Holiday Joy And Local Delights
What a great fall it has been here in Southern New Jersey. The weather has been so present and enjoyable that it is prolonging our season here to allow for more boating, biking, and outdoor fun. Although fall has been delightful, it’s time to focus on the holidays and the joyous season that awaits. And as our gift to you, we have a great holiday issue that we have prepared for your pleasure.
In this issue, we explore the great year-round vistas and activities that Utah has to offer. I have been traveling to Utah for several years with friends to ski, but what a spot this state is for summer activities — from hiking to fishing. I’ve included a few of my personal photos to share the amazing trip I took in August. And speaking of spectacular places of natural beauty, Longwood Gardens is a must for the season with its magical lights and decorations that will put you in the spirit for holiday cheer.
Living in New Jersey, we often take for granted the greatness of our culinary scene. The melting pot of ethnicities provides a rich selection of food, often prepared with the love and passion of their heritage, showcasing the excellence each culture brings to their dishes. One of the great, often overlooked foods is the simple sandwich or submarine, commonly called a ‘sub’ here in Jersey. We’ve highlighted a few in our Eats feature that most I’m sure are familiar with, and a few that may be new.
Another emerging local craft is cannabis and the dedicated individuals who cultivate and curate it. Like a fine beer or whiskey, cannabis is nurtured by attentive growers and developed for its medicinal and relaxing properties. Though it has existed since ancient times, it has now been legalized and is “growing” in popularity for its health and wellness benefits. In this feature, we speak with the curators at the Cannabis Conservatory Company about their products and craft here in Egg Harbor Township.
As many of you know, I have a special place in my heart for all animals, and our friends at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine share that same passion. In this issue, we give you a little background on the inspiration and founders of this amazing organization.
Now that we have our wish lists and are getting ready for all the parties, it’s time to find a great way to organize our gifts and new items. That’s where the NEAT Method comes in. We spoke with Wendy Rossier about her tips for staying organized over the holidays.
With the year rounding out, it’s also time to focus on tax tips from our friends at CRA Financial and the talented staff that work with Tom and Matt Reynolds.
All this and so much more in this holiday issue. So please pay special attention to our advertisers as they will have a plethora of great deals for you to take advantage of during the next few months. Black Friday at Car Toyz, Roberts Jewelers, delivery from Passion Vines, Nobil Catering, The Dougherty Restaurants, Queen Jayne’s, and the Smithville Inn for holiday parties. Experience the finest of the best within the pages of New Jersey Lifestyle. Please reach out to our loyal partners and tell them you saw it in Lifestyle for that special treatment.
Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
Nick Valinote, Publisher
