OhioWreck_sThe Blurb
A Publication of Buckeye Divers – Issued October, 2007
Buckeye Divers meet the 2nd Tuesday each month at 8:00 pm at the Gahanna Donatos.


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Meetings
 

New Location!
Buckeye Divers meet on the second Tuesday of each month at the Gahanna Donatos.  This will be the first time at this location.  The map is located below.
 
We have an Executive Meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month at one of the member’s homes.
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St. Clair River Trip by
Doug Ballmann
Buckeye Diver(s) does the St Clair River

 
Excellent weather was forecast as I headed north on Friday. As has been the norm I75 was torn up between Toledo and Detroit but traffic wasn't bad with it being late in the season so I made the drive with a quick dinner stop in 4. 5 hours. Saturday dawned with bright sun and a south wind. At the river visibility checks were free as you could see the bottom so no need to sacrifice a coin. As I was the only Buckeye I elected to dive with the Michigan divers (including Tim Brown) at the Tremble especially since someone had installed a "sissy ladder" that eliminated the need to fight the overhang it also saves the long walk back to the car from doing the drift.
 
3 dives on Saturday with viz of at least 30 feet probably more. Imagine seeing the stern of the Tremble from just behind the tug near midship when you look one way and seeing to near the bow. The upstream side of the stern has started to fall into the hull and the downstream (starboard) side of the bow has started to curl away from the keel but it still looks very much like a ship.
 
After diving I went looking for refreshment to discover that Cheap Charlie’s is again worth going to. It has moved into a closed Chi Chi's and has the good zoop and handmade onion rings. Zoop and a pizza is enough for dinner, breakfast and lunch.
 
2 more dives Sunday and a surface interval to dry the gear before heading down to the Beef Jerky Outlet and on home. An excellent diving weekend with great weather warm water (67) and visibility (see the ripples on the surface from 58 feet) made it worth the drive.
 
[Unfortunately, Doug was the only one to make this trip on the weekend of September 22. ed.]
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Circleville -  Twin Quarries
 
On Sunday, September 30, Sylvia and Dennis went to the Twin Quarries to blow some bubbles.  We figured this would give us some great contrast when we dive in Curacao in a couple of weeks.  The weather was nice and sunny, warming up to the low 70’s so we had pleasant conditions around the dive time.  We were still right about the contrast though…
 
We got there around noon and had the north quarry all to ourselves.  It looked like we were the first people there!  Our hopes of good visibility were soon put to rest.  Below 16’ there was maybe a foot of vis and above that you could see maybe 5’.  The water temp was 70° all the way through so instead of a thermocline we had a murkocline.  Our 45 minutes of scaring the bluegills was enough.
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Exec Meetings The September meeting was at Wiley’s place and a good time was had by all!  There was enough food that I think Wiley was hoping we would work up an appetite with various remodeling chores.  He and Tracy did a great job of hosting a comfortable meeting.
 
The October meeting will be at George & Teresa’s place on the 23rd.
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Dive Calendar October 13-20  Join us for a week of sun and fun in Curacao at Sunset Beach Resort:  Sunset Beach is an almost all inclusive (Lobsters, steaks and top shelf liquor is not included) with 1 boat dive per day; unlimited shore dives; 3 meals per day and drinks being part of the package. This intimate boutique hotel is your perfect island retreat! Sunset Waters All Inclusive Beach Resort is renowned for its beautiful crescent shaped beach, serene and secluded location, easiest access to Curacao's premier diving sites, including the one and only Mushroom Forest, and spectacular snorkeling and scuba in the lagoon and on the teeming house reef.  End your lazy or fun packed day with a relaxing cocktail on the terrace, followed by a delightful meal in the Oceanview restaurant and experience our striking Sunsets paint a different picture every evening.  Please note this hotel is about 15 miles from town, there is a free daily shuttle.  More info at http://www.sunsetwaters.com/index.php   We have booked some rooms with 2 queen beds (Superior est. $1395.00 per person) and some with 1 king size bed (JR Suite est. $1525 per person).  We need a minimum of 10 people for these rates.  Airfare is not included in this price, the resort suggests that you use either American or Continental; they say to avoid Air Jamaica as there is a lot of last minute schedule changes.
 
Contact Doug Ballmann at dballmann@gmail.com
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September 2007 Meeting Minutes
 
Submitted by:
Lu Ann Howard
Buckeye Divers minutes: September 11, 2007 meeting held at Donatos Pizza.
 
Meeting called to order at 8:05 by President Sylvia.
 
August minutes approved 1st Doug, 2nd Zeke.
 
Guest: Loretta, Doug's sister
 
Treasurer Report:  Dave H. gave a full report.
 
Dive Master:
·         Canada trip, good diving great scenery, comparable to Kingston.
·         St. Clair River September 22 weather permitting.
·         Curacao should be paid in full.
·         Discussion 2008 trips, a trip to the Key's was suggested cost less $ than past trips, when and where?
 
Old Business:
·         Put-In -Bay cleanup: Zeke and Lu are going.
·         Executive meetings: September Wiley, October George and Theresa, November Dennis and December Sylvia's.
 
Announcements:
·         Reminder Dennis's party in Somerset September 15th.
 
 New Business:
·         October 9 meeting will be held at Gahanna Donatos and possibly all future meetings. Wiley will need to update Web site with new location.
 
O'Rourke: Dave keeps him.
 
50/50: 14.00 / 7.00 to Doug.
 
Motion to adjourn at 8:55.
 
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Of note… From Rich Synowiec, Manager of diving at White Star
 
White Star Quarry Update, 9/28/2007
 
Yesterday Divers Incorporated entered into an agreement that would keep us running White Star throughout the 2009 season, so it is our responsibility for the next two years. As part of the agreement we have also been allowed to stay open with some restrictions throughout the winter. So for the first time in its history, White Star will be open on January 1st 2008 for a new years day dive. It will also be open for diving the first weekend of January, February and March and will open for regular business, as it has for a while, on April 1st. I look forward to next year.
 
As another aside, White Star will soon announce the first annual White Star Quarry Underwater Pumpkin Carving contest on Sunday October 28. Maybe you would like to join us.

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On the web –
The old: ScubaBoard  http://www.scubaboard.com 
The new: live SCUBA  http://livescuba.com 
 
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Gahanna Donatos

 

Be there October 9!
The Gahanna Donatos is at 377 Granville St. Gahanna, OH 43230   Phone: (614) 471-4111
 
It is located at the little purple 1 in the pictures below
 
 
 
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  Officers President Sylvia Bellinger  
  Vice President Lu Ann Howard  
  Secretary Lu Ann Howard  
  Treasurer Dave Howell  
  Divemaster Doug Ballmann  
  Blurb Editor   Dennis LaRue