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Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago

Meeting Minutes 30 September 2009

General

  •  Approximately 25 members and guests met at 6:30 on the 8th floor of the Helix Building, 310 S. Racine at Jackson.
    • Guests and members of the Chicago Maritime Society.
  • Tonight's meeting was run by Joan Forsberg, with food provided by Dean and Karen Nolan.
  • UASC mourns the loss of Joyce Hayward, who passed away early this morning.

Board and Committee Reports

  • Secretary - John Bell provided copies of the minutes from the last meeting, which were approved.
  • Membership – August rosters were available. Non-paid members will be removed.
  • Treasury –  Bob Gadbois reported on the state of UASC finances.
    • Dues are VERY past due ! Please get checks and ( updated ) info to Bob.
    • Very little recent activity.
    • Contact Bob for further information.
  • ICSSD Claire Gadbois reported on the Illinois Council of Skin and Scuba Divers:
    • Sept 19 - International Beach Clean Up
      • Haigh Quarry Zebra Mussel Roundup
      • Several UASC members participated, and took the top 5 prizes. ( Cris Kohl top prize. )
      • Burnham Harbor had 80 - 95 divers.
      • Ruth Magnus arranged a third event.
    • Oct 4 - Underwater Pumpkin Carving Dive at Haigh Quarry
      • Tritons hosting.
    • NOVEMBER 14th NEW DATE - President's Night Banquet and Raffle
      • Burnham Yacht Club, same venue as the Xmas party.
      • $32.00 - down from 42 last year.
      • Chicken Marsala, Grilled Salmon, or Pasta Primavera.
      • EXCELLENT Raffle!!!
      • Credit Cards required for the cash bar.
      • Cocktails at 6:00, Dinner at 7:00
      • Bring a new unwrapped non-violent toy for Toys for Tots.
    • Nov 3 - ICSSD Budget Meeting
    • New Slate of Officers:
      • Margo Miller - President
      • Vice President -Chuck Miller
      • Dean Nolan - Executive Vice President
      • Bob Gadbois - Secretary
      • Claire Gadbois - Treasurer
      • Kevin Vaughn - Delegate
    • Ongoing project for dive safety - In process of updating Z-folders for boaters.
    • Nominations needed for Diver of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, and Club of the Year.
  • Newsletter – Cris Kohl
    • July/August issue was passed out at tonight's meeting.
      • Copies will be mailed to those who were not present tonight.
    • Cris thanks all who contribute to the newsletter, past and future.
  • Dive Coordinator - Michael Angelo Gagliardi
    • Michael e-mails his reports to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., as he cannot make meetings.
  • Other:

Old Business

  • Washington Island trip chez Magnus was FANTASTIC!!!
    • Approximately 20 UASC members and friends attended.
    • Five dive boats carried 18 to 20 divers to wonderful dive sites.
    • Thank yous to our hosts, and all those who brought dive boats.

New Business

  • Buccaneer - Hank Fiene
    • Paperwork filed
    • Expect an inspection in the next 30 days.
    • Please direct all questions from the media to Jim Gentile.
    • One week left of comment period on public notice - No objections so far as far as we know.
    • Pumping out of last dregs.
  • UASC’s new Chicago shipwrecks DVD
    • Joan has shipped a few for which we received orders
    • $15 for the public, $12 for members
    • 40% discount available to anyone who buys 10 or more. ( $9 each. )
  • UASC's Survey Reports for Wells Burt, Sea Bird, and David Dows available.
  • Tentative Club Dives:
    • On a Wed. eve, anchor over the wreck of the Flora M. Hill, dive there, and watch fireworks from Jim Gentile’s boat (a fun dive)
  • UASC Polo shirts - Chet Childs will be taking over this project - Contact Joan if you ordered a shirt.
    • John Gerty will be looking into getting more / new nametags.
  • DiveHeart / UASC Project - survey dive.
    • Return to the Tacoma to see how it has changed since the last survey?
    • Gene Hasiak is our new coordinator with DiveHeart.
      • Diveheart has training programs every month for dive buddies, including training trips.
      • Looking for boats on which to take out disabled divers.
    • There is a new e-mail group for UASC members interested in helping DiveHeart - Contact John Bell to get added.
    • Need a dive boat big enough to handle a disabled diver, two assistants, and some UASC members.
    • DiveHeart Luau is next month.
  • NAS Course
    • Wayne Lesardi ( sp? ) would teach us the course at ( no ) cost IF he had time in his schedule.
    • Mark Holly could also teach the course, 1st weekend in Nov ( 7th & 8th ), $225 / person, Traverse City, MI
    • Manuals $45 to $65 depending on source.
    • Associated Banquet - contact Cris Kohl for full details.
  • SURVEY PROJECTS 2009: Surveys/Drawings to be completed; detailed reports to be written:
    • See below for further details.
  • OTHER:
    • Ruth Magnus - Zebra Mussel Remediation.
    • Our World Underwater - Speaker requests submitted for UASC Presentations:
      • Explore Chicago Shipwrecks, based on the DVD
      • Booze, Bullets, and the Buccaneer
    • Nancy Boucha has an article in Midwest Dive News regarding local diving, with recommendation to join UASC.
    • Dan Kasberger - Vote to back the bid online. This is an opportunity to promote Chicago diving & shipwrecks.
      • Festivities at Daley Center Friday morning.
    • Two Birthdays - Gene Hasiak and Dan Kasberger :-)
  • THANKS to Dan Kasberger ( Refreshments Coordinator ) and everyone who brought tonight’s refreshments.
  • NEXT UASC MEETING: 6:30 PM, Wednesday, October 28, 2009.
    • Speaker will be Kimm Stabelfeldt from the Ghost Ships Festival in Milwaukee
    • Refreshments will be provided by Delphine Pontvieux
    • Refreshment coordinator for 2009 is Dan Kasberger.
    • ( Cow ) costumes are highly encouraged.

Shipwreck Survey Projects

  • Buccaneer - To be scuttled in 2009 in ??’ - Clean-up Leader: Bob Rushman.
  • Material Service - Sank on July 29, 1936 in 38’ - Project Leader: Jim J./John L./Tony K./Cris K.
    • Contact Cris or Joan if you have any relevant materials - Report to be generated soon.
  • Barge No. 2 - Sank on Sept. 29, 1906 in 40’ - Project Leader: John Loftus
    • Project may be nearing completion.
  • The Rotarian - Scuttled on September 28, 1931 in 80' - Project Leader: Tony Kiefer
  • The Straits of Mackinac - Scuttled on April 10, 2003 in 78’ - Project Leader:Needed

Guest Speaker - ALL UASC Members

Tonight was a Pot Luck presentation night by all members on "What I did with My Summer 2009" Presenters included:
  • John Bell - Various local and travel dives
  • Bill Messner - Video of the Rotarian
  • Bob and Claire Gadbois - Images from the northern Great lakes.
  • John Gerty - Images from Door County and other trips.
  • Tony Kiefer - Pictures from the mid east and the Mac.
  • Cris Kohl and Joan Forsberg - video from Door County Washington Island trip and several other wrecks.

Other Business

  •  The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00, after which a number of members retired to Ricobene's for further discussions and socializing.