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”
JANUARY 2015
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
The next GENERAL MEETING of the Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club is on Monday evening, Jan. 12 at the Community Center.
PROGRAM: “SPLENDID STONES”
Sparkling diamonds. Exquisite emeralds. Brilliant rubies. Shimmering pearls. For centuries, thee precious gems have captivated humankind, leading men and women to give up fortunes – even their lives - to possess them. Join National Geographic for a journey around the globe to discover the origins of these most coveted gems! You’ll see astonishing amounts of earth mined to uncover rubies in Thailand or emeralds in Columbia. You’ll meet a Tennessee businessman who cultivates freshwater pearls and a California chemist who “grows” rubies nearly identical to nature’s stunning creations. Unlock a treasure chest filled with a wealth of information and the dazzling beauty of SPLENDID STONES.
CONGRATULATIONS NEW OFFICERS 2015:
President: Elliott Hendricks 520-824-4774
Vice President: Tony Crumly 520-826-2566
Treasurer: Walter Sigel 520-826-1009
Secretary: Bette Greene 617-688-1474
Del. At Large: Carl Schnabel 520-826-0100
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Field Trip Coordinator: Carl Schnabel 520-826-0100
Speaker Coordinator: Don Hammer 520-384-3105
Hospitality : Cheryl McLaughlin 520-507-1750
Newsletter: Zoe Schnabel 520-826-0100
CHRISTMAS PARTY
This years Christmas party was a HUGE success, enjoyed by over 30 people. Cheryl wishes to thank everyone involved for all the great food that was brought to the gathering. Thank you Don for supplying the turkey, Joan for making the placemats, Bette for the bud vases with carnations and to all those who helped to set up & break down. Next year we will have a committee for this task.
The gift exchange was fun and many interesting things emerged!
NOVEMBER 10, 2014 GENERAL MEETING MINUTES to be approved at the January meeting
The meeting was brought to order by President Jack Light at 7:10pm.
The new slate of officers for 2015 was presented and accepted.
President: Elliott Hendricks
Vice President: Tony Crumly
Secretary: Bette Greene
Treasurer: Walter Sigel
Member at Large: Carl Schnabel
Minutes of the October meeting were approved.
Walter Sigel reported that we have a balance of $3194.47. He put $7000 into a new CD
at 3.1% interest and will mature on 10/22/24. The report was approved.
Jack gave an update on the lapidary lab. The bulk of the electrical is in and a breaker panel and meter were installed by David Makarewicz for $100. It was voted to give David a family membership to the club for one year. The club voted to give Jack $500 to purchase necessary light fixtures and wood to finish the installation of the cabinets. He hopes to have it up and running by the new year.
Saturday’s field trip will be to Lizard Lane to look for finger agates. We will meet at Lizard Lane at 8:30am.
Jack called for a raffle and a coffee break at 7:35pm,
Sign-up sheets were passed around for the field trip and for the Christmas party.
The program was a video presented by National Geographic on the Maya Indians.
Respectfully submitted by Bette Greene, acting secretary for Nadine Wirshing.
DUES ARE DUE! Walter would like to remind everyone that if you haven't already paid your 2014-2015 dues, it is time! The cut-off is March & if you are delinquent you will be dropped from the membership, not be allowed to participate in field trips or use the lap lab, and will no longer receive monthly newsletters. Single membership is $15.00 yearly and family membership is $25.00
GOINGS ON ---
1: Gila County Gem & Mineral Show is on Jan 16th through Jan 18. Location is at the Gila County Fairgrounds in Globe. They are looking for silver smithing demo's, wire-wrapping demo's as well as glass blowing demonstrations. See Zoe for a copy of the contract if you are willing to be a demonstrator OR call Val Latham, vendor chairperson for further info. 602-466-3060.
2: Tucson Gem & Mineral Show starts on Jan 29 and runs through Feb 15. Visit the W 22nd St Mega Tent. Free Admission. Meet the cast of the TV show “Prospectors” selling their finds. Vendors will also be at the Kino location, free as well. Check out EonsExpos.com
CLUB CALENDER
Jan 12 General Membership Meeting
Jan 29 Board Meeting
Feb 9 General Membership Meeting
Feb 26 Board Meeting
Mar 9 General Membership Meeting
April 2 Board Meeting
April 13 General Membership Meeting
April 29 Board Meeting
May 11 General Membership Meeting
May 28 Board Meeting
June 6 Picnic (tentative)
NOTE: Membership Meetings begin at 7PM at the Community Center.
Board Meeting locations vary. Open to all members, however visiting member may not vote.
Consult Secretary for time & place.
GARNETS – JANUARY FIELD TRIP
The garnet group consists of very closely related aluminum silicates (pyrope, almandine and spessartine) and calcium silicates (grossular, andradite and uvarovite). Garnets are common throughout the US, including AZ & NM. Crystals are very common as dodecahedrons or trapezohedron. Hardness is from 6.5-7.5. They range in size from 1mm to 30mm. Jokingly, they have been referred to as “square round balls” as per club member Henri V. At Three Sisters Mt, the garnets are believed to be of the almandine variety.
On SATURDAY JAN 17 we will meet in the parking area of Birch Rd & Kansas Settlement Road at 9 a.m. and will head to 3 Sisters to look for garnets. They are numerous and appear on the surface of the ground. NO ARTIFACTS MAY BE PICKED UP as per the owner. After the hunt we are welcome to explore the cave on the W side. Our trip leader Carl will take us there. Karen, the owner, will be present to answer any questions about the site.
No digging is necessary. Bring along a scoop or a “picker-upper” and a tote bag or bucket plus a chair, water/coffee, sun screen. You will not be disappointed.