The plentiful flowers from the club entrance seen all summer are now all gone, chef’s tomatoes and herbs have been consigned to the compost heap, and the window boxes are all cleaned and ready for outfitting next summer. Thanks to all the flower ladies for their beautiful efforts.

Things go on with weekly activities now into their first week. Preparations for the board meeting this Saturday, Oct. 5 are in high gear and the finance committee is honing up the 2014 budget for presentation.

Next week Friday night is the closing potluck supper and Alice Mutch is the major domo of that event, so call or email her with your reservation and contribution of choice. Speaking of Alice Mutch, along with husband Andy and Gardiner Rapelye, she will be hosting the annual Halloween party on Thursday night, October 17. The Mutches’ new home on Southport overlooking Decker Cove is an ideal place for ghouls and goblins to gather and we expect no less than a huge turnout of costumed members (come anyhow even if you don't have a costume).

Now about the winter events: November will be hosted by the Hakasons; the Christmas event by Past Commodore Marianne Reynolds and April by Greg and Joan Shea. Louise still needs to hear from folks willing to do January, February, and March so call her at 207-882-5525.

Did you catch the exciting last few races of the America’s Cup? Although some may question that they are sailboats (and not airplanes), the USA managed to grab victory from defeat and win in an exciting finish.

This article is being written from Bermuda where a few minutes ago we saw a bunch of Opti's racing off the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. The excitement here is that Ben Ainslee (tactician from Oracle USA) will be here next month to run an Opti clinic. We need to go after him to run a clinic at BHYC next summer.

If you want an interesting book to read read, try “The Billionaire and the Mechanic,” which is Larry Ellison and how the America's Cup came back to the U.S.

Don't forget to put work-day a week from Saturday on your calendar.