May 31, 2010
Ralph,
I am sorry I was unable to attend the services today. I had to shoot
the NH Fisher Cats baseball. But I want you to know I thought of your
friends and family who have died for our freedom, especially Joe.
There was an Iwo Jima survivor at the game. I also spoke to someone
about the flag you saw.
I thanked another WWII veteran for serving and shook his hand.
Not much else to say other than "we will not forget".
John.
That says it all John. Thank you.
Hi Ralph,
All of us (Christos, Alison and John Christos) say thank you & we hope you (and your family) have a very nice Memorial Day. Thanks for your service & all that you continue to do for our community!
God Bless America.
The Valhouli Family
Thank you Christos
May 30, 2010
Hi Ralph,
I want to tell you how much Allen and I (and our friends) enjoyed the concert last night - we were very pleasantly surprised by the beautiful young lady Margo and her selection of songs, not to mention her fabulous voice. Her accompaniment was first class. Now, the really best surprise was your blues music - we loved it!!! Go Big Handsome Daddy!
Happy Memorial Day - we are very proud of all our servicemen and women!
Carol H
Thank you Carol.
May 28, 2010
Ralph,
I am proud to wave the red white and blue.
We must never forget the sacrifices made for our great land.
Thank You my brother
Tony (California)
Thanks Tony...
May 27, 2010
Citizen Ralph, I like it!...I have the same birthday as Leah... I was touched to the soul by the pic (#21) of Ralph & Dad juxtaposed with Ralph & Son...I'm in training for my annual run down the sand, Cap'n Vince...surfed Adrian's for three hours yesterday eve, was joined by a fellow from Beverly, now Portsmouth, named Christian who was styling on his longboard, my first time in the water since mid-March, how does that happen? Is it indolence, misguided work diligence or sheer stupidity that keeps me out of the water? Or is it my Catholic guilt feeling nobody should have such a good time while someone else somewhere is somehow suffering??...keep up the good work, even when I don't like it I like it!!...Love, Stan
You just keep surfing and nevermind about how long it's been in between sessions.
May 26, 2010
Ralph…
I was surprised to see my youthful self gliding across that wave on the cape as part of RPOTW, and I’m glad that it evokes many of the same feelings in you that it does in me. You are one of the few left who remember how it was in the early days. That session, just south of Nauset, was photographed by a high school friend who really got into surf photography for about a year, and most of his photos were of me and a couple of excellent surfers from Florida, who ended up moving to the cape, Jess Kithcart, and Pat McCarthy. Jess is still around, but Pat came to an untimely and unfortunate violent end when he was still pretty young.
The thing about that session, and so many others, is that I was the only surfer for miles. I sometimes reflect on my years in Hawaii, summers in La Jolla, and a few sessions in Santa Cruz while I was in college, and my usual thought involves “Oh, I wish I had the equipment then that we have now”, as I remember all sorts of horrors in terms of some of the boards I had.
But your putting that photo in your column caused me to reconsider my thoughts, along the lines of – If one were given a choice, lets say, of surfing Rincon or Trestles today, with no one out, but on some mid 60’s log, or surfing the same break on the best board you’ve ever ridden, but with the current modern complement of surfers in the water, so that you have to jockey, snake, get burned, etc. in order to get a wave, I’m pretty sure that you would make the same decision that I would. I would give anything to have Malibu, Rincon, Ala Moana, Sunset, Laniakea, Haleiwa, The Rocks, Linkies, any top break on a good day, on a waterlogged 9’6”, rather than deal with today’s crowds.
But we were lucky to have had those old days, even though, by comparison todays crowds can compromise the enjoyment of the activity. It’s still just about the best.
I did check out Brian’s piece on you – pretty spot on. What a talent he is!
Thanks,
Peter
PS I still have that same board I’m on in the photo. It takes half a week to turn!
Peter:
I think I would not go back if I had the choice. I'm happy to have experienced all of what surfing has given me. The good and the bad. I would not change anything. In other words, I am still stoked...just like you.
