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Take time to Explore
We live in an age obsessed with efficiency and productivity. I must admit, I fall into this trap at times as well. It's easy to believe that only things which can be precisely calculated in terms of time, effort, and investment are worth doing. We tend to value activities that offer a high level of control and minimal uncertainty. However, this approach can lead to an unfulfilling life.
It's important to make room for exploration, trying new things, and embracing being a beginner, even if it means getting lost. It's in these unstructured and open-ended moments that connections are made, friendships are fostered, and trust is built.
In the past few months, I've been reflecting on my relationship with my kids and how our family functions. I've been analyzing what we enjoy doing together. To gain clarity, I started by focusing on the activities we don't enjoy. For our family, it's excessive screen time. For your family, it might be too many busy evenings away from home or not enough shared dinners around the table.
I've realized that "adventures" and “exploration” don't have to be grand or extravagant. It can be as simple as playing a board game on the patio, exploring a new trail, or visiting a fun new cookie place in a different part of town.
Our hope is that this message inspires you to make room for exploration, to prioritize time away from the usual routine, and to lose yourself in a trail or a good book. It's about taking that trip you've been thinking about and making time for the things that matter most to you, even if they often end up at the bottom of your to-do list.
This is the perfect time of year to get out and explore all this great city has to offer, or to set a fun exploration abroad. Whether you stay near or far, make sure to get out and enjoy with your loved ones!
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
inside the issue
Been Around The World
The travel bug bit Ed and Nancy Fitterer, and they've never stopped exploring
Exploring Your City
Culture, history, music. Long Branch checks all the boxes.
The Essence of Long Branch
As the city grows, preserving its village vibe is paramount
Travel and exploration is a core value for Ed and Nancy Fitterer, who have traveled to more than two dozen countries, with Iceland, where this cover photo is taken, being one of them.
Ed Fitterer
scene
LONG
The travel bug bit Ed and Nancy Fitterer, and they've never stopped exploring
ARTICLE BY BERNIE AUGUSTINE
Been Around The World
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ED FITTERER
Sedona, Arizona
Ed Fitterer doesn’t remember the conversation exactly, but the tone was unforgettable.
In the mid-1990s, when he was a junior at Monmouth University, Fitterer told his mother that he was going to move to London for more than half the year to take advantage of the school’s study abroad program. His mom’s reaction could be summed up in two words: What? Why?
“I was always trying to do something else,” Fitterer said recently, reflecting back on his pitch to his parents about leaving the nest, neighborhood, state and country. “I think it took them by surprise. Between me and my twin brother, I was always the one trying to push things.”
What started in London soon led to Paris and then Dublin, Hong Kong and Greece, Egypt and Costa Rica. You get the picture. The program ignited a passion for travel and exploration that has not waned; in fact, it has only grown stronger over the years.
“There was a group of us (studying abroad), and every Friday night we left and we wouldn’t come back until Monday morning. We would take the train and we backpacked all of Europe, thirteen countries in all. We were in Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day, Rome for Easter Sunday. We saw the crowds listening to the pope deliver his Good Friday mass in Vatican City.”
For Fitterer, who has a law firm in Ocean that focuses on business law, civil litigation and real estate, the study abroad program was an opportunity that he could not pass up. His family didn’t travel often, so this was his chance to see what else the world had to offer. To call the trip “life-changing” would be an understatement.
Ed and his daughter ride camels in Egypt
A chapel in Lefkes, on the Greek island Paros.
“There’s really no reason behind it, other than you just can’t get it out of you.
You just keep exploring.”
“I actually met my wife there,” he says of that first trip to London. “She was in the same program as me, but lived only about 30 minutes away from where I did back in New Jersey. She was in the same situation as I was, just feeling the need to get out and travel.”
A few years after coming back to New Jersey, Ed and Nancy were back in London – this time for their wedding. “London holds a special place in our heart,” Fitterer said, adding that their wedding was an opportunity to bring his parents abroad, along with about 30-40 additional guests. They've been back three times and also count Paris among the special spots they've visited.
"The last time we were in Paris, I re-proposed to my wife because I was able to afford a bigger ring," Fitterer said with a laugh when discussing their third trip to the City of Lights. "I was trying to make up for not being very romantic the first time."
Between Ed, Nancy and their children, travel is clearly a big part of their lives. Ed jokes that he is never really satisfied with a trip because his mind is always wondering about the next one. At some point on a trip, or at the very least on the plane ride home, the four of them will discuss their next adventure. And it is a four-way conversation; Ed says that their kids are involved in choosing the next stop for this globe-trotting family.
"I have learned so much from traveling. My kids have become well-rounded from the traveling we do. That is one of the draws.”
these trips happen. The value of snorkeling in the Red Sea – “The water there is so blue, so clear and so warm. The coral reefs are just insane.” – or going to Iceland to see the famous waterfalls during the midnight sun, a time where the country experiences 23 hours of daylight, goes far beyond dollars and cents.
