May, 2005

“River of Gems” Rocked!

-submitted by Janine Owens

Our 50^th annual show is now history, and early reports indicate the show was very successful.
It has been estimated that overall attendance was over 4,400, and over 1,100
schoolchildren and chaperones attended the show on Friday.

Hello Rockhounds,
Another terrific show was
accomplished by our club last
month! Thanks to all of you who work so hard to make
it a success. You know who you are, and you know
what you do, and I wish to personally thank you.
This year I was able to participate all three days of the
show, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I volunteered on
Friday to fill an empty display case on Saturday
morning, and (silly me) thought that a crystal display
would add some variety to the wonderful displays
already entered. However, I was looking pretty
wistfully at the petrified wood that I could have used for
a display, as I completed hand-wrapping the crystals
for transport Saturday morning at 2:00 a.m. Did I
mention that I had never entered a display case
before? Trial by fire, but I was fairly pleased with the
result.
Zachary was able to enjoy the show both Saturday and
Sunday, and probably wore out the gold-panning crew
in the demonstrator area. He is still quite proud of his
gold-panning efforts, which were greatly enhanced by
Don Miller. Thank you, Don; you’re a dear. On the
way home from the show on Saturday, Zachary told
me, “Mom, I know what I want to be when I grow up.”
Yes? “I want to be a gold miner!” I explained to
Zachary that it would be very hard work to make a
living doing that, but he tried to convince me that you
could really get rich doing that for a living. We
continued on Highway 22 towards town, and a bit later
he remarked, “But, Mom, you know what the bad part
is about being a miner?” Hmmmm, what is that? “You
can’t go into all the restaurants.” Puzzled, I asked him
why not, and he replied, “You know, the signs that say
‘No Minors Permitted’?” I chuckled all the way home,
after I explained the difference between ‘miner’ and
‘minor’ to my young son! J
I hope we’re able to participate in some of the field trips
that Kristi Edwards is lining up soon. Zachary has
been picking tiny agates out of the pea gravel at his
school playground and coming home with pocketfuls of
them. The clothes washer quickly alerted me to his
newest rockhounding venture!
Submit your articles and photographs electronically to
me at sunshynnn@comcast.net, or contact me at the
meetings (or by phone at 503.881.4373).
See you at the meeting,
Janine Owens, WAMS Bulletin Editor
Email: sunshynnn@comcast.net

President’s Message
Hi All,
I want to say how great our show went just a few short
weeks ago, and I especially want to say Thank You to
all of you that gave your time to make the show such a
great success. I arrived on Wednesday around 2:00
p.m. and I was quite surprised at how much had
already been accomplished and how many people
were there setting things up. Thursday was the same;
lots of people doing all those last minute things and
getting ready for the big weekend. We had over 70
members and dealers at the Thursday evening dinner.
Friday was a blast, at least for me, because I greeted
all the school kids before they entered the building.
We had just over 1,100 school kids this year. Not a
record, but an excellent turnout. The weather almost
cooperated Friday. During the heaviest "showers" I
managed to get on a couple of the busses and talk to
the kids. It was warm and dry on the busses.
Saturday's Treasure Hunt was outstanding. The
children and families kept coming in and coming in.
We ended up with five WAMS members at the door
between about noon and 1:00 pm just to get them
through. The weather even cooperated; the sun
peeked out during the hunt.
Sunday was another busy day; lots of guests came
through the doors. Finally, Sunday's breakdown went
just as well. There were many volunteers that stayed
and broke things down and put everything away. Bob
Harrison and I were the last two to walk out the door at
7:10 pm. Then there was the Sunday evening dinner.
30 members were there to enjoy a good meal, good
company, and to finally relax after a very busy
weekend.
But we can't relax for long. We have the big Northwest
Federation Show to put on in less than three months.
That's right, for those of you that may not know, we are
sponsoring the Northwest Federation Show to be held
this year in Albany. Things are moving along, and I'm
sure we will have all the usual people to give their time
to this show, but we will need more volunteers. With a
membership of over 200, we should be able to do that.
If you are a new member of WAMS, please get
involved. If you've been a WAMS member but have
not yet volunteered, please do. WAMS is for you. You
can make WAMS the best rock club ever and at the
same time make the 2005 Northwest Federation Show
the best show ever. Please VOLUNTEER.
See you at the May meeting,
Kit Leshk, President

Upcoming NW Shows NW Federation Show Report

May 6-8	Gem Faire Hillsboro, OR
May 7-8	Eugene Mineral Club Eugene, OR
May 21-22	Hatrockhounds Hermiston, OR
	Puyallup Valley Gem &
June 3-5	Mineral Club
	Puyallup, WA
June 17-19	Oregon Coast Agate Club Newport, OR
June 17-19	Deschutes County Redmond, OR
June 23-26	Prineville Rockhound Prineville, OR
June 29-July 3	All Rockhound Pow Wow Madras, OR
July 1-4	Roundup of Gems Sisters, OR
July 7-10	Rock Rustlers Cascade Locks, OR

May Program: Competitive vs. Non-Competitive Displaying
- submitted by Janice Van Cura
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to put a
display case in a show? Is the thought of competing
intimidating? For the May program we will explore the
ins and outs of putting together a display case. We will
discuss some of the basics of competitive displaying so
you can see if it is for you. I did my first competitive
display at the Boise show last year, and again at the
Portland Regional. I feel that for me it was a great
learning experience. With the federation show coming
to Albany in August, now is a great time to explore this
possibility.

