Paul Goldfnger photo. July 2026. Pitman Avenue OG
ANDY WILLIAMS:
Paul Goldfinger July ; Days 2026. Click once to enlarge
Bill Frisell. and Dale Bruning “The Shadow of Your Smile”
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Jersey tomatoes are in at Matts, and they are very good—$4.00 per pound. Matt’s 71 south near Mr. Shrinp. Paul Goldfinger photos
Nagles side place. 7/28, 2026. For lunch.
Nagles for lunch. We shared for one $20 order, and their fish and chips are wonderful; and the fries are terrific. This photo is 1/2 portion
OG lantern fly. If you see one, kill it.
McGarrigle Hour:
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William Heatley was taking a ride in a banner plane over the beach in OG. It was August, 1981, and he took this photo. Note the extent to which OG was built-up even in 1981. © Special to Blogfinger.net
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net. 2017
Wesley Lake is to the right. The North End Hotel had been torn down, but the salt water swimming pool remains. You can see the outlines of the North End area which will be “re-developed” according to the current (as of 2017) Township Plan, and imagine where the condos will be along Lake Avenue, Spray Avenue, and the Ocean. Then imagine a hotel there which probably will actually become condos. Oh, and don’t forget the parking garage underground, stores, and new North End boardwalk.
The process is currently dead in the water, but we are keeping an eye on it along with the OGHOA, although the latter has been a champion of the plan, and we have not. The NERP is an example of Neptune Township taking the side of developers.
The question is why does the Township choose to support developers over the best interests of the people who live in Ocean Grove? That is an old problem which has continued in the recent past, and that is why we have over 300 condo units in town, without parking (except for Embury Arms), and why we are suspicious of activities such as will determine the future of the Warrington site.
Some will say that the reason is simple: the Township wants more ratables. 20 condos bring in more money than one Victorian single family house. But the blatant targeting of Ocean Grove will continue to cause increasing congestion and result in the town’s losing its character and its history. And if that happens, the value of homes in the Grove will decline, and that would reduce the “cash cow” profits.—a counterintuitive result for the tax-hungry Neptune administration. So the tax angle doesn’t seem convincing enough as an explanation.
Others who are more cynical say, “Follow the money.” A member of the Township Committee went to jail some time ago as did some officials in A. Park and elsewhere in Monmouth County.
So it is not outside the realm of reality that there may be some shenanigans going on here. We have been watching the methodology of how things are done in the Grove, such as the manipulation of zoning by the Land Use Department in Neptune and the lack of transparency on the part of elected Neptune officials.
Endless one party rule is not good for our town regardless of which party is in charge. It is un-American.
THE CAST OF FIORELLO (Broadway show)
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Edison winter estate. Ft. Myers, Fla. 2019. Paul Goldfinger photo . Click to enlarge.
By Paul Goldfinger, Blogfinger.net
Thomas Edison had over 1000 patents, so he undoubtedly had lots of dough. His winter estate on the Caloosahatchee River is lovely, but quite unassuming. This is his kitchen. He and his wife had a maid and probably a cook.
As you can imagine, the home was well lit with lots of light bulbs and lighting fixtures. We have photographed other rooms as well as the property.
Just type Edison Estate or Thomas Edison into the search box at the top of this home page.
ANDY FARBER AND HIS ORCHESTRA: “Midnight, the Stars, and You.” (Hey Tommy—-please turn on the lights! I can’t find the phonograph!)
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Jule Styne with a young Barbra Streisand.
Jule Styne, British-American (1905-1994) composed Broadway musicals including Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, Peter Pan, Gypsy, Funny Girl and others, most of which became movies.
Tribute from Frank Sinatra: “There’s only one Jule Styne, and I love him.”
Judy Kuhn is an American actress and singer who is known for her work in musical theater. She has won Grammys and Emmys and is often chosen for tribute shows such as the one honoring Stephen Sondheim.
JUDY KUHN from her album Just In Time: Judy Kuhn Sings Jule Styne
“The Party’s Over/Long Before I Knew You.”
These two songs were hits from the 1956 Broadway show The Bells Are Ringing with Judy Holliday. It later became a movie with Dean Martin.
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Entrance to McGregor Woods, a fine gated community in Ft. Myers, Florida. Lit up as the sun rises. Paul Goldfinger photo 12/20/21 Click to enlarge.
BING CROSBY WITH THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA:
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Ocean Grove beach. October 2013. Paul Goldfinger photo. © Blogfinger.net
Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net
Two years ago a group of Grovers appealed to the Neptune Committee and to the Camp Meeting Association for a dog park in the Grove. The Commitee passed the ball to the CMA, and the CMA denied the request saying that a dog park would not be “compatible with the CMA’s mission.”
