July 4, several years ago. View from the pier. Ocean Grove, NJ. Paul Goldfinger photo. © Left click for large view
If you go to the beach this weekend, you will find red flags flying in various locations. There are large portions of the beach where there are no lifeguard stands, so there is no swimming. You are allowed to swim in between black and white checkered flags.
Evidently, because many schools are making up hurricane days, some of the beachfront staff will be late arriving, so there may be a temporary shortage of lifeguards. A member of the beachfront staff said that this is one reason for red flags, but in areas close to the fishing pier or close to the jetties, no swimming is allowed for safety reasons. We will meet with Jamie Doyle, the head lifeguard, on Sunday to find out the emmis* about the water’s edge.
Yesterday (Thursday), there were small numbers of beachgoers, and, as expected, most were sitting near lifeguard stations. The most peaceful locations, by the red flags, were populated with book readers, sun bathers and lovers of quiet and solitude.
A badge checker at the Main Avenue access noted that “patterns have changed.” She meant that people’s behavior vis a vis where they walk, where they sit and even if they come to the Grove at all seems to be evolving. She mentioned that the fees to get on the beach have gone up “to help pay for the hurricane damage.” A woman walked over and wanted to know when the boardwalk would be “fixed.” The checker blamed it all on FEMA. Another woman with three small children came over to look over the beach situation.
“Would you like badges?” asked the checker lady.
“No,” she replied. “We’re just looking.” Her kids were more than just looking; they were staring longingly at the beach. She was African -American, and I couldn’t help but suspect that the price-tag was too high. A few days ago, a woman from OG actually suggested to me that the people who come to our beach late in the day to avoid paying for badges should be required to pay also. I was speechless.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
* Blogfinger School of Elementary Yiddish: Emmis means “the absolute truth.”
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