Another busy week is in the books and activities at the club keep this scribe, the front desk ladies and manager Jim on their toes all the time. Most notable early in the week was the Pre Cruise Social and the always popular golf day and dinner. The latter took place after our deadline so results will be published in next week's column. Thanks to Byron Borst for running the event.

Word comes from Annapolis that Alice Mutch is recovering nicely from her surgery and that she and Andy hope to be at home on Southport within two weeks. Our best wishes also go to long time member Verna Luke who has faced some physical issues recently. Her grandson, Andy, is a new member and is carrying on the Luke family boatbuilding and care business and her daughter Peggy Miner is also recovering from physical challenges.

Bill Friedman wrote the following about the men’s sailing trip to Thomaston: The Men’s Sailing Group gathered last Friday for a pre-arranged voyage to Thomaston, with lunch at the Slipway restaurant on the St. George River, and a visit with Lyman Morse, Maine’s internationally renowned custom yacht builder. Twenty-six sailors in seven automobiles hydroplaned our way up Highway 1 to the Slipway, which magically had no difficulty in serving us all promptly and well. We were joined at the Slipway by Steven Tofield, Lyman Morse’s Director of Sales, and longtime Lyman Morse stalwart, having served for many years there as yard manager, construction consultant, and sales executive. Steve quickly endeared himself to our group with his totally candid luncheon discussion of the perils of yacht production in a recession economy, the evolution of Lyman Morse as a yachting innovator, and the remarkable computer imaging and cad-cam capabilities of the Lyman Morse design and building team. The tour of the facility took place after lunch. In all, the group loved the camaraderie, yachting insights, and non-sailing sailing experience of the L-M outing, a wonderful way to spend a rainy day in Maine.

Today marked the start of the second year in a row that BHYC has hosted the Maine State Opti Championships. Sponsored by the Junior Program and directed by Bob McCann, almost 100 young racers are present to compete on our fair waters in the mighty midget racing vessels. We ran it last year because Ian MacDiarmid won it two years ago and last year Jax van der Veen took top honors so we get to do it again. Incidentally Ian has gone on to bigger and better things in the world Junior Sailing Scene and has been working with our program this summer as a special coach.

Along with the Maine States, BHYC has also offered a three day High Powered clinic for Opti racers staffed by three of the most famous Opti Coaches in the world. Host Captain Sally Lloyd, Director of Jr Sailing at BHYC welcomed Pepe Bettini, past European Opti Champ and head coach of the Long Island Sailing Association, who served as the lead instructor. He was joined by Pablo “Panic” Panichelli, who is the father of the dominant South American racing dynasty, and by Justine O’Conner U.S. Opti Team Coach. Also participating were Connor Harding, a past top U.S. Team Opti racer and is presently 4.7 laser national champ, and our own Ian MacDiarmid, who is a nationally ranked U.S. Team racer, Orange Bowl winner, and past Maine State Opti Champ.

As if the Maine States are not enough, Saturday and Sunday we host the 39th annual Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Regatta, the top race on the summer GMORA (Gulf of Maine Ocean Racing Association) agenda. Over 40 boats are expected to compete and many of them from amongst our membership.

Saturday night is the annual family clambake open to the entire membership and featuring the entertainment of the Peter Collins Dixieland Band. Space was still available at this writing.

By the way, because of the Opti Event, there is no cocktail appetizer event tonight … cocktails of course! We thank the West Harbor Pond and Samoset Road folks for the treats last week.

Tuesday night next we have dinner music by Bruce Cameron and fabulous prime rib by Chef George.

While this reporter tries to know all, see all, and remember all, errors and omissions are made! One of the most egregious of these was failing to recognize and thank the band of brothers and sisters who entertained at the docks during the Dock Party. Under the leadership of Barclay Shepard these folks sang shanty after shanty in an almost unending repertoire.

Last weekend our boats did well in the Seguin race run by our friends at Southport Yacht Club.

Ken Colburn won Division 1, sailing Apparition. Sally Lloyd, director of the Junior Sailing Program,

and her brother BHYC instructor Sam Lloyd finished 2nd in Division 2, sailing the family boat Dotsy.

Cathy Latta finished 2nd in Division 3, sailing All That Jazz and Junior Program instructor

Will Cunningham won the J-24 division, sailing Strega.