Volume 16 Issue 8
Rock Talk White Mountain Gem & Mineral Club
P.O. Box 3504
Show Low, Arizona 85902
www.whitemountain-azrockclub.org
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, 3 day field trip!! It looks like we will have a good turn out too.
I am really excited about visiting the Lordsburg area, and all it has to offer in the way of rocks
& minerals. I am especially interested in seeing some old mine sites at the ghost towns.
Rick said he would put the itinerary in this newsletter, so I have to wait and see it with the rest
of you.
Sumner challenged us to do some research on places we wanted to visit and I did. I gave Rick my list, but as he has the same New Mexico book that I do, he probably already took them into account. Rick is going the day before the rest of us, so he can scout out prospective areas. Yes, prospecting! How fun!! Don't forget to bring your UV lights and metal detectors.
I look forward to our overnight trip all year long. It is a great time to hunt, and
socialize, and share experiences. I hope this newsletter encourages more people to go.
Now I will start researching restaurants. Good food runs neck-and-neck with good rock
hounding on my list.
See you there! Tonie
President’s Message
For All Rockhounds in the area!
August 2013
Meetings: 1st Sunday of the month, (unless it falls on a holiday), at the VFW Post 9907, 381 N. Central Ave, Show Low, AZ. Turn north off of the Deuce of Clubs at the Burger King. Social half-hour @ 1:00pm, meeting starts @ 1:30pm. Bring snacks.
Membership Dues: $15 for a single membership, and $20 for a couple/family. Dues are due the 1st of January of every calendar year along with a completed application. If you join in November of previous year, your dues will be good
for all of the following year.
Rock Talk is published monthly by the White Mountain Gem & Mineral Club, Inc. Any info/ comments that members wish to have included in the monthly newsletter must be turned in to the editor at the general membership meeting or call the editor prior to the following
weekend after the meeting.
The Monsoon Musketeers
Rock Talk Page 2 August 2013
August September 1 - Sharon Benton 15 - Irene Klim 14 - Rick Olson 14 - Donald Cassidy 24 - John Malcolm Craft 26 - Mari Bass
Birthdays
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Ya’ll!! MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE!!
Volunteer Positions
Show Chairman
Rick Olson
(928) 251-0949
Advertise & Public
Relations
NEED A VOLUNTEER!
Librarian
NEED A VOLUNTEER!
Education, Schools
and Libraries
NEED A VOLUNTEER!
Greeter, Door Prizes,
50/50 Raffle
Kathleen Varhol
(928) 368-9556
Auctioneer
Bill Stalder
(928) 368-4496
Highway Clean-up
Brookie Embry
(928) 537-0760
Ruth King
(928) 337-2212
Claim Filing
Tonie MonDragon
(859) 338-2296
Bonus Prizes
Nanz Marshal
(928) 537-2524
Historian
NEED A VOLUNTEER!
Coalition Contact
Ron Ginn
(480) 294-0731
Sunshine
Nanz Marshall
(928) 537-2524
Web Master and
Membership Chair
Ron Ginn
(480) 294-0731
Elected Officers
and Volunteers
President
Tonie MonDragon
(859) 338-2296
Vice President
Nanz Marshal
(928) 537-2524
Secretary
NEED A VOLUNTEER!
Treasurer
Larry Legge
(928) 537-2524
Editor
Karen Stokes
(928) 229-0273
Field Trip Chairman
Sumner Christie
(928) 537-2358
Board Members at Large
Ron Ginn
(480) 294-0731
Sandra Angelo
(928) 537-3726
Rick Olson
(928) 251-0949
August Days of Interest 3 - National Mustard Day 4 - International Friendship Day 7 - Ramadan (ends) 13 - International Left-Handers Day 15 - Assumption of Mary 24 - St. Bartholomew Day 26 - Women’s Equality Day 31 - Selichot
For the September 2013
meeting, members who’s
name begins A-L, please
bring snacks
Remember
Our Fallen.
Veterans Do.
