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The third bronze plaque, bearing the names of 250 artificial reef supporters, will be placed on the Spiegel Grove Monday, June 12, kicking off Island Sun Splash '06, a weeklong event designed to showcase the fabulous diving and snorkeling in the Upper Keys.
"We've been waiting for the anniversary of the first dive on the Grove to place the third plaque," said Jackie Harder, president of the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce. "And we're delighted to coordinate our event with the Upper Keys Association of Dive and Snorkel Operators' program."
Two plaques already have been placed on the Spiegel Grove, the largest ship ever intentionally sunk as an artificial reef.
This 510-foot landing ship dock went down May 17, 2002, turning turtle and landing on her superstructure. In June 2002, Resolve Salvage Co. out of Fort Lauderdale was hired to the tune of $250,000 to pull her upright. She made it as far as her starboard side before the cables snapped and it was decided to leave her in that position until additional funds could be raised to continue the project.
Thanks to a combination of current and Hurricane Dennis, the Grove righted herself in 2005.
Her keel sits now sits on the bottom almost perfectly horizontal from bow to stern. Visibility is great here, but the currents can be challenging. This is not a novice dive but well within the abilities of the accomplished recreational scuba diver.
The Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, under the auspices of the Upper Keys Artificial Reef Foundation, sells $10 annual dive medallions and a gorgeous bronze $250 lifetime medallions to retire the debt incurred by sinking the Grove.
Buyers of the lifetime medallion have their name (or the name of their choice) inscribed on a bronze plaque that is affixed to the Spiegel Grove. Only 1,000 lifetime medallions will be sold; the foundation is in the process of selling names for the final plaque.
A list of the names on the third plaque will be posted on the chamber's website, www.keylargochamber.org on the "Dive/Snorkel" link.
For more information or to purchase a lifetime medallion, write to info@keylargochamber.org
Island Sun Splash is set for June 12-16 and is co-sponsored by Key Largo Resorts.
Family-friendly activities include scuba diving and snorkeling on the beautiful reefs of the Upper Florida Keys as well as their Shipwreck Trail; the Land and Sea Photo Scavenger Hunt; reef fish ID classes; and a digital photography seminar conducted by world famous photographer Stephen Frink.
Also included will be two seminars on underwater videography, one on how to shoot underwater and the second on editing your video; lectures on the history of diving; and seminars on the 1733 Spanish Plate fleet shipwrecks that sank offshore of the Keys.
Maybe the most fun of all events is the planned Scuba Olympics, a series of fun games in the Key Largo Resorts swimming pool. And you don't even have to be a diver to participate.
A Junior Olympics will also be held simultaneously for young diver wannabes.
Dive and snorkel association members are offering 10 percent discounts on dive and snorkel trips as well as on the merchandise they carry. And Key Largo Resorts (Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn and Marina Del Mar), Ocean Point Suites, Island Bay Resort as well as other local motels will also be offering room discounts for event attendees who pre-book.
Reserve these through Brenda at Conch Republic Divers 305-852-1655 or Jeannine at Quiescence at 305- 451-2440 to guarantee the best rates.
Island Sun Splash costs $20 for adults; children, $10; and kids under 10 are free.
For more information or to see the schedule of Island Sun Splash activities, check out the website www.divecapital.org.
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Names on the third Spiegel Grove plaque
Dane Farnum
Donna Casey and John Mullon
P. A. D. I.
Eric, Rob & Christina Ecuyer
The Menten Family
Adelaide Skoglund
In Memory of Capt. Phil Laufle
Stewart and Evelyn Pinsof
John T. Kramer 2Jun79-3Aug03
Peryno M Brothers
Annette, Sky & Hunter Slate
Janice C. Sumner
Paul B. Sumner
Clark G. Hogsett Jr.
Danielle K. Pownell
Jim and Jan Raymont
Dean & Janice Conley 05/17/80
Congrats Dave/Bon Stanford
Sandy and Janis Horn
Johnny Winton Wynco Realty
Randy B. Jones
Russell Thomas Jones
David E. Zalanka
Tres Ballard
Holly Noyes
John and Judy Halas
Lee Martin and Anne Martin
Jim, Mary & Ashley Wilson
Cole Gabriel Forrer
Mark Amstel
Olanea Amstel
Cary and Mary Wien
Captain Glenn Marvel
Paul A. Jackomin
Michael Paul Manka 1979-2001
David M. Hopkins
Diane Wulff
Vivian and Wade Schile
Nicolas Camus
Thanks "Gloria" Stein Family
Mark Melrose and Family
Bryant Gilbert
David DiRienzo
John Goetz
Jennifer Kuegler
Donald Buckley
South Florida Divers, Inc.
