An invitation has been extended by the flag officers (commodore, vice commodore, rear commodore) to the members of the board of directors to attend their next monthly meeting because of the volume of items up for discussion and decision. The fan is getting encumbered with a myriad of items pertinent to the opening and immediate operation of the club. For all three of the top team, it is their first “opening” and they are determined to GIR (get it right).

Well it started off right in Portland where the scholastic sailing club took first place in all three of their first match races last weekend. Next week in this column we will give more details as to names, ages, and experience but we need to give the “team” time to shake down and get settled after starting the season with snow on the ground and only one dock in place. Given any cooperation with the weather at all, Blake’s will be setting moorings and getting docks and floats into position for more robust local action.

A combination, of sorts, has been made to form the Boothbay/Northeast Sailing/ Junior Olympic Festival Race Week, July 9-13. This week will include the Maine state C420 and Opti Championships plus the qualifiers for Smythe and Bemis Cup races in the Lasers and C420s.

All of this will be administered from the new Sailing and Education Center, which is coming closer and closer to completion with every week. Last week, wearing our press pass, we took a tour of the construction site and confirmed that progress looks good for an on schedule opening. In the lowest level, the wall studding was complete and electricians and plumbers were following fast behind with their trades prior to sheetrocking and painting. What is exciting to these eyes is the wide open daylight features of the main floor. The offices are all welcoming and efficient, space wise, and the gathering room on the north end is resplendent with both water and land views.

The outside decks are also both spacious and with exciting views. Decking is already finished and the sprinkler folks were in the process of installing their contribution to safety both inside and outside. It is good to know that this new building will be fully protected by a combination of wet and dry systems to give us year round coverage. After the wiring is completed the insulation is next in the stick built section followed by sheetrock and finishing. The modular section is ready to go for its next stage of work and that means carpeting and hook up in the basement for electrical and communications elements which were in place from factory days.

Just a couple of reminders as we close this week’s diatribe … Thursday the 19th is our next social event at the home of Joan and Greg Shea in Wiscasset. Next week Charles will send out directions and parking information. This is an event not to be missed. Also you can bring with you any prospective new members and by all means if you are reading this article and would like to become a part of the most active yacht club on the Maine coast you can contact Sandy Wheeler in Boothbay Harbor or Sharma Schacknow in Florida for information and support. To get their numbers, feel free to call the club office at 633-5750. Likewise for information about the Junior program and enrollment, call the same number, 633-5750, and ask for Charles or Donna.

Look for news about the dining room plans in next week’s article given the completion of in process negotiations with a staffing team.