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P.O. Box 1404
Venice, FL 34284
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The purpose of our club, organized in 1967, is to foster an interest in minerals, gems, fossils and lapidary arts, to give people with these interests the fellowship with each other and a chance to interact with informative meetings, programs and activities and to present our hobby to the community at our annual show. We also try to foster an interest with the children of our community and to share our knowledge through programs and displays in the local schools and libraries.
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Meetings are held the first Monday of the month, October through
May, except as noted below, in the Meeting Room at the Venice Public Library, 300 S. Nokomis Avenue, Venice, FL.
ANNUAL
DUES ARE $10 FOR SINGLES OR $15 FOR FAMILIES
Mon 7:00pm Oct 2, 2006
“Show & Tell” (including rainbow calsilica)
Mon 5:30pm Dec 4, 2006
Dinner Meeting and White Elephant Gift Exchange
Mon 7:00pm Feb 5, 2007
Silent Auction—Club Members
Mon 5:30pm May 7, 2007
Dinner Meeting, Herb Knodel—Amber
SHOW January 27-28, 2007; Sat.
10 am to 5 pm; Sun. 10 am to 4 pm
President: & Newsletter Editor:
Geraldine Vest (941) 408-1711; Gvest201@yahoo.com
Past President and Liaison
with AFMS: Allen Brown (941) 926-4171; allen_brown19467@msn.com
Vice
President: Ursula Jablonski, (941) 484-9956; ujjablonski@comcast.net
Secretary:
Barbara Walker (941) 488-1302
Treasurer: Tom Granata (941)
484-1533 sunshine5585@earthlink.net
Assistant Treasurer: open
Webmaster: Duane Daniell
(941) (941) 375-8858 duanedaniell@yahoo.com
Show Chairs: Ralph &
Eileen Marble, (941) 922-2135 marblesgems@verizon.net
Publicity Chairs: Kathy
& Ross Young (941) 377-8054 KatYoung@comcast.net
Educational Committee: Tom
Granata (Chairman) & Geraldine Vest
Senior
Trustee: Tom Ladd (941) 755-6428
Trustee and Show Chairman:
Ralph Marble, (941) 922-2135 marblesgems@verizon.net
Trustee:
Gifford Smith (941) 698-0183 gif@gls3c.com
Trustee:
open
SECOND MEETING—MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2005 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
SPEAKER: Allen Brown TITLE: Variations of Chain
Patterns Description-- Allen will
have samples of various chains and discuss how changing wire gauges and ring diameters can change the appearance
of a chain pattern. REFRESHMENTS will be served—Cold drinks will be supplied by the club and “home made” goodies will be supplied by Tom & Helen Ladd, Phyl McDaniels, and Gifford Smith. |
PLEASE
BRING ITEMS FOR THE NOVEMBER RAFFLE |
ADDITION
TO THE CHRISTMAS DINNER
After the regular chicken dinner, we will
have a White Elephant gift exchange.
President Geraldine Vest presented the idea
at the October meeting and it was received with enthusiasm.
Everybody will bring a wrapped gift with
his or her choice of wrapping: from pretty paper with a bow or in a newspaper with tape or brown paper or surprise
us and be creative.
The gift can be rock, mineral, fossil, gemstone,
jewelry, books or some magazines or can be something popular like a one-pound summer sausage, cheese, or whatever
from Hickory farms, a bottle of wine or anything appropriate.
The members thought a typical value range
should be $5—$10. Everybody will receive a number. Number 1 selects a gift, Number 2 then either selects a new gift or takes number 1’s gift, and so on, ending with number 1 either keeping what he or she has or taking anybody’s gift. This should be fun. |
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MESSAGE FROM YOUR TREASURER: Tom
Granata
Dues are $10.00 per person or $15.00 for a family and were due at the October meeting. If you are not attending
the November meeting and have not paid dues—send them to the club address on the front page.
Club members get first choice of tables for the club show
until after the November meeting. Ralph Marble will then fill the space with non-member dealers.
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MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT: GERALDINE
VEST
I
wish to thank Kathy & Ross Young for volunteering to be the chairs of the Club Show Publicity Committee. The club needs volunteers from
the town that surround Venice to collect the following information: name of the local radio station, the local
newspaper, and the local TV station and the person to which we can send the show advertising.
The club advertises in the Herald Tribune in all the towns and the Venice
Gondolier and we have this info. Below is a list of members that live in other cities:
Bradenton: Richard
& Karen Dry, Pat Gould, Jr, Tom & Helen Ladd, John & Mayoma Mort
Englewood: Flo
Harms; Nancy Hintlian
Nokomis: George
& Margery Artis, Don & Donna Budd, John & Judy Coe, Katrina Meyer, Joe Winesette
North Port:
Robert & Helene Dunham, Dorothy Hatfield, Sheila Holcroft, Gayle Sullivan
Port Charlotte:
Fred Buti, Evalyn Jones, Stephen & Mary Libcke, Betty O’Brien, Diana Reinhard, Gifford Smith
Punta Gorda:
Geane Davis
Rotonda West:
Herbert & Barbara Knodel, Jan & Darlene Turzanski
Sarasota: Allen
Brown, Jim Davis, Ralph & Eileen Marble, Leslie Somos
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Minutes of the October 2, 2006 Meeting
by Barbara Walker, Secretary.
