The meeting was called to order by President Brad and new officers Julie Paige (secretary) and Ron Peterson (treasurer) were welcomed as they both start their duties this evening.
We also wish to thank outgoing secretary Lois Keegan and treasurer Nelda Donley for all their hard work and dedication over the past year.
On special note, we offer warmest get well wishes to Lois who has recently battled back against a case of what was believed to be Dengue fever.  Lois, please know that we all are hoping for a speedy recovery.  You can’t keep a good woman down.  Get well soon.
Thank you to Donna Bender who gallantly took over in Lois’ absence to write last month’s newsletter.  Great Job Donna.

Continued “get well” wishes to Bert Sharbaugh as he continues to recuperate from injury.

Congratulations newlyweds Tom and Laura Butler, married July 13, 2002.  Best wishes from all the Laurel Divers.  As they told Rick and I when we got married, don’t go down too deep, and never, ever, hold your breath!

Congratulations to Bob and Rose Maurer who welcomed newest grandchild “Tanner” to the Maurer family.  Tanner is the son of Clinton and Jenny Maurer.

Treasurer’s report was read $975.64 in income, $740.40 in expenses, $3277.56 balance noted in account.  An audit was performed prior by Bert Sharbaugh, Ron Peterson, Suzie Link, Nelda Donley, and Sandy Beecher, and Suzie reports clear and precise records.

New member Ed Wegrzyn was welcomed, and although Ed was not present at this meeting, we did get a lesson in just how to pronounce his name.  Ed certified with Maurer’s Dive Shop in June of 2002 and currently holds advanced open water certification.  He lives in Coalport.  Please welcome Ed to the club.
Application of Ken Gray is pending approval following two dives with club members.  Laura (Turcovsky) Butler presented her application for club membership which we be reviewed at the next board meeting.

President Brad took a moment to remind all members that club dues are now due.  Pricing is as follows:
 Single membership $24.00
 First additional family member $16.00 ($40 total for two members)
 Second additional family member $8.00 ($48 total for three members)
Reminder:  if your dues are not paid within the three-month window, the club member will be dropped from the mailing list.

Presents FROM the new members—what a new concept…Ed Wegrzyn graciously donated a gas grill along with a full tank of gas to the club for use at the treasure dive.  All of us at the treasure dive appreciated it, especially President Brad who attempted to burn up the grill itself a number of times, per the treasure dive report.  Thanks again Ed.

Speaking of the Treasure Dive report, Bert Sharbaugh gave us a quick recap of the weekend’s events.  Too bad for those of you who missed it, it was fabulous, and the diving wasn’t bad either.  Friday preceding Treasure Dive weekend, the now famous “erection party” occurred when a group of Laurel Divers met at the q***** and put the tent up in record time, due to a rainstorm that would follow.  Saturday was a day of friends, food, and fellowship.  Denny Beecher, Brad McVicker, and Rick Paige took a canoeing/kayaking trip down the Little Juniata while Joe Gordon, Rob Kummerer, and Tom Slowikowski.  Made a trip to the spillway at Raystown Lake to capture that evening’s dinner.  Karen Gordon made a wonderful campfire used more to keep the bugs away than for heat, and we enjoyed an evening which was highlighted by none other than President Brad.  You see, Brad is a lot of fun when he hasn’t slept for a very long time and then gets to drinking…and all this time you thought Brad was a DJ because he played music, those of us around the campfire that night found out DJ actually stands for Deer Jammies which Brad modeled for the club’s viewing pleasure…followed by the same Brad bobbing for Louisiana crawdads.  The crayfish did make a good meal from what we hear, and Brad provided lots of entertainment in his DJs.  Proving you can never have too much fun where Laurel Divers are concerned, the evening lasted well into the night and culminated with Rob Kummerer sleeping behind the rock at the top of the south entry and Denny Beecher sleeping in his camper alone.