August 2013 Rock Talk Page 3
General Membership Meeting
August 4, 2013
President Tonie M. called the meeting to order at 1:25pm. She welcomed the members and guests in attendance. Some of our guests were Suzanne & Bob Fern, Dennis from Tucson, and Roy & Brody Ludford, from a long line of rock hounds. A motion was made to approve the minutes from the last meeting published in the Rock Talk. Karen S. made the motion, seconded by Rick O. There was no discussion, corrections or additions. Tonie thanked the folks who brought snacks today, and the A – L group is asked to provide snacks for next month’s meeting. A reminder: there is a tip jar on the table for the bartender who gets us our drinks, as we have to purchase drinks from the bar for our meeting. A re-minder from Nanz that we are not allowed to bring any drinks into the VFW, as they could lose their license. If you would like a mixed drink from the bar, it needs to be purchased through a member. Larry or Nanz can do that for you. Officer’s reports: President Tonie reported that the Show Low Chamber of Commerce referred 4 people to the club. Tonie also mentioned that she is a member of the Lions Club, and they are having a shooting competition next Saturday morning at 7am at the Show Low Police Department Shooting Range. It is $10.00 to register. Last year a woman won the competition. This year there are several cate-gories, and many different prizes to be won. The Lions Club provides eye glasses to underprivileged children, hearing aids for seniors, and dental services to some school children as well. Vice President - Nanz reported that today’s education would be a continuation of a video brought by David B., telling about a cave in France called the Cave of Forgotten Dreams. This video shows pictographs in the cave, along with the natural formations inside. Treasurer - Larry reported that our expenses for July were $3,039.38 and our income was $31.50. Editor- Karen thanked those who came to the memorial service that she had for her husband George up at the Meadow. About 10 of our past members are up there now. They are all in good company, and are in a BEAUTIFUL area. She has some items to give away from the memorial. If you have any pictures, comments, or articles that you would like published in the newsletter, get it to her to be included in the next newsletter. Tonie reminded everyone that if you submit something to the newsletter, attend a field trip, or volunteer during the year for different activities, (such as the highway cleanup, etc.), your name is put in a drawing at the end of the year for a prize at the December meeting. Board Members; Rick - The Regional Science Fair was cancelled in April and rescheduled for October 12th at the Nature Center off of Woodland in Lakeside. We will have a table with items to show the children, and it would be nice to have some of the rock and mineral kits for the teachers. Field Trip Chairman: Rick - Last month’s trip was to the claims. The only attendees were our club members, as none of the coalition members showed up. Some members went to the claims ,and some to the meadow for the memorial service. The weather wasn’t very cooperative, as it started to rain earlier than expected. Items found were calcite, quartz and agatized quartz.
This month’s trip will be to Lordsburg, New Mexico, Aug 23-25, for a 3 day weekend. Items that we will be able to find are opalite and geodes. We are hoping to go to 5 or 6 different sites. Information is in this newsletter on motels & phone numbers. We will meet in Lordsburg at the Hampton Inn on Friday @ 3pm. Remember, New Mexico is 1 hour ahead of us. David B. asked if there could be a sweep person at the end of the trail of cars, on our field trips, so no one would become lost. At this last field trip, a turn was missed somewhere, and several people could not find the claims to catch up with everyone. And there were some folks who got lost at previous field trips. It was discussed that maybe we could have the first and last car have walkie talkies. We will work on the communication and maps to the different sites. September’s field trip will be an archeological trip to the Rock Art Ranch which is between Winslow and Joseph City. There is a fee of $10/person to get in. $35 is the normal charge. Some members of the TRACS group will be joining us. This is a pictures only trip, no collecting. Tonie is in contact with some Boy Scout leaders to have them join our field trips, so the Scouts can receive their Geology badges. There is a test that has to be done for instructors to teach the geology badge. Larry explained that the club has been given some donations from Hank and Bernie Scherer. Several nice pieces of equipment have been donated: a small tumbler, 10 inch lapidary saw, electric wet polishing lapidary kit, and a high speed dry sander. Discussion ensued. It was decided this would be advertised in the newsletter this month, and next month we will have a live auction for those present to bid on the pieces. David made a motion, Stan seconded. Motion was accepted. You must be a member to bid. Members not able to be present can assign another member to be a proxy, and bid on items for them. This was voted on and it was unanimous. The next meeting will be Sunday, September 1, 2013, even though it is a holiday weekend. Bill S. mentioned that he had obtained several boxes of mineral specimens listed from A to Z in different categories. We would like to keep these intact and use them at the shows and for education. Tonie made the motion that we keep the collections intact, Sandra seconded, motion was approved. Rick was invited to be interviewed by Channel 4 on 8/21 and asked for a list of questions that the person doing the interview can ask. It will be about a 15 to 20 minute interview. So anyone who has some questions please let Rick know. We took a 10 minute break. We returned after the break to watch ½ hour of the video, “Cave of For-gotten Dreams”. Nanz brought some pieces of stone and sharpies if any-one wanted to make their own pictographs. 50/50 drawing was won by Stan, A., the amethyst crystal was won by Bill S., and a polished rock was won by Suzanne Fern. The door prize a pol-ished stone, was won by Jackie Pfeiffer. Sandra motioned for the meet-ing to end, David B. seconded. The silent auction closed five minutes after we adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Charlene Bingell
