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PPRROOGGRRAAMM CCOORRNNEERR When: September 8, 2011 Where: 1751 Congressman William L. Dickinson Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109 Time: 7:00 P M What: Unknown at time of printing (possible Rock Bingo if unconfirmed speaker falls through)

REFRESHMENTS

Drinks: Debbie Herbert Snacks: Ardis Cecil Please remember to bring paper plates, napkins, and cups. Ice is available at the community center. It is your responsibility to find another member to substitute in the event you are unable to fulfill a month for which you signed up. List for remainder of the year: drinks snacks Oct David Bohon VACANT (really need a volunteer or no snacks) Nov Stan Stevens VACANT (really need a volunteer or no snacks)

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYBIRTHDAYBIRTHDAYBIRTHDAY

3 David Sherrod 10 Drucilla Hornsby 12 Cornelia Wofford

20 Harold Glover 21 Leslie Amato

TTTHHHEEE GGGOOOLLLDDDEEENNN NNNUUUGGGGGGEEETTT

September 2011 11-09

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Hello Everyone! It seems that not long ago I told everyone that they really needed to be careful

when out rock-hounding on these terribly “HOT” days. Well, Forrest Gump would

probably say that stupid is as stupid does! While in south Alabama on work business, I

had been in the sun all day following three days of a stomach virus. The virus, unknown

to me, had left me dehydrated. Coupled with working all day and being in the sun, I got

to feeling nauseated. I left the group I was out with and sat under a porch to cool off.

Thirty minutes later we went to Tacky Jacks for supper. When the food came, I excused

myself and headed toward the restroom as I was feeling sick. I decided it was not wise

to go in the restroom as I started getting heart flutters. As I turned the corner of the

hallway back towards the table where my party sat waiting, I told the girls at the prep

area that I needed help. Apparently, with that I hit the floor and, when I came around,

the paramedics and a nurse that was eating at the restaurant was kneeling over me and

I had an IV bag in my arm. Twenty four hours later, I left South Baldwin Hospital having

received eight bags of fluid. My blood pressure had dropped to 70 over 30.

PLEASE FOLKS! DRINK! DRINK! DRINK! The doctors and the cardiologist said

that everyone needs no less than four glasses or bottles of water per day and, if you

have had a virus in the previous days before getting out, then it is critical that you get

fluids. I was told that a lady was admitted at the same time as me with the same thing

and she was only 60, five years younger than me. I am sad to say they told me she did

not make it and they called time at 11:45 pm. Don’t be a statistic. We want you

around for a long time!

Stay well and keep digging! Many blessings, Lynn Stauch President

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September's Birthstone - Sapphire Article contributed by Terry Fetzer

Sapphire - gem of the heavens, the divine gemstone, has been cherished for

thousands of years. The sapphire symbolizes sincerity and faithfulness. The Sapphire

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derives its name from sapphires, a Latin term meaning blue. The ancient Persians

believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and its reflection colored the sky.

Throughout history, the sapphire has been considered a stone of prophecy and wisdom

and even called the philosopher's stone. Sapphires with an unusual kind of tiny needle-

like inclusions can be cut in a cabochon shape to display a dancing six-rayed white star

and are known as star sapphires. In ancient times, people considered star sapphires as a

very powerful talisman, a guiding star for travelers and seekers of all kinds. They were so

powerful; they were said to continue to protect the wearer even after being passed on

to someone else.

Sapphire is a variety of corundum and is harder than any other gem (9 on the

Mohs scale) but diamond. Its sister corundum is the ruby. Corundum that is red is a

ruby. Corundum in all the colors: from midnight blue to the bright blue of noon sky,

golden sunrise to reddish-orange, and the delicate violet of twilight are sapphire. Except

for color all of the other physical and optical properties of sapphire and ruby identical.

Today, sapphires come mainly from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Australia, Cambodia,

United States, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, China and Madagascar. Kashmir and Myanmar

(Burma) were the most famous sources for sapphire; however, today they produce very

small quantities of sapphire.

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ALABAMA NATIONAL FAIR (MONTGOMERY) For complete details, see their website at http://www.alnationalfair.org/home/

� Once again, our club is sponsoring the award for Gem, Jewelry, and Mineral

categories.

� Entries can be submitted Thursday through Sunday September 29-October 2

from 8:00-5:00. (Remove items from 7:00-4:00 after fair closes. All items not

picked up by October 18th will be discarded.)

� If you want to view the Creative Living Center schedule, there will not be a paper

copy. Go to this link-

http://www.alnationalfair.org/home/index.php/competitions/creative-living-

center

� Iris McGehee will talk more at the September meeting about volunteering to

staff our demonstration table during the fair. It’s fun and you can share

information about our club with the general public.

_______________________________________________________________

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ALTON “Sonny” HALL STILL CHIPPING AWAY

Sonny was at the August 11th meeting quite early to set up. He had spread a large tarp over the floor in the front of the meeting room and displayed a wide variety of raw knapping materials as well as a table full of finished spear points, arrowheads, and other knapped items. Starting off his presentation with some basic facts about his background and history of instructional demonstrations, he told us that he had been knapping for 8 years. During that time he has achieved not only local but also national recognition. He goes to State Parks, colleges, schools, and various events to talk about and demonstrate his skills. Taking first place in a National competition at Moundville in 2005, he has been written up in a number of magazines to include CHIPS. Some of his finished products take a lot of time to complete due to the complexity of the style, for instance the reverse Bolen / Beveled Bolen took 5 years to make. Certain rocks are more suited to knapping, but Native Americans primarily used available materials for their functional needs. Sonny has collected and knaps most preferred types: chert / coastal plains, Tallahatta quartzite, okla flint, obsidian. He even has one of the world’s best knapper (Dan Torres who makes the complex Cumberland point) who buys material from him.

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Gathering around him many of the younger members present, Sonny showed how to select and chip away at one specimen. In fact, he talked about safety issues and what tools were used in knapping. He also mentioned how modern society learned about knapping and about Ishi, the last of his tribe, the Yana, and how the University of Berkeley did a study of him. (Read more at http://history.library.ucsf.edu/ishi.html) On August 27th 2011, Sonny Hall took to the road and went to Ft. Mims where groups of approximately 1000 people observed his knapping demonstrations during that event. We continue to be proud that Sonny is part of our club and represents us well. ________________________________________________________________________

WE WERE WE WERE WE WERE WE WERE THERETHERETHERETHERE There’s more proud news about club members who volunteered to represent the club at the grand opening on August 27th of the Alabama Department of Archives and History’s Phase I Museum of Alabama The Land and the First Alabamians. To be exact, Thad Cheatham and Jeff Edwards contributed specimens from their personal collection which were displayed in the Land of Alabama room. Surrounded by samples from their rocks, gems, minerals, and hand created jewelry, the following members talked to a large number of interested individuals and handed out information on the upcoming show in December as well as flyers on the club: Jeff Edwards, Thad Cheatham, Terry Fetzer, Becky Fetzer, Mike Berkman, and Linda Griebel.

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Signage on these displays denotes the Montgomery Gem and Mineral Society. Be sure to visit the excellent exhibits at Archives some time if you didn’t make it on Saturday the 27th. _____________________________________________________________________

REMINDERS>>>

� Bring spare rocks, gems, minerals to any meeting in order to prepare for the Wheel of

Fortune.

� Show your recent acquisitions at the monthly meeting so other members can experience a variety of different materials.