Terry A. Presley
George Allen Cribbs
Kenneth Allen Cribbs
Celia E. Smith
Larry Mc Erlain
Patrick E. Smith
Bryan Follis
Gardyn Family
Bob Cameron
Charles Wiersum
Marty W. Presley
David Oliver
Robert Franco
John Copenhaver
Penn State Nittany Divers
Ken Wesler
Gene Limia
Carl and Mindy Webb
John J. Miller
Nancy C. DeCook
Victor Borrows Tarsa
K. D. Dochterman
George Pellissier
In Memory of Lori Davis
Mark/Lisa/Randie/Kreymborg
Dale Kaisner
Christopher Mazurkiewicz
Michael Mazurkiewicz
Giovanni Theodoli
Phillip Waters
Angela Reemelin
Gregory Taczak
Melissa and Heather Hatch
Chuck Lewis
Rudiger Bieler
Karl Miracle
Brian Zabkar
Dave Davidson
Cody Davidson
Mark Sarrasin
LTJG John A. Stanley SC
Remunas Stulgaite
Ronnie Daniels
Matthew O'Toole
Lee Williams
Elaine G. Ortigiesen
Thomas Riordan
Thompson S. Lingel
Paul, Azia and John Keever
George C. Kirchhoffer
George M. Marakas
Island Ventures
World Watersports Key West
Chuck Mac Karvich
Sloan Mac Karvich
Jonathan and Daniel Kapron
Mike Del Duca
George-Daryl Bennett-FLCtrs
Russ Lingl
Wild Women on the Water 2002
Jack Pierce
K. C. Mowrey
Frank Mowrey
Diane and Don Murray
Kathleen Scott
Denny Coates
Frank A. Muto
Lisa M. Hertel
FAMI Danny & Linda Grizzard
David Jarrell 1946-2002
David Weston
Wayne C. Warmingham
Glenn A. Patton
Mark A. Goodlett-Indiana
John J. Wassel MD
Michael Betz 367-4372
Terence Witt-Virginia Dickens
Terence Witt-Virginia Dickens
PJ, Ryan & Brigid Sheehy
Skin Diver-D.A.Wilkinson Jr.
Sharkriders Scuba-Ed Hoffman
Willi Schalk
George S. Garrett
Project Deep
Michael Goodridge
Jay Mortenson
Brandon Schmidt
Sally Rosen
Cape Ann Divers
Doug Cutler & Diane Heavey
Joel, Jake Cutler, Heather D
Anthony D. Hite
Lisa A. Swann
Darlene M. Myles
Gary E. Purvis
Alejandro de Quesada, Jr.
Susan Calcagno
Randy and Pam Silagyi
Donna J. Blink
Timothy Farrar
James "Turtle" Kummeth
Lawrence M. Hufty
Fraser and Blaire Bathgate
John Wray Hammond III
Larry Gates
Jim, Jane, James, Julie Mahley
John Connor
Kendall Reeves
Thomas and Karen Hodson
Michael McKeown
Lance Ohl
RIP TJ Dabbs Sr Luv Keith & Ted
Col. David G. Purdy USMC Ret.
In Memory of Bob Kaufmann
In Memory of C.J. McCormick
Zuccala's Wrecker Service
Dennis and Ruth Velte
Raymond C. Boucher
Constanze Beate Klaus Hiller
John and Sue Stuart
Jennifer Stuart
Katelyn Stuart
Richard P. Kemner
S J Scuba- St. Joseph, Mo.
William L. Kirchner
Mina and Gordon Kuhn
Captain James Bruce Chambers
Ron and Chris Small
Shawn Middleton-DIVERMON
John and Emily Siler
Hank Wheaton 1937-1998
Paul D. Sale and Sale Family
Community Bank of Florida
Community Bank of Florida
Blue Water Divers
John Calcagno
George Eastwood Yates
Memory Uncle Tom Nightingale
Michelle Theus
Chuck Long
Malena Sharkey
Steve and Janet Boe
Debra Jo Dannels 3/14/56
Roy L. Whaley 1928-2004
Cindy Hewitt
John Stuart and Jill Hayes
Meghan Havill
Kitti Havill
John and Mary Hammond
Daniel P. Flannery- MDFR-2004
James D. Smale
John C. May 09/13/2003
Kevin Kitpatrick Carson
Bob and Kim McKinney
The Reporter
Albert and Alex del Toral
Rev. Todd and Sabine McDowell
Kevin Sparks
Catherine Mestad
Uncle Jay
Aric and Kelly Eikum
Melanie Jean Hammond
Vito A. Cavallaro
Marc E. Weiss
Steve and Pat Carney
Jan Garvey Taylor and Lissa
Jan/Eliz/Matt/Jenn Forrester
Club Caribbean-Billy Wise
Lt.Col. R.E. Jamison Jr.USMC
David Christopher Osterman
Lisa, Ralph & Matt Mongelia
Jeff,Tressa,Chealsey Arionus
Renee Duval-Ohl
Jim Robbins
Joseph Perkins
Joseph Pagano
M Dale Reed
M Dale Reed
Joseph Winters Perkins, Jr.
Robin Z. Clark
Richard K. Clark
Stacy Rodbell
Andrew Rodbell
Edward Sailor
Paul E. Watson
Jonathan Steiner
Scott and Misty Powell
Rich McMichael and Family
Mark Schilleci
Jason Ray
Lynora M. Indiviglo
Jeffrey A. Herot
Jose Carrion
Paul E. Watson
Dan and Cathy Nagy
Todd Davis
Todd Masco
Evan Rodbell
Earl Wiley
Albert del Toral & Leslie Blunk
Nate & Hanae Hooyahscuba.com
Leo and Ellen Crawford
Kelly Crawford