Ralph
May 24, 2010
Hey Ralph,
If London England shows up on your "spy in the sky" program, that was me. Looking good this week, I'd say definately shoulder high or better. And I am talking Markey J sholder not Kai Nichols.
Hanging out in London, waiting for my boys to pick me up and drive me to the middle of nowhere for this race deal.
Ed
Have fun in Limeyland...
May 22, 2010
Hi Ralph,
Norm forwarded your award info to me. I didn't realize that I had been dealing with such a celebrity all those years. However, I always knew you are a special kind of person. Congratulations!! Well deserved!
Hope all is well with you and family. Everything is fine here. We don't regret leaving Massachusetts for one minute.
Keep up the good work and keep in touch.
Dave T. (Maine)
P.S. It's been four years and I still miss those Tuesday chin wags.
Me too Dave...
May 20, 2010
. I just got my internet from comcast and it's a relief to be back in the loop. Little surfers clip I hadn't seen because I don't have Monkey Punk but that is really funny- especially the big drops. wipeouts, and the script as well. Brian's pic on the BDI is classic! Just perfect. How does he do it? He's very thoughtful and creative. Unlike you. You create without much forethought- it's like Bam! create this. I neither think ahead nor create, I merely respond. Yet we all bring something to the table. So, yes, I can now view Vimeo without a glitch. WHich of course means I have to comment on it now.
Havent got to the rest yet.
Great pic by Aaron Rhode of the soldier. And Mackey by you.
Looks like Waddell Creek in Santa Cruz. I surfed there (if you could call it that). But a lot of spots look like that on PCH1
I dont have enough time to comment on the NS vid- thats one for us to go over. SO great. You guys were living large.
Cant finish now....
As always... Riiight on!
John
.
P.S. Ok BDI was hilarious. Ralph... You have wayyyyy too much fun. Every pic and comments were great but when he fell off the board as it was walling up, you served him his just reward. You must have loved having this sequence in your bag! Wow.
I'm always happy to shoot the BDI's when they occur.
May 19, 2010
Ralph-
Congrats on the MAN OF THE YEAR! The award definitely went to a well
deserving individual.
Cheers,
Ben
I'm the Citizen Of The Year...Not The Man...oh forget it. But thank you.
WOW
thanks for sharing great piece (GITV) you should be proud
touching for sure
Skip
I'm stoked that you dug it.
May 18, 2010
GITV
Very cool,wish they asked me I would have given them some stories from back in the day,seriously congrats and see y'all on the 29th
Johnny (The Nor'easters)
Hey Johnny I'm glad they didn't ask you...
May 17, 2010
Good stuff Ralph, and some really great pics!
Ty (California)
Thanks Ty...
May 17, 2010
Ralph,
Thanks for the hook up on the picture! It has been a long time since seeing any of the 10th street gang or any of the people of my childhood. I live in Lake Tahoe, came back this week for a service with my family for my father, and we had a great day on Sunday at Rye. We paddled out and dropped ashes in the water, totally flat that day but oh well it was still like old days to paddle out. Dave at Cinnamon Rainbow hooked us up with suits and boards for the day so if at any way possible a thank you on your page would be ideal to him for all his support.
Again thanks for helping out my sister Vickie and I wish you all the best in your life. If your ever on the West Coast please look me up! Great waves on Lake Tahoe on windy days.
Cheers,
Jamie
Hey Jamie your dad was a good man. We are all going to miss him.
May 17, 2010
Hello Ralph -
So I have to comment on your "drop in of the week". I was laughing because that is me and my wife out there. We wanted to take the same wave in to end the session that day.
I literally remember this wave. My wife and I wanted to take it together we were actually have a conversation while riding it together. There was no hate, no mean spirit, nothing but love! After that wave we did finally grab one together that ended our session.
I do have to say your play by play was quiet funny!
CHRIS
Hey Chris I'm happy to hear that you and your wife have a sense of humor. ...
