nlfeb2008
The Cochise County Rock
Monthly Newsletter of the Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club
www.cochisecountyrock.org
“Finding and Grinding Rocks in Cochise County, Arizona since 1962”
February 2008
This issue edited by Debi Breese
_______________________________________________________________
January 14th Meeting
Sunsites Gem and Mineral Club General Meeting
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by President Don Hammer.
New members, Gail and Ron Smullins, Linda Gorton and Jody Dahlstrom, were acknowledged and welcomed.
Don asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting, as published. It was moved, seconded, and approved.
Walter gave the Treasurer's Report, a copy of which had gone to the Membership in the last Newsletter. Walter went over this year's budget, noting the changes the Board suggested from the 2007 budget. Current checking account balance stands at $1,716.09; the CD value stands at $3,104.17. The Treasurer's Report was approved.
The Audit Committee, given by Henri, reported no irregularities.
Don acknowledged the loss of Club Member, Sue Bishop. A sympathy card was made available for the Members to sign. It was announced that Henri purchased a rock and mineral related book, on behalf of the Club, to be donated to the Benson Public Library in Sue's name.
Don reminded Members of this month's field trip which will be on Sunday, the 27th. A sign-up sheet was available for those wanting to participate. The Club will go to Joy Valley to seek out fire agate and chalcedony. Bob and Barbara Fenner will lead this trip and bought samples of these rocks for the Members to see. Don announced that Ernie Blanden has invited Members to his home after the field trip to view his collection of rocks, and if interested, call Don.
Don noted: The need for Members to sign up to cover refreshments; Club dues to be paid to Walter no later than the end of March; if interested in going back to the Commonwealth Mine for an extra field trip, see Don: Jack Breese suffered some heart problems and was in the hospital; brochures for a Dinner Dance and copies of Sue Bishop's Memorial were on the front table.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m., followed by refreshments, and the rock raffle.
The program was "Finding Coronado's Route" presented by Mr. and Mrs. Hartmann.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Brower
Secretary
January Field Trip
The field trip on January 27 to Joy Valley for fire agate and chalcedony was postponed until February due to upcoming rain forecasts.
Reminder: 2008 Dues are delinquent after March 31
Lapidary and Silversmith
Classes
Come and join the fun for lapidary, silversmith, and wire wrap lessons. Interested? Call Irvin Pontious for lapidary at 824-0110. Silversmith - call Don Hammer 384-3105. Wire Wrap - call Larry Strout 826-3991.
February Meeting: We’ll be showing a Lapidary video. It will be of interest to all our lapidary lovers, and those who would like to learn.
Club Calendar
January February
27 Field Trip - Postponed 11 Monthly Mtg
31 Board Meeting 16 Field Trip
28 Board Meeting
March April
10 Regular Meeting 3 Board Meeting
16 Field Trip 14 Monthly Mtg 19 Field Trip
May June
1 Board Meeting 7 Picnic
12 Monthly Meeting
18 Field Trip
29 Board Meeting
Upcoming Regional Events
Tucson: Tucson Gem Show, February 2 – 17 http://www.visittucson.org/visitor/events/gemshow/
Deming NM: March 6-9, 2008. Deming Gem & Mineral Society, 43rd annual Rockhound Roundup. Rocks, gems, minerals, geode cutting, auctions, guided field trips. 505.544.8643 www.dgms.bravehost.com
