AMERICAN FEDERATION

OF

MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES

Newsletter - December, 1997/January 1998

SEASON'S GREETINGS, HAPPY HANUKKAH!, MERRY CHRISTMAS!, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

DEE'S DOINGS - Dee Holland, AFMS President

1997 AFMS AWARD WINNING ARTICLES & POEMS

EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND - Margaret M. Pearson, Chair

LOOKING BACK ON THE AFMS'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY...
- Shirley Leeson & Carolyn Weinberger; AFMS 50th Anniversary Committee

A NOTE FROM HARRIET GEORGE:

RADIOACTIVE STONE WARNING

AFMS CLUB PUBLICATIONS - THE WINNERS! - Gaila Ries, Chair

SPECIAL POSTAL CANCELLATIONS - by Wendell C. Mohr,

SAFETY: ROTARY SLINGSHOTS - Mel Albright

A FULL LIFE

SHOW AND MEETING REPORT
by Wendell. Mohr

CORRECT TUCSON SHOW DATES - BAD INFORMATION OUT THERE
Rick Trapp Tucson Gem and Mineral Society Show Committee

A MODERN PARABLE

COLLECTING IN CANADA BY NON-CITIZENS
By Ken Pugh

Further comments from Robert Sensenstein,
Ottawa Paleontological Society

TROPHIES WON IN JACKSON
By Anne Cook

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
(Rockhound Style with Apologies)
by Edna F. Pauli

THE BIGGEST, THE BEST,
AND THE MOST GARGANTUAN
by Benjamin Mark

FANTASTIC FOSSIL FOR SCIENCE?
by Gregory Brown

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

TOP

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At this traditional season of thanksgiving, worship, celebration, joy and renewal, we have an opportunity to take the time to reflect upon our lives, the people in our lives, where we have been and where we may go.

One thing in which we may all unite is the celebration of the beauty that is found in the earth. We may admire earth's beauty as it is found. We may feel called to open a rock to reveal the beauty within. We may polish. We may carve. We may embellish. We may find remnants of times long past. But our hobby is an open admiration for earth's bounty.

Another joy of the hobby is the chance for acquaintances and friendships with those who join us in the hobby. These people enrich our lives. They welcome, teach, lead, follow, help, talk, edit, write, and more so that others may also enjoy being rockhounds.

As we look to the future, we should each resolve to do that which needs doing to preserve and share and enrich our hobby. There are forces that would deny us all of rockhounding. They will prevail unless we all do our share and let others know our views. This season and this next year, let's each be a beacon for our hobby. Tell others about it. Tell others why it is important. Invite others - particularly the young and the "kids no more at home" couples to join us. Welcome them.

INDEX

DEE'S DOINGS

Dee Holland,
AFMS President

The Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society put on a fantastic 50th anniversary show for the AFMS. Leon Boutwell and crew deserve a special thank you.

Congratulations on a job well done go to the 50th Anniversary Committee, for the anniversary pins. They sold out sooner than was expected. A display of club bulletins from all the clubs in the seven regions filled one wall. It was fun to try and find how many of our Federation Clubs Bulletins were up there. A very unique and interesting way to display them

The history books each person received at the Awards Banquet served some of us as an autograph book, getting the Presidents there to sign their name by their picture. A big -THANKS- goes to Diane Dare, Shirley Leeson and Carolyn Weinberger.

At the business meeting a proposal was made and approved to increase the AFMS Newsletter circulation to one copy for each Regional Committee Chairperson and three copies to each club in the seven Regional Federations. I will ask each Regional Federation President to appoint someone in charge of getting these names and addresses of their chairpersons to Dan McLennan and that the Regional Bulletin editors include the information in their Newsletters so each club is informed they will receive one more newsletter for a total of three copies per club. It is the responsibility of the clubs to send the names and addresses of who is to receive the AFMS Newsletter to Dan McLennan at the Central Office. This would be a good time to update their listing for all three addresses with Dan. His address is: Dan McLennan Box 26523 Oklahoma City OK, 73126 - 0523

The newsletters of the AFMS, the Regional Federations and the individual clubs are the only method of communication we have. I receive all Regional Federation Newsletters and a number of club newsletters, all that I receive I read. It is encouraging that information is being passed on going both ways when information from the AFMS is in Regional and club bulletins and also information from club bulletins appears in the Regional or AFMS bulletins.

There are some changes of Committee Chairpersons for the coming year: the each year-each club- one rockhound will be chaired by Bonnie Glismann, 4326 S. 200 W., Ogden, UT. 84405. Juniors: Bob and Kathy Miller, 1106 Clayton Dr., So. Bend, IN 46614; International Relations: Ed Romack, 655 8th Street, Idaho Falls ID, 83401; Safety Manual Update: Leslie Anderson, 6447 NE 153rd St., Bothel, WA, 98011; Education-All American: Lyle and Colleen Kugler, 612 So. E. 3rd St., Alledo, IL 6123 1.

The young man was a bagger at the supermarket. One day, the market installed a machine to squeeze juice from real oranges. The youngster asked if he could learn to use it. "Absolutely not!" said the manager. "Baggers cannot be juicers!"

INDEX

1997 AFMS AWARD WINNING
ARTICLES & POEMS

This book has been compiled from all of the articles and poems entered in the AFMS contest. The book is 88 pages in length and contains 63 articles and poems, which were all trophy winners in their own federation. It makes a great addition to any library, as well as being a source for interesting articles and poems to put in your own bulletin.
The price is $3.50, plus $1.25 for shipping-a total of $4.75. Please send check or cash to: Gaila Ries, 4611 37th St., Lubbock, TX 79414.

INDEX

EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND
Margaret M. Pearson, Chair
EC-EY-OR

We would like to make the following corrections regarding two very fine EACH CLUB- EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND honorees whose recognitions got a bit tangled:
* Harold Cohen, Nassau Mineral Club, Inc., Mineola, New York, is being recognized for his service as Lapidary Vice President, being a member of the Board of Directors for many years and for keeping the club's lapidary equipment in top notch working order.
* Donald E. Udey (Posthumous), Gem, Lapidary and Mineral Society of Washington, D.C., Inc. His club wishes to recognize him for having served as club president, a director, and for many years as assistant show chairman. As field trip chairman he made many trips to locate and organize outstanding field trips, which has become a club strong point. He had served for over ten years assisting at the Smithsonian in the Gem and Mineral section.