Rock Talk August 2013 Page 4
Donated used equipment up for Auction
Sunday, Sept 1, 2013
The BD-125WP Wet Polishing kit $575 new
The kit is ideal for handheld grind-ing and polishing of gemstone and rock materials such as onyx, agate, petrified wood, jade, opal, etc. The polisher easily attaches to a standard hose to enable the unit to dispense a steady flow of water to diamond pads and turbo wheel. The 4" flexible rubber Hook& Loop backer pad allows for quick pad
High Speed Dry Sander $395 new
(rebuilt by Fred McQuiston) A new concept in rock polishing. Replaces slow, messy methods for a fraction of the cost of conventional methods used today. ● Use silicon carbide discs 36-600 grit
Model 3A Lortone Rock Tumbler Approx Value - $140.00
Single 3 lb. capacity barrel. Comes with: ● 1 Pound of Silicon Carbide Grit #80 ● 1 Pound of Silicon Carbide Grit #220 ● 1 Pound of Silicon Carbide Grit #600
● 4 oz of Cerium Oxide
10" Beacon Lapidary Rock Saw with Star Diamond Blade Approx value - $300.00
Saws slabs or trim rock/stone This saw comes with a new blade.
Remember, only CLUB MEMBERS
may bid on these! You may designate
a Proxy if you cannot attend this
meeting.
Rock Talk August 2013 Page 5
Our August 2013 Coalition Rockhounding Trip
Our field trip for the month of July was listed as a coalition outing, inviting all clubs from around the state. But either due to confusion as to the correct date, or whatever, when we started to our claims on the east side of Escudilla Mountain on that mostly cloudy morning of Saturday the 20th, those that came were all members of our club. As we approached the turnoff that led to our claims, we came upon the campsite where Kathy, Tisha, Nanz and Larry were awaiting our arrival. From that point one group led by Karen S. went to the meadow, where George was laid to rest in that most beautiful of surroundings.
In the meantime, I led the newer members to our claims, where they immediately started off in all directions looking for Luna Agate and Quartz crystals. Shortly thereafter, we were joined by the remainder of the group and collecting was in full force. Unfortunately, mother nature had some other ideas in mind as storms that were not scheduled to appear until after 1 pm started rumbling unto the scene before noon. Raindrops followed shortly thereafter, and most of the group decided they had enough and headed for home. A few of us, including myself, held out the initial showers and trudged on. But as soon as lightning became a serious issue, common sense came into play, and the rest of us also decided that there would be another time to visit this great area.
Respectfully, Rick Olson
Show Dates
August 2, 3, 4 Prescott Valley, Arizona Annual show Prescott Gem & Mineral Club Tim's Toyota Center; Glasford Hill and Florentine Road, 3201 N. Main S Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; Adults $4, seniors and students $3 children (12 and under) free contact Judy Sullins, 4550 Ramada Drive Prescott, AZ 86301, (928)445-1117 e-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.222.prescottgemmineral.org August 31-September 2 Silver City, New Mexico 30th Annual Gem & Mineral Show Grant County Rolling Stones Business & Conference Center, 3031 US Hwy. 180 E Sat 9-5, Sun. 10-5, Mon 10-4; free admission Contact Lee Stockman, 16 McKinley St. Silver City, NM 88061 e-mail: [email protected] web site: rollingstonesgms.blogspot.com October 4-6 Albuquerque, New Mexico Annual show; Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club New Mexico State Fairgrounds, Creative Arts Center 300 San Pedro NE; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4 free admission contact Amy Penn, 2324 Alvarado Dr. NE Albuquerque, NM 87110 (595)883-4195 email; [email protected] website: www.agmc.info October 12-13 Sierra Vista, Arizona 39th Annual Show; Huachuca Mineral & Gem Club Cochise College; 901 N. Colombo Ave. Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; free admission contact Maudie Bailey, 5036 S. San Carlos Ave. Sierra Vista, AZ 85650, (520) 249-1541 e-mail: [email protected] web site: huachucamineralandgemclub.info October 19-20 Sedona, Arizona Annual show; Sedona Gem & Mineral Club Sedona Red Rock High School 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Rd. Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; adults $3, children (under 12) free contact Gayle Macklin, PO Box 21222, Sedona, AZ 86341 (520) 921-0100; e-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.sedonagemandmineral.org
August 2013 Rock Talk Page 6
On Sunday, July 21st, I invited those members that had contributed more than the required time asked by the club during our club show for a cookout. The day started out being mostly sunny, but by the time that the group began to arrive, the sky was mostly cloudy, and rain was threatening. Fortunately, aside from one brief shower, our afternoon remained cool and dry. So we were able to enjoy a nice cookout and pleasant company together.
