Jan - USA Dive Club
Transcription
Jan - USA Dive Club
PDFaid.com #1 pdf solutions online January 2010 Newsletter Volume 38, Number 1 In this Issue: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● This Month’s Program President's Waves Local Diving Overseas Diving Social Activities Hospitality Hut Membership Upcoming Events Calendar Contact Info Picture of the month. USAers and guests enjoying Bike or Hike at Riverbend Park in Jupiter. Submit your photos for the Page One Shot to [email protected] Program for January 7th Let’s go to the Solomon Islands! Rich Ladisky These islands have had a place in our history as the WWII Pacific campaign unfolded on Guadalcanal and the PT-109 saga played out with JFK. This presentation, however, will focus on the teaming life underwater, off some of the islands. Diverse and prolific are understatements! We will also go to the U.S. war memorial that overlooks Iron Bottom Sound. Just go to Papua New Guinea, make a right, and I’ll see you there. USA’s own Richard “Rich” Ladisky began diving for lobsters and wrecks in New England in 1981 and, shortly after, decided to join his passion for photography with his love of diving. Eventually, he started visiting exotic places 4 to 6 weeks at a time, for both land and underwater photography. He was in the illfated ‘Teacher in Space’ program, used his radio license to communicate with the cosmonauts on Mir, and still talks by radio to the astronauts on the Shuttle and International Space Station. His work and adventures have appeared in many periodicals, the latest being Scuba Diving Magazine, Parade Magazine, and the Hartford Courant Travel Section. Rich is retired from teaching and supervision in high school, and is into his 30th year as Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for a city of 60,000 people up north. He teaches photography, instructs and practices ballroom dancing around the world with his wife, Lynn, and enjoys traveling as a photojournalist in the Indo-Pacific Rim. For the last half-dozen years, Rich has been a featured speaker at Beneath the Sea, the largest consumer diving convention in North America. He has also presented seminars for the USA Dive Club, the South Florida Underwater Photography Society, and the South Florida Dive Show. Fear not, fellow USAers. Glada Blench has not grown a moustache. It’s me, Russ Manhold, USA’s President for 2010. 2010 marks my 25th year as a USA Dive Club member. While enjoying USA’s many local and overseas diving opportunities, I set aside special time to serve on USA’s Board of Directors, in many different capacities for several years. Last year, serving as VP of Social Events and USA’s Membership Coordinator, my goal was to increase membership numbers by 7% from July through December. By year’s end, our membership increased from 108 to 117. I plan to work with USA’s new Membership Coordinator, and others, to continue that growth in 2010 and beyond. Members can help by inviting friends, family and business associates to join us at monthly meetings and other dive club events. At present, USA’s VP of Programs position remains vacant however, USA’s Past President Glada Blench has volunteered to assume USA’s programs responsibilities in 2010. From 2007 through 2009, Larry LePage occupied this critical board position, introducing USAers and guests each month to interesting and provocative speakers. Larry assures us he has several speakers scheduled for 2010, thus offering a jump start for Glada, or any other dive club member considering this position, on USA’s Board of Directors. Contact Larry directly to learn more about the VP of Programs position. Nils Jacobsen returns again in 2010 as USA’s VP of Overseas Diving. Thank you Nils. It’s a tough job, made tougher by the declining world economy. Dive resorts and live-aboard dive concessions are going out of business faster than you can say “I like ichthyology”. USAers were fortunate last year to complete the Curacao overseas dive trip, led by Clare Anthon. Curacao’s Sunset Waters Dive Resort went out of business within hours of our last day on the island. Nils and his Overseas Diving Committee members are working diligently to research and plan affordable and enticing trips for 2010 and beyond. Contact Nils Jacobsen directly if you have creative ideas regarding overseas diving resorts and locations. Although USA’s