The general meeting of the Gulf Coast Mineral, Fossil & Gem Club was held in the meeting
room of the Venice Public Library. Nineteen members, two junior members, and one guest attended the meeting. All members
were ask to fill out new Membership Forms and submit them together with dues payments; forms for show dealership
were also available, to be accompanied by the $50 payment for each table.
President Geraldine Vest called the meeting to order at 7 P.M. and made a number of announcements. Volunteers are needed
for refreshments at each meeting during the season, and for ticket sales at the show.
Ticket salespeople will be admitted to the show free.
The contracts are all set up, and the show is scheduled for January 27 and
28, 2007.
Charlotte Coffey will put our club library of tapes on DVDs
Lapidary Journal and two Step-by-Step magazines may be ordered at a reduced price through
the club.
Comments on the club newsletter are welcome.
The club needs information on the names and addresses of local radio stations, newspapers,
and other media outlets in communities surrounding the Venice area.
Residents of those areas should give the information to Geraldine.
It has been suggested that we do a White Elephant Sale in conjunction with our Christmas
dinner. The
idea was approved by members.
The raffle was conducted by Vice President Ursula Jablonski.
After a break for refreshments, various members presented their Show-and-Tell
materials.
THE MAVEN
by Barbara
G. Walker (with apologies
to Edgar Allan Poe) Once upon
a midnight dreary, while I pondered, bored and bleary, Over many
a curious specimen I’d collected long before, While I nodded,
limp and yawning, suddenly there came a dawning, Came a bright
idea spawning at my inner mental door: “What a concept,”
I reflected, “knocking at my mental door: I’ll go out
and buy some more.” Ah, distinctly
I remember it was early in September, When each
mineral-club member talks of newer gems galore, Telling tales
of summer travel, and a lot of pounding gravel, Since they
wanted to unravel all the sites in rockhounds’ lore, Seeking rare
and radiant gemstones no one ever found before. And I thought,
I’ll buy some more. Even though
the shelves are groaning, even though the spouse is moaning, Yet for more
new rocks I’m honing, washed up on obsession’s shore; For we addicts,
never stopping, still are chopping, still are shopping For the classic
perfect specimen we’re always looking for: And each
year my course is set again toward the mineral store, As I go to
buy some more. |
CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO OUR MEMBERS CELEBRATING:
November Birthdays:
Walton Peters (11/2), Barbara J. Smith-Todaro (11/5), Angela
Reichert (11/7), Mary Simmons (11/12), Captain Robert Morgan (11/13), Duane Daniell (11/15), Mary Simmons (11/12)
Jan K. Turzanski (11/23) Barbara Knodel (11/27) and Wayne Tholen (11/28)
November Anniversaries
Doug & Nancy Chevalier (11/7), Eugene & Jane Gillum 11/25
FOR SALE
Lortone 14"
diameter diamond saw $600 Two aluminum
showcases ~1999 $35.00 each Contact
Evalyn Jones at (941) 624-4238 |
Dogs with Unusual Jobs: Pedro the Prospecting Pooch
by Rob Campbell, GG
Just as homing pigeons seem magically to find their way home
with what seems to be extrasensory perception, Pedro (and his owner Marco) exhibited a feat that rivals them all. One
day Marco was playing catch with Pedro when the dog exhibited a strange series of movements; he began to dig feverishly—even
on command would not stop. As Marco approached the dog, he stopped digging and to Marco’s surprise—at
the bottom of the trough was a sizable blue green barrel shaped crystal. They safely stowed the crystal and with
night falling, they decided to return home.
That night Marco called a friend at the Department of Mines
in Bogotá and related the fantastic story. Early the next morning Marco and Pedro returned to the site,
this time accompanied by a small entourage of miners and State officers—the state was involved because this area
was an old mill-tailing site for the early Muzo mining district.
However, as it turns out that location and luck is not the reason
the dog found the crystals. In fact, Pedro actually smelled a gas being given off by the heat of the
hot afternoon sun. The
intensity of the dog’s reaction toward the gas is still a mystery. However, Pedro’s reaction is akin to a drug
dog sensing contraband. Over time, Marco and Pedro became true “Emerald Hounds.” They work privately and hold no mining stock but they do very well—averaging
several hundred carats each season.
Furthermore, Marco is attempting to open training programs to
teach dogs (or other animals) the art of Olfactory Prospecting.