After we had finished with the meal & desserts, I passed out gifts to those present, which included Stan & Jeanne, Sue, Sandra, David A., and Tonie. Each received a lovely Labradorite specimen. Then followed a few “special” gifts. Stan received a cushioning device to protect his head from future misfortunes when unloading and loading tables, Tonie received a fish fossil for putting up with the constant barrage of questions that I asked her during the months before the show, and Karen received an Indian artifact that my mother collected some 40 years prior in Illinois for her dedication in getting flyers, programs, banners & sandwich boards ready for the show, working up to the day before the show.
Those who were not able to make the cookout, but do need to be recognized for their assistance in also contributing above and beyond what was expected include Larry & Nanz, Bill & Linda, Sumner & Edie, Mary Ann, Brookie, and Ruth & Clete.
Once again, I want to thank all of you in the club for making this year’s show the success that it was.
Rick Olson, Show Chairman
A Note from Rick Olson
Stan’s Boo Boo Head Protector!
He DARED me to put these pictures in the
newsletter!! Give me a good story, and I’ll
durn sure stuff it in here! See if I don’t!
(the Editor)
Page 7 August 2013 Rock Talk
Direct from the Factory! (Karen Stokes, Editor)
They are approximately 4” across, made from 5-year yellow vinyl
1 for $1, 6 for $5. (+ postage if you need them mailed)
Contact me, Karen Stokes, Editor; 928-229-0273, (call or text)
or email me, [email protected], subject, “Stickers”
(please indicate which one you would like)
Show your Rockhound Pride! Get a sticker or 2 for your vehicle!
I am capable of doing just about any kind of stickers. Ask me if you want other kinds of stickers. All proceeds go to our non-profit organization, The White Mountain Gem & Mineral Club
If you can tell where me this area is in Northern Arizona,
you will get a FREE Rockhound Sticker of your choice!
(at the next meeting)
Rock Talk Page 8 August 2013
FOREDOM MAINTENANCE
If you have a Foredom flexshaft, it makes sense to check it over every so often to be sure it's running properly. But how to do that? You've probably lost the little booklet that came with the unit. Well, being the good company it is, Foredom has put together an extensive set of videos on how to do it.
The series covers set-up, lubrication, replacing a sheath, motor maintenance, and handpiece maintenance. Few, if any special tools are needed. You can watch the videos at www.foredom.net/videolibrary.aspx, and repair parts are available from most jewelry supply catalogs.
JUST A DROP
Hobby shops and model airplane stores carry small plastic dispenser bottles that are handy bench items for putting a drop of oil or glue just where you want it. The small metal tubing lets you squeeze out very small drops and reach into tight places. I use the small one on the left for oil when I'm sawing or drilling harder metals like steel. And I use the bottle on the right from a plastics store for the fast drying glues used to join pieces of acrylic.
More Bench Tips by Brad Smith are at facebook.com/BenchTips/ or see the book "Bench Tips for Jewelry Making" on Amazon
August trip to Lordsburg, NM Brad’s Bench Tips
You don’t have to be CRAZY to be a Rockhound,
but it sure HELPS! (especially in THIS HEAT!!
This year for the overnight weekend trip, we will be traveling south and staying in the city of Lordsburg, N.M. For our first outing, we will leave from the Hampton Inn, which is at 412 Wabash Street, @ 3 pm on Friday, the 23rd, and head south on Route 494 toward mine dumps just south of the ghost town of Shakespeare. This location is known to have Malachite, Azurite, Chrysocolla, Bornite and Galena. Following dinner back in Lordsburg, and for those interested, we may travel west on I-10 to Exit 5, where we will head south towards Granite Gap for collecting Fluorescent minerals. NOTE: As this will be a dusk/early evening collecting opportunity, please dress for cooler temperatures, bring a UV lamp, and regular flashlight to get around
safely.
