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ROCK-A-TEER
Newsletter of the Puyallup Valley Gem & Mineral Club Jillian Higgins
Issue 32 Volume 85 September 2020
THIS ISSUE President’s Perspective P.2 Field Trip Recap P.2 Field Trip Report & New Club House Rules P.3 2020 Greenwater Overnight P.4 Tentative Club House Schedule P.5 Rock and Gem in the Trees P.6 Meet the Member: Edith Franklin P.7 August 2020 Gem Faire P.8 From the Bench P.8 Club Dig at Wild Turkey P.9 Community Supporters P.10 Mineral of the Month P.10 2020 Show and Tell P.11 2020 Officers and Chairs P.12 Word Search & Happy Birthdays P.13
P.O. B O X 1 3 4 , P UYALLUP , WA 9 8 3 7 1 PVG A MC@ GMAIL . COM WWW. PUYALLUPVALLEYGEMANDMINERAL CLUB . COM ( 2 5 3 ) 9 8 7 - 6 7 5 1
President’s Perspective Tony Johnson
I am so thankful to everyone who helped out with the club picnic and the campout. Thank you to Sally and Teddy for getting the property prepped. A huge shout out to Janet Nix, Teresa Rodrick, and Robin McDonald for prepping and helping to cook the food. Jim and Wanda brough their smoker/BBQ and cooked all the corn and chicken to perfection. Jim Christian was
in charge of helping get the tailgaters set up in and did a really great job making sure we had
room to move around. A big thanks needs to be said to Mike and LaVon for letting us set up and have the event at there house. And the biggest thanks need to be said to everyone who brough food and their items for the tailgate, making it an incredibly successful event.
Thank you to Dick and Susie for heading up to the Greenwater overnight site early and reserving it for us. Ed Leman and Bob O’Brian brought corn and took group to find materials. Linda Batchelor made breakfast so we started the day off right. Jim Christian, Glenn and Teresa Rodrick helped bring the majority of the equipment and firewood up to the camp sight so there was less work for me. Jim also monitored the spaghetti sauce to make sure it turned out right.
I am sure there are many others, too many for me to remember right now, but you know who you are and we wouldn’t be able to have all these events without all our amazing volunteers.
The club is now communicating mostly by email, given that we are not able to hold meetings. If you have not already, please checked your email for information, and update the membership director if you have had a change or added a new email address.
Field Trip Recap Dennis Batchelor
The overnight at Greenwater was amazing and as usual Tony's spaghetti feed was delicious. We had about 20 around the campfire on Saturday night. Everyone found some nice material, some more than others. The key is to MOVE dirt. I had one of the new members send me a pic wanting to know if he found the houndstooth wood up at government meadows - YES he did. We had a couple sign up that weekend and one even got into the clubhouse on Monday to cab !
The trip to the Wild Turkey Serpentine mine was successful as well. We all met at the Grocery in Valley, the parking lot almost held the close to 24 cars that snaked its way up to the mine. We got everyone parked, it was tight. There are 60 acres of goodness and the owner, Jim Sahli has 3 areas to access. Everyone got plenty of nice serpentine, though I did not find the elusive blue. A bunch of us got together at my bed and breakfast, which is an amazing place, on Saturday night and had a nice BBQ. Th ere was already interest in doing it again next year. I'll have to check with Jim Sahli to see if we can make that happen.
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Field Trip Report
September 19 - Little Naches Meeting place - 9:00AM on Hwy 410 at Forest Rd 19, mile marker 92 Hunting for - Jasper, Agate, Petrified wood, Thundereggs Tools you need - Rock hammer, shovel, pry bar, hammer, chisel, treasure scoop, waders, and a backpack/bucket for your treasures Access - moderate terrain, 1/2 mile hike to thunderegg site Additional items - lunch/snacks and water, water, water. Dress in layers. Be prepared for ticks/mosquitoes
October 17 – Jordan Creek (Marblemount) Meeting place - 10:00AM at Marble Mountain Fish Hatchery Hwy 20 Hunting for – Listwanite and Jade Tools you need - Rock hammer, rubber boots or waders, and a backpack/bucket for your treasures Access - moderate terrain, ½ mile hike from hatchery Additional items - lunch/snacks and water, water, water. Dress in layers. Be prepared for ticks/mosquitoes
Please remember that even though we love to meet new people, fieldtrips are a member benefit and part of your membership dues covers you for injury liability. Though injuries are rare, and we do everything we can to avoid them, we are going out into nature, and uncontrollable environment. All individuals attending field trips will have to sign a release of liability, and if you are bringing guests, we will try to entice them into join the club by having Membership applications available.
