Marcus Whitman Gem and Mineral Society Newsletter
The Rock Licker President’s Message-Jim Brain Involvement vs. Commitment As I have said before one of my main goals as president of our club is to get more people involved in its operation. More is better and new blood grows a healthy organization as well as provides the leaders of the future. At our last meeting I made a pitch to get members to volunteer to serve on one of the committees needed to make the club run smoothly. A few members responded to that request but there still quite a few opportunities to get serve. We critically need members for the program planning committee, the field trip committee and membership committee. Coincidental to my making this push for more involvement, I noticed that Northwest Federation President Don Innes made a similar plea in his “President’s” message in the February-March issue of the NFMS newsletter. I support his belief that turnover of officers and committee membership is “very important” if we want to grow our organizations.
Transferring that analogy to our club, I believe that most members are involved. They pay their dues, attend meetings, show up for field trips and participate in other club activities. What we need is for more people to be committed. Not by sacrificing their body as the pig did, but by giving a little of their personal time to help organize club activities, lead field trips, clean-up after meetings, etc. These are the activities that help us accomplish the goals outlined in our articles of Incorporation and bylaws. If you think about it, the turn out we get to help set-up and operate the annual gem and mineral show shows a commitment by a lot of our members. What we need to have is some of that kind of commitment spill over into committee participation and the planning and execution of our other club programs and activities. Please think about it and commit a little of your time by signing up to serving on one of the committees.
Don also contrasts involvement and commitment with the ham and egg breakfast analogy. The chicken is involved by providing the eggs but the pig is committed by giving his body.
Important Announcements
February 2014 Volume 55, Issue 2
The next rock club meeting will be on February 11 starting at 6:30 at the Lions Club clubhouse in College Place. ——————This Month’s Refreshments If your last name begins with the letters N-Z please bring pie or ice Cream for the refreshment break.
Inside this issue: Important Announcements
1
Club Leadership
2
Club News
3-5
Special Interest Article
6
Meeting Minutes
7
Your 2014 membership dues were due December 31. Start thinking about the kinds of monthly programs you would
like the club to present throughout the year. Begin thinking of field trips and other activities you would like
to see the club organize for the coming year.
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The Rock Licker
Board of Directors: President: Jim Brain
509-522-2261
[email protected]
Vice-President: Jack Edwards
509-529-3673
[email protected]
Secretary: Kathleen Weston
509-540-6174
[email protected]
Treasurer: Sandy Kinsfather
509-529-1455
[email protected]
Federation Director: Olan Long
509-525-4640
[email protected]
Federation Delegate: Norma Long
509-525-4640
[email protected]
Junior Activity Director: Beth Huntley
509-525-0200
[email protected]
At Large Member #1-Vern Young
509-200-6939
[email protected]
At Large Member #2-Rick Magnaghi
509-522-2772
[email protected]
At Large Member #3-Lisa Stearns
509-337-6823
[email protected]
At Large Member #4-Lauren Page
509-529-3245
[email protected]
Immediate Past President: Keith Bacus
509-529-1248
[email protected]
Committee Chairpersons: Education/classes: Warren Rood (509) 522-2330 Field Coordinator: Janel Lacey (541) 427-5394 Lapidary Shop Foreman: Vern Young Membership: Vacant Programs: Ralph Trethewey Refreshments: Suzanne Young and Lauren Page Gem and Mineral Show: Lisa Stearns
Other Supporting Positions Historian: Vacant
Lifetime Member
Librarian: Leslie Hammer Newsletter Editor: Jim Brain (509) 522-2261 Photographers: David Walk and Russell Kinsfather Publicity: Linda and Bill Stonecipher Show and Tell: Lauren Page Stamps: Norma Long Sunshine: Marilyn McCann (509) 525-1776
Bill Stonecipher Linda Stonecipher Jack Edwards Charlene Edwards Jerry Nielsen Janice Nielsen Richard McCann Marilyn McCann
Web Master: David Walk Youth Activities Support Raffle: Bill Stonecipher
Affiliations: American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) http://www.amfed/org Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies (NFMS) http://www.amfed.org.nfms American Lands Access Association (ALAA) http://www.amlands.org
Volume 55, Issue 2
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Fake Moldavite Alert
Lapidary Shop News
Sally Reed recently brought to my attention that there has been a lot of fake Moldavite showing up on the market. I check on the internet and found a lot of information about the scam. Due to the limited supply of real Moldavite from the Czech Republic prices have escalated in recent years. A 180 gram piece of real Moldavite sells for over $3000 wholesale.
Our Club's Lapidary Shop is available from 6 - 9 pm the dates listed below. This is a great opportunity for members to work and create things of beauty during these long winter months. Come join us at the Automotive Building at Walla Walla Community College. A shop foreman is always there to help you with your project .