On Saturday, the 24th, we will leave from the Hampton Inn at 8:30am, and travel north on Rte 70, to just past mile post 13, where we will turn left, and follow this dirt road for approx. 14 miles. This area is known for pink-banded Agate and Chalcedony Roses. We will stay in this area for a short time before heading back to Rte 70, and continuing north again to .4 miles past Mile Post 6, and turning left as we head towards Round Mountain. Our past member, Eunice McQuiston held this location in high regard for the Fire Agate and Chalcedony Roses found here. As it should not take more than an hour to find some nice specimens, we will return to Rte 70, and head north again towards the town of Duncan, where we will
have lunch.
Our afternoon collecting site will start from Duncan, and continue north on Rte 75 towards Clifton. After 1.2 miles, we will turn right on Carlyle Road, and follow this well-maintained dirt road for approximately 14 miles, where we will turn right towards the Carlyle Mine dumps. Minerals found here include: Chrysocolla, Malachite, Quartz, Amethyst and Pyrite. We are planning to enjoy
supper in Lordsburg that evening.
On Sunday, the 25th, we will leave from the Hampton Inn at 9 am, heading north on Route 70, and turn right at the Rte 92 intersection. As we head towards Moore Canyon, which is between mile post 1 & 2 just west of Virden, we will be searching for Jasper, Petrified Wood, Agate, Azurite, Malachite and Chrysocolla. When finished, we will head west again on Rte 92, crossing into Arizona and on into Duncan. We will continue northwest on Rte 70 till Mile Post 392, where we will turn left and go 2.6 miles to the pipeline road. We will turn right, and go another 2.6 miles and park. Geodes can be found in the rhyolite about 200 yds on your right. NOTE: There are lots of cactus varieties to navigate getting to the site. Once we return to Route 70, we will head west and stop just past the road
cut .8 mile after mile post 365 for Obsidian.
Once we get to the intersection of Routes 70 & 191, there will be two options for the group. By traveling west toward Safford your collecting will be over and we wish you a safe journey home. For those that haven’t had their fill of collecting just yet, you may want to turn right on Route 191 and stop at the Black Hills Rockhound Area for Fire Agate and Chalcedony. Located on the left side of the road, proceed 1.5 miles and park. Specimens can be found everywhere, but better pieces are found at base of outcrop-
pings and into the hills.
If additional collecting is desired, you can follow me into Clifton for an opportunity to collect Agate, Geodes, Fluorescent Calcite
and various other minerals.
Your Trip Leader, Rick Olson
Rock Talk Page 9 August 2013
List of Lordsburg, NM motels
projected dates - 23, 24, & 25 August
(2 nights, check-out the 25th)
Hampton Inn Lordsburg 412 Wabash, Lordsburg, NM 88045 575-542-8900 4 1/2 stars, Ranked #1, $76 per night
Comfort Inn & Suites 400 Wabash Street, Lordsburg, NM 88045 (575) 542-3355 4 1/2 stars, Ranked #2, $86-$89 per night
Best Western Western Skies Inn 1303 Main Street, Lordsburg, NM 88045 505-542-8807 4 stars, Ranked #3, $64-$75 per night
Holiday Motel 600 E. Motel Drive, Lordsburg, NM 88045 (575) 542-3535 4 stars, Ranked #4, $86-$89 per night
Days Inn & Suites Lordsburg 1426 West Motel Blvd, Lordsburg, NM 88045 575-542-3600 3 Stars, Ranked #5, $59 per night
Econo Lodge 1408 S. Main Street, Lordsburg, NM 88045 (575) 542-3355 2 1/2 Stars, Ranked #6, $68-$69 per night
Americas Best Value Inn,
Lordsburg 1202 Pyramid, Lordsburg, NM 88045 855-271-3622
Lordsburg Super 8 Motel 110 E. Maple, I 10, Exit 22, Lordsburg, NM 88045 (575) 542-3355 1 1/2 Stars, Ranked #8, $47-$68 per Night
No available Rooms(?)
American Motor Inn 944 East Motel Drive, Lordsburg, NM 88045 855-271-3622 2 1/2 Stars, Ranked #9, $46-56 per night
No available Rooms(?)
Lordsburg KOA 1501 Lead Street, Lordsburg, NM 88045 575-542-8003 2 1/2 Stars, Ranked #9, $25-$35 per night Has electric, 50 amp, water, sewer, wireless internet, cable TV, pull thru sites, big rig, pool, & water front access, shade
Map courtesy of
Stan & Jeannie
White Mountain Gem & Mineral Club
P.O. Box 3504
Show Low, Arizona 85902-3504
All Ours!!
Courtesy of the Editor, Karen Stokes
abundance bounty doubloons fortune gains gems gold hoard holdings money nest egg plenitude
plenty profit profusion property prosperity resources revenue riches stocks treasure trust fund wealth