Gem Crafters & Explorer's Club Bulletin, Las Cruces, NM

Affiliated with the AFMS and a member of the RMFMS

EL GAMBRISINO

December 2009 - Volume 51, Issue 12

Previous Meeting:
President Dave Smith brought the meeting to order and had our guests introduce themselves; Donna Reynolds & Godfrey Crane. He then thanked Nellie Leake and Molly Wilkinson for the refreshments and their husbands Ed and Neal for carrying everything in for them. Molly Wilkinson announced that the Christmas Party would be held on Dec. 5th at 5:30 PM. It will be at her home at 670 Lori Street. It will be pot luck, finger foods preferred as there will be no sit down dinner. Bring a White Elephant gift or limit new to $5 for the gift exchange. The Chinese Fire Drill was such a hit last year she may do it again. A flier will be sent out. Treasurer Lee Attaway gave her report: We have $1,547 in the checking account and $30 in petty cash for a total of $1,577. As Lee has declined to run for treasurer next year Dave thanked her for her three years service and for her dedication and outstanding work. There was general agreement and a lot of clapping of hands. Thank you again Lee. Program Chair Eric Fuller asked that our usual January Raffle be put off until February and this was agreed upon by everyone. Elaine Franz, chair of the nominating committee announced the 2010 slate of officers: President Dave Smith V. Pres. Kathy Fuller Secretary - Susan Banning Treasurer - Cookie Saathoff (NEW) Refreshments - Mitch & Pat Mauer Historian - Don Saathoff Programs - Eric Fuller Editor - Maxine Wyman Dave then asked if there were any nominations from the floor. There were none and the new slate was unanimously approved. Note the only change was the Treasurer position, thank you Cookie and thanks to all the incumbents for their willingness to stay on for another year...

Don Saathoff announced that there would be no Mineral Meeting this month because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Program Chair Eric Fuller gave his Aleman field trip and Old Hachita campout reports (See reports). During our social time he ran a slide show with his photos taken during these field trips. What a great idea Eric. Maybe it will inspire a few more members to want to participate in these good times. He talked about the pots and pans found in Old Hachita which was accompanied by much banging and clanging as they were passed around the room. He had filled them with concretions, pet. wood and carnelian from the field trips. (It was especially funny as I played back the tape recording I had made of the meeting). He announced that there would be a field trip to Aden Crater tomorrow which will leave from Love's Truck stop on I-10 at 8 AM. High clearance vehicles only, 4X4 preferred. I, as the editor, asked if the members would be interested in having a "Sunshine" feature added to our Bulletin. This consists of Birthdays, Illnesses, Deaths, etc. There were a lot of yeas, didn't hear any nays so will start it in January. This means that you will have to let me know of any of these situations so I can put in the Bulletin. Also please let me know if you are having trouble downloading or printing and we'll see what can be done to fix it. As club dues are due in January, I will add the Membership forms (with the added change for birthdays - ok, just the day and month, forget about the year) as an attachment with the Dec. issue of El Gambrisino. The membership form is to be mailed back to the Treasurer (name and address on form) along with your check.

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Volume 51, Issue 12 December 2009

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Program Notes:
Wilma Hutson, one of our own, was the speaker for the evening. She spoke on a working trip that she and hubby Bobbie had made to Borneo to work at an OFI (Orangutan Foundation International) Orangutan Care Center. them how to live and survive in the jungle without human aid. While working, three of the work group became ill and had to be hospitalized. The swine flu was blamed and the group was pretty much quarantined and had to wear medical masks, etc. and as it was feared that it would spread to the orangutans they were off limits. Until the patients were released the group was basically hidden and assigned to other tasks. One night they spent in a Hotel which they found out was the local brothel. The OFI had a zoo site which had been closed down and was in disrepair so they set about getting the house in shape (Bobbie's talents were put to work here) and then worked on walkways and a crocodile pit for the three resident crocs.. Basically their living quarters consisted pretty much of a raised platform with a roof and a 1" pad to sleep on and most of their meals consisted of boiled vegetables and rice, not the Hilton by any stretch of the imagination. Once in a while they got to go to town and eat but from the pictures of the food there it didn't look much better. The many stories of the intelligence of these orangutans and photographs were pretty awesome. It was quite an adventure and we thank you Wilma for sharing it with us.

