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AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES
Volume 55, Number 7 IN THIS ISSUE
The "Dare Devil" is a truly phenomenal stone. Cut from one of the largest pieces of salmon colored Cubic Zirconia ever grown, the stone flashes red, purple, yellow, orange and green depending on the light it is in. Weighing almost 6,000 carats and valued at $5,000, it is truly an awesome sight. If the light strikes it just right it actually glows! The stone was cut and donated to the AFMS Scholarship Foundation by the Dare Devil Faceters, a premier group of US amateur faceters who specialize in cutting challenges - especially LARGE stones. See a "living color" picture of the stone on the AFMS website (<www.amfed.org>) or on the EFMLS website (<www.amfed.org/efmls>). And now YOU can own it. Imagine this glowing masterpiece in your home? You could use it to advertise your show. Since it may well be the largest faceted CZ ever..and was cut by the "masters" - the Dare Devil faceters group - it should provide an extra incentive for the public to come to your show and see it. Or if you are a "dealer" at shows, the Dare Devil would look fantastic in your display case and certainly would attract more of the public to your booth. You could also donate it to your local gem and mineral museum - many curators who have seen it have expressed an interest, and desire to own it for their collection or just put it in that special place in your home and admire it. Now is the time for you to obtain your ticket or tickets so you can become the owner of the "Dare Devil". It will be in attendance at both the California Federation Convention in Placerville and the Northwest / AFMS Convention in Port Townsend this July. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 with all proceeds going to the AFMS Scholarship Foundation. (The Foundation currently gives 24 scholarships per year to graduate Earth Science students across the U.S.) To obtain your tickets by mail, send your check, payable to "AFMS Scholarship Foundation" along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
Times running out! Don't miss your opportunity to perhaps own the "Dare Devil" and at the same time help out our AFMS Scholarship Foundation. You won' regret your investment - it truly is a wonderful gemstone. by Steve Weinberger, AFMS President
In April we were able to attend the Rocky Mountain (Oklahoma) and Eastern (New Jersey) conventions on successive weekends. In July the California and Northwest Conventions are scheduled with only two days separating some of the events. October concludes the circuit with the Midwest show in Illinois. What is interesting to see is that no matter what part of the country we live in, our interests are basically the same. Our differences seem to stem from the priorities which individual officers and committee people have. So far I have seen a concerted effort by regional federations to serve their clubs and their members. The difference in emphasis are in areas such as the junior programs, insurance needs, bulletin editors' contests, field trips, competitive exhibits, safety programs, recognition of members, conservation and legislation, public relations, and websites. Currently, the AFMS has 28 functioning committees, most of which have regional federation chairmen to help in both the operation of the AFMS oversight and to administer the programs locally. This means that there are over 150 people involved in the working of these committees. It's no wonder then that there is such diversity throughout the country. After I have met with each of the regional federations, I will put together a package which includes those ideas which seem to be the most effective for the most number of people. If other federations can utilize these ideas without having to reinvent the wheel, I'm hoping that we can all benefit from the inspirational work which has already been done. Since this is the June issue, we have a two month break because the Newsletter is not published in July and August. I want to wish everyone a great summer. Be careful on field trips, in the shop, and on vacation. 2002 Federation Show in Port Townsend, WA. By Carol Brown The date for the show is drawing near and the Port Townsend Rock Club is putting the final touches on the setup and events. The event is to be held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 4907 Landes, Port Townsend, WA. A map to the fairgrounds is available at the NFMS Show website. The Uniform Rules Committee is meeting on Tuesday, registration starts at 8 a.m. The AFMS annual meeting will be held on Wednesday registration starts at 8 a.m. Both of these meetings will be held at the Harborside Inn. The show itself will be held from Thursday through Sunday at the fairgounds. Friday luncheon will be an "All Officers Luncheon". The Editor's Breakfast will be held on Saturday and will include the Editor's Symposium. This event will be followed by the Past President's luncheon. These food events will be held in Victorian Hall on the fairgrounds. A buffet dinner will precede the NFMS annual meeting Friday evening. The Awards Banquet will be Saturday evening. The buffet, NFMS meeting and Awards Banquet will be held at the Port Townsend Elks Club. There will be optional Victorian dress at Awards Banquet Saturday evening. Photographs will