June 9, 1969

The meeting of the Sunsites Gem and Mineral Club was called to order at 8:00 pm by President Paul J. Duncan. In the absence of Mrs. Claussen, Mary Duncan acted as Secretary. Minutes of the previous meeting were read, and with proper information to be supplied for blanks left for that purpose, otherwise approved.

Treasurer’s report indicates that money in the Club’s savings account as of June, 1969 amounted to $106.10, with cash on hand to date of $2725, making a total of $128.35, with no disbursements.

Asked to give a report of the last field trip over Memorial Day Weekend , Mr. Grim said a good time was apparently had by all who went, the President adding that it was indeed a most successful as well as an enjoyable trip, and remarked that Mrs. Marge Whitney had made probably the find of the year which was exhibited on the counter – a big Agate, weighing some 46 pounds, found Sunday morning alongside the recently bulldozed roadside just out of Luna, NM. At this point he interrupted the meeting long enough to show two slides of the proud rockhound with her oversize specimen, and presented her with one of the slides. Mr. Grim explained that while the original plans had included the Milky Ranch for petrified wood, he had heard from more than one source that the material to be hunted there was not of the best quality since the area has been well picked over and that even the material on sale left something to be desired, so it was arranged to hunt in an area 5 or 6 miles out of St. Johns. The President mentioned checking later into another source for petrified wood upon seeing a nice roadside exhibit within one-half mile or so from the entrance to the National Park. In this case, however, while there is no admission charge, as at the Milky Ranch, there is a restriction; namely that a minimum of 100 pounds or more must be collected, for which there is a charge of 15 cents a lb.

Joe Sitarz suggested that membership cards be printed so that all new members could be presented with cards upon payment of their dues. It was deemed advisable to set up a committee, assisted by Messrs. Grim and Sitarz, a report on their findings to be presented at the next meeting.

The President asked the members whether or not there had ever been any thought of affiliating with the Rocky Mountain Federation and mentioned from his knowledge, some of the advantages the Midwest clubs derived from association with the Midwest Federation. It was stated that such an affiliation was considered some time after the founding of the Club, but that the matter was dropped because the Club was not big enough at the time. There was a brief discussion of the pros and cons and, while it was agreed that it could be helpful, it was considered necessary to check into the matter thoroughly, particularly the cost involved, and submit such information to the membership of this club before considering such application.

Mr. Grim submitted a newspaper article which had been brought to his attention by Mrs. Grafe entitled, “Nogales Inventor Builds Stone-Polishing Device,” which alleges to cut down the polishing time of stones as compared with the method in use by most rockhounds. Mr. Duncan pointed out that, while good as far as it goes, it still doesn’t do away with certain essential steps necessary for quality polished stones.

The next field trip suggested by Mr. Grim was to the Day Ranch for Fire Agate on an area located by Mrs. Ashton of the San Jose Rock Shop. Since the latter part of the trip requires pickups , it was agreed that, based on a show of hands of the eleven who planned to go, transportation in available trucks would be adequate for the distance required. Meeting place was set for 8:00 am next Sunday at the Home Café north of Willcox.

Mr. White was asked for and gave a report of the meeting of the lapidary group at Mr. Grim’s. He said he completed a bola out of Petoskey Stone; that Mrs. White had ground a Mexican Fire Opal which was ready for a ring mounting; that they had a wonderful time and thanked Mr. Grim for the opportunity and the benefit of his equipment and instructions. The next meeting of the lapidary group (originally set up for the Tuesday following the field trip each month) is to be June 17 at Mr. Grim’s shop.

The business meeting was adjourned and Mr. Cash Freeman, of the Dos Cabezas Country Store, and one of our own members, gave a most interesting and informative talk on “Turquoise – the stone, its origins, its uses (past and present), its handling, and many useful hints for the prospective buyer and/or collector of the Southwest’s most famous rock. Reluctance of he members to terminate the question and answer period afterward was an indication in itself of the interest in the subject as presented by Mr. Freeman. We are extremely grateful to him

Respectfully submitted, Mary Duncan, Secretary pro tem