The following rockhounds are being recognized for they're outstanding service by the AFMS through its program EACH CLUB-EACH YEAR-ONE ROCKHOUND. The names of rockhounds honored by their fellow members for their contribution to their club and the hobby are not published here in any particular order. The AFMS congratulates these hardworking club members!
* Stuart Benson. Connecticut Valley Mineral Club of Springfield, Massachusetts and East Windsor, Connecticut We wish to recognize him as an outstanding member of our club. Stu is current editor of club newsletter, has been chairman of annual show for nine years and club president twice. He gives talks to school kids about minerals and is fond of working in the
background.
* Allan Zar - Panama City Gem and Mineral Society of Panama City, Florida, wishes to recognize their super member. A charter member of the club, Allan has held each club office - has been president on three occasions for total of six years and perpetual show chairman. He has taught silversmithing in his garage to members of his own club and two others for many years, with no charge for tuition and furnishing all equipment. He tirelessly supports efforts to improve club.
* Don Hopkins of the Rough and Tumbled Rock and Gem Club of Ponca City, Oklahoma, is being recognized for his outstanding service to his club He has worked willingly and tirelessly to be their secretary, one-man calling committee to remind members about meetings, and to submit meeting and field trip notices to the local newspaper. He has helped keep their small, young club "on the map."
* Sadie Draper of the Oakland County Earth Science Club, Waterford, Michigan, has been a member since 1969, and has been Membership Chairman since joining the club. She has also been the bulletin editor for many years and contributes of her time and knowledge to every aspect of our hobby. For years she displayed at local mineral shows with material from her
excellent collection. Her enthusiasm and friendliness is appreciated by all club members. Her love of rocks and minerals has never diminished. Although she is suffering from poor health she continues to be a strong supporter of all the varied activities.
* Jim Cotant, Spokane Rock Rollers Club, Spokane, Washington, is being recognized for his dedication to spreading the word about the earth sciences. Jim yearly speaks to 12 - 14 school classes, Boy and Girl Scout Troups, senior citizens and other rock clubs enhancing their knowledge of the rockhounding hobby.
* Al Carrell, Orange Belt Mineralogical Society, has been a dedicated member for years. He is the first in line to volunteer, the "backbone" in expanding the workshop this year. He shares his knowledge of silversmithing, wirewrapping, and carving. He is workshop chair and field trip leader. We thank him and salute him.
* Billie Rickabaugh, Peninsula Gem & Geology Society is a charter member of her club (1951) and has held all offices. She has been editor for over 12 years, and is now parliamentarian and hostess. "Keeper of the Rocks" she houses all of the Club's collection from over the years for use at the annual show.
* Jules & Mary Ficke, Antelope Valley G&M. They are active members and have held most elected offices. Jules was in charge of displays and magazine tables at the Club's spring show and gave programs on minerals and mineral identification. Mary is Fair Show Chair. Both expound on the virtues of the hobby and membership.
* Ed & Marie Sterbenz, Northrop Grumman G&M. In addition to doing very dependable jobs in their official capacities, Ed & Marie consistently volunteer for extra service whenever and wherever needed. We appreciate them!

PLEASE NOTE: This is my last report as chair of this committee as the president will appoint a
new AFMS committee head shortly. Clubs should continue to submit their honorees to their
federation committee person.

INDEX

LOOKING BACK ON THE AFMS'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY...
Shirley Leeson & Carolyn Weinberger; AFMS 50th Anniversary Committee

The "Big BASH" has come and gone and memories linger on. As promised, there were seven exhibit cases. There could actually have been more - there was plenty of material - but seven kept it manageable. (Many thanks to Carolyn Weinberger for the liners in navy blue felt that set everything off so beautifully)

The first three cases had "CABS FROM COAST TO COAST" and were obtained from club members from all seven of the regional federations. There were over 200 in all, each labeled with the material, location, donor, club and regional federation listed. There were cabs from AFMS Past Presidents: Johnnie Short, 1964; Dorothy Lee, 1973; Kenneth Zahn, 1976; Russell Kemp, 1978; Barbara Goss Pettit, 1981; Bill Cox, 1983; Dick Swartz, 1987; Ruth Bailey, 1993 and Fred Schaefermeyer, 1984. Because of the wonderful material submitted, it was decided by the 50th Anniversary Committee to send the cabs to each regional first vice president with the strong recommendation that the cabs be exhibit at the next regional show with
a sign that those particular cabs had been included in the AFMS 50th Anniversary event.

The cabs from California will be exhibited and preserved and added to. It has the beginning of a wonderful collection of rare and hard-to-find material that once made field tripping an important aspect of clubs events. These donations by club members will actually show material that now is only talked about, and will give new rockhounds a sense of what was once possible and
available. I hope the other regional federations will do the same.

The next two cases were early to current AFMS memorabilia including badges, ribbons, show pins, pictures, the earliest known AFMS By- Laws and much more. Jack Streeter, our oldest AFMS Past President, donated two handmade programs from Denver as well as his name badge used at Salt Lake City and Denver and the early by-laws. Minutes from early meetings were donated by Russell Trapnell, Dan Caudle and Dorothy Lee. Kenneth Zahn sent a huge trophy given to him when he was AFMS President by the president of the Japanese Rock Appreciation Assn. who was a part of the festivities at Salt Lake City when Ken was president. (It was too large for the case and was shown next door at the AFMS Endowment Fund Table. (Thanks Charley Leach for the space... )

The next exhibit was the all important U.S. Postage Stamps. Pictures of Lillian Turner, our Commemorative Stamp Chairwoman, who worked for many years before getting the first Mineral Heritage stamps in 1974 and more recently the additional mineral stamps that came out in 1992 and finally the dinosaur stamps were shown. A beautiful leather case given to Dorothy Lee, AFMS President the year the first stamps came out was loaned, sheets of stamps, first day covers and important letters were exhibited.

The last exhibit had early Uniform Rules Committee bulletins and rulebooks. There were loaned trophies from the 1970s and pictures of awardees from as far back as the 1960s. The final exhibit was out on the table. Louellen Montgomery, AFMS Scholarship Foundation President had a wonderful scrapbook of photos of the students who received the grants over the
years. The earliest grant was for $300. in 1965.

The WALL OF BULLETINS was awesome! The bulletins were collected from all the seven regions and even included some bulletins from Canada. They were put up behind the Editor's Booth and were saved after the show by committee person Carolyn Weinberger. The Bulletin Editor's Hall of Fame books were proudly exhibited and promises of more memorabilia from various "old timers" from throughout the U.S. will be forthcoming.

Each person attending the Awards Banquet received a booklet on the 50 years of the AFMS, researched by Diane Dare, Shirley Leeson, and Fred Schaefermeyer and put together by Carolyn Weinberger. (A job of huge proportions, our thanks to Carolyn) AFMS Past Presidents present at the banquet were: Jack Streeter, 1949; Johnnie Short, 1964; Dorothy Lee, 1973; Russell Kemp, 1978; Ed Romack, 1991,, James Hurlbut, 1992; Ruth Bailey, 1993; Fred Schaefermeyer, 1994; and Ed Ries, 1995.

Lots of pictures were taken of all the exhibits, the events and participants. And hopefully, in 50 years all this will be brought out and shown again....

INDEX

A NOTE FROM HARRIET GEORGE:

To: Rockhound Friends
From: Harriet George, MWF;URC;Judge; and Fromer Exhibitor
Re: Recent Surgery

After my surgery on August 30th I answered every gift, card, and greeting. That is I did until the Jackson, MI show. The Uniform Rules Committee sent a beautiful card signed with dozens of names. Then AFMS Annual meeting produced a lovely card with scores of names. And I had met my match.
This is a Thank You to all who signed. Your promises of concern and prayers are deeply appreciated. Let me report that my combined Chemo-Radiation treatment is progressing. I am at the 5th week of a 6 week plus program: 23 down and 10 to go.
I am feeling quite well, a little fatigued, and the future is promising.

INDEX

RADIOACTIVE STONE WARNING

It is reported from Thailand that there are dangerously radioactive chrysoberyl brown cat-eye stones circulating in the world. The radiation level is reported as over 50 times more than allowed by US law. They have apparently been bombarded with radiation in a nuclear reactor in order to change them from yellow to the much more valuable brown. Indonesia is believed to be the source of the stones. The altered stones sell for very high prices. It is recommended that one not buy brown chrysoberyl cats-eye stones without checking them for radioactivity.

* If drivers don't like tailgaters, why do they buy small print bumper stickers?
* Money was invented to let us know exactly how far behind we are.

* Advice for editors: Proofread carefully to see if you any words out
* Why is Christmas just like a day at the office? ... You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit.
* When I die, I want to die in my sleep like my grandpa - not yelling and screaming like his passengers.
* Why don't we have cultured oil anywhere ... instead of only crude oil

INDEX

AFMS CLUB PUBLICATIONS - THE WINNERS
Gaila Ries, Chair

The results of the 1997 AFMS bulletin contest were announced on Sunday morning, October 25th. This year the contest had 134 entries. What a lot of people don't realize is that to even get to the AFMS contest level they have to be in the top three for the category they are in, in their own federation. Usually this means they've already a trophy winner. So in essence, the AFMS contest is truly a contest of winners. So whether you won honorable mention or first place, you should rightly be proud. And for those who didn't quite make it this year, I hope you're already working on your entries for next year.

