I will be the first one to admit, it was a wedding of colossal maginficance. But the truth is, I am no way near anything resembling royalty. Ha! Not even close. So it's understandable, that I could not relate to any of the pomp and circumstance on Saturday. My wife was into it (sort of). And I got glimpses of the wedding. I even saw and heard Harry and Megan exchange vows. And though I could not fathom the entire Royal Circus, Love was in the air.



And the African American preacher Reverend Michael Curry, who stood up on the pulpit, like he was at home preaching to his congregation about love, was worth the price of admission alone. The man was clearly not in his element. I'm not sure what he was thinking, but I'm pretty sure of what 90% of the attendees were thinking. No words shall be wriiten here.

Still, they exchanged vows and then did the Massive "Dog and Pony" show.



Harry you may now kiss the bride! Harry? Oh what the hell, pucker up kids. You guys just got hitched in front of gazillions of poor people!



It should be pointed out, that I do 100% respect both of these two. They both went on and sacrificed a part of their lives to make others less fortunate than them a better life. Harry has my utmost respect because of his 10 years in the Military. He was in combat in Afghanistan. He was also a Top gun Apache Helicopter Pilot who flew into harms way. This is a throwback to what the old Royalty used to do. They went out and faced the tiger when their beloved Queen called upon them. So a big hand salute to you Sir Harry.



Of course there's alway the sattire during these "Over The Top" events.
Will Ferrell (Cord) and Molly Shannon (Tish) did a hilarious spoof on the Royal couple and wedding. To hear Cord say (over and over again) "One small kiss for man, one giant kiss for mankind" Too funny Will, too funny. But thank you both for bringing it all back down to earth, where sarcasm and humor rule the REAL WORLD.

It's not very common these days in Rock and Roll to point out that a band like The Nor'easters have had the same members for 30 years. But it's true here. The Nor'easters started in 1988 (yes Bruce Marshall it's true) and we have had the same four members. Mike "Whitey" White, Sir Lenny Dunn, and Johnny "Palimino" Fatello and Ralph "Vince" Fatello. Same four members.



To put this into some kind of local Rock and Roll perspective, my old band the VINNY Band was a four piece band. We started in 1976 and broke up in 1984. The final tally of that band was 18 different members outside of my brother and I. My band that followed VINNY was a five piece band that ended up having close to 10 members. So it's quite a feat to be able to say that The Easters have had the same four members for 30 years.



There's no secret. We like each other, and we love the music we play.
We played at the McCarthy STRONG Walk for Cancer yesterday. We had fun and it was for a great cause.



A few of the many Fatellos who were there. Max, Cory, and Johnny.



Perhaps our biggest fan. Harry Manzi. He loves the band, and we love him.



It was supposed to rain all day, but it didn't start raining until the last walker came back to the Marston School.

Duffy and his family are all wonderful people. And they are carrying the torch of their beloved Stephen and keeping his legacy and memory alive. We all know someone who lost their battle with cancer. Like I said yesterday, "If we can have a driverless UBER pick us up and drop us off, we should be able to find a cure for Pancreatic cancer and all the other deadly cancers!"



We will be back again next year, and the year after that, and until they find a cure, the McCarthy's will still be WALKING McCARTHY STRONG!

Meanwhile down south at the ESA-NNE REGIONALS the locals kick butt and bring home the hardware.



Not enough words to describe how much I love this kid. Hell, he's not a kid anymore, he's a man and one hell of a surfer too! Kai Nichols Number 1!



And this girl? Becca Speak is one of the main players in the GRANITE GIRLS movie. Although new to the ESA and competition, she's not new to winning, because that's all she's been doing since joinning the team. Becca is one of the Best woman surfers in all of The Northeast. So proud of you kid.



I've watched this girl develop so quickly and so impressively that I have to stop myself and remind everyone just how old she is. Maddie Ryan is a 15yr old wonder woman. From surfing HUGE Tres to kicking ass in virtually every contest she paddles out in. And yes, she's clearly a stand out in the GRANITE GIRLS and RIVER WOMEN movie. Watch out boys, Maddie's The Real Deal!

" Cancer Walks, Rock and Roll, Surfing and Winning Heals All Wounds."

This pic ran before. The only reason why I'm running it again is because I was just talking to the guy in this photo. Johnny Meehan said he couldn't remember this pic. Hmmm. Maybe he ought to look at the BLOG a little more. 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
My wife and I had the unique opportunity to be invited to a Fundraiser for one of the most wonderful places on earth. New Generation is the brainchild and passion of the late Ruth Ford who worked at Exeter Hospital.



