MARCUS WHITMAN GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY 2014 Officers President Jim Brain 509-522-2261 Vice-President Jack Edwards 509-5293673 Secretary Kathleen Weston 509-5406174 Treasurer Sandy Kinsfather 509-5291455 At Large Board Members Vern Young 509-200-6939 Rick Magnaghi 509-5222772 Lauren Page 509-529-3245 Lisa Stearns 509-386-0584 Federation Director Olan Long 509-525-4640 Federation Delegate Norma Long 509-5254640 Immediate Past President Keith Bacus 509-529-1248 Other Support -Programs Ralph Trethewey 509-5299209 Field Trip Janel Lacey 541-427-5394 Gem and Mineral Show Lisa Stearns Refreshments Lauren Page Lapidary Shop Mgr Vern Young Newsletter Editor Rhonda Nosler

The Rock Licker Volume 55

Issue 11

November 2014

Presidents Message – With the overcast days and periodic drizzle, Fall has definitely settled in on the Walla Walla valley. It is time to make sure that the gardens and flowerbeds are ready for the winter and to shift our rockhounding activities indoors. If you haven't already been there, fall is a good time to visit our lapidary shop on Thursday evenings at the community college. For novices there is plenty of help there to get you familiar with the safe operation of the equipment and develop some of the basic lapidary skills. For the more experienced there is plenty of equipment for you to use at a minimal charge. For Su and I this is the time of the year to go through the boxes of rocks that are stacked around the garage and wonder what we are going to with all of them and why we need more. Of course wondering will not stop us from getting more. I am sure we will add to our stash at the club Annual Rock Auction on November 11. Fall is also a good time to visit some of the wonderful museums in the area, many of which display extensive collections of artifact, rocks and minerals. To start with right here in Walla Walla we have our own Fort Walla Walla Museum with its many displays of early life here in the Valley and the vast gem and mineral display that is open to the public in the halls of the Science Building at Whitman College. A little further away is Tamástslik Culture Center near Pendleton with its vast display of items of the Native American cultural. Other day trip museum opportunities include the Baker City Heritage Museum which has a very large private rock collection on display and the Yakima Valley Museum which features Miocene Basalt exhibits including material from the recent discovery of petrified trees that were still standing upright. Of course there is always the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park off of I-90 at Vantage. A little further away is the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. If you are not into museums there are still a number of gem and mineral club shows across the northwest going on, though most will involve a little driving. See your recent NFMS newsletter of a listing and dates. Before I finish I would like to thank everyone who participated in the "Swap Meet" at our October meeting. Over 75 people attended in the event, either as vendors or buyers. Based on the feedback I got I am sure we will schedule more events like that in the future. One last thing. Remember the saying that I coined a few years back. "It is not just what the Club can do for you but what you can do for the Club." We are always looking for new people to serve on the various committees we have that support club activities.

Jim Brain President

The Rock Licker

November 2014

ALAA looking for club representative The American Land Access Association (ALAA) is a sister organization of the America Federation of Mineralogical Society with "responsibility for advancing the interests of earth science amateurs with legislatures and land use management agencies". The eastern Washington representative for the ALAA is looking for a club contact who can keep him informed of local issues in our part of the world that might be of interest to that organization. The following are excerpts from recent correspondence we received from Ben Odum, Eastern Washington Representative of ALAA. • "My primary job is too look for land access issues that are developing around our region. Upon discovering issues, I report these to the ALAA president and the rest of the ALAA so that we can keep abreast and tackle these issues as they develop. " • "Basically....I really could use some help". • "... please consider searching for a couple of motivated and enthusiastic individuals who could research their respective locations for access issues. These individuals would be crucial contacts that can help aid the ALAA with finding proactive measures that could keep our lands open." Currently the ALAA is working with the Forest Service to regain rockhounding opportunities at the famed smoky quartz crystal beds on the Lolo Pass area of Montana. Recently they had a meeting with the Forest Service in Missoula to discuss options to closing the area entirely. The following is a range of potential options taken from Ben's letter. • "The Forest Service does nothing and keeps the area closed and monitors with their police force. This probably won't keep the 'bad guys' from getting in when no one is there to stop them. • Partnership of some sort between rockhound organizations and the agency to manage the site. • A compromise by having organized field trips two or three times a year under the supervision of the Forest Service. (This might require a use permit.) • Fee area where everything would be under their jurisdiction and they would monitor it like the BLM and Forest Service does in several other areas. " If you have the time to devote to this task and are interested in being our Club's ALAA representative let me know and I will forward your name on to Ben Odum. Jim Brain

