Nancy Monson

Oct 25, 2024 | fwtmagazine.com | Mary Farah |Julie Suman |Nancy Monson |Mary Lansing

Rehoboth Beach is a summer playland—but it’s even better in the fall, when the crowds wane and the weather is still lovely (and on occasion, even beachy). The parking meters have been turned off and won’t be turned back on until May. The sidewalks are manageable. Plus, most businesses remain open, says Christine Hastings, vice president of the Jolly Trolley, which runs a seasonal shuttle between Rehoboth Beach and neighboring Dewey Beach, as well as year-round tours and charters.

Oct 11, 2024 | theoaklandpress.com | Nancy Monson

I turned 65 this year (hello Medicare!) and this June, I visited Oregon to achieve my goal of seeing all 50 states before year’s end. According to a recent poll conducted by YouGov, fewer than 2% of Americans have visited every state plus Washington, D.C. Most have been to about 17 states, so I know I’ve achieved something special. How did I get there? Back in my late 40s, I realized that I had been lucky enough to visit around 35 states for both business and pleasure.

Jul 8, 2024 | saturdayeveningpost.com | Nancy Monson

Travel north and west — almost as far west as you can go — in New York State and you’ll reach a small town called Chautauqua. Perched on a gloriously shimmering lake, the town is home to Chautauqua Institution, a world-renowned organization that gently buzzes with activity for nine weeks each summer. Drawing upwards of 100,000 people annually, participants come to take part in literary, music and dance, religious, and educational programs and enjoy life on and by the lake.

Apr 19, 2024 | fwtmagazine.com | Nancy Monson

Fried green tomatoes are a quintessential Southern appetizer. These brightly colored immature tomatoes are firm, tart and juicy, and are typically breaded and pan-fried. But there are so many variations that it’s hard to categorize them as just one thing. As a Northerner, I’d only ever heard of them in connection with the Fannie Flagg book and later the 1991 movie Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café. And I’d never tasted them.

Apr 15, 2024 | saturdayeveningpost.com | Nancy Monson

If you visit the South these days, you’ll inevitably see billboards for Buc-ee’s featuring a toothy beaver selling brisket, beef jerky, and gas. I never considered going near the place until a friend told me that Buc-ee’s brisket sandwich is amazing. Then, my nephew came back from a trip to visit a friend in Georgia, who immediately took him to neighboring Alabama to have lunch at Buc-ee’s. Lunch. At a gas station. Hmmm.