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AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES
Volume 55, Number 3 IN THIS ISSUE Public Relations· What Does It Mean to Our Federations, Our Clubs and Us? from Barbara Fenstermacher, AFMS Chair There may be any variety of responses to this question; many, however, will probably first ask, “What exactly does public relations mean in regard to the hobby? Does it mean advertising the club show and our meetings in the local newspaper? Does it mean presenting hands-on geology/mineralogy/paleontology workshops to science classes in local schools? Does it mean finding new field trip sites for club members and, possibly, interested folks who are not members? Does it mean spreading the word about our hobby and the possibilities for life-long adventure, education, and travel along with the social input of people who are similarly inclined? As we mull over what the hobby means to us, let’s think also of what we can do to extend the benefits we’ve gained to those with whom we come in contact our own club members, those from other clubs or the public at large. Spreading the word and good will that the hobby offers is probably the best application for “public relations” and in this sense we can all participate and benefit. This column will be your opportunity to communicate far and wide new endeavors that folks in the hobby have undertaken and how success was achieved. With seven hundred-plus clubs across the country - let’s go! Our premier success story, “Gem Mine Discovered in East Texas,” is reported by Don White in the October issue of Rock-N-Rose, newsletter from the East Texas Gem & Mineral Society located in Tyler. One of the worst-kept secrets around is Drs. Jeff and Katherine Pinotti’s gem mine located in the valley directly below Love’s Lookout. What began as an attempt to keep from having to take the kids to Arkansas once a month has blossomed into a nearly full-time business. Apparently a casual remark at a club meeting sparked an onslaught of school children. Dr. Pinotti received a call from a local teacher. She told him that she had heard that he had a sluice and had over one hundred children that she wished to bring on a field trip. As the Lucky Bucket was in the planning stages, it took three weeks of work day and night to get it finished before their arrival. (Incidentally, his grand scheme to getting out of the Arkansas trip has backfired, as he now has to make more trips to replenish his crystal supply for the mine.) The mine ore consists of concrete sand (also a source of small fossils and shark teeth), heavily salted with emeralds, garnets, crystals, pyrite, topaz, agate, peridot and others. Behind the scene there are buckets and boxes imported from over the world and a 1,000-gallon reservoir buried in the ground which supplies water for the sluice. Dr. Pinotti emphasizes that his primary purpose is education for kids. He feels that this is a great learning tool, with charts and samples available. He also spends a lot of time with them, explaining what to look for and the use for the various gems and minerals. As he explained, this is the future generation of those who will be interested in Earth Science and rockhounding. After washing, the larger stones are transferred to a table to be sorted and dried. Dr. Pinotti or one of his assistants are always available to assist in the sorting and identification of the gem stones. Some of the stones, such as garnet are very hard to distinguish from ordinary rock while wet and have to be dried before their true colors literally shine through. After this process the miner is supplied with a bag labeled with the names of the stones within. Dr. Pinotti said that many children will stay all day, day after day, and others are burnt out after an hour or so. Long-range plans for the future include the possibility of a mining town. Gold panning is a possibility if a way can be found to have a meaningful amount of gold without having the price prohibitively expensive. In addition to the mine there is a small museum with a small collection of Caddo Indian artifacts as well as fossils, petrified wood, and mineral specimens as well as a huge garnet. There is also a small rock shop that will grow as soon as Dr. Pinotti gets a feel for what people are interested in. If you are looking for a way to spend a cool autumn afternoon, you may want to go to the Lucky Bucket Mine and while away a few hours without breaking the bank. Prices depend on the size of bucket you purchase, currently $3.50 for the small, $6.50 for the medium and $10.00 for a large bucket. The mine is open from 10:00 a.m. until about sundown, Thursday through Sunday. It is easy to find; just take 69 south to Mt. Selman, turn left on Highway 177, go a couple of miles and turn right on County Road 3901. It is about a mile to the Lucky Bucket on the left (about where the pavement ends). If you get lost or wish to call to be sure they are open, call (903) 894-7640. You can also check out the website at <www.luckybucket.com>. Remember ”Communication is the Byword”... and with it the promotion of good will within our clubs and the public we reach out to. Barbara Fenstermacher from Steve Weinberger, President
Speaking of goals, another facet of our hobby which I feel very strongly about is our juniors program. It is by introducing young people to the arts and sciences that we achieve two goals. First, it insures the continuation of our hobby by having knowledge and skills passed on to younger individuals. Secondly, it provides a foundation for youngsters to build upon at a later time. I think that we all have seen that the majority of people who are most knowledgeable in the fields of mineralogy and paleontology began their interest when they were young. Interests started at an early age can be strong enough to last a lifetime; but there may be a time between early teenage years and perhaps their 30's or 40's when other pressing concerns will necessitate stopping for awhile. When they resume the hobby, their earlier foundation is there waiting to be more fully explored. Frequently, early interest can also lead to professional development in those fields. Our junior program, under the able leadership of Bob and Kathy Miller, provides an excellent resource to clubs wishing to promote activities for youngsters. Individual junior clubs may join the AFMS Future Rockhounds of America and be officially welcomed with a certificate and pins. More importantly, they will be able to communicate with other clubs nationally. Clubs also receive information about activities for youngsters of all ages. If your club is thinking about starting a pebble pups section, contact Kathy and Bob for details. Remember, it’s never too early to introduce someone to the joys of learning, especially when the field is this wonderful hobby of ours. from Ron Carman, President-elect
