Dear Dolphin Divers of Sacramento, January 1, 2026

I hope everyone enjoyed the great food at our 2025 Christmas party held at The Aviator, our new venue right
under the tower at the Sacramento Executive Airport. I always love the energy of these gatherings – the
laughter, the stories about recent dive trips, and the chance to catch up on what has been happening in each
other’s lives. It is simply a wonderful way to spend an evening together!

I want to thank the board for all their help and give a special shout‑out to Ed Hurff for serving as both our
emcee and Santa this year. Thank you to Corinne Fuerst for handing out the Member of the Year award to Brad
Freelove (Congrats Brad!) and for handing out prizes and certificates to all the photo contest winners. A big
thanks to Ken Takata for bringing the hors d’oeuvres – they were a big hit.

Finally, a HUGE shout‑out to Jenny Moore for setting up the decorations, running the games, and keeping the
fun going, and to Jason for DJ’ing and supporting Jenny throughout the night. You all made the party something
special.

The board will be meeting on January 7th to plan the 2026 diving and fun activities for the year. If you have
an activity to bring to the club, please reach out to a board member. If you have a desire to join the board for
the next year, we will be starting the search for new and returning members for the 2026-2027 season.

Our next Dolphin Diver of Sacramento General Meeting will be in person on Wednesday, January 21st, 2026,
from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Mountain Mike’s Pizza, located at 2220 Gold Springs Court, Gold River, CA.

Warm regards,
Owen Autry, President 2025-2026

                                                                 

QUOTES FROM THE SEA
(Or just for the New Year)

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” — Brad Paisley

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” — Michael Altshuler

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe

PLEASE EXCUSE ME FOR ADDING SOMETHING THIS LONG, BUT I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT AND COULD NOT SKIP IT

“Something, most certainly, happens to a diver’s emotions underwater. It is not merely a side effect of the pleasing, vaguely erotic sensation of water pressure on the body. Nor is it alone the peculiar sense of weightlessness, which permits a diver to hang motionless in open water, observing sea life large as whales around him; not the ability of a diver, descending in that condition, to slowly tumble and rotate in all three spatial planes. It is not the exhilaration from disorientation that comes when one’s point of view starts to lose its “lefts” and “down” and gains instead something else, a unique perception that grows out of the ease of movement in three dimensions. It is not from the diminishment of gravity to a force little more emphatic than a suggestion. It is not solely exposure to an unfamiliar intensity of life. It is not a state of rapture with the bottomless blue world beneath one’s feet…it is some complicated mix of these emotions, together with the constant proximity of real terror.”
― Barry Lopez, About This Life:
Journeys on the Threshold of Memory

Please send in your favorite “Quotes from the Sea” if you have not already seen them here. I am always looking for more.

Safety Officer’s Message
By: Brad Freelove

Safer Diving for 2026

As we start the new year, many of us are planning our next dive trip.  During January, about 20 Dolphin Divers are heading to Cozumel.  Trips to Truk, the Nile River, and the Philippines are happening later in the year.  I am planning my 2027 trips now.  Lots of stuff to consider when taking a trip outside the United States. 

Traveling to non-U.S. locations may require a passport.  Make sure that your passport expiration date will allow you to travel to your destination.  Many countries require you to have at least 6 months of time left on your passport after your stated U.S. return date.  Heck, the airline may not let you on the flight if you do not have enough time left on your passport.  Best check it out before you show up at the airport.

Prescription or restricted medications such as Sudafed may not be allowed in some countries.  Mexico does not like Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)to be transported into the country.  You may want to consider something else in its place. Know before you go.  Check out the travel restrictions for your destination.  Not only your destination but make sure that you can bring the stuff back to the U.S. with you.

Lithium ion or Li-ion batteries have a ton of restrictions for transportation via commercial flights or package mailings.  Some airlines will let you transport limited quantities of the batteries as part of your carry-on luggage.  If the batteries are not removable you may be able to put the device in your check-in baggage.  My carry-on batteries are stored in a Li-Po Guard container……..and I do not use cheap, junk Li-ion batteries.  Check with your airline for any restrictions.

Cameras and binoculars (or mono’s, telescopes, etc,) are fun to have on your trip.  Cell phones usually have no restrictions on transporting them.  Same for most cameras.  But there are some exceptions.  Some countries will allow you to bring in all the camera equipment you want with no fees.  Some destinations will have some hefty fees to bring in your camera stuff.  And some countries will not allow you to bring in most types of binoculars, telescopes, etc.  The same goes for laptops or your iPad.  Know before you go.

So, before you take off to Cozumel, Truk or wherever you are headed, make sure that what you are carrying is legal to bring in to your destination and to return to the U.S.  What was legal last year might not be legal now.  Check it out.