The Treasure Dive’s prizes and winners are listed below:
NUM. ITEM
1 80 c.f. alum. Tank with K valve...Deb Hommer
2 Pony bottle...Rick Paige
3 Back pack dive bag...Diane Turcovsky
4 Pelican box #5447...Suzie Link
5 Pelican box #5447...Joe Gordon
6 Super Sabre light...Chuck Zupon
7 Super Sabre light...Denny Beecher
8 Duffel bag...James Link
9 Duffel bag...Brian Jenkins
10 Duffel bag...Julie Paige
11 Duffel bag...Brad McVicker
12 Folding Snorkel... Paul Brawley
13 Folding Snorkel...Arlene McCully
14 Tec 400 4 cell light...Pat Donley
15 Retractable lanyard 30 inches...Barb Wyland
16 Retractable lanyard 30 inches...Joe Jenkins
17 Prize not used.
18 BC Attachable knife...Bob Allen
19 Prize not used
20 Trident Scissors, T-shirt, 2 air fills...Matt McVicker
21 Trident Scissors, T-shirt, 2 air fills...Dan Zimmerman
22 Club Jacket certificate...Nelda Donley
23 Floating Dive Flag...John Augustine
24 Safety Sausage ...Bert Sharbaugh
25 Safety Sausage ...Sydney Shanfield
26 200' Penetrating Reel...Mandy Branik
27 Custom Mouthpiece, 1 air fill...Andy Ropp
28 Custom Mouthpiece, 1 air fill...Neil Jenkins
29 Prize not used.
30 Dive tumblers  (4 in a set)...Bill Kimmick
31 Soft Mask Strap, Trident Scissors...Greg Lilly
32 6' Ground Tarp, air chuck, 1 air fill ...Larry McCully
33 6' Ground Tarp, air gun, 1 air fill ...Everett Newkirk
34 Soft weight belt ...Sandy Beecher
35 Dive watch...Rob Kummerer
36 Wrist Slate, 2 air fills...Steve Kocsis
37 $50 cert. Toward a advanced Speciality...Dan Turcovsky
38 1 year club membership...Donna Bender
39 Red Mill Cottage Retreat...Lance Marks
40 $20.00 Bob Bucks...Debbie Zimmerman
41 $20.00 Bob Bucks...Ron Peterson

A special thank you goes out to all who helped in any manner in assisting to put the Treasure dive together this year.

Some new club members participated in the Treasure Dive this year, Mandy Banik, Sydney Shanfield, Deb Hommer (who, by the way, walked away with a nice new tank), and Steve Kocsis.  Welcome new divers and congratulations to one and all.

Board Meeting was held the morning of Sunday July 21, 2002 at the q*****  prior to the Treasure Dive.  Donna Bender would like to send a special thank you to all the safety drinkers who so graciously supplied (or helped to supply) the empty beer cans used to mark the ropes of the Treasure Dive tent so no one would fall.

Saturday August 31, 2002 is the Labor Day weekend dive at Q*****.  Starting time for the dive is 1:00 p.m.

October 19, 2002 is shaping up to be the date for a haunted house extravaganza.  Plans are in the works for both the Shadow Box and Seldom Seen Mine haunts.  Although neither was open for last year’s harrowing experience, fun was still had by all, and Donna Bender has already volunteered her home as the source of the “after the festivities” festivities.

October 26, 2002 is the annual chili cook off and Halloween Dive at the q*****, weather permitting.  Don’t worry, if the weather doesn’t permit, we always find somewhere else to go.  Laurel Divers don’t need a specific location to have fun, we just need to get together.  Come out for an evening of socializing.  We dive no matter what the weather.

Willow Springs Trip—date to be decided in near future.  This is a one-day trip also.  We will attempt sign up next month.  Willow Springs is located about ten miles east of Lebanon, PA, just off of Route 422.  Lots of sights and good access to the water are just some of the amenities of this site.  Divers of all experience levels will find Willow Springs worth the trip.

