Well, as the old favorite Christmas song says, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” It might be difficult for snow birds to understand that our town doesn’t roll over for its long winter’s nap shortly after you leave. To the contrary. It’s not unlike the conifers and the deciduous trees.

All through the summer the deciduous trees hold sway as they billow nearly overshadowing the steadfast conifers. Shortly after their blaze brilliant display the deciduous retreat into the background and the conifers shine forth. They are the community, the chorus line, the centurions that carry the cask of the other season here around town. There are special shopping opportunities, festivals, celebrations, fireworks and, of course, the ubiquitous holiday lighting displays and Gardens Aglow. This year is the first year to my knowledge that BHYC has joined the ranks. Thanks to Charlie Cochrane and crew, there is a lighted triumvirate of the Junior Sailing’s tiniest ship, the opti, sailing on the crest of the newest addition to our campus.

Thanks to the generous contribution of a longtime member of the club we now have a very smart looking fence between The Sailing and Education Center and Western Avenue as well as new fencing along the shore. Not only are these attractive, they also insure added safety protection.

Upon contemplating the three wee vessels in all of their splendor, it is difficult not to compare with other groups of three. Of course. the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria come to mind, as do the Three Wise Men. Each “following yonder star.” These three ships on a distinctive southern tact brightly hold the space for the snow birds and are the harbingers of their safe return.

We will lift our glasses in a toast to everyone who makes BHYC such a special place all year ‘round. The next opportunity will be in the home of Past Commodore Marianne Reynolds Thursday Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

Of course, there is always business men’s lunch, the winter book club, Mahjong, Bridge and the most recent addition of offerings, chair yoga, facilitated by Carole Cochran. Whoever coined the term “the off season” was clearly using a different bank of switches.

Next week this column will be written from Washington, D.C. where I will be the guest of Janet Reingold and Philip Yasinski. We will be attending holiday concerts performed by The National Chorus and The Army Choir at The Kennedy Center and The National Cathedral Candlelight Service.