be available. Bus transportation will be provided from the hotels to the fairgrounds or Elks Club and return. Editors planning to attend are requested to bring 50 copies of their clubs newsletter for the exchange table. They do not have to be the latest edition. S.C.R.I.B.E. will be well represented and will have available copies of their CD containing about 200 newsletters, clipart, and cartoons. The AFMS Guidelines for Bulletin Editors has been updated and will also be available. An Editors Table will be available at the show so please stop by and visit. Because of the location of Port Townsend in relationship to any large city, a lot of visitors are planning on taking an extended vacation to see the many beautiful sites in the Pacific Northwest. Ample parking is available for RV's, with a reasonable cost of electric hook-ups. Please make sure you pre-register for RV parking and show your RV parking pass in your rig as you enter the fairgrounds. For those bring pets, they must be leashed at all time and it is your responsibility to keep them quiet, so they do not disturb other campers. Pets (with the exception of working animals) are not allowed in any fairgrounds buildings. Sonny's RV dealership in the area has RV rentals for the period of the show at a reasonable rate. They rent their trailers for seven and will move the trailers on and off the fairgrounds. You may contact Sonny's RV at 1-800-300-4819 for more information on RV rentals. Since many of you will be arriving several days prior to the show, a Whale Watching Tour has been arranged at a reduced rate. There is still space available on this tour. During the show tickets for the walking tour of the town will be available at the registration booth. A Beachcombing Field Trip for agate, jasper, and fossils is scheduled by the Washington State Mineral Council for Saturday and Sunday. There will be a lot to see and do at the show. Plenty of display cases to admire, a Black Light Display and many more special exhibits by master craftsmen. There will be demonstrations to watch and some you can work at yourself. You can pan for gold and get touchy feely at the Dinosaur Hands-On Exhibit. Of course, there will be lots of dealers to buy from for your next project. Please be sure to pick up your registration packet as you enter the show area. See you in Port Townsend in July! from Ron Carman, President-Elect
As an example, my own club formed a "youth section" in the early 1980's which by chance worked out very well for my children, who were born in 1973 and 1975. Our youth section stays active in our club events, especially at the shows, where we have a special area for kids that is run by the youth members as much as practical, with some adult members giving advice and assistance where needed. We also invite the youth members to participate in field trips, which they often do. In fact, the youth section has taken some of the best field trips our club has had, including twice to Colorado and twice to Arkansas. At the age of nine my son found a very fine large quartz crystal in Arkansas that rivals anything I have ever found there! At the AFMS show in 1988 our youth section won a trophy with their competitive display. Great work! We know the young members can do it; we just need to give them the opportunity and encouragement, and I am pleased to see that many clubs are doing just that. It does take a few knowledgeable adult members who have the time and desire to help the young members get started and encourage them on the way. It's worth every bit of the effort when you see young members show off some good specimens they have found or display a case of materials they have collected or made. It might surprise you what they can do; as a judge I have been well pleased to see some excellent entries from junior members. The AFMS Uniform Rules have special exhibitor groups for junior exhibitors (under the age of 18) and junior societies; this way the juniors won't be competing for the same trophies as the adults, but can win trophies of their own. At many shows I have seen these juniors do very well. I just want to encourage the junior members in every way possible, since they are the senior members of the future, and hopefully they will be encouraging more juniors when their turn comes. Keep up the good work, all of you! AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year from Bonnie Glismann Rocky Mountain Federation Stillwater Mineral & Gem Society wants to nominate Charles and Wilma Ramming as the 2002 Club Rockhounds of the Year. Charles was President two years, has held numerous positions through the years; Wilma was Treasurer those same two years, and is now President. They held Craft sessions at their home, have spear-headed inventorying, preparation, sales or storage of rocks and equipment for deceased or older members; organized club space at a craft fair. They have sorted and contributed, with club approval, some of this material to a Mineral Museum, and have helped make permanent displays representing the work of these past members. Wilma has made items for sale at the RMFMS Show in Enid, OK. Submitted by Ruby Lingelbach, Editor Shoshone Rock Club is honored to present club member Vicki L. Meyers as our nominee for Rockhound for 2001. Vicki shares her passion for geology by focusing on youth education, having contacted approximately 