Laurel Divers
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October 4, 2001
President:  Brad McVicker  (814) 255-1791 
Vice Pres:  Joe Gordon (814) 749-9192
Secretary:  Lois Keegan  (814) 472-0774
Treasurer: Nelda Donley (814) 942-3638

Next Board Meeting:  October 27, 2001, 11:30a.m., Blue Hole Quarry
Next Regular Meeting:  November 1, 2001, 7:30p.m., Penn Gables, Ebensburg, PA

***** BOARD MEETING *****

September 26, 2001  Maurer Dive Shop

Attendees:  Ron Peterson, Brad McVicker, Joe Gordon, Susie Feighner, Nelda Donley, Bert Sharbaugh, Dan & Diane Turcovsky and this reporter.

BMM:  Positively Perfect Pumpkin Pie, Billowing Banana Crème Pie, Brad’s “Don’t Call Me Chicken” Dip and crackers, and everyone’s all time favorite:  Susie’s Juicy,  Jiggley, Jell-O Shots.

Discussed the last payment for the quarry port-a-johns being made in October.
Discussion regarding Halloween Dive:  Bert will bring weights.
Dan & Diane Turcovsky will be the Laurel Diver representatives at the checkout dives on 09/29 and 09/30.
New Membership Lists will be mailed with the October newsletter.
Prize List for the Christmas Party will include equipment wash, mugs, Wal-Mart gift ertificates, save-a-dive kit, Laurel Diver hat, O2 masks, and Scuba Santas.
The Christmas Party for 2002 will be on Saturday, December 1, 2002.

***** REGULAR MEETING *****

October 4, 2001 Penn Gables
26 Members present
President McVicker called the meeting to order.
Treasurer, Nelda Donley, gave the treasurer’s report that showed a balance of $2630.18.

OLD BUSINESS

Quarry Releases need to be signed for 2001.  Anyone who has not signed one, please do so.
Liability Releases are available for those who have not signed this year.  See Joe Gordon.
DUES.  Club dues are due by the July meeting.
Single, or first member $24; Second member $16; Third or fourth member $8
**We will continue to pro-rate dues for those members joining mid-year.
If dues are not paid by September 5th, you will be dropped from the mailing list.

NEW BUSINESS

Welcome to Laurel Divers Dave McCulloch and Mike McIntyre.  Dave is newly certified with Maurer Dive Shop and Mike is a SSI Dive-Con.  Both gentlemen were present at the meeting and were introduced to the crowd by President, Brad McVicker.

Nominations for Board Members for the year 2002 were taken and include the following:  Sue Feighner, Bert Sharbaugh, Denny Beecher, Rick Paige, Dan Turcovsky, Diane Turcovsky.  Nominations will be open at the November meeting also.  Voting will take place at the Christmas Party.

Bob Maurer and Sue Morra spoke of the abundance of the freshwater jellyfish at the quarry at this time.  Warm water conditions are excellent right now for the freshwater jellies that are approximately 1-1/2” wide.  Optimum conditions will not last long.  Make your trip to the quarry to catch a glimpse of these creatures soon.

A big thank-you to Dan and Diane Turcovsky for representing Laurel Divers at the recent checkouts.

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 13, 2001, 2p.m. – Dive In at the Blue Hole Quarry
The Dive-Ins are open to all newly certified divers and club members.  Come out and spend an enjoyable afternoon diving and making new friends.  Bring your buddy or dive with a group.  Do a tour of the quarry, feed the fish and bring a picnic lunch and some lawn chairs

October 17, 2001, Halloween Haunted House Run.  6p.m.  Ron & Lois’s, 204 Plank Road, Ebensburg
Bring your own snack.  Meeting at Ron and Lois’s at 6p.m.  Will travel to the Seldom Seen  Mine and Shadow Box Garden Center’s Haunted House.  Call Ron and Lois if any questions 814 472-2144 day, 814 472-0774 evening

October 27th, Halloween Dive and Chili Cook-off at the Blue Hole Quarry
$5 registration – register the day of the dive.  $100 gift certificate at Maurer Dive Shop.  Dive at 1p.m. until 5p.m.  Chili cook-off to follow.  Bring your favorite pot of chili and enter.  All others, bring a covered dish.   Board meeting will be held at 11:30a.m. at the quarry before the Halloween Dive.

October 28, 2001, Stress and Rescue with SSI Instructor, Harve Montgomery.  $60 + course manual.  Lunch is provided.  See Rose Maurer if interested. (344-6641)

October 31, 2001, 6p.m., The 1st  St. Francis Pumpkin Carving Contest at the Lake.
Pumpkins are provided.  $5 per person entry fee.  Prize for best pumpkin is a gift certificate to local restaurant.  Call and register by October 24th, Sue Morra (814 472-3321) or smorra@francis.edu

November 7, 2001, General Meeting
Acquaintance of Brad McVickers, Mr. Moore will be there to speak on a decompression hit he suffered.

