Interview: Jersey Girl Teresa Giudice Talks Jersey Shore- Her Favorite Places and Childhood Memories

There are some things that bind us to each other, that create our common culture. Given that we are one big nation, yet a composite of many states, our common culture varies from one part of the country to another. In New Jersey, and I believe some neighboring states, one thing that binds us together is the place where most of us have some of the fondest memories of our lives, the enduring Jersey Shore.

Though I am not a fan of the reality show Jersey Shore, it is unfortunate to say that some of the culture portrayed in that show is real. I am not referencing the behavior of the participants so much as the activities; walking the boardwalk, hanging out on the crowded beach under a colorful umbrella, playing the games of chance,
eating a chili dog or a Kohr's cone. Though the show did not give a good name to the shore what it did do is  bring attention to it. A few years ago while Snookie and the Sitch were at their peak, I remember listening to a radio show  in which a caller from the Midwest said how she cancelled her vacation to Bermuda to go to the Jersey Shore because she wanted to see what it was all about. If she only visited Seaside my guess is that Bermuda made the top of her list the next year. But each shore is unique, you've got it visit each one to see what fits you best.

Recently I had the opportunity to meet one of the most famous "Jersey Girls", Teresa Giudice of the Real Housewives of NJ She was doing a book signing at my neighbor Gina's place of business.  I had helped Gina out with the publicity and was looking forward to getting some one-on-one time with Teresa  after the line died down to see if she had the same memories that this Jersey girl does. 

Gina Avino is a very talented designer with a store and interior design business, called Gina Avino's Artistic Designs. Her store in on Main Street in an upscale northern Jersey suburb, Ramsey. Gina knew Teresa because she had done some window treatments and other decorating for her. Both being Italian, I think Gina was able to achieve that Northern Jersey Italian designer look that is so prevalent here in North Jersey. Gina's store is filled with beautiful objects and for Teresa's book signing, she filled it with food, drinks and people too. Not only were Gina's friends and family there for the event  but in the true Italian spirit of family Teresa brought her friends and family as well. Teresa's  mom took a seat in the back of the store and chatted with anyone that wanted to chat with her and posed for pictures with them all through the night. Gina's 85 year-old mom worked the register with the speed of someone half her age. Gina's husband poured the Fabellini sparkling wine, which was quite good. 

I had already  gotten my own copy of Fabulicious! On The Grill when I saw her at a local mall, so I got this book signed for my niece, Holly. Teresa sat at a table in the middle of the store with a gold sequined cloth on it, it looked great against the summery pink and peach dress Teresa was wearing. At the end of the event, though there were a few people lingering to speak to her and another women having a conversation literally over my head with her as I crouched down to make eye level (I did say I was from Jersey so this is normal to me), Teresa was happy to answer my questions although I could tell she was tired. All her makeup and hair was still perfect (which was a comment over heard all through the night) but it had been a long night. The store was not that big, it was a summer night and the rooms were packed so it got quite hot in there. On top of that it was North Jersey and more of a party than a book signing so Teresa was gracious enough to have a conversation with just about everyone. 

My first question was, "What is your favorite beach?". She answered, "Long Beach Island." This was not a surprise to me as some of the scenes  from last year's RHONJ were shot there. "I have a house in LBI." she added.  Then I asked her to name her favorite place in LBI. "The Seashell!"she answered.  Again , not surprising. For anyone that has not experienced the sea shell (www.SeaShellLBI.com) this is a little oasis in the middle of Jersey. Adorned with dozens of palm tress planted in the sand, located right on the ocean, with tiki umbrellas, lounge chairs in the sand, a huge tiki bar, pool and live poolside music added to the ambience this is the closest thing in Jersey to a tropical island you'll ever find, and you don't need a plane, just an EZPass and gas money for the Parkway.

We spoke about how the Sea Shell had changed. She said she had just been down there but then realized she had not seen it post-Sandy. I had just been down there, and I showed her a photo on my phone. Like some NJ shore businesses, the Sea Shell was able to rebuild and rebuild for the better. The Sea Shell is #StrongerThanTheStorm! Unfortunately, this has not been true of all. Some are not fixed up yet and others have been put up for sale. It was great that RHONJ was able to showcase the devastation of shore areas and I hope as the season progresses the rebuilding will be shown. Tourism is needed. 

My next question was about her childhood in NJ, as she said she grew up in the Totowa/Paterson area. I asked her what her fondest memories of childhood were.  Again, they were about the beach. She said, "My father took me to Sandy Hook and Long Branch every Wednesday and Sunday. Wednesday was my dad's day off, and Sunday was family day.". 

"However, she added, "Our vacations were in Wildwood, that is where we would go for our official vacations.". Again, this answer was not surprising as this is where most New Jerseyans (as well as Canadians and Pennsylvanians) chose for summer fun back in the  60's and 70's. It didn't matter if you had a little or a lot of money, families always managed to save enough for a hotel room, games and rides on the infamous Boardwalk and some Mack's Pizza in Wildwood.

The next question is something probably only another Jersey Girl would understand. In Jersey all the beaches have different personalities and demographics. I asked where she hung out when she was older, and she said "The Surf Club" (Joey Harrison's in Seaside/Ortley Beach). This club, as well as others in Belmar, Seaside and others along the coast were the "in" places to meet and mingle pre-cell phones.  Joey's was another club damaged during the storm but it has been rebuilt.

At that point, there were people waiting to pose for pictures. This event also doubled as a fundraiser for a little local girl with cancer, Ava Rasmussen, and Teresa posed with her and her sister and chatted with the family.

Teresa's book is available at most booksellers. It is her fourth book. I have not tried any of the recipes yet but the recipes in the chicken section looked easy enough and something different to be making at a barbecue. As far as grilling in my bathing suit as Teresa suggests, I'll have to think about that one.

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To donate to the Ava Rasmussen Fund visit:
https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/cml1/avarasmussensfund‎