Banks Adventures (https://outerbanksadventures.com). It was unlike prior jet ski experiences since we were out with a group on a guided tour of the sound for two-hours. The last half-hour we had the freedom to cruise on our own and it was a blast. During prior jet ski treks, the trips always felt like they ended prematurely. Not so with Outer Banks Adventures. Our two teen guides were informative and laidback, and they understood that once we picked up the feel of the jet ski, we should let her rip and enjoy the beauty of the sound. It might seem redundant but Jane and I parasailed off the cost of Nags Head with Outer Banks Adventures. How can we not fly while in Wright Brother country? We enjoyed the Ocracoke experience so much that it was time to take to the air in another part of the Outer Banks. We gazed around the island from 400 feet giggling in flight during a 15-minute journey on yet another sunny day. It’s such a different landscape over Nags Head, which has more bustle than Ocracoke. For dinner it was time for a visit to the charming town of Duck for Theodosia (https://www.thesanderling.com/restaurants-bars/theodosia/), which is part of the Sanderling Resort. Theodosia provides CONTINUED >

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a memorable elevated dining experience. It all starts with the oysters: Herring Shoal oysters from Oregon Inlet and North Carolina Little Star Oysters from Hyde County. Follow the oysters with smoked bluefish and potato puffs. Why not have duck in Duck? The blueberry BBQ Duck with creamed cabbage, peas and hushpuppies, is unique and delcious. Theodosia takes shrimp and grits to the next level with a tremendous souffle. Save room for the decadent chocolate cremeux. Theodosia is elegant but still exudes a relaxed beach vibe. Next stop, Nags Head. On the way check out the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills (https://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm) See where Wilbur and Orville Wright changed everything as their powered airplane, the “Wright Flyer,” took off over the sands for a historic but brief aerial experience. Manteo is historic as well. At the center is the Tranquil House Inn (https://www.tranquilhouseinn.com) , which lives up to its moniker. The rooms are spacious and quiet and above the 1587 Restaurant & Lounge. It was a nice follow-up follow to Theodosia since it was another elevated experience. The shrimp, lobster and wild ramp pasta with mushrooms and baby spinach is fantastic and the tilefish was superb.

Jet skiing Jane

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Manteo was the home of the Lost Colony, which refers to the 117 English men, women and children who settled on Roanoke island in 1587. Their leader John White returned to England for supplies. When he returned in 1590, the entire colony completely vanished. The mystery has never been solved. “The Lost Colony,” (https://www.thelostcolony. org), which is an outdoor drama that will celebrate its ‘90th anniversary in 2027, tells the dramatic story of the first attempt at English colonization in America. It’s a compelling production set in one of the most beatiful venues in the country along the Roanoke Sound. The Elizabethan Gardens (https://www.elizabethangardens.org) is just off Roanoke Sound as well. The 10.5 acre grounds is stunning. Sulphur butterfiies flutter around red penta flowers and Beautyberry bushes. The views of the sound are lovely and it’s such a peaceful and tranquil get away. The Manteo Historic Walking tour, (https://www. manteohistorictour.com) which is led by Francis D’Ambra, is a great way to learn about the historic waterfront of Old Manteo. D’Ambra covers the firsts, folklore and the 400 years of living history. D’Ambra also offers his take on the disappearance of the Lost Colony. It’s a fun, informative experience. The Outer Banks is an eclectic destination that is unlike any other part of the country with a distinctive and welcoming Southern style.

Not Stone Ponys but the real ponies of Ocracoke

The Lost Colony production

The Outer Banks Visiting the Outer Banks in November means quiet, crowd-free beaches, crisp sweater weather with daytime highs ranging from the upper 50s to mid60s, and significantly lower rental and lodging rates. It is a peaceful off-season escape ideal for relaxing coastal walks, surf fishing, and local holiday events. Head over to the iconic Jockey's Ridge State Park for their Kites with Lights event in November. There, you’ll have the opportunity to get in the spirit while admiring 30-foot kites above the tallest dunes on the East Coast. The weather is ideal for outdoor adventurer like going on a wild horse tour on an Outer Banks beach in Corolla. The tropical storm season ends in November. Those who love to surf can hang ten with a wet suit since the ocean temperature ranges from 55-60 degrees in November. The Southern charm doesn't fade during the waning days of the year in the Outer Banks. It's relaxing and it's also a unique destination. It's also a family-friendly destination throughout the year. There's no place quite like the Outer Banks.

