"He has risen..." and with those words, a whole movement was born. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, was the beginning of an entire religion, based on that one amazing day. Ascending into heaven is what keeps all the Christians in line around the world. Nobody wants to mess up that ticket. It's really too bad that all religions can't get along. Can you imagine world peace? Nah, neither can I. I suppose were all doomed. Hopefully it won't end today.

Happy Easter to all my Christian friends.



This is Scotty Bedell. He was a surfer who passed away last week.

For those of you who don't know Scotty, he was a local surfer who hung out with Zappy and crew at Zapstix. He had been living in Florida and moved back about 7-8 years ago. He settled in with the local crew, and like anyone who lives and surfs around here, he loved it. Scott had cancer. I swear is there anything worse than getting that news? How many friends and loved ones have we all lost to cancer?

At times it seems like we all have cancer, and just don't know it yet.

There should be a Memorial Paddle for him. I'll let you all know once I get word of when and where. But somebody, or somebodies, I'm sure are planning a Surfer's Paddle. Rest In Peace Scotty. And please keep his friends and family in your thoughts and prayers.



We all had a great time in PR last week. The Grondins are the ultimate hosts. Fun, sun, and surf. Just what the Doctor ordered "No pun intended there Doc."
I know I've said this before, but, if you're a New England surfer who has never surfed anywhere but here, you need to get to the tropics at some point in your life. The younger the better. Get your asses to a tropical destination. We all owe it to ourselves. There is nothing like surfing in warm tropical water. NOTHING.



And there's nothing like taking a long walk on an empty beach. See those tracks? They belong to Cory and myself. I looked back and thought "how cool
is this?" I had to take a pic. Can you guess which prints are mine? Ha.



Ok I lied. We didn't have the beach to ourselves. There were plenty of these guys running around. Iguanas are so cool. This one was actually swimming underwater when I walked up to it. I have always loved snakes and reptiles when I was a kid. So yeah, I was instantly drawn to this guy. I could watch them all day long. Is that weird? Nah, I'm being honest here. I like 'em.



The PR gang. Kevin and Kim Grondin, Shelly "Pittmani", Cory, and that's Tony in the back. Yeah I was taking the photo. I suppose I could have photoshopped myself in this pic, but that wouldn't be right. See how happy they are. It's hard not to be happy in the tropics. We can't thank the Grondins enough for their great hospitality putting the four of us up. Can't wait to go back.



Oh and those sunsets? Breathtakingly beautiful. I shot this with Cory's cell.
Those I-phones take great pics. It's such a nice feeling to know that I always have a camera on me. This is the view from the restaurant we were eating at.
The food was amazing and so was the music. Two very talented local guys.

"Surfing and Sunsets Heals All Wounds"

Not sure who this is, but I'm pretty sure he loved this photo. That's if he knows it exists. If you know this guy let him know about this pic. Just click on this pic to see a larger version.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Be sure and pick up a copy of the COLD COAST and check out Ed's own gallery.

Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances

I leave for a trip to the tropics and purposely shy away from the TV and the Internet to cleanse my soul of the madness in the world and of course TRUMP and CRUZ...and sure as shit, when I got back, the shit hit the fan with Terror attacks in Brussels, and the "Wives" gate. How low can all this go?



Though I do know some of the boys enjoy a good cat fight.
This is just about as crazy as I have ever seen or heard.



How do they get away with this? Why would anyone with half a brain want to run for president? This is what you have to face.
Again, no pun intended, well maybe a little. Little bit.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Here's a pic of KSM earning some extra cash around the holiday. Not sure how he got invited to the White House, but nothing surprises me anymore. I just hope he was nice to the kids. wait is that a dress he's wearing? Oh for the love of God what is wrong with Khaliddy? He's just one confused Terrorist.



As always... take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians KSM (Khalid Sheikh Mohammed).

*Note to self must pick up a case of chocolate eggs at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY EASTER March 27th, 2016!
HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY Noelle Fatello March 27th, 2016
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my late father Gus Fatello March 27th
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my late Uncle Angelo March 27th

REST IN PEACE Gary Shandling age 66.
Gary was a brilliant comic who died way too early.


Gary died of a massive heart attack. Shocking and sad.


This clown died this week, but he was under the radar as far as news. At one point we couldn't get enough of this buffoon. But now with new buffoons (Trump, Cruz, Hillary, and Sanders) the old buffoons seem to fade away. Rest In Peace Rob Ford.

REST IN PEACE Dorothy Bocko age 96.
Dorothy Bocko mother of local surfer Stan Bocko suffered a major stroke, and passed away two weeks ago. She was 96 years old. A WWII Vet Dorothy served in the British Naval Intelligence in London, Washington DC, and Norfolk VA. Please keep the Bocko family in your prayers.

Please Pray for a NH Icon from the Seacoast. North Beach Matriarch Jane McCarthy is needing some love and prayers. Jane is the mother of Duffy McCarthy and the whole McCarthy clan. She's been a fixture on the Wall forever.
You all have seen her, you might not know her, but trust me, she has seen you all. And please continue to pray for local Hampton surfers Terry Morrison and Rick Fiorentini and
their families. Also please pray for Marine SSGT George Masten. A combat Marine who served in Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the purple heart for wounds received in Vietnam in 1967. George is battling cancer.
PLEASE say a prayer for him.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 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. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

Like us on Facebook



CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC ABOVE TO SEE EVERY
SINGLE WEEK FROM THE LAST 11 YEARS!

(Above) Maddie Ryan has been hitting her turns as of late like she's been
surfing longer than she's been alive. March 18th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) This guy had speed. And when you have speed you get to pull
off turns like this. March 18th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I kept looking down the beach and seeing these big blustery
peaks folding on the reef. March 18th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Think he made this? Well? Click it and find out. Mike Stanek.
March 16th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) He's honed his cutties here since he was 8 years old.
Mackey V March 16th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery