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Safety
Safety Articles and Tips
This section currently contains Safety Articles and Tips that were
written by:
Bill Buckner, who is currently serving as the AFMS Safety
Chairman
Mel Albright, who is currently and has served both the AFMS
Safety Chairman and the RMFMS Safety Chairman
Bill Klose, EFMLS Safety Chariman
Cathy Gaber, American Opal Society Safety Chairman
There are many more pages to be added in this section, so check
back often.
Use the links on the left side of the page.
Last Revised on January 15, 2006
© 1998-2006 American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc.
http://www.amfed.org/safetytips.htm
Send suggestions to [email protected]
http://www.amfed.org/safetytips.htm [4/20/2006 6:38:43 PM]
AFMS Safety
Safety Tips from the AFMS
The following articles are reprints of safety articles that have appeared in past issues of the
AFMS newsletters. The author of each article is included with the individual artlicles.
Contents:
Ground fault interrupters
Angle of repose
Sun protection
General Safety
Skin cancer
Flying objects
Sun stroke/sun exhaustion
Convoy
Bugs and varments
Laboratory/shop
Tain’t So
"Safety" glasses
First aid kit
Spiders
Copyright Notice
Some Other AFMS Newsletter Articles on This Site:
Jun 1997 - Snakes
Oct 1997 - Brrrr!!!!!, Part II
http://www.amfed.org/a_safetyAFMS1.htm (1 of 17) [4/20/2006 6:39:01 PM]
AFMS Safety
Dec 1997 - Rotary Slingshots
Feb 1998 - Don't Stop on Empty
Apr 1998 - Tote That Rock, Lift That Toolbag
May 1998 - Colorful And Deadly
Feb 1998 - It's Just Dust, Isn't It, Part I
Sep 1998 - It's Just Dust, Isn't It, Part II
Oct 1998 - It's Just Dust, Isn't It, Part III
Apr 1999 - Danger!! - Sunshine Coming!!
May 1999 - Are You Ready for Trouble?
Sep 1999 - Hazards From Organic Chemicals
Oct 1999 - Sawing Away - Safety?
Dec 1999 - Is This Stuff Safe?
Mar 2000 - Now What Do I Do?
Apr 2000 - Zapped In Silence
Jun 2000 - Hammer Safety
Sep 2000 - That Was Stupid!!
Sep 2000 - Honnnk, Honnnk (Convoy Safety)
Oct 2000 - Go It Alone?
Dec 2000 - Safety First (Rotating Machinery)
Jan 2001 - Help Me! (First Aid Kits)
Feb 2001 - Shop Safety 101
Mar 2001 - Help! And How to Say It
Apr 2001 - Safety - Safety - Safety
May 2001 - Ouch, Thats My Foot! (Safety Shoes)
Jun 2001 - It is the Dawning of the Age of - Sunshine
Sep 2001 - Digging Away
Oct 2001 - Just a Little Dust
Nov 2001 - A Bolt Out of the Blue (Lightning)
Dec 2001 - A Glean In Your Eye
Feb 2002 - What's All This Tire Stuff?
Apr 2002 - Crackle or Click? (Electricity)
May 2002 - Crying Wolf (Warnings)
Oct 2002 - Are You Ready For Some Safety? (Club Safety Chair)
Mar 2003 - Safety First (Hammer Safety)
May 2003 - Safety (Safety in general)
Jun 2003 - Safety by Bill Buckner (Safety issues in our shops)
AFMS Safety
Sep 2003 - Safety on the Road
Other Sites Safety Links
Rock Hound Collection Safety
Rockhounders Safety Area
Ground fault interrupters
A SHOCKING EXPERIENCE?
Imagine that you are working away in the shop. As usual around lapidary work, there’s a little
water on the floor. As usual, you pay little attention. You reach over to turn the switch on your
equipment. ZAP!
Would you rather
1. Your family learned CPR so that they might rescue you when you are electrocuted?
OR 2. You felt a short tingle, the electricity turned off, and you went to work to find and repair
your machine’s electrical short?
One doesn’t have to be a genius to know you’d prefer number 2. But, have you prepared so that
number 2 is assured. If not, read on.
There is a device called a ground fault interrupter (GFI). If answer number 2. appeals to you, you
should learn about them and get some installed. What does the GFI do for you? GFIs detect the
flow of current when something (perhaps you) in the circuit is grounded and, in a millisecond,
turn off the current. If you are in the grounding circuit, it happens so fast that it will be over before
you realized that you were in the circuit. Your life is spared. No sparks fly. No fire starts. Just,
suddenly, the electricity is off.
GFI’s come in a couple of forms. One is as a unit to fit into your master electrical panel board. It
will protect all the electrical equipment plugged in that circuit. The other is as a replacement in
your wall plug-in box. It protects everything plugged into that one box. Neither is expensive ($12
to $25). But, most of us don’t want to (and shouldn’t) fool around with the back of our master
panel board, So, it is best to have an electrician install GFI’s there. You can install one in the wall
box yourself IF you know what you are doing. If you don’t, call an electrician for that, too.
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The saddest feeling known is to say to yourself "If I had only done that first." Get your GFI’s and
install them now!
Side thought - It is an excellent idea to put these on any circuit near a water faucet - especially
around the bathroom, the kitchen, and the laundry.
by Mel Albright - AFMS Safety Chairman
Angle of repose
REPOSING EASILY
Whenever we rockhounds go on a field trip, we are likely to be around a creek bed, a road cut, a quarry, a
steep bank, or a spoils pile. If so, we should all remember that there is something called the angle of
repose.
No, I'm not talking about how flat you should be when you lie down to rest. The angle of repose is a civil
engineering term. It is a fact that a pile of anything - sand, rocks, marbles, hay, or whatever - has the
property that the slope of the side of the pile determines whether the pile slides down or not. If the slope is
over the angle of repose, it WILL slide - sooner or later. If it less than the angle of repose, it will sit there
forever without sliding. The angle depends on the materials in the pile and on their sizes, so there is no
general rule as to what angle is safe. Therefore, most road cuts and fills are slightly less steep than the
angle of repose.
If you stand below or try to climb a slope that is too steep for the material it is made of, there is a very
good chance that the top will come down on you.
It gets more complicated. Consider what happens when you step into the side of a slope. Your foot forms a
hollow. This means the material just above and just below your footprint is at too steep an angle. So, it
slides down. As it goes, it continuously forms a slope that is too steep, so the material slides and slides and
forms a major slump. If you are trying to ride it or if you are below it, that is not good.
When you dig or extract a sample from a pile or a cliff or a quarry wall, the same thing happens. If you dig
a tunnel, you have definitely formed a highly unstable slope and the slightest jar may bring it all down on
you. That's why mines have shoring. Several children are killed each year because of this. I'm sure you
have heard of it.
So, when hunting rocks, test the slope you're on or below for stability before getting into a position where
you might get hurt or buried. And, always keep an eye on any rockhound that is above you. They might
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start something that hurts you!
Sun protection
DANGER - SUNSHINE
One of the fastest increasing diseases today is skin cancer. It is caused by too mush sunshine. It does not
appear right after you get too much sun, though. It will appear 10, 20, 30, or more years later. So, the only
sure protection is to start now to develop good habits to avoid sun damage to your skin. Then, keep on
being careful.
The basic cause of damage from the sun is through ultraviolet radiation. Recent research has said that one
serious sunburn as a child can lead to cancer. Recent research reports that sunscreen does not protect
against skin melanomas - the deadliest cancer. In my area, our TV weathermen report the UV exposure
factor. They include the safe exposure time. In summer, it typically is something like 8 minutes for fair
skin people, 14 for medium skin people, and 22 for dark skin people.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends the following as ways to prevent and control skin damage from
the sun. Stay out of the sun during the most dangerous times - 10 AM to 2 PM (11 AM to 3 PM daylight
time). Wear a hat, a long sleeve shirt, and long pants (tight-knit cloth) when in the sun. Apply sunscreen
before going out and re-apply every 2 hours or after swimming while outside. Use at least a 15 SPF
sunscreen on all exposed skin (the 15 means it takes 15 times as long to reach the same sun exposure as
with no sunscreen). The higher the altitude, the more UV comes to you and the more sunscreen is needed.
Cloudy days do not protect you - UV comes right through clouds. If you work outside, use sunscreen
daily. A tan does NOT protect you. Some medicines, drugs, cosmetics and birth control pills make you
more sensitive to sun damage. If you develop and allergy to one sunscreen, change to another one. Watch
out for reflective surfaces - sand, snow, water (The Great Salt Plains). Staying in the shade doesn’t help
around these. Stay out of tanning parlors. Keep infants out of the sun. Start using sunscreen on children
when they are 6 months old. Teach your children sun protection early and insist they follow the rules.
Sources: American Academy of Dermatology; The Skin Cancer Foundation
General Safety
AFMS Safety
SAFETY TALK? - HO HUM!
What’s your reaction when someone says there’s going to be a safety talk? If you’re like most people, you
immediately wish you were somewhere else. Is it because the people who talk about safety are boring? Or,
do you consider yourself infallible and immortal? Yes, many speakers are and no you aren’t either. When
we get bored at the sound of the word "safety", we’re not really thinking danger is a part of the things we
do.
However, we are engaged in a hobby in which there are a great number of ways to hurt yourself or be hurt
by others. So, we really should think about what we are doing and how we are doing it. We use poisonous
materials, have flammable materials, use acid and caustic materials, use fire, generate dangerous fumes,
drive in convoys, get out in the sun a lot, are often around unstable cliffs, ditches, and the like, use tools
which often release flying material, use electrical equipment around water, use rotary tools, and more.
Do you know how to protect yourself and your friends in every one of these cases. Or, are you like many
of us? - just go ahead and never think about something going wrong? Do you own protective equipment like canvas and rubber gloves, eye protection, safety shoes, safety hats. If you own them, do you use them?
Face it, most of us don’t. Can you treat insect and snake bites?
May I suggest something new? How about a "Safety Minute" at each club meeting. Either have a safety
chairman or ask someone new each meeting to simply mention some one thing that people in the club do
that should require safety considerations. No one has time to get bored. Everyone is reminded that there
are ways to get hurt in following this hobby. An extra free benefit of this idea is that people will become
more safety conscious even doing things that are never mentioned in the meeting. Hey, give it a try!
Skin cancer
DO YOU SEE SPOTS?
The next time you take a bath, stop afterwards and look over your skin all over your body. Do you see any
spots? See any rough patches of skin? See any small "bumps" of white dead skin? Any moles that are
changing or growing? Any thing else that looks unusual? If you do, it is time to see a Dermatologist.
Maybe QUICK!
Sun damage to the skin is one of the major health problems today. But, it is not caused by what you have
done lately. It depends on you sun exposure 10, 20, 30, or even 40 years ago.
AFMS Safety
By far, the most serious problem you might see is melanoma cancer. This cancer spreads rapidly and is
deadly. The four things that might indicate melanoma are: A varied color growth that is asymmetric, has
irregular edges is something to worry about. If it is larger than 6 mm in diameter, it is really dangerous.
This includes long time moles that change size, color, or shape. Run! do not walk, to the doctor if you see
something that might be this.
Next in importance are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Although not as deadly as
melanoma, these can be serious if not treated. Any of these 5 things might indicate that these are present.
1. An open sore that bleeds, crusts, or oozes for more than 3 weeks. 2. A reddish patch. It may sometimes
be crusty. It may itch or hurt. 3. A smooth growth with a rolled border with an indentation in the middle. 4.
A shinny bump or nodule which is pearly or translucent. They are often pink, red, or white. Less common,
they may be tan, black, or brown. They MAY BE CONFUSED with a mole. 5. A scar-like area which is
white, yellow or waxy. It will be shinny and the surrounding skin is taut.
Also important are three pre-cancerous conditions. These may lead to cancer if they are untreated. Solar
or actinic keratoses occur as rough, dry, pink to tan patches on sunexposed skin. These are caused by the
ultraviolet in the sun and. Leukoplakia is a smooth, white patch which affects the mucous membranes,
primarily the lips and inside the mount. Radiodermatitus appears as a mottled area with a decrease of
skin pigment.
We’ll discuss how to limit skin damage from the sun in another article.
Flying objects
IDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
You pick up a rock that looks promising. You can’t quite tell if it's any good. You want to see what’s
inside. So, you take your rock hammer or another rock and hit it to chip off a piece. ZING, a chip hits your
eye. You are now one-eyed.
That great specimen you want is partially buried in the matrix right there!. All you have to do is get it
loose without breaking it. So, you grab a chisel and a hammer and start chipping. ZING, a chip hits your
eye. You are now one-eyed.
You need to get that rock out of the ground. All it needs is a little prying. You grab a crowbar, point the
AFMS Safety
end at the crack and bang it down to force it into the ground. ZING, a chip hits your eye. You are now oneeyed.
You want some rocks for tumbling. All you have are too big. So, you grab a big one, set it down on the
ground, take a hammer and bang away. ZING, a chip hits your eye. You are now one-eyed.
Your piece of slab is too big. It’s real time consuming to trim it with your saw. So, you grab a pair of
pliers, grab a corner, and pry to break it off. ZING, a chip hits your eye. You are now one-eyed. OR, you
score the slab with a glass cutter, line the score over a bench edge, and start tapping to break it. ZING, a
chip hits your eye. You are now one-eyed.
You’re cleaning a fossil. As you chip away to get matrix off, you lean closer and closer to see that you get
it exactly right. Suddenly your hammer slips and bounces. ZING, the hammer hits your eye. You are now
one-eyed.
You’re gluing with epoxy. You get a little hardener on your hand. You wipe the sweat off your forehead.
You get a little hardener in your eye. ZING, you are now one-eyed.
Wild? Exaggerated? Not really. It happens all too often.
Plastic safety glasses at WalMart - about $1. Plastic face shield at WalMart - about
$5. Worth it? by Mel Albright - AFMS Safety Chairman
Sun stroke/sun exhaustion
SUN SAFETY
Do you ever hunt rocks on a warm to hot day? Garden? Hike? Or something else active? Then, in much of
the United States, you’d best learn to recognize the symptoms of thing going wrong when we get too hot.
HEAT CRAMPS are the less serious, but still dangerous result of too much heat. These are spasms of the
muscles brought on by exertion in hot weather. Many times, the calves are the first muscles affected.
What causes cramps? Intense sweating followed by drinking of salt free water. They are more likely to
occur if you’re out of shape, in poor health, tired, or have been drinking alcohol. BUT, they can occur to
anyone! To avoid cramps, take it easy in hot weather, eat salty foods or take salt tablets, or drink athletic
drinks that have salt in them. If cramps occur, stop, get in a cool place and rest, stretch and message the
cramped muscle. Drink something salty.
AFMS Safety
HEAT EXHAUSTION occurs when you run out of body salt and/or water. Symptoms are fatigue,
lightheadedness, thirst, maybe cramps, spasms, nausea and/or vomiting. Mental ability will be normal.
Low grade fever (99 to 102F), a rapid pulse, and dehydration are often present.
In HEAT STROKE, the most serious effect, the individual will have a high fever (104 to 106F). There will
be mental confusion, unusual behavior, convulsions, or coma. The blood pressure may be dangerously low
from shock.
IMMEDIATE CARE for heat exhaustion or heat stroke includes moving the individual to airconditioning, lying on their back, with a fan if available. Remove or loosen tight clothing, place cool
compresses on forehead, neck, and under arms. You may sprinkle water on them, but do not put them into
a tub or swimming pool. If they vomit, give them nothing by mouth. Otherwise cold, salt-containing
liquids will help. Use 4 teaspoon salt in 1 quart water and give them 4 oz. every 15 minutes. If symptoms
persist, or if they are unconscious, transport immediately to a hospital.
Remember, some people tolerate heat better than others. Even though you feel fine, if any of the above
symptoms starts, act immediately. Continuing on and insisting "I’m O.K." or "I’ll be O.K. in a minute."is
NOT the way to go. It can only make things worse.
Reference: COMPUSERVE FIRST AID SECTION
Convoy
FOLLOW ME!!!
by Mel Albright, AFMS Safety Chair
For many rockhound clubs, the field trip season is upon us. For others, it is fast approaching. So, now is an
appropriate time to think about such trips.
In the classical fashion, everyone meets at 7:30 AM at McDonalds or some such arrangement. Then, the
leader says "Let’s go!" - "Everyone follow me.", jumps into his vehicle and goes driving off down the
road. Everyone else falls in behind and each driver careful tries to memorize the car ahead of him so he
won’t get lost. And - AWAY THEY GO!
What are the problems with this?
First, let’s consider the dynamics of the "follow the leader" approach. The lead driver takes off, and,
usually drives at the speed limit or a little slower. The next car can’t exactly match his speed, so they get
AFMS Safety
close and slow down, then get farther away, and speed up. The next car’s speed is even more erratic. By
the time you get to "tail-end Charlie", he’s going anywhere from 20 miles under the speed limit to 20 over
just trying not to be left.
Then, throw in a stop sign or traffic light. Some cars go through, there’s a pause for traffic, then a few
more go, then there’s another pause, and so on. After a few cycles, the cars have to speed like crazy to refind those that went ahead.
During all this, the driver is concentrating on the convoy - not on traffic. So, the chances of an accident go
way up. Sometimes, less daring drivers refuse to speed and they and many behind are lost and miss the
field trip.
SOOOO! For safety, several things need to be done. First, before starting, every driver should get detailed
directions or a map of where they are going. Then no one is afraid of losing out. This way, no driver is
afraid of being left behind, so they can concentrate on traffic and road conditions. Second, the leader
should drive 5-10 miles under the speed limit at as nearly a constant speed as possible to minimize yoyoing. Third, the convoy should pull to the side of the road and wait for everyone to catch up any time
there’s a turn, a stop sign, a town to go through, or a traffic light. Finally, it would really help if the leader
is in radio (CB) contact with a buddy who has agrees to be "tail-end Charlie". Then, if there’s a flat or any
other problem, the leader can stop and wait for things to be straightened out.
HONK! HONK! HEY, WE GOT US A CONVOY HERE!
Bugs and varments
BUGS AND VARMINTS
by Mel Albright (AFMS Safety Chair)
Whenever we go rock hunting, we should remember that we’re going into someone else’s world. Who’s?
Well, we really don’t know. It might be some snake, some bug, some plant, or, even, something really big like a bear. So, how do we prepare to be friendly - or at least not to make something mad?
Often, the best thing to do is simply not to go there. If there’s poison ivy or poison oak or poison sumac
around, go somewhere else. By the way, can you recognize all or any of these that thrive in your neck of
the woods? If not, best get someone to show you. Believe me, it’s better than finding out the hard way. As
a kid, I spent 2 weeks of my life in bed from poison ivy.
What about snakes? First, remember most are not poison. Second, remember that some are. Third, find out
the difference. In the United States, they state that there are only a few - rattle snakes, cottonmouth snakes,
AFMS Safety
coral snakes and copperheads. Believe it or not, the snake would rather not bite you. If they don’t feel
threatened, they’ll leave you alone. So, when in snake country, there are a few rules: Do not walk fast;
Look before putting your foot down; Don’t jump or step over stuff- logs, rocks, etc.; Don’t reach into dark
places before you look to be sure no one’s there; Don’t put your stuff on the ground where it might
provide cover for a snake. And remember, a rattle snake does NOT always rattle first!
Then there’s bugs and spiders who can be unfriendly - scorpions, black widows, fiddle-backs, and the like.
Again, a few simple rules will cover you - Don’t reach into a place before looking into it. Don’t put one
hand down to support yourself while doing something else without checking out where it’s going. When
you reach under something, you are reaching into the bug’s domain . Turn it over instead. Shake out any
shoes, clothing, bed rolls, or whatever before putting yourself into them. Never say that some place is too
tight for a bug. You’d be amazed at what a small crack a scorpion can sneak through (and loves to do so). I
got a fiddleback bite one time by sitting on my garden tractor. The spider was under the seat! Now I look
first.
Then there are the nuisance bugs - ticks, chiggers, no-see-ums, gnats, skeeters, and the like. Here, the best
way is to be prepared. Use bug repellent BEFORE venturing out. Dust your ankles with flowers of sulfur.
Don’t wear floral or sweet scents. Wear shirts with sleeves and long pants. Bees, wasps, hornets, and
bumble bees are usually highly visible. Watch for them! Remember, that hole in the ground might be the
entrance to a bumble bee nest! Also, remember that many soft drinks are attractive to them and they can
and do land on your pop can - even while you’re holding it.
Finally, consider the bigger stuff - bears, skunks, and their neighbors. Be noisy, talk and rattle, and look
ahead and they’ll be no problem. One exception - if you see ANY wild animal that doesn’t seem afraid or,
even, approaches you, try your very best to avoid them. THEY MIGHT BE RABID! If you see a nocturnal
animal wandering around in the daylight, there again is a good chance that it is rabid. In my area, that is
especially true for skunks, possums, fox, and raccoons. Check with the agricultural or wildlife people in
your area if you are not sure what wild animals might be rabid.
Laboratory/shop
THE COMPLEATE SHOPPE
Most rockhounds have a shop or a place that acts as one. Most of us have it as well equipped as we can
afford. But, how well equipped is it for safety? Perhaps the best way to understand what’s needed is to
compare our shop with an industrial chemistry laboratory.
Let’s look at lab equipment. The lab must, by law, have a suitable fire extinguisher readily available. Most
often, that means it is hanging on the wall next to the "front" door. The lab will have a safety hood where
air is drawn from the lab proper and exhausted outside and high off the ground. The lab will have safety
AFMS Safety
cans - cans that have a spring-loaded lid to keep them closed and will be made of non-sparking material.
The lab will have all-metal boxes or shelves or cabinets. The lab will have a non-skid floor with matting if
the floor is likely to get wet. The lab will have safety glasses, face shields, ground fault electrical outlets,
safety buckets, rubber and plastic gloves, safety waste cans, tongs and other tools for moving hot
materials, an eye fountain for emergencies, a nearby emergency shower, dust and filter masks, a first aid
kit, and other specific safety devices for the operations going on in the lab. AND MORE!
Well that’s something, but what does it have to do with a rockhound’s shop? Maybe nothing. Most likely,
a whole bunch. If you have any flammable liquids around, you should have them in safety cans - stuff like
alcohol, acetone, methyl-ethyl ketone, gasoline, kerosene. Actually, the lab will have the absolute
minimum possible inside with the rest stored outside in a fireproof metal cabinet. Safety cans mean no
spills. No spills means no fires. Other flammable stuff - glues and the like - should be stored in tightly
closed metal containers (a metal fishing tackle box). Bottles of acids should be stored in safety buckets they’ll contain the acids if the bottle breaks. Fuel bottles, such as acetylene or propane bottles, are securely
chained to prevent their turning over and, perhaps, breaking off the valve. (Talk about a rocket!)
The safety hood in a lab will prevent the buildup in the lab of any flammable or toxic material in the air.
You should copy the principle in your shop. Work with ventilation. Fresh air should come first to you,
then to whatever you’re working on and then be exhausted (A floor fan hung in a window often works
well.) or blown away if you’re outside.
The personal safety stuff - gloves, masks, safety glasses, tools, ear protectors and so on are all cheap and
all available at WalMarts and most hardware stores. Spares for guests should be on hand.
The fire extinguisher and first aid kit are musts. The ground fault electrical outlets certainly should be
used. The non-skid floor mat is needed in many rock shops. The proper tools for the job in hand are a good
safety measure.
We might not be as well equipped as a commercial lab. The closer we can come the safer we will be. We
should indeed consider all the same safety factors and what we can do to be safe.
Tain’t So
"ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD"
In Gilbert and Sullivans operatta H. M. S. Pinafore, Buttercup reminds us that "all that glitters is not gold"
and that "jackdaws strut in peacock feathers". We should keep her advice in mind when we read "hints" in
our own and in exchange bulletins. These ideas come from people with good faith, but often little or no
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scientific background. Editors copy from each other with little effort to evaluate the ideas. Many feel as I
did when I started - "If it didn’t work, it wouldn’t have been suggested." So - they may be short-cuts to
disaster. A few that I have seen include:
"Use permanent automobile anti-freeze in you saw instead of cutting oil."
I doo not know what this would do to your saw blade or how well it would lubricate. I do know that
ethylene glycol (antifreeze) is a toxic material. It is bad for your health and for that of any pets you may
have around. Skin exposure and breathing of the mist created by the saw would both be bad for you. This
hint is a real loser. DO NOT DO IT!
"Use kerosine as a cutting oil in your saw." Again, this is a bad idea. Kerosene is A FUEL. It is less
volatile than gasoline and more volatile than diesel oil. It doesn’t ignite as easily as gasoline, but it will
ignite from sparks and heat. You could end up with several gallons of fiery fluid running around the floor.
DO NOT DO IT!
"Heat a cab and some wax in a microwave oven for fast dopping." Do you remember Mt. St. Helens? The
big explosion that occurred? That came from superheated steam. You can create a smaller version of the
same explosion in your microwave if you follow this hint. All rocks have water in the pores inside.
Microwaves work by heating water. The steam formed can create unbelievable force when it is confined as
in the rock pores. When the rock fractures, there will be lots of shrapnel flying around. DO NOT DO IT!
Generic "mix this with that to do this" hints. When two chemicals are mixed, there is often a reaction.
Some reactions are quite vigorous and release lots of energy. Mixing acid and water is a sample (see
"superheated steam" above). AAA - always add acid to water. Other mixing reactions release toxic fumes.
An example is porcelain cleaner and laundry bleach. They release chlorine gas. If you try one of these
hints, start outdoors and with limited quantities. Or - DO NOT DO IT!
Remember - some good sounding ideas are really, really bad. Read them with caution and, if you’re not
familiar with the material’s properties, ask someone about them.
"Safety" glasses
ARE YOUR SAFETY GLASSES REALLY SAFE?
by Mel Albright - Chair, AFMS Safety Committee
AFMS Safety
We are constantly reminded to wear ‘safety’ glasses. So, we tell the optical shop or the eye doctor that we
want safety glasses. Or, if we don’t wear prescription lenses, we buy ‘safety’ glasses from somewhere.
Then, feeling virtuous, we proceed to work away. Did you know that you are NOT very well protected?
WHAT! But they said these are safety glasses.
Well, they are and they aren’t. Several years back, the U. S. government passed a law that all glasses sold
must be "safety’ glasses. The law’s meaning was that, if the glasses break, they will shatter into small, nonpointed pieces and form no knife-like shards that might puncture the eye and go deeply into the eye. This
is the standard for safety glasses.
In industry, ‘safety’ glasses mean much more. In addition to breaking properly, they are designed to be
break resistant. That is, if something hits them, they will tend to stop it instead of just breaking. Even
more, industrial safety glasses may be designed to stop liquid splashes from hitting the eye - not just
straight on, but also from the side.
So, we rockhounds should ask for and get industrial grade ‘safety’ lenses and frames. It is that resistance
to breakage that offers us the most protection. I’ll admit safety glasses are not particularly attractive, but
that’s not their purpose. Personally, I like a face shield in the shop instead of glasses. It is more protective,
cooler, and restricts your vision far less than glasses. Actually, a face shield would be better on field trips,
too. But it sure isn’t as handy.
Whichever, be sure to wear one of them when appropriate.
AFMS Newsletter - Vol 95, No. 6 August 1995
First aid kit
THE PERFECT? LIGHT-WEIGHT FIRST AID
KIT
by Chris Rylands - Bellevue, WA
[Did you know rockhounds field trip the internet, too? Recently, the rockhound e-mail exchange group had
an interesting discussion. It started when Chris Rylands ([email protected]) attempted to describe the
perfect light-weight first aid kit. See if you agree with Chris or perhaps you think of something that should
be added. - Mel Albright, Chair, Safety]
AFMS Safety
The idea of this kit is small and lightweight but yet an all around life saver. >>One of those blue plastic
eye cups if you need to wash out your eye, and an eye patch and eye ointment for infections. Most
rockhounds do not bother using their eye protection. Next time you go out watch... >>Water purification
tablets, cheapest, or one of those fancy pocket water purifiers if you are in a mineral rich area, with springs
or flooded mines. >>Hmm. Nice Vug, Lost your footing, AAAAAAAA!!! WHAM!!! Roll of black tape
(Electrician’s tape) it is elastic, waterproof, and air tight. Can be used for things like splinting, arm slings,
worse yet tourniquets. >>I hear the plane and can see it but they cannot see me, no wood or too wet to
have the smoking fire. Go to the local boat supply for orange smoke pots. Not flare guns, unless you want
to burn to death in the forest. Or be on CNN as the most stupid of all time rescues. >>Water out of sand:
For you Desert Rock-hounders, 2 dark green thick jumbo plastic garbage bag, one 3 foot 1/4" plastic fish
tank hose. First dig a 3 ft x 2 ft deep hole. Place one bag in the bottom center of the hole, shape it as a cup.
Lay the plastic suction tube in the cup bottom and up and out of the hole. Now cover the hole with the
other plastic bag one layer thick. Totally seal the circumference of this hole and bag with sand. Now place
a stone in the center, as to made a depression in the bag over the cup. As the humidity condenses on the
top bag the moisture beads up and rolls to the drip point and lands in the cup. Then you suck on the straw.
Remember you can also soak the pit sand with what ever fluid you want as long as it has H2O in it,
radiator fluid, wet dirt, mashed up weeds/foliage etc. or even your own you know what. After all this is
what the astronaut's life support systems do. >>30somthin sealed, wax dipped strike anywhere wooden
matches, wrapped with wax dipped paper. By the way, did you know you can start a camp fire with fine
steel wool and your flashlight battery. >>Pocket thermal space blanket. >>Chemical toe warmers, about
$2.00 a pair at local sports stores, can be used as warm compress or to save your cold toes,/fingers.>>You
may have a big geode stuck in your mouth, and cannot yell for help, and it is night. One phosphorescent
snap and glow stick. >>One of those Oval Green Rubber Snake bite kits. >>A pocket card on CPR Heat
injuries, Shock, Burns, Fractures, Dislocations, Cold injuries, Bleeding etc... most fire depts and or
hospitals have these free items. After all if you save your partner's life, he/she may give you their rock
collection. >>One safety pin, for among many things, picking out things. >>One candle. >>Pencil and
3X5" card. >>some waterproof cloth type Band-Aids And remember, if you are in the cold or damp
climate, "COTTON KILLS". ---- Did I forget anything?
Spiders
LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS? - HECK NO!
ARACHNIDS!!!
Mel Albright, Chair, Safety
Arach-what? Well, Spiders, if you weren’t scared by the motion picture starring a few million of them.
Spring and Fall are prime times for people and spiders to interact - not always to the spiders disadvantage.
Spiders love warm, indoor places - quiet ones - and wood, brush, and rock piles.
AFMS Safety
Shoes, seldom used closets, rock storage, under tables and chairs, outdoor stone piles, wood piles (like
firewood), debris piles (like from the garden or yard), unused cabins, laundry piles, and the like are the
domain of the three spiders that people should look out for. The three are the black widow spider, the
fiddleback spider, and, one that may be new to you, the hobo spider.
The renowned black widow is a hairless shiny black spider with a red or yellow hourglass on her belly.
(Yeah, I know, I don’t wait to turn them over, either.) The females are 12 to 18 mm. in body diameter, so
they aren’t too hard to spot - except they place their nests under things and out of sight. They rarely kill
anyone but their bite may leave you thinking they have. From 10 minutes to an hour after a bite come
muscle spasms, burning, cramps, nausea and dizziness. Vomiting may also occur. Stone piles, log piles,
rarely used sheds, and other debris piles are favored by this one. (In the old days, it was on the underside
of the outhouse seat - especially dangerous for men.)
The fiddleback or brown recluse is a pale brown to reddish with a dark violin shape on its back. Its body is
8 to 14 mm. It is the most dangerous spider. Its venom is stronger than pit viper snake’s venom. Its bite
may cause fever, chills, headache, and - sometimes - death. The bite may also ulcerate and cause tissue
loss that doesn’t heal - even causing permanent damage. If you find a bite with a reddish spot in the middle
and a whitish halo around it, go directly to medical help. (I’ve felt this one, so I can say the bite also hurt
like heck.) Basement crannies, clothes piles (even in bed with you!) , and other dark places are preferred
spots. (Mine was under my riding mower seat with the mower in a dark, rarely used barn.)
The hobo spider is an import and has spread from ports. It is considered the most common indoor spider in
the U.S. They are brown and their body is from 10 to 15 mm. They attack where other spiders run. Their
nests are funnel shape. Their bite leaves a spot and a halo like the fiddleback’s bite and can cause 2 to 6
inch blister that take up to 6 months to heal and sometimes require surgical removal before healing is
possible. The bites may also cause short term memory and vision loss, nausea, headaches, and fatigue.
Rarely, the bite kills. They are most likely to move indoors with you when the weather starts changing in
the fall. In the fall, they also mate and are particularly touchy and aggressive. They like wood piles, crawl
spaces, barns, haystacks, and undisturbed clutter.
All three occur in every continental state. The fiddleback is most common in the south and the mid-west.
The hobo is very common in the Pacific northwest. The Black widow is everywhere except Alaska.
If you are bitten: Light bites require light use of ice packs and cortisone cream. Bulls-eye bites or those
with other symptoms require immediate medical care. If you’re bitten, try to kill the spider and take it with
you for identification.
Reference: Center for Disease Control; United States Department of Agriculture
Copyrights of the article(s) are retained by the author(s). Permission is given by the author for reprinting in
publications of clubs or societies that are affiliated with the AFMS for non-commercial purposes with proper
AFMS Safety
attribution to the author and its publication. Articles must be published in their entirety and its meaning not
changed. For other usage, the author(s) must be contacted for approval. This information is provided for your
reading enjoyment and the AFMS can not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the information
contained therein. The opinions expressed are those of the author and may or may not represent those of the
AFMS.
http://www.amfed.org/a_safetyAFMS1.htm
June 1997
AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF
MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES
Newsletter - June, 1997
EACH CLUB - EACH YEAR - ONE ROCKHOUND - Margaret Pearson >
IS YOUR NOMINATION IN?- EACH CLUB - EACH YEAR - ONE
ROCKHOUND - Margaret Pearson >
MARGARET'S MUSINGS - Margaret Heinek >
SHOW HIGHLIGHT - ENDOWMENT FUND RAFFLE - Glen Lee >
MEMORIES - SILVER ANNIVERSARY TREASURES -June Culp Zeitner >
MEMORIES -IN THE SPOTLIGHT - 25TH ANNIVERSARY TIARA- Betty
James
http://www.amfed.org/n1997_06.htm (1 of 15) [4/20/2006 6:43:52 PM]
June 1997
EDITORIAL - OLDER AND SLOWER? - Mel Albright >
SAFETY - SNAKES! - Mel Albright >
PYRITE PRESERVATION - Sally Shelton, San Diego Natural History
Museum >
PORCUPINE PROBLEMS - Daryl Fuller >
PUBLISHING INFORMATION >
EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR
-ONE ROCKHOUND
by Margaret Pearson,
AFMS E.C.E.Y.O.R. Chair
The following rockhounds are being recognized for their outstanding service by the AFMS
through its program: EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR- ONE ROCKHOUND. The names of
rockhounds honored by their fellow members for their contributions to their club and the
hobby are in no particular order. The AFMS congratulates these hardworking club
members!
¨ Gordon Dobecki, Michiana Gem & Mineral Society, South Bend, IN. Gordon is a charter
member of his club and has contributes much through expert lapidary skills and
instructions. He has a particular interest in promoting youth activities.
¨ Don & Dorothy Auler, Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois, Glen Ellyn, IL. Don and
Dorothy have donated so much time and effort to support and further the earth sciences.
They contributed to club study groups, shows and junior events. Don illustrated the club
fossil books and gave demonstrations and lectures to other clubs.
¨ Neil Reeder, Bruder Gem and Mineral Society, Troy, OH. He has been recognized by his
club for the long span and great breadth of his contributions. He has served in many
offices and ways. His most notable contribution has been in developing, producing, and
delivering earth science programs and resource materials to all the school systems in
nearby areas.
June 1997
¨ Bernard & Irene Sobczak, Des Plaines Valley Geological Society, Des Plaines, IL. A
lifetime rockhound couple, Bernie is an outstanding silversmith and Irene has served on
the club executive board for years. He has generously demonstrated and explained his
skill at club shows. She has contributed her popular shell animals for children.
¨ Bill Hemken, Belleville Gem & Mineral Society, Belleville, IL. Bill, an ambitious
rockhound, shares his vast warehouse of knowledge with club members, students, Girl
Scouts, and anyone else wanting to know about rocks.
¨ Ralph Helle, Corn Palace Rock Club of South Dakota. Nearly 80 years young, a charter
member, a leader since the club was organized in '65 when no one in town was interested
in rocks, minerals, or fossils, he helped get people together. Show committee member,
chair shows and tell for school children, hunts shark teeth, and now club President.
¨ June & Lee Floyd, Toledo Gem and Rockhound Club, Toledo, OH. June has served her
club in many leadership positions. Lee has become the club metalsmithing aficionado,
having personally taught metalsmithing technique classes since 1980. His home shop is a
thing of organization to be admired and emulated. He turns out over 200 projects a year.
The Floyds have been members of their club since 1970.
¨ Craig Brandt, Austin Gem and Mineral Society, Austin, TX. He is heralded as the most
productive member of the club. He has remodeled the meeting room, video-taped every
program, and served as an officer, committee chair, worker and leader. Craig gets the job
done whatever it is.
¨ Joyce & Delbert Speed, Arlington Gem & Mineral Club, Arlington, TX. They are excellent
in bringing cohesion, motivation, enjoyment and accomplishment not just to AG&MS, but
to the many clubs in our area which they serve.
¨ Lieth & Charlotte Harmon, East Texas Gem & Mineral Society, Tyler, TX. Their dedication
and hard work have revitalized a static club. They have implemented new ideas that have
doubled our club membership in three years.
¨ Sid & Grace Bellamy, Oak Cliff Gem and Mineral Society, Dallas, TX. Sid and Grace
founded this club in 1961. Sid, who passed away in 1996, is remembered for teaching
silver-smithing. Grace has been our primary lapidary instructor and showcase designer.
Both gave freely of their time anytime they were asked.
¨ Kermit & Evangeline Watson, Western South Carolina Gem and Minerals Society. Kermit
and Evangeline are the solid foundation of this club. They have held most all its offices
and have served as Registrars and Directors at Southeast Federation Workshops at
Wildacres and the William Holland School. Their latest contribution to the club was
converting part of their home into a shop for workshop classes.
¨ Larry Field, Billings Gem & Mineral Club, Billings, MT. Larry has held many offices in the
club, been active in the Montana Council of Gems and Minerals, had many articles
published in both club and federation newsletters, and has helped in protecting
collector's rights.
¨ Carl & Ethel Dach, Blackhawk Rock Club, Loves Park, IL. Carl and Ethel spend long
hours in service to their club. When other officers of the club were unable to perform their
official duties or help with day-to-day operations, Carl stepped in and got things done.
Carl spends much time teaching wire wrapping to those who have finished a cab and
don't know what to do with it. Ethel covers other things to allow Carl the time to invest in
June 1997
our future rockhounds.
¨ Marion & Marcia Preston, Yucaipa Gem & Mineral Club, Redlands, CA. They have been
President, Secretary, board members, jewelry teachers, hostess, willing and able show
workers, community leaders, and they devote time to all club activities. We are a very
fortunate club.
¨ Dennis Warren, Fairfield Lapidary Society, Fairfield, Ca. Dennis is a long time
rockhound. He is current President and has held many offices, including President of
North Bay Trippers. He attends shows and displays his lapidary talents. He gives talks at
schools and gives the students rocks.
¨ Miriam & Gene Tetreault, Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, Santa Paula, CA. They are each
year - SHOW people. She arranges for dealers and he is involved in layout, hookups,
equipment handling, and storage of show items. They have both held many offices.
Currently she is hospitality chair and an assistant silversmith instructor. He is treasurer
and many times over a field trip leader.
¨ Bryce & Bernice Crosby, Clackamette Mineral and Gem Society, Oregon City, OR. Bryce
is the club's equipment man. He will sell, buy or tell you what is wrong with your machine.
They have been members since 1973 and have held most positions on the board. If you
need something done, the Crosbys will do it and do it right.
¨ Walder Robbins, Neville Public Museum Geology Club, Green Bay, WI. Walder has been
a member since 1987. He has been an excellent participant in club activities, won honors
for poetry in the club bulletin, and is still a member though in a nursing home.
¨ Mel Buhr, Everett Rock & Gem Club, Everett, WA. In his 42 year membership, Mel has
held every office and chairmanship in the club. He is very thorough, organized, creative,
and considerate - an asset for any organization.
¨ Helen Dobson, Yellowstone Gem & Mineral Society, Bozeman, MT. Helen belongs to a
number of clubs, displays in many shows, acts as our program chair, attends field trips
and believes in our hobby.
¨ Skelton "Dug" Dugger, Ft. Lewis Rock Club, Ft. Lewis, WA. Dug was instrumental in
forming the club and pushing it to join the NFMS. He gives unselfishly of his time to the
club and all activities including volunteering in the lapidary shop.
¨ Jack Fishburn, Middle Tennessee Gem & Mineral Society, Murfreesboro, TN. Since the
beginning of our club he has been an active leader. He has been a friend to many. He has
a great sense of humor. For several years, he has made and donated the show grand
prize. He teaches lapidary art at a senior citizen center in Nashville, TN and helps a lot of
people learn the lapidary arts.
¨ Mike Moreno, Sierra Pelona Rock Club, Newhall, CA. Mike is being honored for his long
and outstanding services since 1968. He has been a field trip leader for over 15 years. He
is Rock Table Chair and has devoted many hours teaching rockhounds how-to. He has
been an active participant in the San Fernando Valley Gem Fair since it started in 1969.
¨ Gladys Walker and Simon King (nominated as a couple), North Island Gem and Mineral
Society, El Cajon, CA. These two tireless workers were instrumental in founding "Holtville
Rockhound Roundup" annual show. Gladys has been bulletin editor since 1986 and
performs endless hours supporting the club and out hobby. Simon is an enthusiastic
volunteer, has held numerous board positions and is currently President of the Council of
June 1997
San Diego Gem and Mineral Societies. They have each singularly won the club's member
of the year award and shared it in 1995.
¨ Bill & Mary Jean Leslie, Kern County Mineral Society, Bakersfield, CA. He is currently
President and she is doing club publicity and public relations. They are busy in many
venues of rockhounding as well as sharing, teaching, and exhibiting at neighboring club
shows.
INDEX
IS YOUR CLUB'S NOMINATION IN?
EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND
by Margaret Pearson, Chair
The AFMS recognition program, EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND, is a
continuous program in which each club is allowed to recognize one member each year for
their outstanding work as rockhounds. Nominations can be submitted at any time during
the year. There is no deadline date. Also, no waiting to see your nominee recognized.
Nominations will be submitted for publication throughout the year.
The AFMS Committee makes no distinction as to who is recognized and who is not. ALL
names submitted for recognition will be published in the AFMS Newsletter. The only
restriction is that each club may submit only one nomination per year. For this program,
married couples are considered as "one". If a club submits a second nomination within a
year, that nomination will be held and published the next year.
Reasons for the nomination should be kept short and simple. Please tell us the name of
the club, city and state where located and the individual sending the information.
Nominations should be sent to your Federation representative. We look foreword to
hearing from all our AFMS affiliated clubs.
AFMS Chair - Margaret Pearson, 9034-24 W. Lisbon Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53222 (414) 4640781
CFMS - Grant & Toni Ewers, 12 Hillcrest Lane, Boulder City, NV 89005-1607 (702) 293-5106
EFMLS - Duane Evans, 28 Ash St., Portsmouth RI 02871 (401) 683-9536
MFMS - Nellie Claxton, 1001 Wilshire Dr., Mt. Vernon, IL 61102 (618) 242-2193
NFMS - Jean Brooks, 1405 Clearbrook Dr., SE, Apt. F104, Lacy, WA 98503 (360) 493-8380
RMFMS - Mary Clough, 3065 Everett, Wichita, KS 67217 (316) 943-2267
SCFMS - Virginia Brotherton, 2512 Bamberry Dr., Ft. Worth, TX 76133 (817) 346-1583
SFMS - Fred Sias, 120 Holly Ave., Clemson, SC 29631 (803) 654-6833
June 1997
Did you hear about the midget clairvoyant burglar that escaped from jail? The headlines
in the newspaper read "Small Medium at Large"
INDEX
MARGARET'S MUSINGS
by Margaret Heinek
President, AFMS
So much has happened, weather wise this winter and spring, especially in the Dakotas
and lately in Canada. I sincerely hope all of our members are O.K. My heart goes out to all
that have lost their homes to the floods. Here in Indiana and Michigan we have had
"interesting" weather, snow in late April and early May! I am looking forward to a good
"summer".
The show committee in Jackson, Miss. promises us real good weather. Have you made
your plans for the AFMS 50th Anniversary Celebration? The information on the
Convention, to be held October 13-19, 1997, has been sent, and the committees have been
busy with the plans. If you have not received your copy of the forms, let someone know,
or write to Mary Jane Boutwell at 367 Virlillia Rd, Canton, Miss, 39046-9001 and ask for the
information, or contact her E-Mail at [email protected].
Have you thought about items you would be willing to donate to Charles Leach for the
Endowment Fund Auction? Glenn Lee, Ways and Means Chairman, has asked for three
good items from each Federation (they will take more!). As of April 20th, Charles had
received 3 items, all good ones. Charlie always has many items that are worth bidding on
at his auction at the AFMS Federation's conventions, so plan on being there with your
extra money.
For those that send me your bulletins, Thank you. There are so many good ideas in them.
My husband (Bob) and I read them, then they are passed down to our club editor, and
then taken to the club meetings for the members, finally they are taken to our shows for
any of our attendees to take home. Talk about re-cycling!
INDEX
June 1997
SHOW HIGHLIGHT
ENDOWMENT FUND RAFFLE
by Glenn Lee, Chair
Ways and Means Com.
WIN BIG!! Stop at Charley's Endowment Fund booth at the Jackson show. YOU may win a
beautiful prize to take home and enjoy.
This year, each Federation has been asked to furnish three good items for Charles
Leach's Endowment Fund Raffle. This will be during the national show in Jackson.
The Northwest Foundation has already supplied the following items:
1. A necklace with a 14.1 ct. blue Russian quartz faceted by AFMS Trophy winner Ed
Romack and mounted in sterling by Dick Glismann.
2. A walrus sculpture in brown soapstone by Virgil Keltz, The AFMS Trophy winner at
Riverside.
3. An obsidian knife with a coyote jaw handle by flintknapper Terry Hayes.
Many more good items will be there, so stop by Charley's booth. You'll be glad you did.
A decision results when no committee is formed.
INDEX
MEMORIES SILVER ANNIVERSARY TREASURES
by June Culp Zeitner
Chair, Silver Anniversary Cabochons
In all, 1,309 cabochons of American gem materials were collected to present to the
Smithsonian where the AFMS Silver Anniversary party was held. These were all cut by
American lapidaries.
The amazing array of well-cut cabs of wonderful gem materials ranged in size from a 5
carat moonstone to a half-pound agate. The Midwest Federation sent the most cabs,
followed by the Northwest Federation. At the time of the party, no cabs had been received
from Delaware or Hawaii. The Idaho County club sent more than any other club. Slides of
the cabochon decorated cake and some of the stones will be shown at the Golden
Anniversary show at Jackson, Mississippi, October 17-19.
June 1997
Here is a list of the cabs used to decorate the cake. One was chosen to represent each
state sending cabs. They were selected for size, color, beauty, workmanship, variety and
quality as well as being a true example of the state's gemstones. They were not
necessarily the rarest or the most valuable. They made a stunning display!
Alabama - Paint Rock agate - R. Preston Watts; Alaska - jade - William Munz; Arizona jasper - Doug McVicar; Arkansas - chert - Cleo Webb; California - Tremolite - Castro Valley
Gem and Mineral Society (Taylor); Colorado - fossil wood - D. N. Bass; Connecticut Lepidolite - Herbert Fredrich; Florida - Suwanee coral - Canaveral Gem & Mineral Society;
Georgia - Quartzite - Georgia Mineral Society (Arouri); Idaho - Plume agate - Dudley
Stewart; Illinois - Fluorite - Chicago Lapidary Society; Indiana - sandstone - Ted
Houchin/Ed Hirsch; Iowa - Keswick agate - Iowa Clubs (Anderson); Kansas - Opal - Lloyd
Hatfield; Kentucky - limestone - J. & D. Crockett; Louisiana - fossil palm - M/M Wilson
Beard; Maine - Lepidolite - Ralph Spencer; Maryland - Williamsite - Frances Larimore;
Massachusetts - Rhodonite - Ralph Lugston; Michigan - Domeykite - Hazel Feilen;
Minnesota - Lake Superior agate - Minnesota Mineral Club (Johnson); Mississippi - fossil
wood - Woody Stoufer; Missouri - Mozarkite - B & H Myers; Montana - moss agate Yellowstone Agate Club; Nebraska - fossil wood - Wes Geiken; Nevada - Wonderstone Carson City Mineral Club;; New Hampshire - Lazulite - James Young; New Jersey Prehnite - Grace Hehr; New Mexico - quartz - Don Hogg; New York - Hauyne - Rochester
Academy of Science; North Carolina - chalcedony - Don Charlton; North Dakota - Toredo
wood - Hazel/Ed Wefel; Ohio - flint - East Ohio Lapidary Club; Oklahoma - fossil wood Sylvia Fort; Oregon - Carey plume agate - Stanley Dahrens; Pennsylvania - Williamsite Ken Boulier; Rhode Island - chert - S.E. Massachusetts Mineral Club; South Carolina fossil wood - C. & T. Anthes; South Dakota - Fairburn agate - Douglas Rostad; Tennessee agate - Chattanooga Gem and Mineral Club; Texas - fossil palm - Central Texas Gem and
Mineral; Utah - fossil wood - Harold Myers; Vermont - serpentine - Burlington Gem and
Mineral Club; Virginia - Unakite - Wilkinson's;
Washington - Sagenite agate - M/M W. Potten; West Virginia - fossil coral - F. E. Stanley;
Wisconsin - moonstone - Isadore Umlauft; Wyoming - jade - Glen Barr.
INDEX
MEMORIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT by Betty M. James
June 1997
The American Federation of Mineralogical Societies celebrates its 25th Anniversary at the
Smithsonian Institution in 1972. A tiara was fashioned for the occasion by Henry
O'Sullivan. It had a prominent "76" topped with a quartz stone cut to resemble the flame
of the Statue of Liberty. The gold vermeil tiara featured state stones of many shapes,
colors, and sizes, including a diamond from Arkansas, donated by dealers and friends.
Mr. O'Sullivan presented this tiara to June Culp Zeitner in a ceremony at the White House
Rose Garden. Among those present were First Lady Betty Ford, the Mayor of Washington,
and an honor guard. Ms. Zeitner received the cup in appreciation for her work in getting
45 states to adopt official stones. Some pictures of the occasion include a reproduction of
Mt. Rushmore in the background. Ms. Zeitner continues to work with the states that have
not yet adopted official stones. She hopes there will be at least 47 such official state
stones by October, when the 50th Anniversary of the American Federation is celebrated in
Jackson, Mississippi.
June designed a matching gem collar of gold vermeil set with the full variety of colored
state stones. The collar was crafted by Wayne Olson (deceased) who was then a member
of Ms. Zeitner's home club. Although June has worn the tiara several times, even on field
trips, she has never worn the collar.
Many rockhound clubs around the country asked for pictures and information about the
tiara and collar. In response to this tremendous interest, June put together slides and
developed a program to be shared with clubs. The tiara and collar will have their own
special exhibit at the joint AFMS-EFMLS Show Oct. 17-19 in Jackson, Mississippi. At the
show, June will give a full and complete history of the items and show the slide program.
June Culp Zeitner was a member of the editorial staff of Lapidary Journal for 38 years and
published 9 books during that time. From her experiences, she can relate anecdote after
anecdote of shows, field trips, and club activities. Her work as a writer and speaker has
been a major factor in the advancement of our hobby. Don't miss your opportunity to hear
this outstanding rockhound and see the historic tiara and collar!
INSTANT WEATHER!
Place a smooth rock on a flat surface exposed to the elements.
Follow guidelines below for an instant weather report.
t If Rock is Wet it's Raining t If Rock is Swaying it's Windy t If Rock is Hot it's Sunny t If
Rock is Cool it's Overcast t If Rock is White it's Snowing t If Rock is Blue it's Cold t If rock
is Shaking -EARTHQUAKE!t If Rock is Gone -TORNADO!
OXALIC ACID LIGHTENS TIGER EYE as well as cleaning iron oxide off quartz and the like.
Use 1 tablespoon per cup of water. OXALIC ACID IS A POISON, so do NOT use cooking
utensils if you decide to boil to speed up the reaction. A bit of aluminum foil or nail will
speed things up. Green water means it's working. It's best to work with a finished, but
unpolished cab. Petrograph via Breccia et. al.
It is reported by several publications that Apache Tear Caves in Superior, AZ is now
closed to collectors and is being commercially mined for perlite.
June 1997
INDEX
EDITORIAL
OLDER AND SLOWER?
by Mel Albright
Are you all getting older and slower? No, not you individuals. Your club! Are you getting
"sot" in your ways? Do you ever venture new things? Are you running out of members?
Are all your members retired or nearly so? Do you sit around and wonder where the new
members are and why they drop out? If you answered yes to many of the above, it's time
to stir the pot.
Through e-mail comments and swap bulletins, I realize that many of our clubs are "fading
into the sunset". They are static and rarely get new members and seldom keep those they
get. What kind of way is that to run an organization?
The big question is "Why" Why are we not getting new, young members? Why can't we
keep those we get? Why are we happy with a fading club?
First - let's consider today's young family. First, we must recognize that they are busy,
busy, busy and are scheduled day and night for family, child, church, and civic activities.
So, if we want their attention, we must offer something unique. Many clubs do this - they
have lots of field trips, they have lessons, they have special youth programs, they talk at
schools and to the scouts and who-ever else they can. They recognize that kids love
rocks and fossils and are the key to their parents attention. Second - and this is VERY
important - we must plan our activities WAY ahead of time, so that we can get on the
young family's schedule. If there's an exciting field trip announced for 3 weeks from now,
that's too late. They are already scheduled for that Saturday. Try 6 or 8 weeks or more.
Then, we must stick to our schedule. They'll soon drop out if they plan a club activity and
then we change it at the last minute. Your old members may be worn out on a collecting
site, but the new ones surely are not!
Now, what do most new folks find interesting? HOLD ON! It is NOT shows, swaps,
contests, show cases, rock shops and the like. It is field trips. It is show and tell - touch
and feel. It is teach me how. It is hands-on workshops. It is "gee whiz" like dinosaurs, and
sea fossils and beautiful minerals and interesting crystals and glowing fluorescents and
plate tectonics and "why" things are as they are. And - how rockhounds fight pollution!!
Your club better be an active environmental protector. (Read the AFMS field trip rules)
Just watch the places where non-members stop and spend time at a show and the places
they leave soon. AND it is variety. If every meeting is just like the last meeting, they'll
soon disappear.
June 1997
Maybe you don't agree with everything I've said. Fair enough. BUT, please take a close,
critical look at what your club is doing and how they are doing it. If need be, I hope you
find ways to liven things up and keep the hobby glowing and growing in your part of the
world. This is a great hobby and a wonderful, unending, fascinating education! AND IT IS
FUN!!!!!
My face in the mirror isn't wrinkled or drawn,
My house is not dusty, the cobwebs are gone.
My garden looks lovely and so does my lawn.
I think I shall never put my glasses back on.
INDEX
SAFETYSNAKES!!!
Mel Albright - AFMS Safety Chair
I. SNAKE BITE!!!!
RULE NUMBER 1: DO NOT PANIC! Medical records indicate that the odds are that you
have NOT received a fatal bite. Also, snake venom is a relatively slow acting material. You
have two to six hours to get to help. Also, strenuous physical action will make the venom
act faster!
RULE NO. 2. DON'T! Our first impulse is to do something - quick - give first aid. You
should not. No tourniquets. No compresses. No cuts into the bite. No medicine or
stimulants like alcohol. No sucking the venom out - it may actually cause more harm. No
elevation of the affected area.
RULE NO. 3. DO! Transport the patient immediately to a medical center for care. Walking
is OK if no severe symptoms have appeared and is faster than carrying. Expect swelling
and remove anything that constricts the area around the bite - shoes, rings, clothing,
whatever. Rinse and disinfect the wound while transporting if over an hour is involved.
Apply a cool, moist dressing to slow swelling. If there are signs of shock, elevate the
patient's feet about a foot. Try to identify the snake, but don't risk another bite trying to do
so.
II. BACKGROUND
The best way to treat snake bite is to prevent it. Almost every bite occurs because the
snake feels threatened by the person. Usually snakes are shy and will leave if given a
June 1997
chance. So, leave them alone!
Let the snake know you are coming. Walk "heavy" so they'll feel the vibrations. If you
encounter one, (and jumped up instead of away) stay calm, back off, and do NOT threaten
it. A stick or a tool or rocks are a BAD idea. Don't go barefoot in your camp area. Don't
turn over rocks or brush with your hands - use a tool and look first even then. Remember,
snakes often have company (I ran into a nest while plowing that had 17 rattlesnakes come
out and more were in the den hole!). Do not put your hands or feet anywhere without
looking first - particularly around rocks! Wear boots and long pants while in snake
country.
There are 4 poisonous US snake families. Copperheads and cottonmouths are the most
dangerous because they are more likely to bite. A copperhead is 2-5 feet long, copper,
orange or pink tinged, has bold reddish brown crossbands on the back midline. The
cottonmouth (water moccasin) is 18 inches to 6 feet long, has a broad head, is olive,
brown or black, patternless with crossbands, and has a white mouth interior.
Coral snakes are not very dangerous and are mild natured. They look similar to a lot of
other snakes with bright red, yellow and black bands. Remember "red touch yellow - kill a
fellow; red touch black, venom lack."
Rattlesnakes come in several varieties. They are, of course, identified by their rattles. But,
they do NOT always rattle before striking. The 3 most dangerous are: 1. Eastern
diamondback with dark brown or black diamonds outlined by a row of cream or yellow
scales and 2 to 8 feet long. 2. Western diamondback with brown diamonds on the back
and sides, peppered with dark spots, and 2 1/2 to 8 feet long. 3. The Mojave rattlesnake
has well-defined gray to brown diamonds, ovals or hexagons with light edges down its
back and a tail with contrasting light and dark rings. Other rattlesnakes include the
speckled, and the timber.
For comparison of the relative risks from bites - remember first that the bigger the snake,
the more dangerous the bite. As to venom, here's a list showing relative danger - (snake
name, milligrams of venom injected by a typical bite and lethal human dose from the
venom) Eastern coral snake, 1-15 mg., 2-4 mg.; copperhead, 40-70 mg., 100 mg.;
cottonmouth, 100-150 mg., 125 mg.; Eastern diamondback, 400-700 mg., 100 mg.; Western
diamondback, 200-200 mg., 100 mg.; timber rattler, 100-150 mg., 75 mg.; Mojave rattler, 5090 mg., 15 mg.
If you are traveling out of the country or just want more information, check the references.
NON-POISONOUS SNAKES BITE, TOO. If they do, there is danger of infection and tissue
damage. Their bites should receive disinfection and professional care if they don't heal
rapidly.
References: Back Country Home Page http://io.
datasys.swri.edu/Overview.htm and Boston Globe newspaper
http://familyinternet.com/peds/
top/000031.htm
June 1997
INDEX
PYRITE PRESERVATION
by Sally Shelton*
Director,
Collections Care and Conservation,
San Diego Natural History Museum
Some of the most popular specimens for amateur collectors are pyrite. Often, these
specimens deteriorate with time and become unattractive. The natural reaction is to ask
"What do I do to clean this up and make it pretty again?" Unfortunately, curing the pyrite
"disease" is not a matter of a simple polish job.
Pyrite "disease" is a misnomer, though, like Byne's "disease" in marine mollusk shells,
there have been misguided attempts to link it with bacteria. It is a humidity-driven
oxidation of pyrite that affects the microcrystalline or framboidal forms far more that it
does the large crystals. The damage is preventable but irreversible once it has happened.
DO NOT USE ANTIFREEZE<!> Your informant got it all wrong. It is possible to clean the
reaction products off a the surface of a specimen using a "very" specific procedure
developed by Lorraine Cornish and Adrian Doyle at The Natural History Museum, but this
uses ethanolamine thioglycollate in a closed chamber. It is not something you do casually
with no training, as removing the specimen at the precise time is necessary to prevent its
destruction. The only way to slow the oxidation is to lower the relative humidity. If the
reaction has not started, keep it at 45% or lower; if it has, get it to 30% or lower.
Desiccants will work -IF- you know how to use them. It's not a matter of throwing silica
gel into a case and walking away. Anoxic enclosures also help a lot, but, again, this is not
something to do casually.
DO NOT SEAL THE SURFACES WITH ANYTHING. If you have an active reaction, coatings
will not only not stop it, they may well
make it worse by forcing larger areas to spall. DO NOT REFER TO OUTDATED
LITERATURE. There is some amazing garbage out there about pyrite disease. The best
work on this is done by Frank Howie, Rob Waller at the Canadian Museum of Nature (who
has done the best work on the specific mineralogy of the reaction) and Cornish and
Doyle.
So my advice is: 1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you don't have problems, don't do
anything except keep an eye on things. 2. If you can't keep the RH below 45% and you
think you may have problems, start with a preventive approach. There are published
descriptions of macro- and micro-climate control for collections in storage. Museums
have the directions for making anoxic enclosures and some advice on using and
June 1997
reconditioning desiccants For a large collection, you may wish to consider installing
climate-control equipment for an entire case or cases; again, there are references for this.
3. If you know you have a problem, the first step is to remove the specimen from its
storage environment to a work area. Brush away and discard the dry powdery reaction
product. (That's a DRY, soft brush). You may not wish to do anything more other than
rehousing at this point. The Cornish/Doyle method is not for the untrained, and often not
for the trained. There is no magic chemical or technique that will make the damage go
away. There is no disease to be cured. Low RH is the answer. 4. If you have a collection of
known reactive specimens, go ahead and make anoxic film enclosures anyway even if
you've slowed the reaction (it never stops). Reason: The reaction liberates sulfuric acid
that can damage other specimens and storage materials. And, encapsulate (NOT
laminate) the specimen labels so that they are not in contact directly with the specimen.
(Yes, there are encapsulation directions, too.)
Less really is more.
I strongly recommend that you get a copy of "The Care and Conservation of Geological
Material: Minerals, Rocks, Meteorites and Lunar Finds", edited by Frank Howie of The
Natural History Museum (London) and published by Butterworths. To find out more: Chris
Collins of the Geological Conservation Unit, Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge University
has started a newsletter for this subject. For more information, you can contact him at the
GCU, Madingley Rise, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0EZ, UK, or at
[email protected].
*via rocks-and-fossils e-mail group (with permission of the author)
INDEX
PORCUPINE PROBLEMS
by Daryl Fuller
By the way: porcupines LOVE the taste of brake fluid. They eat through anything rubber
and even metal brake hoses, and often don't leave an obvious sign that they have visited.
There is nothing more hair-raising than getting half-way back down a switch-back dirt or
gravel road high in the mountains only to have NO brakes. I always take a roll of chickenwire fencing with me if I am leaving my vehicle out in the back-country. I leave my vehicle
surrounded (corralled??) by the wire. I have also used creosote soaked around my
vehicle, as porcupines don't like the smell. This latter method is much less
environmentally friendly so I haven't used it for 20 years or so.
Virtue is it's own reward - but most of us want a better deal.
June 1997
INDEX
PUBLISHING INFORMATION
A.F.M.S. Newsletter is published monthly except July and August by the American
Federation of Mineralogical Societies.
A.F.M.S. Central Office
Dan McLennan, P. O. Box 26523
Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0523
(405) 682-2151
A.F.M.S.Newsletter Editor
Mel Albright, Rt. 3 Box 8500
Bartlesville, OK 74003
(918) 336-8036
or [email protected]
ADDRESS CORRECTIONS AND CHANGES
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
DISTRIBUTION QUESTIONS
Address maintenance and mail labeling are the responsibility of the AFMS Central Office.
All changes and questions should be sent there. The President and the Bulletin Editor of
each member club should receive the Newsletter. All others may subscribe. The publisher
does the actual mailing.
CONTENT - LETTERS
EDITORIAL COMMENTS - SUBMISSIONS
Any communication concerning the content or format of the Newsletter should be sent to
the editor.
Material may be duplicated for non-commercial purposes with attribution. For commercial
use,
the individual author(s) must be contacted for approval.
http://www.amfed.org/n1997_06.htm
October 1997
AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF
Newsletter - October, 1997
NEW SMITHSONIAN HALL OPENS>
MARGARET'S MUSINGS - Margaret Heinek >
EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND - By Margaret M. Pearson>
SAFETY - BRRRR!!!! Part 2 - By Mel Albright>
AFMS FINANCIAL REPORT - By Toby Cozens, AFMS Treasurer>
"PAUA SHELL" or New Zealand Opal! - by Ross Cranswick>
CAN YOU SAY PAUA?
October 1997
AND ITS NAME SHALL BE CALLED..... - by Diane Dare>
TID-BITS >
PUBLICATION INFORMATION >
TOP
NEW SMITHSONIAN HALL OPENS
Editor's Note: The opening is scheduled for Sept. 20, 1997
The Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals
AT: National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
Constitution Avenue and 10th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20560
The Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals opened September 20,
1997. Designed to showcase the world-renowned National Gem and Mineral Collection, the
new hall explores dynamic earth processes, including crystal and ore formation, volcano and
earthquake origins, plate tectonics and the formation of the solar system. The new hall is
named in honor of Mrs. Janet Annenberg Hooker, in recognition of her $5 million contribution
toward its creation.
A team of more than 100 curators, designers, scientists, architects, engineers, artists,
educators, writers and researchers developed the 20,000 square foot project starting in early
1989. The hall features natural and re-constructed environmental surroundings. It also
incorporates interactive computers, animated graphics, film and video presentations, floor
and ceiling treatments, hands-on specimens and tailored display lighting.
EXHIBIT AREAS
HARRY WINSTON GALLERY
This gallery features the renowned Hope Diamond, the world's largest faceted deep blue
October 1997
diamond. The 45.52-caratt Hope Diamond has a history tinged with speculation and
superstition. A gift from Harry Winston to the American people in 1958, the Hope Diamond is
exhibited with other geological products of the earth. Included are the striking Tucson ring
meteorite, a naturally sculpted sandstone concretion from Fountainbleu, France, a 146-kg
(325-1b) sheet of natural copper found in Michigan and a quartz crystal group from Namibia
weighing approximately 600-kg (1,320-lbs). Also featured, will be a polished slab of
migmatite, a rock formed at high temperature and pressure deep within the earth.
NATIONAL GEM COLLECTION
This section showcases selections from what is recognized to be the finest collection of
gemstones and jewelry pieces in the world. Among the highlights will be the Hooker Emerald,
Hooker Starburst Diamonds, Star of Asia, Rosser Reeves Ruby, Chalk Emerald, Marie
Antoinette diamond earrings, Napoleon Diamond Necklace, the rare DeYoung red and pink
diamonds and a 23,000-carat topaz gem.
(Editor's note: This topaz is a gift from the members of the AFMS.)
SPLENDORS OF THE MINERAL WORLD
A striking array of glistening crystal specimens emphasize the importance of minerals in
everyday life. Considered the building blocks of earth, scientists have identified nearly 4,000
minerals. The mineral and crystal treasures area will display the most spectacular minerals,
crystals and gems and encourage visitors to explore topics such as crystal shape, color and
growth and where minerals are found.
MINE GALLERY
A "walk-through mine" features actual crystal pockets and ore veins to create four U.S. mines
embedded in rock-like walls. The exhibit incorporates mineral deposits from a historic zinc
mine in Sterling Hill, New Jersey; a semi-precious gem mine in Amelia County, Virginia;
historic copper from the Copper Queen Mine, Bisbee, Arizona; and lead from the Fletcher
Mine, Viburnum, Missouri.
ROCKS ABOVE AND BELOW
A re-creation of a cave will feature large touchable specimens and simulated rock
outcroppings which tell the story of how rocks are formed. The surface forces of wind, water,
gravity, and deep earth forces of incredible heat and pressure are also explained.
PLATE TECTONICS GALLERY
October 1997
This gallery shows how earthquakes, mountain chains and volcanoes are the primary result
of the constantly shifting earth surface. State-of-the-art exhibit techniques include a HDTV
theater which explores these dynamic earth processes, and visitor interactive maps and
models which explain how the heat of the earth's interior serves as the engine that drives the
change of our planet.
EARTH, MOON & METEORITES
This section explores the intricate puzzle of the birth and history of our solar system through
film, models and touchable specimens. Exhibit areas examine how meteorites -- the oldest
objects known, reveal the earliest history of our earth and solar system, four to five billion
years ago. The meteorite gallery will feature hundreds of specimens, including some from the
Moon and Mars.
CONCLUSION
From the atomic to the astronomical, the new Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology,
Gems and Minerals presents the past, present and future of the planet Earth. This is the first
time a major fund-raising effort has been undertaken to renovate a permanent hall at the
National Museum of Natural History. To finance the new complex, a total of $8.5 million has
been raised from private sources.
INDEX
MARGARET'S MUSINGS
By Margaret Heinek,
President, AFMS
This month will be a very busy month for most of us as our AFMS Convention will be in
Mississippi, and will be our 50th Anniversary. This will be my last column as president of the
AFMS, and sincerely hope we will have a good attendance at the meetings and show. The
Mississippi club has worked hard to make this a convention to remember. So I will see you
there.
There are several items that will be brought up in the meeting that will be of interested to all
of the seven Federations, so come and make your ideas known. This is the only way the
officers and directors will be aware of your thoughts.
Recently, a "mutual business decision" ended the AFMS affiliation with MBNA's credit card.
MBNA America will continue to carry your account, if you want to stay with them. But as of
October 1997
several months ago they have not sent the AFMS the .25¢ for each use of the credit card by
AFMS members. It seems that the company wanted to do this 2 years or so ago, but decided
to continue with the AFMS. As I stated last month, this was due, particularly to so few
members that had gotten the card. I was asked if I had any thing to do with this decision, "NO
I DID NOT". Dan at the main office was notified that they were withdrawing their support from
us. He called
to inform me of MBNA'S decision, and asked if I had gotten a letter from the company, no I
did not, and have not. The latest statement contains the news of their withdrawal. Some of
our members have canceled their credit card from MBNA, they are mad about the "way the
company has done us". The decision is yours!
It appears that a proposal is being made, that will be voted on at the October Convention, to
supply each Federation Supply Chairman with from $150.00 to $200.00 worth of supplies from
the main office, at no charge. The proposal as presented, suggests that this expense be taken
out of the interest that the Endowment Fund sends, but the feeling is, that this should be
taken from the "increase" of dues sent to the AFMS from each Regional Federation for their
members. The Regional Federations can then charge for the supplies, and that money is then
put back into their own Regional treasury.
Another item I am excited about, there are several GOOD programs that have been received
and judged with a high score, and hope each Federation will be supplied with a copy of these
programs for their Program Committee.
I hope to see many of our members at the Convention, not only to attend meetings, (to help
make decisions that affects the AFMS) go on field trips, display competition, view the many
displays, hear some excellent speakers, and visit with mutual friends. So come to have fun!!!!
Of all words of tongue and pen,
The saddest are, Ìt might have been,'
More sad are these we daily see:
Ìt is, but hadn't ought to be.'
-- Francis Brett Hart
INDEX
By Margaret M. Pearson, Chair
AFMS EC-EY-OR
The following rockhounds are being recognized for they're outstanding service by the AFMS
through its program EACH CLLJB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOLTND. The names of
rockhounds honored by their fellow members for their contribution to their club and the
October 1997
hobby are not published here in any particular order. The AFMS congratulates these
hardworking club members!
¨ Dr. Eaner Higgins, Kalispell RockHound Club, Kalispell, MT, is a long time member who has
donated faceted stones to the club for raffles, assisted members in need and donated faceted
stones to the NFMS for the Scholarship Fund auction.
¨ Sallee and Bob Braumbaugh, Santa Cruz Mineral & Gem Society, Santa Cruz, CA. Bob has
been president and for years field trip chair, and has given many hundreds of hours of his
time, as well as samples of rocks, minerals and fossils, to the education of community
members, from elementary school children to college students. Sallee has been show
chairperson and for over ten years has published educational articles and vital information as
editor of the club bulletin.
¨ Al and Shirley Schleif, are honored by Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society. Long time
members, both are past presidents and display at home shows and away. Shirley was bulletin
editor and designed the impressive cover for Diablo Diggin's. She gives programs and
demonstrates the art of slate carving. Al demonstrates copper enameling and teaches the art
to seniors. Both do many more things to further our rockhound hobby.
¨ Dave and Betty Thompson, Fort Kearney Rock Club, Kearney, NE. Dave and Betty are active
in two federation clubs, have demonstrated at area schools, shows, swaps, and meetings
since 1986. Betty organizes the children's table at shows.
¨ Max Ford, Ken-Roc Gem & Mineral Society of Rockford, IL. Max has been active in his club
since 1975. He was club president and show chairman concurrently for eleven years. In the
remaining years he has been available for lapidary room teaching, show co-chairing,
directorship, advising and helping out wherever needed. He experimented with making
cabochons out of Chrysler paint buildup, with successful results. He's an invaluable club
member.
¨ Carl and Ethel Dach, Blackhawk Rock Club, Rockford, IL. When other club officers were
unable to perform their official duties, Carl stepped in and performed them. Carl and Ethel
spend much time getting youngsters interested in the lapidary field - cabbing and wirewrapping. They have contributed much to our club and to the future of lapidary.
¨ Eileen Ferris, Black Hawk Gem & Mineral Club, Rock Island, U. Eileen has spent many years
assisting out club put on shows and swaps. She has given many talks to school groups and
has served extensively in the lapidary area, conducted workshops, and traveled to many
federation shows.
¨ Marv Hong, Cedar Valley Rock & Mineral Society, Cedar Rapids, IA. Marv is an energetic
leader in our active club. He has bee president (6yrs), show chairman (8 yrs), auction
chairman (4 yrs), and has held many other offices. Marv is also in related organizations
(MAPS) and is highly regarded by professional geologists.
¨ Birdie Nichols, Mineralogical Society of Cleveland, Cleveland Hts, OH. Birdie has been an
active and devoted rockhound" for over 25 years. She is involved in faceting, cabbing,
scrimshaw, carving, casting and jewelry design and manufacture. In addition, she has served
as a club office in three different clubs, has and is currently on a club show committee, and
displays at area shows. She regularly presents programs to the clubs to which she belongs,
to other clubs and to the public. These, and other, activities continue even though she is in
her mid 70's.
¨ Jerry and Karen Capps, Madison Lapidary & Mineral Club, Madison, WI. Jerry and Karen
October 1997
have been demonstrating and promoting faceting and soapstone carving for our club and
numerous other clubs for many years. Both are eager to help one get started and encourage
youth participation.
¨ Bill Corley, Southern ]Illinois Earth Science Club, Benton, IL. Bill generously gives of his
time, resources and energy for the club. He serves as club program chairman and arranges
club field trips. Despite poor health, he promotes interest in our hobby by giving programs to
schools and civic organizations and will gladly share his specimens with anyone who is
interested. He has been a valuable asset to our club for many years.
¨ Travis Paris, Knoxville Gem and Mineral Society, Knoxville, TN. Travis strives almost
endlessly to promote the hobby. Demonstrates boundless energy and devotion to the club.
He has been past president, current and many times vice-president and program chairperson.
He has given many programs and led many field trips. He is the current president of SIMS
and most deserving of this nomination. We THANK him.
¨ Maurice Phillippe, Gem and Mineral Society of, Franklin, North Carolina, Inc. Maurice joined
our club in 1983 and has served on the Board as a director, has been field trip chairman and
the manager of the society's workshops. Currently he is serving as the assistant curator of
the Society's Museum as well as manager of the workshops. He demonstrates faceting at the
Society's gem shows and he has taught many of our members to facet.
INDEX
SAFETY
BRRRR!!!! BRRRR!!!!
Part 2
Mel Albright
Afms Safety Chair
There are two bad effects that you can get from being too cold too long. One is hypothermia
and the other is frostbite.
HYPOTHERMIA is low body tempera-ture. Warning signs are slurred speech, memory loss,
disorientation, incoherence, uncontrollable shivering, and a sensation of extreme exhaustion.
If you suspect hypothermia, take the person's temperature. If it below 95F or 35C, seek
emergency medical help immediately! If that isn't available, or will take a long time, start by
warming the person SLOWLY. Warm their body first - if needed, cuddle with them. Get them
into dry clothing and cover them well with a warm blanket - including their head. No alcohol
drugs, coffee, or hot beverage or food should be allowed. A warm broth is great. Do NOT
warm their arms and legs first because this drives cold blood towards the heart and may
cause heart failure!
PREVENTION of hypothermia is mainly common sense. Avoid hard work - pushing a car,
shoveling snow, walking in drifts, and the like. The strain of cold with hard labor can cause a
October 1997
heart attack. Avoid working up a sweat. Remove outside clothes layers to avoid perspiration
and overheating and then put the layers back on when you finish. Don't eat snow. If you want
a snow cone, take the snow indoors.
FROSTBITE is simply frozen body tissue. The warning signs are a loss of feeling and a white
or pale appearance in the extremities - fingers, toes, ears, nose, or cheeks.
TREATMENT of frostbite requires immediate medical help. If you must wait, slowly re- warm
the affected areas. BUT, remember that if they also have hypothermia, the body must be
warmed first.
PREVENTION of frostbite means two things. One is proper clothes - mittens, layered
waterproof clothes, double socks, and so on as mentioned in Part 1. The other is ordinary
common sense - DON'T go out in extremely cold weather if you can avoid it at all. If you must
go out, don't stay long at one spell. Come in and warm up frequently.
Reference for these articles: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National
Weather Service.
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/info.html
INDEX
AFMS FINANCIAL REPORT
By Toby Cozens
AFMS Treasurer
RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
AFMS CASH ACCOUNTS
JULY, 1997
BALANCES
October 1997
Balance Forward
1995-1996
$53,309.45
DISBURSEMENTS
Balances June
30,1997
ADMINISTRATIVE
1,375.76
Checking Account
YTD
BUDGET
31,434.54
Money Market Fund
‘
Officers
Expenses
$114.73
$610.00
2700.00
3600.00
979.88
1800.00
43,109.27
Certificates of
Deposit
Central
Office
$75,919.57
Contract
Restricted Account
Central
Office
Expense
Turner Jr.
Achievement
Savings
$755.83
Equipment
Newsletter
Computer
RECEIPTS
Membership
Dues
40223.39
Fiscal YTD
$28,292.50
Midwest
(5,099.00)
Rocky
Mountain
(3,270.50)
ESTIMATED
$28,800.00
Treasurer
180.00
Secretary
Audit/Taxes
TOTALS
400.00
175.00
475.00
575.00
$8473.00
$7160.00
OTHER ITEMS
Southeast
(3,800.50)
YTD
South Central
(6,046.00)
Eastern
(1,435.00)
Travel
BUDGET
0.00
$8850.00
October 1997
Northwest
(5,782.00)
California
(2,859.50)
Trophies
&Awards
Endowment
Interest
4000.00
Supplies
469.07
250.00
Rules Books
239.27
200.00
2,430.98
3,000.00
403.75
250.00
256.00
200.00
Interest
Credit Card
Misc.
TOTALS
Committees
Misc.
TOTALS
2593.00
34,711.57
35,900.00
Anticipated surplus $5775.00
Are tectonic plates dishwasher-safe?
INDEX
"PAUA SHELL"
or New Zealand Opal!
by Ross Cranswick
Cranestone Gems <[email protected]>
1520.00
4715.76
7350.00
702.00
4050.00
48.75
1195.00
6403.49
15265.00
AFMS
Newsletter
Newsletter
Subscriptions
$936.88
October 1997
>Internet Web Site http://www.tz-gems.com
Paua is a beautiful shell known for its beautiful colors. There are many tricks to working with
the shell. The Paua shell occurs only in New Zealand. It is the same as the Abalone shell but
possesses bright colors, Blues, Greens, Pinks, Yellows etc. To export these shells from New
Zealand one must obtain a license and this is also required to own or keep these shells.
There are basically 2 grades of paua shell - thin & thick!. There are more but to keep it simple
we will mention these. The thick shells are old large shells Called "Carvers" and used as the
name suggests for carving, Some Shells possibly up to 10 mm thick. The thin shells are
generally from the North Island & some upper South Island areas. They are thinner due to a
lack of feed and limestone in the water, whereas the thicker shells tend to be on or near
limestone type deposits. The thin Shells, were the shells that brought big money several
years back from
the Asian Market as they were used for inlay work into wood boxes and the like, really great
looking stuff. These thin shells have a great color but were always looked down upon by the
jewelry trade as being too thin to work with as cabs.
The Jewelry trade has many tricks for the unwary customer. Firstly "Generally-All" Paua
jewelry exported to the USA has been dyed Blue. The reason is that Americans Like and will
buy Blue-rich Royal type Blues! And so you will see nothing else- sad isn't it. You miss out
on all the wonderful colors that the shell really has to offer. The Shell does not need to be
dyed, it saddens me to see it happen, but the market drives it to be done.
The Basic Commercial process for using this shell is as follows. The shell should not be
worked with water! The water in combination with the shell can produce Chlorine Gas and
you will be poisoned! via the skin and via the lungs. It is best to work the shell dry with a 60
carborundum wheel and a vacuum unit to take away the dust. This method quickly removes
the white lime like outer coating about 2 mins per shell. After this the shell is normally placed
in a hydrocloric acid to clean away dust and brighten it up to judge for color and what will be
done with it. By holding the shell up to a light you are able to see through it to see if it is too
thin for making into a display shell. The shell is moved on to cutting up for cabs or you can
then dry belt sand the shell 120 then 320 ready for lacquering as a display shell that you may
have seen.
Cab making; The shell is normally sliced flat just above the thick rim. The Rim serves no
purpose as such but can be cut & capped for tooth like jewelry. The inside of the shell is
coated with a Thick Black Epoxy Glue to thicken it up. It is then cut into strips and then
squares ready to be rounded for cabs. Once rounded the cabs are sanded all dry with 180
and then 320 belts. They are damp sorted for color matching and the bluest looking are sent
into the Blue Dyeing barrel for a week. Once dried and cleaned the shell cabs are coated with
October 1997
a lacquer "nonyellowing of course!" and set into Jewelry.
For Designer type jewelers I would personally recommend the inside colors of the shell to be
used and these can produce really unique pieces. These can be saw pierced out to your
shape as desired. Easy to use is a diamond
piercing saw easily obtainable from a rock shop. A light sanding and polishing with rough
will produce a high gloss that will last well, particularly if near body oils as these are soaked
up into the shell continually. A simple and easy way of lacquering the shell ready as cabs or
other jewelry items (if you don't want a natural polish that is) is to use clear nail polish
several coatings will produce a long lasting hard wearing finish that is hard to beat.
The shell is really easy to work with as long as you remember these simple rules;
(1) Don't breathe in the dust, In Simple Terms -The dust has barbs like a fishhook and will
cause serious damage to your lungs. Always wear a mask! and have suction. The same
applies to Abalone Shells also.
(2) Do not work the shell wet to avoid Chlorine Poisoning through the Skin and Lungs and
think about others if they are in a room with you- It is possible to poison them and not
you.The same applies to Abalone Shells also.
(3) Always ask for undyed Shells. Enjoy the natural beauty that the shell has to offer, not the
artificial rubbish as sold by many. A good Guide is if it looks really blue it is dyed.
CAN YOU SAY
PAUA?
Ross tells me it is properly said PAR- wa. He also reports that some Australians say PA-wa
just as some US southerners drop their r's (including me on occasion).
HUNTING IN CALIFORNIA? The new environut law shutting down a great deal of rock hunting
territory is a mass of confusion. The CFMS newsletter says to simply find out who manages
the area of interest to you. If it is the BLM, you can hike in and hunt. If it is managed by the
National Park Service, you can't even touch a grain of sand. Camping and vehicle questions
haven't even been considered yet.
PETRIFIED WOOD CENTERS often reflect the wood origin with a layer of chalcedony or
pumice on the outside. This occured when volcanic ash covered green wood. The water
evaporated and the wood shrank. Then the space between the wood and the cast from the
ash was filled with chalcedony. This makes beautiful pieces of wood.
Quarry Quips via The Garnet
Gemologists have uncovered the worlds largest known emerald cluster, worth about $50
million, after extracting it from what was thought by its owner to be only a large black rock.
Bangkok gemologists spent about a week removing a thick layer of black mica from the rock
before finding a group of 127 medium green emeralds weighing 167 pounds, or 380,000
October 1997
carats. The owner, who lives in the United Arab Emirates, found the rock while mining in
Madagascar five years ago. The cluster will probably be purchased by a private collector or a
museum
HEADLINE!!
MAN SHOOTS NEIGHBOR WITH MACHETE
The Miami Herald
INDEX
AND ITS NAME SHALL BE CALLED...
by Diane Dare
SIESC Education Chairman
Mineral names have many derivations. Some are named for places: Franklinite for its New
Jersey locality, Thulite for Thule, an ancient name for Norway. Vesuvianite was found in
volcanic material in Italy. Some are named for people: Willemite for King Willem 1,
Smithsonite for James Smithson, Neptunite for the Roman god of the sea and Selenite for the
moon goddess.
Some names come from chemical composition: Uvanite contains liranium and vanadium.
Others are based on physical properties: Albite from the Latin 'alba' or white, Octahedrite for
its eight (octa-) sided (-hedra) crystals.
Knowing the origin of a mineral's name can be a clue to proper pronunciation. Thus, Prehnitenamed for its Dutch discoverer Colonel von Prehn-is pronounced PRAYN-ite. But regional
dialects or colloquial uses lead to alternative, and often accepted, interpretations. Remember
the song about, "You say to-MAY-to and I say To-MAH-to"? Aragon, Spain gives its name to
Aragonite, which should result in AR-ah-gon-ite, but is generally said as ah-RAG-on-ite.
Fluorite, from the Latin 'fluere', to flow (because it melts easily) should be FLEW-uh-rite, but
FLAWR-ite and FLUHR-ite are the more usual terms. From the Greek word for heavy, 'barys',
we get Barite, BARE-ite, but we often hear BAY-rite. Similarly, 'hals', Greek for salt, gives us
Halite, HAL-ite, aka HAY-lite or HAIL-ite.
Sometimes the number of syllables is a guide: Topaz is TOE-paz, while Topazolite is toe-PAZuh-lite. But not always: there is Alexandrite-al-eggs-ZAN-drite, and then Alexolite-ah-LEKSsah- lite.
So, what about GOETHITE? Named for the German poet, philosopher and amateur
mineralogist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, it should be GUR-tite, but GAY-thite, GO- thite,
October 1997
and even GUli-tite refer to the same mineral! Is the iron mineral HEE-muh-tite or HEM-uh-tite?
Take your choice. By tl-ie way, 'tri-' means three, and is pronounced TRY, as in triangle,
tripod, triclinic and trilobite (not TRILL-uh-bite).
In researching this, I learned my little green Anapaite is named for its Russian locality of
Anapa and I have been saying it wrong: it's uh-NAP-uh-ite.
And on that note, have a gneiss-NICE-day!
REFERENCES: various dictionaries and pronunciation guides
Via SIES CLUB NEWS September, 1997
UGHS!! FROM THE NET
¨ I have rabbits in my vegetable garden. Dern, I cannot stand hares in my food.
¨ Did you hear about the mouse lifeguard? He gives mouse-to-mouse resuscitation.
¨ The very bad writer received the phew-litzer prize.
¨ A young rooster found an orange in his mother's nest. Wow! "Lookit the orange momma
laid!"
¨ There were two beggars on the corner. One approached everyone who came by. The other
only approached a few of the passersby. The first asked the second why he didn't ask
everyone.
The second replied that many of the people had been by him before and he believed in
putting
all his begs in one ask-it.
INDEX
TID-BITS
AFMS CREDIT CARD
PROGRAM CANCELLED
The AFMS Credit Card Program has been unilaterally cancelled by the issuer, MBNA. Your
use of this card will no longer help the AFMS program. This action was taken without notice
to our President. Those who have the card received notice in very fine print on their monthly
statement. There is some individual movement to cancel the card since they are no longer of
value to our program.
GOT A RED STAR?
YOU'RE GONE - UNLESS
There are several names on the Newsletter mailing list that we have no records for, We have
October 1997
not been able to verify with any club or federation officer as club officers who should receive
the Newsletter.
If your mailing label has a red star on it this is the last issue you will receive unless you can
convince us that you are entitled to receive this newsletter. IF you believe you should
continue to receive the Newsletter, please advise by return mail, immediately. Write to the
AFMS Central Office The manager is Dan Mclennan, PO box 26523, Oklahoma City, OK 731260523 (405) 682-2151.
INDEX
PUBLICATION INFORMATION
A.F.M.S. Newsletter is published monthly except July and August by the American Federation
of
Mineralogical Societies.
(405) 682-2151
(918) 336-8036
Address maintenance and mail labeling are the responsibility of the AFMS Central Office. All
changes and questions should be sent there. The President and the Bulletin Editor of each
member club should receive the Newsletter. All others may subscribe. The publisher does the
actual mailing.
CONTENT - LETTERS
Any communication concerning the content or format of the Newsletter should be sent to the
editor.
use,
October 1997
December 1997
AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF
Newsletter - December, 1997/January 1998
SEASON'S GREETINGS, HAPPY HANUKKAH!, MERRY CHRISTMAS!, HAPPY
NEW YEAR!
DEE'S DOINGS - Dee Holland, AFMS President
1997 AFMS AWARD WINNING ARTICLES & POEMS
EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND - Margaret M. Pearson, Chair
LOOKING BACK ON THE AFMS'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY...
- Shirley Leeson & Carolyn Weinberger; AFMS 50th Anniversary Committee
A NOTE FROM HARRIET GEORGE:
December 1997
RADIOACTIVE STONE WARNING
AFMS CLUB PUBLICATIONS - THE WINNERS! - Gaila Ries, Chair
SPECIAL POSTAL CANCELLATIONS - by Wendell C. Mohr,
SAFETY: ROTARY SLINGSHOTS - Mel Albright
A FULL LIFE
SHOW AND MEETING REPORT
by Wendell. Mohr
CORRECT TUCSON SHOW DATES - BAD INFORMATION OUT THERE
Rick Trapp Tucson Gem and Mineral Society Show Committee
A MODERN PARABLE
COLLECTING IN CANADA BY NON-CITIZENS
By Ken Pugh
Further comments from Robert Sensenstein,
Ottawa Paleontological Society
TROPHIES WON IN JACKSON
By Anne Cook
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
(Rockhound Style with Apologies)
by Edna F. Pauli
December 1997
THE BIGGEST, THE BEST,
AND THE MOST GARGANTUAN
by Benjamin Mark
FANTASTIC FOSSIL FOR SCIENCE?
by Gregory Brown
TOP
>
At this traditional season of thanksgiving, worship, celebration, joy and renewal, we have an
opportunity to take the time to reflect upon our lives, the people in our lives, where we have been and
where we may go.
One thing in which we may all unite is the celebration of the beauty that is found in the earth. We may
admire earth's beauty as it is found. We may feel called to open a rock to reveal the beauty within. We
may polish. We may carve. We may embellish. We may find remnants of times long past. But our
hobby is an open admiration for earth's bounty.
Another joy of the hobby is the chance for acquaintances and friendships with those who join us in the
December 1997
hobby. These people enrich our lives. They welcome, teach, lead, follow, help, talk, edit, write, and
more so that others may also enjoy being rockhounds.
As we look to the future, we should each resolve to do that which needs doing to preserve and share
and enrich our hobby. There are forces that would deny us all of rockhounding. They will prevail
unless we all do our share and let others know our views. This season and this next year, let's each
be a beacon for our hobby. Tell others about it. Tell others why it is important. Invite others particularly the young and the "kids no more at home" couples to join us. Welcome them.
INDEX
DEE'S DOINGS
Dee Holland,
AFMS President
The Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society put on a fantastic 50th anniversary show for the AFMS.
Leon Boutwell and crew deserve a special thank you.
Congratulations on a job well done go to the 50th Anniversary Committee, for the anniversary pins.
They sold out sooner than was expected. A display of club bulletins from all the clubs in the seven
regions filled one wall. It was fun to try and find how many of our Federation Clubs Bulletins were up
there. A very unique and interesting way to display them
The history books each person received at the Awards Banquet served some of us as an autograph
book, getting the Presidents there to sign their name by their picture. A big -THANKS- goes to Diane
Dare, Shirley Leeson and Carolyn Weinberger.
At the business meeting a proposal was made and approved to increase the AFMS Newsletter
circulation to one copy for each Regional Committee Chairperson and three copies to each club in the
seven Regional Federations. I will ask each Regional Federation President to appoint someone in
charge of getting these names and addresses of their chairpersons to Dan McLennan and that the
Regional Bulletin editors include the information in their Newsletters so each club is informed they will
receive one more newsletter for a total of three copies per club. It is the responsibility of the clubs to
send the names and addresses of who is to receive the AFMS Newsletter to Dan McLennan at the
Central Office. This would be a good time to update their listing for all three addresses with Dan. His
address is: Dan McLennan Box 26523 Oklahoma City OK, 73126 - 0523
The newsletters of the AFMS, the Regional Federations and the individual clubs are the only method
of communication we have. I receive all Regional Federation Newsletters and a number of club
newsletters, all that I receive I read. It is encouraging that information is being passed on going both
ways when information from the AFMS is in Regional and club bulletins and also information from club
bulletins appears in the Regional or AFMS bulletins.
December 1997
There are some changes of Committee Chairpersons for the coming year: the each year-each clubone rockhound will be chaired by Bonnie Glismann, 4326 S. 200 W., Ogden, UT. 84405. Juniors: Bob
and Kathy Miller, 1106 Clayton Dr., So. Bend, IN 46614; International Relations: Ed Romack, 655 8th
Street, Idaho Falls ID, 83401; Safety Manual Update: Leslie Anderson, 6447 NE 153rd St., Bothel,
WA, 98011; Education-All American: Lyle and Colleen Kugler, 612 So. E. 3rd St., Alledo, IL 6123 1.
The young man was a bagger at the supermarket. One day, the market installed a machine to
squeeze juice from real oranges. The youngster asked if he could learn to use it. "Absolutely not!"
said the manager. "Baggers cannot be juicers!"
INDEX
1997 AFMS AWARD WINNING
ARTICLES & POEMS
This book has been compiled from all of the articles and poems entered in the AFMS contest. The
book is 88 pages in length and contains 63 articles and poems, which were all trophy winners in their
own federation. It makes a great addition to any library, as well as being a source for interesting
articles and poems to put in your own bulletin.
The price is $3.50, plus $1.25 for shipping-a total of $4.75. Please send check or cash to: Gaila Ries,
4611 37th St., Lubbock, TX 79414.
INDEX
Margaret M. Pearson, Chair
EC-EY-OR
We would like to make the following corrections regarding two very fine EACH CLUB- EACH YEARONE ROCKHOUND honorees whose recognitions got a bit tangled:
* Harold Cohen, Nassau Mineral Club, Inc., Mineola, New York, is being recognized for his service as
December 1997
Lapidary Vice President, being a member of the Board of Directors for many years and for keeping
the club's lapidary equipment in top notch working order.
* Donald E. Udey (Posthumous), Gem, Lapidary and Mineral Society of Washington, D.C., Inc. His
club wishes to recognize him for having served as club president, a director, and for many years as
assistant show chairman. As field trip chairman he made many trips to locate and organize
outstanding field trips, which has become a club strong point. He had served for over ten years
assisting at the Smithsonian in the Gem and Mineral section.
The following rockhounds are being recognized for they're outstanding service by the AFMS through
its program EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND. The names of rockhounds honored by
their fellow members for their contribution to their club and the hobby are not published here in any
particular order. The AFMS congratulates these hardworking club members!
* Stuart Benson. Connecticut Valley Mineral Club of Springfield, Massachusetts and East Windsor,
Connecticut We wish to recognize him as an outstanding member of our club. Stu is current editor of
club newsletter, has been chairman of annual show for nine years and club president twice. He gives
talks to school kids about minerals and is fond of working in the
background.
* Allan Zar - Panama City Gem and Mineral Society of Panama City, Florida, wishes to recognize their
super member. A charter member of the club, Allan has held each club office - has been president on
three occasions for total of six years and perpetual show chairman. He has taught silversmithing in his
garage to members of his own club and two others for many years, with no charge for tuition and
furnishing all equipment. He tirelessly supports efforts to improve club.
* Don Hopkins of the Rough and Tumbled Rock and Gem Club of Ponca City, Oklahoma, is being
recognized for his outstanding service to his club He has worked willingly and tirelessly to be their
secretary, one-man calling committee to remind members about meetings, and to submit meeting and
field trip notices to the local newspaper. He has helped keep their small, young club "on the map."
* Sadie Draper of the Oakland County Earth Science Club, Waterford, Michigan, has been a member
since 1969, and has been Membership Chairman since joining the club. She has also been the
bulletin editor for many years and contributes of her time and knowledge to every aspect of our hobby.
For years she displayed at local mineral shows with material from her
excellent collection. Her enthusiasm and friendliness is appreciated by all club members. Her love of
rocks and minerals has never diminished. Although she is suffering from poor health she continues to
be a strong supporter of all the varied activities.
* Jim Cotant, Spokane Rock Rollers Club, Spokane, Washington, is being recognized for his
dedication to spreading the word about the earth sciences. Jim yearly speaks to 12 - 14 school
classes, Boy and Girl Scout Troups, senior citizens and other rock clubs enhancing their knowledge of
the rockhounding hobby.
* Al Carrell, Orange Belt Mineralogical Society, has been a dedicated member for years. He is the first
in line to volunteer, the "backbone" in expanding the workshop this year. He shares his knowledge of
silversmithing, wirewrapping, and carving. He is workshop chair and field trip leader. We thank him
and salute him.
* Billie Rickabaugh, Peninsula Gem & Geology Society is a charter member of her club (1951) and
has held all offices. She has been editor for over 12 years, and is now parliamentarian and hostess.
"Keeper of the Rocks" she houses all of the Club's collection from over the years for use at the annual
show.
* Jules & Mary Ficke, Antelope Valley G&M. They are active members and have held most elected
December 1997
offices. Jules was in charge of displays and magazine tables at the Club's spring show and gave
programs on minerals and mineral identification. Mary is Fair Show Chair. Both expound on the
virtues of the hobby and membership.
* Ed & Marie Sterbenz, Northrop Grumman G&M. In addition to doing very dependable jobs in their
official capacities, Ed & Marie consistently volunteer for extra service whenever and wherever
needed. We appreciate them!
PLEASE NOTE: This is my last report as chair of this committee as the president will appoint a
new AFMS committee head shortly. Clubs should continue to submit their honorees to their
federation committee person.
INDEX
LOOKING BACK ON THE AFMS'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY...
Shirley Leeson & Carolyn Weinberger; AFMS 50th Anniversary Committee
The "Big BASH" has come and gone and memories linger on. As promised, there were seven exhibit
cases. There could actually have been more - there was plenty of material - but seven kept it
manageable. (Many thanks to Carolyn Weinberger for the liners in navy blue felt that set everything
off so beautifully)
The first three cases had "CABS FROM COAST TO COAST" and were obtained from club members
from all seven of the regional federations. There were over 200 in all, each labeled with the material,
location, donor, club and regional federation listed. There were cabs from AFMS Past Presidents:
Johnnie Short, 1964; Dorothy Lee, 1973; Kenneth Zahn, 1976; Russell Kemp, 1978; Barbara Goss
Pettit, 1981; Bill Cox, 1983; Dick Swartz, 1987; Ruth Bailey, 1993 and Fred Schaefermeyer, 1984.
Because of the wonderful material submitted, it was decided by the 50th Anniversary Committee to
send the cabs to each regional first vice president with the strong recommendation that the cabs be
exhibit at the next regional show with
a sign that those particular cabs had been included in the AFMS 50th Anniversary event.
The cabs from California will be exhibited and preserved and added to. It has the beginning of a
wonderful collection of rare and hard-to-find material that once made field tripping an important aspect
of clubs events. These donations by club members will actually show material that now is only talked
about, and will give new rockhounds a sense of what was once possible and
available. I hope the other regional federations will do the same.
The next two cases were early to current AFMS memorabilia including badges, ribbons, show pins,
pictures, the earliest known AFMS By- Laws and much more. Jack Streeter, our oldest AFMS Past
President, donated two handmade programs from Denver as well as his name badge used at Salt
Lake City and Denver and the early by-laws. Minutes from early meetings were donated by Russell
Trapnell, Dan Caudle and Dorothy Lee. Kenneth Zahn sent a huge trophy given to him when he was
AFMS President by the president of the Japanese Rock Appreciation Assn. who was a part of the
festivities at Salt Lake City when Ken was president. (It was too large for the case and was shown
December 1997
next door at the AFMS Endowment Fund Table. (Thanks Charley Leach for the space... )
The next exhibit was the all important U.S. Postage Stamps. Pictures of Lillian Turner, our
Commemorative Stamp Chairwoman, who worked for many years before getting the first Mineral
Heritage stamps in 1974 and more recently the additional mineral stamps that came out in 1992 and
finally the dinosaur stamps were shown. A beautiful leather case given to Dorothy Lee, AFMS
President the year the first stamps came out was loaned, sheets of stamps, first day covers and
important letters were exhibited.
The last exhibit had early Uniform Rules Committee bulletins and rulebooks. There were loaned
trophies from the 1970s and pictures of awardees from as far back as the 1960s. The final exhibit was
out on the table. Louellen Montgomery, AFMS Scholarship Foundation President had a wonderful
scrapbook of photos of the students who received the grants over the
years. The earliest grant was for $300. in 1965.
The WALL OF BULLETINS was awesome! The bulletins were collected from all the seven regions
and even included some bulletins from Canada. They were put up behind the Editor's Booth and were
saved after the show by committee person Carolyn Weinberger. The Bulletin Editor's Hall of Fame
books were proudly exhibited and promises of more memorabilia from various "old timers" from
throughout the U.S. will be forthcoming.
Each person attending the Awards Banquet received a booklet on the 50 years of the AFMS,
researched by Diane Dare, Shirley Leeson, and Fred Schaefermeyer and put together by Carolyn
Weinberger. (A job of huge proportions, our thanks to Carolyn) AFMS Past Presidents present at the
banquet were: Jack Streeter, 1949; Johnnie Short, 1964; Dorothy Lee, 1973; Russell Kemp, 1978; Ed
Romack, 1991,, James Hurlbut, 1992; Ruth Bailey, 1993; Fred Schaefermeyer, 1994; and Ed Ries,
1995.
Lots of pictures were taken of all the exhibits, the events and participants. And hopefully, in 50 years
all this will be brought out and shown again....
INDEX
A NOTE FROM HARRIET GEORGE:
To: Rockhound Friends
From: Harriet George, MWF;URC;Judge; and Fromer Exhibitor
Re: Recent Surgery
After my surgery on August 30th I answered every gift, card, and greeting. That is I did until the
Jackson, MI show. The Uniform Rules Committee sent a beautiful card signed with dozens of names.
Then AFMS Annual meeting produced a lovely card with scores of names. And I had met my match.
This is a Thank You to all who signed. Your promises of concern and prayers are deeply appreciated.
December 1997
Let me report that my combined Chemo-Radiation treatment is progressing. I am at the 5th week of a
6 week plus program: 23 down and 10 to go.
I am feeling quite well, a little fatigued, and the future is promising.
INDEX
RADIOACTIVE STONE WARNING
It is reported from Thailand that there are dangerously radioactive chrysoberyl brown cat-eye stones
circulating in the world. The radiation level is reported as over 50 times more than allowed by US law.
They have apparently been bombarded with radiation in a nuclear reactor in order to change them
from yellow to the much more valuable brown. Indonesia is believed to be the source of the stones.
The altered stones sell for very high prices. It is recommended that one not buy brown chrysoberyl
cats-eye stones without checking them for radioactivity.
* If drivers don't like tailgaters, why do they buy small print bumper stickers?
* Money was invented to let us know exactly how far behind we are.
* Advice for editors: Proofread carefully to see if you any words out
* Why is Christmas just like a day at the office? ... You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit
gets all the credit.
* When I die, I want to die in my sleep like my grandpa - not yelling and screaming like his
passengers.
* Why don't we have cultured oil anywhere ... instead of only crude oil
INDEX
AFMS CLUB PUBLICATIONS - THE WINNERS
Gaila Ries, Chair
The results of the 1997 AFMS bulletin contest were announced on Sunday morning, October 25th.
This year the contest had 134 entries. What a lot of people don't realize is that to even get to the
AFMS contest level they have to be in the top three for the category they are in, in their own
federation. Usually this means they've already a trophy winner. So in essence, the AFMS contest is
truly a contest of winners. So whether you won honorable mention or first place, you should rightly be
proud. And for those who didn't quite make it this year, I hope you're already working on your entries
for next year.
New Editors
Mini-Bulletins
Small Bulletins
Large Bulletins
Poetry
December 1997
Adult Articles
Advanced Adult Articles
Junior Articles
Special Publications
NEW EDITORS
1.BRECCIA, Patricia Speece, Editor; Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society, San Jose, CA
CFMS; 2.
ROCK TALK, Jennifer Nejman, Editor; Imperial Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Imperial, CA CFMS; 3.
THE
TRILOBITE, Ellen R. Dettwiler, Editor; Wisconsin Geological Society, Milwaukee, WI MWF; 4. MAGIC
VALLEY GEM NEWS, Barbara & Charlie Knapp, Editors; Magic Valley Gem Club, Twin Falls, ID
NFMS; 5.
THE STONE CHIPPER, Angela Wirtz, Editor; Austin Gem & Mineral Society, Austin, TX SCFMS; 6.
THE
STRATA DATA, Marie Zigier, Editor; Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Ft. Wayne, IN MWF; 7.
THE
ROCKHOUND, Jeff Ursillo, Editor; Gem & Mineral Society of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach,
EFMLS
FL; 8. THE CONGLOMERATE, Sara Vélez Mallea, Editor; Reno Gem & Mineral Society, Reno, NV
CFMS; 9.
THE POST ROCK, Sara Murphy, Editor; McPherson Gem & Mineral Club, McPherson, KS RMFMS;
10.THE
MINERAL MITE, Jack Nelson, Editor; Micromineralogists of the National Capital Area, Bethesda, MD
EFMLS
HONORABLE MENTION: DIGGIN'S FROM DAKOTA, Jerry Nevland, Editor; Central Dakota Gem &
Mineral Society, Bismarck, ND RMFMS. <>HELLGATE BREEZES, Ray Henry, Editor; Hellgate
Mineral Society, Missoula, MT NFMS. <>ROCKHOUND RECORD, Cecilia C. Flores, Editor;
Mineralogical Society of
Arizona, Phoenix, AZ RMFMS. <>ROK TOK, Cheri Rodger, Editor; Dallas Gem & Mineral Society,
Dallas,
TX SCFMS. <>SLABS, CABS, AND GAB, Shelly Westfall, Editor; East Kingco Rock Club, Redmond,
WA
NFMS. <>THE CRYSTAL GAZER, Sandra Egan, Editor; Mount Clemens Gem & Lapidary Society,
Mt.
