|
|
|
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES
Volume 54, Number 8 IN THIS ISSUE THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU For a wonderful show, terrific arrangements , new friendships we made and a million other things.
AFMS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION HONORARY AWARD WINNERS - 2001 by Louellen Montgomery, AFMS Scholarship Foundation President The 2001 Honorary Award winners for the AFMS Scholarship Foundation have been selected by their respective regional federations. These Honorees have been chosen for their outstanding contributions to our hobby and to the Earth Science field. Each one will assist in the selection of two graduate students who are pursuing their advanced degrees in a branch of the Earth Sciences. Grants for each student will be provided by the Foundation in the amount of $2,000.00 per year for the school years 2001-02 and 2002-03. A total of 194 individuals have been named for this Award from the AFMS Scholarship Foundation since the first award was given in 1965. Scholarship grants have been issued to 404 students to date. The Officers and Directors of the AFMS Scholarship Foundation are pleased to confirm the selection of these Honorary Award winners for 2001. California Federation: Dr. Gary L. Peterson, Professor of Geology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California Dr. Peterson received his B.A. in Geology at the University of Colorado, Boulder; both his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Geology at the University of Washington, Seattle. He has been on the faculty of San Diego State University since 1963 as a Professor of Geology. Becoming interested in the field of Planetary Geology, he has set up a web site announcing a speaker service on that subject. He has given many talks on this subject to several clubs in the San Diego County area. One of his programs is titled "Exploring the Martian Desert". Eastern Federation: Marc L. Wilson, Head, Mineral Section, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Marc L. Wilson determined to follow a career in the Earth Sciences at the age of 5 years. He received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geology/Mineralogy at Michigan Tech University, Houghton. The author of numerous publications, he is affiliated with several professional organizations and is also a Consulting Editor for Rocks and Minerals magazine. He currently is the Collections Manager and Head of the Section of Minerals at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, a position he has held since 1992. His responsibilities there include: specimen acquisition and identification, coordinating the public outreach of this Section, including lectures, special exhibits for gem and mineral shows, and managing all aspects of business activities for the Section. Midwest Federation: Anne and Dr. William R. Cook, Mineral collectors, Cleveland Heights, Ohio Anne and "Bill" need no introduction to many of the members of the AFMS. Anne has served as President of the Midwest Federation, and currently is the Eligibility Files Chairman for the AFMS Uniform Rules Committee. She has also served as the Parliamentarian for the AFMS meetings for several years. Bill holds a Ph.D. degree in Mineralogy from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. They both are active in amateur mineralogy, and have been for over 30 years. They are founding members of both the Mineralogical Society of Cleveland and the Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Their competitive exhibits of minerals have won numerous Regional and National trophies. Northwest Federation: Dr. H. Peter Knudsen, Professor, Dean, School of Mines and Engineering, Montana Tech University, Butte, Montana. Dr. Knudsen received his B.S. in Geological Engineering at Montana Tech University, Butte, and both his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mining Engineering at the University of Arizona, Tucson. While in Tucson, he held elective offices in the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, serving as its president in 1981. His interest in rock collecting began when he found a septarian nodule filled with barite crystals while on a field trip as a Junior member of the Arrowhead Mineral Club in Great Falls, Montana. He still enjoys field collecting of fossils, minerals, and gem materials. A member of the faculty at Montana Tech since 1981, he has been Chair of the Mining Department and the Department of Geological Engineering. Currently, he is the Dean of the School of Mines and Engineering. Rocky Mountain Federation: Lawrence H. Skelton, Geologist, Kansas Geological Survey, Wichita, Kansas A native of Evansville, Indiana, Mr. Skelton received his B.A. in Geology at Indiana University, Bloomington. A member of the U.S. Air Force, his association with petroleum logistics carried him to 11 different assignments, 5 years of which were in Southeast Asia. Retiring from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel, he has been associated with the Kansas Geological Survey as the Wichita Branch Manager. He holds a M.B.A. degree from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, and a M.S. degree in Geology from Wichita State University. He has completed Gemological Institute of America courses in appraising and grading diamonds and colored gems. A member of several scientific, patriotic and genealogical societies, he finds time to share his knowledge with the presentation of a variety of programs, and the judging of 4-H Geology exhibits at both State and County Fairs. South Central Federation: Dr. Merlynd Nestell, Professor, mathematics and Geology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas. Born in Fletcher, North Carolina, Dr. Nestell received his B.A. in Mathematics and Physics at Andrews University; his M.A. in Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin; and his Ph.D. in Mathematics and Geology at Oregon State University, Corvallis. Later he received an M.A.. degree in Geology at Princeton University. Joining the faculty at the University of Texas at Arlington in 1969, currently he shares his time as a Professor of Mathematics and Geology in both Departments. His list of publications is very lengthy and he has received many honors, twice receiving the College of Science Teacher of the Year Award, among others. His travels in connection with his geological field work has taken him to many foreign countries all over the world. from Isabella Burns, AFMS President THINGS ARE BUZZING! There was much buzzing at these Federation Shows and Conventions - Rocky Mountain Federation in Roswell, New Mexico; California Federation in Pasa Robles, California; Eastern Federation in Syracuse, New York; and of course American Federation and South Central Federation in Arlington, Texas. The shows have had great displays - Roswell the state displays were special; Arlington had great club member displays including one members ninetieth birthday display (what one person can collect and accomplish in time). That Arlington Gem and Mineral Club House was a treat for all to enjoy even though it was not yet completed - a huge meeting room for our Cracker Barrel, and other festivities, a kitchen, a saw room, a polishing room, library, casting room, etc. Made you want to fly to Arlington to use their workshop. California - you would think that we had seen it all, but Bill got excited when we drove by Templeton, where he had collected biconoids, a rare fossil, and they had some on display at the show. Eastern Federation theme was "A Touch of Gold", for Gem & Mineral Society of Syracuse's fifty year anniversary. I think Bob Livingston and his friends have a Midas touch. A Gold Exhibit from the Harvard Museum and Smithsonian and an exhibit from the Carnegie Museum and many more that made you want not to leave the area. At Cracker Barrels and Meetings people were buzzing about many topics, but the one that seems to be on most people's minds is the closing of collecting areas. In the west it is how to protect endangered species and keep areas where we collect open. In some areas construction and other uses of land have closed collecting sites. Everyone is seeking answers. The AFMS voted to give $2000.00 to ALAA to help them with issues and to write a policy for use of public land and private land. This will not solve all of the problems. The increase in population has made a need for more land for private use and is leaving less available for our recreation. The Banquet speaker in Arlington, Charles Finsley, retired Curator of the Dallas Museum of Natural History, stated people go the Tucson Show, purchase the popular material from overseas and think they are rock collectors, but the real thing is to be in the field. The speaker at the Syracuse Banquet, Carl Francis, Curator of the Harvard University Mineralogical Museum stated there is nothing like learning in the field. We who have collected in the field need to share our material and be sure that we display them. There is a need for geology, mineral and/or fossil journeys where we show where material has been collected and the type that was collected. You may have heard some buzz about The AFMS Directors voting for us to work with the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council in 2004 to 2006 by providing information about the geology, paleontology and mineralogy along the Trail. Brenda Hankins, a very articulate and enthusiastic woman, from Mississippi will be the leader of this project. She would love to back pack the trip to see the rocks, minerals, fossils, gems, and geological formations along the way; before writing a brochure for us about the trip. That is an enormous task for one person: therefore we want to invite you who live along or near the trail to give her a vicarious experience of the earth science where Lewis and Clark and their men walked. As we progress on this program you'll hear more about it. We hope to include each of our seven Federations in this project. We will need researchers, promoters, editors, and many good women and men to help with this enormous undertaking. If you wish to volunteer, let me know. I have been buzzing about collecting pennies. This being the year that we will present our millionth dollar in AFMS Scholarships and as our profit from our investments are not producing the high yield that they were, I decided to collect a million pennies, $10,000.00, for the scholarship fund in honor of Luellen Montgomery, who is retiring after 18 years, as president of the AFMS Scholarship Foundation. My Honey Bee built me a portable wishing well and we have taken it to every show and had collected about 15,000 pennies at each show. When I presented the idea to the Eastern Federation, my friend, Carolyn, said "I challenge you to collect over 170 pounds of pennies so lzzie will have to pay for the excess weight since she is flying." Well they took the challenge and we collected $680.00 which would weigh 340 pounds. (Fortunately, most of that was in paper money and checks). The Gem and Mineral Society of Syracuse surprised me with a check for $500.00 for the AFMS Scholarship Fund. A big THANK YOU to them. At present I have collected the equivalent of 137,810 pennies. I will take other coins, bills or checks. If each of our 53,000 members would give 20 pennies we would reach our goal and help our scholarship program. Now that is news that I hope will be a buzzed at every club meeting in the federation. Many other topics were discussed in workshops, at cracker barrels and over breakfast or other meals. Some of those were: What should be placed on Websites and should clubs have Websites? Attendance at shows has been improved by presenting a special exhibit or by having another hobby group join your show Example, Quilting group, model trains, etc. or giving special invitations to groups such as ethnic groups, companies, etc. Membership and attendance at meetings has been increased by good programs; by e-mail notification of meeting night and program, or by phone calls. It has been great doing the liaison work for the Federations, An opportunity to see friends from previous shows and to meet new people. To learn what is happening around the federations and have an opportunity to explain AFMS programs. If a show and convention is near you, don't miss the opportunity, buzz over to that show and enjoy it. Meeting members from other societies is the greatest way to learn more about our recreation. You might even learn how to shoe shine polish cabochons. MID-YEAR EXAMINATION & REFLECTION
When we think about how various clubs operate, we tend to separate the clubs into two categories: those that function well and those that don't. We also want our clubs to be in the former group. The one factor which enables clubs to be successful is the leadership of its officers. Leadership qualities can take the form of people skills, organizational skills, or special insights into the workings of groups. Very few people are gifted with all three of these (they probably also win the lotto every week and live at the end of a rainbow.) However, if a leader is aware of his or her strengths and can capitalize on them, the job of running a club can be an enjoyable one for all. Everyone has strengths! If you are good at organization you can plan just what has to be done and when, then set up your schedule, allow the proper people to take charge of the various activities, and all should fall nicely into place. If your strength is people skills, make someone with the organizational ability your close assistant. In this way, you can motivate individuals to do all kinds of jobs, and keep everything on track time-wise. Using the strengths which you have might be something new for you, but it will allow you to grow in ability and confidence. The benefits to you and your club become synergistic. There is one more factor which I have not mentioned and that is of an awareness that the good leader must have. You must read and assimilate all information necessary to do your job well. This means that reading federation newsletters, answering requests from the community for information, and informing your members of all important happening are all things that have to be a part of your schedule. Finally, the last important job of a leader is to be there pitching in when things have to be done. You cannot just delegate in January and expect things to be done all year. You must interact with committee chairmen and other officers throughout the year. Since the president is an ex-officio member of most committees, by helping with these committees you have a perfect way to stay informed and to insure that things are going well. Too many people are afraid to take on the job of club president because they fear that the job will be overwhelming. If you remember that you do not need all possible skills to do well, but rather can focus on those that you can do effectively, you will find that leadership can be a learned behavior, and one that you just might even enjoy. WOW! WHAT A WEEK! WHAT A SHOW! by Joyce Speed As I have been reflecting all the events of the 2001 'A Gem Odyssey' the right words to express our thanks to all of you from all Federations that attended the Convention and Show are beyond me. The simplest of all, a huge THANK YOU says it best. The Arlington Club thanks all of you for your kind notes and emails expressing your appreciation, words of a good time, field trip successes and much more. Those mean the most to all of us. As we tried to relate at each gathering, the friends you make at a AFMS Convention and Show are unmeasureable. That's what it's all about! Sharing and communication with those in our beloved hobby in the love of the Earth. We hope to renew friendships at Port Townsend next July and shows in between. The Convention and Show was a success and we thank all of you for that and your support. The 2001 Convention and Show could not have happened without you! All events went as planned. Several meetings were added after the schedule was published before the show. A Webmaster meeting and ALAA meeting were added on Friday. Izzie also held and impromptu meeting Thursday afternoon of the Seven Federation Presidents and some officers to discuss ways we could help each other and other concerns. This meeting was very informative. More sharing! Many friends were made at the many meals and parties held during the week. Friendships always develop over good food and we had more than our share! Since I am also the President of the SCFMS, I have challenged the 41 Clubs in the SCFMS to help Izzie raise the 1,000,000 pennies for her Wishing Well. Izzie made the proposal at the AFMS meeting in order to raise $10,000 for the AFMS Scholarship Foundation. This idea is wonderful and should be a great way to help offset lost revenue money in the Stock Market downturn. Let's all toss 20 pennies or more in her Wishing Well! Thanks again for making the 2001 'A Gem Odyssey' held June 11-17, 2001 in Arlington, TX a magnificent success. by Kathy & Bob Miller, Co-Chairs We had a great time at the AFMS Convention in Arlington, TX. The show facilities were excellent and our Junior Booth was huge. We also had the pleasure of a junior that volunteered his help all four days of the show. Our only disappointment was the lack of children. We took into consideration that Six Flags Amusement Park, a water park and the famous Rangers baseball stadium surrounded the convention center. This is the first time we have ever had to bring material home. We were able to speak with many people who shared with us helpful constructive ideas to use for juniors and also met many AFMS members whom we only knew by name but not in person. Several folks donated material that was given out, with the remaining for the next convention. The Lillian Turner Award ($100 Bond), was not presented this year to a Junior with a competitive case (see the AFMS June Newsletter), because of lack of junior entries. There is still adequate time to start preparing an exhibit for next year in Port Townsend, WA, July 18-21. Encourage juniors in your Federations to work for this national award. Does your Federation have any clubs with juniors working on a project(s) that might be of interest to other regional clubs? AFMS Newsletter Editor Carolyn Weinberger, has invited us to submit articles on Junior Projects for the AFMS Newsletter to share with all the Federations; another way of "Junior Communicating." Send your project(s) articles to either Carolyn or us. We are pleased to announce that the week before leaving for the AFMS Convention, two more clubs applied for Future Rockhounds of America membership. We know have 16 clubs and 247 members throughout the United States. These juniors are the future of our hobby, let's keep it building! SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION STUDENTS RECOGNIZED from Louellen Montgomery Students receiving AFMS Scholarship Foundation grants for the school year 2000 - 2001 were selected by the Honorary Award Winners from six Regional Federations. Each grant is for $2,000.00 per year for two years. Thus far, 404 students have received grants from the Foundation since the first grant for $300.00 was issued in 1965, for a total of $968,650.00. The generous contributions received from the AFMS affiliated Societies and their members have made this possible. Following is a list of the students receiving scholarship grants from the Foundation for the 2000 - 2001 school year. California Federation Marcus Origlieri received his B.S. in Chemistry at the Univ. of California, San Diego. Now a student at the Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, he is working on his Ph.D in Mineralogy with emphasis on crystallography. Joel A. Bartsch is attending Rice Univ., Houston, Texas, where he is studying for his Ph.D in the History of Crystallography. Joel has served as Curator at the Lyman Gem & Mineral Museum, Hilo, Hawaii; at the California State Mineral Museum in Mariposa; and currently is the Curator of Gems and Minerals at the Houston Museum of Science. Jason D. Mayfield, one of the 1999-2000 students, is continuing his work for his Ph.D. in Geology at the Univ. of California, Davis. David B. Root is receiving the second year of the grant to Murray Lee Eiland and works for his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences at the Univ. of California, Santa Barbara. Eastern Federation Sony Yang is working on his Ph.D. in Geosciences at Pennsylvania State Univ., Univ. Park, where he is performing crystallographic and microstructural analyses of selected gem minerals. Carrie Wright is pursuing a M.S. degree in Mineralogy and GIA certification in gemology at Miami Univ., Oxford, Ohio. Her future plans involve advanced research in gemology. The 1999-2000 students, Daniel Lee Zeltner and Thomas Mack Park continue their studies for their M.S. degrees in Geology at Auburn Univ., Auburn, Alabama. Midwest Federation Jeffrey M. Schwartz received his B.S. in Geological Sciences at the Univ. of Washington, Seattle, where he continues work for his M.S. in Geological Sciences with a focus in igneous petrology. Robert Graves received his B.S. in Geology at Michigan Technical Univ., Houghton, and is working on his M.S. in Economic Geology at the Univ. of Nevada, Reno. He plans to continue working in the mining industry. At Kent Univ., Kent, Ohio, the 1999-2000 students, Matthew R. Miller and Bonnie Muller, continue work on their M.S. degrees in Geology. Northwest Federation Gregory A. Balco received his B.A. in Geology at Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts; his M.S. in Geological Sciences at the Univ. of Maine, Orono; and is currently working on his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences at the Univ. of Washington, Seattle. His research includes Quaternary stratigraphy, quantitative geomorphology, cosmogenic-isotope geochemistry, and GIS applications in Geology. Erika Harnett received her B.S. in Math and Physics, her M.S. in Physics, both at the Univ. of Washington, Seattle, where she continues her studies for her Ph.D. in Geophysics. Her current research project concerns the numerical simulations of space plasmas interacting with localized magnetic anomalies. Karel Tracy is receiving the second year of his 199-2000 grant as he continues work on his M.S. in Geology at Western Washington State Univ., Bellingham. The other 1999-2000 grant remains to be granted to a student. The 1998-1999 students receiving the second year of their grants are Melissa V. Connely, working on her M.S. in Vertebrate Paleontology at Utah State Univ., Logan, and Vickie Rae Clouse, working on her M.S. in Biological Science and Paleontology at Montana State Univ., Northern, Havre. Rocky Mountain Federation Naila Moreira received her B.A. in Geology at Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts and is working on her Ph.D. in Geology at the Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In her graduate studies she is pursuing a further understanding of aqueous geo-chemical cycles affecting nutrients and carbon in natural water systems. Nathan Onderdonk received his B.S. in Physicas at Principia College, Elsah, Illinois; his M.A. in Geology at the Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, where he is working on his Ph.D. in Geology. His field study is on the deformation associated with rotation of crustal blocks about a vertical area. Seth H. Mueller, one of the 1999-2000 students, continues work on his M.S. in Geochemistry at the Univ. of Colorado at Boulder. Eric Anderson received the second year of the grant to Daniel P. Miggins and is working on his M.S. in Geology, with emphasis on Economic Geology, also at the Univ. of Colorado at Boulder. South Central Federation Thomas E. Macrini received his B.A. in Biology at Washington Univ., St. Louis, Missouri; is completing his M.S. in Vertebrate Paleontology at the Univ. of Texas, Austin, and continues work for his Ph.D. in Vertebrate Paleontology there. His research project continues to be concerned with synapsid systematics, e.g. how these animals are related evolutionarily. Dragana Nebrigic received her B.S. in Geosciences at the Univ. of Texas at Dallas, where she continues her studies for her M.S, degree. She is researching a microfossil study of the Eagle Ford Shale and Austin Chalk formations in the North Texas area. The 1999-2000 students, Richard A. Ashmore and Matthew C. Miller, continue their studies for their M.S. degrees at Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, with Richard's in Geosciences and Matthew's in Geology. by Mel Albright, AFMS Safety Chair There you are. Happily digging away in a dirt bank. Or, happily climbing and digging in a waste pile. Or, going for China as you dig deeper and deeper looking for the big bragging find. (Just a little deeper. The big find might be down just a little more.) Suddenly, the bank collapses - or, the pile slides and carries you down and maybe covers you - or, the sides of your deep hole collapse and bury you. To those brave souls who venture into mines, add, the sides collapse, and the roof falls. How do you protect yourself? First understand the collapse is predictable. Anything that can be piled up can come down. Some things - like the waste pile, collapse easily. Others, like the mine wall, are harder to start down. The deciding factor is a thing called the angle of recline. (No, nothing to do with how far you tilt your easy chair.) What the angle says is that any pile subject to the action of gravity has a critical angle. If the pile's angle with the ground is above that angle, the pile collapses. If the angle is below that angle, the pile is stable. So, when you look at a road cut, the angles on the sides aren't what the contractor decided was handy. They are set by the dirt's angle of repose with a safety factor added. A pile of marbles has a very small critical angle (almost 0º). A stone bluff has a very high critical angle (almost 90º) In EVERY one of the places mentioned above, the angle of repose will be passed and collapse depends only on something to get it started. It may take only one more shovel full or another foothold dug in or someone wandering by. If you're lucky, it won't happen. But, it is only luck protecting you. So, whenever you are digging, keep safety in mind and take steps to protect yourself from harm if things let go around or from under you. THE LEWIS & CLARK EXPEDITION BICENTENNIAL - AN EXCITING PROJECT by Brenda Hankins, AFMS Chair On May 14, 2004, the United States will celebrate the bicentennial of an event that changed the course of our history and changed the history of the world. The event to be celebrated is the beginning of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It all started with Thomas Jefferson, perhaps the greatest American visionary. Eleven days before his inauguration in 1801, he sent a letter to Captain Meriwether Lewis stating that, as President, he needed a personal secretary, "not only to aid in the private concerns of my household, but also to contribute to the mass of information which it is interesting for the administration to acquire. Your knowledge of the western country, of the army and of all its interests and relations has rendered it desirable that you should be engaged in that office." In Jefferson's first inaugural address a few days later, he reinforced the motive behind Lewis' appointment as he told America of the importance of the western lands and planted the seed of manifest destiny that awaited this country. The 1804 expedition was the ultimate rockhound dream trip! Imagine your delight in being told that you are to take a collecting trip from the mouth of the Missouri River near St. Louis and go all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Basically, your agenda is to search for the Northwest Passage-an all-water route to the Pacific. While you are doing that, generally make note of everything, including "… the soil and face of the country, its growth and vegetable productions; the animals of the country generally, and especially those not known in the U.S., the remains and accounts of any which may be deemed rare or extinct; the mineral productions of every kind; but more particularly metals, limestone, pit coal and saltpeter; salines and mineral waters, noting the temperature of the last and such circumstances as may indicate their character; volcanic appearances, 01 To prepare Lewis for this trip, Jefferson had him tutored by the greatest minds of his day. Jefferson needed to know anything and everything that might promote the success of the expedition. In our hobby we would have a cracker barrel or two with the folks who know what we need to know so that our field trip will be successful. For example, we would need to be sure we spent time with the people who know about science and the natural world-like our pals at the Smithsonian and in other great museums across this country. We would need to also spend time learning from the scholars in the hallowed halls of ivy-people like our friend Roger Pabian and like the Lewis and Clark scholar Gary Moulton-both from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. We had better gather around the cracker barrel with health and safety experts, like our own Mel Albright. They have the kind of information we must have if we really want to get back to St. Louis! As Jefferson told Lewis, we would need to provision ourselves with the latest in technology and the food, equipment, and supplies we will need. We could develop our field trip team by inviting some of our best and smartest and strongest buddies; we should even recruit some strangers for the trip that can help make the journey successful. Take what few maps are available, and-well-as we might say-get the lay of the land, poke around a bit, kick over some rocks, turn a spade, sling a pick, and lick a rock or two. And, above all else, as you travel through the countryside, demonstrate what is best in the people and values of our country, let the native peoples know we want to be good neighbors; in other words, just follow the rockhound's code of ethics. Except for the names and a few other changes, that was really pretty close to the basic plan for the Lewis and Clark Journey. Let's be sure we have the historical perspective here. At the time of the preparation for this great adventure, 2 out of every three Americans lived within 50 miles of the Atlantic Ocean; it was a time when only four roads crossed the great Allegheny Mountains; and when this country had only 17 states with the territory of the United States ending at the Mississippi River-that is on the Eastern side of the Mississippi River. 1 No steamboats, no railroads, no cars, no radios, no telephones, no televisions, no computers. One other thing to keep in mind, Meriwether Lewis was born in the year 1774-that was the year of the Boston Tea Party, the meeting at Raleigh Tavern, the Committees of Correspondence, and the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. 2 This was a trip of many firsts. Lewis and Clark "…would become the first United States citizens to experience the great plains, … to see the daunting peaks of the rocky mountains, the first to struggle over them, and, after encountering cold, hunger, danger, and wonders beyond belief, they would become the first of their nation to reach the Pacific Ocean by Land." 3 On this journey of 8000 miles that lasted 2 years, 4 months, and 9 days "…they would meet more friends than enemies, and only once fire their guns in anger. They would carry the most modern weapons of their time, but in their two moments of greatest need, women would intervene on their behalf. And time and time again they would be saved by the kindness of strangers." 4 Dayton Duncan tells us that this Lewis and Clark Expedition "turned the nation and faced it west and that's where the future has always been. That is where hope and possibility have been and, that is what draws [you and me-and literally millions of other Americans to Lewis and Clark] it is about possibilities, about what could be. Sometimes what is and sometimes what isn't, but it is about potential for the future-and hope" 5 The bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition will be celebrated from January 2003 through September 2006. This is the first bicentennial event being celebrated on the world wide web-not only are there thousands of up to date web sites for your study and review, but they also have interactive experiences-you can make decisions for Lewis and see what would have happened if he had gone on through the storm. You can also access audio to allow you to hear sounds you have never heard before-like the grunts of a buffalo herd. And live cam shots have been set up in Montana and Idaho that you can sit in front of your computer and simply enjoy. This bicentennial event will probably lure more people into the great American outdoors than any other event ever has. So what does this have to do with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, its regional federations, and its local clubs? Last summer as I experienced the Lewis and Clark Trail, I was awed and inspired by the contribution and sacrifice of the members of the corps of discovery; I was totally amazed that they actually lived to bring their journals home, I was educated about and ashamed by the reality that the plans Lewis and Clark had made for the Native Americans were never honored by those Americans who later moved westward in a villainous quest for land; I marveled at the simplicity and poignancy of the monuments to the expedition and its members; I was overpowered by the extreme diversity and the beauty of the land; and, my friends, I was disappointed that I could find nothing written about the expedition that related to our rocks, minerals, and fossils. I had the great Ken Burns film Lewis and Clark and Stephen Ambrose's Undaunted Courage. I had Fanselow's Traveling the Lewis and Clark Trail, and I had the excellent national park guide Lewis and Clark Trail. I had a book about the flora and fauna and natural history of the Trail, I had a book full of great pictures from everywhere along the Trail. I had a book about Sacagawea; and I even had a book about Lewis' dog that made the trip. But I have yet to see anything about what was under the feet of the expedition. It occurred to me that the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies could compile a book to describe to the modern Lewis and Clark explorer the rocks, minerals, fossils, etc., that may have been along the route at that time. We could develop a tourist guide for the slightly curious, written in lay terms, brief and informative, as well as fun to read-full to the last page of neat to know and incredibly interesting information about rocks, minerals, and fossils. It would not be a scholarly review of the geology of the land nor a where to collect guide. Why should the AFMS take on this project? I believe there are many reasons, including 1) We could model what AFMS really means when it describes an "All American" club, 2) We could encourage the public to appreciate, respect, and enjoy the substance of our hobby, 3) We could even inform the public that, if they were interested in such things as rocks, minerals, fossils and the excellent adornments that could be made from such, they just might want to check out the club nearest them, 4) We could promote our Code of Ethics nationwide, and, 5) We could say boldly, "pay attention to the affiliated rockhounds of America-they have an important contribution to make." If this sounds like a good idea for the Federation, how could we get the job done? I do not have all the details worked out, but I do have some ideas. 1) The AFMS organization and each regional federation would sign on as a contributor. AFMS would be the governing body, and all work related to the project would be done on a volunteer basis. 2) Each regional federation would select at least one individual to direct the work of the project. These individuals from each federation will become the "steering committee" to make decisions about what work should be done, how the work should be done, and how the workload should be divided among the regional federations. For example, it might be the consensus of the steering committee that the Midwest, Rocky Mountain, and Northwest Federations focus on what the expedition probably saw along the route, while the Eastern Federation is finding what was written in the Lewis and Clark Journals about rocks, minerals, and fossils. The South Central Federation may want to develop the activity section of the book, and the California Federation might want to research "fun to know" facts in general about the types of rocks and minerals along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Perhaps the Southeast Federation might choose to provide the graphics for the book. And so on, until all the major responsibilities have been described and then accepted by some regional federation. 3) Determining how the project would be financed would be the responsibility of the AFMS. My first hope is that a grant or sponsor could be found so that no money has to change hands-truly a "service project" at every angle. 4) Because the document needs to be available by the summer of 2003, we would back our timelines out from that. 5) The Internet would be the communication and development tool for all activity pertaining to the project, with Marty Hart being our very capable technology liaison and serving on the steering committee. No formal meetings would be required. How much would all this cost the Federation? As planned to this point, I do not see any associated costs to the Federation during the development phase. The actual publishing and production would have to be financed. My role? I would accept the challenge of being the editor and assuming all responsibilities for working through the federations to get the job done. What's in it for me? A lot! I would get to help create the book I wished I had had when I traveled the Lewis and Clark Trail. I would enjoy knowing that I had made a contribution to such a great project. And, just think of all that I will learn and all the great people I'll have a chance to get to know! Well, if something comes of this idea for developing a book about the rocks, minerals, and fossils along the Lewis and Clark Trail, you and I will have a ball learning together and sharing our information with other Americans who may have some interests similar to ours; if nothing comes of this, friends, we'll have a ball doing something else! I will leave you with an adaptation of the words written by Lewis when he asked his friend William Clark to serve as co-captain of the expedition. Lewis wrote to Clark, "Thus my friends, you have a summary view of the plan, the means, and the objectives of this project. If, therefore, there is anything under those circumstances, in this enterprise, which would induce you all to participate with me in its fatigues, it's dangers and its honors, believe me, there is no group on earth with whom I should feel equal pleasure in sharing them as with yourself." 8 References:
by George Loud, AFMS Conservation & Legislation Chair You have probably noticed that we have a new gang in the Executive Branch of our Federal government. The nomination of Gale Norton for Secretary of Interior provoked a considerable amount of controversy with the multiple use advocates including the Blue Ribbon Coalition expressing support and various environmental groups including the Sierra Club opposing the nomination. The League of Conservation Voters placed a large ad in the Washington Post which had the heading Gale Norton is so far on the fringe... she's off the page. Given the extent of the opposition to her nomination, her confirmation by the Senate was surprisingly easy. Perhaps she can thank John Ashcroft for taking the heat from critics of the new administration. So, with the new gang in place where are we headed? The initial actions of the Bush administration, insofar as they impact on issues dear to the hearts of rockhounds, are so far without effect although several initiatives are pending which may well help in our efforts to cling to our rights to collect on public lands. Clinton Monument Designations Invoking statutory authority allegedly found in the Antiquities Act of 1906, President Clinton established 19 National Monuments covering more than five million acres and expanded three others. The Clinton administration used both National Monument designation and the rule making process (see below) to protect federal lands in a manner circumventing Congress and the Wilderness Act. Jon Spunaugle, President of ALAA, has documented numerous mineral collecting locations falling within the National Monuments established by the Clinton administration. On February 20, 2001, Interior Secretary Gale Norton stated that the Bush administration is not seeking to overturn any of President Bill Clinton's designations of federal land as National Monuments. The extent to which commercial and recreational activities, which had been allowed in these areas, will be permitted to continue under monument designation creates a number of questions for which we do not yet have answers. U.S. Forest Service Final Rule Roadless Area Conservation (36 CFR Part 294) The final so-called Roadless Area rule was published in the January 12, 2001 issue of the Federal Register. The path between the announcement of the Forest service Roads Initiative and the final rule took a number of unexpected turns. The Clinton administration initially projected that 40 million acres would be affected by the proposed roadless initiative. In a Senate hearing November 2, 1999, top Department of Agriculture officials could not agree among themselves on the number of National Forest acres that would be subject to the proposed new policy. Guesstimates varied from 50.2 million acres to 62 million acres. In the end, 58.5 million acres are affected. This 58.5 million acres of newly created defacto wilderness dwarfs the approximately 35 million acres of public lands designated as wilderness by Congress pursuant to the 1964 Wilderness Act. The statutory mechanism for wilderness designation provided by the 1964 Wilderness Act reserves to Congress alone power to designate public lands as wilderness. The Clinton administration's end runs around the statutory mechanism, through monument designations and the roadless policy rule-making, if allowed to stand, leave the 1964 Wilderness Act all but meaningless. Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt on at least one occasion told Congress that either Congress protects the lands the administration wanted protected or they would do it their way. According to an article in the April 26, 2001 issue of the Washington Post, The [Bush] White House has instructed the Justice Department to research ways to scuttle a Clinton administration regulation protecting 60 million acres of National Forest from logging and road building. The final rule for 36 CFR Part 294 Roadless Area Conservation prohibits logging within the areas in the 58.5 million acres classified as inventoried roadless areas. That rule has been challenged by the states of Idaho, Utah and Alaska as well as the Boise Cascade Corporation in a suit currently pending in the U.S. District Court in Boise, Idaho. The Bush administration has been required to file a brief declaring whether or not it will support this new rule. By the time you read this, we will know the gist of the administration brief in that case. In its short life the Bush administration has taken some heavy hits on environmental issues and currently seems to be looking for policy initiatives to help it shake the onus of the anti environmental label. Please e-mail and fax President George W. Bush at:
This is a tough one. Environmentalism seems to have replaced God, motherhood and apple pie in this country. My sense is that it will be extremely difficult for the Bush administration to reverse the Clinton Forest Service road rules. A Washington Post editorial of May 2, 2001 headed Keep the Roadless Rule lauded the policy goals of the new rules in protecting wildlife habitat and watershed quality. Certainly the concept of preserving the wild state of lands currently deserving that description has a certain amount of appeal. However, the editorialists generally fail to recognize that there are both pros and cons. The cons include: 1. The new rules diminish recreational opportunities, including rockhounding. 2. The new rules will have a severe economic impact on states and counties where the land in question represents a significant portion of their jurisdiction and tax base. 3. The new rules have a severe potential impact on the economy of the nation as a whole. As reported in an April 4, 2001 of the House Subcommittee on Forest, Forest Health Energy and Mineral Resources, an analysis performed by Advanced Resources International, Inc., under contract to the Department of Energy, showed that an estimated 11.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas is technically recoverable in the 58.5 million acres affected by the Roadless Rule. All of us who heat our homes with natural gas have seen our utility bills skyrocket this past winter. We cannot have our cake and eat it too. 4. Last but not least, the end does not justify the means. The use of the rule-making process and monument designation to by-pass Congress and the 1964 Wilderness Act smacks of arrogance. In an op-ed column published in the April 28, 2001 Washington Post, Mike Dombeck, former Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, wrote a piece defending The Roadless Rule as a balanced solution to a decades-old controversy. He writes: "The Forest Service policy would not block any existing access to National Forests for recreation, fire suppression, timber harvest or any other use. Nor would it close a single mile of existing road." Huh? What about the prohibition against reconstruction of roads in the new 36 CFR Part 294 prohibition against road reconstruction. In the aforementioned U.S. District Court case pending in Idaho a court ruling noted that officials in the California Chasta-Trinity National Forest had to drop plans to reconstruct and maintain old jeep trails that provide access to the lower McCloud River. More to the point, what about new rule 36 CFR Part 212 which is also a part of the so called Forest Service roads initiative. The final rule, which became effective January 12, 2001 and was that date published in the Federal Register, adds a new paragraph (b) to 36 CFR 212.5. Subparagraph (2) provides: Identification of unneeded roads. Responsible officials must review the road system on each National Forest and grassland and identify the roads on lands under Forest Service jurisdiction that are no longer needed to meet Forest Service Resource Management objectives and that, therefore, should be decommissioned or considered for other uses, such as for trails. Decommissioning roads involves restoring roads to a more natural state. Activities used to decommission a road include, but are not limited to, the following: reestablishing former drainage patterns, stabilizing slopes, restoring vegetation, blocking the entrance to the road... [the list goes on and on]. In explaining the Background of the new rule, the Federal Register notice of January 12, 2001 states that one of the primary purposes of the new rules is to aggressively decommission roads that are determined, through forest planning, implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, and other analyses, to be damaging to the environment, or to be no longer necessary for achieving resource management objectives. The language quoted above from new rule 36 CFR Part 212 probably poses more of a clear and present danger to rockhounding than does the new so called Roadless Rule 36 CFR Part 294. Suspension of The New Final Rules Governing Hard Rock Mining Published In the Federal Register November 21, 2000 Another Bush administration initiative which might benefit our hobby is the proposal to suspend and amend the final rules published November 21, 2000. Mineral collectors more knowledgeable than myself with regard to mining regulations have expressed the view that the new rules published November 21, 2000 and which became effective January 20, 2001 would greatly curtail or even eliminate specimen mining. My understanding is that the bonding requirement poses a major problem for small miners. Comments may be submitted to the BLM as follows:
At the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium I was fortunate to meet Woody Thompson of the Maine Geological Survey who informed me that the collecting sites in the While National Forest portion of Deer Hill (East side) had been reopened to collecting on a fee basis. The fee is reported to be $3.00 per day per collector and purportedly covers the cost of policing the area and maintaining the trails. This represents a resolution of the issue far preferable to the alternative of closure to collecting. Credit is undoubtedly due to those collectors who took the time to write the U.S. Forest Service supervision urging that the collecting site be reopened. Deer Hill in Maine and Moat Mountain in New Hampshire were stops on an EFMLS collecting tour several years ago in which I participated. This is my answer to my fellow mineral collectors here in the East who suggest that all of these land use issues have no impact on us. Log On If you have a computer with a modem you can readily review the rule changes discussed above. 1. Log on to <www.gpo.gov> 2. Scroll down to Access to Government Information Products and thereunder, subindented under Quick Links, click on Federal Register; 3. Now on the Federal Register home page, click on the Browse feature near the top of the page and which has a red arrow New pointing to it; 4. Scroll down to Browse Back Issues of the Federal Register Table of Contents after which are enumerated the different years. To review the final hard rock mining regulations published November 21, 2000, click on the year 2000 following Browse Back Issues of the Federal Register Table of Contents which will bring up the heading Contents Pages: 2000", scroll down to November 21, 2000 and click on that date. That will give you a Table of Contents for the Federal Register issue of November 21, 2000. Then scroll down to the listings for Land Management Bureau and click on the TEXT for the final mining regulations. 5. If you wish to review the final rules 36 CFR Part 294 or 36 CFR Part 212, go back to the line Browse Back Issues of the Federal Register Table of Contents and click on the year 2001. Then scroll down to January 12, 2001, click on and you will bring up the Table of Contents for the Federal Register issue of that date. Scroll down to Forest Service and thereunder you will find both the text for Roadless Area Conservation (36 CFR Part 294) and Forest Transportation System Administration (36 CFR Part 212). 