HARRISONS ENJOY FIELD TRIP TO DEMING NEW MEXICOrockclub.txol.net/newsletters/Oct_Informer_2008.pdf · 3,4,5 NOTICE TO NEW MEM-BERS 6 UPCOMING SHOW 7, 8 HULLA’B’LOU 9, 10 PRESIDENT’S

Editor’s Notes:

It is with mixed emo-tions that I leave this job. I feel it is time for me to move on to new and dif-ferent projects and goals. Lou Jane and I have certainly enjoyed writing and editing sto-ries of many club mem-bers and others. We thank those who have contributed to the news-letters and have helped to make them letters to be read and enjoyed by other club members. I know you will continue to support the next editor and provide new stories of your trips and adven-tures. Editors are only as good as the stories pro-vided to them. … Jerry

Have you ever been to the Deming, New Mexico rock hound show? It is the 2nd week end of every march. I know some of you have been to it, but for those of you who have not, you should try it at least once. We have enjoyed the show and hunts they have

enough that we have been out there the last four years and plan to go to the 2009 show. We usually leave on the first Sat-urday of the month and stop in Big Spring at the show there, and then we piddle along road hunting (Continued on page 2)

HARRISONS ENJOY FIELD

TRIP TO DEMING NEW

MEXICO

V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1 0 O C T 2 0 0 8

T H E I N F O R M E R

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

E D I T O R C O M -M E N T S , H A R -R I S O N ’ S T R I P

1

B I R T H D A Y S A N D A N N I -V E R S A R I E S , T R I P C O N T D .

2

H A R R I S O N ’ S

T R I P

3 , 4 , 5

N O T I C E T O N E W M E M -B E R S

6

U P C O M I N G S H O W

7, 8

H U L L A ’ B ’ L O U 9, 10

P R E S I D E N T ’ S R E P O R T

12

B E V ’ S M I N -U T E B Y M I N -U T E

14, 15

O F F I C E R S ,

A N D C H A I R -

P E R S O N S

1 6

J E R R Y ’ S P R O J E C T

11

G A R Y H U D -S O N ’ S A W A R D

13

Charley holds pieces of fluorite in each hand and remembers

a sore back.

Page 2

going on to Deming. Their show starts on Thurs-

day and runs thru Sunday. There are 3 big guided hunts that go out Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Leaving around 7 am and getting back

when the last rockhound is too tired to lift any-more. The show is set up in 2 large buildings and dealers are also set up outside.

(Continued from page 1)

(Continued on page 3)

V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1 0 O C T 2 0 0 8 Page 2

Harrison’s trip

Ernie Wright

Bobbie Owens

Jim Owens

JoAn’s mother

Walt and Betty Scarborough Oct 29

BIRTHDAYS

Janice Hobbs Oct 9

Moira Namuth Oct 14

Bobbie Owens Oct 20

Jon Denison Oct 23

Sallie Lightfoot Oct 24

Mary Swinney Oct 27

ANNIVERSARIES

ILLNESSES

Zack Stockton

Lou Allen’s granddaugh-

ter

Page 3

We arrived in Deming on Tuesday this time, we went out to the show building and visited and watched some of the setups going on, then went on out to the Greenleaf mine to look around. The Greenleaf is an old abandoned copper mine

northeast of Deming about 10-15 miles. There's not much left there except some cement

slab, part of a small cement building and some old mine shafts, but there are lots of piles of fluo-rite. Evidently at the time they were mining copper, they didn't know or care about the fluorite, so the fluorite tailings are piled all around the place. You can see streaks and bits of copper in the fluorite you pick up. The pieces vary in size. There is one motor home that has been dry camped there ever since we started going out there. The man was outside and busting up pieces of fluorite, so we thought he must be getting the copper out of it. Although Charley was not feeling well, we en-joyed the trip and fluorite hunt. Each day we

(Continued from page 2)


Harrison’s trip

would prowl through the show for awhile after coming in. Then headed home on Saturday.

Drawings on Marble

Rocks on display at the Deming show.

