Next Board Meeting:  March 26, 2003, 7:30p.m., Maurer Dive Shop, Carrolltown, PA

Next Regular Meeting:  April 3, 2003, 7:30p.m., Penn Gables, Ebensburg, PA

Vice President, Joe Gordon, called the meeting to order, with Everett Newkirk lending his lungs to the blowing of the royal conch.  Good job Everett!

Ron Peterson read the Treasurer’s Report:  Income $1282.00; Expenses $176.32, and current balance $3981.16.
Ron also advised of an error on the February Day Book.  A $25 error will be added to the winnings for Bert Sharbaugh for last month’s Day Book.   Ron, although embarrassed by his error, was humbled and acknowledged his human-ness – a quality not aspired to by droids.

NEW MEMBERS:

Welcome aboard - Ken Gray and Brian Moriconi.
Mike Miller, PADI instructor from Mike’s Scuba was introduced by Jim Smith.  Mike submitted an application for membership.

TRIP REPORTS:

Scuba Olympics, Feb. 16th, St. Francis, Loretto.
Donna Bender presented a great film clip on the recent Scuba Olympics at St. Francis University showing once again, that LAUREL DIVERS RULE!  Competing this year for Laurel Divers was Bert Sharbaugh, Pat Donley, Everett Newkirk, Barb Wyland, and Donna Bender.  The film shows graphically how spirited, fit and competitive the Laurel Divers were at the event.  It also shows a sad commentary on today’s college students – morbidly slow and out of shape from hours of studying.  Rumor has it that Sue Morra will require next year’s team to take a gym class and get in shape before the competition.  Thanks to Tom Davis, videographer, for a wonderful “take” on the event.  Thanks again to Sue Morra for organizing the event.  And thanks to her group of narcoleptic students for taking the time to compete.  Olympic Champions for 2003 –for the second straight year -  LAUREL DIVERS!

Nekton Trip, Feb 21 through Mar 1, 2003.  Jim Smith reported on the Nekton trip to the Southern Bahamas.  9 Laurel Divers attending.  Jim reported great visibility on this trip.  Highlights included wife, Sandy, as the winner of the photo contest, participation in a DAN decompression study, and a galley fire.  A video competition will take place at our next monthly meeting on April 3, 2003.  Mark it on your calendar to attend and cast your vote!

Susie Link reported on a recent trip to Cancun.  Jim and Susie dove fresh water caverns there.

Lois Keegan reported on the February 8th ski party at Joe and Karen’s cabin was enjoyed by all who attended.  Cook Rusty, as always, had a wonderful menu of home made soup and bread to stave off the chills and a rousing evening of Mexican (dominos) was so much fun I am looking for my own set of dominos.  Thanks Joe and Karen for hosting!

BUSINESS:
Reminder:
We are in the process of searching for an “embroidery friendly” logo to be placed on all Laurel Diver apparel.  Any ideas are to be brought up at the next meeting.

Laurel Diver Membership applications, Q***** Releases and Laurel Diver Releases are now available in PDF and Word format on LaurelDivers.com
A big thank you Ron for keeping us up to date on the web.

Fundraiser tickets were distributed to those attending the meeting.  For those not attending they are included with this mailing.  Please sell and return buy May 12, 2003.  Thanks in advance for your help with this project.
If you can sell more tickets, contact Donna Bender 814 472-9796.

It was decided by the membership attending to contribute $100 to the Make-a-Wish Treasure Dive, sponsored by D&R Divers.  With this contribution, Laurel Divers will appear on the event t-shirt.

Our sympathies go out to John Betting who recently lost his brother.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Nominations for officers will take place at the April and May meetings.  Voting will take place at the June meeting.  Anyone interested in holding an office for the 2003/2004 term should contact any current member.  It’s a great chance to get to know club members.  Volunteer for a year.

Upcoming Trips/ Events

March 15, 2003 Try Scuba, 2p.m.
Maurer Dive Shop.