New Club House Rules When the clubhouse reopens it will be on a trial basis with specific requirements and conditions which are subject to change and because this is a trial, the clubhouse may again close until future notice. Requirements and conditions: • Members must already be qualified to use clubhouse equipment. • Workshops & classes are limited to 4 members plus the instructor. • Reservations must be made by using the reservation process. • Each member is limited to one workshop or class per week. • Each member must follow the usual sign in and payment process AND sign a Release of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement EACH TIME the member comes to a workshop or class. • Face coverings and social distancing are required. • One person at a time in the saw room(s). Other than making reservations, all comments, concerns, etc. are to be directed to Jim Christian, 253-720-9502 or [email protected].
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2020 Greenwood overnight Jim Christian Another success. We had 20 vehicles with approximately 50+ people on Saturday and another 5 vehicles with approximately 12 people on Sunday. Tony and Dennis did their usual morning introductions, on both days, and then lead folks to several locations to look for “treasures”. Reports were that everyone had great time and many stories were shared Saturday evening as they waited for dinner to be ready. After dinner more stories were shared, and 15 hardy folks overnighted so they could share in breakfast and go out again on Sunday. Thanks to all who pitched in to make this adventure the success it was.
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TENTATIVE SEPTEMBER 2020 CLUB HOUSE SCHEDULE
DATE DAY TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION INSTRUCTOR 1 Tuesday 4:00PM-8:00PM Members Workshop Club House Jim Christian 10:00AM-2:00PM Members Workshop Club House Dennis Batchelor 2 Wednesday 4:00PM-8:00PM Wire Wrapping Club House Tony Johnson 3 Thursday 4:00PM-8:00PM Members Workshop Club House Tony Johnson 4 Friday 5 Saturday 10:00AM-2:00PM Members Workshop Club House Glen Ripper 6 Sunday 7 Monday Closed - Holiday 8 Tuesday 4:00PM-8:00PM Members Workshop Club House Jim Christian 10:00AM-2:00PM Members Workshop Club House Dennis Batchelor 9 Wednesday 4:00PM-8:00PM Opal Cutting Club House Tony Johnson 10 Thursday 4:00PM-8:00PM Members Workshop Club House Tony Johnson 11 Friday 12 Saturday 10:00AM-2:00PM Silversmithing Club House To Be Announced 13 Sunday 14 Monday 10:00AM-2:00PM Members Workshop Club House Dennis Batchelor 15 Tuesday 4:00PM-8:00PM Members Workshop Club House Jim Christian 10:00AM-2:00PM Members Workshop Club House Dennis Batchelor 16 Wednesday 4:00PM-8:00PM Wire Wrapping Club House Tony Johnson 17 Thursday 4:00PM-8:00PM Members Workshop Club House Tony Johnson 18 Friday 10:00AM-2:00PM Little Naches Field Trip Dennis Batchelor 19 Saturday 10:00AM-2:00PM Members Workshop Club House Glen Ripper 20 Sunday 21 Monday 10:00AM-2:00PM Members Workshop Club House Dennis Batchelor 22 Tuesday 4:00PM-8:00PM Members Workshop Club House Jim Christian 10:00AM-2:00PM Members Workshop Club House Dennis Batchelor 23 Wednesday 4:00PM-8:00PM Opal Cutting Club House Tony Johnson 24 Thursday 4:00PM-8:00PM Members Workshop Club House Tony Johnson 25 Friday 26 Saturday 10:00AM-2:00PM Labradorite Caring Club House Tony Johnson 27 Sunday 28 Monday 10:00AM-2:00PM Members Workshop Club House Dennis Batchelor 29 Tuesday 4:00PM-8:00PM Members Workshop Club House Jim Christian 10:00AM-2:00PM Members Workshop Club House Dennis Batchelor 30 Wednesday 4:00PM-8:00PM Wire Weaving Club House Jillian Higgins For questions about a specific class or event, contact the instructor Jim Christian (253) 720-9502 Ed Knoll (253) 651-7453 Dennis Batchelor (360) 870-8741 Tony Johnson (253) 863-9238 Bill Clark (360) 893-6919 Dave Sanderson (253) 380-8273 Renera Barnes [email protected] Jillian Higgins (253)355-3146 Glen Ripper (253) 508-7545
As of the publication of this schedule Pierce County is still in Phase 2 and is open on an appointment basis only. As soon as we enter into Phase 3 the club house will be allowed to open with limited conditions.