November 3, 2001, Annual Lobster Tailgate Party 2001, Nittany Divers
See enclosed flyer with information and registration slip.

December 1, Laurel Divers Christmas Party, Penn Gables  Please make your reservation and payment by November 17th.  Cocktails at 6p.m., dinner at 7p.m., music and dancing from 8-11p.m.  Menu:  Stuffed chicken breast $12.75, stuffed pork chop $12.75, lasagna $12.75, baked haddock $15.50, all meals include baked potato, corn and desert.

Dec. 2-9, 2001 – Cozumel.  Approximately $1200 for 7days/air/meals/5day 2-tank boat dives.  (7) nights, (5) days of two-tank boat diving plus unlimited day or night shore diving.  All meals are included.  Cost:  $705 per person (double occupancy) with our 10% discount. Flight from Pittsburgh International from $628 to $650 per person.  Passport or birth certificate with raised seal and photo id are required.  Call Dee Montgomery for more details 814 944-8521.

January 18-23, 2002 – Crystal River/Florida Springs.  No one has taken on the job of organizing this trip as of this date.  If interested, make it known.

April, May or June, 2002, Bonaire.  Passport needed.  5-1/2 days of diving.  Unlimited shore diving.  Approximately $600 for room (prices are based upon 4-5 persons per cottage), one boat dive per day, air, tanks, weights and daily breakfast buffet.  Approximate cost for airfare is $600.  Let Ron know if you are interested (814) 472-2144 or Ron@LaurelDivers.com

June 28, 29, 30, 2002, Moorhead City, $255 for three days of two-tank boat diving.  $100 deposit for diving due by February 1st.  Jim Smith (696-1938)

2003 – Nekton Pilot – still in the planning stages

NEED EQUIPMENT?  Bob and Rose are running a special for the Dive-In’s - $25 for the day.  Let them know early to get your equipment reserved.

TRIP REPORTS

Myrtle Beach, Ron Peterson
Ron recently traveled with the Cambria Heights Marine Biology Class to Myrtle Beach.  They did two (2) tank boat dives in one day.  73-degree water boasted barracuda,  a large sea turtle, and a large ray being stalked by Tiger Sharks.  They dove two dives on a the Sherman, a Civil War Ship, and two dives at Barracuda Alley.

Nova Scotia trip, Sylvia McKinnon
Sylvia, Dan and Diane Turcovsky and Donna Bender traveled to Sylvia’s homeland, Nova Scotia in September.  The group was treated to sights on land and sea with Sylvia as their tour guide.  The group was able to do some diving, see whales, seals and moose, along with visiting historical sites such as the Fortress at Louisburg and the Halifax Maritime Museum.  The trip to Nova Scotia was parsed with a meeting and dive at a lighthouse on he way with Boston Jim (hey Jim!) and a few members of his New England Dive Club.

Raystown Picnic, Ron Peterson, Donna Bender and Patrick Donley.
A note from Donna reported a wonderful day for the picnic.  Ron reported water temperatures from 41 to 55 degrees, depending upon depth.  Visibility was from 8-10 feet.  The treasure of the picnic was found by Joe Gordon - a working Timex!  Pat Donley dove his first dive after certification with Denny Beecher, almost lost a mask, got to drive Brad’s boat and is reported to have made the most graceful transfer from one boat to another (Splitsville!)

Entriken Bridge, Raystown Lake, Brad McVicker
Brad and Denny Beecher made a trip to Raystown to dive the old Entriken Bridge.  6” visibility limited the divers and made for a real “buddy” dive.

Meeting adjourned.

Door Prize:  Ron Peterson, Manatee license plate. And two air fills.
Day Book:  Diane Turcovsky – not present at last meeting so only received half - $40

FOR SALE

Scuba Network BC, size Medium, Good Condition $75.00  Josh Keyser (814 536-3308)

Underwater Camera Package:  Nikonos III 35mm lens, oceanic 2000 strobe, ikelite viewfinder, sekonic light meter, ikelite handle.  Jim Hostetler (814 472-5456)

Medium BC $25, Medium female shorty $10, Medium small wetsuit $10 JoeG123@yahoo.com

50-watt dive light, 2 sets of batteries with extras $285.  Bill Kimmick (814 288-3888)

Men’s 2 piece 7mm farmer john wet suite, size medium, $50 or best offer; XL soft weight belt, black $10 OBO  Contact Donna Bender (952 920-1491)

I DON’T KNOW NOTHING!

Congrats go out to David Lee who completed his 200th dive on 09/03/01 at the Blue Hole Quarry.
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
Dear Sherwood:  Since Donna has moved, are you moving with her?  Signed,  Missing You Two
Dear Missing:  That’s right, Donna has moved.  But being the independent bear that I am, I have decided to take a room at Ron & Lois’s.  So please remember me on your next dive trip.  I haven’t been anywhere since Nova Scotia and you know I love to travel!
Your Beary Best Dive Buddy,  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 Sherwood@LaurelDivers.com