NW Federation Show Report
- submitted by Janice Van Cura
The Committee met on Thursday, April 21st. Plans for
the show are progressing nicely. We will be meeting
monthly between now and August in order to assure
that we don't miss any details. Anyone is welcome to
come. We do need some specific volunteer positions
at this time. If there is anyone interested in
helping oversee setting up the WAMS display bases
and cases, or creating a black light area under a
canopy please let me know. We also will need some
donations of rock. The favors committee needs some
polished pieces of petrified wood and thundereggs for
centerpieces, along with polished beach agates and
jasper. Check with Kathy Bennett if you have some of
this. We also need some people to cut and polish
about 80 small thundereggs for favors. If you can help,
see Joe at the May meeting. The Junior area has
asked for donations of crystals and thundereggs, and
other items for wheel of fortune prizes. Also, rough
rock donations for the silent auction are appreciated. If
you plan to display or attend the show please send in
your registration and display form. Forms will be
available at the May meeting. We will also need
volunteers to set up on Wednesday and Thursday, and
to work throughout the show, and take down on
Sunday. Volunteers will receive a free admission to
the show on the day they work. Those working setup
will receive a free three day pass. In order to know
who to have passes for we will need you to sign up in
advance. Thanks for all the help so far and in the
future.

Field Trip Report - submitted by Kristi Edwards
Following is a list of field trips tentatively planned for WAMS members:

May 14-15: Kalama/Green Mountain for carnelian
agate (limited number of attendees allowed; contact
Janine Owens for more information)

May 28-29 (Memorial Day weekend): Northwest
Mineral Prospectors Club invites WAMS members to
Quartzville Creek (see article on Page ______ for more
information, or contact Kristi Edwards or Ray Plummer
for additional details)

June: Hart’s Mountain on a private claim (tentative)

July 17: Ochoco Mountains for thundereggs

Joint Field Trip with NW Mineral Prospectors Club
submitted by Bob Mote, President, NWMPC, via Ray
Plummer

We have an outing/field trip planned with the Northwest
Mineral Prospectors Club at Quartzville (just above
Green Peter Dam) for Memorial Day Weekend.
Plans are for a field trip to dig for Thistle Creek and
Whitcomb Creek nodules on Saturday and probably
Sunday.

NWMPC has many activities planned for those that
don't want to dig - panning for gold, and dredging, of
course. If you are interested, members of NWMPC will
help you get started. Also planned are the following
activities:

· GPS Classes, followed by a hunt for prizes
using the GPS
· Metal Detector Hunt
· Rubber Ducky Races on the Creek
· Panning Tub Set up and Classes on Panning
· Equipment Talks
· Raffles
· Potluck (Saturday Night) - bring Main Dish and
Dessert
· Karaoke at night

Also bring any Show and Tell items you think folks
might be interested in.

We will have a big 18 x 30 tent set up in the case of
inclement weather and there will be Porta-Potties
available. Quartzville Creek Gold Claim has lots of
camping, with room for big motor homes, trailers, and
tent campers. The road is paved all the way to the
camping areas. RSVP, if possible, for camping and the
potluck to Ray Plummer (503-361-7466) or Kristi
Edwards (541-745-0898).

AFMS News
Can be viewed at www.amfed.org

NFMS News
Can be viewed at www.amfed.org/nfms/

Meetings from April 7 General Meeting
- submitted by Chuck Hunt
The meeting was called to order at 6:38 p.m. by
President Kit Leshk. There were 104 members and
guests in attendance.
Show and Tell: W,X,Y, and Z. We had doubled-yolked
thunderegg, Whitcomb Creek nodules, Wyoming
Wood, Wulfenite, Zeolites, Xenaflora, yard rock, etc.
There were many innovative and creative names. Next
month, May, will be the letter “A”.

Program: Rockhounding Tools and Safety by Kit Leshk.
This was a very complete and well planned program.
There were shovels, picks, chisels, note pads and
pencils, gem hunting books, maps, cell phone, brushes,
GPS, safety goggles, water, spray bottle, medicine,
food, good boots, gloves, signal mirror, whistle, snake
bit kit. If you are digging fossils you will need screw
drivers, tooth brush, Elmer’s Glue, or VINAC (polyvinyl
acetate), a First Aid Kit and for your vehicle a spare tire
or two and tools. Kit explained how, where and when to
use them. This was a very complete and thoughtful
program which will help some of our new members and
some of us older members as well.

