BLOGFINGER is an award winning eclectic blog about photography, music, medicine, opinions and Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
Paul Goldfinger, MD, is the editor-in-chief. Our website is http://blogfinger.net
Our motto is: “There are two ways of spreading light…to be a candle or the mirror that reflects it” (from a poem by Edith Wharton, American author, 1862-1937).
Favorite motto: Washington Post: “Democracy dies in darkness.”
In 2011, at the 16th Annual Beersheba Awards Dinner, sponsored by the Historical Society of Ocean Grove, Blogfinger received the “Individual Civic Award” for its “dedication in preserving the cultural and intellectual life of our community.”
Here is a link to the article about this event :
link to Blogfinger article about the 2011 Beersheba awards
Anyone who wants to offer an opinion piece on Ocean Grove or other subjects is welcome to send us a post. We encourage citizen reporters to send us news. You can also send tips,photographs, facts, ideas for stories and letters to the editor. To be successful, this blog needs to be an information sharing website.
Send emails to BF email link. (Blogfinger@verizon.net)
We encourage participation by using the blog technology to post comments at the end of any post on the Blogfinger web site. Note that postings are usually placed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent on top. You can then scroll through the others, as if you were reading an ancient Greek parchment, like the messenger in Antigone, or a Torah turned on its side. Comments are welcomed. You can send them anonymously, but we prefer that you use your real name.
We occasionally send out highlights emails , so send us your email address if you wish to be on the list. Email us at blogfinger@verizon.net.
About PAUL GOLDFINGER, MD, FACC ( Blogfinger founding finger. editor-in-chief).
“Say fromage….”
Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor Blogfinger.net
Paul is a retired cardiologist who now lives in Ocean Grove, NJ. He was a biology major at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey where he received his degree magna cum laude and was accepted to medical school after three years of college. While at FDU he was in the jazz band and was selected “most outstanding pre-med” that year.
His M.D. is from The George Washington University School of Medicine in D.C. where he graduated “with distinction”— first in his class. He was President of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.
He then spent five years at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York training in internal medicine and cardiology. While there, he co-founded the first exercise stress testing lab at that hospital and he has published 12 articles in the medical literature. He was on the faculty of three medical schools at various times during his career, including the new Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.
Dr. Goldfinger is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases. His special interests include preventive cardiology, arrhythmias, and hypertension.
LCDR Paul Goldfinger. (USNR) US Navy Medical Corps. Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
LCDR Paul Goldfinger and his maroon Triumph Spitfire. Perfect for riding onto the base, top down, with the Marines saluting.Following military service, he founded a cardiology group in Morris County (NJ,) was President of the Morris-Sussex Heart Association and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Dover General Medical Center. He was the founder of the Cardiology Dept. at that hospital.
He was one of the leaders of a community coalition to save that hospital in the late 1990’s, when its existence was threatened by corporate raiders. His testimony to Congress (http://www.dcwatch.com/issues/pbc010322f.htm) about hospital closures can be found on-line.
He and Eileen (scroll down) are the authors of: Prevention Does Work. A Guide to a Healthy Heart. The fourth edition was published in 2011 and is available on-line at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and iUniverse.com.
As a photographer, his work has been exhibited and published in a variety of venues. Several years ago, one of his black and white photographs was chosen for an art show at the Monmouth Museum. He studied black and white darkroom methods with George Tice, Master Printer, at the Maine Photographic Workshops.
His color photograph of the Ocean Grove tents was chosen for the book “New Jersey 24/7”. His image of Asbury lifeguards made the cover of that book. His black and white image of Paris waiters will be on the cover of a book published in London for spring 2022.
His black and white photo of Grammy winner Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks is featured in the Oct. 2013 issue of MIX, an international magazine for audio visual professionals in the recording, TV and movie businesses. Another photo appeared in an ad campaign in Spain.
His work has also appeared 6 times in the Pfizer Labs International Calendar Contest, New England Journal of Medicine, Hospital Physician, Daily Record newspaper, Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, Salisbury State University Art Gallery, Chester Public Library, and Internal Medicine News, and the west wall of the Ocean Grove Bakery.