Cottonwood: March 21-23; 32nd Annual Verde Valley Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show Held at Mingus Union High School, 1801 Fir St, Cottonwood AZ. Display, Silent auctions, Raffles, exhibits, jewelry & lapidary dealers and supplies, fluorescent display, kid's activities. Hours: Fri & Sat 9 AM- 5 PM, Sun 10 AM - 4 PM Admission: Fri $1, Sat & Sun $3, 3-day pass $5. Parking: Free. Contact: Doug Evenson 928-634-0459, dougevenson@verdecomm.net, Mike Ramsey 928-634-0666 ramsey6264@yahoo.com
Some Arizona Gem & Mineral Clubs (from RMFMS.org)
New Mexico:
P.O. Box 13718, Albuquerque, NM 87192-3718 Pres: Susan Seymour, (505) 877-3621; suzannerox5@aol.com
Carlsbad: Road Runner Gem & Mineral Club: 1801 Solana Rd., Carlsbad, NM 88220; Meets 1st Monday, 7pm at Senior Recreation Center, 1112 N. Mesa; Pres: Frank Pierce, (505) 885-7676; e-mail: marynixon@valornet.com
Farmington: San Juan County Gem & Mineral Society: P. O. Box 1482; Farmington, NM 87499-1482; Meets 4th Tuesday, 7:30pm in Sun's Dining Room at San Juan College, 4601 College Blvd.; Pres: Duane Gustin, (505) 402-9742; dbgustin@msn.com
Las Cruces: Gem Crafters & Explorers Club:
P. O. Box 3091, Las Cruces, NM 88003; Meets 3rd Friday 6:30pm, (except July & Dec) at Breland Hall, room 189, NMSU Campus; Pres: LeRoy Unglaub, (505) 524-9497; pathfdr@zianet.com
P.O. Box 762, Los Alamos, NM 87544; Meets 3rd Tuesday, 7:30pm at Christian Church, 92 East Rd.; Pres: Joyce Guzik, (505) 672-0249; joy@lanl.gov
Roswell: P.O. Box 815, Roswell, NM 88203
Santa Fe Geological Society, Inc.: P. O. Box 1245, Sandia Park, NM 87047; Pres: Lee Winn, (505) 820-1085; e-mail: rwinn@cybermesa.com
Silver City: Grant County Rolling Stones Gem & Mineral Society: P.O. Box 1555, Silver City, NM 88062-1555; Meets 2nd Thursday, 6pm at Silver City Senior Center, 205 W. Victoria St.; Pres: B J Burch, (505) 388-4312; e-mail: mamafisch@aol.com
Truth or Consequences: Sierra Gem and Mineral Society: 813 Gold; Truth or Consequences, NM 87901; Pres: Leon Gorrell (505) 894-0559
Non-Affiliated Clubs for New Mexico
Clovis Gem & Mineral Society: 1587 BY 60-84, Clovis, NM 88101
Deming Gem & Mineral Society: P.O. Box 1459, Deming, NM 88031
Lordsburg: Rockamania Gem & Mineral Society: 208 Motel Dr., Lordsburg, NM 88045
Happy Valentines Day
Apache Creek, NM
“AGATE RENDEZVOUS 2008”
The “Chaparral Rockhounds” of Roswell, NM, would like to cordially invite all Rockhounds of all ages to “AGATE RENDEZVOUS 2008”, our annual ten-day, nine-night fieldtrip campout through the Labor Day weekend held at Apache Creek, New Mexico, from August 23RD to September 1ST, 2008. This is an “Inter-Federation Campout & Fieldtrip Event” for the whole family with the Rocky Mountain, California and the South Central Federations (and all other Federation who wish to attend).
We have very adventurous and interesting fieldtrips every day from 50 to 200 miles roundtrip from our base camp. Each day we leave at 8:30 AM with a picnic lunch to different areas in the region to collect a very wide variety of rocks, minerals and/or crystals that can include: Agate, Banded Agate, Blood Stone, Chalcedony, Crystalline, Flat Band Agate, Geodes, Golden Luna Agate, Hematite, Jasper, Lava’s, Luna Blue Agate, Obsidian, Plume Agate, Quartz Crystals, Red Luna Agate, Snowflake Agate and Thunder Eggs just to name only a few. A couple of our fieldtrips might be into the eastern portion Arizona along the state line. Several of the areas that we travel into, one will need a high-clearance or 4WD type vehicle. If you do not have this type of vehicle, don’t worry, someone would be happy to carpool with a little “$$$$” help for gas.
