The Cochise County Rock
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Monthly Newsletter of the Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club
www.cochisecountyrock.org
“Finding and Grinding Rocks in Cochise County, Arizona Since 1962”
May 2006
This issue edited by Paul McKnight
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May Meeting
Our May meeting will take place at the Senior Center on Monday, May 8 at 7 p.m. Following the business meeting and refreshments, we will have a video on “The Unseen World of the Chiricahuas”.
May Field Trip
In
deference to the price of gasoline, we will take a nearby field trip in
May. On Sunday May 14 meet in Dragoon on
the north side of the tracks at 9 am. At
9:15 we will drive north on Johnson Road to an old gold mine where we will
collect Jasper and Galena. Be prepared
for digging and breaking.
April Field Trip Report
On
Saturday April 15, 2006 we went to the Commonwealth Mine. Lots of Quartz and Amethyst. Amethyst comes in different shades of purple (due to Fe impurity, commonly with
zoned distribution). Radiation damage and iron (Fe) impurity are necessary to
produce amethyst color. However, UV
radiation will bleach the purple away if the Amethyst is left in the sun.
We had all
probably wondered what was up on that hill besides the old gold mine that
produced over $10 million in ore early in the last century. About 25 of us got a chance to roam over the
east side of the hill during this field trip.
In addition to the different
flavors of Quartz, we found some Crazy Lace Agate. This makes the area we were in quite similar
to the area on Six Mile Hill where we had a recent field trip. Pictures are on the web site.
April 10, 2006 Meeting Minutes
SUNSITES GEM & MINERAL CLUB
PO BOX 87
PEARCE, AZ 85625
Meeting was called to order
at 7:00 pm by Pres. Don Hammer. Guests
Edie Botticelli and John Mudano were welcomed.
Secretary’s Report was
approved as e-mailed.
Treasurer’s Report : in Larry Edget’s absence a checkbook balance
of $5105.02 was reported. Pres. Don noted unpaid Membership dues are
past due.
Larry Strout noted that the
status of the Silversmithing Class has not been confirmed.
April 15th Field Trip to be to the
Commonwealth mine for Amythest and Lacey Agate.
We are to meet at the Old
Pearce Mercantile Parking Lot at 9:00 am.
Possible future field trips
are: Archeology trip to Riggs Ranch,
Jasper in the Dragoons, Tombstone dumpsite and Jade in Pinery Canyon.
Revision to the By-Laws was
unanimously approved.
Pres. Don requested any
badges left at home, in vehicles, etc. be returned and members should wear
them.
Pres. Don thanked Larry
Strout and Irma Andrews for this evenings’ refreshments; the Yeagers and Connie
Morrison will have refreshments at the May meeting.
The hat was passed for
building useage and $12.00 was received.
Meeting adjourned at 7:14
pm.
Respectfully submitted
Jeannine Paterson
Secretary
Dues are due. $10 for individual and $20 for family. Please mail your check to Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club, PO Box 87, Pearce, AZ 85625 or bring it to the May meeting.
Club Calendar
May
8 Regular Meeting
14 Field Trip 9 am north of the railroad tracks
in Dragoon
June
10 Club Picnic in Dragoon. What will we do without Retha? Jeannine will organize us!
July
Field Trip
August
Field Trip
September
3 Board Meeting
11 Regular Meeting
16 Field
Trip
October
1 Board
Meeting
9 Regular
Meeting
21 Field
Trip
November
5 Board
Meeting
13 Regular
Meeting
18 Field
Trip
December
3 Board
Meeting
11
Christmas Party
Lapidary Classes! Silver Soldering/Smithing Classes!
Flint Knapping!
Lapidary workshop 1-4 pm on Saturdays. Silver Smithing Class will begin as soon as possible. Contact Larry Strout at 826-3991. Ralph Cartmell has offered to teach a class on flint knapping. Contact Ralph at 826-3051 or Larry Strout.
Upcoming Regional Events
May 6-7 Mohave County
Gemstoners present their annual show at Kingman Academy of Learning, 3419
Harrison St., Kingman, AZ. Contact Dave
at 928-692-3797 or Bill at 928-565-9586.
May 13–14 59th
Annual Show "Rocks & Minerals of the Colorado Plateau". Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club, Two
Rivers Convention Center, 1st & Main, Grand Junction, CO. Contact Don or
Marj Gibboney, 193-27 Road, Grand Junction CO 81503, 970.245.2885
October 14-15 Huachuca Gem,
Mineral & Jewelry Show. At the Elks
Lodge on Willcox Avenue, Sierra Vista, AZ.
Free admission & parking;
live demonstrations, educational displays, rocks, jewelry, gems,
minerals, fossils, equipment, lapidary supplies & more. Contact Larry at 520-459-5211.
Club Officers for 2006
President Don Hammer 520 384-3105
Vice-President Paul McKnight 520 824-4054
Secretary Jeannine Paterson 520 826-1649
Treasurer Larry Edgett
Delegate at Large Sue Bishop 520-586-2312
Preview of the June 10 Picnic
The annual picnic will be held at the home of the Bishops in Dragoon beginning at 11 am on Saturday, June 10. Directions: North on Johnson Road from Dragoon one mile. Turn right on Little Wing to 4780 on the right. Additional information in the next newsletter.