As our clambake chief, Jack Bauman had a conflict on our usual August weekend, so the July folk were treated to the traditional Down East Clambake last Saturday evening.

The weather was perfect and the past commodores and spouses were on hand to see that everything was prepared, melted and served. We figure that about 200 members and guests enjoyed the evening.

Friday morning adult recreational racing in Turnabouts is a fine way to get out sailing on the Sheepscot in the relative calm breezes of summer mornings. The last two Fridays have been sparkling, with seven to 10 participants ranging from never-having-sailed-before to seasoned skippers. Young sailors are on hand to sail with adults not yet ready to head out on their own. We meet on the club porch at 9:30 a.m. Contact Will Jacobs if you wish more information and wish to participate

This Saturday is the Hendricks Head Open Race. SYC Open Races are open to sailboats longer than thirteen feet. Boats start together and finishing times are corrected using the Portsmouth Yardstick Handicaps. Start is at 1 p.m. in the vicinity of Hendricks Head.

Here are some activities you should keep in mind.

There is a Monday morning coffee on Monday, July 23, for parents to meet and greet and learn about the program if this is your sailor’s first experience. On Tuesday, July 24, there will be a 420 race and a spectator fleet is a good way to cheer on the participants. Wednesday evening, July 25, the community kick ball begins at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, July 26, the annual meeting of the Southport Yacht Club will begin at 9:30 a.m. and later that day the second ice cream social starts at 7 p.m.

Please note the Parent Volunteer bulletin board inside the Junior Building. Parents are needed to help run events; please sign up on the volunteer sheet if you are able to help!

Please help us keep our young sailors safe by driving slowly (even if you’re running late!) and following the parking signs. If you need to park, please try to park in the SYC lot, with overflow going into the town lot.

On Saturday, the Norma Smith Turnabout Races were held. Seventeen boats were on the line, with sailors of all ages participating. There was even one dog, Lupine Houston, crewing.

Attempts were made to get Lupine to abandon his skipper by calling his name and getting Lupine to jump from his boat to another. However, Lupine stayed loyal to his skipper and didn’t abandon ship.

Proving that wooden turnabouts can still race with the fiberglass ones were the father/son combination of Geoff and Nathan Chatterton, who sailed in the 50-year-old boat No. 614 and after three races won the day on a tie-breaker. Finishing second were the grandfather/father combination of Tom and Will Jacobs.

“I had a lot of fun out there,” Tom Jacobs said. “My one stipulation for sailing was that I would not have to switch sides on every tack. So William and I worked out a deal where he would sail one tack and I would sail the other. I only needed help getting in and out of the boat.”

Taking third place were the young guns Dane Phippen and Bryce Jacobs, who had a combined age and weight that was about a fifth of the second place boat.

All who participated had fun. The Tootsie Pops distributed by the race committee between races were enjoyed and seem to be a new SYC tradition.

Please note that we have added a Beer Tasting event to the SYC calendar for Saturday, July 21, at 5 p.m. This event is not on the printed calendar that was attached to your roster, so please write it in. The SYC is partnering with Oak Street Provisions and Dogfish Head Beer to host the beer tasting. There will be several beers available as well as a beer expert to walk us through the ins and the outs of each brew!

Tri-Club Golf Tournament: Come play golf! Meet new friends! Bring guests! On Wednesday, July 25, the Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Down East Yacht Clubs are sponsoring the third annual Tri-Club Golf Tournament at the Boothbay course.

Come at 1 p.m. for team pairings, based on handicaps, and directions; the shotgun scramble will begin shortly thereafter. After the golf, come to informal (golf attire is fine) cocktails and dinner at the BHYC at 6:30 p.m.; prizes will be awarded to teams and individuals.

The price for golf is $55 (cart inclusive) for non-members of the country club and the regular cart fee ($20) for members. The price of the (optional) dinner is $30 for a three course meal, tax and tip included.

Register for the golf and dinner by calling the BHYC at 633-5750. For more information, call Bob Chase at 633-2175.

From SITR Chairman Jen Baker:

We hope that you will join us for the 2012 Seguin Island Trophy Race hosted by Southport Yacht Club on Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29! We’ve fingers crossed for good weather and great sailing, but regardless we are planning a fabulous party this year on Saturday, July 28, at BRB from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Thunder Bay, the house band at Mine Oyster, will provide live music, and once again Narragansett is sponsoring the event and providing free beer. In addition, Bash Events (Newagen Seaside Inn's catering end) is hosting a BBQ, so members should make sure to stop by, have a burger, listen to some music and have a beer on us!

The party is open to all; participant or not. The only thing we need is you! For those who want dinner, a sign-up sheet can be found in the SYC clubhouse and an online version will also be available.

If you need crew or would like to crew but need to connect with a boat let Jen Baker know and she can try to connect the dots. In short, we need you there and she is happy to help you get on the water any way possible! Sign up for the regatta at www.regattatech.com/events/SouthportYC/SITR12.

Remember, the arts and crafts show will be held the weekend of Friday and Saturday, Aug. 10 and 11. Call me if you wish to participate, 633-2117.