� NOTE: The shop will no longer be open on a regularly scheduled basis. The shop will be opened only by appointment. Please email or call any of the following individuals at least one week ahead of time to set up a shop work date: Jeff Edwards, Thad Cheatham, Iris McGehee, or Harold Glover. ______________________________________________________________

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THAD’S PHOTOS FROM JULY 23RD FIELD TRIP TO POINT A DAM

________________________________________________________________ Links to check out International Colored Gemstone Assn newsletter http://www.gemstone.org/ Georgia Meteorite Association http://www.meteoriteassociationofgeorgia.org/

William Holland www.lapidaryschool.org

Wildacres http://www.amfed.org/sfms/wildacres-retreat.html Al Mineral Locality Index http://www.mindat.org/rloc.php?loc=Alabama%2C+USA GIA http://www.gia.edu/3954/gia_home_page.cfmhttp://www.greatdanepro.com/somewhere%20in%20time/index.htm Where to find treasure: http://www.treasureplaces.com/index.php/Main_Page

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Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society Minutes August 11, 2011

The meeting was called to order by President Lynn Stauch. Visitors were welcomed.

Minutes were approved as published in the Golden Nugget.

The Treasurer's report was read by Iris McGehee, which was approved and filed with the

secretary.

The program was presented by our own Sonny Hall, a master knapper. His skill is well

known and has generated a lot of interest.

Thad Cheatham announced that the Alabama Archives and History Museum is featuring

a new exhibit called the Lands of Alabama on August 27th from 9:30 to 4:30. The club will have a

table set up displaying rocks and minerals. Jeff and Thad have donated several items that will

be in the permanent collection. A focal point will be a diorama of an Indian village.

The president read a letter from the new management of Hogg Mountain field trip area.

For specific details, contact Lynn Stauch.

Negotiations for the used saw is nearly finalized at $500.00, provided it is in the

condition as presented.

Iris McGehee will be the president's representative at the Southeast Federation Annual

Meeting in Greenville, South Carolina in September. An amount of $150.00 was approved

toward her expenses.

Garrett Coliseum has closed due to the state not providing any funds for its upkeep. It is

our understanding that the Kiwanis Club is negotiating with the state to take over the

responsibility to keep it open. We are hopeful that it will be successful so that we will not be

forced to seek another venue for the gem & mineral show in December.

Refreshments were provided by Morning and David Sherrod.

The following were appointed to the Nominating Committee: David Sherrod, Stan

Stephens, Connie Randall, and Thad Cheatham to serve as alternate.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Mary Lou McHugh, Secretary ________________________________________________________________

SE SHOWS (for other areas, click on http://rockngem.com/showdates/)

Sept 9-11—WINSTON-SALEM, NC: Educational Bldg., Dixie Classic Fairgrounds, 27th St., gate #9; Fri. 10-7,

Sat. 10-7, Sun. 12-5; W.A. Marion, MarionA1@yadtel.net

Sept 1 6-18—JACKSONVILLE, FL: Morocco Temple, 3800 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S; Fri. 1-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5;

adults $3, children 12 and under free; Tom Frame, JGMS_SHOW@hotmail.com; jaxgemandmineral.org

Sept 30-Oct 2—DALLAS, NC: Gaston County Park (Biggerstaff Park), Hwy. 279; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-5;

free admission; Jackay McDaniel, (704) 865-6748; jackaythegrizz@aol.com

Oct 1-2—LEXINGTON, KY: Kentucky National Guard Armory, 4301 Airport Rd.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-5; adults

$1, children 6-12 50 cents ($3 per family), Scouts in uniform free; Allen Ferrell, (859) 277-2469:

kyrock2010kentucky@yahoo.com; www.lexingtonrockclub.com

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Dear Geology Club Members:

Falls of the Ohio State Park and the Falls of the Ohio Foundation announce the 2011 Falls Fossil

Festival! This, our 17th

annual event, will be held September 17 - 18 at one of the world's most

spectacular naturally exposed fossil beds! Visitors are encouraged to explore our rich Middle Devonian

patch reef packed with fossils on the riverbed at the Falls of the Ohio. Look for giant colonial corals, horn

corals up to four feet long, trilobites, and numerous other types of ancient marine organisms.

