The TEMPORARY Home of Cinnamon Rainbows is at 62 Lafayette Rd in North Hampton, NH Tel. (603) 929-7467

December 8th, 2024 The RUN is 54 out of 54 Weeks.
CRITERIA: Waist high or better at least once a week.
There were head high waves on 11-29-24
And waist to chest high on 12-5-24

THE RECORD FOR THE MOST CONSECUTIVE WEEKS IN A ROW FOR WAIST HIGH OR BETTER. August 8th, 2021 was 53 WEEKS! TOPPING THE 43 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS SET IN 2009!

NEXT BLOG December 22nd, 2024.
All future Blogs will be posted on the 1st and 3rd week of every month (give or take a day). *Also in the event of any significant swell I will post the week of that swell. Although the blog is now bi-weekly, I'm certainly not gonna pass up a decent swell. So while it's basically going to be every other week, I left it open for some wiggle room.



HAPPY HOLIDAYS! FAMILY TRADITIONS. MORE SURF.
INTRODUCING NEW PHOTOG TO THE BLOG ALEX WALSH.
JOHNNY FATELLO'S SURPRISE 70th BIRTHDAY PARTY.



Traditions run deep in our home. December 1st, the lights go on the house, the tree gets decorated, and the family gathers around our home to kick off the Holiday season. It's one of the most joyous times of the year in our home. And as many of my longtime readers will remember, these two ornaments were gifted to Cory and I when we were dating in 1984 by my dear friend Elliott Easton from the CARS. They were actually on top of our wedding cake too.



This is our oldest granddaughter Avery climbing the ladder to hang an ornament. Yes our tree is on the large size. It's all of 11' high and it's pretty wide. I have always gotten trees that were too big for our home. Call it my Clark Griswold syndrome. I'm no Chevy Chase, but I do entertain the troops in our home. It makes for good laughter.



All thirteen of us were here for the Tree decorating. I hope that this tradition will outlive me. It would be nice to think that when I'm long gone from this world, that our family would continue this Fatello family tradition. And if they don't? Well, I'll come back and haunt them. I'm kidding (nope).

Ed O'Connell was one of the most loved surf photographers in New England. A US ARMY Vietnam Veteran who saved the lives of so many ARMY Grunts in Nam in 68-69 as a Medic on board those Dust Off Hueys. He was a close and dear friend of mine.

When he passed on July 1st, 2014 I swore I'd keep his memory and legacy alive by giving him this weekly corner. He loved surfing and he loved taking photos of all the surfers. Not just those who could really stand out. He shot every one. As long as I shall live and breathe the salt air, there will be a corner dedicated to Ed.

ED'S CORNER December 8th, 2024



Imagine my surprise when I went looking for an old Ed's Corner Pic this week and found one of me. This is actually me surfing at the Wall in June of 2009. I wish I could tell you that I remember this wave and ride, but I do not. In fact, I had to look twice to see if this was really me. The bottom of the board was the giveaway. Ed was always there.

And the following year, I did the CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY and Ed was present for 90% of the time I went surfing. He was loyal and I could always depend on him. I miss you big man. I miss Kathy too. But life goes on. Merry Christmas Ed. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

COMING JANUARY 2025



I apologize for this taking so damn long, but I've had so many crazy stories in my life that I needed to include them all. Though the shorter printed version will only have the best of the best. It's basically my memoir. The last 73 plus years of my life all condensed into two formats. The shorter printed version and the longer Online version.

The problem is I need to cut down the 1000 page Online version down to 350-450 to fit in the printed version. And to be completely honest with you, I am having a hard time deciding what stays and what goes. I have been literally spinning my wheels and it has been beyond frustrating. At times I feel like a complete failure. It has been beyond stressful. And I have jokingly said that this book will be the death of me yet.

I suppose I should hire a professional editor to cut through the RALPH FATELLO story and take out the fat and leave the prime beef. Having my life stories ending up on the cutting room floor has been difficult at best.

This book that I have been writing the last 15 years or so will be out long after I hit my 20th Year Anniversary of this Blog. And that will be double the reason to celebrate. BOOK and BLOG. And YES, there will be a book signing. And I will let you all know in advance, where and when. The book will be available in both hard cover and soft cover on AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, INGRAM, GOOGLE BOOKS, and KOBO PUBLISHING.

Most of my close friends have heard some of these stories first hand. But trust me, with over 100 stories, there's a handful that none of you have ever heard. It's true. Be patient my friends. It should be out sometime in early January. Blogging is easy compared to this writing a book stuff.

INTRODUCING SURF PHOTOGRAPHER ALEX WALSH.

Alexander Walsh is an ocean photographer based in New York City. His seascapes, wave forms, and water textures explore the intimacies and various moods of the ocean. Alex draws upon thirty years of surfing and ocean experience to create striking images which invite his viewers to look at coastal waters in a whole new way.

