BOULDER BUSTER Volume #49 Issue # 5, 2014
HELL’S CANYON GEM CLUB
Serving the Valley for
62 YEARS
P.O. BOX 365
LEWISTON, IDAHO 83501
PURPOSE OF HELLS CANYON GEM CLUB, INC.
The purpose of this nonprofit, social club is to promote the rock hound hobby by providing opportunities for the collection, working
and displaying of gems and minerals, as well as educational programs in the field of geology.
MEETINGS: 2nd Friday of each month
Board Meeting 6 pm Regular Meeting 7 pm
VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
Dues: Adult [per person] $15.00; Junior [under 18] Free with a responsible adult membership.
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Past President
Steve Rand
Mel Wilks
Marylou Northrup
Marilyn Sharp
Linn Enger
2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
208-791-2325
208-301-3939
208-743-6944
509-758-4218
208-746-4957
1st Year Trustee
Richard Peterson
1st Year Trustee
Jerry Blemka
2nd Year Trustee
Betty Wilks
2nd Year Trustee
Torch Yates
Federation Director
Jeremy Giard
Federation Delegate
Gail Giard
HELLS CANYON WEBSITE: http://www.hellscanyongemclub.com
WEBMASTER: Rick Westerholm: [email protected]
208-276-7077
509-758-7384
208-301-3939
208-743-3358
509-758-2581
509-758-2581
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HOW TO FIND OUR MEETING PLACE
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #49 Issue # 5, 2014
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hello Rockhounds
Here we are seeing a little summer weather and hopefully everyone has been out getting a little rock hunting
done, I know I am ready. I have to say I will never move again. I have talked to a few people that have been to
the show’s and are finding a few treasure’s to share with everyone. So get the treasure’s together and we will
see everyone at the meeting on may 9th
Steve
April 11 board meeting, 6:30pm
Mel Wilks opened the board meeting. Board members present were Mel Wilks, Mary Lou Northrup,
Marilyn Sharp, Richard Peterson, Jerry Blimka, Jeremy & Gail Giard.
Mel announced that Steve Rand will be moving to Spokane.
Marilyn reported on the club auction. We gained about $1000 in profit from the auction. Mel still
needs to discuss the advertising bill with the Moneysaver as one ad was placed in the paper after the
auction was held.
It is tax time for our club too. As Steve usually takes care of this Marilyn was going to talk to him
about the taxes.
A raffle at the door of our show in October was brought up. The general consensus was to go for it
but we would bring it up at the general meeting. Jerry Blimka offered to donate one of the prizes.
The wire wrapping social with Patty Betz organizing was brought up. It will be held Sunday afternoon
April 13 at 2:00pm at the EAA hanger at the Lewiston Airport. Mary Lou has a list of supplies needed
for the social.
Jerry Northrup reported on a possible field trip at China Hollow in Oregon. Details would need to be
worked out.
The Idaho Department of Lands has a new contact person in regards to our crystal claim. Nothing
changes with the claim we just need to contact Jim Brady from the Coeur d'Alene office if we have
any questions, problems, etc.. Steve Rand is still involved with the club. His mother has been ill and
just released from the hospital. He has moved to Spokane to help her.
Meeting adjourned.
===================================================
General Meeting 7:00pm
Meeting called to order by Mel Wilks.
New members present: Tyler Eikum, Ruth Barnes, Kyle Prettyncan, Christina Suhfraf, & Amy Redden.
The club auction made about $1000 profit. Mel thanked everyone who helped, who donated rocks or
material, who brought snacks or who just came and had a good time.
Having a raffle at the door of October show was discussed. Remember any help in any was is always
helpful at the show. We need help to setup, tear down, run committees (admission, kids corner, silent
auction, etc.) during the show. Pick out a place to help. It's a fun way to get involved.
The wire wrapping social at the EAA hanger at the airport on April 13 at 2:00pm was announced. Any
questions ask Mary Lou.
A possible field trip to China Hollow near Wasco, Oregon was discussed. Could be held between now
and late Oct. Call Northrups 208-743-6944 or email [email protected] if interested.
Rick Westerholm passed out by-laws and membership lists for the club. He also announced the
Dallas Hall estate sale in Princeton, Idaho on Sunday April 13. Some lapidary equipment is to be
sold.
Jerry Northrup announced he hoped to organize a field trip to our Crystal claim in June. Contact him
for details.
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #49 Issue # 5, 2014
Mel said he was working on a field trip to go to McCann's and find Fire Opal.