May 17, 2010
Amazing words and even more amazing photos of and about Ralph,
Nevins.... like you said, after checking it out I felt like I haven't
lived anywhere near as much as Ralph has... plus it made my problems
seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Epic, epic work guys
Nick ESM
Hey Nick...I agree. Brian did a great job. I've gotten many positive feedback
emails from the GITV piece. It was quite a week for me. I'm truly humbled and
thankful for the recognition.
Best,
Ralph
May 17, 2010
Hi Ralph,
I just heard a rumor that you may have some pictures of my father surfing. I’m not sure if you know or not, but my Dad passed away April 2. Very surreal!! I’m sorry to contact you this way, but I got pumped as I looked at your website!
Would you still have any photos? If so, I would love to see them!
Vickie
Vickie:
I'm so sorry about your loss. Your dad was a good man. I've known him since the early 70's.
As far as the photos...they are still on the site. There's two places where you can find them. On the YESTERDAY Page and the Archives page. I think I did the column of your dad a couple of weeks ago. I did download the one pic for you. Again, I'm sorry about your dad's passing.
Best regards,
Ralph
May 16, 2010
Hi Ralph
I really like the new slide show set-up.
But I should have taken the names off my photos .
Is there anyway you could rename them? I will be more careful in the future.
.The locals are more dangerous than the surf. I only surf here when its small.
Parking Lot with my car I am waiting for some one to surf with.
Sometimes I hike among 100's of Elk. They can scary when Rutting.
I am putting together a 15 year "slide show".
Can you believe I moved to California 15 years ago October ?
Thanks
Tony
Tell those boys to lighten up.
May 16, 2010
Ralph,
Those Lil’ Surfers rip.
I was kinda like you, never entering a surf contest. I would use the opportunity to go to a nearby spot knowing most of the best surfers (and crowds) would be at the contest. It’s not that I’m anti-contest so much as I’m greedy and want as many uncrowded waves as I can scrounge to myself.
Then in the late 80’s, I was dating a girl that ran a surf shop in Jensen Beach, Fl. and she coerced me into being a judge. It figures it would take a female to get me to go to a contest. Anyway, I show up and I know all the guys in the competition, having surfed with them on a daily basis. They were stoked to see me there as a judge but I didn’t have the first clue about what to do, never having been to contest. So I just winged it, copying the scores from the judges on either side of me. Nobody knew I was clueless to the whole competition scene and I pulled it off.
In the 90’s the guys from Nomad Surf Shop asked me to be a judge. I agreed because at the time, Larry Bertleman was living in Jupiter, Fl. and had also agreed to judge. I thought ‘hell yeah’ if I get to hang out with one of my heroes in the surfing world. We had a blast even though the waves sucked. The best was watching the girls and the groms surf, while the Bert-man brought a lot of fun, aloha spirit to the event.
Regards!
Glenn M. (Florida)
That all sounds familiar except for seeing Bertleman. That had to be a trip.
May 15, 2010
wow, amazing! Nevins piece was so true and beautiful!
qwill
Thanks
May 15, 2010
Hi Ralph, I think I missed your deadline but with no surf this week hopefully you will have some room. I know how you like to support the troops, so I thought you might like a few photos from the 94th Military Police Co. deployment ceremony at the JFK Memorial Coliseum in Manch last week. My favorite pic of this bunch is Carlton Barros of Boston cuddling with his 3-year-old son, Jaden. I feel for these guys and their families.
Anyway, I think I still owe you 20 for lifting a photo off your blog. If you do run these I was working for the Union Leader at the time so I have to credit them too.
Thanks
Aaron Rohde
Thanks Aaron, I'll run these closer to Memorial Day.
May 14, 2010
Hi Ralph,
I'm not sure if you saw this on CNN, but I thought it was a great story and holds true to your mantra that surfing heals all wounds. It's certainly true, and never more than with these brave people.
Mike G.
