Frank Grondin turned 96 years old this week. And he's still as sharp as he was when he was 95. That's not a joke. That's the truth. The man has all of his wit and sharp tongue humor intact. He may have slowed down a bit, but he's still the same man I've known for some 40 years! It's true. To know Frank you would have to agree with me. Clearly he can still lead a conversation almost about any subject matter on the planet.

He's a wonderful caring man, who has always treated me and my family with nothing but the highest respect. A veteran of WWII where he was wounded in Europe fighting the Nazis. A true entrepreneur who went on to be a successful business man. The father of my longest best friend Kevin Grondin, Father in law to Kim Grondin, and grandfather to Leah and Kody. A friend to so many. I would be hard pressed to think that he won't make it to 100. I see it clear as day. He will crack that century mark by sheer will and determination.

And that wit and humor? This graphic below was NOT my idea. It was Frank's idea. Last summer at age 95 during the annual HIT THE BEACH event, he pulled me aside and said. "Ralph have you heard about The Elf On The Shelf?" I looked at him and said "Yeah, sort of. I'm not that up on it, but I've heard something about it." He then says "You should make a RALPH ON THE SHELF!" I started laughing. But he was serious. I walked away that day laughing about it, but I never forgot it. So when the holiday season rolled into town, I did this graphic as a joke and a tribute to Frank.

This was his idea. Not mine. Thanks Frank for making us all laugh.



Now if I could only sell a few of these things. Anyone interested?

So watching the George H. Bush funeral last week was really a moving and very impressive service. George H. Bush is the last of the Greatest Generation's presidents. A true war hero. A true patriot. He did more for our country than most will ever even think about. The service was fit for a man who was respected and loved.



Watching the crippled body of Bob Dole being helped to his feet to salute his fellow comrade was heart wrenching. Dole was severely wounded in combat fighting the Nazis in WWII. It's funny how I started this week's Blog celebrating a man who fought in the same war as these two men, but somehow managed to keep his head above water. Age waits for no man. And age has caught up to Bush and Dole. Sitting in that front row was another WWII veteran President. Jimmy Carter served our nation in WWII in the US NAVY.



This man and his love of his friend and comrade will long be remembered in the coming days. His time is short. But he'd be dammed to miss this service and he insisted that he get to his feet to salute his friend. Remember this photo. This is the end of an era of men and women who served our country in World War II. They are the GREATEST GENERATION.



I am not going to lie. I cried at the end of George W's eulogy. I can't imagine anyone who watched that who didn't get choked up. I know how hard it is to give a eulogy about a loved one to a packed congregation. I did both of my parents, my two uncles, my cousin, and my sister. So i know what it takes to stand up there and try and hold it together. W did a wonderful job but lost it at the very end. That raw human emotion caught us all off guard, because he was doing great up until the end. The love of his father was too much to hold it together. You did a fine job George W. You're a good son.

I cried the night this man was murdered. December 8th, 1980.



John Lennon. One of The BEATLES. The greatest Rock and Roll band that world has ever known. To this day, the BEATLES still hold that coveted crown. To lose this icon to a senseless murder is unfathomable. I am still mad about that asshole who killed him. Every so often he comes up for parole. He should NEVER, EVER, see the light of day again. Taking John Lennon from this earth is unforgivable.

My friend Johnny A is a huge BEATLES fan. he plays several BEATLE songs in his show. I'm going to see him this night. I hope you can join me. Trust me,
he's worth seeing and hearing. There's nobody like JOHNNY A out there.



"Remembering those who have passed, Celebrating Life, and Surfing
Heals All Wounds."

This week's ED's Corner pic is a pic of Pev. A longboarder who has transitioned to a shortboard, but still prefers the longboard. Because he's so dam good at it. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

Now for Some Local, National and International News
This past week my wife along with several of her co-workers attended The 14th annual Massachusetts Conference for Women on December 6, 2018 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. The Massachusetts Conference for Women offers the community and connection, the information and inspiration, the motivation and momentum to help you discover what you want—and go get it! My wife had high praise for all the speakers and walked away from the event with even more motivation than when she walked into the conference.

This year 2018 is the Year for Women.



Think it's a coincidence that I released the FIRST EVER ALL WOMEN Surfers of the Northeast in 2018? Well, truth be told, yea it was. Or as I call it, just lucky that this movie came out this year. I had been thinking about doing this movie for at least 7 years. So you could call it a coincidence. Or you could call it visionary. But whatever you call it, pick one up at any of these Surf Shops.

It's a piece of Women Surfer's of the Northeast History!



* I am going to make this available on-line starting next week.



Sorry to my 45 supporters, but the truth is. He will never ever see anything remotely close to what 41's service was like. Not even close. I mean, look at him. Look at him.

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) The text from Johnny alerted me to this new swell.
Monday December 3rd, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The longboarding was more than doable.
Monday December 3rd, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Not sure who this guy was, but he was good.
Monday December 3rd, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I don't shoot here that often, so I was pulling the trigger on anyone who caught a decent looking wave. Monday December 3rd, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) There he is again. You can see he knows what he's doing.
Monday December 3rd, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I can't tell you how many times I've both done this and seen this. Blocking the sun to see if there's a wave coming. Yet, I've never shot this scene until this day. Saturday December 8th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I think this is the other Becca. Erin Martin would know.
Saturday December 8th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I always love this angle. Saturday December 8th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Someone finally paddled out down there. Lucky bastard.
Saturday December 8th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Don't tell me this is not pretty. Saturday December 8th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Floating ships on the horizon. Saturday December 8th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery