February 1, 2001 Meeting, Penn Gables, Ebensburg
Approximately 28 members present.

Next board meeting:  Wednesday, February 21, 2001, Maurer’s Dive Shop, 7:30p.m.
Next regular meeting:  Thursday, March 1,  2001, Penn Gables, Ebensburg, 7:30p.m.

Our esteemed president, Donna Bender, is off on the Nekton Pilot this week, along with three other Laurel Divers, John Fry, Alice Kline, and Matt Johnson.  Vice President, Lance Marks, took over and called the meeting to order.
Treasurer, Barb Wyland, was absent.  No treasurer’s report was read.

OLD BUSINESS

Notice was given that new Quarry Releases were available and should be signed while at this meeting.

Laurel Diver patches are available for $10.
See Donna Bender if interested in buying one.

Fundraisers - Denny Beecher discussed our current fundraiser ticket program and opened the floor to discussions regarding new ideas.  Ideas that were kicked around were hoagie sales, quarterly ticket sales, and buying out of the ticket sale with a $15 donation.  None of the ideas were met with enthusiasm and it was decided to keep the current ticket fundraiser.  Later in the meeting, Sue Morra reiterated that the fundraiser worked, and that “for the money, the dues and ticket sales seemed minimal considering the benefits of club membership.”  Sue made a motion to keep the current fundraiser and Bob Maurer seconded it.  All of the membership agreed and the motion was carried.  The raffle ticket fundraiser will be chanced off the end of May.  Tickets will be distributed in March.

NEW BUSINESS

Welcome to the Laurel Divers - New Members:
Henry Kimmick, certified in 1995 at UPJ
Jim Carozza, certified 1978, Melrose YMCA, Boston
Matt Johnson, certified 1977 NASDS, Minnesota

Ladder
The floor was turned over to Ron Peterson, who presented details regarding a new ladder for the south end of the quarry.  The board has researched the cost of a new ladder.  The ladder has been approved by the board at an approximate cost of $500 for the materials.  We have a very generous volunteer who has agreed to make the ladder at no charge for labor.  Ron presented the plans for the ladder, discussion ensued, Sue Morra made a motion that the ladder be built, Lois Keegan seconded it.  Motion was passed.

Dues
VP,  Lance Marks, advised the members that the board has voted for an increase in dues for the upcoming year for the following reasons:

Increased cost of quarry maintenance – toilets.
Increased costs for items for the treasure dive.
Continued support of events such as treasure dive, Halloween dive, and the Raystown picnic.

The board is recommending the following increases
Single or first member increase to $24 (was $20)
Second family member increase to $16 (was $12)
Third and forth family member increase to $8 (was $6)
**we will continue to pro-rate dues for those members joining mid year

There will be a general member vote on this recommendation at the March meeting.

Board meeting date change:
In an effort to get the monthly newsletter out immediately after the monthly meeting, and to facilitate some of the paperwork, i.e., membership applications, we are going to change the time frame of the monthly board meetings.  Monthly Board Meetings will now be held on Wednesday, one week and a day before the regularly scheduled dive meetings.  Having the board meeting prior to the regular membership meeting will enable us to get information in the newsletter in a more timely manner.  Please remember, all members are invited to attend board meetings at any time.  Check the calendar for meeting dates.

Calendar
The board met and assembled a calendar of events for 2001.  Calendars were available at the meeting.  We will be sending out calendars in March.  Anyone on the email list will receive a copy via email.  The calendar is also accessible to anyone from the web page (LaurelDivers.com).

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 17, 2001 - Splash Water Sports Beach Party  - 2905 Banksville Road, Pittsburgh, PA  15216 (412) 531-5577.  A day of prizes and special sales as well as a swap meet of their own.  They also advertise that you can take gear and they will give you a place to set up and sell your gear.  A brochure was passed with information.

February 18, 2001 – Annual Underwater Olympics at St. Francis University, 7  -8:30pm
Sue advised us that the kids have promised her a “win” this year.  We’ll see…

February 21, 2001 - Board Meeting at Maurer’s Dive Shop, 7:30 pm

February 24, 2001, Pool Party from 3-5 pm.  Then off to Donna Bender’s house for Winterfest - there will be snow related activities if you want to participate (sled ride, snowmobile) otherwise, we will party inside for the evening.   Bring a covered dish (with something in) and BYOB.

March 1, 2001 - General Membership Meeting-Swap Meet, Penn Gables, Ebensburg, 7:30p.m.  Bring any old gear - we will set aside time at end of meeting for you to try to sell old gear.