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C I T Y L I FEST Y L E G I V ES BAC K

GIVING TOGETHER A Community That Shows Up

Every year, City Lifestyle sends checks to hundreds of families in need across the country through our annual Giving Campaign and our non-profit arm, Kingdom Building Foundation. But none of it would be possible without you. We can only help the people we know about, and

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that’s where our readers come in. If you know someone quietly struggling, whether it’s a single parent, a senior citizen, or a family facing something they never saw coming, we want to hear their story. Nominations are what make this whole campaign possible.

We provided a chair lift for a teenager paralyzed in a gymnastics accident so she could move freely through her own home again. We helped a child who lost an eye to cancer get the prosthetic because insurance wouldn’t cover it. We covered dental work for a man who needed his smile back just to walk into a job interview. We got heat turned back on for a family who had spent part of the winter without it. We helped a family keep up with bills while a husband and father fought pancreatic cancer, and we helped another family cover medical expenses after the unimaginable loss of a child. These are just a few examples of some of the hundreds of individuals that have been helped through nominations from readers like you. None of it happens without someone noticing first and speaking up. "We don't just send checks," says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle.

“We send a message: You are seen, you are loved, and you are not forgotten.” Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond the holiday season. "This is about community," Matthew says. "We believe we've been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing." Often, the person making the nomination gets just as much out of the experience as the recipient. There's something powerful about being part of the reason someone else's burden got lighter, especially when that need might have otherwise gone unnoticed. The campaign is completely confidential. No names are ever shared or publicized, and nominating someone is as simple as telling us their story. We are looking for those in our communities who fall between the cracks of getting help, and together as a community, we can meet those needs.

Nominations open November 1st and close December 3rd. To nominate someone in your community, follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram and find the form in our bio, or visit KingdomBuildingFoundation.org.

This season, giving starts with you. Let's do it together. Nominate someone in need today.

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Morgan Stanley The Atlantic Coastal Group at Morgan Stanley The Atlantic Coastal Group at Morgan Stanley is a multi-generational financial services team. We are committed to delivering a high standard of service rooted in integrity, long-term relationship, and a deep understanding of each client's unique goals. We work with individuals, business owners, retirees, and families to help them address wealth planning goals across generations. We have partners from our team located in Sea Girt, New Jersey & Saratoga Springs, New York as well as on Marco Island, Florida. We offer the experience, dedication and personalized attention as we work with clients to understand and address their unique goals.

Bob Hart Executive Director Financial Advisor Senior Portfolio Manager 732-974-5008 Bob.Hart@morganstanley.com

Thomas Tonkovich Senior Vice President Financial Advisor Portfolio Manager 732-974-5009 Thomas.Tonkovich@morganstanley.com

2150 NJ Rt. 35, Suite 200 | Sea Girt, NJ 08750 928 N. Collier Blvd | Marco Island, FL 34145 340 Broadway, Suite 201 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 advisor.morganstanley.com/the-atlantic-coastal-group atlanticcoastalgroup@morganstanley.com

L-R: Top Row - Bob Hart, Financial Advisor (NJ); Thomas Tonkovich, Financial Advisor (NJ); David Caruso, Financial Advisor (FL) . Middle Row - Regan DeLancey, Financial Advisor (NY); Andrew Lindenbaum, Financial Advisor (NJ); Tyler Canady, Financial Advisor (FL). Bottom Row - Jenn Diaz, Client Service Associate (NJ); Robert T. Hart, Registered Client Service Associate (NJ); Myra Dominguez, Senior Client Service Associate (FL). This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. It does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investments listed may not be appropriate for all investors.

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