One of his Paris black and white images is on permanent exhibit at Cheese on Main, and another is at the Woman’s Club of OG. Numerous images can be seen in the digital gallery of Blogfinger.net—Ocean Grove, N.J. His photographs have appeared on two book covers including the one currently in bookshop called “A Waiter in Paris.”
Prior to starting Blogfinger in 2009, Paul was a regular contributor to the Ocean Grove Record, online newspaper, founded by Ocean Grover Steven Froias.
Paul is the founder of the OG Town-Wide Yard Sale, The Blogfinger Film Festival (in conjunction with the Tisch School of the Arts/ NYU) and the OG People’s Garden Tour. After Sandy, Blogfinger published more articles about the Ocean Grove quest for FEMA funding than any other media outlet.
Blogfinger theme song (When you press the doorbell of the Blogfinger headquarters in the Grove, you will hear this, featuring Shirley Bassey: )
CONTRIBUTING STAFF:
About EILEEN GOLDFINGER : Dining and food editor, proof reader, photographer, and house and garden editor.
Eileen is the co-author of “Prevention Does Work: A Guide to a Healthy Heart“, with Dr. Goldfinger. The new fourth edition (2011) is now available at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and iUniverse.com. She did the section on evidence based, heart healthy eating, creating 35 original recipes that were designed to be easy to prepare and delicious. She has lectured on the subject of heart healthy food preparation, with an emphasis on seafood.
Eileen is an expert gardener and an avid photographer, especially of flowers. We sometimes display her photographs on Blogfinger. She recently wrote a piece for us on the Asbury Park Farmers’ Market, so we have made her the Dining and Food editor. We also posted her recipe for homemade cranberry sauce using fruit from the Jersey Cranberry Festival. She and Dr. Goldfinger lecture on preventing heart disease.
Eileen is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a BA in Education. She has been a school teacher and a bookkeeper and she is Mom to two big boys.
JACK AND JEAN BREDIN.
Jack and Jean, Blogfinger staff. Photo on Main Avenue, Memorial Day parade in Ocean Grove. By Paul Goldfinger ©Jack Bredin is a researcher and reporter for Blogfinger. His specialty in land use law, and he is an activist in town, seeking the truth among the shadows. He also is an important artist now for his paintings in and around the Grove. You can search his name at the top of our home page to see his work.
Below is Jack speaking at a Zoning Board meeting while wearing his Blogfinger T-shirt:
Jack Bredin at the mike, making waves….Neptune Twp. Zoning Board of Adjustment. 2017.Jean Bredin is a reporter and photographer with Blogfinger.net. She and Jack have been living in the Grove for nearly 20 years. Jean does our “Around Town with Jean” series.
Here is Jean at an OG witches convention on Heck Avenue. (the back witch–but not the sand witch). Oct. 2015. Paul Goldfinger photo. ©They both are indispensable as we try to create a unique small town blog.
About PEGI COSTANTINO. Gardening columnist at Blogfinger (Writing under the name of Miss Pegi)
Pegi Costantino at the Ocean Grove Woman’s Club. This painting of an elephant was painted by an elephant. Blogfinger photo ©Pegi Costantino AKA Pegi Ballister-Howells is an avid gardener inspired by Grandpa Ballister, gardener extraordinaire. She received an MS in Horticulture along the way, but playing in the dirt is the real source of knowledge. A gardening author, radio personality and 25 years on local access TV all came about as a result of her enthusiasm and outgoing personality.
She is wife to Tom Costantino, mother to Teejay and Kira, and person to 4 dogs, a cat, 2 donkeys, a goat and assorted chickens. Great food makes everything better, so Pegi enjoys growing, cooking and sharing the wonderful food from her Italian heritage and many new things discovered along the way.
In OG Pegi is a gardening columnist for Blogfinger, writing as Miss Pegi, and she recently took over the reigns of the People’s Annual Garden Tour which was started this year by Blogfinger.
She is perhaps best known as the Grand Pooba of the newly resurrected Ocean Grove Woman’s Club. You can often see her toodling around her gardens on the corner of Pennsylvania and Mount Carmel with her faithful companion, Becky, the mostly chocolate lab, always at her side.