Ruth Ford was a selfless humanitarian and vigorous contributor to the Seacoast community, and it was obvious from the people who spoke on Friday night that she was something very special. And
so is NEW GENERATION. Click on the Link below to learn more about this wonderful program.



Go to their website to learn more about NEW GENERATION.



Ruth's daughter Julie Ford Bailey has carried on her late mother's project and taken it to new heights. Julie is a very humble individual who is surrounded by a loving family, and co-workers who share the same love they had for her mother with her.

I admit, I did not know much about new Generation prior to going to this fundraiser. What I took away from this evening, was the realization, that there are more wonderful, caring people on this earth doing great things, than there are bad people out there doing bad things.

Speaking of taking away from this night. I was the lucky recipient of this amazing autographed photo of "The CATCH". My wife bought a raffle ticket and lo and behold, I won this.



Tim Bailey (Julie's husband) and I holding the coveted photo of The CATCH. I'll be holding tours in the future to view the CATCH. Keep checking in with the BLOG each week to see when the tours start. *No cameras and certainly NO Flashes will be allowed in the museum.

Last week a dear friend of mine Dave Cain posted on Social media that his lovely wife Liz suffered a serious injury while riding her horse. My wife is a horse lover who rode horses her entire Pre-Ralph life. So when I saw the photo of Liz on a horse it caught my eye. According to Dave she is doing better.



There is a GO FUND ME page set-up on social media. Just click on this image below to find out more.



On behalf of all the surfers here in Northern New England we're sending our thoughts, prayers, and positive energy to Liz for a speedy recovery.

OK so I couldn't possibly be the only person who thought the Cav's were gonna win at least one of these games? Right? Though I did not see the ass kicking coming. But hey, it's a series now. There are no givens. Not when this guy is on that team. He's not gonna just roll over and play dead.



He's not going down without a fight. Not even close. so suck it up Celtics and especially you fans. We have ourselves a series.

Looks like a Charlie Brown cartoon to me.



I made a promise on Social Media that I would stop posting about 45 and his cronies. I also stated that I would CONTINUE to post anti 45 posts here on my BLOG. I just couldn't stand dealing with the moronic Pro 45 comments. I was on the verge of screaming at my computer. And look, I know that the PC's are not to blame. The 45's are insane. Over the top crazy.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
I'm sorry I did not know this happened. Did any of you? How the hell did KSM get to walk Meghan down the aisle without the entire world finding out? But the photos don't lie (wink wink).



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 "Rice and Confetti"
at Home Depot this week.

GO CELTICS!
GET WELL SOON Max Fatello!
GET WELL SOON Jon Gozzo!
GET WELL SOON Cliff Pappas!
GET WELL JoEllen Bunton!

FYI Lenny Nichols is looking for someone or someones to take over the ESA-NNE District. Please contact Lenny Nichols by calling his cell (603) 944-2418



ESA-NNE FLATBREAD FUNDRAISER in Portsmouth, NH
Tuesday May 29th, 2018 Please HELP THE ESA-NNE.

THE NEW GRANITE GIRLS poster! Shooting for a May Day premiere and a Summer DVD release.




Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 13 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

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) This is MVE summer of 1997 at the Wall. Sunday May 20th, 2018. Photo by RALPH and others *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) This is Neddie summer 1975.
Sunday May 20th, 2018. Photo by RALPH and others
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is Right Point in Nova Scotia from November of 2004.
Sunday May 20th, 2018. Photo by RALPH and others
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) This is my old yard at my parents house. Spring 1968.
Sunday May 20th, 2018. Photo by RALPH and others
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery






(Above) This is Paul Linstrom from the early 70's.
Sunday May 20th, 2018. Photo by RALPH and others
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is me with the Black Vinny in 1980. .
Sunday May 20th, 2018. Photo by RALPH and others
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Tom Woods surfing in Vietnam in 1968.
Sunday May 20th, 2018. Photo by RALPH and others
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- ESA-NNE Surf Regionals May 18-20-2018
Photos courtesy of Lenny Nichols

(Above) Becca Speak being hoisted above and onto the shoulders of her fans.
Saturday May 19th, 2018. Photo courtesy of Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Kai Nichols is a great contest surfer. Saturday May 19th, 2018.
Photo courtesy of Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) God Bless Lenny Nichols. He still comptes in the ESA after all these years. Saturday May 19th, 2018. Photo courtesy of Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Video frame grab from the cool drone footage of Melinda Ferreira.
April 2018. Photo courtesy of Ryan Kavanagh
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos