Next Board Meeting: April 23, 2003, 7:30 Maurer’s Dive Shop, Carrolltown, PA

Next Regular Meeting: May 1, 2003, 7:30 Penn Gables, Ebensburg, PA

April 3, 2003, Penn Gables, Ebensburg, PA

Vice President, Joe Gordon, called the meeting to order, demonstrating to all prospective conch blowers the proper way to blow the royal conch.

Ron Peterson read the Treasurer’s Report:  Income $810; Expenses $191.04; Current balance $4600.12 ($1910 is accrural for future trips).

NEW MEMBERS:

A big welcome to Mike Miller, from Mike’s Scuba in Hollidaysburg. Mike is our 99th member; member number 100 is soon to follow!

TRIP REPORTS:

Ron Peterson and a biology group from Cambria Heights recently went to Key Largo and had a fabulous time. The reefs were reported as fantastic, and the wreck of the Spiegel Grove came highly recommended. The surface temp was around 73°; temp below was about 71°. The springs were reported as being flooded and having no visibility at this time.

Sue Morra took some students to Key Largo as well. They also arranged to take a little snorkel trip to the Dry Tortugas. Sue said it was a great trip.

Sylvia MacKinnon took a trip to Bainbridge. She reported the water to be a balmy 43°.  She had a very nice diving trip attributing a portion of that to the fact that it wasn’t a very populated dive.

BUSINESS:

We would like to give a very big thank you to Donna Bender who has graciously agreed to organize our fundraiser. Thank you Donna!! As a reminder the ticket money is due by May 1, 2003. If you are in need of more tickets you can contact Donna 814 472-9796. She has a few more packs left.

Also, we are still looking for logo possibilities that can be embroidered onto clothing. Any ideas need to be brought to the next meeting.

Nominations for officers were made at this meeting.  We will be taking more nominations next month and the voting will be held in June. Nominations as they stand are as follows:

President: Donna Bender, Chuck Zupon, and Joe Gordon (declined)
Vice President: Joe Gordon (accepted this one)
Secretary: Patrick Donley and Laura Butler
Treasurer: Ron Peterson

Check-Out Chums are needed. If you are a friendly diver, and everyone in the club is, we need you’re help offering hospitality to the new divers! Supplying tea, coffee, soda, etc. for the cold, weary divers. The club will reimburse any costs. Current dates are May 31st, June 1st, August 9 & 10, October 11 & 12.

Awards were presented for the victorious Laurel Divers who participated in the Scuba Olympics. Everyone was deeply honored by the recognition, especially Donna who has now received her third t-shirt! Can we make next year number 4?

UPCOMING TRIPS/EVENTS:

April 19, 2003, Omni-Max theater showing of “Coral Reef Adventure.” Prices for admission: theater admission $8; Science Center & theater admission $18. If there is a group of 15 or more admission to the science center and theater is $9. The 2:00 p.m. showing was decided on. If interested in going, meet at the old Ames parking lot in Ebensburg at 11:00 a.m. We will be going to dinner at 5.

April 26, 2003, After Easter Dive at the Q*****. 1p.m. Mark Hooper’s memorial stone will be placed in the water.

Scuba Skills Update.  Get back in the water with an update.  April 25, 2003 at 6:30pm Contact Maurer Dive Shop 814-344-6641.

May 3, 2003, Spelunking in the Blue Hole cave with Joe Gordon at 12 p.m. It is recommended that you wear clothes that can get muddy and bring two light sources. A bag of breadcrumbs may be something you’ll want to pack as well.

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 9-14, 2003, Florida Keys trip, 4 nights lodging at the Ramada Limited Resort & Casino. Three days of two tank wreck diving with Island Ventures for $500. Round trip air, Harrisburg to Ft. Lauderdale $209. Must share cost of rental car, approximately $40. Advanced certification required. If interested contact Tom Davis 814 768-3483 e-mail: tdavis@clearnet.net

May 17, 2003, Make-A-Wish Treasure Dive, Parker Dam State Park. Registration is 9-11 a.m. The treasure dive starts at noon. Registration is $25 before April 15, and you get a t-shirt. After April 15, registration is $30 and you will not receive a t-shirt. If interested contact D&R Divers 814 265-1227 e-mail: Rita@DRDivers.com

June 27-29, 2003, The Morehead City trip, is now open to all divers regardless of club affiliation.  Cost is $255 for diving and lodging roughly $30/night.  At least one half of the diving payment should be made by April 27 with the other half due by May 27.  Lodging will be arranged once we get a total on the number of divers. Contact Jim Smith 814 696-1938 e-mail: jcsdmd1@hotmail.com

August 1-3, 2003, Thousand Islands. Three spaces are available. This trip comes highly recommended. Typical visibility is 70’ and typical temperature is 70°, lots of wrecks.  If interested Brad McVicker.

October 4-5, 2003 Virginia Beach. Contact Joe Gordon for details.

October 11-26, 2003 Fiji, Micronesia, and Tahiti. Wayne Pappart, Flood City Divers. Contact Wayne for information 814 255-5360

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

The daybook was $55.    Winner was Brad McVicker. Not present. Monies will be carried over to next month.

Door prize: Safety Sausage,  won by Sandy Smith.

Before adjourning, the video competition was held. The atmosphere was thick with suspense. Donna Bender and Jim Smith submitted technically perfect videos. Everyone watched on the edge of their seats. The videos were so breathtaking you could smell the water and feel the fish. After watching shot after shot of stunning fish and dazzling coral the time came that we had to vote. You could actually hear people thinking. After hours of deliberation the decision was made, the votes were cast, the tallying was completed. The winner was: Donna Bender and Jim Smith, as it turns out there was a perfect tie! The winners will be sharing custody of the award fish! Congratulations to both of you for a job well done and thank you for all of the hard work that enabled us all to be a part of your trip!

The next Board Meeting will be Wednesday April 23, 2003, 7:30p.m. at Maurer’s Dive Shop.

Next regular club meeting will be Thursday, May 1, 2003, 7:30p.m. at Penn Gables.

FOR SALE

Dan Kelly has gear for sale, size large. If interested please contact Dan 814 948-7656 e-mail: dwkelly@hotmail.com

1 console $36
1 Genesis Resource Dive Computer $160
1 Wet Suite XL $40
1 Hood $10
Contact Chuck Zupon 814-674-8651

- - - - - Laura Butler