6. To review the proposal to suspend the new mining regulations click on the date March 23, 2001 and then scroll down to listings for Land Management Bureau and click on the TEXT. AFMS CLUB ROCKHOUND OF THE YEAR from Bonnie Glismann, AFMS Chair Here are the latest club honorees in the AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year program. There are only a few months left in this calendar year for your club to submit the name of an individual (or couple) that you would like recognized for their work for the club. Send your nomination, along with a paragraph telling why this person should be recognized. What better way to say "thank you" for the hard work done by these often unsung heroes. Northwest Federation The Billings Gem and Mineral Club nominate Dale and Helen Fryer as their 2000 AFMS CLUB ROCKHOUND OF THE YEAR. Dale has collected rocks since childhood. The Fryers were Charter Members of the largest club in Montana, The Billings Gem and Mineral Club. Their 50 years of generous contributions to GGMC, the Montana State Council and the NFMS Federation and to numerous community projects, make them worthy candidates. They are club work horses possessing enthusiasm, curiosity , energy and ambition that is contagious and motivates all they encounter. They have held nearly all the offices and chair position repeated times. They have battled for shop rentals, show site contracts, secured food for club functions, treats for club meetings. We the club members admire this couple for their unlimited contribution. Submitted by Larry G. Filed, The Whidbey Pebble Pushers would like to nominate Gen and Sid Richards as their Rockhound of the year. Gen recently passed away but her name and that of her husband Sid are synonymous with the Whidbey Pebble Pushers. Gen was the editor of Pebble Trails Bulletin for many years. Her dedication and work was always recognized and appreciated, as she received many awards for her efforts. Sid was a club officer and was our club treasurer for many years. He was instrumental in putting our club in exceptionally sound financial basis. Gen was our show chairman for many years and they both handled the club advertising so our community were aware of the club functions and activities. They contribute items for auctions, door prizes and were staunch supporters of the NFMS and the AFMS. They accumulated an extensive collection of gem and mineral specimens which they shared with others. They were instrumental in building up the club collection of rocks and minerals passed on to us by past members. Thank you, Gen and Sid, for giving us such a strong and outstanding heritage. We appreciate all you have done. Submitted by: Bob Jimenez Rocky Mountain Federation Shoshone Rock Club of Wichita, Kansas is honored to present Les Lawrence as our nominee for Rockhound of 2000. Les had been a great supporter of the club for 45 years. He has served as president, field trip leader and board member. He has donated much in the way of historical items, rocks, fossils, books, workshop miscellaneous and so much more. This past year found him regularly attending meetings and volunteering for club functions. We are most fortunate to have him as a member. Submitted by: Linna Beebe Clackamet Gem & Mineral Club has elected Forrest and Bea Sittle to be our "rock hounders for the year 2001". Our club has selected them because of their outstanding contributions to their betterment of our club. They are involved totally in our clubs acivities. Here are a few achievements and I am sure I've forgotten some. They have been wagon masters to Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon this last year. They go to shows in our area and publicize our show which is held in November. They recruit people to set up display cases. They also set up show cases in the Senior Citizen library and one big case at the capitol building in Salem. They scout out estates for rock to sell at our auctions. Given slide shows at the meeting. Involved in all aspects of our show. Store all the clubs show material at their house. They do what ever they can to help our club out. The members of our club want to honor and show them how much we appreciate them by giving to them the federation title Rockhound of the Year 2001. Submitted by CGMC Members Eastern Federation The Gem, Lapidary and Mineral Society of Washington, DC, Inc. has nominated Frances Gleason for the honor of AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. Since 1996, Frances has been the club's Sunshine Lady. On call, on a daily basis, she serves as "message central" keeping track of and reporting on all our club members' illnesses, hospitalizations, accidents, recoveries and deaths. Now this might sound a bit grim, but Frances' good humor and genuine caring attitude make these hard times easier for us all. Her calls, cards, flowers, home and hospital visits are greatly appreciated. The Micromineralogists of the National Capital Area have nominated Clarence Domire posthumously for the honor of AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. After many years as a lapidary and field collector, and as an active member of several other rock clubs, Clarence finally found his true avocation in the hobby, micromounting. Clarence had been a loyal member of the Micromineralogists since 1989 and served as treasurer since 1997. He seldom missed a meeting or board meeting, and he always participated in the annual Atlantic Micromount Conference. We appreciate all his efforts on behalf of the club. Midwest Federation The St. Croix Rockhounds nominate Peter Rodewald, a charter member of our club who has served as president, vice president, tour director and presenter of unnumbered programs for our club and clubs in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He has produced several outstanding slide shows using his own photographs. These have won awards in the AFMS contests. He creates unique displays for our shows. He's been generous with his "finds" for door prizes. We're proud of Pete! Submitted by Dick Blom, President from Cynthia Payne Micromineralogists of the National Capital Area From time to time, many of use receive "promotional" tapes from mineral or lapidary dealers. These video tapes show the latest and best minerals lapidary or fossil items that the dealer has for sale at the time. My husband and I enjoy viewing them when we get them and often drool over the minerals pictured there. But what do you do with these tapes after you've looked at them? Do you store them on a shelf with plans to look at them again? If you're like us, we never do. Or do you toss them in the circular file? What a waste. Why not share these with your club? They could be passed around from member to member for their personal enjoyment. When everyone in your club who wants to view them is finished, take them to your federation convention and share them with other clubs. I recently took several to the EFMLS meeting in Syracuse and was inundated with requests. At least the video tapes aren't just thrown away or put on a shelf to collect dust. And perhaps someone will learn about minerals or lapidary or fossil materials (and the relative cost of good specimens) by viewing these. And perhaps we'll entice someone else to come and join us in our wonderful hobby. AFMS COMPETITIVE EXHIBIT RESULTS from Dee Holland, AFMS Uniform Rules Committee I was pleased to be able to help judge the competitive exhibits at the Arlington, Texas show. Although not everyone earned a trophy award, all the displays were excellent. I would encourage those who entered this year, but did not earn the trophy to use the comments of the judges as a learning tool and entering again next year at Port Townsend Washington. Entering a case in competition not only helps you learn about your field of interest, but also helps the public learn more about our hobby as they view your display and read the comments from the judges. And if you did not enter this year, now is the time to begin planning your competitive exhibit for the Port Townsend show (or your own club or federation show) for the coming year. Trophy #2 - Minerals Trophy #3 - Restricted Minerals I Trophy #5 - Restricted Minerals II Trophy #8 - Thumbnail Minerals Trophy #9 - Restricted Minerals IV Trophy #14 - Cabochons III Trophy #23 - Petrified Wood Trophy #28 - Educational II Trophy #35 - Personally Collected Fossils AFMS EDITORS AWARDS ANNOUNCED AT ARLINGTON from Kitty Starbuck, AFMS Publications Chair It was a great pleasure to be able to present awards to our outstanding editors and authors at the AFMS Convention at Arlington, Texas. The quality of newsletters and articles continues to improve each year! How exciting for the members of the clubs receiving these publications. There are still a few months left in the year before your regional federation is ready to accept entries for the 2001 publications. It would be wonderful if more editors and authors entered their work...not only to perhaps receive an award, but also to gain some valuable insights from our wonderful judges whose task it is to evaluate and comment on each entry. Look for an announcement soon in your federation newsletter. Here are the results of the 2000 AFMS Editor's Contest: New Editors 1. Rock Rattler - Ike House editor. Ark-La-Tex Gem & Mineral Society, Shreveport/Bossier City, LA - SCFMS 2. McCurtain Gem & Mineral Club News - Carole Ann Griffin, editor. McCurtain Co. Gem & Mineral Club, Idabel, OK. - RMFMS 3. The Hound's Tale - Michael & Deborah Hartz, editors. Arlington Gem & Mineral Club, Arlington, TX - SCFMS 4. Pt. Townsend Rock Club Newsletter, Carole Brown, editor. Pt. Townsend Rock Club, Pt. Townsend, WA - NFMS 5. Skagit Gems - Vi Jones editor. Skagit Rock & Gem Club, Mt. Vernon, WA - NFMS 6. The Mineral Newsletter - David Ball, editor. Northern Virginia Mineral Club, Merrifield, VA - EFMLS 7. West Seattle Petroglyph - Mike Wall, editor. West Seattle Rock Club, Seattle, WA - NFMS 8. Rock Chips - Anna Christiansen, editor. Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club, Stockton, CA -CFMS 9. The Rollin' Rock - Inez Berg, editor. Roseville Rock Rollers, Roseville, CA - CFMS 10. Amador Nuggget - Cecil Helms, editor. Amador County Gem & Mineral Society, Sutter Creek, CA - CFMS Honorable mentions: The Conglomerate - Patricia Caceres, editor. Michigan Mineralogical Society, Bloomfield Hills, MI - MWF Rockhound Ramblings - Judy Knashang, editor. North Jeffco Gem & Mineal Club, Arvada, CO - RMFMS News Nuggets - Orlando Garcia, editor. Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club, Albuquerque, NM - RMFMS Mini Bulletins 1. Gneiss Times - Diane Tracey, editor. Wickenburg Gem & Mineral Society, Wickenburg, AZ - RMFMS 2. The Leaverite - Evanna Koska, editor. Gem Polishers Guild, Trumansburg, NY - EFMLS 3. Magic Valley Gem News - Helen Bromrovoski and Barbara Knapp, editors. Magic Valley Gem Club, Twin Falls, ID - NFMS 4. Belevue Rockhound - Gareth Bibbens, editor. Bellevue Rock Club, Bellevue, WA - NFMS 5. Oak Creek Gem & Mineral Society - Marge Herkenham, editor. Oak Creek Gem & Mineral Society, Sedona, AZ - RMFMS Small Bulletins 1. Cross Timbers Talk - Paul Good, editor. Cross Timbers Gem & Mineral Club, Stevensville, TX - SCFMS 2. The Loess Bulletin - Judith Washburn, editor. Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Society, Springfield, IL - MWF 3. Shin-Skinner News - Robert McGuire, editor. Che-Hanna Rock & Mineral Club, Sayre, PA - EFMLS 4. Slabs & Cabs - Donna Roethler, editor. Gulf Coast Gem & Mineral Society, Corpus Christi, TX - SCFMS 5. The Rock Collector - Dan Imel, editor. Rochester Lapidary Society, Rochester, NY - EFMLS 6. The Coral Geode - Millie Heym, editor. Tampa Bay Mineral & Science Club, Tampa, Florida - EFMLS 7. The Pineywoods Rooter - Bill Alcorn, editor. Pine Country Gem & Mineral Society, Jasper, TX - SCFMS 8. The Pick & Dop Stick - Fran Gutkowski, editor. Chicago Rocks & Mineral Society, Chicago, IL - MWF 9. G.I. Nugget - Dolores Rose, editor. Grand Island Earth Science Society, Grand Island, NE - MWF 10. The Rockhound Gazette - Ruby Lingelbach, editor. Stillwater Mineral & Gem Society, Stillwater, OK - RMFMS Honorable Mention American River Currents - Ella Fulbright, editor. American River Gem & Mineral Society, Sacramento, CA - CFMS Petroglyphs - Penny Meyer, editor. El Dorado Co. Mineral & Gem Society, Placerville, CA - CFMS The Strata Data - Marie Zigler, editor. Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Fort Wayne, IN - MWF Obsidian Observer - Marge Garn, editor. Los Alamos Geological Society, Los Alamos, NM - RMFMS Rocky Trails - Susan Gardner, editor. North Seattle Lapidary & Mineral Club, Seattle, WA - NFMS Rock Chips - Geneva Haworth, editor. Deming Gem & Mineral Club, Deming, NM - RMFMS The Cowtown Cutter - Jackie McGauchie, editor. Ft. Worth Gem & Mineral Club, Ft. Worth, TX - SCFMS Rockhound Ramblings - Susan Appleby, editor. Willamette Agate & Mineral Society, Salem, OR - NFMS The Post Rock - Sara Murphy, editor. McPherson Gem & Mineral Club, McPherson, KS - RMFMS The Trilobite - Margaret Pearson, editor. The Wisconsin Geological Society, Milwaukee, WI - MWF Hellgate Breezes - Lori Henry, editor. Hellgate Mineral Society, Missoula, MT - NFMS Rockette - Lee Wakefield, editor. Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society, Redwood City, CA - CFMS The Geode - Cyndy Sharer Biley, editor. Lakeside Gem & Mineral Club, Kennewiock, WA - NFMS The Leaverite News - Barbara Austin, editor. Grand Junction Gem & Mineral Club, Grand Junction, CO - RMFMS Large Bulletins 1. Arrowhead News - Ed Benjamin, editor. Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club, Wyoming, MI - MWF 2. The Gem & Mineral Journal - Cathy Faller, editor. Gem & Mineral Society of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, VA - EFMLS 3. Gem Cutters News - Carolyn Weinberger, editor. Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD - EFMLS 4. Rocky Echoes - Brenda Hankins, editor. Mississippi Gem & Mineral Society, Jackson, MS - EFMLS 5. The Mountain Gem - Ted Robles, editor. Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin, NC - SFMS 6. The Lithnics - Robert Hughes, editor. Richland Lithnic & Lapidary Society, Mansfield, OH - MWF Original Adult Articles 1. "The Petoskey Stone" - Georgia Olmstead, author. Gem & Mineral Hunters of Virginia, Woodbridge, VA - EFMLS 2. "Geology of the Davis Mountains of Texas" - Terry Biegler, author. Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club, Fort Worth, TX - SCFMS 3. "Rock of the Month - Feldspar" - Lois Larsen, author. McPherson Gem & Mineral Club, McPherson, KS. - RMFMS 4. "A 'Pig' of a Different Sort" - Donald Phillips, author. New York Paleontological Society, New York, NY - EFMLS 5. "The Turtle Tank" - Sue Robert, author. Chicago Rocks & Mineral Society, Chicago, IL - MWF 6. "Sideling Hill, Washington County, Maryland" - David Ball, author. The Northern Virginia Mineral Club, Merrifield, VA - EFMLS 7. "Exploring the Mysteries of Tektites" - Tammy Nash, author. Pine Country Gem & Mineral Society, Jasper, TX - SCFMS 8. "Daddy, Where Do Geodes Come From?" - Bob Floyd, author. three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Fort Wayne, IN. - MWF 9. "Hands in Clay" - Rita O'Neal, author. McPherson Gem & Mineral Club, McPherson, KS. - RMFMS 10. "Diamonds in Ancient India" - Don Shurtz, author. Pleasant Oaks Gem & Mineral Club, Dallas, TX - SCFMS Honorable Mention "Gems of the Club" - Bob & Jackie Cerrato, Shelia Webster, authors. El Dorado Mineral & Gem Society, Placerville, CA - CFMS "Junk or Treasure" - Ed Benjamin, author. Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club, Wyoming, MI - MWF "Charlie's Introduction to Rock Hounding" - Charles Hardin, author. Lake Elsinore Gem & Mineral Club, Lake Elsinore, CA - CFMS "Wilbur & Ethel Scott" - Karla Shannon, author. Roseville Rock Rollers, Roseville, CA - CFMS "Thoughts on OMSI, Camp Hancock, OAMS, Tom Bones, & Their Role in my Professional Development "- Steve Manchester. Oregon Agate & Mineral Society, Portland, OR - NFMS "Rock of the Month - Fossil "- Sara Murphy, author. McPherson Gem & Mineral Club, McPherson, KS - RMFMS Advanced Adult Original Articles 1. "Not Much to Collect Around Here is There?" - Thomas Bucholz, author. Heart of Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society, Marshfield, WI - MWF 2. "A Tale of Two Jades: Jadeite from Myanmar and Guatemala" - Dr. Vivien Gornitz, author. New York Mineralogical Club, New York, NY - EFMLS 3. "A Page from a Collector's Notebook: Moat Mountain, Albany, Carroll County, New Hampshire, 2000" - Art Smith, author. Houston Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX - SCFMS 4. "Your Scanner as Your Camera!" - T. W. "Terry" Proctor, author. Houston Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX - SCFMS 5. "Unsafety Hints for the Rockhound" - Donald Kelman, author. Heart of Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society, Marshfield, WI - MWF 6. "Dreaming of More Workshop Space" - Jill Rowlands, author. Houston Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX - SCFMS 7. "The Ancient Survivor" - Debbie Hall, author. New York Paleontological Society, New York, NY - EFMLS 8. "Gypsum" - Wes DeCoursey, author. McPherson Gem & Mineral Society, McPherson, KS - RMFMS 9. "Isochrons" - Bob Horning, author. Los Alamos Geological Society, Los Alamos, NM - RMFMS 10. "Why is There Chert?" - John Washburn, author. McPherson Gem & Mineral Society, McPherson, KS - RMFMS Honorable "Continental Mine Field Trip" -Paul Bradley, author. Los Alamos Geological Society, Los Alamos, NM - RMFMS "Our Wanderings: Fifth Installment - Eastern Federation Show" - Ruby Lingelbach, author. Stillwater Mineral & Gem Club, Stillwater, OK - RMFMS Original Junior Articles. authors under age 12 1. "Volcanoes" - Richard Baker-Strader, author. Lake Elsinor Gem Society, Lake Elsinore, CA - CFMS 2. "My Field Trip to Collect Green Phantom Crystals" - Mike Lavery, author. Arlington Gem & Mineral Club, Arlington, TX - SCFMS 3. "My Favorit Fossils" - Chad Moeller, author. Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Fort Wayne, IN - MWF 4. "Sharks Teeth" - Nathan Murphy, author. McPherson Gem & Mineral Society, McPherson, KS - RMFMS 5. "The Beauty of the Great Red Mountain" - Rachel Kaleel, author. McPherson Gem & Mineral Society, McPherson, KS - RMFMS 6. "Junior Spot" - Jeryl Murphy, author. McPherson Gem & Mineral Society, McPherson, KS - RMFMS Original Junior Articles - authors age 12 - 17 1. "The Big Bone Bash" - Justin Tunnicliff, author. Mile Hi Rock & Mineral Society, Westminster, Colorado - RMFMS 2. "Amazing Amber" - Daniel Wert, author. Lake Elsinore Gem & Mineral Society, Lake Elsinore, CA - CFMS 3. "My Favorite Self-Collected Fossil" - Maria Grace McClamrock, author. Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Fort Wayne, IN - MWF 4. "My Favorite Self-Collected Fossil "- Raymond Hoehn, author. Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Fort Wayne, IN - MWF 5. "Moh's Hardness Scale" - Kristen Kearney, author. McPherson Gem & Mineral Society, McPherson, KS - RMFMS 6. "Chalchanthite" - Dwight House, author. Ark-La-Tex Gem & Mineral Society, Shreveport/Bossier City, LA - SCFMS 7. "My Favorite Self-Collected Fossil" - Samantha Claymiller, author. Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Fort Wayne, IN - MWF 8. "Quartz" - Mindi Tolle, author. McPherson Gem & Mineral Society, McPherson, KS - RMFMS 9. "Which Gift, What Order" - Jessica Schurtz, author. Pleasant Oaks Gem & Mineral Club, Dallas, TX - SCFMS 10. "Sedimentary Rocks" - Isaac Joseph, author. Che-Hanna Rock & Mineral Club, Sayre, PA - EFMLS Original Poems by Juniors 1. "Rockhounds" - Juliana Volcheck, author. Delaware Mineralogical Society, Newark, NJ. - EFMLS 2. "The Mountain" - Jessica Schurtz, author. Pleasant Oaks Gem & Mineral Club, Dallas, TX - SCFMS Adult Poetry 1. "A Jeweler's Song Cycle" - Edward Clay, author. Houston Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX - SCFMS 2. "Minerals R Us" - Millie Heym, author. Tampa Bay Mineral & Science Club, Tampa, FL - EFMLS 3. "A Trail of Smiles" - Charles Ables, author. Heart of Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society, Marshfield, WI - MWF 4. "Planning A Show" - Judith Washburn, author. Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Club, Mansfield, OH - MWF 5. "Rockhounds & Friendships" - Joyce Smith, author. Show Me Gem & Mineral Club, St. Charles Co. MO - MWF 6. "Messages of Rocks" - Nellie Simcox, author. Wickenburg Gem & Mineral Society, Wickenburg, AZ - RMFMS 7. "Hidden in the Shale" - Ruby Lingelbach, author. Stillwater Gem & Mineral Society, Stillwater, OK - RMFMS 8. "The Rockhound" - Terry Proctor, author. Houston Gem & Mineral Society, Houston, TX - SCFMS 9. "Remembering 'Dick' Baker" - Elaine Smith, author. Deming Gem & Mineral Society, Deming, NM - RMFMS 10. "A Fossil Tale" - Terry Cirrincione, author. Aiken Gem & Mineral Society, Aiken, SC - EFMLS Honorable mention "Hydrograph" - Mitchell Cohen, author. New York Mineralogical Society, New York, NY - EFMLS Special Publications 1. "Big Brook - Upper Cretaceous Geology & Paleontology" - Erich Rose, author. New York Paleontological Society, New York, NY - EFMLS 2. "Minerals R Us" - Mitchell Portnoy, author. New York Mineralogical Club, New York, NY - EFMLS 3. "Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore - 50 Years of Serving the Community" - Madeline Leitch, Carolyn Weinberger, authors. Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD - EFMLS 4. "Field Trip Guide: Liehr Farm on McKee Creek" - John Washburn, author. Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Club, Mansfield, OH - MWF 5. "Pitfalls & Plaudits" - Judith Washburn, author. Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Club, Mansfield, OH - MWF 6. "Chips & Chatter Show 2000 Edition" - Don Shurtz, author. Pleasant Oaks Gem & Mineral Club, Dallas, TX - SCFMS 7. "Special Safety Section" - Peter Sparks & Phil Keavey, authors. Huron Hills Lapidary & Mineral Society, Ann Arbor, MI - MWF Federation Entry "Looking Back - A History of the EFMLS" - Susanna MacInnis, Ginger Posthums, Carolyn Weinberger, authors. Eastern Federation of Mineralogical & Lapidary Societies. from Kitty Starbuck AFMS Publications Chair The Editor's Contest this year produced some outstanding original articles and poems. We've compiled them in booklet form so you can have them for your library. Many editors reprint some of these for their own bulletins too. The cost of the booklet is $5.00 per copy plus $2.00 for mailing. You can order your copy from me by sending a check, payable to "AFMS" to me at:
by Shirley Leeson, AFMS Historian In Moab last year the pictures taken over the past years were given to the Historian by the Photographer, Barbara Sky. These pictures have been edited and are now included in the history scrapbooks that will be shown at the national show each year. If you have pictures from before 1988, and want to donate them for the books, please contact me. I will need the location, the people in the picture and the year taken. If you have additional information, please include it and I will try to also include it in the captions. I asked, through the AFMS Newsletter, for Newsletters to fill in the blanks that I have. Many responded. Fred Schaefermeyer, AFMS Past President; Carroll Dillion, NFMS Past President; and Doris Gisler, former editor of Slab and Gab of South Central. Anyone who might have Newsletters from the 1960 and would like to have a good home for them, please contact me. Pictures of the AFMS Past Presidents are coming along. If you are a regional historian and have pictures of your past presidents who went on to become AFMS Past Presidents, please contact me. You may have a better one that I do. Let's talk. (E-mail <shirleyleeson@email.msn.com> I believe I now have most of the AFMS show pins. The last one I needed was sent by Jean Wallace, current historian for the South Central. The pin was the 1994 show pin for Houston. I am also looking for memorabilia from the banquets and editors breakfasts. Especially the table decorations. When your regional show comes up I hope to have an exhibit case ready, if asked, to represent your region from past shows. Contact me if you can help. Please note, I DO NOT HAVE ANY DOCUMENTS OF FINANCIAL OR LEGAL IMPORTANCE. These are in the safe care of our Central Officer, Dan McLennan. Remember, only YOU can help us put together our past history. Ask your older members if they have, any memorabilia that would assist us in this endeavor. "...SEEN ANY GOOD PROGRAMS LATELY? by Marge Collins, AFMS Program Chair Have you seen any good program lately - or a poor one you think you could have done better? The AFMS Program Competition is the answer to both! Great programs deserve to be recognized - so if you are the producer of a 'great' program, enter Program Competition. You can win up to $200 and earn the recognition you deserve. If someone else produced the program, urge him or her to enter Competition. You can offer to help with the details to be taken care of before submission - get the script typed, title and end slides made - what ever is needed to make a good program "great". If you haven't seen any good programs lately, it's time to remedy the situation! You and/or your Club can produce a program - slides or video - and enter it. The deadline isn't until April 15th 2002 (or 2003 if you need more time). As in any competition it pays to be prepared! And, there are ways to improve your chances of winning. In sports, the winners are in excellent physical condition. For Program Commutation the presentation must be in well prepared. The 'rules', guidelines, the score sheet and other tips provide suggestions to improve your chances of winning. Your Regional Program Librarian or someone else should be able to give an objective critique. Remember that professional authors have editors and proofreader, researchers and other assistants. Winning is rarely easy - it depends on preparation. But the rewards are incalculable - far beyond the cash award, who knows how many viewers will see winning presentations and be inspired by them over the next 20 years or more. (After all each Regional Library presently has programs that are 30 years old - a few of them should be re made … Others are timeless classics. Will your - or a fellow Club member's - program be among the select few? For more info, contact your Regional Program Librarian or: AFMS Program Competition Coordinator, Marge Collins, 3017 Niles-Buchanan Rd., Buchanan MI 49107 Email: margaret@qtm.net Phone: 616-695-4313 PS. If your Club hasn't borrowed programs from your Regional Library lately, you will find some great slide and video presentations available to you. Your Regional Program Library is one of the benefits of Federation membership. Why not take advantage of it? See your Regional Directory for more information. WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PURSE OR WALLET IS STOLEN by VeOna Hayes from Northwest Federation Newsletter, June 2001 We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your name, address, SS#, credit, etc. Unfortunately I (author of this piece) have firsthand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month and within a week the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package,, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know. As everyone always advises, cancel your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know who to call. Keep those where you can find them easily (having to hunt for them is additional stress you WON'T need at that point!). On a personal note, I remember loosing a MC and until I got the toll free number from information, etc. I was a wreck. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). But here's what is perhaps most important: I never ever thought to do this. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised do this - almost two weeks after the theft all the damage had been done (there are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert). Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks. The numbers are:
We pass along just about everything .... do think about passing this information along .... it could help someone else! ROCKHOUND & LAPIDARY HALL OF FAME by Gert Larson, SD, ND State Director, MWF We've received several questions in the last few months about the Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame located in Murdo, South Dakota. Since clubs are probably now in the process of selecting worthy candidates to be inducted for 2001, it might be a good idea to let you know who ultimately has the responsibility of reading all the nominations and making the final decision. Applications are sent to a Board of Consultants. They are appointed for life and are all volunteers. Currently the Board of Consultants are:
Those who have serve in the past, but are now deceased are: Willard Roberts (South Dakota), Katherine Steinbrenner (Iowa) and Paul Desautels (Florida). Contributions to the Hall of Fame are always accepted and are tax deductible. They should be sent to the
by Lyle & Colleen Kugler Congratulations to all of you! Everyone is a winner! We were proud to announce that 5 regional federations participated this year for the All American Awards with a total of 16 entries. This is an increase over last year and we are really pleased for all of you. We would like to let all clubs know that if there is no Regional All American Awards Chairman for your federation, you can still participate. The rules and regulations along with the regional chairmen will be published in the October AFMS Newsletter. If there isn't a chairman for your federation you can enter directly into the AFMS competition. More information will accompany the rules and regulations. Again, congratulations and keep up the good work. We would like to see every federation represented in 2002. Here are the awards which were presented at Arlington. Large Clubs Wisconsin Geological Society Midwest Mineralogical & Lapidary Society Che-Hanna Rock & Mineral Club Arlington Gem & Mineral Club Small Clubs Williamson Co. Gem & Mineral Society Waco Gem & Mineral Club Roseville Rock Rollers Mile Hi Rock & Mineral Club Fossils For Fun Society Carmichael Gem & Mineral Society Pine Country Gem & Mineral Society Northwest Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society Neville Public Museum Geology Club Los Alamos Geological Society Lawrence County Rock Club Cross Timbers Gem & Mineral Club from Lewis Elrod, Chair I am pleased to be able to tell you that the AFMS Endowment Fund Raffle was an outstanding success. My thanks to all who donated the prizes and to all who purchased tickets. The drawing was held at the Arlington Convention with the following results. Congratulations to all the winners. Tarapacite specimen from Tarapaca, Chile Rose quartz pendant Palmwood sphere Agate belt buckle Intarsia bola Dichloric glass and sterling necklace Tigereye belt buckle Presidents Award Look for news about the 2002 AFMS Endowment Fund activities in coming issues of the AFMS Newsletter.
|
© 1998-2020 American Federation of Mineralogical
Societies, Inc. |
A
BUZZ FROM THE PREZ
from Steve Weinberger, AFMS President-elect
amfed.org