August - Rock and Arrowhead Club of Klamath Falls

Transcription

August - Rock and Arrowhead Club of Klamath Falls
DUSTY ROCKS
August
2012
ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB
P. O . B O X 1 8 0 3
K L A M AT H FA L L S , O R 9 7 6 0 1
w w w. k l a ma t h ro c k c l u b . o r g
OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD
President: Jeff Eastburn 541-363-6154
302 W. Main St.
Klamath Falls OR, 97601
Vice Pres: Marshall Curran
541-882-3933
Secretary: Vicky Davis
Kla-
541-331-4026
4200 Summers Lane # 89
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
~ Rock and Arrowhead Club ~ Klamath Falls Oregon
DUSTY ROCKS
4708 Laverne Ave
math Falls OR, 97603
Treasurer: Laura Limb 541-273-7503
1528 Dayton
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
NFMS Director: Kathi Milem
3333 Anderson #3
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
Meetings are held at the Klamath County
Museum Meeting Room – Main & Spring Streets,
using the West entrance.
Meetings are
nd
held on the 2 Monday of each
month at 7:00 pm with the exception of
December when we have our Christmas
Luncheon and Party and after April’s show.
Visitors are cordially invited:
Dues are $13.50 per year per adult ($25 for
families plus $1 per child), $7.50 ages 16-18.
General Objectives of the Club:
To promote popular interest, knowledge and
NFMS Junior Delegate: Alyssa Carnes
understanding in the various earth sciences, as
Past President: Doris Newnham
in Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology and
Member @ Large: Marvin Stump
Lapidary and other related subjects. To sponsor
and provide means of coordinating the work and
The club mailing address is:
PO Box 1803, Klamath Falls OR 97601
www.klamathrockclub.org
efforts of all persons interested therein.
[email protected]
The club participates in the NFMS stamp
Helping Others:
program, saving large commemoratives, airmail,
Committee Chairs
Sunshine…………….....……....Chris Chance
Program…………….…...….Marshall Curran
Greeter/Door Prize…...….Sandi Masterson
Refreshment…………………..Chris Chance
Historian………….…….…...….….…??????
Librarian…….........…….……..Jessica Limb
Charity ……………...………….....John Long
Claims Rep……...…………..Garwin Carlson
Field Trips….........…..……..Marshall Curran
Black Light Display……...Chuck Newnham
Show Chair……………….....Garwin Carlson
Asst Show Chair…………...…Marvin Stump
Safety Officer………….……….Jeff Eastburn
Publisher/ Webmaster…..Denise Sebastian
pre-canceled, and foreign stamps of all
values. Proceeds from stamp sales will be used
to benefit any charity deemed worthy by the
NFMS Endowment Fund.
All contents Copyright © 2011-2012 All rights
reserved. No part of this document or the related files
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any
means without the prior permission of the Rock and
Arrowhead Club. Permission is hereby given to nonCommercial and not-for profit groups or persons to
copy, forward or otherwise share this publication for
educational and informational purposes.
THE NORTHWEST NEWSLETTER is published 11 times a year.
Copies are sent to each member’s household. The cost is included in your annual dues.
Two free copies of the AFMS NEWSLETTER are mailed to each member club.
Subscriptions are available at $3.50 for 9 issues. Send payment to:
American Federation of Mineralogical Societies
PO Box 26523 Oklahoma City, Ok. 73126.


We are affiliated with
Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies
American Federation of Mineralogical Societies
Newsletter Editor
Sandi Masterson
541-281-3891
[email protected]
Visit Us At www.klamathrockclub.org
Please e-mail [email protected] to get on our email list.
Reference to use of arrowheads within our club is limited to flint napping activities during workshops, annual shows and
personal creations. No gathering of arrowheads on field trips is authorized or suggested by any club members.
Volume 53, Issue 8
~ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB~
August 2012
Page 3
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
From the editor….
It’s August already! For you. I am writing this in July, so it feels like … June. Isn’t this an odd weather
year? And yet, it’s Klamath Falls, so maybe it’s not so odd, after all.
I’ve missed field trips. I know, I should grow up and “act my age”, but that’s not happening soon. I was
dancing the Hokey Pokey (it IS a dance, right?) and twisted my knee enough that the hills are a little
scary for me right now. I’ve missed a meeting, and will miss one more. I am taking classes at KCC that
are only offered on Mon and Wed nights. In short, I’ve miss YOU.
Inside this issue:
But, I can still bend over a pick up a rock! I was walking Two Face in downtown Klamath Falls and found
some petrified wood in a gutter off Willow Ave. I also get to check out a lot of yards on our walks.
There’s a lot more Rockhounds out there than are in our club. Sometimes I want to knock on their doors
and invite them to join us! Hmmm…….
Inside Cover
1
Editors Page
2
July Minutes
3
Minutes con’t,
4
Minutes cont,
5
Field Trip reports
6-9
August means school is right around the corner. Where DID the summer go?
MC’s Hammer, Jr
Rccjhound Report
10
And it’s only July for me...time warps are—interesting. Rock on!
In Memorial
11-13
Up and coming
14
Field Trip Info
15
NEXT MEETING:
August 13, 2012 7pm
Klamath Co. Museum
If you have been on a field trip, write me a paragraph or two. If you’ve taken pictures, please send them
to via e-mail, “thumb drive”, or however. I don’t mind vicarious field trip views, and will share what you
share.
Thanks to Vicky Davis who e-mailed me pix from the Yadenite trip, I am looking forward to seeing some
of the rock appear on these pages! Thanks to Marshall for “MC’s Hammer”. Thanks to Marolyn Davis
for this month’s “Rock Thoughts”. Thanks to Tera Eastburn for wanting to write me 5 sentences for the
Jr Rockhound section. You guys are filling these pages very nicely.
August Birthstone
The peridot, the birthstone of August, is so radiant that
it was called the "gem of the sun" by the ancients who
believed it had the power to ward off darkness. The
peridot is bright olive green, so brilliant that it flashes
even in dim light
Happy Birthday
Olivia Cushman – 8/3
Joyce Ricketts – 8/12
Bob Fiore – 8/16
Frank Vaughn – 8/20
Refreshments
Laura Limb
Denise Sebastian
Sandi
Chuck Newnham – 8/20
The peridot was favored for earrings because of the
belief that its power over light was transferable to
sound and would make even the faintest sound more
audible. The peridot was thought to put evil spirits to
flight, drive off the terrors of the night, and endow its
owner with a sane mind, a kind temperament, and
persuasive eloquence. For the peridot to exert its full
powers as a talisman, however, it had to be set in gold.
For it to work as a defense against the wiles of evil
spirits, the stone had to be pierced and strung on the
hair of an ass and then attached to the left arm!
And now you know.
(I copied this from www.kingsjewelry.com)
Ralph Caristia - 8/27
Anthony Mathlin – 8/30
Doris Newnham – 8/31
Coming next
month Tumbling @
Garwin’s
Volume 53, Issue 8
August 2012
~ ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB ~
K L A M AT H FA L L S , O R E G O N
Page 4
July 9, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Submitted by Vicky Davis
July 9, 2012 RAC Meeting Minutes
Meeting called to order by President Jeff Eastburn at 7:09pm.
Submitted by Vicky J. Davis
Pledge of Allegiance
Welcome Guests: Richard Kerns, Bonnie Wellington, Sherry Anderson and Martin Garcia. Total in Attendance (45)
Door prizes donated by Garwin Carlson, won by Bob Massey and Katie Begley.
Birthday Contributions: None made. Club asks $1 donation per member on the month of each member’s birth month.
These donations will be used toward annual club Christmas luncheon/party.
Minutes: One correction to be made concerning last month’s entry of “upcoming shows”. The year 2011 was typed,
which should read 2012. Jeff was not sure where this change needed to be made. Secretary will search for error. Motion
was made and approved to “accept minutes with one correction”. As of this writing, secretary cannot find where correction should be made to the minutes. Perhaps it is page 7 of newsletter, under the heading “July Events”?
Treasurer’s Report: Bills are currently being paid. Checkbook balance was reported. Change to another bank has not taken place yet.
NWF Report: Kathi M. reported there is a new webmaster for Federation, but link to the website is the same.
Historian Report: Jeff announced Ellie H. resigned. Plea to all members, we need someone to consider taking on this
position. Discussion to bring scrapbooks back to museum and put on display during meetings; to add scanned documents
to website and perhaps share in monthly newsletters.
Editor Report: In Sandi’s absence, she asked Vicky to pass around a list for members to make changes/corrections to
their phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, etc so corrections, additions or changes can be made with master membership roster. Laura will make changes and was asked to share info with Sandi.
~ Please email Sandi at [email protected] to post items you would like to buy / sell, and if you have stories to submit concerning a field trip.
Volume 53, Issue 8
August 2012
~ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB~
K L A M AT H FA L L S , O R E G O N
Page 5
~July Minutes Continued ~
Webmaster Report: Denise is hoping to have a gallery on the website soon. Go to http://www.klamathrockclub.org/
Correspondence: None reported.
Charity Report: John Long reported he was traveling the U.S., hasn’t attended several meetings. RAC club can donate to
2 charities per month, but each charity will be a one-time only donation of $25. John passed around the list for members
to choose or add 2 charities, preferably local; they would like the club to make donations to. This means 24 charities, per
year, will receive donations from us.
Librarian Report: In Jessica’s absence, Jeff reported that books, lapidary magazines, gem magazines and black light are
available to loan. $20 refundable deposit (one month only, please) for black light.
Old Business:
~ Membership cards will be issued to those who have not received one this year. List was passed around for members to
note whether they have received a current card. Jeff will attend to the matter. Jeff, Denise, Sandi, and Laura will work on
updating the list.
~ Electrical cords for show: Leroy announced cost to replace electrical cords. Moved and seconded to pay the bill.
~ Marshall will inventory items in “show” trailer.
~ Artisan Show is to be held at fairgrounds October 26. Reservation confirmation needs to be made. Those
interested in becoming vendor’s were asked to sign up at tonight’s meeting.
~ Update from 2012 Show Critique meeting: ¼ page ad will be placed in Modoc Magazine for next year’s show. Need
good quality photo to submit for background of ad. Anyone with a photo of main floor, including large area of show displays, from ANY previous show year, please submit photos to Marv. If digital, please email to him at
[email protected].
New Business:
~ Chris C. took sewn and decorated denim bags to Yadenite trip and gave to children for rock collecting. Turning out to
be very popular. Sandy G. will sew more bags from donated jeans and cargo pants with large pockets. Chris and Della
have been decorating bags; now asking other club members to take some bags with you during next month’s meeting
and decorate too. THANKS!
~ Chuck will have a sale of some equipment. Please call him to ask what he is willing to sell. Several items that were his
dad’s and other items belonging to Chuck will be sold. Proceeds will go to Ken Newnham’s grandchildren.
~ Chuck also asks if you have any photos of his dad, please get them to Chuck so he can start a memorial tribute at the
next show. Chuck doesn’t have Rock Club photos because his dad was always the one behind the camera. Thank you.
~ Motion made and passed to donate $25 each in memory of Ken Newnham and Randall Pope, to be donated to the
Northwest Federation Endowment Fund.
Volume 53, Issue 8
~ ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB ~
K L A M AT H FA L L S , O R E G O N
August 2012
Page 6
~July Minutes Continued ~
Field Trips: Garwin reported on trip to club’s sunstones claim. Marshall reported on Yadenite trip, sponsored by Klamath County Museum and RAC. Leah reported that from Tuledad trip, she brought cut pieces to display.
~ Reminder for Lassen Creek trip: July 20-22, for Obsidian. BBQ Friday at Davis Store. Silent auction Saturday, after
pot luck. Bring safety glasses, gloves, no flip-flops, no shorts. Obsidian is sharp like glass and can do damage to eyes,
face, hands, feet, and TIRES. Make sure you have a spare tire!
~ Garwin announced a tumbling field trip (workshop) at his place this Saturday, July 14. Bring your tumbled pieces to
discuss areas of concerns; get pointers, etc.
~ Laura reported if anyone is planning trips to the coast, please be aware Japan tsunami items have arrived and there are
large items being found from south of Crescent City to coast of Washington. Such items as plastic, wood, motorcycle
have been seen. For more info, go to http://visittheoregoncoast.com/2012/07/03/tsunami-debris-drop-off-sites-and-211information-lines-open/.
Member Expeditions: Chuck N. reported “expedition” of sorts from sales of his rough rock, and person who bought
them did beautiful work and returned pieces to Chuck. One is a beautiful knife; blade is knapped obsidian.
Sunshine Report: Charlie W. is in extreme hip pain. Heidi E. is doing a little better, stays upbeat. Would love to hear
from folks on Facebook. Darrell M. is out of hospital and back home. Give thoughts and prayers for these folks!
Program by: No program in lieu of silent auction. No kids’ program as Rachel is absent.
Refreshments provided by: Sandy G. & Vicky D. August refreshments to be provided by: Laura L. & Denise R.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:35pm.
CALLING ALL ARTISANS!!! Artisan show—Oct 26 (set up), 27 and 28 at the
Klamath Fairgrounds. For more information and to reserve your space, please call
Doris Newnham at 541-850-0325
The Medford Rock Club has a full set up of lapidary equipment for members of their club to use. Saws are $3.00 an hour and the
Genies are $5.00 an hour. To join the club or for more information call 541–664-3911 or 541-664-6081 or visit them on the web
at www.craterrock.com. Classes are also available.
Laura Limb will happily cut slabs for you, please call Laura at 541-273-7503 for prices.
Feeder fish—10 cents each, minimum
20. Bring your own container.
Very young, unsexed bettas. Watch
them grow. Bring your own container.
They do well with guppies, platies and
tetras. $5.00
Call Sandi 541-281-3891
18” Rock Saw - $550
3 - 12lb tumblers, 1-12lb tumbler - talk to Chuck
3 Headed Sphere Machine - $600
Misc Rocks - talk to Chuck
Chuck Newnham
541-892-7486
Volume 53, Issue 8
August 2012
~ ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB ~
K L A M AT H FA L L S , O R E G O N
Page 7
~~~~~~
Everyone met at the NEW Customer Service Center parking lot on Saturday, July 7, 2012, for the joint venture
field trip between the Klamath County Museum ad the Rock Club. There were approximately 60 people, adults and
children combined.
Garwin Carlson brought samples of polished stones and fossils so people could see what they were looking
for.
We had a lot of new people and club members were able to teach new Rock Club members about the
“Yadenite”.
Tommy Wells, out local geologist, assisted people in the fossil hunting area. There were a few finds of fish and
plant fossils.
Although it was a warm summer day, everyone found a good supply of Yadenite. Several took their
“treasures” back to the museum to be tumble polished as proposed by Todd Kepple, the Museum Manager, who did a
great job of hosting the event.
Volume 53, Issue 8
August 2012
~ ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB ~
K L A M AT H FA L L S , O R E G O N
Field Trip Report – May 20 & 21, 2006
Sunstones!
The weather didn’t seem promising but Judith Hassen, who has been stateside from Midway
Island, was keen on visiting the club’s Sunstone Claim. Walt, Kira (our granddaughter), and I,
along with Marv and Leah Stump, decided we would meet Judith and Mike in Lakeview and take
our chances with the cloud formations. After breakfast we bought last minute goods from
Safeway and headed to Plush, then the beautiful views to Hart Mountain enveloped us. We
admired the water levels in the lake, stretched and enjoyed the views and continued our trip to
the claim. Not a creature was stirring, not even a ….. oops, wrong story. Rabbits everywhere!
And moist ground, but not soggy.
What a perfect day for picking up sunstones, even with the chill in the air and the breeze. Ok,
wind. But there was no rain. We were surprised when Don Perryman showed up. He arrived
mid-morning, collected some nice specimens, then headed back to Klamath. He was like a man
on a mission.
Walt took a nap while we were chatting, having lunch,and at one point, Kira asked, “What’s that
noise?” You can guess, can’t you? Birds? … a plane? ….no, it was Walter-man, snoring. We
all got a laugh out of that one and we didn’t even wake him up.
We split up, walked in different directions and enjoyed the tranquility amongst the warmish
ground and sweet smelling sage. So many pieces of glittering, rain-washed stones were at our
reach. By mid-afternoon we were in agreement that our backs were weary from bending. We
were missing Judith for awhile and found out later she was laying on the ground, napping. Oh,
the nerve, and she didn’t invite a one of us!
Of course, Leah collected the most and the best. What’s new? We don’t mind, not really.
