Treasurers Report: Income $245.00.  Expenses $281.90.  Current Balance $3,543.29

Officer nominations were held at the meeting.  We’ll vote for our upcoming year officers at the June meeting, and the new officers will take over in September.  Nominations were as follows:
 President:    Diane Turcovsky, Paul Brawley
 Vice President: Joshua Keyser, Joe Gordon
 Treasurer:  Donna Bender, Shelley Kirkpatrick
 Secretary:  Denny Beecher, Marlene Rumbaugh

Club member and attorney Jack Haller was present at the meeting to discuss and answer questions regarding incorporation of the dive club.  Jack Haller’s law firm will donate their legal services should the club vote to become incorporated.  There is a modest paperwork charge and filing fee for incorporation, plus a small annual franchise tax.  The primary benefit is protection from lawsuit following a dive accident for officers and members.  A decision was made for further discussion and a vote on this item at the June meeting.  This is a big decision for the club—please plan on attending to voice your opinion.

Bert Sharbaugh presented a review of the dive tables at the meeting.  It was enjoyable and a good refresher for all.  Thanks Bert!

Last call for raffle tickets.  The drawing will be held for five consecutive days at the end of May.  If you’ve not yet turned in your tickets, please do so immediately to Donna Bender, or to Maurer’s Dive Shop.

Dues are due!  Membership runs from July 1st to June 30th each year.  Annual dues are $20 for a single member.  Family memberships are $18 for the 1st member, $12 for the 2nd member, and $6 for each additional member.  Please remember that your dues must be paid to participate in the Treasure Dive.

Diane Turcovsky is putting together an order for Laurel Diver Hats.  The hats carry the Laurel Diver insignia on the front, and a scuba diver on the back.  Cost is approximately $8.00.  Let Diane know if interested.

Visual Plus Tank Inspections can now be arranged and handled through Maurer’s Dive Shop.  The inspection is in addition to a regular VIP, and is done with a machine which checks for minute cracks in the neck of the tank.  Some dive shops in Florida are reportedly requiring this inspection before filling a tank.

Remember the Scuba Olympics at Saint Francis College?  Paul Brawley rounded out the Saint Francis team that won this year’s Olympic games.  Sue Morra presented Paul with a 1999 Scuba Olympics Winners T-shirt, which was given to all the winning team members by the Saint Francis Dive Club.  Unfortunately, Paul was not present to accept the award (nor was he present to decline his nomination for club president).

Our first Every Other Friday Night Dive (EOFND) of the season will be held on May 28th.  These dives are a gathering of our club members for diving and socializing, and are always held at Clover Creek Quarry.  Members generally arrive anytime from 6:00 P.M. on.

Dry suit manufacturer O-S Systems will be holding a Dry Suit Demonstration at Clover Creek Quarry on Saturday May 29th.  The demonstration will be at the quarry’s south beginning at 1:00.  There is no cost to try the suits, however you must pre-register and give your suit size.  Contact Rose Maurer at 344-6641 to register.

A Dive Trip to Lake Erie will be held on Saturday June 5th.  The itinerary is a two-tank wreck dive on Saturday, and a splash at Lake Pleasant on Sunday.  Two spots are currently left for the trip, and a $25 deposit is needed to reserve your spot.  Contact Denny Beecher for further details.

A Drift Dive on the Delaware River will be held on June 26th and 27th.  Contact Bert Sharbaugh (472-7080) or Denny Beecher if interested.

The Treasure Dive will be on Sunday July 18th.  This year’s prize list will contain 34 prizes, and the rest will be gift certificates of various amounts for Maurer’s Dive Shop.  Cost for the dive is $15.  See Donna Bender for sign-up.

Lance Marks is currently recovering from knee surgery.  Best wishes for a  rapid recovery and speedy return to the underwater world.