The very small town of Apache Creek is located in the central-western part of the state about 117 miles west of Socorro, NM, on NM-12 southwest of the small town of Datil, NM. Apache Creek campground, used as our base camp, was once a CCC Camp back in the 1930’s. It is a beautiful and tranquil camping area with tall majestic pine trees towering over the entire camp area for plenty of cool shade during the warm days of August. The area is large and spacious enough for the largest of RV’s to the smallest of pup tents and everything in between. Being a rustic camp area, there are no facilities, water or electricity, just one coed chemical toilet, so you must come prepared. There is no cost or camping fees at Apache Creek campground. The town of Apache Creek has one main structure in town, a small country store where one can buy the “very basics” and is where we get our spring water and take showers. The small town of Reserve is eleven miles to the southwest and has a grocery store, bank/ATM, garage/gas station and a small motel for anyone who does not want to campout. The majority of the time, Mother Nature cooperates. The weather in August has warm days in the upper 70’s to 80’s and cool nights in the 50’s with some possible 40’s and even 30’s. Occasionally, late summer thundershowers may wonder through the area to put a damper on things, so come prepared for the unexpected. The elevation of our base camp is about 6400 feet with day outings that can be up to 8500 to 9000 feet.
Every afternoon about 4:30 or 5:00 PM after a day of collecting, most of the rockhounds get together and have a happy hour to socialize and talk about the day’s findings. Then everyone has supper on their own around 6:00 PM. Afterwards, we sit around the campfire and tell TALL stories of old mining, prospecting and Rockhounding glory days. The nighttime skies at Apache Creek are breathtaking. With no light pollution, one can see millions of stars. So, if you have a good pair of binoculars or a telescope, be sure to bring them too for some spectacular stargazing. On both Saturday afternoons after returning from our outing, we all get together for our traditional “Apache Creek Group Photo” at 5:30 PM. Afterwards, we all get ready for our traditional potluck supper at 6:00 PM. Everyone makes their favorite camp dish and we share them while telling more stories around the campfire. On each Sunday morning at 8:00 AM, we will have a Rollin’ Rock Club meeting if we have enough folks interested.
Rockhounds that show up can camp-out anywhere from a couple of nights to the entire campout. Some just come for the last weekend to visit and see old friends. Some Rockhounds camp out for over two weeks. Everyone that comes always has a great time with all the camaraderie and collecting, and everyone ALWAYS go home several pounds heavier. Each year, it only gets better. We really hope that your club members can join us this year to make some new friends and really have some good old “Rockhounding Fun and Adventure.” For the last 10 years, we have averaged about 40 Rockhounds that have attended the campout from at least half a dozen states. Just the right size for a Rockhound get together. And folks, if you have any good unique swapping/trading material from your area, be sure to bring it. And in addition, if you have a CB Radio, be sure to bring it along. We use CB Channel 7 on all our fieldtrips. When you arrive at the campground, just look for the “White Framed Canopy”, that’s our HQ.
Saturday and Sunday on the last weekend are open days. For those not interested in going out rock collecting, there are several other things to see and do in the area:
New Mexico Bureau of Mines Mineral Museum is located in Socorro, NM on the campus of the New Mexico Bureau of Mines. The museum is one of the “Top Five Mineral Museums” in all of North America and well worth the trip.
Very Large Array (VLA) Radio Astronomy Telescope is where the movie “Contact” with Jodie Foster was filmed. If you are interested in Astronomy, you defiantly want to check this place out. They have a very interesting, informative and education Visitors Center.
Apache Creek South Mesa has some unique 600-year-old Petroglyphs located on the south side of the mesa. The site is only a two-mile roundtrip hike from the campground.
Catron County Fair in Reserve, NM is the place to be on the first weekend of the campout. On 25 August, the town will be having their County Fair with a Livestock Show, Arts & Crafts and a Rodeo.
Catron County Rock Show during the Labor Day weekend will be at the Reserve Fair Grounds. The local rock club will be having their Rock Show with an Open-Tailgate Rock Swap on Saturday. Bring your Rocks to buy, sale or trade.