Now that the holidays are over, however, it might be a good time to be thinking about our coming events and activities, if we haven’t already done so. Virtually all clubs are planning shows, field trips and other hobby-related activities. I know that I personally will try to go to as many shows as I can, in my own federation and others when time permits. The facts of life are that there are only about forty available weekends in a year (if we avoid holidays, etc.) and there are many more shows than that. I know that many clubs start planning next year’s show as soon as this year’s is over, which is good. Shows are about the best way I know of to advertise our hobby and its many varied specialties to the public. Don’t forget that warm weather will be back (it certainly will in Texas!) and it is never too soon to plan picnics, field trips, and maybe expeditions to other shows and events. I like the idea of inviting neighbor clubs to come along on some of the trips, or to come to picnics or other outings. That is another great way to meet and share experiences with rockhounds from other clubs. And if they reciprocate, everyone gets twice the benefit from this sharing, which is still another advantage of federating. I will try to keep this message short, but should mention that I have also started planning my 2002 schedule to include shows, field trips and other rockhound related activities. I especially like field trips to places where I have had good luck in the past - or - to new places where I have heard collecting is good! I know from experience about too few weekends in a year for all the goodies there are planned. It’s a little like trying to fit a gallon of water into a pint jar! Maybe, when I can retire.... Well, I can dream, can’t I? At any rate, this upcoming year if I don’t happen to see you at some particular show, maybe I will at the next one. And I do hope to see as many as possible in Port Townsend in July. I have heard it can be beautiful there in the summer time. I have already sent in my reservations and am looking forward to it. from B. Jay Bowman member Uniform Rules Committee “One of the pleasures of our hobby is sharing what we have and what we know. Displaying our collections and craftsmanship has been one of the ways we do this. Competitive exhibiting in Gem and Mineral Shows is a natural result of these displays. As we have attempted to improve our shows, we have seen competitive exhibiting grow into a major contribution. The first shows had mineral and gem exhibits displayed according to the whim of the exhibitor. The judging of such exhibits soon proved the need for uniformity so rules were adopted by each of the Federations based on their own experiences. Since 1961, the Uniform Rules of the American Federation have been in effect. The rules are now on a nation-wide basis and as they must cover all aspects of the hobby for the thousands of interested hobbyists, they are comprehensive. The current revision of the Uniform Rules is the result of the continuing effort on the part of the Regional Federation Uniform Rules Committees and the AFMS Rules Committee to provide uniform conditions under which exhibitors from all regions may compete. The AFMS and Regional Committees welcome suggestions that may lead to other improvements and implementations of the use of these rules. You or your club may submit suggestions and proposals to the EFMLS Uniform Rules chairman, Esther Dunn (1102 Camilla Dr; Ozark, AL 36360-2502.) Your suggestion will then be reviewed and discussed by the EFMLS Rules Committee and presented for consideration by the AFMS Rules Committee.” Regional Federation Uniform Rules representatives now meet together with the AFMS Uniform Rules Committee prior to the annual American Federation Convention and Show to review and revise the Uniform Rules in an attempt to make them fair, clear, and understandable to all. Each Regional Federation has one vote in the decision making body. from Dee Holland, URC Chairman The Uniform Rules meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2002, beginning at 9 am in the Harborside Inn, Port Townsend, WA. Please mark your calendars. The meeting was accidentally left off the packet information when originally printed. Even if you are not on the URC, if you wish to attend you are invited to come and learn how the rules for competitive judging are written and adopted. New Programs Available From Your Regional Program Library from Marge Collins, Program Coordinator Solid As Rock? We casually say something is as ‘solid as rock…’ and we think of mountains, rivers and coastlines as constant features of our landscapes. Yet these and all features of Earth are constantly changed and rebuilt by almost invisible forces. A set of 26 – 30 minute video programs, titled “Earth Revealed”, explores the geologic features and phenomena that make up and control our world. This mini geology course explores how scientific theories are developed, how scientists analyze changing landscapes, presents interviews with a range of ‘experts’ and uses graphic illustrations as well as location footage to reveal key facts about our planet. The brief but thorough segments are lively and present interesting information in a way that is easy to understand. Segments include “The Birth of a Theory” (how the movements of Earth’s plates was finally understood), “Earthquakes”, “Geologic Time”, “Minerals: The Materials of Earth”, “Sedimentary Rocks: Key to Past Environments”, “Glaciers” and 20 more. This highly rated production has been sent to each of the Regional Libraries thanks to funding from the AFMS Endowment. Contact your Regional Program Library to reserve segments for Club use. EARTH REVEALED This series follows geologists in the field and laboratory as they explore the primal forces of the Earth. Earth Revealed offers stunning visuals that explain geologic concepts and principles as well as showing how human activities can shape our planet. Part 1. Down to Earth. Introduces the vast field of study that is geology, showing the uniqueness of Earth in its ability to support life. Part 2. The Restless Planet. A review of the formation of our solar system and evolution of Earth’s structure. Part 3. Earth’s Interior. Demonstrates how seismic waves occur and explains how the measurement of gravity, heat flow and earth magnetism, provide information about Earth’s interior. Part 4. The Sea Floor. Examines major sea-floor features: the mid-oceanic ridge, oceanic trenches and fracture zones - evidence how mobile Earth’s crust is. Part 5. The Birth of a Theory. Traces origins of the ideas of continental drift and sea floor spreading and their contributions to plate tectonics theory. Part 6. Plate Dynamics. Introduces theory and concepts about the movements of earth’s plates by looking at plate boundaries and their associated geologic features. Part 7. Mountain Building. How major mountain belts and continents are created, evolve and wear away. Part 8. Earth’s Structure. Illustrates how bedrock responds to tectonic forces originating within earth and what structural geologists learn by studying it. Part 9. Earthquakes. Explores the nature and consequences of earthquakes, the factors that cause quakes, their location and characteristics. Part 10. Geologic Time. Portrays the immensity of the geologic time scale - the worldwide basis for correlation of geologic events, rock formation and fossils. Part 11. Evolution Through Time. How earth has changed over the past four-and-a-half billion years. Part 12. Minerals: The Materials of Earth. Covers the origins, classifications and uses of minerals. Part 13. Volcanism. Explains how volcanoes are formed and examines the importance of volcanic activity to Earth’s geology and climate. Part 14. Intrusive Igneous Rocks. Unveils the rock forming processes of magmas that do not reach Earth’s surface but solidify underground. Part 15. Weathering and Soils. Demonstrates how minerals and rocks change when subjected to the physical and chemical conditions that exist at Earth’s surface. Part 16. Mass Wasting (Landslides, Creep & Slump). Gravity is constantly at work – not only in rapidly moving landslides but also as imperceptibly slow ‘creep’. Also shows how human activity can cause or control such ‘mass wasting’. Part 17. Sedimentary Rocks: The Key to Past Environments. Sedimentary rocks hold clues – not only to past life but also to environmental conditions of the past. Part 18. Metamorphic Rocks. Interprets the causes of metamorphism