Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Music from the Broadway stage., Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photographic Gallery, Black and White, Photographic Gallery: Ocean Grove on September 5, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Ocean Grove. Auditorium Park. Aerial view by Paul Goldfinger. This is not a drone photo. 2022. Click to enlarge
Every summer, the day after Labor Day, the town of Ocean Grove, as we have known it all summer long, suddenly disappears, and another version takes its place. It’s magic like the story of Brigadoon.
Here are Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy with “The Heather on the Hill.” –Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Posted in Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photographic Gallery, Black and White, Photography: New York City Street Series, tagged New York Street Series photograph on September 2, 2026| Leave a Comment »
New York street series. By Paul Goldfinger 2014. Blogfinger.net Click once to enlarge.
HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF:
Posted in Ocean Grove Gallery, Ocean Grove photographs, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, tagged Bob Marley in Ocean Grove, Ocean Grove surfer on August 29, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Auditorium Park. Ocean Grove. 2014. By Paul Goldfinger © Click to enlarge
BOB MARLEY from his Legend album:
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Great Auditorium Musical Event, Ocean Grove events, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photography in New Jersey, Photography: Jersey Shore Gallery, tagged 2015 Law Enforcement Memorial Service in Ocean Grove NJ, Law Enforcement Memorial Service in the Great Auditorium Ocean Grove, Photographs from the Law Enforcement Memorial Service in Ocean Grove on August 17, 2026| 2 Comments »
A police color guard enters the Great Auditorium, signalling the start of the Memorial Service. All photographs and text by Paul Goldfinger, editor @Blogfinger. ©. Click photos to enlarge.
Multiple color guards wait inside. ©
By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor Blogfinger.net
Today, Tuesday, May 19, 2015, was the 31st Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service in the Ocean Grove Great Auditorium. It is the oldest event of its kind in the U.S. Five officers who lost their lives in the line of duty this past year were honored along with others who were previously lost. The youngest one was only 22 years old, and he died just five months ago.
Many dignitaries including Gov. Chris Christie, were present to offer prayers, gratitude, remembrances and condolences.
Gov. Christie on stage before the ceremony. ©
Over a thousand law enforcement personnel were present in dress uniforms including large groups from the New Jersey State Police, Newark and Jersey City PD’s.
Neptune Township Police Chief James Hunt and his police were there along with representatives of PD’s from around the state, plus federal, county and state agencies.
Jersey City Police Department. ©
The Governor presented plaques, hugs, and kind words to the families of the 5 men. To the survivors he promised, “We care about you.”
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School choral groups get ready in the choir loft. They got to sing in the Great Auditorium with the famous Hope-Jones organ. It was beautiful. ©
“You Raise Me Up” was performed by Tyrone McAllister of the Asbury Park PD.
The version below is by the Celtic Woman:
Posted in Photograph by Paul Goldfinger on August 15, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Thousand Islands, Canada. Paul Goldfinger photo. Click once.
RICKY NELSON. From the soundtrack of Pulp Fiction
Posted in Great Auditorium Musical Event, Ocean Grove Gallery, Ocean Grove Musical Event, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photography: Jersey Shore Gallery, Photos from the Great Auditorium, tagged Church Bells May Ring in Ocean Grove, Ocean Grove Great Auditorium on August 13, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Choir Festival in the Great Auditorium. Photograph by. Paul Goldfinger. Blogfinger.net. Undated
We have learned from a CMA official that the events mentioned above will return this season “as they were before the pandemic.”
We don’t know if that means no distancing, masks, etc, but there will still be some constraints coming from Trenton this summer.
However this is good news assuming it is all done according to Health Dept. guidelines.
THE FIREBIRDS:
Posted in Blogfinger letter to the editor, Blogfinger Presents, Music from the Broadway stage., Music from the movies, Ocean Grove July 4, Ocean Grove lifestyle, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photographic Gallery: Ocean Grove, Photographs July 4 parade in Ocean Grover, Photography in New Jersey, Photography: girls in summer clothes, tagged Blogfinger letter to the editor, Patriotism in Ocean Grove on August 10, 2026| 2 Comments »
Ocean Grove, summer 2015. Paul Goldfinger photo © Blogfinger.net.
August 13, 2015,
To the Editor @Blogfinger.net:
My wife and I along with another couple spent the day in Ocean Grove, NJ. We are from Phillipsburg, NJ and had never been in OG. During the course of the day we sat on a bench facing the ocean as many others do while at the shore.
