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March 2009 Newsletter Volume 37, Number 3 |
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Dr. Janet Phipps
Larry LePage
Our VP of Social, Russ Manhold, and the Social Butterflies (ummm….Butterfly fish : ) Julie Manhold and Clare Anthon have us busy out of the water, too. A group just went to the Renaissance Festival and had a merry time. They have us lined up to go bowling and canoeing in March. In April we are going to the IMAX to see Under the Sea and then we will gather for lunch. Last year the IMAX movie and lunch were a huge hit. Our guest speaker this month will be Dr. Janet Phipps. She will speak to us regarding artificial reefs. When I first started diving I thought I would most enjoy the natural reefs, the corals and the pretty little fish. I have found, though, a fascination with the artificial reefs; the “wrecks” both natural and the ones put down specifically as artificial reefs. I like to learn a little about the history of what purpose it served in its prior life and enjoy visiting the same sites over and over to see how they change. It is always exciting to check out a wreck soon after it is in its new watery home and then visit it over time and watch it become part of the underwater landscape. On one dive I remember being promised a wreck and a reef. When we were headed to the site and Captain Craig (yes, we were on the Starfish Enterprise out of Lantana) announced two reefs. I expressed my disappointment to the leader of this trip, who at the time was Larry Baum. Captain Craig, always doing his best to please his divers, offered to split the first dive, allowing those that wanted a wreck to dive a wreck and the rest of the group to do a drift dive on a reef. We only had four that opted for the wreck but that was enough. We could do both. As typical, when we were all back on the boat and enjoying our surface interval, we chatted about what we had seen. While the drift divers had a fine dive the group of us that did the wreck had a great dive. It turned out we saw just as much or more as those on the reef. We had spent time with a friendly green moray that seemed to be just as interested in us as we were in him. There were plenty of fish and lots of variety and the corals were as beautiful as we could have asked for. I am looking forward to Saturday’s dives; a “wreck” and a reef. Our General Meeting for March will be Thursday March 5th at the Emma Lou Olson Pompano Beach Civic Center. Social starts at 6:30 PM with the meeting at 7:00 Hope to “sea” you soon. Glada Blench
 
Local Diving
Sunday February 28 we will be diving with Parrot Island Scuba Adventure out of Saturday March 21 we will be diving with South Florida Our April dive on Starfish Enterprise (Easter Egg Hunt ) is sold out. If anyone is still interested let me know and I will add you to the stand by list. So dust off those wet suits and check out your regulator and come and join us for a day of diving with friends.
Kathy & John Ficarra
Saturday, January 31st, twenty-one USAers and guests meet in the Town of Davie for a scenic bicycle ride on recreational trails, followed by a picnic lunch. The day started at 8:00 AM when several club members gathered for a hearty breakfast at the 84 Diner in Davie. Although temperatures were hovering in the high 40's and winds were blowing from the north, skies were sunny and cloudless.
By 9:30 AM, the group relocated to Robbins Park, unloaded bicycles, and set out westbound, through the woods, on well maintained bicycle paths. Ten minutes later, the group arrived at Flamingo Gardens and enjoyed one of many planned rest stops. Then is was westbound to Long Key Nature Center, one of Broward County's newest and most beautiful parks, occupying grounds where the famous Kapok Tree Inn once entertained visitors from around the world.
After enjoying another rest stop and group photo, the bicyclists continued westbound to Vista View Park, surrounded by the original Imagination Farms Dairy. This park is located atop a former landfill and Superfund Site that obtained a clean bill of health in the 1990's.
Vista View's twin hills are aptly named. Visitors can see Port Everglades and downtown Ft. Lauderdale to the east and the vast expanse of Florida's Everglades to the west. USAers and guests, now half way into the 14 mile ride, enjoyed a few relaxing moments and time for another group photo.
Using an alternate trail through upscale residential neighborhoods, the group followed a serpentine path back to Flamingo Gardens for another rest stop.
Returning to Robbins Park at noon, USAers and guests unwrapped BYO picnic lunches, spread blankets under Banyan tress, and enjoyed good food and camaraderie following a brisk, early morning bike ride.
