After a three or four week hiatus, I had a problem this snowy morning, getting back into the groove. But then I received a proof of the winter Newsletter which is edited by Lynne Nordoff. Lynne gazes out on palm trees, blue skies, chirping birds, and blooming flowers, all of which try to lure her away from her word processor. My skiing days are a thing of the past, I don't own a snowmobile, and the snow is too light to make a snowman. So I'll settle down with my computer and try to report on what is going on with the BHYC.

For openers, we have a BHYC Thursday night cocktail party this week. The column this week does not give too much lead time for partygoers to prepare their best in hors d'oeuvres. I hope many of you have read the e-mail sent earlier by Jim Matel from the BHYC office advising on the location. Byron Borst and Jane Smith will be our hosts. The time is 5:30 p.m. and they reside at 586 Back River Road. Call Byron at 7971 or Jane at 3337 for specific directions. For the future the dates are Feb. 21, Mar. 20 and Apr. 17. Right now I like the sound of April.

I joined the Business Men's Lunch group last Wednesday and there were ten or eleven stalwarts in attendance, a darn good turn out for January. We should all be shoveled out by this Wednesday so I expect a similar record this week. The featured speaker for the day is you.

Tony O'Neill told me that the Foundation for the Jr. Program is pretty much in place, awaiting formal papers to make it official. The Winter Newsletter reports more specific information, but the real crux is that with members and friends making tax free contributions to the foundation, the future of Junior Sailing and indeed the future of sailing itself is insured.

The newsletter also included news, from our Commodore, Jack St. John, about the "Lobster Run," an ambitious plan for a July sail- boat race starting from Stonington, Conn. and finishing in BBH. The idea is well underway and with high-powered talent, like John Chapman, Jim Richter, the Corinthians and so many others involved in the project, the BHYC is living up to its potential.

At the coffee hour after church last Sunday I was in a conversation with fellow members Ted and Betty Repa. Just a few days ago I was visiting my California family who live in Encinitas Calif., the coastal town where Ted grew up. Ted was reflecting on the similarity between BBH and the Encinitas that he knew years ago. That part of the world has certainly grown a heck of a lot faster than BBH.

Later my thoughts returned to the spring of 1995. I was on a visit to Southern California and the timing coincided with the running of the America's Cup Races. The editor of the Register arranged for me to get a press pass with the idea that I might cover the races for our local paper. I did and it was a unique experience. In the process, I presented my BHYC membership card to the San Diego Yacht Club and because we enjoy reciprocity with them, I received a two-week membership in that splendid club. I mentioned this perk in a column a year or so ago and I think it bears repeating: when traveling, here and abroad, be aware that many yacht clubs have reciprocal arrangements with us. We have had some delightful and rewarding reciprocal experiences during our travels - Enjoy!

Finally it is with regret that I learned of the recent death of Don Crowley. Don lost his lovely wife, Lynne just last year. They have been loyal members of our club for over 25 years. Rest in peace good friends, you will be missed.