Soap star Martha Byrne recently ended a remarkable 20-year stint as drama queen Lily Snyder on CBS mainstay As the World Turns, but real-life roles as mother, wife, actress and singer mean even more to her these days. A true Jersey girl – born in The Valley Hospital, she grew up in Waldwick and still lives in Bergen – Byrne is excited to see just how her world will turn now that she can devote more time to husband Michael, a former policeman, and their children, Michael, who turns 10 this month, Max, 5, and Annmarie, who’s almost 2.

ON DINING:
Our favorite local restaurants are Café Panache [in Ramsey], Andrea’s in Waldwick. Oh gosh, there are so many! Masa Sushi & Grill in Allendale. The River Palm in Mahwah; they have the best lobster tails and steak, and it’s consistent and family-friendly – which is a good thing, because I have three kids!

ON SHOPPING:
I’m always at Stop & Shop. The Wyckoff Bakery – I’m there way too often. There are so many great stores in Ridgewood. I could just walk Ridgewood from dawn to dusk, and be happy. Pierre Deux: they’ve got beautiful fabrics and knickknacks.

ON LIFE AFTER LILY:
I’d done so much as that character. But it’s more about missing the people I worked with. We laughed every day, and worked hard, and it’s not easy to let it go. I’ll be going back to the theater, which is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. And I’m going to start performing [pop songs] at clubs again, anywhere I can, with a guitar and a microphone. I’m excited about what’s coming next – and not knowing gives you a little buzz.

ON BERGEN FUN SPOTS:
Michael is an avid sports fanatic, so we’re at Campgaw a lot. We love Unbelieva-Bill’s in Waldwick, and we spend a lot of time at In the Swing [also in Waldwick]. We’re so busy. We never stop!

ON MILESTONE MEMORIES:
I love Matthew’s Diner. I had my first communion party there a long time ago, and I still go there.

ON LIVING IN JERSEY:
The Jersey shore is my favorite of any place I have ever visited. and, My dad grew up in the house I grew up in. So, it’s a multi-generational love of New Jersey that we have.