Please Join us for Cake at the November Meeting to celebrate our clubs 64th Anniversary. Meeting: Tuesday November 11, 2014 at 6:30

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The Rock Licker

November 2014

Membership Dues are Due December 31 If you have not already renewed your club membership for 2015, please complete the enclosed renewal form and give to Sandy Kinsfather at the next meeting or mail it to the address on the form. (Note, if you joined after 9/1/2014 the dues you paid covered 2015.) It makes it easier on everyone if the renewals are done by December 31. Annual dues account for about 20% of the revenue needed to cover club activities. The show and rock auction account for other 80%. If renewals are not received by that date you will be dropped from the club membership roster.

Recently Added Members Please welcome the following new members who joined our organization:

Bob and Jackie Owsley of Walla Walla Kim Owsley of Walla Walla Les Balk of Milton-Freewater Cynthia Oster of Walla Walla Corbi Copeland of Walla Walla Rose Marie Keith of Walla Walla Cathy Rasley and grandson Jon Smith of Walla Walla Jerolee Hickey and Kay of Starbuck, WA Carla Houchin and Gene Alexander of Walla Walla

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The Rock Licker

November 2014

Greeting  fellow  club  members:     This  fall  has  been  so  different  this  year  and  late  in  color.  Kind  of  like  when  you  are   rock  tumbling  and  the  treasures  you  put  in  are  different  than  when  they  come  out.  I   also  think  our  club  is  a  lot  like  Thanksgiving  dinner…many  side  dishes  that  make  the   Turkey  in  charge  look  good.   I  feel  very  blessed  and  thankful  to  be  a  part  of  this  club  and  to  enjoy  the  many   different  personalities  that  make  up  who  we  are.   Happy  Thanksgiving!    

 

 

Lauren  Page

November Meeting Features Our Annual Club Rock Auction Come one, come all to our November meeting. We will be having our annual auction of material that the club has acquired over the past few years including some of the rock we got from Dale Huett. Items available include a several large pieces of petrified wood, thundereggs and a variety of agate material as well as slabs suitable for making cabochons and other items. The auction is one of the clubs major fund raising activities so come with your check book and be prepared to join in on the bidding action. Besides, there is a lot of fine material to be had. If you can spare a few minutes, come early and help get stuff set up.

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The Rock Licker

November 2014

Marcus Whitman Gem and Mineral Society Annual Meeting Minutes -- October 14, 2014 Welcomed guests: Wayne, Aiden, and Sarah Jousma; Dude Hanshew; Kelly Deccio and Teri Stewart. Sunshine: Pat Hermann's mother passed away as did the wife of Mel Wilkes ( the auctioneer who helps us with our annual rock auction.) Cards will be sent. Announcements: President urged people to sign-in at the front table. Complimented new newsletter editor on very good first edition. Apologized for the mailed copy being late. The Christmas party will be Sunday, December 14th. (There will be a separate gift exchange for kids and adults.) Look for details in the November newsletter. Reports: Show: Lisa Stearns thanked everyone for their help with the show. She also was critical of those who complain about aspects of the show but don't help out or don't offer suggestions before the show starts. Rick Magnaghi reminded people that we are still looking for possible locations for meetings and the shop as a back-up locations should the current arrangements fall through. Field Trip: Janel Lacey said there were 5 people that showed up for the trip to Ukiah. They found a new site for apache tears. Show and Tell: Will Self showed some carved antlers that he has purchased to attach to knife blades he is working on. Called the annual Business Meeting to order. Discussed by-laws modification proposal submitted by the Board of Trustees. Background. Currently incumbents can serve two consecutive terms. Some positions take time to learn. No need to throw someone out if they want to continue to be a candidate after their term limit is reached. Entertained a motion to strike part 4 from Article IV, Section 5 of the By-Laws. Moved, seconded and after a brief discussion passed unanimously to strike Part 4 from Article IV, Section 5 of the by-laws. Elections-Announce the slate of candidates selected by the nominating committee Vice-president--Suzanne Young Treasurer--Sandy Kinsfather At large trustee position 3--Lauren Page Federation Director--Olan Long At large trustee position 4--Don Larson Federation Delegate--Norma Long Ask for additional nominations from the floor. No additional names offered. Moved, seconded and passed unanimously to accept the slate of candidates as offered by the nominating committee Other discussions: Juniors Activity Director- The club needs someone to step forward in this capacity by January 1 if we are to have a junior's program. Other committees that need additional members Program committee, Field Trip committee, Membership committee Broke for refreshments Program 16 members displayed items as part of the swap meet activity while the remaining members circulated around looking view the displayed items and making deals for the items they wanted to add to their collections. 5

The Rock Licker

November 2014

Ukiah Field Trip October 2014 Looking for Apache Tears and Rhyolite near Ukiah Oregon

Working out a large chunk of the petrified tree – Hard work!

Roadside fossil hunting gave some good leaf fossils

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The Rock Licker

November 2014

Lapidary Shop Schedule Here is list of the shop schedule thru the end of the year. Remember only 6 more working nights until Christmas, if you have special gifts to make. Thank you to our new shop foreman for volunteering and helping out during work nights. If interested in being a shop foreman, contact Vern Young 509-200-6939. Lapidary Shop hours are 6:00-9:00. Nov

6 Vern Young

Dec

4 Jay Skarbek

13 Charles Nosler

11 Charles Nosler

20 Don Larson

18 Vern Young

Thanksgiving CLOSED

25 Christmas CLOSED

Preparation for Field Trips. Corner

Safety

So what does one do to prepare for a field trip? Everyone will do something a little bit differently but the basic stuff is all pretty much the same. Vehicle- Check your vehicle over, especially the tires, lights, wipers and fuel tank to make sure it has enough to get you there and back.

Tools- So what kind of trip is it, hard rock mining or just digging? Personally I tend to take way too many tools, many of which I don’t need, but still take. The ones I use the most are shovels, picks, pry bars, hammers, buckets, and of course a small hoe to move spoils back from edge of digging area. First aid kit- The one thing that gets left behind most of the time! I always try to keep one under the back seat of my truck. So what should be in a first aid kit? Well if you follow the Red Cross recommendation you will need a large tub to carry everything. Minimum items should be, bandage compresses, Band-Aids, gauze, scissors, 3 or 4 inch rolled bandage for large wounds, tape, tweezers. If you purchase a 4 person basic first aid kit it will have all the necessary items you will need. Expect to pay from $10 up to $200 for the premium kit. Personal Protective Equipment- Gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, boots or good walking shoes depending on what the field trip is going to consist of. Food and water- You will need water no matter the time of the year. Digging is hard work and you will perspire a lot. Lunch should consist of wholesome foods and try to avoid sugary foods, as you will need even more water. Clothing- Dress for the occasion, is it warm, hot or cold. Consider all of those before you leave. It’s easier to dress for cold and remove clothing as you warm up. Notification- So who knows where you are going? Be sure to tell someone where you are going, when you are coming back and have him or her check on you to make sure you came back. I also take my cell phone and GPS.

Will Self 7

The Rock Licker

November 2014 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.

The Rock Licker Editor Rhonda Nosler 509-876-6837 [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

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

The Rock Licker VOLUME 55 ISSUE 11

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