ARTIST STATEMENT
I am an ocean and wave photographer from Long Island, NY. Using specialized equipment I am able to swim amongst the surf to capture and share unique perspectives of the ocean. ALTOWA IMAGE is the place where I produce archival quality, fine art prints of my images; allowing people to bring the feeling of the ocean into their homes and businesses.

www.altowaimage.com

I've been around the block a few times in my 60 plus years of surfing and shooting the surf. So I know of what I speak of. Every now and then, a surf photographer comes along that catches my attention. Brian Nevins from Hampton was one of those back in the day and in my honest opinion is hands down the best surf photographer to ever come out of New England. He still is the best today. So when I see something that reminds me of something Brian would shoot, I stop and pay attention. I think this guy Alex Walsh has a good eye for detail and composition when it comes to shooting the surf. I love his empty wave shots, and he's also got a good eye for capturing the action out in the lineups.

So check out the gallery I put up and visit his website. I think you'll agree, he has the surfer's eye for capturing those beautiful moments out in the lineups of New York and beyond.




The FATELLO siblings on the Eve of Thanksgiving down in Mass.
Left to right: Ralph, Donna, Johnny, and Gale. We went down as a surprise party that his girlfriend Sue put on . Johnny's actual Birthday was back in August but he and Sue were in Hawaii, so we never got to celebrate. And celebrate we did. Including he and I jamming together on our guitars like the old days. *Check the yesterday section for the collage I made for him from our old band VINNY.



I made up a couple of songs about him and we had a few laughs. One of the songs was a take-off on Blue Jean Blues. "Well I done ran into my brother, and I finally found my old Stratocaster..."

NEW 2025 RALPH'S PIC CALENDARS ARE IN. CLICK ON THE PIC.



Every month is an empty wave shot. See what I did there? Each month has an empty wave shot of that particular month that is guaranteed to get your attention. Nobody can complain that I didn't include you in the calendar because it's all empty wave pics. Nobody made the calendar.
I'm selling them for $20. Just send me an email ralph@adlantic.com or pick one up at Cinnamon Rainbows.

“SURFING, MUSIC, and CALENDARS HEALS ALL WOUNDS.” 

REST IN PEACE DICKIE BRYNES
Known as Ricardo down in Rincon, PR he was and is a true NH surf legend. I'll have more on Dickie's life and times in NH and PR in another week or so. Meanwhile, here's a couple of photos of Dickie in his tuxedo from Stan and Mindy Bocko's wedding. Our most sincere condolences to his son Morgan.



That's quite the tux. Dickie Byrnes at Stan and Mindy's wedding. He will be included in the IN MEMORIAM Page of Surfers we have lost. REST IN PEACE DICKIE.






I'm not surprised to see our boy with the Missing Assad who recently fled Syria after t6he rebels came in and kicked Assad's ass out the door. He is currently hanging with Putin in frigid Moscow. Assad left quite the fleet of sports cars. Turns out one of those cars belonged to Khaliddy and he was there to pick it when the proverbial shit hit the fan.

Suffice it to say, The Sheik and Assad were unable to negotiate a deal on the Sports Car. Oh well. Meanwhile KSM has got a great scoop on Assad's untimely departure from Syria to write in the GITMO GAZETTE. Leave it to Khaliddy to always be where the hot stories are. Sorry to hear about your missing souped up VW Beetle Bug Sheiky.

And so my friends, please take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed). *Note to self -must pick up a case of VW BEETLE Xmas Ornaments at Home Depot this week.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY HANUKKAH!
PLEASE GET WELL SOON Kim Grondin! We Miss You!
REST IN PEACE Andy Paley 73.
REST IN PEACE Dickie Brynes.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Brent LaBreck Dec. 10th, 2024!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Donna Baldassari Dec. 13th, 2024!
HAPPY 41st ANNIVERSARY Cory December 23rd, 2024!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tony Berardini December 24th, 2024!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Baby Jesus December 25th, 2024!
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Please keep LOCAL SURF LEGEND Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.

"SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS."
Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 19 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.
Remember my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surfing Is Supposed to be Fun.

Ralph

HAPPY SURPRISE 70th BIRTHDAY JOHNNY FATELLO!
The truth is Johnny turned 70 on August 25th, 2024 but he was in Hawaii for a couple of months. So his longtime girlfriend Sue had a surprise birthday for him at the Legion Jam in Middleton, Mass. So we all went down and Johnny and I got to play a couple of songs together. Just like the old days. Collage by Ralph Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see a larger image

I kept a daily Blog on my CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY surf campaign, when I surfed every single day for 365 consecutive days. Click on the Banner above to read entries of my daily journey. There's some really interesting and true experiences
that happened during that year. Some of which are to this day, unexplainable. Some are just mind blowing. But all true.

I started on July 26th, 2010 and ended on July 26th, 2011.

Some rainy Sunday, pour yourself a cup and go through the journal. Pay close attention to the month of May in 2011. Read that month and let me know what you think of that. Be forewarned it will change you forever.

All photos taken this week unless otherwise noted.

Today- BLACK FRIDAY November 29th, 2024.
Photos by RALPH




(Above) Brian Taber at The WALL on Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on the ad above to see the Menu and other
important info on their Somerville restaurant and all the
other AMERICAN FLATBREAD locations.

