Eileen’s garden. March 31, 2025, and spring has sprung with early plants emerging from the soil; and the lion sleeps tonight here in Ocean Grove. Click once to enlarge. Paul Goldfinger photograph.
By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Blogfinger.net 3/31/2025
Eileen and I were visiting a local nursery about 20 years ago looking for a tree to place in Firemen’s Park. When we got there we noticed that the place was sparse because the owners were in the process of selling all and then closing. We found a flowering tree that was called “Service Berry” but it had another name that intrigued us—the “shadbush.” It blooms in early spring–watch it.
We were aware that every year in early spring when the shad (fish) return to the Delaware River to spawn (lay eggs), fishermen come from all over to catch that fine eating fish, but also the shadbush tree comes into bloom at that time. Even George Washington came to that area, not only to attack Hessians, but to get dinner.
So while we were choosing a “shad berry” tree for the Grove, we learned that the tree is actually found all over New York City because it is hardy. You can see our shad berry tree in the park across from our home at 113 Mt. Hermon Way. It should also be noted that 3 other families on our block donated flowering trees that were placed in the park; planted by Neptune DPW. They are all doing well despite little care by the town.
As we shopped for the tree, we spotted a stone lion sitting forlornly against a wall. It was not for sale, but the owner was eager, so this lion lives in our OG backyard.
There is a new Netflix movie called Lion, and there is a song: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” which was a pop hit in the 1960’s and which is played in The Lion King Broadway and movie versions. There have been over 150 covers of this song worldwide.
The song was originally written by a South African singer and migrant worker in 1939 named Solomon Linda. He wrote the words in Zulu.
But in 1961 songwriter George David Weiss wrote the lyrics that made the song a big hit.
Eileen and I met him at the Friars Club when our son Stephen Goldfinger won a young songwriters award. Mr. Weiss presented the award to Stephen. I was also impressed because Mr.Weiss wrote the words to “Lullaby of Birdland; ” a mid-town jazz club which my band friends from Rutherford High and I would visit.
Here is a video of the Young Peoples Chorus of New York City making a recent recording at Lincoln Center. Click on the box at the lower right hand corner to view an enlargement. . If you can’t get in, try clicking on the second one. Or try again later. I hope you aren’t a bot.