Tent Village. Ocean Grove Monday, 8/17/26. 7 pm. Paul Goldfinger photo Leica M10M. Click once to enlarge.
Kenny Baron (piano) and Regina Carter. (violin). Their album is Freefall. “Shades of Gray.”
A police color guard enters the Great Auditorium, signalling the start of the Memorial Service. All photographs and text by Paul Goldfinger, editor @Blogfinger. ©. Click photos to enlarge.
Multiple color guards wait inside. ©
By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor Blogfinger.net
Today, Tuesday, May 19, 2015, was the 31st Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service in the Ocean Grove Great Auditorium. It is the oldest event of its kind in the U.S. Five officers who lost their lives in the line of duty this past year were honored along with others who were previously lost. The youngest one was only 22 years old, and he died just five months ago.
Many dignitaries including Gov. Chris Christie, were present to offer prayers, gratitude, remembrances and condolences.
Gov. Christie on stage before the ceremony. ©
Over a thousand law enforcement personnel were present in dress uniforms including large groups from the New Jersey State Police, Newark and Jersey City PD’s.
Neptune Township Police Chief James Hunt and his police were there along with representatives of PD’s from around the state, plus federal, county and state agencies.
Jersey City Police Department. ©
The Governor presented plaques, hugs, and kind words to the families of the 5 men. To the survivors he promised, “We care about you.”
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School choral groups get ready in the choir loft. They got to sing in the Great Auditorium with the famous Hope-Jones organ. It was beautiful. ©
“You Raise Me Up” was performed by Tyrone McAllister of the Asbury Park PD.
The version below is by the Celtic Woman:
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Great Auditorium Musical Event, Ocean Grove events, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photography in New Jersey, Photography: Jersey Shore Gallery | Tagged 2015 Law Enforcement Memorial Service in Ocean Grove NJ, Law Enforcement Memorial Service in the Great Auditorium Ocean Grove, Photographs from the Law Enforcement Memorial Service in Ocean Grove | 2 Comments »
Jack Bredin at art show in Auditorium Square Park, 2012. Note the Ocean Grove themes. Photo By Paul Goldfinger . Note that Jack passed in 2025.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net.
In case you think that Jack Bredin spends all his time researching Municipal Land Use Law, Jack’s true passion is with art. He works at home where he has a private area that is his studio. His paintings are on permanent exhibit around town including over at the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association’s national headquarters on Pitman Avenue.
From Loving Vincent
“Starry, Starry, Night.”
Posted in Blogfinger Presents | Tagged Jack Bredin artist | 4 Comments »
“The Neighborhood.” By Jack Bredin. Photo by Rob Bredin. Click to enlarge. 2018. Please read the comments.
Jack Bredin artist. Paul Goldfinger photo.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net.
On Saturday, October 14, 2018, here will be a Harvest Festival in town. But there will also be an important fine arts event to celebrate one of Ocean Grove’s great artists— Jack Bredin.
Jack has been featuring scenes of Ocean Grove and surrounding areas for many years and his work was shown for years in an Asbury gallery.
But now Jack is thrilled to announce a new venue to show his work: The Tumblety-Howell Gallery at 45 Pilgrim Pathway in Ocean Grove. We spoke to Terry Howell at the gallery, and he is calling the exhibit “Jack is Back.” And he is excited to display Jack’s wonderful oils. After all, what could be better to help decorate an OG home?
Jack’s paintings are treasures and sell regularly, so don’t miss the chance to buy a Bredin.
The show will take place on Saturday from 10 am-4 pm, but those who are interested in Jack’s work will be able to view and purchase his paintings there in the future.
Grovers: Note: Jack passed away in 2025
FATS WALLER: Jack. “We Simply Adore You”
Posted in Blogfinger Presents | 3 Comments »
From Morris Daniels “Story of Ocean Grove. 1869-1919.” It is our source for all quotes here. Our 1880 home can be seen at the left edge of this photo. It’s called the “Beagle House” for the walking tour. Rev. Beagle once lived there, but we now call it the “Bagel House.”
By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor Blogfinger.net, Ocean Grove, NJ, USA
The historic Woodlawn Park became the Ocean Grove park where John Alday MD was honored in 1915. According to Daniels History of Ocean Grove, “One of the most beautiful of the enduring recognitions with which Ocean Grove has begun to honor some of those who have signally helped in the making of her character and fame is the John H. Alday Memorial Fountain.”
“This graceful tribute of affection and remembrance was erected in 1915 and was most appropriately placed in the center of Woodlawn Park, the prettiest of Ocean Grove’s little green parks and close to the home (for many years) of him whose name and work it commemorates.”
