Welcome back to all our returning members as well as the 11 new member families who have joined this year. The rosters are available in the club house for all paid up members. Please come and pick up yours so that you will have it and the calendar of the usual summer events as well as some exciting new opportunities to meet and greet and participate in the sailing events.

Saturday morning members gathered for the General Meeting. The Treasurer, Will Brinegar, reported that we are in good financial shape with healthy balances in the checking and portfolio accounts.

Diane Smith reported on the membership and is looking to form a committee to lighten the duties of the membership chair. If you are interested you can contact her.

Vice Commodore, Nancy Carroll, (who also acts as chair of the Sailing Foundation) reported that we have purchased through generous donations 12 new 420’s. Sufficient funds were given to make this purchase possible and have there is additional left for maintenance and future replacements.

Those young sailors who turned in their collection boxes are entitled to enter an idea for names for the boats. The sailing classes are currently at limit. The first week there will be 50 in the morning class, 40 in the afternoon class and 28 in the advanced junior class.

The foundation has funded a number of scholarships. There will be the usual Tuesday evening 420 races, adult classes and the Junior Olympics will be held in Boothbay Harbor this year.

Rear Commodore Dave Smith described the racing schedule and is looking for volunteers for race committee.

Building and Grounds Chair, Russ Jackson expressed his gratitude to the Helmings, Smiths, Grimes and Messmers whose dedication to the club involved regular visits to make sure there was anything that needed attention. He reported on the general maintenance of the buildings and plans to upgrade the electrical system.

New windows will be installed upstairs and the board voted to install a gas burning insert in the fireplace to ward off the chill in the early and late seasons. Plans are underway for a retractable awning for the deck.

Jen Baker reported that the plans for the Sequin Island race are in place and urged us to plan to participate either as a racer or helper for the post-race event. Other social events are listed in your calendar.

Jean Hawley, standing in for Chair, Jack Bauman, reported on the progress the Archives and Club History committee. We were told of the early years of the club and the efforts of the founding fathers.

Much of this legacy came to us from the Southport Historical Society. Ron Orchard was kind enough to make up three information boards about the club history. Evelyn Sherman and Mark Colby also found a wealth of information in their possession.

Leal Brinegar reviewed some information about the building and the “wishing well” located on club property. Bud Hawley spoke to the early racing history as well as the original boats for the program.

David Riley spoke of our 75th anniversary and the gala celebration we had. We are reminded that we are only 10 years away from our 100th year and this committee hopes to have an extensive collection of memorabilia and memories by then.

Members are invited to share anything they have or remember to add to this collection. The picture/information boards will be on display at club functions throughout the summer.

The commodores hosted the opening reception with many tasty offerings. There will be many more events for the summer and we look forward to seeing you.