USAers and guests included Clare Anthon, Kay Chung, John and Kathy Ficarra, Eunice Hamblen, Kurt Kohler and John Jones, Russ and Julie Manhold, Steve and Kathi McCutcheon, Luis Monroy, Patrice Marker and Rob Myers, Pat Smith and Tom Snyder, Roger and Nancy Styles, Paula Wall, Donna Walsh, with Glada Blench and Jon Spiegler meeting us at Robbins Park for the picnic lunch.
Saturday morning, February 7th, sixteen USAers and guests gathered in Deerfield Beach for USA's 2nd quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup event. The 1.2 mile length of Natura Blvd was divided into four sectors, i.e., northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest, thereby reducing walking distance to about 1/2 mile for each participant. Teams of 3 to 4 persons were assigned cleanup sectors. Participants donned bright yellow safety vests, hats and gloves. Each team was provided a large plastic trash bag and mechanical tongs to facilitate removing trash and debris from the roadside. By 10:00 AM, the cleanup was underway, two teams working north-to-south, the other teams working south-to-north. Earlier that morning, event organizers Russ and Julie Manhold conspired with Clare and Tony Anthon to hide four hard-boiled eggs along the roadside. Each egg was specially marked, identifying it as a special USA Dive Club Adopt-A-Street prize.
The special eggs were found and later surrendered for genuine Adopt-A-Street prizes, in this case four bottles of specialty beer, each wrapped in a colorful designer coolie cup.
By mid day, the four teams rendezvoused at Natura Blvd.’s halfway point, comparing size and shape of filled trash bags. Each bag was weighed and recyclable items were separated into clear plastic bags.
Time for a job-well-done photo then off to Hurricane Grill & Wings in Deerfield Beach for a group lunch. Adopt-A-Street participants included Tony and Clare Anthon, Mark and Susan Glazer, Linda Ianniello and Bob Weybrecht, Rich and Lynn Ladisky, Larry and Mary LePage, Chary Lynn, Russ and Julie Manhold, Larry Townsend, John Warren and Donna Walsh.
USA's next quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2009, on Natura Boulevard in Deerfield Beach. Saturday, February 21st, nine USAers and guests met at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach for a fun day at Florida's 17th Anniversary Renaissance Festival.
The castle gates opened promptly at 10:00 AM with the heralding of trumpets and a flurry of costumed entertainers mingling among guests, ushering everyone inside. Sensory overload best describes the look, feel, sounds and smells of the Renaissance Festival. Colors abound everywhere; music and laughter issues forth from every corner of the kingdom; and the delightful fragrance of fresh grilled turkey legs wafted through the park, drifting with a blue-gray haze that tantalized the taste buds. USA's Social Butterflies were seen, disguised as medieval fairies, wearing knee socks and leggings to thwart the early morning chill.
Shortly after noon, the group enjoyed a picnic lunch in Sherwood Forest.
During the Mud Show, festival performers recruited Clare Anthon to join actors on a stage overlooking a mud pit.
Lords and Ladies attending the 2009 Renaissance Festival included Clare and Tony Anthon, John and Kathy Ficarra, Russ and Julie Manhold, Kurt Kohler, Chary Lynn, Ronnie Farr and granddaughter. Future 2009 social events include an evening of bowling in Pompano Beach; canoeing/kayaking the Loxahatchee River; IMAX movie 'Under the Sea 3-D' followed by lunch at Tarpon Bend; Moonlight Turtle Walk at Gumbo Limbo; USA's 4th of July fireworks cruise, and many other exciting activities including USA's Annual Fall Party on Saturday, November 14th. Our goal in 2009 is to plan a full season of social activities that appeal to everyone. USA's Social Butterflies are always open and receptive to new and different ideas. Future social events include:
DINNER BEFORE THE MEETING:
Russ Manhold
At the February 5th USA Dive Club meeting, the Hospitality Hut welcomed some familiar faces from years past! Linda Bannister was one of the original members of the Club, dating back to the 1970's. How wonderful it is that Linda found us again. She is considering rejoining. Linda, it was great seeing you and we sincerely hope we see you again. It's always nice to see Jim & Chris Guld. Chris is the daughter of our very own Marilyn Van Valkenburg. Chris & Jim drop by to see us whenever they are in town.
