One evening last week, after a particularly busy few days, we decided to have a rare dinner at the Port Ludlow Inn. As before, we had some good food, but we also encountered royalty. As it turns out, the current Rhody queen, Lauren Montgomery, works in the restaurant and spent some time delightfully chatting with us about her plans for the Rhody Festival and then after high school.

During intermission of the Port Ludlow Players’ performance of “Nude with Violin,” I had a long conversation with Barb Berthiaume. She told me about a budding collaboration between the Museum of Flight in Seattle and the Chimacum School District. Boeing gave the museum a grant of $15 million to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This grant was promptly matched by Bill Boeing’s widow.

The day after talking with Barb, while getting a haircut at the Bayside Barber Shop, that source of most good stories, I met Port Ludlow local Jay Gilmore. He is one of the key folks putting this program together along with school Superintendent Rick Thompson. The objective is to use information modules from the museum to expand interest and skills in STEM in “underserved” areas like the North Olympic Peninsula.

As you might expect, members of the local organization of the Boeing Bluebills are also in the middle of this effort. The programs are in the early stages, but the concept is exciting, and it appears the right people are driving it.

“Nude with a Violin” was a real kick. All those local actors took on personas you didn’t know they were capable of. Although Mike Derrenberger only played one role, he demonstrated an ability to speak about a dozen different languages with a facility that I am unable to question. Becky Eastgard’s portrayal of Princess Anya Pavlikova was absolutely over the top.

Frankly, all the actors and production crew did a great job under Val Durling’s direction. Congratulations on another fine performance.

LMC annual meeting

This coming Saturday is the Ludlow Maintenance Commission’s (LMC) annual meeting at The Beach Club. For those on Port Ludlow’s north side, it is another opportunity to see how the LMC conducts its affairs and spends the money it collects.

Of course, at the same time you can thank all those good folks who make the operation work. It is also an opportunity to pick up one of the 150 “Beach Club Polar Plunge” T-shirts I thought were such a good idea to buy for resale to participants last winter. There are only about 130 of them left, so get there early. The meeting starts at 2 p.m., followed by wine, cheese, etc., so you should be able to find at least one reason to attend, whether it is information, a T-shirt or wine.

The prospect of better weather is bringing the “snowbirds” back as well as providing an opportunity for those who have dogs to get them out for a walk. Dog owners regularly are reminded of the need to pick up after their dog and keep them on a leash. I also remind dog owners of what Ann Landers once said: “Know yourself. Do not accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.”

(“Love a curmudgeon and have a great week!” is Port Ludlow columnist Ned Luce’s mantra. Anyone who wants to contact columnist Luce can reach him at nedluce@sbcglobal.net.)