Show & Tell: Torch Yates showed us some concretion pieces that came from the edge of DeAtleys pit.
Jerry Northrup showed a piece of lava rock he got at the Spokane Rock Show. Jerry Blimka brought
a rock with small crystals on top. Bruce called it hyalite opal. Tyler Eikum showed a quartz sphere he
had made.
Door prizes were given out. We had lots of slabs from Bruce Borgelt and another beautiful necklace
from Jerry Blimka that were won.
Meeting adjourned.
(submitted by Marylou Northrup).
WSMC FIELDTRIPS 2014 ( Will be updated—see mineralcouncil.org )
The Washington State Mineral Council plans guided fieldtrips to collecting sites. Open to member clubs, and the
general public. Most trips are free. Included will be Pow Wow trips (must join to go on trips). Host clubs and
contact persons will be set up as I gather info. For now, go to mineralcouncil.org for updates, or contact Ed
Lehman @ [email protected] , or home (425) 334- 6282 cel (425) 760-2786.
Date
Host
Site
Meeting place and time
Material
Tools
Saddle Mt
9:00 @ Matawa Leprechaun
Market
Petrified wood
Dig, Lt hard rock
Thulite -$1 #
Star garnet
sm sledge hammer
05/17
Elb
06/01
Canceled Tunk Creek,
Emerald Creek
Spk
9:00 @ store (park)
06/2529
POW
Madras, OR
8:00 @Fairgrounds
07/13
Spk
Smokey quartz
Dig, Lt hard rock
07/19
Msvl
Lolo Pass
8:00 @ Lolo Hot Springs
Darrington Rock
11:00
Show
Travertine
Hard rock tools
08/02
Shltn
Salmon Creek
I-5 Park & ride in Toledo
wood, pseudo
coprolites
Wading
08/16/
NWOS
Greenwater
9:00 @ Enumclaw Ranger
Station
Agate, Jasper
Dig, lt hard rock
09/6-7
POW
Red Top
8:00 @ camp (W fork M fork
jct) Dues, see above
Agate, geodes,
jade, jasper
09/13
NWOS
Little Naches
9:00 @ Enumclaw Ranger
Station
Thunder-Eggs
Dig, lt hard rock
10/04
Msvl
D.P. Mine & H.T.
9:00 @ Money Creek Camp
Creek
Ore, picture Jasper
Lt hard rock, light
11/08
MtBkr
Blanchard Mt
06/14
9:00 @ Emerald Creek Star
Garnet Area, Idaho
Tweezers
Petrified wood, agate, jasper, T-Eggs
9:00 @ I-5 240 exit gas Station Stilpnomelane &
Chert
Hard rock tool
Kit = Kitsap M & G Soc— T B D
Msvl = Marysville R & G Club - Ed Lehman [email protected] (425) 334-6282 or (425) 7602786 MtBkr = Mount Baker R & G Club—Kris Menger @ (360) 927-0994 [email protected]
Elb = Ellensburg R Club—Steve Townsend—(509) 933-2236 [email protected]
Spk = Spokane Rock Rollers—Mike Shaw—(509) 244-8542
[email protected] NWOS = Northwest Opal Soc—Tony Johnson—(253)
863-9238
This is just a work in process. Participants please respond for corrections and
updates. Thanks, Ed Lehman
=================================================================
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #49 Issue # 5, 2014
2014
NFMS CALENDAR
ITEMS
The Multi-Federation Field Trip:
Terry, Montana
July 31, August 1, 2, 3, 2014
We are having a great response to the Terry Field trip, have been getting lots of questions and signups.
Field trip update: Come join us in this international gathering, there will be collectors from most states and from Canada.
Plans are coming together from all sides. There are a few points I would like to review again so everyone will be clear on
the process. When you call or e-mail telling me you will be coming, I need to know where you are from, club affiliation,
how you will be staying, tent camping, RV dry camp, RV park or motel and where and full names of all attending. That is
my information list so I may have estimates on numbers attending. IT IS NOT A REGISTRATION for any of the trips, and
camping around the City Park is on a first come first served basis. When the park is full then we will fill the county block
across the street and when that is full we can utilize two more blocks, a block away to the east. There will be showers and
RR at the park plus there will portable toilets at each of the blocks. We are making arrangements for a honey wagon
Friday evening (small fee) to empty RV tanks and the Portables.
For all those that didn't receive the latest updates, all trips to the river will be by buses. This is because of the high fire
season and we do not want to cause a problem on these ranches with cars driving over everything. Fossil trips will be
auto caravans.
