Summer arrived.

Folks who have been around here for a long time will claim it arrived two days early, July 2 instead of July 4. No matter, it is here.

The Ludlow Maintenance Commission celebrated the arrival of summer and the association’s 50th anniversary in style with a huge party. The Beach Club was decorated as nice as it has ever been with pictures and draperies. A harpist entertained the crowd of at least 300 people as they ate a variety of noodle, vegetable, fruit, wine, beer and dessert offerings.

LMC Manager Brian Belmont looked like he found his sweet spot while serving beer, wine and soft drinks. Office Manager Kim Bond simply reveled as she wandered about greeting folks and refilling dishes. Other folks from the Beach Club staff were helping make this event memorable.

Fellowship and camaraderie were abundant as the LMC welcomed the entire Port Ludlow Community for the LMC sponsored evening. There were even some folks from the South Bay enjoying the LMC’s hospitality and inclusion. I took my sciatic back and sat down for a solid two hours enjoying all the good folks who came by with “get well wishes” and suggestions for a solution to the problem. Thanks to all!

Independence Day brought another excuse for a big party at the Yacht Club’s “Wreck Room.”

Vic Draper, Buddy Hills and other members cooked up hamburgers. Others prepared potato salad, none of which eclipsed the taste of the baked beans from Fran Bodman. However, as she explained to my daughter who was in attendance and asking about the recipe, you just can’t go wrong with beans, sugar, and bacon.

The “Wreck Room” usually closes at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, and Saturday evenings it is open, but the crowd usually involved will typically clear out by a little after 7.

Not so this July Fourth.

BJ was “supervising,” (meaning she was there at the beginning and at the end), and had to shoo some younger members off the deck after 8 o’clock.

It was nice they had the energy.

Frankly, that deck cannot be beat for socializing on a nice summer evening. Unfortunately, the size of the club does not provide the funding required to operate the Wreck Room by professional staff. So, here is the answer. Join the Yacht Club and help in providing the funds to hire professional staff to keep the club open later, at least on the Fourth of July!

The Harbormaster rises again! Unfortunately, this notion reminds me of an observation by G. Behn.

“Some people get lost in thought because it is such unfamiliar territory.”

How about all those flags up for Independence Day?

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week.

NedLuce@sbcglobal.net