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”

October 2006

This issue edited by Paul McKnight

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October Meeting is Monday the 9^th at 7 pm

Barbara Fenner will tell us about fluorescent minerals at the October meeting. Everyone is encouraged to bring some of their favorite rocks to the meeting to see how well they fluoresce. Bill Jaeger, who sells UV lamps, will also be there and will speak about the pros and cons of various types. He will have special prices on several types. Barbara will bring a special fluorescent rock as a door prize.

The October Field trip will be announced at the meeting. We have heard from some of the members that we need to go back to alternating between Saturday trips and Sunday trips, so please reserve Sunday, October 22 on your calendar as field trip day. Meet at the Sunsites Senior Center at 9 am.

As the election of our 2007 officers is scheduled for the November meeting, we will need to designate a nominations committee this month.

September Field Trip Report

Six cars containing 12 people made the trek to Duncan, Arizona on September 16^th for Opal. We bypassed Safford on the way up there by going through Solomon. There is a nice Mexican restaurant in Solomon. Several people stopped for lunch there on the way back. The opal lies on both sides of a road cut northwest of Duncan. It is a green to white eighteen-inch layer. The pieces that have been exposed to air for a long time are more brittle. The harder pieces have to be mined. Everybody brought back lots of Opal and a good time was had by all.

Dues are due. $10 for individual and $20 for family. Please mail your check to Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club, PO Box 87, Pearce, AZ 85625.

Upcoming Regional Events

October 14-15 32^nd Huachuca Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show. At the Elks Lodge on Willcox Avenue, Sierra Vista, AZ. This is one block from Buffalo Soldier Trail. Free admission & parking; live demonstrations, educational displays, rocks, jewelry, gems, minerals, fossils, equipment, lapidary supplies, field trips & more. Even food! Saturday 9-6, Sunday 9-4. Free parking, free admission. Contact Larry at 520-459-5211. fax 520 459-5211 hmgcshow@c2i2.com

October 14-15 9th annual Gem and Mineral Show sponsored by the Payson Rimstones Rock Club.

Gems, Minerals, Lapidary Arts, and Hand-crafted Jewelry. Dealers will display and sell a vast assortment of jewelry, chains, gems, findings, rough slabs, minerals, fossils, books, tools and supplies. Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10-4. Admission $3, Children under 12 free. At the Tonto Apache Reservation Recreation Center on Highway 87 next to the Mazatzal Casino in Payson, AZ

Club Officers for 2006

President Don Hammer 520 384-3105

Vice-President Paul McKnight 520 824-4054

Secretary Jeannine Paterson 520 826-1649

Treasurer Larry Edgett

Delegate at Large Sue Bishop 520-586-2312

Club Calendar

October

1 Board Meeting

9 Regular Meeting featuring fluorescent minerals by Barbara Fenner

21 Field Trip possibly an archaeological site

November

5 Board Meeting

13 Regular Meeting

18 Field Trip

December

3 Board Meeting

18 Christmas Party

Minutes of September 11, 2006 General Meeting

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by V.P. Paul McKnight; 11 members were present when the meeting began.

Secretary’s Report of May 8^th was accepted as printed.

Treasurer Larry Edgett reported a checkbook balance of $4,875.97. Report accepted as read.

VP Paul noted Jack Light has offered a booklet he had printed, “Geology for Rockhounds”, to the Club at a cost of $1.80. We could then sell the booklet for $3.00 for a Club profit of $1.20 per booklet. A Motion was made and seconded to purchase 8 booklets at a cost of $14.40. Additional booklets may be available at a later date. Prior to the vote, Larry S. suggested the lack of a quorum. A head count was taken, producing a total of 14 members currently present and the suggestion was withdrawn.

Discussion was held on when a Club Field Trip is officially over and members must leave the designated Trip Site.

Paul McKnight made a motion that: “The field trip leader will declare the official end of the trip. At that point all participants will proceed to the nearest public highway. No one shall go back to the site if the trip location was on private property. Anyone can return on their own if the field trip was on public property. Participants agree that they are on their own from the point when they reach the public highway and will not hold the club liable for anything that happens to them thereafter.” Motion was seconded and passed with one person dissenting.

Field Trip September 16^th to Duncan for Opal. Members to meet at Safeway parking lot in Willcox at 8:00 am. Please have gas tank filled before leaving and no stop is planned in Safford; distance one way is approx. 90 miles. Wear boots; bring eye protection, gloves, pail, hammer and chisel.

October Field Trip to be announced. Barbara Fenner to speak about fluorescent rocks.

Larry Strout announced his retirement a Lapidary leader.

Dick Yeager noted there is a conflict of meeting date in December. The December meeting will be 12/18/2006.

Larry Edgett introduced 3 guests – two females and one male Western Box Tortoise(s), explained their living and eating habits and how one can distinguish male from female – ask Larry!!

Bob Fenner gave a very interesting report on “Agate 2006” and displayed a variety of specimens they gathered. Barb encouraged everyone to try to attend for at least a day or two next year.

Larry Strout brought a very interesting video on Gemstones.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm and thanks to Paul’s forethought, we enjoyed light refreshments. Lucy Stevens and Diane Brower have agreed to bring refreshments for the October meeting.

Respectfully submitted, Jeannine Paterson, Secretary