nl2015May

Picnic time is here!

The Gem and Mineral Club picnic will be held in Dragoon, Saturday May 30th, beginning around 11:00am. Due to a more enthusiastic response at the last meeting, we have engaged the Dragoon Women's Club as a venue. This allows us a large indoor space in case of wind or uncomfortable heat.

The Women's Club has many chairs and tables, cooking and refrigerator appliances and restrooms. Anyone is welcome at Elliott's house to see the buildings or the horticulture and

he will also have minerals displayed.

We will have a platter of meat and tortillas for 20 people. We would like this to be a potluck picnic so, if possible, bring your favorite dish for all to enjoy.

The Women's Club is located on Johnson Rd. which leaves Dragoon Rd. just north of the railroad crossing, less than a quarter mile on the right. Elliott's place is just beyond on the left. Both are on a paved road. From the interstate, Johnson Rd. is the exit for The Thing and the road begins to the right of the developed area it is a dirt road almost to Dragoon, three miles.

Everyone, including guests, is welcome whether or not you signed up or bring food. We hope to see you there!

Elliott: 520-471-8820. Emhndrks@yahoo.com

Bette: 617-688-1474. Greeneworks@aol.com

Gem and Mineral Club Meeting May 11, 2015

Elliott opened the meeting promptly at 7pm. There were 21 members present.

First topic of discussion was the lack of a newsletter due to an emergency in Rhyna's family. Judy Bernard offered to send out an email to all the members of the minutes of the meeting and of upcoming events. We great fully accepted her kind offer.

Treasurer's report: Walter told us we had $3218.38.

Lapidary Lab update: Tony Crumly reported that he and his wife, Cyndee cleaned out the lab, raised the overhead lights, and put excess stuff in the loft. There is a problem with the doors to the lower cabinets-they don't seem to fit. Judy Bernard generously offered to pay someone to repair the problem for us. Tony will look into it. Hopefully it will be up and running by the September meeting. We all went out to see the work Tony and Cyndee had done. It really looked so much better.

Field Trip: Carl said we would be going to Courtland to look for bornite and crysachola and maybe some turquoise. We will meet at the jail in Old Pearce at 8:00am. Elliott explained the in the 1890s they found surface stringers and by 1909 large companies moved in and worked oxide ore which played out at 300'. The whole deposit was a half square mile wide. the railroad came in and the town grew to 2000 people. The post office closed in 1942 and the town virtually disappeared.

Picnic: a sign up sheet was passed around and 14 people signed up. Bette will be in touch with them as to what they want to bring for food. Everyone should bring a folding chair. It was decided the picnic should start at 11:00am and will be held in Elliott's yard.

Refreshments were supplied by Hanni, Wally, Laura, and Bette.