Page 8
Volume 53, Issue 8
August 2012
~ ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB ~
K L A M AT H FA L L S , O R E G O N
Page 9
(continued)
For folks who don’t know much about sunstones, the following is borrowed from fellow club
member Jan McClellan. Sunstone is a member of the feldspar group of minerals and is closely related to Moonstone. It is formed and crystallized in a lava flow. Sunstones range in color “from water clear through pale yellow,
soft pink, and blood red to deep blue and green. Some of the deeper colored stones have bands of varying color;
a few stones show two different colors when viewed from different directions.” (quote, Oregon Geology) The
color is caused by tiny crystals of copper within the stones, which often results in “Schiller”, or shimmer that is
usually a peach color. Sunstone is cut into cabochons or can be faceted. Thanks to Jan for the info on her website,
www.designjewel.com.
Judith and Mike planned on dry camping on the site, and Marv and Leah headed home. Instead of staying overnight,
Walt, Kira and I (and our dog Bo) headed back to Lakeview and showered, comfortably rested, watched a little tv and
slept peacefully at the Lakeview Lodge, upon Judith’s recommendation. Thanks, Judith.
Next day we headed toward Dent Creek to see if that area was still muddy. Nope, Walt and Kira spent a c-c-cold and
windy 1-1/2 hours collecting petrified wood and a few pieces of tracinite. I, on the other hand, stayed off my feet (blisters
and a burn on one foot) and rested on a very quiet spot and eventually kept my chair quite warm.
Submitted by Vicky Davis
Gem & Mineral Show in Ashland, Oregon: This year will be the first annual Ashland Rocks! – Gem & Mineral Show, to be held September 1st & 2nd, at the United Methodist Church, 175 North Main, on the corner
of Laurel and Main Streets. The show is promoted by Scott’s Rock & Gem (Meesha & Scott Blair), and they
are doing it as a joint effort with the Methodist Church; the Church in the World Committee will be running
the concessions, and proceeds from their efforts will go to support charity. The show hours are Saturday 10
a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday Noon – 5 p.m. Cost of admission is $2 for adults and free for kids. There will be a
free field trip for fossil leaf hunting, on Sunday – sign up by email, or on Saturday, during the show. , Please
come out to support this brand new gem and mineral show, and enjoy perusing the fantastic crystals, minerals, fossils, and handcrafted gemstone jewelry that will be on display. We have made a strong effort to
feature dealers who are not ordinarily seen at other local shows. Our goal is to make this a major annual
fundraising, and rockhounding event, so we need your help. Please spread the word, and mark your calendar to attend this great new show! Visit scottsrocks.com for more information, or call (541) 621-2558.
Volume 53, Issue 7
July 2012
~ ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB ~
Page 10
KLAMATH FALLS OREGON
By Marshall Curran
Jr Rockhounds by
Tera Eastburn
What we do in Children’s Club is fun, especially when we go on trips.
We went to Davis Creek from July 20th through July 22nd. And let
me tell you it was great! Sandi took us on a hike down the creek,
both flip flops broke and she fell 3 times. The Rock Hounding trips
are very fun with all our nice members and friends. Lots of exciting
things happen. When you come, you are welcome to a free rock if
you are new. We have so much fun, so hurry now, great times await!
Brandon and Tera making arrowheads
Ken Newnham, a valued club member and friend to the children lost his battle to cancer in
June. The next 3 pages are dedicated to Ken. Although I, personally, didn’t know Ken, my
condolences go out to his family. He will be missed.
In Memoriam Ken Newnham
1948-2012
hope they find comfort in the many beautiful things
I’m writing about my friend Ken Newnham.
he created with both his hands and his spirit.
Growing up he worked with my Grandpa and
they became friends. For years they had many fun Jennifer Zimmerlee
adventures and even at one time, started their own
company together. My memories include going
gold panning, camping, hunting, fishing, car
shows, and of course rocking. You see whenever
my grandpa or Ken had some sort of new hobby,
the other was always willing to go along and
sometimes compete in those hobbies. I know my
Grandpa didn’t always appreciate their friendship
but I did. I will always be grateful for having Ken
in our lives. I used to wish he was my dad because he seemed so much cooler than anyone in
my family. Growing up with Chuck and Tracy it
sometimes felt like those hobbies and adventures
became ours. I know I still love classic cars especially Mach I Mustangs and loved riding in Ken’s
(his classic cars were better than Grandpa’s). I
also know that I will never be able to look at Obsidian, Sunstones or Opals without thinking of
Ken or my Grandpa. Later in life Ken’s passion
changed to OIT Basketball, Juniper Ridge Opal
Mine and his girlfriend, but he never stopped loving rocks and even fighting cancer put in a beautiful case of Sunstones in the show this year. Not as
active in the club as he once was, those of us who
knew him will always remember him and his contributions. I know that even when life dealt him
some tough blows, like shattering his hip when he
fell off a roof while working, he always tried to
have a positive attitude and never lost his passion
for life, his family and his loves. I hope remembering what a wonderful and passionate man he
was helps bring joy to his family, grief takes its
own time to heal the wounds of loss, and I hope
Kenneth Edward Newnham
Kenneth Edward Newnham, age 63 years, 9 months and 24 days, passed away quietly in his home on June 10,
2012, after a battle with cancer.
His greatest loves were Life and Laughter!
He was born Aug. 17, 1948, in Klamath Falls, Ore., the third son of Pavitt Newnham and Marjorie Lucille
(Hubbard) Newnham Dixon. Ken grew up in Merrill, Ore., and graduated from Merrill High School in 1967.
Immediately after graduation, he secured a job at Jeld-Wen. After 10 years with the company, he decided he
needed a "career change." So he learned the carpenter trade from his brother Robert. Since that time, he
constructed houses, built stairs, poured concrete, remodeled homes and erected buildings in and around Klamath
Falls, Ukiah, Calif., and Ketchikan, Alaska. His last employer was Robert J. Bogatay. "There is nothing better than
creating with your hands in a trade that you love," he often quipped. And Ken loved construction.
In 1987, he purchased his "Pride and Passion!" It started out as a bucket of bolts and a real rough chassis. But, with lots of TLC,
hours of hard work and hundreds of dollars in parts and paint, his "Labor of Love" turned his 1971 Ford Mustang Mach I into a
shiny red, hot muscle car. He and his daughter Tracy "chalked-up-the-miles" driving from town to town to all the car shows.
From the time Ken could walk, he collected "pebbles" of every size, shape and color. By the time he was 40-something, it had
turned into a "hankering for Rock Hounding." The "urge" led him to his longtime good friend John Stone, who shared his love of
part-time "rock-e-ology!"
In 1998, Ken met John and Trish Bailey, who also had hearts for stones. Together, they ventured into mining precious gems. John
and Ken won an Oregon Sunstone Mine near Plush, Ore. He also partnered with his son Chuck and claimed the Juniper Ridge
Opal Mine located near Bly, Ore., as well as two other opal mines with Chuck, Trish and John.
When Ken wasn't busy pounding nails, he was digging for precious stones in his "rock" mines. "Juniper Ridge Opal" with its unique
and distinctive colors of gold, yellow, orange and orange-red is world renowned. In between bouts digging in the dirt, Ken and his
family were making dust with four-wheelers, tearing over hills, racing across meadows and speeding down dirt roads.
Since his father Pavitt took his sons hunting during their pre-teen years sometime in the early 1950s, Ken has been an avid hunter.
He still has the first gun his father gave him and since then acquired quite a collection. He and his brothers Eugene and Robert
have gone elk and deer hunting every year since he was old enough to raise a rifle. Ken's son Chuck and son-in-law Steve more
often than not would join the hunting crew, stealthily creeping through the woods in the never-ending search for a "trophy kill."
It was Ken's love of hunting that continuously inspired him to drive to Eastern Oregon every year. He would simply man-up, pack
his tent, rifle and gear and drive off at the crack of dawn in spite of the excruciating pain he suffered from the shattered hip he
sustained after falling off a roof at his job site in December 2008.
During the winter, you could find Ken and his family dashing through the snow on their snowmobiles, taking treks to Medicine,
Diamond and Crater lakes and Lake of the Woods.
Ken Newnham - continued
In February 2010, after enduring three surgeries and sporting a partial hip replacement, Ken tucked his "New Books" under his arm
and returned to school. He enrolled in classes at Klamath Community College on a retraining program. After 33 years out of school,
Ken managed to make the president's list his very first semester with a 4.0 grade-point average. Late in 2011, Ken was forced to sus
pend classes due to excruciating hip pain.
