Pittsburgh Also Remembers Fab 50s

Roy Laux has been vacationing in the Wildwoods for 10 years.
“My wife and I spend so much time here,” he joked, “that over the last 10 years, I tell people we’ve spent at least two complete years in Wildwood.”
Laux owns a condo here that he keeps as a vacation home, so his ample use of this getaway might seem familiar to most of us who have used Cape May County as a haven from the daily grind of urban life. But his constant travel from full-time home to family summer sanctuary is just a bit more of an “accomplishment,” shall we say.
In 1988, along with his son, Jason, Laux started Synergy Financial Services in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, which is considered part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, so his commute isn’t the two or three hour ordeal from Philadelphia or New York that is the more common occurrence.
“It’s a 385-mile trip,” he said, “but the way our stress seems to melt away as we near Wildwood…that makes it all worthwhile.”
Aside from the ocean, dining spots, and countless other attractions the Jersey shore offers, Laux also enjoys the steady barrage of special events that the Wildwoods tender, and one of those events in particular has reached all the way back to Pittsburgh — with Laux’s help.
“We’ve attended the Fabulous 50s Concert for the last three years, but this year we decided to do something more,” he said. “We’re bringing a busload of our clients.”
Synergy Financial Services, Laux explained, caters to clients in the 65 to 70-year age group.
“We specialize in adding safety and guarantee to retiree’s investments,” he said, “and we feel this is a wonderful way to say ‘thank you’ to our clients.”
So 47 of his clients will be treated to a five-day bus trip that includes an evening in Atlantic City, dining at various Wildwood restaurants, and several days and nights at Aqua Beach Hotel Resort in Wildwood Crest, where the group will stay. And the centerpiece of the trip is Saturday night’s Fabulous 50s Concert at the Wildwoods’ Convention Center.
“The concert is perfect for this age group,” Laux noted. “And the company is in my son’s capable hands back home while we’re gone, so this is a great time to travel across Pennsylvania and see God’s work as the fall foliage turns.
“We’ve always vacationed here,” he continued. “We spend about eight weeks a year in the Wildwoods. It’s such a great place to relax, enjoy the calming effects of the ocean, and forget your cares. Now we can bring that feeling to our clients.”
The only thing that might add more to his clients’ enjoyment is a successful Pittsburgh Steelers’ season.
“I think we’ll be all right now that (quarterback) Ben is coming back,” he said.
And perhaps we can have an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl next February with the Eagles vs. Steelers.
But for now, let’s all just enjoy the way things used to be back in those Fabulous 50s.