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Rock & Gem Show in The Trees Jim Christian
When The PVG&MC annual June show was cancelled due to Covad-19 The Club Board of Directors began wondering if there was something they could do to help the vendors who would have been at the show. Then an opportunity to join with The Tacoma Sportsmen’s Club and use their picnic area for a “makeup” show became available. After checking with many vendors, it was decided to make it “A GO” for August 7th, 8th, and 9th. Twenty-six vendors participated and all were very pleased with the turnout, different venue and have said that they would like to do it again. So -- the 2nd Rock & Gem Show in The Trees has already been scheduled for August 13th, 14th, & 15t, 2021 -- mark your calendar. Note, this show does not replace our annual Valley of Gems show in June at Swiss Park. That show is scheduled for June 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2021
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MEET THE MEMBERS Name: Edith Franklin Favorite Quote: Laughter is the best medicine.
What are your skills/past experience with the rock Club or rock hounding? When I lived in Medford, Oregon. Joined the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Society and learned how to cab at the shop and went on field trips.
What is your favorite rock, mineral or gem? Crystals
What is your favorite thing to do with rocks, minerals or gems? Make jewelry and I have them in my yard and all over the house in every room.
What are your three favorite books/podcasts? • Lord of the Flies, William Golding • The Good Earth, Pearl S. Buck • Lois Remembers, Lois Wilson
What is your favorite memory surrounding rockhounding/rocks in general? Camping out and rockhounding with the club members in McDermott Nevada and Davis Creek, CA obsidian.
In your opinion, what is the best thing about the Puyallup Valley Gem & Mineral Club? The friendly people. All the help they give me. The club house. Going on field trips.
In your opinion, where/how does the club need to improve? Nothing
What are three (3) things people might not know about you? • I am from California. • I like going on road trips • My husband and I are the youngest of 9.
What is your greatest accomplishment? My family; husband, 3 children, and 3 grandchildren.
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August 2020 Gem Faire Jim Christian This Gem Faire was originally scheduled for March 2020 but due to the Covid-19 situation it was first cancelled and then rescheduled for August 2020. However, it was moved to the Pavilion Building to provide for social distancing. As it turns out, this was a good thing for the PVG&MC because we were able to have more space than in the past. Overall business was slow for the vendors, probably due to Covid-19, but we were a bit more active than in the past because we were able to offer a couple of demonstrations and geode cracking. Check your calendar as next Gem Faire is scheduled for November 13, 14, 15, 2020 and we anticipate an even more active display.
FROM THE BENCH
This is going to be a 5 part series. If you wanted to print and tape them together, I bet they would look really good on the wall of your shop!
LAPS USED TO POLISH GEMS
Hardness 3 ½ to 5, (Group Two Faceting for Amateurs) Prepare surface on 3000 or 8000 lap. Use Ultralaps Polish laps: Ultralaps for those of low hardness. Tin/lead, tin, pewter, lead, all scored. Agent; alumina, tin oxide, chrome oxide, iron oxide. Speed 100 rpm, possibly higher with care. Mineral examples; apatite, colemanite, cuprite, dolomite, fluorite, rhodochrosite, sphalerite.
Next months segment: Hardness 5 to 6, to be continued…
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Club dig at the Wild Turkey Mine Jim Christian The PVG&MC was invited to the inaugural dig at the Wild Turkey mine in Valley WA owned by club members Jim & Jennifer Sahli on Saturday, August 22nd , 2020. We didn’t get an exact count but there were 23 vehicles and almost 50 people at the dig. As advertised, this was an easy dig -- park and as you stepped out of your vehicle you were already walking in areas you could dig. Weather was in the mid 80’s and everyone was able to dig up (or just pick up) various treasures of different types of serpentine. Look for a possible repeat next year.
