Life in Ludlow: Food, festivals and flags make for a fun-filled week

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OK! Do we like the change in the weather? We knew it would happen, didn't we?

Now we can get on with all those activities that happen in the spring, when the weather changes.

The annual Port Ludlow Yacht Club Opening Day ceremony was again a mix of fun and somberness. The somberness gave way to the fun as the Yacht Club burgee was raised to the inspiring strains of "Louie, Louie" by The Kingsmen of the '60s.

Tom and Tish Satre invited BJ, Pang and me to join them on their boat, Alaska Quest, for the parade saluting Commodore Anne Burrell-Smith. Pang had not been out on the water here yet, so Tom toured us around the twin islands in Ludlow Bay and out into the top of the Hood Canal. Great fun and very nice of Tom and Tish.

Mother's Day was the next day, and our son, daughter and their families joined us from Seattle for a festive session of Thai food preparation and consumption. There were some presents exchanged with the biggest smiles coming as a result of custom cards put together by the younger grandsons. Unfortunately, a lot of folks out here on the peninsula were having similar celebrations as our daughter's family experienced a solid two-hour wait for the Kingston ferry.

For several years, I have been privileged to participate with others in the springtime reviews and evaluations of the Chimacum High School senior projects. The students prepare and present a 10-minute review of their project. I spend one morning evaluating nine projects presented by seniors ranging from bees to "zom-bees." (Yeah, I know.) One young man even wrote a book and talked about the struggles of writing. Little does he know.

The absolute best project/presentation I have seen over the years was done by Rachel Smith and Lewis Hagen. They researched the way to introduce more bees and their positive benefits into the area. They obtained grants to fund the purchase of two beehives and some bees. They installed the hives and showed pictures of the results. Finally, they gave the presentation, which was well prepared, practiced and delivered, immediately followed by questions to which they knew the answers. It was impressive.

Then there was the Rhody Festival last weekend. BJ and I have never been, but Pang signed up for the run, and we wanted to see the parade, so we spent the weekend in Port Townsend.

Finally, the flags will be back this weekend. The East Jefferson Rotary Club will be putting 270 U.S. flags up around Port Hadlock, Chimacum and Port Ludlow. Local residents and businesses subscribe annually to have us put the flags up on five holidays each year to help celebrate the occasions as well as support the various community projects of the Rotary Club. Thanks to all who participate!

Now, here is a little career and life advice from Frank Clark:

"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."

Love curmudgeon and have a good week.

(Ned Luce writes this column every week and sometimes he even calls the editor to share his opinion on things unrelated to his column. Contact him at

nedluce@sbcglobal.net.)