Cool viddy Mike. Thank you for sending this.
May 14, 2010
Ralph
Since the flatness is killing us, my friend Marcelo Matos sent these CR pics to me
to try to get me to come down there this month. He said the waves have
been perfect for the last week!
I need to surf bad!
Jon
We all need to surf. Can he put us all up?
May 12, 2010
Hi Ralph ..Congrats on citizen of the year award!!!...and thanks for the pics last week i was stoked....that was a fun day...a lot of people missed that one...thanks again....
Sean.....pray for surf...
Thanks Sean
May 12, 2010
Hi Ralph,
Congrats on the Citizen of the year award you definitely deserve the recognition.
Wow Gabby is 20 .Where do the years go? Thanks for the birthday shout-out .I am now 56.
Everything is going OK out here (although my house is worth half what it was 3 years ago).
I am so lucky and blessed to have Liz in my life.I am blessed to have renewed faith in
Christ also.
I really enjoy your weekly blog and I feel I have not written enough lately.
This winter was a really good surf season .I dont surf as much as I would like due to cost of gas ...injuries...time.
We took a pre-birthday trip to the north coast.Liz got a few shots from a distance as the break is hard to access by foot.
Thats me riding. I surfed with only 2 others this day. My friend who lives there said it was big all week so none of the local heavies were out. Good for me.
Pray for peace in this crazy world.
Thanks Again
Your brother
Tony (Northern Cal)
Thank you Tony...I loved those pics. Keep surfing and shootiong.
May 11, 2010
Thats right folks, Levitate is no longer. We've changed names due to a trademark infringement. Check out the new site for a little more info.
Other then that, not much has changed. I still own the shop and we're doing business as usual. We are Levitate DBA Luminate.
While we were at it, we did re-lay out the shop, launch the Luminate brand, and make the new website. Take a look!
www.luminatesurf.com
www.luminateskate.com
Dan
Luminate!
Best of luck Dan!
May 11, 2010
Ralph
Congratulations on the honor you received this week! That is so nice and well earned (even if unknowingly:-). Another great retro video clip this week! You guys were rippen' big time (still do)! I also love the new "yesterday" page photos - especially the skateboarding photos/captions. You should post that mini movie you did with the Robin Trower tune there too. Love that!. As I think I've told you before - I was really into skateboarding as a kid and spend hours upon hours on my GT as well as looking for cool places to ride it...and taking these "Dug" like rides down crazy terrains and pot holed hills:-) SO MUCH FUN!
Just love seeing those photos. They make me totally remember the feel / mood of those 70s days ....riding on those little boards!. They were just so great after years of riding the homemade boards I made in woodwork class in grade school (the ones with metal roller-skate wheels mounted to plywood. Remember having to make/ride those?
Again - big congrats on the citizens award!
Hannah
Thanks Hannah...send me some old surf/skate pics!
May 11, 2010
Now that's a magnificent achievement.
And what a magnificent article in the paper to go with it.
Oh - and what a magnificent photograph.
I LOVE that the Rotary figured out that you are worthy of distinction.
The projects you inspire are, indeed, just what this community needs.
THAT is a very cool piece on getinthevan. Very cool.
Yours is a very rich life.
The whole surfer community thing is just unbelievable.
Very cool.
CONGRATULATIONS.
Patty
Thanks Patty, this is getting overwhelming again.
May 11, 2010
Ralph…
You’re the best! Good on you for your Citizens award! Very well deserved, and I’m sure I have only a small understanding of all you do for your community, but for the surf community in NH, and New England in general, you are huge. You must have some idea what it means to some grom whose photo shows up on the RPOTW. For an over the hill cynical old timer like myself it even means something, but for the kids it’s probably like finding a shot of yourself in a surf mag back in the old days.
And when is the ‘Ralph’s History of Surfing in NH” coming out? Got to do it. All you would have to do is be the editor, and have everyone from Surfer Crowe to Mike Stanek write a chapter, Stevie, Zap, Crop, Doc, Bocco, there are dozens of sources you could draw from. You are probably the one guy who knows more of the players in the history of surfing in Northern New England.