But now the historic fountain is gone, replaced by a big bell honoring OG firemen and surrounded by a concentration camp decor iron fence with spikes and plantings with dangerous sharp thorns. If they were going to get rid of the Alday Founain, at least they might have made that park welcoming and beautiful. Instead they keep the fence locked with an intimidating iron chain and padlock.
Blogfinger post about the park
Somehow Dr. John Alday, who was important in town, had gotten bumped with just a little grave-like plaque in the ground. At around 2002, the park looked crappy. The benches were uninhabitable, and we paid to restore them. And about 6 neighbors , including us, bought trees which are now mature. The grass is actually a weed farm, and one would have to be very careful to sit down for a picnic. Flowers and planters were purchased and maintained by neighbors who live along Delaware Ave. and Mt. Hermon Way at the park.
Some of the huge old trees are dangerous and not well maintained. And now we need a landscape architect.
Firemen’s Park is a terrific place for dog walkers, people walkers, and for children to play. But it is disgraceful. Except for Santa on Christmas Eve, the Township and the CMA offer no events there. It is perfect for the kind of small town happenings which we need for those non-tourists who actually live here. These could include children’s events, yard sales, small flea markets for the locals, small concerts, art shows, plays, craft events—juried, poetry readings, and history lectures like the Walt Whitman Festival which Kevin Chambers organized in town, etc.
A rare event for the locals at Firemen’s Park. Halloween. Oct. 26, 2019. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net.
It has been our observation that the Camp Meeting Association has little interest in the historic element of this town which is on two historic registers. They are the founders, but they do not have an official historian in their organization. Even the so called Historical Society takes little or no interest in the bigger picture of our historic town, for example regarding restoration of deteriorating houses and fighting the take-over of the North End by ersatz designs and functions.
They did see to the restoration of the Fitzgerald Fountain at Founders’ Park, led by historian Ted Bell. But the CMA trailed along and then had an unannounced religious service at the dedication.
This is what should be done: In keeping with historic precedent, the park should be re-dedicated to all the heroes from OG who have served for over 150 years: fire, police, military, emergency services, etc. Let’s call it ” Heroes Park.”
The big bell should be placed somewhere else without any fences. Most towns around here have bells, but none have fences, ugly or otherwise. Many are surrounded by flowers in season. Go see the bells in Asbury Park and Bradley Beach.
A fund drive should be initiated to restore a fountain in the middle with a plaque to honor Dr. Alday whose magnificent home is beautifulyl restored next to the park by Steve Mandeville and Victor Aluise, businessmen in town who own the Alday mansion at Delaware and Main.
HARRY NILSSON: “Make Believe”. A beautiful park is a terrific place to make believe.
And, if it’s romance in a lovely place, you can take her to “Heros Park” and grab a private bench by the flowers and then:
Nancy Wilson:
Posted in Blogfinger Presents | 4 Comments »
4/13/19. “White Whale” on fire. #4 Boardwalk. Ocean Grove , NJ, North End. Burned to the ground. Rear view from the beach. NJ.com photo just before roof collapsed. Firemen escaped from the roof just before the it caved in.
4/22/19. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net. Fire rubble piles. North End Redevelopment site is to the left. Asbury Casino is straight ahead. “Dunes” wreckage is on the beach
Blogfinger 4/9/26: We have learned that a NJ developer “TFE Properties” bought #4 Boardwalk last month (March 2026) at the north end of the OG boardwalk on the beach, with plans to build a “pavilion” at the location which is currently empty and has housed foxes in the last few years.
This comes as a surprise because that location is on the beach and is not on an official street. Have these people obtained proper approvals for their plans such as from CAFRA DEP (Coastal Zone,) Neptune Township, and the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association which claims to own the beach here ?
This is from thei TFE web site: “TFE Properties planned 40,000-square-foot pavilion aims to reestablish the property as a vibrant destination for residents and visitors, while honoring the site’s historic role within the community.” They also are bragging about their proximity to Asbury Park.
It seems that everyone who wants to buy in OG these days wants to claim proximity to A. Park. But what about their interest in the historic town of Ocean Grove? TFE’s claim of wanting to “honor the site’s historic role within the community” is suspect.
And do these people care about other issues including the large North End Redevelopment proposed across the boards, the views at our residential north end, “Breezeway” access, boardwalk access, and sea breezes? Don’t expect the Neptuners to care; they brought us the North End Plan.
That North End Plan due to begin construction soon also contains commercial, hotel, garage, beach access, and residential concerns for those who live in that neighborhood? Will the proposed two projects create mayhem where we used to find outdoor pleasures for all?
And what about environmental concerns: Ocean and Wesley lake pollution, ground water management , flooding, parking, fire truck access to and from, and tourist crowding.
And how about the crew formerly known as the OGHOA? Will they have concerns? They represent many Grovers.