On Saturday, April 30th, at 10 a.m., there will be a rock
sale to benefit our junior program at Tom and Susan
Robertson’s.

Break
8:11 p.m. Business meeting called to order.

First item of business was the adjudication report by
Ted Silver. Only one person turned in three cabochons
and this was her third week out of lapidary class and
according to Ted she did a great job, too.
Congratulations to Joann!

Secretary Report: Motion made and seconded to
accept minutes as printed in the newsletter. Approved.

Federation Show Report: Joe VanCura advised that
the next Federation meeting will be Thursday April 21
at 6:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. Ray Plummer
advised that he has applications for the Federation
show cases. Dan Groah advised he has the
applications for the petrified wood identification classes
following the Federation Show.

Treasurer’s Report: Motion made and seconded to
accept the treasurer’s report. Approved. Motion made
and seconded to pay the bills. Approved.

Field Trip Report: Kristi Edwards advised that a trip is
planned to Ashwood Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-
30), the Ochocos in July and to the Plush area later in
the year for sunstones, as well as other trips in the
offing. Look for info in Rockhound Rumblings.

Federation Report: Dexter Leonard absent.

Oregon Council Report: Dan Groah advised about
legislation to watch is a fossil bill promoting the Metasequoia as the fossil of Oregon and the proposal
of a new wilderness area in the Columbia Gorge with
limited access.

Newsletter Report: Janine Owens absent.

Adjudication Report: Next one will be in October.

Library Report: Chris Wissinger absent, but the library
will be out and available at all of the meetings.

Stamps: Get them to Peg Townsend.

Sunshine Report: Jodee Leshk no recent illnesses.

Senior Center Classes: Going well.

Junior members take time out with Aaron Currier for a project.

WAMS Show Report: Bob Harrison advised we need
more people to sign up for the volunteer sheets to work
different areas of the show. Need someone to go to
Sweet Home to pick up seven to ten loaner cases.
Kristi Edwards volunteered. We need volunteers to go
to the Robertson’s to paint foam and make risers on
Saturday. Kit advised that there will be new dealer
signs and name tags “Show Volunteer” available. We
mailed out 202 postcards to previous attendees, a
brochure on petrified wood is done, and there will be
an equipment sales area at show this year. The setup
at the fairgrounds begins Wednesday at noon with a
spaghetti feed Thursday evening.

Badges: George Goetzelman will check out the
engraver and give us a report.

State Fair: We still need a volunteer to take over from
George. This year’s date is Sept. 1.

Roving microphone: Still in the research process.

NEW BUSINESS:

New members Carol Bridges, Thor and Rachel Satter,
junior members Naomi and Ariana Elsbernd, Ken and
Lee Anne Settlemier, Olof and Lois R. Carpenter.
Motion made and seconded to accept the new
members. Approved.

The April Board meeting will be on Monday April 18th.

May Show and Tell: the letter “A”.

Refreshments: Need some volunteers to bring some goodies to the May meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. followed by drawings for the door prizes.

1869 Excerpt on Arsenic

-from Haydn’s Dictionary of Dates, 1869, submitted by Don Esch

ARSENIC, a steel-gray colored brittle metal, extremely poisonous, known in early times. Brandt, in 1733, made the first accurate experiments on its chemical nature. The heinous crimes committed by means of this mineral obliged the English Legislature to enact regulations for its sale, 1851. The sale of all colorless preparations of arsenic is regulated by this act. In 1858 Dr. A.S. Taylor asserted that green paper hangings prepared from arsenic were injurious to health, which appears to be true, although doubted by some chemists.

Side note: A lot of our agate does contain small of amounts of arsenic, giving us another reason not to lick them. Obsidian is one of them.

The One that Got Away …

- submitted by Chuck Hunt

In the mid sixties, a friend and I went out fishing on Gales Creek, southwest of Portland. I would go on these fishing excursions and usually bring home a creel of agates, fossils or interesting rocks, but few fish. This time I found a piece of petrified wood that had some peculiar marks on it. I brought it home and added it to my collection of rocks. While I was away at school in Oklahoma City, Barbara, my wife, was teaching school in Portland at Mill Park grade school. They had a rock and fossil day and OMSI sent a specialist to her class to teach about rocks and fossils. He saw my piece of petrified wood and said it looks like hatchet or chopping marks on this piece of wood and if so this would be extremely important in dating mankind in the Western U.S. He said he would sure like to “borrow” this fossil to check it out and send it to The Smithsonian for them to see if the marks are really man-made and then send it back to Barbara. And now you know as much about it as I do. There was no further contact, information or anything else! Another of Life Learning Experiences!

