Fourth of July week at SYC always means that the sailing program will be celebrating via the Independence Day Challenge! Sailors came dressed head to toe in their team colors and enthusiastically chanted their team names upon arrival. Ceremonies opened with the “Star-Spangled Banner” and a terrific parade around the senior building to “It's a Grand Old Flag.” Next the teams battled it out in the Rig/Row/Sail event, Egg Toss, Knot Tying Torch Relay, Saltine Whistling competition, Bubble Blowing contest, and of course, the ever-popular Watermelon Swim. For both the morning and afternoon class competitions, the Blue Team emerged victorious, led by instructor Kimball Khetani!

On Saturday morning we came together in a well-attended Member Meeting. It’s always good to hear updates from committee chairs and officers. We are lucky to have such engaged members and are always striving to keep SYC moving along in the right direction. There was too much fog for the Turnabout Race, but Sunday's Club Cruise to Spectacle Island was spectacular! The club cruise is a tradition that has been lost for a few decades but reestablished in 2024. About 20 SYC members of all ages joined us for a sunny picnic on the beach. It was a relaxed day with SYC whalers to help ferry our crews in from their anchored boats. Some folks chose to swim to shore, with an impressive range of inflatable water toys including a 5-foot lobster! Thanks to Fleet Captain Charles Nelson and Geoff Rand for running SYC patrol boats.

The week ahead is another busy one at SYC. Tuesday morning, July 9 is our first Member Brunch of the season, so join the fun at 10:30 at SYC. Tuesday evening will be the first official "Ladies Night" on the deck at SYC. This is an unofficial BYOB gathering requested by the membership & all women are welcome!

Saturday at 1 p.m. we will remember a stalwart of SYC with our Community Celebration of Toni Helming. The Helming Family welcomes all who wish to participate and recognize Toni's tireless contributions to SYC over more than fifty years. Parking will be tight, so please carpool if possible.

The ever-popular Wine Tasting hosted by Jack Bauman and Anne Mauer returns on Saturday. Join us at 5:30 with an appetizer to share. This is always an educational evening and a nice opportunity to socialize.

Sunday, July 14 is the Round-the-Island Race! This annual contest between SYC and Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club determines who wins the cherished trash can trophy, now hanging in the Junior Building at Southport. All are welcome to participate, with the top three finishers from each club determining who takes home the treasured Trash Can. Racing begins in Ebenecook this year and concludes in Boothbay. BHYC will host the post-race party and award presentation. Register on Regattaman by Saturday at noon for this ever-popular pursuit race!

As we look ahead to August, we are training now for the Eleventh annual Rock the Boat 5K Run/Walk on Aug.3. Those who need more cowbell in their lives will not be disappointed at Rock the Boat.