The First Annual BHYC Family Picnic held at our West Harbor facility was a howling success. We extend our thanks to the Oak Grove Condominium for the use of their green lawn. The volley ball competition was fierce as was the croquet tournament, soccer and horseshoes.

PC Andy Holmes and VC Jack St. John were excellent chefs or hamburger flippers depending on your definition. Andy also conducted a robust sing-a-long with 15 or 20 youngsters with songs I haven't heard since I was 10 years old. It was certainly gratifying to see so many pre-teen age youngsters, so full of energy and enthusiasm, having such a good time and then finishing off the day with blue ribbon awards and lots of ice cream. Let's do it again gang!

Alan Burke announces that the Men's Doubles Tennis Round Robin was successfully completed on Saturday, August 18. The winner was Ted Repa with Sumner Lipman and his house guest, Ron Clearfield a close 2nd and 3rd.

VC Jack St John reports the final season standings for the BHOD weekend racing: 1st Wildfire #24, Patty Downs Berger, Skipper; 2nd, Galatea #37; and Tom Tavenner, 3rd, #54, NuttJob, Heidi McGee. In all 13 boats participated to conclude a very successful season.

Word has just been received that Ken and Ginny Colburn with BHYC crew Pauline Dion and others won the Manhasset Bay Challenge Cup this past weekend. They were racing in the Colburn's J/105, competing against Boston YC, Corinthian YC, and Eastern YC. We are all truly proud of your accomplishment

So much for recent history - Now pay attention - there's lots of good stuff coming up for the precious few weeks left of the 2007 season. Tonight, the Naples Nuggets: the Richters, Allisons, Skip Babcock, McDonoughs, Nordoffs, both Roberts, and Carol Cochran will host our weekly Thursday Night Social.

We have all received notice of our Annual Meeting which will take place this Saturday morning, August 25th. Precedent will be broken in that the meeting will be held outdoors, on the deck, under the awning.

The Gala Ball occurs on Saturday night and the hard working committee will be working their decorating magic inside the clubhouse. So prepare yourselves for the Saturday morning weather. Let's hope it is summer like.

The race committee promises an interesting course for the Commodore's Cup Race on Sunday the 26th. The skipper's meeting will be held at 1100 and the start at 1300. The last evening race is on Thursday, August 20 and the Awards Dinner is on tap for Friday, August 31. Limited launch service will begin on Tuesday, September 4. The hours of operation will be from 0900 through 1800. There will be no launch service from September 10th -13th and the launch will operate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday through September 23rd.

A recent survey revealed that there are at least seventy members who play bridge, and that is probably an understatement. Paula Hallett hopes that all 70 members plus the understated ones will join the Gala Bridge Night on August 28th. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. for the social hour with appetizers followed by a gourmet dinner. After dinner enjoy a few rounds of "FUN" bridge with a "Galloping Two" You do not have to be a high scorer to be the lucky winner of one of Paula's creative prizes. Put another way - you do not have to be up-to-date on your Culbertson's or Gorin's or maybe you are a little creaky in the knuckles - not to worry - rusty bridge players are not a rarity. Call for a reservation, come and enjoy, it should be a lot of fun.

On the following night, August 29th our Cruising Awards Dinner will be held. A total of 26 boats and four land yachts were counted during the season. F C Howard Levitan would like to thank everyone who participated in the cruising program this season and hopes you all will be able to join up again at the club for an evening of sharing experiences, dinner and some exciting awards. It all starts with cocktails at 5:30 p.m.

Lynne Nordoff, the official scribe for the Day Afloat reports that the sign-up sheets are filling rapidly by boat captains. Be forewarned! Lynne says that this Historical Celebration Year is sure to provide wonderful clues for your sleuthing pleasure and to be reminded that the sailors will be given an early start in order to complete the sleuthing in the allotted time. The answers will be revealed and prizes awarded during dinner on Saturday, September 1. More next week.

At the Sunday night supper on Sunday, September 9, Paul Dinkel and his wife Ellen Herman will make a presentation of their Cape Horn sailing passage. They have a photo CD of this journey and will make a running commentary of the adventure, which might last 30 minutes or so.