Nanci Main at the Oysterville Schoolhouse

Yesterday, Nanci Main took a packed house of joyful listeners back in time to the glory days of the Ark Restaurant.  We laughed (and wept a bit) right there in the Oysterville Schoolhouse as she recalled the adventures (and misadventures) of those twenty-two years, beginning in 1981 when she and Jimella Lucas put Nahcotta on the world’s culinary map.

For many of us, it was a trip down memory lane, somewhat bittersweet as those journeys often are.  She spoke of people (Red O’Connell, Denton Vanderpole, Jeannie Speelmon, James Beard) and places (the Shake Shack, Red’s Restaurant, their house in Seaview) – all now existing only in our shared recollections.  She spoke of beginnings – especially of the Garlic Festival – and of traditions like the music of Spud and Crabbo on Sunday mornings.  And she praised those crew members who have been with her “since the beginning.”

Ark Menu

Her descriptions of the ill-fated catering job in Sacramento and the Thanksgiving at the Ark when steaming turkeys triggered foamy fire retardant to cover the kitchen – hilarious!  And I am here to say that they were hilarious ‘back in the day,’ as well.  I remember hearing Nanci and Jimella talk about both incidents years ago with the same mix of horror and humor that we heard yesterday.  They are tales that definitely come under the heading of “You can’t make this stuff up.”

Nanci is a storyteller without peer.  Her ability to see the poignancy as well as the humor of a situation and to credit others, taking the spotlight away from herself, are qualities that draw in her listeners.  The hour-long talk was over far too early.  I think we all wanted more.  Just like we did at the old Ark Restaurant – even when we were full-to-overflowing.  And that comes under the heading “You Can’t Get Enough of a Good Thing.”