Clemens, Ml MWF. <>THE NEW YORK MINERALOGICAL CLUB, Mitchell Portnoy, Editor; New York
Mineralogical Club, New York, NY EFMLS
INDEX
Start of Article
MINI BULLETINS
1.LAPIDARY CHATTER, Joan Lingenfelter, Editor; Delaware Valley Lapidary & Mineral Society,
Springfield, PA EFMLS; 2. MENDO COAST GEMS, Jane Webb, Editor; Mendocino Coast Gem &
Mineral
Society, Fort Bragg, CFMS CA; 3. THAMES VALLEY GEODE, Lou Castagna, Editor; Thames Valley
December 1997
Rockhounds, Inc., Groton, CT EFMLS; 4. SIES CLUB NEWS, Donna Curtis, Editor; Southern Illinois
Earth
Science Club, Benton, IL MWF; 5. ROCK POUNDER, Sharen & Jay De Puy, Editors; Ute Mountain
Gem &
Mineral Society, Cortez, CO RMFMS; 6. BOULDER BUSTERS, Charlene Balter, Editor; Hells Canyon
Gem
Club, Inc., Lewiston, ID/Clarkston, WA NFMS; 7. THE LODESTONE, Gary Raham, Editor; Fort
Collins
Rockhounds, Fort Collins, CO; RMFMS; 8. ROCKHOUND SPECIAL, Darlene Denton, Editor; Mt.
Baker
Rock & Gem Club, Bellingham, WA NFMS
INDEX
Start of Article
SMALL BULLETINS
1. ROCK RAMBLINGS, Nancy Piazza, Editor; Lakeshore Mineral & Lapidary Society, Mentor, OH
MWF;
2.DRYWASHER'S GAZETTE, Pat LaRue, Editor; Valley Prospectors, San Bernardino, CA CFMS; 3.
THE
SLATE, Elizabeth Commean, Editor; Northwest Illinois Rock Club, Freeport, IL MWF; 4. STONEY
STATEMENTS, Mary-Ruth Rathjen, Editor; Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX SCFMS;
5.
GRINDINGS, Geri Whitlatch, Editor; Idaho Gem Club, Boise, ID NFMS; 6. THE TUSCARORA
BULLETIN,
Pamela Wingrod, Editor; Tuscarora Lapidary Society, Media, PA EFMLS; 7. HIGH COUNTRY
GLEAMINGS, Margaret L. Johnson, Editor; Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society,
Hendersonville, NC
SFMS; 8. CHATS AND CHIPS, Helen L. Ladd, Editor; Manasota Rock and Gem Club, Sarasota, FL
EFMLS;
9. THE TUMBLE RUMBLE, Richard M. Knox, Editor; Capistrano Valley Rock & Mineral Club, San
Clemente, CA CFMS; 10. THE HOUND'S TALE, Joe & JoAnne Zinecker, Editors; Arlington Gem &
Mineral
Club, Arlington, TX SCFMS
HONORABLE MENTION: <>BEEHIVE BUZZER, Leora Alexander, Editor; Beehive Rock & Gem
Club,
Ogden, UT RMFMS. <>BROOKSIDE PEBBLE NEWS, Marie Wester, Editor; Four Corners Gem &
Mineral
Club, Durango, CO RMFMS. <>CABBER GABBER, Charlotte Styers, Editor; Mobile Rock & Gem
Society,
Mobile, AL SFMS. <>COWTOWN CUTTER, Terry Biegler, Editor; Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club,
Fort
Worth, TX SCFMS. <>GOLDEN SPIKE NEWS, Nancy Freund, Editor; Golden Spike Gem & Mineral
Society,
Ogden, UT NFMS. <>HOUNDS HOWL, Barbara Fenstermacher, Editor; Aiken Gem & Mineral
Society,
December 1997
Aiken, SC SFMS. <>HUNTIN' & DIGGIN', Bill Alcorn, Editor; De Ridder Gem & Mineral Society, De
Ridder,
LA SCFMS. <>OBSIDIAN OBSERVER, Marge Garn, Editor; Los Alamos Geological Society, Los
Alamos,
NM RMFMS. <>STONE AGE NEWS, Deloris Morrical, Editor; Marysville Rock & Gem Club,
Marysville, WA NFMS. <>THE GEODE, Celia Tiffany, Editor; McDonnell Douglas Gem & Mineral
Society,
St. Louis, MO MWF. <>THE PETRIFIED DIGEST, Maxine Anderson, Editor; Ginkgo Mineral Society,
Wenatchee, WA NFMS. <>THE ROCKATIER, Beverly Moreau, Editor; Northrop Grumman Gem &
Mineral Club, Hawthorne, CA CFMS. <>THE VUG EXAMINER, Reivan Zeleznik, Editor;
Stamford Mineralogical Society, Stamford, CT EFMLS. <>TUMBLER, Alberta Hare, Editor; Marin
Mineral
Society, San Rafael, CA CFMS
INDEX
Start of Article
LARGE BULLETINS
1. EARTH SCIENCE NEWS, Jean Reynolds, Editor; Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois, Downers
Grove, IL MWF; 2. ROCK BUSTER NEWS, Lois & Erston Barnhart, Editors; Central Pennsylvania
Rock &
Mineral Club, Harrisburg, PA EFMLS; 3. GEM CUTTERS NEWS, Carolyn Weinberger, Editor; Gem
Cutters
Guild of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD EFMLS; 4. T-TOWN ROCKHOUND, Linda Jaeger, Editor; Tulsa
Rock &
Mineral Society, Tulsa, OK RMFMS; 5.THE MOUNTAIN GEM, Charles & Amy Ramer, Editors; Gem
&
Mineral Society of Franklin, NC, Franklin, NC SFMS; 6. GHOST SHEET, Rosemarie Young, Editor;
Mother
Lode Mineral Society, Modesto, CA CFMS; 7. ROCKHOUND RAMBLING, Shirley Layton, Editor;
Ventura
Gem & Mineral Society, Ventura, CA CFMS; 8. THE COASTAL PLAIN GEODE, Anne & Susan
Dodenhoff,
Editors; Charles Towne Mineral & Lapidary Club, Charleston, SC SFMS 9. KYANA GEMSCOOP, Jim
&
Judy Budnik, Editors; Kyana Geological Society, Louisville, KY SFMS 10. ROCK ROLLERS, Erma
Riese,
Editor; Rock Rollers Club, Spokane, WA NFMS
HONORABLE MENTION: <>OFF THE DOP, Carl M. Unruh, Editor; Intermountain Faceters Guild,
Northern
Utah, Southeastern Idaho NFMS. <>ROCK TALK, Cheryl Poling & Gail Barton, Editors; Tucson Gem
&
Mineral Society, Tucson, AZ RMFMS. <>SKAGIT GEMS, David & Sherry Britten, Editors; Skagit Rock
&
Gem Club, Mount Vernon, WA NFMS. <>TRINITY TAILINGS, Alice Jones, Editor; Trinity Gem &
Mineral
December 1997
Society, Weaverville, CA CFMS. <>TUMBLER, Norman Steele, Editor; Boeing Employees
Mineralogical
Society, Seattle, WA NFMS
INDEX
Start of Article
POETRY
1. "The Editor's Lament," Gareth Bibbins, Author; BELLEVUE ROCKHOUND, Bellevue Rock Club,
Bellevue, WA NFMS; 2. "Rockhounds," Marion Grambau, Author; DUST AND GRIT, Federal Way
Gem &
Mineral Society, Federal Way, WA NFMS; 3. "Could Be ......" Betty Lou Daigneau, Author; ROCK
TALK, St.
Lucie County Rock & Gem Club, Ft. Pierce, FL SFMS; 4. "The Petrified Truth," Carl E. Wells, Author;
THE
HOUND'S TALE, Arlington Gem & Mineral Club, Arlington, TX SCFMS; 5. "To The Fossil," Pat
Rutkowski,
Author; THE ROCKPILE, Midwest Mineralogical & Lapidary Society of Dearborn, Dearborn, MI MWF;
6.
"Touching Immortality," Terry Biegier, Author; COWTOWN CUTTER, Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club,
Fort
Worth, TX SCFMS; 7. "Nevada Dinosaurs," Sharon Ottilige, Author; DINNY'S DOIN'S, Fossils For
Fun
Society, Sacramento, CA CFMS; 8. "The Collection of Stan McPhee," Donald Kelman, Author;
ROCKHOUND NEWS, Heart of Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society, Wisconsin Rapids, WI MWF; 9.
"Christmas Musings," Naomi Matney, Author; QUARRY QUIPS, Wichita Gem & Mineral Society,
Wichita,
KA RMFMS; 10. "A Rockhounding Trip," Forrest Settle, Author; THE CLACKAMETTE GEM,
Clackamette
Mineral & Gem Corp., Oregon City, OR NFMS
HONORABLE MENTION <>"Each One--Teach One!," Midge Beasley, Author; THE CORAL GEODE,
Tampa
Bay EFMLS. Mineral & Science Club, Mango, FL. <>"God's Little Miracles," Betty Radke-Dye, Author;
EMERALD GEMS, Eugene Mineral Club, Eugene, OR NFMS. <>"Memorium," Richard Atkins, Author;
STONEY STATEMENTS, Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX SCFMS. <>"Ode To
Rocking,"
Doug Hanson, Author; THE ROCK AND HAMMER, Lake Elsinore Gem & Mineral Society, Lake
Elsinore,
CA CFMS. <>"Our 23rd Annual Show," Gen Marcoux, Author; ROCKHOUND NEWS, Heart of
Wisconsin
Gem & Mineral Society, Wisconsin Rapids, WI MWF. <>"Rockhounding on the Redonda Mesa,"
Dorothy
Borman, Author; CHAPARRAL CHATTER, Chaparral Rockhounds, Roswell, NM RMFMS. <>"Space,"
Doyle
F. Rhodes, Author; THE ROCK BAG, Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, Oxnard, CA CFMS. <>"The
Awakening," Erston Barnhart, Author; ROCK NEWS, Central Pennsylvania Rock & Mineral Club,
December 1997
Harrisburg, PA EFMLS. <>"The Diamond," Cindy Hursty, Author; THE GARNET GAZETTE, MidHudson
Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Poughkeepsie, NY EFMLS. <>"The Rock Hunting Trip," Karen Deem,
Author; BEEHIVE BUZZER, Beehive Rock & Gem Club, Ogden, UT RMFMS. <>"The Stone Tree,"
Opal
Duke Dearing, Author; GEMSTONE GAZETTE, Lea Lap Rock & Mineral Club, Hobbs, NM RMFMS
INDEX
Start of Article
ADULT ARTICLES
1. "Miocene Skates & Rays of Lee Creek, Part 6 - The Myliobatoids: II," Jim Bourdon, Author; NJPS
PALEONTOGRAPH, New Jersey Paleontological Society, New Milford, NJ EFMLS; 2. "Amber," Dave
Hayward, Author; ROCK BUSTER NEWS, Central Pennsylvania Rock & Mineral Club, Harrisburg, PA
EFMLS; 3. "Fluorescence," Emily Adams, Author; HIGH COUNTRY GLEAMINGS, Hendersonville,
NC
SFMS; 4. "Trials & Tribulations of Trilobites," Dolores Rose, Author; G.I. NUGGET, Grand Island, NE
MWF; 5. "Lapis Lazuli," Marianne Luther, Author; STONEY STATEMENTS, Clear Lake Gem &
Mineral
Society, Houston, TX SCFMS; 6. "Electronic Minerals," Stephen C. Emmons, Author; THE
LODESTONE,
Fort Collins Rockhounds, Fort Collins, CO RMFMS; 7. "Ultimate Recycling," Elmore Easter, Author;
THE
VUG EXAMINER, Stamford Mineralogical Society, Stamford, CT EFMLS; 8. "Selected Locality Guide
for
Collecting Sites in Indiana," Charles Edward Oldham, Author; KYANA GEMSCOOP, Kyana Geology
Club,
Louisville, KY SFMS; 9. "Catch A Failing Star!," Stephen Bespalko, Author; LITHOSPHERE, Fallbrook
Gem & Mineral Society, Fallbrook, CA CFMS; 10. "Mississippian Brachiopods From Ohio Cuyahoga
Formations," Robert L. Guenther, Author; THE LITHNICS, Richland Lithic & Lapidary Society,
Mansfield,
OH MWF
HONORABLE MENTION: <>"Cripple Creek Amethyst," Stephen Wade Veatch, Author; PICK AND
PACK,
Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society, Colorado Springs, CO RMFMS. <>"Diamonds," Arlene TilsonChrysler, Author; STONEY STATEMENTS, Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX SCFMS.
<>"I
Am A Rockhound," Charles (Chuck) Weber, Author; LITHOSPHERE, Fallbrook Gem & Mineral
Society,
Fallbrook, CA CFMS. <>"Iron--From Heaven and Earth," Mae Williams, Author; THE PETRIFIED
DIGEST,
Ginkgo Mineral Society, Wenatchee, WA NFMS. <>"Llanite Found in Downtown Dallas!," Terry
Biegler,
Author; THE COVVTOWN CUTTER, Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club, Fort Worth, TX SCFMS.
December 1997
<>"Our Field
Trip to Boron," Karen Dawes, Author; LITHOSPHERE, Fallbrook Gem & Mineral, Fallbrook, CA
CFMS.
<>"Petrogenesis of the Mantle Eclogites from South Africa," Marge Garn, Author; OBSIDIAN
OBSERVER,
Los Alamos Geological Society, Los Alamos, NM RMFMS. <>"Rhodochrosite," Crystal Johanson,
Author;
PEBBLES, Everett Rock & Gem Club, Everett, WA NFMS. <>"Travis' Trivia," Travis Paris, Author;
KGEMS
NEWSLETTER, Knoxville Gem & Mineral Society, Knoxville, TN SFMS. <>"Warning--Using AntiFreeze As
A Saw Coolant," Delbert Blickfeldt, Author; GRINDINGS, Idaho Gem Club, Boise, ID NFMS.
<>"Zeolites,
The Sharing Minerals," Lloyd L. Brown, Author; THE TRILOBITE, Wisconsin Geological Society,
Milwaukee, WI MWF. <>"Zion National Park: A Tweak of History and a Tweak of Geology," D. S.
Grover,
Author; LITHOSPHERE, Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society, Fallbrook, CA CFMS
INDEX
Start of Article
ADULT ARTICLES - ADVANCED
1. ''Whiskers As A Pedestal For a Micromount," Paul Smith, Author; THE MINERAL MITE,
Micromineralogists of the National Capital Area, Bethesda, MD EFMLS; 2. "On The Scheelite Trail,
The XRay Connection, and Other Surprises," Howard Heitner, Author; THE VUG EXAMINER, Stamford
Mineralogical Society, Stamford, CT EFMLS; 3. "Very Smooth Rocks," Wes De Coursey, Author; THE
POST ROCK, McPherson Gem & Mineral Club, McPherson, KS RMFMS; 4. "Early Man and
Meteors," Dan
Behnke, Author; EARTH SCIENCE NEWS, Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois, Downers Grove,
IL
MWF; 5. "The Colors of Blackness: Viewing Fluorescence," Celia Tiffany, Author; THE GEODE,
McDonnell Douglas Gem & Mineral Society, St. Louis, MO MWF; 6. "The Great Mogul," Carl Unruh,
Author; OFF THE DOP, Intermountain Faceters Guild, North Utah & Southeast Idaho NFMS; 7.
"Another
Mounting Pedestal--Porcupine Quill," Jack Nelson, Author; THE MINERAL MITE, Micromineralogists
of
the National Capital Area, Bethesda, MD EMLS; 8. "Think Cold For This Mineral," Alberta Hare,
Author;
TUMBLER, Marin Mineral Society, San Anselmo, CA CFMS; 9. "The Importance of the Uranium
Mines,"
Ralph C. Sparks, Author; HIGH COUNTRY GLEAMINGS, Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society,
Hendersonville, NC SFMS; 10. "Profile: Inclusions," Jean Seaman, Author; TRIANGLE
ROCKHOUND,
Central North Carolina Mineral Club, Chapel Hill, NC SFMS
December 1997
HONORABLE MENTION: <>"Binghamite," Ruby Lingelbach, Author; THE ROCKHOUND GAZETTE,
Stillwater Mineral & Gem Society, Stillwater, OK RMFMS. <>"Camels," Andrew A. Hay, Author;
EARTH
SCIENCE NEWS, Earth Science Club of Northern IL, Downer's Grove, IL MWF. <>"Colorado's
Turquoise,"
Gary Raham, Author; THE LODESTONE, Fort Collins Rockhounds, Fort Collins, CO RMFMS. <>"The
Plumbing of the Jemez Volcano: Recent Geophysical Work," Ken Shisler, Author; OBSIDIAN
OBSERVER,
Los Alamos Geological Society, Los Alamos, NM RMFMS. <>"Thunder Eggs," Lew Birdsall, Author;
OREGON ROCKHOUND, Oregon Agate & Mineral Society, Portland, OR NFMS
INDEX
Start of Article
JUNIOR ARTICLES
1. "Under The Earth," Janine Pixley, Author; THE VUG EXAMINER, Stamford Mineralogical Society,
Stamford, CT EFMLS; 2. "Pompeii," Cameron D. Cox, Author; ROCK PICKINGS, Eastern Indiana
Gem &
Geological Society, Richmond, IN MWF; 3. "Topaz," Erin Huggins, Author; SKAGIT GEMS, Skagit
Rock &
Gem Club, Mount Vernon, WA NFMS; 4. "Timmy's Tooth," Beth Avilla, Author; THE STRATA DATA,
Three
Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Fort Wayne, IN MWF; 5. "Mother Earth," Amanda L. Filtz, Author;
ROCKHOUND NEWS, Heart of Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society, Wisconsin Rapids, WI MWF
INDEX
Start of Article
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS
1. CELEBRATING THE SESQUICENTENNIAL--GEOLOGY'S ROLE IN IOWA'S HISTORY, Cedar
Valley
Rocks & Minerals Society, Sharon Sonnleitner, Editor; Cedar Valley Rocks & Minerals Society, Cedar
Rapids, IA MWF; 2. 35TH ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET, John Boland, Author; Coulee Rock Club, La
Crosse,
WI MWF; 3. WELCOME TO THE STAMFORD MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY'S 8TH ANNUAL SHOW,
Reivan
Zeleznik, Author; Stamford Mineralogical Society, Stamford, CT EFMLS; 4. A LAUGH A DAY KEEPS
THE
DOCTOR AWAY, Alice Jones, Editor; Trinity Gem & Mineral Society, Weaverville, CA CFMS; 5.
CHICAGO
ROCKS & MINERALS SOCIETY: 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION, David Dick, Editor; Chicago Rocks
December 1997
&
Minerals Society, Chicago, IL MWF; 6. LAPIDARY, SHOP, AND SAFETY HINTS, Alice Jones, Editor;
Trinity
Gem & Mineral Society, Weaverville, CA CFMS; 7. FOSSIL COLLECTING, John C. Osborne, Author;
Stillwater Mineral & Gem Society, Stillwater, OK RMFMS
INDEX
Start of Article
PEBBLE CANDLES CAN BE MADE with new paraffin, a utility household candle, a frozen juice
concentrate can, pebbles (or tumbled stones), and a blow hair dryer. Place the candle in the can and
fill the space around it with melted paraffin (CAUTION: paraffin is flammable). When it has cooled,
peel the can off the sides of the candle. Then use the hair dryer to expose the pebbles as much as
looks nice to you. Catch the drippings in a pan. For variations: Melt a crayon in the wax for color. Vary
molds.
Mirror via Rock Rustler's News
SPECIAL POSTAL CANCELLATIONS
by Wendell C. Mohr,
AFMS Commemorative Stamp Committee
Is your club having a special event? A 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, or other particularly important club or
show
anniversary? Sponsoring a regional or AFMS convention/show? A nice feature would be to celebrate
with a special postal cancellation.
Here's the lowdown on how to proceed:
Pictorial cancellations are postmarks that feature wording and/or graphics commemorating local
events. The USPS will support you by establishing a temporary station at your event. The event must
be open to the public. Only one design will be allowed for any event. All must carry the name of the
event followed by "Station" or "Sta.", the complete name of the city, state (Can use 2 letter
abbreviation), ZIP code and the month, day and year. Illustrations, wording, and designs must directly
relate to the event. Overall dimensions must be less than 2 inches vertically and 4 inches horizontally.
You may not promote products or commercial sales. A request should to be submitted in writing to the
Postmaster of the city where the event takes place no less than 3 months in advance of the date of
use. Be sure to explain that yours is a non-profit, educational group and a member of the regional
federation and the AFMS. Include the contact name and phone number, description of the event,
dates cancellation to be offered and a proposed design.
Keep the design simple, avoiding fine lines and small print. A logo or other strong visual element
should be the center of interest. Keep the text "Short and sweet". Artwork can be done by a talented
club member or another artist. You could involve young people by inviting ideas from the high school
December 1997
art classes nearby. A small prize can be awarded and you might gain a member too! The approved
design must be submitted as camera-ready copy.The USPS will manufacture the stamp for the
cancellation and will provide the station at your event without charge.
Space will be required to be provided at your event for the postal station. Try for a spot everyone
passes. Highlight with signage. Talk with your local Postmaster about specific times, their sales of
other postal items and any other details. You may want to save your own adjacent space to sell
mineral, prehistoric animals, or dinosaur stamps. Stamps not in current distribution can be a profit
maker and can be arranged with local stamp dealers. You also can gain revenue by producing a
commemorative envelope with special artwork for sale. Of course decisions will have to be made on
prices and numbers. Don't forget to emphasize this feature in your publicity. You can do this as we all
await new commemorative stamps for our field of interest. In the meantime buy and use the dinosaur
stamps before they become extinct!
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental
illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you. -- Rita Mae Brown
INDEX
SAFETY: ROTARY SLINGSHOTS
Mel Albright; AFMS Safety Chair
December 1997
Do you know why slingshots are so powerful? The answer is that they use stored energy to accelerate
something to a high speed. That makes them strike with a great deal of force.
How many slingshots are in YOUR shop? "None", you say. Sorry, you're wrong. EVERY device you
have that goes round and around is a slingshot. Your cab machine, your hand tool, your polisher, your
saw, your grinder, your facetor, and more.
If anything catches on one of these devices, it is accelerated - by kinetic energy this time - and
becomes a dangerous missile. That means that when they hit they will have a great deal of force. And
- YOU might be what it hits. Even worse, your EYE might be what it hits.
So what safety is required when using such devices? First and foremost is an eye shield of some sort.
Some machines have one built in. But, most do not. So safety glasses or a face shield are in order.
Both are inexpensive and available at your local WalMart of hardware store.
"But, my machine doesn't throw anything!" The needed word to add is "YET". All will at some time. For
your safety, many are manufactured so that anything that is sling-shot will go away from you ALMOST
every time. But, even then, they can and have come toward the user.
I'll add a personal note about a rotary tool. I had a hard rubber abrasive wheel on (1/4 inch thick and
3/4 inch in diameter) and was polishing silver with it. The shaft broke. The wheel and the jagged shaft
ran up my face shield and rammed into the wall behind the workbench. It left a dent like a hard
hammer blow would. It also left a deep scratch right in front of my eye. I get chills when I think "What
if".
INDEX
A FULL LIFE
There are 168 golden hours in every week. I sleep 10 hours a night or 70 hours a week and that
leaves 98 golden hours. I eat 3 meals a day and take an hour for each and that's 21 hours and leaves
77 golden hours. Every morning, I shower, shave, clean my teeth and get dressed and that takes
another 7 hours and leaves 70 golden hours. It takes an hour to drive to work and an hour to drive
home and that is 10 hours and leaves 60 golden hours. I watch the news every evening on TV for 1
1/2 hours and that's 10.5 hours and leaves 49.5 golden hours. We go to church every Sunday and
that's 2 1/2 hours and leaves 47 golden hours. Of course, we have to go shopping, go to the doctor
and dentist, pay bills, mow the yard, rake leaves, and more and those take 12 hours a week and that
leaves 35 golden hours. And life isn't all work and duties. We meet friends, go to the movies and the
like and that's another 5 hours a week and that leaves 30 golden hours a week. Then the kids have
music lessons, soccer and scouts and that takes 14 hours a week and that leaves 16 golden hours a
week. Then I work in the rock shop at least an hour a day and that leaves 9 golden hours. Then my
boss comes along and complains that I'm not doing mypart. Why is he so grouchy? I give him a solid
9 hours a week - that's ALL that I have to spare. - Original source unknown
December 1997
INDEX
SHOW AND MEETING REPORT
by Wendell. Mohr
AFMS/EFMLS/MISSISSIPPI G&M SOCIETY SHOW AND CONVENTION JACKSON, MS Oct- 17-19
The Show was held at the State Fair Grounds and meetings at the Edison Walthall Hotel. Jackson
downtown is clean, neat, and has virtually no commercial businesses except office and state
buildings. There are few indigents and few flowers.
The 50th Anniversary AFMS Director's Meeting was held on Thu. Oct. 16th. As is customary, most
officers and committee chairs submitted written reports that were distributed prior to the meeting.
The Lapidary Journal contributed 10% of the proceeds from their own publication's 50th Anniversary
advertising section to the AFMS ($3840).
The credit card program, which yielded about $300 to the AFMS, was unilaterally canceled by the
bank.
Changes to Operating Procedures were considered:
1. "Each Club- Each Year- One Rockhound" changes to specify the purpose, composition and
responsibilities of the committee passed, although the program title was discussed as being too
cumbersome. California Federation still uses "Education Through Sharing".
2. A proposal to change funding for committee chairmen for business meetings failed.
3. A procedure for passing on information from one generation to the next (Officers and chairmen) to
reflect current practices was passed.
4. A procedure clarifying conflict with the by-laws with respect to regional federation representation at
the AFMS meeting passed.
5. A procedure covering retention of AFMS publications, special forms etc. for history as well as
reference for assistance passed.
6. Passed was a new procedure that allows for, but does not require, funding for the AFMS president
to be reimbursed for attending regional conventions other than his own region.
7. A provision requiring manuals which do not and have not recently existed was deleted.
8. A specification to maintain a $5000 minimum balance in the non-restricted endowment fund
(Earnings, not principal) passed.
Motions passed:
1. The National "Bulletin Editors Hall of Fame" to be a part of AFMS under Club Publications.
2. Up to $200 from the endowment fund be used to furnish copies of AFMS material (Supplies, rule
books, updates, mineral lists etc.) to each regional federation.
3. Increase Program Competition Committee budget by $1100 and restore cash prizes to winners.
4. Recognize the benefits of ALAA and declare that the ALAA be a representative of the interest of the
AFMS (Without financial obligation for support of ALAA).
5. Table the issue of creating an AFMS web page on the WWW. Considerable discussion on this
issue revolved around issues of security, what is to be on and what is not, non-promotion of dealers,
link to ALAA, who is contact, and how material is to be approved. A committee will be appointed to
study the issue and hopefully report in 3 months.
6. Study the formation of an AFMS committee to take care of paleontological concern and report back
next year.
December 1997
A copy of the program of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History grand opening of the
Hall of Gems, Mineral and Geology was presented to the historian and an invitation made to visit the
exhibits.
The 1988 AFMS and Midwest Federation Convention and show will be August 14 and 15 at
Houghton, MI, preceded by 5 days of field trips beforehand (Red Metal Retreat). The 1999 AFMS and
Southeastern Federation meeting will be in Nashville TN at the State Fairgrounds in the 2nd week of
July.
The Junior Program Committee Chairman resigned due to little or no response to requests and
contacts for input. [Comment: Of all the things we need most for club health it is the invigoration of our
clubs with new members and especially youth]
Funds were requested to be donated to the AFMS endowment fund to support activities.
The meeting adjourned after about 4 1/2 hours!
Your AFMS is doing well in supporting the needs of regional federations, individual clubs and
members with ongoing programs in -. Club publications, Commemorative stamps, Conservation and
legislation, Recognition of outstanding rockhounds and clubs, Program competition, Safety, Uniform
rules and competitive exhibits and judging, Scholarship foundation, and many other administrative
functions. We get a lot for our tiny dues contribution!
Field trips preceded the show. The show opened Fri. and ran until Sun. There were about 90 exhibits
of which about 30 were competitive. A wide variety of content made for interest. AFMS cases featured
AFMS history (4), donated cabs from around the country (3), Gold from the USA (1), and past
president's specimens (1).
Outstanding exhibits included a fossil dinosaur head exhibit (Reconstructed), dining tables full of rock
food, faceted stones 5-7 inches in size, "Memories of Golden California", stereo micromounts, to say
nothing of the competitive cases. Terry Cirrincione displayed finds from the EFMLS geology tour this
summer. She also had a case of fossils (Which, if entered competitively, would have scored very
high). A humorous entry was coprolites by the Royal Flush Society! Several educational institutions
and the MS Department of Natural Resources had exhibits. The host club members conducted many
working demonstrations. Scheduled presentations were made each day by a total of 6 speakers.
About two dozen dealers plied their wares.
The "Crackerbarrel" discussion Friday evening was unfortunately canceled.
The Rockhounder, 11/97
* Very early one morning two birds are sitting at the side of a large puddle of oil. They see a worm on
the other side. So... one flies over and the other one wades through the oil. Which one gets to the
worm first? The one who swam, of course, because "The oily bird gets the worm"
* There are those who find big problems with every solution.
* Luck is when opportunity and preparation meet.
* If the world seems cold, light some fires.
INDEX
CORRECT TUCSON SHOW DATES BAD INFORMATION OUT THERE
Rick Trapp
December 1997
Tucson Gem and Mineral Society Show Committee
It has come to our attention that the 1998 Show dates for the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society have
been incorrectly posted in a variety of sources. Our retail show dates are February 12 to February 15,
1998. As
usual, our retail show is held at the Tucson Convention Center, beginning on the second Thursday of
February and lasting for four days. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Society regrets to announce that
ther are no plans for a wholesale show sponsored by the Society in 1998. Any announcement of
dates for such a show are incorrect.
There has been an incredible amount of hotel and motel construction in Tucson over the last two
years and there are literally thousands more rooms available here in the metropolitan Tucson area
than in previous years. We cordially invite mineral, fossil, and lapidary enthusiasts to visit warm
Tucson in February to see the finest gem and mineral show in the world.
INDEX
A MODERN PARABLE
Once upon a time, there was a rock club. It's members were all old hands at the hobby. Whenever
they met and talked, they wished that more people would join the club. "We cannot do the things the
club once did because we are so few." They tried and tried to get new young members. And they
often did. Then, in a few meetings, the new ones disappeared. And the old members looked at each
other and said, "What did we do wrong?" And no one answered.
There came a time the club had two new families as members. The youngsters were vibrating with
excitement and curiosity at each meeting. Then slowly, one family came less often and less often. A
field trip was scheduled - the first since last year and the second since the year before. The meeting
was Thursday, the trip on Saturday. The trip was to local fossil sites where much wonder abounded.
Both families were going. But, the club building needed work. At the meeting, the old members said
"I've got lots of fossils, let's fix the shed instead." So the new families hunted no fossils.
Another field trip was scheduled. The Saturday after the next meeting. To dig crystals at a famous
mineral site. The kids were excited. They had asked friends to join them. Then the old members said
"Well, we've lots of crystals - and if we go a week later, we can go to a swap and talk with other
friends, instead." So they moved and voted to change and forget the crystals. And the new members
frowned.
Once upon a time, there was a rock club. It's members were all old hands at the hobby. Whenever
they met and talked, they wished that more people would join the club. "We cannot do the things the
club once did because we are so few." They tried and tried to get new young members. And they
often did. Then, in a few meetings, the new ones disappeared. And the old members looked at each
other and said, "What did we do wrong?" And no one answered. - Anonymous
December 1997
INDEX
COLLECTING IN CANADA BY NON-CITIZENS
By Ken Pugh; Fraser Centre for Non-Marine Eocene Research
[email protected]
Well here it is. The official word on what must be declared at Canada Customs. An export permit is
required as below, and must be applied for by a Canadian resident [on behalf of an American].
Canada Cultural Property Control List
Group 1 - Objects Recovered from the Soil or Waters of Canada
Paleontology
3. Paleontological specimens recovered from the soil of Canada, the territorial sea of Canada or the
inland waters of Canada, as follows:
a) a type fossil specimen of any value;
b) fossil amber of any value;
c) a vertebrate fossil specimen of a fair market value in Canada of more than $500;
d) an invertebrate fossil specimen of a fair market value in Canada of more than $500;
e) specimens in bulk weighing 11.25kg (25 pounds) or more of vertebrate fossils or vertebrate trace
fossils of any value; and
f) specimens in bulk weighing 22.5kg (50 pounds) or more, recovered from a specific outcrop, quarry
or locality, that include one or more specimens of any value of the following, namely,
(i) invertebrate fossils (ii) plant fossils, or (III) fossiliferous rock containing plant fossils or invertebrate
fossils
As you can see, casual collecting of a few specimens is not going to give you a problem, unless it is of
amber. If you have further questions, or would like a copy of the guide, phone Kathryn Zedde, Cultural
Moveable Property Programmes Officer, Hull, Que., 819-997-7760, or your closest Revenue Canada /
Customs office.
I also note in Section 12 (1) that a permit officer shall issue an export permit when the applicant for
the permit certifies and establishes to the officer's satisfaction that the object is to be removed from
Canada for any of the following purposes: a) appraisal b) authentication c) conservation d) exhibition
e) on loan f) processing g) research h) restoration or repair i) as personal effects. The length of time
for which an object may be removed from Canada under an export permit shall be for a period not
exceeding five years.
FURTHER REMARKS FROM ROBERT SENSENSTEIN
Ottawa Paleontological Society
I talked with Ms. Katheryn Zedde regarding the Canada Cultural Property Control List and she
informed me that this control list is meant only to keep track of what is being found that MAY be of
cultural or heritage value. By making the above mentioned paleon-tological specimens declarable, this
allows the government to put a temporary hold on anything that may be regarded as culturally
significant to prevent it's leaving the country until relevant museums and/ or institutions can be
December 1997
informed of the objects existence. This allows these organisations the opportunity to bid on the item
and pay "fair market value", NOT to confiscate the items (as long as the relevant provincial laws and
permits have been met regarding the material's aquisition).
For example: in the Yukon there is a company that currently exports mammoth tusks to the US. These
tusks are declared according to the Control List (since they are worth more than $500 Can. and weigh
more than 11.25 kg) but since no museum or other institution is interested in them they then go on
their way. Same thing for some companies exporting Placenticeras ammonites for the ammolite
jewelry trade.
Apparently, most Canadian border guards don't know about this list at all, which could be a mixed
blessing, so be informed.
INDEX
TROPHIES WON IN JACKSON
By Anne Cook
ELIGIBILITY Files Clerk
At the combined Eastern Federation/American Federation Show and Convention in Jackson,
Mississippi
October 17-19, 34 cases were entered into Uniform Rules competition. Of these, 24 were entered first
into the competition for Eastern Federation trophies, and 12 of these scored high enough (90 for
Masters, 70 for Juniors) to "fIy up" to try for American Federation trophies, along with the 10 cases
which had scored high enough at previous Federation shows. That totaled 22 cases that were judged
on Saturday- 12 of them won trophies.
John Pate, of the Houston Gem and Mineral Society, won Trophy 5, for restricted cabinet-size
minerals. Donald Heins, of the Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society won Trophy 6, for miniature minerals.
Sarah Gorday, of the Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society, won the only Junior trophy awarded,
Junior Trophy 8, for thumbnail minerals. As the highest scoring junior, she also won the Lillian Turner
Award. Louellen Montgomery, of the Topeka Gem and Mineral Society, won adult Trophy 8, for
thumbnail minerals. Jay Gorday, father of our junior winner and also a member of the Mississippi Gem
and Mineral Society, won Trophy 9, for restricted thumbnaiI minerals. Margaret and Robert Heinek,
our now immediate past president and her husband, of the Michiana Gem and Mineral Society, won
Trophy 13 for their case of petrified wood with special features. Barbara S. Jacobsen, of the
Tuscarora Lapidary Society, won Trophy 18 f or cabochons, with a perfect score of 100! John Kleber,
of both the Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society and the Columbus (Ohio) Rock and Mineral Society,
won Trophy 27 for an educational case displaying a skill and aimed at the general public. Jennie R.
Smith, of the Mineralogical Society of the District of Columbus, won Trophy' 30, for an educational
case showing a concept to the informed viewer. Ruth L. Banick of the Buffalo (NY) Geological
Society, won Trophy 35 for her case of selfcollected fossils. Ruby Lingelbach, of the Stillwater Mineral and Gem Society, won Trophy 38 for her
case of petrified wood. Bruce H. Banick of the Buffalo Geological Society, won Trophy 41, for his case
of carvings.
December 1997
* Congratulations to all of these winners, and to the other competitors, all of whom had fine cases.
Next year's American Federation Show will be in Houghton, Michigan. Start to prepare your case for
or it now.
INDEX
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
(Rockhound Style with Apologies)
by Edna F. Pauli
Golden Spike Gem & Mineral Society
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, there wasn't room for a mouse
With geodes and nodules under table and chair,
A wee little mouse couldn't squeeze in anywhere.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
As visions of fossil fish swam through their heads.
And Mother, dreaming of Opal and me of a lap.
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.
When out in the street there arose such a clatter,
I jumped out of bed, mad as a hatter!
Just as our clock tolled its 3:00 a.m. chime,
I opened the door and took a long look.
The sight that I saw there would make quite a book.
For parking in front with a roar and a squeak,
Was dear old St. Nick in a well-loaded jeep.
He paused just a moment to check his long list,
And make double certain no one would be missed.
There's agate, onyx, turquoise, and rhodonite,
Carnelian, crystal, sapphire, and malachite.
He named every stone I ever had heard,
And my heart was so happy it sang like a bird.
For rocks to a rockhound are really a must,
Right next to that stuff labeled, "In God We Trust."
It took quite a while to do this little chore,
But as soon as he'd finished, he came straight for our door!
And I can't understand, though I've honestly tried,
But before I could turn, he was right there inside.
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work.
And I stood there and watched though I felt like a "jerk."
For he knew what I wanted more than I did myself.
And was wise beyond reason, this right jolly old elf.
The gifts he had brought were trips for next year,
And the making of new friends from far and near.
The singing of old songs around campfires bright,
December 1997
And being with the gang every rock meeting night.
He picked up his pack and prepared to depart,
And I gave him my thanks from the bottom of my heart.
For friendship we know is a wonderful gem,
And the principal key to "Peace Among Men."
He sprang to his jeep, and stepped on the gas,
And left 'mid the snowflakes which sparkled like glass.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas, Rockhounds, and to all a Good Night!" -----Reprinted from the December 1996
Rockhound Record,
R U COMPUTER WISE?
The definitions below prove that rockhounds are far more familiar with computers than they
believe:&127;
* "Hard drive" -- Climbing a steep, muddy hill with a full load in your four-wheel drive.
* "Keyboard" -- Place to hang your truck keys.
* "Window" -- Place in the truck to display your guns.
* "Floppy" -- When you run out of Polygrip.
* "Modem" -- How you got rid of your dandelions.
* "Reboot" -- What you do when the first pair gets covered with barnyard stuff.
* "Network" -- Activity meant to provide bait for your trot line.
INDEX
THE BIGGEST, THE BEST,
AND THE MOST GARGANTUAN
by Benjamin Mark
The Largest Gold Nugget ever found was called the Holterman Nugget. It was found in Australia on
October 19, 1872 and weighed 7,560 ounces. That's 472 and a half pounds my friends. I could make
a couple of rings out of that. And maybe even a bangle to spare.
The largest silver nugget weighed 2,750 lbs. troy. It was discovered in Sonora, Mexico and was
appropriated" by the Spanish government before 1821. I looked up the word appropriate in the
dictionary to see if they felt the same about the word as I did. Here are some definitions. Steal, filch,
lift, nab, pilfer, pillage, swipe, and thieve.
The Largest Pearl, for you pearl lovers, weighs 14 lbs., 1 oz. It is 9 and a half inches long by 5 and a
half inches in diameter. It was found in Palawan, Philippines, on May 7th, 1934 inside the shell of a
giant clam. It presently resides in a San Francisco bank vault and was worth $4,080,000 as of July,
1971. It is called the Pearl of Lao-tze.
Opals anyone? How about one found in Andamooka, South Australia, in January, 1970. It weighs
December 1997
34,215 carats and was unearthed by a bulldozer.
There is a Topaz out there that weighs 21,327 carats. Light blue in color, with 221 facets, it's called
the Brazilian Princess. It was exhibited at the Smithsonian in1978 and was then worth $1,066,350.
Want something from the good old US of A. How about a turquoise weighing 218 lbs., found in
Riverside County, California, on January 17, 1975.
Jade? Well...how about a boulder size piece found in British Columbiain 1977 It weighs 63,307 lbs.
Okay. By a show of hands...how many of you want to know about marble? I know, I know. What has
marble got to do with jewelry? Well, fact is,I'm thinking of making up some marble jewelry next year,
and that justifies this little bit of info. Largest single slab ever found weighed 100.8 tons. It was
quarried in Yule, Colorado, and a piece of this slab was cut for the coping stone on the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
The largest Sapphire weighed 2,302 carats. It was found in Australia circa 1935, and was carved into
the shape of the head of President Abraham Lincoln. Another black star sapphire weighing 2,097
carats was carved into a bust of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, circa 1954.
Now...the largest of gemstones ever found in recorded history...a 520,000 carat aquamarine found in
Brazil in 1910. It yielded 200,000 carats of gem quality cutstones.
The rarest...there are only four of these stones in the world. It is a pale mauve gem known as
Taaffeite. They were first discovered in Dublin, and the largest one weighs 0.84 carats.
The Slate, March, 1997
The Chico, California, City Council enacted a ban on nuclear weapons, setting a $500 fine for anyone
detonating one within city limits.
INDEX
FANTASTIC FOSSIL FOR SCIENCE?
by Gregory Brown
[email protected] University of Nebraska State Museum -Division of Vertebrate Paleontology
http://wwwmuseum.unl.edu/research/vertpaleo/vertpaleo.html*
That new fossil that you just found looks to be an important, fantastic new fossil that will advance the
art of paleontology. So you hustle it to the experts. Their enthusiasm is mild. *On the other hand, upon
spying a small bone fragment you thought little of, their eyes bulge like saucers.* What's going on?
To many amateurs and hobbyists, "importance" is judged on only two criteria: 1). Is it new to science?
2). Is it unusually complete or well preserved? These are "9-pin, dot matrix" questions!*
*Paleontology* is now looking at 1200+ dpi resolution *questions*!
December 1997
The science of paleontology...determining past environments, climates, faunal composition, behavior,
etc. etc...depends on far more detailed information now. The basic questions (what kinds of animals
were here; what did they look like?) have generally been answered. We're now addressing far more
complex questions. Thus the importance of "collecting information". You can find an electronic version
of a detailed article I wrote on this subject (specifically for amateur paleontologists) on our museum's
web page at: http://www.museum.unl.edu/research/vertpaleo/musnote2.html* "Preserving Vertebrate
Fossils: Notes from the Laboratory" can be printed or downloaded from the site. Though specific
about vertebrates, the general principles apply to all fossils. *What's really important?* For anyone
(amateur or professional) to determine a species-level identification of a critter (with any degree of
confidence) is nearly impossible unless they specialize in that group. Genus- or family-level IDs are
much more realistic. Geologic provenience is likewise difficult to establish precisely without a great
deal of expertise. For instance, my field notes from years (many!) ago record strat data like this:
"Aquia Formation, zone 2". Was it? According to my then-current knowledge...and some very very old
literature...it was. Now, I doubt it very much. What is really important is to record common-sense
observations that would allow you (or someone else) to return to the location and relocate the very
spot the fossil came from. For detailed research on museum collections, professionals will always try
to return to the original locality and look at the sedimentology and stratigraphy themselves, even if the
original data was collected by a well-respected colleague.
The "name" of the critter and the "name" of the formation are far less important to record in your field
notes than some good old-fashioned basic observations about *the fossil's* occurrence. *Without
data, a beautiful fossil may be scientifically worthless. With data, a seeming scrap may be a scientific
treasure. If something is worth picking up, it is always worth documenting.*
Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused his dentist's Novocain during root canal work? He
wanted to transcend dental medication.
INDEX
A.F.M.S. Newsletter is published monthly by the American Federation of Mineralogical
Societies.
(405) 682-2151
(918) 336-8036
------------------------------------------------------http://www.amfed.org/n1997_12.htm (28 of 29) [4/20/2006 6:44:55 PM]
December 1997
Material may be duplicated for non-commercial purposes with attribution. For commercial use,
the individual author(s) must be contacted for approval
February 1998
Newsletter - February, 1998
ENDOWMENT FUND GETS SUPPORT - Charles Leach, Glenn Lee
THANK YOU, LAPIDARY JOURNAL! - Large Gift to Scholarship Foundation Louellen
Montgomery
1998 AFMS -- MWF CONVENTION HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN - Steve Whelan, Show
Chairman
DEE'S DOIN'S - Dee Holland, President, AFMS
EACH CLUB GETS THREE - SEND IN THOSE NAMES AND ADDRESSES PLEASE
LOUD & CLEAR - Big Changes at Ouartzite - George Loud
PROGRAM COMPETITION WINNERS - Marge Collins
IN MEMORY
EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND - Bonnie Glismann
February 1998
YOUR CLUB NOMINATION? EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND - Bonnie
Glissman
$100 CASH PRIZES REINSTATED FOR PROGRAM COMPETITION - Marge Collins
SAFETY NOTE - DON'T STOP ON EMPTY! - Dorothy & Glenn Lee
NORTHWEST INTERNATIONAL FACETING CONFERENCE
AFMS OFFICERS 1997-1998
DIRECTORS OF AFMS 1997-98
COMMITTEES
1998 AFMS PROGRAM COMPETETION - Marge Collins
ARTISTS - YOUR SKILLS ARE NEEDED!
SAFETY - IT'S JUST DUST, ISN'T IT - Part I - Peter R. Girardot, PhD
THE JADES: COLORS AND CONTROVERSIES - Lyle G. Gable
JADE IS AS NEAR AS MOUNT VERNON, FAR AWAY AS BURMA - Fred Greef
EDITORIAL - THE CODE AND THE GENERATION GAP - Mel Albright
Needs entry blank
February 1998
ENDOWMENT FUND
GETS SUPPORT
Charles Leach, Endowment Fund
Glenn Lee, Ways and Means
An Endowment Fund and Ways And Means Report On The Jackson Show
We would like to thank all those who participated in the Endowment Fund raffle held at
the 50th Anniversary Show in Jackson. This includes those who donated items for the
raffle, those who purchased tickets and those who helped at the table. Slightly more than
$2000 was raised including $968 from tickets for the walrus carved by Virgil Keltz. We
would especially like to thank our wives, Betty and Dorothy, for their diligent assistance
at the table, and BonnieGlismann and Bev Dillon for their super work selling tickets for
the walrus.
Following are the donated items, donors, and winners: - Walrus carved by Virgil Keltzt
NFMS To: John Haworth - Pearls by Terri Ewers, CFMS, TO: Ed Romack - Amethyst ring
by Lewis Elrod, SFMS, To: Tom Rightmer - Faceted CZ by Al Whitney, CFMS, To: Mona
Leach - Opal cab by Tax Willoughby, CFMS, To: Mary Jane Boutwell - Hessonite garnet by
Friends of Mineralogy, RMFMS, To: Flicka Leach - Rhodochrosite by Friends of
Mineralogy, RMFMS To: Lois Pattillo - Laguna pendant by Ruby Lingelbach, RMFMS, To:
Candace Holliday - Obsidian knife by Terry Hayes NFMS, To: Patricia Jones - Scenic
miniature by Howard Carter, CFMS To: Marge Collins - Smoky quartz ring by Lewis Elrod,
SFMS, To: Jean Wallace - Tiger eye pendant by Cliff Godbold, CFMS, To: Dick Glismann Silver sculpture by Charles Leach, CFMS To: Mel Albright - Fossil case by Aurora Fossil
Museum, EFMLS To: Bob Marshall - Quartz crystal by Fred Schaefermeyers EFMLS, To:
Kevin Hardy - Hematite crystals by Fred Schaefermeyer, EFMLS To: Dan Lingelbach Fluorescent specimen by Franklin Museum EFMLS To: Dan Lingelbach - Rutilated quartz
by New York State Museum, EFMLS, To: Sarah Gorday - Fire agate pendant by Marilyn
Cummins, CFMS, To: Ruth Bailey - Chalcopyrite on quartz by NY State
Museum EFMLS, To: Robert Vroaskovich - Fossil pecten by Aurora Fossil Museum
EFMLS, To: Anne Bennett - Whale vertebra by Aurora Fossil Museum EFMLS To: Robert
Vroaskovich - Silver necklace by Marge Collins, MWFMGS, To: Betty Luke - Stones from
Statue of Liberty by Keesa Stewart, CFMS, To: Bev Dillon - Blue quartz pendant by Ed
Romack, NFMS, To: Betty Luke - onyx sphere by Cal Clason, CFMS, To: Bob Pevahouse Smithsonite by Chaparral Rockhounds, RMFMS, To: Rena Everett - Soapstone carving by
Agnes Hall, CFMS To: Hideko Pezant- Citrine ring by Lewis Elrod, SFMS, To: Izzy Burns.
INDEX
THANK YOU,
LAPIDARY JOURNAL!
- Large Gift to Scholarship Foundation
February 1998
Louellen Montgomery, President
A.FMS Scholarship Foundation
Are you a subscriber to the LAPIDARY JOURNAL? If so, then you probably know the July
1997 issue commemorated 50 years of publication! Pages 99 through 117 of this issue
contained a special commemorative advertising section, also noting the 50th Anniversary
of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. In the preface to the advertising, it
stated that the
LAPIDARY JOURNAL would donate 15% of the revenue from these advertisements to the
AFMS Scholarship Foundation.
They did! In August, the Foundation received a check in the amount of $3,840.00! Again,
we say, THANK YOU, LAPIDARY JOURNAL! The Foundation issued a Founder's
Certificate to the magazine and sent it to Mr. Leif Owen Klein, the Publisher, in recognition
of this generous contribution.
Following this - the September 1997 issue of the LAPIDARY JOURNAL contained an
article, "Money to Learn", written by Sharon Elaine Thompson, about the A.FMS
Scholarship Foundation. This article includes conversations she had with some of the
students who had received scholarship grants, some of the Honorary Award Winners, and
some of the Directors of
the Foundation. If you have not read it, we suggest you get a copy of that issue and read
how the AFMS Scholarship Foundation has helped many individuals to achieve their
educational goals. Once again, our THANKS to the LAPIDARY JOURNAL!
INDEX
1998 AFMS -- MWF CONVENTION
HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN
Steve Whelan, Show Chairman
COMBINE: Lake Superior on three sides, the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, a beautiful
forested landscape, a unique set of geological circumstances providing marvelous field
collecting, AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE? RED GOLD and TARNISHED SILVER, the 1998
combined MWF and AFMS Field-Trip Convention and show in Houghton, Michigan.
The Copper Country Rock & Mineral Club is hosting the upcoming event August 11
through August 16, 1998, in the Keweenaw Peninsula, heart of the beautiful Lake Superior
Copper District.
CONVENTION ACTIVITIES will be held on the campus of Michigan Technological
University, all sites within walking distance of one another. Federation meetings will be
held Tuesday through Saturday, the Awards Banquet, open to any registered participant,
February 1998
is scheduled for Saturday evening on Tech's campus. In most cases field trips have been
scheduled to accommodate delegates, and not preclude them from participation due to
required meeting attendance.
FIELD TRIPS are our specialty. This field-trip-convention will present a unique collecting
opportunity for the rockhound/mineral collector. We have over 20 guided surface
collecting trips in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon Counties scheduled, and
confirmed, for Monday through Saturday. Some of these will be to privately- owned rock
piles that have been made available to us for this special event. At most locations we will
be bulldozing the rock piles
to expose fresh material before EACH trip. There will be a small fee per-person per-trip to
defray the costs of dozing. As each field trip will be limited to a pre-set number of
collectors, preregistration is a must. Arrangements have been made for 3 guided
underground collecting tours at the working Caledonia Mine in Ontonagon County, the
only remaining active mine in the Lake Superior Copper District. Again, pre-registration is
a must. There will be a higher fee for these 3 trips: underground safety equipment is
provided. A complete list Of collecting sites (including site maps, schedules, and
distances) is Provided on our Web site and in the registration' Packets.
EQUIPMENT to Consider: safety glasses, hard hats, sturdy boots, leather gloves; not-sonecessary-but-nice: collecting bags, loupe, rock hammers and chisels; and, finally, veryvery- nice: a Metal detector.
TRANSPORTATION: Every field-site is accessible by family car. However, for those
needing site-transportation, arrangements have been made with M- T U-'s Transportation
Office to have 11 -Passenger vans available daily to transport to and from the collecting
sites. Should pre-registration indicate that a sufficient number Of Participants require sitetransportation (i.e. motorhomes without separate car, fly-ins, group transport from out of
area, etc.), reserved
seating will be available. A minimal round-trip charge (approx. $2/person) will be
necessary to defray costs. Be sure to indicate need when registering.
WEBSITE: www.portup.com/~swhelan/ccrmc/ Our Web site is up and running, Provided
by "The Portage" Internet Provider in Houghton. Visit us to find: schedule of sites of
Federation meetings; complete list of field trips including times, maps, collectible
materials and fees; lodging; camping; restaurants, mineral photographs, and email link
directly to the show
chairman. You'll even be able to print your registration form to mail-in, avoiding the wait
for information packets to get to your home/office. The site will be updated right up until
the show in August so visit often to keep up to date.
SHOW: Friday through Sunday, August 14-16. The Gates Tennis Center of the Student
Development Complex on the M.T.U. Campus will be the 3-day home to 18 dealers,
February 1998
competitive exhibits, demonstrators, special exhibits, silent auction, and a swap area. On
site you'll find ample free paved parking and refreshments.
SUGGESTIONS: If you have any suggestions or ideas to help (a favorite dealer,
demonstrator, or desire to volunteer) we'd appreciate hearing from you. Please contact
me at: Route 1, Box 406, Calumet, MI 49913; 906/337-2599 after 6 p.m.; email,
[email protected]
We'll see you next August!!
INDEX
DEE'S DOIN'S
Dee Holland, President, AFMS
The holidays are over and the new year has arrived. This year I am starting with positive
plans for the future. I will be retiring the first of April, so hopefully will be able to attend
the Regional Federation Shows. The first of these shows for this year will be the South
Central Federation show to be held in Corpus Christie, Texas, February 28, March 1, 1998.
The AFMS Newsletter circulation has been increased to (3) three copies for each club or
society, we need to have the names and addresses of the persons that are to receive
these copies sent to Dan McLennan PO Box 26523, Oklahoma City, OK, 73126-0523. I
would ask that each regional federation newsletter include a reminder to the clubs in their
newsletters.
Communicating between the AFMS, the Regional Federations and on to the individual
clubs and members has been a problem because the information is late getting out via
our newsletters. At the present time it is the best method we have, we do however, have a
committee working on setting up a Web Site on the Internet, so those who have access to
this media could spread the information around much faster.
INDEX
EACH CLUB GETS THREE SEND IN THOSE NAMES AND ADDRESSES PLEASE
To underline what President Dee says above, Dan McLennan asks that every club and/or
federation send in the names and addresses of those THREE members who should
receive the free copies of the AFMS Newsletter. In the past, it was assumed that the
President and the Bulletin Editor should receive a copy. Now each club should add
February 1998
someone new as well as making sure all three names and addresses are up to date.
One big problem has been that clubs do not notify the AFMS Central Office when
elections go by or editors change. Please make that a part of your change of officers
routine. Dan recently cut off subscriptions to a very large number of people who could
not be identified as being designated by their club to receive a copy of the Newsletter.
Additional subscriptions to the Newsletter are available for $3.50 a year through the AFMS
Central Office. Send your information to:CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINSTRATON: Dan
McLennan, PO box 26523, Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0523 (405) 682-2151
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT SUBSCRIPT-IONS should also be sent to Dan. The Newsletter
Editor has nothing to do with the maintenance of the mailing list.
Flowers can help to understand words which make a lot of matter,
Rocks can not say a word but are most lovely.
----parts of a poem from Wang, An-Shih of Sung Dynasty----
INDEX
LOUD & CLEAR
Big Changes at Ouartzite
By George Loud
Chair, Conservation & Legislation Committee
Two good members of our rockhound fraternity, Marv and Kitty Starbuck (Kitty is Editor
of the Midwest Federation Newsletter), received a ticket last year in Quartzite for
"Camping in an area posted as closed to camping - (Supplementary Rules)." The fine was
$50.00 and Marv and Kitty suddenly became unhappy campers.
If you are planning to visit Quartzite in February, please read the following and take care
that the BLM does not ruin your vacation. New BLM Rules, adopted as part of the La Posa
Interdisciplinary Management Plan, published July 1997, greatly restrict parking in and
around Quartzite. Within a 121,500 acre zone around Quartzite, indicated by the bold
black line on the
map, "camping" will be allowed only in the La Posa LTVA (long term visitor area) and in 5
designated 14-day camping areas. The 5 14-day camping areas, shown on the map below,
are: 1. Dome Rock Camping Area 2.Roadrunner Camping Area (Mile marker 99) 3.Scaddan
Wash Camping Area 4. Polmosa Road Camping Area 5.High Jolly Camping Area (Mile
marker 112) On BLM land outside of the 121,500 acre zone shown on the map only you
may camp on BLM public land but only within 100 feet of a designated road or trail and
only for a maximum period of 14 days. You will not be allowed to camp beside a road
within the designated 121,500 acre zone unless within the LTVA or one of the five 14-day
camping areas.
February 1998
The BLM will conduct routine ranger patrols to ensure boundary and camping closure
compliance. A BLM volunteer will be stationed in the Quartzite Town Hall during the
winter visitation period to provide information to the public.
Map of INNER Control Area around Quartzite
LTVA - Long Term Visitor Area (9/15-4/15)
Striped areas - Designated Camping Areas (14 day use) - Outside the inner control zone,
camping allowed within 100 Feet of Designated Road only (14 day use)
IN MEMORY
Evangeline Watson,
Past President of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, died Wednesday,
November 19, 1997
INDEX
PROGRAM COMPETITION WINNERS
By Marge Collins
Chair, Program Competition
1997 "4 STAR WINNERS"
('Amateur' productions)
Winner in Class 1: Educational
¨ "MINERALS IN MEDICINE" 36 slides approx. 25 min. by Shirley Turski & Lee
VanIderstine, New Haven Mineral Club (EFLMS) Many minerals are used in medications,
medical equipment and treatments. Also included are some gemstones reputed to have
therapeutic value.
Winners in Class 2: Field Collecting
¨ "AGATE & WOOD FROM TEXAS BIG BEND & MEXICO" 86 slides approx. 25 min. by
Ruby Lingelbach, Stillwater Mineral & Gem Society (RFMLS) Numerous samples of
colorful agates and petrified wood are included along with various hints of what to expect
if you travel to these areas.
February 1998
¨ "AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND - THROUGH THE EYES OF A ROCKHOUND" 101 slides
approx. 25 min. by Joyce & Willis Smith, McDonnell Douglas Gem & Mineral Society
(MWF) Visit a large show and meet rockhounds on a trip 'down under'. See many areas
along with some of the materials obtained.
Winner in Class 3: 'How-To-Do-It'
¨ "SOAPSTONE CARVING" 42 slides approx. 35 min. by Andre Dube, Skagit Rock & Gem
Club (NFMS)
Samples and explanation of basic styles of carving are shown along with tools, tips and
the progress of one piece - start to finish.
1997 "EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION" Winners ('Professional' productions)
"CUSTOM WIRE WRAP JEWELRY - Part One" VHS Video I hour 16 minutes Alice Turner
Central Michigan Lapidary & mineral Society (MWF) Basic tools and techniques and how
to make an adjustable ring, bracelet, cabochon pendant,
cabochon ring and earrings. (Also available for purchase from author $20.00)
¨ "CUSTOM WIRE WRAP JEWELRY - Part Two" VHS Video 53 minutes by Alice Turner (as
above)
This tape shows stacked prong pendant, a chain, butterfly, 'Basil's ring ' and the simple
bead ring. (Also available for purchase from author $20.00)
¨ "INTRICATE INTARSIA" VHS Video 39 minutes by Philip Magistro, Pinellas Geological
Society (SFMS)
Beginning where (1996 Winner) "Introduction to Intarsia leaves off, with detailed
instructions for a more complicated cabochon size mosaic. (Also available for purchase
from author $39.95)
The above programs will be available from the Regional Libraries. Contact your Regional
Librarian to reserve these or other programs for Club or individual use.
INDEX
Bonnie Glismann Chair, 1-1-1
The AFMS CONGRATULATES THESE HARDWORKING CLUB MEMBERS;
Last nomination of 1997
¨ CHERYL COUNCIL, CONEJO GEM & MINERAL CLUB, Conejo, CA; Presently President
more than two years - has served as membership chair, and secretary. Through her
determination, she met her goal of "Sweepstakes Award" for her club by inspiring 16
members to enter competition in Ventura and winning 23 trophies.
Following Nominated for 1998
February 1998
¨ MARY SULLIVAN, HIGHLANDS GEM AND MINERAL CLUB, Sebring, FL: Mary is a charter
member of her club, has held every Position possible, has lectured and displayed in all
phases of her lapidary expertise. Fossils are her present interest. She is concentrating
her efforts at schools, interesting young people in fossils and sharing fossils with them.
Mary is truly the"bedrock" of her club.
¨ JIM AND JUDY BUDNIK, KYANA GEOLOGY SOCIETY, Louisville, KY: Jim and Judy
Budnik have held our club together since they joined just a few years ago. They became
the editors when the club did not have one (1992-1996) and won many awards in the
EFMLS, SFMS, and AFMS. They have helped out with club shows; they did educational
programs, and were our field trip chairpersons (1992-1995). They were Kentucky State
Director (1996), chaired the
annual picnic (1994-1995) and helped our club in many other ways. They now make a two
and one-half hour drive from Ohio to our meetings. They are a huge support to our club.
¨ GEORGE HOLMES, MAGIC VALLEY GEM CLUB, Twin Falls, ID; George has served as
president twice and held many other offices. At show time, he is our number one person.
He donates rocks, and tools and gives instruction on how to make spheres, cabs and
arrowheads. He helps the scouts and goes to schools and teaches anyone who wants to
learn about rocks. In 1998 he will serve as Vice President, Federation Director,
parliamentarian, By-Laws and Public Relations Chair. Magic Valley Gem Club is fortunate
to have such a dedicated member.
¨ JUDY CRAWFORD, HIGH POINT GEM AND MINERAL CLUB, High Point, NC; Judy has
led the club for three years. During this time she led the club to raise $9,600 in
scholarship money to support two club members in college who are studying geology.
Club unity and fellowship are still strong.
¨ CHUCK MCKIE, FAIRFIELD LAPIDARY SOC. Northern CA Field Trip Chair, Director,
Editor, displays his case and the Club's case at many shows in CA and his field trip
collections at the local library. He is lapidary instructor at the Senior Center. Need help?
Call Chuck.
¨ LARRY RICHEY, SEARCHERS GEM & MINERAL SOC. Active since joining the Club - first
year Co-Chair of annual show. Displays and demonstrates at shows, instructs youths in
lapidary arts - main involvement is veterans rehabilitation center in Long Beach, teaching
lapidary & jewelry making - sometimes on "Richey" modified equipment to be more easily
usable for handicapped veterans. A real asset to our Club.
¨ SAM BORGES, BOULDER GEM CLUB (NV); for services past & present. He has held
many offices and for quite a few years has served as historian, publicity person, minishow Chair, lapidary instructor, and workshop-meeting planner and director. He has also
been generous in donations of lapidary material & findings.
¨ EDITH OSBORN, YUCAIPA GEM & MINERAL CLUB (life member) She has been treasurer
for the club for many years and saved the club over $5000. in income taxes by her efforts.
INDEX
February 1998
YOUR CLUB NOMINATION?
by Bonnie Glissman, Chair
continuous program in which each club is allowed to recignize one member each year for
year, that nomination will be held and published the next year.
Reasons for the nomination should be kept short and simple. Please tell us the name of
the club, city and state where located and the individual sending the information.
Nominations should be sent to your Federatiion representative. We look foreward to
Editor's Note: Representatives are listed elsewhere in the Newsletter.
¨ The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering
their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very
uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering. -- Doctor Who,
Face of Evil
¨ The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a
civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either
physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. -- John Stuart Mill, On Liberty
¨ Ninety percent of the game is half mental.
-----Yogi Berra
¨ You can build a throne with bayonets, but you can't sit on it for long. ------ Boris Yeltsin
¨ Two rights don't make a wrong, but three will get you back on the freeway.
-- James Wesley Jackson
¨ Football combines two of the worst things about American life. It is violence punctuated
by committee meetings. -- George Will
¨ Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening all at once.
¨ Heisenberg may have been here.
INDEX
$100 CASH PRIZES
REINSTATED FOR PROGRAM COMPETITION
February 1998
By Marge Collins
Chair, Program Competition
Effective with the 1998 Competition, cash prizes of $100.00 will be given to the highest
scoring amateur program in each Class -"Educational", "Field Collecting", "How-To-Do-It"
and "Just for Juniors".Winners must have a score of 95 points ormore.
A part of the competition at its inception in 1977, these prizes were discontinued in 1985
when budgets were reduced to avoid an increase in dues. Since dues were raised in 1993
reserves have accumulated and it seems appropriate to reinstate these prizes in an effort
to attract and reward the highest caliber amateur slide and video programs in a
substantial way.
Clubs across the country and their members are the beneficiaries when they borrow
these programs as a means of learning more about the Earth Sciences. The "Excellence
in Education" Award is given to programs available for resale. There is no cash prize in
this category since the producers do receive reimbursement based on sales.
There are no changes in the rules for the 1998 Competition. The deadline for entry is April
15th.
Anyone wanting more information or an entry form can contact their Regional Librarian or
Program Competition coordinator.
(Ed. Note: Form elsewhere in this issue.)
Marge Collins 3017 Niles-Buchanan Rd. Buchanan, MI 49107 (616)695-4313
INDEX
SAFETY NOTE - DON'T STOP ON EMPTY!
Dorothy & Glenn Lee
That's a lesson we learned in our travel trailer on our way home from the Jackson Show.
We stopped Friday afternoon in a trailer court along Highway 50 out of Lamar, CO. Rain
began during the night and soon turned to snow and by morning a blizzard was raging
and drifts were several feet deep. The blizzard continued all day Saturday with snow
blowing into the trailer through the windows and door and by evening the electricity and
phones were out and the court's water supply frozen. The wind blew even harder
Saturday night but died down Sunday morning. However, drifts completely blocked the
highway so that no traffic could get through.
The court had no propane so we were completely dependent upon the propane, water and
batteries in our trailer as the temperature dropped to 13 F. Fortunately, we had not
stopped on empty (except for our holding tanks). After three very uncomfortable (but
survivable) nights, the highway was plowed and by Monday afternoon we could continue
on our way home, but we hate to think of how it would have been had we not had
propane, water, good batteries and gas in the
February 1998
truck.
The Dason company in North Carolina is famous for its home mixing machines. They
have a
slogan in their advertising which reads like this: "When in the South, y'all, be sure to
come to
see the famous Dason Mixin' Line
INDEX
NORTHWEST INTERNATIONAL FACETING CONFERENCE
The annual Northwest International Faceting Conference will be held in Mount Vernon,
Washington, on Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24,1998. Preparations
and setup will begin on Friday afternoon, with the evening hours (6 to 8:30 p.m.) being
spent in informal gatherings including some demonstrations, displays and dealers. The
dealers this year
will be B&B Gems from Butte, Montana with faceting rough and finished gemstones and
Alpha Supply from Bremerton, Washington which will bring faceting equipment and
supplies. Saturday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 24th there will be a series of interesting
and informative presentations by artisans such as Larry Winn, Marie Claire Dole, Cliff
Jackson, Carl Unruh, gemologist Roger Frost and others.
There will be a single stone competition for Novice, Muster, Champion, and Past
Champion trophies to be presented at an awards luncheon on Saturday , May 23. For
additional information contact Carroll Dillon, 909 Carter Rd., Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
(360) 856-5581.
¨ Save the whales. Collect the whole set.
¨ A day without sunshine is like, night.
¨ On the other hand, you have different fingers.
¨ I just got lost in thought.. It was unfamiliar territory.
¨ When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty.
¨ Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
¨ I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
¨ You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used
against you.
Save the whales. Collect the whole set.
¨ A day without sunshine is like, night.
It was a dark and dreary pre-dawn morning. The ice fisherman inched his way onto he ice.
He pulled out is ice auger and started to drill. From out of the dark came a deep voice
February 1998
"There are no fish there." So, the fisherman moved on to another spot. Again came the
voice: "There are no fish there." A third time, the fisherman found a likely spot and started
to drill. Again came the voice: "There are no fish there." Looking around in the gloom, the
fisherman saw no one, but he called out "Who are you". Back came the voice "I'm the rink
manager."
I went up into the attic with the wife the other day. Dirty, filthy, covered in cobwebs. But
she's good with the kids. I found this violin and this picture. I took them along to the
auctioneer, he says what you've got there is a Stradivarius and a Rembrandt.
Unfortunately, Stradivarius was a rotten painter, and Rembrandt couldn't make violins.
INDEX
AFMS OFFICERS
1997-1998
PRESIDENT: Dee Holland, Box 23, Tendoy ID, 83468-0023, (208) 756-2394 - NFMS
PRESIDENT ELECT: Lewis Elrod, 2699 Lascassas Pike, Murfreesboro TN, 37130, (615) 8938270 - SFMS
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: Dr. Robert Carlson, 1585 Los Pueblos, Los Alamos NM 87544,
(505) 662-5534 - RMFMS
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: Isabella Bums, 1038 Bradshawe, Monterey Park CA, 91754,
(818) 288-2896 - CFMS
THIRD VICE PRESIDENT: Shirley Greenberg, 85 Carpenter Rd., Hopewell Junction NY,
12533, (914) 221-5457 - EFMLS
FORTH VICE PRESIDENT: Bill Jennings 3515 Knottyash Drive, San Antonio TX, 78230,
(512) 696-7427 - SCFMS
FIFTH VICE PRESIDENT: Marvin Starbuck, 7636 V Ave. E., Vicksburg MI, 49097, (616) 6491991 - MFMS
SECRETARY/CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINSTRATON: Dan McLennan, PO box 26523,
Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0523 (405) 682-2151
TREASURER: Toby Cozens, 4401 S.W. Hill Street, Seattle, WA 98116-1924 (206) 937-7872
INDEX
DIRECTORS OF AFMS 1997-98
CALIFORNIA: BEVERLY MOREAU, President, 3113 Topaz Lane, Apt. A, Fullerton, CA
92831- 2374 - KEN KRUSCHKE, Vice President, 3001 Baylor St., Bakerfield, CA 93305-2209
EASTERN; MARY JANE BOUTWELL, President, 367 Virlillia Rd, Canton, MS 39046 HOWARD
BINKLEY, Rt. 1, Box 281A, Butler, GA 31006-9801
MIDWEST; HAROLD RICE, President, 122 Lois Lane, Mt. Clemens, Ml 48043-2243 - NEIL
February 1998
SNEPP, Vice President, 1325 Orlando Dr., Haslett, MI 48840
NORTHWEST; J. C. GILPATRICK, President, P. 0. Box 871, Lewistown, MT 59457-0871 LINDA KELTZ, Vice President, 3612 West 6th St., Anacortex, WA 98221-1234
ROCKY MOUNTAIN; RUBY LINGELBACH, President, 1116 S. Gray, Stillwater, OK 74074 BARBARA MATZ, Vice President, 1316 Stanford NE, Albuquerque NM 87106-3724
SOUTH CENTRAL; GEORGE BROWNE, President, 1204 Dragon Drive, Round Rock, TX
78681-4948 - BILL PATTILLO, Vice President, 61 9 Wright St., Robstown, TX 783803815&127;
SOUTHEAST; JIM ROBINSON, President, 1058 Wilderland Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32225 SARA
LEE BOYCE, Vice President, 114 The Loop Road, Mt. Holly, NC 28120
INDEX
COMMITTEES
AFMS ENDOWMENT FUND
AFMS NEWSLETTER EDITORS
AFMS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
AUDITING (AFMS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
ONLY)
BOUNDARIES
BULLETIN EDITORS HALL OF FAME
CLUB PUBLICATIONS
BYLAWS REVISORY
COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS
CONSERVATION AND LEGISLATION
EACH CLUB/EACH YEAR/ONE
ROCKHOUND
EDUCATIONAL/ALL AMERICAN
ELIGIBILITY FILES
INVESTMENT
HISTORIAN
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
LONG RANGE PLANNINGANDPASTPRESIDENTS
FINANCIAL
JUNIORS PROGRAM
NAME BADGES
NOMINATING
PARLIAMENTARIAN
PROGRAM COMPETITION
PUBLIC RELATIONS
February 1998
SAFETY
SAFETY MANUAL UPDATE
SUPPLY AND PUBLICATIONS
SHOW CONSULTANT
UNIFORM RULES
WAYS AND MEANS
AFMS ENDOWMENT FUND: Charles Leach, 7013 Jamieson Ave, Reseda CA, 91355, (818)
342-1443
CFMS:
EFMLS: Bruce Berger, Stream Lane Pleasant Valley NY 12569 (914) 635-3117
MFMS: Marv Starbuck, 7636 V Ave East Vicksburg MI 49079 (616) 649-1991
NFMS: Richard Glismann, 4326 South 200 West Ogden UT 84405 (801) 392-7832
RMFMS: Dan Lingelbach, 1116 South Gray St Stillwater OK 74074-5446 (405) 372-8635
SCFMS: Ed Ries, 4611 37th St Lubbock TX 794l4 (806) 799-2722
SFMS: Martin L Hart, 4935 Olivia Dr Antioch TN 37013-3570 (615) 331-2690
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
AFMS NEWSLETTER: Mel Albright: Rt. 3 box 8500 Bartlesville OK, 74003, (918) 336-8036,
[email protected]
CFMS: Ken Kruschke, 3001 Baylor St Bakersfield, CA 93305-2209 (805) 871-8853
EFMLS: Carolyn Weinberger, PO Box 302, Glyndon, MD 21071 (410) 833-7926
MFMS: Kitty Starbuck, 7636 V Ave. East, Vicksburg, MI 49079 (616) 649-1991
NFMS: Nancy & Whit Freund, 2156 West 5075 So, Roy, UT 84067 (801) 776-1868
RMFMS: James J Selby, 3108 Crestridge Dr, Farmington, NM 87401 (505) 325-"7612
SCFMS: Gaila Ries, 4611 37th St, Lubbock, TX 79414 (806) 799-2722
SFMS: John Watkins, 299 Edwards School House Rd., Loudon, TN 37774 (423) 458-5292
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
AFMS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION: * President: Louellen Montgomery, 1184 Collins,
Topeka
KS, 66604, (913) 354-1290: * Vice President: Dee Holland, P.O. Box 23, Tendoy ID, 83468,
(208) 756-2394: * Secretary: Keesa Stewart, 153 Scenic Ct., Concord CA, 94518, (510) 6821627: * Treasurer: Dan McLennan, P.O. Box 26523, 0klahoma City OK, 73 I26-0523, (405)
6822151
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
AUDITING: AFMS SCHOLARSHIP: Arlene Burkhalter, 6112 SE. 3rd, Midwest city OK,
73110
February 1998
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
BOUNDARIES: Roger Barnett, 115 Hilpine Dr. Simpsonville SC, 29681, (803) 963-5183
CFMS - Mary Anderson, 2524 Andrade Ave., Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 234-9111
EFMLS - Barbara Sky, 5927 3rd St. N, Arlington, VA 22203 (703) 528-8895
MFMS - Calvin George, 1824 Harvest Lane, Glendale, Hts, IL 60139 (630) 668-2502
NFMS - Linn Kannegaard, 18711 Crystal Mtn. Rd., Three Forks, MT 59753 (406) 285-3143
RMFMS - Joe McIntosh, 701 S. Dobson #473, Mesa, AZ 85202 (602) 827-1776
SCFMS - William Pattillo, 619 Wright, Robstown, TX 73380 (512) 387-5190
SFMS - Eleanor Wallace, 2810 N. Rosswood Dr., Mobile, AL 36606 (334) 473-5936
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
BULLETIN EDITORS HALL OF FAME: Shirley Leeson, 6155 Haas Ave., La Mesa CA, 91942,
(619) 460-6128
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
BY LAWS REVISORY: Chair; Calvin George, 1824 Harvest Lane, Glendale Hts IL, 60139,
(630)
668-2502; Margaret F. Heinek, 7091 E. East Park Lane, New Carlisle, IN, 46552 (219) 6543673; Fred C. Schaefermeyer, PO Box 10119, Alexandria, VA 22310-0119
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
CLUB PUBLICATIONS: Kitty Starbuck, 7636 V. Ave East, Vicksburg W 49079, (616) 6491991
CFMS: JoAnna Richey, 224 Oaks Ave, Monrovia CA 91016 (818) 359-1624
EFMLS: Barbara Fenstermacher, 3424 Meadow Dr Aiken, SC 29801-2851 (803)649-0959
MFMS: Walt Vogtman,10455 Hart, Huntington Woods, MI 48070 (313) 547-2057
NFMS:
RMFMS: Pauline Price, 1480 E 3350 So, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (801) 467-0662
SCFMS: Jean Wallace, 105 E Victory, Temple TX 76501 (817) 778-8122
SFMS: John Watkins, 299 Edwards School Rd Loudon, TN 37774 (615) 458-5292
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS: Lillian Turner, 6627 Radnor Rd., Bethesda MD, 20817- 6324,
(301) 229-6663
EFMLS: Wendell Mohr, 9509 Emery Grove Rd Gaithersburg MD 20877 (301) 926-7190
CONSERVATION AND LEGISLATION: George Loud, 9709 Layminister Ln, Vienna, VA
22182- 4405 (703) 319-7923
February 1998
CFMS: Jim Strain, 1920 Underwood Rd, Holtville, CA 92250 (619) 356-2361
EFMLS: see chairman
MFM.S: Dean Stone, 437 Lafayette St, Macomb IL 61455 309-833-2797 home (309) 833
237E
NFMS: Jon Spunaugle, 13730 NE 12th Apt 201, Bellevue WA 98005 (206) 957-1343
RMFMS: Dean Richardson, 1223 N 1500 West Salt Lake City UT 84116 (801) 595-6750
SCFMS: Grady Shults, 816 Harmon Ter, Arlington, TX 76010 (817) 265-2560
SFMS: Edna Morris, 1463 Nebo Rd Dallas GA 30132 404-445-92174
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
CONSERVATION AND LEGISLATION: George Loud, 9709 Layminister Ln, Vienna, VA
22182-4405 (703) 319-7923
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
EACH CLUB- EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND: Bonnie Glismann, 4326 S. 200th West,
Ogden UT, 84405, (801) 392-7832
CFMS - Grant & Toni Ewers, 12 Hillcrest Lane, Boulder City, NV 89005-1607 (702) 293-5106
EFMLS - Duane Evans, 28 Ash St., Portsmouth RI 02871 (401) 683-9536
SFMS - Dee Conybear, 606 Timberlane Dr Lake Mary FL 32746 407-324-3846
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
EDUCATION - ALL-AMERICAN: Lyle and Collen Kugler, 612 So. E 3rd St., Alledo IL, 61231
(309) 582-7364
CFMS - Beverly Berg, 24391 Wagon Wheel Lane, Lake Elsinore, CA 92532 (909) 244-6615
EFMLS - Bob Livingston, 59 Ely Dr., Fayetteville, NY 13066 (305) 446-4505
MFMS - Randy Phillips, 1139 Crooks St., Green Bay, WI 54301 (414) 437-4979
NFMS - Jean Brooks, 1405 Clearbrook Dr., SC, Apt. F104, Lacy, WA 98503 (360) 352-2986
RMFMS:
SCFMS
SFMS: Dee Conypear, 606 Timberlane Dr Lake Mary FL 32746 (407) 324-3846
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
ELIGIBILITY FILES: Anne Cook, 684 Quilliams Rd., Cleveland Heights OIL 44121, (216) 3819003
February 1998
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
FINANCIAL INVESTMENT: * Charles Leach, 7013 Jamieson Ave., Reseda CA, 91355, (818)
(342) 1443: * Dee Holland, P.O. Box 23, Tendoy ID, 83468, (208) 756-2394: * Lewis Elrod,
2699
Lascassas Pike, Murfreesboro TN, 37130, (615) 893-8270
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
HISTORIAN: Barbara Sky, 5927 3rd St., Arlington VA, 22203, (703) 528-8895
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: Ed Romack, 655 8th St., Idaho Falls ID, 83401, (208) 5222620
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
JUNIOR PROGRAM: Kathy and Bob Miller, 1106 Clayton Drive, South Bend IN, 46614,
(219) 291-0332
CFMS - Debbie Bunn, 2329 Howe Ave., Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 929-6665
EFMLS - Mable Kingram-Gross, RR1 Box 7405, Solon, ME 04979-9419 (207) 643-2176
MFMS - Florence Anderson, 6 Deer Ridge, Quincy, IL 62301 (217) 222-2420
Co.-Ch. Colleen Kugler, 612 SE 3rd St., Aledo, IL 61231 (309) 582-7364
NFMS - Sue Holland, Box 23 Tendoy ID 83468-0023 (208) 756-2394
RMFMS - Howell Whiting, 2300 South Union, Roswell, NM 88201 (505) 622-5679
SCFMS - Dawn A. Smith, PO Box 402068, Austin, TX 78704 (512) 443-8420SFMS - Mary
Jane Boutwell, 368 Virlillia Rd., Canton, MS 39046 (601) 859-1240
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
LONG RANGE PLANNING & PAST PRESIDENTS COUNCIL: Margaret F. Heinek, 7091 E.
Park
Lane, New Carlisle IN, 46552, (219) 654-3673 and All interested Past Presidents
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
NAME BADGES: Frank Mullaney, 5705 Begonia Drive, San Jose CA, 95124, (408) 266-1791
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
February 1998
NOMINATING: Margaret Heinek, New Carlisle IN, 46552, (219) 654-1290; Edward 0 Ries,
4611
37th St, Lubbock TX 79419 806-799 2722; Fred Schaeferlmeyer, 4603 Eaton PI, Alexandria,
VA 22310
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
PARLIAMENTARIAN: Anne Cook, 684 Quilliams Rd., Cleveland Heights, OH 44121 (216)
381-9003
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
PROGRAM COMPETITIONS: Marge Collins, 3017 Niles-Buchanon Rd, Buchanon MI 49107,
(616) 695-4313
CFMS - Edith Willoughby, 2547 Rollingwood Dr., Napa, CA 94558 (707) 224-3524
EFMLS - Fran Gallegos, 4003 Jeffery St., Wheaton, MD 20906 (301) 949-7238
MFMS - Marge Collins, 3017 Niles-Buchanan Rd., Buchanan, MI 49107 (616) 695-4313
NFMS - Mark Stephens , 9612 Sunburst Court SE Port Orchard WA 98367 (360) 895-0147
RMFMS - Nancy Hicks, 10 Donna Lane, Shawnee, OK 74801 (405) 273-0094
SCFMS - Les Weatherell, 6502 Jennings Dr., Austin, TX 78727 (512) 258-7227
SFMS - Freda Hull, PO Box 115, Grant, FL 32949 (407) 725-0847
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
PUBLIC RELATIONS: Patricia Mummert, 128 Sandalwood Dr., Rochester NY, 14626, (716)
663-1682
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
SAFETY: Mel Albright, Rt. 3 Box 8500, Bartlesville OK, 74003, (918) 336-8036,
[email protected]
CFMS: Joe Hafeli, 457 Seymor St Njgpa CA 94559 (707) 224-4177
EFMLS: Alex Wade, 63 Willowbrook Lane Brandon MS 39042-2149 (601) 825-9611
MFMS:
NFMS: Sam Miles, 1315 Ridge St Pocatello ID 83201 (208) 237-0327
RMFMS: Mel Albright, See Chairman
SCFMS: Peter Girardot, 1220 Acadamy Dr Arlington TX 76013-2309 (817) 275-7466
SFMS: Jim Ellis, 816 Tinkerbell Rd Chapel Hill NC 27514 (919) 967-3805
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
SAFETY MANUAL UPDATE: Les Anderson, 6447 N.E. 153rd St., Bothell WA, 98011, (206)
488- 7446
February 1998
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
SHOW CONSULTANT: Shirley Leeson, 6155 Haas Ave., La Mesa CA 91942, (619) 460-6128
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
SUPPLY AND PUBLICATIONS: Jim Hurlbut, 2240 S. Adams, Denver CO, 80210, (303) 7570283
Dan McLennan, PO box 26523, Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0523 (405) 682-2151
CFMS - Renata Williams-Bever, PO Box 489, Patton, CA 92369 (909) 885-3918
EFMLS - Ned Reynolds, Box F (Broadway), Amenia, NY 12501 (914) 373-9548
MFMS - Dr. Benjamin Moulton, 300 York Dr., Terre Haute, IN 47802 (812) 234-3870
NFMS - Wes Davis, PO Box 603, Forest Grove, OR 97116 (503) 357-2093
RMFMS - Pearl Burden, 3897 SW Indianola Rd., Benton, KS 67017-9084 (316) 778-1485
SCFMS - Jonathin Moehring, 6004 Cohoke Dr Arlington TX 76018-2366
SFMS: Sam Campbell, 7732 Gill Lane Powell TN 37849 (423) 947-7829
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
UNIFORM RULES: * Anne Cook, 684 Quilliams Rd., Cleveland Heights OH 44121, (630) 6682502: * Roy Deere, 7041 Rhodes Place W., Melbourne FL, 32904, (407) 725-9179: * Jim
Hurlbut, 2240 S. Adams, Denver CO, 80210, (303) 757-0283
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
WAYS AND MEANS: Glenn Lee, 704 S.W. 31st St., Pendelton OR, 97801, (503) 276-2365
CFMS: Shirley Leeson, 6155 Haas La Mesa CA 91942 (619) 460-6128
EFMLS: Terry Cirrincione, 1611 Decatur St NW Washington DC 20011 (202) 882-6317
MFMS: Kitty Starbuck, 7636 V Ave East Vicksburg MI 49079 (616) 649-1991
NFMS: Bonnie Glismann, 4326 South 200 West Ogden UT 84405 (801) 392-7832
RMFMS: Gene Potts, 1612 E 4th Ave Stillwater OK 74074
SCFMS: William Patillo, 619 Wright St Robstown TX 78380 (512) 387-5190
SFMS: Frank Decaminada, 795 Nile Dr Alpharetta GA 30022 (770) 992-5198
INDEX
COMMITTEE INDEX
1998 AFMS PROGRAM COMPETETION
by Marge Collins
February 1998
This contest is for slide or video presentations relating to the earth sciences. Each is to
be submitted in one of the 5 classes below.
Class 1: EDUCATIONAL - about geology, minerals, gems, fossils, etc.
Class 2: FIELD COLLECTING (one or more sites) - some geology, sample specimens,
collecting
techniques and other aspects of collecting should be included.
Class 3: "HOW-TO-DO-IT" - Covering carving, fossil prep., lapidary techniques/equipment,
faceting, metalwork, jewelry design, etc.
Class 4: JUST FOR JUNIORS: any of the above especially for youngsters.
Class 5. EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION - for programs available for sale: contact
coordinator.
WHO MAY ENTER?
Any club or society or members of a club or society which paid 1998 dues to a regional
federation of the AFMS is eligible to enter this contest.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY
April 15, 1998
VIDEO ENTRIES
* Submit a copy. Winners will be contacted for copies for regional libraries. * May be live
action with narration or a static presentation of slides/pictures with narration.
SLIDE ENTRIES
*Must be 35mm in standard slides. * must be relatively new originals on Kodak compatible
film to allow duplication. For exceptions, contact coordinator. * Must be spotted for
projection. Preferred is a red dot in the lower left corner. *Must be numbered, matching a
written script and coded with the entrant's initials. *A script should be typed, doublespaced on 8 1/2 X 11 paper, ready for duplication. This written narration should indicate
when each slide is to be projected. Audio tapes are appreciated, but do not replace script.
Keep a copy of the script.
PROGRAM LENGTH
Adult programs - 40 minutes is optimum
Juniors - 20 minutes suggested maximum.
Maximum slides suggested are 138. (+ 2 award slides)
HOW TO ENTER
Fill out the entry form and ship with your carefully packed presentation to AFMS Program
Competition, Coordinator, Marge Collins, 3017 Niles-Buchanan Rd., Buchanan, MI 491079443, phone (616) 695-4313
Please include SASE for notification of receipt. Reasonable safety precautions will be
taken by AFMS
JUDGING
Each program will be judged on its own merits, not against others. You may request a
copy of the judging form and "Tips For Good Programs" from your Federation Library
Coordinator. Send SASE with request.
JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR:
*Accuracy of information, *Educational Value, *quality of photographs/visuals,
*completeness of story, * A narrative that reads/moves well from one slide/view to the
February 1998
next, *presentations that create interest in the hobby or present ideas that can be tried,
*Title, credits, and "end" slides/scenes, Phonetic spelling of unfamiliar words in the script
are helpful. - Entrants will
receive a composite score sheet.
AWARDS
A $100 cash prize for the highest scoring program in Classes 1-4, with 95 points or more.
All first place winners receive national recognition and are made available to clubs across
the country via the Regional Program Libraries. Winners will be announced at the AFMS
Awards Banquet, Houghton, MI, Aug 15, 1998.
REPRODUCTION/DUPLICATION
By entering this contest, all winners grant permission for AFMS to duplicate their
program for the
Regional Federation Program Libraries. Winning slides are returned after duplication by
professional service. Runner-up entries will be returned within 30 days after the AFMS
Convention. Some Federations may request duplicates of runner-ups.
ENTRY FORM - 1998 AFMS PROGRAM CONTEST
I(we) submit this program
_______________________________________________________
To be entered in (check one) _______ Class 1 _______ Class 2 _______Class 3
_______Class 4
______ "EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION" (Programs available for sale)
Name of Club_________________________________________________________________
Regional Federation
____________________________________________________________
I/We have read the rules and agree to abide by them
Name (Please Print)____________________________________________________________
Office (If club entry)____________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip________________________________________________________________
Is this program for sale? _______NO _______Yes - Cost?_______________
February 1998
Material in this Newsletter may be duplicated for non-commercial purposes with
attribution. For
commercial use, the individual author(s) must be contacted for approval.
ARTISTSYOUR SKILLS ARE NEEDED!
Are you an artist? If so, there are a bunch of bulletin editors out here who would love to
showcase your art. But, not your watercolor of Aunt Sarah's garden. What the editors
need are hobby related drawings - fossils, crystals, rockhounds, rockhound tools, ANYTHING to do with our hobby. You wouldn't believe how few royalty free pictures there
are out there that represent the hobby.
So - how about some help? If you send pictures to me, I can scan and then e-mail the
pictures to the needy bulletin editors as well as print copies for non e-mail editors.
Details - The drawings should be black and white with minimal shading. For better
appearance, they should be fairly large - ¼ page or more. These look far better when
scanned and reduced than when a small picture is scanned directly. The drawings should
not be overly complex in that they should be effective in sizes from about 1 inch to 5
inches.
I can easily imagine a hundred pictures that might be used. I couldn't draw a one of them
well enough to use. But YOU can, and we editors would love to use them.
Start drawing!
Please send to Mel Albright, Rt. 3 Box 8500, Bartlesville, OK 74003-9203.
A volunteer instructor began giving ballet lessons to inmates at a prison. A number of the
students became quite proficient. The authorities agreed to allow them to have a recital
open to the public The invitations were for IN DE PEN DANCE DAY.
Heading west out of Ramona on California state highway 78 one comes across Rancho
Villa Road, just off Rancho Villa Road is Kings Villa Road and Rustic Villa Road. Shortly
after that one passes Weekend Villa Road followed by Vacation Villa Road. Finally there is
Pancho Villa Road.
What direction does a sneeze travel? Atchoo
SAFETY
February 1998
It's Just Dust -- Isn't It?
Part I
Peter R. Girardot, PhD
Chair, Safety Committee, SCFMS
Whenever we grind or polish anything, we make fine dust, fine particles called
particulates. In our clubhouses, some particulates can be seen in the air, but some are
too fine to be visible. We don't worry about them because they "are not there" (we can't
see them). We grind with water or oil, which keeps down the dust. We also wear aprons to
keep the spray from our clothes. When the droplets dry out, then we have particulates on
our aprons. We wipe them off and that takes
care of the problem. What about the particulates that sprayed into the air instead of onto
our clothes? They dry out in the air and end up as solid particulates. So even if we grind
wet, there are solid as well as liquid particles produced in the air.
Fine particulates are defined as solid or liquid matter in a finely divided state, specifically
smaller than 0.0001 meter (or 10 micrometers) in size. "Dust" this size is breathed easily
all the way into the lung, down to its deepest parts. Coarser particles are caught in the
nose and throat, and are expelled. They are generally no problem. With the fine
particulates, though, we are not so lucky. Once deep in the lung, they take up residence
and cannot be removed. These are the ones to worry about, especially when they are less
than 5 micrometers in diameter.
All particles will settle out to the ground eventually, so perhaps we can just wait and they
will go away. Not so, because such fine particulates stay suspended in air almost
indefinitely. Part of the reason is that they are similar in size to large molecules and are
kept in motion by the impact of air molecules that are also in constant motion. Tests
made recently in California
measured the particles left in the air from fireworks. Particles were still detected on July
19 fromthe July 4 fireworks.
Why worry about these fine particulates? They're inert, aren't they? That depends on the
chemical nature of the dust. Many of our cabbing or faceting materials are silicates, the
most abundant minerals on the faceof the earth, and most silicates contain free silica.
Silica and silicates make silica and silicate dust. Silica is the worst because of the way the
body tries to
accommodate the deposition of such dusts in the deep lung. The reaction of the body is
to try to protect itself. It creates a sac around the particle which is on the inner surface of
the lung. The growth of cells to produce the sac is risky in that it
may produce cells randomly and end up as cancer. That takes years for the slowly
developing forms of silicosis, but eventually your body or mine may or may not be able to
adapt successfully to the situation. Slowly developing forms of "dusty lung disease",
February 1998
bronchitis or silicosis are the ones most artists and craftsmen need to worry about. .
Breathing such dusts from grinding or faceting may never be a problem if you are old
enough to die of something else first. Failing that, it is a crapshoot to breathe such dusts.
The conclusion is that it is a risk I don't care to take. As an example, I have bought a
number of uncut opals over the years, but have never cut one until I recently had a
ventilation
hood installed over my cutting area. Opals are silicates. Many other minerals are not
silicates, but their dust is toxic for
different reasons. The same criteria apply to them as far as breathing the dust is
concerned, but that is the topic of another safety article and so is asbestos, a silicate.
Which silicas are toxic? Crystalline silica is highly toxic, causing silicosis. After about 10
or 20 years, chest X-rays begin to show scar tissue. The first symptoms are a dry cough
and shortness of breath. Lung function tests change. After a certain point, the disease
becomes progressive, even with the elimination of further exposure to silica dust.
Emphysema, smoking,
aging, and increased susceptibility to lung infection are complicating factors. Trydimite
and cristobalite forms are more toxic than the quartz and tripoli forms of silica. Silicates
such as soapstone, talc, vermiculite and clay usually contain bound silica, but may have
large amounts of free silica, hence may be toxic. Silicates themselves are slightly toxic by
inhalation.
There is no substitute for good personal hygiene in the workshop. In the next article on
this subject, the ways of controlling fine dusts and particulates will be covered, to lead to
good personal hygiene, whether in a home workshop or in a club's shop.
REFERENCES
(1) "The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide", Monona Rossol, Allworth Press, N.
Y. 1990
(2) "Artist Beware", Michael McCann, Lyons and Burford Publishers, N. Y. 1992
(3) "Environmental Chemistry", Colin Baird, W. H. Freeman and Co., N. Y.,1995 Further
articles
to come: Part II. Control and ventilation for dusts and particulates. Part III. Hazards from
other
dusts besides silica and silicates; hazards from asbestos.
THE JADES: COLORS AND CONTROVERSIES
by Lyle G. Gable
from Jax Gems 8/95
(Honorable Mention in 1996 AFMS Adult Article Contest)
February 1998
Jade and the color green are so inexorably linked that many people believe all jade to be
green. Theoretically, pure jade, both nephrite and jadeite, should be white. Metallic salts
in the form of oxides and silicates present, either alone or in combinations, and in varying
degrees, are responsible for the vast array of colors, hues, shades, tints and tones,
including multi-colors
possible in jade. In rare instances, four or five colors may appear in a single stone. The
green of jadeite is produced by chromium, the green of nephrite by iron. 'The degree of
coloring agent present is presumed to determine the intensity of the color, a supposition
partially refuted by the occasional occurrence of near- white nephrite with a high iron
content.
That jade has a wide range of colors is not in dispute, but opinions differ as to whether
jadeite or nephrite has the greater range. What is probably the majority view is stated by
Gerald Hamrich in The Handbook of Jade. He writes the color range of jadeite exceeds
that of nephrite. The opposite view is expressed in Judith Moorhouse's Collecting
Oriental Antiques. Ms. Moorhouse contends that the range of nephrite is the greater.
In common with jades of other colors, white jade can be of many shades. While the nearwhites and off-whites are not extremely scarce, a true, pure-white jade is rare. Again,
there are conflicting opinions. Paul Desautels writes in The Sometimes Green Stone that a
pure white jade is almost surely jadeite. Oscar Luzzatto-Bilitz claims in his Antique Jade
that only jade (nephrite) and not jadeite can be pure-white.
Such unusual jade colors as red, lavender, blue, mauve and purple are acknowledged but
the existence of pink jade is very much in doubt. Of twenty books treating, in whole or in
part, with jade and its colors, eight list pink as a color for either jadeite, nephrite or both.
Authors expressing opposite beliefs are Joan M. Hartman and Richard Gump. Mrs.
Hartman, in her
Chinese Jade of Five Centuries concludes pink jade is non-existent, 'having never found
even one example in the course of her researches. She also quotes Mr. Robert
Crowningshield, a Director of the G.I.A., as stating that he had never encountered a single
item of pink jade in twenty-five years of examining minerals. Mr. Gump's book, Jade:
Stone of Heaven postulates the occurrence of pink jade and includes a color plate of what
purports to be a pink nephrite cup. A few years ago, on a visit to the Norton Gallery in
West Palm Beach, I may have seen a patch of pink jade. I am sure I saw a spot of pink on
a water couple in the Chinese Collection. The collection catalog designated the area as
pinkish blush but only tentatively identified the coupe as Burmese jadeite.
While it is probable that I will remain uncertain as to the existence of pink jade, it is even
more
probable that I will continue to hear someone exclaim, "But I thought jade was always
green!"
February 1998
If you go for a job interview at a rubber stamp company, try to make a good impression.
Certain cooks have a shellfish attitude.
Why was six afraid of seven? Because seven eight nine.
Some people are on seefood diets: they see food ... they eat it.
JADE IS AS NEAR AS MOUNT VERNON, FAR AWAY AS BURMA
by Fred Greef
from Washington Agate & Mineral Society Newsletter 1/95
(Honorable Mention in 1996 AFMS Adult Article Contest)
You may recall from my last article that the best grades of jade are rarely found and
highly valuable. Of the two varieties of jade, high quality jadeite is rarer and more valuable
than high quality nephrite.
Obvious questions at this point are: where can I dig jade or even, can I dig jade? Wade
through this article and you just might find some. Jadeite is found in Central America,
California and Japan, but northern Burma has the best quality and most plentiful supply.
Unfortunately, you will have a tough time beating the Chinese dealers to the best rough
jade solid in Burma, and you might have to settle for buying expensive Chinese carvings.
China is world famous for the finest jade carvings ever produced. The artistry from the
Chou Dynasty from 1122 BC to the end of the Han Dynasty in 220 AD has never been
surpassed. It surprised me to learn that there are no known or historic sources of jadeite
in China, and that most of the ancient Chinese carvings are nephrite jade from Turkestan.
The jade of Burma is jadeite. One deposit was estimated at 1,500 feet long by 600 feet
wide. If it is 500 feet deep, it would weigh four and one- half million pounds. This hardly
sounds rare, but Burmese jadeite comes in all grades and many colors. The best material
is not common.
The few other world locations are quite limited in quantity and the quality is also poorer.
Chinese importation of jade from Turkestan continued amid the mid-18th Century when
Burmese jade first began to show up in large quantities.
Nephrite jade locations are much more common worldwide than jadeite. Wyoming,
California and Alaska are the only states that have produced nephrite in good quality and
quantity in this country. Washington has produced some jade in the Mount Vernon area
and some has shown up on Olympic Peninsula beaches. There is only one known
nephrite location in Oregon- down in the southwest comer in the Pistol River area.
Wyoming has produced the best nephrite jade in the western hemisphere, but the supply
dwindles every year. New Zealand and Turkestan also produce some of the world's finest
nephrite. Some fairly large nephrite deposits have been discovered in Australia in. the last
35 years, but they have not been of the quality of New Zealand jade.
February 1998
Only nephrite jade has been discovered in Canada, and most of the known deposits are in
British Columbia. The B.C. jade belt runs through the middle of the province from north to
south. The best known deposits are in the Lillooet area with other large concentrations in
the center and on the northern end of the belt. Much B.C. jade is carving grade and sold
to China, with only a small amount of jewelry quality.
The good news is that gravel bars along the Frasier River are still open for public rock
hounding.
You don't have to dig it, you simply pick it up. The only other close location that I am
familiar with is our annual club trip to Deer Creek. I found two pieces on my first trip with
the club. Naturally, the smaller one is the better of the two. But I
won't throw either one out because I found them.
Hale Sweeny - [email protected]
Sends us
THE WORLD'S EASIEST QUIZ
1) How long did the Hundred Years War last?
2) Which country makes Panama hats?
3) From which animal do we get catgut?
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of?
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?
7) What was King George VI's first name?
8) What color is a purple finch?
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?&127;
10) How long did the Thirty Years War last?
ANSWERS
1) 116 years, from 1337 to 1453.
2) Ecuador.
3) From sheep and horses.
4) November. The Russian calendar was 13 days behind ours.
5) Squirrel fir.
6) The Latin name was Insularia Canaria - Island of the Dogs.
7) Albert. When he came to the throne in 1936 he respected the wish of Queen Victoria
that no
future king should ever be called Albert.
8) Distinctively crimson.
9) New Zealand.
10) Thirty years, of course. From 1618 to 1648.
February 1998
EDITORIAL
THE CODE AND THE GENERATION GAP
Mel Albright
I write this editorial at the request of an anonymous member. The member noted a LARGE
generation gap in the attitudes of some members about field collecting.
What upset the member was the willingness and even eagerness of some younger
members to break the heck out of BLM rules for field collecting for their own
convenience. The details don't matter. The attitude may matter a great deal. Breaking BLM
rules about vehicles or tools or whatever can ONLY result in even harsher rules OR
TOTAL PROHIBITION of field collecting.
The AFMS Code of Ethics, if followed, would easily prevent such attitudes. What I wonder
is "Did those younger members ever even HEAR of the Code?" Had any of their club
officers ever emphasized the importance of the code to ALL the members, but especially,
NEW members.
So - how about YOUR club? Have you read those rules out in a meeting lately? Have you
given
copies to all the members? Have you talked about their importance? If not, it is time.
Repeat after me - - - - - THE AMERICAN FEDERATION
"Code of Ethics"
¨ I will respect both private and public property and will do no collecting on privately
owned land without the owner's permission.
¨ I will keep informed on all laws, regulations or rules governing collecting on public lands
and will observe them.
¨ I will, to the best of my ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on which I plan
to collect.
¨ I will use no firearms or blasting material in collecting areas.
¨ I will cause no willful damage to property of any kind - fences, signs, buildings, etc.
¨ I will leave all gates as found.
¨ I will build fires in designated or safe places only and will be certain they are completely
extinguished before leaving the area.
¨ I will discard no burning material - matches, cigarettes, etc.
¨ I will fill all excavation holes which may be dangerous to livestock.
¨ I will not contaminate wells, creeks, or other water supplies.
February 1998
¨ I will will cause no willful damage to collecting material and will take home only what I
can reasonably use.
¨ I will support the rockhound project H.E.L.P. (Help Eliminate Litter Please) and will leave
all collecting areas devoid of litter, regardless of how found.
¨ I will cooperate with field-trip leaders and those in designated authority in all collecting
areas.
¨ I will report to my club or federation officers, Bureau of Land Management or other
authorities, any deposit of petrified wood or other materials on public lands which should
be protected for the enjoyment of future generations for public educational and scientific
purposes.
¨ I will appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources.
¨ I will observe the "Golden Rule," will use "Good Outdoor Manners," and will at all times
conduct myself in a manner which will add to the stature and public "image" of
rockhounds everywhere.
USEFULL? FACTS
¨ Camel's milk does not curdle.
¨ Many hamsters only blink one eye at a time.
¨ In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere.
¨ Murphy's Oil Soap is the chemical most commonly used to clean elephants.
¨ Since 1896, the beginning of the modern Olympics, only Greece and Australia have
participated in every Games.
¨ Barbie's measurements if she were life size: 39-23-33.
¨ February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon.
¨ Giraffes have no vocal cords
¨ Cat's urine glows under a blacklight.
¨ An iguana can stay under water for 28 minutes.
¨ The first Ford cars had Dodge engines.
¨ Leonardo Da Vinci invented scissors.
Societies.
February 1998
(405) 682-2151
(918) 336-8036
CONTENT - LETTERS
the editor.
use,
DEADLINE - 10th of the month preceeding the month of issue. Example: Feb. 10 for March
issue
April 1998
AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF
Newsletter - April, 1998
DEES DOINGS - Dee Holland
EACH CLUB, EACH YEAR, ONE ROCKHOUND - Bonnie Glissman
"One Must Use the Abilities He Has!" The Gary Olson Story - By
Larry G. Field
1998 AFMS-MWF Field Trip-Convention UPDATE - Steve Whelan
AFMS MEETING FIELD TRIP NOTES
April 1998
1998 Federation Shows
Eleventh Annual Red Metal Retreat
JUNIOR ACTIVITIES PROGRAM - Bob & Kathy Miller
HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE FUTURE ROCKHOUNDS OF
AMERICA
ORGANIZATION OF YOUTH PROGRAMS
FRA PINS AND PATCHS AVAILABLE
SAFETY - TOTE THAT ROCK
TUCSON TALK - DEFINITIONS - George Campbell - OsoSoft Mineral
TID-BITS
TOP
DEES DOINGS
Dee Holland
President, AFMS
April 1998
The deadlines for entering competition in the slide program, All-American Club Award
and the bulletin contests are rapidly approaching. If you are going to enter these now is
the time to send them to the various committee chairpersons.
With the approach of warmer weather many of us are looking forward to field trips.
Especially those of us who have seen white snow instead of ground since Thanksgiving.
The Regional Federation shows have started; the first was the South Central Federation in
Corpus Christi, Texas. I was unable to attend this one due to a work commitment, but by
the time this column is printed I will be retired and able to attend the ones in the future.
The next show coming up will be the NFMS show in Billings Montana June 12-14 then to
the west coast to the California Federation in Monterey California July 3-5. The combined
Midwest and American Federation in Houghton Michigan August 14-16, Rocky Mountain
in Tulsa Oklahoma October 24-25, Eastern Federation in Stamford Connecticut November
5 -8. The Southeastern Federation has not set a date or place for their show as far as I
know at this time.
Referring back to the opening of this message, anyone who is going to enter a
competitive case in any of the Federation shows; please send your application in as early
as possible. "Having been there and done that," it helps the judging committee in
selecting judges and placing cases in the show.
All for now, the steelhead are running in the Salmon River.