If you have any information please share with Blogfinger via email. Blogfinger@verizon.net. Requests for anonymity will be honored. So talk to me.
Paul Goldfinger,MD Editor Blogfinger.net, Ocean Grove, NJ USA.
MICKEY GILLEY
Posted in Blogfinger Presents | Leave a Comment »
Crews worked through the night to get to this point. Blogfinger photo © 4/15/19. 10:00 am. Ocean Grove North End boardwalk.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net
The fire site is quiet this morning. All fire fighting equipment is gone, and two Camp Meeting observers are looking around before leaving in their truck. There is no police presence now.
We did speak to those CMA workers, and they told Blogfinger that the CMA was conferring with the building’s owner, Bob Dweck, to come up with a short term plan. The owner is officially known as “Maplewood Ocean Grove Associates, Inc.” Neptune Township is not part of the management team currently planning the next steps.
It reminds me of the post Sandy situation when the Township would not send any help east of Ocean Avenue because it is private property.
It brings back the uncomfortable private vs. public issues that were raised in conjunction with FEMA funding. Undoubtedly the building is insured. The CMA “owns” the land, and that lot is part of the North End Revelopment Plan.
The short term prognosis is that no one is being allowed at the site for now. All the rubble will be removed, and then a path will be created to enable pedestrians to go back and forth through the Casino. Despite early reports of “collapse” of the boardwalk at the site, we are told this morning that the boardwalk is fine.
But if, for some reason, the boardwalk cannot be used back and forth, then a path will be created through the open lot just west of the boardwalk, ie the “North End Area in Need of Redevelopment.”
It is remarkable how quickly the site was transformed into what you see in the image above. Those who were responsible for that cleanup should be commended for turning that depressing burned wreck into a safe place for hope.
In a way it seems like the dawning of a new day, because that stretch of beach will be open–a visual delight for all to enjoy, as the sun rises and sets over OG ‘s North End—pending subsequent plans, of course.
2026 update: We heard that the lot had been sold and that there are plans of development, but that sounds shocking since the property is on the beach. If you have any information, please contact me by email: blogfinger@verizon.net. If you want to be anonymous, we will honor that request.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: “Land of Hope and Dreams.” (live)
“Leave behind your sorrows
Let this day be the last
Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine
And all this darkness past
Let this day be the last
Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine
And all this darkness past
Big wheels roll through fields
Where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreams”
Where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreams”
Posted in 2019, Blogfinger Presents | Tagged Rubble after fire of April 2019 Ocean Grove | 11 Comments »
Near Stokes statue we met Grace–a new Grover. Paul Goldfinger photos. Blogfinger.net © Click on all photos to enlarge. 8/17/21. Ocean Grove, NJ.
Can you do this? Grace does. Paul Goldfinger photo. 2021
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net
This re- post by special request.
Ocean Grove, August 17, 2021: We were over by the Stokes statue admiring the way the big guy is the monarch of all he surveys. We finished photographing his shiny posterior plaque when we were distracted by a young woman who was upside down on the grass.
We went over as she went from one position to another while Stokes seemed not to notice. But he and his Camp Meeting followers encouraged physical activities at their campground and he probably would have admired Grace’s exercises as she kept up the tradition in the shadow of the Great Auditorium.
Grace had been traveling most recently to Costa Rica before moving to the Grove a few months ago. She is 26 years old and a specialist in yoga, reiki, healing and meditation. She would like to promote her business in the Grove.
Grace says that she loves the Grove because it’s ” a quiet getaway and community.” She also wants to explore the lifestyles in Asbury Park.
We’ve met a few new Grovers lately in their twenties and thirties, and undoubtedly they want to visit the new A. Park along with their Ocean Grove experiences. Also there are transients/renters/guests who differ from the ways of the past.
Ocean Grove has an appeal that attracts new residents, and for most it has little to do with the religious life here. Undoubtedly the demographics in this unique town will change, and the entrenched narrow-minded presences here should take notice. A new generation is coming. Let’s call them, “The OG underground.”
I asked her permission to photograph, and she readily agreed after asking me , “What’s it for?”
I said, “Blogfinger” and she replied, “OK.”
2016:
Here’s a welcome song for Grace—–from West Side Story. It’s Sarah Vaughan
Posted in Blogfinger Presents | 1 Comment »
Main Avenue. OG Sunday morning. 8/16/26. Paul Goldfinger life-style photo.
THE DEL-VIKINGS:
Posted in Blogfinger Presents | Leave a Comment »
Blue Tuesday. Paul Goldfinger. 8/6/24. Broadway. OG. Click once.