Her radio show can be heard on-line every Sunday from 8-10 AM at WCTCAM.com.Feel free to call in with any gardening questions. You can reach her at Pegi@comcast.net
About MOE DEMBY: reporter/photographer
Photo assistant “Cheeks.”Moe is an Ocean Grover who is a retired photojournalist. His photographs have been published in several major newspapers and, lately on Blogfinger. He is a college graduate with a degree in journalism. He is shy about revealing much information about himself. Even his assistant”Cheeks” (above) uses a pseudonym. He will be making videos and writing for BF and will continue with his personal style photojournalism. Lately we have been posting his unique series of black and white images of the Cole Brothers circus.
About Ted Aanensen, Blogfinger staff photographer
Ted Aanensen
Ted is a lifelong resident of Ocean Grove. He is a graduate of Upsala College and he has lived in Ocean Grove full time since 2000. His career has been in the family business.
Regarding Ted’s participation with Blogfinger, he says, “Glad to be able to share a passion of photographing a life-long favorite place to be. I hope it will bring some joy and understanding to friends and neighbors.”
About Ocean Grove:
Ocean Grove, New Jersey by Paul Goldfinger * Copyright 2011
OCEAN GROVE, New Jersey, is a unique town, on the National Historic Register. It is best known for its Victorian architecture, religious heritage and rich history. For a small town, the population is very diverse, and the demographics continue to evolve.
“The Grove” is a year-round community, but it really comes to life during the warm weather, when tourists visit the beaches and stay at inns and B&B’s. Visitors enjoy the activities, including those sponsored by the Camp Meeting Association, the Historical Society and the Chamber of Commerce. There is an impressive musical program throughout the summer, with many events at the famous 6,500-seat Great Auditorium, where the concerts vary from classical to pop and where the extraordinary Hope-Jones organ resounds with its 11,000 magnificent pipes, played by a variety of renowned musicians. The Historical Society Museum, on Pitman Avenue near the Great Auditorium, is open in season, and you can sign up for town tours there.
Downtown Ocean Grove attracts the crowds in summer, with restaurants, shops, sidewalk cafes, ice cream parlors, galleries, exhibits, flea markets, porch sales, antique shows and live music outdoors. The town feels as if it has been transported from 140 years ago.
To contact the Blogfinger compound, email us at blogfinger@verizon.net
* This photograph was featured in the January 2011 First Anniversary Collector’s Issue of the magazine Maine Ahead as part of the cover article they published about Ocean Grove pollster Scott Rasmussen.
Hi Dr. Goldfinger,
Thank you for your blog, it is informative, enlightening and inspiring.
My husband and I are planning to move to Ocean Grove as full time residents Your blog has given me insight into the town that one would not get as a visitor. When we do find our home we will do so with our eyes wide open, understanding the special uniqueness of Ocean Grove. I look forward to the day when I can be part of the community.
Thank you for the work you do and the information you have provided to all who read you blog.
Kind regards,
Elaine Eltringham
Paul, I sure liked that picture of you in your Naval Uniform. You must have all the girls crawling all over you. I sure would have. I never miss your beautiful photography and the music. Of course, I will remember The Daily Record, Parsippany NJ always wanting a comment. I wouldn’t miss a minute of your Blog and who could not love Noah!
Barry: Thank you. If there was an award for good taste, you would win.—Paul
My neighbor Mary Ann, who was recently featured in a recent edition, told me about your blog approximately 2 years ago. I’ve become addicted to the site, frequently drawn to the computer to see and read all the news, quips, and quotes. And the photos. And the opinions. And let me simply say Thank You. Blogfinger is immensely enjoyable.
I enjoy your blog despite being neither a full-time or part-time OG resident.
I just wanted to say thank you for Blogfinger. Even folks like me who mostly only visit OG to spread sunshine in the summer enjoy it. Now, especially since I don’t know when I’ll be back in the Grove again (it’s a nice way to stay connected to a town I love to visit.
Mr. “Blogfinger” –
As usual, your photographs, songs and articles are very interesting. I enjoy all of your postings. Keep it going.
Thank you,
Bud Miller – ’59
As a former year-round resident of OG, I am in agreement of supporting local events that relate to daily living. Am encouraged when I read this blog as it consistently raises the bar on what makes a quality town for its residents.
