Ned Luce

Yes, it snowed here in Port Ludlow last weekend and a beautiful snow it was. BJ and I went for a short walk culminating in an attempt to throw snowballs at the Drapers’ front windows. I did put a glancing hit on a window which got Vic to come outside and risk becoming a desirable target himself. No matter, he had an accurate perception of my diminishing throwing skills and successfully avoided any danger by just standing still and mocking me. BJ continued her walk whilst I expended any remaining back strength and energy partially shoveling the driveway. 

Last Saturday was Presidents’ Day weekend and the East Jefferson Rotary Club, (EJRC), tries hard to erect those U.S. flags around the ports of Hadlock and Ludlow plus Chimacum in celebration of the holiday. Even though the red, white and blue flags would have looked fabulous with the fresh snow as a background, the desire to avoid sliding pickup trucks and trips to the hospital for the injured flag erectors dictated we suspend the event. 

Those folks who subscribe to this project can expect to see the flags instead on Flag Day, June 14. Unless, of course, it snows!

The flag project has grown significantly over the past 10 years. It started with a commitment by Port Ludlow Associates to support the project with 16 flags on the Oak Bay Road turn above the marina. It expanded from there. 

Some of the others supporting this project generating funds for local scholarships include the following folks. The four-way stop in the middle of town, (?), has 32 flags subscribed to by Sound Bank, Port Ludlow Dentistry, Best Homes and New Leaf Design. Ten subscribers support the flags at Kehele Park. Port Ludlow Brokers have eight flags in South Bay. There are multiple Port Hadlock flag installations at QFC, the Kively Center, the Valley Tavern, Hadlock Building Supply, Ferino’s, Olympic Equipment Rentals among others. Circle and Square, Ding Doctor and others provide flags in Chimacum.

Several individual subscribers donate to honor friends or family. One example is Bonnie Lambton who ordered a subscription honoring her husband, father and stepfather who all served in the military. On a nice day with a light breeze blowing the show can be dramatic, even with snow.

Local Edward Jones representative Rick Smith is on the board of the Hospice Foundation for Jefferson Healthcare. Having grown up in Port Angeles he is friends with Steve Corson, accomplished chef and the son of the owners of Camaraderie Winery also in Port Angeles. BJ and I are members of their “club.” 

You know what a wine club is, right? It is a commitment to buy some of the winery’s wine once every quarter or whatever. 

Rick put several things together and hosted a virtual cooking lesson by Steve last Saturday eve to benefit the foundation. Steve led us in the preparation of chicken cacciatore with polenta, a Caesar salad, and a fruit compote dessert highlighted by whipped cream. 

First of all, the whole process goes better with Camaraderie Wine for reasons I hope you understand. 

BJ followed Steve’s directions did a great job preparing some dressing for the Caesar salad and set it aside on the counter awaiting the romaine lettuce she had chopped earlier in the afternoon. Then it was on to the homemade whipped cream using the handheld food mixer with the two beaters. She was all set to start the mixing when the mixer would not turn on. Since I was available to help when and where I could I subtly pointed out that the mixer had not yet been plugged into the electrical outlet. BJ turned and went over to plug in the mixer while moving past the container of Caesar dressing. When she successfully plugged in the mixer it started right up and since it had not been switched off it started jumping around the counter. OK, now she leaps to the mixer where she began to successfully mix the whipped cream. 

A few minutes later, I, again being incredibly helpful, pointed out that when she began to prepare the whipped cream she had inadvertently knocked over the Caesar dressing. 

A flurry of anxious activity attempting to salvage some of the dressing ended with me manning the mixer, occasionally and responsibly taste testing the whipped cream. 

Twenty minutes later we enjoyed a delicious chicken cacciatore dinner with a uniquely flavored Caesar salad. The whipped cream was spectacular. As was the snow.

Love a curmudgeon, wear a mask and have a great week! 

(Ned Luce is a retired IBM executive and Port Ludlow resident who’s lost a bit of speed on that slider snowball. But what hands in the kitchen! Email him at ned@ptleader.com.)