VP of Social Activities position is vacant at present, Julie Manhold and Clare Anthon have volunteered to assume USA’s social responsibilities in 2010. If you enjoyed the wide and varied spectrum of non-diving activities USA offered members and guests over the last several years, why not help Julie and Clare plan a few social events for 2010? Start with something uncomplicated like lunch and a movie, a bike ride in Davie, an evening of bowling, a nature walk, or anything else that strikes your fancy. If you are interested in helping Julie and Clare plan social events, contact USA’s Social Butterflies at [email protected]. Last year was a banner year for local diving under the leadership of John and Kathy Ficarra. Both John and Kathy continue in 2010 as VP’s of Local Diving. Did I mention Kathy’s most excellent brownies? Bet you can’t eat just one during dive intervals. The Ficarra’s have another exciting local diving schedule for 2010. If you like drift diving, sign up with John and Kathy at the next meeting. If wreck diving is your thing, sign up at the next meeting. They offer both, plus a wide variety of diving locations and dive concessions. Hall of Fame member and former USA Dive Club President Robert Shearer continues as Secretary in 2010. Robert’s 23 years as a USAer makes him the undisputed “go to” person when the rest of us have questions about club history, policy, procedures or past events. Thank you Robert for serving yet another year on USA’s Board of Directors. Steve McCutcheon, a 24-year USA Dive Club veteran, assumes Treasurer responsibilities in 2010. Steve has served the USA Dive Club in many capacities through the years. He was USA’s Safety Coordinator from 2003 through 2005. One thing for sure, if you need a job done, and done right, Steve McCutcheon is the man for the job. January is the month for USAers to pay annual membership dues. Dues are due January 1st. A new rate goes into effect this year. Individuals pay $40 membership renewal; married couples pay $35 each, totaling $70 per couple. Don’t let your USA membership expire. Rejoining the USA dive club requires a $10 initiation fee plus regular membership fees. In closing, I would ask that USAers become more active in club events during 2010. Come out and meet fellow USAers for Adopt-A-Street cleanups, local dives, social events, and consider supporting the club’s management team by serving on USA’s board of directors. Try it. You’ll like it. Russ Manhold President [email protected] Local Diving With Kathy & John Ficarra Sunday, December 6th, USAers enjoyed a local dive on the Rodeo 25 wreck. Winds picked up on our afternoon dive making the currents very strong however, we were still able to explore the wreck. Glada Blench, Luis Monroy and John Ficarra enjoyed the wreck while Bob Lucas had to abort the dive after losing a swim fin 10 feet down the mooring line. Our second dive was the Razzle Dazzle reef where we spotted a nurse shark. USA’s final local dive for 2009 was on Captain Craig’s ‘Starfish Enterprise’ for two reef dives on December 19th. This was the day after heavy rains and flooding inundated most of South Florida. That morning, seas were predicted to be 3 to 5 feet. We went out regardless and were amazed that seas were only choppy (less than 2 feet) and visibility was in excess of 60 feet. There were loads of fish and we found a ‘hotel’ of lobsters on our first dive at Delray Ledge. The second dive at Briney Breezes was just as nice with massive amounts of fish. Water temperatures are starting to cool down, only 75 degrees on this final USA local dive in December. It’s time to consider getting out the 5 mil dive suits. Two great dives to end the year. Santa even handed out gifts on the ‘Starfish Enterprise’ along with the usual brownies and fruit. Kathy & John Ficarra VP(s) of Local Diving [email protected] Social Activities From 2007 through 2009, USA’s social events were planned and coordinated by Russ Manhold, Julie Manhold and Clare Anthon. Look for Julie and Clare to continue in 2010 with USA’s non-diving activities. On December 3rd, USAers and guests enjoyed a Pot Luck Holiday Party at the Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel & Suites. Food items were presented ‘buffet style’ in the Cypress Room, located across from the Sawgrass Room where six round tables seated over fifty hungry members and