social blog

Day Trip to Big Cypress Swamp

The USA Dive Club flag shone brightly over Big Cypress Preserve during our March social gathering.  The group included Lisa Kennedy and Brad Baron riding along with Kathi McCutcheon, Clare Anthon and guest Eugene, John Ficarra, Julie and Russ Manhold, and Lee Ann Waggener and guest Susan.  We drove along the newly raised portion of the Tamiami Trail and witnessed the advancing progress on the largest hydrologic restoration project in history.  This $10.5 billion dollar environmental solution to save the Everglades is on schedule to be completed in 2035.  As each section of the road is elevated, more water will be able to flow south again into Florida Bay, replenishing and nourishing this sensitive ecosystem.  For more information about this project, click the following link: Saving the Everglades 

When we reached the Oasis Visitor Center, we viewed a beautiful film about the preserve, its history, wildlife, and educational value.  Next, we watched the alligators alongside the boardwalk and decided to have lunch there.  We hung our Club banner on the fence behind the picnic tables and shared our lunches in the shade.  The weather couldn’t have been better, with clear blue skies and cooling breezes.

The final stop was a visit to the nearby Clyde Butcher Big Cypress Gallery.  Out front is one of the nicest examples of swamp beauty in the area.  There were wood storks in the cypress trees, Spanish moss on the branches, and wading birds in the pond.  The winter dry season was evident in the lowered water levels of the pond, yet new greening of the cypress trees revealed the coming spring.  

After a short walk through the forest, we went into the gallery where Clyde Butcher exhibits his world-famous black and white photos of the swamp and other natural areas around the world.  His work has become very popular and quite expensive.

This little outing was a relaxing, low-key change from our often hectic adventures.  It was so nice to just get outdoors and be with our friends.

If you would like to view the photo album, click the following link:

Day Trip to Big Cypress Swamp

Kathi McCutcheon, Event Leader 

USA Dive Club Holiday Party at the Aloft Hotel in Delray Beach

On Thursday, December 5th, forty-one USA members and guests came together for a fabulous time at the Aloft Hotel in Delray Beach to celebrate our USA Holiday Party.  It was especially exciting to have one of our members joining us all the way from Hood River, Oregon.

As soon as our private bartender started shaking things up, Happy Hour kicked off, and everyone enjoyed some tasty appetizers to get ready for the delicious buffet dinner ahead.  The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with laughter and excitement as we enjoyed a slide show showcasing our 2024 diving adventures and other fun activities. 

After a delightful dinner, the fun continued with Laura leading the Lobster Pot drawing, offering a fantastic array of prizes, including cash, dive-related items, and four Dive Discount Coupons.  What a great way to wrap up the night.

If you want to relive the memories or catch up on what you missed, check out the event's photo album by clicking the link below.

**USA Holiday Party 2024** 

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year filled with joy and adventures! 

Warmest wishes, 

Julie Manhold, USA Photo Gallery Gal 

Putt'n Around Mini Golf in Delray Beach with Lunch at Duffy's

Meet ten “mini” golfers from the USA Dive Club who had a great time at Putt'n Around Mini Golf, a tropical oasis situated in Delray Beach.

We met on a sunny Saturday morning, February 3, 2024, and gathered in the parking lot.  We set up teams, chose our colorful clubs, and off we went.  Now, we had to make a decision.  Do we play the Everglades or Ocean course?

The Everglades was the easier of the two with shade and a nice breeze.  The Ocean was a bit more challenging with a couple of water hazards.  We chose the Ocean unanimously.  Carefully, we worked our way through the greens, water hazards, and obstacles.  Every so often, we would hear the hoots and hollers of someone getting a hole-in-one.

We had a fantastic time playing, and we worked up a considerable thirst and appetite.  Afterward, we drove to Duffy's, which was nearby, to enjoy some delicious food and drinks.  We raised a glass to a wonderful day and gave special thanks to Chris for standing in for Lureen and being the Person In Charge of our event.

If you would like to see the rest of the photos from this event, click the following link  Putt'n Around Mini Golf.

Don't miss out on socializing with your fellow USAers at the next event. You'll be amazed at how enjoyable it can be. 

In the early afternoon of Saturday, February 25th, a group of USAers and guests played a fun-filled round of indoor, fantasy monster golf.  We gathered at the Monster Mini Golf in Coral Springs and walked the 18-hole course sinking our putts amid bright, iridescent monsters and listening to an array of good ole' rock and roll.  

After we played with the monsters, fiends and scary clowns, we walked a short distance to Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza where we enjoyed pizza, salads, our choice of liquid libation and warm camaraderie.

 We thank Ryan Goheen, USA's VP of Local Diving for stepping up and putting together a beautiful afternoon.  Social events are a great way to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones.  Watch your newsletter and emails for future events, sign up and join the fun.     

Hope to see you at the next event.

Julie Manhold, Photo Gallery Gal

On Sunday,  June 12, 2022 ten USAers and guests gathered at the Delray Marketplace Paragon Theater and enjoyed watching the blockbuster movie Jurassic World: Dominion. 

After the movie, the group had a delightful outdoor dinner at the Terra FiAmma Italian restaurant.

Several USA members got together and swapped lots of good stories and cocktail recipes. 

Ronnie-bourbon martini,  Nils-French wine,  Alan-bocce ball,  Chary-vodka martini,  Flora-strawberry sweet and agave wine and Julie-pomegranate martini.   Recipes were shared and conversation was lively.  Gary and Bev stayed hydrated with their bottled water.

What a wonderful way to get to know our fellow members and dive buddies.  None of us had to drive home, and we all had fun with our individual libations.

We talked about past and upcoming dive trips.  What's the best way to walk on the sand in order to obtain the maximum health benefits; sharks in shallow water; what makes up the best sand and so on and so on.

Thanks to Alan, VP of Social Events, for putting together this fun event.

18 people joined us on October 17 at Putt N Around in Delray Beach for miniature golf for our second in-person event in over a year and a half. Four teams of players spent an hour golfing and then gathered for dinner at Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza.

It was lots of fun plus a joy to see people’s smiling faces in-person. We are heading back to normalcy.

Alan Feuerman
VP Social Events

On Saturday, Sept. 28, we had a social event to tour the Flagler Museum on the island of Palm Beach. The house, named Whitehall, was completed in 1902 and is a grand Gilded Age estate that is a National Historic Landmark. (https://www.flaglermuseum.us/) The guided tour lasted for about 90 minutes and was very interesting, with history of the house, the family, and Palm Beach County. After the tour, we went to lunch together.