New EditorsMini-BulletinsSmall BulletinsLarge BulletinsPoetry

Adult ArticlesAdvanced Adult ArticlesJunior ArticlesSpecial Publications

NEW EDITORS

1.BRECCIA, Patricia Speece, Editor; Santa Clara Valley Gem & Mineral Society, San Jose, CA CFMS; 2.
ROCK TALK, Jennifer Nejman, Editor; Imperial Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Imperial, CA CFMS; 3. THE
TRILOBITE, Ellen R. Dettwiler, Editor; Wisconsin Geological Society, Milwaukee, WI MWF; 4. MAGIC
VALLEY GEM NEWS, Barbara & Charlie Knapp, Editors; Magic Valley Gem Club, Twin Falls, ID NFMS; 5.
THE STONE CHIPPER, Angela Wirtz, Editor; Austin Gem & Mineral Society, Austin, TX SCFMS; 6. THE
STRATA DATA, Marie Zigier, Editor; Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Ft. Wayne, IN MWF; 7. THE
ROCKHOUND, Jeff Ursillo, Editor; Gem & Mineral Society of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, EFMLS
FL; 8. THE CONGLOMERATE, Sara V�lez Mallea, Editor; Reno Gem & Mineral Society, Reno, NV CFMS; 9.
THE POST ROCK, Sara Murphy, Editor; McPherson Gem & Mineral Club, McPherson, KS RMFMS; 10.THE
MINERAL MITE, Jack Nelson, Editor; Micromineralogists of the National Capital Area, Bethesda, MD
EFMLS

HONORABLE MENTION: DIGGIN'S FROM DAKOTA, Jerry Nevland, Editor; Central Dakota Gem & Mineral Society, Bismarck, ND RMFMS. <>HELLGATE BREEZES, Ray Henry, Editor; Hellgate Mineral Society, Missoula, MT NFMS. <>ROCKHOUND RECORD, Cecilia C. Flores, Editor; Mineralogical Society of
Arizona, Phoenix, AZ RMFMS. <>ROK TOK, Cheri Rodger, Editor; Dallas Gem & Mineral Society, Dallas,
TX SCFMS. <>SLABS, CABS, AND GAB, Shelly Westfall, Editor; East Kingco Rock Club, Redmond, WA
NFMS. <>THE CRYSTAL GAZER, Sandra Egan, Editor; Mount Clemens Gem & Lapidary Society, Mt.
Clemens, Ml MWF. <>THE NEW YORK MINERALOGICAL CLUB, Mitchell Portnoy, Editor; New York
Mineralogical Club, New York, NY EFMLSINDEXStart of Article

MINI BULLETINS

1.LAPIDARY CHATTER, Joan Lingenfelter, Editor; Delaware Valley Lapidary & Mineral Society,
Springfield, PA EFMLS; 2. MENDO COAST GEMS, Jane Webb, Editor; Mendocino Coast Gem & Mineral
Society, Fort Bragg, CFMS CA; 3. THAMES VALLEY GEODE, Lou Castagna, Editor; Thames Valley
Rockhounds, Inc., Groton, CT EFMLS; 4. SIES CLUB NEWS, Donna Curtis, Editor; Southern Illinois Earth
Science Club, Benton, IL MWF; 5. ROCK POUNDER, Sharen & Jay De Puy, Editors; Ute Mountain Gem &
Mineral Society, Cortez, CO RMFMS; 6. BOULDER BUSTERS, Charlene Balter, Editor; Hells Canyon Gem
Club, Inc., Lewiston, ID/Clarkston, WA NFMS; 7. THE LODESTONE, Gary Raham, Editor; Fort Collins
Rockhounds, Fort Collins, CO; RMFMS; 8. ROCKHOUND SPECIAL, Darlene Denton, Editor; Mt. Baker
Rock & Gem Club, Bellingham, WA NFMSINDEXStart of Article

SMALL BULLETINS

1. ROCK RAMBLINGS, Nancy Piazza, Editor; Lakeshore Mineral & Lapidary Society, Mentor, OH MWF;
2.DRYWASHER'S GAZETTE, Pat LaRue, Editor; Valley Prospectors, San Bernardino, CA CFMS; 3. THE
SLATE, Elizabeth Commean, Editor; Northwest Illinois Rock Club, Freeport, IL MWF; 4. STONEY
STATEMENTS, Mary-Ruth Rathjen, Editor; Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX SCFMS; 5.
GRINDINGS, Geri Whitlatch, Editor; Idaho Gem Club, Boise, ID NFMS; 6. THE TUSCARORA BULLETIN,
Pamela Wingrod, Editor; Tuscarora Lapidary Society, Media, PA EFMLS; 7. HIGH COUNTRY
GLEAMINGS, Margaret L. Johnson, Editor; Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society, Hendersonville, NC
SFMS; 8. CHATS AND CHIPS, Helen L. Ladd, Editor; Manasota Rock and Gem Club, Sarasota, FL EFMLS;
9. THE TUMBLE RUMBLE, Richard M. Knox, Editor; Capistrano Valley Rock & Mineral Club, San
Clemente, CA CFMS; 10. THE HOUND'S TALE, Joe & JoAnne Zinecker, Editors; Arlington Gem & Mineral
Club, Arlington, TX SCFMS

HONORABLE MENTION: <>BEEHIVE BUZZER, Leora Alexander, Editor; Beehive Rock & Gem Club,
Ogden, UT RMFMS. <>BROOKSIDE PEBBLE NEWS, Marie Wester, Editor; Four Corners Gem & Mineral
Club, Durango, CO RMFMS. <>CABBER GABBER, Charlotte Styers, Editor; Mobile Rock & Gem Society,
Mobile, AL SFMS. <>COWTOWN CUTTER, Terry Biegler, Editor; Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club, Fort
Worth, TX SCFMS. <>GOLDEN SPIKE NEWS, Nancy Freund, Editor; Golden Spike Gem & Mineral Society,
Ogden, UT NFMS. <>HOUNDS HOWL, Barbara Fenstermacher, Editor; Aiken Gem & Mineral Society,
Aiken, SC SFMS. <>HUNTIN' & DIGGIN', Bill Alcorn, Editor; De Ridder Gem & Mineral Society, De Ridder,
LA SCFMS. <>OBSIDIAN OBSERVER, Marge Garn, Editor; Los Alamos Geological Society, Los Alamos,
NM RMFMS. <>STONE AGE NEWS, Deloris Morrical, Editor; Marysville Rock & Gem Club,
Marysville, WA NFMS. <>THE GEODE, Celia Tiffany, Editor; McDonnell Douglas Gem & Mineral Society,
St. Louis, MO MWF. <>THE PETRIFIED DIGEST, Maxine Anderson, Editor; Ginkgo Mineral Society,
Wenatchee, WA NFMS. <>THE ROCKATIER, Beverly Moreau, Editor; Northrop Grumman Gem &
Mineral Club, Hawthorne, CA CFMS. <>THE VUG EXAMINER, Reivan Zeleznik, Editor;
Stamford Mineralogical Society, Stamford, CT EFMLS. <>TUMBLER, Alberta Hare, Editor; Marin Mineral
Society, San Rafael, CA CFMSINDEXStart of Article