TOP ----
INDEX
EACH CLUB, EACH YEAR, ONE ROCKHOUND
Bonnie Glissman Chair, EC-EY-OR
Each club is invited to name an individual or a couple as their "Rockhound of the year"
once each year.
¨ Paul W. Thovson - Ft. Lewis Rock Club, Ft. Lewis, WA, NWFS; Paul has been a member
of the club since its inception in May 1995 and has been a very active shop and show
volunteer. He was president of the club for the October 1996 to October 1997 year. He
started his rockhounding in Iowa-- at the age of 10 when he looked for Lake Superior
agates. His 20-year Army career was followed by 17 years of fund raising and public
relations work.
¨ Eleanor Miller, Peninsula Gem & Geology Soc., Los Altos, CA CFMS; The backbone of
our club. His contributions of physical ability, truck, trailer, end rocks helps us hold our
yearly show and sales. Workshops, field trips, many offices, shows. Volunteer, HE'S IT.
April 1998
¨ Sierman & Bea Griselle, Santa Lucia Rockhounds. Paso Robles, CA, CFMS; They have a
knack of setting up appropriate displays ie. dinosaurs at post office when dinosaur
stamps came out: rocks in connection with rock talks to students by another member.
Active in student field trips, producing annual club shows, great pitch for '99 Fed Show,
nod to another club. NOTE: Hope you'll go for 2001!!!!!
TOP ----
INDEX
"One Must Use the Abilities He Has!"
The Gary Olson Story
By Larry G. Field
Gary Olson of Powell, Wyoming will demonstrate cab making at the NFMS show in
Billings, Mt on June 12-14, 1998. Gary will also identify rough, slabs and cabs for those
who need help. Gary's lapidary talent and his ability to identify materials are surpassed by
few. His positive attitude is surpassed by none. Visit Gary at the show. His positive
personality and motivational speeches and comments are very refreshing. Gary enjoys
field trips and is the former owner of a Wyoming rock shop & lapidary business. Here is a
man that lives "human success".
Oh, by the way, did I mention that Gary is totally blind and has been since his premature
birth?
Make plans to visit Gary, his wife Ilene, and their three younger children at our show. Gary
& Ilene also have two older children who are married and on their own. Gary has a "few"
accomplishments to his credit including: A college degree, a successful marriage/family,
he formerly owned and operated a rock shop & did a good deal of field trip collecting.
These are his loves and skills. He has other talents that are too valuable to be ignored
however, and that is where his career is now centered. He councils, motivates & works
with the handicapped. Compared to Gary's outlook, we are all handicapped. Gary is now
employed by the State of Wyoming
Education Dept. where he works with the Visually Impaired. When asked how he has
managed all of the things he has done, Gary answers, "One must use the abilities he has,
not those he is missing." When I asked, "How do you identify rocks, slabs & cabs?" Gary
answers, "Blindfold yourself and go through your basement museum, you can do the
same!" Gary has visited my museum and my stockpiles in the yard. He really enjoys
"Seeing" such things. Maybe you will have him "See" your workshop while he is here.
For more information about him, read "Gary Olson Has a Special Talent With Gemstones"
in the Sept. 1978 "Lapidary Journal".
April 1998
TOP ----
INDEX
1998 AFMS-MWF Field Trip-Convention UPDATE
Steve Whelan
Registration packets for this August's AFMS-MWF Combined Field Trip-Convention and
Show were sent to treasurers of all 171 MWF clubs and approximately 30 individuals who
had requested show info on February 10 through Michigan Tech's Conference Office.
Registrations have been coming in steadily: several trips are already 25% full.
Response to the Internet site has been excellent; utilizing the Web has proven to be an
outstanding tool. Congrats to Ed Drown for being the first registrant off the Web- we
received his reservations via mail three days after registration forms were posted to the
Web on February 10. Personal access to the Web is obviously not necessary: one lady
who hadn't received the convention info from her club treasurer called asking for details.
We suggested that, for instant info, she contact her local public library to access the Web.
The library helped her and printed the registration forms from the site so she was able to
mail her forms within a day.
Note: DATE given in the March MWF Newsletter for the Midwest Federation Council
Meeting was incorrect: correct date for the Council Meeting is Saturday, August 15th. The
correct dates for the Field Trip Convention are August 10 through 15, the Show being
August 14, 15, and 16.
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INDEX
NOTES ON FIELD TRIPS:
Certain field trips this coming August are of special note and provide a very unique
opportunity for collectors. This month I'll list several sites and what makes them special.
Delaware Mine: Considered by many to produce the finest specimens of datolite from the
Michigan Copper District. This pile is currently being used for roadfill and construction so
as a specimen-source, the end is in sight. During the past two years, the pile has
produced many fine specimens of lustrous pink and red nodules: the "true Delaware"
datolite.
April 1998
Ojibway Mine: Has produced some fabulous groups of cubic copper crystals, and is the
only location for quartz crystals with chlorite inclusions. This past summer, some
spectacular groups of copper crystals were recovered. Effective this spring, this property
will be inaccessible to the public, so you can understand why we are elated at the
opportunity to bulldoze and collect here with the owner's permission this August.
Kearsarge #4 Mine: This particular mine has produced most of the museum-class groups
of silver crystals that you have seen in collections around the country. That is not to say
you will find a "world-class silver", but it certainly does increase the chances of finding a
"half-breed" (copper and silver on same specimen). This will be the first time a dozer has
been allowed to expose fresh material at this site. The current owner does not allow
collecting on his properties.
Minesota Mine: (Yes, this is the correct spelling, even though it is pronounced
"Minnesota") One of the most famous copper mines in the Lake Superior Copper District.
This fissure mine located in the southern portion of the District produced some of the
largest masses of native copper ever found. It's rock piles produce excellent groups of
copper crystals, and, on occasion, a nice spray of silver crystals. Once again, it will be a
first for collectors, with the current owner allowing us to doze.
Finally, I would highly recommend bringing a metal detector. Although not necessary, a
metal detector will greatly enhance your collecting success.
Next month, I'll provide additional detailed info on the Show including demonstrators and
special exhibitors, and cover another group of the field trip sites.
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1998 Federation Shows
CFMS - Monterey, CA - July 3-5
EFMLS - Stamford, CT - Nov 6-8
AFMS/MWFMS - Houghton, MI - Aug 14-15
NFMS - Billings, MT - June 12-14
RMFMS - Tulsa, OK - Oct. 23-25
SCFMS - Corpus Christi, TX - Feb 28- Mar. 1
SFMS - Charleston, SC, Nov. 14-15
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April 1998
Eleventh Annual Red Metal Retreat
Running concurrently with the Combined AFMS-MWF Field Trip Convention and Show is
an event called the Red Metal Retreat.
The Red Metal Retreat is a fun-filled, multi-faceted week for mineral collectors, mininghistory buffs, and rockhounds. The Retreat, now in its eleventh year, takes place in the
historic Lake Superior Copper District of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula ---- long
recognized as the premier locality for crystallized native copper. Major Retreat activities,
centering around the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum on Michigan Technological
University's Houghton Campus, include mine tours, a geological tour, historical tour,
mineral swap, slide presentations seminars, museum workshops, and a benefit auction.
R.M.R. Contact: Gretchen Janssen phone: 906/487-2263 fax: 906/487-3101 email:
[email protected]
R.M.R. Subject-Matter Contact: Rich Whiteman phone: 906/296-9440 fax: 906/296-1055
email: [email protected]
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JUNIOR ACTIVITIES PROGRAM
Bob & Kathy Miller,
AFMS Junior Activities Program Chairmen
We would like to call to the attention of every club/society and each individual member
two items of importance this year
regarding AFMS Junior Activities.
1) THERE WILL BE A JUNIOR ACTIVITIES BOOTH AT THE AFMS CONVEN-TION IN
HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN. This will be a self-help booth with enough material for every day
of the show. Youngsters will be able to take home rocks, fossils, minerals, posters,
stickers, crayons, coloring books, pamphlets, games, puzzles, experiments, and projects.
These will all be related to our hobby. Be sure to spread the word, we do not want to take
anything back for lack of young people. If anyone cares to donate any rocks, fossils, or
minerals for this booth, please feel free to bring them to the booth during the show.
Labeling would be helpful. PLEASE DO NOT send them to us, we are driving and room is
limited.
2) FUTURE ROCKHOUNDS OF AMERICA is a segment of the AFMS Youth Program. DO
encourage your club/society to help your juniors organize a Future Rockhounds of
America (FRA) club.
April 1998
We have included in this Newsletter a little history of FRA, and how to become involved.
Your Federation Coordinator is as follows:
CFMS: Debbie Bunn, .2329 Howe Ave., Sacramento, CA 95825
EFMLS Mabel Kingdon-Gross, RR1, Box 7405, Solon, ME 04979-9419
MWF: Bob & Kathy Miller, 1106 Clayton Dr., South Bend, IN 46614
NFMS: Sue Holland, Box 23, Tendoy, ID 83468-0023
RMFMS: Howell Whiting, 2300 So. Union, Roswell, NM 88201
SCFMS: Dawn A. Smith P.0. Box 402068, Austin, TX 78704
SEFMS: Rena & George Everett, 69 Jeff Street, Oxford, MS 38655
Welcome to our newest club to the FRA, the Evansville Lapidary Society Junior
Rockhounds, Evansville, Indiana.
WITH JUST A LITTLE EFFORT FROM ADULTS, THE BENEFITS TO OUR YOUTH IS A
LIFETIME OF KNOWLEDGE IN OUR EARTH SCIENCE HOBBY.
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HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF
THE FUTURE ROCKHOUNDS OF AMERICA
AFMS YOUTH PROGRAM
Bob and Kathy Miller
This is a question we hear often... "How does our group become members of the
"FUTURE ROCKHOUNDS OF AMERICA?"
The answer is very simple. All you need is a group of interested kids, a sponsor, a name
and an application to FRA'S.
Requirements1. Your group must be a member of your local Federation. This can be either through a
sponsoring club or through an independent application into your local federation.
2. Dues only HAVE TO BE PAID to the local Federation and thus into AFMS. There are no
special dues for FRA.
3. The number of youth is not important you can have as few as 2 and as many as you can
handle.
4. Age: In most clubs the age at which one become an adult is 18. We have one member
who is only a few months old. We do recommend that they are able to talk.
We said it was simple. There is no mystery to joining. Just fill out an application which
can be obtain from your local Federation Youth Coordinator or from us. We are here to
help you.
April 1998
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ORGANIZATION OF YOUTH PROGRAMS
Planning and organizing youth activity clubs for the mineral, fossil and lapidary hobby
dictates that immense pre-planning be undertaken. It is not a one-person job but one
requiring input from many. Teachers, scout leaders, church youth organization leaders,
parents and adult mineral hobbyists and professionals.
THINGS TO BE CONSIDERED: 1. Meeting place 2. Day & time meetings will be held 3.
What ages should be considered 4. Will membership dues be needed 5. Will insurance
coverage be needed 6. Safety must play an important role 7. What activities should be
provided 8. Will we plan field trips 9. How will we transport the participants 10. Will
refreshments be a part of the meetings 11. Will we want to have a newsletter 12. What
supplies will be needed 13. Selection of officers from the youth 14. Shall we incorporate
for non-profit status and protection from lawsuit 15. Will a budget be helpful 16. How will
we finance the budget if one is established (ways &means) 17. How should the achievers
be recognized (plaques - certificates nice specimens) hold award ceremonies
As evidenced by the above it will take a lot of follow through and not just agreeing that a
club would be nice. If we do not get behind the effort in earnest then let's not start as it
will be a tremendous let-down to the youngsters if we fail to come through.
TOP ---INDEX
FRA PINS AND PATCHS AVAILABLE - MEMBERS ONLY
PINS: $2.00 EACH PATCHES: $1.50 EACH
SHIPPING: 1-10 ADD $1.00
11 PLUS ADD $2.00
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: AFMS ENDOWMENT FUND
Bob & Kathy Miller
1106 Clayton. Drive South Bend, IN 46614
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SAFETY
TOTE THAT ROCK
April 1998
LIFT THAT TOOLBAG
Mel Albright
AFMS Safety Chai
One thing that we rockhounds do a whole bunch - pick up rocks - little rocks, bigger
rocks, and big rocks. Rocks by themselves, rocks in boxes, rocks in buckets, rocks in
sacks - all are ways we collect and move rocks. And heavy tool bags are lifted all too
often.
The classic joke picture of rockhounds is a bunch of people standing with straight legs,
bent over at the waist, and touching the ground with their hands. It is too often true,
unfortunately.
Another thing we rockhounds do is put those heavy tools and rocks into a vehicle - or
take them out. - often by swinging things.
And - the result is a lot of bad backs, sore backs, back strains, sometimes even
permanently damaged backs. So, we need to learn - AND PRACTICE - the proper way to
lift and lower heavy stuff (actually - light stuff, too) without hurting ourselves. To lift and
move something, several steps should be followed. We'll pretend we're picking up a rock,
but the rules are the same for ANYTHING we pick up - even our dirty socks.
1. Stand with your feet apart about shoulder width, the rock between your feet, and one
foot slightly in front of the other (for balance).
2. Lower yourself by bending your knees until you can grab the rock. The rock should be
close to your body. Keep your back straight and your chin tucked in.
3. SLOWLY lift the rock by straightening up your knees pushing with your leg muscles.
Keep the rock in close to your body. Do NOT twist sideways.
4. Once standing, DO NOT TWIST your back. To move the rock sideways, turn with your
feet. Keep the rock in close to your body.
5. Once you get where you are going with the rock, reverse the steps you used to lift the
rock. Remember - KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT!!
6. If the rock must go into a trunk or car or whatever, set it down on the edge keeping a
April 1998
straight back. Then slide it into the vehicle. Most of us will bend over at the waist and
swing it in - a sure way to get a bad back!
7. You aren't SUPERMAN OR WOMAN! If the rock or bucket or bag is too heavy for you to
carry easily, do it another way! Get help. Use a skid made from a heavy cloth or a wood
slat with a rope tied to the end. Roll the rock using a long handled tool to pry with. Use
your ingenuity!
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TUCSON TALK - DEFINITIONS
By George Campbell
Ososoft Mineral
*Keystone: 1/2 the price marked. The real retail price. Wholesale is less in most cases, as
long as you buy in flat quantities.
*Double Keystone: 1/4 the price marked. This stuff has been in the dealer's stock for
years and hasn't sold, despite being at Tucson for two decades. But....look closely at this
stuff...the dealer hasn't looked at it for years and there may be a Sleeper
(see below) in there.
*Wholesale: The price everyone but you is paying for the same specimens.
*Flat: How my wallet looks after returning from Tucson. Also a flat cardboard box, roughly
12"x18" in size, more or less full of specimens, generally boxed and labeled.
*Mexican Flat: A flat with no boxes....each specimen wrapped in very interesting foreignlanguage newspapers you can read after you get home. NOTE: The newspaper also hides
the dings, bruises, and cracks. (see below)
*Killer Specimen: One you can't afford
*Sleeper: That elusive specimen in the flat, which the seller missed. As in a Powellite
specimen in a flat of cheap Indian zeolites.
*Keeper: A specimen so overpriced that the dealer will be taking it home.
*Flat Price: How much you pay for the entire flat. Generally, there's one specimen in there
that makes the whole flat look good.
*NFS: Not for sale. But everything's for sale.
*Kid Rocks: Cheap specimens kept on hand so everyone buys <<something.>>
*New Find: The dealer just found this flat of specimens in the back of the storage locker
just before the show.
*Type Locality: Where you wish the specimen you're looking at came from.
*Gemmy: You can see some light through the crystal, as long as the light is a halogen
lamp.
*Cutting Rough: Oops...the hydraulic trimmer worked a little too well.
April 1998
*Museum Specimen: A specimen too large to fit in any cabinet affordable by a collector.
Double Keystone on this.
*Clearance Specimens: Buy these or they'll be in the motel dumpster when the show's
over.
*Rare Species: Anything not available in at least 50% of the rooms at the show.
*Mexico: The default locality for any specimen which has an unknown locality (See also:
Pakistan) (See also: Russia)
*Bruise: A small ding
*Ding: A large bruise
*Crack: A feature of a specimen....<<always>> caused in situ and never by human hands.
*Healed Fracture: See UV Lamp
*UV Lamp: An ultraviolet lamp used to: 1. Check healed fractures. 2. Find sleepers. 3.
Knock over "killer specimens." 4. Cause premature cataracts. 5. Locate fluorescent
specimens.
*Wholesale Only: Sign outside of rooms containing mostly stuff you don't want anyhow.
Ignore the sign if you like.
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TID-BITS
POLISH PROBLEMS?
Many people think of polishing as comparable to shining a shoe. Actually, each grit used
on a stone leaves scratches in the surface of the stone. So, when you go to a finer grit, it
purpose is to remove all the scratches from the last grit. An estimate of the depth of
scratches left on the stone by each grit is :
80 grit - 2.6 mm - 180 grit - 0.86 mm
220 grit - 0.6 mm - 325 grit - 0.3 mm
600 grit - 0.16 mm - 1200 grit - 0.07 mm
3000 grit - 0.03 mm
With reflected light, the unaided eye can see imperfections far smaller than 0.03 mm. On a
cabachon, small grit scratches are hidden by surface imperfections and the stone looks
shiny.
Two fishermen were out on the lake when one of them dropped his wallet. As they
watched the wallet float down to the depths of the lake, a carp came along and snatched
up the wallet. Soon came another carp who stole it away and then a third joined in.
Remarked one of the fisherman, "That's the first time I've ever seen carp-to-carp
walleting."
April 1998
§ When two service station attendants in Ionia, Michigan, refused to hand over the cash to
an intoxicated robber, the man threatened to call the police. They still refused, so the
robber called the police and was arrested.
§ The pessimist may be right but the optimist has fun on the way.
§ Blessed is the one who has nothing to say and doesn't say it.
§ Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
§ He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
§ The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese
§ I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol
§ The only substitute for good manners is fast reflexes.
§ When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane
A bus carrying five passengers was hit by a car in the big city, but by the time police
arrived on the scene, fourteen
pedestrians had boarded the bus and had begun to complain of whiplash injuries and
back pain.
A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their
prejudices.
-- William James
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INDEX
Societies.A.F.M.S. Central Office Dan McLennan, P. O. Box 26523 Oklahoma City, OK
73126-0523(405) 682-2151A.F.M.S. Newsletter editor Mel Albright, Rt. 3 Box 8500
Bartlesville, OK 74003(918) 336-8036or [email protected]
ADDRESS CORRECTIONS AND CHANGE
CONTENT - LETTER
April 1998
the editor.
use,the individual author(s) must be contacted for approval.
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May 1998
AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF
Newsletter - May, 1998
DEE'S DOINS - Dee Holland
EACH CLUB - EACH YEAR - ONE ROCKHOUND - Bonnie Glismann
THIS MONTH'S HONOREES
1998 AFMS-MWF Field Trip-Convention UPDATE - Steve Whelan Show Chairman
May 1998
ENDOWMENT FUND DRAWING - Glenn Lee
SAFETY - COLORFUL AND DEADLY - Jeff Freeman
EDITORIAL - Sure you can!
WANNA DIG DINO'S??
HEY EDITORS - CRYSTALS FONT AVAILABLE!
TID-BITS
TOP
DEE'S DOINS
Dee Holland
President, AFMS
The web site committee have made their report. This report is very complete and covers
all aspects of what is to be included in the web site for the AFMS. We would like to list all
officers and committee chairpersons, names, addresses and telephone numbers as well
as e-mail addresses if availible; if there are any officers or chairpersons that do not want
their address or
telephone numbers listed contact Mel Albright and he will delete them or list as you wish.
The web site address is:
http://www.galstar.com/~mela/afms.html
I wish to thank the committee that have worked on getting this proposal put together, Ron
Carmen. Chairperson and the people who did the work on putting this all together. Mel
Albright, John Alf, and Carolyn Weinberger, many thanks for a job well done.
The future rockhounds of America are back with us again after not being heard from for
May 1998
awhile. Anyone that would like to know more about these rockhounds of the future may
contact Kathy and Bob Miller, the AFMS juniors chairpersons at: 1106 Clayton Driv South
Bend IN 46614 (219) 291-0332 they will give you all the information.
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EACH CLUB - EACH YEAR - ONE ROCKHOUND
by Bonnie Glismann, Chair
continuous program in which each club is allowed to recognize one member each year for
year, that nomination will be held and published the next year. Reasons for the
nomination should be kept short and simple. Please tell us the name of the club, city and
state where located and the individual sending the information.
Nominations should be sent to your Federation representative. We look forward to
Bonnie Glismann, 4326 S. 200th West, Ogden UT, 84405, (801) 392-7832
CFMS - Grant & Toni Ewers, 12 Hillcrest Lane,
Boulder City, NV 89005-1607 (702) 293-5106
EFMLS - Duane Evans, 28 Ash St., Portsmouth
RI 02871 (401) 683-9536
SFMS - Dee Conybear, 606 Timberlane Dr Lake Mary FL 32746 407-324-3846
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HONOREES
Honored by their club this month are:
M. J. HEUTTER, Washington Agate and Mineral Club, Olympia, WA, NFMS. When the
WAMS club suffered the loss of several key people, M. J. stepped in and assumed many
May 1998
jobs, including President, in order to keep the club intact. Very important, too, was
making sure there would be refreshments at each meeting.
TOM BURCHARD, Peninsula Gem and Geology Society, CFMS. The backbone of our club.
His contributions of physical ability, truck, trailer, and rocks helps us hold our yearly
show and sales. Workshops, field trips, many offices, shows. Volunteer, HE'S IT.
CARL & ANN BAKER, Maricopa Lapidary Societv, CFMS Members since 1981, loyal &
hard workers - need something done? They do it or help get it done. They serve the
Mineral Museum as volunteers. In the seventeen years they have never been heard to say
NO.
JO ANN & BILL McPURDY, Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club, CFMS. We proudly
recognize. Joan - board member, hospitality chair, Chair of Tail Gate & Gem & Mineral
Show food booth, assists with Club news letter always willingly doing over & above her
share. Bill - raffle chair and sales chair at our show. His hard work, special words &
Smiles will be missed. Bill passed away Jan 29, 1998.
NORA PERREN, Palos Verdes Gem & Mineral Soc CFMS. Since joining the PVGMS with
her now-deceased husband Elwood in 1974, Nora has served our club in many officer &
committee positions including 3 separate terms as president. She has always been willing
to "go the extra mile" in organizing club events and encouraging members to participate
in activities.
KATHRIN & DIETER STUTS, Capistrano Valley Rock & Mineral Club CFMS Members since
1977 are avid rockhounds and lapidarists. Kathrin taught children and club members
about silversmithing, rocks, minerals, and is a jeweler & Gemologist. Dieter's assisted
with field trips & club functions, while Kathrin's held positions on the Board of Directors,
including President, Secretary, Treasurer and Historian.
MARY BARRETT, South Bay Lapidary & Mineral Soc CFMS. Charter Member, Life Member
and currently President for the club's 50th year. Has previously served as Pres., V.Pres.,
Secretary, Fed. Director, Show Chair, Bulletin Editor. Has interest in all lapidary art+nd
has collected in all the states. Outside interests - church work, needle work, orchids. She
has served as Pres. of the local teachers Assoc. A very valuable 50 year member.
FRANCIS MUSSER, The Mt. Jura Gem and Mineral Society CFMS. Francis has worked
tirelessly as President, Show Chairman and Federation Director since moving into the
area in 1976. He has conducted field trips for members, and held workshops in carving.
He is a gifted carver, sphere maker and crystal collector, and demonstrates and judges at
other shows. He is our club's greatest asset, and an asset to all Rock Clubs.
DICK and ANN LUDLAM, Convair Rockhound Club, CFMS. They have held almost every
office and chairmanship since joining 13 years ago, and president more than once. Dick
chaired the club rock shop & show for 8 years. Ann organized the junior program &
chaired the San Diego County Gemboree many times. They have led field trips, made
presentations to schools, & are active in craft shows. Dick has been club representative
to the San Diego County Council of Gem & Mineral Societies for many years. Whenever a
job needs doing, only a glance at either one and you have a volunteer.
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May 1998
1998 AFMS-MWF Field Trip-Convention UPDATE
Steve Whelan Show Chairman
As I sit and write this convention update, it is April 7th and spring has come very early to
Michigan's Copper Country. That means just one thing to me, IT'S COLLECTING TIME
AGAIN. As a matter of fact, this past weekend saw Sandi (my wife) and me visiting one of
our favorite collecting sites. We did very well: several groups of copper crystals and a
number of
silver/copper "half-breeds". One reason we did so well was that this rock pile was hauled
from late last fall, just before the snow arrived, so the material was fresh and hadn't had
many visitors before the weather closed in.
Back to Business: the field trips are filling up- seven of the trips are over 50% full, one is
75% full. Suggestion: if you have any questions on the status of any of the trips, give me
a call in the evening (906-337-2599) and I'll try to answer any questions you may have.
This month we'll cover another four sites scheduled for this summer's field trips.
Caledonia Mine: This mine, by the towns of Mass and Greenland, is an active producer of
mineral specimens. Red Metal Explorations has been producing fine specimens from this
mine since the mid-1980s. Last year, an outstanding lot of copper crystals were
recovered. The year before, it produced a fabulous group of copper-in-calcites. And three
years ago, an unbelievable number of pristine crystallized silver specimens. The A.E.
Seaman Mineral Museum acquired a number of the "choicest" pieces from these finds- be
sure to look for the displays at the Museum. Besides these major finds, it has recently
produced thousands of pounds of native copper specimens and hundreds of datolite
nodules. Either the surface or the underground trips will provide outstanding collecting
opportunities. Copper, copper xls, silver, datolite, epidote, calcite and adularia will be
found here.
Iroquois Mine: Located on Cliff Drive in Keweenaw County, this mine site produces some
of the best copper wires on prehnite in the District. Common on the prehnite are minute
copper xls and, on rare occasions, a silver wire or silver xls will appear. Also from this
site: mass copper, copper xls, datolite, calcite, and epidote.
Thomsonite Hill: On the Delaware Road, between the town of Eagle Harbor and the ghost
town of Delaware, this site requires an uphill quarter-mile hike to a location in the woods
where thomsonite nodules may be recovered by digging into the hillside. This site
produces very nice material that can be used in jewelry.
Taylor Mine: Located on Old U.S. 41 between L'Anse and Alberta, the collecting site is a
quarter-mile walk through the woods. We will be collecting pyrolusite xls, magnetite xls,
May 1998
and quartz. Last year, noted collector Ray DeMark found micro-rhodochrosite xls at this
location.
Next month I'll cover the rest of the field trip sites. Remember to call us evenings or email
([email protected]) should you have ANY questions on registration, collecting,
equipment, lodging, etc. 'Til June, Happy Collecting.
MEETING ATTENDANCE AND FIELD TRIP ENTRY BLANKS WERE IN THE APRIL AFMS
NEWSLETTER. IF YOU MISSED THEM, THE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET
AT http://www.portup.com/~swhelan/ccrmc/
REGISTRATION, SCHEDULES, COMPLETE SHOW INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET:
http://www.portup.com/~swhelan/ccrmc/
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ENDOWMENT FUND DRAWING
Glenn Lee, Chair
Ways and Means Committee
Jerry and Lois Harr of the CFMS have donated a beautiful hand crafted opal pendant to
the Endowment Fund, and a drawing will be held for the pendant at the annual AFMS
Show in Houghton this August. As was done a year ago with the walrus carving donated
by Virgil Keltz of the NFMS, tickets will be sold for $1.00 each, and these tickets may be
purchased at any time prior to the drawing from your Regional Federation members of
either the Endowment Fund or
Ways and Means Committee. These members are listed in your newsletter. As many of
you already know, Jerry Harr is an excellent craftsman and was elected to the National
Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame in 1996.
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SAFETY - COLORFUL AND DEADLY
Colorful and deadly - is that what you want in your fireplace? Dr. Jeff Freeman is a PhD
chemist from the Osage Hills Gem and Mineral Society. Recently, he ran across several
articles about making colorful flames in your fireplace. He immediately sounded an alarm.
May 1998
There is a BIG SAFETY HAZARD in some of the chemicals listed in these articles. Part of
Jeff's article is:
"Attention - Safety Alert on "Colorful Flames" Article!
By Jeff Freeman
I have seen this article in exchange bulletins about making colorful flames. I needed to
point out two potential hazards associated with the article that were not mentioned. The
original article is given below.
"Colorful Flames - Prepare for a colorful holiday fireplace by soaking pine cones or small
sticks in one of the follow solutions. Using a plastic bucket, mix one gallon of water to
one pound of chemical. Soak overnight. Put in as many items as the solution will cover.
Listed are some suggested chemicals to use and the color they will produce when
burned. Most can be
purchased at the drug store; at least three can be has at the supermarket." Table salt yellow; Borax - vivid green; copper sulfate - blue green; potassium nitrate - violet;
strontium nitrate - red; copper nitrate - emerald green; barium nitrate - apple green;
potassium chloride - purple; calcium chloride - orange; copper chloride - blue; lithium
chloride - purple"
THE DANGERS
The main hazards are with the nitrates. Nitrates supply oxygen to organic materials; they
are used to make gunpowder and explosives. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
nitrates contains the following warnings: 1. strong oxidizer; 2. may explode when heated;
and 3. mixtures of nitrates and organic materials are potentially dangerous. For safety's
sake, do not use nitrates to make colored flames! (Editor's note: one MSDS even says
"contact with clothing or other organic material may cause fire")
The second hazard deals with the use of barium. Water-soluble compounds of barium are
poisonous (see the Merck Index, volume I 1, pgs 153-156). Any barium solution left over
from making colorful flames would be poisonous, even the ashes left over from the fire
could be poisonous. Please do not use barium for green flames; use boric acid instead!
SAFE FLAME MATERIALS
If you want to make colorful flames, please use the revised list below. They will work!
Note: lithium gives a crimson flame, not purple.; table salt - yellow; borax or boric acid light green; copper sulfate - green; strontium chloride - red; potassium chloride - violet;
calcium chloride - orange; copper chloride - blue; lithium chloride - crimson"
HEY EDITORS
Go through that pack-rat file of things to use and throw away every list for making
colorful flames and put Jeff's list above in your files.
May 1998
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INDEX
EDITORIAL
Sure you can!
How many times have you said "I'd love to --------, but I (a) am not good enough (b) am too
dumb (c) am too old (d) could never do that, (e) have no talent, or (f) some other selfstopping statement? Have you ever considered that YOUR attitude is limiting YOU?
Perhaps we judge ourselves against perfection. I'll never make jewelry like Tiffany. I'll
never write like Hemmingway. I'll never paint like Picasso. BUT, I can make jewelry that is
pleasing. I can write something that people find interesting. I can paint a picture that
pleases me.
YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT!!! You may not be the best in the world - or second
or 20th or 10,000th. But - that doesn't keep you from doing things. It just keeps you from
getting rich from doing them. The only limit is YOUR attitude!
It often seems to me that many of our rock clubs may be talking themselves out of things,
too. Your show may not rival Tucson. Your school talk may not be ready for network TV.
Your field trip may not involve moving science forward. You may not attract a world class
lecturer for your programs. But, you CAN have a show. You CAN talk to kids. You CAN
have interesting field trips. You CAN have interesting and varied programs. Only YOUR
club's attitude limits your club
activities. And you CAN double your membership!
Another part of the self-limiting attitude that sometimes affects some of our clubs is the
"Yes, but" cold-water reception to new ideas. "That's a good idea, But ---". "Some clubs
do that, but I know we can't. To prove it, I'll avoid helping and be as lukewarm in support
as I can be." "We've never done it that way." We all know those negative nay-sayers. Let's
just be sure WE are not being one of them. Good clubs are full of members bubbling with
ideas AND other members willing to help realize those ideas.
Consider the world to be full of fascinating oysters that you haven't yet opened. Open
every one you can and learn what amazing things you and your club can do. All it takes is
saying "We CAN do that!!" So, get going.
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May 1998
WANNA DIG DINO'S??
Would you (or one of your university students) like to be a RESEARCH ASSISTANT ON A
SCIENTIFIC DIG this summer? Would you like to camp in the Montana badlands and
assist in the excavation of 75 million year old dinosaur eggs and embryos? Montana State
University - Northern's Dinosaur Research Expeditions is offering 3, 6-day camping
expeditions in July. This is an established field research project in its 6th field season. A
few spaces are still left in each
week.The expedition dates are: July 5- 11; July12-18; July 19-25. The cost of this
expedition is very reasonable. Any person in reasonably good health with a strong
interest in dinosaurs is invited to attend. This project is especially suited for K-12
teachers. Families with children over the age of 13 are also encouraged to attend. Two
earth science (ESCI) university semester credits can be earned through your experience
on these expeditions. If you would like more information, please visit our "paleo. dig and
degree" web page below or e-mail your mailing address to me and I will send you a
brochure and registration forms. COME JOIN US!! WE DIG DINOSAUR RESEARCH!!!
Fossiliferously, Vickie Clouse Reply to:Vickie Clouse [email protected]
:reply to:PALEO. DIG AND DEGREE WEB PAGE http://labrat3.nmclites.edu/dinosaurs
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HEY EDITORS
CRYSTALS FONT AVAILABLE!
Robert Boehringer, of the Burlington Gem and Mineral Club has developed a true type
font of interest to gem and mineral editors. This is a True Type font which is installed in
Windows 95 from Settings->Control Panel->Fonts.It includes around 200 characters which
are single crystals, clusters, and tools such as hammers and chisels. It works with MS
Word, Canvas,
Corel Draw, Quattro, Excel, NotePad, etc. The font is offered as shareware for $3 a copy.
Robert uses it to decorate the newsletter He writes for the Burlington Gem and Mineral
Club If there is a good response he will work on a new font adding more crystals and
tools such as a jeweler's loupe.
Contact: [email protected]
Robert Boehringer, 84 Hardy Ave. South Burlington, VT 05401. Robert has not given a
price to handle the delivery other than by e-mail. It would cost more.
May 1998
Update: We have been informed that the above Crystal Font information is no longer
correct and therefore assumed no longer available. The information is being maintained
here for historical reference.
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INDEX
TID-BITS
A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.
A KID'S HISTORY STORY
The government of England was a limited mockery. Henry VIII found walking difficult
because he had an abbess on his knee. Queen Elizabeth was the "Virgin Queen." As a
queen she was a success. When Elizabeth exposed herself before her troops, they all
shouted "hurrah." Then her navy went out and defeated the Spanish Armadillo
Meanwhile in Europe, the enlightenment was a reasonable time. Voltare invented
electricity and also wrote a book called "Candy". Gravity was invented by Issac Walton. It
is chiefly noticeable in the Autumn, when the apples are falling off
the trees.
In the city of Moscow, there lived a communist named Rudolph. One day the weather
suddently turned terrible.
"Goodness", exclaimed his wife, "snow."
"No," said Rudolph,"it's rain!"
"I still stay it's snow," yelled the wife.
"Look,", he insisted,"Rudolph the Red knows rain, dear."
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INDEX
INDEX
Societies.A.F.M.S. Central Office Dan McLennan, P. O. Box 26523 Oklahoma City, OK
73126-0523(405) 682-2151A.F.M.S. Newsletter editor Mel Albright, Rt. 3 Box 8500
Bartlesville, OK 74003(918) 336-8036or [email protected]
May 1998
Subscriptions are available from the central office at $3.50 per year.
ADDRESS CORRECTIONS AND CHANGE
CONTENT - LETTER
the editor.
use,the individual author(s) must be contacted for approval.
September 1998
AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF
Newsletter - Sept, 1998
Index
DEE'S DOINS - Dee Holland
IN MEMORY
1998 HONORARY AWARD WINNERS - Louellen Montgomery
SAFETY - It's Just Dust, Isn't It?
Part II, Control and Ventilation for Dusts and Particulates - Peter R.
September 1998
Girardot, PhD
EACH CLUB - EACH YEAR - ONE ROCKHOUND - Bonnie Glissman
FOSSIL COLLECTING VIEWS - (NOTE COPYRIGHT!!!)
LAGNIAPPE (A little something extra)
TOP
DEE'S DOINS
Dee Holland
President, AFMS
We are packing and getting ready to leav for the AFMS - MFMS show and convention in
Houghton, Michigan. There will be several issues to be discussed and voted on at this
meeting. The fossil concerns committee and the webb site committee will make reports.
As President I accepted some mineral record keeping books that will be passed on to the
seven Regional Federations to be sold and the income to go th the individual Regional
Federation. There will be more information on these
books from your Regional Federation.
Steve Whelan and the other people helping him seem to have everything very well in
hand.
All for now - Dee
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IN MEMORY
September 1998
Katherene (Katy) Trapnell
May 7, 1998
Former Editor of the AFMS Newsletter for President Russ Trapnell; Member, Bulletin
Editor's Hall of Fame.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Russ, her husband of 68 years, and the family.
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1998 HONORARY AWARD WINNERS
Louellen Montgomery, President
AFMS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION, INC
The member federations have named their 1998 Honorary Award winners for the AFMS
scholarship Foundation. These Honorees have been chosen for their contributions to our
hobby and to the Earth Science field. Each one will assist in the selection of two graduate
students who are pursuing their advanced degrees in a branch of the Earth Sciences. The
Foundation
will then provide grants for each student in the amount of $2,000.00 per year for the
school years 1998-99 and 1999-2000.
A total of 175 individuals have been named for this Award from the AFMS Scholarship
Foundation since 1965. A total of 363 students have received scholarship grants from the
Foundation.
The 1998 Honorary Award winners are:
California Federation:
Arthur and Rosamond Riggle, Barstow, California - Mr. and Mrs. Riggle need no
introduction to the members of the California Federation and to many members of the
AFMS. Their travels as representatives for the Diamond Pacific dealership took them to
many gem and mineral shows across the country, where they showed displays of their
lapidary skills, minerals, and/or jewelry. Arthur's spheres and Rosamond's trivets are
among the outstanding displays they shared with an admiring and fascinated public. They
have also shared their expertise with many individuals, hosting weekly 'Work Nights' in
their home for more than 20 years. Arthur has also shared his lapidary techniques with
the writing of a book, "How to Use Diamond Abrasives".
Eastern Federation:
September 1998
Dr. Darrel W. Schmitz, Professor of Geology, Mississippi State University, Starksville - Dr.
Schmitz received his BS degree in Geology at Mississippi State University; his MS in
Engineering Science-Geology at the University of Mississippi, and his Ph.D. in Geology at
Texas A & M University. He has been a member of the staff at Mississippi State University
since 1990, teaching several graduate level courses in Geology and Hydrogeology. His
research interests range from the physical and chemical aspects of hydrogeology to
related environmental areas of hazardous and nonhazardous waste disposal. He is active
in many state, regional and national organizations as well as the American Institute of
Professional Geologists.
Midwest Federation:
Florence B. Hill, Honorary Member of Midwest Federation, Mason, Michigan - Florence B.
Hill is well known to many members of the Midwest Federation. She taught in the
Michigan public schools for 33 years; has served as the State Director to the Midwest
Federation for Michigan for 9 years and continues as an Assistant State Director. Her
other activities include being an Earth Science representative on the Board of Associates
of the Michigan State University museum; She serves as a project leader for 4-H Rocks
and Minerals projects; and participates in seminars on geology and the hobby. She was
elected an Honorary Member of the Midwest Federation in 1987.
Northwest Federation:
Nathan "Nate" Murphy, Director of Vertebrate Paleontology, Phillips County Museum,
Malta, Montana. - Mr. Murphy first studied paleontology and conducted research with
Clifford and Nelda Wright, principal researchers of specimens discovered in the La Brea
Tar Pits, for the Los Angeles County Museum. Over a period of 11 years he was a member
of many field expeditions and excavations with the Wrights who, incidentally, were his
grandparents. He has studied with the Paleontology Departments of the Canadian
Geological Survey and the American Museum of Natural History. As the Director of
Vertebrate Paleontology at the Phillips County Museum, he is responsible for the
collection, analysis, research and identification of specimens and cataloging of repository
collections. His skill and knowledge of modern preparatory techniques make his
preparation and restoration work sought after by many museums.
Rocky Mountain Federation:
Louellen Montgomery, AFMS Scholarship Foundation President, Topeka, Kansas Louellen Montgomery has been involved in federation activities for more than 25 years;
served as president of the Rocky Mountain Federation in 1975; served as AFTMS Uniform
Rules Committee Chairman in 1981. In 1983, she was elected President of the AFMS
Scholarship Foundation and continues in that position to date. While a student at the
University of Kansas, courses in geology and mineralogy increased her interest in these
September 1998
earth sciences. Other activities include serving as her local society bulletin editor for over
20 years, plus membership in several other mineral societies. The recipient of 2 AFMS
trophies for mineral exhibits, she also serves as a judge for both mineral and educational
exhibits at many shows.
South Central Federation:
Dr. Douglas Smith, Professor of Geology, University of Texas at Austin - Dr. Smith, a
native of St. Joseph, Missouri, received his BS in Geology at the California Institute of
Technology; his MA in Geology at Harvard University; and his Ph.D. in Geology at the
California Institute of Technology. His interest in mineralogy and geology began as a
youth attending local mineral club meetings. He is a member of several professional
societies, has written or co-authored over one hundred published articles and abstracts.
Dr. Smith teaches classes for both undergraduate and graduate students; has been the
recipient of numerous research grants and continues his research on many subjects,
including isotope geology, ore deposits, and plate tectonics, to name just a few.
INDEX
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SAFETY
It's Just Dust, Isn't It?
Part II, Control and Ventilation for Dusts and Particulates
The toxicity of fine dusts was covered in Part I of this series, which pointed out that most
fine dusts not only can, but will cause lung disease. Grinding or cutting of gem and
lapidary materials produces fine dusts of this kind. The conclusion is that we should
control these dusts.
Club Shops
There are two methods of control for a small to medium sized club shop: 1) collecting
dusts at each individual source 2) collecting dusts for each room ("fugitive capture") In
collecting at the source, each machine or each operation would have a dust collector at
the point of operation. This is expensive. At 1996 prices, complete dust control for a 5000
square foot building with no partitions or rooms could cost $10,000 to $12,000.
Alternatively, "fugitive capture" control would require separate rooms for different
September 1998
operations. Each room would have a filter device completely collecting all the dusts and
mists and returning the air to the room. Filter devices hang from the ceiling and can
collect everything in a 1000 square foot area down to 0.1 micrometer in size. Initial cost
(1996) would be $1.75 - $2.25 per square foot of floor area. Maintenance requires new
filters at $100 per filter once a year when used 20 hours per week.
Home Shops
In a home shop, there are two ways which work to ventilate workplaces, and normal home
heating and air conditioning is not one of them.
The first is dilution ventilation. As implied by the name, it mixes contaminated air with
large volumes of clean air to reduce the concentration of contaminants. Then the diluted
mixture is exhausted from the workplace. Anyone who pays home heating and air
conditioning bills can imagine the costs this would entail. In addition, this works for
vapors or gases but does not
remove dusts, mists or highly toxic gases.
The second is local exhaust ventilation, which is collection at the source. This does
remove dusts, mists and highly toxic gases and also removes smaller amounts of air. It
requires a hood, ductwork to carry the air, an air cleaner to filter or purify the air before it
is released outside and a fan to pull air through (Fig. 1). For this to work correctly, 1) the
hood must be close to the
source, 2) the air flow must be high enough to carry dusts and mists away, 3)
contaminated air must move away from your face, not past it, 4) exhaust air must not be
able to re-enter the workplace or the home, 5) there must be enough make-up air to keep
the system operating properly. (This last is often a problem in home shops).
September 1998
Types of hoods
Some saws or grinders have built-in dust collectors. (Fig. 2). These need only to be
connected to ductwork and a cyclone before venting. Rockhounds should not work with
dust-producing machines unless they are connected to dust collectors.
Movable exhaust systems, called "elephant trunks" (Fig. 3) have flexible ducts and can be
equipped with pulley systems or flexible arms to move to any position.
September 1998
Slot hoods (Fig. 4) draw gases across a work surface, away from the worker. They are
rather expensive, but can be used for any kind of bench work.
A good reference for planning ventilation is "Ventilation, a Practical Guide", CSA, 5
Beekman St., New York, NY 10038, which includes calculations. Air flow devices can be
used to measure air velocity, and you can always look to see if dusts and mists are
moving. Incense smoke, soap bubbles or cheap perfume also help here. Beware too of
fans that are so noisy that you would rather not turn them on. Check periodically to see
that the system is working properly. By moving the dusts, mists and fumes away from
you and safely collecting them before exhaust, health problems from grinding or cutting
can be eliminated or minimized.
Part III will cover hazards from particular types of dusts.
(Figures reproduced by permission from "Artists Health and Safety", by Monona Rossol,
Allworth
Press, New York, 1990)
September 1998
INDEX
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EACH CLUB - EACH YEAR - ONE ROCKHOUND
By Bonnie Glissman
Chair, ECEYOR
Below are rockhounds honored by their clubs this year as outstanding members. No
particular order is used in the list.
HAS YOUR CLUB MADE THIS YEAR'S NOMINATION?
Jim & Parky Forrester, Bellevue Rock Club, Bellevue, WA, NFMS - It gives us great
pleasure to nominate this couple. As cheerful as they are helpful; as helpful as they are
generous; as cooperative as they are devoted-to each other and to the Bellevue Rock
Club. They have faithfully served this club since in incorporation in 1964. In so many
ways they are the Bellevue Rock Club.
Paul Schoeter, West Seattle Rock Club, Seattle, WA, NFMS - Paul has been a WSRC
member since 1966 and has served as President, Director at Large, Show Chairman, on
the nominating committee and many show sub-committees. Paul has boundlessly
generosity in donating his time, energy and material to and for the club. He tumbles
nearly all the rock for our grab bags each year and spends countless hours going through
piles of rock looking for and prepping material for our silent auction. He loans out his
tumbler to anyone interested and gives the member an education in how everything
works. Paul is a master cabber and a fountain of knowledge regarding anything to do with
lapidary. Paul the embodiment of what a good rock club member should be. He loves this
hobby and it shows.
William and Genevieve Buresh, Central Dakota Gem and Mineral Society, Bismarck, ND,
RMFMS William and Genevieve have been involved with our rock club for many years and
were instrumental in the growth and prosperity of our club. They served together as a
team as editors and publishers of our great newsletter "Diggins from Dakota". They were
editors for over twenty years. They were also involved in organizing field trips and other
activities that are essential in maintaining order in an organization such as a rock club.
These two fine people really do deserve such an honor for all their time and dedication to
our rock club.
Bob and Maxine Dearborn, Del Air Rockhound Club, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles,
Ca, CFMS - We would be hard put to name any officer or chair position these two hard
workers have not filled since they joined the club in l976, and some spots they filled
several times over. Their home has been the site of Board meetings, work parties.
Christmas parties and other club get-togethers. Our club has benefited greatly from their
September 1998
constant cheerful and willing leadership.
Don and June Cavalli, The Golden Spike Gem and Mineral Society of Ogden, Utah, NFMS Don and June have been active members of the Golden Spike Gem and Mineral Society of
Ogden, Utah for many years. Don served as President during l990 and l99l. June was
Secretary of the Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies for three years, they
edited and printed the NFMS Bulletin for two years and have held the job of AFMS
Scholarship Fund Chairs for the Northwest for approximately l5 years. Don is well known
for his jewelry made from old Union Pacific dishes and June is a faceter. The team visits
schools and scout groups with a display of rocks explaining the Rockhound hobby
Howell Whiting, Chaparral 'Rockhounds, Roswell, NM, RMFMS "Howie" has been a
rockhound for many, many years. When in the Military he was interested in gems and
later started faceting. He is a gemoligist as well as an all-around rockhound. He has
served many clubs and has held many positions in the RMFMS, among them one term as
President. He is very free to share his knowledge with anyone who is interested and is a
great believer in educating the public about our hobby. He is very definitely a strong
mainstay of the Chaparral Rockhounds as well as of the other clubs in our area.
Frank and Louise Brower, The Brukner Gem and Mineral Society, Troy, Ohio, MWF - Frank
and Louise Brower are charter members of the Brukner club and have always been active
participants. They have served as club officers in all capacities and have always given
unstintingly of their time and resources. Most recently Louise was Editor of the club
bulletin for about 15 years. Her bulletin work lead to a MWF trophy in 1991. Most recently
Frank has been dealer chairman at the club annual show for the last IO years.
Dr. Gene & Sally LaBerge Oshkosh Earth Science Club Oshkosh, WI, MWF - They have
served in various club offices and chairmanships and as MWF Chairs in Geology &
Paleontology. Gene wrote a book on Geology of the Lake Superior Area, which was
adopted as a text by some schools. Sally spent every Monday for two years cataloging
the local city museum's minerals, without pay. They have given of themselves completely
to educate, enrich lives and be helpful beyond explanation.
Leonard Milne and Helen Milne, The Lake Havasu Club, Lake Havasu City, AZ, RMFMS The Milnes have belonged to the Lake Havasu Gem & Mineral club for over 25 years and
have contributed greatly to the accomplishment and quality of the club. Helen has served
as membership chairman for five years, has been secretary, Field trip, Program, and
Show chairman, as well as a Director on the board. She is also an exceptional artist with
the needle, and has made a beautiful quilt depicting 20 minerals. For this Helen has been
awarded the "Craftsman of the month" plaque by the Rock & Gem magazine. Her husband
Leonard Milne has been collecting and studying minerals for over sixty years. For 15
years he taught Gem Materials, Lapidary, Silversmithing, Faceting, and Geology at the
Community College. Leonard's knowledge and experience in the mineralogy and Lapidary
September 1998
arts are a great asset to the club. He has served as President twice, Field trip chairman,
and historian.
Bob and Nancy Hicks, Shawnee Gem and Mineral Society, Shawnee, OK, RMFMS - They
hold membership in several clubs, have updated the slide and video library for the
RMFMS along with working on the RMFMS Directory. They hold offices in their local club,
have craft nights at their home, give talks to students at schools, help others with their
shows, AND have a smile for everyone.
Jim Nutter, Wichita Gem and Mineral Society, Wichita, KS, RMFMS - Jim has been an
active member of WGMS since 1981. He has served on many committees and as finance
chairman. He has been set-up chairman for the annual show for many years. He has
received honors as Rockhound of the Year and Distinguished Service Award from his
own club. He freely shares his rockhound knowledge with school students and civic
groups.
Carter and Betty Coe, Pinellas Geological Society, Inc. Clearwater Florida, SFMS - Carter
and Betty Coe have served Pinellas Geological Society on many levels. Carter has served
at President, Show Chairman, and in all activities of club service including Representative
to both the SFMS and AFMS. Betty has worked as Education Chairperson, instructor at
Wildacres, URC Chairperson. The both have worked in their community especially
presenting programs at schools, libraries and education centers. They have been the
unsung helping hands behind the scenes of many committees and projects. We are truly
fortunate to have them as our members.
Bill Stevens, Orange Belt Mineral Society, CFMS - Bill joined to learn more about the
hobby and has excelled in sphere making. He has made over 500 spheres and has
donated many for club fund raising. His expertise in carpentry, electrical and plumbing
has been a godsend to this club. He and his wife, Imogene, built some 60 miniature
orange crates for use in our cases - a very special effect. Every club needs a Bill Stevens.
Gene & Virginia Cowart, Antelope Valley Gem & Mineral Club, CFMS - Gene is publicity
chairman and works the silent auction table at the spring show - doing both jobs for
several years. Both have served or are serving as club director. Virginia has served as
president, V.P. and is now Refreshment chair. She always greets visitors and makes them
feel welcome. You can depend on these two members to always help.
Anna Burton & Kathy Garner, Palmdale Gem & Mineral Club, - Mother and daughter team.
Anna has been in charge of the club booth at the A.V. Fair for more than l2 years. Kathy is
the Driver, Loader, Unloader of the clubs 2000 items needed at the booth during the ll
days of the fair. The object of the booth is to entertain & educate young people about
gems & minerals. Money earned is for scholarships for local students.
September 1998
Ray Meisenheimer, Ventura Gem and Mineral Society, CFMS - Ray is honored for his work
with the club and community. Ray has held most all offices of the club. He donates many
hours visiting schools for lectures, programs and hands-on fossil information. He
participates in Science Night at several schools and tours bus loads of people of all ages.
Ray volunteers each week helping to distribute food to the needy. He is involved in CFMS
Earth Science Studies, North and South with his wife Florence.
Frank & Carolyn Buittner, Ken-Ro-k Gem & Mineral Society, Loves Park, IL, MWF - We are
honored to nominate the Buittners for Rockhound of the Year. They live a great distance
from any city. In spite of this distance on rural roads, they manage to attend more
meetings than most members. And they are willing to spend more time participating in,
managing of, and downright hard work of putting on our annual show. Frank does great
hands-on demonstrations that are interesting and very informational. Both Carolyn and
Frank always have time to inspire our young "Pebble Puppies" and interested adults in
the Lapidary field. It is only with people of this caliber that we can hope to continue
interest in the Lapidary Arts. Thanks again to Carolyn & Frank.
Judy and John Washburn, The Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Society, Springfield, IL, MWF Both eagerly share their knowledge and enthusiasm for the hobby with club members,
schools, museums, other clubs and community groups. Their contributions are too
numerous to list, but we'll try. John has served as past president and chairs the annual
show; Judy has served as club editor for many years and coordinates the member
exhibits; both have been active members of the board for many years; both plan monthly
field trips and programs; both help plan the annual GEODE Show held in Macomb; and
John has served as Archeology Chair for the MWF for several years.
Phil Evanoff, The Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Natural History Museum,
Cleveland, Ohio, MWF - Phil has been a field collector of minerals since he was a teenager
in Philadelphia. He has collected extensively through out the United States. He is a
frequent speaker at the Canadian, Baltimore and Cleveland micromineral symposia. He
was elected to the micromounter's Hall of Fame. He is a talented photographer and wood
worker. He is most noted for his sharing of mineral specimens and help he gives to other
collectors. His specimens are the cleanest and finest samples you can find. A truly
enthusiastic mineral collector.
Ethel Morrill, Black Hawk Gem & Mineral Club, Rock Island IL, MWF - Ethel has spent
many years assisting our club put on shows and swaps along with being club secretary.
She has assisted the bulletin editor, the raffle chairman the dealer chairman, worked in
the kitchen and helped man the club promotional booth.
Tom White, Racine Geological Society, Racine, WI, MWF - Torn has been a member of
RGS for ten years. He is currently serving his third year as President and was previously
Treasurer for two years. Tom has served several years as Show Chairman and has led
September 1998
many field trips. He was instrumental in starting the Scholarship Program and the Junior
branch of the Racine Geological Society. In addition to Tom's huge collection of agates,
geodes and fossils, his collection or crystals is very impressive.
Ewing Evans, Austin Gem and Mineral Society, Austin, TX - SCFMS - Ewing is a leader,
organizer, representative, award winning facetor, carpenter, plumber, electrician and
much more - a superb president and outstanding member
Bill and Lois Pattillo, Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral Society, Corpus Christi, TX - They have
represented their club many times and at many different Shows. The Food Table is a
project of the club. Bill and Lois exhibit it at different shows, thus promoting the local
Club.
Sylvia Rainer, East Texas Gem & Mineral Society, Tyler, TX, SCFMS - Sylvia is a faithful
member, has served as an officer and takes leading roles in all club activities. She has
helped our club grow.
Paul Bohmfalk, Pine Country Gem & Mineral Society, SCFMS - Still in his teens, Paul was
a Science teacher in the 1930s in West Texas, hunting rocks and fossils in his spare time
while creating his own lapidary equipment. He is an expert with the old "jam peg" facetor.
At 83 he still maintains a passion for rocks that shows as he gives talks at local schools
and to others. He has been member of the Jasper Pine Country Club from its start. Paul
was the club's vice president in 1997 and continues to serve as Publicity Chairman. He is
a real asset to his club and we are proud to have him as a member.
John W. Johnson, Arlington Gem and Mineral Club, Arlington, TX, SCFMS - John has
been an active member over 25 years. He has been club President. As building
maintenance supervisor, he always kept the building in outstanding condition. He is
always available for every project. He still rarely misses any activity or meeting.
Amy and Lester Bailey, Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society, Houston, TX, SCFMS - Amy
and Lester have been show committee chairs since 1981. They have served as Secretary,
Historian, Refreshments chair, and on the Nominating Committee. They have presented
lectures to schools, made displays for the library, and demonstrate lap techniques to
anyone interested.
Warner Abel, DeRidder Gem and Mineral Society, Leesville, LA, SCFMS - Warner has
always been an outstanding member. He continually brings information on earth sciences
to our members. He is never too busy to help.
Dr. Judith M. Brueske-Plimmer, Texas Big Bend Gem and Mineral Society, Alpine, TX,
SCFMS - She had little or no interest in rocks around 15 years ago but soon became
interested as she attended with her husband, Phil. Soon after joining she became our club
September 1998
and show Publicity Chair. For several years she has served as club Secretary. She has a
book store which now also stocks an extensive variety of rocks, minerals, gemstones,
fossils, and jewelry. She has talked rocks to the Girl Scouts. She continuously researches
various minerals, prints up descriptive labels for them and writes articles on them. She is
active in club activities and also writes poetry.
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FOSSIL COLLECTING VIEWS
In a recent issue of Science News - (Science News, Vol 153, 2/14/1998) there are some
letters written to address the concerns on the prohibition of field collection of fossils by
amateur fossil collectors. Lloyd Fowler, CFMS Director passed them on because of the
interest of AFMS members in this area.
The letters below are reprinted with permission from Science News,
the weekly news magazine of Science.© 1998 by Science Service.
Further reproduction is prohibited without written permission of the
publisher.
Paleontologists who condemn making profits from selling fossils are hypocrites ('Psst...
Wanna Buy a T. rex?" SN: 12/13/97, p. 382) They themselves profit from digging up fossils
-after all, they don't work for nothing. The free market eventually makes all desired goods
and services available for the least Cost (assuming no collusion among sellers). The
problem is not that good fossils are rare, it is that not enough of them are being found!
Concerns over excavation details are unfounded. If customers demand certain
procedures with photos and logbooks, they'll get them-and the price will be reasonable,
once the industry matures. Scientists will be relieved of those administrative tasks they
typically despise. Instead, businessmen will do them; they are administrative experts.
This will leave scientists free to do
the things at which they are experts'. It's called efficiency. People who prefer fieldwork
will work for a company. Those who prefer theoretical work will stay at the university.
This is the same choice facing most of us.
Welcome to the real world! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Wayne Batteiger, Rolla, Mo.
While I have the highest regard for professional paleontologists and collectors for
museum and university collections, and I strongly agree with the need to preserve the
integrity of fossil finds, I think the role of the serious amateur collector is vastly
September 1998
underrated. Many, if not most, professionals got their start as private collectors. Indeed,
had it not been for serious amateurs,
many fine displays in museums would not exist. More-over, it seems to me that letting
fossils weather out of the ground and risk being destroyed by erosion, wild animals, and
so on is worse than collecting them.
While it is wrong on the part of some collectors to destroy sites or lose scientific
evidence, it is much worse when professionals, under the guise of professionalism, allow
these valuable artifacts to languish in dusty corners of forgotten storage rooms through
neglect, lack of interest, insufficient funds, or whatever. At least the amateur strives to
protect and preserve his or her investment. Often, the best finds end up in a museum or
other public display anyway.
The dealings surrounding Sue, the Tyrannosaurus rex, and the imprisonment of Larson,
who in my Opinion did a thoroughly professional job in his private business, show that
the pendulum has swung too far in protecting collecting sites for professionals.
Please give the serious amateurs and private professionals the credit they deserve. They
most often are not the destroyers of history-they are the protectors of it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Gene Meieran, Phoenix, Ariz.
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LAGNIAPPE
(For you non-Cajuns, that's - A little something extra)
SOUTH POLE FOSSILS are found wihin 400 km of the pole. The leaves are from a
decidious souther beech (Nothofagus). More than 50 kg were found on Beardsmore
Glacier - in the mountains. The fossils indicate a warmer climate about 3 million years ago
- from 5C in the summer to -20C in the winter. - Dusty Rocks via The Rock Rattler
THE WORLD'S OLDEST AND LARGEST METEORITE has been discovered in China near
the northeast city of Shenyang. The meteorite, locally called Huashitai Hill, is estimated to
be 4.5 to 4.6 billion years old and fell to earth 1.9 billion years ago. The meteorite mound
is 600 feet long, 250 feet wide and about 300 feet deep. It weighs about 2 million tons and
is covered with granite. The meteorite is older than any natural earth rock. The site is
planned to be a state protected nature reserve. - Rocky Trails via Hellgate Breezes
LIGHTENING SAFETY says to squat with your feet together for maximum safety in the
open. Don't lie on the ground or get near any tall objects like trees, etc. - original source
unknown
September 1998
TREAT DOPSTICKS with a coat of shellac so they won't swell and, maybe, lose the stone. Rockhound Rumblings
AM I GETTING ON?
¨ I'm the life of the party - till 8:30 PM.
¨ I use hammers and pliers to open child proof containers.
¨ I'm ready to go home before I get there.
¨ I can travel an hour without a bathroom.
¨ I'm awake some time before my legs will move.
¨ I smile a lot in case you are telling a joke I can't hear.
¨ Have I told you my favorite story - today, that is.
¨ I'm sorry your grandchildren aren't as bright as mine.
¨ I am NOT grouchy. I just don't like noise, crowds, rock and roll, other drivers, and bad
jokes.
¨ I can find anything I've seen today - some day.
¨ I never forget what I'm ………
¨ Why do they let those grade school kids teach school and drive and vote and run for
congress?
¨ Cowards don't grow ol
HEADLINES
via Hale Sweeny
¨ MAN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING FACES BATTERY CHARGE
¨ NEW STUDY OF OBESITY LOOKS FOR LARGER TEST GROUP
¨ ASTRONAUT TAKES BLAME FOR GAS IN SPACECRAFT
¨ KIDS MAKE NUTRITIOUS SNACKS
¨ CHEF THROWS HIS HEART INTO HELPING FEED NEEDY
¨ ARSON SUSPECT IS HELD IN MASSACHUSETTS FIRE
¨ BRITISH UNION FINDS DWARFS IN SHORT SUPPLY
Canyons can be gorge-ous.
Artists know where to draw the line.
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September 1998
Societies.
(405) 682-2151
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION - Individual Subscriptions are available from the Central
Office at $3.50 per year. Each club is entitled to 3 free copies. Normally these go to the
President, The Newsletter Editor, and one other member. Please be sure to send the
names and addresses of these three individuals to the AFMS Office and to update them
with each change. AFMS loses 50 cents for every returned Newsletter
The publisher does the actual mailing.
(918) 336-8036
CONTENT - LETTERS
the editor.
use,
October 1998
AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF
Newsletter - October, 1998
NOTE - There will be a new AFMS Newsletter editor beginning with the
November, 1998 issue
Index DEE'S DOINS - Dee Holland
AFMS WEB SITE APPROVED
1997-1998 AFMS STALWARTS
October 1998
NINE AFMS TROPHIES WON AT HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN - Anne Cook
PUBLIC LANDS ISSUES - Bob Cranston
SAFETY - It's Just Dust, Isn't It?
Part III - Hazards From Particular Types of Dusts - Peter R. Girardot,
PhD
CRYSTAL PROBLEMS - A Poem - Cornelius S. Hurlbut, Jr.
A CORRECTION
CRYSTAL QUIZ
IGNEOUS ROCK LIST - Jane Huelsmeyer
SOME LAPIDARY CRAFTSTHANKS AND GOOD BYE! - Mel Albright
LAGNIAPPE (A little something extra)
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DEE'S DOINS
Dee Holland
October 1998
President, AFMS
The show and convention held in Houghton, Michigan was a great experience. There were
field trips to many mines, mine dumps, and other locations guided by experienced
persons. If you did not want to go on field trips you could visit the many museums and
historical locations in the area. The show was very good with many dealers with an
assortment of material. There were display cases of almost every type, and a good
showing of competitive cases. Many thanks for a job very well done to Steve Whelan and
his able helpers.
The next trip that is in the planing stage now will be to Tulsa, Ok. October 23-24-25 for the
Rocky Mountain Federations show and convention.
I have just received word of the passing of Dr. Elwood Rees who was AFMS President in
1979-1980. Dr Rees passed away August 31, 1998.
All for now, - Dee
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AFMS WEB SITE
APPROVED
At the August AFMS meeting, the presence of the AFMS on the World Wide Web was
approved. Plans are to obtain our own URL (address to most people) before long.It is
hoped to include individual Federation sites there also. The temporary site is found at
http://www.galstar.com/~mela/afms.html. It will be maintained until the permanent site is
ready.
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1997-1998
AFMS STALWARTS
The success of the AFMS depends upon talented and dedicated people volunteering their
time, talents, and efforts to AFMS. They contribute by continuing the work in the wide
variety of programs that fall under the AFMS umbrella.
Below are listed those stalwart members who's efforts contributed to the great success of
AFMS's 51st year:
At this point in the Newsletter were listed the 1997-1998 Officers, Directors, and
Committee Chairs of the AFMS. This list is elsewhere on the web site.
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October 1998
NINE AFMS TROPHIES WON AT HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN
Anne Cook, Uniform Rules Chair, 1996
At the 1998 AFMS/MWF show and convention, nine AFMS trophies were won, in addition
to four Midwest Federation trophies. While most of the competitive exhibits came from
the host Federation, there also were entries from the Eastern, Rocky Mountain,
Northwest, and California Federations.
The following competitors received the AFMS trophies:
Trophy 8 for general thumbnails: James Sharp of the Mineralogical Society of Cleveland,
MWF
Trophy 9 for restricted thumbnails: James Sharp (as above)
Trophy 12 for self-collected minerals: George and Kitty Judd of the Midwest Mineralogical
and Lapidary Society, MI, MWF
Trophy 13 for petrified wood with special features: Ruby Lingelbach of the StiIIwater, (OK)
Mineral and Gem Society, RMF
Trophy 15 for general Iapidary: Marvin Juhl of the Austin (MN) Gem and Mineral Society,
MWF
Trophy 21 for specialized lapidary (in this case, clocks): Charles Humenik of the Stark
County (OH) Gem and Mineral Club, MWF
Trophy 27 for education about a skill aimed at a general audience: William Orban of the
Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society of Dearborn (MI), NWF
Trophy 26 for education about a concept aimed at a general audience: Wait Vogtmann of
the Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society of Dearborn (MI), Trophy 32 f or fossils:
NeiI and Connie Snepp of the Central Michigan Lapidary and Mineral Society, MWF.
In addition, blue ribbons, gained by scores of 90 or higher in AFMS competition, were
won by Betty and Otis Witworth, of the Tuscarora Lapidary Society (PA); Bill Luke, of the
NFMS at-large- Bea Schumacher of the Columbus (OH) Rock and Mineral Society; and
Ken and Vera Kruschke of the Kern County (CA) Mineral Society.
The Lillian Turner Award, for the best case entered by a junior from the host Federation,
was won by Alex Paavola of the Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club, host club to the
convention, for a case of self-collected material from the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Next year's show, hosted by the Southeast Federation, will be in Nashville, TN. Start to
prepare your case for exhibiting there!
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PUBLIC LANDS ISSUES
Bob Cranston, PLAC & ALAA
This month's issue will deal with a subject we have not approached previously. Presidential Executive Orders:
October 1998
Executive Orders give the Executive Department a way to circumvent Congress. The
current flurry of E.O.'s started with the Gore Tax. That is the one that raised your
telephone bill by about $3.50 (private line), the purpose of which was to help put the
Internet in every schoolroom. E.O.'s are not new. Andrew Jackson used one to put the
Cherokee Indians off their lands in what is known as the Trail of Tears. The Supreme
Court declared the action illegal, but could not enforce the ruling. Abraham Lincoln used
an E.O. to shut down Newspapers during the Civil War that did not agree with him.
Franklin Roosevelt used E.O. 9066 in December 1941 to put 110,000 American Citizens of
Japanese ancestry into concentration camps.
The current flap is over E.O. 13083 which is the most sweeping E.O. to date. This Order
effectively reduces the Tenth Amendment to nothing The teeth of 13083 lies in Section
3(d), which reads as follows: "(d) It is important to recognize the distinction between
matters of national or multi-state scope (which may justify Federal action) and matters
that are merely common to States (which may not justify Federal action because
individual States, acting individually or together, may effectively deal with them). Matters
of national or multi-state scope that justify Federal action may arise in a variety of
circumstances, including: (1) When the matter to be addressed by Federal action occurs
interstate as opposed to being contained within one State's boundaries. (2) When the
source of the matter to be addressed occurs in a State different from the State (or States)
where a significant amount of harm occurs. (3) When there is a need for uniform national
standards. (4) When decentralization increases the costs of government thus imposing
additional burdens on the taxpayer. (5) When States have not adequately protected
individual rights and liberties. (6) When States would be reluctant to impose necessary
regulations because of fears that regulated business activity will relocate to other States.
(7) When placing regulatory authority at the State or local level would
undermine regulatory goals because high costs or demands for specialized expertise will
effectively place regulatory matter beyond the resources of State authorities. (8) When the
matter relates to Federally owned or managed property or natural resources, trust
obligations, or international obligations. (9) When the matter to be regulated significantly
or uniquely affects Indian tribal governments.
It is the feeling of this writer, based on past actions with publiclands, that number 1, 3 and
8 could most affect the rockhounds. All that needs to be done is for an agency to suggest
that the rules be standardized across the nation on all public lands and then set those
standards to suspend all collecting privileges and other multiple uses on ALL public
lands. The agencies would all have a Presidential edict to back them up. Wouldn't that
make management an easy task? Just arrest anyone who uses the lands for any purpose.
Executive Order #13083 would also be invoked to put the NATIONAL ID CARD on a fast
track. This card would be in the form of a federally designed drivers license. Ultimate
plans call for a computer chip to be imbedded in the Card that would have, among other
things, your Social Security number, finger prints, DNA and any record deemed
necessary to keep track of you. No doubt this would be used in conjunction with the
NATIONAL MEDICAL ID CARD currently being touted. This paragraph has nothing to do
with our hobby, but we thought it was interesting. The Federal Register Vol. 63, No. 116,
dated June 17, 1998, Pages 33220-33225 will put this plan into effect. Rep. Bob Barr (Rhttp://www.amfed.org/n1998_10.htm (5 of 15) [4/20/2006 6:45:12 PM]
October 1998
GA) has introduced H.R. 4196 to kill the Executive Order and H.R. 4197 to rescind the
Federal Register notice. Anyone wishing to review Rep. Barr's thoughts can do so by
going to his Web page at:
http://www..house.gov/barr/
By the way, most every Congressman has one of these Web sites in the federal listing (in
Colorado Hefley is the exception).
ALAA Newsletter 8/98
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SAFETY
It's Just Dust, Isn't It?
Part III
Hazards From Particular Types of Dusts
Part I of this series described the health hazards from fine dusts and Part II the control
and ventilation of dusts. This last, Part III, details some particular hazards from certain
dusts.
The record of occupational hazards from mineral dusts goes as far back as Pliny in 79
A.D. There is no excuse for gem and mineral workers and hobbyists not to be aware of it.
The worst two are asbestos and silicates. Some workers choose to ignore the hazards
with the view that the diseases that are caused can't happen to them, but we have news
for them.
ASBESTOS
This group of six different asbestos minerals comprises hydrated silicates that are
fibrous in growth habit. Chrysotile or white asbestos is one of the four most common,
with crocidolite, amosite and anthophyllite following.
The fibers can be subdivided into ever-smaller fibers by grinding or abrasion; there is
apparently no limit to the degree of fineness attainable. In this lies the hazard, because
the human body cannot dispose of very fine fibers once they penetrate into the far
reaches of the lung. The result is asbestosis, a diffuse or fibrous scarring of the lung,
which is slowly progressive even after exposure stops. Symptoms
are shortness of breath and a dry cough, with no effective therapy, leading to an early
death.
Lung cancer is also caused by asbestos and is enhanced by smoking. It is the same type
October 1998
of cancer as that caused by smoking. For unknown reasons, asbestos can cause a
localized fibrous scar in the pleural cavity surrounding the lung. It is usually not fatal but
interferes with lung function. The most rapidly fatal but least common complication of
asbestos exposure is malignant mesothelioma, a tumor in the pleural lining of the lung. It
may take 20 to 60 years to show up after exposure.
The common factor in all these asbestos-related diseases is the minimum 10-year latent
period before symptoms show up. In this time, the macrophages in the body attempt to
phagocytize or build a protective sac around the long fibers, all the while releasing
hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions. These reactive oxygen species damage other
nearby cells and the long shape of the fiber prevents complete phagocytosis, which
would otherwise protect the body from the invasion. Thus the shape
of the particle determines its toxicity, although there are other subsidiary chemical
factors beyond the scope of this article.
The average human inhales 4480 fibers each day, but asbestos workers inhaled 1.5
million fibers a day. Gem and mineral people are somewhere in between, depending upon
many variables, but they can lower the level at will.
SILICA
There are seven crystalline silica minerals. Of these, quartz is the second most common
mineral in the earth's crust and varies from 22% to 65% in common rocks. Cristobalite,
tripoli and tridymite are less common silica minerals. Diseases associated with crystalline
silicas like these are silicosis, silicotuberculosis, and cancer.
Silicosis is caused by inhalation of quartz particles 0.5 - 0.7 micrometers in diameter
which develop fibrous nodules in the lung's small airways. The nodules may grow
together, causing blockage followed by heart or respiratory failure. As with asbestosis,
the disease progresses even without further exposure. Silicotuberculosis - This is a
silicosis that modifies the progress of tuberculosis. It is now less common in developed
countries because of better dust control and chemotherapy.
SILICA AND CANCER
While there is limited evidence for silica as causing cancer, it was a cause in laboratory
animals. The OSHA lists silica as probably carcinogenic to humans. As opposed to
crystalline silicas, amorphous silicas are less toxic. These include diatomaceous earth,
precipitated silica, fumed silica and fused silica.
SILICATES (or chemically bound silicas)
Per se, these are not particularly toxic, unless they are fibrous like the asbestos minerals.
Unfortunately they may contain large amounts of free silica, then we are back to the
situation in the above paragraphs.
Examples are vermiculite, soapstone, talc, investment plaster, enamel frits, ceramic
glazes and clay.
October 1998
METALS
Metallic dusts from grinding and polishing alloys of chromium, nickel, cobalt, lead,
arsenic, selenium and antimony can cause skin irritation and allergies. These include
silver solder, soft solder, stainless
steel, nickel silver, and silver blacks.
METAL COMPOUNDS
Here is where the high toxicity dusts containing metals occur, particularly when the
compounds are water soluble or soluble in body fluids. Without detailing the specific
toxicity, here is a partial list
of some of the many toxic ones. - African wonderstone, agate, amethyst, beryl, azurite,
ceric oxide, cerrusite, chalcedony, cinnabar, clays, cryolite, erionite, feldspars, flint,
galena, garnet, granite, greenstone, jasper, lapis lazuli, lepidolite, malachite, molybdenite,
onyx, opal, porphyry, pumice, pyrolusite, realgar, rouge, sandstone, slate, talc, tripoli,
turquoise, vermiculite, zircon, and zirconia(CZ).
Hazards from metals and metal compounds vary widely from metal to metal. For details,
see the references cited below.
Safety never just happens - it must be planned.
References: 1) "Artist Beware", Michael McCann, Lyons and Burford Publishers, New
York, 1992. 2) "Artist's Health and Safety", Monona Rossol, Allworth Press, New York,
1990. 3) "Health Effects of Mineral Dusts", George Guthrie and B. T. Mossman, editors,
Reviews in Mineralogy, Vol 28, Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, D.C. pp. 759, 275-308, and 347-407.
INDEX
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CRYSTAL PROBLEMS
Cornelius S. Hurlbut, Jr.
When first I studied crystals
I didn't have the knack
Of three dimensional thinking:
This skill I seemed to lack.
I'd turn and twist the crystal round
In hope that I could see
At least one axis or a plane
Of crystal symmetry.
The prism, pinacoid and dome,
October 1998
The rhombic pyramid
All looked the same to me,
No matter what I did.
But now I've studied long and hard,
And think I'm somewhat wise,
For in no length of time at all
The cube I recognize.
Original source unknown;
Via Glacial Drifter, 6/98 and Memphis Archaelogical and Geological Society Newsletter,
9/98
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A CORRECTION
I want to correct a mis-statement in the latest issue of the AFMS Newsletter. In the "Each
Club-Each Year-One Rockhound" article it states that I received the CFMS Golden Bear
Award. It should read that I
received the local club award (same name) from the Orcutt Mineral Society. Thanks!
Wes Lingerfelt, Treasurer 97-98 California Federation of Mineralogical Societies Nipomo,
CA.
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CRYSTAL QUIZ
October 1998
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IGNEOUS ROCK LIST
Jane Huelsmeyer
Igneous rocks form from cooling magna. If magma erupts from a volcano and cools on
the surface, extrusive rocks form. If the magma is trapped in the crust and cools there,
intrusive rocks form.
INTRUSIVE ROCKS
(cools slowly underground, crystals are visible)
PERIDOTITE - see olive green crystals
GABRO - all or mostly black crystals
DIORITE - mixture of black and white crystals
October 1998
GRANITE - three types of minerals (see quartz, white or pink feldspar and other mineral
like mica or hornblends
EXTRUSIVE ROCKS
(cools fast on the surface, microscopic crystals)
BASALT - dull black or reddish brown, heavy rock, some may have bubble holes
ANDESITE - dull gray, heavy rock, may be light or dark gray
RHYOLITE - dull light-colored rock (any color but dark gray or black), heavy rock. Water
solutions may form bands of color or color patterns
OBSIDIAN - shiny, glassy black rock with smooth surfaces and sharp edges. Used by
Indians out west for arrow heads.
PUMICE - white to light gray rock, light weight, so full of holes it may float
SCORIA - black to reddish brown, light weight, so full of holes it may float
ASH - sand to flour size particles, usually light gray. Ash cemented together is called
TUFF.
GEM CITY ROCK NEWS 7/98
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SOME LAPIDARY CRAFTS-
Channel work - The lines of the design are formed with vertical metal strip backed by
horizontal sheet metal. The spaces between the strip are filled with polished rock or gem
material. This gives color to the design.
Casting is the replacement of a item by forming a mold, removing the item from the mold
material and filling the void left with molten metal and cooling.
Enameling is the fusion of ground glass on a metal surface.
Engraving is the formation of a pattern in a base material by removing metal from the
base.
Filigree is the formation of patterns from wires twisted, coiled, or otherwise shaped and
then soldered into a wire framework.
Wire-Wrapping is coiled, twisted and bound wire formed into a pattern which also holds
and frames gem materials.
Intarsia and Mosiac are formed by forming a pattern from individual pieces of stone, slab,
or tile.
Cameos are raised figures which form the image of an item
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THANKS AND GOOD BYE!
Mel Albright
Editor, AFMS Newsletter
This is my final issue as editor of the AFMS Newsletter. It has been an honor, an
October 1998
education, and has given me great joy to be involved with this publication.
I would like to give a
GREAT BIG THANKS
* To all those who supported my by regularly sending in material for the members to read.
I'm convinced the future of the AFMS lies in the rank-and-file members knowing what is
going on and why. This Newsletter is an excellent way to supply that knowledge.
* To Presidents Margaret Heinek and Dee Holland for entrusting this responsibility to me.
* To all that encouraged me with letters and e-mail and made me feel good by liking the
job I did and saying so. I am amazed at the very few "bricks" I received in such a high
visibility endeavor.
A note to fellow editors: This job is the same as all others - fitting items together, finding
"fill" material of interest to your readers, getting as many names included as possible,
and, on occasion, having to cut or omit material because of space limits (and yes, it
hurts!). AND - This job is different from others in that priority 1 is to pass information
about the AFMS activities on to the member clubs and individuals.
It's been fun - good bye and good news!
Editors are my heroes and heroines! - Mel
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LAGNIAPPE
(For you non-Cajuns, that's - A little something extra)
MAKE SURE YOUR JEWELERS SAW BLADE is mounted so that it cuts when pulled
towards you or it will break. Lubricate the blade before using (beeswax is good.) To judge
the size to use, figure two teeth should touch the material being cut. - Al Klein
A 5,805 CARAT EMERALD has been found in Russia's Ural Mountains. It has been named
"the President" for President Boris Yeltsin. The 2 1/2 pund stone has excellent color and
clarity and may be one of the most valuable emeralds ever from Russia. Initial appraisal
placed its value at 1.5 million dollars. It will likely be a museum piece rather than being
cut. Breccia
GIANT SLOTH TRACKS have been found near Saltville, VA. The tracks were 3 feet long
and are estimated at 13,500 years old. The sloth weighed about 3000 pounds. Mineral
Newsletter via Strata Gem
RHODOCHROSITE WAS FIRST DISCOVERED BY THE INCAS around the 12th century in
October 1998
Argentia. Generations later, Frank Mansfield rediscovered the mine. Most unusual
formations with a circular pattern of light and dark occur in this treasure chest. Highly
artistic pieces are carved out of this "Indian Rose". The name comes from Greek "rhodo"
(rose) and "chros" (color".
The Mountain Gem via The Burro Express
ONLY ABOUT 50 DIAMOND MINES have ever existed. Only 15 now operate.
EMERGENCY EMERGENCY FLARES can be made from empty plastic milk cartons. Place
a rock inside to hold them and light. They'll last about 10 minutes.
SAND MUST BE IMPORTED INTO EGYST for sandblasting. Local sand is far too fine.
POLISH TARNISHED SILVER CHAINS for a half hour in a tumbler with steel shot and
burnishing compound. One chain at a time avoids tangles. The Rockpile
LINE YOUR HAT WITH ALUMINUM FOIL on hot sunny days to keep cooler. Rocky Trails
BROKEN EGG SHELLS make a good pot scrubber when camping. Rocky Trails
TOP 10 WAYS TO TELL IF YOUR TRILOBITE IS FAKE
10. It has a battery compartment.
9. It melts in your mouth, not in your hands.
8. The expiry date on the bottom says "Permian period".
7. It comes attached to a shower rope.
6. It has "Made in Morocco" stamped on the back.
5. It comes with a child-proof safety cap.
4. When you put it in water it grows green hair.
3. It's still twitching.
2. When you turn it upside down it's eyes close and it says "Waaaah".
1. It's from the Bre-X mine in Indonesia!
Ottawa Paleontological Society Newsletter. 5/97
Some music stores are in a CD part of town.
Campers need to have a positive in-tent.
HEADLINES
* Ban on soliciting dead in trotwood
* Lansing residents can drop off trees
* Local high school dropouts cut in half
We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it - and stop
there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a
hot stove-lid again, and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one
anymore. -- Mark Twain
Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps. -- Emo Phillips
Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.
Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you
October 1998
make it again.
-- F. P. Jones
What is a committee? A group of the unwilling, picked from the unfit, to do the
unnecessary.
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Societies.
(405) 682-2151
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION - Individual Subscriptions are available from the Central
Office at $3.50 per year. Each club is entitled to 3 free copies. Normally these go to the
President, The Newsletter Editor, and one other member. Please be sure to send the
names and addresses of these three individuals to the AFMS Office and to update them
with each change. AFMS loses 50 cents for every returned Newsletter
The publisher does the actual mailing.
*****NOTE*****
NEW EDITOR STARTING WITH THE NOVEMBER 1998
ISSUE
(918) 336-8036
CONTENT - LETTERS
October 1998
the editor.
use,
April 1999
A.F.M.S. Newsletter
Serving Seven Regional Federations
Vol. 52 Issue 5
April, 1999
April 1999
Contents:
Executive Officers' Reports
Editors' Seminar at Nashville
Happy Birthday - Olive Colhour
AFMS Directors - RMFMS
News from Regionals - EFMLS Wildacres Invitation
Committees - Safety, Each Club-Each Year-One Rockhound, Endowment Fund
ALAA - Summary of content of ALAA Newsletter, Vol 6, No 2, Jan, Feb, Mar, 1999
Executive Officers’ Reports:
President Elrod’s Message for April:
This month we have a variety of subjects to cover. The main topic is, of course, the upcoming convention and
show in Nashville in July. Packets of information have been sent to all of the Federation Officers, Committee
Chairs and Members. The Regional Federation Newsletters will include the necessary information to allow
members to make arrangements to attend if desired. Anyone who desires to be sent a packet should contact me
at my email address ([email protected]) or by phone or write to me. They will be sent a packet promptly.
We hope to have many of you attend. Nashville is so centrally located, and so easy to reach, that many airlines
give good fare prices. The convention motel is reasonable in price and all the meals are also reasonable. The
weather should be good at that time of year and it should be a very pleasant trip. Come on and join us for a great
time in the South in the Summer.
We have asked for clubs, especially in the Southeast, to sponsor field trips for persons driving to the convention.
We need for you to let us know who you are, where you are, what you can do and all the details so we can
publish this for persons who wish to attend. This will be a wonderful way to meet and make new rockhound
friends. Be sure to include the name and phone number of a contact person. Send the information to me for
publishing in our mailings.
Have you been working on your displays for the show? We have heard of several persons who are bringing a
display and are eagerly anticipating many more. The packets include an application for both competitive and noncompetitive displays. We hope that you will bring examples of your work or collection and place it for the
enjoyment of others who attend.
Now, how about your skills? We are seeking persons who will demonstrate their skills to the show attendees. A
group from Chattanooga, Tennessee is going to do silver smithing demonstrations for all three days of the show.
What can you do? What will you do to add to the good time for all who attend? Let us know and we will have a
space set up for you to display your skills.
Speaking of skills, we also need speakers who can impart their knowledge to others during the programs we plan
for the show. An area has been set aside, and will be secluded by a curtain wall, for the purpose of giving talks,
slide programs, etc. Who is willing and able to do this? How about you? You may just find that you really enjoy
April 1999
doing it (I can assure you that it is a pleasant experience to stand up and tell others about this hobby of ours
which we love so much) and will want to do even more.
We have a full schedule for you when you attend. We are starting with a riverboat tour, a tour of Nashville, the
conventions, the luncheons, the show and the banquet. Add in the time you can spend in your own tour of
Nashville and the surrounding area. The antique shops (we have many and a most interesting variety of
merchandise is to be found), the scenery, the beautiful old homes, the horses for which the Tennessee area is
known, and many, many other attractions will entrance you.
Now, on to other matters. A packet of information was sent to all of the officers, committee chairs and committee
members recently. Please check over the information for you and/or your committee members and let me know
of any corrections to be made or of changes that are required. Beginning this month I will have a separate
section, "CHANGES" which will give any correction, additions, deletions, etc. which need to be made to the
original document. (Page 7) Please update your list with this information.
Marty Hart, our Webmaster, needs to know what each of you desire to have placed on our website for each
officer’s position and committee. If we do not hear from you only your name, state and email address or phone
number will be shown.
Speaking of email, we very much need to have the email address for every officer, committee chair and member
who has access to the internet. This is a much quicker method of communication than any other means. Please
give this information when you reply.
We now have an American Federation email mailing list location set up. As soon as I get enough addresses I will
enter them and send you an opening letter that will instruct you how to use the listing. It is set up so no one
outside our organization can use it to send commercial messages, etc. to our members. More sites such as this
are planned for the future. We will eventually be able to contact most, if not all, of our member societies without
the expense and delay of using the regular mails. Items such as the announcements of meetings, minutes of
meetings, changes to our mailing lists, etc. can all be sent this way and avoid the cost of reproduction and
mailing.
The Internet is a wonderful thing to have. The website we have established, AmFed.org, is going to be a
repository of much information about our hobby. We are seeking information about the AFMS and the regional
federations, which we can include in the site. We also need articles that will be of interest to a wide range of
readers. There is now a "Kids Corner" on the site that contains articles that are meant for children. These range
from information about working with Boy Scouts to how to grow crystals. Many of you have other articles and
stories that would be wonderful to have. Send them to us for review and possible inclusion on the site. If
possible, we would like to have them in electronic mode on a disc or by email, if not then send a hard copy and
we will see about getting it typed into the site.
We are also ready to begin including some information about the individual clubs and societies in the nation. We
are requesting each Regional Federation, by a separate letter, to send us information on all of their member
clubs. We want the name of the club, the location of their meetings and the dates of the meetings, the name and
contact information for a contact person, etc. The format of the submission of this information will be given to the
Regional Federations. It needs to be submitted in electronic form so we may load it onto the website. This is too
much of a job to dump on our webmaster and the workload must be shared.
When the listing is complete any person visiting our website will be able to locate a nearby club or society and a
April 1999
contact person for that club. In addition, many of our member clubs have established their own sites and the club
listing will include a link to their site. Visitors will only have to "click" on the link to visit the clubs site. You will be
hearing more about this in the near future.
What do you want to see on our web site? It is your site and you have a voice in what goes into it. Let us know
what you want and we will work on including it for you.
So long for this month and see you in May.
President-Elect Report:
(No report this month.)
1st Regional Vice-Pres.,
Bill Burns, CFMS
2nd Regional Vice-Pres.,
Shirley Greenberg, EFMLS
3rd Regional Vice-Pres.,
Ron Carman, SCFMS
4th Regional Vice-Pres.,
Marvin Starbuck, MFMGS
Richard Glismann, NFMS
Secretary/Central Office,
Dan McLennan
Check your mailing label closely this month. Does it have a red star? That means that your subscription is due.
This will be your last issue unless you renew by mailing a check for $3.50 to Dan McLennan at the AFMS Central
Office.
April 1999
Editors’ Seminar at AFMS/SFMS Convention
in Nashville
By Leo Morris, Chair, AFMS Seminar Committee
To all Bulletin Editors:
AFMS President Lewis Elrod is planning an Editors' Seminar in conjunction with the combined AFMS/SFMS
Convention in Nashville. This seminar is tentatively planned for 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 9, 1999, at the
headquarters hotel. President Elrod was kind enough to allow me to try and put this seminar together for him, a
task I gladly accepted.
It is our intention to get some of our more knowledgeable Editors and other members of the hobby together and
let each give a 12-15 minute presentation on a variety of subjects that are of interest to Bulletin Editors. Thus far
the following members have promised to give presentations on the following:
Diane Dare (MWF/SFMS) Explaining the Difference Between a Report and an Article.
Carolyn Weinberger (EFMLS) Bulletin Layouts, primarily using a computer
Shirley Leeson (CFMS) How to give Proper Credit to Authors
(including material taken from Internet Resources)
Miles Smith (President of SCRIBE) Miles will outline the role of SCRIBE in relation to Club and Federation Newsletters
Bill Luke (NFMS) Bill will outline the Purpose of the AFMS Newsletter, how he puts it together. He will also discuss the job he is
doing in publishing the AFMS Newsletter, and what goes into making a successful, readable newsletter.
Ruby Lingelbach (RMFMS)
"Judging Bulletins – What Judges look for in scoring bulletins."
I have two great handouts on the subject of Copyright Violations. One from Richard Busch, Past President of
SCRIBE; and John Betts, EFMLS.
I also have some neat tips and tricks by Patricia Speece of CFMS on other subjects. Now then, I would like for
each person that has tips and tricks they have learned about publishing bulletins to send me a copy of these tips
and tricks to use as a handout at the upcoming seminar. I will send any material received to Lewis who will have
at least 50 copies printed for the seminar to use as handouts. Any material received will be most welcome.
Bulletin Editors - please bring at least 50 copies of your bulletin to put on the "Exchange table" for editors to
April 1999
swap.
We are looking forward to having a great seminar with the exchange of information and fellowship among
editors, former editors, those persons interested in being editors, or just anyone who has an interest in the
written word.
If you have questions or comments please don't hesitate to contact anyone of the following:
AFMS President, Lewis Elrod, 615-893-8270
(email: [email protected]);
Seminar Committee Chair, Leo Morris, 770-445-9274
(email: [email protected]).
Note to Regional Federation Editors – Please reprint this information in your newsletters. Encourage all club
editors to attend if they can.
Happy Birthday
Olive M. Colhour
April 2, 1999
By Bill Luke
On April 2, Olive will celebrate her 101st birthday! She is living close to her son, Robert Whelpley, and his wife
north of Seattle.
In honor of Olive’s birthday, and to bring you up to date if you haven’t heard about Olive since her days of being
published in Lapidary Journal, I would like to present a couple of book reviews. These are two favorite books in
my personal library!
Olive’s first book, "My Search for Beauty" was published in 1993. This hard cover book is filled with field trip
stories – going to where some special material is to be found – and not always in the easiest of places. The
philosophy and wisdom of 89 years, and of one who became an ardent student of nature, make this excellent
reading for all rockhounds. The book also contains a section of color illustrations, and another of black and white
illustrations, both with accompanying reports on many of her beautiful works of art.
"Creating Lapidary Art – Working with Gemstones", in soft cover, was published by her son, Robert
Whelpley. It was completed in time for the first 20 copies to be presented at her 100th birthday party last year.
In this book, Bob has compiled selections of stories, poems, and photos by and about Olive from her beginning
at the age of 57 through her rise to the top of the lapidary field. It contains many articles reprinted from Lapidary
Journal. It also contains many poems, stories and words of wisdom by "the Mule", Olive’s husband, Ralph.
April 1999
There is a wealth of information from "how to", where the various rock materials came from, how they were used
in the works, and, always the stories and philosophy that goes with it. We have all appreciated her talents in
creating so many beautiful carvings. In these books we also get to know the person and her other talents of
poetry and story telling.
Along with Birthday Wishes, you might want to inquire about ordering your copy of either of these fine books
from:
Robert Whelpley
104 N.E. 194th St.
Shoreline, WA 98155-2135
Ph. (206) 363-2852
From the Regional
Directors:
RMFMS
From Rocky Mountain Federation News, March, 1999
LET OUR DIRECTORY BE YOUR GUIDE
By Ruby Lingelbach, President
Have you ever stopped to look at the RMFMS Directory, that is, other than the page your club is listed on? We
have question after question after question, "What Does the RMFMS Do For Us?" As I add beneath the title of
my Message on Page A -- that is the first page you see when you open the front cover -- "The answer to this
secret can be found within the pages of this Directory."
This 1999 Rocky Mountain Federation Directory is meant to be used. It details the organization and workings,
Purpose and some objectives of the Federation. It also lists all member clubs with their officers, meeting times,
shows, bulletins, etc.
Communication is a two-way street. The Federation cannot help you if you do not let it be known that you need
help of some kind. If you have a special kind of rock or mineral and cannot find information about it in your
books, find the name of the Mineralogical Technical Chairman, Lapidary Technical Chairman, Fossil Technical
Chairman, or Fluorescent Technical Chairman, then write, call, or e-mail that person. You will "make that
person's day" in a big way. Just turn one page (in the 1998 Directory. It may be different in the new 1999
Directory) and you will find the first of three pages listing all the persons who have accepted a no-pay job to help
anyone who needs their expertise. All are listed with name, address, phone number, and e-mail address when
they have one. Our goal is to have an e-mail address for each club to facilitate communication. Have you given
us yours?
The Land Use policy of the Federation is given and there us a sample "Informed Consent/Assumption of
April 1999
Risk/Waiver of Liability form for the RMFMS Insurance program you can follow to be used to make your own
Release Form on your field trips, shows, or wherever needed. This program has reopened mines, gravel pits,
etc. to rockhounding field trips that were closed to us for several years.
The organization of the AFMS Scholarship Foundation, purpose, how to contribute, recognition of donors,
selection of beneficiaries, Honorary Award Recipients, and grants to students, percentages earned by the clubs,
and amounts presented to the selected graduate students are detailed. Check these to see how far your
contributions have gone.
All the slide and video programs in our Program Library are listed. This is a vital help for many clubs to have
good programs. The Library Chairmen are always looking for new programs to be submitted for additions to this
Library. Do you or someone in your club have a good program that can become a part of this Library? Our
Program Library is valued at $30,000.00.
There are more advantages listed in this Directory that I can mention on this one page, so look through it! Use it!
Make notes in it! (make it feel loved!) Find a club to visit as you travel or ask about local collecting sites. It is the
culmination of the work of many people to get this information gathered together in one place to serve you, or
give you a chance to serve somebody else.
News From the
Regional Federations:
EFMLS
A Special Invitation
Over the years we have received numerous requests from members outside the Eastern Federation to attend
one of the popular Eastern Federation sponsored workshops at Wild-acres. After much consideration, the
Federation has decided to extend a formal invitation to all members of clubs belonging to other Federations to
join us.
Wildacres, as many of you know, is a non-profit retreat dedicated to furthering human relations. The Wildacres
campus features two residence lodges with motel style private rooms, numerous craft shops, meeting rooms, an
auditorium, library and dining room. It is a place of solitude and majestic views set in the mountains of North
Carolina about 40 miles from Asheville. The Eastern Federation has been privileged to use the retreat facilities
for the past 26 years.
The proposed list of educational classes for the 1999 workshop sessions include:
(S = spring session, F = fall session)
Four day classes - applicants take only one class the entire session if one of these is selected:
April 1999
S F Faceting
S F Certified Judging
S F Micromounting/microphotography
S Gem ID
S Channel Work silver soldering experience needed
Two day classes - applicants take two classes if these are selected:
S F Silversmithing
S F Cabochon making
S F Wirecraft jewelry
S F Soapstone carving
S F Gem Trees
S F Intro to Crystallography
F Basic Jewel. Repair requires soldering experience
F Basic Fossil collecting
F Beading
In addition to the educational classes each session will feature a guest speaker, an auction, a "fun night", tail
gate session, and a free day set aside to explore the picturesque surrounding the Wildacres Retreat.
Dates and guest speakers for the EFMLS Wildacres Workshops are as follows:
Session 1 - May 24 - 30.
Speaker is Jay Lininger, publisher of Matrix Magazine
Session 2 - September 7 - 13.
Speaker is Nancy Koski, an expert on Herkimer "Diamonds".
The cost for each session is $250 per person which includes room and board for the week. There is an additional
modest charge for materials for the classes you take.
For those interested in attending, major airlines serve Asheville, NC and Hickory, NC (both about 60 minutes
driving distance) and Charlotte, NC (about 2 hours drive).
Want more information? Contact Jennie Smith, 4400 San Carlos Drive; Fairfax, VA 22030-5369 e-mail:
<[email protected]> or Carolyn Weinberger, PO Box 302; Glyndon, MD 21071-0302 email<[email protected]>
For your convenience, an application form is attached. Reservations, along with a deposit of $100 per person
should be sent, using the application form to: Angie Teixeira, 24 Ford St; Seekonk, MA 02771. Checks should be
made payable to EFMLS.
We hope to see you at one of the 1999 EFMLS Workshops at Wildacres. Come and see what others have been
raving about for years!
AFMS SAFETY ARTICLE - APRIL, 1999
DANGER!! - SUNSHINE COMING!!
By Mel Albright, AFMS Safety Chair
April 1999
Sunshine is shining. Rockhounds are hunting. And unprotected skin is turning red and burning. In 10 or 15 or 20
years, someone - maybe you - will be saying, "Why oh why didn't I listen to people back then. I don't want skin
cancer. No!"
Skin cancer is the fastest growing form of cancer these days. Remember when it was considered stylish and
good looking to have a good tan. Back then, many of us managed to get awesome burns. And now we hear that
just one bad burn as a child doubles our chance of skin cancer later in life!
What to do? Wear suitable clothing - hats, dense cloth shirts and pants, no shorts. Apply protective sunscreen to
ALL exposed areas when you are going to be outdoors. If possible, stay indoors or in the shade during the time
of greatest danger - 9 AM to 5 PM under daylight savings time.
What is a suitable sunscreen? It is one labeled with a protective factor (SPF) of 15 or more. The number refers to
a degree of protection - with a 15 factor, you can stay out 15 times as long as usual before you get a sunburn.
NOTICE - it delays - not prevents. So if you normally sunburn in 20 minutes
(yes, light skinned people do), then with a SPF 15 applied, you can stay out 300 minutes (5 hours) before you
are sunburned. Best are waterproof,
non-allergenic sprays, creams or lotions.
Are you already in trouble?
By far, the most serious problem you might see is melanoma cancer. This cancer spreads rapidly and is deadly.
A varied color growth that is asymmetric, has irregular edges is something to worry about. If it is larger than 6
mm in diameter, it is really dangerous. This includes long time moles that change size, color, or shape. Run! do
not walk, to the doctor if you see something that might be this.
Next in importance are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Although not as deadly as
melanoma, these can be serious if not treated. Any of these 5 things might indicate that these are present. 1. An
open sore that bleeds, crusts, or oozes for more than 3 weeks. 2. A reddish patch. It may sometimes be crusty. It
may itch or hurt. 3. A smooth growth with a rolled border with an indentation in the middle. 4. A shiny bump or
nodule which is pearly or translucent. They are often pink, red, or white. Less common, they may be tan, black,
or brown. They MAY BE CONFUSED with a mole. 5. A scar-like area which is white, yellow or waxy. It will be
shiny and the surrounding skin is taut.
Also important are three pre-cancerous conditions. These may lead to cancer if they are untreated. Solar or
actinic keratoses, caused by the sun's ultraviolet, occur as rough, dry, pink to tan patches on sun exposed skin.
Leukoplakia is a smooth, white patch which affects the mucous membranes, primarily the lips and inside the
mount. Radiodermatitus appears as a mottled area with a decrease of skin pigment.
Each Club – Each Year – One Rockhound
By Bonnie Glismann, Chair
MFMGS
April 1999
The Cedar Valley Rocks & Minerals Society of Cedar Rapids, Iowa has selected Sharon Sonnleitner for the
Each Club-Each Year-One Rockhound recognition of 1998.
Sharon is an active leader and a tireless worker in our club. For 1998, she was club president, co-chair of our
annual show, assisted in production of our bulletin, spoke to school groups, and was active in all aspects of our
club. In the past she has held almost all offices in our club. Our club is very fortunate to have Sharon Sonnleitner
as a member.
I am writing to nominate a longtime member of the Chicago Rocks and Mineral Society. His name is David
Dick. He has been a valued and devoted member who not only actively participates but also has many
contributions to his credit. These consist of a few of the following:
Editor/Publisher of the Pick and Dop Stick for a sequential period of fifteen years; served as the club Historian for
many years including this current year; currently is serving as the club's Treasurer; the lead member of the
Nominating Committee for the past several years; contributes monthly articles to the clubs newsletter; stepped in
as the Acting Editor when our editor last year suddenly resigned.
He is supportive, knowledgeable, provides guidance, and is outspoken (when it is needed). Above all he has
been my mentor and confident as the current Editor Publisher of the Pick and Dop Stick.
So I am officially nominating David Dick as an outstanding member for this honor - "one of our own".
Endowment Fund Donation Drawing
By Charles Leach, Endowment Fund Chairman
And, Glenn Lee, Ways & Means Chairman
The AFMS Endowment Fund will hold a donation drawing again this year for an outstanding item that was
crafted and donated by our President, Mr. Lewis Elrod This year it will be a 12x16 mm Emerald Cut Brazilian
Amethyst Ring with 4 Cubic Zirconium Stones, in a 12K white Gold mounting.
The AFMS Endowment members will be selling donations Tickets for $1.00 per ticket. The drawing will be held at
the national Show in Nashville, on Sunday, July 11, 1999. 12 NOON
AN OPTION
By Shirley Leeson, CFMS rep to the AFMS Endowment Fund
6155 Haas St.,
La Mesa, CA 91942-43122
If you have decided a trip to Nashville, TN to the AFMS show and convention is not in your plans this year, you
can still participate in the events....
This will be the 25th anniversary of the AFMS Endowment Fund and Charley Leach has been chairman all these
years. Due to his hard work and that of his committee, the Endowment Fund has well over $100,000.00 and the
interest is currently being used for the additional benefit of the clubs by upgrading and searching for new
programs that will eventually be sent to each regional federation. He will be retiring after this event. Let's give
April 1999
Charley a whopping sendoff by sending $1.00 donations by the bushel basket. Let's make this an event to
remember....
The current AFMS president, Lewis Elrod has designed a beautiful 14k ring with a 12 x 16mm emerald cut
Braziliam amethyst stone and two Cubic Zirconium stones on each side of it. (four stones in total)
It can be yours if you purchase the winning ticket. Donation tickets can be obtained for $1.00 each from:
Charles Leach,
7013 Jamieson Ave.,
Reseda, CA 91335-4817
Committee Member, Gene Potts,
1612 East 4th Ave.,
Stillwater, OK 74074, .
All tickets will be put in a special hopper and one will be drawn Sunday, July 11, during the AFMS show on the
Tennessee Fairgrounds, Nashville, TN.
Be part of the solution, let's watch our
AFMS Endowment Fund grow. It's giving the AFMS a strong financial footing for the future. You've been very
generous in helping the AFMS Scholarship Funds over the years. Let's help ourselves for a change. This money
goes directly toward helping the AFMS and WE ARE THE AFMS.
ALAA - THIS MONTH
EXCERPTS, SUMMARIES, & CONDENSATIONS
By Bill Luke
From ALAA Newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 2, Jan, Feb, Mar, 1999
ALAA Congressional ReportA Need for YOU to Write
Read about the 105th Congress, the Omnibus Appropriations Bill and other last minute bills passed, and a
summary of bills affecting Public Lands.
ALAA members have been attempting to get rules for collecting adopted and published for over 12 years now,
without success. We have written legislative bills. We have attended meetings in various parts of the United
States trying to reach consensus on comprehensive collecting rules. So far our efforts have been discarded by
the Federal Agencies.
The NEW Congress, the 106th
Expect introduction of public lands bills in historic numbers that will impact amateur hobbyists including
collecting, roads, and public land access. Read about 11 House Bills and 6 Senate Bills that could affect public
lands and are therefore of interest to us.
April 1999
Closed to CollectingDeer Hill Amethyst location in New Hampshire
Hansen Creek quartz crystal area in Washington
Another Dinosaur Story-"Fran", and "The More They Stay the Same"
What Good are Amateurs?
The first is a series of articles on the contributions of amateur collectors and hobbyists to the sciences.
Hey! That’s us! Are we going to become extinct? Or, should we subscribe to ALAA to learn more?
The ALAA Federal Register Report
February, 1999
A list of items that were published in the Federal Register over the past four months that may curtail or are of
concern to the ALAA regarding public land access.
Does this concern or affect you? The states listed (in addition to National) are: Montana, North Dakota and
portions of South Dakota, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah,
and Wyoming. Read this to find out about what’s going on in your area.
And, if that’s not enough, the Office of the Comptroller of Currency published a proposal requiring banks to
develop a "know your customer" rule. Does "Big Brother" need to watch us any closer?
The complete text on each of these subjects is in the ALAA Newsletter. Subscribe and become a member so
you can get all of the details. Support your amateur hobby.
May 1999
A.F.M.S. Newsletter
Vol. 52 Issue 6
May, 1999
May 1999
Contents:
S.C.R.I.B.E.
Editor's Column
Editors' Seminar in Nashville
Letter to the Editor
Loud and Clear
Safety Article - "Are you Ready for Trouble?"
Each Club - Each Year - One Rockhound
Competitive Exhibits
AFMS Scholarship Foundation Honorary Award Winners for 1999
President Elrod’s Message for May, 1999:
As I am preparing this message my printer is putting out some additional email messages from people
who want to attend the show and have requested registration packets. This is great! Get your requests to
me by email, telephone, U. S. (snail) mail or by carrier pigeon. I don’t care how I get it. We just want you
to come to Nashville in July to attend the joint AFMS/SFMS convention and show. When I get your
requests then a packet will be mailed. I usually do in batches so I can print the labels easier. Please
return the registration forms as quickly as possible. We need to know how many displays we will have of
each type, how many registrants for the seminars so we can prepare hand outs, how many will be
attending the meals and the convention meetings, etc. Help us help you by getting your reservations in
early.
The plans for the show and conventions are progressing well. We have a number of people who have
reserved motel rooms and, for this, you should not wait. The rooms are being booked and I would hate
for you not to be able to stay in the convention hotel. Go ahead and reserve a room, if necessary you can
cancel if some emergency arises.
The Editors Seminar looks like it is really shaping up. We are hoping to have some Website information
for the Editors as well. The society Editors often work closely with the Webmasters in the production and
posting of their newsletters on the society websites. It will be beneficial for Editors and Webmasters
alike to attend the Editors Seminar and see what they can gain from the great experience of the persons
who will be presenting the seminar.
May 1999
The SFMS Second Vice President is hard at work on a State Directors Seminar. This is meant for any
person who works with other clubs such as state directors, regional directors or vice presidents, etc.
Everyone is invited to attend and to contribute to the success of this seminar. The purpose is to increase
communication between the Regional Federations and the member societies.
Duane McIntyre, Chairman of the AFMS Insurance Committee plans to have a meeting of the committee
during the show. He will be contacting the committee members to set a date and time. Any Regional
Federation which has not yet appointed an Insurance Chairman for their federation needs to do so and
let me know so they may be added to the committee. If the Committee Chairman is not going to be able
to attend they should find someone who is going to attend who will attend the committee meeting in
their place. We are attempting to put together a national program to provide better coverage at a lower
cost to the societies.
The response to the mailing of packets of information to the AFMS Committee Chairs and Members has
been rather slow. I have received a response from several persons but a large number have not yet
responded. Please go over the information and provide corrections, updates, etc. so we can publish the
corrections. We also want to get the listing on the AFMS Website and cannot do so without your
response. The mailing also requested your suggestions for committee duties, projects, etc. I need this
response to be able to get this to the Long Range Planning Committee for their action. This must be
reviewed and placed in a format for consideration at our annual convention, if such action is required, or
for other consideration if full Board approval is not required. Many of you have great ideas which will be
of much benefit to the AFMS. Let’s hear your ideas, we want to know the direction in which you want
this, your federation, to go in the future.
I have been requested to include some information on camping at the show site. The Fairgrounds
Management has informed me that they now have over two hundred improved, full hookup sites
available. No reservations needed. Just pull into the fairgrounds and you will find a spot. Pull in, begin
setting up and a Security Guard will stop to assist you, collect your security deposit and give you a
hookup pigtail so you can connect to the electric power. The sites are only a very short walk from the
show building. We hope to have many of you who will take advantage of this opportunity. We understand
the fee is $25.00 per night for hookup camping on the grounds.
Bill Luke is performing an admirable job as our AFMS Newsletter Editor. I would like for many of you to
send him an email or note telling him how much you like what he is doing. He would like to know what
you like, what you want to see and any other suggestions you may have. For all you Regional Vice
Presidents, Bill needs some monthly reports to print in the newsletter. Lets keep him busy and give him
what he desires. It only takes a short time to prepare an article if you think about it ahead of time. I will
spend some twenty minutes writing my article this month. That is twenty minutes of typing but I have
been thinking of what to say ever since I sent last months article by email to Bill last month.
At a prior AFMS convention a project was approved called the "China Project". Due to a variety of
reasons we have not been able to pursue the project of donation of United States materials to China until
now. Now, the time has come. In late August I will be leading a tour group on a fourteen day tour of
China. We will visit four major cities in the country, jewelry manufacturers, mines, mineral dealers, etc.
This is being put together by a firm in Seattle, Washington and by an association of Chinese businesses
and organizations. If you are interested in going on the tour then send me an email or a letter and I will
have information sent to you. The information will be provided by the Chinese Government and will only
be mailed to those persons who express a desire for more information. The mailing of this to our entire
membership would be a prohibitive expense and we would not give our mailing list out at any rate.
May 1999
This is a wonderful opportunity to have a chance to visit China on a tour which will be designed with our
hobby in mind. An agenda is now being organized and will be ready for distribution within the next few
week. I am requesting all Editors to place this, along with my address, in their newsletters to permit all of
our members to learn of the opportunity.
Now, just what is the China Project? It is an idea I had to make a donation of United States lapidary
materials, cut stones, other projects, mineral specimens, etc. to the Chinese people from the
Rockhounds of America. Instead of shipping them to China, we will take them. Be thinking of what you
would like to donate and in a future issue I will tell you what information is needed to go along with the
donation and what to do with the donations. I will need a volunteer from each of the Regional
Federations, who is going on the tour, to assist me with this project.
WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT A "PLAN B"
By Dan Lingelbach, President Elect
At the present time the plan we are following to save or maintain access to public lands for collecting is
to try to convince our Legislators and Federal Agency Administrators that rockhounding is a bona-fide
recreational and educational activity. Besides the efforts of individual club members, we have the ALAA
as a legal lobbying organization operating with limited funds. Since we don't have the kind of funds of
those who seem to be intent on keeping rockhounds from collecting on public lands, we may be fighting
a loosing battle. However, as the general public becomes aware of and affected by some of the actions
of Federal and local agencies, I think we may be seeing some lessening of past rate of closing lands.
A good example of the public being affected is the problem the owners of wetlands in Texas around
Austin are having. See, "This Land Was Your Land" in the October, 1997 issue of the Reader's Digest, p
166.
How effective we can be with this approach is yet to be seen, so I think we need to work on a "Plan B".
We need to develop an approach comparable to that of the Gold Prospectors Association of American.
As I understand it, specified claims, either owned or leased by members and/or the association, are open
to all members of GPAA for prospecting.
I would be interested in hearing from any rockhounds who are also members of the GPAA, to learn more
about how that program works and how we might adapt it for use by rockhounds. Intially, the Federation
could utilize all the expertise of our members in this area to outline a course of action.
Our President, Lewis Elrod has developed an outstanding program of education and entertaiment for the
AFMS Show and Convention in Nashville in June. I hope you are making a serious effort to be there. See
you in Nashville.
Bill Burns, CFMS
May 1999
2nd Regional Vice-Pres.,
Shirley Greenberg, EFMLS
3rd Regional Vice-Pres.,
Ron Carman, SCFMS
Marvin Starbuck, MFMGS
Richard Glismann, NFMS
As Fifth Vice President of the AFMS, I am responsible to see that the Club Publications and the
Commemorative Stamps Committee are working toward their goals.
I talked to Kitty Starbuck, Club Publications Chair, just as she was leaving for the Midwest Show and
Convention. She assured me that she is receiving letters and is active in getting ready for the Editors
Awards Breakfast held in Nashville in July.
I thank Kitty and each Chairperson of each federation who work on this committee: Donna Mueller,
CFMS; Barbara Fenstermacher, EFMLS; Judy Budnik MFMGS (thanks to Judy for her letter telling of her
progress in Midwest Federation), Darlene Denton, NFMS; Pauline Price, RMFMS;Jean Wallace, SCFMS;
Leo Morris, SFMS.
I also talked to 82 year old Lillian Turner, chair of the Commemorative Stamp Committee. She is
recovering from open heart surgery, but is still going strong. She is not doing much letter writing but her
phone bill is like the National Debt. She and Wendell Mohr from the Eastern Federation are working
toward establishment of a set of Birthstone stamps as our next AFMS Commemorative Stamp offering.
She tells me that it takes at least eight years to get a stamp set into circulations.
My thanks to Lillian and the Chairpersons of each federation for their work. CFMS (no name has been
submitted); Wendell Mohr, EFMLS; MFMGS (no name has been submitted); Ben and Hermina Kolski,
NFMS (Thanks to Ben and Hermina for their support of the Birthstone stamps and for collecting canceled
stamps for NFMS cancer research project); Richard Dodrill, RMFMS; SCFMS (no name submitted); Jim
Robinson, SFMS.
Dan McLennan
May 1999
S.C.R.I.B.E.
Special Congress Representing Involved Bulletin
Editors
By Bill Luke, Editor, AFMS Newsletter and member of S.C.R.I.B.E.
This month, I am going to mention another organization that is not the AFMS, but all of its members are.
They are Editors of club bulletins, actively interested in improving the bulletins and providing help and
advise to all editors. Like ALAA, we sometimes have organizations that form because of common
interests and purpose.
S.C.R.I.B.E. has been in existence since 1981 so that Editors can get together and learn from and help
each other. Many of the Federation Club Publications/Bulletin Aids people have been the spark plugs
and leaders. Miles Smith, President of S.C.R.I.B.E. will be one of the featured speakers at the Editors’
Seminar at Nashville.
Why do I write about an organization that’s only of interest to Editors? Because everything you read in
your club bulletin or Federation newsletter is the product of the creativity of your Editor! You are
informed about your club activities and your rockhound hobby because a few people will put the time
and energy into creating bulletins. Therefore, it is not only for Editors, but for ALL interested
rockhounds.
Any club bulletin editor who is unaware of S.C.R.I.B.E. should get information from one of the officers.
(Listed in the committee column on page 9)
Also, see the Letter to the Editor on Page 5 for more that has had me busy this week.
Editor’s Column
By Bill Luke, Editor
Report on Delivery Dates: Thanks to all who have sent back data. It seems there is about two weeks
variation, so some will probably not receive theirs before the first of the month. I hope everyone can get
it before deadlines for club bulletins.
Web site, www.amfed.org: I have been getting good comments, and seeing items in bulletins from the
site. We’re developing an NFMS site; and, I’m hearing reports at meetings and reading in club bulletins
that many clubs are starting, already have, or are proposing sites.
Newsletter Content: It’s interesting how some random, separate inputs always tie together as each issue
May 1999
fills out. This month (this past week) it was receiving the SCRIBE bulletin, Lewis’ paragraph about the
content of the AFMS Newsletter, and the receipt of a letter that is included as a "Letter to the Editor".
These things tie in with the upcoming Editors Seminars at Hillsboro, Oregon (NFMS) and Nashville,
Tenn. (AFMS).
Letters to the Editor: This is something I was going to do sometime soon. However, now is the right time.
It will be a regular heading, every month. I will invite anyone to write on any issue. And, I will especially
invite responses. So long as things are kept reasonable, I believe this can produce some very good
exchanges of ideas.
Courtesy Bulletins: I’m receiving many bulletins
from clubs across the country. Many of them have a
summary of, or list of items in, the AFMS
Newsletter, and make the newsletter available to the
club. That’s good! Thanks to the Editors who send
to me. I may not be able to read everything in every
one, but I enjoy scanning them all. I recommend you
send to as many Federation officers as you can
afford. That way, they will find out what is going on
throughout their organization. Yes, you, the clubs,
are the Federation.
Bill
Editors’ Seminar at AFMS/SFMS Convention
in Nashville
By Leo Morris, Chair, AFMS Seminar Committee
As the time for the 1st combined AFMS/SFMS Convention in Nashville, TN approaches, we continue to
work on the schedule of events for the Editors' Seminar. Last issue of the AFMS Newsletter we gave you
a tentative list of volunteers who agreed to give a 15 minute presentation on various subjects related to
the art of editing and publishing bulletins.
A quick review of these presentations:
May 1999
Diane Dare (MWF/SFMS) - Differences between reports and articles. Diane is a former newsletter editor, she is
a judge for bulletin contests, Past President of the Midwest Federation and American Federation.
Carolyn Weinberger (EFMLS) - Bulletin layouts, primarily using a computer. Carolyn is Bulletin Editor for the
Eastern Federation and for her home club Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore, MD.
Shirley Leeson (CFMS) - How to give proper credit to authors (including material taken from Internet resources) Shirley edited the newsletter, The Pegmatite, for her home club, San Diego Mineral & Gem Society, for 20 years
as well as taking an active part in both the CFMS and AFMS activities.
Miles Smith (SCRIBE) - The role of SCRIBE in relation to Club and Federation newsletters. Miles is currently
President of SCRIBE. He is former editor of The Kentucky Agate, newsletter of his home club, The Capital City
Gem & Mineral Club.
Bill Luke (NFMS) - Purpose of the AFMS Newsletter, how he puts it together. He will also discuss the job he is
doing in publishing the AFMS Newsletter, and what goes into making a successful, readable newsletter. Bill is
currently AFMS Editor, and Past Editor of the Northwest Newsletter.
Ruby Lingelbach (RMFMS) - Judging bulletins - What judges look for in scoring bulletins. Ruby is currently
President of the RMFMS. She is also a newsletter editor.
Each of the above are judges for both Regional Federation and AFMS Bulletin Contests with many years of
experience. We are very fortunate to have such talent within the AFMS and I sure that their presentations will
prove very interesting and informative.
We are currently looking for someone who can talk about the role of web masters and bulletin editors as more
and more web sites spring up within the gem & mineral hobby. If you can identify someone to fill this role please
let Lewis Elrod, Bill Luke, or myself know who that person is.
Editors don't forget to bring a minimum of 50 copies of your newsletter to put on the swap table. Also, if you have
an item that you believe will make a good handout for the seminar, please send a good clean copy to either
Lewis or myself and we will see that sufficient copies are available for the seminar.
Don't forget the seminar is scheduled for 1:00 PM, Friday, July 9th at the Headquarters Hotel. Please let Lewis
know if you plan on attending.
There will be a question and answer period after each presentation.
Questions should be directed to President Lewis Elrod - 615-893-8270
(email: [email protected])
or, Seminar Chair, Leo Morris, 770-445-9274 (Email: [email protected])
Letter to the Editor
May 1999
Dear Editor;
The April Issue of the AFMS Newsletter arrived in my rural mailbox at noon today. It is in time to use in
my up coming May Rockhound Roundup. I have read every item in the paper and am answering your
editors column beginning at the bottom of page two and continued on page four. At this point you are
talking about judging club bulletins based on how much AFMS and in my case, EFMLS regional
information is carried across to the members!
First let me say that many months I would be happy to have anything to copy so I do not have to be
"creative" to fill the three sheet sides that I normally print. However the feed back I get from members is
that they are not interested in what the AFMS prints at all, or our own EFMLS very little. Most shows are
too far away for us to attend. Most descriptions of meetings do not apply to them personally and are
unimportant. What happens in the other five federations do not apply to our club!. Safety information
only applies to a few lapidary cutters or field trips to places we cannot even get to.
The names and addresses of federation officers are not needed by most of the members. Since our
EFMLS directory is only in the hands of two officers, the corrections are unimportant. The names and
studies of the scholarship recipients means nothing as we do not "know" any of them. The winners of
plaques or other awards never apply to our immediate area. We have never submitted a name for "Each
one teach one " or Rockhound Hall of Fame; nothing here is of interest to our club.
I am certain that at times there are things that must be reprinted, but mostly I find that the general
membership is not only not interested, but at times totally unhappy when I use space for what they
consider a waste of reading time.
Now talking for myself, I know many of the names, places, and values of what is printed and personally
enjoy reading both papers. Our club is now in it's 12th year, and has had only one show. (many years
ago) . Our total treasury is under $700.00! The biggest problem is that those of us that are Gung Ho
members are too old to do the physical work of either field trips or shows. Any one younger is insecure
about taking an active lead in the club. I recommend that you try to find something to put into the paper
that can be of use to a local club. I know that you are trying by your call for articles.
I hope that you do not think I am throwing cold water. On the contrary, I wish I could offer a better
solution to the problem. I do feel that forcing the use of local and National Federation materials to qualify
for points is not productive to entries in a bulletin competition. I have never entered as I do not have the
time to fill out the forms, prepare the extra copies, and also I have no access to any copy machines other
than this computer. Not a single item has been given me to print except for one year the president did
send a copy for 8 of the 12 months issues. "Prez Sez"
1 have racked my brain to prepare a continuing educational column about understanding how minerals
are formed and how to identify them. Almost any thing to fill out a small bulletin. To have something to
copy can only be a blessing.
I did send some things to the contest this year, however it was not properly prepared due to lack of time
and my physical problems. So I assume you will never see any of it. Thank you for taking on the
thankless job of editing the AFMS Newsletter. Good luck at getting outside input that is useful to other
editors.
May 1999
Respectfully,
(signed)
William F. Grimes
Editor for the Smokey Mountain Mineral Soc. Inc. Rockhound Roundup
Response from this Editor:
I have e-mailed Bill and received his permission to use this letter in the Editors’ Seminars and for a
source to address each of these issues. I also invited (challenged) his members to send something
"interesting". I will publish any article received in the next AFMS Newsletter!
Yes, Editors have to be "creative"! But – What to create?? Members who are not interested in what you
have done nor the things being reported do create a problem.
First, I’ll defend, or explain, why the uninteresting Federation information is, and always will be, the first
in importance of the content. The purpose of the AFMS Newsletter (and all Regional Newsletters and
club bulletins) is to publish the "business" of the organization to its members. That’s what Editors get
paid to do. I am kept very busy with inquiries about people in committee positions, their address, etc.
Many involved members do need to know the correct information.
Secondly, regarding the various lists of names of winners of plaques and awards, this Editor will always
put recognition at the top of the list of what should be in the AFMS Newsletter and the rockhound
bulletins.
And, finally, I will continue to develop the AFMS Newsletter to be a readable paper. I hope most of the
information is useful, if not interesting. Each of these items will be used in Editors’ Seminars and
discussions. I, too, will strive to put "interesting" items in for all rockhounds.
Bill
Loud and Clear
By George Loud, Chair, AFMS Cons. & Legislation
Unified Federal Policy on Fossils
Letters Still Needed!!
In my last column I reported that the 1999 Appropriations Bill for the Department of Interior directs:
The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with appropriate scientific, educational and commercial entities, should
develop a report assessing the need for a unified federal policy on the collection, storage and preservation of these
fossils... The committee encourages the Secretary to assess the need for standards that would maximize the
availability of fossils for scientific study. The committee expects the Secretary to submit the report to Congress no later
May 1999
than February 1, 1999. In addition, the report should evaluate the effectiveness of current methods for storing and
preserving fossils collected from public lands.
Forget the February 1, 1999 deadline. If you have already written your letter to Secretary Babbitt, you may have
received a response from William Y. Brown, Science Advisor to the Secretary, advising you that "the Department of
Interior will host a public meeting this Spring in Washington, D.C." On April 15, 1999 I telephoned Mr. Brown's office to
inquire about the promised public meeting. I was advised that "if" such a meeting is to be held, it will be scheduled for
sometime in June of this year.
If you have not yet done so please, please write: The Honorable Bruce Babbitt, United States Department of Interior,
Washington, D.C. 20240, to make your views on the subject a matter of public record. A sample letter was published
at page 11 of the March 1999 issue of this newsletter. Please also send copies of your letter to Senators Thomas A.
Daschle and Tim Johnson which may be addressed as follows:
Senator ______________
Senate Office Building
Given the vast acreage of federal lands only the amateur community has sufficient manpower to save any significant
portion of fossils as they are continuously exposed by weathering.
Proposed Consolidation of BLM Rules for Fossils & Petrified Wood
In my last column I also urged letters to the BLM regarding their "Notice of Proposed Rule Making" which would have
"consolidated" rules regarding the collecting of fossils with rules governing the collection of petrified wood. I have been
advised by BLM headquarters that they are no longer involved in the drafting of such rules and that responsibility for
the matter has been assumed by the Department of Interior. I do not expect any movement with regard to the drafting
of such rules until the mandated "Unified Federal Policy" statement has been completed (see above).
Collecting Etiquette
In a recent telephone conversation with the manager of a local quarry he informed me that his initial experience with a
club trip to his quarry was a "disaster" and, as a consequence, he will no longer allow clubs to collect in the quarry. He
described the club members as being "uncontrollable", an apparent reference to their refusal to heed his warnings to
stay away from the quarry walls. I am familiar with the quarry and I can attest to the fact that there are, indeed, some
very dangerous walls in that quarry. The quarry owner is a kindly gentlemen who was predisposed to cooperation with
collectors. But for his unfortunate experience with one club, other clubs might have enjoyed access to his quarry.
"Stay away from the walls" is an instruction almost universally given by local quarry operators in briefing collectors prior
to entry into their quarries. If quarry personnel, your field trip leader or his designate ask you to leave an area because
of what they perceive to be a danger, don't pause to contemplate the unfairness of life or for one last effort to pry
loose that cantleaverite, MOVE!
Please learn and obey the AFMS Code of Ethics. In particular, remember to fill in all excavation holes.
National Forest Roads
May 1999
Much has been written in this column and elsewhere regarding the "18-month moratorium" on road construction
adopted by the U.S. Forest Service. Part and parcel of this policy is the obliteration of countless existing roads. I
recently received an e-mail from Bob Cranston of ALAA which informed me that a group by the name of "Forest Service
Employees for Environmental Ethics" had recently sent e-mail messages to all 34,191 Forest Service employees urging
them to support establishment of new "roadless" areas within our National Forests which would lock-up additional
millions of acres. As requested by Bob I wrote Mr. Michael Dombeck, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service requesting equal
access to Forest Service employees. In response, I received a letter from Clyde Thompson, Deputy Chief for Business
Operations, advising me that their "Office of Communication" has been advised to post information received from me
on the Forest Service Intranet. Of course, any information submitted for posting will be screened to determine
compliance with the Hatch Act, etc. If anyone wishes to communicate with U.S. Forest Service employees by their
agency Intranet, please provide me with a brief statement of the information you wish to have posted and I will forward
it to the U.S. Forest Service Office of Communication.
Bob Cranston, Jon Spunaugle and others in ALAA continue to amaze me with the high energy level they bring to our
efforts. Every serious rockhound should be a member of ALAA.
Mining Law Reform
Efforts in Congress to change the 1872 Mining Law remain at an impasse. However, efforts by the Clinton
administration and environmentalists to attain their policy goals through the rule-making process, thereby making an
end run around Congress, are accelerating.
On one front, the Department of Interior has published draft regulations governing the surface mining of hard rock
minerals. This action was taken notwithstanding legislation forbidding revision of existing mining regulations for one
year pending completion of a study of federal and state regulations by the National Academy of Sciences. It is the
position of the DOI/BLM that the legislative prohibition does not forbid the writing of draft rules and the taking of
comments, so as to be in a position to issue final rules when the moratorium ends.
On another front environmentalists have filed a petition requesting the Department of Interior to change the test for
deciding the validity of mining claims and, on October 30, 1998 the Interior Department announced that Secretary
Babbitt would consider discarding the current test in favor of a "comparative values test." At the risk of
oversimplification, the "comparative values test" would compare the values of the minerals in a claim with such things
as aesthetic virtues of the land, whereas the current test for validity of a claim is whether or not a prudent man would
pursue the commercial potential of the claim.
AFMS SAFETY ARTICLE - MAY, 1999
ARE YOU READY FOR TROUBLE?
By Mel Albright, AFMS Safety Chair
Most of us cruise through life expecting no major health problems and getting none. But, fate has a way
of surprising us. Accidents happen, strokes come, heart attacks come, sudden changes happen, snakes
bite. And then we go or are taken to an emergency room to get help. When you get there, are you ready?
Ready? How? Well, there are some things you should carry at all times. Otherwise, the emergency
treatment may hurt you rather than help. What should you carry?
1. A list of all the medicines you take. This should include everything. Your regular prescriptions, of
course are part. List the medicine, it's strength, and the frequency you take it. Over the counter stuff
May 1999
should be listed, too. What vitamins do you take? What herbals? Anything you take regularly should be
listed - name, strength and frequency. Then there is the occasional stuff. Over the counter pain killers,
cold medicines, cough medicines, allergy pills, etc. should all be listed.
2. A short health summary. List whatever problem you might have. Sinus, heart, diabetes, allergies,
asthma - whatever. Remember, you may not be in shape to tell the doctors.
3. A list of who to contact if you are taken ill or hurt. Some hospitals either cannot or are reluctant to
treat you without your family being aware of what's going on. Names, addresses, phone numbers, and
relationships should be listed.
4. Your identification. Frequently, joggers and the like go out without identification. When they are
stricken, no one knows who they are or who to tell.
5. And, of course, your health insurance information. Surprise health problems are a shock to all of us.
We all like to pretend they won't happen to us. But they might! Don't make them worse by not being
prepared. And don't bet that you can remember all of the above information while worrying about your
health.
Each Club – Each Year – One Rockhound
The AFMS recognition program, EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND, is a continuous program
in which each club is allowed to recognize one member each year for their outstanding work as
rockhounds. Nominations can be submitted at any time during the year. THERE IS NO DEADLINE DATE.
Also, no waiting to see your nominee recognized. Nominations will be submitted for publication
throughout the year. I must have them in to the Newsletter Editor before the l0th of the month.
The AFMS Committee makes no distinction as to who is recognized and who is not. ALL names
submitted for recognition will be published in the AFMS NEWSLETTER. The only restriction is that each
club many submit only one nomination per year. For this program, married couples are considered as
"one". If a club submits a second nomination within a year, that nomination will be held and published
the next year.
Reasons for the nomination should be kept short and simple, 25 words or less. Please tell us the name
of the club, city and state where located and the individual sending the information.
Nominations should be sent to your Federation representative. We look forward to hearing from all our
AFMS Affiliated clubs.
The Committee are:
Chair: Bonnie Glismann,
4326 South 200 West Ogden, UT 84405 80l-392-7832
E-Mail: [email protected]
May 1999
CFMS: Colleen Mcgann,
2l26 Main St. #3, Santa Clara, CA 95050-3577 (home) (408) 247-5l65, (work) (800) 368-2879 ex. 2482
(NOTE CHANGE)
EFMLS: Duane Evans,
28 Ash Street, Portsmouth, RI 0287l
40l-683-9536
MFMGS: Donna Curtis,
696 Glenn Rd., Murphysboro, IL
62966-6056 (6l8) 457-5592
(NOTE CHANGE)
NFMS: Jean Brooks,
llll Archwood Dr. #24l, Olympia, WA
98502 306-352-2986
RMFMS: Mary Clough,
3065 Everett, Wichita, KS 672l7
3l6 943-l785
(NOTE CHANGE IN PHONE #)
SCFMS: Joyce Molina,
l39l8 Charcoal Lane, Farmers Branch, TX 75234-3642 972-243-4780
SFMS: Dee Conybear, 606 Timberland Drive, Lake Mary, FL 32746 (winter Address) 407-324-3846
RMFMS
Shoshone Rock Club, Powell, WY presents Mary Ann Northrup, member since 1951, past president and other
offices, 2nd grade geology field trip leader, N.W.C.C. rockhound class teacher, officer of WY State Mineral &
Gem Society, and 4 H leader. Her enthusiasm has brought in many new club members.
When the club announced Mary Ann's name for this honor at our last club meeting, one of our members stated,
"She should be rockhound of the century!" Her many accomplishments would probably fill two pages.
Thank you for this opportunity to honor worthy individuals.
CFMS
The Del-Air Rockhound Club is pleased to honor as its Rockhounds of the Year 1999 a youthful husband & wife
team, Michael Lawshe & Keri Dearborn. Keri's parents were our clubs' honorees of last year, and, having
grown up in the club, she has become an outstanding rockhound in her own right. She and Michael have served
in many positions as officers of the club, Keri earlier as president, and Michael currently as vice president. They
May 1999
have planned the youth activities for our club show for a number of years to where we have a good number of
Scout and other youth groups attending to take tours and to earn merit badges. They also spearhead the youth
activities at our monthly meetings which keeps our young members coming back for more. It is great having their
energetic "shot in the arm"!!
MFMGS
Maragaret E Kahrs: Nominees from Lawrence County Rock Club, Indiana
Her public service includes speaking at schools, guiding field trips for kids, instructing adult classes in fossils,
identifying fossils for museums and Universities. She has donated numerous fossils to schools and Universities
across the country.
Her personal achievements include organizing Paleontological Societies, finding new fossil species, recipient of
many awards from Paleontological Societies.
Exhibits
By Roy Deere
AFMS Uniform Rules Chair
Our convention and show in Nashville is approaching rapidly so it's time to give serious thought to
exhibiting a showcase. For your convenience the exhibit application form is printed elsewhere in this
newsletter. (Page 11) For all of you who plan to exhibit, "Fill out your entry form, double check your
materials, pack everything up and we'll see you in Nashville".
In case your memory is as bad as mine sometimes gets here are a few reminders. All judging for
competitive entries is based upon the latest edition of the AFMS Uniform Rules (available from your
regional supplies chairperson). Exhibits may be entered by individuals, families, juniors or societies.
Study the rules to make a real difference in your score.
Direct entry into the AFMS competition requires achievement of certification from a regional show.
(NOTE -- if your copy of the entry form is missing the direct entry certification statement, please add the
date and location of the regional show at which eligibility was obtained). If you are in doubt about
eligibility please consult Part III of the Uniform Rules.
You can earn AFMS eligibility through the SFMS competition. Since this is a combined AFMS/SFMS
convention and show the SFMS competition is open to all members of all regional federations.
See you in Nashville. Think Exhibits!!
AFMS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
HONORARY AWARD WINNERS FOR 1999
By Louellen Montgomery, President, AFMS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION, INC.
May 1999
The 1999 Honorary Award Winners for the AFMS Scholarship Foundation have been selected by their
respective regional federations. These Honorees have been chosen for their contributions to the Earth
Science field and to our hobby. Each one will assist in the selection of two graduate students who are
pursuing their advanced degrees in a branch of the Earth Sciences. The Foundation will then provide
scholarship grants for each student in the amount of $2,000.00 per year for the school years 1999-2000
and 2000-01.
A total of 181 individuals have been named for this Award from the AFMS Scholarship Foundation since
1965. Scholarship grants have been received by a total of 375 students from the Foundation.
The 1999 Honorary Award Winners are:
Dr. George R. Rossman, Professor of Mineralogy, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California Dr.
Rossman, a native of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, received his B.S. in Chemistry and mathematics from Wisconsin
State University, Eau Claire, and his Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena.
Widely known for his research in spectroscopic studies of minerals', he gives freely of his time to present
programs and talks on his research to many mineralogy clubs. These studies include problems relating to the
origin of color phenomena in minerals. For the past eighteen years he has been and remains an active
participant as a member of several professional organizations.
Eastern Federation:
Dr. Robert B. Cook, Jr., Professor and Head of the Department of Geology, Auburn University, Auburn,
Alabama Dr. Cook, received his B.S. in Mining Engineering at the Colorado School of mines, Golden, and his
M.S. and Ph.D. in Geology at the University of Georgia, Athens. In 1967 he received a scholarship grant from the
AFMS Scholarship Foundation, the third student to receive such a grant, selected by Paul Desautels, the
Honorary Award winner that year. The author of many papers and abstracts related to mineralogy- geochemistry
and mining, he also is an Executive Editor for Rocks and minerals magazine, writing articles for each issue as
the "Connoisseur's Choice". He has supervised many graduate students who were working on their advanced
degrees.
Midwest Federation:
Dr. Ernest H. Carlson, Associate Professor of Geology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio Dr. Carlson received
his B.S. degree at the University of Washington, Seattle; his M.S. at the University of Colorado, Boulder; and his
Ph.D. at McGill University, Montreal, Ouebec, Canada. He has been associated with Kent State University for
more than thirty years; is active in many professional organizations; and the author of many abstracts, papers,
and the book, "Minerals of Ohio". The faculty advisor of a student geology club at the University, he and his
students willingly provide exhibits and programs at many rock and mineral shows in Ohio.
Dr. Verner B. Tovrea, Professor of Geology, retired, Everett Community College, Everett, Washington. Dr.
Tovrea received his B.A. in Education from Western Washington University; his M.A. at Stanford University,
California; and his Ph.D. in Science Education at the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley. He started the
May 1999
Geology Department at Everett Community College, designing courses in Earth Sciences. He has planned many
specialized geology courses and led numerous field trips in the Pacific Northwest, to Mt. St. Helens, and the
Hawaiian Islands. A dedicated teacher, he retired after thirty-five years in the classroom.
James F. Hurlbut, AFMS Past President, Denver, Colorado. The name "Jim Hurlbut" is a familiar name to all
members of the American Federation as he has served as its president, as its Uniform Rules Chairman, and
currently is once again on the AFMS Uniform Rules Committee. He received his B.S. in Physics at the University
of Wisconsin, Madison, and his M.S. at Denver University, Colorado. His many accomplishments include twenty
years of teaching classes in Rocks and Minerals of Colorado for the Continuing Education Department of the
University of Colorado; a past president of the Rocky Mountain Federation and of local societies; an author , coauthor or contributor to many publications. As Research Associate in the Geology Department of the Denver
Museum of Natural History, he has presented papers at the International mineral museum Curators meetings in
Italy, Hungary, Canada, and England.
Dr. Thomas M. Lehman, Associate Professor of Geosciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas Dr.
Lehman received his B.S. in Geology at the University of New Mexico; both his M.A. and Ph.D. in Geological
Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. His research interests are in clastic sedimentology, stratigraphy,
depositional systems and paleontology. The author of many scientific papers, he also has presented numerous
abstracts at meetings of the Geological Society of America and other professional organizations. In addition to
his regular teaching of geology courses, he has supervised a number of graduate students working on their
advanced degrees. Currently, he is serving as Technical Editor for the Journal of Paleontology. An added
distinction, he has had a fossil amphibian named for him.
September 1999
A.F.M.S. Newsletter
Vol. 52 Issue 8
September, 1999
September 1999
Contents:
Each Club-Each Year-One Rockhound
From the Regional Directors
Where Can I find a Rock Club?
What Is, and Why Is, A Federation
Endowment Fund/Ways and Means Report on the Nashville Show
Bulletin Editors' Hall of Fame, 1999 Inductees
Commemorative Stamp Committee- Stamp Your Feet!
Safety Committee- Hazards from Organic Solvents
Loud and Clear
Bob Cranston, and Shirley - ALAA Executive Secretary 1992-1999
AFMS Code of Ethics - Revised for an omission and an addition.
Executive Officers' Reports:
President Elrod’s Message for September, 1999:
The 1999 AFMS and SFMS Conventions and gem show are now history. We had a wonderful time in Nashville. The local
club members got to meet many of you from over the country and were very impressed with you. Thank you for attending
and for all your cooperation with the conventions and the show. I look forward to seeing you again in Moab in the year
2000.
As some of you know there were some problems with the hotel this year. Massive personnel changes were made at nearly
the last minute. This caused problems and as we could not change hotels at the last minute we had to live with them. We
survived, and prospered, in spite of the problems. Thanks to all of you for your understanding and assistance through this
ordeal.
Charles Leach and Glenn Lee announced their retirement from the posts they have held for many years. Each of them was
given a plaque in Nashville to say a big “Thank You” for all their many hours of dedicated service over the years. They will
be missed but thankfully both have agreed to be advisors to the committees for the future. Their experience cannot be easily
replaced.
They raised over $1500 this year, for the Endowment Fund, by their efforts. This is an important part of our Federation as
the income from the fund is used to pay expenses such as the Program Awards Program where the top programs entered are
given an award and then duplicated and sent to the Regional Federations for the use of the member societies.
Charley has asked me to take charge of the Endowment Fund and I have agreed to do so. It will be a challenge, as Charley
cannot be matched, but I will do my best. As some of you know I have already begun working on it and have the tickets
ready for the year 2000 fund raising. These will be mailed to all AFMS and Regional Federation Endowment Committee
members in the near future.
We have the 2000 grand prize that will be given away at Moab in October. Cliff Jackson has donated an amethyst that he cut
for a pendant. It will be mounted and then, with a pair of earrings which Cliff is also donating, given as the grand prize.
September 1999
Now, we need two more prizes, for second and third prizes, to go with this. How about it? Would you like to make these
donations? The prizes will all be shown on our web site as soon as they are all ready. Think about it and let me know if you
would like to take part.
As we have the mail prize, and the tickets, now comes the good part. Selling the tickets. Have you ever considered that if
each club sells only ten tickets then we would have raised over $7,000? What is ten tickets? Bonnie Glismann sold 250
tickets in one night at a Northwest Federation meeting. Now she is an exceptional salesperson, I know, but any one of us
could sell many more than ten. Lets all get behind the effort this year and just see what we can do.
In January, on my birthday, an old and very dear friend of mine died. Jack Fishburn was a wonderful example of just what a
rockhound should be. Jack was talented and produced beautiful examples of stone cutting and silverwork. He was most
generous with the results of his work by giving away many pieces he had made. I have several bolas that he gave me and
treasure them highly. Jack was also generous with his time and efforts in teaching others more about the hobby that he loved
so much. More than one location has also benefited from donations of money or equipment that was needed to provide
students with tools to further follow in his footsteps. Thank you, Jack, for all you have done.
A few friends of Jacks have decided to pursue one of his dreams. Jack had long thought that the William Holland School
needed an elevator to allow disabled persons to attend and take part in the activities. We are raising funds to fulfill this
dream. As we have only begun we now have some $4,000.00 as a start. If you would like to make a donation we would be
glad to have you to take part in the program. As donations are made a record is kept and a plaque will be posted in the
elevator to show who has been honored by a donation in their name. Several persons have made donations in Jack's name as
well as some other persons. How about you? Would you like to honor some friend, rockhound or other person? Send
donations to “Friends of Jack Fishburn, P. O. Box 1256, Murfreesboro, TN 37133-1256.” You will receive an
acknowledgement of your donation and a receipt.
Next month is my last article as President. It has been a wonderful year and I look forward to working with your next
President, Dan Lingelbach, and all of the other officers and committee persons who make this, your Federation, work. See
you next month.
(Editor's Note: Dan had intended to have a report this month, but Ruby had surgery so Dan has other priorities. Best wishes
to Ruby.)
Bill Burns, CFMS
The AFMS Show and Convention in Nashville was interesting and informative. They had a state directors meeting to
explain what a director's duties are. We do not have state directors, but we do have club directors, and a workshop on their
duties might be good. We once had meetings for new directors, but maybe some of the seasoned directors need a little
encouragement, also.
As First Vice President, one of my duties was to help with the Juniors Committee. As the committee Chairs, Kathy and Bob
Miller, could not attend, I spent much time in the Junior Booth. It was busy, they had free coloring books, games, etc. More
teachers came by than children to pick up the material. That may be happening in California soon as the curriculum has been
changed to require the teaching of more earth science. At grade 1 - Earth is made of ? At grade 4 - Properties of rocks. And
grade 6 - Plate tectonics and volcanoes. These are areas where we can help the students- certainly invite these three grades
September 1999
of students to our shows.
Isabella was elected President Elect, was installed, and will take office on November 1, 1999; and will be installed as
President of AFMS in Moab, Utah in October of 2000. Dan Lingelbach, incoming President, challenged everyone to support
the AFMS in the millennium.
There was a meeting of the web masters and we were very proud of the input for the improvements of the systems offered
by our CFMS Web Master, Don Ogden. Isabella attended a very interesting meeting on insurance where they discussed
having the same company for all Federations. It could save us some money. Be sure to read your AFMS Newsletter and
check the AFMS Website at http://www.amfed.org for more information.
YOUR CLUB SHOULD RECEIVE THREE COPIES
OF THE AFMS NEWSLETTER.
I have to say a word or so about ALAA. They had a rousing meeting at Nashville. Our collecting areas are becoming less
available. First there was the struggle for us to be able to continue to collect invertebrate fossils. There are 20 bills before the
Senate and 16 bills before the House that can affect our hobby. With the Congress adjourning for the August recess we have
a chance to get some input to them on these bills. Public use of Public lands is being attacked. According to Audrey Hudson
in the Washington Times, there are bills that could "ban most public use of 5 million acres in six states."
A draft environmental impact statement (EIS) is being prepared by the Forest Service on the Piru Creek area and will be
published in October with a forty-five day comment period. Watch for more information and make your comments known.
Urgent!..
Support the ALAA, Renew your membership now!
Dan McLennan
(A letter to Dan with cc to Editor and President)
AFMS Central Office
Attention Dan McLennan
RE: memo in Feb. 99 Newsletter about late info on new officers...
It seems we all have the same problem of keeping mailing lists up to date. For instance: in our club, many or most members
are retired and away from time to time for varying lengths of time...and some ask the Post Office to hold their mail, while
others leave a forwarding address. It seems newsletters with "Return service requested" or "address correction requested" on
the front with the label come back to us. Of course, this is a problem between us (editors) and the Postal service and the
members.
As for the Regional Federation Directories not being current ... I know of one factor which is: clubs change officers in
different months, so if the CFMS, for instance, changes officers in January and publishes their directory then, our club's new
officers are not listed until the following year, and by then, they are or could be about to leave office. Our election is not
September 1999
until January, and so that information is not always sent to the CFMS the next day.
One would think that with all the wonderful time-savings of computers, that updating lists would be a matter of 'just'
changing a few names/entries each month, or in other words, a continual job, no matter the 'time-saving' devices.
As for not enough Federation coverage ... our copies of both the CFMS and AFMS newsletters are available to anyone who
wants to read them, and our newsletter does print the information-that is most pertinent to our members. We also have a
good Federation Director who reports at each meeting..
Our newsletter is not sent to each CFMS and each AFMS address each issue, but we take turns, and each address receives at
least three copies per year. This is a savings to our club, and is important.
Your suggestions are valid and have merit ... I just wanted to tell it from our perspective.
Sincerely,
(s)
Marge Blockley, Editor of Nodule Nocker NEWS. OF THE Boulder Gem Club
Federation: Midwest Club: Elgin Rock & Mineral Society Honoree: John and Wanda Bather
John and Wanda have been very active and dedicated members since the club's beginning in l962. They have held elected
offices and chaired numerous committees throughout the years, but what makes them special is that they always volunteer to
step in if something needs to be done. At the present time they are circulation expediters making sure our newsletters get
mailed each month, they set up for each monthly meeting, and Wanda Chairs our Gem & Mineral Show's publicity
committee. Wanda is the Club Historian. They are our club's first Rockhound couple of the year.
Federation: Southeast Club: Georgia Mineral Society, Inc.
Nominated by: Olin Banks, Georgia State Director- Person Nominated: Kim Cochran
Kim Cochran has been the Georgia Mineral Society President for five years and has spent several years as a museum
curator. Kim has presented numerous programs to other rock clubs in the area and at local schools. Her personality and
knowledge in the field of mineral identification has enhanced her ability to be a field trip leader of the society.
Correction: In the May, 1999, AFMS Newsletter (page 6) on Each Club-Each Year-One Rockhound, the SFMS
Representative to the committee should have been: David Tuttle, 994 Blackmon Road, Yulee FL 32097-4510 904-225-0689
Thanks to Rita Wienstein, SFMS Sec. for this correction.
September 1999
From the Regional
Directors:
The President's Message
By Sarah Lee Boyce, SFMS President
From Lodestar, August/September, 1999
NASHVILLE WAS A HIT! The gem and mineral show was something else. We had awards given out to winners from the
age of 12 and up. The competitive cases were awesome. The judges really had their work cut out for them. Congratulations
to all who entered cases, competitive or non-competitive. There were no losers, everyone was a winner!
Our many thanks to those of you who manned the information booth, gave seminars and demonstrations, etc. All of your
hard work was really appreciated. Many more people now know what the SFMS is all about and what a wonderful hobby
being a rockhound is. To the Middle Tennessee Gem and Mineral Society we give a big "HIP, HIP, HOORAY!" for being
so kind, gracious, and helpful as our host. Thanks Lewis, Marty and All!
There are still a few openings left at Wildacres in August and September. Give Ron and Anna a call and enjoy a week of fun
in the North Carolina mountains. The October workshop at William Holland also has openings. Jessie and Yates would just
love to place many more students for a fun-filled week in the Georgia mountains in October. The William Holland session
will be the last workshop for the SFMS in 1999, so ya'll come.
The last phase of the annual meeting will be held in Huntsville, Alabama the weekend of October 8 - 10 hosted by the
Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society. At this meeting we will elect new officers and decide on some constitutional changes
The show is directly across the street. The Huntsville show is one of the best and a good time should be had by all!
See you all in October. 'Til then keep cool!
TO SHOW OR NOT TO SHOW
By Ken Kruschke, CFMS President
From C.F.M.S. Newsletter, Vol. XXXVI, No. 4, April, 1999
Gem and Mineral Shows are a wonderful place to go. There is display case after display case showing off the best of
materials and talents. The disciplines of rockhounding are so varied you can't really predict what you will see at any show. It
could be fossils - not only of the Jurassic period dinosaurs but fossil plants, fish and animals much older than the Jurassic
period - and of course some much newer fossils.
Minerals always make for beautiful displays. Crystals of diamond, ruby, garnet and peridot to name a few. Some of the
important commercial ores have beautiful crystalline forms such as copper, iron, gold and silver. Cabochons, spheres and
bookends demonstrate the skills in lapidary. And of course the talents of the faceters and the creative talents of those who
carve stone and who create jewelry with silver, gold and gemstones. This is merely the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, of
what may be seen at a Gem and Mineral Show. If a person becomes interested in a particular area, there is probably a
September 1999
demonstrator at the show giving "how to" instructions in that area. At the show there are dealers to supply tools and
materials to pursue rockhounding. The rockhounds you meet at the shows are friendly and helpful
Now you say, "That's not new, I know that". We are all proud of our displays and like to show the public what rockhounding
is all about. There is a more important aspect of shows that sometimes we may loose sight of. Shows are the best
membership drive we have. Many surveys indicate that Gem and Mineral Shows are responsible for recruiting more new
members than any other activity we have.
It's a given that putting on a show requires a lot of time and effort and is expensive. Shows need a place to happen, they need
dealers, programs, demonstrators and displays. The displays are the real focal point of the show. They are what the rest of
the show is built around.
Shows almost without exception need more guest exhibitors. Some people think they have to wait to get an invitation to
show at a neighboring club. Not so. You don't have to wait .... look in the ROCK AND GEM or LAPIDARY JOURNAL
magazines under show dates and drop a line or call the show chairperson of any show you would like to show at and ask if
they could use another case.. You will be surprised how fast you will get a big welcome and an application.
If you are exhibiting at shows as a guest exhibitor, maybe you could add another show or two this year; or if you haven't
been a guest exhibitor at a show yet .... try it, you'll like it. We all need to work together as neighbors to make our shows
and rockhounding bigger and better. Our shows are the best Good Will Ambassadors we have, and of course the best source
of new rockhounds.
SCFMS PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE (Excerpts)
By Bill Patillo, SCFMS President
From SCFMS Newsletter, May-June, 1999
There is still talk about creating a National Carrier for the Insurance Programs that all of the Federations have. It will be an
item for discussion at the National Meeting in Nashville in July. In reading some of the other Federation Newsletters, they
have been looking at getting some accident insurance included with the third party insurance that they have in force now. Of
course, the members must pay the premium, but if the premium is low enough, then the insurance will be worth it. Will keep
you posted on the insurance program.
The SCFMS is experiencing growth. We are currently working with three or four clubs, who have shown an interest in
belonging to the SCFMS and AFMS. If you hear of a club who is contemplating on joining the Federation, please talk to the
members and explain the benefits of the Federation. Being a part of the AFMS is a very rewarding experience. The AFMS
and the SCFMS have many programs that can benefit any club as they try to build their membership and become a
functioning organization. Help your fellow club members as much as you can. You will be glad you did.
Attend a Club Show, if there is one near you. Visit with the other members of different clubs and find out what they are
doing in their clubs. You can obtain valuable information from talking to different club members and they might just like to
hear what you are doing in your local club. It is a two way street. Tell them what you are doing, so they can either avoid
doing the same thing or start doing what you are doing, to improve their club.
Write an article for your club's newsletter. All editors encourage their members to contribute to the newsletter of their club.
It gives you the opportunity to contribute to your publication and this is an avenue by which you can let your views be
known. Try it. I think you will receive the most reward.
September 1999
Remember the SCFMS Endowment Fund. It is still growing and it is now getting to the point where it can make some
contributions to the Federation. Honor one of your Club members, by making a donation in their name. It will surely be a
worthy investment.
SCFMS
Where Can I find a Rock Club?
By Verne Groves,
Cowtown Cutter, 5/99
1 have been asked this question many times by students, parents, and teachers. "Where can I find a Rock Club?"
We have a big problem. There are people out there wanting to visit or join a club but not knowing where to find one.
Most generally there are no listings in the yellow or white pages of the phone book or newspapers.
I have traveled to the cities of the U.S. and parts of the world, and found the same conditions. The problem is, "How do I
find your Rock club?" "When does it meet?"
Try going to an unfamiliar city and locate a rock club, without a federation directory or other rock related literature. I have
asked people in business, and on the street, most had never heard of one in that town, others had heard of a rock club but
didn't know where it was located or the name of a member.
I leave these questions to each individual club to answer to themselves.
Where do I find your club?
From Cowtown Cutter, 5/99
Via Gneiss Gnews, June, 1999
(Editor's note (I've asked the same thing.): Is there an answer to this question anywhere- in your town, county, area?? I
think not!)
What Is, and Why Is, A Federation?
By Lewis Elrod, President AFMS
Printed in Mid-Tenn Gem'ers, March 1998, updated 7/2/99
I am frequently asked “Why should our society even belong to a federation?” This is a good question and there is nothing
wrong with wondering about the benefits to being a member society of a regional and the national federation.
To begin to answer this question we must first decide just what a federation really is and why one should exist. After this is
decided then we can explore the benefits to a local society to being a member.
September 1999
Webster is a good starting point to determine the meaning of “federation”. We find that to “federate “ is “to unite in an
alliance” and a “federation” is “a union of organizations”. Thus the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies is a
union of the local clubs and societies in the Southeast States. The American Federation is a union of the seven regional
federations over the United States.
Just what are these “alliances” a union of? Why it is the individual members of all the local organizations. It is you and me!
We are the local societies, the regional federations and even the American Federation. Without us, there is nothing, no clubs,
no regionals and no American Federation.
Now that we have defined what a federation is we need to decide why one should exist. The reason is given in the Webster
definition of federation. It is an alliance. Our own society is an alliance of all of the individual members as the regional are
of the societies and the American is an alliance of the seven regional federations.
An alliance, again according to Webster, is “an association to further the common interests of the members”. Thus the local
societies exist to further the common interests of the members. The same reason stands for the existence of the regional and
national federations as they also exist for the purpose of promoting the common interests of the individual members.
At times we neglect this aspect of the matter and do not pay sufficient attention to the common needs. We are striving to
return to this and to provide more for each member. This is seen in the attention paid to the development of programs for the
use of the local societies, the expanded distribution of the newsletters of the federations and the efforts to get more members
involved in the activities of the federations.
One means to learn more, is to do more. Spend some time learning more about the federations, their working systems, etc.
and see what you can do to assist in the efforts of the officers who are, after all, your elected representatives. By assisting the
officers in the discharge of their duties you will also assist yourself and all other hobbyists in the pursuit of their interests.
You will also learn more about the hobby and the people involved and will make many new friends.
Now, we are getting down to the real reason for a federation. It is to provide a means for the communication with other
members of the hobby and a system of interaction with these persons over the country. The various bulletins published by
the societies and federations provide a valuable source of information about the hobby and the persons involved therein. By
making these bulletins available to the membership of a society the information will thus be shared by an ever growing
number of people. This provides an excellent opportunity for networking and exchanging information about collecting sites,
areas of interest such as museums and shops, areas of expertise and general strengthening of the hobby as a whole.
To wrap this up we now see that the societies, the regional federations and even the American Federation are just-US! This
means you, me, our next door neighbor who likes rocks, etc. All of the groups exist to serve the needs and interests of the
individual and all actions taken are with this end in mind. Look around and see what you can do. You can become a valuable
part of the federations and will find that you enjoy it while you are contributing and learning. Come on and join in. We
would love to have you with us.
Editor's Note: Lewis mentioned this article at the Directors' and Editors' seminars in Nashville and said to watch the next
AFMS Newsletter, that the Editor had the article- so, here it is.
There have been several other similar "Federation" articles in Vol. 52. We hope they are of some value to those who ask
why they should belong to this larger association of rockhounds. Club Presidents and Editors, all of whom should be
receiving the AFMS Newsletter, should share this information with all of your club members, and try to answer their
concerns and questions.
September 1999
ENDOWMENT FUND/WAYS AND MEANS REPORT
ON THE NASHVILLE SHOW
Charles Leach, Endowment Fund
Glenn Lee, Ways and Means
Our sincere thanks to all those who participated in the Endowment Fund drawing held at the combined Southeast-American
Federation Show in Nashville. This includes all those who donated items, who purchased tickets, who helped at the table,
and who sold tickets. A total of $1,675.85 was raised, including $845.00 from tickets for the beautiful amethyst ring donated
by Lewis Elrod. Again, we especially wish to thank our wives, Betty and Dorothy, for their work at the sales table, and
Bonnie Glismann for again leading the way selling tickets for the ring.
Following are the donated items, the donors, and the winners:
Amethyst Ring for the special drawing
Sterling Silver Bracelet
Coral from Johnston Island
Mineral Book
Fire Agate
Gold Filled Necklace
Smithsonite from Kelly Mine
Bola Tie
Amethyst Ring
Smoky Quartz Ring
Montana Agate Ring
Amethyst Ring
Ironwood Bola
Ammonite Pendant
Faceted Topaz
Brazillian Agate
Gold Filled Bracelet
Amber Earrings
Jade Necklace
Seal/Dolphin Book
Onyx Sphere
Amethyst Pendant
By Lewis Elrod, SFMS
By Marge Collins, MFMGS
By Agnes Hall, CFMS
By Fred Schaefermeyer, EFMLS
By Gene Potts, RMFMS
By Ruth Bailey, CFMS
By Howie Whiting, RMFMS
By Keesa Stewart, CFMS
By LeRoy Boutwell, EFMLS
By Lullene Slater, SFMS
By Louellen Montgomery, RMFMS
By Agnes Hall, CFMS
By Ruth Bailey, CFMS
By Marge Collins, MFMGS
By Terry Cirrincione, EFMLS
By Ken Kruschke, CFMS
By Isabella Burns, CFMS
Won by Sharon Bever
To Bonnie Glismann
To Terry Cirrincione
To Mary Jane Boutwell
To Patty Arnold
To Toby Cozens
To Deb Bryant
To Doris Kemp
To Mary Stinson
To Marge Collins
To Vickie Roberts
To Ruby Lingelbach
To Shirley Greenberg
To Louellen Montgomery
To Bill Basbagill
To Isabella Burns
To Joanne Long
To Paul Buff
To Johnnie Short
To Howie Whiting
To Bill Basbagill
To Anne Buckner
In addition, the Endowment Fund received a donation of $45.00 from the Rollin' Rock Club
from their auction.
This winds up our work with the Endowment Fund and we would like to thank all the members
who have assisted over the past sixteen years. Restricted funds now amount to $2.60 per AFMS
member. We hope that you will continue to support the Endowment Fund with donations,
memorials, or in any manner you choose.
September 1999
Sincerely,
Charles Leach & Glenn Lee
Bulletin Editor's
Hall of Fame
1999 Inductees
SFMS/AFMS Show at Nashville, TN
July 11, 1999
SOUTHEAST FEDERATION
RAY RICKARDS - Goldrush Ledger
Charlotte Gem & Mineral Club, Charlotte, N.C.
VERNON MEERDINK Mid-Tenn Gem'ers
Middle Tennessee Gem & Min Soc, Murfreesboro, TN
EASTERN FEDERATION
WILMA BONAR - The Coral Geode
Tampa Bay Mineral & Science Club, Tampa, FL
MIDWEST FEDERATION
DONNA CURTIS - SIES Club News
Southern Illinois Earth Science Club, Benton, IL
NANCY PIAZZA - Rock Pickings
Lakeshore Mineralogical & Lapidary Soc., Mentor, OH
ART REED - Crystal Cluster
Des Plaines Valley Geological Soc., Des Plains, IL
ROBERT MOUNT - The Opal
West Suburban Lapidary Club, Elmhurst, IL
SOUTH CENTRAL FEDERATION
MARY-RUTH RATHJEN - Stoney Statements
September 1999
Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Soc., Houston, TX
SISTER CLEMENT JOHNSON - Texas Faceters' Guild Newsletter
Texas Faceters' Guild, Houston, TX
ROCKY MOUNTAIN FEDERATION
JACK KELLEY - T-Town Rockhound,
Tulsa, OK
MARIANNE DeMOTT - Deming Rock Chips
Deming, N.M.
SUE KURTZ - Roamin Rams
Westminster, CO
NORTHWEST FEDERATION
JOHN DUNCAN - Pebble Pusher
Whidbey Pebble Pushers, Whidbey, WA
SUSAN GARDNER - Rocky Trails
North Seattle Lap & Min Club, Seattle, WA
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION
GEORGE GECY - Silver Wings 'n Rockhound Things
Edwards Gem & Mineral Society , Edwards, CA
(SCRIBE's 1st President)
ALBERTA HARE - The Tumbler
Marin Mineral Society, San Rafael, CA
KEESA STEWART - East Bay Nodule
East Bay Gem & Mineral Society, Oakland, CA
PAT LaRUE - Drywasher's Gazette
Valley Prospectors, San Bernardino, CA
and - Staurolite,
Orange Belt Mineralogical Soc., San Bernardino, CA
CANADIAN
HOWARD ALLEN - The A.P.S. Bulletin
The Alberta Paleontological Society, Calgary, Alberta
September 1999
STAMP YOUR FEET!
By Wendell C. Mohr,
COMMEMORATIVE STAMP COMMITTEE
Get excited and jump up and down and stamp your feet!
Have you and your society done your part to support our effort to encourage the USPS to issue stamps depicting the
birthstones? We must communicate. 50,000 members writing will be heard! We have heard from many clubs that have
carried out the campaign by enlisting members to send off their thoughts to the Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee. As an
example we would like to recognize the wonderful effort of the Southern Illinois Earth Science Club. They took the
initiative to print a full page request for members to send, printed on the USPS’s own “World of Dinosaurs” paper. That is
persuasive and should get some attention! If you have not yet helped our grass-roots campaign, re-read the article and
mailing form in the January, 1999, AFMS Newsletter and “Lets Get it On!”.
Your committee is widening its effort this year by enlisting support through e-mail, magazines, journals, and by direct
appeals to associations and gem trade organizations.
Collectors may be interested in a stamp issue, not the result of any activity of ours, commemorating the 1849 Gold Rush,
and issued on June 18th at Sacramento, California. The stamp depicts 49ers using a gold pan and a rocker in a stream of the
Western Sierra Nevadas. The hopeful miners trekked to California to “Strike it Rich”.
Help us to “Strike it Rich” by writing in support of gemstone stamps!
Below is a safety item from Peter Girardot for the AFMS Newsletter.
Submitted by Mel Albright
HAZARDS FROM
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
By Peter R. Girardot
A new study has found that women exposed to certain solvents during the first third of their pregnancy are thirteen times
more likely to have a baby with significant defects. They were also more likely to have miscarriages or have premature
babies or have babies with low birth weight and fetal distress.
Some of the solvents of concern are hydrocarbons, phenols, trichloroethylene, xylene, vinyl chloride and acetone. Of these,
acetone and alcohol in particular are likely to be found in rock shops.
A group of women who were not exposed were also studied as a control. These had an unusually low number of birth
defects in their children. The main researcher of the study feels that more study will be necessary to absolutely confirm the
findings.
Some of the occupations in which the women were working included graphic arts, painters and even a social worker. For
those of us in jewelry, lapidary and related arts, solvents are usually common and are occasionally used without knowledge
September 1999
of their toxic nature.
So that such solvents can continue to be used without hazard in the lapidary arts, proper venting is best. Failing that, a
charcoal filter mask would be wise.
Reference: Journal of the American Medical Society, 281, 1106 (1999)
Loud & Clear
By George Loud,
Conservation & Legislation
In the current year appropriation bill for the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Secretary of the Interior (Mr. Babbitt) was
given a mandate to assess "the need for a unified Federal Policy on the collection, storage, and preservation of ... fossils."
In connection with preparation of its report the DOI hosted a public hearing on June 21st at the U.S. Geological Survey
Headquarters in Reston, VA. The hearing was conducted before a panel including Dr. William Brown of the DOI (head
panelist) and representatives of the USGS, U.S. Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and Smithsonian. The Smithsonian and
USGS representatives appeared to be at least somewhat in agreement with the views I presented. My letter of July 13, 1999
to Dr. Brown, reproduced in part here, (Mr. Loud's letter is on Page 10) summarizes some of the opinions presented at the
hearing.
July 13, 1999
Dr. William Y. Brown
Science Advisor to the President
U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of the Secretary
1849 C Street, N.W.
Re: Fossil Collection, Storage & Preservation
Report Requested in 1999 DOI Appropriation Bill
Dear Dr. Brown:
I am writing to respond to several of the statements made at the public hearing and to present my comments on
several statements I find within the May 1999 Background Paper which was distributed at the June 21st hearing.
In the remarks which follow I will repeatedly refer to the 1987 report of the National Research Council entitled
"Paleontological Collecting" (hereinafter "NRC Report").
May 1999 Background Paper
The May 1999 Background Paper which was made available at the June 21st hearing contains much useful
information and will undoubtedly find considerable use as a reference. However, I believe that several
statements made therein should not go unchallenged.
September 1999
"All fossils are relatively rare, but some types are much rarer than others." (Page 2 of the Background Paper).
Relative to what? The NRC Report states "Fossils are not rare" (page 13).
Based on my personal experience, I regard fossils as "relatively" common. Fossil shell casts were common in the
parking lot gravel at the school I attended grades 1-8. Near my present home, fossils are abundant and easily
collected along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Limestone, the dominant rock type exposed throughout much
of the Midwest of this country, is often essentially a mass of fossils.
"The DOI has long recognized the absolute rarity and scientific importance of vertebrate fossils." (Page 3 of the
Background Paper).
I challenge anyone who believes in the absolute rarity and scientific importance of vertebrate fossils to examine
the vertebrate specimens which I brought to the hearing of June 21st and tell me that those specimens are of
such scientific importance that they would justify curation and storage at taxpayer expense. The specimens I
showed at the hearing included a stream-worn cobble of agatized bone and sharks' teeth from Crow Creek,
Crowley's Ridge, Forest City, Arkansas and a fossil whalebone section and sharks' teeth from Westmoreland
(Commonwealth of Virginia) State Park. At the latter location erosion by the Potomac River is continuously
exposing fossil whalebone and sharks teeth. If federal land, the logical consequence of the stated DOI policy
would mandate the collection, curation and storage of each fossil whalebone fragment exposed along the
Potomac shoreline. The idea that all such bone fragments should be collected and stored at taxpayer expense is
ludicrous.
The 1987 NRC Report gives several examples of vertebrate fossils having little or no value to science. At page
18 the report stated "Finding another Pleistocene bison bone in Idaho or another Carboniferous fern leaf in
Illinois adds little to palentologic knowledge." The report also notes that not even dinosaur bones are necessarily
of any scientific value. At page 15 the report states: The rarity of a particular kind of fossil depends very much on
what one means by the words "particular kind." For example, dinosaur bone fragments are a common
constituent of many stream deposits of Mesozoic age; they are found on all continents and occur in rocks
spanning more than 100,000 years of geologic time. In many collecting areas, finding dinosaur bone fragments
or even complete bones is not unusual or especially noteworthy .
Parenthetically, you asked that Marion Zenker cite instances of fossils which disintegrate rapidly upon exposure
by erosion. The aforementioned collecting site in Westmoreland State Park represents an extreme example. One
can literally watch the bones breakup as waves from the Potomac lap over them. The premise of current DOI
policy, i.e. that all vertebrate fossils are inherently valuable, like these fossils, crumbles in the field.
The Presentations at the Public Hearing June 21 1999:
a. The Typical Collecting Experience in Context
Several of the presentations were misleading to the extent that they placed fossil collecting in the extremely
unusual context of the "quarrying" of an articulated vertebrate skeleton. Such a find would be a rare fossil
collecting experience. To put all of fossil collecting, or even all of vertebrate fossil collecting, in such a context is
analogous to a characterization of the entire American culture based on a study of one small neighborhood in the
Bronx.
A DOI policy regarding the collecting of vertebrate fossils based on a very atypical collecting experience is a poor
policy. Sites found to contain fossils, vertebrate or invertebrate, of particular scientific importance can best be
protected by site-specific regulation.
b. Fossils are a Non-Renewable Resource
September 1999
The 1987 NRC Report addressed this issue at length and reached a conclusion totally at odds with such a
characterization of fossil "resources". The following statements are representative:
1) Renewability of fossils. Fossil-collecting sites are typically "renewed" by the normal forces of erosion and
weathering and by preparation of entombed specimens in the laboratory. To call fossils "nonrenewable" may be
technically true, but in a practical sense, it is false for most species.
In the example represented by the fossil deposits exposed on the shore of the Potomac River in Westmoreland
State Park, the fossil supply could be "exhausted" only if the Potomac River were to erode away a substantial
portion of Tidewater Virginia.
c. Documentation of Localities and Geological Settings of Fossil Specimens
One statement made at the public hearing of June 21st characterized a fossil lacking documentation as a "mere
object of curiosity." Another characterized a fossil without such documentation as analogous to "a page torn out
of a book."
I suspect that most fossils donated to museums by amateurs include at least a location which would allow
determination of the geologic setting. Serious collectors of rocks, minerals and fossils are careful to label
specimens, at least with regard to locality.
I recognize the scientific value of field data and documentation of fossil specimens and I certainly agree with the
speakers who made the statements quoted above to the extent that, absent such documentation, the scientific
value of a specimen is diminished. However, to go further and assert that a fossil lacking such documentation is
totally worthless is, to put it most charitably, inaccurate.
Much scientific knowledge regarding extinct vertebrate species is obtained through study of the skeleton itself.
For example, the June 1999 issue of National Geographic describes studies of the infamous skeletal remains of
a Tyrannosaurus Rex known as "Sue". The studies described in the National Geographic article included
examination of the bones for signs of infection and trauma and scans of the skull using computed tomography.
Yours truly,
George A. Loud
Chair, Conservation and Legislation Committee
American Federation of Mineralogical Societies
9709 Layminster Lane
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 739-9393 (703) 739-9391 (Facsimile)
(Please read this carefully and completely. It may be long, but it is a condensed version that George sent for the
newsletter. Ask George for the complete letter if you would like to be counted in the numbers who represent our
interests!)
Bob Cranston, and Shirley
ALAA Executive Secretary 1992-1999
The ALAA is Bob Cranston. The ALAA will not be the same without Bob Cranston.
September 1999
Let me tell you a story. When the ALAA was formed at the AFMS Convention in Brunswick, Ohio in the summer of 1992,
it elected a Board of Directors, a President and a Treasurer. However, no one at the initial meetings was willing to take the
position of Executive Secretary. So it was left up to the Directors and the President to find someone to fill that Office. One
Director suggested contacting a person from the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies. This person lived
in western Colorado and was both an activist and a willing worker and believed in the purpose of the ALAA.
Upon arriving home from the meetings in Ohio, the President called this gentlemen and asked if he would be interested in
being the Secretary of an organization he had never heard of, offered by a person he had never talked to, or even knew of.
Unbelievably, without anything to go on except the conversation on the phone, he accepted the job, saying he was just
finishing up as Secretary of an organization located in western Colorado and had the time as long as it was not a "full time
job". Talk about a person with faith in a voice on the other end of the phone! His name was Bob Cranston.
Not only has Bob been an outstanding member of the ALAA Officer corps, but he has been the primary builder of this
Organization. Among his first duties (mind you without ever meeting any of the other Directors or Officers of the ALAA),
he was asked to represent the ALAA at a meeting of interested parties on fossil collecting in Washington DC. The meeting
was sponsored by a national museum group. He was exemplary in his representation with only a conference call with the
Directors to bring him up-to-speed on the subject and the amateur point of view. Talk about a "quick study".
Bob was called upon to assist the ALAA in getting into the "Computer Era". The ALAA bought him a computer and said
"Here Bob, go for it". Bob had some previous computer experience in his occupation with the phone company but a "PC"
was something altogether new. He not only mastered it, but has been in the forefront of bringing the ALAA. and the hobby
community into the Computer Age.
The ALAA was invited to have a booth/table at various meetings and shows including the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show in
February. Bob has "carried" this effort, mostly by himself with the help of his delightful wife, Shirley. He maintains the
ALAA membership lists. He composes and puts up the ALAA Electronic Newsletter on the INTERNET. He has published
and mailed numerous newsletter editions. He has conducted the ALAA's correspondence both by snail-mail and e-mail. He
has been the recipient of thousands of pieces of correspondence, forwarding the important ones on to others. He, and
Shirley, have attended all the ALAA annual meetings and reported on each. Frankly, what hasn't he done? Bob has been "the
ALAA". And all this while battling a long standing health problem, including open heart surgery. Ladies and Gentlemen,
what more could we have asked of him. Money? Well, let me tell you about the bills for supplies and travel costs. He simply
turns back the payments to the ALAA Treasury. Bob has been an outstanding Executive Secretary. He will not be easily
replaced.
Bob has requested to be allowed to retire from this position this year. Frankly, I do not know how we will continue without
he and Shirley. The ALAA and the "Rockhound" Community need to give Bob and Shirley Cranston a rousing "THANK
YOU" and best wishes from us all. His contributions to the hobby have been significant beyond measure. So, for myself and
"rockhounds" nationwide, THANKS BOB!
Jon Spunaugle, President, July 1999
From ALAA Newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 4
AFMS Code of Ethics
Please note "I will cause no willful damage …" on The Back Page.
September 1999
There was one error as published in recent issues of the AFMS Newsletter (willful was omitted); and there
is an addition that was presented from the NFMS this year and approved at the AFMS Annual Meeting in
Nashville, July 7, 1999.
All Editors, Presidents, etc. should bring this to everyone's attention and use only this latest copy!!!
AFMS CODE OF ETHICS
I will respect both private and public property and will do no collecting on privately owned land without
permission from the owner.
I will keep informed on all laws, regulations and rules governing collecting on private lands and will
observe them.
I will to the best of my ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on which I plan to collect.
I will use no firearms or blasting materials in collecting areas.
I will cause no willful damage to property of any kind, such as fences, signs, buildings, etc.
I will leave all gates as found.
I will build fires only in designated or safe places and will be certain they are completely extinguished
before leaving the area.
I will discard no burning materials - - matches, cigarettes, etc.
I will fill all excavation holes which may be dangerous to livestock.
I will not contaminate wells, creeks, or other water supplies.
I will cause no willful damage to collecting material and will take home only what I can reasonably use.
I will practice conservation and undertake to utilize fully and well the materials I have collected and will
recycle my surplus for the pleasure and benefit of others.
I will support the Rockhound Project H.E.L.P. (Help Eliminate Litter Please) and will leave all collecting
areas devoid of litter, regardless of how found.
I will cooperate with Field Trip Leaders and those in designated authority in all collecting areas.
September 1999
I will report to my Club or Federation Officers, Bureau of Land Management, or other proper authorities,
any deposit of petrified wood or other material on public lands which should be protected for the
enjoyment of future generations and for public educational and scientific purposes.
I will appreciate and protect our heritage of Natural Resources.
I will observe the "Golden Rule", will use Good Outdoor Manners and will at all times conduct myself in a
manner which will add to the stature and Public Image of Rockhounds everywhere.
October 1999
A.F.M.S. Newsletter
Vol. 52 Issue 9
October, 1999
October 1999
Contents:
ALAA Seventh Annual Meeting
Safety Committee - "Sawing Away"
From the Regional Directors
Each club - Each Year - One Rockhound
Competitive Exhibit Trophy Winners
Bulletin Editors Awards 1999
Poem - Wyoming Cycad
Article - The Magic Rock Club
President Elrod’s Message for October, 1999:
Last month I made mention of the problems with the motel in Nashville. Since then I have attended the Eastern Federation
convention and was charged for three nights when I was only there for one night. Guess it pays to really check out the
charges on your charge cards when the bills arrive. I do not, as yet, have this corrected but will stay at it until they give a
proper credit.
The Endowment Fund for the AFMS is now my primary concern. I still need two more prizes for this year. I am anxious to
get these in order to place photos on our web site. Tickets are available but will not be mailed out until we have the three
prizes for advertisement. Look around, you may just have the ideal item for this.
The fund raising for the elevator at William Holland is still in progress. I have just obtained some information on an elevator
that looks like it may be just the thing for us. It will hold a wheel chair and an extra person or two with ease. We will visit
the school in the near future to take some measurements and make plans.
Speaking of plans. It appears that I will now have some time to do some of this. As I write I am sitting with my right foot
elevated to ease the pain a little. A few days ago I had an accident, with a ladder, and seem to have broken the heel bone into
four pieces. The doctor says I should be out of the cast and boot by Christmas. This is a real bummer but it is not going to
prevent me from going to California in October and to Tucson in November. It will also not stop me from going to Boston to
see Morgan Alexander Elrod-Erickson, my first grandchild who was born September 22. Now that is a trip I am looking
forward to.
This year we invited the Forest Service and the BLM to our show and convention. It turned out to be a good move. The
representatives enjoyed the meeting and the show and I have been invited to attend the annual Forest Service meeting in St.
Louis, MO as a result. I did attend and next month will have an article about this with a few photos. The Forest Service is
also working on a variety of educational items at this time. I helped “critique” a new poster they are developing. It is
dinosaurs and will be available for us to get for presentations to schools in our areas. When it is available information will
be published on where and how to obtain these. I am also researching other resources that may be available to us.
October 1999
At the Forest Service convention I learned of a National Science Week that is being sponsored this year. I am most
interested in this and will have a proposal for the Board at the Moab meeting to take part in this annual event. We are
naturals to go to the schools and assist the teachers in their presentations of the Earth Sciences to the children. This is an
enjoyable part of the hobby and one that I always look forward to. The information, which will be provided to us, will give
some structure to our programs and the provided posters will add interest.
This is the last article I will write as your President. I wish to thank you for your support over the last year and look forward
to meeting even more of you in the years ahead. I will see some of you in Tucson and more in Moab in 2000. Please provide
incoming President, Dan Lingelbach, with the same support and encouragement you have provided to me. He is a wonderful
person who will work hard to carry out the programs of the Federation.
See you on the rock pile.
IN CASE YOU DIDN’T NOTICE
This being the newsletter which ends the official AFMS year, I think it is appropriate that we recognize some of the
accomplishment of our President, Lewis Elrod. This is not to detract from the work of all the other Federation Officers and
Committee Chairs but to recognize that significant things were accomplished through the effort and enthusiasm of Lewis.
One task, not readily evident by the members, was the Officer and Committee Listing. Here Lewis integrated the committee
OP instructions for that committee with the member listing, into one convenient location. This is a great help to those
involved in the operation of the AFMS and a task that took considerable effort to update. Accurate committee member lists
are difficult to keep up to date.
Even though an AFMS Web page was established earlier, Lewis pushed to have that expanded and selected a Webmaster
and committee to help accomplish it. In addition he has stressed that all Regional Federations set up Web pages. Also, he
has proposed that, through the AFMS Webmaster, the AFMS provide access to the Web for all Regional Federations at a
minimum cost.
Because of changing conditions, his proposed China rock connection process had to be postponed. However, the expansion
of the AFMS History project, which includes having binders containing photos, past officers, etc., is still gaining
momentum. Hopefully, by the time of the AFMS Convention in 2000, some of these history binders will be on display.
As reported by the AFMS Insurance Committee in Nashville, work is progressing on investigating the possibility of having
an AFMS Liability Insurance Program that would cover all clubs and Federations, at a reduced rate.
The biggest task that Lewis accomplished was the AFMS Show and Convention in Nashville in July. Lewis inherited this
job as about 3 months before the show, his Show Chairman had to have surgery and treatment so he was unable to be fully
involved. This change became evident early on, as responses to show registrations and exhibit applications were all coming
from a Murfreesboro address. Having to handle this along with the President’s job and his work, was a monumental task.
However, all of the Show and Convention activities were executed in fine order. For those of us who have been show
chairman know, this was not accomplished without a lot of behind the scenes hard work to keep things running smoothly.
That is where the work can be really demanding and tiring.
October 1999
This year the convention had some extra activities. These were: a meeting of the Insurance Committee, a meeting of the
Webmasters from Regional Federations attending and a Directors Seminar. As far as I know, this is the first year to have
these included in the AFMS Convention, which was a welcome addition. There was also an expanded Editors’ Seminar in
addition to and at a different time from the Editors’ Breakfast. These were initiated by Lewis and carried out by other
volunteers. All of these were in addition to the usual interesting show and convention activities, also, arranged by Lewis.
Hopefully, more detailed reports will be given on these events in this and other issues of the newsletter. However, I have
mentioned these here to show some of the extent of Lewis’ work in the Show and Convention. Lewis is to be commended
for performing work beyond the call of duty. It takes people like Lewis and other volunteers to keep this Federation moving
forward, so that all can enjoy this hobby.
ALAA
By Bob Cranston,
Past Secretary
SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING
NASHVILLE, TN.
JULY 9-11, 1999
ALAA SECRETARIAL REPORT
1998-1999
This is expected to be my final report as the Executive Secretary of the American Lands Access Associations, Inc. Rest
assured however, it is not intended to be the end of our contributions to this cause. Shirley and I have been privileged to
travel to many areas of the country that previously did not hold the interest for us that they do now.
Our last meeting was held in Houghton, MI and what a delightful location that turned out to be. After that we continued on
the trek and did a show in Denver and that is always an enjoyable experience. During the year we saw Jim Hurlbut take over
as VP and Howie Whiting and Dean Stone came on board as Directors.
The year since the last ALAA Annual Meeting has passed swiftly. Of course that year was only about eleven months long.
The next year will be several months longer since we will be meeting in Moab, Utah in October of 2,000.
Many things have taken place during the past year. George Loud will cover some of those with his report on the Collection,
Storage, Preservation and Scientific Study of Fossils from Federal and Indian Lands.
Also during the year the subject of the Wildlands Project was called to our attention. To many it was not something to be
worried about because it seemed such an improbable if not preposterous suggestion. Just a short explanation for those who
are not aware: This project would involve 50% or more of the land mass in the United States. The premise is that most if not
all of the Wilderness Areas would automatically become Wildlands Project. Also most of the major rivers in the nation
would have a portion of land on each side of the river which would be designated. For instance the Mississippi River
Heritage Corridor was projected as having one county wide on each side of the mighty Miss. For a distance of 2,500 miles!
Plus each of the five major tributaries to the Mississippi. We have a good start on this project with the designation of 14
rivers in the nation which have become American Heritage Rivers and at least ten more to be designated each year for the
next ten years.
October 1999
Now, also during the past year we have had legislation introduced which we must watch carefully. For instance we have
seen S. 25 Senate Bill which is titled Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999. This Bill has a companion from the
House side, which is H.R. 701. Both of these bills would allocate (with no further congressional approval) up to one billion
dollars annually for the next fifteen years dedicated to the acquisition of federally and State managed lands. The description
reads: To provide Coastal Impact ASSISTANCE TO State and Local governments, to amend the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act Amendments of 1978, the Land and Water Conservation Fund of 1965, the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery
Act, and the Federal Aid in Wildlife restoration Act (commonly referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Act, to establish a fund
to meet the outdoor conservation and recreation needs of the American people, and other purposes.
At the present time it has been estimated that more than 3,000 hunting, fishing and sportsmen's groups are behind this
handout of many billion of dollars. It will virtually eliminate inholders- that is people who are land owners of property
inside of both USFS managed lands and those with property inside BLM (Bureau of Land Management) managed lands.
WHAT HAS THIS TO DO WITH ROCKHOUNDS?
It has this to do with Rockhounds. On all of the Wildlands designated lands, there will be no HUMAN ACCESS! There will
be NO REMOVAL OF NATURAL RESOURCES!
That is just one of many issues that has been occupying the time and efforts of this secretary.
Each week I receive anywhere from 300-450 e-mail messages. Most of those deal with this type of issue. Most of them I
review and if they do not directly affect the rockhound hobby, I delete them.
When we did the Tucson show in February of 1999, we came home to find only about 450 messages. I thought my computer
had gone down. Last year we did ten shows around the country. This year because of health reasons we will only do 4-5. We
turned down three for the month of July alone.
My records show that we are dealing with about 780 individuals who either are or have been members that we communicate
with on a quarterly basis.. We also have some 750-775 Clubs who are members of the AFMS that we contact periodically.
The problem we have is that which faces every editor, and that is, we hardly ever get changes of address from those who
move and so we lose contact with them. I also try to put out a monthly Electronic Newsletter. You would be surprised at the
number of people who drop one ISP and take on another and never leave us a forwarding e-mail address.
Another project we have is to try to get people to write letters to their legislators. We MUST COMMUNICATE with them if
we expect them to do our will. No matter how bright you may believe your Senator or Congressman to be, they are NOT
mind readers. You must communicate with them. If you have a e-mail, that is a great and quick way to do the job. At any
rate communicate! Even if you only write a post card, it helps.
On the Roadless question during the past quarter, the Sierra Club wrote over 200,000 post cards alone. How many did we
send in. I only know about myself and I sent in several to different people. Did You?
SAWING AWAY - SAFELY?
By Mel Albright, AFMS Safety Chairman
One major part of rockhounding is the use of diamond saws. Everyone likes to be safe, but many are unsure what to use as
coolant in the saw.
October 1999
Rule 1 - Use only mineral oils designed for such saws. Many people substitute anything oily for regular saw oil. Almost
none of them are designed to be used as coolants in a diamond saw. So, most do a poor job compared to proper oils. What
are the problems?
THE MOST DANGEROUS PRACTICE - Use of anti-freeze (ethylene glycol). - BAD IDEA!! The best I can do is quote
the MSDA (Material Safety Data Sheet) for this material. "WARNING! HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED.
HARMFUL IF INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN REACTION. MAY
CAUSE IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES, AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. AFFECTS CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM."
"Lab Protective Equipment required: GOGGLES; LAB COAT; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES"
"Possible Health Effects of using anti-freeze for saw oilExposure by Inhalation - such as the mists formed by saw operation: - Vapor inhalation is
generally not a problem unless heated or misted. Exposure to vapors over an extended
time period has caused throat irritation and headache. May cause nausea, vomiting,
dizziness and drowsiness. Pulmonary edema and central nervous system depression may
also develop. When heated or misted, has produced rapid, involuntary eye movement and
coma.
Exposure by Ingestion: - Initial symptoms in massive dosage parallel alcohol intoxication,
progressing to central nervous system depression, vomiting, headache, rapid respiratory
and heart rate, lowered blood pressure, stupor, collapse, and unconsciousness with
convulsions. Death from
respiratory arrest or cardiovascular collapse may follow. Lethal dose in humans: 100 ml (34 ounces).
Exposure by Skin Contact: - Minor skin irritation and penetration may occur.
Exposure by Eye Contact: - Splashes may cause irritation, pain, and eye damage.
Chronic Exposure from continued use as in rock saw operation: - Repeated small
exposures by any route can cause severe kidney problems. Brain damage may also
occur. Skin allergy can develop. May damage the developing fetus.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: - Persons with pre-existing skin disorders, eye
problems, or impaired liver, kidney, or respiratory function may be more susceptible to the
effects of this substance. HOW about methanol (temporary anti-freeze)? Use this only if
you like fires. It is highly flammable."
Rule 2 - Use oils that won't burn readily. No one wants a fire in their rock saw or the room where
the saw is located. But, the use of lower boiling materials can cause fires. The FLASH POINT is
the temperature at which mixtures with air will ignite. The saving grace is that the fuel must be
between a lower limit (typically about 1.5% by volume) and an upper limit (typically about 12% by
volume) The bad news is that the saw action will create the proper ratio somewhere. So, choose
an oil with a flash point above 215F or higher if possible.
The AUTO-IGNITION temperature is the temperature at which the oil will start decomposing
October 1999
(burning) on its own with no outside flame around. This needs to be very high - 500F or more if
possible. Then, if you get a stuck saw blade while running, the heat generated won't get hot
enough to start a fire.
RULE 3 - Use oils designed for diamond cutting. Machine cutting oils, motor oils, transmission
oils, brake oils, water emulsions and the like will not do. They all contain additives that cause the
saw to get hotter than it should. Straight mineral oils are the best to use. Texaco sells "Almag"®,
Shell sells "Pella"®. Other manufacturers make similar materials. Try your local distributor. In
many places, there are small oil companies that "compound" oils for special users. These places
often have pure mineral oils as bases for their other products. Trying to buy 5 gallons instead of
55 gallons is usually the big hurdle. So, keep trying.
Reference: J. T. Baker Chemical Company Internet MSDS files. (Such files are required to be
distributed from the manufacturers of chemicals by the EPA.)
News From the Regional Federations:
CFMS
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
By Ken Kruschke, CFMS President
From CFMS Newsletter, Vol. XXXVI, No. 8, Sept., 1999
Much has been written about the declining membership in rock clubs. Many surveys point out the best source of new
members is through Rock and Gem shows. These shows are the source of money for Rock Clubs to do their beneficial
projects. Rock shows are becoming more expensive to produce. The rock shows are necessary for the clubs to continue to
function, as we know them. We have great shows featuring the best exhibits, dealers and demonstrators. We need more
members and revenue. How can we do this?
If a manufacturer develops and produces a new and improved Widget, how do they make a profit? With sales of their
Widget. No sales are made if no one knows about the product. What happens now? It's called advertising. Advertising
makes people aware of new products and creates a "need" or "want" in the minds of the public. Advertising happens in
many ways.... word of mouth, handouts, posters, billboards, newspapers, magazines, radio and TV. Many of the advertisers
target specific areas such as age, geographic and economic groups. We, the purchasers of advertising time or space, need to
know what areas to aim our ads at and if the advertiser we are negotiating with meets our needs. We need greater
attendance. To improve the bottom line, which is most likely to come to our shows. We need to be sure to target those in the
30, 40, and 50 something age group. They are the prime group for new members. Also, they should be in a radius of an hour
or less driving time to the show.
The "Freebies" such as Show Dates, Community Events, etc. in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV should be used. In
most cases the end result of this type of ad is generally not a big help.
October 1999
The recognition level by the general public of the CFMS and what we stand for and what we do is very low. This is also true
for many of the member clubs in their own communities. Our image doesn't seem to be in evidence. Many Rock Clubs are
so hard to find in their communities that they are really "invisible". We do need a big dose of Public Relations.
I have asked many questions from the observations I have made. We (rock clubs) need help to get answers. Somewhere in
the 11,000+ members of the CFMS, I would like to find an experienced person in the field of advertising and a person in the
field of PR. I would like to have a seminar on these two subjects.
We need the expertise and guidance in these areas. I can be contacted by mail phone or e-mail. With the cost of advertising
being what it is, and most rock Clubs advertising budgets are modest, help in getting the most out of each dollar spent would
be a great help.
(Note from the Editor: Isn't this just as true in each club, each regional Federation, and for the AFMS? I'll bet our new
AFMS President, Dan Lingelbach would appreciate help and suggestions in these same areas.)
The AFMS recognition program, EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND, is a continuous program in which
each club is allowed to recognize one member each year for their outstanding work as rockhounds. Nominations can be
submitted at any time during the year. There is no deadline date. Also, no waiting to see your nominee recognized.
The AFMS Committee makes no distinction as to who is recognized and who is not. ALL names submitted for recognition
will be published in the AFMS Newsletter. The only restriction is that each club may submit only one nomination per year.
For this program, married couples are considered as "one". If a club submits a second nomination within a year, that
nomination will be held and published the next year.
Reasons for the nomination should be kept short and simple. Please tell us the name of the club, city and state where located
and the individual sending the information.
Nominations should be sent to your Federation representative. We look forward to hearing from all our AFMS affiliated
clubs.
Bonnie Glismann, Chair
4326 S. 200th West,
Ogden UT, 84405,
(801) 392-7832
FEDERATION REPRESENTATIVES:
CFMS: Colleen McGann, 2126 Main St. #3,
Santa Clara, CA 95050-3577
EFMLS: Duane Evans, 28 Ash St.,
Portsmouth, RI 02871
October 1999
MFMGS: Donna Curtis, 696 Glen Rd.,
Murphysboro, IL, 62966-6056
RMFMS: Mary Clough, 3065 Everett,
Wichita, KS 67217
NFMS: Jean Brooks, 1111 Archwood Dr. #2241,
Olympia, WA 98502
SCFMS: Joyce Molina, 13918 Charcoal Lane,
Farmers Branch, TX 75234-3642
SFMS: David Tuttle, 994 Blackmon Road,
Yulee, FL 32097-4510
Each Club-Each Year-One Rockhound - 1999:
RMFMS:
We, the Stillwater Mineral and Gem Society of Oklahoma, would like to recognize John Charbonneau, as our Rockhound
of the Year. John has been a club member since about 1987. John has served the club as President, Field Trip Leader, and
Club Education Chairman for 8 years. The number of students he has helped give talks to total near 1676 in 1998. He has
taught the Girl Scout Troop No. 188, Richmond Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and helped Webeloo's earn their merit badges.
John has spent hundreds of hours planning and building the Sangre Ridge School Outdoor Education Center. Teachers in a
30-mile radius around (Stillwater, Perkins - Tryon, Red Rock, Ripley, Glencoe, Orlando, and Mulhall), churches and OSU
contact John to arrange for the talks and demonstrations on Geology and Paleontology. John said and I quote "When you get
it across to the students about rocks. And a light comes on in their eyes, and they really understand what you are talking
about." It makes it all worthwhile. When he was growing up, (and saw his kids growing up), groups like the rock club team
were not allowed in the classrooms, to help the teachers with the geology aspects. John enjoys volunteering and helping with
kids.
As charter members Lawrence (Larry) and Marie Ham have been supporters of the Chaparral Rockhounds for almost
thirty one years. Both of them have been active in the club's activities since its beginning. Larry has served as a member of
the Board of Directors, Field Trip Chairman, and has conducted lapidary classes. He and Marie have conducted Club
Programs. Larry constructed an electrical harness used for almost all shows. Marie and Larry have consistently exhibited
displays at our shows. They have performed other duties such as serving on the refreshment committee etc.. On one
occasion Larry wrote a poem for the Chaparral Chatter entitled "Out Rock Hunting". It won second place in RMFMS and
fourth in AFMS poem competition. We are proud to honor Larry and Marie Ham for their service to the Chaparral
Rockhounds.
The Wichita Gem and Mineral Society would like to recognize Bill Ripper. He has been a member of WGMS since 1970,
has served on the Board of Directors and many committees throughout the years. Bill may be best remembered as the person
supplying the materials and making all of the necklaces for the grab bags for our show each year. Realizing what a
monumental task this was is to know that he provided approximately 1,000 necklaces each year when he first started and
increased this amount to 4,000 a year before retiring from this project. He was given the WGMS Distinguished Service
Award in 1999 for his service to WGMS and his community. WGMS appreciates Bill and his continued service to our
organization.
October 1999
CFMS:
The Maricopa Lapidary Society in Phoenix, presents Homer & Carolyn Snell. The Snells joined the club in 1980. They
have been active in all the club functions. Homer held the office of President twice, Carolyn held a variety of offices and
was editor of their Chip and Tips for eight years. They held chairmanship for years working at all of their shows.
The Orange Belt Mineralogical Society in San Bernardino, presents Jim McDaniels and Pat Wind. Jim has been a member
since early 1970's and served in nearly every office and committee the club has, including twice or more as President and
field trip chair. He is totally dedicated to the club. Always at the workshop lending a hand, and taking new members in hand
to teach them to use the equipment to cut and polish rocks, to putting stones in jewelry. Always ready to lend his expertise.
Pat, also a member since the 70's , has held many offices, works at recruiting members and making new people welcome at
meeting, a key member in keeping the workshop open, plans educational classes for the club members and non-members.
and with Jim has been show chairperson more than once. This couple well deserves to be our Rockhound Couple of the
year.
The Fresno Gem & Mineral Society, presents Rolland and Fay Jenson. They have held several offices and in the club and
been chairman of several committees, including Building maintenance. Rolland has built and maintains out tumblers, with
two motors and 48 - 12 oz barrels. He was the first recipient of our Diamond Award for most active member. He is an
accomplished facetor and lapidary instructor in our workshop. They are both very involved in all club functions.
The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society presents Steve Mulqueen. Steve is currently club president. He is a member of CFMS
Podium People and has given programs to clubs and museums in Southern California. He is a frequent visitor to the Union
Oil Historical Museum in Santa Paula and enters a rotating display of rocks, minerals, or fossils every two months. Steve
also finds time for earth science programs for schools, boy and girl scout troops and other youth groups. He received a letter
from a young out of state boy asking for California rocks. Steve sent him a large box of many identified specimens. It is a
joy to go on a field trip with Steve and learn about the geology of the area. Steve deserves to be recognized for sharing his
knowledge.
The Del-Air Rockhound Club presents Michael Lawshe & Keri Dearborn. Keri has grown up in the club and has become
an outstanding rockhound like her parents. Keri and Michael have served in many positions as officers of the club; Keri
earlier as president and Michael currently as Vice President. They have planned the youth activities for our club show for a
number of years to where we have a good number of Scout and other youth groups attending to take tours and to earn merit
badges. They also spearhead the youth activities at our monthly meetings which keeps our young member coming back for
more. It is great having their energetic "shot in the arm".
The Monrovia Rockhounds presents Ray Ritchey. Ray has been an outstanding member for the last 15 years. He has held
almost every office in the club. We think his special talent is making grab bags for our show. He has done a zillion of them
and has a real knack of getting people to give him the rocks he needs to put out the high quality bags our club is known for.
As he has been at home for the last couple of years, he has really put his heart into it. When he has time, he is also personal
secretary and assistant to his lovely wife Jo Anna Ritchey, CFMS Secretary.
The Capistrano Valley Rock & Mineral Club presents Robert (Bob) K. Jones, Bob joined the club about 10 years ago and
soon became involved in club activities. While his career is in banking, he had always been interested in geology and rock
and minerals - particularly on trips with his family. Bob has held various offices, Publicity Chairman (including CFMS
Riverside show in 1996), Ways and Means Chair, President and Treasurer. Bob conducts classes on minerals and geology
for local schools, Weblos Scout groups and YMCA groups. He loves to talk about the various types of rocks and how they
are formed. He paints smooth beach rocks into adorable "critters" for the club sale booth. He also enjoys carving in
October 1999
soapstone and other soft stones. He won an Orange County fair prize for his travertine onyx carving of a Chinese lion. Bob
is active on field trips to the Mojave Desert and writes articles for the club newsletter, "The Tumble Rumble".
Competitive Exhibit Trophy Winners
by Roy Deere URC Chairman
I am pleased to announce the results of the competitive exhibit judging for the cases that were shown at
our recent convention and show in Nashville, Tennessee. All of the major areas of our hobby were well
represented with some beautiful cases.
The following individuals earned trophies at the master level:
Trophy 3 - Restricted Minerals I
J.L. Hall, Michigan Mineralogical Soc.
Trophy 4 - Cabinet Minerals
Don Heins, Northwest Arkansas Gem & Mineral Soc.
Trophy 8 - Thumbnail Minerals
Carol Holman, Stillwater Mineral & Gem
Trophy 11 - Restricted Minerals V
Aaron & Martha Spector, Miami Mineralogical & Lapidary Guild
Trophy 18 - Cabochons II
Robert Bever, Skagit Rock & Gem Club
Trophy 21 - Specialized Lapidary I
John W. Mastin, Chaparral Rockhounds
Trophy 22 - Petrified Wood and/or Wood Casts II
Russell Snook, Tualatin Valley Gem Club
Trophy 25 - Specialized Techniques
Dee Clason, Kern County Mineral Soc.
Trophy 26 - Jewelry:
Bruce Lundin, West. Suburban Lapidary Club
Trophy 28 - Educational II
Barbara C. Sky, North Virginia Mineral Club
October 1999
Trophy 30 - Educational IV
Bill Luke, NFMS Club-at-large
Trophy 31 - Specialized Lapidary II
Roscoe McCall, Marysville Rock & Gem
Trophy 32 - Fossils
Carol Holman, Stillwater Mineral & Gem
Trophy 41 - Carvings III
Bruce Lundin, West. Suburban Lapidary Club
The following individuals earned trophies at the junior level:
Trophy 8 - Thumbnail Minerals
Susan Holman, Stillwater Mineral & Gem
Trophy 32 - Fossils
Michael Holman, Stillwater Mineral & Gem
The following individuals earned Blue Ribbons at the master level and were eligible for a trophy that was
won by another exhibitor:
Roland E. Ramin, Minnesota Mineral Club (Eligible for Trophy 18 Cabochons II)
Cal Clason, Kern County Mineral Soc. (Eligible for Trophy 21 Specialized Lapidary I)
As you can see from this list, I had the privilege of awarding 16 unique trophies. In addition to these cases,
there were several other beautiful Red ribbon winning cases and 28 noncompetitive cases.
As beautiful and representative of our hobby as these cases were, I would like to have seen several times
as many cases. During my travels to meetings, shows and workshops, I have seen fabulous collections and
exquisite craftsmanship. Why not show them to other members from across the country and to the general
public? It is not too early to start work on your exhibit for next year’s show!
Once again, my congratulations to all of the competition winners!
American Federation of Mineralogical Societies
October 1999
Bulletin Editors Awards
1999
Nashville, Tennessee, July 11, 1999
AFMS CLUB PUBLICATION CHAIRS
AFMS Chair- Kitty Starbuck, Vicksburg, MI
Barbara Fenstermacher EFMLS
Judy Budnik MWF
Pauline Price RMFMS
Jean Wallace SCFMS
Leo Morris SFMS
Darlene Denton NFMS
Rosemarie Young CFMS
1999 AFMS JUDGES
June Zeitner Rapid City, SD
Russ Kemp Plainfield, IL
Joyce Hanschu Canton, MI
Diane Dare Holiday, FL
Joy Bourne Towanda, PA
Joan Abramson Vista, CA
Jan Baumeister Rapid City, SD
Paul Good Stephenville, TX
Shirley Leeson CFMS
NEW EDITORS:
1. THE NUGGET, Beth Rosengard, Editor, CFMS
Culver City Rock & Mineral Club, Culver City, CA
2. COBB-L-STONES, Jana Haege, Editor, SFMS
Cobb County Gem & Mineral Society, Marietta, GA
3. THE MOUNTAIN GEM, Ted Robles, Editor, SFMS
October 1999
Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin, NC
4. THE COWTOWN CUTTER, Jackie McGauchie, Editor, SCFMS
Ft. Worth Gem & Mineral Club, Ft. Worth, TX
5. CHIPS & CHATTER, Don Shurtz, Editor, SCFMS
Pleasant Oaks Gem & Mineral Society, Dallas, TX
6. LOW COUNTRY DIGGINS, Mark Easterbrook, Editor, SFMS
Low Country Gem & Mineral Society, Charleston, SC
7. GOLDEN SPIKE NEWS, Shirley Robinson, Editor, NFMS
Golden Spike Gem & Mineral Society, Ogden, UT
8. DESERT DIGGIN'S, Lara Hartley, Editor, CFMS
Mojave Desert Gem & Mineral Club, Barstow, CA
9. SLABS & CABS, Donna Roethler, Editor, SCFMS
Gulf Coast Gem & Mineral Society, Corpus Christi, TX
10. SHIN SKINNER NEWS, Bob McGuire, Editor, EFMLS
Che-Hanna Rock & Mineral Club, Sayre, PA
MINI BULLETINS:
1. SIES CLUB NEWS, Donna Curtis, Editor, MFMGS
Southern Illinois Earth Science Club, Benton, IL
2. MID-GEORGIA GEM CLIPS, Howard Brinkley, Editor, EFMLS
Mid-Georgia Gem & Mineral Society, Macon, GA
3. GREATER CINCINNATI LAPIDARY & FACETING SOCIETY NEWSLETTTER, Jim and Judy Budnik, Editors,
MFMGS
The Greater Cincinnati Lapidary & Faceting Society, Loveland, OH
4. ROCKHOUND ROUNDUP, William F. Grimes, Editor, EFMLS
Smokey Mountain Mineral Society, Newport, TN
5. ROCK & ROSE, Bill Holbert, Editor, SCFMS
East Texas Gem & Mineral Society, Tyler, TX
6. CRACK & CAB, Cathy & Loren Patterson, Editors, EFMLS
Gem & Mineral Society, Syracuse, NY
7. ROCK TALK, Julie Preast, Editor, SFMS
St. Lucie County Rock & Gem Club, Ft. Pierce, FL
October 1999
8. ROCK POUNDER, Jay & Sharon DePuy, Editors, RMFMS
Ute Mountain Gem & Mineral Society, Cortez, CO
9. HELLGATE BREEZES, Ray & Lori Henry, Editors, NFMS
Hellgate Mineral Society, Missoula, MT
10. ORE-BITS, Susan Webster, Editor, NFMS
Clallam County Gem & Mineral Society, Port Angeles, WA
SMALL BULLETINS:
1. THE STONE CHIPPER, Angela Wirtz, Editor, SCFMS
Austin Gem & Mineral Society, Austin, TX
2. THE GEODE, Celia Tiffany, Editor, MFMGS
Boeing Employees' Gem & Mineral Society, St. Louis, MO
3. ROCKET CITY ROCKS & GEMS, Margie Dickson, Editor, SFMS
Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society, Huntsville, AL
4. STONEY STATEMENTS, Mary-Ruth Rathgen, Editor, SCFMS
Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX
5. DRY WASHER'S GAZETTE, Pat LaRue, Editor, CFMS
Valley Prospectors, San Bernadino, CA
6. EMERALD GEMS, Dean Axtell, Editor, NFMS
Eugene Mineral Club, Eugene, OR
7. THE STRATA DATA, Marie Zigler, Editor, MFMGS
Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Ft. Wayne, IN
8. TUMBLER, Alberta Hare, Editor, CFMS
9. CROSS TIMBERS TALK, Paul Good, Editor, SCFMS
Cross Timbers Gem & Mineral Club, Stephenville, TX
10. THE, ROCK & HAMMER, Sandra Brautigam, Editor CFMS
Lake Elsinore Gem & Mineral Society, Lake Elsinore, CA
LARGE BULLETINS:
1. THE ROCKPILE, Walt Vogtmann, Editor, MFMGS
Midwest Mineralogical & Lapidary Society of Dearborn, Dearborn, MI
October 1999
2. THE PEGMATITE, Anne Schafer, Editor, CFMS
San Diego Mineral & Gem Society, San Diego, CA
3. ARROWHEAD NEWS, Ed Benjamin, Editor, MFMGS
Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club, Wyoming, MI
4. THE ROCKY READER, Bon Duritsky, Editor, MFMGS
Toledo Gem & Rockhound Club, Toledo, OH
5. THE BACKBENDER'S GAZETTE, Phyllis B. George, Editor, SCFMS
Houston Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX
6. CRYSTAL CLUSTER, Julianne L. Jackson, Editor, MFMGS
Des Plaines Valley Geological Society, Des Plaines, IL
7. ROCK BUSTERS NEWS, Lois & Erston Barnhart, Editors, EFMLS
Central Pennsylvania Rock & Mineral Club, Harrisburg, PA
8. SKAGIT GEMS, Ted & Mary Roberts, Editors, NFMS
Skagit Rock & Gem Club, Mt. Vernon, WA
9. BULLETIN OF NEW YORK MINERALOGICAL CLUB, EFMLS
Mitchell Portnoy, Editor, The New York Mineral Club, New York, NY
10. ROCKY REVIEW, Elizabeth Winstead, Editor, CFMS
Conejo Gem & Mineral Club, Thousand Oaks, CA
ADULT ARTICLES:
1. "Chronological & Stratigraphic Nomenclature", Erich Rose, Author, EFMLS
NEWSLETTER OF THE NEW YORK PALEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY, New York Paleontological Club, New York,
NY
2. "Ishpeming's Jasper Knob", Walt Vogtmann, Author, MFMGS
THE ROCKPILE, The Midwest Mineralogical & Lapidary Society, Dearborn, MI
3. "Mazon Creek: Secrets Unearthed", Jeanine N. Mielecki, Author MFMGS
THE BADGER DIGGIN'S, Monroe, WI
4. "Out of Sight Hiddenite", Marianne Luther, Author, SCFMS
STONEY STATEMENTS, Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX
5. "Trilobites of N. W. Georgia", Bill Montante, Author, SFMS
COBB-L-STONES, Cobb County Gem & Mineral Society, Marietta, GA
6. "The Supercontinent Cycle", Steven Wade Veatch, Author, RMFMS
October 1999
PICK & PACK, Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society, Colorado Springs, CO
7. "Color Enhancement of Topaz", Dee Purkeypile, Author, SCFMS
THE STONE CHIPPER, Austin Gem & Mineral Society, Austin, TX
8. "All's Well At Wiley's Well", Glen Mackenzie, Author, CFMS
DIABLO DIGGINS, Contra Costa Mineral Society, Contra Costa, CA
9. "Mineralogy of the Jomac Mine", Patrick E. Haynes, Author, RMFMS
ROCK POUNDER, Ute Mountain Gem & Mineral Society, Cortez, CO
10. "Pleochroism and the Dichroscope", Michael Kessler & Robert E. EFMLS
Sanger, BULLETIN OF THE NEW YORK MINERALOGICAL CLUB, New York Mineralogical Club, New York, NY
ADULT ARTICLES - ADVANCED:
1. "Rock Art Like a Caveman", Alberta Hare, Author, CFMS
TUMBLER, Marin Mineral Society, San Rafael, CA
2. "Grains of Sand", Dr. Wes DeCoursey, Author, RMFMS
"THE POST ROCK", McPherson Gem & Mineral Club, McPherson, KS
3. Roeblingite and "And The Parker Shaft Minerals", Peter Chinn and EFMLS
Gary Grenier, Jr., Authors, THE PICKING TABLE, Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society, Franklin, NJ
4. "Beachcombing, 102", Mike Goodman, Author, CFMS
THE NUGGET, Culver City Rock & Gem Club, Culver City, CA
5. "A Page From A Collectors Notebook: Fluorite From Orchard Dome, SCFMS
Fort Bend County, Texas", Art Smith, Author, THE BACKBENDER'S GAZETTE, Houston Gem & Mineral Society,
Houston, TX
6. "Notes From the Slaughter House - The Lost Interval", MFMGS
Dana Slaughter , Author, ARROWHEAD NEWS, Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club, Wyoming, MI
7. "The More They Stay the Same", Kevin Dermody, Author, EFMLS
ROCK BUSTER NEWS, Central Pennsylvania Rock & Mineral Club, Harrisburg, PA
8. "Faceted Stone Repairs & The Art of Cheating", SCFMS
Jill Rowlands, Author, THE BACKBENDERIS GAZETTE, Houston Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX
9. "The Megamouth Shark", Jim Bourdon, Author, EFMLS
"NJPS PALEONTOGRAPH", New Jersey Paleontological Society, NJ
10. "What-erite??", Diane Dare, Author, MFMGS
"SIES CLUB NEWS" Southern Illinois Earth Science Club, Benton, IL
October 1999
JUNIOR ARTICLES ... UNDER 12:
1. "Standing on Eight Legs", Bryant Nelson, Author, CFMS
THE ROCK AND HAMMER, Elsinore Gem & Min. Soc., Lake Elsinore, CA
2. "You Just Need to Know Where To Look", Lauren Reeves, Author, CFMS
THE ORE-CUT NEWS, Orecut Mineral & Geological Society, Lompoc, CA
3. "What's In The Dirt?", Jacob Kriz, Author, SCFMS
MAGS NEWSLETTER, Memphis Archaeology & Geological Soc., Memphis, TN
4. "A Field Trip Report", Christi Schimel, Author, EFMLS
NJPS PALEONTOGRAPH, New Jersey Paleontological Society, Rutherford, NJ
5. "Digging For Geodes at Schefflers", Chris Harvey, Author, MFMGS
THE LOESS BULLETIN, Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Club, Springfield, IL
6. "Field Trip Report", Elizabeth, "Lizz" Flores, Author, MFMGS
THE BADGER DIGGIN'S, Badgers Lapidary & Geological Society, Monroe, WI
7. "The City of Silent Mountains", Melissa Kaleel, Author, MFMGS
THE LOESS BULLETIN, Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Club, Springfield, IL
JUNIOR ARTICLES ... 12-17:
1. "Volcanoes ... Sleeping Giants", Sara Schwantes, Author, RMFMS
THE POST ROCK, McPherson Gem & Mineral Society, McPherson, KS
2. "The Treasure Of The Abandoned Mine", Benjamin Gephard, Author, MFMGS
STRATA DATA, Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Ft. Wayne, IL
3. "Emerald - The Deep Green Beauty", Amanda L. Williams, Author, CFMS
THE ROCK AND HAMMER, Lake Shore Gem & Min. Soc., Lake Elsinore, CA
4. "Defense Logistics", Benjamin Steiner, Author, MFMGS
STRATA DATA, Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Ft. Wayne, IN
5. "Rockhounding", John Moore, Author, MFMGS
THE ROCKHOUND NEWS, Heart of Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
6. "Valuable Memories", Amber Bishop, Author, SFMS
COBB-L-STONES, Cobb County Gem & Mineral Society, Marietta, GA
7. "Paleo Stamp-Allosaurus", Jessica Pfund, Author, EFMLS
October 1999
8. "Paleo Stamp-Parasaurolophus", Marc Ferraro, Author, EFMLS
9. "Introduction To Metaphysics", Robin Kessler, Author, EFMLS
THE CRYSTAL COURIER, Brooklyn Mineralogical Society, Brooklyn, NY
Next month, we'll finish the Awards with the winners of: Poetry, Special Publications, and Honorable Mention in all
categories. Meanwhile, here's:
WYOMING CYCAD, by Tom Noe From The Rockfinder, 12/98
(2nd Place, 1998 AFMS Poetry Contest)
WYOMING CYCAD
By Tom Noe
Here, at the dry roots of high desert scrub,
Where the sun drops a squinty-thin heat
And pinches sagebrush between half-death and half-life,
These flat smooth fronds lie calmly out of place.