2025 ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

THIS YEARS WINNERS

2025    Cell Phone Photos – Natalie Clark
2025    Open Category – Reneé Viehmann & Paul Rees (tie)
2025    Selfie – Jason Moore
(If I missed anyone, email me and I will get it added Editor@dolphindivers.org)

HERE IS A SLIDESHOW OF THIS YEARS WINNERS AS WELL AS A HANDFUL OF THE LAST FEW YEARS WINNERS

Year	Category	Winner
2008	Above Water at a Club Event	Reneé Viehmann
2008	Open Category	Carol Herrlie
2008	Underwater at a Club Event	Carol Herrlie
2009	Above Water at a Club Event	Tate Viehmann
2009	Open Category	Cayle Little
2009	Underwater at a Club Event	Craig Brookey
2010	Above Water at a Club Event	Karin Brookey
2010	Above Water at a Club Event	Reneé Viehmann
2010	Open Category	Holly Little
2010	Underwater at a Club Event	Stacy Nguyen
2011	Above Water at a Club Event	Holger Fuerst
2011	Open Category	Carol Herrlie
2011	Underwater at a Club Event	Holly Little
2012	Above Water at a Club Event	Reneé Viehmann
2012	Open Category	Carol Herrlie
2012	Underwater at a Club Event	N/A
2014	Above Water at a Club Event	Holly Little
2014	General Category	Maridee Green
2014	Selfie	Craig Brookey
2014	Underwater at a Club Event	Maridee Green
2015	At an Event / General	Brittania Junes
2015	Best Video	Dana Carlson
2015	General Category	Karen Reale
2016	Above Water at a Club Event	Corinne Fuerst
2016	Open Category	Holly Little
2016	Underwater at a Club Event	Jack Millard
2017	Above Water at a Club Event	Jamie Sepulveda
2017	General Category	Craig Brookey
2017	Open Category	Brittania Junes
2017	Underwater at a Club Event	Jack Millard
2018	Above Water at a Club Event	Reneé Viehmann
2018	Cell Phone Photos	Holly Little
2018	Open Category	Mike Johnson
2022	Above Water at a Club Event	Kenny Carraher
2022	Cell Phone Photos	Reneé Viehmann
2022	Open Category	Brad Freelove
2022	Selfie	Laynie Little
2023	Above Water at a Club Event	Holger Fuerst
2023	Cell Phone Photos	Cayle Little
2023	Open Category	Holly Little & Jon Steenkolk (tie)
2023	Selfie	Joy Bothun
2024	Above Water at a Club Event	Linda Freelove
2024	Cell Phone Photos	Paul Rees
2024	Open Category	Kenny Carraher
2024	Selfie	Natalie Clark
2025	Above Water at a Club Event	N/A
2025	Cell Phone Photos	Natalie Clark
2025	Open Category	Reneé Viehmann & Paul Rees (tie)
2025	Selfie	Jason Moore

TRIP REVIEW: Lembeh Island
By: PAUL REES

Critters Galore

I was fortunate to recently spend two weeks diving & making pictures at the Lembeh Resort in Northern Sulawesi, Indonesia.  First week was a workshop hosted by Alex Mustard & Nick More focusing on macro photography.  Second week was on my own.  While traveling to the resort involved three long plane rides (SF to Taipei to Jakarta to Manado), the ride out to the resort was fairly quick and easy.

First the diving. The resort is on Lembeh Island about halfway through the Lembeh Strait, a unique sheltered waterway about 10 miles long between the island and mainland Sulawesi. Nearly all dive sites can be reached after a 5 to 15 minute boat ride from the resort. This is not the place to come if you want a ‘coral garden’ experience.  While there are a few small sections of coral reef in the Strait – most of the diving is done on coral rubble, black sand, and other nondescript bottoms – in other words ‘muck’.  What you do get here are critters.  I encountered four types of octopus (Coconut, Mimic, Wonderpus, & Blue-Ring) in addition to various cuttlefish, frog fish of numerous designs and sizes, 3-4 different kinds of mantis shrimp, anemones with their resident fish, crabs, & other invertebrates.  razorfish, jawfish with eggs, scorpion fish, many nudis, pygmy seahorses . . . I could go on and on.  All wonderful subjects to find, watch, and to photograph.

The dive guides were terrific.  Ratio was 2/1 & 3/1 on my dives.  They communicated with their comrades on other boats to discover which sites were working.  And they would help with our photo gear, e.g. aiming a remote snoot to frame a shot.  Also – very easy to do 4 dives in a day (2 morning, 1 afternoon, and a dusk or evening dive).  The dusk dives were great and you can go see the Mandarin fish if you’re into fish porn.  Blackwater & bonfire dives available too. 

