Well, here is the long and the short of it for now:
1. After winning the US Sailing Association award, Ron gave a presentation to thank the Blaine City Council for their support when we started the sailing school.  They were so moved, they applauded us for the good work Graham and I have done for the community.
2. The Northern Light Newspaper will release a story about the award.
3. We'll enter and probably win a third $500.00 grant from West Marine for new life jackets for the sailing school.
4. The Artisan Pizza class at the Senior Center was a big hit.  Lots of pizza, and other goodies were baked during the 4 hour class.  The next class in march will be on bagels, bialys, and pretzels.

5. This is Abe, one of Bunny's kids from last year.  Within 3 weeks, Bunny will have her second birthing of kids.  If they're anything like the first, they'll be real cuties.

6. Ron's postponed broom making demonstration at the Blaine Senior Center will take place from 10:30 to noon on Friday, February 17.
7. On Monday February 20, in celebration of Mardi Gras, the costumed Marketeers Band, will be playing at the Blaine Senior Center at noon, and at the Stafholt Nursing Home at 2:00 PM.
8. Cathy is teaching a six week water color class in March at her studio at our farm.
9. In March, Cathy and Ron will give a presentation to the Semiahmoo Ladies Club called "Greening Your Home Environment".  Cathy is a Master Gardener, and a Carbon Master, and Ron has a graduate degree in environmental education.

Hello friends of dinghy sailing at the Blaine Harbor Marina,

Drayton Harbor Community Sailing School may be one of the smallest US Sailing Association programs in the country, and certainly one of the least expensive sailing schools offering a full dinghy certification program.  Now, it is one of the most recognized schools in the country.

This past January, at the National SailingPrograms Symposium, the US Sailing Association selected the DHM Blaine Community Sailing School to receive the nationally recognized "Creative Innovation In Sailing Programming Award".  The Sailing Council was impressed by "the growth of our program and how we've succeeded in developing successful partnerships.  The fact that we've been able to accomplish so much in such a short time is incredibly remarkable".

The start of a 3-meter Clancy Dinghy Race during the August Drayton Harbor Days at the Blaine Harbor Marina with the Historic Plover Ferry in the background.

The US Sailing Association is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Sailing.  Aside from community sailing schools and races, the American Olympic sailing team is one of their major responsibilities.  Winning this award is a great honor for a small community and their sailing school.