Next Board Meeting: September 24, 2003, 7:30 P.M. at Maurer’s Dive shop

Next Regular Meeting: October 2, 2003, 7:30 Penn Gables, Ebensburg, PA

Board meeting, Maurer’s Dive Shop 7:30 P.M.

Menu: warm apple crisp, Gardetto’s snack mix and soda

BUSINESS:

Ron was not available to do the audit before this month’s meeting, so it was moved to next month.

Donna placed an order for patches; a selling price was discussed as these patches are less expensive than the patches we ordered before. A patch will be included in the new member welcome kit. The old patches are being inventoried and the amount left will dictate the amount they will be on sale for. The tentative price range is $5-$7.

We have a surplus in our treasury; we will be presenting a vote to the club on possible ways to spend the money. Some ideas were laying down shale on the road or putting the surplus toward better prizes at the treasure dive. We discussed possibly improving access to the North End, but Judy had said that she would prefer nothing was done up there to limit access.

John presented the information he had gathered on the next 1,000 Islands trip, all of the information will be discussed later in the newsletter.

IUP and UPJ both have scuba classes. Joe presented the idea of sending a representative to those schools to talk about our club. He will be finding contact people to talk with.

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas, yes, it’s time to start thinking about our Christmas party! The dinner selection was discussed. Donna will be talking to Penn Gables and we will have information at next month’s meeting.

F.Y.I. If you have been looking at the newsletter on-line and noticed the q-----, that is our new feature. Judy has noticed that there are people from other states coming to dive. She wants to keep our diving site secluded, as do we. So, in an attempt to help, we have taken anything related to the B.H.Q. off the newsletter.

We also discussed the damage to the q..... We will be sending a letter to all the dive shops that dive there a letter which is included with the newsletter.

September 4, 2003, Penn Gables, Ebensburg, PA

**Important note**

There are about 30 members who have not paid their dues. Dues were due by July 1, however, if you have not paid your dues, your name will remain on the roster until September, if you have not paid by then, you will be dropped from our list.

Donna called the meeting to order. Her conch note had people scattering to their seats.

Lois Keegan stepped in for Ron and read the Treasurer’s Report:  Total Income: $0.00; Total Expenses: $ 214.05; Total Checkbook balance: $2407.32.
BUSINESS:

We had three people volunteer to audit our books before the next meeting, Barb Wyland, Lance Marks, and Greg Lilly will be auditing our books 1 hour before next months meeting.

The beginning of our October meeting will be a swap meet. Anyone who has gear they would like to sell is invited to bring it to this meeting. This is a great opportunity for all of our new divers, or anyone who is in the market for some new stuff!!

Tom Davis donated the $150 gift certificate to Mike’s Scuba that he won at the Treasure Dive. Tom and Mike have graciously agreed to donate the certificate to the club to chance off. Thank you to both gentlemen for the generosity! The winning ticket was drawn at the end of the meeting.

The November meeting will be a T-shirt meeting. Everyone is encouraged to bring or wear a t-shirt from their favorite dive site!

We are looking for new ideas for our meetings. Donna presented a few examples, such as a photo contest in the spring.

Joe Gordon will be going back to Yellow Creek this week to put the buoy markers in the water and would appreciate help for anyone who is interested. Call Joe for arrangements!

We are putting out a plea! It is a plea from the Pelican. He has not been seen and we miss him. We are asking that whoever knows where the poor lonely pelican is to please expose him so he can be enjoyed by everyone. By the way, Paul, you owe Donna dinner, she would prefer France, but she said Pittsburgh would be o.k. too.

The damage in the q..... was discussed. We would like to remind everyone to please respect your environment. Also keep in mind that there are knickknacks in the water. These items are placed there for instructors to take new divers to so they have something to look at. They also help experienced divers practice their navigational skills. Bob will be including an excerpt of the letter on the q..... releases for next year.

TRIP REPORTS:

EOFND, the visibility was bad! However, the evening was very nice; we had roasted corn, smokies, bouillabaisse, key lime pie, s’mores and various other goodies.

Denny reported on the Wabank trip. About 8 divers went on the trip. There was a severe thermo cline at about 20’. The visibility above was about 10-20’ and below was about 48-50’. The walls and boats were nice to dive. They had a nice day and an easy trip!
 

UPCOMING TRIPS/EVENTS:

September 14, 2003, Raystown Picnic, (tentatively) at the Oak Pavilion at the Seven Point Marina. We will be doing two dives per boat trip. The first boat will be leaving by 8:30 a.m. and the second after lunch. Be sure to get there on time if you want to be on the first trip. The boat will hold about 8 divers. Lunch will be at 12. The club will be supplying hot dogs and hamburgers. We ask anyone who comes to please bring a covered dish. If you need directions to the pavilion please e-mail Denny at Denny@interstate-insurance.com.

