How’s ’bout some socializing | Life in Ludlow

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This past weekend was the reunion celebration of a sensitively unnamed number of years since BJ graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. 

She flew to Indianapolis to join other friends from those bygone days and party not as hearty as they, and we, once did. 

Being concerned for my ability to survive her absence, she froze several leftover meals for me to prepare for my dinners. (The meatloaf is the very best.) More good news is that much of that food will still be frozen and leftover as I accepted dinner arrangements with friends and family! Can life get better? 

Our first date back sometime in the last century was at Moore’s Bar in Greencastle, so she sent me a picture of her and Jill, who was also on the date, standing out in front of the bar. Ahh, the memories.   

There is little in the Wabash/DePauw football world that could be worse. DePauw beat Anderson University 55-0! Anderson is a Christian school apparently trying to meekly inherit the earth given they have a not very competent football team. 

In addition, Wabash lost to past NCAA Division III football champion North Central College of Illinois 56-12. Wabash got shellacked and DePauw delivered a shellacking. 

Can it get any worse? Yes, it can. Wabash could lose to DePauw in the annual Monon Bell game in November!

We now clumsily segue to the LMC Ice Cream Social last Saturday afternoon at the Beach Club. 

I joined with Paul Maxwell and Phil Racine to scoop vanilla, chocolate, and chocolate with chocolate chips (imagine that), into cups or cones managed by LMC Vice President Joan Johnston. I never saw an unhappy customer. The list of folks attending includes, but is not limited to, Sharon and Lynn Sorenson, Christie and John Thomas, Richard and Judi Smith, Anja Haberpointer and her parents, Dave and Twyla Jackson, Sally and Dave Pendergast, Claudia Wicks, Jane Navone, Rob and Karla Wall, John and Diane Neesz, and many more. 

Billy Fong provided the music. Every time he helps with this chore I am happily reminded he is a Patsy Cline fan. 

As per usual, Kim Bond provided directions. She and Dana Belmont even provided a dancing performance to Surfing Safari. Hey, it was such a great party that even Jim Moffitt and Chris and Bill Dean from the SBCA were seen to be enjoying some ice cream. 

Another event came back last week as the First Wednesday Lunches started up again. BJ went with relatively new residents Jill Voller and Christie Thomas. 

BJ tells me that they had a good crowd which uniquely included 10 men. Given the need to be pandemic sensitive, the lunch was really only dessert. Good enough for me.  

You probably already have the “Squeezin’ for a Reason” on your calendar on the 24th and 25th at Finn River. If not, this sounds like a party to not miss. There will be music by five different bands featuring accordions. I ask, who doesn’t like a good polka every now and then? There will be pies and accordions raffled off. 

I also ask why doesn’t your home have an accordion? Oh yeah, mine doesn’t either so I can’t wait to bid against you for one. 

The event is sponsored by KPTZ, the East Jefferson Rotary Club, and 13 other local businesses including The Leader. Net proceeds from the event will be donated to Ukraine disaster relief and the local Community Wellness Project. 

Lawrence Welk is supposed to have claimed, “I knew nothing of the real life of a musician, but I seemed to see myself standing in front of great crowds of people, playing my accordion.” 

My father told me about Lawrence Welk, otherwise I would not know who he is. Maybe I just forgot who he is. Ah one, ah two, ah three.

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week. 

(Ned Luce is a retired IBM executive and Port Ludlow resident. Hate to burst any bubbles, but Ned actually is a big Lawrence Welk fan and didn’t listen to Patsy Cline with all the cool kids back in the day. Crazy, huh? Email Ned at ned@ptleader.com.)