The Lake George Gem and Mineral Club - Club Monthly Meeting, March 14, 2015

Transcription

1 The Lake George Gem and Mineral Club - Club Monthly Meeting, March 14, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Lake George Gem & Mineral Club Saturday, March 14, at 10:00AM Lake George Community Center After the business meeting, LGGMC member Dave Harvey will present a program titled South Park: History, Geology, & Minerals Dave will do a Talk /Demo on the Blue Barite claim and some of the other minerals that can be found in South Park area, including Blue agate, plume agate, agatizied wood, jaspers. Dave has been kind enough to allow LGGMC members access to his claims on an annual basis. If you have specimens from one of Dave s localities or from other areas in South Park, please bring them for a Show and Tell. As usual, we will continue with the winter silent auction. We still have great specimens from various donors, including some fluorescents, a few radioactive minerals, and some material from the Crystal Peak area. Dues are due.see Membership Application at the end of this Newsletter. Coming Events Whither the Rio Grande Rift, talk by Dr. Vince Matthews, March 5, 7PM, CSM Geology Museum Conference Room (Rm. 201); for info m_l_smith@earthlink.net or (303) Shallow Marine Hydrothermal Systems in Volcanic Arcs, talk by Dr. Thomas Monecke, March 9, 7PM, Colorado School of Mines. At DREGS monthly meeting, 241 Berthoud Hall, CSM campus, Golden; all welcome. "Bizarre and marvelous dinosaurs and other vertebrates of Madagascar: Insights into the southern end of the world", by Dr. David Krause, Mar. 12, 3:00 p.m., VIP Room, DMNS (Earth Science Seminar). Thunder Bay Amethyst: crystallography, chemistry and a historical review of s activity, by Dan Kile, (Colorado Chapter, Friends of Mineralogy meeting), 7:30PM, March 12, in the VIP Room, Denver Museum of Nature & Science. All are welcome. Fossils and Flight, Western Interior Paleontology Society Founders Symposium, March Fee required. Go to westernpaleo.org for info.

2 Fort Collins Rockhounds 54 th Annual Gem & Mineral Show, March 27-29, McKee 4-H Building, Larimer Co. Fairgrounds. Go to for information. The Ressurection of the Rittenhouse: Saving Mining History, 1PM April 15; meet at the mine site, 300 block of south 4 th St., Victor; cost is $10 (cash only) per person, payable at the mine site. Info and registration at victorcolorado.com. Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show (Spring), April 24-26, Ramada Plaza Motel, 4849 Bannock St., Denver. Free admission and parking; mzexpos.com for information. Friends of Mineralogy (Colorado Chapter) Silent Auction, May 9, 12-3PM, Clements Community Center, 1580 Yarrow St., Lakewood; contact Mark Jacobson (markivanjacobson@gmail.com ) for information. The New Fairplay Contin-Tail Gem & Mineral Show, June 11-14, free admission and parking. 3 rd Annual Victor Gem & Mineral Show, June 20-21, downtown Victor. Free admission and parking. Info at stcfg@victorcolorado.com. Original Contin-Tail Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show, August 13-16, free admission and parking, Buena Vista Rodeo Grounds (Colorado s largest outdoor gem and mineral show). Info at coloradorocks.org. Lake George Gem & Mineral Club Annual Gem & Mineral Show, Aug , in the field next to the Lake George PO. Free admission and Free parking. The following clubs meet regularly and welcome visitors. Go to their websites for more information. Cañon City Geology Club, second Monday of each month; 6:00, First Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 9 th St. and Main, C.C. Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society, third Thursday of each month; 6:30, Colorado Springs Senior Center, 1514 N. Hancock, C.S. Columbine Gem & Mineral Society, second Thursday of each month; 6:30, Shavano Manor, 525 W. 16 th (at J St.), Salida. Pueblo Rockhounds, third Thursday of each month, 7:30, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 University Circle, Pueblo. Club News Please WELCOME the Following New Members Gary Cline Jane Dianich Katharine Edwards Mark Jacobson (Denver) Sherrine Kochen (Pueblo West) Ed and Mary Kottwitz (Divide) Jeff & Brenda Schloemann (Florissant) Glen & Rita Stubert (Pueblo West)