“Why do people do anything? I just don’t know,” he says of the insatiable desire to get out there and see what the world has to offer. “It’s such an important part of our lives to do it.”
“We’re all equal voices with that,” he says of picking a destination. “It gives the kids a real good reason to learn about places, too. I have learned so much from traveling. Stuff you can’t learn from books. They have become well-rounded from the traveling we do. That is one of the draws. You learn so much about yourself and other cultures.”
The cultures and experiences are worth the cost, Fitterer says. Everyone knows that travel isn’t cheap, and he says they make sacrifices elsewhere to make
And while the majority of their trips are what Fitterer calls “off the beaten path,” they’ve also done Disney – “way too many times,” he said – and their fair share of big cities. The way he describes it, they aren’t city people or beach people or even Disney people; they're travel people, and wherever they go, they are fully immersed in the experience.
“There’s really no reason behind it, other than you just can’t get it out of you,” Fitterer said. “You just keep exploring.”
Ed Fitterer's law firm provides legal guidance across a wide spectrum of real estate matters. He can be reached at: 732.573.7333.
Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
The pyramids and Great Sphinx in Egypt
The Cairo Tower
Paris
EXPLORING YOUR CITY
ARTICLE BY BERNIE AUGUSTINE
CULTURE, HISTORY, MUSIC. LONG BRANCH CHECKS ALL THE BOXES.
One of the great perks of getting involved with City Lifestyle has been familiarizing myself with the community, culture and businesses in and around Long Branch. I have been exploring, if you will. And with that activity being the theme of this month’s issue, I might as well share some of the findings I’ve come across while learning about this vibrant city. Maybe you’ve heard of some of these people, places and things, but maybe you haven’t. And if you have tips about hidden gems or pockets of Long Branch that should be highlighted, please reach out.
SUMMER READING
Take a step back in time and revisit the Long Branch of Robert Pinsky, a 3-time U.S. poet laureate and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. His memoir, "Jersey Breaks" connects the roots of his poetry with the voices of his neighborhood and was hailed by none other than Bruce Springsteen: "Truly the voice of the Jersey Shore."
HAIL TO THE CHIEFS
There's history behind the gates on Ocean Avenue where the Church of the Presidents sits. Some have surely become numb to the fact that 7 U.S. presidents worshiped in this shingle-style Episcopal church, but it is a remarkable piece of local and American history. While the site has been closed for many years, restoration efforts are ongoing.
IT SHORE SOUNDS GOOD
ARTISTS' ALLEY
As a community, Long Branch has a strong creative pull. The Long Branch Arts and Cultural Center leans fully into that space, providing a stage for makers to showcase their work. In fact, this summer, the center will host "The history of lifesaving in Long Branch," which explores surf culture and lifesaving acts here.
02 03 04
It's hard to put a finger on it, but there is something about this area that is very fertile for musicians, and it goes far beyond Springsteen. Take Carlotta Schmidt, who we featured in these pages a few months ago. The Long Branch native is gigging regularly (you can catch her occasionally at 21A), and she recently performed with 10-time Grammy winner Brandi Carlile.
ARTICLE BY MARCIA BROWN
"In Long Branch, we must never forget the blessings of living in a space that we can call home."
The Essence of Long Branch
As the city grows, preserving its village vibe is paramount
From the moment I laid eyes on this charming town in 1999, I knew it was special. Not just because of the seashore, or the many ethnicities and dialects spoken, or the variety and diversity of food delights, and not even the small and quaint neighborhoods which filled the spaces; rather, it was all of that and one thing more – its people.
What I fell in love with were the sights and sounds of its people, its welcoming aura, its friendly and smiling faces, its courtesies on the beaches, the streets and the sidewalks.
Everyone seemed to know that this was a “village,” not so much in its size or sphere, but in its attitude. It’s the best aspect of being a community, for a village means unity, solidarity, tolerance, diversity, safety, security and spaces for our young people to learn, grow and develop, and one day build new spaces for themselves and their families in this village.
As the city expands exponentially, filling up empty spaces with housing and other buildings, as visitors become new residents and as cars become 24-hour fixtures on our roads and parking has become a challenge, let our government leaders and community advocates earnestly work together to promote a master plan that relies on both intelligence and compassion to grow a city whose spirit will flow from a foundation of love, justice, accountability, democracy and which secures the general welfare of the people.
In Long Branch, we the people, all of us immigrants, either domestically or globally, must never forget the blessings and the riches of living in a space that we can call home, a space that offers the joys and riches of a diverse community in all its multiplicity of dimensions, and one that must always remain a village.
Marcia Brown is a practicing lawyer and serves on Long Branch's planning board.