and the kinds of rocks produced as a result. Part 19. Running Water I: Rivers, Erosion and Deposition. Tectonic and hydrologic cycles work together to shape the land. Part 20. Running Water II: Landform Evolution. Streams and valleys are shaped and landscapes formed primarily by water but human activity can intensify or reduce flood dangers. Part 21. Groundwater. Explains how this critical resource is distributed and recycled. Part 22. Wind, Dust and Deserts. Deserts cover a third of all the land and are located in polar as well as equatorial regions. This programs shows how they form and their major features. Part 23. Glaciers. Glaciers are an important sculptor of the earth’s surface responsible for such spectacular scenery as the Alps and Yosemite Valley. Part 24. Waves, Beaches and Coasts. A beach is a dynamic zone where the sand is in constant motion, sensitive to variations in waves, winds, tides, currents and human intervention. Part 25. Living with Earth, Part I. Knowledge of destructive forces such as earthquakes and landslides can help to predict and lessen their impact on human activity. Part 26. Living with Earth, Part II. Explores the impact of human activity on Earth and discusses ways in which people can shape their actions to benefit Earth. Students Receiving AFMS Scholarship Foundation Grants From Louellen Montgomery, Scholarship Foundation Past President The Honorary Award Winners from six Regional Federations have selected students to receive AFMS Scholarship Foundation grants for the school year 2001-02. All of these grants are for $2,000.00 per year, each, for two years. 420 students have received grants from the Foundation since the first grant of $300.00 was given in 1965. The total of these grants has exceeded One Million Dollars, to be exact, $1,014,650.00! This has been accomplished by the generous support of the Foundation by the AFMS societies and their members. Two grants remain on hold for an additional $4,000.00. Following is a list of the students receiving scholarship grants for this year, including those students receiving the second year of the 2000-01 grants: California Federation: Aron J. Meltzner received his B.S. in Geology at California Institute of Technology and is working on his M.S. in Neotectonics at San Diego State University. His research concerns foreshocks and aftershocks of California earthquakes, based on intensity observations. Lisl Laura Lew is received her B.S. in Geology and Geophysics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She also studied at the University of Leeds, England. After a year of work as a geologist in Perth, Australia, she is now studying for her M.S. in Geophysics at San Diego State University. Marcus Origlieri and Joel A. Bartsch are receiving the second year of their grants as they continue their studies for their doctorate degrees, Marcus at the University of Arizona, Tucson, and Joel at Rice University, Houston, Texas. Eastern Federation: Barbara G. Osgood is a student at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, working on her Ph.D. in Geoscience. She received her B.S. in Environmental Geoscience at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her thesis topics are about coating materials in Earth surficial environment. Curtis W. Allen will be enrolled in the graduate program at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, pursuing a Ph.D. in Mineralogy in January 2002. His studies will involve specifically bulk and surface structural changes of minerals during phase trans-formations. He will receive his B.S. in Earth Science in December 2001 at the University of North Carolina, Asheville. One of the 2000-01 students, Carrie Wright, continues her studies for her M.S. in Mineralogy at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Christina Lopano is receiving the second year of the grant to Song Yang at Pennsylvania State University, University Park, where she is working on her advanced degree in Mineralogy. Her undergraduate work was done at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg. Midwest Federation: Matthew Strine received his B.S. in Geology at Oberlin College in Ohio; his M.S. in Geology at the University of Rochester, New York, where he continues his studies for his Ph.D. in Geology. He has done research of the structural history of the NW Highlands of Scotland with a focus on the Moine Thrust. Melissa Berke graduated from Oberlin College, Ohio, with honors and continues her studies for a M.S. in Geochemistry at the University of California at Riverside. Her research project concerns carbonate sedimentology/geochemistry as they apply to the stramotolites being studied. Receiving the second year of their grants, Jeffrey M. Schwartz continues his studies for his M.S. in Geology at the University of Washington, Seattle; Robert Graves continues work on his M.S. in Geology at the University of Nevada, Reno. Northwest Federation: Kathryn Clapp is working on a M.S. in Geological Engineering at Montana Tech, Butte, with her research interest in the field of land slides and slope failure. She is a graduate of Montana Tech. Kathy Miller is also a student at Montana Tech, Butte, where she works on her M.S. in Geophysical Engineering. Her research interest is in remote sensing. She also did her undergraduate work at Montana Tech. Receiving the second year of their grants are Erika Harnett, studying for her Ph.D. in Geophysics, and Gregory A. Balco, his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences. Both students are enrolled at the University of Washington, Seattle. Janna Juday, working on her advanced degree in Volcanology at Western Washington University, Bellingham, is receiving the first year of a 1999-2000 grant that had been held over. She received her B.A. in Geology and Psychology at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin, and is studying the history and characteristics of eruption types in order to further work on prediction systems around the world. Rocky Mountain Federation: Linda P. Garinger received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Kansas State University, Manhattan; her M.S. in Atmospheric Science at the University of Alabama, Huntsville; and now works on her Ph.D. in Geology at the University of Kansas, Lawrence. Her dissertation concerns the relationship of crustal density and magmatism in Extensional environments. Amelia L. Hess received her B.S. in Physical Science, with a minor in Earth Science, at Emporia State University, Kansas, where she is enrolled in graduate school working on her M.S. in Earth Science. As a Corporal in the Army Reserves, her unit was called on alert following the tragedy at the world Trade Center in New York September 11. Her graduate studies will be held in abeyance for her return to school. Naila Moreira, receiving the second year of her grant, continues studies for her Ph.D. in Geology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Nathan Onderdonk is continuing his work for his Ph.D. in Geology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. South Central Federation: Yvette M. Chovanec graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a B.S. in Geology. She continues her studies there as she works toward her M.S. in Geology. Her thesis topic is based on a geothermal study at Steptoe Valley, Nevada, performing geothermal surveys including gravity, magnetic, resistivity and possibly seismic. Julie Lynn Blakeman has been named to receive an AFMS Scholarship Foundation grant pending the finish of her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Arlington in the Spring 2002. Her M.S. work will be in Geology. Receiving the second year of their grants are Dragana