Anyway, I just wanted to express my admiration of your dedication to your family, community, and the principles you live by.
Regards,
Peter
Thanks Peter. It was always my intention to make RPOTW be like that for some young up and coming Grom. And you're right, for everyone in general for that matter. I always hear from someone who got their pic on the weekly and write me. It's neat. Unless they are an UNKNOWN.
As far as the History of NH and beyond...well I've working on that story for a while. It has always been something I've wanted to do. Some day soon.
May 11, 2010
Thanks Ralph, we looked @ it last nite as well as ur clip enjoyed them both. I'm on board my flight Bye!
Love Kim (Logan)
Thanks Kim have fun in Florida!
May 11, 2010
Ralph-you are SO cool. Wadda guy-that’s awesome!!!!
Blast from the past…..ran into Doug Hamsley over the weekend (still hot as ever) & I mentioned that you are looking for old surfer photos he said that you asked him last year and that he needed to get them over to you…
Also I wanted to let you know I have a lot of free time in evenings and weekends. I try to give back to the community & if you ever need volunteers for anything you are involved in please don’t hesitate to ask for my help…EVER.
Nice job again, as always.
Peace and happiness-Suz
Thanks Suzie and I will keep you in mind. Volunteering is the fabric of the soul of our Nation. Stop and help someone along the way. Anyone can turn a blind eye to someone reaching out for help. It takes courage and conviction to stop and sacrifice a part of yourself to make someone else's life better.
May 10, 2010
Good Stuff Ralphy
Jeff (Cape Ann)
Thanks Jeffy...
May 10, 2010
your a good man Ralph.
Looking a bit presidential there
Rock (Northern California)
Not me...
May 10, 2010
I am impressed..........to think I had the privilege to coach with "The man of the Year" !!! I was once the Man of the Weekend once in Lowell but that is another story for another time.
In all seriousness Vince, congratulations. You deserve it !
Take care man,
Lal
It's Citizen of the Year...Not man of the year...I need to hear your Man of the Weekend story some time.
May 10, 2010
I think you do a great job Ralph and support you and the organization you represent 100%
Jerry.
Thank you Jerry!
May 10, 2010
Hi Ralph,
Thanks for sharing the (very good) Brian piece on you. Odd and coincidental timing to say the least. But what I am happy about is that you are being celebrated before you pass away. It really bothers me how people wait until someone has died to come out and say all these nice things about the person when it just doesn't matter at that point.
I think about it all the time. How will we be remembered? It doesnt matter when we are dead. So it is fitting that you have been recognized but don't give it too much thought. Just "keep on keepin on" mah baruthah!
Right on!
John C
Thank you Johnny!
May 10, 2010
Hey brotha congrats and well done, As you know I have always thought you are our best citizen, in the community, the surf community, the parental community, the garage band community, the veteran community, and in general the community of life.
Thanks again for all you do for all of us all the time………..all the best brotha……Vini
Thanks Vini...I'm getting sheepish again...geesh.
May 10, 2010
Awesome. Congratulations on a life well-lived! It has been an honor getting to know you & help your cause when I can. Favorite Nevins photo: #8 and especially #23.
The photo essay would have been truly "complete" if it included the goose/swan drop in sequence. Oh well, maybe next time!
Thanks Michael...
May 10, 2010
That's the cheapest excuse I've ever seen for not scheduling more sessions!
All right, all right. I'm proud of ya!!
mojave
Ha!
May 10, 2010
Ralph,
We saw your column, we enjoyed the pictures of Gabby and Leah.
I just looked at the results of the Nevins photo shoot. He did a good job—both with the photos and the personal profile of you.
Judith
Thank you Judith
May 10, 2010
Congrats Ralph! You're quite a guy.
Well Deserved.