Holding this one in my hand, I smell their sluggish sea.
I glimpse their green crowns stretching in their different sky,
And hear the different buzzes and rasps and scrapes.
Though now it is hard as a scythe, then it drooped above,
In its humid, shimmering air,
In a very different world,
Which was here.
The following was the PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE by Joe Meade and appeared 12-19-78, and was the 1st Place Adult Article
in 1979 AFMS Editors Bulletin Contest ... THERE IS A LOT OF 'FOOD FOR THOUGHT' in the article ... which appeared
in the October 4, 1997 bulletin THE ROCKY ROAD, Water-Oak Gem and Mineral Society,. Inc. of Waterville, Maine...
THE MAGIC ROCK CLUB
Once upon a time, in a beautiful valley, there was a magic rock club, or at least many of its members thought it was. Why
did they think so? Because many strange and wondrous things happened in their club. After all, they only had to bring
themselves to the club meeting once a month, and they found at the beautiful meeting hall their chairs all lined up neatly for
them, the place ablaze with light, the coffee pot perking away, the cookies and many other delicious "goodies" all set out
and ready for them. The microphones were all hooked- up and buzzing quietly, and the President, Secretary and Treasurer's
tables all set up. It was indeed wondrous. The members needed only to sit down, and soon they were told all the bills had
been paid, correspondence answered, and problems solved. They were brought up to date on what was happening not only in
their area, but also what was happening for many miles around that might affect their hobby of rock collecting. Something
called "The Federation" always- took care of defending their favorite collecting areas. They didn't know much about this
"Federation", but they did know somebody in their club always looked out for their interests and they were content.
This indeed was a wondrous club, as there was hardly ever anything to argue about during the short, pesky thing they called
the "business meeting." Somehow the problem, whatever it might be, was solved whether they paid attention to what was
happening or not. After all, if they all said "Aye" to whatever motion was being made, and they all always did, they could
gripe about it later when they really found out what they voted on. Anyhow, they were anxious to get on to the rest of the
October 1999
meeting that they liked so well, like passing out of beautiful and wondrous pieces of gemstone or finished jewelry as door
prizes. Though many had been members for years, they were not sure exactly where these prizes came from, but it was
probably more magic that they always appeared. But that was not all, some liked the "committee reports", because some of
them were really interesting. They could find out who was not feeling well, how they were doing; find out about a
forthcoming field trip; find out how much money the club had in the bank; find out what the next program would be; about
books in their very own library; latest news on their big annual show; and many other interesting things. During the parts
they were not interested in, they could always talk to their neighbor, but if anyone talked during the part they were interested
in, they could shush them. But the best part, was when they could visit with their friends, and enjoy the knowledgeable
speakers, there were bingo games for gemstones, there were "silent auctions", where slabs of gemstone from the four corners
of the world could be had for a few pennies, and there were picnics and potluck suppers. Many were only vaguely aware of
how these things came about, but after all wasn't it magic?
Ah, it was indeed a fortunate thing to be a member of this club, many members felt. The telephone would ring, and they
would be told of anything of interest to them regarding the club. They knew that if a member was ill, flowers and cards and
messages from their club would appear to express their concern for them. If they wanted to go on a field trip, and not many
did, the location was already surveyed for them, and they knew what gems they might find, how to find them, what they
looked like, where they could park, what to bring, and everything they needed to know.
Not only did many members feel lucky to be a part of a magic rock club they were also proud! After all, didn't they often see
their club mentioned in the newspaper, hear it discussed on the radio, and wasn't it always a feature of the big District Fair?
People would come from far and near to "Ohh" and "Ahb" at the beautiful gems in the cases with their club's name on them.
Many never even bothered to go see for themselves, as they knew that the cases would always appear at the appointed time.
The building would be available; the kitchen would be clean; the electrical wiring would line up and test itself, the big heavy
tables would march into place; and a thousand and one other things would somehow happen whether they were there or not.
But that was not all! Every month a club newspaper would suddenly appear in their mailbox. This was really a wondrous
thing. Many were amazed at how the news, articles of interest, and other things would assemble themselves, type
themselves, run themselves through a mimeograph machine, staple, address, stamp and mail themselves too! The members
knew that if they had not paid attention or even come to the last meeting, everything that happened would be in their club
paper. Ahh, what wondrous things did themselves in a magic rock club.
However, there was one long standing mystery in this magic rock club, that had never been solved by a President or
committee chairman. This was the strange thing that happened every time the word "VOLUNTEER" was mentioned!!!,
practically the whole membership would suddenly find something immensely interesting in either the ceiling or floor, and
commence to gaze intently at them for long periods of time. However, there were always certain members who knew there
was really nothing there to see, just as they had learned the truth about Santa Claus long ago, so one of them would say "I
volunteer", and immediately the other members lost interest in whatever had intrigued them about the floor or ceiling.
If you really want to know the real secret of this Magic Rock Club, you can find the names of nearly all the magicians listed
on the inside of the back cover of your magic Napa Valley Rock and Gem bulletin. Of course, all are not listed there,
because many of them have quietly and unheralded "made things happen" year after year. To each of you, individually and
collectively, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the privilege of working with you during the past year.
October 1999
December 1999
Contents:
Executive Officers' Reports:
President
Secretary
President Elect
Safety
Loud & Clear
Bulletin Aids
All-American Club
Editor
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES
Volume 53, Number 2
SERVING SEVEN REGIONAL FEDERATIONS December, 1999 - January 2000
Volunteers Working For You
Dan Lingelbach, 1999-200 AFMS President
This being my second message as President, I want to let you know who the members are, with new committee
positions, that are working for you. First, we have a new AFMS Newsletter Editor. Carolyn Weinberger has
agreed to take on that big job. I know she is not new to many rockhounds, as she is Editor of the EFMLS
Newsletter, among her other volunteer activities. Naturally, I am really pleased that she agreed to accept this
position when Bill Luke decided to move on to other jobs.
December 1999
Also, not new to the AFMS, is Shirley Leeson, but she does have a new job and that is AFMS Historian. She’s
already Historian for the California Federation and has been collecting information for other Federations for
several years. She is another one who is widely known for involvement in other Federation activities.
To try to fill the shoes of Charlie Leach, we have Lewis Elrod, now AFMS Past President, who has agreed to
Chair the Endowment Fund Committee in addition to other committees chaired by the Past President. Look for
some new activities from this committee.
To replace Glenn Lee, we have Frank Decaminada from the Southeast Federation, who has agreed to Chair the
Ways and Means Committee. Both Charlie and Glenn were recognized at the Annual Meeting in Nashville for
their long service to the AFMS in their respective positions.
Since Roger Barnett said it was time for him to retire after 8 years, we have a new Chair for the Boundaries
Committee. George Browne from the South Central Federation has agreed to serve in that capacity. This
committee is one where we hope there is not much activity. This means that clubs are happy with the Federation
they are in.
A new committee, AFMS Photographer, will be Chaired by Barbara Sky, past AFMS Historian. Anyone who has
participated in AFMS Annual Meetings know her as the lady with the camera, trying to get people to smile.
Except for one committee, all the other committees are chaired by those who served in that capacity last year. All
of these people, as well as those with new positions, are to be commended for accepting these positions to serve
all the AFMS members. Please support these members who serve in these positions if you are asked to help. If
you want to feel like you are getting your money is worth, you must get involved in your club is and Federation
activities.
While I’m on who’s working for you, I need to mention someone who has been working for you this past year and
that is Bill Luke, now Past AFMS Editor. I understand that he and Betty have a new RV and some other new
jobs, so wanted to be relieved of being Editor for another year. I had hoped he would continue on, even though
he told Lewis Elrod he would only serve one year. However, since Carolyn Weinberger has agreed to serve as
Editor, we can accept Bill’s request to resign. Our thanks and gratitude go out to Bill and Betty for a job well
done.
In later newsletters, I‘ll let you know more about what is planned. I can now say that the Website Committee is
going to be dragging some of us into this new age of communications. They have some new plans so look for
some great things from them in the future. For those serving the AFMS, I thank you for your dedication and say
keep up the good work.
Since the next newsletter will be in February, I wish all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Great New
Year.
Change of Officers? Let Us Hear From You!
Dan McLennan, AFMS Secretary
November is often the time of year when clubs elect new officers. Is yours one of them?
December 1999
Each club is entitled to receive three (3) issues of the AFMS Newsletter each month. Usually the club President
and Editor are two of the three recipients with the third individual often the Vice-President, or Federation
representative. The news contained in the AFMS Newsletter can only be of use to you and your club members if
the proper individuals are receiving it.
Please, as your officers change, take a moment to notify the AFMS Secretary. Send the name and address of
the three members who should receive the newsletter, along with the name of your club to:
Dan McLennan
AFMS Secretary
P.O. Box 26523
A Chat with lzzie B.
By Isabella Bums, President Elect
The CFMS and AFMS vote of confidence in electing me President-elect is greatly appreciated and very
challenging. It seems rather strange since you have elected me president-elect to tell you about myself, but you
should know something about me. AFMS has operated successfully this way for over 50 years; maybe the US
Political Parties could save money by this tactic.
Education is an inspiration for me. Many of you know that my husband and I started the Earth Science Studies
Programs for CFMS and its members fifteen years ago and made the word ZZYZX known. I was born on a farm
in Missouri (daughter of a dirt farmer) and my first love was the rocks on the hills of our farm. I could sit on a
huge rock for hours and dream. After being educated in Missouri and receiving a BS degree in Education I taught
school in Kansas, Japan and Germany; finally settled in California. I have retired now after serving as a teacher,
counselor and administrator in kindergarten through junior college. My favorite was the Junior High Students for
their desire to be active, seeking excitement, willingness to try new ideas, to be disobedient sometimes, and
often to be a challenge.
Now you know what I feel we need for our organization to hang in there - People who are willing to be active in
our societies, who present some new and exciting ideas, and who are willing to accept the challenge to make
things better in the future. Several people have expressed concern about the decline in membership and
disbanding of clubs. Two clubs in California are trying new ideas. One needed money to accomplish some of
their goals; so they raised the dues to find a place and restart their lapidary shop. The other is using committees
to handle the work of the club. Example: A group are responsible for the field trips instead of just a leader; then if
someone is sent to Chicago by his/her company for a month someone else leads the trip and he has no need to
feel guilty.
Last year in the AFMS Newsletter, President Dan expressed his concern in maintaining access to collecting
areas. He wondered if lands could be leased by us that had good collecting or if claims could be filed on
collecting sites. Things have gotten worse; but tonight I received a call from a man, who wants the CFMS to
stake some mining claims so that members of CFMS Societies could use them to collect. This would build the
membership and keep the interest for everyone. It will be a challenge with regulations, insurance, etc. and might
December 1999
need to be done by individual societies; as there is a limit to how many claims can be owned by a “casual use”
miner. I am sure it will be considered at our up coming CFMS Meeting.
Listen to our AFMS President Dan Lingelbach and be open minded to his ideas. He certainly has the best
interests of our educational recreation at heart.
Is This Stuff Safe?
Suppose you are working in your rock shop and have some chemical on hand for a chore. Maybe you want to
clean silver. Perhaps pickle a solder joint. Perhaps clean a mineral sample. Or maybe clean off some
fingerprints. Or what’s your chemical?
How do you know that the chemical is safe to use? How do you find what safety precautions you need to use it?
There’s help available.
First, you need to find the chemical name of the stuff. Some are easy to find - hydrogen chloride (acid), acetone
(cleaning solvent), sodium bisulfate (pickle), sodium lauryl sulfate (soap bubbles), dodecyl benzene sulfonate
(detergent) and the like. Some are not so easy - proprietary products in general. But a little search may tell you
what chemicals are commonly used for what you are doing. Or, you may write the manufacturer of the
proprietary product and request the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for their product. By law they must have
one and must send you a copy upon request.
But for named chemicals there is a great reference available - the International Chemical Safety Cards. These
contain all the safety information you might ever need when using a chemical - fire danger, skin contact danger,
storage danger, breathing danger, and more. They are put out through the World Health Organization of the UN.
In the US, they are available from The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the Center for
Disease Control. The fastest and easiest way to check these is on the internet. The location is
<www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcs/ipcs0000.html>. They are arranged alphabetically and just one click and a little
scrolling will get you to the chemical you want to know about. This is probably the most complete collection
available.
My suggestion is that you copy the safety card for EVERYTHING in your shop (or write for the MSDS). Sure, it
may be a bit of trouble, but even stuff you have used for years might be more dangerous than you realize. Take
a cold winter day, get on the internet, and check out your chemicals. YOU are the one who might be in danger.
Loud & Clear
by George Loud, AFMS Conservation & Legislation Chair
DRAFT REPORT TO CONGRESS - “Assessment of Fossil Management on Federal and Indian Lands”
December 1999
On October 25th the Department of Interior (DOI) released a draft version of a report entitled “Assessment of
Fossil Management on Federal and Indian Lands” responsive to a mandate included in last year’s appropriation
bill for the department. Comments will be accepted until November 29, 1999. The report is available at the
website http://www.fs.fed.us/geology. Assuming that you are reading this column subsequent to November 29,
1999 you may want to check to see if there has been an extension and, if so, please write a letter with your
comments to: Sara Pena, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street, N.W., LS-204, Washington, D.C. 20240.
My reading of the draft report is that its recommendations would do little to alter existing federal regulations. The
discussion of “Principle 3: Some Vertebrate and Plant Fossils are Rare” at page 22 of the report seems to
endorse the current BLM regulations allowing for unpermitted hobby collection of petrified wood, invertebrates
and plant material.
Among the recommendations in the report are: “Penalties for fossil theft should be strengthened (pages 23 and
24); “More rangers, paleontologists and other trained personnel [should be] made available to land managers at
the field level.” (page 24) ; “Future legislation should contain provisions which acknowledge the need for
gathering and analyzing information about where fossils occur, in particular the critical role of inventory in
effective management of fossil resources. Increases emphasis on funding fossil inventory should take into
consideration...” (page 26 of the report).
All good citizens (I include myself in that category) support effective law enforcement. However, in view of
numerous anecdotal stories of harassment of collectors engaged in legal activities on federal lands, I am
somewhat uncomfortable with the prospect of an increase in criminal penalties coupled with an increase in
policing. Any increase in penalties or policing should be accompanied by better training of rangers to distinguish
between legal and illegal activities. As for inventorying fossils on all Federal lands (about 25% of the U.S. land
mass), I suspect that many good citizens would ask “at what cost”?
The report labors under the myth that all vertebrate fossils are rare and scientifically important. I addressed this
point at length in my letter to Dr. Brown of the DOI, which letter was published in the September 1999 issue of
this newsletter.
Roadless Area Protection
Any regular reader should be well aware of the “temporary” existing moratorium on road construction which has
given land managers considerable discretion in reclaiming (obliterating) countless existing trails and roads. The
Forest Service is expected to soon issue proposed rules which would make the existing moratorium permanent
and perhaps expand it. Stay tuned.
I’m Very Excited...
by Kitty Starbuck, AFMS Bulletin Aids Chairman
...that I was nominated for an AFMS award for Original Poems in July. The e-mail went on to say, “By the
wording on the announcement, I won a certificate (or even a trophy???) which I am very excited about!!! I haven’t
received anything yet, and hope I am not sounding ungrateful (because I am VERY grateful, but I am anxious to
see this thing, (and so is my mom...).” The “thing” Carl Mehling, Department of Herpetology, American Museum
of Natural History is talking about is WHAT he won in the AFMS bulletin contest...a FIRST PLACE TROPHY for
December 1999
his poem.
Carl was on his honeymoon and unable to attend the Convention, so his trophy was picked up by another
person.
The base of the trophy was made of Tennessee red cedar, hand made by Steve Henegar, with a lamp of
knowledge, a brass plate with his name and placement, and a Tennessee geode furnished by Lewis Elrod, the
President of AFMS at that time.
NOW, I hope that all you editors will enter the 1999 Bulletin Editors Contest so that you may become as
EXCITED as Carl did, when he received his post card saying he had placed in the top 10. Editors do not learn
where they placed until they pick up their certificate or trophy at the Convention.
At the Editor’s Breakfast in Houghton, Michigan in 1998, each editor received a favor (complete with a little bird)
with the following on each:
AS AN EDITOR
YOU are the strength of the club...
YOU are the best means of communications...
YOU remind members of meetings, field trips and news...
YOU provide the latest and newest information available.
YOU provide a “current calendar” of area events...and much, much, more.
In essence, it is the editor who is the MOST IMPORTANT MEMBER OF A CLUB, BESIDES BEING THE
“HARDEST WORKING”!!!
I know because a “little bird” told me so!
NOW that you know how important you are, let’s take a look at your bulletin. We won’t be able to look at all the
above points in one issue, so we will start with the cover.
What does your cover tell us?
Does it have the NAME of the bulletin?
Does it have the club name? It is not necessary to have the city and state on the cover; this can be placed on the
inside of the front cover. Sometimes, the name of the club will give you a clue as to where it is located...like my
own club, The Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society...yes there really is a Kalamazoo (made popular by a
song during WWII) and it is in Michigan.
Does it have the publication date on the front? Or do you have to search through the bulletin (sometimes the
program announcement will tell you), to find what month and year it is?
Is the editors name and address, or the address of the Exchange Editor on the cover...or must you look on the
inside of the front cover (sometimes on the inside of the back cover) only to find that all it lists is the officers
names and their phone numbers. Having been an editor for many years, there is nothing more frustrating than to
realize you are unable to find an address for a certain person you wish to contact. If the return address is for an
December 1999
exchange editor, then please show the editors name and address inside...or show both on the cover. I am
fortunate to have a Directory from each of the seven Federations, so finding an address is really not a problem,
but you probably do not have such directories.
Do you show the ‘logo’ of the federation your club belongs to, and also the ‘logo’ of the American Federation?
Every club that is a member of a Regional Federation is also a member of the American Federation. Speaking of
the AFMS, did you know, or did you realize that there are only 7 officers (one from each Federation) plus the
Secretary and the Treasurer that make up the American Federation. Each Regional Federation is a member of
the American Federation and your club is a member of your Regional Federation. Do place the appropriate
‘logos’ on your bulletin.
What is on the back side of your cover? You should have a listing of all your club officers, their addresses or
contact info., and if possible, a phone number....(Ma Bell charges a lot to look up a phone number for you!).
How much are your dues? If someone happens to pick up your bulletin, the first thing they want to know is: How
much does it cost to belong to this organization? Spell out your dues structure and the date of your
meetings...1st Monday or the month? 3rd Thursday of the month? AND BE SURE TO LIST THE LOCATION,
with the street address. Someone from out of town probably doesn’t know where the Portage Senior Center
is...it’s in Portage, but where? I know, you can stop and ask, but I’ve been surprised at the times we have
stopped to ask where something is only to receive a “blank’ look on the persons face! They don’t know what or
where you are even talking about...!
And last, but not least, give the purpose of the club. This is necessary to receive a 501(c)(3) from the IRS.
See you next month.
Congratulations
by Lyle & Colleen Kugler
AFMS All-American Club Chairs
The All American Awards Committee would like to congratulate the following clubs for their entries in the All
American Awards in 1999 and encourage all of them to participate again in 2000!
Large Clubs
Arlington Gem & Mineral Club
Highest Scoring Gold Award
South Central Federation
Midwest Mineralogical & Lapidary Soc. of Dearborn, MI
Gold Award
Midwest Federation
Wisconsin Geological Society
December 1999
Gold Award
Midwest Federation
Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society
Silver Award
California Federation
Los Alamos Geological Society
Silver Award
Rocky Mountain Federation
Small Clubs
Stillwater Mineral & Gem Society
Highest Scoring Gold Award
Whittier Gem & Mineral Society
Gold Award
Orcutt Mineral Society
Silver Award
Why Not Enter?
by Carolyn Weinberger
As Editor of my local club newsletter, Gem Cutters News, I’ve been involved with bulletin editors’ contests for
about 25 years. I view these “contests” as a great way to learn how to improve the newsletter which I produce
each month. I don’t enter the contest with the goal of “winning” an award or trophy, but rather of learning
something from the other editors who read and evaluate my work. While I do not always agree with what the
judges have to say, I’ve incorporated many suggestions and have been able to improve my bulletin each year.
My club and its members have benefited from this process. I’m always disturbed when many other editors do not
enter the bulletin contests because I feel that they are losing out on a great way of learning something new.
There are other “contests” sponsored by the AFMS too. The slide and video competition has certainly resulted in
each of the regional federations obtaining additional, top quality programs each year. While preparing these
programs is time consuming and costly, the competition winners now earn a cash prize for their work – a nice
way to recoup at least part of the cost of the slides taken. And all clubs can benefit from these programs since
they are distributed to each regional federation at no charge.
The All-American Club Award is a great way for club members to sit back and take a look at themselves. To
enter, you merely prepare a scrapbook in which you tell (brag) about your club and its activities. The guidelines,
which should be printed in these pages in the next issue, can give you good insight in things that you do well as
December 1999
a club and things that you don’t do so well – areas that might need improvement.
Why doesn’t your club enter one or all of these competitions? Gain some insight, share your wonderful ideas, get
some recognition for your group. It’s free.....it’s not difficult....and preparation of entries for these competitions is
a wonderful way of working together as a club.
As one of the old TV ads used to tell us – “try it, you’ll like it”!
March 2000
Contents:
All American Club Award Program
President's Message - Working Together
George F. Kunz Competition
A Chat with Izzie B
Website Update
Safety - Now What Do I Do?
What is A.L.A.A.?
History - Didn't Know That!
Junior Programs
Food For Thought
Where to Host a Club/Society Home Page
AFMS Program Competition - What Are You Doing This Summer?
New Mineral Named For Juniata Curtis
SERVING SEVEN REGIONAL FEDERATIONS March, 2000
Volume 53, Number 4
All American Club Award Program
from Lyle & Colleen Kugler
http://www.amfed.org/news/n2000_03.htm (1 of 18) [4/20/2006 6:45:32 PM]
March 2000
Established in 1967 by the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the seven
regional federations, the All-American Club Award is meant to:
Encourage local club members to share their expertise and enthusiasm for the hobby within their
respective regions.
Provide a model for organizing an annual historical account for the posterity of each club, and
offer an opportunity for national recognition of exceptional clubs.
Just as the award is focused on quality effort that enables members to grow and clubs to
flourish, it is also focused on quality that the All American Club Award judges seek in evaluating
applications for regional and national honors. Completeness of the report is important, and
quality is valued over quantity. The clubs' respective regional chairman must receive entries by
the date they specify. This is not a competition of one club against others. This is an evaluation
of quality based on a standard of excellence. Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards are granted for
achievement of point in the appropriate scoring range. Only the top regional and national awards
are determined on a high point basis. To allow more equality, separate top awards will be given
for large clubs (100 or more members), small clubs (up to 99 members), and organized junior
divisions (5 or more members).
Report Form Instructions
Each entry is to be submitted as a single document limited to a maximum of 100 sheets (one or
two sided) including text and graphics. A loose-leaf notebook is a suitable binder.
The document should have six section dividers with numbers 1 through 6, with the entry form in
Section 1 and the supporting information for each of the entry sections following the appropriate
divider. There is no restriction on the number of pages in any section.
When filling out the entry form, mark all appropriate blanks and enter numbers or other
information where requested. Assemble requested supporting materials and lists following the
appropriate section divider, and then insert photos or other graphics following the typed
information.
You will be completing the year's entry in the early part of the following year. Remember that all
requested information is for the prior year.
Here are the names and addresses for four of the Regional All American Club Chairman.
Bob Beachler
C 89 Buckskin Lane
March 2000
Rolling Hills Ests, Cal. 90274-4253
E-mail: [email protected]
Delbert Speed
4680 Wisteria
Dallas, Texas 75211-8026
Eastern Federation
Hazel Remaley
R D #3 Box 316A
Gillett, Pa. 16925
Midwest Federation
Randy Phillips
1139 Crooks St.
Green Bay, Wi. 54301
currently no E-mail
If you are in one of the Regional Federations not listed here, contact the Federation president to
determine who your chairman is.
Working Together
by Dan Lingelbach, AFMS President
This month I want to high light an idea presented in an article in the Oct, Nov, Dec 99 Alerts and
Action the ALAA Newsletter. This article titled Wilderness or Backcountry Recreation, "BCRA'S"
came from one in the Blue Ribbon Coalition by Clark L. Collins and Rod Jones.
The idea is that instead of being on the defensive all the time regarding Wilderness, that we
become proactive and present an alternative designation to Wilderness, called Backcountry
Recreation Areas. This designation would allow traditional multiple use activities with the
emphasis on promoting and protecting recreation, not systematically eliminating it as in
"Wilderness". This would provide the land managers an additional option on how to manage our
public lands for multiple use. The basic tenant for managing public lands should be the greatest
benefit for the largest number of people. This is not in conflict with protecting our environment as
a livable environment is definitely a benefit to us. Locking up public land in a wilderness should
not be the only way and may not be the best way to protect it. The Wilderness Area is contrary to
the idea of the greatest benefit for the largest number of people and all the public land should not
be treated that way. Wilderness is only accessible to a select few.
March 2000
In general, recreationalists are not anti-environmentalist and there are many examples where
recreationalists are helping to clean up the environment. Unfortunately, land managers
encounter conflicting regulations with so many on the books. Sometimes this results is ridiculous
actions being taken, such as the one reported where a man was supposedly charged with an
offense on public land for picking up trash. It used to be that land managers had some flexibility
in managing to take care of local situations. Now with so much chance of litigation from outside
groups, they can't manage to account for local conditions. Regulations can't cover every
situation, even though those in Washington are trying, some judgment must be allowed to be
exercised by the land managers. Recreational organizations can be of great help to a land
manager, such as helping to inventory all the roads in an area or to providing hosts for camping
areas. This is where local clubs can help as they should be interacting with the land managers in
their area to see how they can assist them in their job. Once we get to know them and they us,
maybe we are closer to wanting the same thing than we think.
A good example of this interaction is the dedication of the Hauser Beds in the BLM Wiley Well
District (25 miles southwest of Blythe, CA) as a Rockhound Educational and Recreational Area.
This dedication is scheduled for January 31, 2000 at the Hauser Beds. This was accomplished
through the efforts of many in the California Federation with final action from the CFMS Public
Lands Advisory Committee. This has long been a site to dig geodes and hopefully this will
continue. The BLM representatives will be there for the pot luck dinner and to give a campfire
talk. ( This won't be printed till after the dedication but hopefully the April issue will have a report
of it.)
The Backcountry Recreation Area designation could be a great consensus building idea.
Rockhounding should be considered a bona fide recreational activity. Make sure your
Congressman knows that you think it should be.
George F. Kunz Competition
from the New York Mineralogical Club
The New York Mineralogical Club (NYMC), founded in 1886, is dedicated to the purpose of
increasing interest in the science of mineralogy through the collecting, describing, and displaying
of minerals and associated gemstones. In order to further the interest and research in regional
mineralogy, the NYMC announces the 2000 Kunz Prize competition for the best paper about
eastern United States mineralogy or American gemstones. All authors are invited to submit
original articles to the above address by October 1, 2000. The competition, named after George
F. Kunz, founder of the NYMC, carries a $500 first prize.
Subject matter is up to the writer, but papers are restricted to places, people, and events east of
the Allegheny Plateau (from Georgia to central Maine). Suggested topics include (but are not
restricted to): description of new mineral or gem localities, mineralogy of active or rediscovered
"lost" locations, crystal morphology of specific localities, or historical mineralogical perspectives.
March 2000
The NYMC membership is primarily amateur, and papers should be appropriate to that
audience. Thus., highly technical articles are not encouraged.
For further information and complete entry forms, please write to the New York Mineralogical
Club, Kunz Prize Coordinator, PO Box 77, Planetarium Station, New York, NY 10024-0077.
A Chat With Izzie B
from Isabella Burns, President-elect
Commemoration of Special Dates
It is difficult to concentrate tonight, as the first major astrological event of the millennium, that we
can see, is in progress - the eclipse of the moon. It started at 6:00 PM and now it is spectacular,
showing a deep orange hue over part of the moon. Pardon me while I take another peek. Its'
cloudy. Things about our solar system, universe, and/or earth intrigue me.
Last October the members of Whittier Gem & Mineral Society hosted their 50th Show. As the
California Department of Education had some new science requirements, such as fourth grade
students are to be taught "the properties of rocks", they invited over forty classes of fourth grade
students to it. Wes Lingerfelt, a former CFMS Officer, had told about Earth Science Week. With a
little nudget, Mayor Nordbak proclaimed the week of October 10 - 16, 1999 Earth Science Week
in Whittier. Earth Science week was established by the Association of American State Geologists
in 1997 to urge all citizens to participate in it. It seems a natural for us as collectors of rocks,
minerals and fossils. They provide packets of ideas, posters and learning materials. Seek
information on the 2000 ESW from the website <www.earthscienceweek.org> or e-mail
<[email protected]> or write Julia Jackson, American Geological Institute, 4220 King Street,
Alexandria, VA 22302-1502.
National Lands Day is the last Saturday of September. Last year, "Together for the Desert"
group held a clean up of Mule Canyon, near Barstow in the Mojave Desert. This was announced
on the CFMS Website and several clubs had members helping that day. Each year four areas
are chosen by the BLM on that day, but I am sure there are other areas of Public Lands (or
Private land), used extensively, that could use a clean up.
Other dates or things that might lead to club events that would build our status are Earth Day,
held in April each year, or some of your community designated days that commerate events. I
heard some one talking about a "Geology Journey" around their own area, where someone,
such as a college professor explains the geology of the country side.
I hope this gives you some ideas for presenting earth science programs from our point of view
for your members and the public. Another look outside reveals nothing, clouds are completely
covering the moon. There is another eclipse in July.
March 2000
AFMS Web Site Update
from Marty Hart, AFMS Webmaster
Many AFMS Officers and Committee members have given permission to list contact information
on the AFMS web site. The URL <http://www.amfed.org/officers2000.htm> points to this
information. The contact information is being maintained in one location on the web site, so the
information can easily be updated and maintained. This also allows space for additional
information.
As I have browsed through many of the club web sites, I've seen many people have stumbled
across the logo artwork located on <http://www.amfed.org/logos.htm>. The diamond shaped
AFMS logo is of better quality than has generally been available in the past. This is a good
source for the image to use on newsletters and web sites. If anyone has other good quality
AFMS images available, I will make them available on the web site if I can get a copy. A good
printed copy would be very acceptable, since I can scan the image.
Be sure and check for your club's web site listing at <http://www.amfed.org/club.htm>. Any
additions or updates to the listing would be greatly appreciated.
Our first email discussion group "AFMS Faceters E-mail List" has been very successful. Our
administrator and moderator, Bob Keller has been doing a great job developing this section. Visit
<http://www.amfed.org/faceters/> for more information or to join the list.
When you are browsing the site, be sure and try the "Contents" button on the top of the page.
This will give you a table of contents listing of the site. The "What's New" section lists major
updates to the site. The "Site Search" button on the top of the page allows searching the AFMS
web site.
Now What Do I Do?
Meredith reached to the campfire to get the skillet and burned her hand. A snake bit Matt. Joe
stepped on an old bottle and cut his foot. Mabel tripped and turned her ankle. Zach cut his hand
and it's bleeding like mad. Jessica is having a seizure. Trouble, trouble, trouble.
In this day and age, everyone knows how to dial 911. Most everyone has heard of what to do for
a heart attack. Many know first aid for choking. But few know the first aid for other mishaps and
catastrophes. Do you? Does someone in your club? Is there a trained person on every field trip?
If your answer was "no", then you are typical. Years ago, first aid training was widespread and
March 2000
many knew at least the basics. But, in this day and age of 911 and gauze bandages, few people
know first aid. We ARE engaged in a hobby that carries some risk. We work with power tools.
We frequent rough territory far from help. We hammer, chisel, dig, grind, and pry. We get around
snakes and spiders and scorpions. So, it would be good if YOU knew some first aid for common
problems. And it would be good for your club to have a person trained in first aid, a first aid
manual, and a good first aid kit.
The kit is for another time. For now, just know that good ones can be bought for a reasonable
price.
Training is first aid may be harder. But, check with the Red Cross, the Scouts, a fireman, or your
hospital to find out if classes are available in your area.
When a medical problem strikes, what you do may be the difference between life and death. You
can make a difference. A good first aid and emergency care handbook will give you all the
information you need _ quickly, easily, and clearly. Injuries, illnesses, and medical emergencies
should be included. First-aid techniques you can practice should be there so you're prepared
when need comes. Life saving techniques, how to transport a victim with head or neck injuries
and more should be there. There should be a comprehensive index, a complete listing by subject
and symptoms for fast reference, and an alphabetical listing.
Three readily available general first aid books are available from well-known national sources:
The American Medical Association Handbook of First Aid & Emergency Care© by Stanley M.
Zydio, James A. Hill (Editor), Stanley M. Zydlo (Contributor) _ about $10.
The American Red Cross First Aid and Safety Handbook© by Kathleen Handal M.D., Kathleen A.
Handal (Contributor), Elizabeth H. Dole _ about $20.
First Aid Handbook© by National Safety Council (Editor), Alton L. Thygerson _ about $10
How about your club having one on hand and available at all club activities?
What Is A.L.A.A.?
excerpts from the ALAA Webpage
The American Lands Access Association is a 501(c)(4) organization whose primary purpose is to
promote and ensure the rights of amateur fossil and mineral collecting, recreational prospecting
and mining, and the use of public and private lands for educational and recreational purposes ;
and to carry the voice of all amateur collectors and hobbyists to our elected officials, government
regulators and public land managers. All money raised by the association can go toward
March 2000
lobbying activity.
ALAA has become an organization that is present wherever there are hobbyist and recreational
users of our public lands whose interests and concerns are not being heard or are being
jeopardized by proposed policy, regulation or legislation at the local, state and federal level. Over
the years, ALAA has earned the respect of public officials from Washington, DC to state capitols
across the country as the voice of the amateur and recreational users of public lands. The
Association has also formed working relationships with many other organizations fighting for
private property rights and multiple use of public lands including the Blue Ribbon Coalition, the
Alliance for America as well as treasure hunters, metal detectorists, fishing and hunting
enthusiasts, and mining and timber interests. With this network of contacts, the Association
reaches into every State and into every Congressional District in the country on a national level.
That network provides a swift and effective response to issues brought to our attention.
On another level, many officers, directors and members of the Association have developed
ongoing working relationships with local, state and federal officials and legislators. This other
network provides us with immediate access to and an impact on many proposals for changing
regulations, policy or legislation before they become set in the concrete of implementation.
ALAA is also there when there are confrontations in the field and when proposals are made for
expanding federal ownership of land such as publicizing and fighting the Heritage Corridor Act,
and other attempts to establish additional wilderness areas under federal control.
Your help is needed to continue the struggle to protect public lands for the public!
To learn more about ALAA,
visit them on the world wide web at
<www.amerlands.org>
I Didn't Know That!
by Shirley Leeson, AFMS Historian
In searching through the AFMS history I came across the Banquet Talk by outgoing AFMS
President Bernice L Rexin. It was published in the AFMS Education-Information Newsletter,
Sept/Oct 1967. It's something I didn't know and thought you might find it as interesting as I did....
"During the early nineteen hundreds the United States government sent geological survey teams
out to map the West. Ranchers were impressed by their enthusiasm and gave them a name to fit
their eagerness, "ROCKHOUNDS." With this name they also gave them their respect.
You have inherited this name and it has caught the public's fancy because it is lively and
expressive of all facets of our hobby from digging up dinosaur bones to cutting gems. You also
March 2000
have the public's respect because you have made this name a distinguished one by your many
worthwhile activities, such as promoting earth science education, giving scholarships, and
developing your lapidary skills to the extent that your best is now being shown in museums.
This is your informal name, we are properly known as amateur earth scientists and lapidaries.
Both names are needed for there are times when the use of the informal is more effective than
the formal, and vice versa.
Because the Rockhounds have made the American Federation an organization to be proud of, I
have been proud of the privilege of serving as your president."
We have this information because Dorothy Lee, Past AFMS President donated a number of early
newsletters to me as we were putting together the AFMS 50th Anniversary booklet.
Please help me locate other early AFMS Newsletters. If you or one of your "retired" editors have
any old copies of the AFMS Newsletter, circa 1950s through 1980s, please send them to me. I
am also looking for Earth Science magazines from the Midwest. They seem to have more AFMS
information than the others.
I will be doing an article each month about, "Did You Know" or "Speaking of the Past" with
someone who has intimate knowledge of the past...
Shirley Leeson
AFMS Historian
6155 Haas St.
La Mesa, CA 91942-4312
Junior Programs
by Kathy and Bob Miller, AFMS Junior Activities Chairs
A common topic that surfaces in almost all discussions of club status is the age of the
membership. Is your average age of club members over 50? How many youths attend club
functions and what are you as club leaders and members doing about it!
Many clubs are special interest groups. They only like lapidary, or jewelry making, or faceting, or
just socializing. You may think there is nothing wrong with that, but does it appeal to the younger
people and are you passing on your skills and knowledge to juniors and their parents?
All youngsters need is a chance to learn something about the hobby, then they will show us what
they will and can do. The following are just a few general tips or ideas toward bringing in and
keeping junior members an active part of your club.
March 2000
1. If there are juniors in your club, devote at least 15 minutes of each program just for them.
Many times you will find that the juniors know as much, or even more, about the hobby
than do the adults. Adults will learn from the junior part of the meeting. It might even be
good to have a separate Program Chairman for the junior part of the program.
2. Many juniors will do an outstanding job of putting on part of a program. Try a complete
program put on by the junior members.
3. Junior members make good hosts and hostesses for the registration tables. The little ones
can draw the numbers for the prize drawings, etc.
4. If there are enough juniors to form a club of their own, encourage them to do so. They can
have their own officers and committees. One or more of the adults can act as advisors to
the juniors.
5. The juniors can be given the grab bag or kid's corner concession at the annual show. If
there is a junior club, the proceeds from this can finance the junior club for another year.
6. Give them a change to display, and to meet the public by demonstrating at the annual
show if they are interested in lapidary.
7. The juniors can make jewelry and sell this at the annual show.
Here are a few ways to attract juniors and parents to your club.
a. Put a display case in local schools and libraries along with information of your club.
b. Ask Boy and Girl Scout and 4 H leaders for the opportunity to give a program or display at
a meeting.
c. Ask the local schools science teachers if you can give a short program on their next earth
science segment, or possibly lead them on a field trip.
d. Volunteer as a club to participate at community events that involve children by having a
club booth with free handouts and specimens for youth. (Teachers love this too.)
Food For Thought
by Pat LaRue, CFMS President (A speech given to the Federation)
Let me open by simply saying that someone else was supposed to be standing up here tonight
sharing her thoughts with you. Unfortunately that was not to be; Bev Hafeli was really looking
forward to serving you as your President in 2000 and was hard at work planning her year when
the diagnosis came that would irreversibly change those plans. Our thoughts and prayers need
to be with her and Joe as she faces a battle very few of us can even begin to imagine.
When Ken called me in late August with the news and asked if I would consider serving another
term, my initial thought was why not move the two vice-presidents up one more spot on the ballot
and find someone willing to step in and serve as 2nd vice president. Unfortunately the two vicepresidents didn't quite agree with that proposed arrangement, so when push came to shove, I
said yes. There really wasn't any valid reason to say no. Now it appears that I get to really earn
that Golden Bear Award presented to me in June.
March 2000
CFMS stands at the brink of the first century of the new millennium. During my first term as your
president, I frequently referred to the need to prepare for the future not only by looking at how we
conduct day to day business within our clubs but also how we meet the changing needs of our
membership. As I observe clubs in my southern California region,, I've noted that the ones which
address the changing needs of their membership by expanding workshop hours, having good
programs, sponsoring regular outings and field trips, mailing out quality newsletters on a regular
basis and actively seeking new members seem to be alive and well. The ones which don't go out
of their way to recruit new members and keep the existing ones happy and informed stagnate.
During my first term I commented that the majority of the CFMS leadership and directors
belonged to my mother's generation. Today I observe that while still outnumbered, more and
more of my generation and younger proudly sit out there (and up here) assuming their roles as
CFMS leaders. Twenty years ago as a 30 something newcomer, my thoughts and ideas were
not always welcomed if it meant making some kind of radical change in the way we did things.
The lesson I learned is that while change is good, continually trying to reinvent the wheel is
generally an exercise in futility with the end result being that total frustration is experienced by
everyone involved and not much is accomplished except the realization that all the old wheel
needed was a little TLC instead of a complete redesign.
As we welcome the new millennium, the clubs and CFMS have to meet the challenge of the
future. Most of the things we do are just fine; like that proverbial wheel, all they need is a little
preventive maintenance. There are many areas where some attention should be paid. Let's look
at just two.
The first area is communication. In the past, we had a phone number and a home address at
which we could be reached. Now we still have a home address and a phone number; but many
of us now have cell phone, fax or pager numbers, and an e-mail address or two. Lest we miss a
call, we have answering machines or voice mail at home and the office. Keeping this in mind did
you take a long hard look at the last CFMS roster? Some of the clubs did not have a contact
phone number or e-mail address listed. How can an interested person or another CFMS member
get in touch if this basic contact information is not available or is incorrect? Don't say let them
write a letter to the club address. Many people won't bother to write a letter and letters may
languish in club mail boxes for weeks on end. The roster comes out annually and is not easily
changed; the website can be updated any time change is needed. If your club changes its
contact phone number or e-mail address, send a quick note to the webmaster and he will update
the information as soon as possible. All directors must make it his/her responsibility to make
certain club contact information is current.
The Internet has revolutionized the way information is presented. Anyone with a computer and
web access can literally obtain information on just about topic out there and share ideas with
people around the world at minimal cost. The Internet is a wonderful tool but until everyone owns
a computer, it can not be the answer to all of our communication needs. The Internet will
continue to expand its influence in the future. We must learn to use its resources but use sound
March 2000
judgment in what we post and what links we create within our club sites. The CFMS has an
image to protect and needs the promotion of its programs confined to its site alone. The Internet
Committee and webmaster are charged with the responsibility of making sure nothing which
would present CFMS or its member clubs in a negative manner is ever posted to its site. We ask
that everyone within the CFMS family respect this policy.
Another area is field trips. Field trips have long been considered an important activity of our
clubs. Many younger members join to have the opportunity to visit collecting areas and have a
good time in the field. Future field trips must out of necessity include a field safety component
which includes the leader being responsible for enforcing safety rules in the field. Clubs need to
get serious about putting their policies in writing and not being afraid to enforce them even if it
means telling someone to leave after fair warning goes unheeded. All of us marvel at how
seldom someone actually gets hurt despite seeing every rule in `the book broken. But even one
injury is one injury too many particularly if it could have been prevented. Given the nature of our
sue happy society, we can't be too careful. An ideal seminar topic for the coming year is Safety
as it relates not only to field trips, but also to our club workshops. A complete revision of the old
Safety Manual is definitely in order and needs to be started in the coming months. A copy of the
current AFMS manual is on the website. Parts of it are scary!
In the western United States we will continue to deal with the issue of land closures and
restrictions on how we use the public lands. Because our collecting activities are defined as
"casual use" we actually face fewer threats to continued land use than the prospecting clubs
whose members are referred to as small miners. Believe it or not, the person who dry washes for
a weekend on a small club claim in the desert can be subject to the same rules and regulations
imposed on a multi-million dollar mining operation. It is becoming more and more difficult to own
and maintain non-patented claims regardless of whether the mineral in question is gold or a
gemstone material. What is the best strategy for the present and probably the foreseeable
future? Let's continue to work positively with the agencies which are charged with enforcing the
rules; be willing to compromise. Bear in mind that the general public has little idea of what we do
on our field trips and neither do the regulators; it is up to us to show them. We must continue to
educate the public and present positive images in our communities and above all in the field.
Despite all, we must continue to stay aware of what is happening. It is not fair to expect the
PLAC or ALAA or any of the other groups to fight the battle by themselves. It takes a vocal
majority to be heard; why are the so-called "green groups" staying ahead? They aren't afraid to
be heard - they write letters, stage protests, raise large sums of money, rally prominent people to
their cause. What do most of us do? You know the answer to that one. That must change!
The CFMS enters the 21st millennium in good shape all things considered. Thanks to Bob and
Ken and the rest of the 1999 Executive Committee, we have the most comprehensive liability
insurance policy for our clubs that we've ever had. Sure it cost more, but in retrospect we never
had this complete a policy before. Our Endowment Fund has now grown to the level where its
income can be used in a financial emergency. We have shows in the planning stages through
March 2000
2003. There is a great team of people waiting to work on behalf of the CFMS and its members in
the coming year.
In conclusion I wish to express my thanks to all the hardworking CFMS friends who sent me little
notes and e-mails offering encouragement and expressing their appreciation for my saying yes
to this job when I could just as easily have said no. Thank you.
Where to Host a Club/Society Home Page
by Marty Hart, AFMS Webmaster
First, what is a URL? URL is an acronym for Universal Resource Locator, also sometimes known
as Uniform Resource Locator. The URL is a means of specifying the location of information on
the Internet for WWW (World Wide Web) clients. The home page of your club would have an
URL and all the other pages would have different URLs. The URL for the AFMS web site home
page is <http://www.amfed.org>.
A couple of more quick definitions. An Internet Access Provider provides you a means to access
the Internet. They usually give you other services as part of the package such as email and web
space to host a home page. A Host Provider provides space on their computers for hosting a
web site and makes it available on the Internet. They are not required to provide Internet access
for you to access the Internet with your computer, but only your site, which they are hosting on
their computer(s).
The first obvious solution to provide a home for the club home page has sometimes been to use
the web space provided by a personal Internet access account. The personal account was
probably provided by an outstanding member that is doing above the call of duty. While this may
be a free solution to the Club or Society, it also has some concerns that may not be initially
obvious. The WWW is very dynamic and the available resources are always changing. Therefore
as you look for a home or happen to be looking to update your site, there are several things to
look at now. If you already have a home page, you may not want to change it right now, but keep
some of following items in mind for the future. Some of the items of concern when using a
personal Internet access account's web space feature are:
It is difficult to change a URL once it is established.
It can be difficult to locate all sites that point to the old URL. Web sites can be very slow to
change links.
Some sites rarely or never update content. You could easily take a year to change links
on other sites.
Search engines can retain links to old URLs for a long time. Since the WWW is very
dynamic and options are always changing, it may be desirable to change Internet Access
Providers. But since the web page space is provided as part of the Internet Access
Providers account, the URL will be lost when the account is closed.
March 2000
The role of webmaster is difficult to change, since is being hosted on a personal account.
Would other offices of the organization be allowed to become this unchangeable?
The home page of an organization can be a vital link to rest of the world. Establishing a
permanent URL that is linked to by sites all over the world allows an organization to be very
accessible. Besides brand recognition, we now have URL recognition being a very valuable
commodity. The URL of the organization should be permanent and under the control of the
organization. It is very aggravating to hit dead links. An opportunity to be seen is now given to
another site that is not at the end of a dead link.
So what is a better solution for an URL? There are a lot of host providers on the Internet willing
to host your clubs web site for free. If you use one of these providers, then your URL will contain
their domain name in your URL. <http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/3085/> is an
example of this type of URL provided by GeoCities. Most of these providers are willing to host
your site for free if you will allow them to advertise on your site. Therefore advertising actually
pays for your site. Different providers have different requirements for advertising and you will
need to evaluate their terms. For a fee, some of these providers, as well as other providers will
host your site without any advertising. Fees might range from $30 or more per year. You may
even find a provider willing to host your site for free with any advertising. The market is
constantly changing. There are a lot of new providers every week and also a lot of providers
dropping out. So look at the provider's history. This type of solution allows you to maintain a
constant URL that is not dependent on using a specific Internet Access Provider and allows
different people to act as webmaster. It does require using the specific provider to host the site,
since your site will be a part of their domain. Changing host providers will change your URL.
Another solution is to own your own domain name. <http://www.pogmc.org/> is an example of
this type of URL. This has all of the benefits of the previous example, plus since you own the
domain name, you can let any host provider host your site and still have the same URL. If your
host provider goes out of business, or you like the services of another provider, then you simply
change host providers. Your URL is still the same, and links to your site, as well as all the
documents with your URL are still correct. The minimum cost for doing this is $35 per year that is
required to register your domain name with InterNic. Costs for host providers range from free to
thousands of dollars per month to host your site. Again by accepting advertising, there are host
providers that will to host your site and domain name for free. This is probably a good solution for
larger organizations since there are fees that must be maintained. Even $35 can be a large
budget items for some of the smaller organizations.
Visit the page at <http://www.amfed.org/web/webmasters.htm> for links and more information
related to this article. Links are included to help you find a host provider, as well as free Internet
Access, email, and other services.
What Are You Doing This Summer?
March 2000
by Marge Collins , AFMS Program Competition Coordinator
Are you going on a field trip, taking part in a hobby-related workshop or visiting a museum with
displays of minerals and gems? Why not take a camera (or camcorder) along and take slides (or
video) which can be made into a presentation? You can show it to your Club, then enter it in
AFMS Program Competition. If your program takes a 1st - or even a high 2nd Place, it will be
made available to Club members across the country, so they can learn from and share your
experience! The top prizes are $200.00 cash - surely enough to defray the expenses involved!
If you are interested in making a slide or video presentation, the following suggestions can help
you earn a high score from viewers and judges and limit the expenses if you will be taking slides.
Tips to earn a high score
1. Present your subject in a way that creates interest and anticipation without being "cutesy"
or "kitsch"!
2. Be sure information is accurate and up to date. Do not include irrelevant details.
3. Use enough slides to keep narration moving along. Some suggest 100 words per slide is
maximum.
4. Good quality slides/ images are essential - not over or under exposed, subject is clear,
good backgrounds, Good developing and proper care of film is more important to the
quality of slides than film brand name. (Don't let film "roast" in the camera or out!)
5. Include Title and End slides - and Credits, if others have helped you.
6. If copyrighted slides are included, obtain written permission from producer.
7. Show your program to someone not involved in the production. Ask for a candid
evaluation and be willing to do some rewrite - remember, even professional authors have
editors!
8. Request "Judging Form" (For more information) to see how judges evaluate a program.
9. Watch the time. 40 or 50 minutes is usually max. for adults - 20 minutes for Juniors.
10. Also, it is better to leave viewers wanting to know a bit more than to have them wondering
when the program will end!
11. Although videos are far less expensive, consider if you will be able to edit and add extra
shots to tell the complete story.
Tips to make a slide program less expensive
1. Shop around for slide film. Fuji and several others cost less and are excellent quality.
- Watch for discounted "out of date" slide film. You should not be able to detect any loss of
quality. Try to use within months.
- Consider a mail order source for rolls or bulk film. ** if you use Kodak film, choose
Ektachrome - developing costs less than Kodachrome. ***Do not be tempted to use
Seattle Film Works or 3M film for slides. Duplicators will not assure good color duplication.
March 2000
3. Check around for a good developer.
- Consider Walmart - slides from them go to a Kodak lab
- Some labs offer prepaid mailers for processing - cost can be competitive.
4. Plan your presentation. Make a list of slides you'll need, so you won't take unnecessary
slides or come up short. But it is good to have more than one to choose from.
5. As you snap the pictures, make each one the best possible - so you won't waste slides:
focus carefully; watch the lighting/exposure, subject must be easy to see; try to avoid
distractions in the background. Something new - I've heard it is possible to take a slide of
a digital image on a computer screen. Use tripod and a slow shutter speed. Do a test!
The bottom line:
- Most Clubs still want good slide programs.
- It is important for us to share our interest in this hobby so newcomers will have
current information about field trips and see interesting presentations of educational
and gemcraft topics.
- You can be the inspiration for a new generation of "Rockhounds"!!
QUESTIONS? Contact your Regional Program Librarian OR
Marge Collins
3017 Niles-Buchanan Rd.
Buchanan MI 49107
phone: (616) 695-4314
New Mineral Named For Juniata Curtis
from Beverly Moreau
In a joint announcement made at the 35th Annual Pacific Micromount Conference in Redlands,
California on January 29, 2000, Dr. William S. Wise of the Department of Geological Sciences,
University of California at Santa Barbara and Dr. Anthony R. Kampf, Curator of Mineral Sciences
Section, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, confirmed the approval by the IMA of a
new mineral named "juanitaite" for Juanita Curtis. Juanita served the California Federation of
Mineralogical Societies as their first Executive Secretary from 1961 to 1989. She and her
husband, Bob Curtis (now deceased), were avid collectors and micromounters. In 1969 Juanita
was honored with the Federations,s Golden Bear Award, and more recently was named as one
of their Scholarship Honorees The following written statement regarding the discovery,
description and naming of the mineral was issued jointly by Dr. Wise, Dr. Kampf, and Dr. George
R. Rossman, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology:
"In September of 1971, a group of four collectors, Juanita and husband Charles (Bob) Curtis,
Wayne Leicht and Fred Croad, visited the Gold Hill mine in Utah. On the dump immediately west
of the 30-foot level adit (see Kokinos and Wise, 1993, Fig. 2), they noticed weathered fragments
March 2000
of limonitic gossan bearing a green mineral that they took for malachite (but which was later
determined to be mixite). Juanita noticed native gold in the matrix, which spurred Wayne and
Bob to venture through a crawl hole into the shallow inclined adit. Here they found similar
material in place in the walls. They collected approximately two flats of this material.
"A couple of weeks later, while examining the material more closely, Juanita noticed dark spots
appearing much like pepper scattered on many of the specimens. Under the microscope she
observed these to be clusters of olive green plates with bronzy reflections. They didn't match
anything she had seen before from Gold Hill, so she sent them to Bill Wise for identification.
Powder diffraction and chemical analysis indicated that the mineral was new, but it was not until
recently that crystals of sufficient quality to complete the description were recognized in the
original material.
The new mineral is named :"juanitaite" for Juanita Curtis. This name was chosen rather than
"curtisite", because the latter was originally applied to a mineral described in 1926, which in 1975
was determined to be a mixture of hydrocarbons. The new mineral and name have been
approved by the Commission on New Minerals and Mineral names, IMA. Specimens LACMNH
#45266 and #45267 are designated as cotypes and are deposited in the collection of the Los
Angeles County Museum of Natural History."
In their joint statement, Bill Wise and Tony Kampf related the process through which the mineral
was finally approved. After the first application was submitted by Dr. Wise, the mineral was
returned for further studies. At that time, he requested those studies to be made by Dr. Kampf at
the L A. County Museum, and upon completion of the studies, another application was
submitted. Once again, the IMA requested studies of a different nature, and these were placed in
the capable hands of Dr. George Rossman. Upon completion of the further studies, a third
application was submitted. Word of the approval reached Dr. Wise late in 1999, and the official
announcement is scheduled to appear in an imminent issue of the Mineral Record.
Timing of the announcement by Dr. Wise and Dr. Kampf could not have been more meaningful.
The Pacific Micromount Conference, founded at the suggestion of Juanita Curtis in 1966,
celebrated its 35th anniversary at their January meeting. In 1965, Juanita expressed to Dr. Fred
Pough, then Curator of the Santa Barbara County Museum of Natural History, a wish that there
could be a local micromount conference, such as was being held in the eastern part of the
United States. Dr. Pough responded with an offer to host the conference at the Museum, and
Juanita began sending out invitations for a conference in early 1966. Over 100 reservations
resulted. During the past 35 years, the conference has been hosted in various locations,
including Santa Monica, Torrance Westwood and Pasadena. For the past twelve years the
location has been at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands. The conference ,
traditionally held the last weekend in January, is sponsored by the Southern California MicroMineralogists, based in Long Beach, California, and draws participants from many states in the
U. S., from Canada, Bolivia, and from New Zealand and Australia. Inquiries about future
conferences may be addressed to Beverly Moreau, Registrar, at <[email protected]>.
March 2000
http://www.amfed.org/news/n2000_03.htm
April 2000
Contents:
Safety - Zapped In Silence
President's Message - Great Things Can Happen Working Together
Sue Holland
A Chat with Izzie
Juniors And Displays
What Should I Put on My Clubs Website?
The Red Star
The Amlab Mineral Lab Concept
All Roads Lead To Moab
Press Releases - How To Work with the Media
SERVING SEVEN REGIONAL FEDERATIONS
Volume 53, Number 5
April, 2000
Zapped In Silence
Are you a mineral collector? - Even casually? Are you sure what every specimen is? If not, you
should find out. You might have a radioactive specimen. There are 216 uranium containing
material alone. And a bunch more radioactive materials. Do you have a pretty canary yellow
April 2000
mineral from New Mexico? That might be carnotite - uranium ore. There are a lot of other types
of radioactive minerals formed from other elements.
What is radiation? The answer is - it depends.
First there is alpha radiation. These are large slow-moving positive particles. They can easily be
blocked by paper or skin. So, there's no danger? Wrong! If you breathe or swallow an alpha
emitter, it can cause serious injury to you. Second, there is beta radiation, These are electrons
(very small) and can penetrate you further than alpha particles. They can be stopped by thin
layers of metal, glass, or water. Again, they are dangerous if swallowed. Gamma and X-rays are
true radiation and can penetrate almost everything. To stop them can take several feet of lead or
concrete. They cause ionization in the body (as do the two above) and that ionization can cause
severe injury or death. Damage can be collective with time. Neutrons are uncharged neutral
particles. They can penetrate many things (including you) very easily. As they go through you,
they cause the body to form the radiation types discussed above. It takes a bunch of water, wax
or concrete to stop them.
How do I know if I have radioactive material?
Radioactivity is commonly measured by an instrument called a Geiger Counter. Any material you
have can be checked by these inexpensive instruments. If you only have a question, ask at a
nearby college or university or museum about a source and exposure limits. First, understand
that radiation is NOT a freak occurrence. Radiation from natural sources is always with us. Some
comes from the sky and the sun. Where you live can raise or lower your exposure. The poles get
less than the equator. Denver gets more than New Orleans. Airplane riders get more than car
riders do. There is always radiation in the earth's crust. So plants and animals gather it and you
end up with exposure when you eat or drink. Potassium-40 is a major source from within your
body. (Do Not Worry - it's been that way as long as there has been life) So the first thing to do
with a Geiger counter is to reset it to zero to account for the natural radiation.
You may also get some radiation from man-made sources, but normally that is very minor
compared to the natural radiation. Then check each mineral sample you suspect one at a time or, you can scan your rock room and locate the beta and gamma sources. Radiation is
measured in units called millisieverts (mSv). The "safe" exposure varies with the type of radiation
and the distance you are from the source.
How do I treat radioactive minerals?
After reading about radioactivity, the obvious first step is to keep any source it out of your body.
Don't breath dust from it (wear a microfilter dust mask). Handle it with throw-away gloves and
wash yourself and anything else it touches and discard the wash water. Don't eat or drink while
the specimens are out of their container.
Keep alpha sources in a plastic box, which is sealed. Keep beta sources in a sealed metal box or
suspended in water in a sealed container. Keep gamma sources in enclosed sealed containers.
Keep ALL of them away from areas you or your family frequent. Keep them locked up so children
cannot get to them.
April 2000
Since damage to the body depends upon exposure, keep your gamma source minerals only in a
small size. Don't store you gamma sources together. Ten small samples together are just as
dangerous as a single source with ten times the radiation of the single sample. The Geiger meter
can be used to assure you are at a safe level. Some collectors build lead-lined storage
containers to contain their minerals safely.
Final advice!
If you are not absolutely sure what you're doing, do not collect radioactive mineral samples.
Reference:
website of the International Atomic Energy Agency , Vienna - <http://www.iaea.org/>.
Great Things Can Happen Working Together
Dan Lingelbach, President
January 30, 2000 should be a day to remember for rockhounds, as that is when the "Rockhound
Educational and Recreational Area" of the Wiley Well District of the BLM was dedicated. At that
time the "Memorandum of Understanding" between the California Federation and the BLM was
signed by representatives of the AFMS, CFMS and the BLM. This allows continuing collecting in
this area with certain restrictions and responsibilities.
This culminated the results of several years of efforts by Jim Strain and his CFMS Public Lands
Access Committee. This is not the first accomplishment of the CFMS in keeping open our access
to our public lands. Earlier, largely through the efforts of Isabella Burns, AFMS President-Elect (
and I assume Bill Burns too) sections of the Cady Mountains were kept open for collecting. I'm
assuming that Isabella will have a review of the happenings at the Wiley Well dedication in her
report this month. Also, this should include some of the conditions that have been agreed to by
the CFMS and the BLM. Hopefully, Jim Strain will have a report sometime on more of the details
in getting this accomplished. Also, it is planned to have this information posted on the Federation
Web sites. If any of the clubs have had any success similar to that reported above, please send
a report to your Federation Editor and/or to Carolyn Weinberger, the AFMS Newsletter Editor. I
think that is going to be the means of keeping access to some of our existing collection areas.
Speaking of reports, all AFMS Committee Chairs need to prepare articles of what is happening in
their committee and send them to Carolyn, our Editor. This is the means that our members have
of find out what is happening. For various reasons, the full listing of the members in each AFMS
Committee is a little late in getting published. Some committees are proceeding without a full
complement which deprives that Federation of being involved with running the American
Federation. The Committee Chairs that do get reports to our Editor are to be commended for
their faithfulness and good example.
Another item of AFMS operation is that the interest earned on the Endowment Fund is used in
April 2000
part to make available to each Regional Federation, $200 worth of AFMS supplies without
charge. These are available from Dan McLennan, AFMS Central Office. These include copies of
the Uniform Rules, the Approved Lapidary, Mineral and Fossil Lists, the Bulletin Editors
Guidelines, Exhibitor Guidelines and Judges Guidelines. Also, available are AFMS pins and Gold
Foil Seals for certificates. Another part of the interest earned is allocated to the copying of the
Slide and Video Programs sent to each Federation. These programs are usually the winning
AFMS Program Competition entries and are available to check out from your Regional
Federation Program Library Chair. I know that Marge Collins, Chair of the Program Competition
Committee would be pleased to receive an entry from any one or club. This is one way to pass
on useful information to other clubs and their members and the public. Education is usually part
of the purpose of most clubs, so participating in the Program Contest is one way of
accomplishing this.
Happy rock hunting.
Sue Holland
Darlene Sue Holland 67 of Tendoy, Idaho died February l9, 2000 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was
a member of the Bannock Shoshone Tribe and received her education on the Fort Hall
Reservation and in Blackfoot, Idaho.
On August 2 , l953 she married Dee R. Holland in Rigby, Idaho. They moved from Pocatello in
l989 to their ranch in Tendoy. Sue became a ranch wife, taking care of cattle, dogs and
cultivating a garden of flowers. Sue enjoyed crafts, painting and needlework. She volunteered in
Salmon taking care of "Her Ladies" who needed a visit, or shopping done or work done around
the house. She also served as the Northwest Federation newsletter editor and for seven years
their junior chairperson. She traveled with Dee extensively when he was President of the
Northwest Federation and American Federation President.
Sue became ill in December with what seemed to be a cold, then with flue symptoms. She was
moved to Idaho Falls where she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Sue was a quiet, dignified lady
whose sweet smile lit up a room. The Northwest Rockhounds will miss her gentle ways.
Funeral services where held on February 22 at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Mission on the
Fort Hall Reservation. She was buried in the Church Cemetery on the Reservation.
Bonnie Glismann
A Chat with lzzie
by Isabella Bums, President Elect
Internet expands access to information about our hobby, our organization and our lives. It has
affected virtually all aspects of our daily lives, whether we realize it or not. Television
April 2000
commercials include a World Wide Web addresses; business cards include e-mail address; and
people are buying on the net - everything from stocks to rocks.
Last summer at the CFMS Show, Our Web Master had a computer set to show our new web
page. His three year old grandson crawled up on a chair by it and used his little fingers to
change the pictures on the screen. It is hard for me to work mine, but the children seem to learn
to use the computer easier than they learn to tie their shoes. The Internet has dramatically
changed our work habits. President Dan recently commented on how much easier some tasks
are over the Internet. When I feel overwhelmed and frustrated, I have to find a game to play to
calm down. It is a great aid for spreading news fast by sending the same e message to many
people.
The web sites are a great educational tool. Because of the ease and speed of the Internet,
modern research about minerals, fossils, rocks, geology, etc. is expanding people's knowledge.
At Tucson Bill & I spent sometime at the ALAA Booth, which was located between the BLM and
Forestry Service booths. On Friday there were over 4000 students at the show. The Forestry
Service was giving quartz crystals from Arkansas to them, but when they would grow short of
supplies, the ranger would give the students a small card. The eyes of the students would light
up and they would say "Oh! Thank you!" Some even put the crystals back and ask if they could
have the card. I was curious. The cards consisted of the following information:
USDA FOREST SERVICE
www.fs.fed.us
www.fs.fed.us/ink/forests
Forest Service GEOLOGY
www.fs.fed.us/geology
www..fs.fed.us/oonf/minerals
Have you ever tried to seek information from these sources? I bet some students in Tucson have
by now. I must give BLM equal time.
www.ca.bim.gov
click CURRENT NEWS for current news"
click INFORMATION for maps, passes, etc.
click RECREATION then go to rockhounding/gold panning
There is more information from museums, colleges, etc. on the net. . I am prejudiced; try
www.cfmsinc.org. Maybe we should promote our societies by giving flyers, cards, and book
marks with our web sites and information sites. There is so much there, I pinch myself to see if I
am dreaming. I will send this to Carolyn by e-mail and follow up with a snail mail copy. We will all
be using all of this new information soon.
April 2000
by Bob and Kathy Miller, Co-Chairs
"adapted from a series by Diane Dare for SIES Club News 11/97-3/97, Donna Curtis, Editor"
(part I of a 2 part series)
Wouldn't it be neat if every Junior member had a display at your show? Well, every one of you
can have an exhibit!
Some of you may already have a display, or will make one for something else. Do you have a 4H project, a school science or history poster or project, or work you did to earn a Scout merit
badge? Is it about geology, conservation, Indian lore, or anything related to earth science? This
can be your Show Exhibit!
Every one of you, even the youngest member, has some rocks or fossils or pretty stones. This
article will tell you how to fix these for your Show Exhibit.
Parents/Grandparents/Interested Adults/Junior Leaders:
Every Junior could have at least an 11" X 14" display! (11" x 14" is 1/4 of a standard piece
of poster board.) To create simple displays. Will you help by encouraging your junior(s) to
exhibit?
"A rock specimen without a label is a paperweight", says Dean Stone, MWF Ist Vice
President.
Labeling is important in a display. Labels tell people what your specimens or items are and
where they came from. The labels help less knowledgeable people understand what your display
contains.
Labels should be easy to read. Print clearly or type. Use heavy paper like card stock so the
labels don't curl up or wrinkle. Or use adhesive 'address' labels and stick them on to your
display.
If you display only one kind of mineral, you may need only one label, such as "FLUORITE -from
Illinois." It is nice if you can tell more, like the mine, or the county. If you have several different
rocks, you need separate labels, like "BARITE - Missouri," "FERN FOSSIL - Illinois," etc. Fossil
labels can have scientific names or common names or both. You can also give the age or time
period: "TRILOBITE - Phacops - Devonian Age - from Ohio." The scientific name should be
underlined.
Labels should be accurate. If you have a purple rock, can you tell whether it is fluorite or
amethyst? Learn about your specimens so you can identify them correctly. Be sure to check your
spelling!
Have your been thinking about what you might exhibit at your show. If you need help with
identification, a book from the club library may have the answers, or ask club members for
April 2000
assistance.
Next month, part 2.
What Should I Put on My Clubs Website?
One large part of the task of creating a website is determining what should or should not be on
the site. A site could be a single simple page with the most important information, such your
club's name, address, contact information, and meeting information. From this point you can
build your site to serve a larger role as a source of information for visitors and your members.
Below is an outline listing of some of the items you might want to include on your site. Make sure
that visitors to your site know they are invited to visit your club (I assume they are?). Sometimes
the obvious items get left off. I'm sure some of them will also be left off this list : ).
The name of your organization
The purpose of your organization
Founding date (brag if it's been a while)
Non-profit status if applicable
Where your organization is located Including city and state
Your mailing address
Your meeting location
How to contact your organization
Again, your mailing address
At least one e-mail address/mailing address/ phone number
Webmaster's email address
Club contact for public relations
Your newsletter editor
Show dealer chairman
Be prepared for the question of "Where can I find rocks in the area?"
Meeting location
State, city, and street address.
Name of the building where the meeting is located
Room in the building for the meeting
Driving directions to the meeting
How about a map showing the meeting location
Meeting date & time schedule
Be sure and list any months that do not follow the normal schedule
Meeting topics
Club Logo
Affiliations
Regional Federation
April 2000
AFMS
Future Rockhounds of America
Membership information
Membership requirements
Membership application
Are visitors welcome?
Show information
Organization sponsorships
Scholarships supported
Donations or support to other organizations
Educational programs
Community support programs
Common information for your other pages
Link to your home page, since visitors might not start on your home page.
The name of your organization
The URL of each page, so any printouts will show the URL
Copyright information
Last date web page was updated
Hit counter for pages that you want to monitor traffic
Other Items that could be included on the website:
Newsletters
Links
Other organizations in your area
Regional Federation
AFMS
Other links of interest in your area
Universities with Earth Science programs
Museums
Special areas of interest to rockhounds
History of the organization
When was it organized
Other interesting facts
Awards
Newsletter awards
Awards of members
Website awards
Pictures
Pictures of some of the members and the activities can make your
organization look more welcoming to people wanting to visit your
organization for the first time.
Limit pictures so that page loading times are responsive. Use of
April 2000
thumb nails that link to larger pictures can help with loading times.
Activities
Workshop information
Location
Schedule
Rules
Field trips
Past field trips
Planned field trips
Field trip requirements
Special activities for youth
Other important events
Officer and committee listing
Membership benefits
Newsletter
Field trips
Workshop
Library
Educational and other resource information about rockhounding
Disclaimers about information on the site
What's New page so visitor can quickly find new and updated items on your site.
Visit the page at http://www.amfed.org/web/webmasters.htm for links and more information
related to this article. Links are included to help you find a host provider, as well as free Internet
Access, email, and other services.
by Bonnie Glismann, Chairman
The AFMS recognition program, Each Club - Each Year - One Rockhound, is a continuous
program in which each club is allowed to recognize one member each year for their outstanding
work as rockhounds. Nominations can be submitted at any time during the year. There is no
deadline!
The AFMS Committee makes no distinction as to who is recognized and who is not. All names
submitted for recognition will be published in the AFMS Newsletter. The only restriction is that
each club may submit only one nomination per year. For this program, married couples are
considered as "one". If a club submits a second nomination within a year, that nomination will be
held and published the next year.
Reasons for the nomination should be kept short and simple. Please tell us the name of the
individual(s), the club name, city and state where located and the name of the individual sending
in the nomination.
April 2000
All nominations should be sent to your Regional Federation representative.
We look forward to hearing from all our AFMS affiliated clubs.
The Red Star
from Dan McLennan, AFMS Central Office
Last month I asked subscription holders to look at the mailing label and send in their renewal fee
if a red star appeared on the label. I'm asking you to do this again.
If your mailing label has a red star on it, please send in your subscription renewal immediately so
you won't be dropped from the mailing list. Complete subscription information is posted on page
7 of this issue.
The Amlab Mineral Lab Concept
A Professional Lab Service for Amateurs - Dream or Reality
By: Alan Plante, Presidential Gem & Mineral Society (EFMLS)
The Present Reality
You find a mineral that you can't identify. Let's say it's a seam of sub-vitreous to waxy looking
material with the intense blue color of chalcanthite - ranging from a thin veneer to clusters of
grape-like micro balls. It's pop your eyes, take your breath away, drop dead gorgeous. But what
is it??? You can guess, but there are several dozen possibilities and it could be any one of them including chalcanthite. So what are you going to do?
Well, you poke through your field guides, you borrow your club's copies of Dana and the
Handbook of Mineralogy, and slowly and tediously you work away at eliminating a bunch of the
"maybes." And you bring it in to the club and pass it around among the old hands for their
opinions. (They all think its different things and are sure it isn't what the others think it is...) So
then you start to get radical: You chip off a few small pieces, one gets an acid bath, another (the
largest chip) gets tested for specific gravity, and yet another gets popped in the closed tube and
has the heat put to it - and so on. All this leads to the inexorable conclusion that you pretty blue
mineral is a copper species - probably a carbonate or a sulfate - and you've whittled the list down
to eight or ten "probables." But you still don't know which one for sure...
It's obvious that you now need the help of the "pros." But one college lab isn't well enough
equipped, the university lab is under staffed and
overloaded with a rapidly dwindling budget. That museum has the gear and the people, but your
sample doesn't fit into their current research program - while the other museum, like the
university, simply doesn't have the money or the staff to handle the load it's under. And U.S.G.S.
tells you to try them again in a few months... (Talk about a group that's under-funded and
April 2000
overworked!) It's not that they don't want to help you - it's just that they simply can't.
You're stuck...
The Dream
But what if there were a lab out there - or maybe even a network of labs - that did nothing but
service the amateur mineral collecting community? What if the labs were set up so that if you're
the proverbial "pro from Dover" you have to go elsewhere to get your analytical work done? Only
samples from amateurs handled here, sorry.
Wouldn't it be grand? A lab or labs of our own! You send your sample in and in a few weeks you
get back an ID, along with an analytical report replete with chemical data and a SEM graph, etc.
Voila! You have your answer! Or maybe - just maybe - the answer you get is that you've
discovered something new, never seen or described before; and your name is going to be
attached to the announcement as the discoverer, and you even get to name it!
What an idea! What a dream! Or is it just a dream? Could it - might it - happen?
The Rationale
I think there is a case to be made for just such a lab, or network of labs (maybe four or six
scattered across the country). I think it is arguable that the contributions of amateur collectors
has always been and continues to be significant, even extremely important, to the science. How
many species of minerals were discovered by amateurs - or at least brought to the attention of
pros by them? I don't know, but I expect that it is a significant percentage, perhaps even a
majority. And the rank-and-file collectors - all of us out there in the trenches (literally!) are still the
ones the pros rely on to bring them new materials for examination - or at least to point them
towards the stuff.
The problem is that the labs at colleges and museums are working at peak capacity given their
financial, equipment, and people resources - they're maxed out, and then some! And there are
damn few independent labs available to us - and those usually charge a pretty penny. (Just a
SEM-EDS analysis runs around $50.00 per sample. And SEM, great as it is, still isn't always
definitive. XRD is often needed to nail down a species ID.)
So it would certainly help to open up - or at least ease - the bottleneck we face when we have a
"mystery mineral" we want to get IDed. And a network of labs dedicated to serving the amateur
community would add tremendously to the body of mineral knowledge - speeding up the
discovery of new species and adding reams of data on known ones. They would also serve as
screening houses that funnel interesting things to the academic research community - along with
those reams of data on known species.
As I say, I think there is a case to be made. The questions are where and how?
Costs, Grant Writing & Funding Sources
I have to admit that I'm groping in the dark here, folks. I don't really have a clue about how to
April 2000
make the dream a reality.
How much does a fully equipped lab cost? Probably millions, maybe tens of millions. And I would
expect that yearly operating costs, salaries, expendables, overhead, etc., would run in the
hundreds of thousands to low millions. It wouldn't be cheap...
It would take an ace grantsperson to track down likely funding sources and write the grants that
would be needed. But I am sure that there are foundations out there - R.K. Mellon in Pittsburgh
comes to mind - which have the funds and the focus of interest which can be tapped. Perhaps it
might take a consortium of foundations, put together just to fund the project. Whatever the
approach, I do know that there are millions of dollars of money for science that go up for grabs
every year. It's a matter of finding someone who knows how to grab them.
Keeping the Amlab Network Dedicated
Okay, let's make the big leap: We've got the money and the labs are being built, equipped, and
staffed. Now how are we going to run them? How are we going to make sure they stay dedicated
to serving the amateur collecting community?
I'm not putting the professional community down here. It's just that they already have labs at their
disposal. As I said earlier, the bottleneck doesn't exist because the pros don't want to help us
amateurs out - it's because they can't. They are simply too under funded, understaffed, and
overworked. Many of the college, museum, and government labs will, in fact, do what they can.
It's just that it can take them so long to get to stuff amateurs send in to them. If you send a
sample in today it might be anywhere from six months on up before you hear back about it. I
know one fellow who sent a sample in to a government lab and didn't hear back for five years!
(By then he'd had the mineral analyzed somewhere else - and it was a new species.) So, the
idea of an amateur dedicated service that pros can't use is simply because its needed. The pros
will still have their labs - we'll just have our own, augmenting the overall system.
First off, the odds are you'll never achieve 100% dedication. I think that's an unhappy given
going in. There will always be unscrupulous people who will find loopholes and use them: The
driven pro who can't get all the lab time he wants or needs at his facility and asks an amateur
friend to send some samples in to Amlab under his name. And that amateur, being either
beholden to the pro or unscrupulous himself, does it. Weasels are facts of life... So, if Amlab is
going to be amateur dedicated, there needs to be some sort of check in place to keep it that way
as much as possible. And I think that, with the proper precautions, the network could be made
more dedicated than not - maybe achieving 80 or 90% dedication, which is pretty damn good!
First the Amlabs would need a database of info on the other labs out there - colleges, museums,
independents, etc. - including who works in them, the pros and their interns or grad students.
And that database would have to be continually updated, stay current on staffing and students.
This database would be used to check incoming re quests out. Each person submitting a
sample, or batch of them, would fill out a form. (Yeah - Here we go with the bureaucratic red
tape. We all hate it, but it's such a necessary evil. Dammit!) The form requires the submitter's
April 2000
name, occupation, home and work address, home and work phone numbers, e-mail and fax, etc.
This info gets compared against the database. If the submitter isn't on the "pro list" the package
goes to the next step. If the guy's name is on the pro list, the package gets sent back. (No! It
doesn't get sent back! It gets chucked out the back door into the dumpster. Other weasels are
likely to think twice if they know they risk losing their samples...)
And all of the info gets converted to "1s" and "0s" in the computer. So if it is found that someone
has sent something in for a pro, they get blackballed from using the labs - any and all of them.
(This will make the amateurs think twice about doing pros an unethical favor...)
I think it would also be important to make sure that the administrators at each lab are not pros,
but rather drawn from outside the pro community - people with no ties who have the business
and administrative expertise to run things. They would be charged first and foremost with
keeping the labs dedicated to serving the amateur community.
Finally, it would also be a firing offense for someone in the lab to knowingly bring in and/or work
on materials from pros. Period! (With our non-pro administrators sitting in judgement and
wielding the axe...)
I know the above outline isn't foolproof and needs a lot of fleshing out before it could be called an
operational procedure. The point is that there are safeguards that can be used to keep the lab
network focused on its purpose: Serving amateur collectors.
Getting the Word Out
Probably the easiest part of the project would be getting the word out to folks that the labs are up
and running - ready to handle their samples and send them back IDs. You simply send out
announcements to each of the mineral club federations and mineral magazines. I'm sure that
would result in a flood of publicity - no paid ads needed.
And perhaps part of the funding package would be membership dues, with drives each year to
get clubs and individuals to join up and support the labs. Then there would be yearly updates to
the membership - maybe a newsletter or at least a quarterly report. (I expect any contributing
foundation will require the reports anyway.)
Bottom line here is that you can pretty much count on word spreading fast - as fast as PCs can
transfer bytes in the internet. Getting the word out won't be the problem...
What Will It Cost A Collector?
Ideally, it would be great if the labs' services could be free. But the reality is that they most likely
can't be. Even the most generous foundations expect those benefiting from their largess to
contribute something. They may be willing to set the network up and subsidize its operation - but
they'll expect the collectors to pony up as well. I don't really know what will shake down in this
respect. But I would hope that
any fees would be minimal - maybe something like $20.00 or $25.00 for the first sample and
$5.00 or $10.00 for each additional sample in a batch. Maybe that's dreaming, too. We'll have to
April 2000
see. But even if you double those figures, you're talking damn reasonable rates for full lab work.
If an individual can't afford it, then maybe their club could - and could set up a fund for ID work.
The point is the services aren't likely to be free. Learn to live with it.
Dealing With The Landslide
You've just gotta know that if such a network ever becomes established the local postman and
UPS delivery guy are going to have hernias lugging in the landslide of rocks and minerals that
will come crashing down on the labs each day. Everybody and their brother-in-law will be
sending in everything from beach pebbles to boulders.
Well... Maybe not quite that bad. But you can certainly expect that the labs will do a pretty brisk
business.
A good portion of the stuff coming in the front door is likely to be stuff that doesn't really need
analytical work to ID it. So - once packages make it past receiving screening - they'll have to be
sorted. Some stuff - probably quite a lot of it - will quickly get IDed and shipped out the side door
with a quick note or brief report on it. Other materials will head for the chem lab for that sort of
work - specific gravity, acid tests, closed and open tube tests, blowpipe, etc. Only the stuff that
looks particularly thorny would head directly to the high-tech department for SEM and XRD, etc.
(Probably mostly micros!) This sort of routing and tracking would be the most efficient and cost
effective way to handle samples. You don't need a chem lab or SEM to ID a quartz crystal; and
you don't need to use the high-tech (expensive) route on stuff that can be nailed down in a basic
chem lab.
At the far end, samples would have reports and SEM graphs, etc., packed with them and they'd
be mailed out. The submitter would get their specimen back (hopefully...) with whatever data was
produced by the analytical process. Shouldn't take more than four to six weeks from the time a
package is shipped to the lab before the submitter knows what it was they shipped out. Or at
least I should think that sort of turnaround time would be possible.
Making It Happen
Okay, you like the idea and want to see it happen. What can you do to help?
Know a good grantsperson? Maybe you are a grantsperson? Know of a foundation - or two, or
several - that might go for something like this? Experienced with drafting business proposals and
willing to help turn this idea into one? Have some other form of contact that would be useful and
willing to give us a hand, one way or another? Or just have some ideas you think would help to
produce an acceptable proposal? Any or all of the above - let's hear from you.
The way this is going to happen is if the right people get their act together dig in. I think the idea
is worth committing some time and effort to. Do you?
Conclusion
I recall the story of three guys that didn't have two nickels to rub together, just a good idea. So
April 2000
they went to the big shots at IBM and made their pitch - including promises they didn't know if
they could keep. Today they're Microsoft and Billy Gates is the richest man in the world. We
aren't looking to cash in on a new technology, but we've got a good idea who's time may have
come. The only way to find out is take a chance. No guts, no glory. It's true.
Drop me a line if you're willing to put it on the line with me and whoever else jumps on this
dream. The address is: [email protected]
Memorabilia?
from Shirley Leeson, AFMS Historian
I am searching for memorabilia from the AFMS shows. Please ask your older members who
might have attended some of these shows if they might still have programs, award banquet
pictures, editor's pictures, etc. I'll need the names on the pictures and the show/convention site
and year. For those of you who sent me pictures of your awards when I asked for memorabilia
for our 50th anniversary, they were saved and they are now in the scrap books. I am light on the
material from the early conventions. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1950 is one that comes to mind. And
St. Paul, Minnesota, 1956. Dallas Texas, 1958, Portland, Oregon, 1959 and Miami, Florida,
1961. A picture of the convention center, pictures of people who attended, programs of the
banquet . ANYTHING.... please Will YOU ask your historian if there is any material that could be
duplicated? Taking this to a copy center with a laser printer will duplicate the material very well.
Consider this an early "housecleaning."
Shirley Leeson, AFMS Historian
6155 Haas St.
La Mesa, CA 91942-4312
All Roads Lead To Moab
Paris, New York, Tokyo, London, Moab
from the Points and Pebbles Club
Plans are well underway for a gala week in Moab this October as the American Federation and
Rocky Mountain Federation hold their annual conventions in this lovely Utah town.
The convention, sponsored by the Points and Pebbles Club will feature field trips before the
show activities begin, an excellent assortment of dealers at the show, wonderful competitive and
non-competitive displays and a chance to tour some of the most picturesque areas of our
country. Reservations at the Moab Valley Inn, the host hotel are being snapped up fast and I
urge you to make your reservations today if you have not already done so. The phone numbers
for the hotel are:
(435) 259-4119 or (800) 831-6622
Be certain to indicate that you are with the gem and mineral show when you reserve so as to
April 2000
insure obtaining the group rate for your room.
Packets with complete information will be mailed out at the end of March or early April. In it you
will find the complete listing of all the activities, both day and evening, planned for the show.
Moab is a popular area to visit with many National Monuments within a few hours drive.
Motels in the area:
Moab Valley Inn - Headquarters Motel
127 rooms - $68 plus tax per night
Free continental breakfast if 100 rooms are booked
Phone: (435) 259-4119 or (800) 831-6622
Big Horn Lodge
58 rooms - $59.95 plus tax per night
(435) 259-6171
Red Stone Inn
50 rooms - $59.95 plus tax per night
(435) 259-3500
Bowen Motel
40 rooms - $65 - $75 plus tax per night
(435) 259-7132
Best Western Inn
(435) 259-6151
Sleep Inn
(435) 259-4655
The Virginian Motel
37 rooms, 20 with kitchens - $62.90 + tax
(435) 259-5468
Archway Inn
97 rooms - $69.95 plus tax
Free continental breakfast
(435) 259-2599
Campgrounds
Spanish Trail RV Park & Campground
4 miles south of Moab
April 2000
$24.04 for 2 people. Extra person $3 each
1-800-787-2751
KOA Campground
rates range from $19.50 - $26.00 + tax
cabins available
(435) 259-6682
OK RV Park
$15 per site per day plus tax
(435) 259-1400
Moab Rim Campark
$14 - $20 per day plus tax
over 2 people $3 extra per person
(888) 599-6622
Slickrock
$17.41 - $22.89 per day
some cabins - $29.43
Packcreek Campground & RV Park
$10 - $16.50 plus tax
(435) 259-2982
Portal RV Park
$15 - $24.00 plus tax
Cabins $38.95 (need sleeping bag)+ tax
Extra adults $3 each
(435) 259-6108
Moab Valley RV & Campground
$19 - $20 plus tax
Cabins - $35
(435) 259-4469
Check with the specific campground to determine what services they offer with their sites. Many
offer full hookups and pull through sites. Lesser prices usually indicate the cost of a tent site or a
dry RV site.
Do remember to make reservations early. There is another convention in town the same
weekend as the show and reservations may be at difficult to obtain if you wait too long.
We look forward to seeing you in Red Rock Country this October.
April 2000
Press Releases How To Work With the Media
from a talk by Bob Pellegrino, City Editor, Greenwich Time
from EFMLS News, January, 1999
At the 1999 Eastern Federation Editor's Breakfast in Stamford Connecticut, Bob Pellegrino, City
Editor for the Greenwich Time newspaper addressed the assembled group and discussed ways
of maximizing newspapers in obtaining publicity for club activities. Summarized below are the
key points of Mr. Pellegrino's discussion.
General Guidelines:
1. Call the City Desk of your local newspaper about two months before your scheduled activity
and ask to whom a press release should be sent. The City Desk will direct you to the individual
who handles your type of project.
2. Contact that person and determine what type of "lead time" is needed for receipt of the press
release". Determine whether or not a good photograph can be used with your release.
3. Follow this up with a second phone call a week or so prior to the date given to you for
delivering the press release as a "reminder" to the editor. Obtain the correct spelling of the
individual's name and correct address for mailing your information.
4. Address your press release to the individual you have talked with.
5. Follow up with a phone call to determine if the release has been received.
6. Ask if a reporter can cover your event.
Tips on good press releases:
1. Include all pertinent information:
where, when, time, cost (if any), why event is significant, special features, etc.
2. Avoid "jargon".
3. Define technical terms
4. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms.
5. Make your release brief, simple and clear. The less work the editor has to do to "make it fit" in
the newspaper the better your chances of having it placed.
Tips on photographs:
1. If a paper will run a photo with your press release be certain that it is a very sharp picture.
2. Avoid sending in pictures of lots of people. With reproduction photos degrade in quality and
people end up looking like "dots".
3. A photo of one major mineral or gemstone works well as dose a photo of one or two
individuals.
4. Avoid lots of background clutter.
To obtain "feature" articles:
1. Call and ask if the newspaper would be interested in doing a story.
2. Be sure that what you ask them to cover is really of interest to the community. Have your facts
April 2000
in hand before you contact the paper.
3. Usually reporters want to write their own story. You might prepare notes listing important facts
about your group or project, names of important individuals etc. to give the reporter as a guide.
June 2000
Contents:
Loud & Clear (ALAA)
President's Message - Handwriting Is On The Wall
A Chat with Izzle
Who Is Your Webmaster?
All Roads Lead To Moab, Utah (Moab Show News)
AFMS Rules Committee Moab Meeting
Safety First (Hammer Safety)
AFMS History - A Different Field Trip
Feedback (Keeping Members)
by Bob & Kathy Miller, AFMS Junior Activities Chairmen
Volume 53, Number 7
June, 2000
June 2000
As AFMS Chairmen for Junior Activities we hope the information given in this newsletter will help
answer some of the questions about the Future Rockhounds of America. We also included the
names of our committee members who are from every federation in the AFMS (see page ___.
The Junior Chairman in your federation has access to resources that include posters, activities,
earth science games and rock, fossil, mineral material. Take advantage of your regional Junior
Chairman, they are available as a benefit to you in enjoying more of this hobby.
At the AFMS convention in Houghton, MI, we brought what we thought were enough handouts
for the Juniors Booth to last the entire time of the show. We really misjudged as almost all the
material we had was gone by Saturday afternoon. This was wonderful as it means there are
interested young people who are enjoying our hobby. We will be having another booth at the
upcoming AFMS convention in Moab, UT with much more material. Because the supplies went
so fast, we do encourage adult members (as well as the regional Junior Chairmen) to bring any
handout rocks, fossils, or minerals they wish to donate for our young members.
History of Future Rockhounds
Rockhound clubs throughout the Federation have been supporting youth groups for many years.
At times there were youth which belonged to a club, but the club didn't know just what to do with
them or what direction they should go. Consequently a lot of youth fell through the cracks. We
are sure no one could argue the fact that we need to insure the future of our hobby by
encouraging our youth.
Knowing the above, in 1984, under the direction of Bill Cox, AFMS President, a committee was
added to the AFMS called "Junior Clubs" the Chairman was Ruth Hammett from the South
Central Federation. During the first year very little was accomplished other than the adoption of a
very useful manual designed by the Midwest Federation. At the end of 1984 and during the first
part of 1985, Bill coined the name "Future Rockhounds of America" and designed a certificate to
be given to junior clubs who became members of FRA. It gives the clubs the distinction of
belonging to something worthwhile.
The only requirement for obtaining membership into FRA is to be organized and sponsored by a
federation club. (Exceptions to this can be made). There are no dues to pay to the federation for
being a member as dues will be paid through the adult club.
How to Become a Member of FRA
This is a question we hear often..."How does our group become members of the Future
Rockhounds of America?"
The answer is very simple. All you need is a group of kids, a sponsor, a name and an application
to FRA.
Requirements:
June 2000
1. Your group must be a member of your local federation. This can be either through a
2. Dues only have to be paid to the local federation and thus into AFMS. There are no
3. The number of youth is not important... you can have as few as 2 and as many as you can
handle.
4. Age. In most clubs the age at which one becomes an adult is 18.
We said it was simple, there is no mystery to joining. Just fill out an application which can be
obtained from your local federation Youth Coordinator (or on page 7 of this issue). We are here
to help you.
Loud & Clear
by George Loud
While attending the Rochester Mineral Symposium this April, David Kords of Walworth, NY
brought to my attention new regulations of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
which were published as final rules in the "Federal Register" issue of September 30, 1999 and
which become effective October 2nd of this year. Unknown to me at that time, Mr. Dave
Hennessey, Field Trip Chair of a local club to which I belong, had been denied a request for a
field trip by quarry management who cited the new MSHA Part 46 regulations as reason for the
denial. What then are these new MSHA regulations and how do they effect us?
New section 30 CFR Part 46 sets forth mandatory requirements for safety training and retraining
of miners and other persons working in or entering operating areas of surface mines. Most
surface mines have previously been exempt from mandatory requirements for safety training.
The new Part 46 mandatory requirements for safety training apply to all "shell dredging, sand,
gravel, surface stone, surface clay, collodial phosphate and surface limestone mines." By way of
example, •operations that produce marble, granite, sandstone, shale, traprock, kaolin, cement,
feldspar, and limeŒ are specifically mentioned. 40 CFR Part 48 "remains in effect at all
underground metal and non-metal mines, all surface metal mines and a few surface non-metal
mines, such as surface boron and talc mines." Thus, the new regulations of 30 CFR part 46
would apply to limestone, traprock and other quarries frequented by mineral collectors.
The new 30 CFR Part 46 mandates five (5) types of safety training for "miners":
New miner training;
Newly hired experienced miner training;
New task training;
Annual refresher training; and
Site-specific hazard awareness training.
June 2000
It is important to note that the five (5) types of training enumerated above are required only for
•minersŒ, which term is defined in the regulations in such a manner that it would not apply to
hobbyist mineral collectors entering a quarry solely for the purpose of collecting. Quoting from
page 53094 of the "Federal Register" notice of September 30th, "we intend that the definition of
`miners' include persons who are engaged in activities related to day-to-day mining operations."
The definition set forth in 30 CFR 46.2(g)(1) reads "'miner' means: any person, including any
operator or supervisor, who works at a mine and who is engaged in mining operations." 30 CFR
46.2(g)(2) states "The definition of `miner' does not include scientific workers, delivery workers,
customers (including commercial over-the-road truck drivers), vendors or visitors." I emphasize
"scientific workers" and "visitors" in the foregoing quotation because Mr. Richard E. Wood,
Assistant Regional Manager for the Eastern Field Office of MSHA has stated in telephone
conversation that mineral collectors would fall into either or both of these categories. It is
important to understand that mineral collectors are not "miners" within the meaning of the
regulations and therefore not subject to the training requirements for "miners".
However, the new regulations of 30 CFR Part 46 do impose a burden on quarry owners
regarding the safety of "scientific workers", "visitors" and others who would not be "miners" as
that term is defined in the regulations. The obligations of the quarry operator to mineral collectors
and other parties entering the quarry who are not miners, are set forth in 30 CFR 46.11 "sitespecific hazard awareness training." This regulation gives a quarry owner two options for
providing for the safety of non-miners entering the quarry. One option is provision of site-specific
hazard awareness training. 30 CFR 46.11(e) states:
You may provide site-specific hazard awareness training through the use of written hazard
warnings, oral instruction, signs and posted warnings, walkaround training, or other appropriate
means that alert persons to site-specific hazards in the mine.
Quoting from page 53127 of the "Federal Register" notice, "depending on the circumstances and
the type of degree of the person's exposure to mine hazards, you may provide hazard
awareness training through informal but informative conversations." My understanding is that the
"site-specific hazard awareness training" required by section 46.11 could suitably be the usual
group briefing of the type mineral clubs in this area often receive from quarry management prior
to leaving the office area and entering the operating area of the quarry. It is important to note
that, while the quarry management is required to keep records of "site-specific hazard
awareness training" given to "miners", there is no record-keeping requirement for such "training"
given to "scientific workers" and "visitors." See pages 53122 and 53128 of the "Federal Register"
notice. Accordingly, my understanding is that the new regulations would not impose any burden
on quarry management beyond the briefings typically given to club groups prior to entering a
quarry.
Section 46.11(f) provides the quarry operators with an alternative to •site-specific hazard
awareness trainingŒ as a means of compliance with the regulations as they apply to mineral
collectors and other visitors to the quarry. Section 46.11(f) reads:
Site-specific hazard awareness training is not required for any person who is accompanied at all
June 2000
times by an experienced miner who is familiar with hazards specific to the mine site.
In the traprock and limestone quarries of Maryland and Virginia where I collect, one or more
members of quarry management often accompany and stay with the club group while in the
quarry. If quarry management elects to fulfill its obligation to mineral collectors under section
46.11(f), it is important that club members stay with the group so that they are "accompanied at
all times by an experienced miner", as required to satisfy this section of the regulations.
If management of a quarry does not want to allow organized field trips by mineral collectors, they
need no excuse to deny access. However, I recommend that club field trip chairpersons
familiarize themselves with these new Part 46 regulations so that they will be able to allay any
new fears on the part of quarry management which might be created by an improper reading of
these new regulations. When I first moved to the Washington, D.C. area in 1968, I could collect
in any of the local quarries on Saturday morning simply by signing a waiver in the quarry office.
Unfortunately, now we consider ourselves fortunate to get into some of the local quarries, as a
club, once every several years. The evolution of our tort law toward a negligence standard of
strict liability and the increasing willingness of individuals to sue for any and all injuries, are
responsible in large part for the change in attitude of quarry management toward mineral
collectors. We can only hope that these new regulations do not make the situation worse.
Information and a copy of the new MSHA regulations can be obtained at <www.msha.gov> or by
telephoning Carol J. Jones at (703) 235-1910, e-mail: <mailto:[email protected]>.
George Loud
9709 Layminster Lane
Vienna, VA 22182
The Handwriting is on the Wall
by Dan Lingelbach, AFMS President
I don't know where the above expression came from but I think it conveys the situation existing
with the "invitation" by the Forest Service for comments on their proposed changes to 36 CFR
parts 212,261, and 295 in the March 3 issue of the Federal Register. The Forest Service is going
to close some existing accesses to the public lands they manage. George Loud has already
brought this to your attention in a previous message. If you read the 16 or so pages in that notice
a couple things stand out. One is there is a fundamental change in that there will a shift from
"development of a transportation system" to "maintenance of needed roads and the
decommissioning of unneeded roads". The other is that they are redefining the usual definition of
roads. In their original notice of intention issued several months ago to propose these changes in
the CFR, they used terms for areas as being "roaded, roadless and unroaded" in conjunction
with "inventoried and uninventoried". This time they used classified and unclassified. When
words are used in usual or different ways one gets suspicious of their intentions and I sent a
comment to them to that effect.
June 2000
In the March 3 notice they did do a better job of defining their terms and at least we now know
they propose to define a road as "A motor vehicle travelway over 50 inches wide, unless
classified and managed as a trail. A road maybe classified or unclassified." You'll have to get a
copy of the March 3 notice to find out how classified and unclassified roads are defined, as my
message will get way too long if I include them and what goes with it.
Anyway, how do you respond to the notice of the proposed changes to the 36 CFR? Following is
how I responded to this "invitation" to comment. Instead of getting into the details of the effects, I
tried to stress that rockhounding is a bona fide recreational activity, that access by motor vehicle
is needed to get to certain areas and that our clubs are willing to work with the local managers to
maintain access to collecting areas. Also, we are not anti-environmentalists.
You'll notice that this response was my personal feeling and not an official position of the AFMS,
but hopefully this expresses the sentiment of our members. I would be pleased to learn of your
feelings of this approach. I know this is longer than I usually have but maybe I'll have a short one
sometime to make up for this one.
April 27, 2000
USFS CAET
Attn: Roads
P.O. Box 221090
Salt Lake City, UT 84122
Greetings:
This communication is in regard to the Forest Service Notices of Overview of Proposal,
Proposed Rule Making, Administrative Policy and Proposed Forest Service Manual Revisions
published in the March 3rd issue of the Federal Register.
As President of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc., (AFMS) an
organization of some 55,000 card carrying rockhounds (and many more who elect to remain
anonymous) I believe I express the sentiment of the members by saying that our main concern
regarding the proposed changes to 36 CPR parts 212,261 and 295 is access to areas to surface
collect rocks on public land managed by the Forest Service. I suspect those who do not belong
to a rock club are younger people with children who have other scheduled activities but who
enjoy being able to pick up rocks when they visit public lands for that and other recreational
activities.
Unfortunately, many of the card carrying rock hounds are older and unable to hike miles from the
roads to look for and possibly surface collect rocks. Therefore, the decommissioning of existing
unclassified roads is of great concern to us, as rockhounds. Surface collecting of rocks should be
as much a recreational activity as say, hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, skiing etc. Since
rocks of interest to rockhounds exist in only certain locations, access by high clearance vehicles
is likely a requirement.
June 2000
For years rockhounds have been attracted to certain areas on public lands because they contain
specimens with interesting features. To maintain access to some of these areas on public lands,
"Memorandums of Understanding" have been developed between a managing agency and an
organized mineralogical society. One notable example of this has been the Hauser Beds
"Rockhound Education and Recreational Area" an agreement between the BLM and the
California Federation of Mineralogical Societies which is a member of the American Federation
of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. Therefore, whatever regulations are developed for managing a
Forest Service transportation system should have provisions allowing the Forest Supervisor or
District Rangers to work with an organized mineralogical society to develop agreements to
maintain access to certain areas previously used by rockhounds to surface collect.
I would like to emphasize that surface collecting of rocks is a bona fide recreational activity and
with some restrictions would have a minimal environmental impact on the area. Organized
mineralogical societies are willing to work with any managing agency to work out an acceptable
agreement to both parties, as we are probably as concerned about our environment as many
other environmental groups. Our feeling is that public lands should be managed to the greatest
benefit to the greatest number of people and a livable environment is definitely a benefit.
However, access to certain areas of public land is one key to providing this greatest benefit.
Respectfully,
Dan Lingelbach
AFMS President
1116 S. Gray
Stillwater, OK 74074
A Chat with lzzle B
by lsabella Burns, President Elect
Several people have inquired about the MOU of "Educational and Recreational Area", known as,
Hauser Geode Beds in California. January 31 Jim Strain, representative of the CFMS and Glenn
Miller representative of the BLM El Centro Resource Area of the Mojave Desert signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) affirming the use of the area identified as Township 8S,
Range 19E and portions of the neighboring range as open for collecting of geodes, rocks and
minerals. President Dan Lingelbach and I witnessed the agreement. This area is bordered on the
east by Palo Verde Mountains Wilderness Area, (No vehicles are permitted, but hiking and
collecting are) and west is Chuckwalla Bench Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).
Jim and I felt a historical collecting area should be kept open; so we sought the support of BLM.
The MOU sets policies for the BLM and CFMS to mark together in "casual use collecting" for us
and the public. No commercial collecting is permitted here. There is some private land in the
area. The production of maps, brochures and booklets will soon be available. BLM will continue
June 2000
their public education and law enforcement to assure safety. We have agreed to follow the
AFMS Code of Ethics, schedule periodic cleanups, use the land with care and respect.
Our agreed policies for care and use are:
1. Maximum speed limit of 20 miles per hour (You can stop to protect animals on the road)
2. Dogs are allowed, but must be restrained by leash, pen, etc.
3. All existing roads are open and no now roads will be made. We will do pick and shovel
maintenance of existing roads.
4. No desert tortoise will be harassed (touching is harassment) We are trying to train some
CFMS members to assist tortoise in immediate danger.
5. No food or trash is to be disposed in the area. They attract raven and raven eat baby
tortoise. All scrap food and trash must be kept in a raven proof container, not in a plastic
or paper bag left outside.
6. When you dig a hole looking for rocks or minerals, do not leave it open without making a
30 degree slope on one side; so that any animal falling into it can escape. This should be
a policy of anywhere that you dig a hole.
7. If we observe any illegal activities ( Drug labs, illegal removal of plants or animals,
endangerment to people, or such), we shall notify the law enforcement El Centro BLM (760) 337-4400 or County Sheriffs Office (760) 854-3469 or (760) 911.
As on all Federal Lands, casual collecting is limited to hand tools. No power tools or explosives
allowed. No specific quantity was stated. Observe the AFMS Code of Ethics, ."Will take only
what I can reasonably use." Inform Jim Strain (760) 366-2361 of any violations or unusual
occurrences that you observe in this area. Our agreement requires us to meet with the BLM at
least once a year to discuss issues of this collecting area.
The CFMS has an agreement with the BLM Barstow Resource Area which opened some routes
into the Northern Cady Mountains (Southern Afton Canyon) Wilderness Study Area. The Public
is permitted to travel on AF 251 1, AF 204, AF 2525, AF 2525A, AF 202 routes. We are not to
establish any new roads or extend any roads. This could be a reason for these open routes to be
closed. We can set a good example by not driving off the roads, and parking only in trail heads
or within 1 00 feet of the middle of the road.
How do you get a MOU with the BLM? You first establish good rapport with them by participating
in clean up days, attending other events, giving constructive comments, and demonstrating that
you respect our land. Then ask for what you feel would be a reasonable request and be willing to
June 2000
help to care for our land. The BLM has advisory councils in various regions (RAC): National
Parks and Monuments have councils, also. Attend some of these meetings which are open to
the public. National Forests, also, welcome active public collaboration on special projects in the
National Forests. For information on these meetings contact your local area offices or me.
Who Is Your Webmaster?
by Marty Hart, AFMS Webmaster <[email protected]>
There is a large chance the Webmaster for your club is a volunteer who took on the job without
even having an official position. Does your club Webmaster have an official office with the club?
How is the Webmaster elected to the office? The WWW has evolved so quickly that I imagine a
lot of clubs are grateful to have any of its members step up to the task of creating a club web
site.
When was the last time that technology created the need for a new office in your club? The
WWW is here and is becoming the major source of information in this Information Age. Even
when the WWW evolves to its next level, it will have to maintain some of the basic concepts that
it has today. Connectivity and information exchange are here to stay.
Would you like for your club to be presented to millions of people all across the world. Where
else can you afford to do this, except on the WWW. When someone searches for a club in your
area, will they find you or will they just think no else in the area enjoys the hobby. Do you find
your membership could use a boost in numbers? How will these new members find out about
your club? Is your club listed in the Yellow Pages?
Your club Webmaster is a very important person to your club. If you have not yet elected one,
don't put it off. Be sure and also support your Webmaster. The Webmaster creates a web site
using the co-operative efforts of many people much like your newsletter editor. Without a
Webmaster, your club will not have a website. Without a Webmaster and a web site, your club is
missing out on the greatest opportunity. A great opportunity that is easily also free, how much
better can it get.
Each Year - Each Club - One Rockhound
from Bonnie Glismann, AFMS Chair
The Mineralogical Society of the District of Columbia has nominated their editor, Fred Dhyse, as
this year's recipient of the Each Club, Each Year, One Rockhound award.
Fred Dhyse has been the editor of the Mineral Minutes since 1996. He has never missed a
deadline and is vigilant about making sure that all the key information such as the program,
minutes, president's message, etc. appear in every issue. Nearly every month, he and his wife
Sue act as joint hosts with other members who take the speaker out to dinner. He and Sue have
also hosted the very successful holiday party in their home for several years.