LARGE BULLETINS

1. EARTH SCIENCE NEWS, Jean Reynolds, Editor; Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois, Downers
Grove, IL MWF; 2. ROCK BUSTER NEWS, Lois & Erston Barnhart, Editors; Central Pennsylvania Rock &
Mineral Club, Harrisburg, PA EFMLS; 3. GEM CUTTERS NEWS, Carolyn Weinberger, Editor; Gem Cutters
Guild of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD EFMLS; 4. T-TOWN ROCKHOUND, Linda Jaeger, Editor; Tulsa Rock &
Mineral Society, Tulsa, OK RMFMS; 5.THE MOUNTAIN GEM, Charles & Amy Ramer, Editors; Gem &
Mineral Society of Franklin, NC, Franklin, NC SFMS; 6. GHOST SHEET, Rosemarie Young, Editor; Mother
Lode Mineral Society, Modesto, CA CFMS; 7. ROCKHOUND RAMBLING, Shirley Layton, Editor; Ventura
Gem & Mineral Society, Ventura, CA CFMS; 8. THE COASTAL PLAIN GEODE, Anne & Susan Dodenhoff,
Editors; Charles Towne Mineral & Lapidary Club, Charleston, SC SFMS 9. KYANA GEMSCOOP, Jim &
Judy Budnik, Editors; Kyana Geological Society, Louisville, KY SFMS 10. ROCK ROLLERS, Erma Riese,
Editor; Rock Rollers Club, Spokane, WA NFMS

HONORABLE MENTION: <>OFF THE DOP, Carl M. Unruh, Editor; Intermountain Faceters Guild, Northern
Utah, Southeastern Idaho NFMS. <>ROCK TALK, Cheryl Poling & Gail Barton, Editors; Tucson Gem &
Mineral Society, Tucson, AZ RMFMS. <>SKAGIT GEMS, David & Sherry Britten, Editors; Skagit Rock &
Gem Club, Mount Vernon, WA NFMS. <>TRINITY TAILINGS, Alice Jones, Editor; Trinity Gem & Mineral
Society, Weaverville, CA CFMS. <>TUMBLER, Norman Steele, Editor; Boeing Employees Mineralogical
Society, Seattle, WA NFMSINDEXStart of Article

POETRY

1. "The Editor's Lament," Gareth Bibbins, Author; BELLEVUE ROCKHOUND, Bellevue Rock Club,
Bellevue, WA NFMS; 2. "Rockhounds," Marion Grambau, Author; DUST AND GRIT, Federal Way Gem &
Mineral Society, Federal Way, WA NFMS; 3. "Could Be ......" Betty Lou Daigneau, Author; ROCK TALK, St.
Lucie County Rock & Gem Club, Ft. Pierce, FL SFMS; 4. "The Petrified Truth," Carl E. Wells, Author; THE
HOUND'S TALE, Arlington Gem & Mineral Club, Arlington, TX SCFMS; 5. "To The Fossil," Pat Rutkowski,
Author; THE ROCKPILE, Midwest Mineralogical & Lapidary Society of Dearborn, Dearborn, MI MWF; 6.
"Touching Immortality," Terry Biegier, Author; COWTOWN CUTTER, Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club, Fort
Worth, TX SCFMS; 7. "Nevada Dinosaurs," Sharon Ottilige, Author; DINNY'S DOIN'S, Fossils For Fun
Society, Sacramento, CA CFMS; 8. "The Collection of Stan McPhee," Donald Kelman, Author;
ROCKHOUND NEWS, Heart of Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society, Wisconsin Rapids, WI MWF; 9.
"Christmas Musings," Naomi Matney, Author; QUARRY QUIPS, Wichita Gem & Mineral Society, Wichita,
KA RMFMS; 10. "A Rockhounding Trip," Forrest Settle, Author; THE CLACKAMETTE GEM, Clackamette
Mineral & Gem Corp., Oregon City, OR NFMS

HONORABLE MENTION <>"Each One--Teach One!," Midge Beasley, Author; THE CORAL GEODE, Tampa
Bay EFMLS. Mineral & Science Club, Mango, FL. <>"God's Little Miracles," Betty Radke-Dye, Author;
EMERALD GEMS, Eugene Mineral Club, Eugene, OR NFMS. <>"Memorium," Richard Atkins, Author;
STONEY STATEMENTS, Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX SCFMS. <>"Ode To Rocking,"
Doug Hanson, Author; THE ROCK AND HAMMER, Lake Elsinore Gem & Mineral Society, Lake Elsinore,
CA CFMS. <>"Our 23rd Annual Show," Gen Marcoux, Author; ROCKHOUND NEWS, Heart of Wisconsin
Gem & Mineral Society, Wisconsin Rapids, WI MWF. <>"Rockhounding on the Redonda Mesa," Dorothy
Borman, Author; CHAPARRAL CHATTER, Chaparral Rockhounds, Roswell, NM RMFMS. <>"Space," Doyle
F. Rhodes, Author; THE ROCK BAG, Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, Oxnard, CA CFMS. <>"The
Awakening," Erston Barnhart, Author; ROCK NEWS, Central Pennsylvania Rock & Mineral Club,
Harrisburg, PA EFMLS. <>"The Diamond," Cindy Hursty, Author; THE GARNET GAZETTE, Mid-Hudson
Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Poughkeepsie, NY EFMLS. <>"The Rock Hunting Trip," Karen Deem,
Author; BEEHIVE BUZZER, Beehive Rock & Gem Club, Ogden, UT RMFMS. <>"The Stone Tree," Opal
Duke Dearing, Author; GEMSTONE GAZETTE, Lea Lap Rock & Mineral Club, Hobbs, NM RMFMS

INDEXStart of Article

ADULT ARTICLES

1. "Miocene Skates & Rays of Lee Creek, Part 6 - The Myliobatoids: II," Jim Bourdon, Author; NJPS
PALEONTOGRAPH, New Jersey Paleontological Society, New Milford, NJ EFMLS; 2. "Amber," Dave
Hayward, Author; ROCK BUSTER NEWS, Central Pennsylvania Rock & Mineral Club, Harrisburg, PA
EFMLS; 3. "Fluorescence," Emily Adams, Author; HIGH COUNTRY GLEAMINGS, Hendersonville, NC
SFMS; 4. "Trials & Tribulations of Trilobites," Dolores Rose, Author; G.I. NUGGET, Grand Island, NE
MWF; 5. "Lapis Lazuli," Marianne Luther, Author; STONEY STATEMENTS, Clear Lake Gem & Mineral
Society, Houston, TX SCFMS; 6. "Electronic Minerals," Stephen C. Emmons, Author; THE LODESTONE,
Fort Collins Rockhounds, Fort Collins, CO RMFMS; 7. "Ultimate Recycling," Elmore Easter, Author; THE
VUG EXAMINER, Stamford Mineralogical Society, Stamford, CT EFMLS; 8. "Selected Locality Guide for
Collecting Sites in Indiana," Charles Edward Oldham, Author; KYANA GEMSCOOP, Kyana Geology Club,
Louisville, KY SFMS; 9. "Catch A Failing Star!," Stephen Bespalko, Author; LITHOSPHERE, Fallbrook
Gem & Mineral Society, Fallbrook, CA CFMS; 10. "Mississippian Brachiopods From Ohio Cuyahoga
Formations," Robert L. Guenther, Author; THE LITHNICS, Richland Lithic & Lapidary Society, Mansfield,
OH MWF