March 3-4, 2001 - Boston Sea Rovers Dive Expo and Film Festival.  Will be leaving Friday night after work, returning late Sunday night.  Anyone interested contact Donna Bender (814 472-9796).  A brochure was passed with information

March 20, 2001  - Celtic Concert – “Cuillin” at Penn State Altoona Campus, 7:30p.m.  Many thanks to Sylvia for advising us of this event and arranging for tickets!  All tickets have been claimed, but there is a “waiting list”.  If you have a ticket and can’t use it, please contact Sylvia so the tickets can be reassigned.  Email:  Sylviam@psu.edu or call (814-237-3261).

March 24-25, 2001 - Beneath the Seas Dive Expo, New Jersey.  For more information, call 914-664-4310, or  visit BeneathTheSea.org  on the web.  300 exhibitors, 60+ seminars. Contact Donna Bender if interested (814 472-9796).  We will have more info at March meeting.

May 19, 2001 - D & R Divers, Make a Wish Treasure Dive - will have registration forms at an upcoming meeting.

June 2, 3, 2001.  Moorehead City  (possibly Friday, June 1, also) - taking reservations. $160 for 2 days boat diving.  Additional $80 if diving on Friday.  Rooms will run approximately $74.50 for 3 nights per person.  We will be closing reservations May 1st.   Get your reservation dollars in – this trip fills up fast!  Check out the dive reports at  www.diverdownscubadiving.com

June 16, 17, 2001 - Dutch Springs, PA

There is no current trip planned for Tobermory or Thousand Island in 2001.   If anyone is interested in running a trip to either place, Donna Bender can set you up with info regarding who to contact for reservations.  This trip would need to be booked relatively soon.   The boat for Tobermory needs booked by March and you need to have ½ money down.  Call Donna if interested (814-472-9796) in running a trip to either place.

September 1-9, 2001 – Nova Scotia – Sylvia brought literature with preliminary information on this trip.  Approximate 4-5 days of diving.  Cost approximately $700-$800.  Questions, call Sylvia 814 237-3261 or email Sylviam@psu.edu

TRIP REPORTS

Galactic Ice - Nelda Donley reported a wonderful night – from the great buffet to watching our own graceful queen of the ice - Sylvia.  Put this one on the calendar again!

Sylvia & Joe reported on the Florida Keys trip regarding Sherwood and some new additions to his wardrobe.  We’ll have to wait until he gets back from his Nekton trip with Donna to hear exactly what his new couture additions are.

PROGRAM - Sue Morra - tape on decompression.  Thanks again Sue, for sharing some great information with us!

PLEASE NOTE:  It was erroneously reported last month by this reporter that Denny Beecher won the door prize, The Best of the Undersea Journal, when, in actuality, it really was Brad McVicker who won the door prize.  I feel like a cheap, error-ridden journalist from the Inquirer, reporting anything that will sell irregardless of the truth and I hang my head in shame for giving you the wrong information.  Denny – keep your hands off Brad!

February Door Prize – a Laurel Diver’s patch – won by Sharon Skebeck
February Daybook - $28, Joe Roach.  Joe was not present at the meeting.

No additional information – the meeting was adjourned by VP Lance Marks.  Thanks Lance for taking over for Donna.  Lance Rocks!

I Don’t Know Nothing!
Congrats to Dan Kelly – making his 50th dive on January 1, 2001, the New Year’s Day Ice Dive.  May your next 50 dives be warmer!
Let me know of any events or diving milestones you have made.  Birthdays, anniversaries, 100th dive?   Call me, we’ll talk.  Lois@TechniqueSystems.com or 814 472-0774.

DEAR SHERWOOD:
This column is devoted to your dive etiquette questions.  Forward any questions or comments to Sherwood, c/o Laurel Divers/Lois Keegan, 204 Plank Road, Ebensburg, PA 15931, or email at Sherwood@LaurelDivers.com
Dear Sherwood:
Rumor has it that you’ve frequently been seen around the tri-state area in the company of the Pirate Parrot.  Care to comment?  Signed, A hearer of rumors
Dear Hearer:
You’re correct.  The parrot and I go way back.  We actually did our open water certification together.  I usually keep it quiet regarding our relationship, what with autograph hounds and all.  But yes, this bear rubs elbows with the diversified and famous.  I know your next question – Do I know the Budweiser Frogs?  I really can’t talk about it, okay?