Blogfinger

People often walk by the empty Nagles and bemoan the closure. This is the corner of Main and Central Avenue in Ocean Grove.  Photo by  Paul Goldfinger. August 26, 2025. Blogfinger.net. Click once to see the parade before it passes by.

By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net.

Nagle’s is supposed to reopen soon.   They are now hiring servers and greeters.

Of all the journalists reporting on Nagle’s, we have the most photos and understanding of the past.  We heard the music and the laughter of the nights when those summer delights lit downtown Ocean Grove.   And we still recall the brilliant transformation of a historic apothecary by Len Steen.   I used to enjoy chatting with him.

But the new owner did not respond  to the Blogfinger  request for an interview.  We will wait to see if the magic will still be there.

CARLY SIMON.    “Jamaica Farewell”

Nagle’s Ocean Grove. 2014.   Jean Bredin photo for Blogfinger.net

Nagle’s will be re-opening around Memorial Day.

“On th4 Jersey Shore:

AL GREEN from the soundtrack of Pulp Fiction:

Here I am having a true conversation with two visiting witches from  the Groverican  Coven.  Paul Goldfinger Photo  Editor Blogfinger.net. 2025.

Paul Goldfinger MD.   Editor Blogfinger.net.  Ocean Grove, NJ, USA

We stated our day at Circle BMW where my car needed a routine maintenance.  I had scheduled the appointment because they called me to say that “Your car tells us that you need a service.”    I didn’t know that my German car was telling me what to do. But we brought the car this morning as ordered..

We waited among the shiny new cars on the showroom floor.   I saw a gorgeous BMW 2 door roadster, but it cost over $100,000. I stopped counting zeroes and we went to the coffee machine for a small cappuccino.  It was very good.  But Lexus gives us bagels when we go there with Eileen’s car.

As we waited, a text message from BMW  floated my way. It said,  “View this message from your technician.”  I played the video and saw my car while  my “service advisor” spoke  to me with the car up on the lift. He spoke while videoing under the car.   He reported that that everything was fine as he reviewed all the items that he checked.  But there was no opportunity to question him.  It was like going to the doctor.

I thought this instant video was  quite an advance.    When the service was over, I was taken to the counter where bills are paid.  Every time I have gone to the BMW headquarters in Eatontown, I would go to pay, and always there were 2-3 young pretty girls to take my credit card.    But this time there were 3 young African-American men to help me.

“Where are the girls?” I asked?

One said , ” I am Tyrone and I am one of our handsome cashiers.”  They were amused by my reaction.   The bill was expensive, but bills at BMW are always like that.

From there we stopped at “Hot Bagel” on Monmouth Road. We each had one:  scooped, toasted, schmeared with cream cheese and coffee. There was a substantial line on a Thursday morning.  It is a highly regarded bagelry.  (40 years experience. and Kosher). It was very good.

Then we  went to Wegmans.–Eileen needed a few items for dinner.   She went in while I stayed in the car in the drivers seat to take a nap:

Some time later I was awakened by someone pounding on my window.   I looked over and saw a man looking at me with a serious look on his face.  He seemed concerned .

He:  Are you OK?

Me. (smiling as I rolled down the window ).   Did you think I was dead?

He:  “Yes”  as his face broke into a big smile

Me and He laughing.  We did a fist bump.

Me: Fell asleep again;   Someone was tapping the window again.

He;      This was a young man wanting to talk to me.  Behind him was his van–It said, “Mobile Dent Repair”   I rolled down the window.

He: I notice you have some black marks on your BMW.  (It’s true, we have wanted to take care of those bruises near the front fender.). He found a few more defects that we had missed.

He:  My name is Rick Dametro and I am a professional car body technician. I am from Staten Island, and my family has worked in the auto body field for many years. I can fix your car right here. I have many jobs around here.

I trusted him right away.  He began the process as Wegman shoppers glanced our way.  He needed some paint, so we left in mid-repair, and he met us at our home in the Grove where he finished the job on the BMW.  .   His price was better than body shops would charge, and his work was excellent.

Rick of Mobile Dent Repair working on our car on Delaware Ave. 347 281 3630.

We:  Eileen surprised me when she agreed to this unorthodox deal.  She hates to have blemishes on her cars.

We headed home from Wegmans, and on the way she  saw a vehicle that looked liked a beefy Jeep.

She looked at the car and said:  “I want a Hummer”

Me: ” I can give you one for free.”

She: Rolled her eyes and had no reply.

Theme songs:    From the Coen Brothers movie. “The Merry Widow Waltz”

Creedence Clearwater Revival.     “The Midnight Special”

Paul Goldfinger at his and Eileen’s yard sale on Mt. Hermon Way, 6/17/23. He’s introducing his hoe to a shopper. He’s wearing his beach badge on his head.

TRUE CONVERSATION:

Setting–  A true conversation between Paul and a young woman who is shielded from the warm sun by an umbrella.

Me:  I’d like you to meet my hoe.

She: I am a hoe, too.

Me: You are quick with the jokes—a funny girl.

She: I know other hoes.

Me:  If you ever want to return to OG, get off at Exit 100.

She: No, I prefer Exit 102.

Me: So you must be an Asburian.

She:  What?

BARBRA STREISAND.  From “Funny Girl”

Click on the two arrows in the lower right corner to enlarge the video:

Paul Goldfinger portrait. Ft. Myers, Fla. 2019

BEVERLY KENNEY:

Vive Condominiums. One of the best designs in Asbury Park. 5/11/26. Paul Goldfinger photo. Click once for details.

Alexandre Desplat.     “Without You” from The Shape of Water.

OG Tent Village. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net. 2023

“Little Girl Blue.”  Gary Burton and  Stan Getz

Ocean Grove beach. May 2, 2021 Paul Goldfinger photo for Blogfinger.net © Click to enlarge.

THE BEATLES: