Too many times each year we lead off this article with news of the passing of a member or past member. In the 16 years I have written this column ( not consecutive because I was interrupted by the illustrious Scotty and Ocean Point’s own Ginny Conn) I do not ever remember having the pleasure of announcing matrimonial news, but in this issue we have two such exciting announcements to make! Love is flourishing in the Junior Program - instructors not the kids!

Tennis Pro/Director Chantalle Lavertu and Tennis Pro Alex Arsenault will become husband and wife before month’s end. Our congratulations and best wishes.

Across the street at the Sailing Program, Director Chris Liberti and Kate Coupland announced their engagement in July with a wedding planned for the fall of 2018. Chris joined our team last year coming from the University of Rhode Island. He is a teacher in the Boothbay Harbor school system and has the title of Director of Sailing at BHYC. Kate is a PHD candidate at the Darling Center of the University of Maine, a talented sailor in her own rite, this summer she has served as a part time Keelboat Instructor at BHYC when she was not out chasing little marine organisms in the Damariscotta River.

Last week we had a wonderful visit from the Manchester Yacht Club ... lunch, dinner, moorings and good friendship. This week the New Bedford Club graced us with their presence.

Charles tells us that the Post Office parking lot will be replaced in September and, of course, the McKown House is scheduled for demolition in the week of Sept. 17; and following that the Sailing Center construction will be underway.

In addition to beautiful weather we had a weekend of Commodore’s Cup events. On Saturday  in the J 80 division Ken Colburn racing Ghost took top honors, followed by Madeline & Craig Preston in Skyrocket with Wired and Dwight Poler in third.  In the BHOD division,  Bittersweet ( Jon Dunsford) topped Saraband (Richard Rush). On Sunday the wind made a major shift mid-race and caused some real challenges. This time, sailing his Swan 42, Ken Colburn took top honors followed by Wired, Sunfish, Two Dogs and Charisma.

I cannot help but comment that both Saturday and Sunday afternoons I witnessed a number of boats, some visitors and some members, speeding through the mooring field. It is an undisputed international yacht club rule that speed be reduced to NO WAKE when transiting a mooring field in respect to both occupied and unoccupied boats therein. Enough said!

Friday night the club honored the 131 members who contributed so generously to the Sailing Center Construction project. Outstanding food, tasty libations and good fellowship made this a very special event. Thanks to all who have made this project possible.

In case you don’t read the sports section, our Junior sailors went South to Freeport this week to the Youth Regatta where a new name is emerging in the person of Toby Clarkson. Toby took one first place in the Championship fleet, Second on the Blue Division and ninth overall. Henry Currier and Bobby Clarkson raced their first regatta together and they will be a team to reckoned with this fall in the High School Sailing session.

Upcoming events are many and varied. On  Monday, Aug. 21 BHYC will co-sponsor a lecture about Opiod Addiction by Chief Bob Hatch and Holly Stover. Reservations are expected through the front desk. On Friday, Aug. 18 we have a Classic Boat race and luncheon; and on Sunday night, Aug. 20 it is the much talked about Bourbon vs Whiskey Dinner.

You have to read the flyer to be found in the front hallway packets under the bulletin board. Incidentally, if you have not visited this area, please do as there is a wealth of information to be found there including news about the upcoming DayAfloat; the dinner with author Stephen Hantzis, who wrote  “The Rails of War,” a true chronicle of how Americans made a real impact on the Burma/China war theater; and almost every upcoming event. The pieces are take home for reading. 

And don’t forget the Schooner Frances cruise and lunch at the Portland Yacht Club on the 24^th. The Thursday night On Your Own table for single diners is becoming very popular. Also very popular this week was the presentation last Monday by Andy and Alice Mutch on their African safari. In addition to some fabulous pictures there were some interesting and enlightening comments on “today’s Africa.”