3 At the December meeting, the following officers and committee chairs were elected for 2015: Officers: President: John Rakowski Vice President: Char DeVries Treasurer: Suzanne Core Secretary: Norma Engelberg Newsletter Editor: Bob Carnein Directors: Annual Show Chair: Rebecca Blair Field-Trip Coordinator: Todd Mattson Pebble Pups Coordinator: Steve Veatch Webmaster: Dan Alfrey The Lake George Community Center will receive a new floor in April or May. We may need to move the books in the library cabinet before work starts. * John Rakowski will let us know if help is needed. The LGGMC has purchased a subscription to Rock & Gem Magazine, starting with the March 2014 issue. You can see more info about the magazine at Rock & Gem is the official magazine of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies and is a great magazine for the hobby. In order that more club members can view the magazine, we will place it in the magazine rack at the Lake George Public Library where you may read it on premises. When the new issue comes in, the old issue will be placed in our LGGMC Library at the Community Center where it may be checked out. The Lake George Library is open Monday through Thursday from noon until 4:30 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. It is located on the west side of downtown, south side of US 24 before you cross the S. Platte River. Here s a note from Norma Engelberg about the upcoming Closing of Ackley s Rock Shop in Colorado Springs: Ackley's is closing on March 15, That's the shop on Stone Ave. in Colorado Springs. It's been there forever. Mr. Ackley said he has some interest in selling some stock at our Show. Norma reports that she has updated the LGGMC Library list. Please see the Club website. Todd Mattson, our field-trip coördinator, has two trips planned so far this spring: May 16: New Hope Amethyst Claim (hosted by the Cañon City Geology Club; Jennifer Gerring and Jim Meacham). Contact Todd at or tmattsondbc@live.com for information. May 30: Patience and Piety Claims (Wigwam Creek), led by John Rakowski (contact John at or rakgeologist@yahoo.com for information). Whatever glitch prevented me from including Brad Smith s column on lapidary work has been fixed. I m pleased to include Brad s latest column below: WINDING JUMP RINGS Whenever you need a few jump rings the same size, it's easy to grab a round rod and wind as many as you need. But when you need a lot of them, some form of winder saves a lot of

4 time. A variable speed screw gun makes quick work of winding the coils. Screw guns are quite inexpensive at discount stores and are remarkably handy for odd jobs in the shop and around the house. To wind a coil, just bend a right angle on the end of the wire about a half inch long and insert this into the screw gun chuck. Then wind slowly, keeping a tight coil. I like to rest the end of the mandrel on the edge of the table or bench pin. Finally, one note of caution. If you are winding an entire length of wire, be careful as you get near the end of the wire. If the end passes under your thumb, it can cause a nasty scratch or cut. TOUCHING UP A BEZEL Pumice wheels are good for touching up a bezel after you've set the stone. The hardness is about 6 on the Mohs scale, less hard than quartz, so it shouldn't scratch any of your agates or jaspers. However, I'd avoid or be real careful of using pumice near the softer stones like turquoise, amber, howelite, etc. If you're unsure about the hardness of your wheels, test them on a piece of glass. Glass is about 5 ½ on the Mohs scale, softer than quartz. So if the wheel doesn't harm glass, it's safe for use on the quartzes and harder stones. My preference is the one-inch diameter ones such as those shown at riogrande.com/product/advantedge-pumice-wheels-medium/332722?pos=2

5 Dan Alfrey sent some pictures of the class on mineral properties that was held last month in Woodland Park at the Library by Dr. Carnein. There was a great turnout. Earth-Science Scholars/Pebble Pups Corner Here's the schedule for this year's remaining Pebble Pups/Earth-Science Scholars classes and activities: March Exploring Caves: How Caves are Formed (Blake Reher) Field Trip: Cave of the Winds (Steve Veatch) April: National Poetry Month Earth-Science Scholars and Pebble Pups meet from September through May on the third Tuesday of each month at 6PM in the Pikes Peak Historical Museum (in Florissant). Be sure you check regularly at for details and updates, or contact Steve Veatch at steven.veatch@gmail.com.

