Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

Follow on item to underwater records Flickr, photography's social media site, has recently put on line an emmense collection of public archives photographs. A quick search through the photographs that have already had subject tags added, found what may be the first ever photographed underwater poker game! Photographed in May 1951, the 4x5" b&w photograph show an underwater poker game. the picture was taken at Weeki Wachee Springs in Florida, home of the famed breath-holding Weeki Wachee girls (in mermaid costumes). The photograph is part of Florida' Department of Commerce collection and is resident in Tallahassee, Florida. According to the collection there is an accompanying note with the photo which reads "Dick & Shirley Woolery, Bud & Patsie Boyett, and Rudy & Thelma Halabuck. Poker game."

Peter Hughes quits as president of his former company. Stays in Florida but now runs a Galapagos Live Aboard Dive Boat In the last issue of Diver Magazine, travel editor Stephen Weir revealed that Live Aboard Dive Boat operator Peter Hughes had sold his industry leading Peter Hughes Dive operation. One month after that article appeared Hughes told Weir that he has left the employ of Wayne B. Brown, the current owner of Peter Hughes Diving and the principal owner of the Agressor Fleet. " IT is bitter, sweet for sure. My last day with Peter Hughes Diving was May 15th, 2010 and now I am on my own " Hughes first order of business has been to purchase the startup company DivEncounters, Inc. of which he is now the President. He is based in Florida near Miami. His immediate responsibility will be to handle the affairs of the M/V Galapagos Sky (formerly Sky Dancer), ensuring the continued high standard of operation. Hughes says there is possible product expansion in the future. Hug

. Photography Festival has the Message and the Medium but at the grand opening, where is the Media? Friday photography show opening draws crowds but not the cameras Hot show and very hot festival uses McLuren as inspiration but private launch runs cold with the media. What is the message here? In 1974 I took a number of pictures of Marshall McLuhen as he addressed the media covering the annual Juno Awards. My close friend, Dave Tollington was working for RPM Magazine - the creators of the music award - and got me in the side door and let me take a half a roll of black and white film before shushing me away from the cooler filled with O'Keefe lager beer. My notes from that session are long gone. I don't remember anything he did say. I do know from my student newspaper tear sheet, that he did talk about popular culture to the people who promoted such big stars (back then) as Terry Jacks, Anne Murray, Stompin' Tom Connors, Murray McLaughlin and or course Valdy. McLuhen spok

. . Canadian Astronaut talks to Stephen Weir about his upcoming underwater mission - 2-weeks underwater off the coast of Florida

. Gorham's coach tours have a 94% chance of seeing a photo-friendly moose or two There is more chance of seeing a moose on the loose while taking part in a Gorham Moose Trail tour than basking in sunshine on a visit to the beach! The 174-year old town, nestled in the Androscoggin Valley and adjacent to the picturesque Presidential Mountain Range, have a 94% successful sight rate when it comes to close encounters of the Moose kind. Gorham is surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest and the spectacular Mt. Washington and Great Glen Outdoor Center are only eight miles away. Tourists should not miss the unique opportunity to take the Gorham Moose Tour in search of the giant of the North Country and other area wildlife, including deer, osprey, eagles and more. Climb on board a comfortable, air-conditioned, 15 or 21-passenger tour bus for a 3-hour tour along the picturesque Androscoggin River and into the 13-Mile Woods Area. There are daily tours throughout from May to October an

QUEEN VICTORIA WOULD BE AMUSED BY ALL THE DEALS FOR HER SUBJECTS The Canadian dollar is on the rise and so are the savings in New Hampshire. The Granite State appreciates the business and visitors it receives from Canada and many properties are offering up discounts and other added value items for the Victoria Day weekend and some extending it throughout the spring or even summer. Check out www.visitnh.gov for all the latest information and packages or visit the websites listed after each package below for specific details. * Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center/Joe Dodge Lodge -Bretton Woods, NH Enjoy the outdoors at the Appalachian Mountain Club's Highland Centre and Joe Dodge Lodge and book May 22-24 and save 50% off their regular rate for the second night during this time period. You must mention promo code "VDAY" when you call (603) 466-2727 for reservations. Offer only available by phone. Lodge details at www.outdoors.org/whitemountains.

. BUY THE DECAL. WEAR THE SUIT. JOIN THE CLUB. The Final Frontier begins with the Roddenberry Dive Team By Stephen Weir, Diver Magazine BEAM ME DOWN SCOTTY. Space may be the final frontier for astronauts, but, Eugene Roddenberry, son of Gene Roddenberry the creator of Star Trek, knows that for the vast majority of people back here on Earth, the only place you can boldly go where no man has gone before is underwater. California based Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry has introduced a new line of dive suits and formed a dive club to encourage people to explore the underwater world and save the planet. Rod is hopeful that his Roddenberry Dive Team will live long and prosper. “The Roddenberry Dive Team is about exploration, adventure and education,” the club founder wrote on his website. “Members can take part in regular ocean, space and science action related activities; including scuba trips to both local and exotic locations, VIP events and fundraisers, special lectures and seminars,