(Above) Brian Taber was the only one out when I first pulled up at The WALL on Friday November 29th, 2024.Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I've always like the way Brian Taber surfed. He's got a great style.
Friday November 29th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The Haffenreffer family have been helping seacoast families
with their holistic health and optimal wellness for decades.

Welcome Solsticenh.com Melinda is a local NH surfer.
Click on the ad above to visit her site.

(Above) Just wanted to give a little perspective on the swell size.
Friday November 29th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) My favorite view in Hampton. The WALL November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Best EAST COAST Coverage on the Internet.




NEW Client to the BLOG WELCOME 935 OCEAN
Click on the ad to find out where to stay the next time
you're in town.

(Above) The WALL on Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Matt Colby flying along on on Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on the ad above to see the NEW SURFER'S JOURNAL

DIPG THE CURE STARTS NOW
To learn more about Evan and his journey click here  https://thecurestartsnow.org/sup.../view-heroes/evan-austin/

(Above) Colby tapping the coping on Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Nice view on Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Duffy and the Dogs Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

If you love the Beatles and you love the guitar
click on this ad above for an amazing instrumental
band playing all of your favorite Beatles songs with
the coolest arrangements. Johnny A is one of the
best guitar players on the planet.

Peter Stokes is one of the BEST guitar techs in
all of North America. He's the BEST guitar tech
in New England.

Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page

(Above) Matt Colby Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Might this be the surface of MARS? No. Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page

Produced by Steve Sadler.
Visit our Facebook page

The VINNY Band was around from 1976 to 1984




July 30th, 1979 headlining the Paradise Club
In Boston, MA

(Above) Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Friday November 29th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Lines in the sand. Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Joe Carter, Brian Nevins, and Nick Lavecchia

The art of Donna Baldassari

(Above) Brendan from a short sequence. Check out his wave in the BLACK FRIDAY video. Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Captain Duffy. Check out Duffy's waves in the BLACK FRIDAY video. November 29th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Hannah Vokey is one of my favorite surf artists.

Click on the ad above to find out more about
more about local surf artist Stan Chew's art

(Above) Crowley Gentile is always moving at a high rate of speed.
Friday November 29th, 2024. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Crowley BLACK Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) BLACK FRIDAY line-up Friday November 29th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA December 14th, 2024.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Wreaths Across America. Saturday December 14th, 2024.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


Today- The ALEX WALSH Gallery ALTOWA IMAGE
Photos by Alex Walsh



(Above) This peak courtesy of Hurricane Lee.
ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Visit Jimmy Dunn's website to find out where
else he will be performing. Watch Jimmy on the
new FRASIER Click on Jimmy to find out more.

Jimmy Dunn and Kelsey Grammer
Click the image above or below to see more.

(Above) Love these colors Alex. ALTOWA IMAGE.
Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Golden sunlight, and I'm guessing late afternoon.
ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

I love Erica's whimsical Gull art. So cool and unique.

SECRET SPOT IS NOW OPEN IN HAMPTON.
SECRET SPOT is back in operation on the seacoast.
Thank you.
Jon Gozzo and family.

(Above) Alex has an eye for positioning and composition and being a surfer he knows when to pull the trigger.
ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Only surfers make the best surf photographers.
ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Listen to QWILL on the video page.

(Above) Love this shot. ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Cool perspective. ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I really like the pics from Alex Walsh and ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on this image to visit Driftwood Photography

"GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A KICK IN THE ADS"
Since 1985.

Click on the image above to see the cool ocean art
from Alex Walsh.

(Above) That's a beefy wave. ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Cool perspective. ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) In thru the backdoor. ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Cool angle. ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) We can all relate to this shot. ALTOWA IMAGE.
Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) And this? We Northern New Englanders know this scene
only to well. ALTOWA IMAGE. Photo by Alex Walsh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Send your SURF Pics to me directly to: ralph@adlantic.com.
Need photos by 10 AM on Saturdays. Seriously. By 10AM. 
Make sure they are 1500 to 1555 pixels wide.
If you have more than 10 pics please use wetransfer.com it's free up to 2 gig. Please DO NOT send me over 10 pics without first contacting and communicating with me. Thank you.

Click on Archives link to see all the past Blogs and pics.

My friend Rick McAvoy from Maine is the creator
behind this unique Surf Company

(Above) It's been a Long time, but I still remember surfing here. I have fond memories of this place. November 2024.
Photo by Brian Pescatore
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Good morning. Imagine waking up to this?
Friday November 29th, 2024. Photo by Jeff Chamberlain
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

He's more than just a good photographer

(Above) All Rise: The 10th Street District Court Of Surf is Now in Session. The Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. Case # 783 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK. Click the image above to see the outcome of this Surf Crime and the verdict that was rendered.
Photo by Stan/Mindy Bocko
*Click on the photo above to see the outcome

This is what happens if you are found GUILTY. You become invisible.

Click on this image above to buy this book
and more cool KING'S X merchandise and music

I see waves today only

I'm picking next Thursday as the best of the two weeks.12-12-24

December 8th, 2024

"Oh what fun it is to surf...!"

(ABOVE) It's The HOLIDAY SEASON! Merry Merry Happy Happy Happy!
Photo by The Google Machine



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