Nebrigic, continuing her studies for her Ph.D. in Geoscience at the University of Texas at Dallas; and, Thomas E. Macrini, continuing his work on his Ph.D. in Vertebrate Paleontology at the University of Texas at Austin. It’s never too late for you as an individual or your club as a group to make a contribution to the AFMS Scholarship Foundation. Doing so is a wonderful way to recognize an accomplishment or honor a member. The interest from contributions to the AFMS Scholarship Foundation is used to help deserving graduate Earth Science students, like those listed above. Eventually, all of us in the hobby benefit from the work done by these outstanding students. Checks should be made payable to “AFMS Scholarship Foundation” and sent to your regional Scholarship Chairman as listed below: California Federation: Eastern Federation: Midwest Federation: Northwest Federation: Rocky Mountain Federation: South Central Federation: Southeast Federation: from Bob and Kathy Miller, Co-Chairs What a great way to start out the New Year, with the announcement of another new Future Rockhounds of America club to make the total 18, bringing junior membership up to 263 within the United States. If your club wishes to start a Future Rockhounds of America juniors club or you have an individual junior (who is also eligible) be sure to contact your regional Junior Chairman for a membership form. By joining the FRA juniors can correspond with youngsters across the USA sharing ideas in a related hobby, plus the bonus of wearing the Future Rockhounds of America pin to distinguish who and what they represent. The beginning of a year is a good time to take inventory of what you need for your juniors at club functions during the year whether it be a meeting, show, field trip,etc. There are many items of interest for all ages in paper material for them that are free or can be purchased at minimal cost. As we look through our files one of the places you could start with is the U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services, P.O. Box 25286, Denver, CO 80225. They offer booklets, brochures, and maps. As an example some of the titles are “Collecting Rocks”, ‘Fossils, Rocks, and Time”, “Volcanoes”, “Building Stones of Our Nations Capital”, “Gold”. They offer a map that is called “Planetary Maps”, consisting of maps to help you find your way around on the Moon and Mars and on some of Earth’s neighboring planets and their satellites. Now is also a good time to get your juniors thinking about putting in an exhibit for your annual show. This will give them a project and participation in your club activities or events. Don’t forget to let them know about the Lillian Turner Award. Lillian Turner of Bethesda, Maryland, gives an award each year to the outstanding junior who exhibits at the annual AFMS Show. The junior can be from any federation or society, but must be exhibiting in competition at the current show. The Host Society or Show Committee will select the outstanding junior by determination of the best competitive Junior exhibit. The Award will be a $100 Series “E” Bond, to be presented at a ceremony during the show. This year’s award would be given in Port Townsend, WA. by Mel Albright, Safety Chair With all the noise going around about tires and their safety, do you know what’s what? Probably not, but your tire will tell you if you know all the shorthand. There are numbers and letters all over your tires. Together, they tell you what to expect from that tire. Together they may tell you that you have the wrong tire. First: There’s may be a set of numbers like P205/60HR13 The first part tells you this tire was designed for Passenger cars (LT stands for light truck). The next set of numbers tells you how wide the tread is in millimeters (25.4 mm = 1 inch). The point here is that the larger the number is, the less likely you are to skid (which may be good or bad). The next set of numbers is called the aspect ratio – that is the ratio of tire height to tire width. The next letter (H) is the maximum speed rating for tire safety. S means the tire is safe to 112 mph. T is safe to 118 mph. H is safe to 130 mph. V is good for 149. If you are going racing, you need Z rated tires good for over 150 mph. The R means it is a radial tire. If there were a B there, you have some old bias tires. The main thing is that your tires should all be the same. If mixed, the bias should be on the front and the radial on the back. The 13 means the tire is for a 13 inch wheel. It should NOT be mounted on any other size wheel! OR, there are sets of numbers like P215/65R1589A. The P, 215, 65, R, and 15 mean the same as the old system. The 89 is a load index and the A is a speed symbol. The load index tells how large a weight the tire can safely carry. The important thing is that the number be at least as high as the original equipment number. If you tow a trailer, it should be higher – ask your tire dealer how high. For example, a load index of 85 means your tire is rated to safely carry 1135 pounds. Multiply by 4 and you get 4540 pounds as the total safe load of car, fuel, people, junk, trunk stuff, luggage, and whatever else the car is carrying. The A is a good letter for your lawn tractor. A B means safe to 31 mph An L is safe to 75 mph. Then the pairings are M-81mph; N-87 mph; P – 93 mph; Q – 106 mph, (Somewhere in here, you probably get a speeding ticket.) and on up to ZR which rates at over 150 mph. Somewhere else on the tire will be a maximum rated tire pressure. This is the maximum pressure your tire should ever have measured while the tire is cold. For you to achieve maximum mileage from the tire, this is also the pressure you should maintain. You may go lower for a softer ride (new cars often do this) but you sacrifice some life of the tire and some safety from heat accumulation in the tire. (Here’s where Firestone and Ford are arguing,) Your tire will also contain treadware, traction, and temperature ratings – such as TREADWARE 220 TRACTION A TEMPERATURE B which is called the Uniform Tire Quality Guide. These are more accurate comparing tires from one manufacturer than comparing between manufacturers. The 220 represents the tire’s comparative wear when measured against the government “standard” tire which is rated at 100. So this tire wore 2.2 times longer than the control tire. What this means to us is that the larger the number, the more miles the tire will last. Since so many variables affect tire wear, you cannot translate this into a direct tire life such as 40,000 miles. Traction is rated as A (superior), B (good) or C (average). The chances are you’ll skid faster with a C and least with an A. Road and tire conditions again make this a variable with each vehicle and each tire (Firestone and Ford again). Temperature grades are also A (superior), B (good) or C (average). Heat hurts rubber over time. Your tires are heated by rolling friction and by internal friction as it flexes during rolling (See inflation and aspect ratio). So, a design that stands or disburses heat to the air means the tire lasts longer. Hot tires also skid easier, so that’s a factor, too. Most likely, there will be other information on the tire – US Department of Transportation safety rating, construction materials and plies, an actual maximum load per tire, And more information such as how to mount the tire for minimum vibration and bead mounting information. And of course, you can pick white sidewalls, too. Source: U.S. Department of Transportation AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year from Bonnie Glismann I am pleased to announce the latest individuals to be recognized by their club as “Rockhound of the Year”. Remember, every AFMS affiliated