2000 school children in eight years, leading numerous school classes on field trips and many schoolroom presentations. Throughout her 20 years teaching 4-H she's helped 125+ 4-H youth collect samples and prepare fair geology exhibits which received many ribbons. Five of these were Grand Champion Geology Exhibitors at the Wyoming State Fair. She also helped rewrite the Wyoming 4-H Geology manuals. Her 4-H'ers have participated in three State Rock Shows. Vicki has a warm and caring personality, and her students call her "Vicki-Mom". submitted by Jane R. Neale Eastern Federation The Delaware Valley Earth Science Society (NJ) has nominated Don Halterman as the AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year. He has organized the annual Trotter Dump (Franklin, NJ) Night Dig field trip for the past three years. This trip enables collectors to hunt for rare fluorescent minerals in this closed former zinc mine. Don has single-handedly and tirelessly elevated it to an international event. For more information check out <http://www.dvess.org>. nominated by Terry Wilson Each AFMS affiliated club is entitled to recognize one individual or couple per year. How about your club's "sung" or "unsung" hero or heroine? Surely you would like to thank them publicly for all the things they do for your club and to brag a little about having them as members. To recognize someone special in your club simply send a short write-up (50 words or less) telling why you think this person or couple is valuable to your club. Send your nomination to Bonnie Glismann, 4326 S 200 W; Ogden, UT 84405 or e-mail her at <bonniesbylines@juno.com>. Take The Trail to Port Townsend by Shirley Leeson & Dee Holland What mode of transportation are you planning on using to attend the AFMS Annual Meeting this summer? Have you thought of spending some time visiting the various points of interest along the Lewis and Clark Trail? If so, here are a few suggestions on the route... If you are traveling 1-90 or 1-94 across North or South Dakota and into Montana, you might want to use Hwy 89 and proceed to Great Falls, Montana. If you are coming from the south via 1-15, Great Falls is one of the stops. (Don't go too far, you'll end up in Canada) Here is a wonderful starting point on the Lewis and Clark Trail. There is an interpretative center there that is of major importance. The Missouri River flows along here with the Great Falls, there are four of them, to see and enjoy. Unfortunately there are two hydroelectric dams on the falls now but you can see the great cliffs and see the span of those great falls. The fifth one is covered by one of the dams. Here also is Giant Springs. Lewis and Clark made a great deal of this body of water and it's almost the same as when they first saw it. The amount of water coming up from an underground source is awesome! The town is full of interesting things to see... Visit the Charles Russell Art Museum. This alone can take a whole day and his paintings and drawings are about the area, the Indians, the pioneers and the vast lands of Montana. We didn't have a chance to visit the Historical Museum, but want to go back and visit when we have time. If you stop there, please let us know what you found out. As you leave town you can take 1-15 south and visit Helena a beautiful old city and capital of Montana. There are a number of things to see here, seek them out. Stop at Butte and see the old mines here. There are tours. These things are not a part of the Lewis and Clark experience, but interesting to rockhounds and if you in the area, don't miss them. You can head south on 1-15 to Dillion, watch for Lewis and Clark signs along the way. The Beaverhead mountains are to the west of you. These are the mountains Sacagawea saw that told her she was close to her homeland... From there head south till you see the Clark Canyon Dam and turn on to Hwy 324. This is the spot called " Camp Fortunate". There is a sign here. Continue on to Grant, Montana and approximately 8 - 10 miles beyond is a sign for Lemhi Pass. If you are using a motor home or pulling a long trailer , do not take this pass. Continue on over Bannock Pass which drops you into the Lemhi River Valley. If you are traveling in a car and want to see some spectacular country continue on over Lemhi Pass. You will see where Clark first stepped from the Louisiana Purchase in to uncharted country, you will also pass over the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains at this point. There is a beautiful little park just north of the pass named after Sacagawea and was believed to be the headwaters of the Missouri River by Lewis and Clark. If you reach the other side, do stop in the little general store at Tendoy and sign the register. Following Hwy 28 in to the town of Salmon, you can stay in town or continue on. The town of Salmon has broken ground for an interpretative center about Lewis and Clark and especially about Sacagawea, because this is her birthplace. Take Hwy 93 north to Tower Rock Rd. Turn right and travel a few miles to see spectacular pyramid rocks mentioned by Lewis and Clark, but not mentioned in the famous "Lewis and Clark Trail" put out by the National Park Service. Stop at North Fork and turn left and follow the Salmon River (The River of No Return). You can see the rapids that made Lewis and Clark turn back and go over Lost Trail Pass. Return