www.cochisecountyrock.org
“Finding and Grinding Rocks in Cochise County, Arizona since 1967”
April 2009
This issue edited by Don Hammer
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The next General Meeting of the Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club is on Monday April 13 at 7 pm at the Sunsites Community Center. Jim Brower will bring a ½ hour DVD on “The Nature of Earth, an Introduction to Geology” by professor John J. Renton of the University of West Virginia including rock identification and analysis.
March 9, 2009 General Meeting Minutes
President, Paul McKnight, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Paul 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 which was approved.
Paul announced that the Board suggested extending Adelle Churchill’s membership for one year and placing a book on stained glass, one of Orville’s hobbies, in the Sunsites Public Library in his memory. It was moved, seconded, and approved by the membership.
New members, Julia Goins, Angela Beitling, and Laurie Smallwood were introduced.
Henri gave a report on the February field trip. Those attending found many pieces of chalcedony and fire agate. It was felt that they were some of the best specimens ever found and was recommended that we return in the future.
Don gave a report on the next field trip on March 28th, visiting the ancient Indian gardens, guided by Dr. Ware. We will meet at 9:30 at the Manor House Restaurant located 1/4 mile east of the US 191 and US 70 junction.
The speaker for the April meeting will feature James Callegary of the U.S. geological survey who has a powerful presentation. (to be confirmed)
Dues need to be paid this month.
This weekend of March 13-15, is the Deming Gem and Mineral Show.
Zoe mentioned that we need to begin planning for the Annual Picnic in June.
Paul thanked everyone for coming and entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 p.m. It was seconded and approved. Intermission followed, with refreshments provided by Helen Hobsen and Joan Hammer.
After the rock raffle Henri gave a very interesting and informative talk on the formation of quartz crystals and a survey of the various forms including agate and amethyst commonly found in our area.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Brower
Secretary
March Field Trip
Fifteen members and two guests assembled in the parking lot of the Manor House Restaurant in Safford at 9:30 on Saturday March 28 Led by John Ware, we drove to Bryce, AZ and climbed up on the bench in to the middle of an extensive series of rock fields. Dr. Ware explained how they were created and farmed and suggested that these rock fields might have been backups for the irrigated fields in the Gila Valley. During unusually high precipitation and river flows, the Indian’s irrigation canals were likely damaged and their crops failed in the valley. But abundant rainfall would have made the rock gardens more productive. We also found an extensive area of agave mounds just north of the rock grids and John explained that they most likely only grew agave up here. With a warm, windless day and a very interesting educational experience most of us didn’t leave until after 2 pm. Incidentally we found a few pieces of very nice brown/red jasper and we’ll need to do some scouting further north and nearer to the mountains to find the source. On Goggle Earth the grid pattern is quite obvious. Go to Bryce, AZ, find Morris Lane and follow the dirt road opposite Morris Lane to two loops in the road. Then go up on the bench with an Eye Altitude of about 4000’ and look directly north of the house. If you go east along the edge of the bench (at about 3000’) there are grid patterns for miles.
Ride Sharing
Anyone needing a ride or wanting to share for a Club event should attend the General Meeting and work out ride arrangements at the meeting.
April Field Trip
On Saturday April 18 meet at 8:30 am in the restaurant parking lot just east of the electrical substation near Mustang Mall (intersection of Highways 181 & 191). We will depart at 8:45 am for the site which is only a few miles south of there. Bring digging tools, water, lunch, sun protection, bags or pails and lawn chairs.
Lapidary and Silversmith Classes
Lapidary classes are in session on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Lapidary Room behind the Fire Station. Call Larry Strout at 826-3991 if you plan to attend. Larry is also teaching silver soldering, a prerequisite to silver smithing. Keith McRobert has resumed teaching silver smithing. Call Don Hammer at 384-3105. Come and join the fun of lapidary, silversmith, and wire wrap lessons. Interested, any questions? Wire Wrap - call Larry Strout 826-3991.
Dues
Dues are due. Bring your dues to the next meeting or mail your check to Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club, PO Box 87, Pearce, Arizona 85625. Unpaid members were dropped from the Club roster on March 31.
Club Calendar:
April
2 Board Meeting
13 General Meeting
18 Field Trip
30 Board Meeting
May
11 General Meeting
16 Field Trip
28 Board Meeting
June
6 Club Picnic
Upcoming Regional Events
April
4th–5th
Mohave County Gemstoners Annual Gem, Craft, and Mineral Show
Local Artisans, Dealers, Children’s Events
Club Displays, Silent Auction, Raffle prizes, Hourly Drawings
Kingman Academy of Learning
3419 Harrison
Kingman, AZ
Free admission Free Parking
For More info contact: Dave @ 928-692-3797 or Pete @ 928-565-4321 or visit www.gemstoners.org
President: Paul McKnight 520-824-4054
V.President:Henri van den Bos 520 384-0288
Secretary: Jim Brower 520 826-4672
Treasurer: Walter Sigel 520-826-1009
Delegate at Large: Larry Strout520-826-3991
Hospitality Coord: Zoe Schnabel 520-826-0100
Past President: Don Hammer 520 384-3105