Next Board Meeting:  April 24, 2002, 7:30p.m., Maurer Dive Shop
Next Regular Meeting:  May 2, 2002, 7:30p.m., Penn Gables, Ebensburg

REMINDERS

FUND RAISER TICKETS – please return by May 13th.  This is our only fundraiser of the year and we need your support.  Thanks in advance for getting your tickets and money in!

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.

Bob Allen suggested getting a group together to go skydiving.  Cost is approximately $160 for tandem diving.  Anyone interested should contact Bob at (814 472-6679)

The meeting was called to order by President, Brad McVicker.
Nelda Donley, Treasurer, read the Treasurer’s Report.  Income:  $384.00;  Expenses: $260.31; with a balance in the account of $3501.36.

Welcome the Laurel Divers Charlie Howsare.  Charlie was certified in 1994 with SSI in Panama City, Florida.  He is a former Navy Diver, who did surface supplied saturation diving.  Charlie was also a dive instructor for the Navy, a DAN medical provider, and diving medical officer.
Steve Kocsis also applied for membership at this meeting.  Steve certified with SSI in 1998 in Germany.

NEW BUSINESS:

Bob Maurer announced that newly certified Ernie Martinique recently won a DAN First Aid Kit, when applying to DAN for membership.
Bob and Rose Maurer of Maurer Dive Shop were awarded a DAN  O2 kit at the DAN booth at Beneath The Sea Dive Expo in New Jersey on March 23, 2002.

Nominations for new officers were taken.  Nominated for President was Brad McVicker.  Vice President:  Joe Gordon and Rick Paige.  Treasurer:  Ron Peterson.  Secretary:  Julie Paige.  Anyone interested in an office for next year, please see any officer or Board member.  We will be taking nominations at the May meeting.

Jess from the St. Francis Marine Biology Class presented T-shirts to the winning team of the 4th Annual Underwater Scuba Olympics.  Those team members are:  Donna Bender, John Augustine, Barb Wyland, Joe Gordon, and Bert Sharbaugh.  Congrats to all!

Open Water Certification Checkouts.  Volunteer to be a Check-Out-Chum!  We need Laurel Divers to sign up to appear at checkouts to offer assistance, coffee, hot cocoa , swap stories, offer moral support to newbies and pass out membership applications.  Any food items that are purchased for this event will be reimbursed if receipts are presented.  Dates for checkouts are June 1 & 2, June 8 & 9, August 3 & 4, October 5 & 6.  Please call Brad McVicker if interested.  (814 255-1791)

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

April 13, 2002, Open Water Certification Classes  start.
Checkouts on June 1 and 2; June 8 and 9.  If interested, call Rose Maurer 814 344-6641.

May 11 & 12, 2002, Moorhead City.  $80 per day for two-tank boat dives.
Contact Jim Smith (814 696-1938) or jcsdmd1@hotmail.com

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.  Registration fee $25.  Registration forms are available at DRDivers.com or call Lois (814 472-0774)
Contact Ron Peterson  (814 472-2144 day, 472-0774 evening)

May 21, 2002 Q***** , 6p.m.   Rain date:  May 22, 2002, 6p.m. Bring lawn mowers, trimmers, etc.  Call Ron Peterson (814 472-2144 daytime, or  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 24, 25, 26, 2002, Cedar Point and White Star Quarry, Ohio.  Leaving Friday, May 24, after work, visiting Cedar Point Saturday.  Diving at the White Star Quarry on Sunday - $6 for diving.  Camping $7 per night.  Contact Donna Bender (814 472-9796)

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.  Checkouts on August 3 and 4.  For more details, call Rose Maurer 814 344-6641

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.  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.  $15 registration.  You must pay your membership dues before you can register.

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

July 30, 31, Aug 1, 2002, 1000 Island Trip.  $60/day for two-tank diving.  Contact Brad McVicker (814 255-1791)

August 10, 2002, Open Water Certification Classes.  Checkouts 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 quarry, 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 airfare.  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:

Donna Bender reported on The Beneath The Sea Dive Expo in Secaucus, New Jersey.  Laurel Divers attending were able to see the latest in dive gear, visit with many dive vacation operators and attend many interesting seminars.

Joe Gordon won the door prize, a tie.
DayBook $113, was won by Pam Pellas, who was not present.  Monies will carry over to next month.

Meeting was adjourned and turned over to the St. Francis University Marine Biology Class under Sue Morra.  A presentation on their Galapagos trip was enjoyed by all.  Many, many  thanks to Dr. Morra and an A+ to her group of students for coming and sharing their experiences.

FOR SALE

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

I DON’T KNOW NOTHING! (news of Laurel Divers)

Congratulations go out to Laurel Diver Nelda Donley, the Queen Mother, who appeared in Mount Aloysious’s production of Cinderella. (Does that make her Queen Charming?)   Nelda performed and sang in 6 sold out shows to  crowds of 180+.  Critics gave Nelda five thumbs up!

Congratulations again to Nelda Donley, who was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society of Mount Aloysious College.

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)