to North Fork and continue north on Hwy 93, there are several Lewis and Clark signs along the road to watch for. This was the area of great concern to Lewis and Clark as they traveled up the mountain. Picture it with no trail, heavy timber and the weather cold, very cold. You drop in to a beautiful wide valley and pass a number of little towns. Lolo is your destination. This is where Lewis and Clark turned west and encountered their greatest undertaking. The weather had turned cold, there was snow, they were following an Indian trail high up in the mountains and there was little game. You will be traveling a beautiful two lane highway now. Before you reach the pass you can visit the Lolo Hot Springs where Lewis and Clark spent time. There is a commercial campground there with swimming in the Hot Spring. At times you can see the trail high above you. At Lolo Pass there is a new Forestry Center and there will be chance to hike the original trail. Ask at the Center for information. Following Hwy 12 west, the river you are following is the Lochsa River. It eventually turns in to the Clearwater River which empties into the Snake River at Lewiston, Idaho. The little towns through this area are rich in history and you might want to stop and ask at the local cafes and coffee shops. Lewis and Clark followed the Snake River which eventually runs into the Columbia River at Pasco and Walla Walla area of Washington. If you want to travel north at Lewiston on Hwy 95 you'll reach Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and pick up 1-90 again and head west to Seattle. Or if you stay on Hwy 12, it will take you to Walla Walla, Washington and on to Pendleton, Oregon, and follow 1-84 to Portland, Oregon. Then take 1-5 north to Seattle. There are a lot of various combinations you can take through Oregon and Washington, but you're on your own at this point. If you have more time after the "big show" then plan on taking the reverse back. Either way you're going to see some of the most beautiful country in the U.S. You can't go wrong with that! from Lewis Elrod and Carolyn Weinberger Many of you are receiving the AFMS Newsletter for the first time with this issue. Welcome! Since March we have been updating the AFMS mailing list which, when we received it, was very much out of date. Many of the individuals on the list were no longer club officers, some were deceased, addresses were no longer valid or misspelled and some clubs which had joined their federations during the past five years were not even on the list! It's been a long process, but we believe that by the end of July we will have an accurate list and we intend to keep it that way. As of this writing (May 8) we have updated all but two of the regional federations (Midwest and Northwest are not yet completed because we've not yet received the Directories from them). Every club president, secretary and editor will now receive the AFMS Newsletter (as per the AFMS Operating Procedures). We still need YOUR help. If your club changes officers, please let us know. Send an e-mail or letter to AFMS Central Office Administrator Lewis Elrod (address on page 7). Tell him the name of your club and the name, office and address of the president, secretary and editor of the club. If possible, we'd like your home address, not that of the club post office box, to ensure better receipt. We never loan, sell or publish our mailing list so your information remains confidential. Please remember to share the information in this and future newsletters with your club members. How else can communication between clubs and the federations continue? from Mel Albright, Izzie Burns and others Since gel candles seem to be the "IN" thing, I thought it was important to forward this around. Several people have reported fires resulting from gel candles. Here's just one example: A friend had a gel candle burning in her bathroom ... it exploded and caught her house on fire. The house burned down and they lost everything. The Fire Marshall told her that this is not the first incident where a gel candle has exploded and caused a fire. He said that the gel builds up a gas and often times it explodes and sets fire to the room it is in, which is what happened to her. The fire was so hot it melted the smoke alarm, and they didn't discover the fire until there was an explosion, which was her toilet blowing up, and then it was too late...the entire upstairs was engulfed in flames. Smoke damage and water damage have destroyed what wasn't destroyed by fire. If you must use these candles, never, never leave them unattended even for a minute. The heat buildup occurs rapidly, and a fire can occur within a few seconds. Copyright Law: Facts and Fantasy by John Betts, New York Mineralogical Club
