The boat will be leaving the dock promptly at 1:30 p.m., but as usual you must arrive at Cape Ann Divers by 12:30 p.m. The Chester Poling is scheduled to be the first dive, and the second dive is captain’s choice.

We have the boat reserved for Scuba Shack staff and customers, but you will need to call Scuba Shack right away to pay for your spot. The cost is $80 per person.

Ed Hayes and Monty Fitzpatrick (Scuba Shack’s resident course director) will be on hand to review the steps involved, options, program cost and materials required for any and all diving professionals interested in becoming assistant instructors or instructors. Instructors who are interested in completing the IDC Staff Instructor program should also plan on attending.

Please call Scuba Shack to RSVP if you’ll be coming to this meeting.

Now that we’re well into the 2010 diving season, Scuba Shack has a bunch of divers looking for a clear training path. We have put together three training programs tailored to meet your personal diving goals.

You can find more information here…

Work towards your Master Diver rating
Select three or more training programs and save hundreds of dollars on 11 different training opportunities.

Become a diving professional
Designed and refined after the success of the 2009 Black Card program, this all-inclusive* training package will save you more than $1,000 and includes the PADI Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver and Divemaster classes, plus the Emergency First Responder (EFR) first aid and CPR program, and the GUE Fundamentals class.

Become an Assistant Instructor or Instructor
For those of you who completed the 2009 Black Card program, or for those with a PADI Divemaster certification, you can enroll in the AI or full IDC program and save hundreds of dollars!

We believe that Scuba Shack divers are some of the best trained in the world. Why not join us for more diving experiences and let our staff bring you to the next level, and save a lot of money on your dive training!

* Program costs are exclusive of required materials.

You’re invited! Scuba Shack owner and instructor Ed Hayes will be offering free dive control workshops on Saturday. You’ll need to pre-register by contacting us at the store to hold your slot so we can ensure class sizes are appropriate.

Update: The Halcyon Day and dive control workshops will be held on Saturday only, not on Sunday.

Ed will be offering a half-day programs in the morning starting at 8 a.m. and half-day programs starting at about 1 p.m. on Saturday.

There will be some lecture and land drills involved, but most of the time will be spent in the water, diving and practicing your skills.

The free workshops are specifically designed to help you control your body, equipment, buoyancy and propulsion in the water. This principles of diving workshop is an excellent free introduction to Scuba Shack’s Buoyancy & Control 101 program.

Of course, a big part of diving with friends is eating great food by the water, so we’re offering a free barbecue on Saturday. We’ll have drinks and the hot dogs and hamburgers, and strongly suggest you bring a dish to share.

Although the event at Brownstone Park is free, you will need to pay for your admission to the park which is only $26 per day or $45 for the entire weekend. If you are an Adventure Sports season pass holder, you’re all set.

Halcyon dive gear will be available to try, but we will not have tanks available for free. Ensure you bring or rent tanks! Due to high demand, you will not be able to use the Halcyon demo gear during the free workshops.

As noted, two trips are planned. First trip is for Sunday, May 23 and the second trip is set for Wednesday, June 16. That’s right … it’s call in to work sick day!

Call the dive center for specific details, but we’re planning two boat dives each day.

For additional information or to register for the class, contact Scuba Shack at (860) 563-0119. The class fee is $100 of which 100 percent will go to the Medical Missions International in support of efforts in Honduras. The class fee does not include materials.

Location and Time

Fireman’s Clubhouse
10 Town Forest Road
Simsbury, Conn.

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We’ll feature the group leaders from all scheduled trips including the Bahamas, Roatan, Little Cayman, Hawaii, and Egypt in 2011. Along with specific trip discussions, we’ll also have a free class on preparation for dive travel.

Chances are, we’ll also discuss plans for Drive and Dive events during the 2010 diving season.

We have information on our Dive Planning & Gas Calculation course online now, and details will be coming soon about Scuba Shack’s exclusive Diver Computer & Software Management and Dive Equipment & Maintenance programs.

Classes are free, but registration is limited. (We’ll be collecting small donations to cover dinner and drinks that will be brought in.

Course Dates

• Dive Planning & Gas Calculation, March 24
• Diver Computer & Software Management, April 14
• Dive Equipment & Maintenance, May 12

A great article was written about Dan’s diving adventures in the July 6, 2009 Connecticut Law Tribune. Our sincere sympathy to Dan’s family. The following is from his obituary.

The loving son of David and Veronica “Ronnie” (Peterson) Bruso, of West Springfield, MA, he was born in Springfield, MA, on February 20, 1967. Formerly of Longmeadow, MA, Daniel has been a resident of Somers for the past 4 years. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a BS Degree in Engineering, and from Western New England College with a Juris Doctorate.

Daniel proudly served his country in the U.S. Army for 6 years during the Gulf War Conflict as a member of the Military Intelligence Branch, stationed at Good Fellow Air Force Base in Texas, and TDY at Fort Meade (NSA). He also served in the Army Reserves 94th Army Reserve Command in East Windsor. Daniel was awarded two Army Achievement Medals and a National Defense Service Medal.

He was employed at Cantor Colburn in Hartford for the past 10 years, was currently an Adjunct Professor of Law at Western New England College of Law, and formerly an Adjunct Professor of Law at UConn Law School. Daniel was a board member of Capitol Community College, and a member of Masonic Lodge Columbia #25 in Glastonbury.

He was an instructor of Emergency First Response and was certified by PADI as an Assistant Instructor and by NAUI as a Technical Diver with Trimix Certification. Daniel loved diving and motorcycling and served as Road Guard for various motorcycle charity rides. He enjoyed visiting Mt. Greylock. He derived his greatest joy from time spent with his family.

In addition to his wife, Sandra, and his parents, David and Ronnie, Daniel is survived by his cherished children who were the light of his life, his daughter, Claire Elizabeth, and his twins, Audrey Ellen and Charles Daniel. He is also survived by his brother, John David Bruso, and his wife, Stacy, of Westfield, MA; his paternal grandmother, Shirley (Pendleton) Bruso, of West Springfield, MA; and many aunts and uncles and numerous cousins.

Daniel was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, John W. Bruso, and his maternal grandparents, Edward and Leona Peterson.

A funeral service in celebration of Daniel’s life will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Somers Congregational Church, 599 Main Street, Somers, followed by burial with military honors in Somers Center Cemetery. His family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Somers Funeral Home, 354 Main Street, Somers.

In lieu of flowers Daniel’s family requests that donations in his memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. To leave an online message of sympathy or for directions, please visit www.somersfuneralhome.com.

Even if you’re not in the shopping mood, please do stop by and say hi! We’ve got an all-day cocktail and snacks party at the dive center during the day which is open to all customers and our dive staff. We open at 8:30 a.m. and should be open till about 6 p.m.

Remember, on Dec. 19 you can save up to 12 percent with a roll of the dice. Special restrictions do apply, including manufactures who have a minimum retail price.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Scuba Shack!