This care center has only orphans and is run by Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas who started her work with the Orangutans in the 1970s. She has quite a resume and has made the Orangutans her life's work. They met her when she spoke at NMSU and Wilma asked her if she had a work program in place. The answer was yes and after a lot of red tape, etc, they flew to Borneo this summer for a three week work program. Their mission at the OFI was to make walkways in the jungle. The wood used was Iron Wood, a very heavy and hard to work with wood and they worked in the jungle heat and humidity. Fortunately for them it was the dry season. The Orangutans are very friendly and intelligent and they both fell in love with them. Orangutans have 96% same DNA as humans compared to Chimps 98% but scientist argue that the Orangutans are closer than chips to humans because they make nests and when it rains they make umbrellas over the top. Their facial features are also much more human like than are the apes. They are solitary creatures and do not live in groups in the wild. The orphans arrive as a result of poaching and habituate loss. They are in the nursery until they are about 3 years old and are cared for much like human babies; i.e. diapered, bottle fed, live inside and are played with. After the nursery they go to a Preadolescent site until they are about 8 years old and from there to the adolescent site until they are released into the jungle at about ten or eleven. In the wild the young are with their mother until they are about ten or eleven years old. It is the goal of Dr. Birute to teach

Photo from the OFI website. For further information and reading you can check out the OFI web site: www.orangutang.org

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Reminders & General Info:

There is no regular meeting in the month of December. The next meeting will be the third Friday of the month, January , Room 189, Breland Hall on the NMSU campus at 6:30 for social and 7 PM for the meeting. The program speaker will be Earl Burkholder, PS, PE. He is the Associate Professor of Engineering in the Surveying Engineering Program at NMSU. Briefly his talk will be about how the land of NM became divided and changed into its many different land status types (Forest, Public State, Private, etc) from the end of the Mexican American War till more recent times. We should find out how this mess came all about Dues are due in January. The membership application is attached, please fill out and mail with your check to the Treasurer. Petrified Wood found in place Eric Fuller photo

Mineral Meeting News:

There was not a Mineral Meeting in November due to the Thanksgiving Holiday

Field Trips & Such:

FIELD TRIP - ALEMAN NORTH -NOV, 7, 2009
On a sunny but cool very early Saturday morning, eleven of us and two dogs headed north up the I-25 corridor to the Upham exit and on to Aleman. The road was in good shape and we made pretty good time although we had to spread out for miles because of the hanging dust, no wind this trip which was both a good thing and a bad thing. Upon arrival everyone geared up and spread out in quest of concretions and petrified wood. Those of us that roamed the furthest found the most, and best, p. wood a lot of which came back in the form of photographs thus saving our poor backs. I think all found concretions, most of which were in the form of round ironstone balls. We explored some areas that were new to us which were both exciting and productive. Ruby, the Fuller's dog, found a water trough at the windmill and cooled off while getting a drink. She was a happy camper. We ended the day at Ruby Tuesday's for dinner grimy as we all were from the busy day. All in all it was another great day in beautiful New Mexico. Ruby getting a drink and cooling off Eric Fuller photo

Doug & Nancy McDonald checking out the grindholes

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ADEN CRATER FIELD TRIP-NOV. 21, 2009

It was another sunny beautiful day in southern New Mexico as nine of us headed out for Aden Crater and the bombing sites. It was an adventure for sure, an adventure being "what happens when the planning fails" and so went our day. The roads were in good shape until we got to the two- tracker up to the crater and then it was the usual rough and bumpy, oh and did I mention it kept disappearing road. There were several exploratory stops to find it again but we finally had to backtrack until a spot was found where we could park and take a short hike to the top. This is one of the roads that are slated to be closed in the future. I, in all my wisdom, decided not to try the hike to the top but the others all made it fine. They checked out the fumarole, etc.

Can you see why the astronauts practiced for their moon walks here? Photos by Dorian Rudin

Dudley told Eric about another bomb site just a very short ways from where we were. Did we go there you ask? Well of course we didn't, we went forward on our quest for the original. We drove and drove and drove; well guess it wasn't that far but we were climbing higher and higher and the roads were pretty much lava which "ain't" like driving in sand. It was finally determined that the bombing range was "about" 3 kilometers (what's that) back of us so all managed to turn around and head back with Eric making several stops to check his GPS. He finally did find the spot and then were told that we would have to walk a half mile (an Eric half mile?) in very brushy country. At that point Joe and Valice decided to leave and we took a vote and decided to try and find the site that Mr. Williams had told us about. It was only a couple of miles until we found the right road but then it immediately forked. Needless to say we took the wrong fork and had to turn around again - at least there was plenty of room to turn around this time. Another mile or so of lava roads and we found the site. There were all kinds of metal parts lying around a very large area and we all took a souvenir or two home with us. Our group was getting smaller by this time as another couple had taken off for home.

After regrouping at the vehicles we took off to find the old WWII practice bombing site that our fearless leader Eric Fuller had looked up. We drove on nice level ground for some distance, thru a set of corrals that were full of really nice looking cattle and then on down the "road" with Eric checking his GPS and maps every so often. We ran into a man on horseback who just happened to be the ranch owner, Dudley Williams. Eric had met him before so we had quite a chat and quite a few pictures were taken. That's me with Dudley and his horse. Photo by Valice Raffi.