club is eligible each calendar year to select one individual or a couple who they wish to recognize. Send your “nomination” along with a 50 word or less information paragraph to your regional ACROY chairman. All nominees will be recognized in the AFMS Newsletter. South Central Federation The Central Texas Gem & Mineral Society nominates Don Brenholtz as our club’s Rockhound of The Year for 2001. Don is a longtime member and very involved in all club activities. He has served as president and has been shop supervisor and instructor for many years. He has been in charge of the silent auction at club shows. Don is an all-around faithful and enthusiastic ROCKHOUND. Zack Stockton Sec/Trea The East Texas Gem and Mineral Society would like to nominate Sylvia Rainier as Rockhound of the Year 2001 for their club. Sylvia has consistently inspired all rockhounds through her dedication and selfless contributions to our hobby and club. She has particated and served her club well. submitted by Keith Harmon Art Smith has been nominated by the Houston Gem and Mineral Society as their Rockhound of the Year for the year 2001. Art is a career geologist and has been club librarian for nearly 20 years. He has up graded this library to be one of the finest earth science book collections of any club in the state. He has won numerous awards for his mineral articles at the SCFMS and AFMS levels. He has guided numerous Rockhounds to localities gleaned from the library of sources and his personal data from field trips. He has directed the Conoco School Collections Grant that provides free mineral and fossil identification kits for teachers to use in earth science classes. He was awarded honorary life time membership in 2000 for his continued efforts in Houston Gem and Mineral Society. Submitted by: Jill Rowlands Eastern Federation The Gem Lapidary and Mineral Society of Montgomery County MD, Inc. nominates Jack Nelson as Rockhound of the Year for 2002. Jack continues to support the Society in so many ways. He, this year, headed the nominating committee, was in charge of door and show table prizes, and was in charge of the workshop at the annual show. A perpetual club proponent, he freely takes many people gold panning, shares items of interest, makes available booklets on minerals of the DC area, assists the field trip chairman, and contributes many ideas to the Board of Directors. He was also a catalyst for a discourse on “Final Disposition of Collections”. Josephine MacIndewar has been nominated as the AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year by the North Shore Rock & Mineral Club in Massachusetts. As the field trip chairperson, Josephine conducts around 10 collecting field trips throughout the New England area, New York State, New Jersey and eastern Canada. Not only does she help plan the trips, but she does at least one dry run of each trip so that the trip runs smoothly. She also makes arrangements with motels and restaurants so that we can plan ahead for our stay. She is also in charge of the refreshments at the monthly meetings. No one puts more time into the club, even giving up many weekends and holidays, than Josephine. In addition, she has also been president of The Lynn Mineral Club for over 5 years. Kate Liska is the AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year from the Bristol Gem and Mineral Club of Bristol, CT. Kate is the Secretary and top notch Editor of our “Down in the Dumps” newsletter. She is a tremendous bundle of energy. In addition to her organizational skills, she is a wonderful baker of treats, and her breads bring a better price during our club auction than most of the minerals! She is a very hard worker and is always in the forefront working for the club. The Nassau Mineral Club, Inc. of Mineola, NY nominates Fay Drogin as the 2002 AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. Fay was the club treasurer for six years. Working with the Outreach Group, she empowers children to learn through instructional programs and by distributing minerals at schools. At beading workshops, Fay is a willing, talented instructor and artist. Rocky Mountain Federation The Beehive Rock and Gem Club of Ogden Utah would like to nominate Ray and Lolly Nyce as their 200l AFMS Rockhound of the Year. Ray as been both Vice President and President for the last 15 year. His contribution to the club includes Show Chairman, Demonstrator as numerous shows, he prints their club directory and in his spare time builds sphere machines. He is a knowledgeable field trip leader and leads the club to new and interesting places. Lolly has been club secretary, editor of club newsletter, membership chairperson, (she is good at introducing and encouraging new members) and in her spare time demonstrates her artistic ability by painting on rocks. This couple are the general helpers of the Bee Hive club and help in every way to keep members active and interested. Nominated by Ray Law, club president Shirley Leeson In 2000, at the Moab, Utah national show, AFMS Past President Johnny Short presented me with an AFMS Metal Car Tag. It was the first I had ever seen, but I had heard about it from Past President Diane Dare when we were researching for the AFMS 50th Anniversary. In researching for an article a club member had asked for in the Northwest Federations’s archives I ran across this item:
The emblems will eventually be available to members of groups affiliated with the American Federation through their regional Federation and local societies. They will be available in both lapel buttons and metal car tags for bolting to the license plate. Emblems are not ready for distribution yet but as soon as they are, complete information as to how they can be obtained will be given to G&M.” ...taken from Gems & Minerals magazine, No. 204, September, 1954 ....from Northwest Newsletter Vol.XXXIV, No. 2 - Oct 1994 I received a note from AFMS Past President Margaret Heinek recently and she had some great news. A former Midwest State Director, JOSEPH PLYMATE of Fairland, Indiana, had contacted her asking if she knew where he could put some important memorabilia. Margaret and I conversed, and the material was sent to me for safe keeping. Here are the items that were sent: - A copy of the first program from the 1948 Denver AFMS Show and Convention. - A copy of a newspaper article from a Denver paper noting the “gem parley of 1000" drawn to Denver. Also on the same page was the real item he was interested in, A world famous display of jade from Chang Wen Ti of Los Angeles. His chief work of art was a fifty-two inch high Chinese pagoda, a work which took 150 pade experts ten years to carve. It was not on display, but it was noted it was in a museum in Stockton, California. Could this be the beautiful jade pagoda now seen in the Lizzadro Museum in Elmhurst, Illinois???? Could anyone tell me? - And last but not least, a copy of the third AFMS Annual Convention program from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Joseph told Margaret he had saved them all these years and wanted to know they would be taken care of. Whatta guy! If YOU can top this, let me know. I’m always looking for AFMS memorabilia for our scrapbooks.... Shirley Leeson, AFMS Historian Short on Program Ideas for Your Club? By Bob Livingston, EFMLS President It has been said that having a really good program is 9/10s of the battle to having a good club meeting on any night. Hopefully one or more of these* will tickle your fancy? More will be shared in future issues. — Antique Jewelry Night — invite all to bring in their family’s antique pieces and show / tell. — Brag Night+. Encourage multiple members participation after the field trip season. — Ugly