Suzanne relaxing on the porch of her rented OG cottage. By Paul Goldfinger. 8/31/24.

Paul Goldfinger, Editor. Blogfinger.net 8/3/1/24

Suzanne, a mother of 4, from Georgia,  loves to be in Ocean Grove each summer.  We found her reading, but it didn’t take much to reveal her happiness when  a big smile erupted  easily across her face as  she is called by a guy on a bike with a camera around his neck.  Despite her blanket, Suzanne is no crab.

It’s a quiet Saturday on the 2024  Labor Day weekend.  She’s reading the National Geographic, and I couldn’t help but recall how that famous publication got us wrong when they did a cover story in the Grove.  They portrayed us  as mostly being a religious summer enclave, but  Suzanne relaxing on her porch gives a different impression.  Ocean Grove is a complicated town with a variety of looks.

Suzanne  loves the quietude here, and that cottage seems so suited to her.  She enjoys walking around town  and taking some photos, so I invited her to send us her best.  Clearly this photo captures her love of solitude.

Today was pretty quiet despite the holiday.  There are a lot of dog walkers, bicyclers, visitors, and renters in town, and we know that many are from New York.   I saw many young couples and small kids.

Over at the tents, a mom is chasing a toddler who was out-running her.  Few people are  out and about this afternoon.  Where are they?

Our porch culture was evident as so many folks were entertaining on their porches.

There’s a concert tonight in the Great Auditorium called “Holiday Encores at the Movies.”  And tomorrow morning there is “Worship” at the GA.

There’s so much for everyone in Ocean Grove, and if a livelier time is anticipated, folks walk past our North End  house on the way to the hot spots and eateries of Asbury Park.

And if they park for free here, so what? I’ve gotten over that!

BEVERLY KENNY with a song that captures the mood today in this small Jersey Shore town.