Mogollon, NM is an old historic and famous ghost town in the Mogollon Mountains, Gila National Forest. There are Antique Shops, a very interesting Mining Museum, the “Mogollon Rock Shop”, the Old Theater and have lunch in the Old Town Café.
The Catwalk is a very beautiful, tranquil and scenic canyon for hiking. Therefore, if you love hiking, the Catwalk is for you. In addition, there are numerous places to go hiking throughout the Gila and Apache National Forests.
Silver City Gem and Mineral Show in Silver City, NM. The local club will be having their 24th annual 3-day show during the Labor Day weekend. It is only a two-hour drive south and the very beautiful and scenic landscape will make the trip a memorable one.
Lodging: For those folks who do not wish to camp out, or need electricity and water for their RV, there are the following alternatives. Be sure to make any reservations as early as possible due to Bow Hunting season for Elk, which starts on Monday the 1st. The rooms and RV spaces fill up fast.
The Bunk House Bed & Breakfast in Apache Creek is 505-533-6949.
Apache Creek RV located in nearby Cruzville is 505-533-6166. They have a Dump Station, Laundry, Propane & Showers.
Rode Inn Motel on Main Street in Reserve is 505-533-6661. They have Cable TV, Direct Dial Phones, Queen Beds and a Laundromat.
Dining: For those folks who wish to have a change of diet from camp food, there are the following alternatives.
BBQ Restaurant in Reserve
Ella's Café in Reserve
Little Adobe Café in Rancho Grande
The host for AGATE RENDEZVOUS is the Chaparral Rockhounds and is co-sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Rockhounds. If you are planning on coming to AGATE
RENDEZVOUS, please try to RSVP NLT the 20th of August. For any additional information about the Rendezvous, please contact Yonis Lone Eagle, RMFMS Vice President & New Mexico/Texas State Director at 505-860-2455 or via e-mail at: rockymountainrockhounds at yahoo dot com. All rockhounds that attend will abide by the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies “Code of Conduct”.
Agate Rendezvous 2008-Schedule of Fieldtrip Events
Depending on the number of rockhounds that show up, I might have to spit up the fieldtrips to two different ones a day. There would be two different sign-up sheets each evening.
Fri. the 22nd: Arrive and set up camp and sign-in.
Sat. the 23rd: Green and purple Fluorite near Gila, NM. Rock shop in Glenwood, NM. (New location) Potluck supper at 6pm back at camp.
Sun. the 24th: Agate, purple Bloodstone, Jasper and Petrified Wood near Red Hill, NM. (Old location)
Mon. the 25th: Golden Luna and White Banded Agate north of Luna, NM. (Old & new locations) Group supper at the Little Adobe Café in Rancho Grande at 5pm.
Tue. the 26th: Luna Blue Agate near Luna, NM. (Old & new locations)
Wed. the 27th: Multi-colored, flat-banded & snowflake Agate and Crystals near Turkey Park. (Old & new locations)
Thr. the 28th: Red Agate, Obsidian nuggets and Petrified Wood. Group supper at the BBQ Café in Reserve.
Fri. the 29th: Mogollon Ghost Town and Obsidian.
Sat. the 30th: Open day, Open Tail-Gate Rock Swap at the Catron County Fair grounds in support of the local Rock Show. Potluck supper at 6pm back at camp.
Sun the 31st: Open day, collect where you want or do what you want. Group supper at Ella’s Café in Reserve at 5pm.
Mon. the 1st: Pack up camp and head for home.
Club Officers for 2008
President Don Hammer 520 384-3105
Vice-President Henri Van den Bos 520 384-0288
Secretary Diane Brower 520 826-4672
Treasurer Walt Sigel 520-826-1009
Delegate at Large Jack Light 520-384-4774
Hospitality Coordinator Hanni Sigel 520-826-1009
Ex-Officio President Paul McKnight 520 824-4054
Happy Valentines Day
SUNSITES GEM AND MINERAL CLUB
P.O. Box 87
PEARCE, AZ 85625