The meeting was called to order by President Brad McVicker.

New members Laura (Turcovsky) Butler and Bill Reynolds were welcomed.  Laura is the daughter of members Dan and Diane Turcovsky, and had previously been a member, she lives in Hollidaysburg with new husband Tom.  Bill recently certified with Maurer Dive Shop and lives in Indiana, PA.  Please welcome Laura and Bill to the club.

A “Welcome packet” was not sent out to some new members between July and August.  Any new member who has not received a welcome packet is to to notify President Brad McVicker, and he will be sure you get one.  814 255-1791
The previously pending application of Ken Gray is being held pending his certification with Maurer’s later this month.

Treasurer’s report was read $348.00 in income, $223.35 in expenses, $3382.11 balance noted in account, which reconciled with the bank’s statement August 31, 2002.

Even after last month’s reminder on dues, we will, unfortunately, be losing approximately 30 club members due to nonpayment of dues by the date of this meeting.  Treasurer Ron Peterson has previously written letters to these members reminding them of the due dues and also that nonpayment of dues per constitution warrants a drop from the membership roster.  These members were dropped from the roster as of this meeting.   The Laurel Diver’s Constitution, in Article IV, Sections II and III, states, “The dues of  the club shall be paid annually, payable in one sum…amount of the dues to be specified in Rules and Regulations…Members in arrears of dues within two months after the beginning of the new fiscal year (July 1) shall be dropped from the mailing list and the membership.”

The current membership count is 90 members.  The current list can be found at LaurelDivers.com, then clicking on “members”.  This area is secure and requires a username and password.  If you need these items, please contact Ron Peterson at Ron@LaurelDivers.com or 814-472-2144.

Board Meeting was held Wednesday, August 28, 2002, at the Old Farm Inn in Carrolltown.  Among those present were Brad McVicker, Ron Peterson, Lois Keegan, Dan and Diane Turcovsky, Joe Gordon, John Augustine, Denny Beecher, Bert Sharbaugh, and Rick and Julie Paige.  All areas addressed at that meeting are addressed in this newsletter.  Please be aware that any member of Laurel Divers is welcome to attend the monthly board meeting.  Please check calendars for exact dates, times, and locations.

Friday, September 13, 2002 is the last EOFND, or every other Friday night dive.

September 15, 2002 will be the Raystown Picnic.  We currently have the Oak pavilion reserved.  As always, the club will provide the hamburgers and hotdogs.  Everyone planning on attending should bring a favorite covered dish.  We are considering renting a pontoon boat, but need to ascertain just how many divers are planning on coming out for the event, as a boat and no divers makes for an expensive day.  A shore dive by Twin Hollows is being discussed as a possible option.   We will be at the pavilion starting at 8:00am.  ***We do need to know how many people are planning on attending to dive, as this number will determine if we should rent a pontoon boat for the event.  If the numbers show it is not feasible to rent a boat, shore dives are available.  If anyone has a boat, would consider bringing it that day, and would be willing to take divers, please, please let Denny Beecher know as soon as possible.  Either way, we will be leaving from the pavilion at 8am, returning 12 noon, with the second set of divers leaving 1pm and returning 5pm.  Denny Beecher:  814 472-5776

Tuesday, September 17, 2002 is a Q***** Clean Up day.  The date may change. Please contact Ron Peterson if you are able to help with the clean up. Help is always needed if you are available.  Weed trimmers and other equipment is needed.  Ron Peterson:  814 472-2144 day,
814 472-0774 evenings.

Saturday, October 19, 2002 is 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.  This year, the club is doing the thrills on a Saturday, and it is believed both sites will be open for thrill seekers.  Members will be meeting at Ron and Lois’s home, and will be returning to Ron and Lois’s afterward for the promised “after festivities” festivities.  If you plan on coming out for this haunting good time, please bring a covered dish/snack for the party.  Plan to be at Ron and Lois’s at 6:00pm to leave for the haunted houses.  Members and guests are invited.  Please notify either Brad McVicker (255-1791) or Lois Keegan (814 472-0774) if you plan to attend.

