To the Editor:
“Below is a link to an interesting article about Pitman, NJ. Ocean Grove is specifically mentioned:
Pitman, New Jersey. From their web site.
‘Originally a Methodist camp town, similar to Ocean Grove, its streets were once lined with tents. Now, quaint cottages fill those spaces. An alcohol-free town until 2014, you can now purchase wine by the bottle at local wineries and beer by the glass at breweries. Very much a family friendly town, the borough is big on community events. ‘”
“I know you write about how OG can adapt in changing times to reflect the needs of its residents. Thought this was a valid comparison of how a similar town has adapted.”
Pitman, NJ. Internet photo.
The Small Town In New Jersey That Transforms Into A Magical Harry Potter Wonderland http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-jersey/nj-small-town-harry-potter-festival/
STACEY MAISCH
September 13, 2017
Editor’s note: Pitman is in Gloucester Country and has a 2010 population of 9,011. Its history is remarkably like ours including a governing Camp Meeting Association, but Pitman Grove (it’s historic name) jettisoned that plan and became an autonomous borough in 1905 with the approval of the State of New Jersey. It is on the State and National Historic Registers.
Unlike OG, it has continued to evolve as a community. In 2014 it became an ex-dry town. Two years ago it added an annual art stroll to its activities.
It is known for two major craft shows per year, spring and fall, but that’s it as mega-events go.
This year it will begin a tradition of an annual Harry Potter Festival and, as part of that, will be a theater event. They have a Pottery Festival in October and, of course, Christmas festivities.
This sounds a lot like what Blogfinger and others have been hoping for in Ocean Grove. Thanks Stacey.
—Paul Goldfinger, Editor@Blogfinger.net
ANITA O’DAY AND CAL TJADER “Thanks For the Memory.”
The reason why the two camp meeting were so similar, is that they were created by the same ministers. Stokes was the President and Ballard was the vice President of OG while Ballard was President and Stokes was Vice President of Pitman.
The same ministers that would preach at one would preach at the other.
Both evolved out of the Camp meetings that were held down around Malaga NJ.
Our article didn’t assert that the towns are the same. Actually the point of the piece was mostly to illustrate how a town with a similar background as ours has managed to evolve in a different way. But thank you for telling us about the ocean.
Pitman doesn’t have an ocean. People in NJ like to go to the seaside. That’s a significant difference between Pitman and OG
Interesting! I looked up Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Associationand they seem to be even stricter with their leases than ours are.
https://www.mvcma.org/cottage-owner-info.html