Jackie Syrop:

I’m a retired freelance writer/editor, now Grandma, living in Central New Jersey–but I’m not really a Jersey girl, because I grew up in Yonkers, New York… making fun of New Jersey. But I admit it: I surprise myself with my love of the Garden State, despite the many things wrong with it. It is where everyone and everything I love is. So it’s fine with me if everyone from outside of New Jersey believes it’s like the turnpike corridor. That way, they won’t come here and crowd my beautiful beaches or Delaware River bike path. I dream of getting a shack Down the Shore, sleeping on the beach, and riding the waves.