HONORABLE MENTION: <>"Cripple Creek Amethyst," Stephen Wade Veatch, Author; PICK AND PACK,
Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society, Colorado Springs, CO RMFMS. <>"Diamonds," Arlene Tilson-
Chrysler, Author; STONEY STATEMENTS, Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX SCFMS. <>"I
Am A Rockhound," Charles (Chuck) Weber, Author; LITHOSPHERE, Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society,
Fallbrook, CA CFMS. <>"Iron--From Heaven and Earth," Mae Williams, Author; THE PETRIFIED DIGEST,
Ginkgo Mineral Society, Wenatchee, WA NFMS. <>"Llanite Found in Downtown Dallas!," Terry Biegler,
Author; THE COVVTOWN CUTTER, Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club, Fort Worth, TX SCFMS. <>"Our Field
Trip to Boron," Karen Dawes, Author; LITHOSPHERE, Fallbrook Gem & Mineral, Fallbrook, CA CFMS.
<>"Petrogenesis of the Mantle Eclogites from South Africa," Marge Garn, Author; OBSIDIAN OBSERVER,
Los Alamos Geological Society, Los Alamos, NM RMFMS. <>"Rhodochrosite," Crystal Johanson, Author;
PEBBLES, Everett Rock & Gem Club, Everett, WA NFMS. <>"Travis' Trivia," Travis Paris, Author; KGEMS
NEWSLETTER, Knoxville Gem & Mineral Society, Knoxville, TN SFMS. <>"Warning--Using Anti-Freeze As
A Saw Coolant," Delbert Blickfeldt, Author; GRINDINGS, Idaho Gem Club, Boise, ID NFMS. <>"Zeolites,
The Sharing Minerals," Lloyd L. Brown, Author; THE TRILOBITE, Wisconsin Geological Society,
Milwaukee, WI MWF. <>"Zion National Park: A Tweak of History and a Tweak of Geology," D. S. Grover,
Author; LITHOSPHERE, Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society, Fallbrook, CA CFMS

INDEXStart of Article

ADULT ARTICLES - ADVANCED

1. ''Whiskers As A Pedestal For a Micromount," Paul Smith, Author; THE MINERAL MITE,
Micromineralogists of the National Capital Area, Bethesda, MD EFMLS; 2. "On The Scheelite Trail, The X-
Ray Connection, and Other Surprises," Howard Heitner, Author; THE VUG EXAMINER, Stamford
Mineralogical Society, Stamford, CT EFMLS; 3. "Very Smooth Rocks," Wes De Coursey, Author; THE
POST ROCK, McPherson Gem & Mineral Club, McPherson, KS RMFMS; 4. "Early Man and Meteors," Dan
Behnke, Author; EARTH SCIENCE NEWS, Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois, Downers Grove, IL
MWF; 5. "The Colors of Blackness: Viewing Fluorescence," Celia Tiffany, Author; THE GEODE,
McDonnell Douglas Gem & Mineral Society, St. Louis, MO MWF; 6. "The Great Mogul," Carl Unruh,
Author; OFF THE DOP, Intermountain Faceters Guild, North Utah & Southeast Idaho NFMS; 7. "Another
Mounting Pedestal--Porcupine Quill," Jack Nelson, Author; THE MINERAL MITE, Micromineralogists of
the National Capital Area, Bethesda, MD EMLS; 8. "Think Cold For This Mineral," Alberta Hare, Author;
TUMBLER, Marin Mineral Society, San Anselmo, CA CFMS; 9. "The Importance of the Uranium Mines,"
Ralph C. Sparks, Author; HIGH COUNTRY GLEAMINGS, Henderson County Gem & Mineral Society,
Hendersonville, NC SFMS; 10. "Profile: Inclusions," Jean Seaman, Author; TRIANGLE ROCKHOUND,
Central North Carolina Mineral Club, Chapel Hill, NC SFMS

HONORABLE MENTION: <>"Binghamite," Ruby Lingelbach, Author; THE ROCKHOUND GAZETTE,
Stillwater Mineral & Gem Society, Stillwater, OK RMFMS. <>"Camels," Andrew A. Hay, Author; EARTH
SCIENCE NEWS, Earth Science Club of Northern IL, Downer's Grove, IL MWF. <>"Colorado's Turquoise,"
Gary Raham, Author; THE LODESTONE, Fort Collins Rockhounds, Fort Collins, CO RMFMS. <>"The
Plumbing of the Jemez Volcano: Recent Geophysical Work," Ken Shisler, Author; OBSIDIAN OBSERVER,
Los Alamos Geological Society, Los Alamos, NM RMFMS. <>"Thunder Eggs," Lew Birdsall, Author;
OREGON ROCKHOUND, Oregon Agate & Mineral Society, Portland, OR NFMS

INDEXStart of Article

JUNIOR ARTICLES

1. "Under The Earth," Janine Pixley, Author; THE VUG EXAMINER, Stamford Mineralogical Society,
Stamford, CT EFMLS; 2. "Pompeii," Cameron D. Cox, Author; ROCK PICKINGS, Eastern Indiana Gem &
Geological Society, Richmond, IN MWF; 3. "Topaz," Erin Huggins, Author; SKAGIT GEMS, Skagit Rock &
Gem Club, Mount Vernon, WA NFMS; 4. "Timmy's Tooth," Beth Avilla, Author; THE STRATA DATA, Three
Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Fort Wayne, IN MWF; 5. "Mother Earth," Amanda L. Filtz, Author;
ROCKHOUND NEWS, Heart of Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society, Wisconsin Rapids, WI MWF

INDEXStart of Article

SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS

1. CELEBRATING THE SESQUICENTENNIAL--GEOLOGY'S ROLE IN IOWA'S HISTORY, Cedar Valley
Rocks & Minerals Society, Sharon Sonnleitner, Editor; Cedar Valley Rocks & Minerals Society, Cedar
Rapids, IA MWF; 2. 35TH ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET, John Boland, Author; Coulee Rock Club, La Crosse,
WI MWF; 3. WELCOME TO THE STAMFORD MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY'S 8TH ANNUAL SHOW, Reivan
Zeleznik, Author; Stamford Mineralogical Society, Stamford, CT EFMLS; 4. A LAUGH A DAY KEEPS THE
DOCTOR AWAY, Alice Jones, Editor; Trinity Gem & Mineral Society, Weaverville, CA CFMS; 5. CHICAGO
ROCKS & MINERALS SOCIETY: 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION, David Dick, Editor; Chicago Rocks &
Minerals Society, Chicago, IL MWF; 6. LAPIDARY, SHOP, AND SAFETY HINTS, Alice Jones, Editor; Trinity
Gem & Mineral Society, Weaverville, CA CFMS; 7. FOSSIL COLLECTING, John C. Osborne, Author;
Stillwater Mineral & Gem Society, Stillwater, OK RMFMS

INDEXStart of Article

PEBBLE CANDLES CAN BE MADE with new paraffin, a utility household candle, a frozen juice concentrate can, pebbles (or tumbled stones), and a blow hair dryer. Place the candle in the can and fill the space around it with melted paraffin (CAUTION: paraffin is flammable). When it has cooled, peel the can off the sides of the candle. Then use the hair dryer to expose the pebbles as much as looks nice to you. Catch the drippings in a pan. For variations: Melt a crayon in the wax for color. Vary molds.
Mirror via Rock Rustler's News

SPECIAL POSTAL CANCELLATIONS
by Wendell C. Mohr,
AFMS Commemorative Stamp Committee

Is your club having a special event? A 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, or other particularly important club or show
anniversary? Sponsoring a regional or AFMS convention/show? A nice feature would be to celebrate with a special postal cancellation.

Here's the lowdown on how to proceed:
Pictorial cancellations are postmarks that feature wording and/or graphics commemorating local events. The USPS will support you by establishing a temporary station at your event. The event must be open to the public. Only one design will be allowed for any event. All must carry the name of the event followed by "Station" or "Sta.", the complete name of the city, state (Can use 2 letter abbreviation), ZIP code and the month, day and year. Illustrations, wording, and designs must directly relate to the event. Overall dimensions must be less than 2 inches vertically and 4 inches horizontally. You may not promote products or commercial sales. A request should to be submitted in writing to the Postmaster of the city where the event takes place no less than 3 months in advance of the date of use. Be sure to explain that yours is a non-profit, educational group and a member of the regional federation and the AFMS. Include the contact name and phone number, description of the event, dates cancellation to be offered and a proposed design.

Keep the design simple, avoiding fine lines and small print. A logo or other strong visual element should be the center of interest. Keep the text "Short and sweet". Artwork can be done by a talented club member or another artist. You could involve young people by inviting ideas from the high school art classes nearby. A small prize can be awarded and you might gain a member too! The approved design must be submitted as camera-ready copy.The USPS will manufacture the stamp for the cancellation and will provide the station at your event without charge.

Space will be required to be provided at your event for the postal station. Try for a spot everyone passes. Highlight with signage. Talk with your local Postmaster about specific times, their sales of other postal items and any other details. You may want to save your own adjacent space to sell mineral, prehistoric animals, or dinosaur stamps. Stamps not in current distribution can be a profit maker and can be arranged with local stamp dealers. You also can gain revenue by producing a commemorative envelope with special artwork for sale. Of course decisions will have to be made on prices and numbers. Don't forget to emphasize this feature in your publicity. You can do this as we all await new commemorative stamps for our field of interest. In the meantime buy and use the dinosaur stamps before they become extinct!

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you. -- Rita Mae Brown

INDEX

SAFETY: ROTARY SLINGSHOTS
Mel Albright; AFMS Safety Chair

Do you know why slingshots are so powerful? The answer is that they use stored energy to accelerate something to a high speed. That makes them strike with a great deal of force.

How many slingshots are in YOUR shop? "None", you say. Sorry, you're wrong. EVERY device you have that goes round and around is a slingshot. Your cab machine, your hand tool, your polisher, your saw, your grinder, your facetor, and more.

If anything catches on one of these devices, it is accelerated - by kinetic energy this time - and becomes a dangerous missile. That means that when they hit they will have a great deal of force. And - YOU might be what it hits. Even worse, your EYE might be what it hits.

So what safety is required when using such devices? First and foremost is an eye shield of some sort. Some machines have one built in. But, most do not. So safety glasses or a face shield are in order. Both are inexpensive and available at your local WalMart of hardware store.

"But, my machine doesn't throw anything!" The needed word to add is "YET". All will at some time. For your safety, many are manufactured so that anything that is sling-shot will go away from you ALMOST every time. But, even then, they can and have come toward the user.

I'll add a personal note about a rotary tool. I had a hard rubber abrasive wheel on (1/4 inch thick and 3/4 inch in diameter) and was polishing silver with it. The shaft broke. The wheel and the jagged shaft ran up my face shield and rammed into the wall behind the workbench. It left a dent like a hard hammer blow would. It also left a deep scratch right in front of my eye. I get chills when I think "What if".

INDEX

A FULL LIFE

There are 168 golden hours in every week. I sleep 10 hours a night or 70 hours a week and that leaves 98 golden hours. I eat 3 meals a day and take an hour for each and that's 21 hours and leaves 77 golden hours. Every morning, I shower, shave, clean my teeth and get dressed and that takes another 7 hours and leaves 70 golden hours. It takes an hour to drive to work and an hour to drive home and that is 10 hours and leaves 60 golden hours. I watch the news every evening on TV for 1 1/2 hours and that's 10.5 hours and leaves 49.5 golden hours. We go to church every Sunday and that's 2 1/2 hours and leaves 47 golden hours. Of course, we have to go shopping, go to the doctor and dentist, pay bills, mow the yard, rake leaves, and more and those take 12 hours a week and that leaves 35 golden hours. And life isn't all work and duties. We meet friends, go to the movies and the like and that's another 5 hours a week and that leaves 30 golden hours a week. Then the kids have music lessons, soccer and scouts and that takes 14 hours a week and that leaves 16 golden hours a week. Then I work in the rock shop at least an hour a day and that leaves 9 golden hours. Then my boss comes along and complains that I'm not doing mypart. Why is he so grouchy? I give him a solid 9 hours a week - that's ALL that I have to spare. - Original source unknown

INDEX

SHOW AND MEETING REPORT
by Wendell. Mohr

AFMS/EFMLS/MISSISSIPPI G&M SOCIETY SHOW AND CONVENTION JACKSON, MS Oct- 17-19
The Show was held at the State Fair Grounds and meetings at the Edison Walthall Hotel. Jackson downtown is clean, neat, and has virtually no commercial businesses except office and state buildings. There are few indigents and few flowers.
The 50th Anniversary AFMS Director's Meeting was held on Thu. Oct. 16th. As is customary, most officers and committee chairs submitted written reports that were distributed prior to the meeting.
The Lapidary Journal contributed 10% of the proceeds from their own publication's 50th Anniversary advertising section to the AFMS ($3840).
The credit card program, which yielded about $300 to the AFMS, was unilaterally canceled by the bank.
Changes to Operating Procedures were considered:
1. "Each Club- Each Year- One Rockhound" changes to specify the purpose, composition and responsibilities of the committee passed, although the program title was discussed as being too cumbersome. California Federation still uses "Education Through Sharing".
2. A proposal to change funding for committee chairmen for business meetings failed.
3. A procedure for passing on information from one generation to the next (Officers and chairmen) to reflect current practices was passed.
4. A procedure clarifying conflict with the by-laws with respect to regional federation representation at the AFMS meeting passed.
5. A procedure covering retention of AFMS publications, special forms etc. for history as well as reference for assistance passed.
6. Passed was a new procedure that allows for, but does not require, funding for the AFMS president to be reimbursed for attending regional conventions other than his own region.
7. A provision requiring manuals which do not and have not recently existed was deleted.
8. A specification to maintain a $5000 minimum balance in the non-restricted endowment fund (Earnings, not principal) passed.
Motions passed:
1. The National "Bulletin Editors Hall of Fame" to be a part of AFMS under Club Publications.
2. Up to $200 from the endowment fund be used to furnish copies of AFMS material (Supplies, rule books, updates, mineral lists etc.) to each regional federation.
3. Increase Program Competition Committee budget by $1100 and restore cash prizes to winners.
4. Recognize the benefits of ALAA and declare that the ALAA be a representative of the interest of the AFMS (Without financial obligation for support of ALAA).
5. Table the issue of creating an AFMS web page on the WWW. Considerable discussion on this issue revolved around issues of security, what is to be on and what is not, non-promotion of dealers, link to ALAA, who is contact, and how material is to be approved. A committee will be appointed to study the issue and hopefully report in 3 months.
6. Study the formation of an AFMS committee to take care of paleontological concern and report back next year.
A copy of the program of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History grand opening of the Hall of Gems, Mineral and Geology was presented to the historian and an invitation made to visit the exhibits.
The 1988 AFMS and Midwest Federation Convention and show will be August 14 and 15 at Houghton, MI, preceded by 5 days of field trips beforehand (Red Metal Retreat). The 1999 AFMS and Southeastern Federation meeting will be in Nashville TN at the State Fairgrounds in the 2nd week of July.
The Junior Program Committee Chairman resigned due to little or no response to requests and contacts for input. [Comment: Of all the things we need most for club health it is the invigoration of our clubs with new members and especially youth]
Funds were requested to be donated to the AFMS endowment fund to support activities.
The meeting adjourned after about 4 1/2 hours!
Your AFMS is doing well in supporting the needs of regional federations, individual clubs and members with on- going programs in -. Club publications, Commemorative stamps, Conservation and legislation, Recognition of outstanding rockhounds and clubs, Program competition, Safety, Uniform rules and competitive exhibits and judging, Scholarship foundation, and many other administrative functions. We get a lot for our tiny dues contribution!
Field trips preceded the show. The show opened Fri. and ran until Sun. There were about 90 exhibits of which about 30 were competitive. A wide variety of content made for interest. AFMS cases featured AFMS history (4), donated cabs from around the country (3), Gold from the USA (1), and past president's specimens (1).
Outstanding exhibits included a fossil dinosaur head exhibit (Reconstructed), dining tables full of rock food, faceted stones 5-7 inches in size, "Memories of Golden California", stereo micromounts, to say nothing of the competitive cases. Terry Cirrincione displayed finds from the EFMLS geology tour this summer. She also had a case of fossils (Which, if entered competitively, would have scored very high). A humorous entry was coprolites by the Royal Flush Society! Several educational institutions and the MS Department of Natural Resources had exhibits. The host club members conducted many working demonstrations. Scheduled presentations were made each day by a total of 6 speakers. About two dozen dealers plied their wares.
The "Crackerbarrel" discussion Friday evening was unfortunately canceled.
The Rockhounder, 11/97

* Very early one morning two birds are sitting at the side of a large puddle of oil. They see a worm on the other side. So... one flies over and the other one wades through the oil. Which one gets to the worm first? The one who swam, of course, because "The oily bird gets the worm"
* There are those who find big problems with every solution.
* Luck is when opportunity and preparation meet.
* If the world seems cold, light some fires.