We were facing lifeguard stand #4, when the clock struck 5 pm. We watched the routine that takes place at the end of a long day in the sun; making sure everyone is safe. My friend and I are both veterans—he Army, me Navy. We are both active in our community with patriotism and Americanism.
We were curious to watch what would be done with the American flag at the end of the shift. We sat in amazement as we watched the lifeguards not only handle the flag properly and respectfully, but we watched them fold the flag in the proper manner.
Very, very impressive! We were so pleased to watch this perfectly executed folding of the flag, we decided to high tail it to the area where the lifeguards from stand #4 store their equipment. We introduced ourselves as veterans and expressed our appreciation and gratitude for the way they conduct themselves on the beach, and for their handling and storing of the American flag. We were informed that all lifeguards perform the same duty and ceremony at their respective stations.
Please know, all veterans, their families, those presently serving and our homeless veterans would be proud of the lifeguards in Ocean Grove.
A true sign of Patriotism and Americanism.
Bill Nixon, US Navy Veteran
Barry Willever, US Army Veteran
Editor’s Note: Thanks to Bill Nixon and Barry Willever for their service and for their praise of Ocean Grove’s excellent life guards.
OG is traditionally a patriotic place going back to Pres. Teddy Roosevelt and before that to Pres. Grant who spoke to a large group of Civil War veterans in the Auditorium.
Today many Grovers fly American flags with pride, and our glorious July 4 parade, sponsored by the OG Camp Meeting Association, offers a major tribute to our country. —–Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ. July 4, 2015 parade. Paul Goldfinger photo © Blogfinger.net. Parents present.
From Finian’s Rainbow
“On the day I was born, said me father, said he
I’ve an elegant legacy, waitin’ for ye
‘Tis a rhyme for your lips and a song for your heart
To sing it whenever the world falls apart
“Look, look, look to the rainbow
Follow it over the hill and the stream
Look, look, look to the rainbow
Follow the fellow who follows a dream.”
ASTRUD GILBERTO
Posted in Blogfinger Music Department, Faces in the Grove, Photo news from Ocean Grove, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photographic Gallery: Ocean Grove, Photography: Ocean Grove portraits, tagged Ronald Naldi in Ocean Grove, Ronald Naldi Metropolitan opera on August 5, 2026| 1 Comment »
Ronald Naldi, tenor, in front of his Ocean Grove tent, a short walk to the Great Auditorium. Paul Goldfinger photo, Blogfinger.net. ©
Q: Where in the world can you meet a world famous opera singer, wearing a lavender sport jacket, emerging from his tent home, about to leave for his recital—one block away?
A. Ocean Grove, New Jersey, USA. Only in America.
I was on my way by bike to Ronald Naldi’s Sunday afternoon recital, when I spotted the man himself, getting his wardrobe organized on his porch, having just emerged from his tent, i.e. his summer home in Ocean Grove.
I made a U turn and stopped in front of his abode. Ron, a lyric tenor, artist-in-residence each summer in the Grove, was almost ready. For those of you who don’t know of him, he is a major star with the Metropolitan Opera in NYC.
I reminded him of who I was, but he was well aware of our Ocean Grove blog. Actually I knew that from a prior telephone interview, but I wasn’t sure he would recognize me. He cheerfully and enthusiastically agreed when I asked to photograph him in front of his tent. His concert would start in about 15 minutes, so we didn’t chat much, but he did give me the Blogfinger quote of the year:
He said, “I love Blogfinger.…it is the best blog in the world.”
Holy mackerel! “Thank you,” I blurted out, “I promise a good review for your concert.” Goodness—-what a lame thing to say.
He laughed. I jumped on my bike pedaling off towards the Youth Temple—visions of sugar plum fairies dancing in my head.
The next time I saw him was when he strode on stage for what Shelley Brown of OG calls “The best concert of the year in Ocean Grove.”
Needless to say, the recital was superb.
—Paul Goldfinger, Editor @blogfinger
RONALD NALDI from his album of Neapolitan Songs. “Rondine al Nido”
Posted in Ocean Grove lifestyles, Ocean Grove things we did last summer, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photographic Gallery: Ocean Grove, tagged Days Ocean Grove on August 3, 2026|
Ocean Grove. Days ice cream. July, 2012. Paul Goldfinger photo. Click once. to enlarge.