W/intelligence & humor, Blogfinger emphasizes art, music & local history w/poetry & photos from guest artists.
For its size, OG is a cherished treasure to me as one from a family of ‘clam-diggers’ (as my dear mother called us) May its uniqueness be maintained into the future!
I love to hear Doo Wop music from the good old days. Church Bells May Ring by the Willows. My Vow To You by The Students. and Diamonds and Pearls by The Paradons.
Thank you Paul for all your work in making The Blog a success. Thanks for the continued efforts in making Ocean Grove special.
I read Huffington Post.CNN,BBC, Washington Post . Then the New York Times, and some rare occasions APP.com.
Then I deliciously turn to Blogfinger for Nonsense, Sense. Great photos. And a pulse rate of Beloved O.G. Thank You
Enjoyed every word and photo of this edition of BLOGFINGER! Made this dreary late January night…
Superb article Paul – I shudder to think what would happen to OG if it were not for Blogfinger,
Wow. That’s a lot of great information, whether you agree or not. . No one really bothers to dig like you do to get the facts. Thanks.
Love your blog, the pictures, music, banter, issues. Love Ocean Grove, the ocean, music, houses, ice-cream, gardens. Thanks so much for your BF contests. I’ve won before, so will try to let others win in the future. (Just couldn’t pass up your original artwork!)
Thank you for the history and photos. I loved learning about Pennington and Wilbur Day; they were ‘Confectioners’ who owned an ‘ice cream garden’ ….How poetic….
“Thanks. Love your blog and how you keep us all updated on the “goings on” around O.G.”
Dear Blogfinger –
Many thanks for your great work on behalf of those who care about Ocean Grove. You have provided a real service to give up-to-date information on the highs and lows in the town.
From the Manchester fire to bird sightings to (lack of) snow plowing to songs and whimsical approaches to life’s challenges, you’ve been great.
With great appreciation,
Nancy C.
Thank YOU so very much, Paul @ Blogfinger, for sharing the local beauty, art and opinions of this wonderful Shore area I have followed your blog a few years with great enjoyment!
Great photos and coverage of the fire, Paul — for someone who wasn’t even here! You’ve created a machine that works even when you’re out of town. You should be proud of yourself!
Caren (Chesler)
Once again you inspire and touch the heart strings. The painting is haunting and the quote from Wyeth brings it to life. Of course the music is the perfect accompaniment. Thank you!
Editor’s note: Anna made this comment in July, 2013 regarding a piece about the painter Andrew Wyeth. She is a professional photographer who visits The Grove often.
From Ted Bell, Ocean Grove historian: “To Paul Goldfinger, Thanks for making Ocean Grove a greater place.”
I moved to Ocean Grove partly because of Blogfinger. I read it every day.
I love this site.
I enjoy the photography and sound tracks, and provocative approach taken to asking simple questions you see and hear about town. Sometimes provocative enough to create change for the betterment of the community.
I look forward daily to finding out whats happening, and I do so on Blogfinger
Love reading your Blog every day. My friend and I come to OG every year for a week of relaxation and to enjoy the beach and town.
Thanks for posting Mr Gradone’s report on the status of the boardwalk work. Hopefuuly, all will come together and the boardwalk will be finished by the start of the summer season. As an out of stater who summers at the Grove, we look to your blog to know how things are going. Thanks again for your work.
I too just stumbled on this site and now have it bookmarked…love it…why did Axelrod Arts Center close by the way?
Great information. Lucky me I came across your website by accident (stumbleupon).
I have saved as a favorite for later!
Again, thank you for your wonderful site which keeps us connected to OG
when away.
Your photos of OG , surrounding towns, as well as, NYC & music are great!!
Paul;
I truly appreciate the breadth of what is discussed on your
blog, the NEWS such as the fire coverage, the pictures, the
music and lots of various “stuff” which makes it a daily
must see. I do not agree with much I read just as I am
sure many disagree with what I write. I am amazed at
the quality of some comments, it is a complement to the blog
that intelligent people contribute to educate us on all
sorts of subjects.
Disagreeing with you sometimes does not mean I disrespect
your opinions (no matter how wrong) and enjoy the
discourse.
