There were some sailors counting down the days until the Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation Bingo night on Thursday. We would like to thank all the local businesses who donated items for the Bingo prizes. When looking at the prize table, we felt goosebumps as we reflected on the generosity of our community. The Morrison Family continued their 10-plus year lucky streak while there were plenty of other winners to enjoy the prize collection which numbered over 50.

A group of SYC members traveled to the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Regatta on July 24 and 25. The Shipyard Cup Classics Challenge included 60 boats racing through the islands of Boothbay Harbor. Participants enjoyed sailing with beautiful classic boats on a sunny Saturday in Boothbay Harbor, contrasted with the windy, rainy day on Sunday. The SYC youth sailors and instructors competed in Selkie, the Bakers on Wired, the Colburns on Marilee, and the Rands on Razzle. Thanks to Ken Colburn and the BHYC co-chairs for a well run regatta featuring classic wooden yachts with beautiful varnish, plus PHRF racing and one-design fleets for J80’s and Boothbay Harbor One Designs.

Our C-420 and Opti sailors are competing this week in the Maine States Championship Regatta in Scarborough. The Prouts Neck Yacht Club is hosting the event with clubs traveling from Connecticut, Massachusetts and the entire coast of Maine to attend. We wish our sailors fair winds and following seas and will report on the results of this regatta in next week’s column.

There were two social events this weekend that brought our members together. The annual Wine Tasting event did not disappoint. The outstanding array of food paired with each wine intrigued and excited our discerning palates. Members prepared items such as chocolate bacon, pork tenderloin, a sampling of over 13 kinds of cheese and platters of salmon hors d'oeuvres. Special thanks to Jack Bauman and Anne Maurer for hosting this event, along with the volunteers who prepared food and the cleanup team.

The first annual English Croquet Tournament was held Sunday evening, July 25. Martha Weil and Sean Amos were crowned the champions of their respective courses. The participants sipped on Pimms Cups, nibbled cucumber sandwiches, and lemon curd bite. Many were decked out in traditional white outfits. Social chair Janet Duchaine was pleased with the turnout despite the day of torrential rain that stopped right before the event.

The event this Saturday night is a Porch Party. Why a porch party? Why not? SYC members never truly need a reason to celebrate. Join us at 6 p.m. on the SYC porches and lawn. There will be a paper sign up at the club as well as the electronic sign up in the SYC Weekly, published on Tuesday mornings.

Register this week for the Rock the Boat 5K Walk/Run on Aug. 7! We can guarantee you a T-shirt if you register by Wednesday, July 28. There will also be last minute Registration available on the day of the race starting at 7 a.m. for an additional cost of $5. However-our T-shirt order goes in on Wednesday at noon. We do order extra shirts but some sizes go fast! There are still spots to donate a pie or help keep the course safe. Contact hollyannabates@gmail.com if you can help. Registration is available on the SYC website.

Our racing calendar has the Friday Night Rhodes 19 One Design Races starting at 4:30 followed by a debrief and social. On Sunday, Aug. 1st we have the Pratts Island Turnabout Race which begins at 1 p.m. at the Cedarbush nun. Presentation of awards will follow after the race at SYC.

The Annual Arts and Crafts Fair is coming up on Aug. 7 and 8. Are you an artist or a volunteer? Send an email to: sycartshow@gmail.com for more information.