Ah, the dreams and ambitions of folks, mostly younger than I, are invigorating and rewarding. I met last week with Terra Coyan and Jessie Michaels, the founders of the Friends of Swansonville. Anyone driving Swansonville Road will see the cornerstone of their dream, the deteriorating church on the corner of Swansonville and Werner Road.
Apparently others have, (like me), callously suggested it would be a great place for a coffee shop. Jessie and Terra’s dreams are far greater than another Starbucks. The group organized a work group to paint the building and procured the donation of a white tarp to cover the front. Pete Leenhouts donated the tarp and Jessie and Terra made it clear to me that it was not a blue tarp that I suspect would imply a lesser status.
The group has expanded the number of folks involved now with nine board members from the area. They are looking at the ownership status of the church, as well as pursuing funds that might be used to purchase the home next door, the former parsonage of many years ago.
The vision for this group is to turn this area into a community resource for education, meetings, a historical museum and frankly, just improve the appearance of the whole corner. Folks, this is a big vision requiring a lot of dreaming but it has fabulous appeal for all of us living in the area. It will take a lot of time, work and money, but it appears worthwhile. Stay alert.
The Port Ludlow Players French toast breakfast was this past Friday at the Bay Club, so I went over to enjoy some local fellowship and support their cause. Unfortunately I was a week early and thus was all alone and without any French toast, or even some oatmeal! The breakfast is this coming Friday at 8:30 and I am dreaming I will remember to get there.
The annual LMC wine and cheese reception was last Friday at the Beach Club. The food and drink was complimentary so it drew a crowd of those looking for a free drink and some neighborhood fellowship. BJ and I went down and made some new friends and talked with some old friends. It seems logical that anybody you encounter is probably new to the area. This not always the case, as a little free wine seems to bring out the folks who might have been here awhile but have not been as visible in the neighborhood.
The event was not as shoulder-to-shoulder with people as in the past, but one still had to scout around for a seat. I personally enjoyed talking with Dave Jackson about his 1969 Porsche 912. We have talked several times about his car, but I am not real sure he actually has it because it never seems to see the light of day, or even the rain of day. Frankly, it might just be a dream.
When dreaming, remember George Carlin’s observation. “Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
Love a curmudgeon and have a great week!
(Ned Luce is a retired IBM executive and loves all things Ludlow.)
