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“Finding and Grinding Rocks in Cochise County since 1967”
July 2010
This issue edited by Paul McKnight
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Summer is upon us and we won’t have another general meeting until September 13.
Annual Picnic Report
Thanks to Zoe and her able assistant Carl, we had a very successful picnic the first Saturday in June. This was the second consecutive year that we have used the Middlemarch Canyon site. It is quiet, shaded, and beautiful.
July Field Trip
We will be going to a site north of Lordsburg on Saturday July 17. Here is Henri’s description:
“I checked out a site north of Lordsburg for Psilomelane and Chalcedony. Both minerals polish nice, and there are some attractive combinations. Collecting is fairly easy, there is a lot of loose stuff laying around. But for the adventurous rock hounds there is hammer and chisel opportunities… It is a little remote, 15 miles north of Lordsburg and not much shade. (90 miles from Willcox)”
We will meet at the east end of the Safeway parking lot in Willcox at 8.00AM, Saturday July 17. Departure time will be 8:15 sharp.
Passenger cars can make it, but high clearance is recommended. We can consolidate passengers at some point close to the site if we need to.
Lapidary and Silversmith Classes
We can now resume our lapidary activities and classes, so if you’re interested call Larry Strout at 826-3991.
Dues are past due. Unpaid members were dropped on March 31. To rejoin, mail your check to Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club, PO Box 87, Pearce, Arizona 85625.
Club Calendar:
July
17 Field trip
September
2 Board Meeting
13 General Meeting
18 Field Trip
30 Board Meeting
October
11 General Meeting
16 Field Trip
28 Board Meeting
November
8 General Meeting
13 Field Trip
December
13 Christmas Party
Club Officers for 2010
President: Paul McKnight 775-434-8395
V-President: Jack Light
Secretary: Jim Brower
Treasurer: Walter Sigel
Delegate at Large: Glen Wirshing
Hospitality Coord: Zoe Schnabel
Field Trip Coord: Henri vanden Bos
Past President: Don Hammer
Minutes of the May 10 General Meeting
Exceptionally, the meeting began at 6:30, outside, with a demonstration given by Jack Light
on how to pan for gold. Not having real gold to work with, Jack instead, used small shot which
he added to his slurry and after panning out all the sand and gravel from his pan all were
impressed to find the 5 shot he had added still in the empty pan. After demonstrating the
hand motion of effectively removing the slurry, Jack let others take a turn and as
anticipated, each was delighted to see the shot remaining in the empty pan, showing that
they had panned correctly.
Following Jack's demonstration, the group broke for refreshments which were provided by
Barbara Schmidt.
At 7:25, Paul McKnight called the regular business meeting to order.
AGENDA
1) With no discussion, it was moved and seconded to accept the minutes of the previous
General Meeting.
2) Walter Sigel gave the treasurer's report which was accepted by voice vote.
3) Field Trip. The group will meet at the corner of Lizard Lane and Dragoon Road on
Saturday at 8:15 to look for finger agate at the marble quarry. Heavy tools will
be necessary.
4) Annual Picnic. The Club will meet at the Community Center on June 5th at 10:30 to
car pool to the Middle March Canyon picnic site. Please refer to the May 1st News
Letter to know what to bring.
5) Painting the Lapidary Room. Larry Strout put out a sign up sheet for volunteers to
help with this project. He will organize times for those who signed up. Thank you
for your cooperation.
Paul adjourned the meeting at 7:35.
Respectfully submitted, Jim Brower, Secretary.
Editor’s Note: Jim asked me to mention in the newsletter that the contest for best rock from the previous field trip was won in two different categories by Elliott. His prizes (raffle tickets) will be awarded at the September meeting because we did not hold a raffle at the May meeting.