Blogfinger

Warsaw Ghetto. May, 1943. Paul Goldfinger still image from Israel.

Thomas Newman. “Come Back to Us.”

Jen Bredin photo. 4/26/26. Blogfinger.net.

Perez Prado:

Confederate cannon on Seminary Ridge. Gettysburg National Military Park.  Paul Goldfinger photograph.   Tri-X collection.  Re-post. 2020.

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net.

Reading Lincoln’s statement about “a new birth of freedom,” I was thinking about the divisions in our society today.

At the battle of Gettysburg,  there were nearly 200 cannon lined up along Seminary Ridge from where 15,000 Confederate troops under Gen. James Longstreet planned to launch an attack on the Union army—–Pickett’s Charge.

The battle lasted from July 1-July 3 in 1863. The North was victorious, but there were heavy losses on both sides.

This cannon was on Seminary Ridge, Confederate lines, where I photographed it during our tour of the Battlefield.

Gettysburg was one of the most  bloody battles of the Civil War, and being at Gettysburg is a very emotional experience. You must visit if you never have.

I look at this cannon, sitting in that position and try to imagine the role, the relatively small role, that it played amidst the smoke, the fire, the heat and the storm of shells and bullets that day resulting in carnage on both sides.   This cannon must have killed or wounded men that day, but now it is silenced and stands as an icon to tell a story.

There are so many monuments in the Park representing all the states that participated in the battle and all the men who fought there.  Should the gray side be torn down now?   Looking at this canon provides the answer for me.  I am drawn to it and cannot stop staring at it. I had to photograph it.

Lincoln concluded his brief address with:   “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Lincoln included nothing in his speech referencing specifically the North or the South. It seems that “a new birth of freedom” was his main priority looking into the future.   He was standing astride a time and place in our history which marked a significant  turning point as he visualized a new beginning of bringing the entire nation together again under the guidance of our Declaration of Independence.*

I suspect Lincoln would be horrified at the idea that we should today be destroying symbols of our history. Gettysburg National Military Park and other such monumental places must be preserved even if the memory is painful for some.

Cemetary at Andersonville , Georgia for Union soldiers who died in prison. From Ken Burns: The Civil War. Paul Goldfinger photo off the streaming video. 11/2019.

And, by the way, that is why Auschwitz still stands and was not torn apart nail by nail by the Jewish people. In fact huge numbers of Jews go to Europe to visit such places, and it would have been tragic if that evil death camp had been vaporized .

——*From the Declaration of Independence:   “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

ASHOKAN FAREWELL.   From the soundtrack of Ken Burn’s Civil War.

Question and answers about OG real estate.  Paul Kaplan of the OGCA presides.

This group, formerly known as the Home (Groaners)  Owners Association,  invited two local realtors to field questions from the audience, and the result was a mishmash of related topics.  The lack of an organized program created an environment for  confusion.  Look at the hour’s list of topics below.

I watched on ZOOM and I have a few observations:

a.  In the discussion about what wonderful qualities exist in Ocean Grove  that attract home buyers,  they told us what we already know such as our Victorian architecture, but the list strangely failed to mention the obvious–ie the OG Camp Meeting Association.    

That came up near the end of the hour when the realtors had to explain why they ignored including  the CMA  and how they try to educate their clients about the CMA—totally dismissive of what the CMA actually does in our town, and why they are so important to our life styles here.   The best the realtors can do in this regard is to hand potential  buyers a copy of the CMA  summer guide; and no mention of nearly 1000 mostly religious events and programs each summer season in the Grove.  Nor did they mention the Great Auditorium, Tent Village, and the remarkable serious music program.

And when showing folks around the Grove, perhaps the realtor should tell them about the music they will hear around here:   This is Susan Boyle.

And this is some other music they might hear:

They proudly  mentioned.  “our great diversity“—really?   What diversity?       Finally the ladies  admitted that “It is a religious town.”  They were trying to avoid that topic.

The realtors discussed our  complicated real estate  market by bringing up the dollars needed to buy here, but they did not mention life styles and the tensions which exist between the sizable secular side and the CMA.  In discussing the CMA they ignored the ways that the CMA has changed and the failure to bring all groups together in the Grove.  These are topics that impact the market . Choosing realtors to speak is to invite people with self interest.

b.  Regarding life styles here, they said that “It’s fun to live here.”   Another brilliant comment today by the experts.   Blogfinger.net  has emphasized such  important lifestyle  interest topics. Where were these topics today?

This is an OG block party. Shouldn’t this life-style topic be mentioned.?  We do have people who live in the Grove.   Blogfinger photo

c. In discussing  the important issue as to  why more young families tend to buy elsewhere,  there was barely a mention of the bleak low scoring  Neptune schools. They dismissed the concerns about Neptune schools saying that young kids who live here can just go to private schools.  However they did not recall that when young families shop for a place to live, the first concern are schools and then home prices.  Plenty of young families could afford to buy in the Grove, but there are other reasons that they choose to go elsewhere.

d. Regarding the Historic Preservation “Committee” they made  the dumbest remark:  “The HPC keeps the town quaint and pretty.”   Historic preservation was glossed over.

e . Important topics left out or just barely mentioned in discussing real estate:   The North End Redevelopment Plan,  the “cash” cow matter regarding Neptune and its indifference to  the Grove, why our parks maintenance suck, the lack of OG representatives on the Township Comedy, Neptune indifference,  the lack of Township secular programming for those who live here, the failure of the Chamber of Commerce,  comprehensive  insurance availability, inappropriately high taxes, parking problems, history of the town, and the tourism stats and truth telling.  Also mostly ignored was our important relationship to our neighbor Asbury Park.