With luck training time and a little skill, it may be commonplace
to see these special prospectors helping miners track down their elusive gems.
By the way, the first crystal found by Pedro was 1 ½’’x
1’’x 3/4’’ and, though it was facet grade, it was left whole and is located in the Colombian Museum of Natural
History. Reference: The Animal Planet TV show “Dogs
with Jobs” |
COLOR
By Geraldine
M. Vest Ph.D., FGA, GG
INTERESTING
GENERAL COMMENTS
1. The
effects of different colors on our bodies and emotions relate to when and where we normally see them in natural
surroundings.
2. Warm
colors [red, orange, yellow] stimulate our senses; cool colors [green, blue, violet, purple] subdue our senses.
3. Red
& Orange—the eye must adjust to focus these wavelengths—their natural focal points lie beyond the retina. Green—the
eye focuses green light almost exactly.
INTERESTING
COMMENTS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL COLORS
Colored Stone
Course Gemological Institute of America
Jewelry and
Color Psychology
1. Red
a. Red
is derived from the Sanskrit word rudhira meaning blood.
b. Red
represents the heart, the flesh, and the passions.
c. Red
has the greatest emotional impact—for centuries it has been associated wit a host of emotions—from love, courage,
patriotism, joy, hate, lust, murder and rage—all feelings that get the “blood up.” It quickens the heart and triggers
the release of adrenalin into the bloodstream.
d. Mars,
the red planet, was named for the god Mars.
One poet described Mars as “…descending from
his crimson car (chariot)/Fans with fierce hands the kindling flames of war.”
e. In
the Middle Ages, red replaced purple as the color of reverence and dignity—only sovereigns and princes were permitted
to wear red.
f. The
traditional use of red in military uniforms fired up the spirit—and showed little blood—but it also provided an
excellent target.
g. Children
usually choose the red crayon first.
h. Red
classrooms make children and adults “antsy.”
i. When
red changes to pink, its qualities soften and lighten dramatically—pink connotes femininity and gentleness. In
the US and Briton baby girls are dressed in pink.
We can be “tickled pink”, “in the pink of
health”, or “feeling that life is rosy.”
j. In
the Romance languages, rose means pink.
2. Orange
a. The
words for red and yellow in European languages are much older than orange.
Orange came into common use only in the tenth
and eleventh centuries when oranges arrived in Europe.
The word remained linked solely with the
fruit until the seventeenth century.
b. Items
colored orange are linked with cheerful, expansive, rich and extroverted.
c. For
years, fast food restaurants were often decorated in shades of orange because orange was considered an appetite
stimulant.
3. Yellow
a. Yellow
is the color of the life-sustaining sun, and of gold, the symbol of wealth.
Yellow comes from the Indo-European gwelwo, meaning “related to gold.”
b. Yellow’s
brightness makes it the natural color of enlightenment and the intellect.
c. The
Chinese Sung dynasty adopted yellow as its imperial hue.
4. Green
a. In
Europe, green was once worn at weddings to symbolize fertility.
b. Engravers
looked through a green beryl to rest their eyes from their exacting work.
c. Ancient
Egyptians wore protective cosmetic eyeliner made with green malachite.
d. The
green garb worn by the legendary Robin Hood and his merry men may have been the first camouflage uniforms.
e. Colonial
foot soldiers in the American Revolutionary war made green uniforms a symbol of guerrilla warfare, reflected today
in the Green Berets.
f. The
revolutionary brotherhood known as the Green Mountain Boys came from Vermont.
Vermont means “Green Mountain” in French.
g. Most
theaters and TV studios have a green room for actors waiting to go onstage—green relieves their eyes after the
glare of stage lights.
5. Blue
a. “Blue
is for a boy” was the rule for British and US babies for many years; but, in France, mothers dressed their girl
babies in blue, the color of the Virgin Mary’s cloak.
b. A
blue ribbon to symbolize “the best” dates to 1348 when England’s King Edward III found a garter lost by a lady
at a court ball.
To ease her embarrassment, he put the blue
band around his own knee.
Later, he made it the symbol of the highest
order of English knighthood, the Order of the Garter.
Since then a blue ribbon has represented
the greatest honor in many fields.
c. Blue
chip, for high quality or a safe investment in stocks, derives from high-value blue poker
chips.
d. Ancient
Hindu gods were shown colored blue because their “divine blood” was blue.
In pre-Christian Britain, the Picts painted
themselves blue with woad to indicate spiritual power.
The term blue
blood meant highborn—is Spanish in origin. The
veins of the fair-skinned aristocrats with no Moorish blood looked bluer than those with mixed-ancestry.
e. In
most color-preference tests, blue has the highest appeal.
Preference for blue seems to rise in direct
proportion to education, culture, and income.
6. Violet
and purple