It was an adventurous day all right; we got to see a lot of new territory, practice our driving skills and just plain have a good time. We final four stopped for dinner over which the day's events were rehashed and laughed about..

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30th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium

By Don Saathoff
Maxine has asked me to write a report on the Mineral Symposium at New Mexico Tech earlier this month. This was the 30th annual symposium but, actually, the 31st year. During the year following the first symposium no symposium was held. Reasons had to do with funding and venue..were really glad those issues are settled!! As usual, all of the usual suspects were in attendance and, as always, it was really great to make contact with people of like interest even if only once a year. Several of our club members were there. Eric & Kathy Fuller, Brecken & Julia Uhl, Cookie & I, Rob Kosnick, Lee Attaway, and Al Spencer. Conspicuous in their absence were Joan Beyer, Maxine Wyman, Kristine Kitchens and, of course, Denney & Judi Keith. Other Las Crucens in attendance were Kay Walker, Chris Cowan and Fred Hurd. This year, for the first time, the Mining Artifact Collectors Association also had a series of four presentations dealing with mining history and the tools used in the past. Since the first of these did not interfere with Symposium presentations I attended and enjoyed Hal Posts history of miners lamps and candlesticks. The Symposium proper consisted of twelve presentations all very interesting. The featured speaker this year, one of the founding fathers of the Symposium, was Albuquerque collector Ray DeMark. He gave a retrospective of 30 years of presentations he has made at the Symposia. Also of interest was a presentation by Fred Hurd & Chris Cowan on Luna County Agates. Mr. Dale Wheeler of Missouri appeared on stage at the podium in full hard-rock miners regalia to tell us about underground mining in the Tri-state lead mining district. Although Id like to mention all the presentations, Ill just have to say they were all excellent both educational and entertaining!! The list of attendees reads like a whos who in the mineral world in the Southwest. Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, California, Montana, Texas, Wisconsin, Kansas, Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Alaska and, of course, New Mexico were all represented by automobile license plates. The total number of registered attendees was 287!! We are truly lucky to live in a state with a mineral and mining heritage such that we have the people and venue to make our New Mexico Mineral Symposium possible. Don Saathoff

MURPHY'S OTHER LAWS....

Original source unknown Light travels faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. He who laughs last thinks slowest. No matter which line you get into, the other line moves faster. Those who live by the sword get shot by those who dont. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool. The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, theres a 90% probability youll get it wrong. If you lined up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them, five or six at a time, on a hill, in the fog. If the shoe fits, get another one just like it. The things that come to those who wait will be the things left by those who got there first. Flashlight: A container for dead batteries. The shinbone is designed for the special purpose of finding furniture in a dark room. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well. From AFMS newsletter, Dec 06/Jan 07

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Upcoming Show Dates:

