Friends let friends enjoy the Grove when they’re away. August 28, 2017. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net
As I passed this young woman, she was watering the flowers along the edge of Tent Village in Ocean Grove, NJ, taking her time while her two small children played nearby. She and her family are here, occupying her best friend’s tent, during one of the loveliest times in the Grove—the end of August. They are from Pennsylvania, and they seemed so happy to be here. Sometimes we have to look around through the eyes of visitors, especially those who get to stay here for awhile.
The temperate weather now is so pleasant: the light is soft, the breezes gentle, and there is no humidity. As we have pointed out, there is something ethereal about the Tent Village when it is occupied by soft spoken people, children, flowers, and, oftentimes, by the sweet sounds of the Hope-Jones organ or the voices lifted high coming from inside the Great Auditorium with glorious choral harmonies sometimes accompanied by symphonic ensembles.
But the effect is sustained mostly by the voices of those who are chatting on porches, kids on skateboards or parents relaxing within the protective safe-zone of the Village.
Abraham visits our backyard pond. He loves to see the fish. Paul Goldfinger portrait. 8/30/17. ©
When I went home and stood in my own garden, a tiny boy, 3 years old, approached me and said hello. His name was Abraham, and as he stood there with me, his mom caught up. I invited them in to see our pond fish.
Abraham and his family are from Yonkers, NY, and he has been visiting the Grove for the last 3 years, while his parents have been coming for the last 7. His Mom is originally from Sweden, and aside from Abraham’s enthusiasm and a three year old’s natural cuteness, he is bilingual. He pointed to a flying insect and said, “Dragonfly.” He was correct, and his mom took it all in stride. Abraham and I conversed in Swedish for awhile, and then he went home to sleep.
So, a couple more visitors caught up in OG’s gentle end of summer.
THE BAND PERRY: “Gentle on My Mind” this version won a 2015 Grammy nomination. It also won Grammies in 1968 for the composer and for Glen Campbell.
“Ever smilin’ ever gentle on my mind
Gentle on my mind
You’re gentle on my mind.”
Paul, nice to see the tent cabin that my wife’s family spent 55 summers in enjoying Ocean Grove. Good to see the new occupants are keeping it up and using the flower boxes I built.
Editor’s note: Hey Fred. Good to hear from you. What stories that tent might tell? We miss you around here (At least I think of you and Linda when I pass the water chuggaluggers over by the GA. But that old gang of yours must think of you too.)
Hope all is well in the big Apple where buying fire water is not blue.
—-Paul
That is truly lovely!
I wonder how the current parking problem controversy will effect these tenters should permits become a reality. Whatever plan evolves I can’t help think it would have an impact.