On most mornings and often time into the afternoon and even evening, you’ll find Julian Hamer busy tending the Centennial Cottage gardens. Casual visitors to the Grove would be forgiven for thinking Julian actually was in residence at the cottage, as he’s there so often!

Bur Grovers know that this piece of real estate is most definitely off the market, safely in the hands of the Historical Society of Ocean Grove. As a matter of fact, Julian’s participation in the beautification and upkeep of the grounds came about at the invitation of a past president of that august body.

About six years ago, Julian recalled for the Record, Phil May enlisted him to help out with the chores for a season. As it drew to a close, Phil essentially said "It’s yours!” and passed the pruning shears on.

It was an assignment that Julian, a retired graphic designer for Penguin Books, tackled with gusto.

A self-taught gardener, he wasn’t quite satisfied with his own home’s meager four feet of dirt. Then in his fifth year of living in the Grove, he missed his previous home’s ample space – a rare commodity in God’s Square Mile.

So the Centennial Cottage grounds became his surrogate garden. And there was much to be done.

First up was removing some shrubbery that was too suburban in character and partially obscured the cottage’s architectural lines.

Other plants and shrubs had reached their expiration date – or as they say in gardening lingo had matured beyond the point of beauty.

As he went about carefully cultivating a new and improved landscape, he was ably assisted by other generous Grovers.

Indeed, Historical Society Treasurer Dan Garrow holds a degree in horticulture and also likes to get his hands dirty.

An intern from Rutgers, George Gazonas applied his talents to the fertile field, and David Sweeton made the Rose Garden, dedicated to the memory of Anna De Young Skold and funded by her children, his area of concern.

The harmonious efforts of Julian, Dan, George and David – along with other volunteers – certainly haven’t escaped the notice of Grovers and visitors alike. The graceful result of their toil frequently serves as a backdrop for weddings, civil unions and other rites of passage. It’s become one of Ocean Grove’s most photogenic spots, quite a feat when you have the Great Auditorium and that little body of water called the Atlantic Ocean as competition for eye candy.

Plants and flowers have been chosen with particular care as to what adds color to the Grove’s summer season. But the effort and planning reaches across the years and spans others.

And it begins with the daily tending of the garden as practiced by Julian every day, a labor of love that has created a place of beauty.

Note: The Historical Society of Ocean Grove is pleased to invite you to an Illumination Garden Party held in the gardens of Centennial Cottage on Friday, August 22. The evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the beautiful garden and will afford you the opportunity to see the garden in a new light. Light refreshments, music, and fellowship will be the order of the evening.

As the event is a fundraiser for Centennial Cottage, the Historical Society is offering you the opportunity to purchase tickets at a variety of levels. Your contributions will allow them to continue to share the history of Ocean Grove with those who visit and participate in the camaraderie of the Cottage and the garden.

If you wish, you may purchase general admission tickets at $10 per person.

For those who wish to contribute an additional amount, the Society has established various levels of contributions:

*$25 donation will entitle you to 2 tickets.
*$100 donation will entitle you to 4 tickets.
*$250 donation will entitle you to 8 tickets.

*$500 donation will entitle you to 10 tickets and the use of the garden for a private event for 4 hours.

In the event of rain, the celebration will be held in the museum.

Please RSVP to HSOG; 50 Pitman Ave., Ocean Grove, NJ 07756 by Monday, August 18.