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THE SLG ADVISOR Grateful for a Lifetime With Liz
OCT 2025
They say that once in a lifetime, someone walks into your world and changes it forever. For me, that person was my wife, Liz. This October, as she turns 60, I can’t help but look back in awe at the nearly four decades we’ve spent building a life together, a life she’s filled with love, laughter, and a quiet wisdom that’s changed me in ways I never could have imagined.
She’s earned every ounce of their love and admiration. I see the way they look at her, the way they turn to her for advice, and the way they trust her implicitly. That bond didn’t happen
by accident. It’s the product of years of unconditional love, wisdom, and presence. She is just as remarkable outside our home. Liz is an amazing daughter to her mom, caring for her with patience and devotion. She’s the kind of friend who shows up, whether it’s to celebrate, console, or simply listen. She’s the neighbor who remembers birthdays, the relative who sends a thoughtful note, the person who cheers for everyone’s win as if it were her own. Living beside someone
We met in college at Bentley University, when I was a junior and she was a sophomore, and from that moment, we’ve been together. Thirty- nine years side-by-side, 31 of them married. Over those years, we’ve built a life filled with incredible memories, challenges we’ve faced
together, and moments that have shaped who we are as individuals and as a couple. I have always been grateful for Liz, for her love, her loyalty, and the life we’ve built together. But over the years, I’ve come to realize that Liz hasn’t just been someone I feel grateful for; she’s the one who taught me how to live with gratitude.
like that changes you. I’ve learned that gratitude goes beyond just recognizing the good in your life. It’s about living in a way that makes others feel they are part of that good. That’s Liz’s gift, and it’s the one she’s given me every day for nearly 40 years. So, as we celebrate her 60th birthday, I want her, and everyone reading this, to know how incredibly grateful I am, not just for Liz but also for the way she’s taught me to see the world.
Liz has a rare and beautiful quality: She notices and appreciates the good in her life every day. Whether it’s something big, like watching our children Jake and Jessie reach a milestone, or something small, like a sunny morning or a friend’s kind word, she treats each as a gift worth pausing for. Her gratitude isn’t something she talks about; it’s something she lives. I’ve had the privilege of watching Liz be the most spectacular mother to Jake and Jessie. They adore her, and they should.
Liz, I love you. Thank you for every day of the last 39 years. You’ve made me a more grateful man, and for that, I will never stop saying thank you.
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Remind them that even though costumes and masks are fun, they shouldn’t block vision, and dark costumes should be paired with reflective tape or bright accessories. Flashlights, glow sticks, or LED wristbands can help them be seen from a distance. And most importantly, phones should be in pockets while walking; candy trading and texting can wait until they’re safely off the street. FOR DRIVERS ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT: It’s not just up to the kids. Motorists must be extra vigilant on Oct. 31. Slow down in residential neighborhoods, especially between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m., when most trick-or-treating occurs. Keep an eye out for kids darting between parked cars, and anticipate that costumes can make it hard for children to see or be seen. Avoid distractions behind the wheel, and remember that preteens, in their excitement, may not always remember the rules of the road. When kids and drivers do their part, Halloween can stay what it’s meant to be: a night of fun, laughter, and too much candy. A little extra awareness on both sides means the scariest thing you’ll encounter this year is a well-timed jump scare, not a safety concern!