Rock program+. Members bring the ugliest or strangest rock possible. Each person tells about his or her entry including where from etc. Members vote to determine the winner(s). — Lapidary machinery night — saw, cabber, faceter set up and maintenance discussion which covers things like which saw blade(s) seems to work best for what size/type applications. — Petrified wood, A to Z. Great for clubs where “Wood” is not super common. — “Stepping up to Gold from silver working.” A club member who is a bench jeweler, or advanced metalsmith is ideal for this. — Trade speakers or programs with nearby clubs+. This is a great way for several clubs to tap other talent and broaden their offering inexpensively. — PMC (Precious Metal Clay) — Have a trained person make while you watch, easy jewelry that when heated in a kiln changes into silver from this raw and hand pliable polymer. Classes could later be added. Without much competition, the clay, so far, is somewhat pricy. — Mentor night. Have some of your newer members spotlight their mentor and tell why. The spotlighted folk eat it up and will also add interesting commentary usually. — Jewelry fashions and fads+. (Art Deco, Art Nouveau, American Indian, etc.) * This information is from a booklet compiled by the Eastern Federation and presented June 2001 at the AFMS Cracker Barrel in Arlington, Texas. + These specific programs were included courtesy of MidWest Federation. AFMS Uniform Rules Committee Announcement from Dee Holland, AFMS / URC Chair The information below is for those of you who are working on the various aspects of the rules.... At Arlington there were a number of committees held over for further work, listed below are the subjects and the committee chairs you may contact if you’re interested in any of the proposals listed below: Proposed addition of Division H, Scrimshaw
Proposed Gem Tree Rules:
Proposed Wire Wrap Rules:
Proposed Modification to Division C. Rules:
Proposed changes in Fossil Rules:
Committee formed to make recommendations for specific rules changes to allow competitors in the Novice & Advanced exhibitor groups to receive awards>
Committee formed to propose rules for appointing a committee of judges at AFMS shows to arbitrate any arguments or problems that may arise.
If anyone has any changes they wish to make to the current rules, these changes must be sent to the regional chairpersons by May 1, 2002, so regional chairpersons can get their reports in to the AFMS URC Chairman by June 1st, 2002. Any reports received later that June 1 WILL NOT BE ON THE AGENDA and will not be considered for action at the meeting on July 16, 2002 at Port Townsend, WA. Dee Holland, AFMS URC Chair AFMS Scholarship Foundation - A Resume to Refresh Our Memories First written by W.H. DeHeui President, October 1963 The establishment of the AFMS Scholarship foundation was authorized by the addition of an Article to the By-Laws of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies in 1958. Organization The Foundation was incorporated as the AFMS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION, INC., a Minnesota Corporation on March 18, 1964. A Tax Exemption Certificate was obtained from the Internal Revenue Service on November 6, 1964. Members, the equivalent of stockholders in a commercial corporation, are the Officers and Directors of the American Federation, the Officers of the Foundation, and the immediate Past President of the AFMS. A Board of Directors is elected by the Members. The President of the AFMS is automatically both the Vice-President and a Director of the Foundation. The other Directors are elected at large by the Members, one from each of the Regional Federations. The Board of Directors is charged with the management of the Foundation. The Board elects a President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary, each for two-year terms, the President being elected one year, the Treasurer and Secretary being elected the next year, to insure continuity of experienced management. It will be seen that the Foundation, while an independent Corporation, is entirely in the control of AFMS Federation personnel. Purpose of the Foundation The object of the Foundation is to accumulate a Fund, using only the income from the Fund to be used to finance Scholarships. The principal cannot be used for any purpose whatever, hence the usefulness of the Fund is perpetual. Awards to Beneficiary Students Beginning in 1965, one student received a scholarship grant of $300.00 per year for two years to help achieve an advanced degree in any of the Earth Sciences. In 1966, the grant was increased to $400.00 per year for two years; in 1967, the grant was increased to $500.00 per year for two years. As the Fund, and hence the income from it, increased, the grants were increased and, subsequently, more students received scholarship grants. By 1972, each Regional Federation received one grant of $750.00 per year for two years. Grants were increased to $1,000.00 per year in 1976; to two scholarship grants per each Regional Federation in 1981. In 1983, each grant was increased to $1,500.00 per year for two years; and the amount was increased to $2,000.00 per year for each grant in 1988. Grants are restricted to Graduate students to avoid the possible waste of money on students who are not committed to Earth Science subjects, or who drop out before graduation (Any student working toward an advanced degree is presumed to have definitely decided to follow that field for his/her lifetime vocation, insofar as such decision is possible). Since our joint interests lie in that field, grants are restricted to Earth Science students. Selection of Beneficiary Students Until 1972, one person of prominence in the Earth Science field was selected from among twelve nominees, 2 from each Regional Federation. That person, normally associated with a prominent University or College, selected the schools., and the students who received the grants. Since 1972, each participating Regional Federation has selected their own Honorary Award Winner who then selected the school(s) and assisted with the selection of the student, or students, who then received the scholarship grant(s). This indirect method has served our purpose perfectly in that it benefits needy students, yet avoids the enormous task and expense of receiving, sifting through and evaluating applications from hundreds of applicants, which would otherwise be necessary if selections were made by ourselves in the conventional manner. The Fund Betty Crocker coupons were accepted and turned in to General Mills at 1/2 cent per point until December 31, 1974, when the program was discontinued by General Mills. Coupons accounted for approximately 10% of the Fund at that time. The market value of the investments of the Foundation, as of October 31, 2001, stands at just over $800,000.00. With the exception of a few hundred dollars received from outside organizations, the entire amount has been donated, by Earth Science Clubs and Societies throughout the entire nation, and by individual members of such groups. 100 Percenter Certificates are presented to those Clubs whose gifts equal $1.00 per member. 