Ralph, the Ocean Grove Fisherman. Photos by Ted Aanensen
The Ocean Grove Fishing Club’s house and much of the pier it stood on may be gone, devoured by Hurricane Sandy, but the Club’s beloved mascot, Ralph, has reappeared, happily perched above the waves.
He looks more isolated than he used to, but still…
Blogfinger staff photographer Ted Aanensen noticed Ralph’s return on Sunday and filed these pictures. He is one of several people we know who were taking photos of Ralph, cheerfully emailing them to friends and posting them on Facebook for all the world to see.
Says Ted, “The first time Bob Border and Carol Boniello put Ralph up on the pier, it was in the middle of the night and there he stayed.
“He is their creation and he has adorned the fishing pier for many years, stolen, retrieved, stolen, remade, always a symbol of hope and a smile. I just saw him today and smiled. We are all back to ‘normal,’ whatever that is.”
To read Paul Goldfinger’s story, from last March, on the history of Ralph, how he cheered our town following another destructive storm two decades ago and then became the subject of a children’s book, go here.
— Charles Layton
It might help to look at the big picture as the cleanup and repair begins again.
The Grove has been here since 1879, and this storm and its destruction will only be something to read about and see photos and video of as time passes.
It is not one grain of sand, one splinter of boardwalk, one drop from the Ocean that makes up Ocean Grove. It’s all you folks who keep this shore town in your thoughts and prayers. Our friend who once again resides at the end of this Pier will have a new pier to call home some day, and as Ralph wants us to know, “Everything will be all right.”
On Sunday, we went down to The Grove for the first time after the hurricane. Our home was fine. I had so many emotions when I saw the pier was gone, tearful. But when I saw Ralph up there on what was left of the pier…I felt hopeful. I just love Ocean Grove. Thank you for this blog – it really helped prepare us for our visit and keep us apprised of what was going on. Thanks.
Ralph rocks ! Always has & it seems always will. Who put back Ralph this go round? Carol & Bob again? Someone else? Or shall it remain a secret? Ralph is like Ocean Grove’s own little Tillie. Now if only Tillie would come back that too would be great.