6 Remember, new students and their parents are always welcome; Earth-Science Scholars and Pebble Pups are welcome on LGGM Club field trips. Notes from the Editor Bob Carnein, Editor This has been a busy month for me, and tax time is coming. As a result, I didn t have time to write anything for the March newsletter. Several members volunteered to do some writing now s the time to try your hand at it! I ll be glad to work with you with any ideas you d like to develop into an article. Just let me know what you d like to do, and we ll get started. In the meantime, please attend the March meeting, if you can. Dave Harvey, long time LGGMC member & Bayou Salado owner, knows a lot about South Park & its minerals. Lake George Gem and Mineral Club March, 2015

7 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Lake George Gem & Mineral Club Box 171, Lake George, Colorado Date: Name / /20 Address City State Zip Telephone ( ) - ( Required to receive Newsletter and Field Trip info.) Names/Ages of family members (if family membership): Dues for Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 each year are as follows: Individual (18 and over).. $15.00 Family (includes dependents under age 18).... $25.00 Due are Due after January 1 st. * Members w/ unpaid dues by March 31 st will be deleted on April 1 st. On/after August 31, dues will be pro-rated by one-half for NEW members only. I agree to Abide by Club Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules regarding Field Trips & Club Claim visits: Signed Date: / / I am or have previously been a member of Lake George Gem & Mineral Club. Yes No My interest areas include (check all that apply): Minerals Fossils Lapidary Micromounts Colorado Geology Pebble Pups (ages 7-17) Mining History Crystallography Other (be specific): I am willing to give a talk/presentation to [the Club] or [Pebble Pups] on (topic) and/or Lead Field Trip(s) to I am willing to participate/help in the following ways (can choose more than one): Club Officer News Writer-Contributor Annual Show Committee Nominating Committee Winter Programs Field Trips Membership Coordinator Scholarship/Education Committee Pebble Pups Other (be specific): Questions about the Club or Activities? Please visit the website or contact a Club Officer. Updated 2/4/2015

8 Lake George Gem and Mineral Club P.O. Box 171 Lake George, CO The Lake George Gem and Mineral Club is a group of people interested in rocks and minerals, fossils, geography and history of the Pikes Peak/South Park area, Indian artifacts and the great outdoors. The club s informational programs and field trips provide an opportunity to learn about earth sciences, rocks and minerals, lapidary work and jewelry making, and to share information and experiences with other members. Guests are welcome to attend, to see what we are about! The club is geared primarily to amateur collectors and artisans, with programs of interest both to beginners and serious amateurs. The club meets the second Saturday of each month at the Lake George Community Center, located on the north side of US Highway 24 on the east edge of town, sharing a building with the county highway shops. In the winter we meet at 10:00 AM. ( From April through October, we meet at 9:00 AM, to allow more time for our field trips. ) Our organization is incorporated under Colorado law as a nonprofit educational organization, and is a member of the Colorado, Rocky Mountain and American Federations of Mineralogical Societies. We also sponsor an annual Gem and Mineral show at Lake George, where collectors and others may purchase or sell rocks, minerals, fossils, gems or jewelry. Annual membership dues (Jan. 1 through Dec. 31) are $15.00 for an individual (18 and over), and $25.00 for a family (Parents plus dependents under age 18). Our Officers for 2015 are: John Rakowski, President PO Box 608 Florissant, CO rakgeologist@yahoo.com Char DeVries, Vice President 280 Homestead Rd. Divide, CO swordfishblue@wildblue.net Suzanne Core, Treasurer PO Box 1154 Cripple Creek, CO suzc@peakinet.net C.R. (Bob) Carnein, Editor, 507 Donzi Trail, Florissant, CO ccarnein@gmail.com Norma Engelberg, Secretary 2732 W. Bijou St. Colorado Springs, CO njengel60@gmail.com