Ned Luce

The sounds of Christmas are echoing around the county again and not just from the ubiquitous radio stations and streaming services you hear in every public place. 

The Christmas tree-lighting celebrations I know of were in Port Townsend near the Haller Fountain, at the Nordland General Store, (also known as the Marrowstone Mall), and in the Port Ludlow Village Center. 

These celebrations were welcomed back after being absent since 2019. They provided an opportunity for the musically talented and challenged to again exercise their vocal cords in tribute to the season. I saw little evidence of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir talent but there was plenty of enthusiasm. 

BJ and I went to the celebration in Port Ludlow with friends John and Christy Thomas joining around 75 other folks. The Village Council Development Committee arranged for the Choral Belles to lead the gathering in traditional Christmas carols in addition to enough cookies for everyone in the county, plus some outstanding peppermint-flavored hot chocolate. When the tree lights came on, Santa appeared and greeted the few folks not deserving of a lump of coal. 

When he sat down, a small child was placed on his lap and looked as if uncontrolled fear might change the tenor of the event. The second and final person to sit on Santa’s lap was Bill Dean as the uncontrolled fear moved to Santa! Surprisingly the chair survived challenge. 

The Choral Belles were well led by Maryann Walters. Carol Grieves did a wonderous job ringing the bells required in most Christmas carols. Longtime residents will remember her as one third of the “Extremes,” the “Supremes” tribute group made notorious at a long-ago Port Ludlow Sock Hop. I must say her bell-ringing gig required substantially less talent. 

Dan and Soozie Darrow took up positions near the tree to be sure to get an excellent view of the lighting event. I am afraid they might have been more overwhelmed when all the lights in the plaza were turned on at the same time and overshadowed the tree lighting itself. No matter, it was a fun event bringing some fellowship and tradition back to the community as we either tolerate, ignore, or forget the inconveniences of a pandemic.

Recently there was some publicity about “Love, Actually,” a 20-year-old Christmas movie. BJ and I had not seen it so one evening last week we brought it up on one of the streaming services and paid $4 to watch it. 

I hope those of you who have seen it appreciated the messages and the humor, both obvious and hidden. Just like many of you, BJ enjoys the Hallmark Christmas movies, mostly without me, and “Love, Actually” may be of a similar genre. However, I did find it immensely entertaining, including the children’s Christmas pageant!

We look forward to the events of this week beginning with the Myron Vogt Volunteer Award presentation at the Christmas Giving Luncheon. 

Myron was one of the founders of the Olympic Peninsula Boeing Bluebills and was a recognized volunteer leader for many years in Port Ludlow. 

There will also be “Dessert and Discover” Monday, at the Jefferson Community Foundation holiday gathering, another appearance by the Choral Belles at the First Wednesday Christmas Luncheon, the Port Ludlow Yacht Club Change of Watch, a Printery Christmas party, and a Port Ludlow Performing Arts concert by Terry Barber. 

Makes one tired thinking about it. 

Love a curmudgeon and sing along with the music. 

(Ned Luce is a retired IBM executive and Port Ludlow resident who has vocal cords that are quite similar to his home extension cords; hazardous when used outside to power large holiday displays. Contact Ned at ned@ptleader.com.)