Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club

Tue, 03/24/2020 - 8:00am

The Flag Officers, Board of Directors and management of BHYC are faced with the same challenges as the rest of the world.

At the board meeting this past Saturday measures were taken to address the club’s adherence to state and federal mandates. In fact the meeting itself was conducted electronically using Webex. Commodore Liz Rettenmaier said “You can teach an old sailor a new knot.” For the first time in the history of our club, a meeting was held with audio visual technology.

As a result of the vigilance of BHYC’s management, the club will suspend gatherings of more than 10 people which includes Bridge, Mah Jongg, Chair Yoga, Ladies Lunch, Men’s Lunch, monthly cocktail parties and all meetings. Social distancing is also in effect on the campus. Liz said that the commissioning of the club is still planned for May. This annual celebration will be on Memorial Day weekend and will usher in our 125th Anniversary.

As the world faces the coronavirus, I invite each of us to stay optimistic and focused on the ultimate outcome. Staying home is the best way to fight “the invisible enemy.”

Two BHYC couples did exactly that Saturday evening. Drumm and Brooke Boord and Tom and Debrah Yale had cocktails together. This wasn’t any ordinary party. Both of these couples live on Townsend Gut just before the Southport Island Bridge. Many of you may remember the bashful nude
sea nymph weathering winter in various outfits as she stood in the Boords’ garden facing the road. Member and talented photographer Nick Mace entered her in the “What’s Nude in Boothbay” show.

She has found a new home greeting guests as they arrive at Brady’s restaurant. It was by the side of the road where I encountered her replacement at least for the evening. I actually had to turn around and go back by the scene. Drumm appeared and I asked him what in the world they were doing. He assured me that the collection of furniture and a tailgate was to create social distancing for the foursome. The sight was hilarious. A love seat, two chairs, end tables complete with crystal decanters goblets and lamps. Why there was even and oriental rug. All of this right at the shoulder’s edge of Western Avenue made me smile proving to me that we must keep our sense of humor in these trying times.