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COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
South Hill RV Sales
Offering the highest rated starter, midline, and high end towables and RV’s at the lowest prices which has made us a top volume dealer in Washington state.
12414 Meridian East, Puyallup 98373 253-435-7751 or 866-435-7751 www.southhillrv.com
Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals
To engage, inspire, and educate generations on the splendor and complexity of our Earth.
26385 NW Groveland Dr., Hillsboro, OR 97124 503-647-2418 [email protected]
www.ricenorthwestmuseum.org
H & I Lapidary Amber, Jewelry, Beads, Findings, Gemstones, Slabs, Rough Material, Fossils, and Aussie items.
Mike and LaVon Siperek (253) 531-7294 4203 E 99th Street, Tacoma, WA 98446
MINERAL OF THE MONTH
Any club member who went on the Wild Turkey field trip can tell you what this months mineral of the month is. That’s right…it’s Serpentine.
Serpentine gets it’s name from its appearance, the light almost yellowish green to deep green, sometimes with black or white mixed in reminds most people of snake or reptile skin. The name itself comes from the Latin term “Serpentinus” which means “something resemblant of a serpent”.
Serpentine goes by many names, not all of them flatering. It can also be called false jade, Teton jade, antigorite, chrysotile, lizardite, and sometimes lizard jade.
It can be found throughout the world with the most notiable deposits found in Canada, the United States, India, and New Zealand. Serpentine is a fairly soft stone with a hardness of 3.5-4 on the Mohs scale. It is often discribed as greasy, because the luster is so soft and smoth feeling.
On an important note: Serpentine is used as a sorse of magnesium and asbestos. That’s right, ASBESTOS. When working with is material, please remember to use appropriate safety equipment like glasses and a mask. Wash hands throughly when done.
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2020 SHOW & TELL THEMES and PROGRAM NIGHT EVENTS
PROGRAM NIGHT MEETING DATE SHOW & TELL THEME EVENT
January - 1st Meeting January 10, 2020 Tiger's Eye or any field trip finds Washington State Mineral January - 2nd Meeting January 24, 2020 Lace or any field trip finds Council Heart shapped or any field trip February - 1st Meeting February 14, 2020 finds Red, Pink, & Purple or any field February - 2nd Meeting February 28, 2020 trip finds Outlaws Metal Detecting "Sham" rocks or any field trip March - 1st Meeting March 13, 2020 finds Carlson's Jewelry Store, Carl March - 2nd Meeting March 27, 2020 Green or any field trip finds Carlson April Fools Gold or any field trip April - 1st Meeting April 10, 2020 finds April - 2nd Meeting April 24, 2020 No Show & Tell Auction/Potluck
May - 1st Meeting May 8, 2020 Flower rocks or any field trip finds May - 2nd Meeting May 22, 2020 No Show & Tell Jerry's Rock Shop Fancy Slabs & Fossils + any field June - 1st Meeting June 12, 2020 trip finds Tailgate Party @ Grange Parking June - 2nd Meeting June 26, 2020 No Show & Tell Lot Red, White, & Blue or any field July - 1st Meeting July 10, 2020 trip finds July - 2nd Meeting July 24, 2020 No Show & Tell Jerry's Rock Shop August - 1st Meeting August 14, 2020 Carnelians + any field trip finds Saturday Picnic & Tailgate Party at club August - 2nd Meeting August 29, 2020 No Show & Tell house on Saturday
