Our lead item this week has to be the transformation of the Casino, which was unveiled last Friday. The Casino, which was the original building on our property when the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club moved out to West Harbor from downtown (where Tugboat Inn is now).

At that time it was the “Casino” for the Oak Grove Hotel, which stood where the condominiums are now. In those days, a hotel’s casino was not necessarily a gambling place, but a gathering place where games and activities were housed.

The name stuck and its intent at BHYC West Harbor was to be used as the headquarters of the Junior Sailing Program. In recent years, especially with the accession of the McKown House, the Casino has morphed into a general purpose room and more particularly into a (for want of a better term) storage room.

Under the direction of Gardiner Rapelye the Casino has been transformed into a place of comfort and welcome highlighted by colorful rugs, the display of many historic BHYC photographs and, displayed in magnificent cabinets, many of our most treasured trophies. Subtle lighting has replaced the harsh fluorescent lights, active fans create comfortable air, and a large screen TV highlights the east wall. 

Well done, committee, and everybody take notice. Let’s not let the space become a storage room even for one day or night!

We will have a chance to give the Casino Committee our thanks Thursday night, Aug. 13, as they have graciously offered to provide the hors d’oeuvres for that night’s cocktail party.

Some of the folks from the membership committee have also volunteered to bring goodies. Thanks to all and by the way Louise needs a group to sign up for Sept. 10, our last hosted event of the  season.

While you were in, inspecting the Casino, you may have noticed on the bulletin board that the Nominating Committee has posted its report on proposed officers for next year. Most noteworthy is the fact that Dan Hare has been nominated to serve as Rear Commodore to support Commodore proposed Eric Hakanson and Vice Commodore incumbent Bob Scribner.

Betsie Permut receives the nod for Secretary, Bob Reiser for Treasurer and Susan Haney for Chair of the Finance Committee. Other Nominees are: For Board of Directors- Sally Smith, Don Snyder and George Ross. For Finance Committee member  Jay Haberland, and PC Andy Matthews Chair of the Constitution and By laws Committee. Stephen Permut and Bob Vawter are on that committee as well.

The Junior Program had a “Race with your parents as Crew” day last Friday and elsewhere in this paper is a report of their successes. This week the Juniors are Racing in the Maine State Opti championships at Southport Yacht Club.

There were no winners at the Friday night drawing so next week the prize will by $400. If your name had been Neary or Bower  and you had been here you would have been a winner.

Sunday saw the running of the first Commodores cup race. We are pleased to report the results: BHOD: 1st Blithe Spirit Nancy Custer Carroll, 2nd Wildfire Patti Berger, 3rd Polar Express Dwight Poler.

In the racing division: 1st Firebolt  J/80 Bill Hunt, 2nd Pirouette J/22 Jeff Curtis, 3rd Quite J/22 Tom Clark. And in the cruising division: 1st Sunfish Pisces 21 Michael Gaffney, 2nd  Step Lively Gulfstream 30 Christopher Malliet, and 3rd Panache F&C 44 RC Bob Scribner.

Friday is the Wine Education Seminar #III which features Pinot Noir, the Heartbreaker Grape.

Past Commodore Ed Gibson, who was this writers Vice Commodore, has been given the opportunity to live at St Andrews Safe Haven in the Harbor. Ed ,at 100 years of age plus, is a tribute to all that we are and have been. He would welcome your visit at any time the spirit moves you.

Saturday will see attention directed to the Tennis Courts where the annual Calcutta Tennis event will take place. A Calcutta tournament is a tournament where teams compete on a handicap system. The better the team, the lower handicap they receive. The main idea is that every team has an even chance to win the match and tournament, no matter what their level of play is.

Sunday afternoon sailboat racers will take to the course for the Commodore’s Cup event. Check with Jeff Hankins if you wish to race and get out there to see the races if you don’t.

Sunday  night will feature Bill Wilson and an informative talk on the Titanic disaster. Learn Facts you never knew about the Titanic, from how and why it was built, to the various accommodations on board, to the full story around its final hours and the fascination it has held for so many years.

Monday night the club is open for a change and the event will be wood-fired pizza night. Reservations must be made well in advance for this interesting evening. This will be followed by the annual Past Commodore’s Dinner on Tuesday but the rest of the dining room will be open for regular dining and Georges Prime Rib Special.

Wednesday night the dining room and bar is closed for diner to allow for a private function.

And Thursday is the long anticipated trip to Rockland and the Back Cove Yacht factory. If you are not signed up please talk to Paul Schacknow to be included in this most interesting journey. Speaking of Dr. Paul — don’t forget to go on line now and sign up for your flu shots to be given Aug. 27 in the casino. This is an easy, cheap, and early way to get protected  and if you want a shot of another type the bar will be open!