Blogfinger

Asbury portrait. Paul Goldfinger. 9/17/22

BOB DYLAN. “When the World Was Young.”

Visiting the doctor. I had hip surgery, and after a few weeks, I had to return to the orthopedic surgeon for a post-op visit.  Being a cardiologist , I had a few questions as he removed some stitches:

Me:  I saw a few You Tube videos showing how this surgery is done.

He:  OK

Me.  Since I saw those videos, do you think it would be OK if I  did a few hip operations myself?

He: You probably saw the same two videos I saw before your operation.

THE HARPTONES:

Paul Goldfinger, 2019.

PAUL ROBESON:

Coaster photo. 6/5 /26. Kelly Ryan

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JUNE 5, 2026:

Kelly Ryan, the owner of Nagle’s Apothecary Cafe in Ocean Grove, opened the eatery this week. It has been closed since 2019. The restaurant, formerly owned by Leonard Steen and David Rosen was a popular spot for almost 20 years. Before it was a restaurant it was a pharmacy. The restaurant features a counter with nine seats and tables. Ryan also owns The Boondocks Fishery in Red Bank. Nagle’s is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

October 2026 update–Blogfinger.net

Eileen and I stopped  for superb  fish and chips at Nagles 10/7/26 This was the second visit  and with the same choice for lunch.

By Paul and Eileen Goldfinger, Editors.  Blogfinger.net 10/7/26:

After Kelly reopened Nagle’s in June, Blogfinger posted their menu, and that post got more hits than anything else for months.  We knew that Kelly was a seasoned  (not literally) restauranteur with a successful seafood operation in Red Bank.  And we were hearing some good reports about the new OG Nagle’s.

Eileen and I went over today for a late lunch at 2 pm. The sun was shining on this brilliant Wednesday, and there was no rush;  closing was 3 pm.

We sat outside in the alley, which was delightful today and we shared a fish and chips order, and it was wonderful: first class.

One portion was enough for us. The fish. (probably cod) was cooked perfectly, and the fries were fine.  They served the dish with vinegar (which I love—authentic style). They also had Heinz ketchup, tartar sauce,  Gulden’s mustard and Chocula Hot Sauce.

The menu is amazing, and I suspect that this restaurant will become judged as the best in town.

We spoke with the owner Kelly Ryan who was  helping the wait staff. She is affable, good humored,  and a treat to talk to.  She agreed to my request to interview her at a later date.

If you are hungry in OG, go to Nagle’s.

Of particular interest is that Kelly will stay open in the off-season, but her hours are 9 am to 3 pm, and they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Also if you think you want some ice cream there, after 10/11, ice cream will only be sold during the schedule noted for food.

Please comment if you want to contribute to this discussion.   “Comments” below or email to Blogfinger@verizon.net

CARBON LEAF:   “Life Less ordinary”

October 7, 2026. 118 Main Avenue. Paul Goldfinger photo while riding a Blogfinger drone over OG.  Click once.

THE DRIFTERS:

Delivery suite. Mt. Sinai Hospital.  Paul  Goldfinger photograph.  Darkroom print.

THE FANTASTICKS:

Mt. Hermon as seen from northern Israel, 1985.  Paul Goldfinger photo posted on Blogfinger in October, 2024 at the anniversary of the terrorist attack.

By Paul Goldfinger,  Editor, Blogfinger.net.   October 7, 2025.  Anniversary of the 2023 massacre in Israel.

Mt. Hermon is mentioned in the Old and New Testaments and there  also is considerable archeologic information available.

There are many interpretations as to its biblical importance. It is the tallest summit in the area at  9,232 feet –much taller than Mt. Tabor. It straddles the border between Syria and Lebanon and then  slopes southward to Israeli’s Golan Heights.   Today (Oct 2024)  there is a UN outpost at the peak, and it is a ski resort.

Paul Goldfinger photo at Mt. Hermon Way, Ocean Grove, NJ. USA. Christmas time. 2012

1/18/25:  From the Times of Israel:    “IDF troops will stay in Syria buffer zone and strategic Mt. Hermon as long as needed.”

“Israel says move to capture territory is defensive, intended to be temporary; army says it will hold new positions until situation clears up after fall of Assad regime.”   (Note, Assad is gone in 2025, and Israel still maintains defensive  positions in the north.)

Times of Israel 1/18/25.    IDF troops are seen on the Syrian side of Mt. Hermon. 12/8/24.

JOSH GROBAN.     From Les Miserables.

Paul Goldfinger photo. From the 2018 movie Cold War. A low light situation in a Paris nightclub set in the 1950’s..

AMY WINEHOUSE:  “A SONG FOR YOU.”

Getty Images.  Blogfinger.net

BILL CHARLAP.   From the movie The War

“American Anthem”

Paul Goldfinger photo. 2025. We will be observing those two car garages. But speaking of history, there were no cars in OG when this Queen Anne  property was first developed.     So for historic accuracy, no cars should be allowed here now.  And how do the neighbors feel about this project?

Re: 118 Main Avenue restoration.  Part IV:

Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net

There was an HPC meeting  September 2025  to obtain approvals for much of the current restoration.  Their  function is to approve any changes regarding the historic configuration  of the project. I have not seen the official report.

The owners, Jeffrey Rudell and Albert Wilcox of OG, want to bring the property back to its most historic accuracy.  Note that the home was constructed in 1880 but was renovated in 1894.   So which baseline is now being used as the roll model for 2026?

The HPC deals with exterior features such as doors, porches, windows, roof, columns, paint colors, siding and rails.

We understand that there has been no request to transform #118 into a hotel, but other residency considerations may appear.

We are told that the approvals so far are not complete.

This is all we have so far.   Please address any new information to Blogfinger@verizon.net.

MOZART QUARTET.   Recorded in the Great Auditorium in the 19th century; around 1890.

From the historic recordings “Waxing the Gospel.”