This column has been silent for a couple of weeks but that doesn’t mean that the club has been silent.

The title of this weeks column could very well have been “This American In Paris.” Upon the completion of my term as commodore Sept. 30, I gifted myself a belated 70th birthday trip to Paris and London. I am freshly returned and duly enchanted. As I drove home from Portland the other morning, however, I was once again reminded how truly blessed I am to call Maine home. The fall colors greeted me with their continued splendor embraced by a brilliant blue sky. The linen crisp white architecture standing in tryptic with weathered dove gray out buildings and handsome royal red barns stood at Colonial attention. Not any less impressive than the guards at Buckingham Palace.

It’s not simply the landscape nor seascape that welcomed me warmly. Dear friends and neighbors, Alice and Andy Mutch, made certain that we celebrated “He’s back” with a delicious supper. That was, of course, after Andy and I (mostly Andy) fetched our boats prior to the threatening nor’easter. That storm delivered everything the forecasters predicted and more. There are still people without power. That didn’t stop Howie and Dee Wright from hosting their 20th fall club cocktail party in their home in East Boothbay. The date was changed ever so slightly because Dee wanted make sure she could cook her famous ham. That ham has been the centerpiece of this event for all of the 20 years. I literally could pull a chair up to it … No I didn’t.

Our new Commodore Liz Rettenmaier assured us that the club had endured the storm without any significant damage. Only one of the junior sailing boats came near to a watery fate. Thanks to the efforts of program instructor Chris Liberti and steward Paul Pinkham, the tiny yacht was rescued and reunited with its ship siblings.

I am told that while I was away a hearty crew conducted the infamous fall Work Day. And back by popular demand was the accompanying potluck. I, for one, am delighted to see the return of this event as it was as new member the very first time I volunteered at the club. Lasting friendships were made that weekend. I will be sure to be on hand for rall Work Day’s counterpart, spring Work Day, unless of course — did I mention I will be going back to Paris.