Edison winter estate. Ft. Myers, Fla. 2019. Paul Goldfinger photo . Click to enlarge.
By Paul Goldfinger, Blogfinger.net
Thomas Edison had over 1000 patents, so he undoubtedly had lots of dough. His winter estate on the Caloosahatchee River is lovely, but quite unassuming. This is his kitchen. He and his wife had a maid and probably a cook.
As you can imagine, the home was well lit with lots of light bulbs and lighting fixtures. We have photographed other rooms as well as the property.
Just type Edison Estate or Thomas Edison into the search box at the top of this home page.
ANDY FARBER AND HIS ORCHESTRA: “Midnight, the Stars, and You.” (Hey Tommy—-please turn on the lights! I can’t find the phonograph!)
Jule Styne, British-American (1905-1994) composed Broadway musicals including Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, Peter Pan, Gypsy, Funny Girl and others, most of which became movies.
Tribute from Frank Sinatra: “There’s only one Jule Styne, and I love him.”
Judy Kuhn is an American actress and singer who is known for her work in musical theater. She has won Grammys and Emmys and is often chosen for tribute shows such as the one honoring Stephen Sondheim.
JUDY KUHN from her album Just In Time: Judy Kuhn Sings Jule Styne
“The Party’s Over/Long Before I Knew You.”
These two songs were hits from the 1956 Broadway show The Bells Are Ringing with Judy Holliday. It later became a movie with Dean Martin.
Two years ago a group of Grovers appealed to the Neptune Committee and to the Camp Meeting Association for a dog park in the Grove. The Commitee passed the ball to the CMA, and the CMA denied the request saying that a dog park would not be “compatible” with the CMA’s mission.
Now, Cindy Stiles, of the Pet Boutique on Main Avenue has started another petition to “allow a private fenced dog park on the open lot on the corner of Inskip and Pennsylvania Avenues.” This location is on the South End near Fletcher Lake.
Stiles says that this proposal would be consistent with the CMA mission. She says that “there are over 300 verses in the Bible with regard to the love and dedication to animals.”
She makes her case in a 5 paragraph document which will be submitted to the CMA.
If you would like to read and sign the petition, see Cindy at her shop at 60 Main Avenue, next to April Cornell.
French produce market. By Paul Goldfinger. Click left for full view.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor@Blogfinger.net
In many villages in France, there is market day once per week. That is a time when you can buy fresh produce, cheese, meats, breads, and many other food items. In some towns it is like a flea market. Market day is also a time to purchase unique specialties like foie gras. But the villagers also go shopping daily for whatever they need for that day.
They go to green grocers, as in this photograph, to buy whatever is in season. This merchant was unhappy with my taking his picture, but I caught him unawares before he spun around and gave me the evil eye. Fresh fruits and vegetables are characteristic components in the “Mediterranean diet.” Then, you sit at a cafe with coffee, French bread and fresh preserves. Skip those strong unfiltered Galloise cigarettes.
Then you go to your garret in Montmartre where you finish your latest painting or your novel in the style of Hemingway. If you are lucky, you can be in a Woody Allen movie and travel back in time to the Roaring Twenties where you get to chat with Picasso and Modigliani (with one of his long-necked models) in a lively bar on the Left Bank. (Be sure to see “Midnight in Paris” by Woody.) — Paul Goldfinger
OG Funeral Home undergoes demolition. Blogfinger.net. Paul Goldfinger MD
Two Grovers purchased this property. After a delay, demolition has begun. We have no specifics, but we suspect an impressive single family home will result. They have a big lot. Or maybe a medical facility?
My former office was a funeral home in its past life. Our practice could offer quick service. Later we sold it to a law firm. Chiropracters took over after that.
A beautiful summer so far: bikers and teens abound. Paul Goldfinger photo. Ocean Grove. Click once to enlarge.
Auditorium Square Park. Blogfinger@verizon.net
In our North End neighborhood there are so many renters, many from out of state. They are finding vacation lifestyles and especially loving not only our beach, but our porch culture. Despite the hazards of bike riding, cyclers are all over town including young parents with little kids in little bike seats.
The weather has been sunny and cher, and it seems that beach goers from our part of town are relishing walking the long distance east. As always, parking is a challenge. Other specifics that attract visitors include visits to Tent Village and exploration of Asbury Park including restaurants just across the bridges from the Grove.
Compared to when we came here,the CMA is not so obvious with their religious programming. I wonder if the young renters are even aware of that historic factor in town. In addition the secular programming in town fails to feature our history other than house tours
Last night I attended the Silver Screen concert which combined movies and movie music. As usual, the Mid-Atlantic Philharmonic Orchestra was superb led by Maestro Jason Tramm, The movie part was a bit disappointing. I was hoping for a big screen showing movie clips with segments of original movie scenes.
I loved Ben Hur with music from the chariot race. I think my ancestors were there, but if it were me, I would have bought a Lexus.
Anyhow, I surveyed the audience and found few young people. And there were perhaps several hundred in the audience. The CMA fails again to promote their special secular shows . I continue to wish that they would invite high school music students kids to their concerts like this: it would be a win-win idea.
And as for girls in their summer clothes, the style this summer features short shorts with tuggable hems. Also there are flowing long light dresses or kaftans, and long rayon or silk or linen pant suits–all quite beautiful matching up with long straight hair styles. Are these pants too tight? Well who’s to say–it’s the fashion. For the boys it’s beards and baseball hats worn backwards. What will they do if a fly ball emerges from in the sun? And tattoos for all.
And the eateries in town, some of which are new—send us a short review: Blogfinger@verizon.net
Eileen and I went to a Veterans Day tribute at Ocean Township Town Hall last month. There were veterans, Ocean Twp officials, Boy Scouts, citizens and speakers, but there also were children. I was wearing my Jewish War Veterans hat, and as we entered, some kids spotted my hat and a small girl handed me a folded piece of paper. I gave it to Eileen for safekeeping, and we forgot to open it. Yesterday, Eileen found it and handed it to me.
It was cleverly folded, like one of those paper constructions, and I cautiously opened it, and here it is. (above).
Zeezee signed it “love” and she called me a “hero.” Of course, I never thought of myself that way, especially since I was based in Portsmouth, Virginia (Naval Hospital) during Viet Nam. The only danger I experienced was when some docs and corpsmen played basketball at lunchtime in the medical base gym, and I was in danger of being fouled while shooting.
But ZeeZee reminded me of those heroes who never came back from our wars. And they never got to enjoy another Christmas. But their families get to remember them during this holiday season. And I’m sure Zeezee was also honoring all those who did come back.
Among those millions was Eileen’s Dad Bernard Harkavy of Brooklyn, NY and then later, of Dumont, NJ. Of course, Bernie got to enjoy many Hanukkahs when he came home, although he was away when Eileen was born. When I met her, Bernie was around to make sure I was behaving. And then in 1984, at his insistence, we all went to France to visit Normandy. It was like a scene from Saving Private Ryan. It was the 40th anniversary of D-Day.
Sgt. Bernard Harkavy. He was in Europe during WWII.
BAND OF HMS ROYAL MARINES: Theme from “Saving Private Ryan.”
Ocean Grove near Wesley Lake. Free parking is allowed for Asburians who leave their cars in front of Paul’s house. Blogfinger photo July 2018. Click image to read the signs.
I like the part about “cleaning up after your dog.” It is an oxymoron, and the idea of it, to clean yourself up once your dog is done, says something about the importance of dogs in Dog-town New Jersey—ie Ocean Grove.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net
DAVID CHRISTMAS AND BERNADETTE PETERS. From the off-Broadway original cast of Dames at Sea