A handout was provided, and the OGCA promised to place it on their site

Do house shoppers wonder about our dog population?     It’s important, especially to those “young families..”      Blogfinger.net

Asbury Park Art. OG House shoppers want to be near A. Park. Really?  Paul Goldlfinger image.

f.  Topics emphasized:   Buyers remorse,  seller disclosures, land lease concerns by CMA lenders,  rising land lease costs, increasing short term rentals, fading neighborhoods due to renters, renter aspects such as air-bb, winter rentals,  homes increasingly bought for rentals and investment, 2 day rentals, demographics with an average of over 60, young families who can’t afford to buy here. (but many do buy elsewhere because they want to have great public schools,)  other kids,  and neighborhoods, not because of money.,)  irising house prices with 50% selling over asking prices, assessed values vs market values, home inspections problems, lenders who won’t finance in OG because of concern re; land leases,, low inventories now,  lower prices here compared  to nearby towns  and, should OG secede from Neptune?

It is apparent that the OGCA needs to improve on their presentations to the public.   Today: too much clutter and lack of focus.  The format failed and could not keep up with the mishmash of topics,  and even some of those who asked smart questions were at a loss as to how to frame  their concerns and digest the answers.

Good try, but do better next time.  These topics are important.

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

Comments?   Blogfinger@ VERIZON.NET. You can comment anonymously.

SEAN HAYES from Promises, Promises

Paul Goldfinger photo.

THE McGARRIGLE HOUR

San Gimignano, Italy. A smalll walled medieval hill town in Tuscany famous for towers.  . Paul Goldfinger photograph. ©

ELLY STONE:  “I Loved.”  From Jacque Brel is Alive and Well and living in Paris.

a.    15th Annual Blogfinger Town-Wide Yard Sale on  June  27, 2026 . In mid May we will begin collecting addresses.    There will be a post  on our home page where sellers and browsers will be able to see “The List.”    As before, we encourage sellers all over town to participate.   The more we have participating, the more successful our event will be.

Suggest to your friends that joining the sales will be rewarding and fun.  But no getting high in the Grove.  Combining sales is a great idea.

BEATLES:

Note that Neptune Township will be sponsoring a series of yard sales on different weekends in June. Don’t confuse that with our event which will be run the same way that we have done for the  last 15 years as a good-time social event for for all over the town of Ocean Grove.  Parking should be easy.  From out of town, bring a bicycle, park wherever, and bike all over town.

OG. Artists:  Keep in mind that you can show and sell  your art at our yard sales, and you don’t have to pay any special fees or have your work approved.  You can even show art by kids.  Art on the Porch will not be held this season. Paul will be showing and selling his black and white photos at bargain prices.

b. Bird watching in the Grove.   Report your findings; send us photos to Blogfinger@verizon.net.  So far we have seen Northern  Cardinals. Juncos, Song Sparrows, Redwing Blackbirds, Robin and and Towhees.  This is a terrific springtime hobby to share with kids. Feed the birds to attract them, and especially fascinating are the migrants who visit our backyards and parks.  Don’t forget Sandy Hook National Park.  Take the kids and watch for the birds. Take binoculars and cameras.   We will post good quality photographs of birds and other OG lifestyles.

A Rufus Towhee. Internet image. We saw one last week in OG.

c.  CMA summer program guide:   This is a very good guide to their many events all  summer long.  Watch for the amazing music at the Great Auditorium.

d.  Watch for the opening of Nagles.   It has been delayed.

e. Buy flowers at Wegman’s-–This is a perfect time of year to bring flowers home.

Roses from Wegman’s. Eileen Goldfinger photo. 4/24/26

NEIL DIAMOND AND BARBRA STREISAND

f.  Can any of you recommend an A. Park Mexican eatery that stands out among the rest?

Plaza Tapatia. Paul Goldfinger photo. 2017 Birthday party with real Mexicans.

Browsing A. Park for some guacamole. Paul Goldfinger. 4/25/26

g. A special dinner at UVA in Bradley Beach:

Internet. Bradley Beach.

Eileen’s dinner at Uva this week. An idea for a casual and delicious choice: Turn an appetizer into dinner!     Eileen photo.

Eileen ordered a garlic shrimp appetizer which normally is served over special bread, but she chose angel hair pasta.  The jumbo shrimp are simmered in garlic, butter, fresh tomato  and basil.   It was served with the famous Pagano rolls.  I had a similar dish, but I  ordered a mussels appetizer  made with an Italian white wine and garlic.

We started with a Caesar salad which we shared, and it was wonderful.   And we shared one  generous glass of French Pinot. No dessert.  There was even some take-home.

And our dinner was delicious and came to about $100.00 with tip.

Let us know if you have suggestions for our Blabfinger Shorts.

–OK– find this place: A. Park. Main Street .

h. Wine tip.  I was at Wegmans today and I was startled in the wine shop.  Searching the French display for Beaune  (a region.).   I found that all those French wines had gone up significantly  in price, supposedly due to the tariffs .  So I got a more affordable Pinot Noir in the Oregon section.

FROM GUYS AND DOLLS: