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

SID ABBRUZZI'S WATER BROTHER MOVIE.
THE HAMPTON BEACH COMEDY FESTIVAL
THE SATURDAY SURPRISE SWELL
LENNY DUNN'S FUNERAL

The PREMIERE SHOWING of "WATER BROTHER" Starring Sid Abbruzzi at Fort Adams on AUGUST 17th, 2023
80 Fort Adams Dr, Newport, RI

The Sid Abbruzzi documentary WATER BROTHER pulled no punches. The Kinnane Brothers who made the film kept it real. There were no glossing over or gray areas. It was a in your face kind of documentary. In other words, it had the Good , The Bad, and The Ugly. Sid’s story is not a Disney film. There were some dark moments mixed in with the hilarious times and honest to goodness heartfelt moments.

The bottom line is Sid was always about doing the right thing for the surfers and skaters and mostly for the kids. He was a genuine good hearted soul who fought for the rights of surfing and skating. And by doing that, he became a legend, not only in his home state of Rhode Island but all of New England. What am I saying? All of the East Coast and beyond.

Sid “The Package” Abbruzzi was known all across both platforms.

Surfing and Skating. I’ve personally known or knew of Sid since the early 70’s. We are the exact age. I’m actually a month older, but we grew up during the same time.



Sid was always straight forward with Kevin “Doc” Grondin and I when it came to letting us know how the surf was down there in RI. We can count on one hand the amount of times he came north, but we have lost count of how many times we have traveled to RI to surf. I had the distinct pleasure of jamming with Sid and Tom Curren at a party in RI in 1994.

Somewhere there’s a video of us playing together.



The documentary is definitely worth watching. Sid called me the week before to invite me and Kevin “Doc” Grondin to the outdoor event. We went down with Max and Kody and their girls. You had to buy tix online on August 11th at 10AM. It took Kody and Max 4 hours to buy tickets. The site kept crashing. The movie was being shown at Fort Adams in Newport. A classic old fort built between 1824-1857. And there were 3,000 of Sid’s closest friends and fans camped out on the grass. I looked around when we got there and thought, this is like Woodstock. Only I called it SIDSTOCK.

We messed up, we should have brought chairs and or blankets. And we should have brought rain gear. Yes it rained, and I was just in a tee shirt. But, we sucked it up and enjoyed the film.  There’s some classic individuals in the movie. It’s a great story that leaves you with a good, positive, upbeat feeling of being a surfer/skater, and how there are so many good things that can be accomplished through those channels. Sid is a legend with a heart of Gold. He has found peace and happiness with his wife Danielle, and he is loved far and wide in the surf/skate world. I’m sure the movie will be out on some network in the very near future.

LONG LIVE WATER BROTHERS and LONG LIVE Sid Abbruzzi!

And LONG LIVE LENNY DUNN.
Mike "Whitey" White, Ralph "Vince Shazam" Fatello, and Johnny "Palomino" Fatello of The NOR'EASTERS. When Lenny passed on August 7th, 2023 so too did THE NOR'EASTERS. We're not playing without him. Thank you to all the surfers and Rock and Rollers who came to the wake/funeral.

Click on the image above to read the Eulogy I wrote for Lenny.

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 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 August 13th, 2023



This pic of HIT THE BEACH was taken by Ed on August 18th, 2011. That's Lenny Nichols carrying the board, and Bill Morrissey in the red trunks. Lenny and Bill have been to every single HIT THE BEACH. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.


COMING THIS FALL. The long awaited book that I have been writing the last 10 years or so. Yes, there will be a book signing. And I will let you all know in advance, where and when. Meanwhile Click on the image below to see a larger version. The book will be available in both hard cover and soft cover on AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, INGRAM, and KOBO PUBLISHING. It's been a long time coming. I'm pretty stoked about this project. 72 years in the making. Stay tuned.



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's all coming in the fall of 2023. Just in time for the holidays.

The HIT THE BEACH DAY is on Friday August 25th, 2023.

RAIN OR SHINE. WE'RE DOING THIS! RAIN OR SHINE.



Another pic by the late Ed O'Connell from HIT THE BEACH

THE HAMPTON BEACH COMEDY FESTIVAL Saturday August 19th, 2023 at McGuirk’s Ocean View Hotel



I believe this is Jimmy Dunn’s 13th year of doing this popular comedy festival. I’ve been to every one. And I really look forward to seeing the show every summer. First and foremost, I love Jimmy and think he’s hilarious. Whether he’s on script, or ad-libbing, he’s got that quick witted comic brain that never seems to stop. I recently saw Bob Marley and thought of the subtle and not so subtle similarities between the two of them. Both Jimmy and Marley are very tall men. Put them on a stage and they appear even taller. Is taller funnier? It kind of is. And the other similarity is they are locals.

They speak to the locals the way that only a local can do. And lets face it, we all have friends in our local groups who are funny. Jimmy is that guy in your group of friends. He’s the funniest guy in that group of friends who has stepped out of the local neighborhoods, and onto the big stages. And on Saturday night he was on point.

I’ve said this before about comics, but it needs repeating. They are so loyal to each other.

Watching these comics interact with each other backstage reminds me of watching a bunch of musicians playing a gig. Typically, they are supportive of each other. They watch each other’s set and genuinely laugh at their fellow comic’s jokes. That’s camaraderie in a nutshell. I love seeing that. And Jimmy being the MC, he greets each comic with the “Jimmy shake.”  I’ve seen it many times over the years. He has his own unique way of shaking hands with each one, and I’m sure they all feel it when they hit the stage. And on Saturday night each comic shined in their own special way.

Casey Crawford was new to me, and the second I saw him I started smiling. Why? Well, he looked funny, and slightly deranged. Which is good. Right? I mean, if you can make people laugh just by the way you look, that’s half the battle. Casey started off a little slow on Saturday night, but he stuck to his script, and by midway thru his set, I was literally crying. That really highlighted the comic mindset. Stick to your guns and do what you do. And it worked. He was a very funny man. I wouldn’t want any of my daughters to date him, but he sure made me laugh.

Next up was Tony Moschetto. Again, another first time seeing him for me. Tony had some funny jokes about being a tennis coach and his being in a beach gang. Those beach gang jokes were a hit with the local beach crowd. Again, I’d never seen him before, but he made me laugh. A lot.

Dan Miller took the stage dressed in a JAWS tee shirt and a pair of Camo shorts. He looked like some of the people who frequent the beaches up here. You know the type, the kind of person you step aside and avert your eyes, when they are walking towards you. And when you hear his voice? Holy mackerel. He sounds the way he looks. And I mean that in a funny way. Dan is loud and he is funny. His son was with him this night, and I watched him laughing at his dad while he stood to the side of the stage. At one point he laughed so hard, he couldn’t control himself. I was trying to imagine what it would be like to live with Dan. And that made me both laugh and cringe. Dan’s bit about the dreaded colonoscopy, was both rib hurting funny, and terrifying. If you like loud and funny comics, then you need to catch his act.
Dan Miller is a unique individual.
 
When I think of the HBCF, I always think of Jimmy, and the next person I think of, is this guy. Dave Rattigan. There’s nothing funny about the way he looks, until he gives that dead pan look of his. His outward appearance is something out of a mature GQ magazine. He looks like a cross between a semi hip banker, and your mild mannered father-in-law. Again, Dave is the master of completely dismantling himself in front of crowd of strangers. I’m always torn as to whether I should console him, or just laugh my ass off like everyone else. What other job is there where your whole gig is to make fun of yourself? Comedians make fun of themselves. That takes guts and talent. Dave does it in a way that resonates with his audience. Especially when he gets on his age. (He’s not that old. 64) But he makes it seem like he’s got one foot in the grave. Especially when it comes to the opposite sex. I looked around at all the 60 plus men and in the audience, and they were all laughing at each, other as were their wives and girlfriends. You know they (comics) are hitting home when the audience starts to point at each other.

Dave Rattigan is one of the highlights for me each summer. A very funny man.

Will Noonan has become a favorite of mine since I first saw him years ago. Dressed in his trademark suit, he has great stage presence, and he tells a story in his animated way, that defies the whole suit look. His Mayflower joke/story is hilarious, as is his making fun of his own face in the family growing up. Will made me laugh so hard, that I had to apologize to the person I was standing next to. If you ever see his name on a marquee or advertised anywhere, do yourself a favor and go see him. Will Noonan is funny.

Another first for me was Karen Morgan. She was the only woman on the bill this night and she hit the stage like a seasoned pro. With her slightly southern accent, she had that room howling when she went on about GEN-X. And the highlight of her set was when she and her friend (9 and 11yrs old) saw JAWS alone in the theater. I’m still laughing about that whole bit. She was such a nice addition to the HBCF, that I made a mental note to see her again. She had a great smile, and she had a genuine rapport with the audience. Karen you were so much fun. Thank you for making us all laugh.

After Karen’s set I looked over and saw the infamous Tony V backstage. Wait he’s not on the bill, could this be a Saturday night bonus? It most certainly was. Next to Dave Rattigan nobody is closer to Jimmy than Tony V. In fact, I am still laughing at jokes that Tony said the night we had Jimmy’s Roast a few years ago. It’s true. Tony is one funny bastard. And he has no filters. If you are going to a comedy show and Tony is on the bill? Remember what I just said here. I love that he comes out with both guns a-blazing, and nobody, and I do mean NOBODY is safe from his wit and humor. Borderline cringe worthy, Tony V is a comic that takes no prisoners. Look, when you go out to a comedy show, you want to one thing. You want to laugh. At yourself, at the comics, at the world. And Tony V is going to make that happen. Honestly, all I have to do is think of him, and I laugh. So for me, the 2023 HBCF ended with one of the best comics in the business, Tony V.

My overall take on the HBCF summer of 2023, was that it was a huge success. Every comic on the bill on Saturday 8-19-23 was funny. And from what I’ve heard, the other nights were just as funny. Here’s to many more of these great comedy festivals. Thanks to Tom McGuirk for hosting these great summer shows. See you next summer!



“COMEDY AND SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS.” 

CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE THE LARGER SIZE






Wait? How the hell did Khaliddy end up in the collage of GOP presidential contenders getting ready to debate this week? How? How you ask? You know damn well how. I put him in there. If he could only speak English I think he'd be funny. Until then, we will just have to use our imaginations. It is funny, that he kind of fits here. Damn you Sheiky, quit sticking your nose in places it don't belong.




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 discarded THE ART OF THE DEAL books at Home Depot this week.

The Late Mitch Cerullo (The RAT) and Michele Haber (The BRISTOLS). Michele passed from cancer on 8-15-23. She was a good kid and we played many shows together and hung out in the Boston Music scene.

REST IN PEACE Michele Haber August 15th, 2023.
REST IN PEACE LENNY DUNN 66, on August 7th, 2023.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pete Rizzo August 21st, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Molly Rowlee August 22nd, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Veda Day Cropper August 23rd, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Terence Kirby August 23rd, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY James Morse August 24th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Larry Giles August 24th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hannah Vokey August 24th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kainalu Nichols August 24th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Duke Kahanamoku August 24th, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Johnny Fatello August 25th, 2023!
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Please keep LOCAL LEGEND Surfer Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.
Please keep Victor Capozzi in your prayers as he recovers from heart surgery he had on July 7th, 2023 at Beth Israel.

Finally, I'm calling this a special request.
LOCAL SURFER/MUSICIAN PETE KOWALSKI NEEDS A KIDNEY. A TYPE A KIDNEY. PLEASE if you know anyone with a Type A Kidney please contact me at ralph@adlantic.com

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

"HAMPTON BEACH NEW HAMPSHIRE 1960's".
For those of us who have been around here long enough to remember
these days. It's always fun to look back at what used to be the norm.
Seems like forever ago. Hey those clouds look the same.
Photo c/o Facebook
*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- THE SATURDAY SURPRISE SWELL
AUGUST 19th, 2023 SWELL Photos by RALPH



(Above) This swell was truly a surprise, not only to me, but everyone.
Saturday August 19th, 2023. 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) This is Clara Nardone. And yes, the water was this warm.
Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Clara's mother Erica. How sweet is this wave?
Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Max Fatello on a soft top wishing he was on a hard top.
Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Best EAST COAST Coverage on the Internet.

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

Clark Little's new book
Click on the ad for more info.

(Above) This might be the very first photo of Jacquie on her new board.
Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This little grom is Ford Thompson. Check out that style.
Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The SURFER'S JOURNAL is in a league all of their own.
READ the Great piece on local photographer Brian Nevins

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

(Above) This is Ford's brother Jack. The Thompson boys know how to surf.
Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) From Groms to Giants. Cam Macleod caught a million waves.
Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The waves were super fun and the water was super warm.
Saturday August 19th, 2023. 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) Eric caught a bunch and made the most of it.
Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This guy is hands down one of the most stylish surfers to ever come out of New Hampshire. Plus, he makes killer boards. Mikel Evans.
Saturday August 19th, 2023. 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) This is my son-in-law Pete Rizzo on the wave of the day.
Happy 30th Pete! Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Shayne Forsely wishing he too had his shortboard.
Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) This kid keeps showing up on my radar. Michael Lynch styling with with five over. Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The art of Donna Baldassari

Hannah Vokey is one of my favorite surf artists.

(Above) This is father to be James Morse. Expecting their first child any minute now. Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- THE HAMPTON BEACH COMEDY FESTIVAL
Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photos by RALPH



(Above) This is one of my favorite times of the year. Jimmy Dunn and has been doing this for 13 years now. HBCF Saturday August 19th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The man behind the annual HBCF. Jimmy Dunn.
HBCF Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) He is never more at home, than he is on stage, on this beach.
Jimmy Dunn. HBCF Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The man behind the man. Dave Rattigan is one funny individual.
HBCF Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

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

ONLY THE DURHAM STORE IS OPEN.
Due to the massive fire back in August the
Hampton store is closed. We will let you all
know when SECRET SPOT is back in
operation on the seacoast.
Thank you.
Jon Gozzo and family.

(Above) The always funny Will Noonan. HBCF Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) This guy? Dan Miller is loud and funny. And he does not care one bit about fashion. HBCF Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Karen Morgan and she was hilarious. Go see her. She's very funny. HBCF Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The crowd was loving every minute of the show.
HBCF Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) There was no dead weight in this show. What a great night of fun and laughter. Read my review in the Blog and go through the pics in the gallery. HBCF Saturday August 19th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- THE SID ABBRUZZI MOVIE "WATER BROTHER"
Thursday August 17th, 2023. Photos by RALPH and others



(Above) This was Sid's finest shining hour. The movie was great.
Thursday August 17th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*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.

Everybody has a story to tell

(Above) I called it SIDSTOCK. Over 3,000 people sat out on the massive lawn braving rain and had a blast. Thursday August 17th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) They came prepared. We did not. Most people had chairs and blankets. Thursday August 17th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This guy was wearing this sweatshirt for his late son Joe who passed from cancer. Thursday August 17th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Yes, I thought about Joe Somogyi. He showed me a video of his son's Paddle. It was really special. Thursday August 17th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


Today- THE LENNY DUNN FUNERAL.
Monday August 14th, 2023. Photos by RALPH and others



(Above) The collages of a life that ended way too soon. Lenny Dunn.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Lenny and his future wife Marianne. They would have been married 43 years on August 31st, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is me reading the eulogy I wrote. To read the entire eulogy click on the pic above. . Photo by Cory Fatello
*Click on the photo above to see the Eulogy

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 1300 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) Father and daughter watching the Beautiful Rainbow at the Wall on August 18th, 2023. Photo by Noelle Rizzo
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Here's a beautiful message to the people of Maui
Photo by Leonard Earnshaw.
*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 # 737 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 RALPH
*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 some little waves on Friday and Saturday

I'm picking Friday August 25th, 2023 as the best of the week because of the WOUNDED WARRIOR HIT THE BEACH DAY!

August 20th, 2023

I may have run this before. If I did? I apologize. But it's almost worth looking at again. My God why would you even think about going out there? Dude???

(ABOVE) This has GOT TO HURT.
Photo by The Google Machine



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