JAN. 1-10 QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA: Show, "Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show"; Tyson Wells Enterprises Inc.; Tyson Wells Show Grounds, 100 W. Kuehn St.; 9-5 all days; free admission; contact Kym Scott, P.O. Box 60, Quartzsite, AZ 85346, (928) 927-6364; email: tysonwells@tds.net ; Web site: www.tysonwells.com JAN. 1-28--QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA: Wholesale and retail show, "Desert Gardens International Gem & Mineral Show"; Desert Gardens RV Park; 1064 Kuehn Rd., south side of I-10, along frontage road; 9-6 daily; free admission; crystals, minerals, rough, polished, jewelry; contact Sharon or Sandy, Desert Gardens RV Park, 1055 Kuhen St., P.O. Box 2818, Quartzsite, AZ 85346, (928) 927-6361; e-mail: info@desertgardensrvpark.net ; Web site: www.desertgardensrvpark.net JAN 1-31 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA: Show, "Clouds Jamboree"; Richard Cloud; Avi Resort and Casino - Outdoor RV Park, 10000 Aha Macav Pkwy.; 10-5 every day; contact Richard Cloud, P.O. Box 284, Quartzsite, AZ 85346, (866) 558-7719; e-mail: cloudsjamboree@tds.net ; Web site: www.cloudsjamboree.com JAN. 8-10 MESA, ARIZONA: 38th annual show, "A.L. Flagg Gem & Mineral Show"; Mesa Community College, US Hwy. 60 and Dobson Rd.; free admission; Peralta Stones display, more than 100 dealers, local clubs and organizations, displays, free activities for children, kids' egg carton kits; contact Ray Grant, (480) 814-9086; e-mail: raycyn@cox.net ; Web sites: www.azminfun.com and www.flaggshow.info JAN. 20-24--QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA: 43rd Annual POW WOW, 928-927-6325 JAN-FEB 30-13--TUCSON, ARIZONA: Show, "Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show"; Martin Zinn Expositions LLC; The InnSuites Hotel (475 N. Granada), The Mineral & Fossil Marketplace (1333 N. Oracle Rd.), Quality Inn (1025 E. Benson Hwy.), and Ramada Ltd. (665 N. Freeway); 10-6 daily, final day 10-5; free admission; more than 400 dealers from all over the world, Artists' Gallery (InnSuites Hotel); contact Martin Zinn Expositions, P.O. Box 665, Bernalillo, NM 87004-0665, fax (303) 223-3478; e-mail: mzexpos@aol.com; Web site: www.mzexpos.com FEB. 5-8--TUCSON, ARIZONA: 9th annual show, "Westward Look Show 2010"; Fine Mineral Show; Westward Look Resort, 245 E. Ina Rd.; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-6, Mon. 10-5; more than 25 of the world's top dealers, "Collector Day" Sat., featuring Will Larson's private collection, Sun. evening cocktail hour, mineral art gallery, and artist panel, including Eberhard Equit, Hildegard KOnighofer, Susan Robinson and Wendell Wilson; contact Dave Waisman, P.O. Box 8543, Spokane, WA 99203; Web site: www.finemineralshow.com or www.westwardminerals.com FEB. 11-14--TUCSON, ARIZONA: Main Show at the Convention Center. The theme this year is "Minerals of California". Admission $9.25. Tucson CC Ticket Office 520-321-1000. For more info: www.tgms.org/2010show.htm MAR 11-14--DEMING, NEW MEXICO: 45th annual show, "Rockhound Roundup Gem & Mineral Show"; Deming Gem & Mineral Society; SWNM Fairgrounds, Raymond Reed Blvd.; Thu. 9-5, Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-5; free admission; more than 100 dealers, demonstrations, displays, field trips, jewelry, rocks, drawings, cash raffle, silent auction Fri., live auction Sat.; contact Jerry & Carolyn Abbey, P.O. Box 1459, Deming, NM 88030, (575) 543-8916; e-mail: the DGMS@gmail.com ; Web site: www.dgms.bravehost.com MAR. 19-21--ROME, GEORGIA: Show, "Valley and Ridge Gem & Mineral Show"; Rome Georgia Mineral Society; The Forum, 2 Government Plaza; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; free admission; minerals, gems, fossils, jewelry, crystals, demonstrations, exhibits, lectures, door prizes; contact Tim Biggart, (706) 232-7143; e-mail: tbiggart@berry.edu

For further information or shows please go to www.rockngem.com Who knows, there just might be a good rock show in the area of your travels.

Thought for the Day:

"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything they have."

Classifieds:
Sorry, no goodies this month. Surely someone has an item they want to get rid of. Use this feature.

Some Interesting Web Sites for you to check out:

Members occasionally send me web sites to check out and pass on plus the ones that I run across. any of your favorites that you think our members might be interested in. Please send me

www.familyhack.com/2007/08/29/drain-tip Tip on retrieving something you drop down the sink. Must see! http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors/newmexico.php#tabs New Mexico weather

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Gemcrafters & Explorers Club, P.O. Box 3091, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Member of: American Federation of Mineralogical Societies www.amfed.org Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies www.rmfms.org Blue Ribbon Coalition www.sharetrails.org

2009 OFFICERS:
President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Refreshments Historian Programs Newsletter Dave Smith Kathy Fuller Lee Attaway Susan Banning Pat Mauer Don Saathoff Eric Fuller Maxine Wyman 521-3103 524-0204 523-4017 532-9612 526-4939 382-3464 524-0204 649-4900 joandaves@msn.com truthfinderpoly@gmail.com leeretired@comcast.net skstauffer@aol.com mpmauer@comcast.net auagte2@comcast.net ghosthiker@gmail.com max4680@fastwave.biz

We meet on the third Friday of the month at Breland Hall, Room 189, NMSU campus at 6:30 pm for social and 7 pm for the meeting. There is no meeting in July or December. Dues are $10 per person per year and each additional family member is $2 per year. They are due Jan. 1st of each year. A membership form will be emailed or mailed to you in December to be filled out and returned with your check BY MAIL to the treasurer. Our purpose shall be to gather knowledge and provide educational benefits to members on geological, archaeological, lapidary, and mineralogical topics of interest, to include assistance to members in all lapidary problems, the study and identification of minerals and gem stones in the rough, the field study of geological formations which produce minerals and gem stones, the collection of minerals and gemstones, and the exploration of any geological or archaeological topic or area which may be of interest to the membership.

NOTE: All articles and photographs are by the Editor Maxine Wyman unless otherwise noted.

Info for the Newsletter: If you have information, articles, pictures or a website related to gem
crafting, rock collecting or exploring and would like to share please give me a call at 649-4900 or email me at max4680@fastwave.biz. If you have a good idea or story to tell I will be more than happy to help you write it up. Also if you have minerals, outdoor or camping equipment, etc. that you would like to sell please let me know for our free "Classifieds." Maxine Wyman, Editor

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