Ken managed to take advantage of the "stall in his education" and put a few "traveling miles" under his belt; he found his way to
San Jose, Calif., and crossed Donner Pass to Lake Tahoe and Reno, Nev., in 2009; he drove to Las Vegas, Nev., and Tucson, Ariz.,
in February and St. Louis, Mo., in July 2010; and finally, Ken visited the Space Museum in McMinnville, Ore., and Fort Astoria in As
toria, Ore., in June 2011. His favorite trip was to St. "Louie" and-being-lifted-to-the-top of the famous arch.
Ken is survived by his mother Marjorie Dixon; aunts Maxine, Wilma, Shirley, and Lois and Louise (twins); his brothers Eugene and
Robert Newnham; sisters-in-law Doris and Cindy; his son Chuck, daughter-in-law Sue and grandson Devlin Newnham; and daughter
Tracy and son-in-law Steven Cook and granddaughter Gabrielle "Gabby"; uncle Dale and aunt Evelyn Newnham and cousins and
good friends too numerous to mention.
He was preceded in death by his father Pavitt Newnham and stepfather Charles Dixon, uncles Vern Hubble and Lloyd Hubble. Ken
was loved and respected and will be "sorely" missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of life service will be held at the Mt. Laki Community Presbyterian Church, 12570 Highway 39, Klamath Falls, OR
97603, (near Mac's Store), at 1 p.m. Sunday. A graveside service will follow at the Mt. Laki Cemetery, 4775 Crossroad Klamath
Falls, OR 97603.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity or you may wish to contribute to the college fund for Ken's
grandchildren Gabby and Devlin.
Davenport's Chapel of the Good Shepherd is in charge of arrangements, 2680 Memorial Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97601, (541883-3458).In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity or you may wish to contribute to the college fund for Ken's
grandchildren Gabby and Devlin.
Davenport's Chapel of the Good Shepherd is in charge of arrangements, 2680 Memorial Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97601, (541883-3458).
Please sign the online guest book at www.heraldandnews.com/obituaries.
Volume 53, Issue 7
~ ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB ~
July 2012
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
August 13, 2012 - RAC meeting @ Klamath County Museum 7:00 pm
Don’t forget to bring pictures and stories from field trips.
August 18&19, 2012 - RAC field trip for Virgin Valley Opals,
See note from Marvin Stump.
Rock Shows
(copied from the NW Federation website
www.amfed.org/nfms/shows2.htm
August 10 – 12
Fri 10 – 9, Sat 10 – 9
Sun 10 – 6
August 11 -12
Sat 9 -5, Sun 11 -5
Port Townsend Rock Club Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 4907 Cathy Sahli
Landus Street, Port Townsend WA 360 301 4538
PO Box 1383
Port Townsend WA 98368
Maplewood Rock and Gem 8802 196th St. SW, Edmonds, WA Bev Ryder
Club
425-338-4184
Rock Philosophy
Submitted by Marolyn Davis
A Philosophy instructor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a
large mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks right to the top, rocks about 2” in diameter.
He then asked the students if it was full. They agreed that it was. So, the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open spaces between the rocks. The students
laughed.
He asked his students, again, if the jar was full. They agreed that, yes, it was. The professor then picked up a box of sand and
poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
“Now”, said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this is your life.
1. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, and your children - anything that
is so important that, if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed.
2. The pebbles are the other things in life that matter, but on a smaller scale. The pebbles represent your
things like your job, your house, and your car.
3. The sand is everything else. The ‘small stuff’. If you put the sand or the pebbles into the jar first, there is
No room for the rocks.
The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy on the small stuff, the material things, you will never have room for
the things that are truly the most important.
Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your
partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, and fix the disposal. Take
care of the rocks first — the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just pebbles and sand.
Volume 53, Issue 8
August 2012
~ ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB ~
Page 14
KLAMATH FALLS OREGON
VIRGIN VALLEY FIELD TRIP
AUGUST 18 & 19, 2012
(THIRD WEEKEND IN AUGUST)
Again for ease in club members enjoying the different mining adventures in Virgin Valley, Saturday will be left open for
members to go to the Fee dig(s) they desire. This will allow members to arrive at Virgin Valley on their own schedule. A
brief description of these fee digs is given below.
On Sunday, you can either attend a fee dig or spend the day with John Church (club member and owner of Swordfish
Mining). We will meet John Sunday morning at 8:00am at the Virgin Valley Campground. No specific plans have been
formulated, but John will take us to one or two of his claims to play in (or on). There will be no cost for the day with John
unless someone finds some fantastic material on his claims. By going with John to his claims on Sunday, members will be
able to leave whenever they want to head for home.