Counterfeiters from the Far East are producing the fake green gemstone material which they sell at larger gem shows and over the internet for much less. It shows up as both “raw material” and in jewelry. The fake material has the typical green color of Moldavite but has a clear glasslike appearance while real material has small bubbles and imbedded ripples in the stones. The differences are obvious when you see the fake alongside the real material.
Membership Dues were Due December 31 As of the end of January about 59% of the member households had renewed their Rock Club memberships for 2014. A big thanks to those who have done so. If you have not done it yet, please complete the membership renewal form that was in the November Rock Licker and either bring it to the next club meeting or mail it along with your dues to the address on the form. If you can not find the form, they will be available from Sandy Kinsfather at the January meeting. The cutoff date for receiving monthly newsletters and other membership benefits is February 28.
Any questions call Vern Young 509-200-6939
Feb 6 Vern Young Feb 13 Jack Edward Feb 20 Carol Knobel Feb 27 Tom Hargrave March 6 Rick Magnaghi March 13 Jack Edwards March 20 Kathleen Weston March 27 Tom Hargrave
February Show and Tell Have you ever had one of those days when you are looking over your slab or rock/mineral collection and as you handle them you start to admire the COLORFUL streaks and ripples of your bounty that make your heart beat faster and gets your creative juices flowing wondering what can I do with this mysterious work of natural art. For February’s show and tell bring your most colorful slab or mineral specimen and share a story about it with the rest of the club. Have a nice day. Lauren Page
Save Your Canceled Postage Stamps The holiday season is a good time to start. Members are encouraged to save canceled postage stamps and give them to Norma Long, our Federation Director, who will forward them to the Federation which in tern sells them to a stamp broker. Proceeds from the stamp sale are donated to organizations that support cancer research. The most desirable stamps are the commemorative stamps, not the American Flag or Liberty Bell forever stamps, so save commemorative stamps whenever possible
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The Rock Licker
Mineral Poetry by Emma Fajcz Inside and Out A gray-brown mass of rugged rock The color of a silver clock. Rainbow colors add some sheen, In each crystal hints of green. Sparkles slightly as I walk.
Mineral: Quartz
A New Find Colorless Rust-colored dirt on the back Yet to be washed off Sharply pointed crystals around the base Top of the crystal’s tip is broken All through the crystal is a haze Leaning.
Mineral: Quartz Crystal
Bookshelf Specimen This purple rock slightly bent, Was to be my friend’s present. I gave it away on Christmas night; She received it with great delight. Her bookshelves now proudly display The mineral she received that day.
Mineral: Amethyst
From Mini Miner (Volume 7, Number 1) A publication of Diamond Dan Publications www.diamonddanpublications.net
Volume 55, Issue 2
Page 5
February Birthstone—Amethyst Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz (SiO2) and owes its violet color to iron and the presence of other trace elements, which result in complex crystal lattice substitutions. The hardness of the mineral is the same as quartz, thus it is suitable for use in jewelry. Historically, the finest amethyst were found in Russia and were featured in much royal European jewelry. Today, while Brazil is the primary source of this gemstone, fine material can be found elsewhere, especially in Zambia. In addition it can be found in many localities in the United States. Synthetic amethyst is made to imitate the best quality amethyst. Its chemical and physical properties are so similar to that of natural amethyst that it can not be differentiated with absolute certainty without advanced gemological testing (which is often cost-prohibitive). Synthetic amethyst is produced by gamma-ray, x-ray or electron beam irradiation of clear quartz which has been first doped with ferric impurities. On exposure to heat, the irradiation effects can be partially cancelled and amethyst generally becomes yellow or even green, and much of the citrine, cairngorm, or yellow quartz of jewelry is said to be merely "burnt amethyst". Amethyst Cathedral
Amethyst Geode
Faceted Amethyst
Pictures and text from Wikipedia and various other internet sites.
February’s Program—Give this some thought ahead of time.—Jim Brain At the February meeting everyone will have the opportunity to influence the future programs and activities of the club. With no pun on my last name intended, I will break attendees into small groups and have short “brainstorming” sessions in which everyone will be asked for their thoughts in the following areas: 1. Monthly meeting programs—What would you like to see in the way of subjects, length, speakers, or other activities, etc. for the focus of the monthly meetings? 2. Field trips—How many should we have? How far are you willing to travel? Day trips or overnighters? 3. Meeting organization—Is there anything you want more of? What do you want less of? Do we need a refreshment break? How long should the meetings be? What can be done to make them more interesting? 4. Classes—Is there interest in having the club sponsor organized classes or workshops? When and where should they be held? How much would you be willing to pay? 5. Lapidary —How can we increase the use of the lapidary shop? 6. Other—Anything else you would like to add for the good of the organization.
Ask not what the club can do for you but what you can do for the club.
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The Rock Licker
Giant Crystals Discovered in Idaho—by Jim Brain How is that for an attention getter! Recently Su and I made an escape from the winter gloom associated with the massive inversion that lay over the valley for the past month. We headed for the hills and went east in search of clear skies. We left the 30 degrees and fog and found clear skies with 5 degrees in McCall, ID. It was a welcome break. That was not all we found. Check out the giant quartz like crystals we discovered on the shores of Payette Lake.
