Welcome to the end of summer, almost | Life in Ludlow

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Summer, the oddest one of all, may be coming to an end, soon to be followed by what may be one of the oddest falls. I mean, I think I have to wear a mask most places. 

However, last week I walked out on the deck at the Port Ludlow Yacht Club Wreck Room at Wednesday evening “lite bites” with a mask on and overheard another attendee say, “Are we doing that again?” 

The answer is yes, I think. 

I then think about the kids going to school and the daily decision about busses or driving or carpooling or even just staying home. 

The information driving those decisions is changing at “warp speed.” It seems as if the only acceptable answer when one needs or wants to be with others is to be outside. 

Oh yeah, and stay away from each other. Then we can join together and give thanks to the “non-vaxxers” for the mess we are in.

Twice last week I joined BJ at the exercise class conducted by TJ Plastow down at the marina four mornings each week. Other members of the class accused me of attending only to collect material for this column. That would be shallow, don’t you think? 

I anchored myself at the back corner to maximize my ability to follow the activity but I confess to struggling because the very fit Carol Reynolds in front of me was able to cover a wider area and I found myself thusly encroaching on the space of others. 

Labor Day is usually tagged with being the end of most summer activities and again this year the East Jefferson Rotary Club helped celebrate with almost 330 U.S. flags around the area. 

In addition, the Port Ludlow Performing Arts, PLPA, put an exclamation point on the weekend with a free concert in the meadow adjoining the old Conference Center near the Admiralty Condominiums. 

The concert went from 1:30 through 5 p.m. Sunday. The two great performances were by “Next Up” and “Black Diamond Junction” playing music ranging from “Rockin’ Robin” from the ’50s to some song from 2000 I neither recognized nor remembered. 

The intermission between the bands was taken by me driving home to get a fleece for me and a blanket for my friend Janet McKinnon who was sitting in BJ’s seat since BJ had many duties to attend to as the treasurer of the PLPA. Highlights of the event included some dancing in place by folks such as Polly Peters and Pat Ryan. Even more enthusiasm was demonstrated by Cathy Papas, Yvonne Starkey and others more numerous to mention. Bob and Linda Shaw sat with BJ and me but conversation was limited by the music. 

Cheryl Wheeler led a group of women in the back dedicated to dancing together as well as calling for the band to play “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. It did not happen. 

Actually, despite the skills acquired in my mis-guided youth, I surmised the dancing had to be very difficult given the plethora of dirt piles provided by the local moles. I applaud the performance by all dancers!

So, we head into an odd fall, I guarantee it. You can get into it by registering for the Port Ludlow Car Show in the parking lots near the yacht club in Port Ludlow on Sept. 25. Or, you can just attend. 

I am betting on nice fall weather and it will be a great way to spend a Saturday. Food will be available from Dusty Green Cafe and the restrooms are close by. Put it on your schedule.

This week I have celebrated at least two of the fine features of “Princess SummerFallWinterSpring.” My father told me about her.

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week.

(Ned “Do the Mashed Potatos” Luce is a retired IBM executive and Port Ludlow resident. Email Ned at ned@ptleader.com.)