ROCKWOOD ROCKHOUND NEWS
May 2003

Field Trips To Far & Distant Places!

Members of the St. Louis Gem and Mineral Club have invited us to go along on another field trip over Memorial Day Week-end to Arkansas. 

Attached is a description of the field trip published in the Rock Lore. We went on a field trip there several years ago, had a great time and came home with some fine specimens.

Missouri Mines Swap

We are trying to get a group together to go to the Missouri Mines Rock Swap at the Missouri Mines State Historic Site in Park Hills, MO. Last Month I printed a flyer about it. Attached you will find a map and a list of Campgrounds and Motels. This will be on June 13-15, 2003. There is something in that area for everyone-rock swap, Museum, collecting, sightseeing and fine parks where one can just go and commune with nature. Why don’t you join us?
Hank Schlichter informs us that the “Mineral of the Month” is to be a mystery. The only clue, he will give us is that “It is where all rocks go.” What can it be?

We are fortunate to have Jonathan Wilmoth from Midwest Marble & Granite as our speaker. He will be talking about the uses of marble and granite. We may also be able to arrange a tour of the business at a later date.

Picnic
June 1, 2003
2:00 P.M.

Joyce Erard has invited us to use her beautiful, big yard for our end-of-the-year picnic. As usual, the club will furnish the meat while each of us will sign up to bring either a salad, a vegetable or a dessert. There will be a sign-up sheet at the May meeting. Call either Joyce at 636-256-3429 or Dianne at 636-256-0241 to sign up or for more details.

The map to Joyce’s house is attached to the back of the newsletter.

News from Other Clubs Nose News

After decades of dinosaur reconstructions, scientists have come to the conclusion that the noses are in the wrong place. Typically, the nostrils of dinosaurs have been placed towards the back of the nasal opening in the skull and up, a practice which is thought to have started when it was believed that Sauropods (Bronotsaurus-like dinosaurs) lived in water and would have had the nostrils as far up on the head as possible so the animal wouldn’t have to stick its head out of water that far to breath. After studying living creatures’ nasal passages, the revised picture is that dinosaur nostrils were toward the front of the head, near the mouth.
(Via: Tumbler, via Golden Spike News & The Pegmatite)

Helpful Hints

Tools won’t rust if you spray them with PAM or WD-40, then wipe with a dry, clean cloth.
(Via Quarry Quips)

Tell the weight of a stone easily: Using US coins...Dime=11 karats, Penny = 15 Karats, Nickel = 25 karats, Quarter = 28 karats, Half-dollar = 56 karats. These are approximate weights.
(Via: Emerald Gems)

Minutes of the April 18, 2003 Meeting of the Rockwood Gem and Mineral Society

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by President pro tem Andy Larson.

Hospitality chairman Helen Heitland reported there were eleven members and two visitors, Glenn Williams and Ray Juergens, present.

The minutes of last month's meeting were accepted as printed in the bulletin.

Treasurer Bob Morse gave the treasurer's report and said the meeting at which Mary Parrott was to present a $1000 check to Art Hebrink was postponed to May 5. Bob Morse will present the check at that time. The report was accepted as read.

Education chairman Hank Schlichter was absent.

Andy Larson reported that Dianne is attempting to contact Midwest Marble about a future program.

Bob Morse reported on scholarship plans, the show and the web-site of the Association. They are looking for ways to increase attendance at the show as it has plateaued.

Field trip chairman Andy Larson reported on the trip last Sunday to Bill Thies' home where he has an extensive collection of Union Road agates, geodes and a blacklight display. Five members attended.

No field trip is planned for May. The June field trip will be to the Missouri Mines Rock Swap June 13-15. A flyer was enclosed with last month's bulletin.

Old business - None

New business -- Joyce Erard will host the club picnic on Sunday June 1. The club will furnish meat and bread. Members will bring dishes to share. A sign up sheet will be available at the May meeting.

Ken Vaisvil announced a field trip on Memorial Day weekend to Arkansas sponsored by the St. Louis Gem and Mineral Club. Call Glenn Williams or Ken for more information and directions.

The attendance prize was won by Joyce Erard.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m.

Glenn Williams gave a talk and showed his awesome and well cataloged collection of thumbnail minerals.

Submitted by Marianne Toenjes
Secretary