Next Board Meeting: May 28, 2003 7:30pm Maurer’s Dive Shop, Carrolltown, PA

Next Regular Meeting: June 3, 2003, 7:30pm Penn Gables, Ebensburg, PA

April 23, 2003 at Ron & Lois’s house.

Present at meeting were Ron Peterson, Lois Keegan, Joe Gordon, Donna Bender, Diane Turcovsky, John Augustine, Denny, Sandy and Brandon Beecher, Laura Butler, and Sherwood.

Menu: Chocolate mousse pie, freshly baked cookies, pretzels, chips, and dip.

BUSINESS:

New member applications were reviewed, Robert Glasgow was approved, Calin Soltis, and James Pahel were approved subject to the receipt of signed Laurel Diver release forms which will be mailed to them.

Procedure for a welcome packet for all new members was discussed. The board decided we will include a letter, constitution, an address list, sticker and calendar.

Donna presented a possibility for a new patch. They would be ordered in batches of 50 and will possibly be sent to new members and presented to the club for purchase.

The treasure dive prize list was reviewed and Ron volunteered to make revisions for approval.

May 1, 2003, Penn Gables, Ebensburg, PA

Vice President, Joe Gordon, called the meeting to order, the natives were afraid that the conch might be broken, but were all relieved to learn that the blower just needs a little practice.

Ron Peterson read the Treasurer’s Report:  Available Checkbook Balance $2886.89; Income $1670; Expenses $1333.23.

NEW MEMBERS:

Welcome to our 100th member, Rob Glasgow! James Pahel and Calin Soltis approval pending the receipt of Laurel Divers releases.

TRIP REPORTS:

Mark Hooper’s memorial stone was placed in the q***** April 26, 2003. The stone was placed by the ladder, approximately 18’-20’ deep. Due to the poor visibility, the exact location isn’t known. Five divers assisted in the placement. Thank you to Dan and Diane Turcovsky for making the arrangements and picking up the stone.

Jim and Sandy Smith reported on the trip to the Omni-Max Theater. The film was incredible and anyone who can make it before the film closes should try to see the film.

BUSINESS:

The fundraiser money is due May 12, 2003. Monies can be taken to the dive shop or mailed to Donna Bender.

Nominations for officers were made at this meeting.  Voting will take pace next month. Nominations as they stand are as follows:

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

Check-Out Chums volunteers for May 31st are Diane Turcovsky and John Augustine. For June 1st, Nelda and Joe Gordon. Thank you in advance for representing our club.

A list of the preliminary prizes for the Treasure dive was available for review.

UPCOMING TRIPS/EVENTS:

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

May 20, 2003, Q***** clean-up, we will have shale, we need willing backs to provide shovels, rakes, trimmers, and anything else that will help make the q***** beautiful. We will be starting at 6 pm.

May 23, 2003, Every Other Friday Night Dives (EOFND) will begin. If you want to get wet, be at the q***** Friday night!

June 3, 2003, Try Scuba, 7:00 pm at Maurer’s Pool, anyone who has someone interested in scuba is welcome.

June 27-29, 2003, The Morehead City trip, is now open to all divers regardless of club affiliation.  One more diver is needed to avoid cancellation of the trip. 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 contact Ron Peterson.

October 3-4, 2003, Virginia Beach, will be driving down the 3rd and staying at the Ocean Front Inn which is $58 per night. Will be diving on an artificial reef in about 40’-50’ water. $50 deposit will be due at the next meeting. Contact Joe Gordon for more details.

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

The daybook was $67. Winner was Rich Shea. Not present. Monies will be carried over to next month.

Door prize: choice of fin springs or retractor Kim McKee won, and chose the retractor, the fin springs will be available next month.

For Sale Items – can also be found at LaurelDivers.com then select “Classified Ads”

---Laura Butler