The next board meeting will be on August 10, 2000.  The meeting will be held at Maurer's Dive Shop in Carrolltown at 7:30 P.M.

Please remember that there is no regular board meeting in July.  Instead we will meet at Clover Creek Quarry on the morning of the Treasure Dive (Sunday July 16th) at 10:00 A.M. to prepare prizes.  Everyone is welcome to attend and help out.

Treasurer's Report: Income: $2,021.00, Expenses: $1,463.00, Current Balance: $4.643.49

Sylvia MacKinnon made a presentation concerning Scuba books at the Penn State Campus Library (where she works) at the meeting.  Alarmed that only 9 Scuba titles were added during 1990 - 97, Sylvia took quick action, and 32 titles were added between 1998 and 1999.  Anyone can borrow from the Penn State Library, either by applying for a card, through Access Pennsylvania, or through the inter-library loan provisions at your local public library.  A list of the titles can be found at www.lias.psu.edu.  If you have questions, please e-mail Sylvia at SylviaM@psu.edu, or call her at 814-237-3261.  Thanks Sylvia for an interesting and enjoyable presentation!

Our annual audit of the Treasury will be performed before the meeting next month.  This year's audit volunteers are Dan Kelly, Ron Peterson, and Sandy Beecher.

Last call for dues!  Please remember that club dues are payable in June every year, and must be paid before you can participate in the Treasure Dive or other club activities.  Please see Treasurer Donna Bender to take care of your dues for this year.

CPR classes are available from certified instructor Brad McVicker through the American Heart Association.  The class consists of approximately 6 hours, and costs only $10.  We will have sign-ups at the August meeting.  You can also e-mail Brad at DJ443@aol.com, or call him at 814-255-1791.

Laurel Diver patches have been printed and are available for $10.  The patches bear the Laurel Diver insignia over a red and white dive flag background.  Please see Donna Bender if you would like one.

Anyone traveling Route 22 to the quarry may find a temporary detour for road construction at the Route 866 entrance to Williamsburg.  Traffic into Williamsburg is being routed to the Yellow Spring entrance, about 6 miles further east on Route 22.

Dan Kelly and Donna Bender traveled to Missouri to dive Bonne Terra Mine on June 24th and 25th.  The water surface was 150-feet underground, and the submerged lake consisted of 17 miles of shoreline.  They reported 100-feet visibility, and a thoroughly unique and enjoyable dive site.  Twenty-eight "trails" are available to divers, three of which were dove by Donna and Dan.

Twelve club members traveled to Dutch Springs on July 1st and 2nd.  They reported good weather, good diving, and an enjoyable trip.

Our annual Treasure Dive will be held on Sunday July 16th.  Since this is the 25th anniversary of the club, we will be having a pig roast in addition to the traditional hamburgers and hotdogs.  The cut-off date for registration has past.  Please remember that prizes must be pre-purchased, and that no registration will be accepted after this deadline.  This year's event list is as follows: Erection (tent) Party Friday night at 6:00.  Camp Fire Social and firework display (courtesy of Harve Montgomery) Saturday night.  Treasure Dive and pig roast Sunday 1:00 to 4:00.  Mark Hooper is interested in putting together a poor man's band for Saturday and Sunday Treasure Dive entertainment--if you have even moderate abilities with a musical instrument, please bring it along and join in the fun.

A trip to Morehead City, NC is planned for July 29th and 30th.  This trip is now full.

The Thousand Islands trip will be held on August 24th - 27th.  This trip is now full.  A balance of $111 is due by the August meeting for all members attending this trip.

Our annual Raystown Picnic will be on Sunday September 10th at the Oak Pavilion at Seven Points Marina.  We will be renting a pontoon boat to shuttle divers to and from the dive sites.  More details will be at the August meeting.

The new Open Water Scuba Classes are starting on Saturday, August 16th and Tuesday August 22nd.  Contact Bob or Rose Maurer.

A big welcome to the Laurel Diver's newest members: Daren Ashurst, Sharon Skebeck, Suzie Feighner, and Nelda Donley.  Welcome aboard!

Congratulations to Lois Keegan who logged dive #100 at Clover Creek Quarry on Memorial Day weekend.  Resisting the temptation to visit somewhere exotic (like Raystown) for the event, Lois decided to celebrate this milestone at the birthplace of her diving career.

Congratulations to Donna Bender who also celebrated a milestone on the twisted path of life -- her 40th birthday!

GETTING THERE:  Take the Lock Haven exit from U.S. Route 220.  Follow the signs for Jay Street.  Proceed through town and across the Jay Street Bridge.  Turn right at the end of the bridge and park near the gravel road leading down to the river.

OVERVIEW:  Although the Jay Street Bridge is just one of many potential dive sites on this section of the Susquehanna River, it is certainly the most popular.  Several dive shops from the area use Jay Street for their open water certification dives, attracted by the warm water, excellent visibility, and relatively shallow depths.
        The Susquehanna River is a shallow, slow-running stream that warms considerably in the summer months.  Summer water temperatures reach the mid-80's from top to bottom, and diving without a wet suit is often the norm.  Few places short of the tropics provide opportunities for this type of diving.
        The current at Jay Street is slow enough to be negligible, and presents no difficulties for the diver.  The river is slow and wide for several miles on both sides of the bridge, providing for a large supply of possible dive sites.  Drift dives are also possible.
        The deepest water in this section of river lies just below the bridge piers.  Depths vary with water conditions and reach a maximum of 22-feet.  Most of the river is somewhat shallower however -- expect an average of about 15-feet on your dive.
        The fish life at Jay Street is less than you would expect for such a scenic section of river.  Mine acid has damaged the aquatic life through the years, and provides yet another grim reminder for the need for sound conservation practices in our industries.  Smallmouth bass and catfish are occasionally seen here however, and their numbers appear to be increasing with each passing year.  Aside from the fish life, look for the remains of a small wooden boat that lies just below the first bridge pier.
        The main attraction at Jay Street however, is the visibility.  Although water conditions vary year to year, visibility of up to 100-feet is not uncommon in the river, and 50+ feet is typical in the summer months.  Dives at Jay Street are often reminiscent of the clear water found in the spring-fed creeks of central Florida.  Few, if any, places in Pennsylvania can offer this kind of clarity.
        When planning a dive at Jay Street, remember that boaters frequent this section of the river.  A dive flag is a must for all diving here.