Jersey strong in Ocean Grove. Volunteers on November 7, 2012. Carl Swenson photo
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net. 11/7/12. (Superstorm Sandy hit the Jersey Shore on Oct. 29, 2012)
This morning, Memorial Day 2013,) I heard an ad on WOR radio sponsored by a new State-funded web site called “Jersey Shore : Stronger Than the Storm.”
In the radio ad, their pitch is that the places worth visiting at the Shore had rebuilt their boardwalks. They specifically mentioned Asbury Park, Spring Lake, Seaside Heights, Belmar and others, but not Ocean Grove.
It is true that we have not completely rebuilt our boardwalk after less than one year, but, despite complaints from some Grovers to the contrary, people who come here will enjoy themselves as they experience the positives, which are many in this town.
Bruce Holmes of Mt. Hermon Way was relaxing in Firemen’s Park with his little son Eddie, waiting for the Memorial Day parade (2013) to begin. He said, “There’s much more beauty in Ocean Grove than just the boardwalk. We still have the ocean, the sky, the sand.”
We met Jack and Jean Bredin of Heck Avenue. They were enjoying a gorgeous day while watching the parade make its way east on Main Avenue. The crowd was happy as they waved their flags and cheered the marchers. Jack said, “Ocean Grove is the best town on the Jersey Shore.”
Jean and Jack Bredin at the 2013 parade. Paul Goldfinger photo
It is estimated that 20% of shore towns are not back to normal, but the State ad campaign, which is in full volume now, shouldn’t forget the 20% as they trumpet how strong the Jersey Shore is. That web site lists the towns at the shore.
Go to “destinations:” If you click on Ocean Grove, you will see a photo of somebody else’s boardwalk. Go further and you will see some lifeless photos of our town. Watch the video, and you won’t see us at all. As Rodney Dangerfield said, “We get no respect.”
Individual towns can request a “tool kit” to jump on the Jersey Strong bandwagon. Hopefully Neptune or the CMA will follow up on this opportunity.