Next Board Meeting:  Jan. 30, 2002, 7:30p.m., Maurer Dive Shop
Next Regular Meeting:  Feb. 7, 2002, 7:30p.m., Penn Gables, Ebensburg

The meeting was called to order by President, Brad McVicker.

Nelda Donley, Treasurer, read the Treasurer’s Report.  Income:  $563.50; Expenses: $211.00; balance in account: $2678.75.

NEW MEMBERS:
Laurel Divers welcomes new member, Ariana Henderson.  Ariana was certified in September, 2001, through Maurer Dive Shop.

OLD BUSINESS:
Collections are still being taken at this meeting for donations to Mark Hooper’s family.  Ideas regarding a plaque for Mark are welcome.
Bob Maurer displayed an Honorary Dive Instructor Certificate that SSI  has bestowed on Mark Hooper, for all his time and talent in helping with new students and classes.  Arrangements will be made to get the certificate to Mark’s daughters.

Quarry and Liability Releases need to be signed for 2002.  See Joe Gordon at any meeting to get your Liability Release up-to-date.  Thank you.

$152 was made on chances sold at the Christmas Party on the shorty donated by Maurer’s Dive Shop.  Thanks to all who bought chances.  Thanks to Maurer’s Dive Shop for donating it and a special thanks to Sandy Beecher for her girth worth!

NEW BUSINESS:
Welcome to the 2002 Board Members.  Elections were held at the Christmas Party.  New Board Members are:  Bert Sharbaugh, Denny Beecher, Dan Turcovsky and John Augustine.

An email was received from Tony Ghaffare, Lieutenant for the Centre County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team.  Anyone interested may contact Tony Ghaffare at 814-571-4042 or Aghaffare@aol.com for more details.

It is time to start planning the 2002 calendar.  We will be putting together dates for EOFND (every-other-Friday-night-dives), quarry clean-ups, and dive trips.  Please let any officer or board member know if you want a trip or event listed on the calendar.

A CPR class will be provided for persons interested.  Anyone taking Stress and Rescue needs CPR as a pre-requisite for the class or anyone needing a refresher course to keep their certification up to date.  Contact Brad McVicker (814 255-1791) or Dan Turcovsky  (814 695-6878) if interested.

Laurel Diver hats are available.  Those of you who ordered must pay $13.00 in order to have your hat made.  Contact Diane Turcovsky 814-695-6878.

A thank you card from Mark Hooper’s family was received.
A Christmas card from Billy and Barbara at the Fisherman’s Inn in Moorhead City was also passed around.

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 19, 2002, Open Water Certification Classes with Harve Montgomery.  Certification dives will be March 16th, tentatively and include a Florida trip.  Contact Rose Maurer at Maurer Dive Shop if interested (814 344-6641).

February 3, 2002, Scuba Olympics at St. Francis, 6p.m..  I hope you’ve been training for this!  Last year we almost beat the young whippersnappers!

February 9-10, 2002, North Myrtle Beach.  $90/day for diving.  $20/night accommodations.  Contact Ron Peterson (814 472-2144) or Ron@TechniqueSystems.com

March 3, 2002, The Boston Sea Rovers present America’s Longest Running and Most Experienced Dive Show at Boston’s Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel.  See www.SeaRovers.org for details.

March 23, 24, 2002, Beneath the Sea Dive Expo at the Meadowlands Expo Center, Secaucus, New Jersey.  See  www.BeneathTheSea.org

June 8 – 15, 2002, Bonaire.  Airfare $694.50, dive package $691, 7 nights, 6 days of 1 tank boat diving, unlimited shore diving, and buffet breakfast.  Pricing is based on 4 people per two bedroom cottage.  $100 deposit required.  Contact Ron Peterson (soon!) if interested (814 472-2144) or Ron@TechniqueSystems.com

June 28, 29, 30, 2002, Moorhead City.  $255 for three days of two-tank boat diving.  Lodging approximately $25 per  night.  $100 deposit by February 1st.  to hold your spot.  Web site  is www.DiverDownScubaDiving.com
Questions, contact Jim Smith (814 696-1938) or jcsdmd@aol.com

July 3rd – Bonaire.  Contact Rich Shea (814 948-7605)

2003 – Nekton Pilot – still in the planning stages, but this is a trip to save for!  Contact Donna Bender with any questions (814-934-9438) or Donna@Bender.net

TRIP REPORTS:

Mike McIntyre gave a trip report on Cozumel.  Thirteen Laurel Divers traveled to the Scuba Club Resort in Cozumel for 24hour/day diving.  Great accommodations, wonderful food, warm water and great viz were reported.  Mike also mentioned something about 120 shots…I hope no one was sick…  In fact, they had such a good time, that this reporter heard rumors of a possible November 2002 Cozumel or Bonaire or Belize trip.  We will keep you posted.

Bob Allen gave a report on his recent trip to Hawaii to visit his son.  They dove 11 dives in Hawaii’s beautiful waters and also did some skydiving.

Dan Kelly showed a video presentation on the past summer’s Bonaire trip that was enjoyed by all.  Kudos to cinematographer Adam Weber!

David Lee won the door prize (Sea Drops and a Manatee license plate).
Day Book was $92.50, won by Eric Steinbring, who was not present.  Monies will carry over to next meeting.

Meeting was adjourned.

FOR SALE

Scuba Network BC, size Medium, Good Condition.  $75  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

I DON’T KNOW NOTHING! (news of Laurel Divers)
Let me know of any events of diving milestones you have made.  Birthdays, anniversaries, 100th dive?  Call me, we’ll talk.  Lois@TechniqueSystems.com or (814 472-0774)
 

Rodale's Top Ten

Top 10 Pick-up Lines for Divers:

10. "The way your mask leaves those lines on your face is soooo sexy!" (FKludge@aol.com)

9. "Is that a mirror in your pocket? Because I can really see myself in your wetsuit."
(Raahmina@aol.com)

8. "Of course it's for science! We're all gonna be living down here one day!!" (Barkley@aol.com)

7. "Pardon me, when you walked by my mouth went dry... could you spit in my mask for me?"    (Fish92@aol.com)

6. "Tan line from a wedding ring? No, that's just mysterious underwater coral bleaching."
(curran@gate.net)

5. "That wetsuit would look great on my floor!"    (bhojwani@bc.edu)

4. "I'm tired of one dive stands, I'm looking for some meaningful buddy breathing."
(PhacoCat@aol.com)

3. "Voulez-vous plongez avec moi?"
(NEL711@aol.com)

2. Sobbing: "Can you believe they still kill dolphins in some countries?"
(FBMatthews@aol.com)

1. "I'm either bent or in love, sweetheart, because when I see you I get all tingly."
(DiveMus@aol.com)