September 16, 2003, Q..... clean-up, we will be starting at 5 p.m. please bring your trimmers and loppers. Call Ron if questioning a rain date 472-2144.

September 23, 2003, Lake Erie, Sylvia mentioned a trip with Captain Jim Herbert. She said it was an easy on, easy off dive. They will be departing at 9:30 A.M. and returning 11-12 at night. The cost is about $65/ day; has about 100’ dives. She said it’s a good trip and a great Captain. For more information contact Sylvia.

September 26-28, 2003, Dutch Springs, will be driving in Friday night, camping in the parking lot, diving Saturday and Sunday, and driving home Sunday night. Great diving for all levels, you can camp there, there are restrooms and showers on the grounds, or stay at hotels nearby. Contact Donna Bender for more information.

October 3-4, 2003, Virginia Beach. Joe gave the last call for anyone interested in this trip. If you are still interested Joe has the phone numbers for the dive site and hotel. Call him for any information.

October 11 & 12, Check-Out Chums, two people are needed for each day to represent our club, any expenses for food or drinks for the divers will be reimbursed by the club.

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

October 25, Halloween Treasure Dive and Chili Cook-off, dive starts at 1 p.m. the cook off starts at 5 p.m. There is a $5 entry fee for the dive with a $100 prize. Sign up the day of the dive. Donna was last year’s cook off winner… who will it be this year??

**Attention all divers**

November 2, 2003, World Record Breaking Scuba Event, Rutgers University, Secaucus, NJ, An attempt to break the record for the number of scuba divers in a pool is taking place from 12-5pm. There is a $5 registration fee. This fee is due at next month’s meeting. Registration includes a barbeque at 12. You will need to have on your mask, fins, B.C., regulator and tank. There needs to be more than 596 people in the pool on scuba at one time to break the record. You will be in the water from 4-4:30. If the record is broken everyone present will receive a certificate stating that you participated in a World Record Breaking Event!!! Contact Lois Keegan for more information, Lois will also be taking the registration monies.

November 15-22, 2003 Cozumel, Mexico. Scuba Club Cozumel. This is an all inclusive resort. Cost: $838 + air-fair. Priceline.com air fares have been available for $313 + tax. Contact Dee Montgomery at Advantage Scuba for more information. 814-944-8521.

November 29, 2003, Mount Storm, after Thanksgiving dive. More Information will be given at next month’s meeting.

December 6, 2003, Christmas Party, Mark your calendars now! The sign up will begin at next months meeting.

April 21-May 1, 2004, Honduras, Co Co View Resort, Roatan, Honduras Bay Islands. All inclusive 7 day package 24/7 beach diving, 2-tank boat dive trips daily. $850 + tax. Airfare is approximately $650 right now. Contact Tom Davis for more information.

August 14-15, 2004, Thousand Islands, a $70 deposit is required. The first 10 people to sign up will be on the first boat. Another 10 people will be needed for another boat. The cost is $65/day, American. Deposit is due by November 1. We are starting sign up so far ahead of time because the weekends for next year are filling up quickly. Sleeping arrangements will be made later.

The daybook was $156. The winner was Mary Green, who was present, but wasn’t here last month. $78 will be carried over to next month.

The door prize was a choice of tank banger and 2 air fills or wrist slate. Joe Gordon won and chose the wrist slate.

The $150 Gift certificate to Mike’s Scuba was won by Laura Butler.

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

If anyone is interested in adding any trips to our list please send all information to Laura@LaurelDivers.com. Thank you!
 
 
 

To:  All Dive Shops and Instructors

It has recently been brought to the attention of the officers and board members of the Laurel Divers the there has been some damage to underwater attractions at the B..... H..... Q..... in Williamsburg.

We are asking for your cooperation in reminding your divers when you make arrangements to use the q..... to use caution when diving and remain mindful and respectful of the items that have been placed there for everyone’s enjoyment.

We have also noted over the past year that many items have been moved around in the q...... Please remind your divers that many objects are placed in particular places so that they may be easy access for instructors to lead new students and divers for their enjoyment. Moving these items makes them inaccessible for those who are trying to increase the enjoyment of new divers, as well as more experienced divers practicing their navigational skills.

The officers and members of the Laurel Diver feel very privileged to have access to this q...... – and we are asking that you assist us in maintaining this site for all divers to enjoy.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please feel free to contact me at (814) 695-0540

Sincerely,
 

Donna Bender, President 2003-04
Laurel Divers