Number 500: columnist hits milestone

Life In Ludlow

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Peter, Paul and Mary lamented that they were 500 miles from home. U.S. currency officially discontinued $500 bills in 1969. It is 500 miles from Port Ludlow to Spokane, if you go through Walla Walla. This is column number 500 of Life in Ludlow written by me for the Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader, (like I ever wrote anything for any other newspaper).

I suppose I have mentioned BJ about 500 times in these columns. I wish to thank the 500 or so people whose name I have referenced in these ramblings. May you always take any mention of you in the spirit in which it was intended, whatever that may have been. Whoever thought this would last this long? Even more, who cares? It has been pretty close to a darn good time. (Paraphrased quote from Michael Cavett.)

The annual Trunk or Treat event celebrating Halloween is tomorrow from 4 to 6 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to Port Ludlow’s Village Center. This is an attempt to have a safer, more convenient way to enjoy the holiday for all, including those brave enough to put on a ridiculous costume suitable for ridicule or fear from young folks.

Even though it happens next to the recycling center it is very inappropriate to dispose of the leftover candy in the recycling bins. You bought all that stuff, take it home and eat it.

This year’s United Good Neighbors campaign kicks off at noon this Saturday at the Port Townsend Community Center. UGN and over 25 nonprofit leaders will be there for the “Give Jefferson Nonprofit Fair” providing information about and inspiration for the ways you can support these critical community organizations. Shoot, you will be at the farmers market getting some treats at Pane d’Amore anyway, right?

Last weekend held such pleasant weather we decided to take a ride up Whidbey Island to do some leaf peeping and hook up with my cousin who just moved into a new home in Anacortes.

It was a delightful ride up with a unique lunch experience at the San Juan Lanes, bowling, in Anacortes. They are billed as having the best fish and chips in the San Juans. Just look at the testimonials on the wall. We had it along with some onion rings and my cholesterol jumped to 500! And the bowlers, there were NONE when we arrived! Everybody was there for fish and chips. The return ride looked risky for getting on the Coupeville to Port Townsend ferry so we headed down I-5 to Edmonds for the ferry. The bad news is that the 50 miles on the highway was another great reminder of how the other half of the country drives and the conditions they face. The good news is the ferry was 10 minutes late leaving so we were the last car to drive on. Do you share that certain joy of beating the system when you just drive up to the terminal, pay the fee, and become the last one on the boat before it leaves, all in the space of 90 seconds? I love it.

Love a curmudgeon and have a great Halloween!

(Ned Luce is an ex-IBM executive whose idea of retirement is to write a newspaper column for and about his adopted hometown of Port Ludlow.)