200%, 300%, etc., Seals for attachment to the Certificates are presented when such status has been reached. Plaques are presented for 500% status, with Plates for each additional 500%. Certificates are issued for 600%, 1100%, etc., levels; Seals for 700%, etc., 1200% are also presented. Seals and Certificates are presented through the 3900% level. As of October 31, 2001 at least two Clubs have exceeded the 10,000% level in their support of the Foundation. Gifts All gifts to the AFMS Scholarship Foundation are held to be tax-deductible to the donor. Gifts should be sent to each Regional Federation’s Scholarship Chairman, who will see that the donor receives proper credit, and will forward the gifts to the proper Foundation Officer. Founder’s Certificates are issued to individuals, dealers, or firms that contribute $100.00 or more to the Fund, either as one gift or cumulatively, but the individual’s club does not receive credit for such gifts. Goals for the Future Our first goal was to establish a Fund of $50,000.00 which would provide an annual scholarship in Earth Science. This goal was reached in 1968. Having attained that goal, do we stop when such attractive vistas and horizons appeared? By no means! The Fund has now achieved over fifteen times it first goal and we have been providing two two-year scholarship grants of $2,000.00 each year in six of the seven Regional Federations. What do we see ahead? Wonderful additional opportunities for service and help for more and more students. Remember, the Fund itself is not consumed - only the income from it. Whatever is in the Fund keeps working year after year, indefinitely into the future. The larger it grows, the more good it can do - not only once, but time after time as the years go by. YOU and your club can help the fund grow by contributing at least $1 per member to the AFMS Scholarship Foundation each year. Many clubs send around a collection jar at each meeting; others hold raffles, bake sales, or have special sales at their annual shows. Individual contributions are also accepted and can easily be credited to your club’s contribution tally if you so desire. Just let us know. With interest rates down, the fund is growing more slowly than it did in previous years so your contributions now are needed more than ever so we can continue to provide scholarships at our current level. Please consider contributing. Checks should be sent to your Regional Federation AFMS Scholarship Foundation Coordinator and made payable to “AFMS Scholarship Foundation.” Your regional coordinators are: California Federation Eastern Federation Midwest Federation Northwest Federation Rocky Mountain Federation South Central Federation Southeast Federation Special Congress Representing Involved Bulletin Editors (S.C.R.I.B.E.) by Trudy Martin, President You may not have heard of us. We’re S.C.R.I.B.E, an international organization of bulletin editors of amateur gem, mineral, and earth science societies. S.C.R.I.B.E. exists to: * improve communication and public relations among gem and mineral societies, their federations, and other related organizations through involved bulletin editors; and * advise and assist new editors with old ideas and old editors with new ideas while giving all editors a share in all ideas for publishing better bulletins. S.C.R.I.B.E. members receive the organization’s bulletin, SCRIBE, four times a year. In addition to occasional regional meetings, S.C.R.I.B.E. conducts a half-day, annual, Editors’ Symposium in the town of Quartzsite, Arizona. S.C.R.I.B.E. also provides a Bulletin Evaluation Service to its members. This non-competitive judging provides valuable advice to help editors improve the quality of their bulletins. Membership in S.C.R.I.B.E. is open to past, present, and prospective editors; assistant editors; publishers; writers; and anyone interested in the preparation of bulletins for amateur gem, mineral, lapidary, fossil, and earth science societies. Within the United States, S.C.R.I.B.E. dues are $6 for an annual individual membership and $8 for dual membership. Outside the United States, the dues are $7.50 per person, $10 for a couple. Canadian residents may remit in Canadian money. Why not join us? You will join a great group of interesting people - all of whom are there to help you with problems you might encounter in producing your club newsletter. You’ll also receive four issues of SCRIBE, the official organization newsletter each year. Each issue is packed with usable ideas, articles or hints for you to use. Membership is very inexpensive; benefits far outweigh the cost of a one-year subscription. from Jon Spunaugle, Scholarship Foundation President A unique opportunity is available to one lucky person this year! The famed “Dare Devil” Faceters of the Northwest Federation have donated one of their amazing creations to the AFMS Scholarship Foundation. You have to see this stone, a wonderful CZ, to appreciate it’s beauty. We will give this stone to one lucky person at the Convention in Port Townsend, Washington this July. Raffles tickets are being sold for $1 each with all proceeds going to the Scholarship Foundation. We will have the stone, along with tickets, at the South Central, Rocky Mountain, Eastern, California and Northwest Federation meetings and at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show this February. We’ll have a photo on the AFMS website soon so you can take a look at this wonderful creation and we’ll have more information about obtaining raffle tickets in the March issue of the AFMS Newsletter. How To Be An Authentic Wizard In Dealing With Lapidary Mathematics by Dr. Gerald Wycoff [Ed Note: Your Editor was surprised and delighted to receive an e-mail from Dr. Wycoff in late November offering the FacMath Utilities to AFMS members at no cost. Many readers will know of Gerry because of his excellent faceting book, his newsletter for facetors and his unusual, low cost lapidary equipment. Steve and I have been fortunate to have spent several wonderful evenings with him when he lived in Pennsylvania. He’s a delightful and knowledgeable fellow who’s interest and research about our hobby has served, and continues to serve us all well.] You can get along in lapidary - even faceting - without a math degree. Still, its also nice if you can solve the complex optical and crystallographic challenges that only advanced math knowledge will allow. Now, there's an easy for all faceters and gemcutters. Dr. Gerald L. Wykoff GG CSM, has contributed his famous FACMATH UTILITIES programs for PC computers FREE to the gemcutting community. Now retired in Florida after ill health forced him out of the former American Society of Gemcutters, Wykoff programmed these sixteen amazing software utilities so they’d solve - for non-math types - merely from a few simple typed in parameters. The programs include: YIELD—this utility will ask for the dimensions of a piece of rough, compare them to your intended cut and then tell you what kind of yield percentage for that particular cut you might expect TANGENT—ever see written instructions for quartz and you want to change the angles so you can cut for topaz? This utility calculates answers using the well-known Tangent Ratio method and does it quickly and simply. SNELL—When a light ray enters a gem material, the ray bends according to the type of gemstone material. This program calculates how much entering and exiting rays bend. SPEED—You have a certain diameter pulley turning at a certain RPM (or SFPM) and you want to know the effect on a different diameter and how fast it'll turn. This utility solves that question. ANIMATION - This short animated utility visualizes the changing side view silhouette of a round brilliant as the angles for the crown and pavilion are changed. GOLDEN—You've heard of the Golden Ratio developed in Ancient Greece, a ratio often described as the most pleasing, esthetic proportions in design. This utility solves for any dimensions. NEWCUT—Want to draw your own design on a computer. This paint program, faster and easier (it really isn’t all that easy!) than GEMCAD, enables you to design and draw precise, accurate drawings of your work. TEMP—Need to convert Celsius temperature to Fahrenheit