This show, held rain or shine, features outdoor vendors selling fossils, minerals, books, items with a

geo-science theme and food. There are fossil bed tours and special programs from knowledgeable

paleontologists and geologists in the Interpretive Center. At 9:30 each morning (river level permitting) you

can explore the outer fossil beds, guided by two knowledgeable leaders. Speakers and topics this year

include: Sept. 17 1:30 Climate Through Time at the Falls, David Polly, Indiana University,

Department of Geological Sciences, Bloomington 2:30 Drifting Continents, Dan Phelps, Kentucky

Paleontological Society, Lexington, Kentucky 3:30 Stories of the New Madrid Earthquakes 200

Years Age, Dr. Steve Greb, Kentucky Geological Survey, Lexington

4:30 Keynote Presentation –The Birth of the Ohio River, Dr. Drew Andrews, Kentucky Geological Survey,

Lexington Sept. 18 2:30 Fossil Collecting Tips, Rick Schrantz, Kentucky Paleontological

Society, Lexington, Kentucky. 3:30 Mineral Collecting Tips, Steve Garza, Corydon, Indiana

Collecting is prohibited at the Falls of the Ohio; however, a quarry donates tons of fossil-bearing

Silurian Waldron shale and another provides Devonian fossils from Jeffersonville Limestone residual soil.

Dig for brachiopods, bryozoans, corals, crinoids, cystoids, snails, clams, and trilobites our Fossil Collecting

Piles. A mineral collecting pile from the largest mine dump in Rosiclare, Illinois will also be available for

fluorite, sphalerite, barite, calcite, etc. We can direct your club to other localities to collect fossils and/or

minerals. (The park's website lists more than a dozen collecting locations in the area.) This would be an

ideal weekend field trip. We hope members of your group will be able to attend!

Details can be found at Festival web site from our home page - http://www.fallsoftheohio.org or

directly: http://www.fallsoftheohio.org/FallsFossilFestivalProgram.html. Please contact me at

agoldstein@dnr.in.gov if you have any questions.

Sincerely yours, Alan Goldstein, Interpretive Naturalist & Falls Fossil Festival Coordinator

See our Fossil Fest photo gallery: www.facebook.com/fallsoftheohio

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Club Officers for 2011

President: Lynn Stauch 386-7330 1st V P/Programs: Thad Cheatham 462-3254

2nd

V P/Field Trips: Jeff Edwards 312-0572 Secretary: Mary Lou McHugh 272-1817 Treasurer: Iris McGehee 262-7275 Directors: Jim Gaines 285-1988 Mel Barkley 277-2722 Board meetings are at 6:30 pm immediately before the monthly meetings. _____________________________________________________________________________

General Information The purpose of the Golden Nugget is to inform members of news about gems and minerals along with news about club, state, and regional activities of interest to our members. Most important, the Golden Nugget provides a way for each of us to share information about projects and to pass on tips that will help others enjoy our hobby. Unless members are willing to contribute, the Golden Nugget cannot meet this latter purpose. Copyright 2011 by Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. Except for items that are specifically copyrighted by their authors, all material in this bulletin may be freely copied. Please give credit to The Golden Nugget and the appropriate author. Meetings of the Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society are held every 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Mureal Crump Adult Center, 1751 Congressman William L. Dickinson Drive (U.S. 231), Montgomery, AL 36109, Montgomery, AL. The annual gem show replaces the December meeting. Anyone interested in gems and minerals is invited to attend. Field trips, workshops, and classes are held at various locations. These are announced at monthly meetings. Membership dues are $15.00 for individuals and $20.00 for families residing in the same household.

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The Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society is a member of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information.

The Golden Nugget P. O. Box 801 Wetumpka, AL 36092-0801

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Official Voice of the Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society, Montgomery AL

Linda R. Griebel, Editor thegoldennugget@hotmail.com