June 2000
Joan Lingenfelter, editor for The Delaware Valley Lapidary and Mineral Society has nominated
Howard Seeman as this year's recipient of the Each Club, Each Year, One Rockhound award.
Howard Seeman is the perfect member. He attends every meeting. He does programs. He
helps members to make equipment, etc. He has served in all offices and, last but not least, he is
a man who never, never says `no'. He is an all around great guy.
Has your club sent in a nomination for the Each Year - Each Club - One Rockhound recognition?
Every AFMS affiliated club may submit the name of one member (or a husband and wife team)
per year who has done something for the club which should receive recognition. Perhaps you
want to "thank" your unsung hero. Perhaps you want to recognize the fellow who is the "jack of
all trades" or the couple that has visited schools or scout groups. You make the decision as to
who your club wishes to nominate.
Send the name of your nominee, along with a brief (25 words or so) description of why you are
submitting their name and the name of your club to your regional chairperson as listed below.
CFMS
Colleen McGann, 2126 Main Street, #3
Santa Clara, CA 95050-3577
408-247-5165
<[email protected]>
EFMLS
Cathy Gaber, 5707 Northfield Road
Bethesda, MD 20817-6737
301-654-7479
<[email protected]>
MWF
Donna Curtis, 696 Glen Road
Murphysboro, IL 62966-6056
NFMS
Jean Brooks, 1111 Archwood Dr. #241
Olympia, WA 98502
360-352-2986
RMFMS
June 2000
Mary Clough, 3065 Everett
Wichita, KS 67217
316-943-2267
SCFMS
Joyce Molina, 13918 Charcoal Ln.
972-243-4780
SFMS
Dave Tuttle, 994 Blackmon Road
Yulie, FL 32097-4510
NFMS / Chair
Bonnie Glismann, 4326 South 200th West
Ogden, UT 84405
801-392-7832
<[email protected]>
All Roads Lead To Moab, Utah
AFMS / RFMS Convention and Show
Here is the schedule for the major events for the 2000 AFMS / RFMS Convention and Show
which will be held in Moab, Utah the week of October 9 - 17.
Tuesday, October 10 -AFMS Uniform Rules Committee Meeting 9:00 a.m. Moab Valley Innn 9:00 a.m. Moab
Valley Inn
Wednesday, October 11
AFMS Annual Officers and Directors Membership Meeting, 9:00 a.m. Moab Valley Inn
AFMS Scholarship Foundation Meeting immediately following the AFMS Annual Meeting
Dealers Set up (p.m.) Spanish Trails Arena.
Exhibitors Set up (p.m.) Spanish Trails Arena
June 2000
Thursday, October 12 -Show Opens -- Spanish Trails Arena
RMFMS Competitive Judges Meeting, 8:00a.m. , Spanish Trails Arena
All Officers (Past and Present) Luncheon, Moab Valley Inn, 12 Noon.
Web Masters Meeting, 1:30 p.m. Location to be announced.
Friday, October 13 - Show Open, Spanish Trails Arena
AFMS Competitive Judges Meeting, 8:00AM Spanish Trails Arena
RMFMS Delegates Luncheon, 12 Noon, Moab Valley Inn
RMFMS Delegates Check-In, 1:30 p.m. Moab Valley Inn Lobby or Spanish Trails Arena
Editors Seminar, 1:30 PM
Saturday, October 14, 2000
Editors Breakfast, 8:00 a.m.
RMFMS Delegates Check-In,
RMFMS Delegates Annual Meeting, 1:00 p.m.
AFMS/RMFMS Awards Banquet 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 15, 2000
Last day for the show.
AFMS Rules Committee Moab Meeting
from Jim Hurlbut
The annual meeting of the AFMS rules committee will be held on Tuesday October 10, 2000 in
the Canyon Lands room of the Moab Valley Inn. The meeting will begin as soon after 9 AM that a
quorum is present. I would like all members planning to attend to advise me of your estimated
arrival times for planning purposes.
There are two committees working on proposals for presentation at the Meeting. One with
Russell Snook chair on changes to CC-3. The other with Bill Basbagill as chair working on
changes to the Mineral references.
If you know of any other changes that will be proposed please send them to me by July 15 so
they can get on the agenda. The agenda will be mailed out around August 10.
June 2000
James F Hurlbut
AFMS Rules Chair
2240 South Adams
Denver CO 80210
[email protected]
Russell Snook
73 So. 26th Ave.
Cornelius OR 97113
Bill Basbagill
13742 W. Ohio Dr.
Lakewood CO 80228
Safety First
by Bill Klose, EFMLS Safety Chairman
from EFMLS News, March, 2000
Hammers used by rock hounds come in every size, type and construction, and include rock
hammers, bricklayer's or mason's hammers, blacksmith's or sledge hammers, machinist's peen
hammers, jeweler's hammers, setting hammers, soft face hammers, lead or copper faced
hammers, trimmer's and welder's hammer's, as well as a variety of mallets, such as rawhide,
rubber, and tinner's. I have even seen napping hammers (a 3 pound high carbon steel hammer
with tapering faces used for forming stones during road construction or similar stone work) and
railroad track mauls (used for driving railroad spikes). As it is hard to anticipate what a
rockhounds "favorite weapon" will be, I though I would present a list of general hammer safety
practices followed by the proper use of some of the more common hammer types.
1. Always select the proper type, size, and weight of hammer for the job.
2. Always wear eye protection.
3. Always strike a hammer blow squarely, avoiding glancing blows and over and under strikes.
The hammers striking face should be parallel with the surface being struck.
4. When striking a chisel, punch, or wedge, the striking face of the hammer should be 3/8" larger
than the struck face of the tool. Both the striking hammers face and the struck face of the tool
should be free of oil.
5. Do not strike another hammer with a hammer.
6. Do not strike a harder surface with a hard surface hammer.
June 2000
7. Never use a hammer with dents, cracks, chips, mushrooming, or excessive wear. Replace the
hammer-redressing is not recommended.
8. Replace worn or damaged handles. A qualified individual should replace hammer handles.
Most hardware stores will replace hammer handles for a nominal fee. They can also provide a
rubber sleeve for sledge hammers, which will prevent handle damage just above the head.
Bricklayer's or mason's hammers are designed for setting or splitting bricks, masonry tile, and
concrete blocks. Never use them to strike metal or drive tools such as chisels. The blade of a
bricklayer's hammer should be kept sharp by redressing at a 40 degree angle with a bench
grinder. Keep the metal cool while grinding by quenching often in water to protect the metals
tempering.
Hand drilling hammers are used with chisels, star drills, punches, and hardened nails. Never use
common nail (claw) hammers for striking metal, such as chisels, as they are designed for driving
unhardened nails and their shape, depth of face, and balance make them unsuitable for this use.
Machinist's peen hammers (ball, cross, or straight) are designed for striking chisels and punches
and riveting, straightening and shaping metal.
Blacksmith's or sledge hammers are designed for striking wood, metal, concrete, or stone,
depending on size, weight, and shape.
When using a hammer, grip the handle near the end where it is designed for gripping and will
give you the best control and impact with the least effort. Watch your hands, shins, and feet. It
may be advisable to wear gloves, long sleeve shirts, and high lacing safety shoes to protect from
flying debris and sharp shards if the situation warrants it.
When storing hammers for a period of time, lightly lubricate metal parts, but wipe any oil or
grease from rubber mallets or rubber handle grips to prevent damage to the rubber.
So get out there and hammer up a storm, safely.
A Different Field Trip
Have you decided to finally go through your closets, attics, garages, and FILES? If so while you
are discarding things will YOU look for the following AFMS Newsletters:
November 1977
September 1981
December 1981
January through December 1982
January 1983 February 1983
April 1983 June 1983
June 2000
April 1984
April 1986
May 1989
June 1989
February 1990
All these issues were of the 8 1/2 x 11 size, pre-newspaper design. If you have any of the above
copies, would you consider donating them to the AFMS Historian's Files, PLEASE.
I'm also looking for the following manuals to complete the collection which we already have.
Safety Manual, circa 1964 written by Regional V.P. Ellwood T. Rees, M.D. Donated by Dan
Caudle.
Report of Committee on Standardization of Exhibits & Judging, June 1957, by Dorothy Craig,
A.L. Flagg, & Jack Streeter. (This also has the rules governing the Woodruff, Graves, Parser,
Bitner and Chromy Trophys). Donated by Jack Streeter.
Exhibitors Manual, circa 1965,
Jessie Hardman Exhibitors Manual, 1969
Guidelines for Exhibitors, 1980
Manual of Instructions for Judges, 1971 Donated by Dan Caudle.
Guidelines for Judges, 1985
Approved Reference List of Lapidary Material Names, 1970. Donated by Dorothy & Glenn Lee
Approved Reference List of Lapidary Material Names, 1978. Donated by Dan Caudle.
Regional & Local Uniform Rules, 1967-69 yellow cover.
Regional & Local Uniform Rules, 1970-72 red cover.
Regional & Local Uniform Rules, 1973 Orange cover, Third Edition.
Regional & Local Uniform Rules, 1977 Light Blue cover, Fourth Edition.
Regional & Local Uniform Rules, 1982 Mauve cover, Sixth Edition
Regional & Local Uniform Rules, 1985 Medium Blue cover, Seventh Edition
Nomenclature, 1962-67 New & Discredited Minerals. Donated by Dan Caudle
Nomenclature, 1962-69 New & Discredited Minerals. Donated by Dan Caudle
Nomenclature, 1970 Supplement. Donated by Dan Caudle
Nomenclature, 1971 New & Discredited Minerals. Donated by Dorothy & Glenn Lee
Mineral Classification List, Orange - no date. Donated by Dan Caudle
AFMS URC DIGEST Vol 1, No 7, May 1969
AFMS URC DIGEST, Vol 3, No 1, January 1972
AFMS URC DIGEST, November 1972
AFMS URC DIGEST, No 2, September 1974
June 2000
AFMS URC DIGEST, No 2, October 1976
... the above Digests were donated by Cecilia Duluk of Dearborn Heights, MI.
If YOU can fill in the blanks, please contact me at:
6155 Haas St.
La Mesa, CA 91942-4312
Feedback
by Carolyn Weinberger
In the May issue I asked for feedback from clubs that are successful in keeping members. Here
are two sides to the story, both found in the May MWF Newsletter. Which one fits your club?
I'm the Guy
I'm the guy who was asked to join your organization. I'm the guy who paid his dues to join. I'm
the guy who stood up in front of all of you and promised to be faithful and loyal.
I'm the guy who came to your meetings, and no one paid any attention to. I tried several times to
be friendly to some of the fellows, but they all had their own buddies they talk to and sit next to.
I sat down several times, but no one paid any attention to me. I hoped very much that somebody
would have asked me to take part in a fund raising project or something, but no one saw my
efforts when I volunteered.
I missed a few meetings after joining because I was sick and couldn't be there. No one asked me
at the next meeting where I had been. I guess it didn't matter very much to the others whether I
was there or not.
The next meeting I decided to stay home and watch TV. the following meeting I attended, but no
one asked me where I was when the last meeting was held.
You might say I'm a good guy, a good family man who holds a responsible job, loves his
community and his country.
You know who else I am? I'm the guy who never came back. It amuses me now to think all the
time.
All They needed to do was make me feel needed, wanted and welcome!
(author unknown)
from Trilobite, date unknown
June 2000
A Reply
I'm a new member in the club,
And I'm a timid guy,
But, I'd no sooner found my seat
Than someone called out, "Hi!".
You must be Brown from over West.
So glad you came tonight.
If you've a problem, man, speak out;
We'll help you set it right."
A copy of their Bulletin
He thrust into my hand.
He welcomed me to the Club Show
And made me feel just grand.
Then I had cake and coffee,
And paused to talk and joke.
I enjoyed every moment
With these friendly, happy folk.
Their kindness and their courtesy
Are things I won't forget.
And when they meet again next month
I'll be there, you can bet.
Iva Lottalern
from Rock Talk, March 1969
Now it's up to you. How does your club keep members? Do let me hear from you so we can
share ideas.
September 2000
Contents:
It's Time For the "Really Big Shoe"
President's Message - Show Time
Fluorescent Mineral Display at Moab, Utah
A Chat with Izzle B
Keep Dan Informed
Safety - That Was Stupid!!
Future Rockhounds of America (Let's Play ROCKO)
In Memory of Jessie Hardman
Safety - Honnnk, Honnnk (Convoy Safety)
How To Kill Your Club In 13 Easy Steps
Micromounters Hall of Fame Inductees
Volume 53, Number 8
September, 2000
It's Time For the "Really Big Shoe"
Points & Pebbles Club of Moab, Utah
With apologies to the late Ed Sullivan, the Points and Pebbles Club is planning on a "really big
September 2000
shoe" from October 12th - 15th as it plays host to the combined American Federation and Rocky
Mountain Federation Conventions.
Moab is an exciting place to visit. Nestled in one of the most scenic areas of Utah, Canyonlands
and Arches National Monuments are but a few short miles away with their spectacular rock
formations. River rafting, hiking and rockhounding opportunities abound in the area. October is a
pleasant time to visit this spectacular area...and with a major show and convention thrown in
there should be no excuse for you not to be there.
A variety of field trips are being planned as well as lectures. Information and sign up for the field
trips, which will occur during the show week and a few days following the show, will be available
at the Spanish Trail Arena, locale for the show. Meetings of the American Federation and Rocky
Mountain Federation will be held at the Moab Valley Inn, host hotel for the convention.
The schedule for the week is as follows:
Monday, October 9:
Convention Check-In - 8 AM to 4 PM,
Moab Valley Inn Lobby.
Tuesday, October 10
Moab Valley Inn Lobby.
AFMS Uniform Rules Committee Meeting 9 AM,
Moab Valley Inn, LaSal Room.
Wednesday, October 11
Convention Check-In - 8 AM to 4PM,
Moab Valley Inn Lobby
AFMS Annual Officers & Directors Meeting - 9AM,
Moab Valley Inn
AFMS Scholarship Foundation Meeting
immediately following the AFMS Annual Meeting
Dealers Set up - Noon to 7:30 PM,
Spanish Trails Arena.
Exhibitors Set up - Noon to 7:30PM,
Spanish Trails Arena
September 2000
Thursday, October 12
Show opens 10 AM - Spanish Trails Arena
RMFMS Competitive Judges Meeting - 8:00AM,
All Officers Luncheon (Past and Present) - Noon
JB's Restaurant, (next to the Moab Valley Inn). Reserved room.
from the Menu and pay as you leave,
no ticket required but a head count requested by October 11 )
Web Masters Meeting - 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.
Moab Valley Inn, LaSal Room
(Order
Friday, October 13, 2000
Convention Check-In - 10:00 AM to 6 PM
Spanish Trials Arena
Show opens - 10AM - Spanish Trails Arena
AFMS Competitive Judges Meeting - 8 AM
RMFMS Delegates Luncheon - Noon,
JB's Restaurant, (next to the Moab Valley Inn) Reserved room.
(Order
from the Menu and pay as you leave).
(This is new, so reservations must be made at least by Monday , October 9)
RMFMS Delegates Check-In - 10 AM
Saturday, October 14
Convention Check-In - 10AM to Noon.
Spanish Trails Arena.
Editors Breakfast - 8 AM,
Moab Valley Inn.
Show 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
RMFMS Delegates Check-In - 10 AM to Noon.
Moab Valley Inn.
RMFMS Delegates Annual Meeting - 1 PM
Moab Valley Inn, Canyonlands Room
AFMS/RMFMS Awards Banquet - 7 PM
Moab Valley Inn, Canyonland Room.
Sunday, October 15
September 2000
Rolling Rock Club Meeting 8 AM
Show - 10 AM - 5 PM
Included elsewhere in this newsletter are registration forms for the show and meal functions as
well as competitive and non-competitive exhibits. Please feel free to duplicate these for your club
members use.
Show Time
by Dan Lingelbach, President
By now all should know that the 2000 AFMS/RMFMS Show and Convention is October 12-15 in
Moab, UT. Earlier, some errors occurred in the dates listed. It is a four day show starting on
Thursday, October 12 and will be held in the Spanish Trails Arena in the southern part of Moab.
You are encouraged to make an effort to attend this Show and Convention in Moab. If you have
never been to Moab, you will be pleasantly surprised as it is a beautiful place with canyons and
Colorado River scenic views. Besides the show and field trips, there are number of other
activities, all the way from guided Jeep trips to rafting on the river. Field trips are planned the four
days of the show and three days after the show. You sign up at the show for the field trips.
The initial show packets were sent out first class the middle of April to all the Rocky Mountain
Federation personnel and clubs, usually to the club president. Updates were sent out later that
month or in May. Also, all AFMS Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs, including Regional
Federation Editors, should have gotten their packets sometime in May or June. If you or your
club didn't get a packet, those show forms and information are printed on pages 8 - 10 of this
newsletter. As hard as the show committee tries, inevitably some will not receive a packet.
Dean Richardson ,Show Chairman, and his committee are trying hard to make sure that
everything goes as planned, but as all show chairman know, some things just won't cooperate.
Hopefully, all your show, convention, hotel, motel or camp ground arrangements will all be
without surprises.
The planned meals and Federation meetings (which are open to everyone) will be either in the
Moab Valley Inn, downtown, or the adjoining BJ's Restaurant. For the All Officer's Luncheon on
Thursday and the possible RMFMS Delegates Luncheon on Friday, you order from the menu
and pay as you leave. However, the committee needs to know in advance how many to plan for
so space can be made available. Just add those meals to the Registration Form that you send
in. No advance payment is required for these two meals.
The AFMS Officers and Directors Annual Meeting is Wednesday, starting at 9:00 AM in the
Moab Valley Inn's Canyonland Room. The AFMS Scholarship Meeting is immediately following.
September 2000
Set up of the exhibits for the show starts at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, at the Spanish Trials
Arena.
I hope many of you are planning to bring an exhibit (or exhibits) as it takes exhibits to make the
show. It is also interesting and informative to see the results of the skills of many of our
rockhound friends. I know Edna Whitehorn, Exhibits Chair would be pleased to receive your
applications. She can be reached at 1637 Navajo Drive, Ogden, UT 84403, phone
801-479-5504. Exhibitor forms are on pages 9 and 10 of this newsletter.
I think you will find this a unique experience as its not often that an American Federation Show is
held in a city of this size and in a setting of this nature. Some consider Moab as the
rockhounder's dream and I agree. Regardless of whether or not you have been to Moab, you
need to make a serious effort to come to the Show and Convention hosted by the Points and
Pebbles Club and assisted by all the clubs in Utah. See you there.
Fluorescent Mineral Display at Moab, Utah
Chet Hazelwood
RMFMS Fluorescent Mineral Technician
Dean Richardson, Show Chairman of the AFMS/RMFMS Convention at Moab, Utah, has
challenged me to get a large number of UV, fluorescent displays for the show. He has offered to
build a dark room adequate for our requirements.
This will be a real opportunity for display of your special minerals at a National Show, in a dark
room. The display can be any UV category in the AFMS Uniform Rules or non-competitive.
There will be a limited number of standard 2 x 4 x 2 ft cases available that can be finished with a
black liner. Display UV lights and timers will not be available - exhibitors will need to bring their
own. Applications and show information may can be found elsewhere in this Newsletter.
Please info Chet Hazelwood, Rt 4 Box 608, Oklahoma City, OK 73121 or email
[email protected]. The show dates are October 12 - 15,2000.
We need advance notice to provide room space. Hope to see you there.
A Chat With Izzie B
by Isabella Burns. President Elect
Hope that you are having fun this summer. Thus far, it has been busy and productive one for Bill
and I. We have attended shows, learned at seminars, judged at the Ventura County Fair, and
dug for rocks at Virgin Valley. Bill is currently on his week long deep sea fishing trip. As I write
this is late July, we are looking forward to our CFMS Show and Convention in early August and
September 2000
then relaxing at some club picnics.
We spent four days at the Northwest Federation Show. It was great to see old friends and meet
new people. I really enjoyed their show cases. They were divided into two rooms and I kept
going back to take yet another look at several cases and spent much time admiring the exhibits.
We stopped to see some old friends at Virgin Valley and met some new people. Our opal digging
was not productive for opal, but we did find some nice petrified wood and that created a desire
for me to review some of the petrified wood identification techniques. Our North Orange County
Club just happened to be having a seminar for three days at a club house in the mountains
where some of our members have cabins. Now I am straining over a microscope to identify the
wood that we found to complete a petrified wood case for the CFMS Show.
Upon arriving home, we learned of the death of Jessie Hardman, my mentor. A marvelous lady
who had the greatest compassion for enjoying rocks and minerals of anyone that I ever knew.
What an inspiration she was to so many. If you had a question you could just call Jessie. I shall
surely miss my wise, loyal advisor.
Monterey Park Gem Society also held a seminar entitled "A Promenade of Pearls" in July. One
of our members owns a pearl farm in China and he was the lecturer. We learned everything you
ever will want to know about pearls. A very pleasant evening for our guests and profitable for our
club. This might be something for other societies to think about. It started at 4:00 on a Saturday.
There was a lecture, dinner, demonstrations on how to string pearls and make necklaces, and an
opportunity to buy pearls. This was followed by a raffle and question and answer period ending
about 9:00. The club members expressed their pleasure at a dim sum breakfast on Sunday
morning. Attendance was good at the seminar and we made a nice profit for the club. I think the
time from 4:00 to 9:00 contributed to our success. We had many senior citizens that attended
from our area.
Before the leisure of summer ends, Bill and I are taking an Elderhostel class on "HELP me!
LEARN THE COMPUTER". Hopefully you will see an improvement in what I can get this
machine to do. Fall is approaching and there will be much to do.
Keep Dan Informed
from the AFMS Central Office
If the AFMS is to continue to keep you and your club members informed we must have the name
and correct address of the individuals who should be receiving the AFMS Newsletter each
month. The Central Office has no way to keep up on the numerous changes made within AFMS
affiliated clubs each year, let alone each month.
Please take just a moment to notify the Central Office of:
September 2000
a) any change of officers
b) any address changes
When you do this, please indicate the name of your club, Federation membership, and if
possible, the name(s) of the persons who should no longer receive the newsletter and of course
their replacements. Each AFMS affiliated club is entitled to receive three (3) copies of the AFMS
Newsletter each month.
Address changes/corrections should be mailed to Dan McLennan at the address shown on page
11 of this newsletter.
That Was Stupid!!
Did you ever find yourself hurt and saying to yourself "That was stupid!!" Welcome to the rest of
us. But, why do we do stupid things - things we know better than to do? Things that common
sense would tell us would go wrong?
One of the most common causes of an accident or injury is complacency. We're doing
something we've done tens or hundreds of times before. Nothing has ever gone wrong. So, we
disengage our brains and think about something more interesting. Then "WHAM", our attention
is grabbed. Something went wrong and we had an accident.
This is how we lose eyes and fingers. This is how we get run over. This is how we get conked on
the head by a boulder. This is how we burn the *&%!%&*% out of ourselves. This is how we
drive in front of an 18 wheeler. This is how we break our finest rock. This is how rocks go flying
around the shop. This is how...(finish it yourself).
One of my favorite stories is told by a safety expert on PBS who also is a great Cajun cook. He
heard that a machinist has lost a finger by getting it caught in a machine. So, on his next
inspection trip, the safety expert slowly approached the machinist - talking to others on the way.
He can tell the man really doesn't want a safety man around. When he gets there he says
"Whoeeey , I hear you lost a finger. How in the world did you go and do a thing like that?" The
machinist reaches toward his machine and says "Like this." - and loses another finger.
So, how to avoid complacency? For a start, let's consider an airplane pilot. They have a list of
things to check and do in a set order. So, from the time they approach the airplane, they follow
the list and continue following it until after they finish at their last stop. A waste of time? Not if
they are flying you or yours. You don't want them to forget ANYTHING!!
So, think through the things you do routinely. Recognize where something might go wrong. Take
steps to stay safe time after time - yes using a list if you can. When safety is a habit, we're all
September 2000
happier.
How might it work? Let's say you are making cabs. You might touch the grinding wheel with a
finger. Consider how you hold the dop. You might find the stone flying off the dop. Are you
wearing eye guards? Apply this thinking through the whole process of making a cab. Then figure
out how to be safe from those problems. How about your driving? Do you change lanes without
looking over your shoulder? Do you stretch yellow lights? Do you brake late and find yourself
pushing hard to avoid hitting the car in front? Do you drive around with a cell phone? Do you get
impatient and pull in front of approaching traffic?
I'll bet every one of us has done every one of these through complacency about driving a
vehicle. Think safety!! Plan what you going to do and look for troubles that may come up. Figure
out how to avoid them. Then practice your new safe method - every time.
Each Club - Each Year- One Rockhound
Bonnie Glisman, AFMS Chairman
Donna and Stanley Dolphin were among a group of rockhounds who, in l963,
came together with a dream and a project to construct a building to house their
fledgling Mt Jura Gem and Mineral club and furnish space for a museum. Bake
sales, community dinners and fund raisers of every type provided the needed cash
for those materials that were not donated. Donna and Stanley worked long and hard
on the construction of the building, and for the organization that has flourished
through the years.
Donna has been President of our club several times, and has held other offices as
well. They have participated in the annual 4th of July Rock Show and pancake
breakfast and continue to support the Mt Jura Gem and Mineral Society.
Submitted by Anne Ruffner, Secretary
Mt Jura Gem and Mineral, Taylorsville California
Southeast Federation
The Penellas Geological Society of Clearwater, Florida takes great pleasure in
nominating Ralph and Evelyn Griffin for the AFMS Rockhound of the Year
Recognition. This couple is celebrating their 71st wedding anniversary in June,
2000. They have been rockhounding since the early 1970's and have acquired a
spectacular gem, rock and mineral collection. Their garage has become a museum
of spectacular specimens which the Griffins are always eager to share with others,
especially children. They also have a permanent public display of museum quality
September 2000
specimens, labeled and arranged in glass cases in the Train Depot ( a restaurant)
of Clearwater, Florida.
Ralph and Evelyn have been members of our Club since 1973 and have held many
offices. They are the originators of our annual Club Show that marked its 27th Show
in February , 2000.
We are glad for an opportunity to recognize this very special couple.
Submitted by: Leona Feldhausen, Vice Pres.,
Penellas Geological Society of Clearwater, Florida
B.J. Bowman, Ponca City Rough and Tumbled Rock & Gem Club, Ponca City, OK
B.J. was selected for his contributions to the club in the area of education. He has
been the editor of the club newsletter, has presented club programs (Faceting, etc.),
has set up a club display case in the public library, and has served as club
president. He has been a teacher and a judge and has made presentations to
schools.
Submitted by Michelle Hoffman, Secretary
Eastern Federation
The Gem, Lapidary and Mineral Society of Washington, DC, Inc. has unanimously
nominated Russell Shew as this year's recipient of the Each Club, Each Year, One
Rockhound award.
For over 20 years, Russ has been active in the club, more than capably filling such
key positions as president, membership chairman, director and show director. He
received the club's lifetime award for his work as show director back in 1986, and
he is still the driving force of the club's very successful annual show. With his wife
Helen, he has a wire wrapping studio at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA,
where he continues to develop new designs to share at the club's monthly
showcase.
Millie Heym, editor of The Coral Geode, and the Board of Directors of Tampa Bay
Mineral & Science Club.have nominated Margaret Stallard as this year's recipient
of the Each Club, Each Year, One Rockhound award.
September 2000
Although this nomination is posthumous, Margaret Stallard, who passed away in
May 2000, was too much of a rockhound to be overlooked or underappreciated.
She was a unifying force in our club for over 25 years, as president, treasurer,
secretary, newsletter editor, show chairman, publicity chairman, teacher of a variety
of classes at our club and at Wildacres, expert collector, club "godmother" and
unparalleled volunteer. She said she had always loved rocks, and we know she
loved us and loved our club. We miss her greatly and would like to see her many
contributions publicly honored.
Northewest Federation
Hells Canyon Gem Club of Lewiston, Idaho have chosen Alene and Bob
Chambers as their Rockhound Couple Of the Year. Over the years they have
remained steadfastly loyal, congenial and supportive of the club. Their enthusiasm
and willingness to take on responsibilities has been greatly appreciated over the
years. Besides serving in numerous offices, they have also shared their knowledge
and experience and freely given of their time and resources in supplying the juniors
with materials and finished pieces to use at the shows. They have enthusiastic
about field trips. They also joined a Canadian club to explore the resources up
there. Once again thank you Bob and Alene Chambers.
Rose Alene McArthur, Federation Director
Hells Canyon Gem Club
from Inga Wells, EFMLS Co-Chair
It seems impossible that summer is over. Snow geese will soon be heading south and Future
Rockhounds of America will be heading back to school and regular club meetings. Junior leaders
all across the Federations are busy planning fun filled activities for the meetings.
The Junior President of the Che-Hanna Pebble Pups, Isaac Joseph, and I are thinking about our
own programs as well. We would like to share one of our favorite games with you. It's ROCKO, a
game based on BINGO. About 4 years ago, we spend one meeting making the game, and the
next meeting playing it. We have played it many times since then. I keep it in a cookie tin and
have it on hand just in case the scheduled speaker can't make the meeting and there is no time
to plan something else.
We got the idea for this game from the Eastern Federation Publication: "Working with Young
People" by Mabel Kingdon Gross. This booklet is just full of great ideas and available from the
EFMLS Supply Chair, Ned Reynolds, 37 Broadway, Amenia, NY 12501-0394 phone: 914-3739548 for $2.50 plus $1.40 for shipping.
September 2000
This book isn't just for Junior clubs. Program chair persons will find it very useful. For example,
one of our regular club members attended one of our Pebble Pup meetings where we played
ROCKO, saw how much fun we were having, and up-graded the game to a challenging adult
version, now enjoyed by many clubs in our area.
To construct this game: You'll need card stock or paper. (make at least as many game boards as
you have club members) cut it into 5 by 6 inch cards, use a ruler, pen or pencil, and divide each
card into thirty 1 inch square spaces (5 across and 6 down) On the top row write (one letter in
each space) R-O1-C-K-O2. The center square is marked "FREE". Get your favorite mineral
identification book and construct a master list out of mineral names. We used minerals starting
with the letters a to e under the first column (R), then f-j under O1, k-o under C, p-t under K, and
u-z under O2. We used 20 mineral names for each letter column and made different
arrangements for the game boards or cards. We filled in all the spaces on the cards by hand,
however, a computer makes this task very easy and the cards can be cut after they are printed.
You can also buy bingo cards and write the mineral names on them. We took poker chips, wrote
the letter on one side and the mineral on the other. You could also write the mineral names on a
deck of cards. Just having a master list, where you check off the names called, will work fine as
well.
The caller picks a mineral name from the master list or chips and the players cover that square
with rock chips, beans, corn or what have you. One word of advise, don't use M & Ms, players
will eat them every time! The player who gets a row covered first yells ROCKO (and gets first
pick from the box of mineral prizes.)
Even when adults play this game, we often hear: "Oh, that's how you pronounce that."
(Handouts with mineral name pronunciations are nice to have on hand) Be creative and have fun
and do share your favorite programs and activities with us.
Dear Club Officers:
Please pass along a copy of the article and other information on Junior Activities to
the people advising and working with the youngsters in your club. Many of these
people have told us that they had no idea that there is such a thing as the Junior
Advisory Committee. Your junior group might not need our help, but we would
surely use and appreciate their help. If your club has only a few Junior Members or
several dozen, we encourage them to join The Future Rockhounds of America. It's
easy and takes only a few minutes.
In Memory of Jessie Hardman
by Beverly Moreau
September 2000
On Sunday morning, June 25, 2000, the gem and mineral hobby lost a dear friend and dedicated
participant when Jessie Hardman succumbed to pancreatic cancer. She had been diagnosed in
the latter part of April and had been receiving hospice care at home. Her daughter, Susan Webb,
living in Pennsylvania, came to care for Jessie in her Long Beach home at that time. Susan says
that she was assisted and supported greatly in this effort by Catherine and Frank Manus,
members of the Long Beach Mineral and Gem Society, who lightened her task immeasurably.
Jessie is survived by her daughter and two granddaughters, Patricia in Georgia and Catherine in
Pennsylvania, and by a son in Houston, Texas. Jessie had just attained her 88th birthday.
Jessie and her late husband, Harvey, became involved in minerals early in their marriage while
on a trip to Mexico. They belonged to several gem and mineral clubs in Southern California
including the Long Beach Mineral and Gem Society, Southern California Micro-Mineralogists,
and Mineralogical Society of Southern California, and Jessie had held offices in each and every
one of them. One of her fellow members recently said, "There wasn't a job that Jessie wouldn't
accept." Harvey and Jessie were avid mineral collectors. She was a frequent exhibitor at local,
CFMS, and AFMS gem and mineral shows. Jessie loved trading thumbnail and micro-mineral
specimens with folks around the world and traveled extensively during her lifetime. During her
travels she visited many of the Clubs overseas and made friends with their members. Jessie was
one of the CFMS Podium People for many years, giving slide programs and presentations to
member Clubs based on her travels and extensive mineralogical knowledge.
Jessie worked as a Physical Education instructor in the Long Beach Unified School District and
at Long Beach City College, and in the Long Beach Recreation Department for many years,
teaching both women's and men's sports. She also was on staff at the Campfire Girls
organization in Long Beach following her retirement.. Jessie's involvement with teaching young
people was a source of great gratification to her. Because of her love of teaching, I and her
family feel it would be appropriate that donations in Jessie's memory be made to the CFMS
Scholarship Fund.
In 1979, Jessie served as CFMS President. She received the Golden Bear Award in 1980. She
was on the CFMS Museum Committee for several years, and was named CFMS Scholarship
Honoree in the 1984-1985 year. Jessie was at one time Chairman of the CFMS Rules
Committee and wrote the first CFMS Show Guidelines. Until the past couple of years, she served
as a judge for CFMS and AFMS Shows. Jessie was the CFMS Honoree to the AFMS
Scholarship Fund in 1993.
Jessie served on the first AFMS Uniform Rules Committee and authored the first Exhibitor's
Handbook, along with many articles on judging and on Federation history.
Jessie was inducted into the National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame in December of
1999.
Jessie's comprehensive collection has been given principally to the Los Angeles County
September 2000
Museum of Natural History Gem and Mineral Section, where she was a weekly volunteer for
many years. Other friends and mineral groups, such as Southern California Micro-Mineralogists,
also received some of her specimens. Recently the Museum dedicated their California Mineral
Exhibit to her. She started volunteering at the Museum in the early 1960's. Jessie was a
founding member of the Los Angeles County Museum''s Gem and Mineral Council.
Cards and letters may be sent to Mrs. Susan Webb at 77 Roundwood Circle, Collegeville, PA
19426-2887.
Honnnk, Honnnk
by Mel Albright, AFMS Safety
"Hey, y'all, - looks like we've got us a convoy here."
We rockhounds go on a lot of field trips. Often we go in convoys. Most often, someone says,
"Follow me", we all pile into our trucks or cars, and away we go. Sad to say, we're not really
thinking about safety. So let's do that a little while.
First, before you leave, everyone should get full information about where you're going and how
you'll get there. Then, as the convoy goes along, no one will get frantic about losing it and
missing out on the trip. That way, they'll pay attention to what's going on around them instead of
worrying. A quick copy of a hand drawn map or written directions would be best. Otherwise, talk
slow so people can make notes.
First, let's talk about the leader(s). The first car should contain the guide who knows exactly how
to get there AND the first car should have a cell phone AND the first car should have a cruise
control. The last car should also contain a guide who knows how to get there and a cell phone.
That way, the last guy can tell the lead car when to slow down, to speed up, that there's a
problem, or what else is happening. If someone has car trouble, the "tail-end Charlie" can also
make sure they get the help they need and get on to the field trip when they can.
The speed of the convoy is important. Ever watch a kid pull a Slinky across the rug while holding
one end? The coils close up and spread out at random. The back end is standing still one minute
and then moving way faster then the front end the next. Well - that's what happens in a convoy.
If all the cars went real slow, this stretching and shrinking might not be too bad. If they went real
fast, things might get out of hand. And, there are always road conditions, traffic lights, stop signs,
and other traffic to worry about. So, the first car should adjust speed according to what's going
on. On a 4-lane, speed up (see below). On a dusty road with no wind blowing, slow way down.
After a stop sign or after a traffic light or after a turn, slow way down until "tail-end Charlie"
reports being by the point of change. On the open road, set the cruise control at 5 to 10 miles per
hour under the speed limit. Then the stretching and shrinking won't get out of hand and no one
will worry about getting left behind and the last car won't have to drive 80 once in a while.
September 2000
If you're driving in the convoy, there are some things to pay attention to, also - such as the plate
number and color of the car you are behind. Your distance behind the car in front should be as
constant as you can make it. For safety reasons, you should observe the 2-second rule - never
be closer than 2 seconds behind (count "one thousand one, one thousand two"). If you see a car
behind that isn't in the convoy and wants to pass, open up your spacing so they won't feel that
they have to pass several cars at once. That way, they probably won't tailgate you. Do you
remember the old saying "Monkey see, monkey do"? That should be you in a convoy. If the car
leading you shows brake lights, step on your brakes. If it shows a turn signal, turn on your signal.
If it changes lanes, you change lanes. If it speeds up or slows down, you do the same. If it pulls
to the shoulder, you do too.
And when you all get there with no problems, smile and start hunting that find of a lifetime.
If you think I'm exaggerating the possible convoy problems, you should see the exchange
bulletins. EVERY ONE of the problems mentioned above recently happened on ONE club field
trip. Half the drivers got separated and were lost and never got there. There was an accident.
One car got a speeding ticket (trying to catch up).
How To Kill Your Club In 13 Easy Steps
via Crack 'n Cab, June 1983
newsletter of the Gem & Mineral Society of Syracuse, NY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Stay away from meetings.
If you do come, find fault.
Decline office or appointment to a committee.
Get sore if you are not nominated or appointed.
After you are named, don't attend meetings.
If you do get to a meeting, clam up until it's over, THEN tell them how things should really
be done.
Don't do any work if you can help it. and when the "old reliables" pitch in, accuse them of
being in a clique.
Oppose all meetings and seminars as being a waste of time and members' money.
When there's a lot of business to discuss at the meeting, complain the meeting is dull, too
long, and you aren't interested.
Never accept a place at the head of the table. You might learn something new.
If you aren't asked to sit there, get angry and threaten to resign because you are not
appreciated.
Don't pay your dues on time, let the executives sweat. After all, they wrote the budget and
write the checks.
Read your mail only now and then. Put the club bulletin aside, there isn't anything in it
anyway.
September 2000
And How To Resurrect It
(an addendum)
14. Decide to take part in all you can. You've always planned to do more, do it now while
there's someone left to do it for and with.
15. Offer to share your skills and expertise by putting on a "hands on" program or "Show and
Tell".
16. Consider your contribution in absolute terms. What will you gain and what can you give.
(Ignore comparisons to the contributions of others - their situations, money, health,
interests will be different).
17. Lead by example. It's much more effective than describing a course of action you can't
yourself follow.
18. Offer to do a program at a local school and invite kids to come to your meeting or
workshop.
19. Remember, criticism of others invites criticism of one's self. Only the "noblest Romans"
can bear such scrutiny.
20. If you can't say something nice, shut up and let others talk. Kind words and good deeds
can go anyplace, gossip easily finds its way home.
Micromounters Hall of Fame Inductees
from Cal Pierson
The Micromounters Hall of Fame honors those who have served this hobby to the highest
degree. They are the leaders, the movers and shakers of the past and present who have shown
the way for the rest of us. They have not only built sizeable collections, but they also have
earned and deserved a worldwide reputation among mineral collectors in general and especially
among micromounters.
During the Paul Desautels Memorial Micromount Symposium, held this year on September 8 10, two outstanding individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. They are Georges Favreau
and Margaret "Sugar" White.
Georges Favreau has been collecting microminerals for over 25 years and has published
numerous articles, mostly on his favorites secondary arsenates and coppers. Perhaps his
greatest contribution to the spread of micromounting and the study of crystallography is his
development of the 3D crystal-modelling computer application called FACES. This program is
designed specifically for amateurs to help them visualize crystals.
"Sugar" White has been a volunteer in mineralogy and paleontology at the Earth Science
Department of the San Bernardino County Museum for over 20 years. She has co-hosted
mineral workshops, and was designated a Research Associate and elected to the Museum's
Court of Honor. Famous for her photomicrography, Sugar has published work in many journals
September 2000
and won a large number of awards.
Begun in 1981, the Micromounters Hall of Fame inducts one or two individuals per year - usually
an "Old Timer" and a modern micromounter. Previous honorees are:
Year
1981
Old Timer
George Fiss
George Rakestraw
1982
1983
Lazard Cahn
1984
1985
1986
1987
1989
1990
1991
Philip Cosminsky
Gunnar Bjareby
Frank Keeley
Clarence Bement
William Oke
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
Philip Evanoff
Modern
Paul Desautels
Louis Perloff
Paul Seel
Neal Yedlin
Ben Chromy
Charles & Juanita Curtis
Arthur Roe
William Hunt
Richard Thomssen
Curt Segeler
William Wise
Alexander Kipfer
Herbert Corbett
Milton Speckels
Horst Windisch
Marcelle Weber
William Yost
Violet Frazier
William Shulman
Carroll E. (Shorty) Withers
Fred Schaefermeyer
John Ebner
Robert W. Fisher
Gary H. Glenn
Jocelyn Thornton
Janet & Stephen W. Cares
October 2000
Contents:
Scholarship Foundation
President's Message - Everyone Counts
A Red-Faced Editor
A Chat with Izzle B
From The Treasurer
Be Among The First
Endowment Fund Report
Safety - Go It Alone?
Endowment Fund II
AFMS History
2000 Editor's Contest
Editor's Hall of Fame
AFMS Candidates
Regional Federation Shows
Guidelines for Exhibitors
New Videos
Volume 53, Number 9
October, 2000
October 2000
Scholarship Foundation Announces Honorary
Award Winners
from Louellen Montgomery
AFMS Scholarship Foundation President
The Honorary Award Winners for the AFMS Scholarship Foundation have been selected by their
respective regional federations for the year 2000. These honorees have been chosen for their
contributions to the Earth Science field and to our hobby. Each one will assist in the selection of
two graduate students who are pursuing their advanced degrees in a branch of the Earth
Sciences. The Foundation will then provide scholarship grants for each student in the amount of
$2,000.00 per year for the school years 2000 - 01 and 2000-02.
A total of 187 individuals have been named for this award from the AFMS Scholarship
Foundation since the first award was made in 1965. A total of 390 students have received
scholarship grants from the Foundation.
Robert W. "Bob" Jones, Educator, Author, Editor, Cave Creek, Arizona. Robert "Bob" Jones
needs no introduction to most of the AFMS members as he is well known as the Senior Editor of
Rock & Gem Magazine. Receiving his B.S. and M.S. degrees in education / Science at New
Haven Teachers College, he did post graduate work at Columbia, Yale, Danbury State, Arizona
State and Brigham Young Universities. He taught eighth grade science for 32 years; is the
author of two books, Luminescent Minerals of Connecticut and Nature's Hidden Rainbows; and
served as Associate Editor for the book The F. John Barlow Mineral Collection. He has provided
many articles and photographs for publication in magazines and books; served as script writer
and on-camera host for several television programs and videos, including Russian Gem
Treasures; and has given numerous lectures at numerous shows, club meetings, museums, and
workshops. Elected to the Rockhound Hall of Fame in 1991, he received the prestigious
Carnegie Mineralogical Award for 1998 at the Tucson Show in 1999.
Eastern Federation:
Dr. Jeffrey E. Post, Curator, Gems and Minerals, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Dr.
Post received his B.S. degree at the University of Wisconsin at Plattsville, and his Ph.D. in
Geochemistry at Arizona State University, Tempe. His postdoctoral research at Harvard
University included mineralogy, geochemistry, crystallography and electron microscopy. He has
published over 40 scientific articles and numerous abstracts in these fields. Dr. Post became
associated with the Smithsonian museum in 1984. He was named the Curator of the National
Gem and Collection in 1991. Under his leadership and direction the Janet Annenberg Hooker
Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals became a reality. An avid mineral collector, his professions
associations keep him involved in the science of mineralogy.
October 2000
Midwest Federation:
Dr. Kevin C. Cole, Assoc. Professor of Geology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale,
Michigan. Dr. Cole received his B.S. and M.S. degrees at the University of Washington, Seattle,
and his Ph.D. in Geosciences at the University of Arizona, Tucson. The-author of many
publications, he has created numerous software programs for use in Geophysics courses. An
active supporter of the amateur mineralogist, he has made contributions to the field of
mineralogy and geology by sponsoring field trips, providing programs at local club meetings in
Michigan and holding workshops. Associated with the Department of Geology at Grand Valley
State University since 1989, he teaches courses in Environmental Geology, Physical Geology,
Mineralogy, Geohydrology and Geophysics. He is affiliated with a number of professional
organizations.
Robin Ringland, Science Teacher, Stanwood, Washington Robin Ringland received her B.A.
degree at the University of California, Berkeley, and her M.S. degree at California State
University, San Jose. As a science teacher in the Stanwood High School District, she has
coached as many as 100 students each year to compete in local and state tournaments for the
Science Olympiad, with nine teams going on to national competition. She has worked with
research scientists at a Cancer Research Center in order to bring biotechnology into the
classroom.
Dr. Neil H. Suneson, Geologist, Oklahoma Geological Survey, Norman, Oklahoma Dr.
Suneson, a native of Newark, New Jersey, received his B.A. in Geology at Amherst College, his
M.S. in Geology at Arizona State University, and his Ph.D. at the University of California, Santa
Barbara. His many publications and abstracts include the geologic mapping of numerous
Quadrangles in Arizona and Oklahoma. As a visiting research geologist in New Zealand, he
authored several articles pertaining to the structural geology of rocks around the Wellington
coast. Instrumental in planning several 2-day workshops, he has presented "Rockhounding and
Earth Science Activities" to many individuals from clubs, government agencies, private industry,
and other workshops to Earth Science Teachers. His major interest is "geology for the public",
working with Boy Scouts, Elderhostels, clubs and educators. His desire is that the Survey
becomes the liaison between professional geologists and the public.
Charles E. Finsley, Curator Earth Science, retired, Dallas Museum of Natural History, Cedar
Hill, Texas. Mr. Finsley received his B.S. in Sociology/Anthropology at Wittenberg University, his
M.S. in Secondary Education/Geology-Geography at the University of North Texas, and
additional work on a Ph.D. in Education/Geology at Southern Methodist University, the University
of Texas at Dallas, and the University of North Texas. For thirty-four years he served as Curator
of Education, Botany and Earth Sciences at the Dallas Museum of Natural History. He
supervised several excavation projects in north Texas for vertebrate fossils, supervising the
preparation and exhibition of these creatures. He has organized summer youth programs and
October 2000
supervised joint Field Ecology Classes with the Dallas School District. Mr. Finsley was
instrumental in acquiring many large fine private collections of fossils, tektites, minerals, agates
and gemstones for the Museum. The author of two earth science books and one Civil War era
book, he also provides programs on earth science related topics to area gem and mineral
societies of North Texas.
Everyone Counts
By Dan Lingelbach, AFMS President
You may read this before the AFMS/RMFMS Show and Convention in Moab, but most likely it
will be about the time of the Show. If it is before, I hope that you are planning to participate, if
after, then I hope you attended and found it informative, educational and enjoyable.
As you know, this is my last official message as President and I want to thank all of you who
have helped to make this Federation's activities helpful to the clubs. If I tried to enumerate all of
the Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs who have contributed so much of their time and
energy to this Federation, I would likely leave out someone. Therefore, I want to thank all of them
for their dedicated service to this Federation. You see some of their names in the side panels of
this newsletter and in their printed reports but others who kind of work behinds the scenes are
only evident in the annual reports. However, everyone, whether in the newsletter or not is
important to the operation of this Federation and in most cases are important to the operation of
their Regional Federations and clubs.
This has been an interesting, educational and enjoyable year. In traveling to the Regional
Federation Shows and Conventions I have met a lot of nice people and visited with those we
have known. That is the one satisfying benefit of this position. I have also heard of a lot of
accomplishments but unfortunately also heard of things that are somewhat disturbing. In not
hearing both sides of an event, it is hard to know what to do. However, my limited observation
suggests there is a problem, or as I call it 'an occupational hazard', that some of us have as
Federation or Club Officers. That hazard is that some of us have been involved so long that
sometimes we are reluctant to consider new suggestions about how the Federation can help the
clubs carry out their purposes. We are inclined to think that those suggestions won't work or "we
tried that before and it didn't work" or "we have always done it this way". This then stifles the
enthusiasm of those who make the suggestions. This sometimes causes divisions among the
clubs or members (or Federations). We all need each other and if we lose someone because of
our actions or in actions, it is a loss to all. The insurance program of the Rocky Mountain
Federation is an example of one of those suggestions that didn't originally get the attention it
needed. However, through the perseverance of a club member, not officer, it succeeded and
provides a great benefit to many of the clubs. In this case the person who presented this was
willing to put in the effort to get it completed.
I know it's hard to know if a suggestion is going to better the clubs, but some of us are
October 2000
automatically inclined to say no. However, those who make the suggestion must be willing to
help carry out the task and not expect someone else to make all the effort. I applaud those
people who try to mend broken relationships among members, clubs or federations. We all need
to recognize our mistakes and try hard to make sure that we haven't alienated someone by our
actions. If the above two paragraphs seems like too much preaching, I apologize, but remember
we all need each other and any member or club who leaves is a loss to all.
I hope I have responded to everyone's requests and suggestions this year. In some cases you
may need to remind me again. I'll be around next year as your Past President. If by chance next
year you are called on to help, I hope you will be inclined to say yes as Isabella Burns, our next
President, has some great plans in mind. This is a great hobby with great people and if we all
help it will still continue to benefit this society of ours.
Note From Your Red-Faced Editor
I've just learned that the article entitled "The Barometer" which I published in both the September
AFMS Newsletter is not true. Thanks to Don Specht of the Rochester (NY) Lapidary Society for
pointing out the error.
According to The Urban Legend website (< www.snopes.com] this story first appeared in the
Readers' Digest in 1958...and it is NOT true.
At least I'm in good company. The Chicago Tribune published a version of it in 1988 and of
course this latest incarnation was circulated via the Internet just recently. Neither Cathy Gaber,
who sent me the story, nor I was aware of the "facts" surrounding this Urban Legend.
So please, don't reprint the story in your newsletters unless you add a caveat about its
authenticity.
a.k.a. "The Red-Faced Editor"
A Chat with lzzie B
by Isabella Burns, President-Elect
Have we got Pizzazz?
Recently an ad in a magazine said "Does your organization have Pizzazz?' "What is pizzazz? or
is it pizazz or pazazz? Webster says " 1 energy, vigor, vitality, spirit, etc. 2 smartness, style, flair,
etc. " Do we have it?
Club Shows are usually done with much flair showing that a great deal of energy went into the
October 2000
accomplishment. But, do we always put that much effort and energy into our club meetings,
programs, community activities, etc. Much was said last year in bulletins about how visitors to
our meetings are treated. News articles about this brought about serious thought by some and
action by others. Some clubs write about visitors in their next bulletin and, of course, send a copy
to the visitor to the club. I think the "spirit is there when most club members greet a new
member, but often other club business takes pressident. Saying thank you to those who work or
a project or do something for the club is sometimes neglected and that doesn't have to be done
with "flair", but it does help to remember to acknowledge what members do.
Some clubs have been thinking of other services. A request was made last year for a place
provided to our members on identification of minerals, fossils or rocks that could be
accomplished quickly without taking months for a simple answer. At a recent meeting someone
had a rock that he had cut. The discussion before and after meeting was 'is it - cave onyx,
...petrified reeds, or coral" It would be neat if we had lists of experts on identification in our areas,
Federations and American Federation. It does often take a long time at the colleges or museums
to have something identified. This would give us credibility instead of pizzazz.
Displaying in libraries, museums and other public places is usually presented; so that our clubs
are exemplified as great organizations with much spirit, smartness and style.
What is in the name? Think about this When Monterey Park Gem Society is translated into
Chinese, it means a Gem business. We receive phone calls requesting the prices of the
gemstones that we sell. I am not proposing a change in our dignified American Federation of
Mineralogical Societies, but do hope that we can be clever with our Internet programs, and other
events sponsored by our organizations. Wildacres, and Zzyzx seem to draw attention.
See you in Moab! If you have ideas or thoughts about our pizzazz, let me hear about them.
From The Treasurer
from Toby Cozens
With the end of the fiscal year in sight, I would appreciate bills from any and all committees to be
submitted so that there won't be quite as much to do at the last minute.
Re: travel: If you are one of those who can be reimbursed for travel, please note:
Allowable reimbursement is the lower of coach air fare or ground travel. IRS is currently allowing
32 cents/mile. If you are driving, please call a travel agency and see what the coach fare
WOULD be and have that information for me when you submit your request.
I can figure out from my atlas what the driving distances are and will have that figured out in
advance.
October 2000
Be Among The First
from Joyce Speed, 2001 Show Chair
Numbered Limited Edition pins for the
2001 AFMS / SCFMS Show are
NOW on SALE
at $5.00 each
Pins will be on sale at the AFMS/ RFMS
Convention in Moab, Utah
or
ORDER NOW
1-3 PINS add $.55 postage, etc.
Send order and check to
Joyce Speed
4680 Wisteria
Dallas, TX 75211-8026
The next AFMS / SCFMS Convention and
Show will be held in Arlington, Texas
June 10 - 17, 2001
Report of Endowment Fund Committee
from Lewis Elrod, AFMS Chairman
The Endowment Fund Committee has been active in obtaining three main prizes for the Moab,
Utah Convention this year. We have a beautiful Amethyst pendant and earring set in gold for a
main prize with an ocean picture rock picture as a second prize and a calcite sphere as third
prize. These prizes will be awarded at the Moab show by reverse order drawing.
Tickets have been distributed to committee members and will be sold at the show. A report on
the sales cannot be made at this time as the sales are far from complete. A large number have
been sold and a reprint of tickets has been made.
We are using a new style of ticket this year that has sufficient room for entry of the name and
address of the purchaser. We hope this will make the sales easier for everyone.
For the 2000-2001 federation year we are proposing a new system of awards. Discussions have
October 2000
been held with several regional federation people and all have been most supportive of the idea.
The following paragraph will outline the procedure that will be followed next year.
Each Regional Federation will be asked to donate one major prize. This may be an intarsia agate
cab set in a sterling bola (as one federation has already agreed to donate) or some other great
item. Tickets will be provided to each federation for distribution to their member clubs/societies
for sale. Sales may be made at any meeting; gem show etc. persons attend and desire to sell.
When the year concludes with the awards at Arlington, Texas we will then determine the net
profits for the year. One half of the net profits will be placed in the AFMS Endowment Fund
Account. The balance will be divided between the Regional Federations in the same ratio as
their sales. If a federation sells twelve percent of the total sales then they will get twelve percent
of the funds available to the Regional Federations. This holds promise of creating a good system
of fund raising for each Regional as well as the AFMS. A little friendly competition never hurts
either and we can certainly provide this. Sales made by the AFMS, at the convention, will be
included in the distribution.
It is hoped that all Regional Federations will meet this with enthusiasm and we look forward to a
successful year.
Go It Alone?
from Mel Albright, AFMS Safety Chairman
Recently, a rockhound died. He went alone to the desert and never went home. This caused
considerable discussion on the "rockhounds" e-mail swap group. Of course, most said "Never go
alone". Others said "tell someone where and when you are going and returning so they can send
help if you don't return". A few announced that they went alone gladly and took the risks as just
part of the hobby. Some even compared their attitude toward the hobby to the extreme sports
you see on TV.
Finally, Ed DeWindt-Robson, a rockhound from North Carolina, ended the discussion with an
analysis in depth that every field-tripping rockhound should read. Here it is:
"OK, so maybe it's putting it too strongly to suggest that no one should ever rockhound alone.
I've done it myself, though not in situations where I thought I was taking substantial risks by
doing so. Please bear with me while I qualify that warning.
As a psychologist, I am keenly interested in the way people make decisions. The real challenge
in most therapy is getting people to recognize that they have decisions to make at all. This is one
example; I want my fellow rockhounds to be aware that field trips may involve some danger, and
to consider how much danger that may be when deciding whether or not to take a trip alone.
Several people have challenged my assertion that a companion is essential equipment in the
October 2000
wilderness. I have no problem with their reasoning, because they are at least taking stock of the
risks. That is part of a good decision-making process. I do have a problem with any suggestion
that those risks are not real.
An experienced hiker who knows his territory and takes appropriate precautions is generally
going to return safely. An expert may be fairly confident even in unfamiliar territory. Does this
mean the wilderness is safe for everyone? Of course not!
I have spent enough time in quarries to feel pretty safe even in a new one, but that does not
mean they are safe, but only that I am familiar with the dangers and know what precautions to
take. I would never advise an inexperienced rockhound to enter one alone.
This list has many subscribers who have joined specifically to learn more about a new interest,
as well as novices who lack sufficient experience to know what is safe and what is not. For the
benefit of those-and not the experts who have long since learned how to do dangerous things
safely-I offer these cautions:
Consider the risks before you travel alone into undeveloped territory. These questions will help
you determine the danger level of a field trip:
1. How well do you know the route and the site? It is easy to get lost in strange surroundings,
and impossible to evaluate or prepare for the dangers and obstacles until you have seen them.
2. How far will you be from civilization? Could you walk back if your car broke down? How far
would you be from help if you got hurt?
3. Will anybody notice if you don't come back at the end of the day? Will they know where to look
for you?
4. Can you drive all the way to the collecting site, or will you have to hike some distance? You
are obviously much safer as long as you are close to your vehicle, and the hike back (when you
are tired and heavily laden) may be the most dangerous part of the excursion.
5. Will you be driving on unpaved roads? Getting stuck in the mud or sand is no joke if you are in
the middle of the wilderness.
6. Will there be steep climbs, sharp drop-offs, or uneven ground where a misstep could mean a
sprained or broken ankle?
7. Will you be facing extremes of heat or cold, or the possibility of severe weather? The air at the
bottom of a quarry can easily be twenty degrees hotter than the air at the surface, presenting a
far greater danger than many people realize. Mountains pose the opposite problem, turning a
October 2000
cool day into a threat of hypothermia. A sudden shower may render your exit route impassible.
8. What kind of physical condition are you in? Strength and stamina provide a margin of safety.
Do you have any health problems which could turn into emergencies requiring medical
assistance?
9. Do you have the proper equipment and supplies? The issue here is preparation; a well
planned trip is always safer than a spur-of-the-moment outing. Your basic safety equipment
begins with a jug of water.
10. How long will you be gone? After a few hours of strenuous activity, fatigue begins to multiply
other dangers. By the end of a day of rockhounding, you will be less sure-footed, less accurate
with the hammer, less patient, and less sound in your judgment. This is when accidents are most
likely.
If your answers to these questions suggest that the danger level is significant, it is simply
common sense to schedule the trip at a time when you can go with another person, preferably
one who is more familiar with the territory and the risks. The presence of another person cuts the
risks substantially. A friend can help you spot dangers, assist or get help if you get hurt, lend a
hand at digging, lifting, and pounding, and help you make correct decisions when fatigue starts
to affect your judgment.
Yes, people do like to take risks. But extreme sports are for the extremely prepared. The rest of
us, especially those with loved ones counting on us to return, had better think carefully about
how much risk we want to accept."
Ed DeWindt-Robson
<[email protected]>
AFMS Endowment Fund
from Lewis Elrod, AFMS Chairman
The AFMS Endowment Fund is enjoying a successful year in its fund raising efforts. We have
three main prizes that will be awarded in Moab, Utah during the convention and show. You do
not have to be present to win and the prizes will be shipped to the winners if they are not
present.
We are in need of additional items to be sold at the Endowment Fund booth at the show. We will
be set up and in operation during the entire time of the show. Items will be raffled using a ticket
drawing system as Charley Leach has done for many years. This is a good system and is a lot of
fun to those taking part.
October 2000
If you would like to donate items please bring them to Utah, give them to someone who is going
to attend if you are not able to come or ship them to me at the address below. We will be grateful
for all donations of rocks, minerals, jewelry or other items you may provide.
The endowment fund is of great importance to the federation and it is having a growing impact
on the federation and its activities. The role of the fund will increase even more in the following
years. An announcement of value to all federations and clubs will be made at the Utah
convention. It should cause even more participation in the next year.
The mailing address for contributions is below. If they are received too late for this year at Moab,
they will be held for the fundraiser next year at Arlington, Texas.
Lewis F. Elrod, 2699 Lascassas Pike; Murfreesboro, TN 37130-1541
Eastern Federation:
Bob Livingston of the Gem and Mineral Society of Syracuse (NY) nominated lifemember, John L
Davis, for this honor. This 84 year young guy is an avid mineral collector who goes back to the
days when collecting was really something - the 30s! With his knowledge, John has been curator
of the mineral collection for Syracuse University for more than 10 years. In addition, John is
always ready to help at the drop of a hat, such as driving to board or regular club meetings
(which he almost always attends), putting in two additional exhibit cases in this year's Syracuse
show, helping Barbara Sky with fossil judging at the Johnson City, NY show, and talking to kids
at two organizations/schools in the last year. John is an "work out" guy who we hope to have as
an active member into the distant future.
Larry Cohen was nominated by E. Michael Kessler, president of the Brooklyn Mineralogical
Society, for the Each Club, Each Year, One Rockhound Award. For over twenty years, Larry has
been very active in the club. He has served as the president, vice president and bulletin editor,
and is currently the secretary. Over the years, he has regularly been a lecturer and has created
and distributed folders of researched materials related to each lecture. In addition, members of
several other local clubs have also benefited from his generous donations of specimens, his
contributions of time and his companionship in the hobby. His illness this year, at age 79, which
has forced him to reduce his participation, has caused him to be sorely missed.
The Gem & Mineral Society of Lynchburg, Inc. would like to nominate George Crowel, of
Danville, VA for the Each Club, Each Year, One Rockhound Award. President Tony Faller
reports that George received the overwhelming majority of "mentions" from the club members for
this award. Although George lives an hour away, he regularly attempts to make our monthly
October 2000
meetings and most of our scheduled Field Trips. In addition, his generous support of other
Society functions and programs is obvious; in fact, he just contributed a significant amount of selfcollected material to our "Swap-for-Rocks" program.
Would your club like to recognize an individual or a husband and wife team who make a
difference for your club? The ECEYOR Program is a continuous program in which each club is
allowed to recognize one member each year for their outstanding work as rockhounds.
Nominations can be submitted at any time during the year. There is no deadline. The only
restriction is that each club may submit only one nomination per year.
Send the name of your nominee, along with a brief (25 words or so) description of why you are
submitting their name and the name of your club to your regional chairperson as listed below:
CFMS
Colleen McGann, 2126 Main Street, #3
Santa Clara, CA
95050-3577
408-247-5165
<[email protected]>
EFMLS
Cathy Gaber, 5707 Northfield Road
Bethesda, MD 20817-6737
301-654-7479
<[email protected]>
MWF
Donna Curtis, 696 Glen Road
Murphysboro, IL 62966-6056
NFMS
Jean Brooks, 1111 Archwood Dr. #241
Olympia, WA 98502
360-352-2986
RMFMS
Mary Clough, 3065 Everett
October 2000
Wichita, KS 67217
316-943-2267
SCFMS
Joyce Molina, 13918 Charcoal Ln.
972-243-4780
SFMS
Dave Tuttle, 994 Blackmon Road
Yulie, FL 32097-4510
NFMS / Chair
Bonnie Glismann, 4326 South 200th
West Ogden, UT 84405
801-392-7832
<[email protected]>
Another Red Face!
from Shirley Leeson, Historian
Hi Everyone. Boy, is my face red! The last article I put in the Newsletter mentioned the AFMS
Rules books - These were the ones I had, not the ones I wanted. If you will go back and look at
the list, and you have something not on the list, then that's what I want. I think this is
clear....
Now for the good news. I received all the AFMS newsletters I asked for from Jeane Stultz of
California. As a past editor, and automatic pack rat, she still had the newsletters in his files. So I
am pretty well caught up with the AFMS Newsletters through the pre-newspaper era. I'll begin
researching those newspapers and see what ones I still need. Unfortunately, not knowing I
would some day take over as Historian, I used many of them for other projects.
If you have memorabilia from any of the early shows/conventions, before about 1975, I'd like to
hear from you. I will be bringing five (5) 3-inch binders with memorabilia with me to Moab, and
hope you can search them to see if you have something you'd like to donate. I am in desperate
need of pictures. Didn't someone take pictures of the events over the years? I have some and
hope when you see what I have, it might jog your memory. But, REMEMBER, when you send
them on, please have: the date, location and name of those people in the picture. I am also the
CFMS Historian and in those files I have found great pictures of events but with no date, location
October 2000
or the names of the people involved. Thankfully Jessie Hardman and Juanita Curtis were able to
help me with many, but for those others ....... At this point it is probably too late to even find
someone who was around in the 1960's and 1970s who might have the information I need. So
please, do some research and include date, place and names with all photos.
I thank all who had contributed to date. Especially Dorothy and Glen Lee, Jack Streeter, and
Charles & Betty Leach. And to Diane Dare for a great deal of material and expertise. I have
mentioned many additional people in the past who have also contributed. Won't YOU please
check your files and see if there is something you'd like to contribute too.
Many thanks.
6155 Haas St.
La Mesa, CA 91942-4312
<[email protected]>
How They Stacked Up
by Kitty Starbuck, AFMS Club Publication Chair
The 2000 Editor's Contest is over, and below is a list of the Regional BEAC's , the AFMS
Judges, and the statistics:
Bulletin Aids Chairpersons:
CFMS:
EFMLS:
MWF:
NFMS:
RMFMS:
SCFMS:
SFMS:
Dee Clason
Barbara Fenstermacher
Judy Budnik
Darlene Denton
Pauline Price
Phyllis George
Margie Dickson
There were 137 entries which were judged by the following nine judges:
Diane Dare
Pearl Burden
Joy Bourne
June Zeitner
Art Reed
Shirley Leeson
Joyce Hanschu
Dolores Rose
October 2000
Bob & Ruth Beauvais
And here are the statistics for the years 1998 - 2000:
Category
1998
1999
2000
16
8
22
10
9
9
12
5
5
15
0
---------123
16
10
25
13
6
21
15
7
9
14
0
---------136
21
3
25
11
7
21
14
7
10
16
2
---------137
Entries
Top 3
Top 10
14
5
8
26
9
23
27
8
18
16
0
5
21
4
13
17
4
12
16
2
9
New Editors
Mini Bulletins
Small Bulletins
Large Bulletins
Adult Articles
Advanced Adult
Jr. Articles Under 12
Jr. Articles 12 -17
Poetry
Poetry, Junior
Federation
CFMS
EFMLS
MWF
NFMS
RMFMS
SCFMS
SFMS
October 2000
---------137
For the sixth year in a row an "AFMS Award Winning Articles & Poems booklet has been printed.
This book contains all of the articles and poems submitted to the AFMS contest this year. The
booklet will be available at the Editor's breakfast in Moab for $5.00.
The top three in each category will receive a trophy, and a badge stating their position and the
category. Others will receive a certificate.
I hope to see you all in Moab!
Bulletin Editor's Hall Of Fame
from Shirley Leeson, AFMS Editor's Hall of Fame Chair
I am pleased to announce that the following editors have been added to the Bulletin Editor's Hall
of Fame. Each of these honorees has served his or her club with honor.
Eastern Federation
Elsie Kane White
and
Emily & Jim Hull
Gem Cutters News
Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore
Phyllis Boykin
EFMLS Newsletter
Jack Burris
EFMLS Newsletter
Bramwell Terrill
EFMLS Newsletter
Betty Clauser
EFMLS Newsletter
Esther Dunn
October 2000
Rockhounds Herald
Dothan Gem & Min Club
Toy Sato
1st CFMS Newsletter Editor
Renata Williams-Bever
Gem & Mineral Asst Editor
& Executive Sec/Tres CFMS
Naomi Matney
Quarry Quips
Wichita, KS
Tee & Lois Green
News & Views
Salt Lake City, UT
Dennis Chapman
Strata Gems
West Valley City, UT
Angela Wirts
Stone Chipper
Austin Gem & Mineral Society
Northwest Federation
Myrtle Mcphie
Golden Spike News
Golden Spike Gem & Min Soc, Ogden, UT
Cyndy Bailey
Geode, Lakeside Gem & Min Club
Kennewick, WA
October 2000
Susan Appleby
Rockhound Ramblings
Williamette Agate & Min Soc, Salem, OR
Midwest Federation
Celia Duluk
early editor and member of National
Bulletin Editor's Association in the 1950s
And The Candidates Are....
Report of Nominating Committee for Nomination of AFMS Officers for 2000-2001
from Lewis Elrod Nominating Comm. Chair
The AFMS Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the slate of candidates to lead YOUR
AFMS in the coming year. Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting in Moab this month and of
course nominations may be made from the floor prior to the election by any of the AFMS
Directors.
President California Federation
Isabella Burns
No. Orange Co. Gem & Min. Soc.
President Elect Eastern Federation
Steve Weinberger
Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore
First Regional Vice President South Central Federation
Ron Carmon
Houston Gem & Mineral Society
Second Regional Vice President
Mid West Federation
Kitty Starbuck
Kalamazoo Geological & Min. Soc.
Third Regional Vice President Northwest Federation
Linda Keltz
October 2000
Skagit Rock & Gem Club
Fourth Regional Vice President
Southeast Federation
Don Monroe
Alabama Min. & Lapidary Soc.
Fifth Regional Vice President
Howell Whiting
Chaparral Rockhounds
Visit A Show in 2001
American & Regional Federation Shows
from Shirley Leeson, AFMS Show Consultant
Rocky Mt.
June 8-10 - Rosewell, NM
AFMS/South Central
June 11-17 - Arlington, TX
California
June 22-24 - Paso Robles, CA
Eastern
July 13-15 - Syracuse, NY
Northwest
August 20 - Sept 1; Enumclaw, WA
Midwest
Sept 7-9 - Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Southeast
To be announced
Guidelines For Exhibitors & Uniform Rules
from Jim Hurlbut,
AFMS Uniform Rules Chair
October 2000
An updated version of the has been issued. It is available from the AFMS Central Office or from
your Regional Federation Supplies Chair. Have you updated your AFMS Rule book?? The
update for the year 2000 is also available.
At the Moab meeting of the rules committee two major items have been submitted for changing
the rules. One is to change the references in the Division B (minerals) rules. The second one is
to change the number of specimens required in Division C (lapidary) in Class CC-3. Some other
items were submitted but not in time to be mailed to the members as required 60 days in
advance of the meeting. These item will be discussed and a committee appointed to study them
and submit them for approval next year.
New Videos Funded By AFMS Endowment Fund
from Marge Collins, Program Competition Coordinator
Seven "new" videos were presented to each Regional Program Library, in recent months, funded
by a special allocation from the interest generated by the AFMS Endowment Fund.
The topics cover a broad range of interests and will appeal to novices as well as advanced
viewers.
T-Rex, The Real World takes viewers to the actual sites were five skeletons of Tyrannosaurus
rex have been recovered by the Black Hills Institute for Geological Research, since 1990.
Scientists take you from the dusty prairie into their laboratories as they uncover ancient bones
and exciting secrets. VHS 35 min.
The Stewart Tourmaline Story. Since it is not possible to tour this mine, noted for its rubellite
and blue capped pink specimens, this presentation offers the next best thing ñ views of the mine
and tells how tourmalines are formed, discovered and extracted. The processing of rough gems
into finished jewels is also presented. VHS 57 min.
Hidden Fury: The New Madrid Earthquake Zone. In 1811 and 1812 a series of great
earthquakes struck the Mississippi Valley in Missouri. In recent years the earth has been
rumbling again, renewing interest in this little known earthquake zone. 3-D maps, animations and
"live" scenes tell the story. VHS 27 min.
The Physical Properties of Minerals. Close-up photography and clear explanation of the basic
tests every rockhound should know to determine the identity of unknown minerals. All the
physical properties are explained and demonstrated. VHS 45 min.
The following 3 videos are from a series of live presentations about "Sciences" - for the general
public - at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Each makes use of a wide range of visual
materials and demonstrations with a down to earth style and humor. They are suitable for all
October 2000
ages (except early elementary).
Sugar, Quartz and Diamonds: Crystalline Perfection. The properties of crystals, how
diamonds are cut; why it is important for ice to float; how stalagmites grow and many other facts
about this magic of nature, are included in this lively presentation. Solid information along with
the fun and relevance of science in everyday life, are included. VHS 57 min.
On the Trail of the Thick-Skulled Dinosaur. How do we know what dinosaurs looked like?
How do we know where to look for dinosaur fossils? In answering these and other questions,
geologist, Emily Giffin shows how being a detective can help to locate previously unknown
species of dinosaurs and then describe them. VHS 60 min.
Erratic Rocks and Cream City Bricks. Although this presentation uses the city of Milwaukee as
the setting, all cities / places are built upon ground that has a long history. This is a journey back
through time, explaining the formation of the deposits we life on, the animals that lived here
before man arrived - geology brought to life. VHS 62 min.
In addition, 6 slide programs with professional slides will be sent to each Region before the end
of the year. (titles: Introduction to Crystal Systems, Common Rock Forming Minerals, Useful NonMetallic Minerals, Metallic Minerals and Geology of Yellowstone.)
To reserve these (and other) programs for your Club's use, contact
your Regional Program Library.
Direct questions to:
Program Competition Coordinator
Marge Collins
(616) 695-4313
[email protected]
October 2000
Contents:
President's Message - A Labor of Love
A New Phone Number - Central Office
A Buzz from Izzle B
As The New President Elect ...
Fossils And The Lowly Amateur
AFMS Club Rockhound of The Year - Submitting
Calling All Clubs and Societies
AFMS Juniors Program - Good News! Good News!
"Diamonds" And "Ghosts" Top The Winners List
"Trophies Won At Moab
AFMS Club Rockhound of The Year - Nominations
Ya Gotta Wanta
2001 AFMS Program Competition
2001 AFMS Program Competition - Entry Form
Safety First - Rotating Machinery
Editor's Awards Presented At Moab
Editor - My Two Cents
A Labor of Love
Dan Lingelbach, Past President
Volume 54, Number 1
December, 2000
October 2000
I don't know what else to call it when the Show Chairman and his wife devote at least 6 months
of their life to organizing a show. Also, when the Co-chairman and his club members work so
hard to put on this show, not just a show, but an outstanding show, what else can you call it but
"a labor of love'. Their main reward is the thanks we give them and the satisfaction in knowing
that they have provided the public a chance to see what our hobby is about. That show was the
2000 AFMS/RMFMS Show and Convention, held in Moab, UT, October 12-15.
One thing that is remarkable is that the Points and Pebbles Club is a small club having only 30
members last year. In addition, the Show Chairman, Dean Richardson and his wife Joyce, live
over 250 miles away and made many trips down to Moab to assist the clubs members. Because
of the great response for exhibits, cases had to borrowed from the Grand Junction Club, the
Wasatch Gem Society and I think some others. With assistance from clubs in the Utah
Federation, the club was able to carry out the set up, operation and take down in an orderly
fashion. These club members are to be commended for their courage to undertake such as
awesome task. This should demonstrate to other small clubs that they can do it too.
For those who have attended other American Federation Shows, the things that I think makes
this memorable is that this was the first show (at least for a long time) that was held in an animal
arena with a packed sand floor. It made it convenient to conceal the electrical cables as all you
had to do was dig a trench and bury them. Also, not many places have as scenic an area as
Moab. To the east are the snow topped LaSal Mountains and close in to the west are the sand
stone cliffs bordering the Canyonlands National Park. Unlike other locations for Federation
Shows, there was no wall to wall traffic, no complicated exits and no confusing parking lots.
Moab is a place of friendly people and really helpful business. The Moab Valley Inn, JB's
Restaurant and the Spanish Trail Arena personal were very accommodating.
There were many exceptional exhibits, and those of petrified wood and dinosaur bone are those
for which the Western States are known. There were four days of field trips for interesting
material usually within a 50 mile radius, some roads were not so easy traveling, but they were
scenic. I can also say we had an overflowing crowd at the Awards Banquet as the dining area
was filled to capacity. Likewise, the Editors Breakfast had a good turn out. If you missed this
show, you missed a chance of a lifetime. Everyone involved certainly deserve our thanks.
New Phone Number
by Dan McLennan
There is a new phone number for the AFMS Central Office. It is (405) 682-2938.
My apologies to those of you who have attempted to reach the office using the old number...it
took quite a while before I realized that we were having problems with the line and I don't know
how many of your calls were lost because of these problems.
October 2000
A Buzz From Izzie B
Isabella Burns, AFMS President
As AFMS flies into its 54th year with 53,879 members, I am honored to be given the opportunity
to be your leader and wish to thank you for affording me this privilege. For my theme this year, I
have chosen Education And Motivation.
1. Educate the public about the AFMS and inspire them to respect us.
2. Educate our members about our programs and policies and motivate them to become
involved.
3. Educate our members, youth and adults about minerals, fossils and lapidary arts.
It appears this years momentum is high, thanks to the many dedicated people serving as
Committee Chairs, who desire to make things happen. Some very good suggestions have been
made to improve our communication and strengthen our programs.
My 2001 calendar has Federation show dates on it - June 8-10, RMFMS in Roswell, New
Mexico; June 11-17, AFMS/SCFMS Convention and Show in Arlington, Texas; June 22-24,
CFMS in Paso Robles, California; July 13-15, EFMLS in Syracuse, NY; August 30-Sept 2, NFMS
in Enumclaw, Washington, Sept. 7 - 9, MWF in Rice Lake, Wisconsin and the SFMS to be added
soon. Awards at these meetings will be presented for Club Bulletins, All American Club,
Scholarship Honorees and cases of minerals, lapidary arts, fossils, petrified wood, education,
etc. These are not competition for the best, but they are ratings. Regulations for entering these
various projects are printed in the AFMS Newsletter, your Federation newsletter, and on our
Web Site. Club members should be preparing their entries during the winter months to be proud
to hear their names read at shows and see them in bulletins.
We really are eager to help your club have a great year. Three copies of the newsletter is sent to
each club. Your club must let Dan McLennon at the AFMS Central Office know who you wish to
receive these newsletters. (Some Societies buy subscriptions for other officers or committee
chairs.)
Five study programs in different Federations - Eastern hosts two sessions at Wildacres;
Southeast has sessions at Wildacres and William Holland; California Federation has Zzyzx and
Camp Paradise; Midwest has study trips; and a new one by the South Central at a junior college
is in the works. These are my joy. I hope that the other Federations will be able to develop
programs for their members as well.
Symposiums, Workshops, and Seminars are a great way to educate our members about
different phases of recreational programs. Faceting, Identification of Petrified wood, Opal, Microminerals are some of the areas that are covered by these. There are many web sites by our
federations, colleges, museums and individuals that have great programs. CD Roms, video
October 2000
tapes and slide programs have been developed to provide information on all phases of our
hobby.
2001 is approaching on swift wings and lets fill it with all kinds of fun things. Time is a gift to be
used creatively and wisely. Let us use that gift to support our ongoing programs and add new
ones as they seem appropriate. It would be great if each member helped on one project. I will do
my best to help you.
As The New President-Elect...
by Steve Weinberger
As the new president-elect, I just wanted to share a few words about my background. Although I
haven't been in the hobby since the beginning of dirt, I have been in since well into the postpleistocene epoch. During the past 30 years, I have been club president, treasurer, EFMLS 1st
and 2nd Vice President and President and AFMS 5th and 1st V.P. and I've also served on or
headed numerous committees for my local clubs, as well as EFMLS and AFMS. As a retired
science teacher, I now have more time to persue interests in faceting, cabbing, micromineralogy
and photomicrography.
This year (as are all years, I suppose), will be a challenge. I look forward to working with Izzie to
help provide the various federations, clubs and ultimately the individuals with service and
leadership.
Although the federations may seem remote to many, the people who serve them all do so
because they want to. Their dedication to all aspects of the hobby is what helps to keep alive all
of the services which benefit club members. Whether it be information on insurance needs,
programs, collecting areas, display and competition, scholarship, junior activities, safety or
bulletins which you need, there is always someone there to help. Remember we are all persuing
the same goal - the betterment and enjoyment of the hobby.
I look forward to serving you this year as your president-elect. Please feel free to contact me at
any time.
Fossils And The Lowly Amateur
by Bill Alcorn from The Pineywood Rooter, via Rocket City Rocks & Gems, Nov. 2000
One of my favorite publications is the magazine Rock & Gem. Except for its yearly issue on gold,
which I find to be too repetitive from year to year, each issue is always filled with new and
interesting articles about every phase of our hobby.
The September 2000 issue had several especially interesting articles on fossils. However a
October 2000
somewhat disturbing article was one by Steve Voynick, ""The Fight For Fossils". The magazine
lacks a section of letters to the editor or I would be sorely tempted to write a response to this
article, which seemed to me to be decidedly in favor of acquiescing to those who want to stop
amateur collecting on public lands. While I am against being confrontational with government
agencies and believe there should be more cooperation with them instead, there are several
positive aspects to amateur fossil collecting that I felt were completely missed in this otherwise
very informative article.
I have no problem at all with the idea that museums and institutions of higher learning should be
able to study the fossil remains of rare and unusual vertebrate specimens unhindered by
amateurs, and that sites where these are located and brought to their attention should remain off
limits to scavenger rockhounds when an effort is being made to preserve such sites and the
fossils they contain. I have no problem with the idea that these professionals have greater
expertise and access to the equipment necessary to study these finds, and to provide knowledge
and displays of these discoveries to the general public. I do have a problem with the idea that
ALL public lands should ever be made off limits to amateur fossil lovers and collectors. I am
totally appalled at the idea put forward in the last paragraph of this article that, as a trade off for
being able to collect fossils, "every amateur paleontologist and fossil collector will be able to
enjoy exciting new books and museum displays that answer questions ... (of the geological
past)".
Can a picture of a thing in a book ever serve as a substitute for reality? If that is true, maybe I
should just keep a picture of my wife and family on the mantle and let them go live somewhere
else. It was being able to hold a piece of geological history in my own hands. It was the
excitement of searching out and finding these fascinating objects myself that got me interested in
fossils and earth sciences. It is being able to hold these pieces of earth's history in my hands and
to look at the real thing whenever I want that keeps me excited about this hobby.
Somebody I met as a teenager while walking through the fields and pastures one afternoon got
me started. He was looking through the gravel in an abandoned railroad cut for crinoid stem
sections. He showed me the real thing so I started looking. What interest in earth science do we
expect children to take if the only fossils they see are in books or museums, and they are given
to understand they will never be able to collect them unless they get a doctoral degree in
paleontology and are lucky enough to get a job at a university or museum?
It has been pointed out time and again that amateurs are responsible for the vast majority of
important fossil and archaeological finds, and that the majority of amateur fossil hunters will, on
making a really significant discovery, contact a University or Museum with their finds.
This was done by members of the Leesville Rock Club when they discovered a number of
unusual fossils below the Toledo Bend Dam. There was some interest shown by university
scholars, but still most of the fossils at this site are washing into oblivion downstream from the
site of exposure.
October 2000
It has also been pointed out time and again that most fossils will, when uncovered by erosion,
construction excavation or by other means, in a short period of time be weathered away to rejoin
the rock cycle as a useless sediment. A few years ago (before picking up artifacts around Lake
Sam Rayburn was made a punishable crime) we discovered fragile early American artifacts that
had just been uncovered by high water erosion, but were already in the process of weathering
away to useless rubble. That lake has done a wonderful job during periods of high lake levels
and stormy weather, of uncovering artifacts. Interesting leaf imprints and other fossil materials
that had been embedded for millennia in layers of soft mudstone. Even petrified mud ripples
were exposed. In only a very short period of time the mudstone encased fossils are worn away
to rubble, and the artifacts are washed out into the deeper parts of the lake to be covered over
again by sand and mud at depths where they will never again be seen.
Another article in the same issue of the magazine we were quoting above made me feel much
better. It was a fascinating article on ""Clinker Shale Fossils" by Sam and Ruth Kirkby. They
made a chance acquaintance with a Montana rancher who, on discovering their interest in
fossils, invited them to go out on his ranch where he had been clearing a place for a cattle tank.
He had discovered a lot of "`the prettiest" leaf fossils and thought they might be interested. He
was bulldozing the fossil shale into a nearby gully, and thought they might like to save some
before they were destroyed. On arriving at the location they found some fabulous fossil leaves,
catkins, and filbert nuts in a burned out coal bed. The point here being that these fossils, if not
collected at that time would never be seen again as they were about to become fill dirt in a gully
wash.
I guess my real point is, if I have one at all, let's not just roll over, belly up, to those who feed us
with the nonsense about the rarity and value of every fossil and that only those who are smarter
than us should have access to public lands and fossil collecting, and that we amateurs should
not be allowed to collect, display and enjoy our own specimens.
The museum can and should keep the dinosaurs and mammoth fossils, the rare and exotic items
that we amateurs don't have the time or means to collect, or the space to display. But leave us to
our fossils leaves and crinoids, our ammonites and brachiopods, our little fossil fishes and
trilobites. They already have more than they want or need of the more common fossils we collect
and they can always get more if they need them, the same way we do. Just get out there and
collect them before nature `recycles" them.
AFMS Club Rockhound of The Year
by Bonnie Glissman, Chair
Your AFMS is pleased to announce that our Outstanding Rockhound recognitions program,
Each Club-Each Year-One Rockhound, name has been changed to AFMS Club Rockhound Of
The Year. This change was voted on and passed at the AFMS business meeting in Moab. I hope
this new title will be easier to remember. The following rules for submitting an outstanding
October 2000
Rockhound are as follows.
1. Each year each club affiliated with a federation can nominate one of its club members for
recognition as an outstanding rockhound. Married couples count as one.
2. The names of the outstanding rockhound should be submitted to your regional
representative who passes it on to the AFMS Chair. Each club submits only one name a
year. The nomination will then be published in the AFMS Newsletter.
3. Provide the following information with your nomination
a. The name of your outstanding rockhound.
b. The name of your club and where it is located, including city and state.
c. The name of the federation with which you are affiliated (Eastern, South Central
etc.)
d. The name of the person or persons making the nomination. Any club member can
nominate another club member but the earliest received gets that year's
recognition.
e. A brief statement to publish with the name as to why this club member is so special.
Statements can be 50 words or less. This is a recent change from 25 since it is
difficult to explain how special these people are in just 25 words. I have been known
to let these nominations go over 50 words in some cases.
4. Send you recognition requests to your federation representative. They will forward them to
the AFMS Chair. These nice folks are:
CFMS: Colleen McGann, 2126 Main St., #3 Santa Clara, CA 950503577 (408) 247- 5165, e-mail: [email protected]
EFMLS: Cathy Gaber, 5707 Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD 208176737, e-mail: [email protected]
MWFMS: Donna Curtis, 696 Glen Rd., Murphysboro, IL 62966-6056
NFMS: Jean Brooks, 1111 Archwood Dr., #241, Olympia, WA 98502,
(360) 352-2986
RMFMS: Mary Clough 1930 N. Mt Carmel, Wichita, KA 67283
SCFMS: Dee Cable, 3348 S. 21st St., Abilene, TX 79605,
[email protected]
SFMS: Dave Tuttle, 994 Blackmon Road, Yulee, FL, 32097-5410
Calling All Clubs and Societies
October 2000
In an effort to assist all clubs that have web sites, and to also assist those clubs wishing to
develop a web site, we have added an Email Discussion List for webmasters. This gives us a
forum for discussions along with questions and answers for items relating to the club websites. If
you are the webmaster for you club, please join the list. If you would like to help your club start a
web site, please join the list. As we discover common questions for the webmasters, we will add
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) to the resources for the webmasters.
It appears that only about 15% of the clubs currently have a web site or Home Page. So there
should be a lot of clubs needing to start a web site. Your club can easily have a free web site that
reaches people all across the world. Where else can you get a better value.
You can subscribe to the list by sending an email message to: <[email protected]>
You can also find more information on the following page:
<http://www.amfed.org/web/webmasters_email.htm>
This is a new endeavor, suggestions and comments are encouraged and welcomed. You can
contact me at <[email protected]>. I look forward to hearing from you.
AFMS Juniors Program
by Bob & Kathy Miller
Good News! Good News!
While at the AFMS Show/Convention in Moab, Utah this October, a vote was passed for us as
AFMS Jr. Chairpersons to purchase identification pins to be given free to all Future Rockhounds
of America members. These pins are one of the ways young people can identify that they are an
active participant in our earth science hobby. We hope these pins will instill pride of what the pin
represents and that the Juniors will wear it to all rockhound events or functions they go to.
When we receive the pins from the manufacturer we will divide and send them out to the
Regional Junior Chairs. They in turn will disperse them to the Future Rockhounds of America
clubs in their region. At this time we have 13 clubs and 218 members.
We had a good time in Moab, Utah. The country is beautiful, the people are friendly and the
show itself let us know that a lot of work went into the making; we were very impressed. The
Juniors booth that we thought we prepared well for was extremely busy. We ran out of all but
some of the paper material by Saturday night. This gives us an insight what we should prepare
for next year in Arlington, Texas. The good time and enthusiasm the young people had picking
up all of the free rocks, fossils, minerals and paper products and the appreciation they expressed
October 2000
let us know our hobby will continue for "future rockhounds of America!"
If you have any junior members in your club who wish to join the Future Rockhounds of America,
simply contact your Regional Junior Chairman to start the application process.
May you have a joyous, blessed holiday season and a healthy, happy New Year.
"Diamonds" And "Ghosts" Top The Winners List
by Marge Collins, Program Chair
Four slide programs earned Awards in the 2000 AFMS Program Competition. First Place "With
Highest Honors" designation and a $200 cash prize were given to two winners (those which
earned more than 95 points in the structured judging process*). All Winners are duplicated and
made available to Clubs across the country, who can borrow them for use at meetings, shows or
other events.
In Class 1: "Educational" topics, we have a tie! Both of these programs earned First Place -"With
Highest Honors" designation! Well done!
DIAMONDS by Jennie & Paul Smith, members of Micromounters of the National Capitol Area,
EFMLS.
Micro diamonds are used to tell the story; how they form, where deposits are found, crystal
structure, the rainbow of colors, etc. This presentation proves the fact that affordable, miniature
diamonds are "lovely to look at" and interesting to boot. 79 slides
PSEUDOMORPHS: Ghosts of Minerals Past by Michael Shaw, member of Stillwater Mineral &
Gem Society, RMFMS.
Pseudomorph means false shape and refers to the interesting mineralogical oddities that occur
when one mineral replaces another - in the shape of the original mineral. If this sounds confusing
it won't be after you view this program with numerous specimens as examples and clear
explanations. 47 slides
In the same Class, earning a First Place Award: LAPIDARY MATERIALS OF OREGON by
Norman McKay, member of Four Corners Gem & Mineral Club, RMFMS
Oregon is noted for the wide variety of lapidary materials found within its borders. We are treated
to examples of numerous examples in close up views, showing their unique and interesting
patterns. Some field trip info and other tips are also included. 131 slides.
October 2000
Class 2: Field Collecting - one First Place Award:
HOW SWEET IT IS: A Trip to the Sweetwater Lead Mine by Sharon Waddell, member of Ozark
Earth Science Club, MWF
"Deep in the rolling hills of the Missouri Ozarks lies a geologic feature, the Viburnum Trend" - an
ore bearing strata which has produced world class specimens of lead and associated minerals.
The Sweetwater is one of the many mines of this area but opportunities to visit them are rare.
We are given a look inside this location and see the process by which minerals are extracted
from the ore. 100 slides
Class 3: "How-To-Do-It" (craftwork topics) and Class 4: "Just for Juniors" sadly had no entries
this year.
(* The highest scoring program in each Class with more than 95 points is eligible for a $200 cash
prize and earns First Place "With Highest Honors" designation. Entries scoring more than 90
points are awarded "First Place" honors.)
As noted above, AFMS has duplicate copies made of all winners and gives them to each of the
seven Regional Libraries so Clubs across the country have access to them. If you wish to borrow
any of these or other AFMS winning programs contact your Regional Program Library.
The goal of AFMS Program Competition is to Recognize and Reward authors of excellent
programs. Information (rules, guidelines, entry form, etc.) for the 2001 competition appear
elsewhere in this issue of the newsletter. For more information, contact:
Marge Collins, Competition Coordinator
3017 Niles-Buchanan Rd.
Buchanan, Michigan 49107
phone: 616-695-4313 or [email protected].
Trophies Won At Moab
from Jim Hurlbut, AFMS Uniform Rules Chair
I was delighted to see so many competitive exhibits at the AFMS Moab show. The judges had a
most enjoyable time evaluating them all. Unfortunately there can only be one Trophy awarded in
each category, but many, many blue, white and red ribbons were also awarded to the
competitors. I hope that those who did not win the "Trophy" in their division will go back, read the
judges comments and re-enter their displays next year at the AFMS show in Arlington, Texas.
Here are the recipients of the Trophy awards for this year.
October 2000
Trophy 1, Open Division:
Glen and Joan Johnson
Lakewood, Colorado
Denver Gem & Mineral Guild
Trophy 7, Restricted Minerals III:
Susanna MacInnis
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Earth Science Association
Trophy 10, Micromount Minerals:
Arnold Hampson
Delta, Colorado
Ute Mountain Gem & Mineral
Trophy 11, Restricted Minerals V:
James F. Hurlbut
Denver, Colorado
Friends of Mineralogy, Colorado Chapter
Trophy 12, Personally Collected Minerals:
Roger Barnett
Simpsonville, South Carolina
Micromineralogists of the National Capital Area
Trophy 13, Petrified Wood and/or Wood Casts IV:
Joyce McBryde
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Mineral & Gem Society
Trophy 14 Cabochons III:
Alberta Carter
Reno, Nevada
Reno Gem & Mineral Sopciety
Trophy 15 Lapidary:
Bill Gay
Roswell, New Mexico
Chaparral Rockhounds
Trophy 16, Carvings I:
Lorrie Petterson
Reno, Nevada
October 2000
Reno Gem and Mineral Society
Trophy 17, Cabochons I:
Tom Burchard
Palo Alto, California
Peninsula Gem & Geology Society
Trophy 18, Cabochons II:
Craig Newcomb
Burley, Idaho
Intermountain Faceters Guild
Trophy 19, Faceted Gemstones I:
Craig Newcomb
Burley, Idaho
Intermountain Faceters Guild
Trophy 21, Specialized Lapidary I:
Lorri Petterson
Reno, Nevada
Reno Gem and Mineral Society
Trophy 22, Petrified Wood and/or Wood Casts I:
Robert Bever
Sedro Valley, Washington
Skagit Rock & Gem
Trophy 26, Jewelry:
Novie Enns
Reno, Nevada
Reno Gem & Mineral Society
Trophy 28, Educational:
Max & Arleen Burkhalter
Choctaw, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Mineral and Gem Society
Trophy 30, Educational IV:
Jack Thompson
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Friends of Mineralogy, Colorado Chapter
October 2000
Trophy 32, Fossils:
Joshua Hulstrom
Kennewick, Washington
Lakeside Junior Rock Club
Trophy 35, Personally Collected Fossils:
Douglas True
Billings, Montana
Billings Gem & Mineral
Trophy 38, Petrified Wood and/or Wood Casts I:
Alberta Carter
Reno, Nevada
Reno Gem & Mineral
Trophy 39, Fluorescent Minerals:
Don Snyder
Richland, Washington
Lakeside Gem & Mineral
Trophy 31, Specialized Lapidary II:
Carol Cimolina
Snowmish, Washington
Marysville Rock & Gem
AFMS Club Rockhound of The Year
from Bonnie Glissman, Chair
The "AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year" award (formerly known as Each Year-Each Club-One
Rockhound) is made by individual clubs wishing to recognize a member (or couple) who work
hard for their club and for the hobby. Nominations should be sent to your regional chairperson
who will forward it to AFMS for inclusion in a future issue of the AFMS Newsletter. (The names
and addresses of the regional committee chairpersons can be found on page 5 of this issue.)
Eastern Federation:Eastern Federation:
Donna Lee Hanlon, editor of the North Shore Rock & Mineral Club, MA has nominated
Josephine MacIndewar for the Each Club, Each Year, One Rockhound award. Before
Josephine took over as the club's Field Trip Coordinator, the club rarely had field trips. Due to
her efforts, we have been able to collect in many quarries and mines that we could never have
had access to without her expertise. We have also been to many museums and out-of-state trips
including the Museum of Natural History in NYC and the fantastic mine at the "Fluorescent
October 2000
Mineral Capitol of the World" in Franklin, NJ. She has helped bring together the adult and
children members of our club so that we look forward to the field trips as both a learning
experience and a wonderful social event where members of all ages share knowledge and finds.
Wayne Cokeley of the Tri-County Mineral and Lapidary Society in New Jersey has been
nominated by Neil Van Oost, Jr as this year's recipient of the AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year
award.
Wayne is a cheerful outgoing rockhound who is always willing to share his vast knowledge of the
hobby. He always makes sure that there is a presentation at our meeting nights, often
conducting them himself. There is much more I could say about Wayne, but I will finish with "I
am sure glad he is a member of our club".
Describing the value of Inga Wells in a few sentences is like hitting the moon with a sling shot.
She is and has been the Che-Hanna Rock & Mineral Club Pebble-Pups (junior club)
leader/advisor for many years. I dare brag and say she is better than any other junior advisor in
the country. Her stamina and perseverance constantly amaze the rest of us. Inga hosts meetings
in her home, organizes field trips outside of regular club activities, and donates expenses out of
her own pocket. All this and more, she was also editor of the Shin Skinner News for more than
ten years.
Editor Dan Imel, with the support of other club members, nominated Don Spencer, a lifetime
member of the Rochester Lapidary Society in Rochester, NY, to be honored by Each Club, Each
Year, One Rockhound.
Only a few clubs are ever blessed to have someone who, year after year, has given up his own
time to invite beginners to his house, spending hours teaching them. Our club has such a
person, Don Spencer. Very few clubs can claim such a high percentage of the membership who
know how to facet. This is primarily a result of Don's many hours. Even the faceting members
who did not learn from Don were drawn to the club because of the atmosphere he fostered by
sharing designs and newly cut stones. He is truly a Master Facetor not only in the beautiful
stones he cuts but in the way he leads his life and tutors and encourages others long after the
lessons.
Glenn and Kathleen Bolick were nominated by Bea Kupke, a member of the Board of Directors
of the Catawba Valley Gem & Mineral Club in Hickory, NC, for the AFMS Club Rockhound of the
Year award.
The Bolicks have been very active in the club for many years. Both Glenn and Kathleen have
acted as president at one time or another, and Kathleen also served as bulletin editor for many
years. They have organized field trips and hosted parties both for fellowship and to pack up grab
bags for the yearly shows. Glenn was famous for his work of putting on the regular yearly shows
for many years. He put together lapidary cases of North Carolina rocks and minerals for schools,
October 2000
which he would use to illustrate his talks for students.
Dave Fordyce of the Chesapeake Gem & Mineral Society in Maryland has been nominated by
President Lynne Luger and the board of directors as this year's recipient of the AFMS Club
Rockhound of the Year award.
Even though Dave had already been holding down two key positions for the last several years,
field trip chair and legislative chair, he also volunteered to become the librarian when the existing
person could not continue. He reorganized the entire library and categorized it by both author
and category. As the field trip chair, he arranges frequent and interesting trips while maintaining
good working relationships with the local quarries. As legislative chair, he goes to great efforts to
make sure that the members are well informed about local and national issues, especially those
related to protecting collecting rights. He finds the time to do all this while he is still working for a
living and is raising twins with his wife Mary Grace.
Diana Volcheck has been nominated for the AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year award by
Wayne Urion, president of the Delaware Mineralogical Society. Diana's efforts as editor &
publisher of our club's monthly newsletter - The GEOGRAM - are highly appreciated. She
recently won a second place EFMLS award in the small bulletin category. She is also an active
and participative club member.
Jennie and Paul Smith were nominated by George Reimherr for the Club Rockhound of the
Year award from the Micromineralogists of the National Capital Area. Jennie and Paul have been
members of MNCA since 1976. Over the years, they have both served several years as
president, Jennie has been secretary twice and Paul was vp for three years. Both have
contributed to the newsletter and done programs. They are very active in the club and in the
club's annual Atlantic Micromount Conference. Paul has taken the photomicrographs and
prepared materials for the auction for many years and Jennie sets up the raffle. They both
demonstrate micromounting at a number of shows each year, and Paul teaches
photomicrography and micromounting at Wildacres. Jennie is the Region IV vp and the
Chairman of the Functioning Committee at Wildacres.
Nancy Wiser of the Northern Virginia Mineral Club was nominated by the president, David Ball,
for the Each Club, Each Year, One Rockhound Award.
Nancy Wiser was this club's Editor for 13 years. She took over the duties from Fred
Schaefermeyer in 1987. June was her last issue. The members and officers have appreciated
her years of devoted service to The Mineral Newsletter. She has earned this well deserved rest
and thanks. She has also been a Past President and Vice President of the club.
Margaret Randall Robertson nominated an extremely dedicated Monongahela Rockhound (PA)
member, Tony Walker for AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year.
October 2000
One of our club's best features is our school shows. Without Tony, we would not do any. For at
least 15 years, we have been included in the curriculum at Steel Valley High School for the Earth
Science class. Tony arranges, organizes, gets other volunteers (which isn't always easy!) to set
up one day before, then spends the next day with the kids. They set up a microscope with
micromounts, do a fluorescent activity, have tables for fossils, wire-wrapping, geodes & nodules,
and crystals. He does the same for several other schools including two with severely disabled
children, and he has presented programs for high school students at Carlow College and
Duquesne University. He also does yearly scout shows and qualifies geology badges for
weblows. He always has a special rock and a story for any child that comes to the club meetings.
He treasures all the thank you letters he has gotten over the years, and he really deserves this
recognition.
The Southern Maryland Rock and Mineral Club is proud to nominate Sandy Lyon as this year's
AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year.
For the past 10 years as a founding member, Sandy has consistently demonstrated
distinguished service. With quiet and unassuming leadership, she is considered to be the single
most important driving force behind the success of our club. As Director of the Clearwater Nature
Center, she prepares the club's meeting space and was instrumental in establishing the club's
Lapidary Lab there. Her enormous mineral, fossil, and rock collection is used to educate and
amuse rock club and nature center members alike. She routinely conducts fossil and mineral
field trips, which are open to the public, and she introduces children to the hobby by getting them
involved in jewelry making, rock tumbling, and fossil identification. Sandy plans and promotes
our Annual Rock, Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show, and this year, she also served as
editor/publisher of our club newsletter and developed a mechanism to deliver it to club members
over the internet thereby reducing costs.
The Texoma Rockhounds of Denison, Texas nominate John L. Taylor as our "Rockhound of the
Year."
John is charter member of Texoma Rockhounds which was started in 1962. He is a driving force
in organizing club events. He is also the spearhead of the activities of the Education Committee.
Central Texas Gem & Mineral Society has nominated Jim and Rose Owens for the year 2000.
They are members of the South Central Federation and the club base is Abilene, TX.
Jim and Rose Owens have been active, enthusiastic and loving members of our club. Their spirit
and energy have been an inspiration to all. Jim has become very skilled in lapidary arts and
Rose in painted rock scenes. Rose passed away after several bouts with illness on September 5,
2000. We would like to nominate Jim and Rose Owens to receive our Rockhound of the Year
award. Submitted by Jerry Davis, VP.
October 2000
Texas Big Bend Gem and Mineral Society Inc, Alpine Texas for 1999:
Lester Sautter is our Club Treasurer, Kid's Korner worker, Exhibitor and Building Chairman.
Lester exhibits at shows in surrounding areas and is among the few members who has helped
put on our annual show for several years. He sold more tickets in our fund raising raffle of
Arkansas quartz crystal as well as providing material for our show's grand prizes for several
years. He seldom misses a meeting or field trip. He cuts and polishes and has started to wirewrap and is recently remarried at the age of 80. Nominated by Phil Plimmer, Club Newsletter
Editor.
For 2000: Art Worley has served as Vice President, Historian, Field Trip Chair, Show Chair, and
seldom misses a meeting even though he lives 80 miles away. He has provided club
membership cards, has gotten the club a page on the web and has added color to "No Stone
Unturned" the club newsletter of which he is assistant editor. Nominated by Phil Plimmer, Club
Newsletter Editor.
Williamson Co. Gem and Mineral Club, Georgetown, Texas.
Jesse Rolan served for three years as Show Chair, contacting dealers, getting flyers printed,
putting up road signs and banners, scheduled people to work in ticket sales, information and
grab bag sales. He handled the PA system, arranged security and did the banking _ All without
Help! He deserves this recognition. Nominated by Jean Buell, President.
Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club nominates Sharon Melrose. Sharon became interested in rocks
as a girl scout when visiting Inner Space Caverns. She continued that interest by contributing
countless hours to our club and the children of Fort Worth public schools through Mars Millennial
Project in cooperation with NASA and The White House. The students participated in a poster
contest, a mars landscape diorama and a sculpture contest put together by Sharon, our club and
the school Art Departments. She also writes articles for our newsletter and brings her three
children to help with club projects.
James W. (Bill) Chamberlain and his son, Dennis became members of the Golden Spike Gem
and Mineral Society in Ogden, Utah in 1956. His wife Ilene joined a year later. Bill became very
active. He served on the Board of Directors, President in 1956, Show and field trip chairman and
in many other positions. As our Society became a member of the NFMS in 1960, the members
adopted the NFMS Federation type show cases to replace the ones we used previously. Bill
started to build show cases for most members. He later built end cases to complete the rows. He
works hard at our annual shows in set-up and tear-down and at the silent auction. Through his
efforts of tumbling and collecting broken rocks, we are able to sell 2,000 grab bags at our annual
show. He provides specimens for our Natural History Museum and also provides materials for
October 2000
sale. We salute Bill for his dedication to the Gem and Mineral Hobby. Submitted by: Ivan and Liz
Rudd, Board Members Golden Spike Gem and Mineral Society.
Ya Gotta Wanta
by Pauline Price
written for the Editor's Breakfast,
Moab, Utah, October 14, 2000
Rockhounds are a varied group,
Thoughts go in all directions.
Mini mounts to two ton rocks,
Are worked to their perfections.
Some trace the maps and go to hunt
The most elusive treasure.
While others search the shows & swaps,
To fill their hours of leasure.
An editor for rockhound groups Does doubly duty gladly.
Reports the news, and maps the trips,
(Then) works on his rocks, madly.
The call is out, "Dear Members, help!
We know that you can do it".
The theme of editors everywhere?
"Ya Gotta Wanta Do It!"
2001 AFMS Program Competition
from Marge Collins, Program Coordinator
Slide or video presentations relating to the Earth Sciences are eligible. Submit entries in one of
the four amateur classes or special category _ "EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION". (Inquire about
CD-ROM entries)
Who May Enter:
October 2000
Any Club, Society, or members thereof, with 2001 dues paid to a Federation affiliated with AFMS
may enter.
DEADLINE for entry: April 15, 2001
Classes For Entries:
Class I - Educational- about geology, minerals, gems, fossils, etc.
Class 2 - Field Collecting - showing site(s), specimens, with some geology, collecting methods
and other aspects of interest.
Class 3 - "How To Do It"- techniques/equipment for fossil preparation, jewelry, metal work,
carving, faceting, other Iapidary, etc.
Class 4 - "Just for Juniors" -any of the above for youngsters. Special Category: "Excellence In
Education" Programs produced for sale are judged separately from Classes 1-4.
