Fletcher Lake. c. 1999. No condos at the south end. Paul Goldfinger photo
40 years ago, the citizens of Ocean Grove fought off a proposed condominium on the South End of Fletcher Lake. It has been done before and can be done again!
Note that citizens formed a group to fight this thing. That citizen opposition was loud and insistent, and it plus the rejection of the idea by the Fire Department ultimately finished off the plan.
This 2 part video is shared by someone who is familiar with this precedent setting event.
Wake up and smell the sweet aroma of history in Ocean Grove. Thanks to the friend of OG who sent this to us.
Tracey and her Great Dane “Norman.” Heroes Park, OG. 09/27/25. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net Click once to enlarge.
Tracy comes from a Grover family where several generations lived here. Norman is 18 months old and may get a bit heavier with time. He is affectionate. He came up to me and sniffed, but then he backed up. Evidently he has to get to know me. Tracey, like other dog owners, will park their car at this park so that their dogs can have a walk, and then they get back in their car and drive off.
I said, “Ocean Grove is a dog town,” and Tracey agreed.
We have renters in our area, and they often show up with unusual canine pedigrees.
Scotty in Heroes Park. 9/20/ 25. Blogfinger photo. First time we saw one here.
ELVIS: (My musical mom enjoyed singing this song to the familia.)
This is what Bradley Beach does on summer Saturdays in downtown Riley Park: music. Blogfinger photo. 2022. Click once to read the program.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net
11/23/22
While OG is being held back by the Camp Meeting and Neptune Township, Bradley Beach is leaving the Grove in the dust with fine restaurants (Thai, Italian, real pizza, diner food, Mexican, year round ice cream, Italian bakery, coffee shops with parking, Colombian food, sushi, and a steak house) as well as new shops downtown, and plans for more residential units on Memorial Drive and downtown.
Right next to the fine new “eeholland sundries” bakery is “The Stockroom.” It is a very special men’s shop owned by professionals who own a large store in New York City where they are the official tailors for the NY Yankees.
This outlet shop has lots of smart clothes at 70% off. And they will design custom clothes for you. 122-124 Main St. They are only open Fri, Sat and Sun from 10-5. Go for a bread next door and then get a suit, a hat, a shirt, a sport jacket etc. Another example of what sets BB apart from the “stuck-in-the mud” Ocean Grove.—Don’t forget, OG let April Cornell leave—– kind of a drag.
At night in the summer Bradley Beach downtown is like a celebration, often with live music. And their movie house will soon reopen. The vibe there is alive and welcoming.
Their town government makes sure that the residents come first, and they have no large events in June, July, August or September leaving their town to the locals.
And despite at least 5 churches, religious events are kept private.
Ocean Pathway. May, 2013. Police Memorial. By Paul Goldfinger. Click once to enlarge.
From Oklahoma: Horses make me think of this show by Rodgers and Hammerstein II especially when Curly rides a horse on stage at the opening. He sings “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.”
But this time we have the “Farmer and the Cowman.”
Hey Paul… I am still on my bird kick…caught these Tree Swallows catching a view on Sandy Hook, yesterday.
—Bob
Another magnificent photograph by Long Branch Artist Bob Bowné. He used to reside in Ocean Grove and he continues to honor Blogfinger.net with his beautiful images..
We’re happy to hear that he is still on his “bird kick.”
Bird photography is challenging and very rewarding especially if the photos are obtained near the sea shore.
Click once on the photo, and you will appreciate how special this image is!
This is the first time we have seen a Tree Swallow.
Thank you Bob.
PETE SEEGER WTH THE PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND. “Blue Skies”
Monmouth Battlefield State Park. Photograph atop Combs Hill. By Paul Goldfinger 2014. . Click once to enlarge.
Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net
The Battle of Monmouth took place in the vicinity of Monmouth Courthouse in Freehold.
On a blistering hot day on June 28, 1778 the land that is now Monmouth Battlefield State Park was the site of one of the longest battles of the American Revolutionary War.
From the “State Parks Information”: “Here at Monmouth, Washington restored a reputation battered by defeats in 1777. In the day-long battle in the hills, wood lots, farm fields and meadows, the main Continental Army, retrained at Valley Forge, repulsed attacks by the main British Army.
By the end, over 600 men were dead, dying or wounded and the Continental Army held the field.”
The vista above is from Combs Hill where the Continental Army had placed their artillery.
The park is a beautiful place where you can visit, picnic, ride horses or sleighs. The visitor center is near where I was standing to make this photograph. The address is 16 Rt 33 Business in Manalapan.
I enjoy photographing battlefields, although this is only my second. The first is Gettysburg which we have visited quite a few times. Battlefields are evocative of so many qualities of man including bravery, fighting for right and freedom, loyalty and sacrifice.
It seems as if you can time- travel back in such a place as this, and that is an emotional experience.
I tried to capture that mood in this photograph which is much better felt in black and white than with color. —
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net
BAND OF HM ROYAL MARINES: “Main Theme from Saving Private Ryan” (2006) Written by John Williams.
Paul Goldfinger Photo. Pont du Gard in southern France. Click onceto enlarge. Tri-X collection.
Roman engineers designed this 3 tier aqueduct in the first century to provide water to the Roman colony of Nimes. It was used for centuries, but now it is mainly a tourist attraction. We posted a closeup of its structure on Blogfinger . The link is below.
Allenhurst Beach Club. Paul Goldfinger photo. As seen from Deal. 2014. Click once to enlarge. This facility is happily owned by the people of Allenhurst.
