Busy times at 156 Western Ave. (yes, that is the address of BHYC) with the parking lots full and the organizers fighting the fog (and winning) and finding fabulous membership participation. We are fresh off the Regatta at which three of five divisions were won by BHYC members, including our Commodore, Jon Dunsford, and Ken Colburn and fresh off the Maine State Opti Championship which was won byHamilton Barclay and at which five other BHYC sailors finished in respectable positions. You get to watch this live next summer because the win means we host it in 2018...plan your time now, BHYC will need your help to make this biggest event in Junior Sailing a success.

Once again the Mackerels won the Calcutta tennis event. Memory tells me that they are repeat winners and maybe more than once.

Fifteen Boothbay Harbor One Designs signed up to race the second annual Boothbay Harbor One Design race on Sunday, Aug. 6. Winds were so strong that only seven of the boats actually raced.

On that same day with gusty shifting winds the Commodore’s Cup event saw a great turnout. Race PRO Bill Hunt filed the following: "The annual Boothbay Harbor One Design Association Regatta was postponed fromSaturdaytoSundayand was run in conjunction with the regular BHYC Commodore's Cup fleet race. A beautiful if blusterly northwest wind gave all sailors some good challenges. The seven BHOD starters were sent from Spruce Point to a buoy north of Mouse Island, then out around Squirrel Island, down Linekin Bay to Cabbage Island and then back to the finish at Spruce Point. Nancy Custer Carroll prevailed inBlithe Spirit IIwith Chris Liberti sailingMumatz finishing second and Patty Downs inWildfire finishing third.Many thanks to Mike Mayne for coming to the rescue of one BHOD that swamped in Linekin Bay and towing her back to the club, and to Captain Jeff Stenberg of race sponsor SEA\\TOW for pumping her out so quickly! Fortunately, no one was injured.

"The PHRF Fleet also sailed to the mark north of Mouse, then out around The Cuckolds bell, over to N6 in Fisherman’s Passage, then back to the finish off Spruce Point. The strong winds allowed Bob Bowditch’s Viper 640Dragon Lady to plane much of the way around the course with Commodore Scribner’s new J/37Caliente in hot pursuit.

"All six local J/80s raced and got in two races with some exciting conditions providing several boats their first experiences planing at speeds well over 10 knots. The first race was won by Ken Colburn’sGhost II, followed byFirebolt skippered by Hamilton Barclay, and Craig Preston’sSky Rocket finishing third. Several lead changes, wind shifts, and equipment failures shuffled the deck for race two with a challenging short windward-leeward twice around course testing sailing handling and crew work. Race two was won by Hamilton Barclay (who is 12 by the way) skipperingFirebolt, Sky Rocket finished second and Chip Baker finished third inWired."

The annual “Long Cruise,” under the leadership of Capt. Greg Shea, is out and we reached out to PC John Chapman for a first-hand report:“Peggy and I joined the cruise inSpirit the second day out at Seal Bay on Vinalhaven. It was a lovely day and a good trip from BHYC.In Seal Bay that night were Sea Lion (Sheas), Sweat Pea (Johnsons), Nomad(Rowans), Thumper (Rosenbaums) and Spirit (Chapmans).The next day was a free day.We elected to go to Buckle Cove on Swans Island.Also there were Sea Lion and Thumper.The next day we all gathered in Southwest Harbor at the Great Harbor Marina. There, in addition to us, were Sea Lion, Thumper, Swell Rider (Landons), Caseys (Roberts), Millbank (Gales) and Different Is Good (Sherwoods).That night we gathered at the Upper Deck Restaurant for dinner. We were in Southwest Harbor for two days. Peggy and I went to the Jordan Pond House for a lunch of seafood chowder and popovers. In the afternoon we met up with our grandson, Spencer Gray III (Elizabeth and Spencer’s son) who lives and works in Bar Harbor.We took him to dinner as well.The following day we left the cruise and traveled all the way home to BHYC. It took us 7 hours and 15 minutes most of it in thick, thick fog. It was a grueling trip.We arrived back on our mooring at 1715 and were very glad to see Ron McLaren out to welcome us with the launch.” John needed to leave the cruise early to attend a celebration of life gathering for his late sister."

Greg sent us this brief addendum: "Had lunch at Sea Dog Restaurant with 10 hardy souls. Weather has been perfect all week. Fantastic run up the river to Bangor. Back homeon Wednesday.“

In an effort to clarify for our readers the dining room schedule for Sunday and Monday, Hristo informed me that there is no lunch service on Sunday but there is on Monday. There is no regular dinner service on Sunday but there are special events every Sunday in August and when there is a special event the dining room is open for others providing there is space. Like last Sunday when there was a Bridge event but over 20 others enjoyed Sunday Supper. Likewise on Monday nights the dining room is only open when there are special events. But regular diners can attend on those nights as well ... inall cases, call and make your reservations whenever possible. By the way if you are single or eating single remember that an ever growing sized table is reserved Thursday nights at 6:30 for on-your-own dining.

By the way did you know that attending the cocktail hour on Friday pays off? Richard Lawrence did and he went home with $450 in Dining Room Credits as winner of the drawing. You have to be present to win, but it pays, ask Richard.

Last Tuesday Kate Christensen, famous author, enthralled a large lunch crowd with her talk. Today (Thursday) is the second Membership Committee Orientation. Thursday cocktails was hosted by Southport folks who filled the tables with goodies and tonight it is the Membership Committee and our New Members who will be providing.

This week we enjoyed a visit from the Manchester Yacht Club who were with us for a two day stay including several meals.

In the crystal ball looking at the future: Sunday is another Commodore’s Cup event (Fleet race) also a Sunday night lecture by Skylar Bayer. Monday night Alice and Andy Mutch will be talking about the New Africa – Kenya and Zanzibar at a members Teaching members event.

The 17th is a boat Rendezvous in Lewis Cove, and on the 18th the Classic Boat race, followed by a Bourbon vs Whiskey Dinner (we are anxious to hear the details on this one!)

Lastly, roll up you sleeves for the fifth annual Shots and Shots Day. Our annual flu shot clinic to be held Aug. 31. It was a sellout last year so call the front desk now to reserve your spot in line.