Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago

Minutes

November 18, 2015

Bob Rushman welcomed nineteen members and introduced one guest.

All officers were present. The treasurer reported that the total was the same as last year at this time and is $10,829.45. There were three renewals. Members are encouraged to pay their dues which can be done with a credit card. They should check with John Bell that their contact information is current.

The minutes were on the table, on-line and e-mailed out.

Old Business- Survey training will be done by Tony at the March 30 meeting. Chet Childs and Don Doherty gave the presentation to the Ridge Historical Society. Also, Gen Hasiak gave a presentation for Career Day at Haines School which we understand was a great success. The Illinois Railway exhibit is postponed while waiting for the cars from Amtrak to be delivered.

Wrecks - There is nothing new since it is non-diving season, but Jim Jarecki suggested that it is a good time to think about doing research at the National Archives located at Pulaski and 78th. The hours have changed in that it is only open Monday-Friday from 8 to 5 and not on the weekend. Jim will co-ordinate a group trip there during the week of January 2-11.

Our new webmaster Colin is now posting the minutes on our site. Some ideas which were suggested are to put member's material on our Facebook page or to have a link which has videotaped meetings on it. The point was made that there is no place on the site which states that we are an organization involved in shipwrecks. If a member wants to post an article to the website, the username is his/her e-mail address. After clicking on make up a new password if you don't have one. There is no other formal registration process.

Elections - The results are:

President - Bob Rushman

Vice-President and Programming Director- Dean Nolan

Treasurer - Karen Rushman

Secretary - Carol Sommers

Bob asked Dean to get added to the UASC bank account in order to maintain a proper check and balance and prevent a "Rushman dynasty". Dean will also work on speakers and members should let him and Jim know about any ideas they may have.

Scott Reimer is helping to organize our booth for Our World Underwater.

There will be no meeting in December, but we will have a holiday party on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 6 pm at the home of Carol Sommers. It was decided that instead of catering, it would be a potluck party and members should call or e-mail Carol (773 235-5599 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to rsvp and tell her what they would like to bring so that we don't have duplicates and, as one member mentioned, then the meal would not be all desserts. Also, then enough place settings will be put on the tables in what used to be the meeting hall for the American Legion Pulaski Post #86. The location is 1558 N. Hoyne Ave., Chicago, IL 60622. Take the North Avenue exit west from the Kennedy and go west to two blocks beyond the North, Damen, Milwaukee intersection. There is street parking, but Saturday night is busy with many clubs and restaurants nearby. Parking meters are available on North Avenue which is close by. The house is located one block west from the Damen stop on the Blue Line. Just look for the 1912 howitzer and flagpole in the front yard.

Jim Jarecki presented a few videos about the SS Carl D. Bradley which sunk on Nov. 18, 1958; the meeting date was the anniversary date of the sinking. The material presented is available on You-Tube.

Jim also coordinated several volunteers to provide 5 – 10 minute presentation on various ship wrecks at our meeting next year. We didn’t get all the volunteers names down due to the fast, furious action on Jim’s part but I’m sure Jim knows who you are. We’ll get a list together and send it out to insure that we stay on top of this.