Actually they were one of several ice and snow sculptures that had been built as part of the annual McCall Winter Carnival. This year 28 local businesses sponsored sculptures which were judged in various categories. Those that included ice were carved from material cut from the frozen lake. The snow sculptures were carved from densely packed snow that was frozen solid by the cold temperatures then carved into very realistic figures. The Winter Carnival is a major event for the town of 2850 people. There were all kinds of activities going on: snowmobile races, dog sled races, dog sled pulling races, street vendors, fireworks, gold panning and much more. (Su’s gold panning produced a few garnets, sapphires and pyrite but no gold.) The parade on Saturday afternoon drew over 10000 spectators which really overwhelmed the streets of downtown McCall. Of course there were the obligatory visits to jewelry stores to check out the latest use of local gems in jewelry and a stop in to say hello to Dennis DeLaet and his wife at Granite Mountain Nature Gallery, one of the vendors who regularly has a booth at our Walla Walla Gem and Mineral Show. Below are some of the other snow and ice sculptures. To get an idea of the size of some of these sculptures, you could walk into the Sphinx. Inside was a life sized mummy as well as hieroglyphics carved into the walls The cupcake is almost as tall as the building and the VW bug was nearly full sized.
Volume 55, Issue 2
Page 7
Minutes of the 1/14/2014 General Meeting Meeting was Called to Order at 6:35 pm Sunshine updates-Harley Unruh—Sharon Unruh reported he is doing well but faces a long recovery. Sammy Ann Bennett—Had surgery but is home recovering. Marilyn McCann—Long time member still not back on her feet Robert Noel—Passed away on Jan 1 at the age of 91. Was an active member of our club 1997-2007. Show and Tell— Theme was “Your Pick”. Participants included Bill Stonecipher, Jack Edwards, Janel and Andrew Lacey, Bob Henkle and Jim Brain Juniors went to activities room for their program Announcements Membership renewals-As of the end of December about ½ of the membership has renewed. Reports Board of Directors actions from their 1/7 meeting–-Jim Confirmed budget committee membership—Jack Edwards to lead Confirmed financial audit team—Jim to lead Established minimum guidelines for the facilities search committee to consider. Established a committee to look into costs of constructing new display cases. Keith to head. Looking into buying a computer projector for programs and classes. Lisa S. to follow up. Agreed acquire rock related gift items as a thank you for program presenters. Ralph to lead Will put donated saw in storage until June. Then make a decision as to what do with it and the grinder set we recently got from Whitman College Geology department. Vern to lead Agreed to move ahead with establishing a club Face Book page. Kathleen to head. Treasurer—Sandy—Good shape financially. Paid federation dues for 178 adults and 44 juniors. Secretary—Kathleen absent. (Janel Lacey took minutes on the meeting.) Thanks Janel. Federation Director—Olan—Reminded members of the Federation field trip to Terry, MT in early August. Lapidary Shop--Vern –Encouraged members to use the shop. Librarian—Leslie absent Show Chairperson—Lisa S-Contracts for space at show mailed to prospective dealers. Other— Jim announced the dates of several shows that were coming up in the next few months. Most committees are a committee of one. We need more participation. Signup sheets were available for the following committees. Program and Education Planning Field trip Planning—Final decision on trips will be made at the March meeting. Refreshment/Picnic/Christmas Planning Lapidary shop Operation and Management Material Inventory Management Newsletter Reporters Membership committee—currently there is no one on this committee. Refreshment Break Program—Mike Denny gave an informative talk about growing up in Africa and northern Idaho. Included examples of African agates and a variety of crystals he had collected over the years. Adjourn
The Rock Licker Editor Jim Brain 509-522-2261 E-Mail:
[email protected]
We are on the WEB https://sites.google.com/site/mwgemandmineral/
The Marcus Whitman Gem and Mineral Society is affiliated with the: American Federation of Mineralogical Societies Northwest Federation Mineralogical Societies American Lands Access Association
THE ROCK LICKER is the official monthly publication of the Marcus Whitman Gem and Mineral Society, Inc. (NFMS Club # 719), PO Box 338, Walla Walla, WA 99362. The objective of the Society is to encourage the study of earth science through suitable programs, field trips, exhibits and other educational activities. People of all ages are welcome to join us. There are junior club activities for youth aged 18 and under. Regular club meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month (except July and December) at the Lions Club Field House on the corner of SE 8th St and SE Larch Ave. in College Place, WA. Both the Juniors club activities and general club meeting start at 6:30 pm. Note: July is reserved for a club picnic and December is reserved for the Christmas party and potluck.
Marcus Whitman Gem and Mineral Society PO Box 338 Walla Walla, WA 99362 Return Service Requested Remember to save your stamps
The Rock Licker Volume 55 Issue 2
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