guests. USA’s Promotions Coordinator, Larry Townsend, dressed like one of Santa’s Elves, had a plethora of Lobster Pot gifts to give away. It was a fun-filled evening for everyone, a fitting end to another year of USA Dive Club social events. Sunday morning, December 13th, eighteen USAers and guests gathered at Riverbend Park in Jupiter for Bike or Hike, a fun day of outdoor activities in northern Palm Beach County. The weather was perfect, clear skies, mild temperatures, not a drop of rain. The group bicycled on shell rock paths, taking time to watch canoes drifting slowly on the Loxahatchee River, natural wildlife including tropical birds and peacocks, and families of raccoons, looking for handouts from everyone. Shortly before noon, everyone met at a pre-designated picnic pavilion and unpacked food and beverages for a delightful snack on a peninsula surrounded by wildlife. Bike or Hike participants included Clare Anthon, Glada Blench, Clara and Jorge Carvajal with guest Marvi Cilli, Kay Chung, Kathy and John Ficarra, Margie and Mike Hanratty, Julie and Russ Manhold, Kathi and Steve McCutcheon, Gary Sharp, Larry Townsend, Marie York and guest Don Chalaire. Sunday afternoon, January 24th, join fellow USAers and guests for the first-run movie Extraordinary Measures, followed by a group dinner in Pompano Beach. Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser are starring in a new film based on the inspirational true story about a determined father and an unconventional scientist who teamed up to develop a life-saving biotech treatment. After their two young children are diagnosed with a rare genetic disease for which conventional medicine has no cure, John (Brendan Fraser) and Aileen Crowley (Keri Russell) pin their hopes on the work of unconventional scientist Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford). Director Tom Vaughan's heartfelt drama is based on the true story of the Crowley family, as chronicled by journalist Geeta Anand in her book The Cure. Extraordinary Measures will be showing at the Muvico Pompano 18. More info regarding afternoon movie time before the event. Group dinner to follow at Bobby Rubino’s Place for Ribs, located just north of the theater. Sign up for the movie and dinner at USA’s January 7th general membership meeting. Future social events include: ● ● January 24 (Sunday) - Movie “Extraordinary Measures” followed by group dinner at Bobby Rubino’s, Pompano Beach February 21 (Sunday) Adopt-A-Street cleanup, Deerfield Beach DINNER BEFORE THE MEETING: Newport Cafe @ Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel & Suites 1050 E. Newport Center Drive Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 @ 6:00 PM Hospitality Hut Happy New Year from the Hospitality Hut! We hope everyone had wonderful Christmas and Hanukkah holidays, shared with family and friends. Now that all the celebrating is over, it's time to begin a happy and healthy 2010. We're looking forward to meeting new friends and continuing relationships with old ones. At the December 2009 Holiday Pot Luck Dinner, we were very happy that President Glada Blench introduced her son-in-law, Roger Bennett, to the USA Dive Club. Roger is a certified diver and has recently relocated to south Florida. Ed Angelil, husband of Hall of Famer MaryMay Angelil, stopped by for a visit. Ed and MaryMay are spending the winter in Florida. Hopefully we’ll see more of them both. Joel Harris attended the Pot Luck Dinner with USA member Paula Wall. Joel, a certified diver, is also a paramedic, firefighter and instructor. Some of you may remember Joel from our March bowling social, ‘Going Green in the Gutter.’ Former USA members Linda Bannister, Mike Hanratty and Rob Myers joined in the fun and fellowship of December’s get-together. It is always a treat to see former members and catch up with their news. Thanks to all our guests for spending the evening with us. We hope to see you all again at future meetings. Please consider joining the USA Dive Club and be a part of all the fun-filled events scheduled throughout the year. We encourage you to visit our newsletter's home page, www.usadiveclub.com and click on the calendar button for details regarding USA Dive Club's very active diving and non-diving schedule. Also from the home page, click on the photo gallery button for a glimpse of our past outings. The calendar