The Board meeting was at Ron’s and Lois on January 24th at 7:30pm.  Bert Sharbaugh, Shari Mullen, Ron Peterson and Lois Keegan were present.  We discussed the Sheetz fund raiser, and the calendar for 2007.

The General Meeting was called to order at Penn Gables, Ebensburg, PA  on February 1st, 2007 at 7:30 pm, by Vice President Shari Mullen.

Treasurers Report for the month of February: “We have about $1200”

Membership Report: Currently 58. No new members.

Old Business

MTO coupons for fundraiser are now available from Shari Mullen.  A $4 contribution buys you a Sheetz MTO item and drink.  Please support the club by purchasing and selling as many coupons as possible.  Currently 15 are sold and 85 are remaining.

New Business

The April meeting will be April 12th, not the 5th.  This will allow the St. Francis biology class to present their trip to the club.  Laurel Divers will be providing pizza to all St. Francis presenters, beginning 6:30 on April 12th at Penn Gables.

Scuba Olympics:
“Hello, my name is Elizabeth Huey and I am the president of the St. Francis University SCUBA Club.  The SCUBA Club would like to invite you to the 9th annual SCUBA Olympics on Sunday, February 11th at 2-4 pm in the pool in the Stokes gymnasium.  In order to participate, be sure to bring all of your diving equipment for each member of your team.  There will be five events from the following: finned race, tricycle race, tired diver rescue tow, bowling, equipment exchange race, hockey puck race and penny scramble.  Regrets only by Friday, February 2.  If you any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at emhst2@mail.francis.edu. The Stokes gym is number 11. Enter the main door then go through the far right door and you will see the pool. To get to the pool area, walk straight through the long hallway and turn right at the double doors. You will find the men's and women's locker rooms and can enter the pool through the locker rooms.”

Trip Reports

Lois Keegan showed a tape of the recent WQED television presentation on the Pittsburgh PPG Aquarium: Volunteers that Clean the Aquarium.

Donna Sabol showed a tape of a Dirty Jobs television presentation on sharks.

Ron Peterson was on a cave driving trip in January.  Ginnie Springs, Peacock Springs, and Little River has diving at 71 degrees all year round.

Donna Sabol won the door prize:

Barb Wyland would have won the day book of $260 but was not present.

Next Board Meeting – Wed February 21st, 2007 7:30 pm at Ron & Lois.

Next General Meeting – Thursday, March 1st, 2007 7:30pm at Penn Gables.

Some highlights from the 2007 Calendar:
Beneath the Seas (Donna Bender) March 23, 24.
Day Trips (Joe Gordon) April 14, May 5, June 9, July 7, August 4, September 8, October 6.
Quarry Diving April 14, May 26, Sept 1, October 27
Quarry Cleanup (Ron Peterson) May 15, July 17, Sep 18.
Friday Night Dives at the Quarry June 29, July 27, August 24, September 28.
Morehead or Hatteras (Ron Peterson) end of June
Thousand Islands (John Augustine) August 12, 13
Treasure Dive (John Augustine) July 20, 21, 22
Oriskansy (Ron Peterson) Sept 1, 2, 3, 4
Raystown Picnic September 9
Chile Cook Off October 27
Christmas Party December 1
The complete calendar is at LaurelDivers.com
 
 
 
 
 
 

From the SSI Dive Business magazine (1Q 2007):
Tribute to Bob Maurer
When Robert (Bob) Maurer passed away on July 3, 2006 at the age of 82, the Central Pennsylvania dive community lost its local legendary dive leader.  Bob and his wife Rose opened Maurer Dive Shop the the early 1980’s, in an area not usually associated with scuba diving.
In the ensuing years, Bob certified over 1000 divers through Maurer Dive Shop with Scuba Schools International (SSI).  Bob’s wife Rose, 10 of his 12 children and 14 of his 32 grandchildren are all certified scuba divers.
He was generous with his time, talent and equipment to both newly certifying divers, as well as experienced divers.  He was also instrumental in starting the Search and Recovery Team for the Carrolltown Ambulance Association.  His dive shop sponsored the Holsopple Search and Recovery Team, and every year he gave countless Boy Scout troops and area high school students the opportunity to try scuba diving.
We would like to recognize him as the man who provided us with the incredible opportunity to dive.  His knowledge, encouragement, and support allowed us to become experienced and safe divers.
This was a life well lived and well loved.
A life that will be deeply missed.
Donna Bender, Barb Wyland, Lois Keegan