March 22, 2003, Pool Party at Maurers. 6p.m.  Going out for dinner afterwards.

March 28, 29, 30, 2003, Beneath the Seas 2003 Dive Expo, Secaucus, NJ
Over 300 booths, 15 workshops, and 55 seminars.  If interested, please let Donna know at Donna@Bender.net or (814) 472-9796.

April 6,2003 Monthly Meeting, Penn Gables, Ebensburg, PA, Amateur Underwater Video Contest.  Come and cast your vote!
Contest Rules:  The footage must be 75% under water, of course, with sound, and you must have made the video yourself.  Timing for the video is limited to 10 minutes, maximum.

April 12, 2003, Coral Reef Adventure, Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Current schedule lists the following showings:  12 noon, 2p.m. and 4:30p.m. on weekends.  The schedule is not firm for April, and the Science Center recommends calling the morning you are planning to attend to confirm times.
412 237-3400

April 25, 2003, After Easter Dive at the Q*****.  1p.m.

May 9 through 11, 2003, Morehead City, NC
Tim Laurito and Jim Smith.  Three days of two-tank boat diving with the Diver Down.  Cost is $85 per day for diving and lodging usually runs approximately $30/night.  Sign up for this trip if you cannot make the June date.  18 spots available.  Deposit due ASAP and payment in full ($255) by March 26, 2003.  See diverdownscubadiving.com for past trip reports.
Contact Jim Smith jcsdmd1@hotmail.com or 814-696-1938

May 17, 2003, Make-A-Wish Treasure Dive, Parker Dam State Park.  Registration: 9-11a.m.  Treasure Dive starts at Noon.
Register before April 15th - $25 registration fee includes an event t-shirt.  Registration after April 15th is $30 (no t-shirt).  Come out and help D&R Divers raise money for a worthy cause.  Registration paper is included in this mailing.

June 27-29 2003, Morehead City, NC
Wreck/shark diving aboard the Diver Down with  Jim Smith.  Three days of two-tank boat diving.    Cost is $85 per day for diving and lodging usually runs approximately $30/night.  Saturday night picnic if we fill the boat.  18 spots available.  Deposit of $100 holds your spot.  First 18 deposits get their spot on the boat.  Deposit deadline April 3, 2003.  Payment in full due by April 28, 2003.  See diverdownscubadiving.com for past trip reports.
Contact Jim Smith jcsdmd1@hotmail.com or 814-696-1938

August 1-3, 2003.  Thousand Islands.
$70 to hold your spot.  $70 per day for two days of three-tank boat dives.  Leaving August 1 – returning August 4, 2003.  Remaining $70 due by July10th.  Accommodations will be $50 per room.  All monies are US.  Questions, contact Brad McVicker 814 255-1791

October 11-26, 2003, Truk, Palau and Yap, Wayne Pappert, Flood City Divers.  Contact Wayne for information.  814 255-5360

November 1 through November 8, 2003, Cozumel, with Dee and Harve Montgomery. Details to follow in subsequent newsletters.  For more information, contact De Montgomery at dishjug@charter.net or (814) 944-8521.

***Please be sure to check the club calendar for other upcoming trips and events.  The above-mentioned events only offer a brief overview of a few of the activities planned for the 2003 calendar year.

Joe Gordon noted that wife Karen’s birthday is April 3rd, before adjourning.  Happy birthday Karen!

The daybook was $20.00.  Winner was the Syd Shanfield.  Not present.  Monies will carry over to next month.
Door prize:  tank light and aqua seal was won by Laura Butler.

The next Board Meeting will be Wednesday March 26, 2003- 7:30pm at Maurer Dive Shop.

Next regular club meeting will be Thursday, April 3, 2003- 7:30 p.m. at the Penn Gables.

PLEASE NOTE:   ENCLOSED ARE YOUR FUNDRAISER TICKETS.

PLEASE RETURN BY MARCH