As to the resort – top marks.  Food was great whether you opted for more western dishes or sampled native fare.  Since my ‘better half’ was born in Jakarta – I know and love Indonesian dishes and probably gained a pound or two during the trip.  The chef even shared a couple of recipes with me.  Rooms were comfortable; I was very happy in one of the lower level ‘garden rooms’.  Some of the upper level rooms are spectacular.  Dive facilities & camera room worked well but are a bit dated.  This shouldn’t be a worry for folks considering coming here as they are scheduled to be replaced during the first quarter of 2026.  I can also attest to the skill of the masseuses in the spa.  All in all, one of my best trips.  I definitely am trying to get this on the calendar to go back. 

Practical Considerations:  Clearly this is not a budget trip.  While the resort & diving averaged about $460/night you have to factor in the travel cost which should include an additional hotel night or two to acclimate to the time zone change.  Flights to Manado arrive from Jakarta, Singapore, & Denpasar (Bali). Water temp for me averaged 84 degrees. Average depth is around 60 ft; average down time 1 hour. The resort and dive operation are separate entities – but both are easy to deal with.

Member News

DECEMBER 2025 BIRTHDAYS:
December birthdays:
Brandon Flood – 12/3
Richard Sears – 12/6
Bobby Taylor – 12/12
Peter Holt – 12/14|
Will Dutton – 12/28
Tricia Stevens – 12/29
Mike Johnson – 12/30

January 2026 BIRTHDAYS:
Victor Krylov – 1/06
Gil Manganaan – 1/09
Zackory March – 1/11
Don McClellan – 1/11
David Whiteside – 1/12
Jack Millard – 1/15
Kathy Magnani – 1/18
Tony Jacobs – 1/22

New Members:

No New Members Joined In December…

Are you interested in becoming a Dolphin Divers of Sacramento member?
CLICK HERE TO JOIN

CHRISTMAS PARTY PICTURES
By: Chris Matthews

From all accounts this was another outstanding Dolphin event!!!

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

For the full view click here…

Jan 7, 2026	DDS Board Meeting		Owen Autry President	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com
Jan 21, 2026	General Meeting	Mountain Mike’s	Owen Autry President	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com	https://www.mountainmikespizza.com/locations/gold-river-gold-springs/ Cookie Contest
Feb 4, 2026	DDS Board Meeting		Owen Autry President	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com
Feb 18, 2026	General Meeting	Mountain Mike’s	Owen Autry President	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com	https://www.mountainmikespizza.com/locations/gold-river-gold-springs/ Cookie Contest
Mar 4, 2026	DDS Board Meeting		Owen Autry President	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com
Mar 18, 2026	General Meeting	Mountain Mike’s	Owen Autry President	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com	https://www.mountainmikespizza.com/locations/gold-river-gold-springs/ Cookie Contest
Apr 1, 2026	DDS Board Meeting		Owen Autry President	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com
Apr 15, 2026	General Meeting	Mountain Mike’s	Owen Autry President	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com	https://www.mountainmikespizza.com/locations/gold-river-gold-springs/ Cookie Contest

EDITOR’S NOTE
By: Joe Morgan

I AM LOOKING FOR MEMBERS TO SEND IN PICTURES OF DIVING, DIVING VACATIONS ETC.

• Trip Reviews: Let us know where you have been diving, what operator you used, the hotel you stayed at and how was the diving there. Let us know if the operator was safe and fun. Let us know if the hotel was a good deal, give us as much detail as possible and hopefully more Dolphin Divers will venture there in the future.
  
• Recipes: I was told that in the past Dolphin Divers gave each other SEAFOOD recipes that they loved so that everyone could enjoy the bounty of the sea, I hope to continue that each month with at least one good recipe.
  
• Dive and Camping yard-sale items you wish to include in the newsletter.
  
• Dive Activities: Please let me know if there are any dive-related activities you would like included in the newsletter.
  
• Pictures from your last dive. Please make sure to let me know how you would like the picture credited in the newsletter. -example – Picture by John Member, of a Silky Shark, at Roca Partida Mexico.

PLEASE MAIL ALL SUBMISSIONS TO

Editor@dolphindivers.org

DOLPHIN DIVERS OF SACRAMENTO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Owen Autry – President
Ken Takata – Vice President
Marlyn Sepulveda – Treasure
Corinne Fuerst – Secretary
Douglas Hillblom – Events Chair
Brad Freelove – Safety Officer
Renee Viehmann – Webmaster
Jack Millard – Historian
Joe Morgan – Editor
Tracy Clarke – Promotions
Dave Whiteside – Member at Large
Tom Mischley – Member at Large
Sally Walters – Member at Large
Cheryl Anderson – Member at Large
Ed Hurff – Member at Large
Chris Matthews – Member at Large