We were happy to welcome newcomer, Jim Fitzgerald. Jim discovered the USA Dive Club on the internet. He has been certified since 2005 and has approximately 30 dives. We hope Jim visits us again.
We would like to thank all our members and guests for attending the February meeting and hope to see you again the near future. Be sure to click on the calendar button for details regarding USA Dive Club's very active diving and non-diving schedule. You can also click on the photo gallery link to view past activities. The Hospitality Gals would like to thank all the guests who attended our January meeting.
Julie Manhold & Clare Anthon SUNSET WATERS BEACH RESORT Come and join fellow USA Dive Club members for a wonderful week of diving in Curacao. Curacao is the biggest of the ABC Islands. Air transportation is on Insel Air www.fly-inselair.com. Accommodations are at the “All-Inclusive” Sunset Waters Beach Resort in Santa Marta, Curacao. www.sunsetwaters.com. We have booked the Oceanfront Superior rooms. All rooms are air-conditioned, with satellite TV, phones and full bath. We will enjoy 3 meals daily. Each meal service has ample serving hours. You will not have to rush. Do as the islanders do… “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. Yes, there is even a Wi-Fi Café! All beverages are included, even your favorite cocktail is yours for the asking. On site, Sunset Divers, the PADI 5 star IDC dive center will help divers discover the breathtaking beauty of the undersea world. Our package offers us 2 morning dives for 6 days. Sunset Divers has two dive boats. The 44’ Day Dreamer will comfortably accommodate 21 divers, and the 31’ Day Tripper can carry another 10 divers to over 40 favorite dive sites. We will have unlimited shore diving at Sunset Waters’ “house reef”. It is over a kilometer long and starts at 30’ and drops off to 130’ just yards offshore! The famous Mushroom Forest is a mere 10 minute boat ride away. Water temperatures range from 78 degrees to 84 degrees and the visibility ranges from 70’ to 100’. After our dives, we can paddle an ocean kayak or paddleboat around the calm waters of Santa Marta Bay; get up a game of beach volleyball; play tennis; snorkel the marked trail and beyond; or take a nature walk. Maybe you are up for a challenge on the 18-hole miniature golf course. Or would you rather take a dip in the freshwater pool? The pool has a solar heated whirlpool and a swim up tiki bar. We will all be happy to know that Curacao is outside the Hurricane belt, just 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela. The climate is warm, sunny and dry. Curacao only averages about 20” of rainfall yearly and a year round temperature in the 80’s. Enjoy Curacao’s famous Gold Coast, pristine waters, comfortable facilities, a large beautiful beach and who could leave out the Caribbean’s most beautiful ocean sunsets. 2009 Program:
Payment Schedule:
Nils Jacobsen USA Calendar
Birthday greetings in March to the following club members: Clare A, Linda I, Nils J, Dianne J, Kathi M, Bernie M, Carol S, Mary Ann S, Ann S HAPPY BIRTHDAY from your friends in diving!!!
Under Sea Adventurers web site: www.usadiveclub.com Meetings: First Thursday of each month at: Board of Directors
Membership Dues - - - $40 Yearly Download the Membership Packet from our website.
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Hillsboro inlet. This will be a wreck dive (approximately 70 ft) and a drift dive (approximately 40 to 50 ft) Cost for this dive $48 per diver. We will probably be diving the United Caribbean or the Ancient Mariner sea conditions permitting. The drift dive will be on the third reef which is a great drift dive. On the east side of the reef you can dive to 75 ft and on the west side of the reef you will hit 55 ft. Both Air and Nitrox is available. Air $10 per tank, Nitrox $15 per tank. 
Diving Headquarters, another one of my favorite dive operations. This will probably be two drift dives out of Hillsboro inlet. By the way if you haven't filled up your freezer with lobster, this will be a good time as lobster season ends on March 31. Cost of this dive is $50 per diver. Air and Nitrox is available. Air $8 per tank, Nitrox $12 per tank.
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