Now, Cindy Stiles, of the Pet Boutique on Main Avenue has started another petition to “allow a private fenced dog park on the open lot on the corner of Inskip and Pennsylvania Avenues.” This location is on the South End near Fletcher Lake.
Stiles says that this proposal would be consistent with the CMA mission. She says that “there are over 300 verses in the Bible with regard to the love and dedication to animals.”
She makes her case in a 5 paragraph document which will be submitted to the CMA.
If you would like to read and sign the petition, see Cindy at her shop at 60 Main Avenue, next to April Cornell.
SHA NA NA. From the movie Grease.
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French produce market. By Paul Goldfinger. Click left for full view.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor@Blogfinger.net
In many villages in France, there is market day once per week. That is a time when you can buy fresh produce, cheese, meats, breads, and many other food items. In some towns it is like a flea market. Market day is also a time to purchase unique specialties like foie gras. But the villagers also go shopping daily for whatever they need for that day.
They go to green grocers, as in this photograph, to buy whatever is in season. This merchant was unhappy with my taking his picture, but I caught him unawares before he spun around and gave me the evil eye. Fresh fruits and vegetables are characteristic components in the “Mediterranean diet.” Then, you sit at a cafe with coffee, French bread and fresh preserves. Skip those strong unfiltered Galloise cigarettes.
Then you go to your garret in Montmartre where you finish your latest painting or your novel in the style of Hemingway. If you are lucky, you can be in a Woody Allen movie and travel back in time to the Roaring Twenties where you get to chat with Picasso and Modigliani (with one of his long-necked models) in a lively bar on the Left Bank. (Be sure to see “Midnight in Paris” by Woody.) — Paul Goldfinger
SOUNDTRACK: Edith Piaf
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OG Funeral Home undergoes demolition. Blogfinger.net. Paul Goldfinger MD
Two Grovers purchased this property. After a delay, demolition has begun. We have no specifics, but we suspect an impressive single family home will result. They have a big lot. Or maybe a medical facility?
My former office was a funeral home in its past life. Our practice could offer quick service. Later we sold it to a law firm. Chiropracters took over after that.
BOBBY DARIN
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A beautiful summer so far: bikers and teens abound. Paul Goldfinger photo. Ocean Grove. Click once to enlarge.
Auditorium Square Park. Blogfinger@verizon.net
In our North End neighborhood there are so many renters, many from out of state. They are finding vacation lifestyles and especially loving not only our beach, but our porch culture. Despite the hazards of bike riding, cyclers are all over town including young parents with little kids in little bike seats.
The weather has been sunny and cher, and it seems that beach goers from our part of town are relishing walking the long distance east. As always, parking is a challenge. Other specifics that attract visitors include visits to Tent Village and exploration of Asbury Park including restaurants just across the bridges from the Grove.
Compared to when we came here,the CMA is not so obvious with their religious programming. I wonder if the young renters are even aware of that historic factor in town. In addition the secular programming in town fails to feature our history other than house tours
Last night I attended the Silver Screen concert which combined movies and movie music. As usual, the Mid-Atlantic Philharmonic Orchestra was superb led by Maestro Jason Tramm, The movie part was a bit disappointing. I was hoping for a big screen showing movie clips with segments of original movie scenes.
I loved Ben Hur with music from the chariot race. I think my ancestors were there, but if it were me, I would have bought a Lexus.
Anyhow, I surveyed the audience and found few young people. And there were perhaps several hundred in the audience. The CMA fails again to promote their special secular shows . I continue to wish that they would invite high school music students kids to their concerts like this: it would be a win-win idea.
And as for girls in their summer clothes, the style this summer features short shorts with tuggable hems. Also there are flowing long light dresses or kaftans, and long rayon or silk or linen pant suits–all quite beautiful matching up with long straight hair styles. Are these pants too tight? Well who’s to say–it’s the fashion. For the boys it’s beards and baseball hats worn backwards. What will they do if a fly ball emerges from in the sun? And tattoos for all.
And the eateries in town, some of which are new—send us a short review: Blogfinger@verizon.net
LOVE THEME FROM BEN HUR
LOVE THEME FROM CINEMA PARADISO:
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Ocean Grove youth movement at the beach. Ocean Grove, NJ, USA. July, 2026. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net
Frank Sinatra in a duet with Charles Aznavour. It his Frank’s “Duets” album :
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Paul Goldfinger. The Great Auditorium. 2026. Searching for a prince. Click once to enlarge. Ocean Grove, NJ. Blogfinger.net
ETTA JONES. From The Best of Etta.
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