and photo gallery are updated on a regular basis so take a peek. You wouldn't want to miss a thing. We wish you all a "Happy New Year" filled with "Happy Diving". Julie Manhold & Clare Anthon 2009 Hospitality Coordinators [email protected] Membership Greetings from USA's outgoing 2009 Membership Coordinator, Russ Manhold. At present, USA’s Membership Coordinator position is vacant however, new USA member Jorge Carvajal has volunteered to assume membership responsibilities in 2010. USA’s Membership Coordinator acts as the focal point for all inquiries regarding new member applications and membership renewals. A club directory is updated and published quarterly for all USA Dive Club members. The Membership Coordinator should attend all general membership meetings and coordinate greeting guests with USA’s Hospitality Coordinators. At the December 3rd general meeting, two new member applicants were introduced as USA's newest members. Left to right, Roger Cooper and Amy Wellman with Russ Manhold. Roger and Amy are USA’s newest married member couple. They reside in Boca Raton; both are certified PADI Advanced Open Water divers; each have about 250 dives. Roger enjoys bicycling and kayaking. Amy likes bicycling, kayaking, triathlons and cooking. Welcome aboard Roger and Amy. Presently, we have 117 USA Dive Club members. USA has a new look since relocating to the Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel & Suites in 2009. The location is excellent; the food tasty; drinks are a bargain; and the meeting room is warm and friendly. More guests are attending. Our goal is to make every guest feel comfortable and welcome. Since the December USA Dive Club meeting, two more guests have applied for membership: ● Bob and Phebe Young Deerfield Beach, FL Come to the January 7th USA Dive Club general membership meeting and welcome our newest member applicants aboard. USA Dive Club membership renewal dues are due January 1, 2010. Dues are $40 per person. Dues for married couples are $70 per couple. Please make checks payable to Under Sea Adventurers. People interested in joining the USA Dive Club will find membership applications available by clicking on the link appearing below: MEMBERSHIP PACKET Russ Manhold 2009 Membership Coordinator [email protected] USA’s Overseas Diving Planning for future overseas diving is presently underway. Watch for announcements. Nils Jacobsen VP Overseas Diving [email protected] USA Calendar ● January 7th - Regular Monthly Meeting @ 7:30 PM ❍ ● January 14th - Board Meeting ❍ ● Best Western Deerfield Hotel & Suites 1050 E Newport Center Drive Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 Ray McAllister’s home, Lighthouse Point January 24th - Movie “Extraordinary Measures” followed by group dinner ❍ Muvico Pompano 18, Pompano Beach Birthday greetings in January to the following USA Dive Club club members: Jan 02 John Warren Jan 03 Paula Wall Jan 08 Deborah Kaddah Jan 10 Mark Glazer Jan 25 Danny Michels Jan 27 Margie Hanratty Jan 28 Larry LePage Jan 29 Hana Ghosn HAPPY BIRTHDAY from your friends in diving! Contact Info: Under Sea Adventurers Dive Club web site: www.usadiveclub.com Meetings: First Thursday of each month at: Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel & Suites 1050 E. Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 Social: 7:00 PM, Meeting: 7:30 PM Board of Directors Elected Officers - Title Name E-Mail Address President Russ Manhold [email protected] VP of Programs VP of OS Diving [email protected] Nils Jacobsen VP of Social Events [email protected] [email protected] VP of Local Diving John Ficarra Kathy Ficarra [email protected] Secretary Robert Shearer [email protected] Treasurer Steve McCutcheon [email protected] Appointees - Title Name E-Mail Address Audio/Video Coordinator pending [email protected] OS Dive Accountant pending [email protected] Membership Coordinator pending [email protected] Hospitality Coordinator pending [email protected] Photographer/Scrapbook pending [email protected] Promotions pending [email protected] Safety Coordinator pending [email protected] Mini Trip Coordinator pending [email protected] Newsletter/Webmaster pending [email protected] Membership Dues - - - $40 yearly; $70 for married couples Download the Membership Packet from our website. All information and images are property of ©2010 Under Sea Adventurers Dive Club