August 16 through 19, 2002 has a group traveling to Thousand Islands.  However, the trip is full.  Divers will be staying in Brockville Canada.  Nittany Divers are also going to the islands at the same time but are diving farther west than our Laurel Diver locale.  They will be over an hour from where our divers are staying in Brockville.  If anyone is interested in going, please talk to Sylvia MacKinnon via email:  sylviam@psu.edu or phone call  (814-237-3261) to inquire as to remaining space.  As of this writing, space is available with Sylvia’s trip.

September 20 through 22, 2002 is a Dutch Springs weekend.  This is a weekend meet-up with the New England Aquarium Dive Club, along with Boston Jim and Pete.  Dutch Springs is just outside of Bethlehem, PA.  It is a rather large limestone quarry with plenty of things to see.  This quarry also offers many sites for all levels of diving.  There also is a great wall dive amongst the attractions. You don’t have to dive deep to have fun.  Leaving Friday, camping in the parking lot (a.k.a. camping lot), diving Saturday and Sunday, with return Sunday evening.  Please contact Donna Bender if interested,  Donna@Bender.net or (814) 472-9796.  We hear Boston Jim’s steak tips and Mike’s hard lemonade are good incentives to attend this trip.

September 28 and 29, 2002 is a Morehead City trip.  We have limited information, except that it is $80.00 per day for diving.  Please contact Jim Smith if interested in going.  Jcsdmd@aol.com or (814) 696-1938.

Members voiced interest in the possibility of a bus trip to the Baltimore Aquarium, where “gone but not forgotten” Mark Hooper spent many underwater hours.  More information to follow in subsequent newsletters.

Diane Turcovsky reported awakening from sleep to find Jim Smith on TV10 Action News.  He was featured in a piece regarding his shark diving.

***Please be sure to check the club calendar for other events and trips coming up.

Classes with Harve Montgomery
August 10 and 11, 2002 is a deep diving specialty class
August 18, 2002 is a limited visibility and navigation specialty class
September 8, 2002 is a stress and rescue specialty class
September 19, 2002 is open to discussion to whatever is needed

The next Open Water class starts August 10, 2002 and will be the last class for the summer.

Check out Chums are needed for the weekend of October 5th and 6th.  Remember to save all receipts for any refreshments purchased for these weekends, as the club will reimburse you for them.  This is a good opportunity for newly certified, new club members, all members to talk to the students about experiences diving.  Come out and lend a hand, tell a diving story, help a new diver.

Lost and Found: A folding table is searching for its owner.  It was left at the q***** following Treasure Dive weekend…we’re guessing that it is maybe Deb Hommer’s.  Any ideas?

Refunds will be issued to those on the recent Moorehead City trip due to not diving one day.

Board Meeting will be August 28, 2002-the last Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm at the Old Farm Inn located in Carrolltown.

Next regular club meeting will be September 5, 2002-first Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m. at the Penn Gables.

New member Laura (Turcovsky) Butler (oddly enough) won Door Prize of a patch and a Laurel Diver’s sticker.  We asked nondiver husband Tom to pick a winning ticket, and out of all the tickets in the bowl, Tom chose the one of his new wife Laura.
The daybook was once again starting all over as Bert Sharbaugh won the daybook, a nice chunk of change, last month.  The youngest member of the Laurel Diver family, little Brandon Beecher, chose this month’s daybook winner.  Brandon picked out the name of Charles Howser, who was not present at the meeting.  The funds will be carried over to next month’s meeting.

The meeting adjourned and was followed by a wonderful presentation of Donna Bender and company’s recent trip to Bonaire.  Donna gave a spectacular report of this trip, which left those of us who didn’t go close to tears.  She relayed facts of unlimited shore diving, reefs right off the docks, and other luscious sounding attractions.  Mastering her videography skills, Donna then culminated the evening with a video highlighting some of the region’s sights, both above water and below.  Worthy of merit was Scuby, the mascot of the Boston group who kept Sherwood company on the dives.  Marine life and underwater landscapes abound in this marvelous tale of those lucky enough to have gone.

Julie Paige