September - 1st Meeting September 11, 2020 Crystals + any field trip finds September - 2nd Meeting September 25, 2020 No Show & Tell Mini Lapidary Demonstrations October - 1st Meeting October 9, 2020 Wood + any field trip finds October - 2nd Meeting October 23, 2020 No Show & Tell Auction/Potluck Thundereggs & Geodes + any November - 1st Meeting November 13, 2020 field trip finds November - 2nd Meeting November 27, 2020 No Show & Tell BINGO Night Saturday Holiday Banquet/Officer December - 1st Meeting December 12, 2020 No Show & Tell Installation on Saturday December - 2nd Meeting No Meeting No Show & Tell
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2020 Elected Officers Title Name Phone Email President: Tony Johnson (253)863-9238 [email protected] Vice President: Jim Christian (253)720-9502 [email protected] Secretary: Teresa Rodrick (253)531-4062 [email protected] Treasurer: Jillian Higgins (253)355-3146 [email protected] Association Director: Bill Clark (360)893-6919 [email protected] 1 Year Director: Glen Ripper (253)508-7545 [email protected] 2 Year Director: Patti Dailey-Shives (253)678-0029 [email protected] 1 Year Trustee: Glenn Rodrick (253)531-4062 [email protected] 2 Year Trustee: Dennis Batchelor (360)870-8741 [email protected]
2020 Committee Chairs Title Name Phone Email Club house Coordinator Tony Johnson (253)863-9238 [email protected] Club Show Coordinator Jim Christian (253)720-9502 [email protected] Field Trips Coordinator Dennis Batchelor (360)870-8741 [email protected] Web Master Jillian Higgins (253)355-3146 [email protected] Editor/Communications Jillian Higgins (253)355-3146 [email protected] Membership Jillian Higgins (253)355-3146 [email protected] Sunshine Tony Johnson (253)863-9238 [email protected] Newsletter Jillian Higgins (253)355-3146 [email protected] Mineral Council Tony Johnson (253)863-9238 [email protected]
Historian Nicole Payne (253)208-9802 [email protected]
The Puyallup Valley Gem & Mineral Club is a member of the American Lands Access Association and the Washington State Mineral Council. You can find more information about the ALAA at: amlands.org or the WA Mineral Council at: [email protected]
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MARTIAN CRATERS ARE A BLAST IV
D S A R G E Y R R E B N E D D O R E N E S N A N M I C A N T O U R A HAPPY J D G A L U L L A W E N U E J E D BIRTHDAY N E S A G A N I A Y A L A T A J A
E H O P E P L L C Y N A R E A E U V A R O A S L U E I A I N M P K B
September A R T M C A T S D N O C P H A P E L B F P C S S R U L R U U R A H D 2020 V O Q E T U L A E S R R U L Z T A
E H N I H A D T P W R M A T F R M rd Pam Jewell - 3 R C I I S N E A E L O A K O O A I Johnny Pierce - 5th Peter Barnstien - 7th D Y L S I G H C A L P L T C U G H
Sharon Sasseen - 7th E T E S A M A R I N E R S A R L S th Diane Small - 7 F L M N M A T A R A B F F N N O O th Greg Franklin - 8 th L T A D N A R A N D A S N A I O G Kaelan Tackett - 9 Robert Cotton - 10th K W H S I N G I T R S O T O E W A Brenden S C H I A P A R E L L I N E R E K Gonzalez - 10th Jackie Jacobson – 10th 1. ARANDAS 14. MARINER 27. TARSUS Payton Breeden – 14th 2. CANTOURA 15. MATARA 28. TIGNISH Shannon Hall – 14th 3. DEJNEV 16. NANSEN 29. TOCANAO Bruce Compton – 15th Jacob 4. EDAM 17. NUTAK 30. TRIOLET th Hochstrasser – 18 5. FOURNIER 18. OMURA 31. TYCHO BRAHE th Linda Batchelor – 20 nd 6. GAESTRE 19. PEBAS 32. VALVERDE Jon Helo – 22 Marilyn Clampitt – 23rd 7. HAMELIN 20. POMPEII 33. WALLACE th Adam Levine – 24 8. HUSSEY 21. RADAU 34. WALLULA Linda Smith-Ford – 26th 9. JAMPUR 22. RODDENBERRY 35. WINSLOW Karl Buchanan – 29th 10. KAGOSHIMA 23. SAGAN 36. WOOLGAR
11. KEREN 24. SCHIAPARELLI 37. YALATA 12. LASSELL 25. SINDA 38. YEGRAS
13. LUCAYA 26. SWANAGE
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ROCK-A-TEER Newsletter of Puyallup Valley Gem & Mineral Club P.O. Box 134 Puyallup, WA 98371 http://puyallupvalleygemandmineralclub.com
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