FEE DIGS
VIRGIN VALLEY OPAL is located in Northwest Nevada just south of the Oregon border, 95 miles east of Lakeview
via Highway 140, and 135 miles from Winnemucca. Travel time from Klamath Falls is around 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours depending on the type of vehicle and if you are pulling a trailer.
There are four mines that are open for fee digs. Web site links for the four mines and Swordfish Mining can be found
under the following web sites: thegemdealer.com opal mines & goldnuggetwebs.com/VVOPALS/VVMAPS.LTM.
The second site has good maps.
BONANZA OPAL MINE – Fresh tailing Fee digging is $60/person /day, 12 and under free with paid adult. $10 discount
for rock club members with proof. Ph. 864 597-1421; Web. bonanzaopals.com.
THE OPAL QUEEN – $150/person/day bank digging, $75/day tailing digging. Ph. 775 941-0130; Web. opalqueen.com
RAINBOW RIDGE OPAL MINE New material is $500/day for one or two adults, $70/person/day for tailings. Children
10 to 15, half price. Ph. 775 941-0270; Web. nevadaopal.com.
ROYAL PEACOCK OPAL MINE – Bank digging $180/person/day, $75/person/day for tailings. 17 space RV park plus
tent camping. Laundry room & toilet/shower room. Bag ice, cold pop, pure well water, grass picnic area. Ph. 775 9410374.
~ ROCK AND ARROWHEAD CLUB ~
Volume 53, Issue 8
August 2012
Page 16
KLAMATH FALLS OREGON
SWORDFISH MINING – Web. [email protected]
In addition there is a mini-dig mine called Opal Negra Mines owned by Scott & Pat Ryals, it is located on the road to the
Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine. Negra stands for black, so we are talking black opal. They like folks to stop by and chat, and view their fine display of opal
from their mines. This is the place to visit if you want to see what the Virgin Valley Opal looks like. Their e-mail is thegemdealer.com. They have graciously supplied the following terms for different types of opal:
Precious-Opal with any play of color, either reflective or contra-luz.
Common-Genuine opal with no play of color.
Contra-luz-Opal with a color play only when sunlight shines through it.
Cachalon-Opal that has color play when dry, but becomes transparent when wet.
Cones-Opal formed from fossilized cones.
Cellfire-Conk opal with precious opal in individual opalized cells.
Dendridic-Opal that has inclusions of algae or roots.
Hydrophane-Opal that displays color when wet or clear, but loses most of color play when dry and opaque.
Jelly-Opal with a play of color yet transparent.
Moss-Opal that has moss-like inclusions.
Potch-Common opal, may have color but without any color play.
Wood-Opal combined with petrified wood.
In the past, most of the club members have gone to the Rainbow Ridge mine for the Saturday fee dig. The tailings dig here allows folks to dig close together
or go off by yourself. This is a chance to socialize while digging and to see what is being “discovered” by other members.
I encourage every one to check the web sites so you can get an idea of what the country is like and what you can expect.
ITEMS TO BRING: Most important is water. In most places there is little or no shade and it is easy to dehydrate. For working the ground suggested items
are: small pick, small garden rake, small shovel or trowel, spray bottle with water, buckets for collecting specimens plus an extra one to sit on. Sun block,
hat, and gloves. A large umbrella works well if the wind isn’t blowing.
The campground is about 3 miles from Hwy 140. There is a toilet, a naturally heated hot water shower and outdoor swimming pool (complete with guppies), and a few small trees.
Denio Junction, about 30 miles to the east, has reopened and offers food, fuel, and rooms. Ph. 775 941-0171.
HOW TO KNOW WHERE TO TURN OFF HWY. 140. Traveling from Lakeview on Hwy 140, it is about 68 miles from Hwy 395 to the Oregon/
Nevada border. The road going into Virgin Valley is approximately 20 miles after entering Nevada . There is a rest area on Hwy 140 just west of the Virgin
Valley access road. There is also a sign on the highway inviting people to come into the opal mines and collect “black fire opal”.
Leah and I are planning on being at the campground early Friday evening. We can discuss the field trip at the August meeting. Call or e-mail me if you any
have questions. Ph: 541 882-8341, e-mail: [email protected].
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Marv Stump