Meet the Family: Living the South Shore Dream in Duxbury
For the blended family of Staci, Wayne, and their three active kids—Myles, Jack, and Olivia —there is no better place to call home than Duxbury. With deep roots, heavy involvement in youth sports, and a love for coastal living, their household perfectly captures the warm spirit of the South Shore.
Roots & Nostalgia
While Duxbury is their home base today, Wayne’s South Shore roots run deep. Growing up in nearby Rockland, his favorite childhood memories were forged right here: spending long, sun-drenched summers on Duxbury Beach and playing youth football through his high school years.
Local Eats & The Bar Pizza Debate
No South Shore family profile is complete without settling the legendary bar pizza debate! For Staci and Wayne, their go-to spot is Damien’s Pub in Hanson. Their favorite pies? Wayne goes for the savory combo of Tomato & Linguica, Staci prefers Ham, Pineapple & Mushroom, and Myles keeps it crowd-pleasing with Buffalo Chicken and classic Cheese.
When it comes to the rest of the local food scene, the family keeps a busy weekend routine:
- Casual Dinner: The Nut in Duxbury
- Weekend Breakfast: Corner Cafe in Marshfield
- Coffee & Bakery Runs: Hardly Saints Donuts in Duxbury (where the baristas are second to none)
- Ice Cream Cravings: A split vote between Dairy Twist in Pembroke and FarFar’s Danish Ice Cream Shop in Duxbury
Local Exploration & Outdoor Living
As a family that loves the outdoors, their coastal lifestyle centers around Duxbury Beach. Their spot of choice is Crossover 3 for driving onto the sand, fishing, and letting the kids explore the rocky shoreline. When friends and out-of-town guests visit, a trip to Duxbury Beach is always item number one on the itinerary—it never fails to show visitors why the family loves their town so much.
For day trips off the sand, you can find them:
- Bike riding and rollerblading along the Cape Cod Canal.
- Running through the open fields and cruising the easy paved trails at Forge Pond Park in Hanover.
Favorite South Shore Traditions
The family's absolute favorite seasonal event is the annual Duxbury Labor Day Beach Party & Bonfire. For the past two years, they’ve even brought out a custom-built Tiki bar right onto the sand! Whether spending the day parked on the crossovers and walking down to the bonfire, or enjoying the live music hosted by the Duxbury Beach Reservation at the public beach, it’s a high point of their year.
The Ultimate South Shore Saturday
If Staci and Wayne were planning a perfect Saturday for out-of-town visitors, here is their step-by-step insider guide:
- Morning Fuel: Pre-order beach sandwiches from Mae’s in Marshfield (worth the drive and the wait), then head down scenic Route 3A into Duxbury for fresh coffee and donuts at Hardly Saints.
- Beach Day: Drive over the historic Duxbury Beach Bridge and park in the public lot. Spend the day on the sand taking advantage of low tide, which opens up miles of walking, sea glass hunting, and shell collecting.
- Seaside Dinner: End the beach day right at the parking lot with dinner at Blakeman’s—a bowl of clam chowder paired with a cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc is the ultimate post-beach reward.
- Nightcap: If you still have energy, finish the evening with a craft cocktail at Island Creek Oysters or the Windsor House.
Insider Tip for Newcomers
Looking for an under-the-radar spot? Staci and Wayne recommend checking out The Backyard at Levitate in Marshfield. It’s kid-friendly, packed with great food, and features fantastic live music.
Giving Back to the Community
In three words, the family describes life on the South Shore as "Picturesque, Tranquil, and Camaraderie."
That sense of camaraderie is something they actively build every day. Staci and Wayne both volunteer as local youth sports coaches—Staci with Cheer and Wayne with Baseball. Staci also serves on the board of the Duxbury Newcomers & Neighbors Club (DNNC). Founded in 1965, the DNNC offers social, recreational, and volunteer opportunities for anyone looking to connect, make friends, and dive into local life.