We spent a week in Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Sedona, and during our trip, found these connections to East Jefferson County:

In Vegas, we saw “Le Reve,” an amazing acrobatic aquatics show at the Wynn. The cast of the show included a full complement of women doing synchronized swimming routines, reminding us of local Lynn Hovde, who has a splendid record of success in national competitions in the sport. She has taught most of the local grandchildren to swim.

We won no money in our walks through the casinos, because, as they say, you have to play to win. That must have been our mistake. One morning at breakfast we sat next to a young couple from Zagreb, Croatia, who helped me learn how to pronounce the name of the newest Rotary Exchange student at Chimacum High School, Jure Karic. Seeing all the players in the casinos reminded us of our friends who play the local gaming parlors at Clearwater, 7 Cedars and The Point.

On the way from the Grand Canyon to Sedona, we stopped in Flagstaff to have lunch with old friends Jim and Sue. (They went to DePauw with BJ.) Jim is in the business of developing real estate around golf courses, so we told him that the Port Ludlow Golf Course is for sale. He responded by saying he had played the course more than 20 years ago, but is not in the business of buying courses anymore. Too bad, they would be good neighbors!

Those who have been to Sedona, probably as tourists, may have heard about and/or seen the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a chapel built into the side of one of the red rock hills. From the patio at the chapel, you can look down the hill at a mansion built by Gholam Peyman. He invented LASIK eye surgery and can clearly afford to build the real estate statement the home provides. What is the connection? Well, I have had LASIK surgery, like many of you.

WHAT TO DO

The weather tidbit from the trip is that when we got out of the rental car at the airport in Las Vegas, it was 100 degrees. When we got in our car at Sea-Tac, it was 65 degrees.

If you couldn’t find something to do the weekend before last around here, you just plain were not looking. The Port Townsend Film Festival smothered the town with movies, even in the wind and rain. The Jefferson County Farm Tour brought tourists into the area with agricultural interests.

The LMC potluck dinner coordinated by Nancy Bonderson provided an opportunity for community camaraderie.

On Friday, Manny and Christy Martinez were finally available at the same time we were to take us out on a sail to Mutiny Bay, where we anchored for some dinner. It was a great afternoon and evening to sail, with gentle winds and great views.

Upcoming events for you to care about include the Port Ludlow Village Council elections and annual meeting on Oct. 5. The annual Brew Fest by the Bay is happening at noon on Saturday, Oct. 7 at The Bay Club, with all proceeds benefiting the Backpacks for Kids Weekend Nutritional Program for Chimacum schools.

Please make an effort to support the United Good Neighbors campaign, just now kicking off. The hurricanes and a myriad of other needs in the world provide ample reasons to contribute time and treasure to somewhere else. No matter, please make sure you consider supporting the local needs addressed by UGN.

Finally, a couple of thoughts on advice. Al Batt said, “Good advice usually works best when preceded by a bad scare.” However, Libbie Fudim tells us, “The best advice yet given is that you don’t have to take it.” Of course, as we get older, we all start to talk to ourselves, because there are times when we need expert advice.

Ned Luce has been writing this column for The Leader for years and always likes to end it with “Love a curmudgeon and have a great week.” Contact him at NedLuce@sbcglobal.net.