“There’s a warm wind blowing
The stars are out,
and I’d really love to see you tonight”
ENGLAND DAN SEALS and JOHN FORD COLEY
Posted in Jersey Shore gallery, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photography at The Jersey Shore, Photography in New Jersey, tagged Carousel in Seaside Heights on July 24, 2026| 2 Comments »
Seaside Heights. October 12, 2015. Paul Goldfinger photo. Click once to grab the brass ring and enlarge the photo.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger (Re-posted 2026 from October 2015)
This carousel horse, photographed after the season in Seaside Heights, reminds me of Broadway—sometimes happy and sometimes sad. I’m thinking of the show Carousel which proclaims, “June is busting out all over.”
The Fantasticks has a song called “Round and Round” which begins as a gorgeous fantasy—-“Life is a colorful carousel,” but later the song becomes dark, sad, and scary.
However, for the most part, Broadway brings us joy as in “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” from Oklahoma.
I see this carousel, devoid of riders and seemingly sad because the season is over, and yet the scene, like a Broadway set, is bursting with vivid colors and, in a way, with memories of life itself.
So, in wondering about this photograph and how to see it, I decided that it is joyful and not sad, and if the horse could talk he would say, ” Please sir, I want more oats” (sorry for the Oliver joke, such as it is.) I wonder how a child would view it.
And certainly now, in 2021, with Broadway (and even the London stage) mostly dark for an indefinite period of time, we will have to wait to experience the joy of the musical stage.
Of course, we can still hear the music. We try to keep that music alive on Blogfinger. It’s easy to forget, but we won’t. (Thanks Mom!)
Here is MIMI HINES from a show called “The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd.” It is a happy song full of the sort of vivid optimism that we often find in Broadway musicals and, sometimes, in life.
Posted in Ocean Grove Great Auditorium, Ocean Grove lifestyles, Ocean Grove Musical Event, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photography at The Jersey Shore, Photography: Ocean Grove Gallery, tagged music in Ocean Grove, The Great Auditorium on July 23, 2026| 2 Comments »
Cello soloist in the OG Great Auditorium. Photograph by Paul Goldfinger. 2017. Click once to enlarge.
* Quote from Radar O’Reilly in the TV series “M.A.S.H.”
MSTISLAV ROSTROPOVICH: BACH’S CELLO SUITE #1 in G major, prélude:
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove feature article, Ocean Grove tent village, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photographic Gallery: Ocean Grove, Photography: Faces at the Shore, tagged Ocean Grove tent village on July 18, 2026| 2 Comments »
Friends let friends enjoy the Grove when they’re away. August 28, 2017. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor. Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, N.J. USA.
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 near Heroes Park, 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/English 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.”
Posted in Jersey Shore gallery, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photographic Gallery: New Jersey, Photography: Jersey Shore Gallery, tagged Horses in Seaside Heights, Paul Desmond on Blogfinger on July 10, 2026|
Seaside Heights. October, 2015. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net
Below a scene from Mighty Aphrodite. Paul Desmond’s music was featured. And speaking of the Greek Goddess of Love, today is Eileen Goldfinger’s birthday. Happy Birthday kid!
When I was a high school and college musician, I played a French made Selmer alto sax, as did Desmond.
Paul Desmond was my musical hero. I always tried to emulate his “cool” style. It was a sweet sound which touched me for its floating-in-air quality.
Paul Desmond. The search for a perfect reed is the bane of a sax man’s life. Internet photo. Reed sentiment is mine: PG
He was not only a performer with the Dave Brubeck group, but he was a jazz composer as well, and his “Take Five” was the first jazz song to sell a million copies. Paul Desmond’s sound provided a special flavor for the Dave Brubeck Quartet and was widely emulated by jazz musicians like me as a member of the Fairleigh Dickinson University Jazz Band and leader of the Paul Gary Quartet. (seen below on a Selmer tenor sax)
Bunny, I, Charlie (bass) and Frank (drums) warming up in Frank’s basement in Rutherford. We were college kids. Bunny and I were from FDU while Frank went to Seton Hall. Charlie was a precocious high school senior whose girlfriend was our groupie. Bunny rarely sang, but when she did, it was “Willow Weep for Me.” (We weeped for her singing.) Bunny was so slim that she could play between the white keys. Wallpaper compliments of Frank’s Mom. There are no recordings of our group.
Desmond’s remarkable tempo style was featured in Woody’s 1995 film “Mighty Aphrodite.”
The song below, “Romance de Amor,” is a Brazilian composition by Paul. It is from the album Skylark.
Paul Desmond drank and smoked heavily. He died at 52 of cancer.
Romance de Amor. (Love Song). Written by Paul Desmond.