Web sites, newsletter, handouts, videos, slide shows. What do they have in common? They are all subject to copyright protection and must abide by copyright laws. This article is to clarify the many misconception among mineral clubs, bulletin editors, AFMS and the Regional Federations. Everything in this article has been researched and verified. Unfortunately, this may hurt how mineral clubs operate. But unless we take the precautions listed in this article, you will be guilty of copyright violations. As an author I have had many instances where my articles have been reprinted without my permission. I have heard many excuses. They all show a basic misunderstanding of today's copyright law. Following are the excuses most often given along with the actual rules that apply: Misconception #1: Fact: Misconception #2: Fact: Misconception #3: Fact: Misconception #4: Fact: Misconception #5: Fact: Misconception #6: Fact: Misconception #7: Fact: Misconception #8: Fact: Misconception #9: Fact: Misconception #10: Fact: Misconception #11: Fact: Misconception #12: Fact: Misconception #13: Fact: By now you might think the situation looks hopeless. But their are solutions. If all clubs adopted the following standards then we will continue to have a free flow of new articles. List the author's address, and e-mail for every article printed in the newsletter. This will give other bulletin editors the information needed to get legal permission. Contact the author or magazine before reprinting an article. In my experience no newspaper, magazine or author has ever refused permission to use an article in a club newsletter when asked in advance. Get permission in writing, or at least e-mail. This is essential to protect yourself from copyright infringement claims in the future, especially from forgetful authors. Make all authors submitting articles to your newsletter assign your club the copyright. Then you can place a blanket permission statement on the bulletin cover page allowing use of article within. Serious authors are likely to balk at this requirement. Remember that copyright laws apply to things other than newsletters. Web sites, handouts, videos, etc. are all covered by copyright law. Many infringements have needlessly occurred on web sites where articles are placed on a web site without permission. If the article exists on the author's original web site it is very easy to simply link to the original article. No need to reprint it at all. Otherwise you must get the author's permission. If you cannot get permission from the author for whatever reason, you can paraphrase. Words can be copyrighted but not the ideas. You can rewrite the article in your own words and not infringe on copyrights. Be very careful to avoid accidentally changing the original meaning and it is still proper to cite your sources, in fact in the EFMLS annual competition articles are penalized if they don't cite references. Use articles or illustrations in the public domain. All U.S.G.S maps and publications are in the public domain and are not covered by copyrights. Articles from magazines that have expired copyrights are also in the public domain. (Did you ever wonder why you see "It's A Wonderful Life" on television 25 times at the holidays? It is because the copyrights expired and it fell into the public domain.) For further information on the subject of copyrights you can visit the Library of Congress United States Copyright Office web site at: <http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/> Or visit the World Intellectual Property Organization web site at: <http://www.wipo.org/eng/index.htm> Going On A Field Trip This Summer? by Marge Collins, AFMS Program Competition Be sure to take your camera and take lots of 35mm slides - so you can share the 'thrill of the hunt' with fellow Club members. Too expensive you say? Not if you buy the slide film from B & H Photo / Video in New York!** Both Kodak and Fuji Film prices start at less than $3.00 / 24 or 36 exposure rolls. Other brands and several types of slide film are available. And processing mailers are only $4.00 - $5.00 for 36 exposures! At those prices why not buy 10 rolls of film and put some away in the fridge for your next field trip or to make a "How-To" program in the fall or winter. If you don't have a good camera or don't want to take pictures, find a fellow Club member / family or friend who can be 'official' photographer. If you (or another Club member) write a script and you enter the program in AFMS Program Competition next April, it could earn national recognition and win a cash prize - to defray the production costs. (Clubs across the country look forward each year to 'Winning Programs' so they can see and learn from other's experiences.) Take lots of slides so you will have a choice - after all, you won't be able to go back and retake a picture! Take different views of the location itself, of course - including geologic features if you can. Scenes 'along the way' - and signs could be helpful, too. Pictures of others as they are 'hunting' and collecting, help to tell the story. Don't forget to show the tools and other equipment, and some of specimens as they are found. When you are back home you can take pictures of maps and/or diagrams that could be helpful and more pictures of specimens - before and after they are prepared for display. Perhaps some specimens, which you - or others - collected in the past, should be included as well. You don't want to make the story too long but show enough to whet the viewers appetite and give an understanding and appreciation for the location and materials found there. Think of the field trip programs you have seen in the past. What did you like and dislike about them? Using those thoughts as a guide, do your very best to make this presentation a great story. But remember - someone else will be reading the script - so it is best not to write it in the 'first person' (that is …using 'I', should be avoided). If you have questions