Thursday and Friday evening we will have 2-3 programs each running 20-40 minutes long.
After discussion with several others it was decided to add a live auction on Sunday afternoon to help defer some of cost
of this trip. There will be a donation jar during the weekend and if you would like to bring something nice for the
auction please do. We would love to receive a variety of things from around the country. I thank you in advance. Don't
forget to bring items to Buy-Sell-Trade on Sunday.
There will also be some fee areas for those who want to hunt dinosaur material besides our trips. These
numbers will be posted on our next update.
* When you arrive you will be asked to sign a liability waiver, which will be part of your trip signup. We ask that you check
in at our information table for instructions and schedules, to meet your camp hosts, trip leaders (10) and a few simple
rules for your camping and the trips. We want this to be a special trip for all and a safe one also.
* Things to bring on your trip. Sun Screen, good sturdy shoes, long pants, water containers, bug spray, rock picks and a
regular screw driver, collecting bags, if you have rubber boots (thigh high) bring them also, hats as this is mid summer
and daytime temps could reach 90 + degrees and our nights are cool. There will be a chance in seeing a rattlesnake on
the trips. I have seen only 3 in last 20 years, but they are in the area.
If you plan on staying at a motel or RV park for this trip and have not already made reservations, Terry is full, you will
need to make reservations in Miles City or Glendive both about 30 minute drive to Terry by interstate.
Looking forward to meeting everyone
For more information contact Doug True, Field trip Chair,
(406) 670-0506, or email [email protected]
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These are classified ads which were actually placed in U.K. Newspapers:
FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER. – 8 years old, Hateful little bastard. Bites!
FREE PUPPIES – 1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbour's dog.
FREE PUPPIES. Mother is a Kennel Club registered German Shepherd, Father is a Super Dog, able to
leap tall fences in a single bound..
FOR SALE – COWS, CALVES: NEVER BRED. Also 1 gay bull for sale.
JOINING NUDIST COLONY! – Must sell washer and dryer £100.
TEACHER: Why are you late?
STUDENT: Class started before I got here.
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BOULDER BUSTER Volume #49 Issue # 5, 2014
NFMS Annual Meeting
Hermiston, Oregon
August 15-17, 2014
For more information contact Mike Filarski
[email protected] or Judi Allison [email protected]
FEDERATION REPORT
Jeremy Giard, Federation Director; Gail Giard, Federation Delegate
April 26, 2014 Med-Year Federation Meeting-Kennewick, WA
The 2014 NFMS Show is hosted by the Hatrockhounds and will be held at the Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S
Highway 395, in Hermiston, OR, Friday August 15, through Sunday, August 17, 2014. There will be 18 dealers inside and 3
dealers outside and they are ready to accommodate over 50 display cases with some special displays by Sally Reed of
Marcus Whitman Club and Jim Bowen of Hatrockhounds. There will be demonstrators and a venue of worthy speakers.
The Hatrockhounds have also reserved space for a field trip to the China Hollow Mine out of Wasco on Monday, August
18, 2014. The club is hoping folks will be able to take part in this field trip to search for and purchase some of the sought
after Biggs Jasper. Judi Allison and Mike Filarski are Co-Chairpersons of the Show. Check out the NFMS Northwest
Newsletter April edition for more information and the application form for the NFMS Competition Entry Form which has
a July 15, 2014 deadline.
The Golden Spike Club of Ogden, Utah has submitted a written proposal to host the 2015 NFMS Show. If approved at the
August 2014 board meeting, the show will be held April 11, 2015 through April 13, 2015 at the Weaver County
Fairgrounds. Field trips and a venue of speakers is already in the works, with more information to follow.
The 2016 NFMS/AFMS Federation Show is hosted by the Willamette Agate and Mineral Society and will be held in
Albany, Oregon, July 29, 2016 through July 31, 2016. The theme is "Treasurers of the Northwest" and Show Chair is
Janice Van Cura.
Ronna Watkins, Bulletin Aids, reminded members that she would like to receive a copy of each club's newsletter, which
can be emailed to her at [email protected] She also encouraged club editors to pre-register(see the
April 2014, Northwest Newsletter for the registration form) and come to the All Editors Annual Breakfast, to be held
during the Annual Convention in August in Hermiston, OR. There will be a guest speaker and she hopes to have a helpful
and informational meeting.
