Next Board Meeting:  Feb. 27,  2002, 7:30p.m., Maurer Dive Shop
Next Regular Meeting:  Mar. 6, 2002, 7:30p.m., Penn Gables, Ebensburg

Attendees:  President Brad McVicker, Ron Peterson, Joe Gordon, Bert Sharbaugh, Lois Keegan, Dan & Diane Turcovsky.

BMM:  Josie’s seasoned crackers (yummy) and Diane’s chocolate chip cookies.

The Board decided to hold a swap meet at the March meeting.
Fund raiser tickets will be printed and distributed.
Joe Gordon brought up for discussion and thought – a project at Prince Gallitzin or Yellowcreek.
The Board worked on the 2002 calendar.

REMINDERS
Quarry releases and Liability releases need to be signed for 2001.  Please make the effort to get this paperwork completed.  Many thanks for your cooperation

DUES.  Club dues are due by July 5th each year.  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

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.

Laurel Diver patches are available for $10.  See Nelda Donley, treasurer.

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

Nelda Donley, Treasurer, read the Treasurer’s Report.  Income:  $725; Expenses: $69.33; with a balance in the account of $3415.86.

OLD BUSINESS:

Mark Hooper donations – approximately $252.  Monies will be given to Dee Montgomery, who will deliver it to Mark’s girls.  Harve and Dee Montgomery purchased a plaque that will be displayed at Maurer Dive Shop.  The plaque was passed at the meeting for all to see.  Thank you Dee and Harve for such a fitting tribute to Mark.

NEW BUSINESS:

Fundraiser tickets.  Tickets were distributed at the meeting.  If you were not present, they will be mailed to you.  Each member is responsible for 10 tickets.  Tickets are $2.00 each.  Payout is $100 a day for 5 days in May.  Please return tickets and monies by May 13th.

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 16, 2002, 6p.m., Pool Party at Maurer’s.

February 24, 2002, Scuba Olympics at St. Francis University 6-8p.m..  Bring your own mask, fins, and snorkel.  Some events require scuba equipment, so bring BC, regulator and tank.  There will be relays, underwater bowling and other timed skill events.   I hope you’ve been training for this!  Last year we almost beat the young whippersnappers!  Naturally, there will be a meeting afterward at a local eatery to re-hash the night’s events.

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 7, 2002, regular meeting – Swap Meet, Penn Gables, Ebensburg, 7:30p.m.
Bring any dive gear you would like to sell.

March  16, 2002, 1-4p.m., Gallactic Ice, Ice skating party.  Cost is $5.50 for admission and $1.50 for skate rentals.  Dinner following skating.

March 22, 23, 24, 2002, Beneath the Sea Dive Expo at the Meadowlands Expo Center, Secaucus, New Jersey.  See  www.BeneathTheSea.org  Leaving Friday, March 22, after work.  Call Ron Peterson for details (814 472-2144 day, 472-0774 evenings)

April 9, 2002, Supper at Morris’s Tavern, Sidman  6p.m.

April 13, 2002, Open Water Certification Classes  start.
Check-outs on June 1 and 2.  If interested, call Rose Maurer 814 344-6641.

May 17, 2002, spelunking at the Q*****.  Contact Bert Sharbaugh (814 472-7080) for details.

May 18, 2002 - D & R Divers, Make a Wish Treasure Dive, Elk County State Park
Meeting at Ron Peterson’s (204 Plank Road, Ebensburg) at 6:30a.m., leaving at 7a.m.
Registration is 9a.m. – 11a.m.
Treasure Hunt starts at 12:00
Contact Ron Peterson  (814 472-2144 day, 472-0774 evening)

May 21, 2002 Q***** Cleanup, 6p.m.   Rain date:  May 22, 2002, 6p.m. Bring lawn mowers, trimmers, etc.  Call Ron Peterson (814 472-2144 day, evening 472-0774 evenings)

May 24, 2002, EOFND at the Q*****.  First EOFND of the year.  Start your weekend right – dive with friends at the q*****.  Check your calendar for other EOFND’s.

May 25, 1p.m. - Memorial Day Dive.

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 if interested (814 472-2144) or Ron@TechniqueSystems.com

June 9, 2002, Dive In 1p.m. at the Q*****.  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 q*****, feed the fish and bring a picnic lunch and some lawn chairs.  Need equipment?  Maurer Dive Shop has a special package - $25 for the day.  Contact Bob or Rose to reserve your gear and tanks now.  Don’t wait till the last minute!

June 15th, 2002, Open Water Certification classes.  Check-outs on August 3 and 4.  For more details, call Rose Maurer 814 344-6641

June 28, 29, 30, 2002, Moorhead City.  $225 for three days of two-tank boat diving.  Lodging approximately $25 per  night.  $100 deposit by February 1st.  to hold your spot.  Balance of $125 due by April 29th.  Questions, contact Jim Smith (814 696-1938) or jcsdmd1@hotmail.com

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

July 5, 6 and 7, 2002 - Dutch Springs, PA  camping available Friday and Saturday.  Leaving Friday after work.  More details to follow.  Contact Brad McVicker (814 255-1791)

July 11, 2002, Regular Monthly Meeting, 7:30p.m., Penn Gables, Ebensburg.  July meeting moved to this date because of July 4th.

July 21, 2002, Laurel Diver’s Treasure Dive.

July 27, 2002,  Bainbridge.  Day trip to Bainbridge, PA

August 10, 2002, Open Water Certification Classes.  Check-outs on October 5 and 6.  For details, call Rose Maurer 814 344-6641

August 17, 2002, Willow Springs, PA  Day trip.

October 12, 1p.m., Dive In at the Q*****.  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 q*****, feed the fish and bring a picnic lunch and some lawn chairs.  Need equipment?  Maurer Dive Shop has a special package - $25 for the day.  Contact Bob or Rose to reserve your gear and tanks now.  Don’t wait till the last minute!

November 9-16, 2002, Bonaire.  $691 for a cabin for 4, plus air fare.  Contact  Dee Montgomery (814 944-8521).

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:

Wayne Pappert presented information on his recent trip to Palau, Yap, and Ulithi, in November of  2001, with members of the Flood City Y Divers.  84 degree water and great visibility.  Wayne also showed a video of their trip.  Thank you Wayne.  Wonderful talk and video.

The door prize, a dive flag, was won by Jim Smith. Day Book $119, John Fry – not present at last meeting, so he received ½ the amount.  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)
On January 22, 2002, Brandon Steven Beecher left warm waters after 9 months of being immersed to greet his parents, Laurel Divers, Denny and Sandy Beecher.  7 lbs 13oz., 20”  Mom, Dad and baby are all doing great!

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)