Page 4


Harrison’s trip

Wheel of fortune

Page 5


Harrison’s trip


Celebrating new members

NOTICE TO NEW MEMBERS

So you have a burning desire to take silversmithing, please get a copy

of the newsletter Volume 4, Issue 8, August 2008 (copies are lo-

cated in the club house or can be downloaded from our web site

www.txol.net/rockclub) and read very carefully the prerequisites for

getting into silversmithing. You can also see some good examples of

work of our advanced students in Vol. 4 Issue 8. We do charge a fee

for the class but if you think the price is high, then inquire at a local

college and compare prices. Our charges only amount to about $10

for a 3hr session. You will be required at levels 3 and upward to fur-

nish your own tools and metals.

Jerry ……….. Coordinator and teacher

Craig Phariss, born 7/5/91. 203 Orange St. (325) 928-1667, cell (325) 280-1871. Email: [email protected]. His hobbies include reading, band and piano. He likes straight A's and dis-likes video games. His talents are dishwashing, lawn mowing and trombone.


Sept 2008

27-28--LLANO, TEXAS: Show, "Golden-Gem Rendezvous & Knap-In"; Llano Chamber of Commerce, Badu Park, Legion Dr.; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5, free admission; 4th annual State of Texas Gold Panning Champion-ship, gem show, metal detecting competition, flint knapping; contact Tony Griffith, 700 Bessemer, Llano, TX 78643, (325) 247-5354; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: llanochamber.org

Oct 2008

10-12--LIVE OAK (SAN ANTONIO), TEXAS: Show, "Bead Renaissance Show"; J&J Promotions LLC; Live Oak Civic Center, 8101 Pat Booker Rd.; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; contact J&J Promotions LLC, P.O. Box 420, Williamsburg, NM 87942, (575) 894-1293; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.beadshow.com

11-12--SIERRA VISTA, ARIZONA: 34th annual show, "Rock Rustlers Dream"; Huachuca Mineral & Gem Club; Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Ln., on Wilcox Ave., 1 block east of Buffalo Soldier Trail; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-4; free admission; live demonstrations, educational displays, gems, jewelry, fossils, equipment, lapidary sup-plies; contact Ingrid Baillie, P.O. Box 1596, Sierra Vista, AZ 85636, (520) 459-3718; e-mail: [email protected] 11-12--TEMPLE, TEXAS: 39th show; Tri-City Gem & Mineral Society; Mayborn Civic & Convention Center, 3303 N. 3rd St.; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; contact Les Connally, (254) 939-7015; e-mail: [email protected] 17-19--VICTORIA, TEXAS: Show; Victoria Gem & Mineral Society; Victoria Community Center, 2905 E. North St.; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $2, children under 12 free; silent auction, wheel of for-tune, working display, jewelry, rocks, minerals, fossils; contact Ken Lemke, (361) 575-5350; e-mail: [email protected]

Upcoming Shows


November 2008

Paleontological Society of Austin

The Paleontological Society of Austin is sponsoring our 18th annual fossil show – Fossil Fest 2008 at Old

Settler’s Park in Round Rock, next to the Dell Diamond on November 8 & 9, 2008. This year’s

theme is: “What’s in YOUR backyard?” – highlighting fossils from in and around the Central Texas

area. A fun and educational event for the entire family with door prizes, demos, displays, a spin

the fossil wheel, a fossil dig pit and dealers from around the country selling fossils and fossil re-

lated material from around the world. Admission is $2.00 for adults, $1.00 for students and chil-

dren under 6 are free.

Visit us online at: www.texaspaleo.com or contact Linda McCall at 512-422-2322 or [email protected] for more information.

Linda McCall VP / Show Chair Paleontological Society of Austin 512.422.2322 [email protected]

Upcoming Shows


Hulla'b'Lou You know how the eyes of children light up at the sight of polished rocks at the Spring

Show. Well, Lou is having the pleasure of seeing that happen almost every day, and

this is how.

Her full time, part-time job is in the public library at Eastland, and in an effort to create

a little interest for the show last spring, she convinced the MT* to temporarily part with

some of his extraordinary rocks for a display in the library. He got all excited and even

printed labels with name and location for each rock. Pretty nice of him, huh?

And, since Lou was going to have a story time for some pre-schoolers, she also begged

some of the tumbled rocks being prepared for the show, so that each child might have one. (A show flyer

was placed in the hands of each adult accompanying the children.) Ever since that time in March, Lou

has given away a polished rock to each child who visits the library—and that’s a bucketful!

She keeps a manageable number in a small copper dish and the children very carefully choose the one

they like best. Many would like to have more, but Lou tells them may have another each time they visit

the library. Crafty, huh?

(At first the children kept telling Lou that the rocks smelled like cinnamon, and she could not figure why,

until she remembered that the container had previously held a cinnamon candle.)

Both children and adult patrons are interested—some to the point of fascination—in the display case filled

with the MT’s treasures. Picture rock and turquoise seem to be the favorites. They find the pudding stone

interesting along with the parrot wing, amethyst geodes, jade, alabaster, and lapis. Lou doesn’t remem-

ber all the stones at this distance, but she is amazed and delighted that the library patrons continue to

stop for awhile to see these beauties of nature. And you may be sure there will be plenty of Show flyers to

hand out next spring!

Lou would like to say a word about the end of this era of the Informer and the beginning of the next.

First, if she were able, she would continue the publication of the newsletter and give Jerry a year off, BUT she has too many other “irons in the fire” right now besides her library job. Watching the MT (or should it be “ME”**?) learn to do publishing and helping him with editing of stories when possible reminds her, that there are new things to learn each month, such as the many hours a month spent learning the soft-ware for sizing pictures, entering text boxes and cut lines, rounding up stories, creating PDF*** files (whatever those are) and publishing to the website. And it has been an exciting experience for Lou, who once was “society editor” (read that “general flunky”) for a really good small-town newspaper.


Hulla'b'Lou Jerry studied technical engineering writing at Texas Tech and said it has helped him throughout his writ-ing experience. Building links for website access, emailing instructions of how to get to the newsletters, and making sure they email and link correctly is somewhat technical, so Lou’s part has been to read arti-cles and watch for typos, sentence construction problems, paragraph design and ”does it make sense?”. (Not being a fully certified rockhound, she might sometimes miss some rockhound language.)

Jerry was very disappointed that Ike came into the coast and caused the cancellation of the Texas Metal Arts Festival in New Braunfels; he couldn’t make the trip to Waco for the Cultural Arts Festival either. He is determined that he and Lou will make the Fredericksburg Oktoberfest and then spend a week in the Big Bend area sight-seeing and maybe collecting some rocks in areas outside of Big Bend Park. Lou has never been there, so she is eager to see what Jerry and other club members have been exploring all these years.

It’s been good being married to a rockhound–silversmith and to see many creative projects come from the silversmithing classes. (Sometimes Lou requests a jewelry project for herself.) Jerry has been working on a project to complement some of her jewelry, and you can see the steps on the next page.

And, at last, to whoever comes next to this labor of love: call Lou if you are in need of some light-hearted filler, and she might, just might, occasionally write another Hulla’b’Lou.

Farewell. It’s been fun. ljd

* * * W H A T I S A P D F F I L E ?

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. It was developed by Adobe Corporation to allow efficient elec-tronic distribution of large documents. A PDF file will look the same on the screen and in print regardless of what kind of computer you are using or which software package it was created from. A large document can be compressed small enough to download quickly, and displays text and pictures as if you were look-ing at the original book or brochure.

* M A S T E R T U M B L E R

* * M A S T E R E D I T O R

Here is Lou after helping Jerry

complete the newsletter.


Project pendant So Lou Jane wanted a pendant to match a set of earrings that I bought for her at the Texas Metal Arts Festi-val a couple of years ago. I said I might can build a matching pendant at least similar to the earrings. I may not be able to match the perfection and precision of the silversmithing done by abstract jewelry artist Barry Perez but I will give it a try. No doubt I will learn some new tricks from the project. I am acquainted with Barry from visiting with him at shows and I only mean to honor his work by trying to reach the perfection of his work. Are you kidding me? No one can have the perfection of the work he does, but here I give it a try.

I first had to spend several hours studying his work under high magnification before even trying to make a similar piece of jewelry. I finally decided that the texture he used can’t be duplicated, but with a lot of patience and refined filing and piercing most of the other work can be. Here is the story in pictures:

1. The original earrings

2. Design on shelf paper

3. Design on silver

4. Pieces soldered in place

5. Texture being applied

6. Piercing out design

7. Finished pendant with bail

1 2

3

5

7

6 4


Wow! Where did the month go? Things were just a blur.

Thunderstorms delayed the September 8th business meeting for a while. I didn’t think anyone would show up. But, around 7:30 we had enough members to go ahead and get the job done. The big push right now is the election of next year’s slate of officers. If anyone is interested in leading this organization let one of the nomination committee members know! Tony Steele, Jim Owens, and Joyce Talley are the members on that committee.

I was asked if I would be interested in serving another year. I appreciate the vote of confidence in me, but I declined. I have served part of last year when Calvin’s work kept him away and this year. I have really enjoyed my tenure working with all of you. I will still be around and am willing to help out whenever I can. I would like to see more of the membership helping out with the chores around the clubhouse. It seems we always have the same few doing all the work so everyone can show up Monday nights to play with their rocks. I lost mine a long time ago…. they fell out of my head and I don’t know were to look for them.

Tim is really doing an excellent job as “shop foreman”. He has made a lot of repairs and replaced some bad electrical wiring and switches. I really appre-ciate the job he is doing. I think I will double his salary for next year…..

Beverly is doing a bang-up good job as secretary. She doesn’t miss a thing in her minutes. Errol has been doing very good at keeping up with our finances. He had a big hurdle to start with, but has everything under control now. The lights and water are still on!

Jerry, Jerry, Jerry! We’ll really miss your newsletter. I haven’t seen one that compares with ours since you took over. None of the other clubs even come close. Are you sure you won’t reconsider? I’m sure we have a member that would like to take this project over.

Well, it’s time to go for now. See you at the Meeting.

…..Gary

From the Front Desk— President —Gary Hudson


President Gary Hudson receives Achievement Award

Gary is being presented a level 3 achievement award by teacher Jerry Davis. The class is an advanced class

lasting 5 days including instruction and work on lapidary machines in the club workshop. Advanced classes are

taught in Jerry’s classroom near Rising Star. Class levels range 1 through 5.

The silver work shown here is inlay and polishing of stones

in a bola tie. All parts of the bola tie including tips and slide

on back of piece are hand fabricated except the leather

cord. We are able to build the cords but that is not part of

the assignment.

Pictured on the right side is a stone set in a bezel after chas-

ing and embossing is done to create the sunburst pendant.

Other pieces were created but didn’t make it into this

display.

M I N U T E B Y M I N U T E B Y B E V Minutes of CTGMS meeting of Monday, Sept 8 , 2008

Page 14 V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1 0

O C T 2 0 0 8 T H E I N F O R M E R

President Gary Hudson called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. 23 members were in attendance. After the opening prayer and pledge of allegiance, Gary Hud-son read minutes of the August meeting from The Informer. Secretary Bev Vargo was not in attendance and Betty Scarborough graciously took notes for the Sep-tember meeting. There was no financial report as the Treasurer was not present.

Old Business: The club selection for recipient of the Rock Hound of the Year award needs to be turned in by October. Last year we dropped the ball and didn’t choose a recipient for the award. Tony Steele sug-gested that the nominating committee be comprised of past recipients. Charlie and Sallie Lightfoot and Carlos and Joyce Talley will serve on the nominating committee.

We also need a nominating committee for new officers. Jim Owens and Joyce Talley volunteered to serve; along with another club member whose name we did not catch!

Ruth Sparks has the list of names of persons interested in attending the glass bead making classes. The interested members will meet with her after the meeting to discuss the time and place for the classes.

Jim Owens had 4 people on the list for a Silversmithing I class, but two of the members can’t meet on Sat-urdays. Jim says he needs at least two more people to sign up for the class. Jim said that the Silversmithing class has prerequisites. He or Jerry Davis will discuss these with any interested members after the meeting. Jerry is developing an outline for a Silversmithing V class.

Jim Vick went to pick up the faceting table donated by Mrs. Porterfield. A thank you note was sent to Mark Kennedy for the faceting machine.

New Business: Carlos Talley raised a question as to where the money in the club CD came from. The funds in the CD came from another account and were garnered from past club earnings.

Jerry Davis has announced that he will retire as editor of The Informer after next month’s issue. Lou Jane said you get more out of an organization when you become involved with different aspects of it.

Pat Young of the Optimist Club asked for volunteers to man the ticket booth for four hours at a time for

M I N U T E B Y M I N U T E B Y B E V Minutes of CTGMS meeting of Monday, Sept 8, 2008, continued

Page 15 V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1 0

O C T 2 0 0 8 T H E I N F O R M E R

the Balloon Fest.

Tim Walker has asked that he be informed if anything breaks in the shop.