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.  The dive starts at 1pm and rums until 5pm.  Immediately following the dive will be the chili cook off.  Registration fee is $5.00 per diver for the treasure dive, and you must be registered to partake in the mini treasure dive.  You may register at next month’s meeting or even the day of the dive.  No registration is needed for the chili cook off, just a good pot of chili.  Dan and Diane Turcovsky have graciously opened their house to those involved if the weather becomes inclement.  The winner of the annual chili cook off has their name enshrined on the chili cook off plaque that adorns the wall in Maurer’s Dive Shop.

October and November will once again be board member nomination months for the upcoming year.  The board member election will be held during the December meeting, held at the Christmas party, see below.

This year’s Christmas party will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2002 at the Penn Gables in Ebensburg.  Cocktails start at 6:00pm, dinner starts at 7:00pm, music and dancing rounding out the evening from 8-11pm.  We had votes to keep the entrée selections the same (stuffed chicken, stuffed pork chop, lasagna, or baked haddock), but change to green beans and baked potatoes.  What ever your choice of entrée, if you leave hungry, its your own fault.

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.

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  with plenty of things to see.  This k 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. ***A reminder for all those considering this trip and/or going on this trip, please, PLEASE take extra care and attention to thoroughly wash out your BC’s following this trip as we don’t want to relocate zebra mussels to our own Q*****.

September 27, 28, and 29, 2002 is a Morehead City trip.  There are 14 people currently signed up for the trip.  However, there are four (4) slots still open.  Favorable water conditions are a perk to this trip.  For further information, or to register, please contact Jim Smith if interested in going.  Jcsdmd1@aol.com or (814) 696-1938.

Donna Bender is planning a Nekton trip dated February 22, 2003 through March 3, 2003.  Cost is tentatively $1734 pp plus airfare from Pittsburgh.  There will be a 10% discount on the cruise fare is 10 people book.  You must tell them you are with the Bender group to get the discount.  Since this is still early in the ballgame, you could have your choice of rooms.  Also, if you have dove with Nekton before, there is a frequent diver discount of 10%.  A $400 deposit is needed and cancellation fees do apply.  The remainder to the balance would be due 60 days prior to the trip, or by December 24, 2002.  To call and book the trip, remember to mention the “Bender group”, call 1-800-899-6753, or log onto http://nektoncruises.com.  For more information, contact Donna Bender at Donna@Bender.net or (814) 472-9796.

Joe Gordon has some plans in the works for a New Year’s trip.  More information to follow in subsequent newsletters.

Dan and Diane Turcovsky have provided the club with information regarding a dinner and dance on the Gateway Clipper in Pittsburgh.  An evening out with friends…more information to follow in subsequent newsletters.

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

Greg Lilly, Ray Ickes, Denny Beecher, and Brad McVicker recently attended the Wabank Aquaculture quarry.  Divers reported 40 foot visibility, ability to circumnavigate the entire quarry, and reported all sites here being connected by line and signs which gave next in line site’s name and depth.  Numerous attractions included various platforms and boats.  They tell us the owners are very personable, and even gave in impromptu discussion on how to keep new algae from growing (barley) as well as a discussion on changing the chemical makeup of the quarry.

Thousand Islands was once again the highlight of the summer for some of our divers, and guests.  Among those making the trip were Denny, Sandy, and baby Brandon Beecher, Denny’s mom, John Augustine, Greg Lilly, Bert Sharbaugh, Nelda and Patrick Donley, Joe and Karen Gordon, and Matt and Brad McVicker.  John reports good weather, three dives per day (at $65 per day per diver) a wonderful drift dive, 60 foot visibility, a 75 degree water temp with no thermocline.  Some special awards were handed out from our president Brad to fellow divers on this trip.  Denny Beecher received a bright and shiny doorknob plaque with which to practice changing the sign from “do not disturb” to “maid service wanted” since he commented on the lack of housekeeping in his room before examining which way the sign on his door was facing.  Bert Sharbaugh received a Stinky Skunk for the smelly gear award following an incident in which president Brad agreed to haul some of Bert’s gear and then wondered exactly what Bert was carrying in that gear…I guess even skunks hold their noses at some things.  Needless to say, fun was had by all on the trip.