about AFMS Program Competition, ask your Regional Program Librarian. His / her experience as a judge in past years can be a help to you as your prepare your presentation. Or contact the Competition Coordinator (below). AFMS is looking for 'winners'. Enter Competition and one of the prizes could be yours! We will look forward to seeing your entry. In the meantime, "Happy Hunting!" **If you want more specific information about film from B & H Photo, check <www.bhphotovideo.com> or contact me for photo copy of catalog pages. Prices quoted are from the March 2002 catalog. Changes since then are minimal. Orders can be placed by phone, mail, FAX or from their website. Although B & H is a 'professional source', there is no 'minimum purchase'. However, it's a good idea to purchase at least one or two extra rolls in addition to what you think you will need, so you won't run out in the middle of your story. Shipping for one pound is $5.95 - airmail - until the postage increase goes into effect at the end of June. If you know of other sources for reasonably priced slide film, please forward info to Coordinator. AFMS Program Competition from Shirley Leeson The combined Northwest and American Federation show is coming to Port Townsend, WA from July 17 - 21, 2002. There will be an EDITOR'S TABLE AT THE SHOW. We need your bulletins for the EXCHANGE TABLE. If you are coming, just pack a few extras. If you won't be making the show (and we're really sorry about that) why not ask someone who is coming to take some of your bulletins for the table so YOU and YOUR CLUB will be represented. Carol Brown, editor of the Port Townsend club newsletter has given us time for a seminar immediately following the awards at the Editor's Breakfast on Saturday morning July 20. You will have a chance to meet the AFMS Publications Chairman, Kitty Starbuck, and Northwest Bulletin Aids Chairman, Darlene Denton. The AFMS Newsletter Editor, Carolyn Weinberger will also be attending. All, I'm sure will have some words of wisdom for you. Now for the good part. We're going to have some important things addressed: How to encourage the members to write an article for the club bulletin. How can you enlarge and improve your bulletin Problems asked and solved by YOU the audience. We may have a little time left for additional topics. Till we see you in Port Townsend, Shirley Leeson Knee Replacement: End of Field Collecting? by Ray Berry Recently a fellow rockhound contacted me asking if I knew of anyone who had knees replaced and was still a field collector. His friend and fellow digger, and former member of CSMS, was contemplating this surgery. Since many rockhounds are getting on in years, this seemed like a good subject for a survey. I began asking people I knew about their ability to, hike, carry a pack and get on their knees, which seemed to me to be the limiting factors in this case. One gentleman had both knees replaced last fall; another has lived with his new knees for three or four years. Neither of these are rock hounds, but I did talk to a rockhound who had his replaced about seven years ago. Here is what I learned from these limited discussions. Each said the selection of a surgeon with extensive experience in knee replacement was of paramount importance. All stated that the most critical part of the procedure, as far as eventual mobility is concerned, is determination of the individual to work very hard at rehabilitation, and continue until they are able to do everything they possibly can. Is it better to have both knees done at once? Here I ran into varying opinions. The person who had it done 7 years ago said emphatically he felt one at a time was best, because mobility was easier at the beginning. The 4 year veteran said as emphatically he believed it was best to have both done at once because the pain of rehabilitation (and there is plenty) is suffered only once. He also said the recuperation will be more even since the same exercises will be done on each leg at the same time. I noticed my neighbor (the one who had his replaced last fall) was out working on his lawn pulling dandelions! He was not on his knees, but was lying on his side. It is undoubtedly too soon for him to get on his knees. My friend who had both replaced several years ago could kneel on one knee, but said he didn't feel comfortable doing it. He can walk very well and told me he had followed the exercises for rehabilitation until he was told they could not help him further. He told me that one of his biggest problems is side balance. If someone bumps him from the side, even quite gently, he is apt to fall! My rockhound friend stressed that age and physical condition was important. If you were in good shape before the operation, the recuperation would be easier. He stated the relief from pain was so intense, one would be crazy not to have it done! All agreed that following the rehabilitation was of paramount importance, and you should work diligently at all phases of rehab that will enhance any activity you think you will want to do. It seems if you want to field collect, you had best start early getting muscles in shape for kneeling! . If any of our collector-readers would like to tell about their experience, and how they have managed the collecting aspect, please write me ro e-mail me at:
by Carolyn Weinberger In mid-April Steve attended the Rocky Mountain Convention hosted by the Enid (Oklahoma) Rock & Mineral Club. This club had not held a show since 1988, but chose to dive in head first and host the Federation. The show had a good selection of dealers and lots and lots of fantastic displays with at least 20 in competition! Each day featured a few lectures or slide programs plus a couple of field trips to collect hourglass selenite crystals in the great Salt Basin about an hour from Enid. We had a grand time. Visiting Federation conventions other than my own Eastern has been a wonderful experience for us. We've come away with a new appreciation for the hard work and effort put forth by rockhounds throughout the country and we've learned a great many things in the process too. We're having fun and looking forward to the upcoming conventions still ahead of us. One of the things which impressed me the most about our Enid adventure was the rock pile. Now this was no ordinary rockpile mind you. Standing about 4 feet high, 10 feet long and 6 feet wide or so, this rockpile was heaping full of a wide variety of rocks - and it was reserved for the kids who came to the show. In it I saw quartz crystals, small geodes, jasper, agate, barite roses and more. Stock for the rockpile came from "extras" donated by the local club members. For $1 a child could fill a white bread bag or newspaper delivery bag with rock from the pile. School children came in droves on Friday afternoon and happily lugged those filled bags to the busses at the end of their stay. Some kids were so excited that they dumped their trove out on the table where we had the Dare Devil on display just to show me what they had found. A quick look with a loupe revealed many hidden secrets. All promised to look closer at home with a magnifying glass and share with their parents and siblings. By Friday evening the rockpile was reduced by about 50%. By Sunday evening it was almost depleted. Many of the Friday kids came back with their parents on Saturday or Sunday. Want to get kids involved in our hobby? Get a rockpile for your show and then sit back and watch the fun. from "Rev" Ronald C. Moss I hope you are able to help me. I am trying to find different plans for making display cases. Not only for shows but for museum display. I have been a collector for 48 years and am a former member and VP of the Mineralogical Society of Pennsylvania, and North Penn Rock and Mineral Club (Lansdale, PA) and am now a member of the Kingsport Gem and Mineral Society (Kingsport, TN.) Recently I erected a 41' x 56' x 16' steel building of which at least 1/3 will be used as a rock, mineral, and fossil museum. I need plans to make display cases. If you have any you could forward to me or put a note in the AFMS newsletter to the other societies it's associated with, I would appreciate it. My plans are to allow schools, clubs, and organizations to view the collection, and I will speak on them, for free. Individuals with reservations may also view it free. I will accept donations of money, equipment, or specimens for upkeep and additions, but not require it. As soon as I am able to afford to purchase lapidary equipment (I sold what I had several years ago unfortunately) I'll be available to give free lapidary lessons to young and old. I may be contacted by e-mail at <rokhound@mounet.com> Rev. Ronald C. Moss
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The "Dare Devil" stone, donated to the AFMS Scholarship Foundation
has created quite a stir wherever it has been displayed....and we're coming up
on the deadline for you to obtain your chance at owning it. The drawing will be
held on July 20 at the NFMS/AFMS Convention in Port Townsend, Washington. You
need not be present to win.
The
regional federation conventions have been unusually spaced this year. On my
second day in office (November 2), I attended the Southeast meetings in
Mississippi. In February we went to Texas for the South Central show and
meetings; then on to Tucson for more meetings and of course the show(s).
In
the past few issues I have discussed our shows and their importance to all clubs
in keeping the general public informed of our existence and of the many varied
aspects of this hobby. There is another important factor in maintaining our
existence, and that is encouraging young persons to become interested and to
participate actively. I personally became interested in collecting rocks and
minerals at the ripe old age of seven, and fortunately was encouraged by my
parents and school teachers to continue, since back around 1950 I didn't know of
any gem or mineral clubs in the area where I grew up, and many of our
present-day clubs weren't formed until later. In the 25-plus years I have been
going to shows, I still notice that I am younger than many members I see
nationwide. There is nothing wrong at all with this; our hobby has always seemed
to attract retired persons who have the time to spend on it, as it can be
time-consuming, but it also makes a great pastime for persons of all ages. I
have been delighted to see that many clubs do have special sections for young
members and encourage school-age children to participate in whatever ways they
prefer. To me this seems most commendable, and should be practiced by all our
clubs that are able to do it. After all, where will our future rockhounds come
from?
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