Charlie Lightfoot announced we need to do some more mowing when the weather permits. And foam needs to be put in behind the tin in the shop to stop leaking.

Don Brenholtz suggested that a scholarship be awarded to one of the graduates of the Ben Richey Boys Ranch. Joyce thinks it would be a good idea. Further discussion will be held at

future meetings.

Carlos Talley moved that Zack Stockton be made a life member of the club. Jerry seconded the motion and the motion passed.

The American Federation of Gems convention in Houston will be September 24th to the 28th. We also re-ceived an email from a teacher, Denise Wilkerson from Evergreen Christ School, about a field trip in Janu-ary. Club members still have time to take the trip into consideration.

Illnesses: JoAn’s mother fell at the lake and hurt her head and is not doing well. Ernie is also not doing well. Lou David Allen’s granddaughter Sierra has been brought back here since she will be better at home. Zack Stockton had a pacemaker put in Tuesday. He’s doing well and really appreciated the show of support from club members.

Awards and Certificates: Jerry Davis presented Gary his certificate for completion of the Silversmithing III class. Jim Vick will soon finish his projects and will receive his certificate. Jim Vick has received $500 in winnings from the Bowling US Open and he also won in a team competition in Lubbock recently. (Betty didn’t say what sport.) Also JoAn Wilks’ photograph entitled “Chile Ristras” won first prize at the fair. The photo was taken north of Espanola, New Mexico.

Jim Vick and Gary Hudson will provide refreshments for the meeting in October.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

Special Note: Secretary Beverly Vargo and Vice President Dave Vargo will not be present at October’s meeting, as they will be having a great time in New Mexico.

Secretary, Beverly Vargo

President …………….. Gary Hudson 325 554-7804

Past President …… . Calvin Donaghey 325 695-1508

Vice President ………. Dave Vargo 325 690-0750

Secretary - - - - - - - - Beverly Vargo 325 690-0750

Treasurer - - - - - - - - Errol Rutledge 325 672-7505

Corresp Sec ………... Joyce Talley 325 692-0063

Editor …………………… Jerry Davis 254 643-4586

M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T

V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1 0 O C T 2 0 0 8 T H E I N F O R M E R Page 16

C T G M S

Committees/Chairpersons

Show ………………………….. Sallie Lightfoot

Field Trips …………………… Tony & Judy Steele

Classes ……………………… Charlie Lightfoot

Nominating …………………. James Grant

Programs …………………….. Dave Vargo

Shop - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tim Walker

Club House and Grounds …..Charlie Lightfoot

Dealers for show ……. …… Tony & Judy Steele

Budget ………………………… Errol Rutledge

Scholarship ………………… JoAn Wilks

Show Demonstrations …. Jerry Davis

Silversmithing Classes —- Jerry Davis

PO Box 7343

Abilene, TX 79608-7343

Editor: Jerry Davis

Email: [email protected]

MISSION STATEMENT

The Central Texas Gem and

Mineral Society is a non-profit

organization dedicated to the

study of rocks, minerals and

fossils. We offer field trips

and provide educational

opportunities and instruction

to members in a variety of

areas related to the Lapidary

Arts and Jewelry making. We

also award a scholarship to a

student enrolled at a local

college in a field closely re-

lated to geology. We provide

educational displays related

to this hobby at shows of a

similar interest. —- Jerry

C L U B O F F I C E R S F O R 2 0 0 8

A R T I C L E S F O R T H E N E X T M O N T H ’ S N E W S L E T T E R M U S T B E S U B M I T T E D B Y T H E 2 0 T H O F T H E M O N T H .

We are on the web:

www.txol.net/rockclub

GEMSTONE OF THE MONTH

“Opal is a mineraloid gel which is deposited at a relatively low temperature and may occur in the fis-sures of almost any kind of rock, being most com-monly found with limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, and basalt. Opals are also Australia's national gemstone. Opal is one of the mineraloids that can form or replace fossils. The resulting fossils, though not of any extra scientific interest, appeal to collec-tors.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/opal

OPAL

Documents

HARRISONS ENJOY FIELD TRIP TO DEMING NEW MEXICOrockclub.txol.net/newsletters/Oct_Informer_2008.pdf · 3,4,5 NOTICE TO NEW MEM-BERS 6 UPCOMING SHOW 7, 8 HULLA’B’LOU 9, 10 PRESIDENT’S