The Open Water class checkouts are on Saturday and Sunday, September 27 and 28, 2002.  If you would like to be a check out chum, see below, for that weekend, please sign up.
Check out chums are reminded to 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.

Saturday, October 12, 2002 is a dive in.  This will be the last dive in for the year.  Dive in’s are open to all newly certified divers as well as all club members.  Divers needing to rent equipment for these dives can do so at reduced cost.  Contact Maurer Dive Shop for information on equipment rental.   The dive in’s start around 1pm at the q*****.  Contact Joe Gordon to sign up  814 749-9192.

FOR SALE: Sea & Sea Motormarine II camera with the following accessories: high eyepoint optical viewfinder, 2T macrolens, 20mm wide angle lens, YS-50 strobe and strobe arm, lens caddy and book, “Complete Guide to Sea & Sea.”  Comes in padded hard side case with all original manuals.  Just received preventative service three months ago.  Everything is in good usable condition.  Decided to go digital, but this camera takes great underwater pictures.  Asking $1200 or best offer.  Will place on Ebay in two weeks.  Contact Jim Smith, jcsdmd1@hotmail.com

Change of affiliation.  Included you will find a copy of a recent email from Harve Montgomery.
“A Message to All:
Please be advised, due to unresolveable issues between Bob Maurer and myself, I am no longer affiliated with Maurer Dive Shop.  Subsequently, without SSI Dealer affiliation I can no longer functions as an active SSI Instructor.  Based on these circumstances, and my desire to continue teaching scuba, I have elected to complete crossover training to attain independent instructor status with another certification agency.
I‘d like to take this opportunity to thank all the students I’ve worked with; and divers that have assisted me in the training process over the past years…it’s been a real pleasure!
Harve Montgomery, MI#3336

The next Board Meeting will be Wednesday, September 25, 2002-the last Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm at Maurer’s Dive Shop in Carrolltown.

Next regular club meeting will be Thursday, October 3, 2002-first Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m. at the Penn Gables.

Greg Lilly won Door Prize of a tire inflator. , Linda Kelley who was not present at the meeting won the daybook, valued at $50.00.  The funds will be carried over to next month’s meeting.

The meeting adjourned and was followed by a wonderful presentation by Dr. Charlie Howsare, MD, MPH, Director of occupational medicine, Pennsylvania State University.  Dr. Howsare is a navy diver who crossed over to SSI and has worked with DAN. (Divers Alert Network), as an on call physician.  He gave a presentation entitled “The Practice of Decompression” showing, amongst other things, the incidences of decompression sickness dating back to as early as the 1900’s and a brief review of the signs and symptoms of DCS.  Two methods will avoid DCS, those being shorter bottom times and a slow uniform ascents.  Dr. Howsare then did a thorough comparison of dive tables vs. computers when it comes to deep diving.  Statements of interest included that in DCS with computer readings, the diver is less likely to have the more severe signs and symptoms of DCS, while in the case of multiple dives and multiple day diving, the probability of DCS does increase using a computer.  He gave research to support the statement that with single dives, a computer is generally safer.  While the notetaking of this secretary cannot do his discussion justice, some points can be summarized in contrasting the advantages and disadvantages of computers vs. using the tables.  As for the advantages of the computers, the computer displays a warning when nearing decompression limits, they can be used for multilevel diving, there is no calculation error, depth gauging is accurate, and a  record of time spent at each depth.  Disadvantages included cost, risk of hardware failure, short repetitive dives are less safe, and algorithm calculations accuracy.  With the tables, advantages included affordability and the ability to round up to the next depth or time allotment (increasing safety, decreasing risk), but disadvantages included calculation errors, limits to the dive profile, and uncertainties with decompression. As Dr. Howsare put it, “A dive is safe if DCS does not occur and unsafe if DCS does.  The same dive can be safe one day and not the next.”   Long story short, whether you are diving by tables or using a computer, always plan the dive and dive the plan.  Educate yourself.  Know your equipment and have it checked regularly.  Be Safe.

Julie Paige