Carol Willey, Directory, had the NFMS club and member directories available. She and Tom Burchard, Circulation,
reminded members that change of addresses or member roster lists need to be updated and presented to them. This
directory is used for checking club members' credentials and for mailing the Northwest Newsletter. It cost the club $183,
so far this year, because of the Address Service Request responses from the Post Office due to incorrect addresses. Also,
as a reminder, Carol and Tom stated they need each Club Roster by January or early February of each year to make the
necessary member and address changes.
John Spunaugle, Endowment Fund, reported the fund now has $209,000. This fund provided to the budget $10,195 of
Unrestricted Endowment Fund money to balance the 2014-2015 budget. Funds from the Endowment Fund have also
been used to balance the previous budgets in order to keep club dues from raising. John indicated that now is a good
time to spend some of the income of the endowment fund for the needs of the Federation. He would like members to
think of ways funds could be used. He indicated that the endowment fund is purchasing saws for the Northwest
Rockhound Annual Retreat. Another thought is to use the funds to purchase Rock Collections for display at NFMS shows
or for sale at silent auctions at NFMS Shows. He would like clubs to bring back ideas when they come to the Hermiston
Annual Meeting.
Audrey Vogelpohl, Junior Chair, reported if Juniors don't want to always be "crafting", in the Junior Badge Program, there
are 20 badges to earn, with several pages of resources for the leaders on each badge. She also stated if clubs are not
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #49 Issue # 5, 2014
receiving 3 copies of the "Mini Miners Monthly" published by Diamond Dan for the benefit of Juniors and leaders to
contact her at [email protected]. The subscription is paid by NFMS.
Lamar Tilgner reported that the Northwest Rockhound Retreat is full and has 2 on the waiting lists. The retreat is held at
the Hancock Field Station west of Fossil, Oregon. If anyone is still interested, contact him at [email protected] to
be put on the waiting list.
Warren Rood, NFMS 1st Vice President, is going to chair a committee to look at the best way to distribute the NFMS
Newsletter. Currently the newsletter is printed and mailed to all members. Printing and mailing an average of 3611
copies to the membership, costs approximately $18,000. This represents 85% of the income of the NFMS from clubs. He
is proposing switching the first choice of distribution of the newsletter from mail to email with a PDF attached. This
PDF would be distributed by each local editor that has an email list of club members. The NFMS would continue to
print and mail the newsletter to members without a computer. Warren is proposing that with the savings, the NFMS
would help clubs improve their NFMS show with money for special lectures, field trips, or displays. The local club would
arrange for lectures, field trips, and displays and would submit a record for reimbursement that would be under the
newly budgeted amount in the $2,000-$3,000 range. These are things that would benefit all of the members that attend
the show and would encourage small clubs to have a show. The committee will be formed with further information
available at the August meeting.
Evelyn Cataldo, Scholarship Foundation, reported $910 was the total received for 2013 and $250 is the 2014 total
received to date. The income from the scholarship foundation is used to finance scholarships. Each year, the fund
awards two (2) recipients $2,000 per year for two (2) years. Recipients must be graduate students in the earth sciences
and are chosen by the President of that Federation.
Shirley Leeson, ALAA would like to create a display case for NFMS Shows that would display slabs of material is no longer
available for collecting purposes and use. She is asking members to donate a slab of material, include your name, club
name, the name of the material, location, and why it is closed to rock hounds. She advised the Morrisonite mine was put
up for auction. The Sierra Club purchased it and the BLM dynamited the site and bulldozed over the area at the Sierra
Club's request. It is now gone.
Vi Jones, Rockhound of the Year Chair, reminded clubs to nominate an individual or couple to the American
Federation of Mineralogical Societies. The nomination should be brief (about 100 words), emphasizing your
honoree's contributions to your club. Nominees can be emailed to [email protected]. This is a
great opportunity to acknowledge our members contributions to our club, so let's be thinking about a nominee for
our club.
TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
__________________________________________
TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?' GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
____________________________________________
TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
__________________________________
TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #49 Issue # 5, 2014
STANDING COMMITTEES
1. Bulletin Editor— Ed Shoemaker
GEM SHOW COMMITTEES
1. Show Chairman---
2. Membership Chairman---Lon & Marilyn Sharp
2. Show Co-Chairman---
3. Juniors Chairman---Mike Horne
3. Show Treasurer---
4. Field Trip Chairman—
4. Dealer Chairman---
5. Program Chairman ---
5. Advertising Chairman---
6. Show & Tell Chairman---
6. Displays Chairman---
7. Claims Chairman---
7. Demonstrations Chairman---
8. Historian Chairman---
8. Floor Plan Chairman---
9. Library Chairman---
9. Silent Auction Chairman---
10. Sunshine Chairman---
10. Kids Corner---
11. ALAA--(American Lands Access Association)
11. Admissions--12. Security---
==========================================================================================================
NFMS MEMBER CLUBS’ SHOW SCHEDULE
(Partial list)
DATE & TIME
May 10th 10am - 6pm
May 11th 10am - 4pm
May 17 Sat 10–6
May 18 Sun 10–4
June 6th 12pm—5pm
June 7th 10am—5pm
June 8th 11am—4pm
June 7 Sat 9–5
June 8 Sun 10–4
CLUB
SHOW
Bozeman Gem
& Mineral Club
Annual
Rock Show
Bitterroot Gem and
Mineral Society
Puyallup Valley Club
Ravalli County Frgnd
First Interstate Center
100 Old Corvallis Rd
Hamilton MT
Annual show
North Idaho Mineral Club
Kootenai Cnty Expo and Center,
Kathleen & Gov’t Way
Coeur d’Alene, ID
Aug. 15 Fri 10–6
Aug 16 Sat 10–6
Aug. 17 Sun 10–4
Hatrockhounds Gem and
Mineral Society NFMS Annual Meeting
Hermiston Conference Center
415 South Highway 395
Hermiston OR
Sept. 27 Sat 10–5
Sept. 28 Sun 10–4
Billings Gem and
MineralClub
Billings Hotel and Conv. Center
1223 Mullowney Lane
Billings MT
LOCATION
Gallatin County Fair Grounds
901 N. Black, Bldg. #1
Boseman, MT
Mike McConnell
406 360 4944
mike.westernrockiesradio@gma
il.com
Swiss Park
9205 198th Ave. E.
Puyallup, WA
Mike Burton 208 772 9347
[email protected]
Judi Allison [email protected]
541 720 4950, Or Mike Filarski
[email protected]
541 571 2593,
222.hatrockhounds.org
Doug True 406 670 0506 2622
Broadwater
Billings MT 59102
[email protected]
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #49 Issue # 5, 2014
What are Fulgurites?
Most people have never seen a fulgurite, and many that have
probably did not realize what it was at the time. Fulgurites are
natural tubes or crusts of glass formed by the fusion of silica
(quartz) sand or rock from a lightning strike. Their shape mimics
the path of the lightning bolt as it disperses into the ground.
All lightning strikes that hit the ground are capable of forming
fulgurites. A temperature of 1800 degrees Celsius is required to
instantaneously melt sand and form a fulgurite (most lightning
strikes have a temperature of 2500 degrees Celsius). Fulgurites
have been found worldwide, but are relatively rare.
Sand fulgurites found on the top of
Mount Raymond. U.S. quarter for scale.
Two types of fulgurites have been recognized: sand and rock
fulgurites. Sand fulgurites are the most common and are
generally found in beach or desert regions containing clean (free
of fine-grained silt or clay), dry sand. They resemble roots or
branching tube-like structures that have a rough surface,
covered with partially melted sand grains.
Sand fulgurite tubes have a glassy interior, due to rapid cooling
and solidification of the sand after the lightning strike. The size
and length of a fulgurite depends on the strength of the lightning
strike and the thickness of the sand bed. Many sand fulgurites
average 1 or 2 inches in diameter and can be up to 30 inches or
more long. Sand fulgurites have been found in deserts and on
top of some of the higher summits .
Beach Fulgurite
The color varies depending on the composition of the sand they
formed in, ranging from black or tan, to green or a translucent
white. The interior is normally very smooth or lined with fine
bubbles; the exterior is generally coated with rough sand
particles and is porous. They are rootlike in appearance and
often show branching or small holes.
Coatings or crusts of glass formed on rocks from a lightning
strike are called rock fulgurites. These fulgurites are found as
veins or branching channels on a rock surface or lining
preexisting fractures within the host rock. Rock fulgurites are
primarily found on the top or within several feet of mountain
summits.
Fulgurites are appreciated by many for their scientific value as
permanent tangible evidence of transient lightning strikes.
Fulgurites are also popular among hobbyists and collectors of
natural specimens. Fulgurite is very fragile.
Rock fulgurite (circled in white)
found on quartzite at the summit
of Mount Raymond
So, the next time you go hiking or exploring be on the lookout for
fulgurites! It is very possible new fulgurite discoveries await the
adventurer on many of the higher summits and desert areas of
the Northwest!