Wishing you continued success and Happy Holidays (all of
them), my best to you and the food editor,
Gratefully,
ken.
Hi Paul,
Again, I spent over an hour reading your blogs, looking at your photos and listening to wonderful music.
Thank you so much.
Jane
Warm greetings from South Africa!
I stumbled across blogfinger.net by chance and could not stop reading. What a wonderful website with such interesting articles, some terrific music links and superb photography.
Your refreshing ‘digital breeze’ has reached the southern shores of Africa!
🙂
Thank you from a South African journalist.
Thank you for a beautiful site, and updates on OG after SANDY. We visit OG weekly, and love our second home. Was pleasantly surprised to see my daughter Lorri and myself in the OG townwide garage sale photo’s under smiles. We do a lot of laughing and smiling when we are in OG, love it. Your photos are just beautiful. Thank you
thank you for all you do…and thank-you for coming in today!!!!
Great job covering the storm. Thanks from those of us who aren’t there full-time.
So glad I was led to your site. Thank you for your reporting about SANDY. Stay safe. See you soon 🙂
Thanks Evelyn. We appreciate the feedback. Madison is a lovely town. We used to go to the Shakespeare Festival at Drew. It’s a good thing we’re Drewish. I hope you enjoy Eileen’s recipe. She has a knack. Paul (Editor @ Blogfinger)
Just discovered your site while looking for a recipe for scallops & mango salsa. Imagine my surprise when I discovered a site all about one of my favorite places – Ocean Grove!
I’m a shore girl at heart – grew up in Brielle, but have called Morris County (Madison) my home for 23 years now.
What a small world – searching the entire world wide web and find the perfect recipe right in my home state. Tell Eileen I”m serving it for dinner tonight!
“Blogfinger is such a great source of information for the town of Ocean Grove. Thanks for everything that you do for Ocean Grove.”
From Brigid of OG: “My partner and I love your blog, regularly read and sometimes post. It is intelligent, charming and a nice addition to our community.”
Thank you Anne. Susan of Cheese on Main has a permanent exhibit of some of my black and whites from Europe. I’m delighted that you enjoy them. Paul @ Blogfinger.
Just want to thank you for the great blog! As a frequent visitor and sometime house-sitter (my brother and his family own a home here), I’ve enjoyed dipping into it and, at times, have found it immensely useful for the news that’s hard to find elsewhere (for example, about last week’s power outage…wanted to know how long it was out so I knew whether my refrigerated food would be OK!).
Paul, I’ve admired your photographs in the cheese store on Main, too…Susan told me you took them when I commented on them. 🙂 Keep up the terrific job…it’s much appreciated.
Thank you Mary Beth for doing such a great job!
This is from an email to Blogfinger from Mary Beth Jahn, Committeewoman, Neptune Township, New Jersey:
Hi Charles and Paul —
Great artticles today on Blogfinger! It’s a shame every neighborhood doesn’t have a blog like yours; it’s a great place to talk not only about issues facing the Grove, but also to share fun things like music and recipes! It is also invaluable to me as an elected official, because it alerts me to issues I otherwise would not be aware of, so I can help get those issues resolved. I still have no idea why my fellow Committee members don’t want to part of the dialog — when you have taken an oath to serve your community, it’s best to be proactive rather than reactive.
Thanks again for all the research you and your readers have done; the Township could not have identified and prosecuted and continue to these slum landlords and derelict owners without Blogfinger’s and their readers’ help!
Regards,
Mary Beth
I loved reading all your articles. Please put us on your email list.
Thank You Paul and all at Blogfinger…this site is fantastic…a real lifesaver for us part time OGers…we love our cottage in OG and spend as much time as we can in OG…Blogfinger is our rapid connection to what draws us to OG…it has been a blessing during Irene…Thanks for all of your effort in producing this blog!
Your blog is truly outstanding and a real service to the community. I’m sure it takes a lot of your time and I want you to know how much we appreciate it. Without Blogfinger we’d be lost!
Eileen: Your photo of the swan boats in the lake at the top of the page is really beautiful!
It’s great to see Yvette using her writing skills to grace the “pages” of Blogfinger~ Hi, Yvette!
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