It seems to me that the tell tale signs of fall started early this year. The maple trees seemed to be a in rush to get on with their brilliance.

The sumac were also early with their henna spikes. At BHYC the boats began leaving the mooring field like a slow leak. Our wonderful stewards, Paul Pinkham, Jim Stormont and Ron MacLaren, undoubtedly are enjoying the shorter launch service hours. They carried many of us back and forth with ease and grace all summer.

This Sunday will be the annual decommissioning. It is the last day for the launch service, and the near last scheduled season event. Next Saturday will be the fall work day where the club is tucked in for its long winters nap. A mighty cast of dedicated members store trophies, remove screens, and make safe haven for all of the furniture both indoor and out. Artwork and plaques will also be secured. It is a ritual for old friends and new friends to close BHYC and prepare it for our 125th anniversary in 2020.

As I step down from being commodore, Liz Rettenmaier steps up to the position. I am certain that under her leadership we will see another banner year. Michael Smith will become the vice commodore. He brings vast knowledge and skills to his officership. Jon Dunsford remains as rear commodore and team leader for the waterfront. Racing results are being gathered for a dizzying summer of sail. Kitty Chapman will continue to keep the club on a steady keel as treasurer Julie Krug will be the new secretary and Marion Flores stays on as our most gifted chair of the finance committee.

This past Tuesday was a “Clean Out The Pantry Buffet” and Chef Raymond’s exceptional talents prevailed. Our sympathy is with chef as he left to be with his family in honor of the passing of his uncle.
As we have heard “To everything there is a season.”

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone. Were it not the for support of the officers, the board, our talented and caring kitchen and dining room staff with Hristo Ivanov at the helm, David Schoentag behind the bar, and, of course, Tom Serino our terrific general manager, and many steadfast members, this season would not have been the watershed season that it was.