INDEX

CORRECT TUCSON SHOW DATES -
BAD INFORMATION OUT THERE
Rick Trapp
Tucson Gem and Mineral Society Show Committee

It has come to our attention that the 1998 Show dates for the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society have been incorrectly posted in a variety of sources. Our retail show dates are February 12 to February 15, 1998. As
usual, our retail show is held at the Tucson Convention Center, beginning on the second Thursday of February and lasting for four days. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Society regrets to announce that ther are no plans for a wholesale show sponsored by the Society in 1998. Any announcement of dates for such a show are incorrect.

There has been an incredible amount of hotel and motel construction in Tucson over the last two years and there are literally thousands more rooms available here in the metropolitan Tucson area than in previous years. We cordially invite mineral, fossil, and lapidary enthusiasts to visit warm Tucson in February to see the finest gem and mineral show in the world.

INDEX

A MODERN PARABLE

Once upon a time, there was a rock club. It's members were all old hands at the hobby. Whenever they met and talked, they wished that more people would join the club. "We cannot do the things the club once did because we are so few." They tried and tried to get new young members. And they often did. Then, in a few meetings, the new ones disappeared. And the old members looked at each other and said, "What did we do wrong?" And no one answered.

There came a time the club had two new families as members. The youngsters were vibrating with excitement and curiosity at each meeting. Then slowly, one family came less often and less often. A field trip was scheduled - the first since last year and the second since the year before. The meeting was Thursday, the trip on Saturday. The trip was to local fossil sites where much wonder abounded. Both families were going. But, the club building needed work. At the meeting, the old members said "I've got lots of fossils, let's fix the shed instead." So the new families hunted no fossils.

Another field trip was scheduled. The Saturday after the next meeting. To dig crystals at a famous mineral site. The kids were excited. They had asked friends to join them. Then the old members said "Well, we've lots of crystals - and if we go a week later, we can go to a swap and talk with other friends, instead." So they moved and voted to change and forget the crystals. And the new members frowned.

Once upon a time, there was a rock club. It's members were all old hands at the hobby. Whenever they met and talked, they wished that more people would join the club. "We cannot do the things the club once did because we are so few." They tried and tried to get new young members. And they often did. Then, in a few meetings, the new ones disappeared. And the old members looked at each other and said, "What did we do wrong?" And no one answered. - Anonymous

INDEX

COLLECTING IN CANADA BY NON-CITIZENS
By Ken Pugh; Fraser Centre for Non-Marine Eocene Research
kpugh@uniserve.com

Well here it is. The official word on what must be declared at Canada Customs. An export permit is required as below, and must be applied for by a Canadian resident [on behalf of an American].

Canada Cultural Property Control List
Group 1 - Objects Recovered from the Soil or Waters of Canada
Paleontology
3. Paleontological specimens recovered from the soil of Canada, the territorial sea of Canada or the inland waters of Canada, as follows:
a) a type fossil specimen of any value;
b) fossil amber of any value;
c) a vertebrate fossil specimen of a fair market value in Canada of more than $500;
d) an invertebrate fossil specimen of a fair market value in Canada of more than $500;
e) specimens in bulk weighing 11.25kg (25 pounds) or more of vertebrate fossils or vertebrate trace fossils of any value; and
f) specimens in bulk weighing 22.5kg (50 pounds) or more, recovered from a specific outcrop, quarry or locality, that include one or more specimens of any value of the following, namely,
(i) invertebrate fossils (ii) plant fossils, or (III) fossiliferous rock containing plant fossils or invertebrate fossils
As you can see, casual collecting of a few specimens is not going to give you a problem, unless it is of amber. If you have further questions, or would like a copy of the guide, phone Kathryn Zedde, Cultural Moveable Property Programmes Officer, Hull, Que., 819-997-7760, or your closest Revenue Canada / Customs office.

I also note in Section 12 (1) that a permit officer shall issue an export permit when the applicant for the permit certifies and establishes to the officer's satisfaction that the object is to be removed from Canada for any of the following purposes: a) appraisal b) authentication c) conservation d) exhibition e) on loan f) processing g) research h) restoration or repair i) as personal effects. The length of time for which an object may be removed from Canada under an export permit shall be for a period not exceeding five years.

FURTHER REMARKS FROM ROBERT SENSENSTEIN
Ottawa Paleontological Society

I talked with Ms. Katheryn Zedde regarding the Canada Cultural Property Control List and she informed me that this control list is meant only to keep track of what is being found that MAY be of cultural or heritage value. By making the above mentioned paleon-tological specimens declarable, this allows the government to put a temporary hold on anything that may be regarded as culturally significant to prevent it's leaving the country until relevant museums and/ or institutions can be informed of the objects existence. This allows these organisations the opportunity to bid on the item and pay "fair market value", NOT to confiscate the items (as long as the relevant provincial laws and permits have been met regarding the material's aquisition).

For example: in the Yukon there is a company that currently exports mammoth tusks to the US. These tusks are declared according to the Control List (since they are worth more than $500 Can. and weigh more than 11.25 kg) but since no museum or other institution is interested in them they then go on their way. Same thing for some companies exporting Placenticeras ammonites for the ammolite jewelry trade.
Apparently, most Canadian border guards don't know about this list at all, which could be a mixed
blessing, so be informed.

INDEX

TROPHIES WON IN JACKSON
By Anne Cook
ELIGIBILITY Files Clerk

At the combined Eastern Federation/American Federation Show and Convention in Jackson, Mississippi
October 17-19, 34 cases were entered into Uniform Rules competition. Of these, 24 were entered first into the competition for Eastern Federation trophies, and 12 of these scored high enough (90 for Masters, 70 for Juniors) to "fIy up" to try for American Federation trophies, along with the 10 cases which had scored high enough at previous Federation shows. That totaled 22 cases that were judged on Saturday- 12 of them won trophies.

John Pate, of the Houston Gem and Mineral Society, won Trophy 5, for restricted cabinet-size minerals. Donald Heins, of the Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society won Trophy 6, for miniature minerals. Sarah Gorday, of the Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society, won the only Junior trophy awarded, Junior Trophy 8, for thumbnail minerals. As the highest scoring junior, she also won the Lillian Turner Award. Louellen Montgomery, of the Topeka Gem and Mineral Society, won adult Trophy 8, for thumbnail minerals. Jay Gorday, father of our junior winner and also a member of the Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society, won Trophy 9, for restricted thumbnaiI minerals. Margaret and Robert Heinek, our now immediate past president and her husband, of the Michiana Gem and Mineral Society, won Trophy 13 for their case of petrified wood with special features. Barbara S. Jacobsen, of the Tuscarora Lapidary Society, won Trophy 18 f or cabochons, with a perfect score of 100! John Kleber, of both the Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society and the Columbus (Ohio) Rock and Mineral Society, won Trophy 27 for an educational case displaying a skill and aimed at the general public. Jennie R. Smith, of the Mineralogical Society of the District of Columbus, won Trophy' 30, for an educational case showing a concept to the informed viewer. Ruth L. Banick of the Buffalo (NY) Geological Society, won Trophy 35 for her case of self-
collected fossils. Ruby Lingelbach, of the Stillwater Mineral and Gem Society, won Trophy 38 for her case of petrified wood. Bruce H. Banick of the Buffalo Geological Society, won Trophy 41, for his case of carvings.