Halloween is one of the most exciting nights for kids, especially preteens. It’s often their first taste of trick-or-treat independence. Armed with pillowcases, glow sticks, and a pack of friends, they’re ready to roam the neighborhood without Mom or Dad. But with that new freedom comes a new responsibility: staying safe while walking and crossing streets in the dark. This time of year, it’s getting dark earlier, and when you add costumes that may limit visibility or peripheral vision, plus the distractions of candy and friends, you have a recipe for potential accidents. According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be struck by a car on Halloween than on any other night of the year. That’s a scary statistic, and it’s why trick-or-treaters and drivers must prioritize pedestrian safety. FOR PRETEENS TRICK-OR-TREATING ON THEIR OWN: They still need a plan even if they’re old enough to go without an adult. Go over the route ahead of time and agree on boundaries. Encourage them to stick to well-lit streets, use sidewalks whenever possible, and cross only at intersections or crosswalks and never in between parked cars. A Guide to Trick-or-Treating Safety FROM CANDY TO CROSSWALKS
REVIEW OF THE MONTH
“This is the first and only firm I’ve ever worked with, and let me tell you, these guys are amazing. They handled my case perfectly, cared about my well-being, and were very professional. They talk to and treat you like friends, and I couldn’t ask for better people to handle my case.” –Chino
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SKIP THE SALEM CROWDS
5 Nearby Towns for a Spooktacular October
Alcohol consumption has been on the decline in the U.S., and many see it as a healthy shift. Mocktails are now the trend, offering all the flavor without the buzz. This apple cider mocktail is the perfect way to celebrate fall: It’s festive, refreshing, and guilt-free! INGREDIENTS • 1 tbsp cinnamon sugar for the rim • 1/2 oz pure maple syrup plus more for the rim • Ice • 1 1/2 oz apple cider • 1 oz lemon juice • 4 oz ginger beer • 1 stick cinnamon (for garnish) • 1 sprig fresh rosemary (for garnish) • 1 piece star anise (for garnish) • 1 apple slice (for garnish) DIRECTIONS 1. Pour cinnamon sugar and maple syrup on separate plates. 2. Dip just the outer edge of a rocks glass in the syrup, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar to coat the rim. 3. In a mixing glass, add a rocks glass worth of ice, syrup, apple cider, and lemon juice, then stir briskly to combine. 4. Top off mixture with ginger beer, then pour into the prepared rocks glass. 5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, sprig of rosemary, piece of star anise, and/or an apple slice as desired and enjoy! APPLE CIDER MOCKTAIL Inspired by FeastAndWest.com
If you’re a local, you already know Salem, Massachusetts, is the go-to place for holiday and Halloween fun. But if you’ve ever been there in peak season, you know it can also be packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Hotels booked months in advance, restaurant waits stretch for hours, and even a simple stroll can feel like navigating an amusement park. For those who love Halloween but not the wall-to-wall crowds, plenty of alternative destinations offer charm, fun, and the right amount of spooky without the chaos. Here are five worth checking out! PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE Just over an hour north, Portsmouth is a seaport with centuries of history and its fair share of ghost stories. Stroll through the brick- lined streets, take a historic home tour, or join a ghost walk that winds through the waterfront and old burial grounds. ROCKPORT, MASSACHUSETTS About 45 minutes from Salem, this coastal town offers a quieter take on fall festivities. Browse the galleries on Bearskin Neck, enjoy fresh seafood, and take in the haunting beauty of the rocky shoreline. CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS Only about an hour inland, Concord is a great place to grab a bite to eat or hang out. The town’s cemeteries and historic sites take on a mysterious glow this time of year, perfect for evening ghost tours and spooky fun. NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS Less than an hour north, this charming harbor town offers boutique shopping, historic walking tours, and waterfront dining. The Halloween season brings ghost tours through Market Square and tales of the area’s coastal past. MARBLEHEAD, MASSACHUSETTS
If you want Salem vibes without being in Salem, Marblehead is just a 15-minute drive away. It’s packed with colonial architecture, narrow winding streets, and ocean views — making it a great spot for a night out.
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INSIDE
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Celebrating 60 Years of Liz Halloween Safety for All Ages Review of the Month Your Guide to New England’s Best Kept Halloween Secrets Apple Cider Mocktail The Surprisingly Adventurous History of the Humble Manila Envelope
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THIS ENVELOPE HAS TRAVELED FURTHER THAN YOU THINK The Tale of the Mighty Manila Envelope
Ever wonder why those big, tan envelopes guarding your documents like Fort Knox are called “Manila” envelopes? Turns out, there’s a rich backstory behind this office supply staple, and it has roots half a world away in the Philippines. Back in the 1830s, papermakers hit a snag. Traditional materials like cotton and linen (used to make paper pulp) were in short supply. Enter the seafaring solution: Manila rope, crafted from Manila hemp (aka abacá), is a super-strong plant fiber native to the Philippines. Tough, water-resistant, and golden in hue, these fibers became the key to making paper that didn’t crumble at the first drop of rain.
Originally, these envelopes weren’t the lightweight versions you toss into your office bin today. Early Manila folders were almost as thick as cardboard, and they soon became the go-to for carrying important papers through thick and thin. While the name Manila stuck, the actual plant fiber didn’t. Over time, cheaper, easier-to-process wood pulp took
over. But by then, the golden hue and reliable durability had built a brand. Even without a shred of real abacá, the trusty envelopes still carried the Manila name like a badge of honor. But here’s the twist: Despite the usefulness of Manila hemp, Filipino farmers barely benefited. During its colonization of the Philippines, the U.S. controlled abacá trade and funneled profits away from the source. So, the next time you grab a Manila envelope to stash your paperwork or mail your wares, know you’re holding a slice of history that stood the test of time (and coffee spills). Who knew your office supply drawer had such worldly flair?
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