The Cochise County Rock
Monthly Newsletter of the Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club
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“Finding and Grinding Rocks in Cochise County, Arizona since 1965”
April 2011
This issue edited by Don Hammer
_____________________
The next General Meeting of the Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club is on Monday April 11, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the Sunsites Community Center. Our program will be Don Hammer showing us slides and telling us about the ghost towns of Gleeson and Courtland.
Minutes of the General Meeting
The Meeting began with a fascinating lecture and slide presentation by Glenn Minuth, who gave a survey of the paleontological and archaeological history of the San Pedro Valley. Mr. Minuth is a well known geomorphologist, who captivated members and visitors with the
depth of his knowledge and engaging teaching style. The San Pedro Valley contains some of the best sites in the country for finding and studying prehistoric fossils. Perhaps the best known site is Murry
Springs in southern Cochise County which is open to the public.
After intermission, Diane Dunn called the regular Business Meeting to order by welcoming new members and visitors.
The Minutes from the last Business Meeting and Treasurer's Report were accepted without discussion.
In discussing Field Trips, enthusiastic comments were made regarding
the last Field Trip to the Saint David area, a night time excursion, to observe rock flourescence. Several members brought black lights and all were able to see a variety of colorful flourescent shades.
Don Hammer announced that he was trying to obtain permission for the April Field Trip to the Courtland area and hopefully to the Gleason jail which has recently been restored.
Thank you to Joan Hammer, Helen Hobson and Cherie Robb for providing a delicious variety of refreshments for intermission.
The Meeting was closed following the raffle.
Respectfully submitted, Jim Brower, Secretary
March Field Trip
On Saturday March 5, 13 members and one guest met at the Benson Feed & Supply and visited until Ed Fenn closed his store. Ed then led us to the collecting area near St. David and explained where and how to find fluorescent rocks in that area and handed out a summary of the fluorescence phenomenon. For a few minutes we watched a pretty sunset, visited and wandered around a bit getting familiar with the layout of the place and waiting for dark. Ed’s guest, Dale Hewin, brought out a few of his vast collection of really colorful fluorescent specimens and showed them in short wave and long wave UV light. We discovered that some fluorescence appeared even before complete dark so we started collecting. Dale brought an 18 watt short/long wave light that was spectacular compared to most of our small 4 watt lights. But even the low-powered lights caused fluorescence if they were held close to the rocks. We all found some nice orange fluorescence (caliche) and some lustrous green rocks and a few got a dimly flourescence but very nice red color. Most soon had all the specimens they wanted and we left about 9 pm. We thank Ed Fenn and Dale Hewin for conducting a very enlightening trip on a new subject – at least for most of us.
April Field Trip
We will go to Courtland for chrysocola, malachite, azurite and turquoise on Saturday April 16. Meet at the Sunsites Community Center parking lot at 8:15 am to depart at 8:30 am. High clearance is not needed. We will go to Courtland and see some of the old sites and then to Gleeson to tour the restored Old Jail and some other sites followed by collecting in the Courtland area. Bring water, lunch, lawn chairs, sun protection, your camera, bags or pails, light and heavy digging and rock breaking tools.
UV Lamps
For those of you interested in purchasing a good UV lamp for fluorescent rocks, Dale Hewin recommends the Way Too Cool short and long wave 9 watt lamp. This lamp lists at $295 and the battery pack and charger adds another $70-80. It will use 110v in doors but uses a 12v battery pack for field use. Dale says that 85% of the rocks will fluoresce under short wave but a few do better under long wave. If you were on the field trip to Rolf Luedtke’s museum, Rolf was using a 9 watt long/short wave lamp. Check it out at www.polmanminerals.com/html/way_too_cool.html
If you’re interested in buying one or have questions call Dale Hewin at 520-603-2843 between 7 – 9 pm before April 20. With a combined order Dale may be able to negotiate a discount with the manufacturer.
The Club Library
The Club has an impressive collection of rock and mineral books including field identification guides, guides to collecting areas, lapidary manuals and related topics. If you are interested in checking out any of the books please call Larry Strout (826.3991) or Diane Dunn (826.0278)
Club Website
The address of the Club Website is on the masthead of this newsletter. The Website has past newsletters, photos from almost all of our field trips and other Club information.
Lapidary and Silversmith Classes
Our lapidary, silver soldering and wire wrapping classes are once again available so if you’re interested call Larry Strout at 826-3991.
Dues are due.
Dues are $15 for individuals and $25 for a family. Bring your dues to the next meeting or mail your check to Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club, PO Box 87, Pearce, Arizona 85625. Unpaid members will be dropped after March 31.
Club Calendar:
April
11 General Meeting
16 Field Trip
28 Board Meeting
May
9 General Meeting
14 Field Trip
26 Board Meeting
June
4 Club Picnic
Upcoming Regional Events
June
17-19
Tombstone Gem & Mineral Show. Fri & Sat 10 am – 6 pm. Sun 10 am – 4 pm. Free. Tombstone Territories RV Park; between MP 59 & 60 on Highway 82. Betty 520-457-9505.
Officers for 2011
President: Diane Dunn 520.826.0278
V-President: Jack Light 520 824-4774
Secretary: Jim Brower 520 826-4672
Treasurer: Walter Sigel 520-826-1009
Deleg-at-Large: Carl Schnabel520.826.0100
Hospit Coord: Zoe Schnabel 520-826-0100
Field Trip Crd: Henri van den Bos 384-0288
Past Pres: Paul McKnight 775-434-8395
Financial-Report January 1 - March 31, 2011
BALANCE SHEET
Assets
Great Western Bank; Checking Account 2,883.95
Great Western Bank; CD 0.50% 3,253.09
Total Assets 6,137.04
Liabilities
Equity -5,622.63
Member Dues 2012 -15.00
Total Liabilities -5,637.63
Profit(+) 499.41
STATEMENT OF INCOME Actual Budget Difference
bookings
Expenses
PO Box rental 44.00 -44.00
Stamps, mailings 8.80 50.00 -41.20
Copying, office supplies 26.11 50.00 -23.89
State Corporation Commission 10.00 -10.00
Refreshments & Supplies 19.68 40.00 -20.32
Picnic 60.00 -60.00
Lapidary Supplies 22.41 50.00 -27.59
Christmas party 50.00 -50.00
RMFMS (dues/insurance) 175.00 -175.00
Community Center / Rent 30.00 130.00 -100.00
Speaker honoraria 50.00 100.00 -50.00
Web site 0.00 0.00
Sunsites Community Association 25.00 -25.00
Field Trip Fees 50.00 -50.00
Power Point Projector 379.00 500.00 -121.00
Miscellaneous 32.00 -32.00
Total Expenses 536.00 1,366.00 -830.00
Income
Member dues -878.00 -1,000.00 122.00
Lapidary / Silversmithing fees -57.41 -50.00 -7.41
Raffle -100.00 -200.00 100.00
Interest on CD -16.00 16.00
Total Income -1,035.41 -1,266.00 230.59
Profit(-) -499.41 100.00 -599.41
Pearce, April 1, 2011 Walter Sigel (Treasurer)