Ned Luce

In retrospect last week was full of opportunities to recognize, celebrate or help others.

On Monday there was a Memorial Day ceremony at the Bay Club attended by either 75 or 100 folks depending on whether you believe BJ’s or my estimate. Gil Skinner was the moderator as he provided commentary and introductions of others for reflection and recognition of the sacrifices made by others in the attainment of the freedoms we have in this county. The Port Ludlow Singers led the assembled in America and the national anthem under the capable leadership of Cheryl Wheeler. I spent some enjoyable time talking with John Sweet over coffee and half of a muffin as there were refreshments provided.

The regular monthly pancake breakfast put on by the Bay Club to raise money, for one purpose or another, was to benefit the Port Ludlow Voice. Mary Ronen, who  is, was and, in spite of some knee surgery, will be a key part of the Voice, invited me to come for some pancakes. I suspect she accurately thought I might make a donation.

There was a crowd so it took some time to find two seats for BJ and me. When I did, BJ was still getting food so I tried to save seats for us whilst getting coffee only to return and find BJ’s occupied by someone looking completely unfamiliar.

Sarah Schuch hailed me offering up some space next to Kathy Smith so we ended up at their table. Then Denny Schuch, Bev Rothenborg, and Mary Ronen joined us for some conversation.

Suddenly, there was Paula Berman with her husband Steve seeing BJ’s name tag and exclaiming “You’re BJ.” She then noted me and confessed in front of all those people that she reads this column every week! Imagine. After I gave her an appreciative hug, she talked about her volunteer work with “Letters Against Isolation.” an organization sending letters to seniors. Then we were delighted to talk about her college days at Washington University in St. Louis since BJ is from Saint Louis and her father went and worked there as well as her brother. It was easy for her to see why Paula was a nice person.

Then it was back to Mary Ronen who again felt compelled to gently hassle me about why this column is named “Life in Ludlow” though it seems to Mary I only write about one half of the village. That is, I write about the North Bay and not the South Bay. Hey Mary, that is where I live.

Maybe I will write more about the South Bay in the future since my friend and Rotary flag team partner just moved from the North Bay to the South Bay in spite of my accusations that he was moving to the “dark side.” 

On Saturday we headed for Griot’s Garage in Tacoma for a car show featuring mostly Porsches. Some may remember that I have been a fan and owner of the marque for many years and just recently sold my 2012 Porsche 911 after a long residency in our garage.

Last week we replaced the 911 with a Porsche Macan, a car which provides noticeably better access to the seats, a need I seem to have developed concurrent with advancing age and a new hip. (The hip is a year old now!) The show at Griot’s was great with nice weather, more than 100 cars of all brands and some friends from the Porsche Club.

The really good news is that I checked my supply of Griot’s car care products in my garage and found nothing I needed. I suspect my garage could be classified as a remote warehouse for Griot’s.

After Griot’s we headed to “America’s Car Museum” in Tacoma for a 90-minute presentation on the history of the “24 Hours of LeMans” since this year marks 100 years since the first running of the automobile race in LeMans, France. The race runs this coming weekend.

The next stop was Gig Harbor for lunch at the Tides. After being seated we noted that Shelley and Greg Patten were headed for their seats also. I yelled across the restaurant and found out they were giving a friend from New York a flavor for the area by buying her lunch at the Tides on the way from the airport. We agree, it is a good place for a burger or a salad on the way to or from someplace!

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week in the South Bay.

(Ned Luce is a retired IBM executive and Port Ludlow — North Bay and loving it — resident. Contact Ned at ned@ptleader.com.)