temperature or vice versa? This program does the job in a fraction of a second. FRESNEL—when light rays strike a gem surface, Fresnels Law dictates how many rays are reflected. This utility will give you the precise percentage reflectivity of every popular gem type. RESHAPE—Unexpectedly, you've run out of material thickness for the crown. This utility does the correct math for refiguring new crown angles that salvage the original plan design. WEIGHT—a carat weight scale is nice but this utility will carefully and quickly calculate the carat weight (and almost all other kinds of weight) of a cut gem just from the measurements that you provide. CA—if you know the Refractive Index for any gem type, feed it to this utility and you'll immediately get the Critical Angle, helpful for figuring out angles. ANGLES—what's the best combination of angles for any gem type? This utility offers you the results of a whole series of sophisticated math approaches for computing best angle. GEARS — if you encounter faceting instructions written for a certain index gear and want to convert to an index gear of another symmetry, this utility will do it instantly. APEXES—when you want more than a flat table, try apex crown facets. This formula will figure out the math for producing the optimum angle for those famous apex facets. CONVERT—this utility will convert accurately all weights and measures from one scale or reference into another. All of these utilities - and each opens with a mere mouse click — can be downloaded FREE from Dr. Wykoff’s website, www.mbawiz.com. Once copied to your computer - or to a handy floppy disk - you merely mouse click on the program you want and it goes to work for you, solving difficult lapidary math problems. With these utilities, even if you have no math background at all you can still compute answers with the brainiest—and you'll never be wrong! by Dan and Betty Caudle, from The Rock Talk, March 1968 I know many of you have been to the Tucson Show, but how many of you know about its ‘humble’ beginning? While browsing through old bulletins, namely THE ROCK TALK, the bulletin of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, I ran across this article which appeared in the March, 1968 issue. ...The first gem and mineral show of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, in March, 1955, was more or less a “spur of the moment” thing. Bob Roots was in town after a show at Phoenix, and was asking around why we couldn’t have a show here. We said we had no money in the club treasury to have a show. He said, “I’ll round up some dealers to pay the bills, and you can borrow cases.” So he contacted Ann Rutledge, Ray Parent, the motels, and a couple of others, who agreed to pay a whole total of $65. A building was the next thing, so we asked Helen Keeling School, and they agreed to let us use their multi-purpose room for $10 to pay for the janitor. After several calls to drug stores, department stores, etc., we found we could borrow enough cases to start with. After all of this was done, things were looking more favorable, we asked the board to consider the possibility of having a show. No one on the board thought much of the idea, and said it couldn’t possibly work, but since we weren’t asking for anything from the club treasury, we could go ahead and try it if we wished. Since many of the contacts had already been made, we decided to get it over with shortly, and decided on a date only two weeks away. This meant getting posters printed hurriedly, even having the ribbons made up by a local printer, running all over town gathering the greatest assortment of mis-matched cases you ever saw, arranging for displays, thinking up rules for competitive displays, and since shows were few and far between in those days, few members had ever attended a show, much less worked on one. Not knowing any better, we considered everything was going smoothly, and as of right now, I’m not sure whether it was or wasn’t. The final day arrived, and since we couldn’t move in until after school Friday, there was quite a scramble to get things arranged, but by opening time everything was in place and looking fine. There was no charge for admission, and soon people began to arrive. There was a good crowd Saturday, the newspaper was out, and made some pictures which were published that day. Sunday turned out to be a windy, rainy day, but people kept showing up anyway, and soon the building was so packed that no more could get in. This wasn’t due to the great crowds, but more to the small size of the room, which probably wouldn’t hold more than a hundred at a time. At the peak of the attendance, Sid Wolfson, one of the board members, commented, “I’ve got to hand it to you, it looks like Tucson can have a show.” The attendance for the two days came to nearly 1500, which astounded nearly everyone. The Helen Keeling Parents Group had a project going at the school, and the wives had brought food to feed the hungry workers, but since they had brought more than enough, they decided to sell the rest to the people attending the show, and this is how they got started handling the food concession at the show. It’s hard to remember many of the exhibits at that time. I remember that Harold Rupert won first place in the mineral division, since I was competing in that category, and came in second. Morris Elsing had a beautiful display of Bisbee pseudomorphs, malachites after azurite, wonder what has happened to all those specimens. Clayton Gibson, Marion Harris, Ann Rutledge, and I believe the Normarts and Fordhams had exhibits. Since everything had to be cleaned up for school Monday morning, there was still lots of work to do. Clayton and Harold Rupert were busy moving out cases, which took another week to redistribute, Al Murchison was busy on the mop, and Rocky was setting up tables. After all thebills were paid, we still had about $10 left, which we donated to Helen Keeling School for their patience with us. All the rush and scramble and hard work was forgotten by the next meeting, and the vote was unanimous to go on to a bigger and better show. AND THEY CERTAINLY DID!!! (Marve and I have been attending the Tucson show since 1975, and have watched it grow from the 5 motels that participated back then, to what it is today. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a show where it only cost you $0 for the building for two days, and only $10 for the janitor for two days? I think THOSE DAYS ARE GONE FOREVER!!!) In This Land of Plenty, Let Freedom Ring by Margaret Good, South Central Federation
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Societies, Inc. |
This
being the first newsletter of 2002, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish
everyone the very best for the upcoming year - health, success, and of course,
friendship. May this year be a joyous one for all, complete with the hope that
all of your goals and wishes can be attained. 
Last time when I
wrote about federations, member clubs and the like, I encouraged everyone to try
to get acquainted and meet folks from other clubs, areas, etc. as much as
possible. During the holiday season, we all tend to slack off and relax a bit
(when we aren’t fighting the crowds at the stores). Winter is a good time to
relax and take a break, since the weather often prevents outdoor activities.
Even here in southern Texas, the temperature may almost get down to freezing.
Tough, isn’t it? 
“New AFMS Emblem.
This is the new emblem of the American Federation of Mineralogcial Societies
that was developed by the committee headed by Charles Preston of Excelsior,
Minn. The design was submitted by John Mehelcic of the Michigan Mineralogical
Society. 
amfed.org