Tiffany
Thank you
May 10, 2010
Hello Ralph,
You were definitely the right person – keep up the great work you do for our Veterans and community!
Semper Fi,
Mike
And a big Semper Fi to you Major!
May 9, 2010
Hey Ralph
Long time reader, first time email, keep the blog running! My name is Sean a 24 year olf surfer from Boston. Couple weeks ago you raised a question of what New England surfers do for work that allows them time in the water, just wondering if you followed up and found any answers to that question? Lived by the water for 5 years straight working in the surf industry, forced to relocated to Boston, trying to start a career that can keep my feet wet and not live paycheck to paycheck, i know im not alone on this ha. Any information will help me bigtime. Thanks for you time and keep up the good work and pictures, look forward to the new blog every week
Cheers
Sean
Hey Sean...thanks for writing, and thanks for the kind words.
I had a few answer my query about that exact question, and a few who asked me not to repeat their answers. Some of course, skip out on their jobs to surf, while others ,have made it possible to surf every swell because, they are self employed, or they work the night shift.
There's one guy who I've shot over the last few years. Tim O. He's married with two kids and he stocks shelves at a supermarket at night. Not exactly mind stimulating work, but he get's out for every swell.
My suggestion is to find a job that suits you, and just make the time to surf when you can. Most people work from paycheck to paycheck. Surfing is fun, but it does not pay the bills...
Good luck and Keep Surfing!
Ralph
May 8, 2010
Hey Ralph, congrats on the award man, you definitely deserve it! I know it's not why you do what you do, but its nice to know people notice and appreciate your efforts. We could all take a lesson from you man.
Steve D (California)
Thanks Steve.
May 8, 2010
What' tha? I guess congratulations are in order citizen Fatello!
David Robinson
Ha! Citizen Kane!
May 8, 2010
Nice article Jim. Even nicer work. Hard to believe you're the same f------g a-hole that we would see coming over the dunes in Seabrook.
I am the same A-hole, I'm just nicer to some of you...
May 8, 2010
Ralph,
Just a quick note to say CONGRATS. You are a class act and deserve it.
Ed M.
Thanks Ed I feel like I should have a form reply "Thank You".
May 7, 2010
Ralph,
Heartfelt congratulations on this spectacular and well-deserved honor! Every community has a catalyst for needed civic action and you are the one in Hampton, with your effective talents involved in so many areas. It's wonderful that locals took notice and honored you.
Barry (ID
)
Thanks Barry
May 7, 2010
CONGRATULATIONS!! What a great honor for you! And what fun that you didn't know it was coming! The pics of you, Cory and the kids, and Kim and Kevin were great. You were clearly surprised! I know you don't do it for the honor it will bring, but isn't it nice to be recognized?
JE ( Idaho
)
It was all pretty humbling.
May 7, 2010
Congrats on your award, Now you can start your political career, next maybe you can be a community organizer then who knows from there. Seriously a well deserved award.
Gary
Very funny...but I doubt I could go anywhere being a Community Organizer.
May 7, 2010
Hi Ralph-
I just wanted to personally congratulate you on winning Citizen of the year 2010. Well deserved. You are an amazing person. I feel very fortunate that I get to say “I know him”….
Susie F.A.
Thanks Susie.
May 7, 2010
Ralph,
Congratulations for receiving the Rotarian Citizen of the Year Award! That is quite an honor and very well deserved. It's people like you with your passion, friendship, and spirit that make Hampton a great community.
Hank L (WA)
Thanks Hank. Pretty surprising on my end.
May 7, 2010
Congratulations Ralph! Well deserved, Looking forward to your show this month.
All the best,
Billy B
Thanks Billy
May 7, 2010
WHAT?? LIKE YOUR NOT!!???
Congrats brother
SB
Ha! Pretty wild huh?
May 7, 2010
Hi Ralph,
I couldn't agree more with all the quotes in the article.
a friend of mine. We will be sure to make time to visit.
Marianne
(WA)
Thanks so much...look us up when you come back.