Judging (Judges look for:)
- accuracy of information / educational value
- quality of photographs / visuals
- completeness of story
- narration that reads/moves well, one slide/view to the next
- presentations that explore an area of interest or demonstrate ideas/techniques, viewers may
try
- title, credits and ènd' slides
- phonetic spelling of unfamiliar words in script example: Sault Ste. Marie (SUE saint marie)
* Each program is judged on its own merits. Entrants will receive a composite score sheet.
* Judging Form and "Tips for Good Programs" are available from AFMS Coordinator or your
Regional Program Library. Please send a post-paid envelope with request.
For VHS Videos
- submit a copy. Winners will be contacted regarding duplicates.
- may be `live action' or static slides with narration.
For Slides
- must be 35mm, in standard mounts.
- must be relatively new originals on Kodak compatible film, otherwise good copies may be
impossible. FOR EXCEPTIONS contact Coordinator
- must be spotted for projection, preferably with a red dot in lower left corner and coded with
entrant's initials.
- must be numbered to match script.
- a script (written narration indicating when each slide is to be projected) should be typed,
double spaced on 8 1/2 x 11" paper, ready for duplication.
October 2000
Awards
A $200 cash prize for the highest scoring program (with 95+ points) in each Class 1 - 4. First
Place Winners also receive national recognition. A copy is given to each Regional Program
Library, making winning programs available to Clubs across the country. Winners will be
announced at the 2001 AFMS Awards Banquet at Arlington TX, June 16, 2001.
Program Length
Adult programs - 40 minutes is optimum
Juniors - 20 minutes suggested maximum
Suggested max. slides - 138 (+ 2 Award Slides = 140)
Reproduction / Duplication
By entering, all winners grant permission for AFMS to duplicate program for Regional Libraries.
Winning slides are returned after duplication by professional service. Arrangements will be made
for video copies. Non-winners will be returned after AFMS Convention.
How To Enter
Fill out entry form (or copy) and ship with carefully packed program to address below. Please
include post-paid envelope for notification of receipt. AFMS will take reasonable precautions to
protect program.
AFMS Program Competition Coordinator, Marge Collins, 3017 Niles-Buchanan Rd., Buchanan
Ml 49107 phone: (616)695-4313 2001 ENTRY FORM
I/we submit "_________________________________________________________" (title)
in [circle one] Class1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 OR "EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION" (program is
available for sale)
Producer(s) (your name(s)___________________________________________
Club:___________________________________________________________
Office (if club entry)______________________________ Federation _________
Street Address:___________________________________________________
City:_________________________________State:____Zipcode:___________
Home Phone_____________________________
October 2000
IS THIS PROGRAM FOR SALE? No ___ Yes ____ Cost: $____________
E-mail:__________________________________________
Safety First
by Bill Klose, EFMLS Safety Chairman
from EFMLS News, October, 2000
Now that the field collecting season is about over for many of us, we turn our attention to
processing the summers "harvest" of goodies. For many of us this means using our lapidary
equipment, especially the rotating grinding, polishing, and buffing machines. Abrasive disks and
wheels are made of bonded abrasive and are usually spindle mounted by a center hole to the
grinding machine. Polishing wheels are wood faced with leather, stitched canvas, or similar
materials. A coat of emery or other abrasive is glued to the periphery of these wheels. Buffing
wheels are made of disks of felt, leather, canvas, or linen to which a coat of mild abrasive, such
as tripoli, can be applied to the periphery.
Some lapidaries will also have brush or scratch wheels made up of protruding wires of different
types, sizes and lengths. Make sure that the machine to be used is heavy duty enough to
accommodate the size and type of wheel you will be using and that the surface speed of the
wheel peripheral is within the operating range recommended by the manufacture.
If you do not know the recommended speed of a grinding wheel, operate below 2500 surface
feet per minute (sfpm) to eliminate the risk of the wheel disintegrating and causing damage to
the surrounding equipment or personal injury. Polishing and buffing wheels are operated at a
speed of 3,000 to 7,000 sfpm with 4,000 sfpm a good speed for most purposes.
All machines should be connected to a power source of the proper rating for the machine and
grounded. Circuit breaker or Ground Fault (GFI) circuit breaker protection are highly
recommended. The shut off switch or plug should be within reach of the operator in a dry place
protected from any spray from the machines coolant. Stand to the side of a grinding machine
when starting up and allow at least one minute of warm up time before starting to grind.
Always use coolant when the wheel is turning and while grinding, but never allow coolant to flow
over a wheel that is not turning, as the coolant may collect on one portion of the wheel and throw
it out of balance, which could cause the wheel to disintegrate upon starting.
Before stopping a wheel, discontinue applying coolant and run the wheel until it drys evenly, thus
maintaining balance. Only the periphery or circumference of standard grinding wheels are
designed for grinding-never grind on the sides of a grinding wheel.
October 2000
For bench and floor stand grinding wheels, the peripheral guard should enclose the wheel and
spindle as completely as possible, not to exceed 65 degrees of wheel circumference exposure.
The guard should be adjusted to maintain a maximum opening between the top of the guard and
the grinding wheel of 1/4 inch (6 mm). Safety guards should also cover any exposed arbor ends
and drive belts.
A work rest should be installed at the height of the horizontal center plane of the machines
spindle no more that 1/8 inch from the grinding wheel to prevent work from becoming wedged
between the rest and the wheel, resulting in the wheel breaking. This distance should be
checked often as the wheel wears. Adjustment of the rest and the guards should only be made
when the wheel is stopped, to avoid contact with the moving parts and resulting damage to the
equipment and possibly fingers.
Grinding work should be done near the center plane of the wheel and moved back and forth
across the face of the wheel to produce even wear. Do not force the work and take too heavy of
a cut. Do not hold small pieces of work against a wheel with bare hands. Small pieces should be
placed in a simple jig or fixture or attached to a dop stick to protect the fingers from injury. The
floor in front of the grinder or polishing machine should be of rough cement or a non-slip rubber
mat to prevent falls on the wet surface.
Abrasive wheels that are out of true or unbalanced will not only produce poor work and reduced
wheel life, but could cause machine damage or operator injury. Rutted or rough wheels can be
redressed with wheel dressing tools. The wheel dressing tool should have a hood guard to
protect the operator from flying particles from the wheel or broken cutters and should be used
with a rigid work rest set close to the wheel.
Prior to use, inspect star dressers for worn shafts and disks. If using a diamond dresser, apply to
the face of the wheel at the center plane of the wheel or slightly below the center plane, never
above. Never use a lathe cutting tool to dress a grinding wheel. The wheel dresser should be
moved across the wheels face while holding the heel or lug firmly against the edge of the tool
rest. Apply moderate pressure evenly and slowly. Before and after dressing a grinding wheel,
round off the grinding wheels edges with a hard grinding stone to prevent the edges of the wheel
from chipping. Wear a safety shield over your safety glasses for added protection from heavy
particles. Wheels that are badly worn or out of balance should be taken out of service. Abrasive
wheels should not be bumped or dropped during handling.
New wheels and wheels that have been in storage should be inspected for cracks and other
damage and should be given the "ring" test by suspending the wheel by its center hole on a peg
or finger and gently tapping it on the side with a wooden screwdriver handle at 45, 135, 225 and
3l5 degrees around its circumference from its vertical center plane. A good wheel will produce a
clear metallic ring of various pitches, depending on its grade and size. Do not use wheels that
have been in storage longer than recommended by the manufacturer. Abrasive wheels should
be mounted between matching balanced flanges that have a diameter of more than one third of
October 2000
the wheels diameter. Mount compression washers of blotting paper (less that 0.025 inch thick) or
rubber or leather (less than 0.l25 inches thick) between the wheel and the flanges to compensate
for unevenness of the wheel or the flanges. Firmly mount the wheel on the grinders spindle with
a spindle end nut, but not so tightly so as to distort the flanges or break the wheel. A wheel that
is loose on the spindle will run off center causing vibration. Once mounted on the machine, the
wheel should be turned several rotations by hand to ensure that the hood guards and work rest
have the proper clearance and that the wheel is properly centered on the spindle. Mounting
procedures for polishing and buffing wheels, and brush or scratch wheels are basically the same
as for abrasive wheels.
When any of these wheels are moving do not touch any moving part of the machine or wheel to
determine its smoothness or condition. Always wear safety glasses with side shields or goggles.
Do not wear loose clothing or gloves that could get caught in the rotating components of the
machine. In some cases gloves may be required for protection from some liquids used during the
buffing or polishing process. Books on lapidary or chapter 12 of the AFMS SAFETY MANUAL on
lapidary safety and manufactures instructions discuss these materials and there hazards.
Adequate personal protection should be worn when using brush or scratch wheels, such as
aprons (leather, heavy canvas, heavy rubber), leather gloves, face shields and goggles.
When applying abrasive to a rotating wheel, hold the side of the cake lightly against the wheels
peripheral. Where possible apply polishing compounds with a brush. If a stick is used, apply the
side of the stick to the off side of the wheel, so if it is thrown, it will fly away from the wheel.
Usually all operations should be done wet, however if the polishing procedure calls for sanding
or polishing dry, wear a dust respirator or use a suction blower to remove any dust. Silica dust if
inhaled can lead to a serious lung condition that is incurable, silicosis.
The lapidary is filled with other rotating machinery, such as diamond saws, flat laps, drills, etc.,
etc. All of these machines are supplied with operating, maintenance, and safety instructions by
the manufacture. Use all safety procedures and enjoy our hobby without pain and with all your
appendages.
Editor's Awards Presented At Moab
from Kitty Starbuck, AFMS Chair
We had a wonderful group of entries in this year's AFMS Editor's Competition. Our judges
reported back to me that they enjoyed their task because that the quality and variety of the
entries was so good. Let's keep up the great work!
A HUGE round of applause and my heart felt thanks go to June Zeitner, Joyce Hanschu,
Diane Dare, Joy Bourne, Shirley Leeson, Dolores Rose, Art Reed, Pearl Burden and
Robert and Ruth Beauvais for serving as judges this year. They were all enthusiastic and
October 2000
thorough in their task and I know that for them this is truly a "labor of love".
I hope that all editors are seriously considering entering their club newsletters, articles and
special publication in their regional competition this year. It's a rewarding process and a great
way to gain another perspective on your endeavors. Look for an annoucement of your regional
competition in your Federation newsletter shortly. The top three entries in each of your regional
federation competition will be forwarded on to American for evaluation with awards presented at
Arlington, Texas next June. We hope to see your bulletin, your club articles....and you there!
Here are the results of the 2000 Editor's Competition as presented this year at Moab, Utah.
New Editors
1. Chips, Ruth Strickland, editor
Fresno Gem & Mineral Society, Fresno, CA, CFMS
2. The Gem & Mineral Journal, Anthony Faller, editor
The Gem & Min. Society of Lynchburg, VA- EFMLS
3. Petroglyphs, Penny Meyer, editor
El Dorado Mineral & Gem Society, Placerville, CA- CFMS
4. The Hound's Tale, Lynda Pieper, editor
Arlington Gem & Mineral Club, Arlington, TX- SCFMS
5. The Rostrum, John Redick, editor
Maryland Geological Society, Baltimore, MD- EFMLS
6. Rockhound Ramblings, Sara Appleby, editor
Willamette Agate & Min. Society, Salem, OR- NFMS
7. Rockytier, Sharon Scott, editor
Lubbock Gem & Mineral Society, Lubbock, TX - SCFMS
8. Rockhound Record, Thomas J. Horton, editor
Mineralogical Society of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ- RMFMS
9. Tips and Trips, Carolyn Daniels, editor
The Georgia Mineral Society, Atlanta, GA- SFMS
10. Chip & Lick, Becky Dobbs, editor
Miami Valley Mineral & Gem Club- Fairburn, OH- MWF
Mini Bulletins
1. Crack `N Cab, Cathy Patterson, editor
Gem & Mineral Society of Syracuse, NY- EFMLS
2. Mid-Georgia Gem Clips, Howard Binkley, editor
Mid-Georgia Gem & Mineral Society, Macon, GA- EFMLS
3. The Rockhound, Jeff Ursillo, editor
Gem & Min.Soc. of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Bch, FL- SFMS
October 2000
Small Bulletins
1. The Geode, Celia Tiffany, editor
Boeing Employee's Gem & Mineral Society, St. Louis, MO- MWF
2. Cross Timbers Talk, Paul W. Good, editor
Cross Timbers Gem & Mineral Club, Stephenville, TX- SCFMS
3. High Country Gleanings, Margaret Johnson, editor
Henderson Co. Gem & Min. Soc- Hendersonville, NC- SFMS
4. The Rock Collector, Dan Imel, editor
Rochester Lapidary Society, Rochester, NY- EFMLS
5. The Post Rock, Sara Murphy, editor
McPherson Gem & Mineral Club, McPherson, KS- RMFMS
6. The Nugget, Beth Rosengard, editor
Culver City Rock & Mineral Club, Culver City, CA- CFMS
7. The Cowtown Cutter, Jackie McGauchie, editor
Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Society, Fort Worth, TX- SCFMS
8. Dry Washer's Gazette, Pat LaRue, editor
Valley Prospectors, Inc- San Bernadino, CA- CFMS
9. The Rockhound Gazette, Ruby Lingelbach, editor
Stillwater Mineral & Gem Society, Stillwater, OK- RMFMS
10. Rock Buster News, Erston & Lois Barnhart, editors
Central PA Rock & Mineral Club, Harrisburg, PA- EFMLS
Large Bulletins
1. T-Town Rockhound, Linda Jaeger, editor
Tulsa Rock & Mineral Society, Tulsa, OK- RMFMS
2. Breccia, Patricia Speece, editor
Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society, San Jose, CA- CFMS
3. Quarry Quips, Pearl Burden, editor
Wichita Gem & Mineral Society, Wichita, KS- RMFMS
4. The Pegmatite, Anne Schafer, editor
San Diego Mineral & Gem Society, San Diego, CA- CFMS
5. Arrowhead News, Ed Benjamin, editor
Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club- Grand Rapids, MI- MWF
6. Bulletin of the New York Mineralogical Society, Mitch Portnoy, editor
New York Mineralogical Society, New York, NY- EFMLS
7. Skagit Gems, Ted & Mary Roberts, editors
Skagit Rock & Gem Club, Mt. Vernon, WA- NFMS
8. The Mountain Gem, Ted Robles, editor
Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin, NC- SFMS
9. The Mineral Mite, Jack Nelson, editor
Micromineralogists of the National Capital Area- EFMLS
October 2000
10. Golden Spike News, Shirley Robinson, editor
Golden Spike Gem & Mineral Society, Washington, UT- RMFMS
Adult Articles
1. Crawfordville Crinoids
Doris Jones, author
Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Ft. Wayne, IN- MWF
2. Camp Paradise
Barbara Foskett, author
Sacremento Mineral Society, Sacremento, CA-CFMS
3. Grazers of the Cretateous
Donald Phillips, author
Newsletter of the New York Paleontology Society, New York, NY - EFMLS
4. Hounding the Southeast Quadrant
Janie Hand, author
Mississippi Gem & Mineral Society, Jackson, MS - SFMS
5. The Colorado Mineral Belt
Mike Shaw, author
Stillwater Mineral & Gem Society, Stillwater, OK - RMFMS
6. So Why Do You Want to Take a Picture of a Rock???
Chuch Fonaas, author
Wisconsin Geological Society, Milwaukee, WI - MWF
7. Apatite for Celestite
Bob Floyd, author
Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Ft. Wayne, IN - MWF
8. About the Speaker
Sue Dhyse, author
Mineralogical Society of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC - EFMLS
9. Garnet - January Birthstone
Carolyn Brown, author
Henderson Co. Gem & Min. Soc.; Hendersonville, SC - SFMS
10. It Happened in Alaska
Janet & Bob Biven, authors
Wichita Gem & Mineral Society, Wichita, KS - MWF
Adult Articles - Advanced
1. On Two Remarkable Unremarkable Mineral Specimens
Dana S. Slaughter, author
Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club; Grand Rapids, MI - MWF
2. A New Species of Confuciosornis and Mosaics In Evolution
Bob Sheridan, author
October 2000
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
New Jersey Paleontological Society, NJ - EFMLS
A Page From a Collector's Notebook: The New Wavellite Find at the State Pit,
Mauldin Mountain, Montgomery County, Arkansas
Art Smith, author
Houston Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX - SCFMS
How To Price Your Handmade Jewelry
Cindy Brennan, author
Arlington Gem & Mineral Club, Arlington, TX - SCFMS
Apatite Fission - Tract Thermoochronology
Shari Kelly, author
Los Alamos Geological Society, Los Alamos, NM - RMFMS
Flying Frisbees, or Other Uses For Worn Contaminated Metal Laps
Jill Rowlands, author
Houston Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX - SCFMS
Fine Creek Rutile
A. Peter Richards,author
Micromineralogists of the National Capital Area, Washington, DC - EFMLS
Uvite - What Have I Done?
Wiliam (Bill) Gould, author
Henderson Co. Gem & Min. Soc., Hendersonville, NC - SFMS
The History of the Beale/ Wooley Ohm Meter Modification: A New Soft Stop for
Faceting Machines
Marcus Beale & Dave Woolley, authors
Gem & Mineral Society of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, VA - EFMLS
Planning A Rocky Mountain Rockhounding Vacation
Walt Julilious, author
Aiken Gem & Mineral Society, Aiken, SC - SFMS
Junior Articles - authors under 12 years of age
1. A Hot Day of Fluorescence
Aaron Mount Lemle, author
New York Mineralogical Club, New York, NY - EFMLS
2. Hunting Fairburns
Justin Tunnicliff, author
Mile Hi Rock & Mineral Society, Colorado Springs, CO - RMFMS
3. Field Trip to Little Missouri Creek
Melissa Kaleel, author
Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Society, Springfield, OH - MWF
4. The Rocksmiths
Rosemarie McClamrock, author
5. Our Story of the Crystal Onyx Cave
October 2000
Alex Kramer, author
Mt. Clemens Gem & Lapidary Society, Mt. Clemens, MI - MWF
6. Indian Artifacts - Tools From the Past
Jeryl Murphy, author
McPherson Gem & Mineral Soc.; McPherson, KS - RMFMS
7. 1999 Show Memories of Pebble Pup Lacey Eiklor
Lacey Eiklor, author
Che-Hanna Rock & Mineral Club, Sayre, PA - EFMLS
Junior Articles - authors age 12 - 17
1. Obsidian
William Zigler, author
2. Sandstone Right in Your Backyard
Jennifer Hedrich, author
McPherson Gem & Mineral Society, McPherson, KS - RMFMS
3. Field Trip to Whitewright
Reuben House, author
Ark-La-Tex Gem & Mineral Society, Shreveport, LA - SCFMS
4. Rock of the Month - Opal
Minde Tolle, author
McPherson Gem & Mineral Society, McPherson, KS - RMFMS
5. My Quest for Herkimers
David Campbell, author
Delaware Valley Earth Science Soc. Maple Shade, NJ - EFMLS
6. August Journal
Jessica Shurtz, author
Pleasant Oaks Gem & Mineral Club of Dallas, TX - SCFMS
7. How Ima Met Another Rockhound
Ben Steiner, author
8. Meteor Crater
Dwight House, author
Ark-La-Tex Gem & Mineral Society, Shreveport, LA
9. Cherry's Charm
Maria Grace McClamrock, author
10. Journey to Crystal Peak
Geno Randono, author
Kalispell Rockhound Club; Kalispell, MT - NFMW
Poetry - Juniors
October 2000
1. Earthquake Waves, Amanda Burress, author Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Club,
Springfield, IL - MWF
2. Fossil Fish, Juliana M. Volcheck, author Delaware Mineralogical Society, West Chester,
PA - EFMLS
Poetry - Adult:
1. Trash or Treasure
Margaret Good, author
Cross Timbers Gem & Mineral Club; Stephenville, TX - SCFMS
2. Lament of a Blue Stone
Alberta Hare, author
3. The Little Rock Licker
Barbara Benson, author
Boeing Employees Gem & Mineral Society; St. Louis, MO - MWF
4. The Making of a Mineralist
Catherine D. Smith, author
Gem & Mineral Society of Syracuse, NY - EFMLS
5. Rockhoundin
Terry Cirrincione, author
Aiken Gem & Mineral Society, Aiken, SC - SFMS
6. A Spring Wish
Millie Heym, author
Tampa Bay Mineral & Science Club; Tampa, FL - EFMLS
7. Ode To a Fossil - A Day Long Day in the Field
Bill Montante, author
Cobb County Gem & Mineral Society, Marietta, GA - SFMS
8. Collection Woes
Karen Steiner, author
9. Silvery Delight
Terry Cirrincione, author
Gem & Mineral Hunters of Virginia; Sterling, VA - EFMLS
10. Crystals
Carl Ray Miller, author
Hellgate Mineral Society, Missoula, MT
1. The Picking Table - 40th Anniversary Color Issue
Richard Bostwick & Tema Hecht, editors
Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineral Society, Franklin, NJ - EFMLS
October 2000
2. The First 50 Years of the Gem, Lapidary & Mineral Society of Washington, DC
Matt & Jean Charsky, editors
Gem, Lapidary & Mineral Society of Washington, DC - EFMLS
3. Field Trip Guide to Vermillion Quarry
John Washburn, author
Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Society, Springfield, IL - MWF
4. Society Information Brochure
Jeff Ursillo, editor
Gem and Mineral Society of Palm Beach, FL - EFMLS
5. Planning Suggestions for a Successful Show
Keith Price, editor
Wasatch Mineral Society, Salt Lake City, UT - RMFMS
6. BEMS Tumbler Special, 50 Years of a Mineralogical Society
Keith Morgan, author-editor
Boeing Employees Mineralogical Society, Sumner, WA - NFMS
7. Illinois Geology - It's Beauties and It's Beasts
Judith Washburn, author
Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Society, Springfield, IL - MWF
Honorable Mention Awards - New Editors
Pick & Dop Stick - Fran Gutkowski, editor
Chicago Rocks & Mineral Society, Chicago, IL - MWF
Rocky Reader - Grace Hessler, Editor
Toledo Gem & Rockhound Club, Toledo, OH - MWF
The Rock-A-tier - Barb Beckstead, editor
Puyallup Gem & Mineral Club, Puyallup, WA - NFMS
Roamin' Rams - Carolyn Tunnicliff, editor
Mile Hi Rock & Mineral Society, Colorado Springs, CO - RMFMS
Brukner Rockette - Marie Okane, editor
Brukner Gem & Mineral Society, Troy, OH - MWF
Rocky Echoes - Brenda Hankins, editor Mississippi Gem & Mineral Society, Jackson, MS
- SFMS
Moroks - Janie Duncan, editor
Monrovia Rockhounds Inc., Monrovia, CA - CFMS
Rock Chips - Jan Badertscher, editor
Timpanogos Gem & Mineral Society, Provo, UT - RMFMS
BMS News - April Abate, edtior
Boston Mineral Club, Boston, MA - EFMLS
Ore-bits - Don McNulty, editor
Clallam County Gem & Mineral Society, Sequim, WA - NFMS
Honorable Mention - Small Bulletins
October 2000
G. I. Nugget - Delores Rose, editor
Grand Island Earth Science Society, Grand Island, NE - MWF
The Strata Data - Marie Zigler, editor
Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society; Ft. Wayne, IN - MWF
Rock Chips - Geneva Hayworth, editor
The Deming Gem & Mineral Society, Deming, NM - RMFMS
The Rockatier - Beverly Moreau, editor
NGRC Gem & Mineral Club, Hawthorne, CA - CFMS
The Loess Bulletin, Judith Washburn, editor
Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Club, Springfield, IL - MWF
The Pinewoods Rooter - Bill Alcorn, editor
Pine Country Gem & Mineral Society, Jasper, TX - SCFMS
Grindings - Twila Gallaher, editor
Idaho Gem Club; Boise, ID - NFMS
The Dopstick - Mary Bateman, editor
Gem, Lapidary & Mineral Society of Washington, DC - EFMLS
Mountain Mineral Monthly - Martina Haggard, editor
Southern Appalachian MIneral Society, Asheville, NC - SFMS
Jay Gems - David Tuttle, editor
Jacksonville Gem & Mineral Society; Jacksonville, FL - SFMS
The Rock Bag - Aubrey Johnson, editor
Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society; Oxnard, CA - CFMS
Obsidian Observer - Marge Garn, editor
Los Alamos Geological Society; Los Alamos, NM - RMFMS
Oregon Rockhound - Lelani Pitman, editor
Oregon Agate Mineral Society, Portland, OR - NFMS
The Gemrock - Betty White, editor
Independence Gem & Mineral Society, Independence, MO - MWF
Hygrader - Esther Davis, editor
Tualatin Valley Gem Club; Forest Grove, OR - NFMS
Honorable Mention - Large Bulletins
West Seattle Petroglyphs - Lorrie Heavey, editor West Seattle Rock Club; Seattle, WA NFMS
Honorable Mention - Adult Articles
Mica - Maude Brashear, author
High Country Gleamings
Henderson Co., Gem & Min. Soc.; Hendersonville, NC - SFMS
October 2000
The Gemstone Ball - Marie Sterberg, author
The Rockatier
Northrup Grummon Gem & Min. Club; Hawthorne, CA - CFMS
Petrified Wood, Just Another Pretty Rock? - Wayne S. Barnett, author
The Backbender's Gazetter
Houston Gem & Mineral Society; Houston, TX - SCFMS
Tips: Preserving LIghnitized Fossils - Gene Hartstein, author
The Geogram
Delaware Mineral Society, Newark, DE - EFMLS
Rock Puppies Create Friends - Marti Elmore, author
SMX Matrix
Sacramento Min. Soc.; Sacramento, CA - CFMS
A Rockhound's Vacation - Roy Badgewell, author
T-Town Rockhound
Tulsa Rock & Min. Club; Tulsa, OK - SCFMS
Pecos "Diamonds" - Phil Plimmer, author
No Stone Unturned
Texas Big Bend Gem & Mineral Society, Alpine, TX - SCFMS
Fossil Preparation A AGMC - David Abbott, author
The Hound's Tale
Arlington Gem & Mineral Society, Arlington, TX - SCFMS
Snow Bird Field Trip - Ruel Janson, author
Hellgate Breezes
Hellgate Mineral Society; Missoula, MT - NFMS
Burke Museum - Gary Hinderman, author
Rockhound Special
Ferndale, WA - NFMS
Ashwood Rockstock - Bev Bockman, author
Rock Rollers
Spokane, WA - NFMS
Honorable Mention - Adult Articles - Advanced
The Complete Mineral Species Guide, Annotated - Jim Haege, author
Cobb-L-Stones
Cobb County Gem and Mineral Society, Georgia. - SFMS
For Your Information, Solving A Problem - John Washburn, author
Loess Bulletin
Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Club; Springfield, IL - MWF
Exploring Central Wisconsin's Oldest Rocks - Jordan Marche', author
The Badger's Diggin's
Badger Lapidary & Geological Society, Monroe, WI - MWF
October 2000
Trace Elements and the Origins of Magmas - Bob Horning, author
Obsidian Observer
Honorable Mention - Poetry - Adult
Christmas and New Year's Carol - Don, Jessica & Kathy Shurtz, authors
Chips & Chatter
Pleasant Oaks Gem & Mineral Club of Dallas, TX - SCFMS
Cottonwood Tree Trunk Tale - Dolores B. Dace, author
The Nugget
Culver City Rock & Mineral Club; Culver City, CA - CFMS
Our Land "Now" - Dorothy Borman & John W. Mastin, authors
Chaparral Chatter
Chapparal Rockhounds; Roswell, NM - RMFMS
Them There's My Rocks - Ray Tylere, author
Rockytier
Lubbock Gem & Mineral Society, Lubbock, TX - SCFMS
A Safety Lesson for the Well-dressed Rockhound - Marge Garn, author
Obsidian Observer
A Query to Quartz - Lita R. Smith-Charet, author
Yakima Gem & Mineral News
Yakima Rock & Mineral Club, Yakima, WA - NFMS
My Two Cents
Carolyn Weinberger, AFMS Editor
When we finally got home from the AFMS fun in Moab on October 31, I was greeted with several
large tubs of mail, gleefully handed over by my lovely post office ladies. I think they were running
out of room in our small country post office which is housed in an old railroad station. That's one
of the perks of living in a small town ... there is no mail delivery and the post office is small and
personal so you really get to know your neighbors quite well since the post office serves as the
social center of the community. I sure hope this never changes - we need to hold on to as much
of "rural America" as we can and not let those "big box" urban stores change us to the point
where each city begins to look alike. Sure it's nice to know that if you need something, Wall-Mart
is there, but do we really want to be "Wall-Marted" to death? What about those unique ma and
pa stores that Wall-Mart has forced out of business - you know, the ones with character,
hominess and items unique to the area rather than plastic, glitz and uniformity?
It took an hour to just sort out those tubs of mail...to prioritize the piles we'd made and to file the
"junk" in the recycle bin for pickup. Doesn't AOL ever give up with their free offers? I counted no
October 2000
less than 5 CD's in the pile. Enough already - I'm NOT interested thank you!
Finally, after a day or two of sorting, bill paying, clothes washing, food shopping etc., I was able
to get to the most important part of those mail tubs -- the club bulletins which had accumulated in
the 4 weeks we were gone. There were at least 125, perhaps more. Wow, great reading at last!
Now a week has gone by and Steve and I have read about 50% of them. What fun we've had
catching up on all the news from your clubs around the country. Thank you all for sending them
to us. We enjoy reading them all from cover to cover. Please keep us on your list, and if we're
not there yet, please add us if you can.
Several of us in attendance at the Editor's Breakfast in Moab were discussing a disturbing trend
which we've noticed over the past couple of years. Certainly one of the purposes of any club
newsletter is to inform members about upcoming and past programs, nearby shows, health of
members etc., but it is also our purpose to teach our members something each month. We've
noticed that fewer and fewer of the club newsletters these days include educational items. What
happened to the hints, articles about minerals, gems, fossils, etc. which graced most of our
newsletters up until a couple of years ago?
As editors I believe that we need to include "something" for all our members. Give them a reason
to want to pick up and read their club newsletter, to remain as members of your club. It's not that
hard to find good and interesting articles...you might even go back into your newsletter archives
and reprint some of those goodies from 15 or 20 years ago...your membership has changed
since the first printing, but lots of the information is still relevant.
I challenge each of you to look carefully at your club newsletter and, if it does not contain at least
one hint, one educational article and one item each about your regional federation and AFMS,
make a change. Your members will be much happier with your product....and when you enter it
in your regional federation Editor's contest, you will receive a higher score...and maybe even
earn an AFMS award to boot.
That's my two cents. How do you feel about this?
October 2000
January 2001
Contents:
All American Awards 2000 - Congratulations to the Winners!
Address Correction - Arlene Burkhalter
A Buzz From The President - Honors For Your Society
Attending The Convention
Safety - Help Me!
Rockhound Hall Of Fame
Uniform Rules Changes
AFMS Rockhound of the Year
Education - All American Club Award Program
All-American Club Award Entry - 2001
An Invitation - Wildacres
Scholarships - Where Did Our Money Go?
New Officers
Editor's Seminar at Quartzsite
My Opinion - Uniform Rules on the Internet
Volume 54, Number 2
January, 2001
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!
from Lyle & Colleeen Kugler
The All American Awards Committee would like to congratulate the following clubs for their
entries in the All American Awards in 2000 and encourage all of them to participate in 2001!
January 2001
Large Clubs
Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society
Midwest Federation
Gold Award and Highest Scoring Large Club
Arlington Gem & Mineral Club
Silver Award
Small Clubs
Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club
Gold Award & Highest Scoring Small Club
Cross Timbers Gem & Mineral Club
Gold Award
Lake Elsinore Gem & Mineral Society
Gold Award
Fossils For Fun
Silver Award
Waco Gem & Mineral Club
Silver Award
Northwest Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society
Midwest Federation
Silver Award
Williamson County Gem & Mineral Society
Bronze Award
Santa Lucia Rockhounds
January 2001
Bronze Award
We would like to thank all of the regional chairmen, the judges, and all of the clubs that
participated in 2000. The entry forms for the 2001 competition are found elsewhere in this
newsletter. If you have any questions call, write, or email us
AFMS All American Awards Chairmen
Lyle & Colleen Kugler
612 S. E. Third Street
Aledo, Illinois 61231
309-582-7364
or email [email protected]
ADDRESS CORRECTION
from Arlene Burkhalter
Both listings for my name and address in the December issue of the AFMS Newsletter had
errors. My correct name and address is:
( Mrs.) Arlene Burkhalter, Treasurer
AFMS Scholarship Foundation
P.O. Box 1007
Choctaw, OK 73020-1007
405-732-0808
e-mail: <[email protected]>
Please make the correction for your records.
A BUZZ FROM THE PRESIDENT
HONORS FOR YOUR SOCIETY
by Isabella Bums, President, AFMS
Greetings for the New Year! As AFMS moves into 2001, there are many opportunities for your
club to be honored. At the AFMS/SCFMS Convention & Show, A Gem Odyssey, June 11 - 17,
2001 in Arlington, Texas you could receive recognition for successes and accomplishments.
Every dub in every Federation affiliated with the AFMS is invited to take these challenges.
The Each Year -Each Club -One Rockhound name has been changed to AFMS Club Rockhound
of the Year. I hear many complaints that members do not volunteer to serve as officers or to
teach a class. This type of honor might encourage more people to participate. Have you ever
January 2001
tried it? Your club chooses a member who has given their time, service and talent to your
organization this year and notify your Regional Chairman* of your choice and include a short
resume. The person will be honored with a certificate and have their name listed in the AFMS
Newsletter and Regional Federation Newsletter. Pasadena Lapidary framed the certificates
presented to George & Mona Snyder last year and had a nice tribute to them at a regular
meeting. Try it, you will like it!
Another name change was Education Committee to Education - All American Committee. This is
a society award presented for things that you do every year - bulletins, programs, service to
members, to community, to neighboring clubs and the Federation. The application form for this
year's competition is included in this issue of the AFMS Newsletter for your convenience. This is
not a contest for the best club, but each society entry is rated and receives a bronze, silver or
gold award. Some one collects the information and sends it to the regional chair for rating and
the best ones from each Federation are sent to the AFMS Chair. You can proudly receive a
certificate of accomplishment. Hold your head up high!
AFMS was proud to present 22 trophies to masters in different classes of Minerals,
Lapidary Work, Metal Work, Fossils, Petrified Wood, Education, and others at the
AFMS/RMFMS Show presented by the Points and Pebble Club in Moab, Utah. Your
members or your society can win trophies, also. Find the Uniform Rules Book and plan to
exhibit in competition this year. Do not say "we did that several years ago": This is a new
millennium.
Bulletin Editors have their opportunity to be honored and even members can be honored for
articles they write for the newsletter. These are under Club Publications. Unfortunately if you
have not entered the , this program is underway for this year. Did you know that we even have
an Editors Hall of Fame for editors who have produced exceptional newsletters?
Program Competition. Another neat program, is creating a slide or video program regarding
some phase of our recreation and entering it for an award of $200.00. Your slide librarian or the
AFMS Program Competition Chair will help you with this.
I hope that you will accept my invitation and try these methods to improve your club and will be
proud of the results. Good Luck!
* I requested each Regional Federation President to send me the names of their chairs,
but as this has to be written in November only have CFMS and EFMLS reports, You can
got this information from your Regional Federation President, AFMS Regional Vice
President, or from the AFMS Committee Chairs (Published in last months AFMS
Newsletter.
AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year Chairs CFMS Colleen McGann,
January 2001
EFMLS -Cathy Gaber
Education - All American Chairs CFMS Robert and Dorothy Beachler
EFMLS - Hazel Remaley
ATTENDING THE CONVENTION....
by Steve Weinberger, President-elect
...and show in Moab, Utah this year has renewed my respect and admiration for the knowledge
and dedication of those individuals serving the hobby at all levels. Although many people we see
at AFMS meetings have been active for many years, the newcomers readily fit in.
This integration of old and new members is the key to a successful club. The more experienced
members invite the newer ones to participate in committee work, the annual show, class
instruction, outreach programs, etc. The catch words to invite people are interest and ability.
New members are much more likely to participate if they have an interest in and the ability for a
particular activity. The membership committee can work with new or potential members to
determine their interests and abilities. Usually all that is needed is a personal contact - many
people are reluctant to jump in and volunteer.
People who serve at the federation levels are self-motivated, and they all started out at the club
level. The talent potential is out there - why not tap into it?
HELP ME!
by Mel Albright, AFMS Safety Chairman
You're on a club field trip. Suddenly you hear "Help me!". One of the members has a medical
problem and needs first aid. Does your club have a first aid kit for field trips (and for the club
shops)?
YOUR CLUB SHOULD HAVE A FIRST AID KIT!!
The first question that each of us always has is "What should be in our first aid kit?" We can't
carry (or afford) everything an ambulance has. On the other hand, we need to have the stuff
needed for the most likely medical problems that might show up on a field trip. I cannot describe
the ideal kit for your club. So, below I've given some problem areas you might consider and what
supplies might be needed for them. Perhaps you will think of other areas. Very likely you can
think of more stuff than I list for each potential problem area.
Asthma and allergies - Antihistamines, inhalers
Broken bones - Splints for fingers, arms, and legs
January 2001
Burns - Cold packs, rolled gauze
Cuts and scrapes
To clean - hydrogen peroxide, Merthiolate, antibiotic cream
To cover - small Band-Aids, large Band-Aids, 4" gauze pads, adhesive tape, small
and large butterfly bandages (these close cuts until they are stitched)
Food problems - Antacid, emetic, baking soda, diarrhea medicine
Heart attacks 2 regular aspirin at once - then transport to nearest emergency facility. There is
now available a non-professional shock paddle system. It is for people like you and
I to use.
Insect sting and bites - bee sting medicine (critical if a member is allergic!), calamine
lotion, hydrocortisone cream
Overheating - Salt pills, spray water bottle, cold packs, water, wash cloth, tarp for shade
Pain - Enteric Aspirin, adult and child , AND acetaminophen, or other over the counter
pain medication
Poison Ivy, Poison oak, poison sumac - Soap and water, calamine lotion, poison ivy
medicine
Snake bites - Snake bite kit
Sprains - cold packs, cloth triangle for arm support, elastic bandages
Sun - sun spray or cream rated at least 15 SPC . (Spray is not messy). mentholatum
EVERY first aid kit should have the needed tools - Scissors, soap, water, tweezers and a current
First Aid Manual (See recent safety article on available manuals)
Now - how about your club? Why not go through the list above and decide whether your club
should worry and then what stuff the first aid kit needs. Make a list of the items needed and go
buy them. Fishing tackle boxes make handy, watertight cases and are inexpensive. So after you
buy everything else, get a box to hold everything. A bright red or yellow one is a good idea so it
is highly visible and quickly located. Mark it plainly in large letters.
And remember, it really helps if one or more members is up to date in First Aid techniques.
Good Health!!
ROCKHOUND HALL OF FAME
by Gert Larson, MWF State Director
In 1987, a list of 27 talented people became the first inductees to the National Rockhound &
Lapidary Hall of Fame. All deceased. Each year since then, names have been added to the
plaques under Minerals, Lapidary, Jewelry, Fossils, Education and Deceased. This very special
"Hall of Fame", sponsored by the Lapidary Journal, is located in Murdo, South Dakota. Murdo is
January 2001
pretty much centrally located in the U.S.A. on I-90.
The owner of the Pioneer Auto Museum in Murdo, Mr. D. Geisler, provided a special room in his
museum to house the Rockhound Hall of Fame and the Zeitner (yes, June & Albert Zeitner's
collection). It's well worth your while to stop and look.
The Hall of Fame has been funded by individuals, groups and by club donations. Our South
Dakota clubs have held auctions and raffles to raise money to help cover expenses. At our last
South Dakota State Earth Science Society meeting, it was decided that other states should be
informed of the need since the inductees are from all over the U.S. For instance, as of 1999
there were individuals representing 23 states. South Dakota is proud to have the honor of
housing the National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame within its borders.
Each year every club should be receiving a ballot for nominees. They are to be sent in with a
resume of the nominees to June Zeitner by October 30. Her address is on the ballot.
Nominations are then given to a committee of seven who ten select the person or persons for
each category. All these people volunteer their time and expertise.
As the MWF State Director for North and South Dakota, I wanted to make sure that everyone
knows that there is a Rockhound Hall of Fame, where it is located and that it can always use
your help. Any donation can be sent to
National Rockhound & Lapidary Hall of Fame
HC 74, Box 21
Murdo, SD 57559-9215
Attn: Maxine M. Wilson, Curator
UNIFORM RULES CHANGES
Several changes to the AFMS Uniform Rules were approved at the Moab meetings. Here are the
changes:
Class CC-3, Cabochons with rough, Page C-11, 1993:
Rule 11.1 Number of cabochons shall be a minimum of twenty-five (25) and a
maximum of sixty (60) for all CC classes except CC-3, which will be fifteen (15)
minimum cabochons and thirty (30) maximum cabochons.
CC-3 Cabochons: any style, with a piece of rough specimen showing the cut
surface from which the cabochon was taken. Rough material not to be judged. No
cabochons mounted. Fifteen (15) cabochons minimum. (F) (1) (T17)
January 2001
Rule 2.10, Minerals Division, Page B-5, 1998.
Rule 2.10 References
(a) Nomenclature shall be based on the current AFMS "Mineral Classification List".
(b) Geographical names are acceptable as they appear in any journal or published
book on the subject. Published State maps, atlases, or dictionaries can also be
used.
(c) The exhibitor may provide the judges with supplemental reference information.
1. The reference information may be included in the comment column of the
mineral list.
2. For exhibits of a special nature, the exhibitor may provide a copy of
appropriate reference material for the judges. The judges cannot be responsible for
returning the material to the exhibitor.
The above changes to Rule 2.10 will require editorial corrections to Rule 2.1 (a)(1) and (2), Page
B-1, 1992 and Rule 2.1 (a)(4), Page B-2- 1992.
Editorial Comments:
We do not want the exhibitor providing original manuscripts from a library etc. where the judge
would become responsible for the book. The last sentence in (c) 2. The Mineral Classification
List will be updated at least 3 months before the 2001 AFMS Show. An annual update sheet will
be made available in subsequent years.
In addition to the change in the rules noted above, several committees have been formed to
report at the 2001 Uniform Rules meeting which will be held in Arlington, Texas. These
committees are - the Scrimshaw Committee; committee to study Divisions C and D (Lapidary
and Jewelry/Art Metalcraft) to provide conformity as to the number of specimens
(minimum/maximum) displayed; committee to study Fossils Division, F-10, regarding changes
needed.
Individuals wishing to give input to the various committees named above or who wish to propose
subsequent rules changes should contact their regional federation Uniform Rules Chair.
Printed copies of the updated rules will be available through your regional supplies chairman in
early 2001. Watch this space for an announcement of their availability.
AFMS ROCKHOUND OF THE YEAR
from Bonnie Glismann
Here are the latest club members to be recognized by their club. Why not make a new year's
January 2001
resolution to recognize someone in your club for this year? It's easy to do...just select someone,
tell us why you want this person recognized and send your information to me.
Bonnie Glismann
4326 South 200
West Ogden, UT 84405
<[email protected]>
Then watch this space!!
Dale and Helen Fryer were Charter Members of the Billings Gem and Mineral Club, the largest
club in Montana. They initiated 50 years of generous contributions to the club, the state council
and the federation, and an unlimited number of community projects. They have held offices and
chaired all committees and are the club work horses showing enthusiasm, energy and ambition
for every job they undertake. We thank them for their unlimited contributions to the Billings Gem
and Mineral Club.
Submitted by Larry G. Field, Board Member
Billings Gem and Mineral Club, Billings, Montana
The Clark County Gem Collectors would like to nominate Lue Bartlett as their 2000 Rockhound
of the Year. Lue was our California Federation Representative for 200. She has belong to the
club for 48 years. She is an accomplished artist in lost wax casting and jewelry making. She has
held many positions in the club and has also been called on to demonstrate her skills at many
gem shows.
Submitted by Ralph Vincent
Clark County Gem Collectors, Nevada
The Lubbock Gem and Mineral Society would like to nominate John Smyers as their AFMS
Club Rockhound of the Year. He is a willing volunteer for school programs, at the Science
Spectrum Show and as a tutor for beginner lapidary. He as been an officer in our club and a
contributor at our annual show. He has a passion for turquoise and all things rockhounds do.
Submitted by Carl Childers
Lubbock Gem and Mineral Society
January 2001
Eastern Federation
Laura L. Delano, club secretary, is proud to announce that the Connecticut Valley Mineral Club
has nominated Ronald Lucia as the club's AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. Over the years,
Ron has managed to amass a spectacular collection of minerals. He shares his collection by
displaying it at various public locations, such as the Forbes Library in Northampton, MA and at
our Club's annual show. He is perhaps best known and recognized for his involvement in
working with school children at local schools, giving presentations about minerals and mineral
collecting. He leaves a specimen for each child and a nice specimen for each teacher. He
encourages his club members to participate indirectly, by donating any of their locally collected
extras" to his cause. He also works every year at our Club Show, always behind the scenes;
helping dealers and club members set up the show, but yet never looking for recognition and
accolades.
Midwest Federation
John and Regina Fischer are charter members of the Greater Cincinnati Lapidary & Faceting
Society which started in 1989. Officially, John was elected a member of the Board of Directors in
1991 and again in 1998, each time for a three year term. Officially, Regina served as club
treasurer in 1993, 1998, 1999 and has been the membership chairperson since 1993. No official
records are available, but I'm sure that both John and Regina served on the nominating
committee sometime in the ten years of the clubs existence. They have co-lead field trips, given
programs and have been ambassadors for the club by participating in many community events
during which they gave lapidary demonstrations. They have served their club well and well all
would like to thank them.
EDUCATION - ALL AMERICAN CLUB AWARD
PROGRAM
from Colleen and Lyle Kugler, AFMS Co-Chairs
Established in 1967 by the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the seven
regional federations, the All-American Club Award is meant to: Encourage local club embers to
share their expertise and enthusiasm for the hobby within their respective regions.
Provide a model for organizing an annual historical account for the posterity of each club, and
offer an opportunity for national recognition of exceptional clubs.
Just as the award is focused on quality effort that enables members to grow and clubs to
flourish, it is also focused on quality that the All-American Club Award judges seek in evaluating
applications for regional and national honors. Completeness of the report is important, and
quality is valued over quantity. The clubs' respective regional chairman must receive entries by
January 2001
the date they specify.
This is not a competition of one club against others. This is an evaluation of quality based on a
standard of excellence. Gold, Silver and Bronze awards are granted for achievement of point in
the appropriate scoring range. Only the top regional and national awards are determined on a
high point basis. To allow more equality, separate top awards will be given for large clubs (100 or
more members), small clubs (up to 99 members) and organized junior divisions (5 or more
members).
Report Form Instructions
Each entry is to be submitted as a single document limited to a maximum of 100 sheets (one or
two sided) including text and graphics. A loose-leaf notebook is a suitable binder.
The document should have six sections divided with numbers 1 through 6, with the entry form in
Section 1 and the supporting information for each of the entry sections following the appropriate
divider. There is no restriction on the number of pages in any section.
When filling out the entry form, mark all appropriate blanks and entry numbers or other
information where requested. Assemble requested supporting materials and lists following the
appropriate section divider, and then insert photos or other graphics following the typed
information. You will be completing the year's entry in the early part of 2001. Remember that all
requested information is for the year 2000.
Here are the names and addresses for four of the Regional All American Club Chairman.
Contact your regional president if your rep. is not listed.
Midwest Federation & AFMS Chairmen
Lyle & Colleen Kugler
612 S. E. Third Street
Aledo, Illinois 61231
309-582-7364
email <[email protected]>
Robert Beachler
89 Buckskin Lane
Rolling Hills Estates, California 90274-4253
310-325-3139
January 2001
Mary Muller
217 Laredo
Hewitt, Texas 76643
254-666-2435
Eastern Federation
Hazel Remaley
RD #3, Box 316A
Gillett, PA 16825
[email protected]>
Application forms for YOUR club entry are found on pages 5 & 6 of this issue. Feel free to copy
them as needed. We're really looking forward to reading about YOUR club this year.
ALL-AMERICAN CLUB AWARD ENTRY - 2001
Section 1 - Club Information (No points awarded)
Club Name and Address:______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Date Organized: _________________________ Federation: __________________
Number of Members: Adult __________ Junior: __________ Life __________
Type of Application: Large: __________ Honorary ________ Small: _________
Meeting Place:_____________________________________________________
Applicant Name, Address and Phone:____________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
January 2001
e-mail: _______________________________________
Mission or Purpose of Club:
Section 2 - Service to Members & Guests (30 points possible)
General Meetings:
Number of meetings _______Average Attendance:________ Guests: _________
Door Prizes: Yes __________ No __________
Programs: Include list for the year, naming type of program, speaker etc.
Board Meetings:
Number of meetings: ________Average Attendance: ________ Guests: ______
List officers, directors and committee chairmen
Junior Meetings:
Number of meetings ________Average Attendance: ________ Guests: _______
Adult Leader_____________________________________________________
Special Group Meetings:
Number attending
Cabbing __________ Faceting __________
(established groups) Metal working __________ Beading__________
Social Events:
Number attending Summer Picnic __________Installation Dinner__________
Holiday Diner ___________Other (identify) ____________
Show Conducted: Yes _______ No______ Date: ____________________
Number of Members Attended: ______________
January 2001
Number of Dealers____________
Number of Members Helping: _________ Number of Demonstrations _______
Field Trips: Number of field trips:________ List locations, duration and attendance
Special Features: Club Library Yes _____ No _____ Number of Books ________
Workshops or Classes Yes_________ No______ List kinds
Permanent Traveling Displays Yes____ No_____ List type and locations
Section 3 - Publications and Publicity (15 points possible)
Bulletin Name______________________________________________________
Editor's Name______________________________________________________
Were meeting notices posted in libraries, stores, etc.? Yes ____ No____
Were meeting notices published in local newspapers? Yes ____ No ____
Were show fliers posted in public places? Yes ____ No____
Were show notices published in local papers? Yes ____ No____
Were meetings or shows announced on radio or TV? Yes ____ No____
Copies of any supporting material such as printed articles about club or members, show
announcements or fliers, meeting and show notices from newspapers should be submitted.
Section 4 - Support for the Federation (Regional and American) and other clubs (20 points
possible)
Members served as Federation officers or on committees
Regional Yes______ No ______ National Yes______ No_____
Members attended: Regional Federation Convention & Show Yes____ No _____
American Federation Convention & Show Yes ____ No _____
January 2001
Club or members contributed to Scholarship Fund or Endowment Funds Yes__No__
Members gave programs for other clubs Yes __________ No _____________
Members attended other club shows/swaps/workshops Yes ____ No ____
Members displayed cases at other club shows Yes ____ No____
Monthly bulletin exchanged with other clubs Yes ____ No____
Joint field trips with other clubs Yes ____No____
Supporting material should include a list of all above persons, positions, and other activies and
could include pictures, copies of certificates, etc.
Section 5 - Community Relations (15 points possible)
Talks or demonstrations given at schools, youth groups, etc. Yes ____No ____
Displays at libraries or other public locations Yes ____ No _____
Booth or other activity at local fairs or events Yes ____ No _____
Support for other community activities Yes ____ No ____
Donations of materials to schools, nursing home, groups etc. Yes ____ No ____
Supporting material should provide details for all above items and could include pictures, thank
you cards, Certificates of Appreciation, etc.
Section 6 - Government Agency and Legislative Relations (10 points possible)
Members served on agency committees Yes _____ No _____
Members provided comments on agency proposals and drafts Yes ____No ____
Members contacted congressmen concerning legislation affecting access or collection
Yes ____ No ____
Club or members supported access/collection-lobbying organization Yes ___No___
January 2001
Supporting materials should provide details for all above items and could include copies of letters
sent.
Section 7 - Overall Format & Presentation of Submission (10 points possible)
This will be judged on neatness, organization, grammar and spelling, and the overall
presentation of material.
Scoring and Awards
Gold All American Club - 90 - 100 points
Silver All American Club - 80 - 89 points
Bronze All American Club - 70 - 79 points
AN INVITATION
from the Eastern Federation
Wildacres is a non-profit organization which annually opens its doors to some 50+ non-profit
groups. Both the Eastern Federation and Southeast Federation are fortunate to be among them.
The facility, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, North Carolina is actually located on
a private mountain and features "motel style" lodging, modern meeting facilities and family style
meals. Views from the grounds are spectacular and unspoiled.
Each EFMLS Workshop session features instruction in a variety of hobby related skills and a
guest speaker. Initially established as a training ground for those wishing to become judges of
competitive exhibits at shows, the EFMLS Wildacres Workshops have now been expanded to
include hands on instruction in a variety of hobby related skills. A guest speaker is also part of
each session - for example, the spring 2001 speaker will be the knowledgeable and always
engaging Bob Jones, Sr. Editor for Rock & Gem Magazine.
Although preference is given to members of EFMLS clubs, a few places have been reserved for
members of clubs in other federations who are interested in taking the "Certified Judging" class
at either of the two 2001 sessions (May 7 - 13 and Sept. 4 - 10). The cost for the week including room and board is a modest $260.
Those attending will be able to join in on all activities planned for the week - talks by the guest
speaker, a "free day" to tour the area (Mt. Mitchell, the highest point on the east coast and
Biltmore, the chateau home of one of the Vanderbilt's are but a few miles away) or go rock
hunting, an auction and a "fun night" along with lots of great conversation.
If you are interested in attending either session, you will need to send a deposit of $125 per
person to Registrar Tom Milligan, 1107 Ivory Foster Rd; Owego, NY 13827-4324. Checks
January 2001
payable to "EFMLS". Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and
name of club and federation. Also indicate that you wish to take the Certified Judging class.
Those who have been to Wildacres can attest that the week is a wonderful experience. We hope
that some of you will join members of the Eastern Federation this year so you can share our
"little bit of heaven".
WHERE DID OUR MONEY GO?
by Shirley Leeson
I have written often lately about the AFMS and CFMS Scholarships and those chosen has
honorees and finally the students who received the money... Who were they and where did they
go?
Here is a success story you'll all be proud of.
In 1983 Captain John Sinkankas was honored by the CFMS to receive the AFMS Scholarship
Award. He chose San Diego State University. The two students who were chosen were Ronald
J. Kofron, a graduate of San Clemente High School who received his BS in Geology from San
Diego State University where he was pursuing his MS in Geology with the goal of being an
Exploration Geologist. His thesis research was focused on the origin of mineralization in the
Julian-Banner District where he mapped the vein structure. His objective was to determine the
age of the hydrothermal vein system, using K-Ar methods.
The other student was Karl J. Mueller, who received his BS in Geology with distinction at San
Diego State University, where he worked on his MS. Karl hoped to work at a challenging position
in the petroleum industry. He spent the summer of 1981 as a field assistant on Annette Island,
Alaska and 1982 as an assistant geologist with Tenneco Oil Company. Karl had assisted with
several publication on the geology of Southwestern Arizona.
Here is the rest of the story.....
With the help of the 1995 AFMS recipient, Dr. Michael Walawender, who is still teaching at
SDSU, I was able to contact Karl J. Mueller.
I asked Karl if he had an extra thesis, as I was trying to collect them for our "Historical Reference
Library: and he wrote back that the thesis was too long (400 pages) to copy but he enclosed a
copy of his list of papers published and they amounted to four single-spaced pages of works.
After his MS at SDSU he went on to get his PH.D in Geology at the University of Wyoming. His
resume he sent me consisted of 12 pages of achievements.
January 2001
His achievements in plate tectonic configurations has earned him national recognition.
He is current an Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Science, University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO.
Karl is indeed a success story and you can all be proud that the AFMS Scholarship helped him
on his way...
Now if I could only find Ronald J. Kofron. If YOU have any information on former CFMS or AFMS
Scholars, please contact me.
Your AFMS Historian, Shirley Leeson <[email protected]>
NEW OFFICERS?
from Dan McLennan
Many clubs elect new officers at this time of the year. Have you notified the AFMS Central Office
of any changes? Today would be a good time to do it before you forget.
Each affiliated club is entitled to receive three (3) copies of the AFMS Newsletter each month.
Usually the president and editor each receive a copy and the third copy goes to someone else
you designate. You need to tell us the name and address of each of these three (3) recipients so
the newsletter can be sent to them.
Please be certain to include the name of your club when notifying me of the changes and if
possible, the names of those who should be deleted/replaced on the mailing list.
Send your new officer information to the AFMS Central Office...address on page 2 of this issue.
And, while you're thinking about it...are you a subscriber? Is it time to renew your subscription? If
it is, please send your check for $3.50 (payable to AFMS) to Dan at the address on page 2.
EDITOR'S SEMINAR AT QUARTZSITE
by Shirley Leeson, SCRIBE Vice President
Who: SCRIBE (Special Congress Representing Involved Bulletin Editors:
What: A Symposium
Where: Senior Citizens Community Center, Moon Mountain Rd. Quartzsite, AZ
Time: 9:00 am to noon ARIZONA TIME
When: Saturday, January 27, 2001
January 2001
The International organization of SCRIBE, (Special Congress Representing Involved Bulletin
Editors) will hold their annual meeting at the SENIOR CITIZENS Community Center, Moon
Mountain Road at 9 am Arizona time on Saturday, January 27, 2001. There is a small
registration fee of $2.50 to cover expenses and refreshments. You can reach the center off of
Main Street between Hiway 95 and the overpass near Main Event.
All current, past and prospective editors should make an effort to attend this meeting. We will
share information on the editor contests, and problems that editors may have. Those of you who
have solved all your problems, please come and tell us how you did it!
For the past several years, Kitty Starbuck, AFMS Publications chairman and several of the
regional bulletin aids chairmen have attended and have given important input into the regional
and national bulletin contests. Be there to offer your ideas.
MY OPINION - UNIFORM RULES ON THE INTERNET
by B. J. Bowman, EFMLS Uniform Rules Chair
At the recent AFMS/RFMS convention in Moab, A question was asked as to why the Uniform
Rules could not be put on the internet so people would have better access to them. First I would
like to address access to the rules. My own feeling is that every competitor should have their
own copy of the rules and read them before every competition. The same holds for judges. Yes
competitors do not really need the section on fossils if they are competing in micro mounts nor
do the competitors who are competing in fossils need the section on micro mounts but they each
need the first two sections plus the introductory section on their respective areas. The Uniform
Rules are published as a complete book and should be purchased that way and kept that way for
the information to be readily available. The book is really not that expensive and is available from
the supplies chairman of each federation. Every club should have a copy of the Rules in the club
library AND KEEP THEM UPDATED. Any one who does not want to purchase their own copy
should be able to read the rules when preparing a display for competition.
Now as to why the Rules are not on the internet, they are but not authorized copies. I have seen
three different Rules books that were downloaded from various web sights and all three had
errors. If you do find them on the internet and down load them you must check them against an
authorized version or you could be in trouble when trying to explain to the judge why you did an
exhibit in a certain way. Yes, theoretically, there is a way to put them on the net in a format
where most people would not be able to change them. However, if they were put on the internet
by the AFMS then other webmasters would figure it was all right for them to put their own copies
on the web and I would bet that within a year the UNIFORM RULES would no longer be
UNIFORM.
It has been brought up at the AFMS rules committee meetings in the past. The majority of the
members of that committee did not agree and the proposal has been defeated at least twice that
January 2001
I know of. And until there is a guaranteed way to keep them from being compromised, I do not
believe it will be agreed to in the near future.
The cost of a copy of the Uniform Rules is minor in comparison to the cost, effort and time
involved in preparing a case for competition. Why take a chance that the rules you are following
are not the proper ones. And, please, when reading the rules, read them all the way through.
Don't stop at a comma or just read one sentence. Read all of sections one and two, then the
entire introduction for your area; minerals, lapidary, etc. and then the section on your specific
specialty.
February 2001
Contents:
Safety - Shop Safety 101
Let The Central Office Know
A Buzz From The Prez - Let Us Not Forget
A History Lesson, Please
Dollars & Sense
Olive M. Colhour
Volume 54, Number 3
February, 2001
SHOP SAFETY 101
Recently I had a request from a new Safety Chair for safety suggestions for the club shop. I
referred the Chair to the AFMS safety pages because there are so many places to be concerned
that it would take a whole manual to cover our shops.
I will mention briefly some areas where we should be careful.
February 2001
Electrical safety - ground fault interrupters are essential - along with the usual care about quality no wet floors, no frayed wires, grounded system. Eye Safety - eye shielding for both flying stuff
and for toxic chemicals. Rotary Equipment - Protective shields, covered when possible, rotating
so that thrown objects go away from the user. Real happening - I was working on some silver
with a small rubberized grinding wheel on a rotary tool. The shaft holding the wheel broke. The
wheel with the attached shaft flew toward me, hit my face shield, rolled up it, and then hit the wall
back of the workbench. It left a hole the same as if I had hit the wall with a hammer. If I hadn't
had the face shield on, I'd probably have lost an eye. Hammers and Picks - Whenever we hit
rocks with these tools, chips result. The physics of the break is such that some chips will fly
towards the hammerer. Rock saws - high flash point oil is required. Saws so bind and can catch
fire when they do so always watch them. Small ones can bind and turn the slab sideways with
fingers pinched. Lungs - many of the materials we use in our shops are classified by OSHA as
dangerous to our lungs. We should always use them in a well-ventilated area - preferably
outside. Get the MSDS (Manufacturers Safety Data Sheet) from the seller of each material used
in the lab. Especially avoid dry working on rocks with the resulting dust. Fire - There are many
possible sources of fire in a shop. We should have fire extinguishers for all classes of fires - A, B,
C, D. Read the extinguisher to know where it works. Chemicals - In our shops, there are
chemicals which can harm us in many ways - eyes, lungs, skin, and more. Protective equipment
is required EVERY use. Face shield, ventilation, rubber gloves, or whatever. Safety stuff. There
are INDUSTRIAL safety glasses (not the same as the safety glasses you have on). There are
face shields. There is ventilation equipment. There are safety shields. And more. Any lab should
have enough for every person working to be protected. My goal is to refer you to the many safety
articles - both AFMS and RMFMS - that are posted on the AFMS website. www.amfed.org Go
there, browse around, make notes, and think about what areas may be missing.
Then get busy and make sure you have everything covered so that you can work safely in your
shop
LET THE CENTRAL OFFICE KNOW
from Dan McLennan
Now that the new year is well underway and most of you have elected and installed new officers
it's time to take care of another little nagging chore. This one only takes about 5 minutes, but
ensures that you and your club members receive all the latest news from the AFMS each month.
All you have to do is write to me. Let me know the name, address and title of the three (3) people
in your club who are to receive the AFMS Newsletter.
Write to me at the address shown on page 2 or 3 of this newsletter or, if it's easier for you, e-mail
me. Be certain to let me know the name of your club and if you can, the names of the people
who should no longer be kept on the mailing list.
February 2001
A BUZZ FROM THE PREZ
from Isabella Burns, President, AFMS
Let us not forget.......
The American Federation of Mineralogical Societies was formed in 1947 for the purpose to
promote interest and education in Earth Science, especially geology, mineralogy, paleontology,
lapidary, and other related subjects. We have been successful in accomplishing this goal through
the years by inspiring programs, demonstrative shows, instructional workshops, successful field
trips, informative newsletters, etc.
The AFMS members are proud of their accomplishments. We heard at our annual meeting in
Moab that we had given nearly a million dollars in scholarships to graduate students in earth
science. Another area of pride, our Commemorative Stamp Committee success in being
instrumental in US Heritage Stamps being issued for minerals and fossils. A group of AFMS
supporters sought the donations to have the "American Gold", a 22,982 carat faceted golden
topaz, presented to the Smithsonian Institution. On our Silver Anniversary a request was made
for cabochons of American gem material and after over 1300 cabs were displayed at the Silver
Anniversary Show, they were presented to the Smithsonian. Many Regional Federations, Clubs,
and individual members have given collections to Museums.
Last year Juanitaite, a new mineral, was named for its founder, Juanita Curtis. Many fossils and
minerals have been found by members who were inspired and encouraged by their
organizations. A code of ethics for work in the field has been developed and are frequently
printed in bulletins, sent to public entities, and quoted at meetings and on field trips.
There is much concern about new government rulings which are closing public lands. We have a
Conservation & Legislation Committee headed by George Loud who has worked diligently to
provide information and defense of our field work. I have been ask by individuals if I felt that we
should give up our non profit educational status to become more involved in these issues. My
answer is "NO! Too much has gone into building a successful and far reaching program for the
education of our members and the public about earth science." American Land Access
Association, a different organization was formed a few years ago to address these issues. They
need members and will accept donations.
Let us not forget! We belong to a great educational recreational organization, the American
Federation of Mineralogical Societies.
A HISTORY LESSON, PLEASE
February 2001
Today was the day I had reserved to research the Newspaper AFMS Newsletters..... I think I
have a headache!
The Newspaper format began with the November 1991 issue. Since there were no VOLUME
NUMBERS on previous newsletters, there were none on those issued beginning with Nov. 1991.
So I think I'm missing January, July and August. But maybe the Newsletter wasn't printed in
those months.... YOU TELL ME!
The 1993 Newsletter didn't have a January issue, or did it? And then maybe there wasn't a July
issue either....I just don't know, YOU TELL ME!
With the 1994 issues there was a VOLUME NUMBER, it was VOLUME 94, issues were #1,
February. Guess there wasn't a January issue. So I think I'm safe in saying I have all the 1994
issues. Volume 95, Issues 1 through 10 looked good. EXCEPT I'M MISSING VOLUME 95, issue
2, February 1995. How are we doing so far???
Volume 96, Issues 1 through 12 looked good. EXCEPT I'M MISSING Volume 96, issue 7, July,
1996.
Volume 97, Issues 1 through 9. EXCEPT I'M MISSING, VOLUME 97, issue 6, June, 1997. And
there were no issues in July, August and December. Please check your newsletters and see if
I'm ok, so far.....
Volume 98, issues 1 through 8 I am missing issue 1, January, and issue 3, March, and issue 4,
April. So if YOU HAVE January, March and April, would you donate them to me, please.
And then we get to 1998. This is a whole new ball game. We are now at VOLUME 52, Issue 1,
NOVEMBER 1998. I have January 1999 - it doesn't have an issue number..... and then I have
issue 4, March through 9, October 1999. Are you still with me???
Volume 53, Issue 1 is November 1999, with issue 2, Dec/Jan 1999. I have issues 3-8, Feb
through September. I am currently missing the Issue 9, October.
The latest issue is Volume 54, Number 1, December 2000.
If you've read this far, you'll understand my confusion. I think I need copies of the following:
maybe.... July, August 1992; June 1993; 1994 is complete; February 1995; July 1996; June 1997
and maybe December 1997 if there was one. December 1998 (if there was one) February 1999;
and October 2000.
When you figure it out, let me know. I finally figured out the high volume numbers were for the
years, and then the volumes came back to a more reasonable number, volume 52 and volume
February 2001
53. Any more guesses need to be done by a higher power.
Your AFMS Historian,
Shirley Leeson
6155 Haas St. La Mesa, CA 91942-4312
<[email protected]>
DOLLARS & SENSE
from Steve Weinberger, President-Elect
Now that we are several weeks into the new year, I want to remind all clubs concerning a few
matters of importance.
If your club installs new officers in January, it is often easy to overlook routine matters, especially
if you have a new treasurer.
First, be sure you have responded to your regional federation's "call for dues". Along with your
check, be sure to send all copies of the information sheet to the proper channels. Also please be
sure to notify the AFMS Central Office so that your officers can receive copies of the AFMS
Newsletter each month.
If your club has liability or accident insurance through any of the federations, make sure that you
have paid the proper premiums. The liability policy can often be the difference between entry and
denial at many quarries. The federation liability policy is usually much less expensive than a
similar individual policy would be, and many show venues require such a policy when renting
their facilities.
If your club is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and you must file 990 and Schedule A forms or
form 990-T, remember that they are due by the 15th day of the 5th month following the end of
your fiscal year. This means that if your year runs January 1 - December 31, the forms are due
May 15. A club must file if its gross receipts are $25,000 or more during the year. There are
some averaging rules if this is the first or second year in which your club exceeded the $25,000
limit. Check with a professional if this will be new for your club this year, or if you must file a 990T. Filing the 990 form does not mean that your club will pay tax; it is an information sheet for the
I.R.S.
OLIVE M. COLHOUR
By Bill Luke, NWF 1st Vice President
Olive M. Colhour, known to rockhounds everywhere, passed away peacefully on November 24,
February 2001
2000, the day after Thanksgiving, at the age of 102. With her passing, the rockhounding and
lapidary world has lost one of its most gifted artists. She had lived for several years with her son
and his wife north of Seattle. Recently, she had been in a rest home and had enjoyed generally
good health.
Olive was born April 2, 1898, in New Zealand, and lived for some time in Vancouver, B.C. She
had two grown sons by a previous marriage when she met and married Ralph Colhour in 1937.
They lived in Keyport, Washington, where Ralph was a machinist and builder. During World War
11, Olive worked in the machine shop at the torpedo station.
Olive began her beautiful, artistic lapidary work when she was 56 years old. With no knowledge,
training nor equipment, she began to find the beauty in rocks. Ralph, a machinist, built tools and
equipment for her to work with and she joined a rock club in 1948 in hopes of learning from
others. Just a few years later she won the Best of Show award at the 1955 show in Yakima,
Washington. Within four years of her initiation into the lapidary field, she had won every
American Federation of Mineralogical Societies award in all nine categories. In the next couple of
decades we were all to learn of her works through many articles in Lapidary Journal and shows
throughout the United States and Canada.
Olive's first book, "My Search for Beauty", was published in 1993. Here, along with photos and
descriptions of her beautiful works, you will learn about field trips, outdoor stories about people
met along the way and some philosophies of an artist. A second book was published in 1997 and
the first printing completed just in time for her 100th birthday! It contains stories and poems by
both Olive and Ralph and many of the Lapidary Journal articles. From these works, we learn that
Olive was sincere, humorous, dedicated, humble and had been given a talent that she said was
"a gift from God."
from Bonnie Glismann, AROY Chair
Some of the following AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year nominees were misplaced, but
because we don't want anyone to be left out, we are honoring these Rockhounds of the Year for
1998,1999 and also for the year 2000.
The DeRidder Gem and Mineral Society of Leesville, LA would like to nominate Donese Jones
as our 1998 Rockhound of the Year. The whole club believes Donese has an amazing gem and
mineral collection. She is always willing to share it with our club. She sets up very interesting
displays at our shows.
Submitted by Betty Goswehr
February 2001
The DeRidder Gem and Mineral Society, Leesville, LA would like to nominated Gary Moore as
our Rockhound of the year for 1999. He has served as field trip organizer and planner. He has
extensive knowledge of gem and minerals and shares freely his time and knowledge with
members and schools.
Submitted by all the DeRidder Club Members
In memory of a great lady and past member, The DeRidder Gem and Mineral Society nominate,
Lois O'Neal Cook as their 2000 AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. Lois was a very special
Lady and a faithful member of our club. She made every meeting and went on many field trips.
She worked at our shows as a host at the door. She always had a smile for everyone and
brought lots of joy, love and friendship to our club. She always enjoyed buying items from
vendors and dealers at the show. She never complained and always had good things to say
about everyone. We will all miss her. She was a beautiful lady who did her best in helping others.
Submitted by Warren Abel, President
The Oak Cliff Gem and Mineral Society would like to nominate Wayne and Sherry Mauney as
their 2000 AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. They have been great ambassadors for the club.
Wayne is currently our President and Sherry is our Secretary. They volunteer often for any help
that may be needed and always can be depended on no matter where we need them. Wayne
always has stories about rocks and any other aspect of our hobby and always can tell you
something about just anything you might want to know. They have also volunteered a place of
our clubhouse where we can go for lessons or just polishing, faceting and gabbing. We are
fortunate to have members like Wayne and Sherry Mauney.
Submitted by Ann Burleson, Newsletter Editor
The Austin Gem and Mineral Society of Austin, Texas selected Tom Carlisle as their 1999
AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. He has done outstanding work for the club and was honored
at the club Christmas Part on December 16, 1999.
Submitted by George E Browne
The Arlington Gem and Mineral Club of Arlington, Texas submitted the name of Roy V. Stults as
their 2000 AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. Roy has coordinated classes for the Arlington
Gem and Mineral Club for approximately ten years. For the past few years there have been
approximately 300+ sessions per year with a number of instructors. The Arlington Club
commends Roy for his dedicated work.
Submitted by Ruth Cress.
February 2001
The Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral Society of Corpus Christi, Texas nominates William "Bill"
Bray as their 2000 AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. Bill has been a very active member
since joining the Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral Society. He has held several offices, including
secretary, president and has been show chairman for 3 consecutive years, producing some very
excellent shows. He has been instrumental in setting up our lapidary room and keeping it
running. He is always there when work is to be done, and enjoys going on our field trips. He is a
huge asset to our club.
Submitted by Donna J. Roethler
The Pine Country Gem and Mineral Society of Jasper, Texas nominate Bill Alcorn as their 2000
AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. Bill is a charter member of the club and was one of those
instrumental in establishing the society in Jasper. He has served two terms as President, as
Program Chairperson, Secretary-Treasurer and has been our award winning Bulletin Editor since
our club was organized. He served three years as Vice President of District 2 in the South
Central Federation. Bill is very generous with his donations to our monthly club auctions, and at
our silent auction, and spinning wheel at our annual shows. He faithfully attends all our meetings
and fills in with programs or as a demonstrator. He organizes and leads field trips and is true
Rockhound and Backbone of the Pine Country Gem and Mineral Society.
Submitted by Jonetta and John Nash
The Austin Gem and Mineral Society of Austin Texas nominate James Mercier as their 2000
AFMS Rockhound of the Year. James Mercier is a rock club president's dream. A talented,
tireless, workaholic that does not have a word "No" in his vocabulary. His work ethic and
enthusiasm is contagious and his leadership is outstanding. It is impossible to list all of his
contributions, but we can say he has made our club better.
Submitted by George E. Browne
Eastern Federation:
Jim Lynn has donated most of his life to the Gaston Schiele Museum where he always had time
for anyone wanting to ask about minerals. He has been the Museum's resource for acquiring and
identifying minerals. Everyone in Gastonia and the surrounding areas have always brought Jim
their minerals to identify and he has always found time to talk with each and everyone of them.
Jim helped us form the Gaston Gem & Mineral Club and was responsible for getting the Museum
to permit our club to use their facility for our monthly meetings and our Christmas party. Jim has
given a program at least once a year for our club, spent numerous hours teaching children about
minerals and given many many guided tours through the museum to promote the wonderful
knowledge of minerals to our public. submitted by the Gaston Gem & Mineral Club
February 2001
March 2001
Contents:
A Plea for How-to Articles
A Buzz From The Prez
Now Might Be a Good Time
Safety - Help! And How to Say It
National Bulletin Editor's Hall of Fame
AFMS Juniors Program
History of Future Rockhounds of America
Future Rockhounds of America Application
Endowment Fund Raffle
How Your Bulletins Get from Here to There
Free Stuff
Recreation Access Groups Win Legal Fight
Remember Dan
AFMS Historian's Wish List
Dues Time
Volume 54, Number 4
March, 2001
March 2001
A PLEA FOR HOW-TO ARTICLES
DAN IMEL, EFMLS WEBMASTER
Marty Hart, the AFMS Webmaster, and I have been planning. One of the additions we'd like to
make to the AFMS/EFMLS websites is a "How To" collection of articles for people to turn to.
We're looking for articles on how to clean minerals, prepare fossils or operate a tumbler,
vibratory flat lap, do intarsia or wire wrapping, make a jewelry box, etc. The list could go on and
on.
If you've written a "How-To" or know someone who has and will grant permission to use the
article for non-profit purposes, I'd love to see your article. Here's your chance to see something
you've spent the time and effort to write published for thousands to see and use. I'd like to make
this information available for non-commercial republication so our many newsletter editors in
both our own federation and the rest of the federations can print the articles in their club
newsletters.
Please e-mail or mail your contribution to me. My e-mail is [email protected] and my
home address is 41 Little Briggins Circle, Fairport, NY 14450-9725.
BY IZZIE BURNS, PRESIDENT
The Holidays have passed and I need a message for the March Newsletter. March Winds blow
in April Showers which bring May Flowers, and some enthusiastic club members are working to
bring us June Shows.
Shows have always been a very significant part of Mineral Societies' activities. They were first
started so that members could display rocks and minerals that they had found. Soon exhibiting
their finds was not enough and Regional Federations were formed. I have been told that at first
exhibits were placed on a table with owners close by to brag. When a desire grew to know who
had the best minerals, fossils, or lapidary materials, the AFMS Uniform Rules were developed.
Refinement of these has been done through out the years. Any member, society, or junior may
now compete as a novice, advanced, or master.
At a show the host society choose their friendliest, most skilled, helpful members to demonstrate
phases of our hobby. What a great way to learn more about cleaning minerals & fossils and
doing lapidary work. Informative programs are presented at shows by excellent speakers.
Vendors have beautiful material, tools, books, and many other hobby related things for sale.
Plan now to attend your Federation Show this year - Rocky Mountain June 8 - 10 in Roswell,
March 2001
N.M.; AFMS/South Central June 11 - 17, Arlington, Texas (You are welcome to attend any of the
AFMS Meetings, Cracker Barrel, Banquet or other events) California, June 22 - 24, Paso Robles,
CA; and Eastern July 13 - 15 in Syracuse, N.Y. Other Federations will host their event in the fall.
Just come to these and have fun. Every Show Committee is busy working on layouts, seeking
special exhibits and outstanding speakers, signing good vendors, preparing decorations, and
advertising the events. When the opening day arrives, they will be too busy welcoming people,
answering questions, and taking care of details to enjoy the beauty of their show; so take a
moment from your precious day to express your appreciation to them.
Plan now to attend a show! You will like it!
NOW MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME...
FROM STEVE WEINBERGER, PRESIDENT-ELECT
...before the weather warms up for club members to get together in order to share some
common areas of interest. Smaller groups usually lend themselves to better camaraderie and
learning situations, and when there is a focus for the group, you have the benefit of all three.
Lapidary workshop groups can work on specific stones, specialized cuts, polishing techniques
and more.
Mineral study groups can learn about specific minerals or groups, species found at certain
locations and new field trip possibilities. Micromounters often meet to discuss new mounting
methods and photmicrography.
Jewelry designers can share ideas on fabrication, casting, finishing techniques and new methods
and products.
Fossil enthusiasts work on cleaning, display, and identification problems.
Field trips were mentioned above, but their appeal stretches to all aspects of the hobby. Expand
the concept of just mines and quarries - museums, universities and shows put on by other clubs
lend themselves to learning situations in all types of weather. Why not arrange for several
members to attend together - it's always more enjoyable. If you have a group limited in size it
may be much easier to arrange a private tour wherever you go.
HELP! AND HOW TO SAY IT
BY OMER & VALDENE GOEDEN FROM CFMS NEWSLETTER, NOVEMBER 1986
VIA AMADOR NUGGET, JANUARY, 2001
Many different methods of transmitting, message can be utilized by a survivor. One of the
March 2001
simplest and most effective signals is the use of a mirror to reflect the sun's rays or just reflect
sky-11 ght on a cloudy day toward an aircraft. Search pilots have seen a mirror flash over 20
miles away.
Ground to air signals can be constructed from contrasting color fabric panels, stomped snow or
gouged out dirt. The important aspect in signaling of any kind is to make the signal appear to
contrast or look out of the ordinary to searchers. Once an aircraft or ground team sees you, the
hand or body signals can be utilized to convey specific messages. Strobe lights, incendiary
flares, and signal fires can be used. However, as with any fire, use extreme caution so as not to
further complicate your survival situation.
One request to hunters ... If you see an aircraft searching the terrain, please don't look at the
aircraft with the telescopic sight on your rifle. It causes mild panic in the cockpit to see a rifle
aimed at you. If you see an aircraft and you aren't in trouble just raise one hand and wave ... it's
a lot more acceptable.
SEARCH AND RESCUE SYMBOLS
These signals should be done as large as possible, 2-3 feet wide and 6-12 feet long, using
colors that contrast to the background if possible. Some of these signals arc for use by survivors
and ground teams to communicate with the aircraft.
1. Lay out symbols by using strips of fabric, pieces of weed, stones, etc.
2. Provide as much color contrast as possible between the material used, and background.
3. Symbols should be at least 10 feet high or larger.
4. Use additional signals such as flares, radio, etc. to attract attention.
5. When ground is covered with snow, signals may be made by dragging, shoveling, or tramping
the snow. The depressed area appears darker from the air.
6. The pilot should acknowledge the message by rocking wings side to side.
Symbols are:
1. Requires assistance Vs
2. Requires Medical Assistance X
3. No or Negative N
4. Yes or Affirmative Y
S. Proceeding in This Direction... Make an arrow
NATIONAL BULLETIN EDITOR'S HALL OF FAME
BY DIANE DARE
A CREATION OF EDITORS,
BY EDITORS,
FOR EDITORS
March 2001
We have been asked, how does an editor get into the Editors HALL OF FAME? Nominations
come only from other editors and past or present Club Publications, or Regional Bulletin Aid
Chairmen. Nominations will NOT be considered if made by editors for themselves, or by clubs for
their own editors.
This is a NATIONAL recognition, so bulletins should have distribution outside their own state or
region - exchanges, courtesy copies to Officers, etc.
The Regional And AFMS annual bulletin contests give immediate and early rewards to editors
(and authors). Winning awards or trophies does NOT automatically qualify an editors for the
Editors HALL OF FAME.
Length of service as editor and awards ARE considerations, of course. Personal commitment,
effort, involvement, dedication, and consistent quality are even more important. These
intangibles are evident in the bulletin. It is this combination of qualities that is recognized and
honored by the AFMS National Bulletin Editors HALL OF FAME.
If you know of an editor that should be considered - past or present, in any region or federation submit your nomination to your regional
representative:
Carolyn Weinberger, Eastern
Leo Morris and Margie Dickson, Southeast
Jean Wallace and Paul Good, South Central
Kitty Starbuck and Walt Vogtmann, Midwest
Pauline Price, Rocky Mountain
Esther Davis and Bill and Betty Luke Northwest Shirley Leeson, California.
Roving representative is Diane Dare.
The nominees will be contacted and will have the choice of receiving their award at their regional
or the national show in 2001.
AFMS JUNIORS PROGRAM
BOB & KATHY MILLER, JUNIOR CO-CHAIRS
Junior Members
Join the Future Rockhounds of America
There are 13 clubs and 218 members of the FRA active in the United States. If any junior
members in your club wish to become members of the FRA just fill out the application form that
is found in this issue of the AFMS Newsletter and send it directly to your Regional Junior
March 2001
Chairman to start the process. By becoming members you will have the opportunity to
correspond with young people across the United States. You will be able to establish a
camaraderie of sharing ideas, e-mails, websites, possible combined field trips, swaps, furthering
earth science knowledge, and much more. If your club has only a few juniors or several dozen it
will not make a difference.
This year the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies is able to offer each member of the
Future Rockhounds of America a beautiful Cloisonne FRA pin to be worn with pride at all
rockhound functions and meetings. This pin will distinguish you as a member of a national earth
science organization and, it is free to all FRA members!
We encourage, we invite, we welcome juniors to become involved, you are our/your hobby's
future.
HISTORY OF FUTURE ROCKHOUNDS OF AMERICA
FROM BOB & KATHY MILLER, JUNIORS CO-CHAIRMEN
Rockhound clubs throughout the Federations have been supporting youth groups for many
years. At times there were youth which belonged to a club, but the club didn't know just what to
do with them or what direction they should go. Consequently a lot of youth fell through the
cracks. We are sure no one could argue the fact that we need to insure the future of our hobby
by encouraging our youth.
Knowing the above, in 1984, under the direction of Bill Cox, AFMS President, a committee was
added to the AFMS Called "Junior Clubs". The Chairman was Ruth Hammett from South
Central. During the first year very little was accomplished other than the adoption of a very useful
manual designed by the Midwest Federation. At the end of 1984 and during the first part of 1985
Bill coined the name "Future Rockhounds of America" and designed a certificate to be given to
junior clubs who became members of FRA. It gives the clubs the distinction of belonging to
something worthwhile.
The only requirement for obtaining membership into FRA is to be organized and sponsored by a
federation club. (Exceptions to this can be made.) There are no dues to pay to the federation for
being a member as dues will be paid through the adult club.
How To Become A Member of the Future Rockhounds of America AFMS Youth Program
1. Your group must be a member of your local federation. This can be either through a
2. Dues only HAVE TO BE PAID to the local federation and thus into AFMS. There are no
March 2001
3. The number of youth is not important... you can have as few as 2 and as many as you can
handle.
4. Age: In most clubs the age at which one becomes an adult is 18.
We said it was simple, there is no mystery to joining. Just fill out an application which can be
obtained from your local federation Youth Coordinator or from us. We are here to help you.
FUTURE ROCKHOUNDS OF AMERICA
Please fill out the following questionnaire.
NAME OF YOUTH GROUP:__________________________________________
SPONSORING ADULT CLUB:_______________________________________
FEDERATION: California____ Eastern____ Midwest____ South Central____
Southeast____ Rocky Mountain____ Northwest____
CONTACT PERSON:______________________________________________
ADDRESS:______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
YEAR ORGANIZED:_______ CURRENT NUMBER OF MEMBERS:_______
On back please include a brief description, i.e. participation at general meetings, club shows,
field trips, and other activities, which may be of help to us to write articles regarding your club for
the AFMS Newsletter.
Upon receipt of this questionnaire we will process your certificate into the FUTURE
ROCKHOUNDS OF AMERICA.
After completion of this questionnaire forward it to the coordinator for your Federation.
ENDOWMENT FUND RAFFLE
FROM LEWIS ELROD, CHAIR
March 2001
Each year the AFMS Endowment Fund holds a fund raiser at the annual Convention. This fund
raiser has become a two tiered endeavor in recent years with the addition of a special raffle item
with tickets being sold by each of the seven Regional Federations in advance of the show and
convention. This year is no exception.
We'll have more on the special raffle item in a future issue of the AFMS Newsletter, but we do
need to let you know that tickets for it are now available from your Regional Federation AFMS
Endowment Chairperson. I'm sure you'll see something in your own Federation Newsletter in the
coming month.
In addition to the raffle, we intend to also conduct our popular "bag raffle" at the show. Each
Federation has been asked to donate at least one item for this and tickets will be available in
Arlington for this second phase of our fund raiser.
Monies collected by the Endowment Fund are invested and only the interest may be used by the
Federation. Let's make 2001 a very profitable year.
FROM BONNIE GLISMANN, AFMS CHAIR
Lorrie Heavy has been a member of the West Seattle Rock Club for only six years but has put
up a high bar of enthusiastic participation by: Serving as Editor of the Petroglyphs and earning
many honors for our Newsletter, serving as Vice President and providing monthly programs,
serving as Show Chairman, and contributing to the silent auctions, door prizes and raffles. She is
involved in the Seattle Regional Show, shares her expertise in wire-wrapping by having small
workshops in her home. She works full time but has completed her course to receive her GIA
certification. Hats off to Lorrie Heavy who is our incoming President.
Submitted by the West Seattle Rock Club
North Seattle Lapidary and Mineral Club have chosen Rick Olson as their Rockhound of the
Year for 2000. Rick has been a member since 1960 and has earned a Club Life Membership.
Rick has served as President of the faceting Forum, displayed and competed at many show as
far away as Washington D.C. In 1971 he won the National Masters Trophy for metal craft and
jewelry. In July, Rick married Susan Gardner, our 1999 Rockhound of the Year. Rick and Susan
opened their home workshop to all club members and conduct classes on lapidary arts, working
especially with new members.
Submitted by Jack Weller, Federation Director,
March 2001
North Seattle Lapidary and Mineral Club
The Needles Gem and Mineral Club of Needles, California has selected Myrna Givens as our
Rockhound of the Year for 2000. Myrna has been treasurer for 18 years, Editor of the Blue Agate
News for 8 years, and served as chairperson of many committees. She has saved the club
money by using her home as our post office, and secured a checking account without service
charge. Meetings were held at her home for several years. Through her efforts we meet at a
local church with each member bring two cans of food for the Needy Basket each meeting as
rent. Myrna truly is our Rockhound of the Decade.
Submitted by, Corinne More
Secretary Needles Gem and Mineral Club
I'd love to see a nominee from every club this year!!! This is an easy and painless way to
recognize an individual or couple who has done something special for your group. Tell the world
how much you appreciate this person (couple) by sending a brief description of what they have
done for your club to your regional federation chairperson. Let's fill up these pages with your
honorees!
HOW YOUR BULLETINS GET FROM HERE TO
THERE
FROM KITTY STARBUCK, BULLETIN AIDS CHAIR
Entries in the 2001 Bulletin Editors Contest have been submitted to your Regional BEAC chair
and by the time you read this, some will have been forwarded to the AFMS for further judging
before results are announced at the annual Bulletin Editor's Breakfast in Arlington, Texas this
June.
Have you ever wondered what happens and where your bulletin goes once you have sent it in to
your regional federation competition? Actually, it travels many different routes.
The first step is entering the contest. Listed below are all the Regional Bulletin Aids
Chairpersons. These are the people who start the process. I suggest that you clip these names
out and put them where you can find them...so if you do not receive the information regarding the
bulletin contest for next year you will know who to contact to get the needed forms to enter. The
2001 BEAC's are:
March 2001
Southeast:
Margie Dickson
2412 Dug Hill Rd
Brownsboro, AL 35741-9255
Rocky
Mountain:
Carolyn Tunnicliff
PO Box 242
El Dorado Springs, CO 80025
South Central:
Midwest:
Phyllis George
22407 Park Point Dr
Katy, TX 77540-5852
Judy Budnik
2938 Rontina Dr
Goshen, OH 45122-9300
California:
Dee Clason
10100 Laurie Av
Bakersfield, CA 93312-2330
Northwest:
Darlene Denton
1153 Nevada
Bellingham, WA 98226-5722
Eastern:
Barbara Fenstermacher
3424 Meadow Dr
Aiken, SC 29801-0959
At the proper time, probably around November of this year, each of these BEAC's will send you
the information you need to enter your bulletin in the Regional Federation Bulletin Contest. There
are rules and instructions telling you what you need to know to enter. Once you have mailed your
entry to your Regional BEAC, she will send it on to the judges in your region who are responsible
for judging the category in which you entered. Once this is done and the entries returned, your
BEAC person will then send the top three entries on to the AFMS judges who in turn evaluate
the work and then forward them to me for final tabulation. Once I have received them there is still
a lot of work to be done in order to have everything in place in time for the Editor's Breakfast at
the AFMS Show and Convention.
When the time comes for the contest this year, I hope that you will consider entering your bulletin
and/or the articles which your club members have worked so hard to write.
Here are a few suggestions which I hope will make your task of selecting what to enter in the
contest a little easier. The material to be entered is taken from bulletins printed during the whole
year. The next contest will cover bulletins and articles printed this year, 2001, As you go along
during the year, earmark those articles which you feel are worthy of entering the contest (or
remove them from your bulletin and place them in a folder so that when the time comes to enter,
March 2001
you have all the items selected for the contest. That way, you won't be hurrying around at the
last minute to 'round' them up.
The hardest working people in the contest are our Judges. The judges for the 2001 AFMS
Bulletin/Article contest are as follows:
Mini Bulletins:
Ruby Lingelbach
Stillwater, OK
Small Bulletins:
Mary Hanning
Huntsville, IL
Large Bulletins:
Joyce Hanschu
Canton, Michigan
New Editors:
Shirley Leeson
LaMesa, CA
Adult Articles:
Joy Bourne
Towanda, PA
Adult Articles
Advanced:
Diane Dare
Holiday, FL
Junior Articles
Under 12
12 - 17:
Dolores Rose
Grand Island, NE
Poetry:
Art Reed
Crystal Lake, IL
Special
Publications:
June Zeitner
Rapid City, SC
I look forward to presenting the trophies and awards for all those newsletters and articles entered
in the 2000 contest in Arlington, Texas this June. I encourage as many of you as possible to join
us at the Editor's Breakfast whether you are scheduled to receive an award or not.
FREE STUFF
FROM INGA WELLS, JUNIOR ACTIVITIES CO-CHAIR
FROM EFMLS NEWS, 2/01
Enhance your club show this year with "free stuff" for kids and other ideas.
Are you looking for something new to add to the success of your show this year? How about a
whole table full of free educational handouts to educate children - and some adults - about our
March 2001
hobby. It has become a very popular thing to do and was very successful at the show at Moab.
Your club can do this very easily. You can find the addresses of companies and organizations
and what they'll provide at the AFMS web site, located at www.amfed.org. Webmaster, Marty
Hart, keeps this resource list updated. Look under http://amfed.org/fra/material.htm for these
items - posters, pamphlets, games, books and more- to enhance your show and club meetings.
By the way, the fra stands for Future Rockhounds of America and we welcome all junior clubs to
join us. Monthly information about it can be found in your American Federation Newsletter.
I attend many shows around the Eastern Federation last year and paid special attention to ways
clubs enhanced their show to make it more educational and fun for children. Free literature listed
on the before mentioned source has a hit. Treasure hunts or Earth science related quizzes are
very popular. At the Mid-Hudson show in Rhinebeck, NY, I was astonished at the variation and
the "toughness" of some of the questions on the quizzes. It turned out that local science teachers
prepared the quizzes for their students. Club members and dealers gladly helped answer
questions, however, the best thing about the whole task was the club library table with reference
guides and a helpful adult to show how and where to look for the answer to those questions.
Other clubs offered free soapstone carving lesson. These were very popular with the parents as
well. Some parents joined the fun while others took the opportunity to do some shopping.
One other activity is commonly liked by all kids attending shows - free rocks for youngsters. Egg
cartons, cut in half, make ideal containers for the 6 free mineral samples the kids could choose.
Getting these rocks ready for the show is as much fun as seeing the happy faces of the
youngster when they carry their mineral samples away. Making little rocks out of big ones is
always a good program for junior clubs. This activity can provide an excellent opportunity to
practice for future field trips. Safety comes first! Make sure there is enough distance between
each child. Goggles and eye protection are a must. If this is done indoors, old rugs, rubber mats,
wood or layers of card board should protect the floor. Provide the right kind of crack hammers,
chisels, and gloves. Hard hats add a nice touch. Bicycle safety equipment works well. I found it
very helpful to wrap an old towel, blanket, or burlap sack around the big rocks to avoid pieces of
rock material hitting anyone or making it hard to clean up after the task. This is an excellent
opportunity to practice some mineral identification, learn about the Mohs' hardness scale and the
cleavage of minerals. A large piece of calcite, reduced to some real small rhombs, will amaze
even the youngest pebble pup. You can suggest hitting pieces of mica or gypsum straight on or
standing them on their ends to see which yields better results. At the end of the meeting, you'll
have happy kids and boxes of small mineral sample for your show or grab bags. Labels to go
with the minerals are easily done and duplicated on any computer. Perhaps a motto for the new
millennium: If you always do what you always do, you'll get what you always get. If you do
different, you'll have different. Try something new at your show or meetings this year and please
share your successes and ideas with us.
RECREATION ACCESS GROUPS WIN LEGAL FIGHT
FROM ROCKY MOUNTAIN FEDERATION NEWS, 2/01
March 2001
SALT LAKE CITY -- On December 22 a federal judge gave pro-access recreation advocates a
stunning victory when he ruled against a national preservationist group's legal effort to ban offhighway vehicle (OHV) use on millions of acres in Utah. After listening to six days of evidence
and arguments, U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball denied a motion for preliminary injunction
filed by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) which sought to ban OHV use in nine
popular recreation areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Beyond denying
SUWA's request for an injunction, Judge Kimball granted a motion to dismiss filed by the Blue
Ribbon Coalition (BRC) and the Utah Shared Access Alliance (USA-ALL) and ruled that the
Court had no jurisdiction to consider SUWA's claims regarding the disputed areas. While BLM
had opposed SUWA's request for an injunction, it failed to join in the recreational groups' motion
to dismiss.
"Hopefully this decision will help stop the management through litigation' model that seems
popular with some activists," said Paul Turcke, lead attorney for the BRC and USA-ALL. "The
court recognized that administrative agencies, not federal courts, are the proper place to create
effective solutions to recreation management challenges." ,
"Access groups have repeatedly rallied to assist the BLM in striking a balance between use and
protection of public lands," said Brian Hawthorne, USA-ALL executive director. "The OHV
community is often unfairly vilified by the media and wilderness advocacy groups. This decision
provides an important step in the right direction away from that unfair stereotype."
Don Amador, the western representative for the BRC, added, 'We have long argued that
effective solutions to recreation management are best reached when the agency involves all
users and local interests in its decision making process. Perhaps this decision will have an
impact on similar lawsuits filed by green groups against the BLM and Forest Service in other
states and will convince the agencies to do what is right instead of doing what they think will
avoid a lawsuit."
"The BRC decided four years ago to start a legal action team to empower our member
organizations to protect legitimate multiple-use access to public lands. I believe this legal victory
in Utah shows just how important that commitment is as OHV recreation and government land
agencies face a blizzard of 'ban-it-all' lawsuits filed by anti-access groups throughout the
country," Amador concludes.
The areas SUWA unsuccessfully sought to close to motorized vehicles include the San Rafael
Swell, Behind the Rocks near Moab, Indian Creek in San Juan County, Wildhorse Mesa near
Captial Reef National Monument, and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes.
The Blue Ribbon Coalition is a national non-profit recreation access group that champions
responsible use of public lands. It represents over 1,000 organizations and businesses.
March 2001
REMEMBER DAN
FROM DAN MCLENNAN, AFMS SECRETARY
Most clubs have elected officers for the new year by now. Have you notified the AFMS of these
changes? Have you sent in the name and address of each of the three people who should be
receiving this newsletter each month?
Every month I receive quite a stack of issues from the post office which could not be delivered
because the addressee has moved. Bulk mail, which is how your AFMS Newsletter is delivered
is normally not forwarded. We pay to have these non-deliverable newsletters returned to us so
we can delete the addresses of these undeliverable recipients and avoid future "dead letters" in
the future.
Our only way of being 100% certain that the newsletter gets delivered to the correct individual at
the correct address is for you to keep us informed. Please take just a moment and notify us of
your new officers.
AFMS HISTORIAN'S WISH LIST
BY SHIRLEY LEESON
With the weather so bad in many places throughout the country maybe you might consider a little
treasure trip to your basement, attic, or extra bedroom where you have stored your "stuff."
If you were involved in any regional or national show and you'd like to see your "stuff" included in
the AFMS History, please bundle it up and send it to me. In turn, I'll put your name on it and
include it in the pictorial history of the AFMS. Regarding regional shows, I'm looking for show
material from them in the form of award banquet programs, bulletin editors breakfast programs,
and the table decorations and/or the individual theme items given to each participant.
I'm also looking for pictures. Those taken at the AFMS National shows. I need the name of the
people, the award and the show date and location on each picture. YOU can help fill in the
blanks.
If you have questions, please contact me.
Thanks in advance,
6155 Haas St.
La Mesa, CA 91942-4312
<[email protected]>
March 2001
DUES TIME
This is the time of year when each of the Regional Federations ask clubs to pay their dues for
the year and provide them with an update listing of club officers. Have you done this for your
club?
Why is this important? First, each of the Federations distributes a Directory listing all the clubs in
their Federation. If you travel, it's nice to take along the Directory to find out about clubs in the
areas you will visit. It's nice to be able to visit a new club during their meeting or attend their club
show. Your Regional Federation Directory can give you that information at a glance along with
contacts should you wish to find out more or perhaps get some field trip information from a
"local".
Your Regional Federation also probably provides low cost liability and perhaps accident
insurance for your club as well. Payment of Regional Federation dues insures that your club will
remain eligible for this important insurance coverage. In some cases the liability policies are
enough to open quarries for collecting or cover the liability requirements for your local shows.
This is too important an item for you to miss.
And then there are the other items...Federation Workshops like ZyxZyx or Wildacres, slide and
video programs to borrow, and much, much more.
When that form arrives from your Regional Federation Treasurer, fill it out and send it back pdq.
so you won't miss out!
April 2001
Contents:
2001 'A Gem Odyssey'
"New" Rules Available
Let's Communicate About Education
We Have Heard . . .
AFMS Endowment Fund
Safety - Safety - Safety
Intellectual Pastimes May Prevent Alzheimer's
2001 'A Gem Odyssey' - Field Trips
Let Dan Know
Coming to Your Federation Program Library
You're Invited
What Is Our Hobby About?
Where Did Christopher Columbus Go Wrong?
Are You Saving Cancelled Stamps?
Your American Lands Access Association - Have You Joined?
Historian's Report
Volume 54, Number 5
April 2001
April, 2001
2001 'A GEM ODYSSEY'
Combined AFMS/SCFMS Convention and Show
Hosted by the Arlington Gem and Mineral Club
Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TX
June 11-17,2001
WELCOME TO ARLINGTON AND THE 1ST AFMS CONVENTION OF THE NEW
MILLENNIUM
The Arlington Gem and Mineral Club in Arlington, TX is excited to welcome you to the 2001
AFMS/SCFMS Convention and Show. We have been anticipating this show for six years and are
now less than a year away. What better way to begin the 21" Century?
We are planning field trips during the week. Some will be guided and other local collecting areas
will be self-guided. More will be published about the field trips as the show draws near. This area
is noted for fossils.
We are looking forward to many excellent displays both competitive and non-competitive. We
hope you will respond with your display(s). We plan special displays.
Special Displays featured:
The Rock Food Table (featured in the Nov. 2000 Rock and Gems Magazine)
"The Dare Devil Facetors" 3 or 4 large-,gemstones
A 20th Reunion of all RRC Reggies. Reggie is auctioned off at each RRC meeting to
benefit the AFMS Scholarship Foundation.
3-Day Petrified Wood Symposium by Walton Wright
Judges/Exhibitors Seminar presented by Jill Rowlands
Moroccan Trilobite Seminar by John Moffitt
National Geographic Video - "Asteroids - Deadly Impact" (A must see)
Other special displays will be announced as the Show draws near.
The Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex has many wonderful attractions: Six Flags Over Texas,
Hurricane Harbor (a water park), Lone Star Park (Horse racing), The Texas Rangers baseball,
Texas Motor Speedway, Kennedy Memorial, excellent museums, and much more. There is
plenty to do as time permits; so plan your vacation around the show and enjoy our wonderful
area.
April 2001
As you know, shows depend on attendance and displays, therefore, we are expecting wonderful
displays and a large attendance. Make your plans and reservations early.
Co-Chairmen
Delbert & Joyce Speed
214-337-9446 email: [email protected]
"NEW" RULES AVAILABLE
from Jim Hurlbut
Several changes to the Uniform Rules were approved at the Moab meetings this past year.
These changes have now been printed and are available from your Regional Federation
Supplies Chairman.
These "new rules" will be in use for judging at your Regional Federation Shows this year and at
the AFMS Convention and Show in Arlington, TX this June. We encourage all exhibitors to
obtain a copy of these changes and to keep their copy of the rules book up to date.
LET'S COMMUNICATE ABOUT EDUCATION
from Izzie Burns, AFMS President
February, the month of enjoying shows on the desert. As always Quartzsite, Tucson, and Indio
were great places to learn new ideas, to see the latest equipment for lapidary work, to hear of
new mineral and rock collecting sites, and to meet former and new friends.
Quartzsite, a sell-a-rama, had many commercial dealers making it hard to find the silver smith or
lapidarian who sells his own work. Tucson GMS had Russian Minerals as their show theme.
Thursday there was a Mineral Photography Seminar: Friday, a Micromount Symposium and
Trading; Saturday Friend of Mineralogy, Tucson Gem & Mineral Society and Mineral Society of
America joined together to provide the 22nd Mineral Symposium - Russian Minerals. Mineral
exhibits were great and the Forbes Magazine Faberge was marvelous. Peter Carl Faberge was
a carver and jeweler: At other shows in Tucson demonstrations and classes for opal cutting and
polishing, faceting lessons and other programs were provided for the public. Indio Date Festival
is a county fair with exhibits from Gem clubs in Riverside County. They promote our hobby as do
many fairs.
Some Federations have week educational programs - such as - Wild Acres, William Holland,
Zyzzx, Camp Paradise, etc. You may think that everyone has heard of these, but at a field trip
seminar after 15 years as chair of the CFMS ESS I ask how many had not heard of the program
April 2001
and may hands went up. It is difficult to advertise. Many clubs who have educational seminars
for one day or a weekend are willing to share, but how can you let others know that they are
welcome. Three copies of our newsletters go to each society, but many never get the messages.
AFMS haws some societies who specialize in a phase of our hobby. There are faceting clubs in
CFMS and NWF and they host annual seminars. American Opal Society is interested in opals
and promote it. American Carver Association present demonstrations and speakers that have
unique sculpting techniques at special meetings. Friends of Mineralogy and Micromount Society
were mentioned above. Paleontology has many supporters and interesting programs. Petrified
Wood Identification Seminars have been held in the western states and there will be one at the
AFMS/ SCFMS in Arlington, Texas. I will assure you that you will learn from W. Walton Wright.
He is a friend and I work on wood projects with him. Many other groups have there chose of
topics.
Allied associations are very important for enhancing education. Some are Fluorescent Mineral
Society, Gemological Institute of America, Red Metal Retreat, US Geological Society, and
Central City, Colorado. Magazines are a very valuable resource - Rock & Gem, Lapidary
Journal, Mineralogical Record, and Rock & Mineral. Museums and their curators have provided
exhibits and speakers for our shows and conventions and tours for our clubs. Websites have
unlimited educational assets.
This only touches to the tip of the iceberg as to ways to educate our members and potential
members. Do we need a newsletter issue dedicated to this? Do we need a committee to
organize lists of resources? What about a website, should we carry this information? Think about
it! Bring your ideas to Arlington and we will discuss it at the Cracker Barrel.
WE HAVE HEARD...
from Steve Weinberger, President-Elect
...from a number of sources that overall interest in our hobby is waning, and that we must try to
interest new people in lapidary, mineralogy, jewelry-making, paleontology, etc.
Many clubs have been successful in attracting newcomers through a variety of outreach
programs. Some of the more successful endeavors include the following:
demonstrations at a local shopping mall
showcases at public libraries
information supplied via local cable television programming
web pages and Internet links
April 2001
programs given at local schools (if the children are interested, parents bring them to club
meetings).
newsworthy club activities reported by local newspapers
formal (or informal) classes offered to the public
These are but a few of the free or low-cost activities clubs can take advantage of in trying to
interest new people in the hobby. (Notice, I did not say just to join a club!) Oftentimes club
members do not stay long; but interest in the hobby can begin a lifelong association and many
rewards - both for the individual and the clubs.
If you have other suggestions on how to reach out to the public, please send them to me and I
will compile the list to share with everyone at a later date.
AFMS ENDOWMENT FUND
from Lewis Elrod, AFMS Chair
Plans for the 2001 Endowment Fund fund-raiser are proceeding well at this time. The California
and Northwest Federations have provided their prizes. The Southeast is making theirs at this
time and the special Presidents Award is nearly complete according to President Burns. I hope
all the other federations are following suit and will provide a prize as well.
As authorized in Moab, Utah we have purchased a digital camera and the first use will be to
photograph the prizes and place them on our web site at <www.AmFed.org>. There the prizes
will be available for anyone to view and admire.
In addition to the major prizes to be awarded at the banquet at the annual convention we also
need more items to sell or raffle at the annual convention/show. Please check around and see
what you have that you would be willing to donate. I should like to have the items ahead of time if
possible in order to ease the task of keeping records of the donations. The reasons for records
will be explained in the next paragraph. The items should be related to the hobby and may be
jewelry, slabs, cabs, rough, faceted stones, mineral specimens, etc. All will be appreciated.