NFMS Juniors Committee

10 Tips to Starting a Juniors Rock Club by Gary Buhr, Chairman, Spring, 2005

1.) A Juniors Club can be a separate entity/name or a part of your regular Rock Club. May need to modify Bylaws or Club Constitution to make it official. This model is based on the success of Everett Rookie Rockhounds during the past 7 years growth where the Advisor interacts and leads the meeting. Some Juniors Clubs run their own meeting with Juniors as officers using Roberts Rules of Order, but that seems to be the minority pattern.

2.) It only takes one or two Juniors and a durable, consistent Advisor to begin. Growth will depend on demographics or population, convenience of meetings and how fun/enjoyable the meetings are. This is our hobby so be sure not to make your Juniors meetings seem like "boring" academic school class. A "hands on" meeting will occupy minds and prevent disturbances.

3.) Empower the imagination of the Juniors by making their meeting participatory rather than observatory. Making lapidary or rock/fossil related projects should be a top priority. If not making items for the Juniors to take home, then play a game that all ages (4 to 17) can understand and win rock prizes to take home.

4.) The general Rock Club membership must have ongoing generosity where they or the Rock Club funds are continually donating items for the Juniors to utilize, work with or win as prizes at every Juniors meeting. The Juniors need to take something home from each meeting to appreciate, ponder and add to their collection or simply to be the "carrot" on a stick.

5.) Juniors meetings should be the same date and time as the regular Rock Club meetings because of transportation and the Juniors should meet in another room of the same building because of noise levels. Preferably during the "boring" (to Juniors) part of the regular Rock Club meeting which is the program or the business parts, usually during the first hour. Then after the Juniors complete their one hour meeting they (quietly) come into the regular meeting to enjoy show & tell, the sales table, socialization and treats with the rest of the general membership. Each Juniors meeting should be different to maintain vitality during the year, but can be repeated on an annual basis unless it is something the Juniors really enjoy and ask for more often. Also is healthy to do an annual poll of the Juniors about how you are doing, what they like, what they do not like and what they would change in their meeting. This feedback helps guide the Advisor with a "pulse" of what the Juniors want.

6.) The Juniors Advisor should be fairly creative and spontaneous while enjoying the Juniors meeting. Always have a plan for the one hour meeting, but entertain questions as they come up because that is when the best learning happens according to each Juniors interests and abilities. Keeping the mood of the meeting fun and happy will create a positive experience for the Juniors and that will maximize the learning. With many ages present at the same table a briskly paced meeting will be more fun and without the prospect of boredom/noise. The same Advisor at each meeting creates a familiar face which gives the Juniors a sense of security plus a stable environment that allows more fun and freedom to participate. Success for your Juniors Club will never be built on excuses but rather being there every month with a fun program so the Juniors have an expectation of fun while learning.

7.) If there are Junior Guests, introduce each at the start of your meeting, ask how they found out about your Rock Club and what they like about rocks. Many times this will spawn a (curious) conversation amongst the Juniors which helps compatibility and cohesion of your meeting group so they will want to come back each month to interact with their new friends the Rockhounds.

8.) Besides a monthly meeting, create the opportunity for Juniors to attend a Field Trip (indoors or outdoors) or a lapidary workshop. Modern schedules are nearly hectic, but you need to offer these opportunities or the Juniors will do something else since we live in a culture of so many choices. Time is the big challenge for parents and the Juniors only want to do what is fun or interesting.

9.) Promote the Juniors who participate. After each meeting or Juniors activity the Advisor or volunteer scribe should write an article and photo if possible about what happened at the meeting or event. Actually taking notes helps develop an interesting article and promotes accuracy of name spelling. In the verbiage, print the names of participating Juniors in CAPITAL LETTERS to emphasize how special they are in your next newsletter or on your website. This communication will empower the Juniors and the future of your club.

10.) Resources List to give you ideas for projects, but it is always best to use your own thoughts and creativity because they may be easier for you to develop with affordable resources at hand and more compatible with your local community. No matter what you are doing or what project is at hand, always treat every Junior with respect and recognize their importance as the future leaders of your Rock Club.

a. Websites (amfed.org/nfms/juniors) (Canadian Rockhound: Junior Rockhound Web-Magazine) (Rock Hound Kids.com)

b.

Printed publications Geology Crafts for Kids--50 nifty projects to Explore the Marvels of Planet Earth by Anderson, Diehn & Krautwurst, Sterling Publishers, New York Rock & Gem Magazine--Rock & Gem centerpiece by Steve Decker

c.

Contact your NFMS or AFMS Juniors Committee Chairman

Cota Lapidary’s fine selection – Photo by J. Owens

Dave Sellers (faceting) and Rudy Appleby (lapidary) demonstrate their crafts – Photo by J. Owens

What’s Rocking?