The Long Branch mural outside of Max's Bar & Grill
Tasty Travel Guide
ARTICLE BY BERNIE AUGUSTINE
PLAN A CULINARY EXPLORATION WITHOUT LEAVING LONG BRANCH
“"The perfect meal, or the best meals, occur in a context that frequently has very little to do with the food itself."
-Anthony Bourdain
Traveling is not easy. It's expensive, you've got kids in school so your window to get away is small, or work is getting in the way. Whatever the reason, it's not always feasible to escape for a weekend, let alone a week.
But what about for a night? That's possible, right? Of course it is! Let the skilled cooks and chefs of Long Branch take you away, with culinary creations that will transport you to a cafe on the south of France, with the Mediterranean Sea on the other side of the street. Whether it's French fare or Portuguese eats, sushi that makes you think you're in Japan or elevated street tacos so tasty you'd swear you're in Mexico City, exploring the culinary offerings of the city is one way to satisfy your craving for something different.
CONTINUED >
Birria tacos are perfection on a plate.
Grilled octopus from Mar Belo
So check out a spot like Avenue if you're craving French food that mixes Mediterranean and brasserie styles. Long Branch BBQ for something that delivers exactly on its name. Mar Belo if you're looking for a modern twist on Portuguese. El Oxaqueño if authentic Mexican is what you're craving or Izu Sushi for a roll that's just right. These are only suggestions, of course. Everyone has their own favorites and secret spots. So gather up some friends, make a reservation and "get away" for a few hours.
Have a spot in mind that we should spotlight? We are hungry to hear more about your favorite spots to grab a bite around town. Reach out!
bernie.augustine@citylifestyle.com
It doesn't get more French than a bowl of mussels with a side of fries.
SUNDAYS IN JULY
Family Fun Days
Carousel Stage at Pier Village | 1:00 PM
Here’s this month’s lineup for Family Fun Days at Pier Village: Science show (July 7), Yoyo show (July 14), Bubble show (July 28), Science show (July 28). Admission to these events is free.
MONDAYS IN JULY
Summer Tribute Concert Series
Carousel Stage at Pier Village | 7:00 PM
Take a look at this month's lineup: Jillian Rhys McCoy’s Chicks that Rock the 80s, A Tribute to all the Chicks that Rock! (July 1); Bell Bottom Blues, An Eric Clapton Experience (July 8); E-Street Shuffle, Bruce Springsteen Tribute (July 15); Skinny Amigo, A Classic Rock and Roll Experience (July 22); Damn The Torpedoes, A Tom Petty Experience (July 29).
TUESDAYS IN JULY
Boardwalk Movie Nights
Carousel Bar at the Wave Resort | 8:00 PM
Grab a blanket and catch a film under the summer sky with the ocean breeze blowing your way. Here’s what’s on the schedule for July: Remember the Titans (July 2); The Greatest Showman (July 16); Matilda (July 30). Showtime starts at dusk.
WEDNESDAYS IN JULY
Movies on the Beach
Chelsea Ave. Beach | 8:00 PM
If Tuesdays don’t work for you, there are more chances to catch a movie while the waves roll in. Here’s the July lineup for Movies on the Beach: Back to the Future (July 3); E.T. (July 10); Goonies (July 17); Jaws (July 24); Grease (July 31). Movies begin at dusk between McLoone’s Pier House and the Avenue.
THURSDAYS IN JULY
West End Farmer's Market
West End Park | 9:00 AM
Farmer's Market season is back! Get the freshest, local produce and other food items just in time for peak backyard dining nights.
FRIDAYS IN JULY
High Tide Market
Carousel Stage at Pier Village | 11:00 AM
Looking for a way to spend your summer Fridays? Swing by the Makers and Artisan Market between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. There will be shopping, food, and music for all to enjoy.
'Chelada and Chill
ARTICLE BY BERNIE AUGUSTINE
It's hot. The sun is unrelenting and you just want a cold drink, but something that'll take your tastebuds on a trip. Try a Michelada. It's like a beer meeting a Bloody Mary. This is an OG recipe. Try it, then tweak (Tajin on the rim is nice).
The Michelada is a refreshing, semi-spicy desert delight ingredients:
• A light beer
• Tomato juice (1/4 cup)
• Lime juice
• Sauces: Worcestershire, soy, hot
• Salt
• Pepper
directions:
Step 1. Rub a lime around the rim of a glass and coat it in salt. Add ice.
Step 2. Add beer, tomato juice and juice of half a lime.
Step 3. Bring on the sauces. Try 3, 2, 1 dashes of Worcestershire, soy and hot sauce, respectively. Adjust to your taste.
Step 4. Add salt and pepper, garnish with a lime and celery. Use the stalk (or a straw) to give it a good stir.