KEITH URBAN: “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Posted in Blogfinger Presents | Leave a Comment »
Ocean Grove. But they’re not home. Where did they go? Paul Goldfinger ©
THE LONDON THEATER ORCHESTRA AND CAST:
Posted in Blogfinger on Broadway | Tagged Blogfinger on Broadway | Leave a Comment »
View of OG looking north. Ocean Grove artist Jack Bredin. © July 2019 © Click on image to enlarge. Photo of the painting by Rob Bredin.
ARTIE SHAW AND HIS ORCHESTRA “Moonglow”
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Jack Bredin painter | Tagged Jack Bredin artist, Ocean Grove 150th birthday | 1 Comment »
By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor Blogfinger.net and photographer.
Outside seating along the rear wall of the Boardwalk Pavilion with view forward through the audience towards the beach. The session was well attended. Paul Goldfinger photos. 8/16/26. Click once to enlarge. Choral music, prayers, speeches and announcements are featured.
Back view showing outside seating facing forward into the Pavilion.
On the north (Asbury) side of the Pavilion. Blogfinger photo.
Pedestrians stroll by, north and south. Mom is resolute in her summer clothes.
In reading some of the lyrics, I enjoyed hearing the names of Abraham, Jacob and Moses. They also mentioned “Same God.”
And the other part I saw is:
“You give life You are love
“You bring light to the darkness
“You give hope You restore ev’ry heart that is broken
“And great are You Lord.”
And that is why I support the International Conference of Christians and Jews and the OG Camp Meeting Association
JOEY AND RORY:
Posted in Blogfinger Presents | Leave a Comment »
By PAUL GOLDFINGER, MD, FACC, Editor of Blogfinger. net, Ocean Grove, NJ.
The Victorian house at 115 Main Avenue (at Delaware) was built by physician Dr John Alday.
The current owners tell us that Dr. Alday had a smaller house on the property until this one was built in 1896. The waiting room was in the rear of the current house. Mr. Ted Bell, Ocean Grove historian, had kindly provided us with a profile of the doctor:
The John Alday house. Built 1896. Blogfinger photo. Steve and Victor are Masters of this Victorian house today . The home is across from the park now known as Firemen’s Park. (Main Avenue at Delaware)
Sacha Baron Cohen from Les Mis: “Master of the House”
“Dr. Alday. was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1828. A practicing physician until 1851 when he became a minister in the Methodist church.
In 1874 he became a Trustee of the OCGMA and continued until his death in his Ocean Grove home in 1911 at the age of 83.
An original fountain was placed in the park in 1894, but in 1915 the Alday fountain/memorial replaced it.*
“A bronze fountain/memorial* was placed in Woodlawn Park (1915) in his memory in graceful tribute for his work in Ocean Grove. The park was known as “Alday Park” until 1959 when the Fireman’s Memorial bell was place in the center of the park—the park is now known as “Fireman’s Park. “
Editors note: We have no information regarding the whereabouts of the fountain, but there are old postcards of Woodlawn Park that show a beautiful bronze figure of a woman. And Grover Lee Morgan has provided us with a clear copy 1915 photo. (below)
Gibbons’ History of Ocean Grove says that the fountain* was called “The John H. Alday Memorial Fountain” and that it was “erected” in 1915 and placed in Woodlawn Park. It’s not clear when the park’s name was officially changed to “Alday Park,” but it seems likely to have occurred when the statue was placed there.
Our house is at the corner on left (built 1880). Another version of this photo appears below.
–
Civil War era surgical instruments
Medical history: by Paul Goldfinger, MD, Blogfinger.net.
Nineteenth century physicians had to contend with diphtheria, whooping cough, rheumatic fever, TB, polio, chicken pox, cholera, rabies, tetanus, maybe a rare case of malaria or yellow fever in travelers, and typhoid.
Dr. Alday did get to see the discovery of XRAYS in 1895, the germ theory of Pasteur and Koch in 1870, and the development of sterile technique by Lister in 1867. He saw vaccines appear in 1879 for cholera, 1882 for rabies, and in 1890 for tetanus and diphtheria. Dr. Alday saw aspirin invented in 1899 and blood typing in 1901.
He never saw the development of penicillin, Vitamin D for rickets, or insulin, but he probably knew about the first blood transfusion in 1907.
He probably did not have an early ECG machine, because the earliest models, around 1900, were the size of a small house. His main tools were his stethoscope (likely a monaural model) and some crude surgical instruments. He probably made housecalls in a horse and buggy and he would have dispensed his own medications, what few existed at that time. He was a religious man, and his faith and compassion were likely very useful to him in the practice of medicine back then. –Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor@Blogfinger
“Johnny’s Gone to Hilo”. Kate and Anna McGarrigle
Posted in Ocean Grove history | Tagged Dr. John Alday in Ocean Grove | 1 Comment »