* Congratulations to all of these winners, and to the other competitors, all of whom had fine cases. Next year's American Federation Show will be in Houghton, Michigan. Start to prepare your case for or it now.

INDEX

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
(Rockhound Style with Apologies)
by Edna F. Pauli
Golden Spike Gem & Mineral Society

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, there wasn't room for a mouse
With geodes and nodules under table and chair,
A wee little mouse couldn't squeeze in anywhere.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
As visions of fossil fish swam through their heads.
And Mother, dreaming of Opal and me of a lap.
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.
When out in the street there arose such a clatter,
I jumped out of bed, mad as a hatter!
Just as our clock tolled its 3:00 a.m. chime,
I opened the door and took a long look.
The sight that I saw there would make quite a book.
For parking in front with a roar and a squeak,
Was dear old St. Nick in a well-loaded jeep.
He paused just a moment to check his long list,
And make double certain no one would be missed.
There's agate, onyx, turquoise, and rhodonite,
Carnelian, crystal, sapphire, and malachite.
He named every stone I ever had heard,
And my heart was so happy it sang like a bird.
For rocks to a rockhound are really a must,
Right next to that stuff labeled, "In God We Trust."
It took quite a while to do this little chore,
But as soon as he'd finished, he came straight for our door!
And I can't understand, though I've honestly tried,
But before I could turn, he was right there inside.
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work.
And I stood there and watched though I felt like a "jerk."
For he knew what I wanted more than I did myself.
And was wise beyond reason, this right jolly old elf.
The gifts he had brought were trips for next year,
And the making of new friends from far and near.
The singing of old songs around campfires bright,
And being with the gang every rock meeting night.
He picked up his pack and prepared to depart,
And I gave him my thanks from the bottom of my heart.
For friendship we know is a wonderful gem,
And the principal key to "Peace Among Men."
He sprang to his jeep, and stepped on the gas,
And left 'mid the snowflakes which sparkled like glass.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas, Rockhounds, and to all a Good Night!" ------

Reprinted from the December 1996
Rockhound Record,

R U COMPUTER WISE?
The definitions below prove that rockhounds are far more familiar with computers than they believe:&127;
* "Hard drive" -- Climbing a steep, muddy hill with a full load in your four-wheel drive.
* "Keyboard" -- Place to hang your truck keys.
* "Window" -- Place in the truck to display your guns.
* "Floppy" -- When you run out of Polygrip.
* "Modem" -- How you got rid of your dandelions.
* "Reboot" -- What you do when the first pair gets covered with barnyard stuff.
* "Network" -- Activity meant to provide bait for your trot line.

INDEX

THE BIGGEST, THE BEST,
AND THE MOST GARGANTUAN
by Benjamin Mark

The Largest Gold Nugget ever found was called the Holterman Nugget. It was found in Australia on October 19, 1872 and weighed 7,560 ounces. That's 472 and a half pounds my friends. I could make a couple of rings out of that. And maybe even a bangle to spare.

The largest silver nugget weighed 2,750 lbs. troy. It was discovered in Sonora, Mexico and was appropriated" by the Spanish government before 1821. I looked up the word appropriate in the dictionary to see if they felt the same about the word as I did. Here are some definitions. Steal, filch, lift, nab, pilfer, pillage, swipe, and thieve.

The Largest Pearl, for you pearl lovers, weighs 14 lbs., 1 oz. It is 9 and a half inches long by 5 and a half inches in diameter. It was found in Palawan, Philippines, on May 7th, 1934 inside the shell of a giant clam. It presently resides in a San Francisco bank vault and was worth $4,080,000 as of July, 1971. It is called the Pearl of Lao-tze.

Opals anyone? How about one found in Andamooka, South Australia, in January, 1970. It weighs 34,215 carats and was unearthed by a bulldozer.

There is a Topaz out there that weighs 21,327 carats. Light blue in color, with 221 facets, it's called the Brazilian Princess. It was exhibited at the Smithsonian in1978 and was then worth $1,066,350.

Want something from the good old US of A. How about a turquoise weighing 218 lbs., found in Riverside County, California, on January 17, 1975.

Jade? Well...how about a boulder size piece found in British Columbiain 1977 It weighs 63,307 lbs.

Okay. By a show of hands...how many of you want to know about marble? I know, I know. What has marble got to do with jewelry? Well, fact is,I'm thinking of making up some marble jewelry next year, and that justifies this little bit of info. Largest single slab ever found weighed 100.8 tons. It was quarried in Yule, Colorado, and a piece of this slab was cut for the coping stone on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

The largest Sapphire weighed 2,302 carats. It was found in Australia circa 1935, and was carved into the shape of the head of President Abraham Lincoln. Another black star sapphire weighing 2,097 carats was carved into a bust of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, circa 1954.

Now...the largest of gemstones ever found in recorded history...a 520,000 carat aquamarine found in Brazil in 1910. It yielded 200,000 carats of gem quality cutstones.

The rarest...there are only four of these stones in the world. It is a pale mauve gem known as Taaffeite. They were first discovered in Dublin, and the largest one weighs 0.84 carats.
The Slate, March, 1997

The Chico, California, City Council enacted a ban on nuclear weapons, setting a $500 fine for anyone detonating one within city limits.

INDEX

FANTASTIC FOSSIL FOR SCIENCE?
by Gregory Brown
gbrown@unlinfo.unl.edu -
University of Nebraska State Museum -Division of Vertebrate Paleontology
http://wwwmuseum.unl.edu/research/vertpaleo/vertpaleo.html*

That new fossil that you just found looks to be an important, fantastic new fossil that will advance the art of paleontology. So you hustle it to the experts. Their enthusiasm is mild. *On the other hand, upon spying a small bone fragment you thought little of, their eyes bulge like saucers.* What's going on?

To many amateurs and hobbyists, "importance" is judged on only two criteria: 1). Is it new to science? 2). Is it unusually complete or well preserved? These are "9-pin, dot matrix" questions!* *Paleontology* is now looking at 1200+ dpi resolution *questions*!

The science of paleontology...determining past environments, climates, faunal composition, behavior, etc. etc...depends on far more detailed information now. The basic questions (what kinds of animals were here; what did they look like?) have generally been answered. We're now addressing far more complex questions. Thus the importance of "collecting information". You can find an electronic version of a detailed article I wrote on this subject (specifically for amateur paleontologists) on our museum's web page at: http://www.museum.unl.edu/research/vertpaleo/musnote2.html* "Preserving Vertebrate Fossils: Notes from the Laboratory" can be printed or downloaded from the site. Though specific about vertebrates, the general principles apply to all fossils. *What's really important?* For anyone (amateur or professional) to determine a species-level identification of a critter (with any degree of confidence) is nearly impossible unless they specialize in that group. Genus- or family-level IDs are much more realistic. Geologic provenience is likewise difficult to establish precisely without a great deal of expertise. For instance, my field notes from years (many!) ago record strat data like this: "Aquia Formation, zone 2". Was it? According to my then-current knowledge...and some very very old literature...it was. Now, I doubt it very much. What is really important is to record common-sense
observations that would allow you (or someone else) to return to the location and relocate the very spot the fossil came from. For detailed research on museum collections, professionals will always try to return to the original locality and look at the sedimentology and stratigraphy themselves, even if the original data was collected by a well-respected colleague.

The "name" of the critter and the "name" of the formation are far less important to record in your field notes than some good old-fashioned basic observations about *the fossil's* occurrence. *Without data, a beautiful fossil may be scientifically worthless. With data, a seeming scrap may be a scientific treasure. If something is worth picking up, it is always worth documenting.*

Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused his dentist's Novocain during root canal work? He wanted to transcend dental medication.

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