We currently have an award titled "Fellow of the American Federation" which is given to persons
making a substantial grant to our fund. President Burns and I have been working on expanding
this effort to recognize those who make grants, cash or merchandise, to further the causes of the
AFMS. Records will be maintained and there will be several levels of donors. The records will be
cumulative and will recognize donors at each level attained. These plans are nearly complete
and more info will be released prior to our convention in Arlington, Texas in June. The plans will
be in the form of an OP for approval by the Board at the convention.
April 2001
Tickets for the drawing for the major prizes have been mailed to the Endowment Fund Chair for
each regional federation. Please contact these persons for supplies or, if you need to, call me
(615-893-8270) and I will send you a supply. There will be a plaque awarded to the regional
federation selling the most tickets this year.
There are always questions as to "What is the Federation, what does it do for me, why should I
help?" The Endowment Fund is a great answer to these questions. The fund raises funds, which
are maintained in a perpetual account, to support federation activities. We currently use the
interest from the proceeds to support the production and distribution of programs to each
regional federation. These programs are then available to the individual club/society members of
the regional federation.
We are also supporting the AFMS website, which had almost one million hits in the year 2000.
Much additional information will be placed on the site in this year. We are reaching the public in
this manner and it appears that growth will continue as we make the site even more attractive.
Look around, see what you find, send it on to me for the fund-raiser and lets all get behind the
AFMS again this year.
SAFETY - SAFETY - SAFETY
Did you know there are more than 50 safety articles about how to be safe in our hobby that are
readily available to all?
For almost 10 years I have been writing safety articles for the Rocky Mountain Federation and
later for the AFMS.
During that time, I have carefully covered a great many areas of concern to rockhounds as we
follow our hobby. Some are for the shop. Some are for field trips. A number are general, such as
sun safety. Now, ideas for new articles don't come as easily as they used to - and I'd rather not
re-discuss many of the items I've written about. On the other hand, there are many many
rockhounds who have not seen the articles. So, they need to be spread around.
There is a solution. Marty Hart has placed all of the safety articles from the AFMS and the
RMFMS and the EFMLS on the AFMS web. They are found at
<http://www.amfed.org/safetytips.htm>.
I have some suggestions: First I recommend that you tell your editor that they are there free for
copying and inclusion in your club bulletin. Second, I recommend that your club's safety person
browse through the articles and summarize one of them at each meeting - or even occasionally
April 2001
make a full program of one. Next, I recommend that each rockhound go to the site whenever
they are surfing the net and read one of the articles. After 50 or so trips, you will have a greater
appreciation of the dangers that exist within our hobby. Finally, for those clubs with shops, I
recommend the appropriate articles be copied and placed into a safety manual for the shop required reading for users.
Meanwhile, I'll continue to write safety articles about the hobby. New ideas or problems
welcomed! Please send them to [email protected].
INTELLECTUAL PASTIMES MAY PREVENT
ALZHEIMER'S
from an article in the Baltimore Sun, 3/6/01
Although there have not yet been enough studies, adults with hobbies that exercise their brains
appear to be less likely to have Alzheimer's disease.
A survey of people in their 70's showed that those who regularly participated in hobbies that
were intellectually challenging during their younger adult years tended to be protected from
Alzheimer's while those whose main leisure activity is dominated by TV watching tended to have
an increased risk.
The finding supports other studies showing that brain power unused is brain power lost.
'2001 -A GEM ODYSSEY'
FIELD TRIPS
This is tentative list of the field trips planned around the Federation Convention and Show in
Arlington this June. It is subject to change. We are also hoping to add more field trips.
Guided Field Trips are currently being planned to the following locations:
Brownwood, Texas to hunt for Horn Coral.
This is an easy hunt and no digging is required. Brownwood is about a 2 1/2 hour drive SW of
Arlington.
San Saba, Texas to hunt for Crinoid Stems in Limestone.
This hunt will require a Pick and Shovel Some of the material is on the surface and can be
removed with a sledge hammer, but much of it will require some digging. San Saba is about a 2
April 2001
1/2 hour drive SW of Arlington.
Broken Bow, Oklahoma to hunt for Green Phantom Quartz Crystals.
This hunt will require a Pick and Shovel A sledgehammer and chisel can also be helpful. Some
crystals can be found in the mine dumps, but most are found by digging. Broken Bow is about a
3 hour drive NE of Arlington.
Self Guided Field Trips are currently being planned to the following locations:
Mary's Creek near Benbrook, Texas to hunt for small marine fossils.
This is an easy hunt and no digging is required. Benbrook is about a 1/2 hour drive west of
Arlington.
Important Note: This is Texas in the early Summer. Temperatures are usually in the 90's. Bring
plenty of water to drink. This is also snake country. We do not encounter poisonous snakes very
often on our field trips, BUT, it does happen. It is best to wear high top walking boots or
something similar.
Sign up for field trips when you register at the show.
LET DAN KNOW
Each AFMS affiliated club or society is entitled to receive three (3) issues of the AFMS
Newsletter each month. Are the correct people in your club receiving this issue?
Let Dan know!!! Take a moment to write to Dan and give him the name and address of the three
people in your club who should be receiving this issue. Also include the name of your club and if
possible, the names of those people who should be removed from the mailing.
Also, if you have moved, please remember to let Dan know your new address. Bulk mail is NOT
forwarded by the post office, but is returned to Dan...and he pays the postage for that.
Shoshone Rock Club is honored to present Les Lawrence as our nominee for Rockhound for
2000. Les is a 45 year member of the club, a past president, field trip leader and board member
who has donated much in the way of historical items, rocks, fossils, books and workshop
April 2001
miscellaneous. This past year found him still regularly attending meetings and volunteering for
club functions. The club is most fortunate to have him as a member. Linna Beebe, President
Walter Brumdge was nominated in 2000 by the Shawnee Gem and Mineral Club as their AFMS
Club Rockhound of the year. Walter is their senior member (95 years old), but has shown club
members how to make and use cabbing equipment and to do silversmithing. He has made a
video which shows a step-by-step procedure to facet a stone. He is a Rockhound that is admired
for his work and has shared his knowledge for many years.
submitted by David Walk, President
John and Ruth Burns have been nominated by the Enid Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. as their
2000 AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. In the past 30 years they have served as officers,
show chairman and have worked on many committees. John has provided many programs for
their club with demonstrations in cabochon making, faceting, stained glass creation, bead
enameling and shared his many talents in many more areas. They share vegetables from their
garden and have seldom missed a meeting even though they drive over 100 miles to attend.
submitted by Frances Johnson
ARK-LA-TEX Gem and Mineral Society nominates Will House. Our nominee for the year 2000
Each club-Each Year-One Rockhound is Will House. He has been an active rockhound for 20
plus years. As Treasurer, he restored the club finances to a reasonable profitability. He has
recruited nearly half of our members as active flintknappers.
Okley Davis
The Cross Timbers Gem and Mineral Club nominates Wayne and Mary Trammell As
Rockhound Of The Year. They are always willing to help others in many ways. They share their
knowledge and their specimens with other when asked and they do it as much as possible. They
both have served in various offices of the club. Mary has and is serving on various offices and
committees for the American and South Central Federations.
submitted by Paul Good
Marjie Erkkila was nominated by the Texas Big Bend Gem and Mineral Society as Rockhound
of the Year for 2001. She has been an active member for a number of years. She donates items
for Kid's Korner and silent auction for our annual show. She donated a 71 lb piece of Alibates
Flint for a fund-raising raffle. She made the grand door prize for our 2001 Show, a silver and
agate bolo tie and a ladies necklace or collar. She is an accomplished sculpture, working in
April 2001
stone and bronze, usually doing horses. She has won numerous awards and has her works in a
number of galleries throughout the USA.
COMING TO YOUR FEDERATION PROGRAM
LIBRARY
from Marge Collins, AFMS Program Chair
The following programs have been forwarded to your Regional Federation Program Librarian
and should be available for your club to borrow shortly. Look for an announcement giving details
on how to borrow them soon in your Regional Federation Newsletter.
2000 AFMS Winners
"DIAMONDS" by Jennie & Paul Smith (EFMLS). Micro diamonds are used to tell the story - how
they form, where deposits are found, crystal structure, the rainbow of colors, etc. Also this
presentation proves the fact that affordable, miniature diamonds are 'lovely to look at' and
interesting to boot. 79 slides
"PSEUDOMORPHS: Ghosts of Minerals Past" by Michael Shaw (RMFMS). Pseudomorph
means false shape and refers to the interesting mineralogical oddities that occur, when one
mineral replaces another - in the shape of the original mineral. If this sounds confusing it won't
be after you view this program with numerous specimens as examples and clear explanations of
the processes involved in their formation. 47 slides
"LAPIDARY MATERIALS OF OREGON" by Norman McKay (RMFMS). Oregon is noted for the
wide variety of lapidary materials found within its borders. We are treated to examples in closeup views showing their unique and interesting patterns. Some field trip info and other tips are
also included. 140 slides
"HOW SWEET IT IS: A Trip to the Sweetwater Lead Mine" by Sharon Waddell (MWF) "Deep in
the rolling hills of the Missouri Ozarks lies a geologic feature, the Viburnum Trend". This ore
bearing strata has produced world class specimens of galena and associated minerals. The
Sweetwater is one of the many mines in this area but opportunities to visit them are rare.
Specimens, a look inside the mine and the processes by which minerals are extracted from the
ore, are included. 100 slides
YOU'RE INVITED
from Esther Dunn, EFMLS Wildacres Functioning Committee Chair
April 2001
I've continually read in many club newsletters that it is becoming more and more difficult to find
people who are able to serve as judges for competitive exhibits at local club shows. The Eastern
Federation offers a solution to this problem...one which you should consider taking advantage of.
Each year the EFMLS holds two workshops at a retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains near
Asheville, North Carolina. Each week long session features a guest speaker, a selection of
classes and other wonderful activities. Our week on the mountain always goes by much too
quickly.
One of the most important classes we offer is "Certified Judging" where Jay Bowman teaches
individuals what the rules are about, what they mean, and how to use them. Jay is a terrific
instructor and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and understanding of what is involved in
the art of display and judging. What a wonderful solution for the dilemma of obtaining folks to
evaluate displays for your club shows.
In past years we had members from clubs in the South Central, Midwest and Rocky Mountain
Federations join us. This year we know of someone from California and another from Northwest
who will attend. Why not add your name to the list of visitors?
This year our featured speakers are Bob Jones, Senior Editor for Rock & Gem Magazine and Dr.
Steve Chamberlain of Syracuse University. We would like to invite YOU to join members of the
EFMLS during our September session with Dr. Chamberlain.
Dr. Chamberlain is a fellow with eclectic interests. A botanist, a musician, and a mineralogist, his
collection of New York State minerals is among the finest in the country. He's a great story teller
and photographer. He's been a mentor to many young people interested in the hobby, including
a 16 year old who became the youngest to present a paper at the prestigious Rochester Mineral
Symposium (of which Steve is the Director).
I can't say enough about Wildacres. This retreat is on its own mountain, just off the Blue Ridge
Parkway near Asheville, NC. The facility is owned by a non-profit organization which allows other
non-profit groups its use. Meals are served family style in a lovely dining facility. Large meeting
rooms, well equipped workshops, a super auditorium and lovely views of the mountains are just
a few of the amenities. Lodging is in two modern buildings featuring individual rooms with private
baths. A canteen, porches with rocking chairs and a patio provide places for relaxation and just
talking with fellow participants. There is no radio or TV....just peace, quiet and tranquility.
This September our classes will include instruction in
faceting
precious metal clay
silversmithing
mineral identification
April 2001
wirecraft jewelry
soapstone carving
Certified Judging
Cabochon Making
Casting
The September session begins on Tuesday afternoon, September 4 and runs until Monday
September 10, just after breakfast. Charlotte, Hickory and Asheville, NC each have airports and
each is no more than 2 1/2 hours from Wildacres. It's an easy place to get to.
Cost for the week of fun and education is $260 per person which includes your room "rent" and
your meals each day. There is a small extra charge for the classes, but that depends on what
you take and the cost of the materials you use.
If you are interested in joining in on the fun, send your check for $260 (payable to EFMLS) to
Tom Milligan, Registrar
1107 Ivory Foster Rd
Owego, NY 13827-4324
607-687-2859
Wildacres is a wonderful experience. We hope to see you there this year.
WHAT IS OUR HOBBY ABOUT?
by Marge Collins
This is not an idle or rhetorical question. Yes, all 'rockhounds' are interested in one or more
aspects of the Earth Sciences. But beyond that, aren't all members of 'Gem & Mineral' Clubs
interested in the sharing and camaraderie that is the essence of any 'club'? Sure, you say - so
what?!
If sharing is a primary reason for your involvement in our hobby, you may already demonstrate or
make presentations for school or civic groups, Club meetings and Shows. But have you
considered making a slide program, video or a more technologically advanced presentation,
which captures your interest, and enthusiasm? As long as 'rock' Clubs have been active in this
country, such presentations have been an essential part of Club activities and are the best way
(after a live presentation) to inspire newcomers and even long time members to gain a better
understanding of something they have not yet explored. Yet today, few such presentations are
being made and Clubs often end up having to watch 20 or even 30 year-old programs from their
Regional Library.
April 2001
You and your fellow Club members can pool resources to produce an excellent presentation. All
it takes is someone to spearhead the project and someone with the technical resources. Today
such resources are widely available. Many of us have family members or friends who are able to
take slides, video or digital images and pull them together into a presentation that can be shown
not only at your Club and those in the surrounding area. It can also go on to be shown across the
country. Yes, across the country and win cash awards and national recognition! If such
'recognition' is not important for you, consider the impact your presentation can have on
hundreds if not thousands of viewers in the next 20+ years. Just knowing that many viewers are
enjoying your presentation is a great 'reward'. The cash awards can significantly defray the costs
involved in such a presentation.
So first of all, decide on a topic, then make an outline or plan so you will know what visuals are
needed; draft a script, have someone else read that script back to you and you are well on your
way. If the expense of rolls and rolls of slide film are a concern, consider buying them by mail
order (but be sure they are "Kodak compatible' - not movie film from which prints and slides can
be made!) Plan to submit your presentation for Regional Program Competition (where that is
possible) and ultimately in AFMS Program Competition. The 'rules', guidelines and Score Sheet
can offer a way to evaluate your presentation before it is officially submitted. ('Rules"/guidelines
were most recently published in the December 2000, AFMS Newsletter - or contact your
Regional Program Librarian or AFMS Coordinator at (616)695-4313 or e-mail
<[email protected]> In years to come you will experience the immense satisfaction that comes
from a job well done and the 'rewards' of sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm with others helping our hobby to survive well into the 21st Century.
A postscript - EXHIBITORS: Do you realize that you already have much of the preparation for a
slide program completed? Please consider adding a new dimension to your display by having
slides made, write up a script based on your research and viola!, your presentation has the
possibility of a very long and active life.
WHERE DID CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS GO
WRONG?
by Erston Barnhart from Rock Buster News, 3/01
Columbus has been described as a man who didn't know where he was going, didn't know
where he had been, did it several more times, and all on borrowed money. However, he is the
only foreigner honored with a legal holiday in the United States - unless you live in some parts of
California where you are asked to observe "Indigenous Americans Day" instead.
The idea that the world is round was widely accepted by the time of Columbus. The main dissent
was from the church, which held that the earth was a flat disc covered with a canopy, probably to
April 2001
provide a physical manifestation of heaven.
The spherical earth theory was proposed by several Greeks, the first of which was Aristotle (384322 BC), who observed the shadow on the moon during an eclipse and concluded that this could
only be caused by a round object.
The first who actually sought to prove this theory was Eratosthenes (circa 276-196 BC). Born in
Libya, he was the chief of the library at Alexandria, Egypt. This library was the repository of more
than I 00,000 scrolls containing the world's collective knowledge.
Eratosthenes heard of a well in what is now Aswan where the sun's reflection could be seen in
the water in the well on June 21", the longest day of the year. He surmised, that the sun was
directly above the earth at that moment. He knew that this location was directly south of
Alexandria and by measuring the shadow of an obelisk in Alexandria at the same time there was
no shadow at the well, he computed the length of two sides of a triangle, the length of the
shadow and the height of the obelisk. He figured the angle of the triangle, which was 7-12',
approximately equal to one fiftieth of a circle's 360º.
He still needed one more measurement. The Greek standard of measurement was the stadia
(based on the size of a Greek race course). Standard camel performance was to cover 100
stadia per day, and since it took a camel 50 days to make the trip between his two points, he
calculated the distance to be 5000 stadia, multiplied by 50 and came up with a figure of 250,000
stadia for the earth's circumference. Translated to modem measurements, his earth measured
25,000 miles, amazingly close to the actual distance at the poles of 24,860 miles. His scientific
apparatus for this experiment consisted of something to measure the length of a shadow.
Unfortunately, some people cannot leave well enough alone. Sometime later, another Greek
scholar named Strabo, for some unknown reason, reduced Eratosthenes' figure from 25,000 to
18,000 miles. By Columbus' time the original calculation had been overlooked and it was this
latter figure that Columbus relied on for his voyage.
Columbus knew the approximate distance from Europe to Japan, west to east, thanks to Marco
Polo's journeys to the Far East. If his calculation of the earth's circumference of 18,000 miles had
been correct, he would probably have been justified in assuming he had reached the Orient. A
Greek scholar, 1700 years before Columbus' voyage had it right, and if Columbus had had the
correct information, he may have realized he was 7,000 miles short of his objective.
Reference:
Don't Know Much About Geography by Kenneth C. Davis
ARE YOU SAVING CANCELLED STAMPS?
April 2001
While the AFMS no longer has a committee which saves and sells commemorative stamps, most
of the Regional Federations due.
These stamps are used for such programs as further funding of Endowments or scholarships to
regional workshops.
Are you saving these stamps for YOUR Regional Federation? Are you using them for your club
bulletin and encouraging members to save them?
If your Federation does not save these stamps, why not collect them and donate them to another
Federation. Your donation won't be turned away.
YOUR AMERICAN LANDS ACCESS ASSOCIATION HAVE YOU JOINED?
The American Lands Access Association (A.L.A.A.) was formed to promote and ensure the
rights of amateur fossil and mineral collecting, recreational prospecting and mining, and the use
of public and private lands for educational and recreational purposes and to carry the voice of all
amateur collectors and hobbyists to our elected officials, government regulators and public land
managers.
In the past few years, the number of acres of land available for collecting of all types has been
under siege from the government and from preservationists who do not separate those of us who
pursue collecting as a hobby from those who would use the same lands for commercial
purposes.
By becoming a member of A.L.A.A. you join individuals who share like concerns for maintaining
and preserving collecting areas across the United States. By joining together as a group,
representatives of A.L.A.A. can meet with members of Congress and help educate them about
our interests and help clarify our level of interest in keeping certain federal areas open for
hobbyists like us.
Membership is $25 per year...a modest amount per person, but if you add your $25 to that of
other members, the sum available for the programs of A.L.A.A. multiplies rapidly. Being a
501(c)(4) organization, allows A.L.A.A. to lobby our Congressional leaders -something which
most clubs (as 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations) cannot do. Your help is needed. Your
membership vital.
HISTORIAN'S REPORT
April 2001
There were a few souls who took pity on me and sent e-mails regarding the AFMS Newsletters I
needed.
Carroll and Bev Dillon of the Northwest came through with the following Newsletters:
Vol 95, No 2 February 1995
Vol 98, No 1 Dec/Jan 1997-98
Vol 52, No 3 February 1999
Vol 53, No 9 October 2000
Got to talk to Johnny Short, AFMS President, 1965, and told me recently at Tucson that he had
one of the "bibs" used at the National Show in Eureka, CA for the famous "Humboldt Crab
Dinner" Now that's something to have kept all these years.
If anyone has any memorabilia from any of the shows they would like to part with, please contact
me at: <[email protected]> or 6155 Haas St. La Mesa, CA 91942-4312. And I'm
always looking for pictures, especially those before 1990.
Look through your old scrapbooks, and see if there isn't something you can share.....
May 2001
Contents:
See You in Arlington - June 11-17'
A Buzz from the Prez.
Spring has Sprung, The Grass has Riz. . .
Safety - Ouch - That's My Foot!
Three Hats
AFMS Webmasters Discussion Group
Crown Jewels of England
Volume 54, Number 6
May, 2001
SEE YOU IN ARLINGTON - JUNE 11-17
from Joyce Speed, Show Chairman
June is getting close. Check out the AFMS website, Arlington website <AGMC.org> for
preregistration forms or call me at 214-337-9446 or email me at <[email protected]> for a
packet. I have mailed packets to many officers and committee members of all the Federations. If
May 2001
I missed you, I apologize. Please send in your preregistration ASAP to help us with our
paperwork. I hope many of you plan to bring either competitive or non-competitive displays.
We are currently working on several additional seminars to those listed in the packet. We have
confirmation of a display from the Smithsonian. We are also working on more special displays.
2001 pins are also on sale for $5.00 each. I can mail up to 3 pins for $.55. These pins are all
numbered and will be a collectors item. There were only 2001 pins made and when they are
gone there will be no more!
We are also offering a 1/2 table or a full table to promote your club. We need to know if you
would like a space ASAP. The same goes for each of the Federations. Izzie has requested a
time for a Cracker Barrel. We are also working on a night at Billy Bob's in Ft. Worth. Sign up for
that will be the week of the show. Some may want to attend the horse races at Lone Star Park in
Grand Prairie about 7 miles from the show. The Dallas/Ft.Worth Metroplex, in which Arlington is
in the middle, is loaded with things to do; so there is something for everyone to do. Six Flags
over Texas and Hurricane Harbor are great places for the kids to spend a day or two. The
selected hotels all offer discount tickets.
Please make note when making reservations that you are with the AFMS Convention and Show
to be assured of the quoted prices.
We are excited about hosting the 2001 AFMS/SCFMS Convention and Show. SEE YOU
THERE!
Joyce and Delbert Speed
4680 Wisteria
Dallas, TX 75211-8026
214-337-9446
email: [email protected]
A BUZZ FROM THE PREZ.
by Isabella Bums, President
Show time! Show Time!
June 11 to 17 should be "high lighted your calendar. There will be so much in Arlington where
you can learn, have fun, see great exhibits, and get information about your American Federation.
There will be programs, demonstrators, and exhibits to further your knowledge of mineral, fossils,
and lapidary arts. There will be seminars for Editors, Beginning Web Site Masters, Uniformed
May 2001
Rules Committee Meeting, and of course our AFMS Meeting where policies are set by Directors
from your Federation and AFMS Officers (one from each Federation), but you can speak to any
issue that you wish.
This year we are going back to a AFMS Cracker Barrel on Tuesday evening at the Arlington
Gem & Mineral Club House. An extra treat- we get to see their club house. I checked Webster to
be sure that we all understood the term cracker barrel - "the large barrel of soda crackers
formerly found in general stores (Colloq..) designating or typical of the informal discussions on all
subjects by persons gathered at a country store. Thus our philosophy is for gatherings of all
AFMS Members to discuss topics related to our organization. Anyone can present their ideas or
come and listen to the discussion. I bet you will want to make your comments known. A few
topics, that we might "kick around" follows:
Should we have more seminars, study sessions, and/or programs? Our Editors, a valuable asset
to our organization, hold annual seminars at conventions. This year we are discussing having a
seminar for "Beginning Web Site Masters"; of course everyone would be welcome. This is
another communication avenue that benefits us. The information on our AFMS Web Site is
directed to help our members and the public learn about our organization. We continually change
and up date our plans. A seminar on "making a video or slide program" might help Marge
Collins.
Does our Public Relations Committee need some direction? I often hear that age old question
"what does the Federation do for us?" No one should need to ask that, but it happens in all
organizations. We just have to tell people over and over again what we do. CFMS formed a
Committee about a year ago to work on public relations and publicity. That energetic group has
many ideas and are putting them into action.
People often ask " Do you have an AFMS Museum? Why not? Members are disappointed and
unhappy about areas that have been closed due to construction, government regulations, private
enterprise, and extinction of the collecting materials. Perhaps a museum where minerals, fossils,
rocks, petrified wood, lapidary and metal work could be exhibited, is needed. It could also have a
study program, such as, Wildacres, William Holland, Zzyzx, .... Dream about it! Dreams do come
true!.
Are we doing all that we can to keep collecting areas open? Some one may have something for
us to chew on about this issue.
Do our AFMS Scholarships accomplish what we hope? Shirley Leeson has found some positive
answers to that question. There may be others who would like to share information on this.
Come join us for this evening of sharing of ideas. Since this will be held at the Arlington Gem &
Mineral Society Club House, we do not have a time limit. We could have an all night jam session,
but please do plan to limit your presentation to five minute or less. We may even bring crackers,
May 2001
but a barrel is too big to bring from LA. Join us for a great CRACKER-BARREL!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG, THE GRASS HAS RIZ...
by Steve Weinberger, President-Elect
With the advent of spring, we usher in a new year for most rockhounds. After being cooped up all
winter, the warm weather enables most of us to go outside for field trips and more collecting.
This also begins the club show season which tapers off again for most of the country in the fall.
When visiting other clubs' shows, be sure to wear your club badge for it shows your club's
support for the other society. It also promotes reciprocity.
While many of us rockhounds consider spring to be a beginning, it also reminds us that we are
all getting older. Whether or not the study indicating that people in our hobby live longer is true or
not, I think that we all agree that keeping busy and learning new things go a long way toward
helping us stay alert and healthy.
Why not take this opportunity of a new season to learn a new aspect of the hobby? Learn to cut
a stone, identify a mineral, date a fossil (be sure you have your spouse's permission first), visit a
new location, prepare a talk that you can present to your club, organize your collection, visit a
show new to you, or even more important - teach someone knowledge and skills that you have.
We don't know how our life's work will be judged in time, but wouldn't it be nice to say that we did
all we could?
OUCH - THAT'S MY FOOT!
by Mel Albright AFMS Safety Chair
Ever stub a toe while wandering through a rock field. Have you ever tried to pick up a rock and
dropped it on your toes? Have you ever had a rock fall or roll onto your toes? How about a friend
with heavy boots who clomps on your feet? Had a rock roll off the workbench and hit your toes?
Dropped a tool that hit your toes?
No fun is it?
Did you know that there are safety shoes available? What are they? They are ordinary looking
dress or work shoes or dress or work boots that have a steel guard built into their toe. This guard
protects your toes from bangs large and small. It is cup shaped and covers the front of your
shoes from side to side and 3-4 inches back. With them on, you can drop kick a small rock over
May 2001
to a friend with no injury or pain. The only ways to tell that the guard is there are to bang on the
toe of the shoe with something heavy, test them with a magnet, or go through airport security.
How do you get safety shoes or boots? There are several ways. First let me say they are sized
exactly like regular shoes or boots. If you wear a 9B normally, you'll wear a 9B safety shoe.
They'll feel normal, but heavier. If you're around a larger city, you will find an industrial safety
company there. They'll have the shoes. If you have some industry nearby, their safety people
can direct you to a source. If you search on the Internet with the words "safety shoes", you will
find a number of sources for ordering them.
Cost? About the same as ordinary shoes or slightly more. One Internet company has a very wide
variety of styles for $85 to $100.
By the way, if your work involves heavy stuff and you do not wear safety shoes, now is the time.
They're a lot cheaper than medical care.
THREE HATS
by Kathy Miller
This year I have been fortunate in serving the AFMS in three different ways.
Top Hat number one is my term as 2nd Vice-President to the American Federation of
Mineralogical Societies. Since our hobby is the third most popular hobby in the world, the
importance of accepting a national office is to be taken seriously and responsibly. As I work
under the leadership of AFMS President Izzie Bums, I am comfortable in the knowledge that
AFMS Committee work is being done efficiently, education in the field of earth science through
scholarships are diligently pursued and the foundation of the AFMS is stronger than ever.
Field Hat number two is my position of a ALAA Director. Since my husband Bob and I enjoy
collecting just for the sheer joy of being out in the field we feel the goal of American Lands
Access to maintain and ensure access to existing and potential collecting sites is one of utmost
importance to us. Most of our friends and relatives are collectors or in some way related to our
hobby as those of you reading this newsletter. So in essence ALAA effects (and is necessary),
for all of us. JOIN ALAA, encourage others to join, ALAA needs your support.
Hard Hat number three is my hat of action with the American Federation. Being Co-Chairman
with Bob of the AFMS Juniors Program has taken us into quite a few areas such as promoting
and communicating with the Future Rockhounds of America. These clubs and their sponsors are
so important to our hobby, they are our future! We appreciate all the good P.R. we have had
from AFMS Editor Carolyn Weinberger and AFMS Webmaster Marty Hart, through these medias
we have had new FRA clubs join. It has also been interesting and fun submitting junior related
May 2001
articles for AFMS clubs.
We have a Junior booth at the national show/conventions. Working at the show is great - we love
doing that, but accumulating the free supplies is where the hard hat comes in. Here is where a
plea for help enters ... If anyone is planning on attending the AFMS convention in Arlington, TX,
and has some rocks, fossils or minerals to share with youngsters, PLEASE bring them to our
booth. Last year in Moab, UT, by Sunday, we ran out of all material (and we had brought a lot.)
We had some disappointed youngsters that day, we would hate to see that happen again.
Working closely with our committee, the regional Federation Junior Chairs has been a positive
experience. We communicate with them often, they have been very supportive and work hard in
maintaining a good communication with the juniors in their areas. We are proud of them.
I wear my three hats with pride.
AFMS CLUB ROCKHOUND OF THE YEAR
We are pleased to share with you each month the individuals selected as AFMS Club
Rockhound of the Year by their club. Has your club or society made a decision yet for 2001? It's
not hard to do...just select and individual or couple that you wish to recognize; then tell your
regional ACROY chairman what this person has done in 50 words or less. The information will
appear in a forthcoming issue of the AFMS Newsletter.
Eastern Federation:
The American Fossil Federation has nominated Bill Heim for the honor of AFMS Club
Rockhound of the Year. Bill is one of the founding members of the AFF (established 1989) and
currently acts in the position of Fossil Show Coordinator. He is responsible for organizing and
coordination fossil displays at events such as the Aurora Fossil Festival in Aurora, NC.and has
displayed fossils at the National Aquarium in Washington, DC. Although he is not a professional
paleontologist, Bill is renowned for his knowledge of fossil sharks, and was honored to appear in
the BBC's Shark Week program in 1999 and 2000. He reaches the general public by publishing
articles about fossil sharks on the website, www.elasmo.com. Bill assists club members with
specimen identification and has served as the speaker at various club meetings. He has sought
out new fossil collecting sites which have yielded significant specimens.
The DeRidder Gem and Mineral Society of Leesville, LA nominate Abe and Donna Starkey as
their 200l AFMS Club Rockhound of the year. They are most famous for their faceting skills
May 2001
especially the beautiful Texas Star Topaz. They are always willing to help others and have
brought joy to our gem shows, meetings and round-ups. The DeRitter Club will honor the couple
at their awards dinner on December 11, 2001 where they will be made lifetime members.
Submitted by Warner Abel, Sr.,
President of the DeRitter Gem & Mineral Club
The Rock and Arrowhead Club of Klamath Falls, Oregon has selected Goldie Peterson as our
200l Rockhound of the Year. Since retirement from school teaching in 1979, Goldie lectures to
students in the Kalmath County School District as a culmination of their study on, minerals and
fossil. Goldie demonstrates that every mineral has its own crystal structure, displaying the three
different types of rocks and petrified wood. She takes many pieces of jewelry and artwork to
show the students made from semiprecious stones. Goldie likes to see the sparkle in the
student's eyes as she speaks about Gems and Minerals. The club is honored to have Goldie as
a member and the community is blessed with her involvement with the school children.
Submitted by Marvin Stump
President, Rock and Arrowhead Club
Marysville Rock and Gem Club
Names Lloyd Bellman, Rockhound of the year
We are proud to recommend him
To all who will lend an ear
He joined the club in June of sixty-seven
and was elected president that fall
He was the glue that held it together
Or we would have no club at all
Lloyd's held many office position
Rockhounded the Northwest
Put together the show
Known as "Octoberfest"
He has been friend, mentor and teacher
To each club member and guest
And we think you would all agree
As a Rockhound he's the best
Composed and submitted by Dick Calkins,
May 2001
Marysville Rock and Gem Club, Marysville, Washington
The Conejo Gem & Mineral Club presents Bob Stultz, a member for 28 years. Bob has served
as Federation Director, President, and various club chairmanships. He is now retired after 19
years as Operational Supervisor of 250 employees in a retail business. He has actively served
the CFMS organization in many capacities as well. He is currently CFMS lst V. P. for year 2000,
having finished as 2nd V.P./Editor. And Bob gets a special thanks for compiling the new
insurance information for the CFMS organization. He has been CFMS Show Chairman and
consultant for many years and 6 years on the Museum Committee. Bob has made many
contributions to the hobby in general and to the Conejo Club and CFMS in particular.
Submitted by Stuart Chalfant, President
The Islanders Gem & Mineral Society presents Ed Burch. Ed is a tireless worker within our club,
and can be depended upon to assist wherever needed. Ed is right there assisting so no one
goes home with a Leaverite. He helps find the best material available. Now that you have your
rock material, what is the best way to process it, just ask Ed. Whatever anyone has done, Ed will
find a way to easily improve its sheen. Ed has become the club expert at cutting, cabbing and
polishing the Jade gifts from the seas that we find on our beaches. On a recent field trip, Ed
came along with four flats of completed cabs he had processed with the material he picked up at
these very beaches. We were all stunned at the treasures under our feet. Ed is our current
Chairman of Education. He freely shares his knowledge with all club members. A case of Ed's
cabs was displayed at the most recent Del Mar Fair. The theme of the Fair was Gold. The cabs
in Ed's case were full of Gold and Platinum inclusions. The case received the Award of Merit for
the best Show Case on Gold.
Submitted by Dixie Showalter, President
and Teresa Masters, Federation Director
Fossils for Fun presents Joy Hutchins for her years of service to the club and for her years of
tireless effort toward the promoting of the rockhound hobby. Joy has been a member for more
years than she might want us to reveal. She has the distinction of almost perfect attendance at
our educational meetings year after year. Joy has held every off ice FFF has except Bulletin
Editor. And she has done that for other local rockhound clubs. She continues to serve as our
donations table chairperson, and just about anything else we ask of her. For many years Joy has
put in displays at the Rio Linda library about fossils and rockhounding. She has also given talks
at the local schools. Recently, our club found itself, with only a three day notice, without a
meeting place. Joy immediately volunteered her house. And that's not the first time over the
years that she's done this. Joy is the type of club member we'd like to clone. Fossils For Fun
salutes her and invites the rest of you to acknowledge her value.
May 2001
Submitted by Debbie Bunn, President
The Carmichael Gem & Mineral Society presents John Schoemaker for his contributions toward
the education of both new & experienced rockhounds. John is well known in the Sacramento
area and has frequently demonstrated sphere making and flint knapping at the local shows. This
past year he was involved in demonstrating these skills at two of our local children's museums.
John has been featured in Rock and Gem magazine as one of the "Craftsman of the Month". He
described how to combine an obsidian knife blade with a tumbled petrified wood handle to make
a beautiful knife. John is also well known for his love of gadgetry. He makes many rockhound
"machine things". He also has quite a workshop with the "latest technology". He is always
inviting people to come over and try out some new piece of machinery. Besides sharing his
lapidary skills, John is an intrepid field trip leader. Every year he leads a trip to the Black Rock
Desert. He also leads or assists with many other field trips through out the year. He is always
willing to share his knowledge of where to find the good stuff and what to do with it after you get
it home. He is truly a "gem of a rockhound".
Submitted by Debbie Bunn
Federation Director
The Pasadena Lapidary Society presents George & Mona Snyder as their Rockhound of the
Year 2000. George & Mona joined the society in the middle 50's and have been fully involved
with club activities until, recently. George has been President twice, Show Chair three times,
Field Trip leader numerous times and Scout Master for a local scout troop for a number of years.
Mona has been his right hand and staunch supporter throughout the years. Not content to
become a coach potato, George, for the fifth year will head up the sterling silver workshop group
for the CFMS Earth Science Studies scheduled for the week of April 9- 16, 2000 at Zzyzx.
Submitted by Vern Cliffe
Federation Director
The Woodland Hills Rock Chippers presents Kelly Hickman. She has been a member since
1994 and has been a 'natural resource' from the getgo. Kelly has been Program Chair, Holiday
Chair, has taken various positions in Gem Fair (our annual show in combination with other
clubs), and is one of our most talented teachers of lapidary and the associated arts. This past
year she spearheaded our first annual independent and very successful show. Kelly, our very
own Chromite Queen, her dynamic, her energy, her enthusiasm, has been an inspiration to
everyone in our club. We are honored by the opportunity to submit her name for Member
Recognition for the Year 2000.
Submitted by Mary Backus, Federation Director,
and Gary Levitt, President
May 2001
The Peninsula Gem & Geology Society, presents Jerry Newcomer. Jerry joined the club in
1951, the second year of the club. He has been very active during these years as Field Trip
Chair, Secretary, President, and Vice President the last five years. He always is there helping
with the show, helping sort rocks for the club, entering mineral displays, created a granite display
board, and assisting new officers. Jerry most important memories are finding his wife in the club
and attending a field trip in the 1950's to a gold mine where they traveled into the mine via ore
carts, and ore buckets and bought a sample rock using specific gravity in water to determine the
quantity of gold in each piece. He has been a great asset to our club these many years.
Submitted by Erma Bandel
Federation Director
Kern County Mineral Society presents Ismael Sanchez for recognition. He deserves it. In a short
period of time, as Mineral Mite (our Junior Club) Advisor, he has increased the membership from
6 to approximately 40 active youngsters. He gives willing of his time for field trips, instruction and
displaying as well as being available for all club functions. A definite asset.
Submitted by Cal Clason, Club member
The Del Air Rockhound Club has selected Ethel and Len Hellenthal for recognition. Ethel and
Len joined the club in 1983 and have been active participants ever since. Currently Len keeps
the lapidary shop equipment in good order and conducts classes. Ethel serves as the treasurer.
Both are dedicated members who deserve recognition. They are privileged to have this happy
couple as active members of the club.
Submitted by Gerald Minear
Federation Director
Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, presents Marjorie and Calvin Koch. Both have been members
for years and demonstrated they are conscientious, loyal and productive members. Marjorie has
been membership chair for years, organizes the country store at the show and the following yard
sale, and contributes display cases at the show. Calvin (Cal) was very active as well. He was our
premier facetor and created many beautiful gemstones, wining ribbons at our show, other club
shows, and the county fair. He was Sergeant-at-arms for our meetings. His displays are well
known. He repaired items donated to our country store. He collected and sold aluminum cans,
scrap metal and plastic and donated the funds to our club. Both Cal and Marge devoted time and
articles to outside club activities, such as the senior craft shop in Ventura. We mourn Cal's
recent passing; he is and will be sorely missed.
Submitted by K.S. Hara, President,
and Olga Hammer, Federation Director
May 2001
Boulder Gem Club, presents Grant and Toni Ewers. They have been faithful and energetic
members of the club since the 1970's. They have held many offices; President, Program
Director, Field Trip Chair, newsletter Editor and Sunshine. Many offices held more than once.
They continue as Federation Directors since 1989. In addition, they have served the club at the
City's Parks & Recreation Dept., and been available at the many school presentations given over
the years. Clubs can't be successful without members such as these.
Submitted by Sue McCullough, President
Santa Monica Gemological Society presents Carol Barnett. Carol has gone the extra mile,
literally and figuratively. She has been a member for over 30 years, serving as Vice President,
Membership chair, newsletter Editor, Field Trip Coordinator, and Security Chair for show. We
always know if she volunteers for the job it will be done properly. She is gifted with needle and
thread and donated beautiful items to the club. She is an enthusiastic rock collector, with an
interest in minerals. a member and Vice President of Westside Mineralogists. Currently residing
in Willits, she continues as editor, writing informatively, printing it and sending it down to Santa
Monica. She joined the Willits club and as membership chair boosted membership from 7 to 47.
Her daughter and grand-daughter are members of the Santa Monica club.
Submitted by Anita Wacker
Federation Director
The Santa Cruz Mineral & Gem Society presents Cal Keator. He is known in the CFMS and
AFMS for his many years of wide ranging service. Cal comes regularly to monthly meetings,
about 1 00 miles round trip, to make a special presentation of a lesson or an anecdote for the
junior members, followed by appropriate gifts of rocks, minerals, or tools to each one of them. He
takes an active part in the annual show, exhibiting one or more displays and welcoming visitors
throughout the show. At the annual picnic everyone looks forward to hot corn on the cob cooked
by Cal in the huge special cooking pot he brings. He says he may have to slow down a bit soon
and cut down on night driving now that he is 91. He would still be a very special member.
Submitted by Marion Fowler
Federation Director
Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club, presents Stan Wright. Stan has been a member for many
years. He has taught wire wrapping at our clubhouse to anyone who wanted to learn. He also
helps Al Whitney with the Tuesday Faceting group and has won many awards. He also
demonstrates at our annual show. Thanks Stan!
Submitted by Betty Egger, President,
and Anna Christiansen, Editor
May 2001
Orange Belt Mineralogical Society, Inc. chooses Evelyn Stallings. Evelyn became a member in
1974 and has held every chairmanship and nearly every office for our club. There have been
times when we needed a place to meet and Evelyn would just donate her motorhome. Generous
of heart, she's always there to lend a helping hand. For years she donated so much to our club,
staying silent when the curious asked "where did it come from?" After an absence to pursue a
nursing education and graduating with honors, Evelyn returned to regular attendance and the
lapidary hobby she loves. Her Impact on O.B.M.S. has been deeply felt, new blood has been
transfused into an old club that had grown tired and placid. Because of her, new enthusiasm has
been generated for which we members are truly grateful. Thank you Evelyn Stallings, our choice
for "Rockhound of the Year 2000."
Submitted by Cindy Wright, Beverly Jenkins, and Pat Carrell.
The Palos Verdes Gem & Mineral Society presents Doyl & Gena Sartain as their "Rockhounds
of the Year". Members since 1978, this couple have worked steadily on club activities. Doyl was
Field Trip Chair for many years, and more recently Hospitality chair. Gena has held many offices,
including bulletin editor for the past ten years. Our thanks to these two!
Submitted by Robert Beachler, President
The Sacramento Mineral Society presents Barbara & Jim Foskett , long time club members.
Barbara gives unstintingly of her time tracking our memberships and creating small ceremonies
to warmly welcome in new members. She has created hundreds, if not thousands, of items for
fair giveaways and shares her knowledge with all who ask - in wire wrapping, stone painting,
critter making, and much more. She also travels long distances to make sure the Club is
represented at Federation meetings, driving 8 hours to the Riverside meeting this summer. Jim,
is another stalwart member, who Saturday after Saturday, shows up to teach cabochon and
jewelry making to our members, proper use of the saw, and polishing techniques. He oversees
the Club equipment to keep it all running and in good shape. He can always be counted on to
lend a hand in every Club activity. He always creates beautiful display of his work, including his
spheres and famous "rock" post-office banks. We could not function smoothly without the help
these two people give to our SMS Club.
Submitted by Paul Wood, President
and Jill Stockinger, Editor
The Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society, presents Marlow "Hawkeye" & Ophelia Hicks. The
Hicks have served our clubs in many positions for over 25 years. Marlow has been Librarian for
many years. Ophelia has been Historian, Secretary and a demonstrator in carving and beading
at many shows. Ophelia has written numerous articles and has had two published in Rock and
Gem Magazine. Together, they have given a number of slide programs, done various duties at
our annual show, and active in field trips. Marlow recently had bypass heart surgery but still
expended a lot of energy setting up our last show. Ophelia is also Editor and Marlow publisher of
May 2001
the Chiasto Hi Lites, which is the publication of Ye Old Timers Mineral Club. We are very
fortunate to have this active and informative couple involved in our club and thank them both for
their great humor, teaching abilities and support to better our club.
Submitted by Sharon Neuhauser, Secretary
AFMS WEBMASTERS DISCUSSION GROUP
from Marty Hart, AFMS Webmaster
A few months back, an email discussion group was created for club webmasters and those
considering starting a website for their club. Recently an email invitation was sent to the list of
websites that are on the following URL that had an email contact:
<http://www.amfed.org/club.htm>
Unfortunately many of the sites do not have email contact information. I am trying to contact
every webmaster that has not yet joined our discussion group. We already have almost 60
members in the Discussion Group and would like for every AFMS affiliated club to be
represented in the group.
We share a great communications resource, the Internet. My goal with the discussion group is to
utilize this resource to our advantage and become a great resource of information and
communications. Not only are current webmasters encouraged to join this discussion group, but
people wishing to become a webmaster for their club have also been invited to join. It does not
matter what your experience level is, we need you to join us, and I hope that you benefit from
being a member. This is a free service and you are not required to join, or even maintain a
membership once you join. We have used this service for quite some time, not only with this list,
but other lists, and have found it to be a great service.
To join the group, send an email message to
<[email protected]>
and be sure to reply to the confirmation message that you receive to accept the membership.
More information is available on the following page:
<www.amfed.org/web/webmasters_email.htm>
Once you become a member, we would enjoy hearing a little introduction about you and what
you are doing. List members can also view the archives of messages that have been sent since
May 2001
the list was started.
If you have any questions or problems, feel free to contact me.
CROWN JEWELS OF ENGLAND
by Betty Jones
from Shin Skinner News, (Che-Hanna Rock & Mineral Club, Sayre, PA), April 2001
From earliest Saxon times, the Crown Jewels have been the hallmark of the high state and
circumstance of the Kings and Queens of England.
Through the centuries of Plantagenet and Tudor rule, until the defeat and execution of Charles I
by Cromwell, the Crown Jewels remained the symbol of the majesty and authority of the
Sovereign. As prince succeeded prince to the throne, each added more to the collection, which
grew both in historical and intrinsic value.
The Royal Treasury has often been used and despoiled by English Kings for their own purposes.
It is said that when Prince Charles - later King Charles I - went to woo the Infanta of Spain, he
took with him about £6OO,OOO worth of treasure. He also used much of the treasure to finance
a fleet to wage war against Spain, and later, more of the treasure was broken up or pawned by
Charles to finance his war against Cromwell. Following his defeat, the Puritans managed to
dispose of the remainder. Items which would be impossible to value for their historical
associations alone, were broken up, the jewels sold for what they would fetch, and the gold
melted down and sold at 70 schillings an ounce (20 shillings to a pound).
Luckily, some of the jewels and other pieces survived the vandalism and were later incorporated
in the Regalia made for the coronation of Charles II at the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660.
There have been many additions to the Regalia since this time and today it would be impossible
to estimate the value placed up on it, each piece being worth a King's ransom.
The Imperial State Crown
Although originally made for Queen Victoria in 1838, many of the gems are of very ancient origin.
Mounted at the centre of the cross above this crown is the sapphire worn by Edward the
Confessor at his coronation in 1042 - the oldest jewel in the treasure of England. Lower is the
splendid red spinel known as the "Black Prince's Ruby," presented by Peter the Great to
Edward, Prince of Wales, the Black Prince. Below the spinel, the large diamond is the second
largest of the stones cut from the Cullinan diamond (317 carats)
King George's Crown
May 2001
Originally known as the Imperial Crown of India, it was made for King George's coronation as
Emperor of India in Delhi in 1912
The State Crown of Queen Mary, consort of George V.
The largest diamond of this crown is the Koh-i-nor (mountain of light), a very beautiful Indian
diamond, slightly tinged with green. It was the most coveted diamond in history and the cause of
pillage, torture and assassination. In 1850, the East India Company offered it to Queen Victoria.
The two other large diamonds are Cullinan III, of 94 carats and Cullinan IV, of 63 1/2 carats.
St. Edward's Crown
is the traditional Crown of England and is the one actually used for the coronation of the
Sovereign. Made in 1661 for the coronation of Charles II, it closely follows the design of the
original destroyed by the Commonwealth. It is made of gold and set with diamonds, pearls and
colored gems.
Queen Elizabeth's Crown
This is a crown of great beauty, and was made for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, on the
occasion of the coronation of George VI.
The Sceptre and Orbs
Among the sceptres is the magnificent Sovereign's Sceptre. Wonderfully jewelled it has, set in its
head, the largest of the Cullinan diamonds. This sceptre is carried in the left hand of the
Sovereign at the coronation. The Orb is placed in the Sovereign's right hand. It is never placed in
any hand but the King or Queen Regnant.
The Spurs and Bracelets
Made for Charles II, they copy closely the originals. The spurs are the traditional emblems of
Knighthood, and the bracelets denote sincerity.
The Maces
The maces which are carried in procession before the Sovereign by the Sergeant at Arms,
derive from the large two-handed weapons used by mounted soldiers in earlier times.
St Edward's Staff
May 2001
The original staff is said to have belonged to Edward the Confessor and was reputed to have
embodied a piece of the true Cross.
The Ampulla and Spoon
By far the oldest pieces in the collection, they are thought to date from the 6th or 7th century,
and are probably Byzantine in origin. The anointing oil used in the coronation ceremony is
contained in the Ampulla and is poured into the anointing Spoon through the beak of the eagle.
The Swords
There are five major swords in the Regalia. The largest is the Sword of State, the quillion of
which is formed by an arrangement of the lion and the unicorn, the Supporters of the Royal
Arms. The Jewelled Sword of State is considered to be the most expensive sword in the world. It
is a mass of jewels in all colors and when made for George IV, cost more than £6000. The other
three swords are similar in design to each other and consist of The Sword of Justice to the
Spirituality, The sword of Justice to the Temporality, and a curious sword called "Curtana,' or the
Sword of Mercy. The points of this last sword are cut off square to indicate the quality of mercy.
As you probably know, the Crown Jewels are kept in the Tower of London and are guarded by
the Yeomen of the Guard.
Reference.- Gems and Jewels translated from the French by Henri-Jean Schubnel. Orbis
Publishing Limited, London. 1971
June 2001
Volume 54, Number 7
June - July, 2001
IN THIS ISSUE
It Is The Dawning of the Age of - Sunshine
Changes
Are You The Correct Person
A Buzz From the Prez
Mid-Year Reflections
Juniors - Did You Know?
Hall's Gap Millerite Locality Closed
2001 - A Gem Odyssey - Field Trips
AFMS Club Rockhound of Year
Scathingly Brilliant Idea
New Mining Museum
We Can Fight Back
Color Enhancement of Topaz
Silver Soldering Tips
IT IS THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF - SUNSHINE
And the moon. In their eternal dance of orbits - the sun has moved north of the equator and closer to the
June 2001
earth. And many people celebrate. Until late September, we're in the "spotlight" in the northern hemisphere.
But with spring and summer and the sun comes a time of high danger. Too much sunshine can be
disabling or fatal.
Science reports that just one major sunburn while young may bring cancer in 15-20 years. For those older,
it may take several sunburns. But, there is no safety in tanning. That too leads to cancer. For all the joy of
warmth and summer, the sun on skin is not a good thing.
Some people are more sensitive than others. Some, like me, can burn in only 10 minutes. Others may take
15 or 20 or 25. But no one can take as much as an hour without some damage.
Sun caused cancer is never good. But one kind can be fatal and fast. That is called melanoma. If you find a
spot that is irregular, bigger than a pencil eraser, probably varied in color, or a mole-like spot that is growing
- RUN to the doctor. It may be melanoma and you could be dead in a few months if it isn't treated quickly.
Melanoma spreads rapidly as soon as it grows inwards enough for cells to circulate through the body.
Removing it before it spreads is critical. Once it spreads, there is no cure.
There are two other types of skin cancer. These two are dangerous, but not as sudden as melanoma. If you
have whitish spots and scaly spots, get checked. If you have roughened skin spots, get checked. If there is
any skin damage apparent, check it out.
A personal note - I worked harvest as a youngster. I always wore a straw hat. I wore long sleeves until I
tanned through the shirt. But, at 72, I still must check every 2-3 years to have actinic keratomas (small
whitish spots) removed, as they are pre-cancerous. Twice, I have had to treat my face and scalp and upper
chest for dangerous sun damage. I still have scars and damage on my arms and head from sun damage.
So, I preach about sun safety yearly.
THE SOLUTION? You already know - sun screen. Where? On all exposed skin - arms, face, ears, ankles,
neck, and more depending on your clothes. Every time you'll be out in the sun. No exceptions. The SPF
number you see on the container is a time safety factor. If I use a SPF 15 product, I'll sunburn in 150
minutes instead of 15. So, screen is not prevention, but only gives you more time before significant skin
damage. So, you should also wear "shady" clothes and a hat and long sleeves. Then you can hunt rocks or
hike or garden or work outdoors and be safe. Just because skin cancer is slow coming doesn't make safety
less important.
CHANGES
from Dan McLennan
Seems that as soon as things get settled, something else changes. The post office where I've used as the
AFMS address for some time now has decided to do away with all post office boxes. So, we're on the move
again.
Please note that beginning immediately, the address for the AFMS Central Office is:
June 2001
(Address removed because it is no longer valid 2-23-2002)
I hope that this has not caused anyone any inconvenience. For me, this move is somewhat of a blessing as
the new box is now closer to my home.
Also note that our Prez., Izzie Burns has a new telephone area code. It is now 626. Her e-mail is also a bit
shorter <[email protected]>. Please make the changes for your records so that you can reach all of us
without difficulty should the need arise.
ARE YOU THE CORRECT PERSON?
from Dan McLennan, AFMS Central Office
Are you puzzled as to why this issue is mailed to you? Have you been "out of office" for some time now, but
still receive the AFMS Newsletter? The answer to the above questions may well be that no one in your club
informed me of a change in your officers.
Why not take a moment and do it now?
Three members of your club are entitled to receive the AFMS Newsletter. Usually two of the three are your
president and editor and the third person is someone that the club selects. Please let me know who these
three people should be by sending me their names and addresses along with the name of your club. You
can use the e-mail address on page 7 or you can mail the information to the address listed. If you can, tell
me the names of the person or people who should be deleted as well.
from Isabella Burns, AFMS President
Why don't we have more young members?
Today after my Soroptimist, women's service club, meeting, I found a flat tire on
my Blazer. Being a modern women, I called AAA;. Within 20 minutes a rousing
young man, about 35 years of age arrived. He dismounted from his truck; took
my AAA card; glanced up; and said, "Mrs. Burns my old school principal." While
he changed my tire, we had a nice chat. Gil is married and has two children, and
they enjoy the desert. He has a sand buggy and often takes his family to the dunes for week ends. He
remembered that I was a rock collector and frequently made trips to the desert.
As I drove home I kept thinking "How did we miss the boat?" Why don't we have more of those nice young
couples in our clubs? Where did vie go wrong? At the Desert Council Advisory Meeting in October over 700
young people were there; Off Highway Vehicle Users, who came to present their view of the dunes closure
and explain what it meant for them to lose so much of the area where they go to ride. They were not rowdy,
just concern about their problem.
June 2001
When I arrived home, I had the newsletter, Music City Rockette from the Middle Tennessee Rockhounds.
Their editor is Chris Hart, only 14 years of age. Then I thought of the young boy that was the field trip
leader for the Santa Ana Club last year. These are teenagers, but I know of many other people from the 21
to 40 years of age who are contributing greatly to our organization. Our cabochon teacher for the CFMS
Earth Science Study Seminars is in this group. There are some girls who really enjoy doing metal work at
the Seminars. Another girl was really excited at the Monterey Park Meeting about the Snow Crystal Slide
Show and now wants to collect minerals. There are many young people interested in rocks and minerals in
our group, we need to encourage and appreciate them.
We do have nice young people in our clubs!
A correction: In a previous article, I stated that our Commemorative Stamp Committee had been
responsible for our having some commemorative fossil stamps. Wendell C. Mohr, a committee member,
corrected me that we could only take responsibility for two sheets of four mineral heritage stamps issued in
1974 and 1992 by the United State Postal Service. Last year Wendell and Lillian requested our support by
printing articles in our newsletters about members contacting the USPS about securing approval of US
stamps of birthstones. Get behind this hard working committee and have your members or a member of
each club write to request that heritage stamps of the birthstones be printed by the United States Postal
Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20260 or <www.usps.gov>.
MID-YEAR EXAMINATION & REFLECTION
from Steve Weinberger, AFMS President-elect
This message is directed primarily to club presidents, but it is one that can be "food
for thought" for other club members. It is now June and we are approaching the midpoint of the year (most clubs operate on a January - December calendar). This
would be a good time to sit down to evaluate your progress to date and to readjust
any plans which you have for the remainder of the year.
You, along with your club's board of directors, should evaluate your overall standing in such areas as
programs, show progress, membership retention, participation of members, community outreach,
education, and financial stability. Summer also offers the opportunity to expand your junior program.
It is a rare administrator who can keep all of the club's programs on track exactly as planned from the
beginning of the year. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to have an on-going dialog with your
officers and committee chairmen. They are the ones in the trenches doing the jobs and they usually have
suggestions as to how to improve things. Your support of them can also be a strong motivating device.
Do not despair if some of your goals have to be modified. In a hobby organization there are many factors
which play a part in whether or not certain projects can operate as planned.
I once knew a club president who said that as soon as he got into office he was not going to do anything his officers and committee chairmen all had responsibilities to run the club. Without regular contact with
these people, how could he possibly know just what was going on?
It is a very wise president who knows when to praise, when to cajole, when to suggest, when to offer help,
June 2001
and when to set limits; but the ultimate outcome will be the betterment of the club, the happier the
members, and not necessarily least, the knowledge that you have done the best job possible. The
expenditure of time and effort is not that great, but the rewards are enormous.
Since this is the last newsletter until September, I wish you profitable collecting, happy cutting, wonderful
jewelry making, and a safe and pleasurable summer.
JUNIORS - DID YOU KNOW....
by Kathy & Bob Miller Junior Activities Co-Chairs
...About the Lillian Turner Award
Lillian Turner of Bethesda, Maryland gives an award each year to the outstanding Junior who exhibits at the
Annual AFMS Show. The Junior can be from any Federation or Society, but must be exhibiting in
competition at the current show.
The Host Society or Show Committee will select the Outstanding Junior by determination of the best
competitive Junior exhibit.
In event there are no Juniors exhibiting, the award will be held over until the next National Show.
The Award will be a $50 (or higher) Series "E" Bond, to be presented at a ceremony during the show.
Do remember it is not the amount of money that should make this desirable, but the honor of receiving it.
Now is the time to be thinking of entering your exhibit for 2002!
HALL'S GAP MILLERITE LOCALITY CLOSED
by Bill McKenzie (Lexington, KY)
from [email protected]
Alas, It has finally happened! The world-renowned Halls Gap millerite geode locality is now closed to
collectors. On April 3 and 4 the Highway Department cleaned the rubble as they have every 3 years or so
for as long as I can remember. This time they posted 2 signs facing the highway on the eastern side, sort of
bracketing the deepest part of the cut. The signs read "KEEP OUT-FALLING ROCK".
I collected there the Sunday after the signs were posted with no problem - I figured it was too soon for word
to have gotten around to local officials, etc. When I attempted to collect yesterday, I was there about 1/2 an
hour when a deputy sheriff stopped with flashing lights and I was told to leave. He was pleasant enough
about it, but he said the highway department had asked them to enforce the posting.
When I asked about the west (unposted) side he said they don't want any collecting at the site due to the
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danger of falling rock and they are making regular patrols. What a shame! The end of an era has arrived.
US 27 is supposed to be enlarged to four lanes in a few years. A window of opportunity may open again at
that time.
2001 "A GEM ODYSSEY" - FIELD TRIPS
ARLINGTON, TEXAS, JUNE 11 - 17, 2001
from Joyce Speed, Show Chair
There are three announced field trips available for you to join during the AFMS Convention and Show
hosted by the Arlington Gem & Mineral Society. We'll have information on a few other trips that you can
take by yourself at the show. To whet your whistle and give you a chance to plan ahead, here is information
on three of the planned trips.
Tuesday June 12, 9:00 am.
To collect crinoid stems in black, gray, and pink limestone.
Cost: $5.00 per person.
Location: San Saba, Texas
Meeting Place: Dairy Queen on Hwy 190 west of downtown San Saba. We will caravan to the ranch from
there.
The location where we'll be hunting is on the Lambert ranch about 10 miles south-west of San Saba. The
black limestone is on the side of a hill and is found about 12 inches below the surface of the ground. The
deeper you dig, the thicker the limestone pieces are. This material can be cut and polished. It makes great
bookends and spheres. It also makes nice cabs for jewelry. This dig will require some effort. There is some
surface collecting, but for the better material, it will require digging.
Preparations: Participants should supply all rockhounding and essential gear. The digging requires a
shovel, pick, and sledge hammer and chisel. A heave pry bar is also helpful. The area we'll be collecting
from is grassy and rocky, so durable clothing such as jeans and hiking boots are suggested. I have not
encountered any snakes at this location, but there is always a chance, so be sure to keep children close to
the dig area and it would be best if they wore high top boots of some kind. Insect repellent is also
recommended as there is a problem with ticks. Bring a hat for sun/rain protection and also a raincoat or
poncho just in case. Since you will be digging in rocky ground, bring tools such as a shovel, pick, pry bar,
rock hammer, chisels, you might even want a sledge hammer. Be sure to bring buckets or boxes to carry
your treasures home. We'll be at the site all day so, bring a lunch, snacks, and plenty of water.
Directions: Suggested route: Take I-30 west. It will become I-20 west of Fort Worth. Take exit 386 at
Highway 281 and go south to Stephenville. Turn right at Stephenville on Highway 377 and drive to
Commanche. Turn south on Hwy 16 at Commanche. Stay on Hwy 16 to San Saba. Turn west on Hwy 190
in downtown San Saba. The Dairy Queen is on the right about 1 mile. Driving time from the show is about 3
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½ hours.
Important Note:If you plan on attending, please email [email protected] or call Bob Boyd at (817) 2779510. If the trip has to be canceled for any reason, we will try to contact you.
Thursday June 14, 9:00 am.
To collect horned coral
Location: Near Brownwood, Texas.
Meeting Place: Parking area outside main entrance to Lake Brownwood State Park.
We will be hunting on the side of a hill. It is about a 100 yard walk from the car to the hunt area. The coral is
collected from the surface. No digging is required. This hunt will not take more than 1-2 hours. For those
that cannot make the hike to the hunting area, there is a place to hunt along side the road. This spot is only
a few steps from the car. This hunt is very easy.
Preparations: Participants should supply all rockhounding and essential gear. The area we'll be collecting in
is grassy and hilly, so durable clothing such as jeans and hiking boots are suggested. There is always a
possibility of encountering snakes, so be sure to keep children close to the hunt area and it would be best if
they wore high top boots of some kind. Insect repellent is also recommended, as there is a problem with
ticks. Bring a hat for sun/rain protection and also a raincoat or poncho just in case. Be sure to bring buckets
or boxes to carry your treasures home. Be sure to bring plenty of water.
Directions: Suggested route: Take I-30 west. It will become I-20 west of Fort Worth. Take exit 386 at
Highway 281 and go south to Stephenville. Turn right at Stephenville on Highway 377 and drive to
Brownwood. Turn northwest on Hwy 279 and travel for about 16 miles to Park Road 15. Turn east and
drive 6 miles to the park entrance. We will meet at the gravel parking area just outside the main gate to the
State Park. The driving time from the show is 3 1/2 hours.
Important Note:If you plan on attending, please email [email protected] or call Bob Boyd at (817) 2779510. If the trip has to be canceled for any reason, we will try to contact you.
Friday June 15, 8 am to about 4 pm.
To collect green phantom and clear quartz crystals, especially those pretty ones with the chevrons and
clouds of green in the center. Some of these may even be double terminated or tabular.
Location: Southeastern Oklahoma
Meeting Place: West Slope Rock Shop, Highway 259, north of Broken Bow, OK.
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The location that we'll be hunting is in the White Lightning Mine. It is well known for producing outstanding
quality green phantom quartz crystals as well as superior quality clear crystals. It is located in the Ouachita
Mountain range, and the view from this particular mine is especially nice because it sits on top of a small
mountain. There is a large seam of quartz crystals that has been exposed by backhoe excavation. This
seam has been dug to a depth of over 20 feet, and each new excavation has yielded many a prize without
showing signs of depletion.
Preparations: Participants should supply all rockhounding and essential gear. The area we'll be collecting
from has very sharp, loose rock which is likely to cut exposed skin, so durable clothing such as jeans,
hiking boots, and gloves is suggested. Bring a hat for sun/rain protection and also a raincoat or poncho just
in case. Collecting will be from the exposed quartz seam as well as from loose rock and will require tools
such as a shovel, pry bar, rock hammer, probing tools, you might even want a sledge hammer. Be sure to
bring buckets or boxes to carry your treasures home and plenty of newspaper to protect the points. We'll be
at the site all day so, bring a lunch, snacks, and plenty of water.
Directions: Suggested route: Take I-30 east out of DFW to State Hwy 37 North at MT. Vernon. Hwy 37 will
take you into Oklahoma to 70 East. Hwy 70 does some strange things in and around Idabel, OK, but as
long as you stay on 70 East, it will turn into 259 going north, straight into Broken Bow, OK. You will pass a
Wal Mart on the east side of 259 in Broken Bow and there is a set of RR tracks just a block or so north of
Wal Mart. The rock shop is 8.8 miles north of the RR tracks in Broken Bow, and is on the east side of 259.
Stevens Gap is just north of the rock shop and the sign for it is on the east side of the road, as well.
Important Note: If you plan on attending, please email [email protected] or call Bob Boyd at (817) 2779510. If the trip has to be canceled for any reason, we will try to contact you.
AFMS CLUB ROCKHOUND OF THE YEAR
Midwest Federation
The Cincinnati Mineral Society have nominated Marie and Terry Huizing as their 2001 Rockhound of the
Year. Marie is editor of "The Quarry" , the society's newsletter and also managing Editor for "Rocks and
Minerals" magazine, and serves as secretary and liaison to the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History. She
was recipient of the Carnegie Award at the Tucson Show, the first women to receive this honor. Terry has
been a Midwest Federation Scholarship Honoree, Midwest Show Chairman, and Midwest President in
1973. Terry has won many competitive awards, served as a mineral judge, and is an active member in
Friends of Mineralogy and an active collector. Their support of our hobby and the greater mineral world atlarge make Marie and Terry Hiuzing a fine choice for AFMS Club Rockhound of the year. Submitted by
Nancy Dreyer
The Greater Cincinnati Lapidary and Faceting Society nominated Bambi Johnson as their AFMS Club
Rockhound of the year. Bambi has been the President, Secretary director and editor and is now club Vice
President. She takes care of our Wheel of Fortune at our shows and recruited members to help set up and
help at our shows. She has worked on checking inventory and served on the nominating committee. She
shows guest around the meeting hall and teaches our cabbing class, and is our cook at our picnic. She can
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be counted on to help out when called on. Submitted by Judy Budnik President Greater Cincinnati Lapidary
& Faceting Society
Hells canyon Gem Club of Lewiston, Idaho would like to honor Bob Balter as their AFMS Club Rockhound
of the year. As one of his best friends put it, "Bob is low profile Workhorse." Over many years his unfailing
support for our club as shown itself in many ways. He as served as president of the club, a club trustee,
and chaired many committees for the annual show. We have always felt well watched over with Bob as
Security Chairman. During set up and tear down, he has given his all. He has contributed generously to the
silent auction. His planning and presence on filed trips is always appreciated. He enjoys just being with
people. "Thanks for Everything, Bob.
Each AFMS affiliated club is eligible to select one member (or couple) as its AFMS Club Rockhound of the
Year each year. Who in your club would you like to recognize? Select a person (or couple) and then tell us,
in about 50 words, why this person is important to your club.
Send the information on your nominee to your regional AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year chairman and
we'll publish it here in the AFMS Newsletter. What a wonderful way to recognize the unsung workers of
your club? What a wonderful way to say "thank you". And what a wonderful way to let the rest of us know
how important this person (or couple) is to your club.
SCATHINGLY BRILLIANT IDEA
From Carolyn Tunnicliff
RMF Club Publications Chair via Rocky Mountain News, 5/01
The 2000 Bulletin contest is on its way into the history books. The regional judges completed their judging
in February and the winners were forwarded on to the American Federation Judges to be completed by
March 15. Final results for the American Federation were to be in the hands of Kitty Starbuck by that date.
So, the contest is officially over, and we only have to wait until June for the results. The winners of the
Rocky Mountain Federation competition will be announced at the Editors Breakfast in Roswell June 9th,
and the winners of the American Federation will be announced in Arlington the following weekend.
There were many fine entries into the competition this year and there will be awards given in all but the
Large Bulletin Category. There were close to forty entries all totaled. Unfortunately some entries were
disqualified for various infractions of the rules. Even though the total amount of entries was up for our area
it is not truly representative of the entire region. Most of the entries came from Kansas, Colorado, and New
Mexico. One club had over ten entries. I would really like to see more participation region wide next year.
In my last article, I requested some input from editors on why they did not choose to enter the competition. I
have checked my mail and email both on a daily basis and still have not found one reason from any club as
to why the do not participate in the bulletin contest. If there is a reason that the same clubs win all the
awards, it is simply this. These are the only clubs entering the contest. Its sort of like *running the lottery,
you have to play to win. So - let's get ready for next year. Start a file with possible articles or newsletters for
next year's competition NOW. Don't wait until its time to enter and then try to go through all the back issues
of your newsletter to decide what you want to enter. When the call for entries come in, go through your
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folder and pick the BEST entry for each category. The judges all agreed on this one point, it is the
Newsletter Editor's responsibility to choose the very best articles from his/her bulletin to enter. Quantity
does not replace quality.
Now, a comment on judges. In general, all the judges were excellent this year. I have heard complaints that
editors have been marked down in the past for not having items in their newsletters that really were here.
This years judges did an outstanding job on some very fine bulletins this year. The point spread was very
slim. The one judge that disappointed me was one that did not include any comments as to why he had
been so harsh on his judging. Our judges are all volunteers and are all human. They make mistakes just
like the rest of us.
I would really appreciate more editors adding me to their mailing list. I would like to become more familiar
with all the clubs and the best way to do so is to read their bulletin.
Hint: For those of you who use word processors,check out < www.desktoppub.about.com>. You can find
almost anything on about.com.
NEW MINING MUSEUM NOW OPEN
from Jack Pawloski
The Connecticut Museum of Mining and Mineral Science is part of the Connecticut Antique Machinery
Association, Inc. museum complex, and is located 1 mile north of Kent, CT on route 7. The Connecticut
Antique Machinery Association (CAMA) is a non-profit educational museum dedicated to preserving our
industrial heritage. Our museum complex consists of seven buildings plus an operating narrow gauge
railroad.
The mining museum primary focus is to present the history of Connecticut's rich mining and mineral history
from the first miners (Native Americans) to the present. Displays consist of histories of Connecticut mines,
development of mining technology, mining artifacts, a mock mine tunnel with mining equipment, and
mineral displays including fluorescent minerals of Connecticut. Numerous historical photographs illustrate
this history. The museum will also serve as a clearing house for viable collecting sites and area mineral
shows.
The mining museum is open from May through October, Wednesday through Sunday, 10-4.
For additional information contact John Pawloski, Director, Connecticut Antique Machinery Association, Inc,
P.O. Box 1467, New Milford, CT (860) 927-0050 or visit our web site at www.ctamachinery.com
WE CAN FIGHT BACK
By John Wright, President SFMS
from The Lodestar, Newsletter of the Southeast Federation. March 2001
I know that many of you have heard or learned through the news media about all the land that were
recently added to preservation categories. The total for the last eight years alone was 5,749,000 acres. Add
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to this potential loss of vast areas for "rock-hounding" the fact that the U. S. Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) requires permits in many areas, plan to increase the areas where permits are required, and are
considering raising the fee for permits as much as three fold. The BLM's counterparts in some states have
followed suite for state owned lands or are currently working on legislative initiative and agendas along
similar lines. Paleontologist, archeologist, and environmentalist, plus a host of other groups are diligently
working to limit access to public lands and restrict the removal of mineral, fossil, or artifacts. Even the
United Nations with their "World Heritage Sites" is proposing the taking of private and public lands under
Agenda 21 and the "Wildlands Project". I could continue for several more pages of graphic details about the
increasing restrictions we face, but I think you have gotten the general idea that we are, to coin a phrase,
"loosing ground".
The reason for the dilemma that we face, is for the most part our own fault, as we did not make our wishes
known. Many times we have no idea that these developments are even taking place or worst, it involves an
area of little or no interest and we could care less. While it may not be happening in your back yard or
favorite areas for outings, be aware it could very well be just a matter of time. I know that your first
inclination is to think that this situation is much too big for you to do anything about. Actually, if you are
informed and willing, there is a lot you can do.
Keeping up to date and informed about the proposed changes in land usage and accessibility is not an
easy task. Many agencies and governing bodies at local, state, and federal levels do not always keep the
public informed about plans that could ultimately restrict access to public lands. When they do let you know,
normally through public hearings, the plans are usually complete and the "mind set" is to prevail. Often
changes are made without prior notification or public input and it's not surprising that this is done on
purpose to prevent public interference. I find that one of the best ways to keep up to date is by membership
in the American Lands Access Association. The officers and members are all "Rock-hounds" and share the
same interests as most of us. They are not paid employees but dedicated volunteers who frequently use
their own funds to help keep the operation functioning. I am constantly amazed at the degree of
professionalism indicated by information they "dig up" and publish in the ALAA Newsletter or sent to
members via e-mail, These are the experts that can suggest methods for you to use if lands are being
threatened in your area.
If an issue involving public lands is of particular importance to our hobby and has not been resolved, the
ALAA will often suggest that you let officials in the appropriate agency, your state, or federal legislatures
know how you feel. They even publish sample letters that you may copy or use as a guide to write your
own.
The ALAA is the only organized effort I know of that is fighting to reserve our rights to have access to public
lands we own and support with our tax dollars. As members of the American Lands Access Association,
"We Can Fight Back" against those who would deny public lands to you, limit your activities on private
lands, and restrict your rights to own minerals, fossils, and artifacts' I belong and I am proud to say that my
"Club" belongs. Yes, your club or society may join the ALAA without jeopardizing your non-profit tax exempt
status.
COLOR ENHANCEMENT OF TOPAZ
by Dee Purkeypile
from The Stone Chipper 4/9 (7th Place, 1998 AFMS Adult Article Contest)
June 2001
Topaz is one of our most popular and affordable colored gemstones. Blue topaz is one of the most beautiful
and commonly marketed colors of this remarkable gem. Although topaz naturally occurs in many different
colors, blue topaz has dominated the jewelry market since the 1970's when a large number of deeply
colored blue topaz crystals started appearing on the market. At that time there were no new mines or
developments in existing mines to explain the sudden availability of this abundance of blue topaz. The
production of blue topaz from colorless topaz with irradiation was first reported in 1957 by F.H. Pough, who
was a contributing editor of many articles on minerals in the Lapidary Journal until only recently. Kurt
Nassau, a research scientist residing in Bernardsville, New Jersey, rediscovered this information in 1974
when he was analyzing a faceted topaz that had been purported to be quartz. Since that time many
hundreds of thousands of carats of treated blue topaz have been marketed by many sources. Nassau's
research revealed that both natural blue and irradiated blue topaz are stable to light. This may account for
its popularity with both jewelers and the buying public since of the three types of yellow to brown topaz, two
fade in sunlight. Natural pink topaz is stable in sunlight but is extremely rare.
The ancient historian, C. Plinius Secondus (born 23 AD and died 79 AD during the eruption of Vesuvious)
wrote an epic account of all that was known in his time and which entailed 37 volumes. Plinius reportedly
gained his information by traveling and by reading over 2000 books. Some of these books discussed
gemstone alterations: "Moreover, I have in my library certain books by authors now, living, whom I would
under no circumstances name, wherein there are descriptions as to how to give smaragdus (emerald, in
part) to crystallus (rock crystal) and how to imitate other gems: for example, how to make sardonychus
(sardonyx) from sarda (carnelian, in part sard): in a word, to transform one stone into another. To tell the
truth, there is no fraud or deceit in the world which yields greater gain and profit that of counterfeiting
gems."
With the detonation of the first atomic bombs in the deserts of the American west, the course of human
civilization was irrevocably changed. That change also brought along with it much experimentation as
regards the effect of radiation on all objects precious or common. It was only natural that man would
attempt to alter precious stones with this incredible energy source. None of the many gemstone
enhancement processes used on other gemstones appears to have been used on topaz except for the
dyeing of water worn pebbles in indigo dye pots.
Typically, colorless or pale-colored topaz is heated to 200 to 300 degrees centigrade for several hours. The
longer the stone is heated the deeper the color change will occur in the stone. The stones will turn to a
yellow to brownish green to a dark brown color. These colors however are not stable and will eventually
fade to clear unless the stones are irradiated. The irradiation process essentially eliminates the yellowbrown and green colors and leaves a stable blue color which will not fade unless subjected to temperatures
of 500 to 600 degrees centigrade.
Topaz is irradiated by one of three energy sources: gamma rays from the mass 60 isotope of cobalt (Co60), high-energy electrons from linear accelerators, and neutrons from nuclear reactors. Gamma irradiation
is the most common and least energy costly method. The other sources of irradiation can produce deeper
blues, however, they are very energy consumptive and in the case of neutron irradiation, most often
unavailable to commercial interests. Gamma cell devices are commercially available, require little upkeep
and continuously produce rays over many years as the Co-60 slowly decays. The gamma rays penetrate
the stone very deeply and produce uniform coloration if the stone is uniform. What little heat is generated
by the exposure to Co-60 is distributed uniformly throughout the stone which significantly reduces the
chance of cracking the gem material. The heat generated is a function of the time of exposure and the
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dosage of the radiation source. Cracking will usually be prevented if the dose is kept to less than 5megarads per hour. The longer the topaz is exposed to the gamma source the deeper the blue can be
obtained. However, the typical light blue color is the most often seen result of gamma exposure. The
cooling down time for gamma irradiation is on the order of several weeks to several months as opposed to
electron or neutron irradiation which may take up to a year and a half to cool down to safe handling levels.
Irradiated topaz is so common that it is one of the only gemstone that is consistently checked at U.S.
Customs for excess radiation.
Unfortunately, other irradiated stones have been allowed to enter the U.S. simply because Customs has
not been aware of the massive abuse of irradiation with other gemstones in foreign countries that do not
properly control their irradiation sources. AD in all, topaz is one of our least expensive precious gems that is
still in high demand because of its intrinsic and enhanced beauty.
SILVER SOLDERING TIPS
by Terry Vasseur from The Rockatier, 3/97 (3rd Place, 1997 AFMS Adult Article Contest)
It's been less than a year since I picked up a torch and made my first attempt to silver solder. I was
successful--one of the best sterling bezel-on-sterling sheet jobs I've made to date. The outcome was a
combination of beginner's luck and good preparation. The solder joint was clean and flush, held together
with soft iron binding, wire and well fluxed. In short, it was textbook preparation.
In the beginning, I used a propane torch, the kind a lumber might use to "sweat" a joint or a handyman
might use to remove old paint. When you tilted it over the work piece, it would flare up and sputter. It made
me nervous when it did that. It was hard enough trying to concentrate on all the stuff you were supposed to
be aware of when soldering. What if the darn thing went out in the middle of the job?" Since then, I have
purchase another propane torch that was designed specifically for silver work. It has the nozzle (the
working end) at the end of a flexible hose. This torch is designed to produce a larger flame, it doesn't cost a
lot of money, and you can direct the flame in any direction or angle without causing it to sputter or flare up. I
now use this one for most of my work. I also have another propane torch with a pencil tip size flame which
was purchased at a local hardware store. It got me into trouble more than once until I figured out that the
flame just wasn't big enough for most of my jobs. It works best on fine wire work where there is less silver
mass to draw away the heat.
From my own experience and talking to other beginners, first time soldering is a stressful and a mysterious
process You put the torch flame on the piece you want soldered and hope and pray for the best.
Sometimes you are successful, and other times you fail, often catastrophically. Well, it doesn't have to be
that way. You can get to the point where you are as confident silver soldering as you are getting behind the
wheel of your car. (Remember when that was threatening?)
First of all, you need to understand what is actually going to happen in the solder process. Silver soldering
is not welding. You are not melting two pieces of silver together (if, however, enough heat is applied you
will reach this point but will not be happy with the outcome!) When you silver solder two pieces together you
are raising the temperature of the two pieces sufficiently to cause a small piece of silver solder to melt and
flow into the minute gap between them. In order for this to happen properly, the gap between the two
pieces of silver needs to be very small and clean. Melted solder will not fill a large gap no matter how hard
you try. We have all probably read this in a book sometime, but as beginners, will invariably try until we
June 2001
have proven it to ourselves repeatedly.
There are many techniques you can use to control the gap, most of which consist of some mechanical
means of holding the thing together while you solder it. Any book on soldering will show you what that is all
about. Beyond that, it will be up to your own imagination and untapped engineering skills to devise a
solution to each problem you encounter.
Here is a little tip I've been using to solder bezels that I haven't seen in any of the books I've read. Anyone
who has soldered a thin, fine silver bezel to a thin 24 gauge sheet of sterling, silver knows how hard it is to
hold the darn thing flush with the sheet all the way around the bezel ring and keep the ends of the bezel
tightly together at the same time. This is what I've done with repeated success: First, I wrap the bezel
around the stone, cut it to size and file it until it will wrap tightly around the stone and meet end-to-end
neatly. This is one of those points where the craftsman and the artist are separated. (One will accept -good
enough for government work" while the other will seek perfection.) I secure it with a loop of binding wire and
twist it tight. Nothing, new or innovative here. Yes, patience and some finger dexterity are required. You
should be able to slip the stone out now without disturbing the bezel loop and it should retain the outline of
the stone. In the next step the bezel loop is secured to the flat sheet with three or more loops of binding
wire which will hold it flush with the backing sheet. (Now for the innovation.) I have found that frequently
these wires will have a tendency to move and loosen up on me when I'm fiddling with one or another. This
is particularly true if the sterling, sheet is dimensionally irregular. I have prevented this from happening by
filing little notches in the sterling sheet that hold the binding wires in place. If you have done the job
properly, you shouldn't be able to see any daylight between the juncture of the bezel and sheet, and the
whole assembly will be mechanically stable enough to handle.
Now it's just a matter of cleaning and fluxing. I often will use a little fine steel wool to brighten up the solder
side of the sterling sheet prior to assembly and subsequently clean off the debris and finger oils with a little
acetone. It may not be necessary, but as a rule, I will clean the joint to be soldered with a small paint brush
and acetone again just prior to soldering. Flux the joint and place the solder snippets. Remember, as the
books all say, use solder sparingly or you will end up with unsightly globs that you will have to clean up
later. As to what type of solder to use, a lot of people recommend medium for almost everything. As a
beginner, medium will probably do the job and keep you out of trouble. Make sure one solder snippet lies
near the bezel-to-bezel juncture.
Now you are ready for the torch. Probably the best way to do this job is by applying heat from the
underside. When silver soldering, you want to heat the larger silver mass to be joined. You are going to
need a pretty fair amount of heat depending on the size of the piece. This is going to be a judgment call
based on experience. Basically, you want to begin by warming the piece. The first thing you will notice is
that the flux will begin to boil. You want to go slowly here because a violent boil-off will throw your tiny
solder snippets all over the place. You will need something to push any solder snippets that move back
against the bezel/sheet juncture. After the boil-off is complete, the flux will begin to glaze. Now you can
bring your flame in and apply more heat. Remember to keep the flame moving around the bottom of the
piece. The object is to bring the whole piece up in temperature at the same time. You will now begin to
notice that the piece, particularly the bottom, will start to turn a dull red glow. The books will say you can
judge the temperature by the color and that's undoubtedly true, but as a beginner you are probably not
going to be capable of dealing with that kind of subtlety. (Talk about modern fighter pilots being
overwhelmed with information!) Common sense should tell you that if it starts getting brighter and brighter
you are headed for trouble and it is time to back off a little. I like to solder with subdued lighting so that the
slowing metal is clearly visible, but not so dark that I cannot see my solder snippets.
June 2001
By this time, you are at the point where one or more of your solder snippets will have melted and
disappeared into the joint. Again, the books will say, you can draw the melting solder around the joint with
the flame, and that's also true, but as a beginner you are probably better off concentrating on keeping the
flame moving. What you can do is adjust your movements more toward any snippets that haven't yet
melted. Once the last snippet has melted, remove the flame. If it turns out that there is an area that didn't
get soldered, there is a way of resoldering it later, but for now, that is all you can do.
I hope these techniques will prove to be as fruitful for you as they have for me. Happy soldering.
September 2001
Volume 54, Number 8
September, 2001
IN THIS ISSUE
Thank You Arlington!
AFMS Scholarship Foundation Honorary Award Winners -2001
A Buzz From the Prez
Club Leadership
Wow! What A Week! What A Show!
Junior Activities
Scholarship Foundation Students Recognized
Safety - Digging Away
The Lewis & Clark Expedition Bicentennial - An Exciting Project
Loud & Clear
AFMS Club Rockhound of Year
Recycle Unwanted Videos
AFMS Competitive Exhibit Results
AFMS Editors Awards Announced At Arlington
Prize Winning Articles
From Your Historian
Seen Any Good Programs Lately?
What to Do if Your Purse or Wallet is Stolen
Rockhound & Lapidary Hall of Fame
All-American Awards Presented
September 2001
Endowment Raffle
THANK YOU ARLINGTON!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
For a wonderful show, terrific arrangements , new friendships we made and a million other things.
AFMS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION HONORARY AWARD
WINNERS - 2001
by Louellen Montgomery, AFMS Scholarship Foundation President
The 2001 Honorary Award winners for the AFMS Scholarship Foundation have been selected by their
respective regional federations. These Honorees have been chosen for their outstanding contributions to
our hobby and to the Earth Science field. Each one will assist in the selection of two graduate students who
are pursuing their advanced degrees in a branch of the Earth Sciences. Grants for each student will be
provided by the Foundation in the amount of $2,000.00 per year for the school years 2001-02 and 2002-03.
A total of 194 individuals have been named for this Award from the AFMS Scholarship Foundation since
the first award was given in 1965. Scholarship grants have been issued to 404 students to date.
The Officers and Directors of the AFMS Scholarship Foundation are pleased to confirm the selection of
these Honorary Award winners for 2001.
Dr. Gary L. Peterson, Professor of Geology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
Dr. Peterson received his B.A. in Geology at the University of Colorado, Boulder; both his M.S. and Ph.D.
degrees in Geology at the University of Washington, Seattle. He has been on the faculty of San Diego
State University since 1963 as a Professor of Geology. Becoming interested in the field of Planetary
Geology, he has set up a web site announcing a speaker service on that subject. He has given many talks
on this subject to several clubs in the San Diego County area. One of his programs is titled "Exploring the
Martian Desert".
Eastern Federation:
Marc L. Wilson, Head, Mineral Section, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
September 2001
A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Marc L. Wilson determined to follow a career in the Earth Sciences at the
age of 5 years. He received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geology/Mineralogy at Michigan Tech
University, Houghton. The author of numerous publications, he is affiliated with several professional
organizations and is also a Consulting Editor for Rocks and Minerals magazine. He currently is the
Collections Manager and Head of the Section of Minerals at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, a
position he has held since 1992. His responsibilities there include: specimen acquisition and identification,
coordinating the public outreach of this Section, including lectures, special exhibits for gem and mineral
shows, and managing all aspects of business activities for the Section.
Midwest Federation:
Anne and Dr. William R. Cook, Mineral collectors, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Anne and "Bill" need no introduction to many of the members of the AFMS. Anne has served as President
of the Midwest Federation, and currently is the Eligibility Files Chairman for the AFMS Uniform Rules
Committee. She has also served as the Parliamentarian for the AFMS meetings for several years. Bill holds
a Ph.D. degree in Mineralogy from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. They both are
active in amateur mineralogy, and have been for over 30 years. They are founding members of both the
Mineralogical Society of Cleveland and the Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural
History. Their competitive exhibits of minerals have won numerous Regional and National trophies.
Dr. H. Peter Knudsen, Professor, Dean, School of Mines and Engineering, Montana Tech University,
Butte, Montana.
Dr. Knudsen received his B.S. in Geological Engineering at Montana Tech University, Butte, and both his
M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mining Engineering at the University of Arizona, Tucson. While in Tucson, he
held elective offices in the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, serving as its president in 1981. His interest in
rock collecting began when he found a septarian nodule filled with barite crystals while on a field trip as a
Junior member of the Arrowhead Mineral Club in Great Falls, Montana. He still enjoys field collecting of
fossils, minerals, and gem materials. A member of the faculty at Montana Tech since 1981, he has been
Chair of the Mining Department and the Department of Geological Engineering. Currently, he is the Dean of
the School of Mines and Engineering.
Lawrence H. Skelton, Geologist, Kansas Geological Survey, Wichita, Kansas
A native of Evansville, Indiana, Mr. Skelton received his B.A. in Geology at Indiana University, Bloomington.
A member of the U.S. Air Force, his association with petroleum logistics carried him to 11 different
assignments, 5 years of which were in Southeast Asia. Retiring from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel,
he has been associated with the Kansas Geological Survey as the Wichita Branch Manager. He holds a
M.B.A. degree from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, and a M.S. degree in Geology from Wichita
State University. He has completed Gemological Institute of America courses in appraising and grading
diamonds and colored gems. A member of several scientific, patriotic and genealogical societies, he finds
September 2001
time to share his knowledge with the presentation of a variety of programs, and the judging of 4-H Geology
exhibits at both State and County Fairs.
Dr. Merlynd Nestell, Professor, mathematics and Geology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington,
Texas.
Born in Fletcher, North Carolina, Dr. Nestell received his B.A. in Mathematics and Physics at Andrews
University; his M.A. in Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin; and his Ph.D. in Mathematics and
Geology at Oregon State University, Corvallis. Later he received an M.A.. degree in Geology at Princeton
University. Joining the faculty at the University of Texas at Arlington in 1969, currently he shares his time as
a Professor of Mathematics and Geology in both Departments. His list of publications is very lengthy and
he has received many honors, twice receiving the College of Science Teacher of the Year Award, among
others. His travels in connection with his geological field work has taken him to many foreign countries all
over the world.
from Isabella Burns, AFMS President
THINGS ARE BUZZING!
There was much buzzing at these Federation Shows and Conventions - Rocky
Mountain Federation in Roswell, New Mexico; California Federation in Pasa
Robles, California; Eastern Federation in Syracuse, New York; and of course
American Federation and South Central Federation in Arlington, Texas. The
shows have had great displays - Roswell the state displays were special;
Arlington had great club member displays including one members ninetieth birthday display (what one
person can collect and accomplish in time). That Arlington Gem and Mineral Club House was a treat for all
to enjoy even though it was not yet completed - a huge meeting room for our Cracker Barrel, and other
festivities, a kitchen, a saw room, a polishing room, library, casting room, etc. Made you want to fly to
Arlington to use their workshop. California - you would think that we had seen it all, but Bill got excited
when we drove by Templeton, where he had collected biconoids, a rare fossil, and they had some on
display at the show. Eastern Federation theme was "A Touch of Gold", for Gem & Mineral Society of
Syracuse's fifty year anniversary. I think Bob Livingston and his friends have a Midas touch. A Gold Exhibit
from the Harvard Museum and Smithsonian and an exhibit from the Carnegie Museum and many more that
made you want not to leave the area.
At Cracker Barrels and Meetings people were buzzing about many topics, but the one that seems to be on
most people's minds is the closing of collecting areas. In the west it is how to protect endangered species
and keep areas where we collect open. In some areas construction and other uses of land have closed
collecting sites. Everyone is seeking answers. The AFMS voted to give $2000.00 to ALAA to help them with
issues and to write a policy for use of public land and private land. This will not solve all of the problems.
The increase in population has made a need for more land for private use and is leaving less available for
our recreation. The Banquet speaker in Arlington, Charles Finsley, retired Curator of the Dallas Museum of
September 2001
Natural History, stated people go the Tucson Show, purchase the popular material from overseas and think
they are rock collectors, but the real thing is to be in the field. The speaker at the Syracuse Banquet, Carl
Francis, Curator of the Harvard University Mineralogical Museum stated there is nothing like learning in the
field. We who have collected in the field need to share our material and be sure that we display them.
There is a need for geology, mineral and/or fossil journeys where we show where material has been
collected and the type that was collected.
You may have heard some buzz about The AFMS Directors voting for us to work with the National Lewis
and Clark Bicentennial Council in 2004 to 2006 by providing information about the geology, paleontology
and mineralogy along the Trail. Brenda Hankins, a very articulate and enthusiastic woman, from Mississippi
will be the leader of this project. She would love to back pack the trip to see the rocks, minerals, fossils,
gems, and geological formations along the way; before writing a brochure for us about the trip. That is an
enormous task for one person: therefore we want to invite you who live along or near the trail to give her a
vicarious experience of the earth science where Lewis and Clark and their men walked. As we progress on
this program you'll hear more about it. We hope to include each of our seven Federations in this project.
We will need researchers, promoters, editors, and many good women and men to help with this enormous
undertaking. If you wish to volunteer, let me know.
I have been buzzing about collecting pennies. This being the year that we will present our millionth dollar in
AFMS Scholarships and as our profit from our investments are not producing the high yield that they were, I
decided to collect a million pennies, $10,000.00, for the scholarship fund in honor of Luellen Montgomery,
who is retiring after 18 years, as president of the AFMS Scholarship Foundation. My Honey Bee built me a
portable wishing well and we have taken it to every show and had collected about 15,000 pennies at each
show. When I presented the idea to the Eastern Federation, my friend, Carolyn, said "I challenge you to
collect over 170 pounds of pennies so lzzie will have to pay for the excess weight since she is flying." Well
they took the challenge and we collected $680.00 which would weigh 340 pounds. (Fortunately, most of
that was in paper money and checks). The Gem and Mineral Society of Syracuse surprised me with a
check for $500.00 for the AFMS Scholarship Fund. A big THANK YOU to them. At present I have collected
the equivalent of 137,810 pennies. I will take other coins, bills or checks. If each of our 53,000 members
would give 20 pennies we would reach our goal and help our scholarship program. Now that is news that I
hope will be a buzzed at every club meeting in the federation.
Many other topics were discussed in workshops, at cracker barrels and over breakfast or other meals.
Some of those were: What should be placed on Websites and should clubs have Websites? Attendance at
shows has been improved by presenting a special exhibit or by having another hobby group join your show
Example, Quilting group, model trains, etc. or giving special invitations to groups such as ethnic groups,
companies, etc. Membership and attendance at meetings has been increased by good programs; by e-mail
notification of meeting night and program, or by phone calls.
It has been great doing the liaison work for the Federations, An opportunity to see friends from previous
shows and to meet new people. To learn what is happening around the federations and have an
opportunity to explain AFMS programs. If a show and convention is near you, don't miss the opportunity,
buzz over to that show and enjoy it. Meeting members from other societies is the greatest way to learn
more about our recreation. You might even learn how to shoe shine polish cabochons.
MID-YEAR EXAMINATION & REFLECTION
September 2001
from Steve Weinberger, AFMS President-elect
When we think about how various clubs operate, we tend to separate the clubs into
two categories: those that function well and those that don't. We also want our clubs
to be in the former group.
The one factor which enables clubs to be successful is the leadership of its officers.
Leadership qualities can take the form of people skills, organizational skills, or
special insights into the workings of groups. Very few people are gifted with all three
of these (they probably also win the lotto every week and live at the end of a
rainbow.) However, if a leader is aware of his or her strengths and can capitalize on
them, the job of running a club can be an enjoyable one for all.
Everyone has strengths! If you are good at organization you can plan just what has to be done and when,
then set up your schedule, allow the proper people to take charge of the various activities, and all should
fall nicely into place. If your strength is people skills, make someone with the organizational ability your
close assistant. In this way, you can motivate individuals to do all kinds of jobs, and keep everything on
track time-wise.
Using the strengths which you have might be something new for you, but it will allow you to grow in ability
and confidence. The benefits to you and your club become synergistic. There is one more factor which I
have not mentioned and that is of an awareness that the good leader must have. You must read and
assimilate all information necessary to do your job well. This means that reading federation newsletters,
answering requests from the community for information, and informing your members of all important
happening are all things that have to be a part of your schedule.
Finally, the last important job of a leader is to be there pitching in when things have to be done. You cannot
just delegate in January and expect things to be done all year. You must interact with committee chairmen
and other officers throughout the year. Since the president is an ex-officio member of most committees, by
helping with these committees you have a perfect way to stay informed and to insure that things are going
well.
Too many people are afraid to take on the job of club president because they fear that the job will be
overwhelming. If you remember that you do not need all possible skills to do well, but rather can focus on
those that you can do effectively, you will find that leadership can be a learned behavior, and one that you
just might even enjoy.
WOW! WHAT A WEEK! WHAT A SHOW!
by Joyce Speed
As I have been reflecting all the events of the 2001 'A Gem Odyssey' the right words to express our thanks
to all of you from all Federations that attended the Convention and Show are beyond me. The simplest of
all, a huge THANK YOU says it best. The Arlington Club thanks all of you for your kind notes and emails
expressing your appreciation, words of a good time, field trip successes and much more. Those mean the
most to all of us. As we tried to relate at each gathering, the friends you make at a AFMS Convention and
Show are unmeasureable. That's what it's all about! Sharing and communication with those in our beloved
September 2001
hobby in the love of the Earth. We hope to renew friendships at Port Townsend next July and shows in
between.
The Convention and Show was a success and we thank all of you for that and your support. The 2001
Convention and Show could not have happened without you! All events went as planned. Several meetings
were added after the schedule was published before the show. A Webmaster meeting and ALAA meeting
were added on Friday. Izzie also held and impromptu meeting Thursday afternoon of the Seven Federation
Presidents and some officers to discuss ways we could help each other and other concerns. This meeting
was very informative. More sharing! Many friends were made at the many meals and parties held during
the week. Friendships always develop over good food and we had more than our share!
Since I am also the President of the SCFMS, I have challenged the 41 Clubs in the SCFMS to help Izzie
raise the 1,000,000 pennies for her Wishing Well. Izzie made the proposal at the AFMS meeting in order to
raise $10,000 for the AFMS Scholarship Foundation. This idea is wonderful and should be a great way to
help offset lost revenue money in the Stock Market downturn. Let's all toss 20 pennies or more in her
Wishing Well!
Thanks again for making the 2001 'A Gem Odyssey' held June 11-17, 2001 in Arlington, TX a magnificent
success.
JUNIOR ACTIVITIES
by Kathy & Bob Miller, Co-Chairs
We had a great time at the AFMS Convention in Arlington, TX. The show facilities were excellent and our
Junior Booth was huge. We also had the pleasure of a junior that volunteered his help all four days of the
show. Our only disappointment was the lack of children. We took into consideration that Six Flags
Amusement Park, a water park and the famous Rangers baseball stadium surrounded the convention
center. This is the first time we have ever had to bring material home.
We were able to speak with many people who shared with us helpful constructive ideas to use for juniors
and also met many AFMS members whom we only knew by name but not in person. Several folks donated
material that was given out, with the remaining for the next convention.
The Lillian Turner Award ($100 Bond), was not presented this year to a Junior with a competitive case (see
the AFMS June Newsletter), because of lack of junior entries. There is still adequate time to start preparing
an exhibit for next year in Port Townsend, WA, July 18-21. Encourage juniors in your Federations to work
for this national award.
Does your Federation have any clubs with juniors working on a project(s) that might be of interest to other
regional clubs? AFMS Newsletter Editor Carolyn Weinberger, has invited us to submit articles on Junior
Projects for the AFMS Newsletter to share with all the Federations; another way of "Junior Communicating."
Send your project(s) articles to either Carolyn or us.
We are pleased to announce that the week before leaving for the AFMS Convention, two more clubs
applied for Future Rockhounds of America membership. We know have 16 clubs and 247 members
throughout the United States. These juniors are the future of our hobby, let's keep it building!
September 2001
SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION STUDENTS RECOGNIZED
Students receiving AFMS Scholarship Foundation grants for the school year 2000 - 2001 were selected by
the Honorary Award Winners from six Regional Federations. Each grant is for $2,000.00 per year for two
years. Thus far, 404 students have received grants from the Foundation since the first grant for $300.00
was issued in 1965, for a total of $968,650.00. The generous contributions received from the AFMS
affiliated Societies and their members have made this possible.
Following is a list of the students receiving scholarship grants from the Foundation for the 2000 - 2001
school year.
Marcus Origlieri received his B.S. in Chemistry at the Univ. of California, San Diego. Now a student at the
Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, he is working on his Ph.D in Mineralogy with emphasis on crystallography.
Joel A. Bartsch is attending Rice Univ., Houston, Texas, where he is studying for his Ph.D in the History of
Crystallography. Joel has served as Curator at the Lyman Gem & Mineral Museum, Hilo, Hawaii; at the
California State Mineral Museum in Mariposa; and currently is the Curator of Gems and Minerals at the
Houston Museum of Science.
Jason D. Mayfield, one of the 1999-2000 students, is continuing his work for his Ph.D. in Geology at the
Univ. of California, Davis. David B. Root is receiving the second year of the grant to Murray Lee Eiland and
works for his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences at the Univ. of California, Santa Barbara.
Eastern Federation
Sony Yang is working on his Ph.D. in Geosciences at Pennsylvania State Univ., Univ. Park, where he is
performing crystallographic and microstructural analyses of selected gem minerals.
Carrie Wright is pursuing a M.S. degree in Mineralogy and GIA certification in gemology at Miami Univ.,
Oxford, Ohio. Her future plans involve advanced research in gemology.
The 1999-2000 students, Daniel Lee Zeltner and Thomas Mack Park continue their studies for their M.S.
degrees in Geology at Auburn Univ., Auburn, Alabama.
Midwest Federation
Jeffrey M. Schwartz received his B.S. in Geological Sciences at the Univ. of Washington, Seattle, where
he continues work for his M.S. in Geological Sciences with a focus in igneous petrology.
Robert Graves received his B.S. in Geology at Michigan Technical Univ., Houghton, and is working on his
September 2001
M.S. in Economic Geology at the Univ. of Nevada, Reno. He plans to continue working in the mining
industry.
At Kent Univ., Kent, Ohio, the 1999-2000 students, Matthew R. Miller and Bonnie Muller, continue work
on their M.S. degrees in Geology.
Gregory A. Balco received his B.A. in Geology at Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts; his M.S.
in Geological Sciences at the Univ. of Maine, Orono; and is currently working on his Ph.D. in Geological
Sciences at the Univ. of Washington, Seattle. His research includes Quaternary stratigraphy, quantitative
geomorphology, cosmogenic-isotope geochemistry, and GIS applications in Geology.
Erika Harnett received her B.S. in Math and Physics, her M.S. in Physics, both at the Univ. of Washington,
Seattle, where she continues her studies for her Ph.D. in Geophysics. Her current research project
concerns the numerical simulations of space plasmas interacting with localized magnetic anomalies.
Karel Tracy is receiving the second year of his 199-2000 grant as he continues work on his M.S. in
Geology at Western Washington State Univ., Bellingham. The other 1999-2000 grant remains to be granted
to a student. The 1998-1999 students receiving the second year of their grants are Melissa V. Connely,
working on her M.S. in Vertebrate Paleontology at Utah State Univ., Logan, and Vickie Rae Clouse,
working on her M.S. in Biological Science and Paleontology at Montana State Univ., Northern, Havre.
Naila Moreira received her B.A. in Geology at Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts and is working
on her Ph.D. in Geology at the Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In her graduate studies she is pursuing a
further understanding of aqueous geo-chemical cycles affecting nutrients and carbon in natural water
systems.
Nathan Onderdonk received his B.S. in Physicas at Principia College, Elsah, Illinois; his M.A. in Geology
at the Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, where he is working on his Ph.D. in Geology. His field study is on
the deformation associated with rotation of crustal blocks about a vertical area.
Seth H. Mueller, one of the 1999-2000 students, continues work on his M.S. in Geochemistry at the Univ.
of Colorado at Boulder. Eric Anderson received the second year of the grant to Daniel P. Miggins and is
working on his M.S. in Geology, with emphasis on Economic Geology, also at the Univ. of Colorado at
Boulder.
Thomas E. Macrini received his B.A. in Biology at Washington Univ., St. Louis, Missouri; is completing his
M.S. in Vertebrate Paleontology at the Univ. of Texas, Austin, and continues work for his Ph.D. in
Vertebrate Paleontology there. His research project continues to be concerned with synapsid systematics,
e.g. how these animals are related evolutionarily.
September 2001
Dragana Nebrigic received her B.S. in Geosciences at the Univ. of Texas at Dallas, where she continues
her studies for her M.S, degree. She is researching a microfossil study of the Eagle Ford Shale and Austin
Chalk formations in the North Texas area.
The 1999-2000 students, Richard A. Ashmore and Matthew C. Miller, continue their studies for their M.S.
degrees at Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, with Richard's in Geosciences and Matthew's in Geology.
DIGGING AWAY
There you are. Happily digging away in a dirt bank. Or, happily climbing and digging in a waste pile. Or,
going for China as you dig deeper and deeper looking for the big bragging find. (Just a little deeper. The big
find might be down just a little more.)
Suddenly, the bank collapses - or, the pile slides and carries you down and maybe covers you - or, the
sides of your deep hole collapse and bury you. To those brave souls who venture into mines, add, the sides
collapse, and the roof falls.
How do you protect yourself?
First understand the collapse is predictable. Anything that can be piled up can come down. Some things like the waste pile, collapse easily. Others, like the mine wall, are harder to start down. The deciding factor
is a thing called the angle of recline. (No, nothing to do with how far you tilt your easy chair.) What the
angle says is that any pile subject to the action of gravity has a critical angle. If the pile's angle with the
ground is above that angle, the pile collapses. If the angle is below that angle, the pile is stable. So, when
you look at a road cut, the angles on the sides aren't what the contractor decided was handy. They are set
by the dirt's angle of repose with a safety factor added. A pile of marbles has a very small critical angle
(almost 0º). A stone bluff has a very high critical angle (almost 90º)
In EVERY one of the places mentioned above, the angle of repose will be passed and collapse depends
only on something to get it started. It may take only one more shovel full or another foothold dug in or
someone wandering by. If you're lucky, it won't happen. But, it is only luck protecting you.
So, whenever you are digging, keep safety in mind and take steps to protect yourself from harm if things let
go around or from under you.
THE LEWIS & CLARK EXPEDITION BICENTENNIAL - AN
EXCITING PROJECT
by Brenda Hankins, AFMS Chair
On May 14, 2004, the United States will celebrate the bicentennial of an event that changed the course of
our history and changed the history of the world. The event to be celebrated is the beginning of the Lewis
and Clark expedition.
September 2001
It all started with Thomas Jefferson, perhaps the greatest American visionary. Eleven days before his
inauguration in 1801, he sent a letter to Captain Meriwether Lewis stating that, as President, he needed a
personal secretary, "not only to aid in the private concerns of my household, but also to contribute to the
mass of information which it is interesting for the administration to acquire. Your knowledge of the western
country, of the army and of all its interests and relations has rendered it desirable that you should be
engaged in that office."
In Jefferson's first inaugural address a few days later, he reinforced the motive behind Lewis' appointment
as he told America of the importance of the western lands and planted the seed of manifest destiny that
awaited this country.
The 1804 expedition was the ultimate rockhound dream trip! Imagine your delight in being told that you are
to take a collecting trip from the mouth of the Missouri River near St. Louis and go all the way to the Pacific
Ocean. Basically, your agenda is to search for the Northwest Passage-an all-water route to the Pacific.
While you are doing that, generally make note of everything, including "… the soil and face of the country,
its growth and vegetable productions; the animals of the country generally, and especially those not known
in the U.S., the remains and accounts of any which may be deemed rare or extinct; the mineral productions
of every

details - Sterling Hill Super Dig

Transcription

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