Author: Alan Molineux

The bulletin
Newsletter of victor valley
Gem and mineral club
Ph. (760) 243-2330
December 2007

Christmas is a time for reflection, peace, joy and hope. Looking back I’ve had a wonderful year with my friends in the V.V.G & M.C. It is with feelings of peace, satisfaction and happiness that I bask in their friendships. I look forward to 2008 with joy and hope—hope that next year will bring as much happiness as 2007 has. Merry Christmas to everyone….Ed

1 2

Your officers for 2007
2007 Executive Committee
President……………………..Tom Laszlo……………………...247-5369
1st V.P (Membership)..Jim Fosse………………………..245-8644
2nd V.P (Education)…….Mary Lou Flecher………...949-9347
Recording Secretary….Patti Deer………………....….553-6550
Treasurer…………………….Janet Flecher………………..949-9347
Board Members
Cyndy Mandell………………...244-7169
Lloyd Guilliam..………………..
Joe Kosik………………………...241-0894
Virgil Melton……………………948-2849
Past President……………..Nick Beall…………………..……246-7117
CFMS Representative..Bob Harper……………………..947-6383
Standing Committee Chairmen
Wagon Master…………..Janet Flecher…………………..949-9347
Historian…………………….Elizabeth Clark…...…………..241-9786
Maintenance……………...Charles Toles.…………………..242-9240
Librarian…………………….Ralph Powers…………………….951-2937
Newsletter…………...….Alan Molineux…….……………..951-7064
Sunshine Lady………….Carol Laszlo……………………….247-5369
Displays………….………….Kate Waterman………………..946-5881
Raffles……………………...Charles Toles…...……………...242-9240
Scholarships…………….Andrew Turner….……………..962-0095
Legislative Rep………..(Vacant)
Photography…………...Bob Harper………………………...947-6383
Hospitality………………(Vacant)
Parliamentarian……..Dennis Harbison………………….247-5559
Gem Show & Tailgate
Co-ordinator…………..JoAnn Beall………………………….246-7117
Instructors
Nick Beall, Joann Beall, Janet Flecher, Jim Fosse, Gil Gilbert, Dennis Harbison, Tom Laszlo, Virgil Melton, Oscar Delgado, Joe Kosik, Lloyd Guilliam and Kate Waterman
Club Website—fosse.schema-root.org/vvgmc/

2 2

The victor valley gem and mineral Club
was organized in 1947 and has been the focal point of High Desert rock hounds for the past 60 years. The club takes active roles in various civic activities. Membership is open to all persons interested in the gem and mineral hobby and lapidary arts. Meetings are held at the clubhouse located at 15056-B, 7th Street (behind Kaman Bearing) in the center of Victorville.
Visitors are always welcome.
For further information, call (760) 243-2330.
Years ago the Victor Valley Gem and Mineral club formed to service the rock and lapidary needs of the High Desert. Since then, many members have come and gone. The board has changed many times. Each has added their own administrative flavor as the club has continued to educate and foster a love for the lapidary arts.
As we move into our seventh decade as a club, we will all try to ensure that the original goals and mandates of the club are perpetuated and that we continue to be a focal point of the rock and lapidary arts in the Victor Valley.

60

The v.v.g&M.C annual Gem & mineral show
Our annual gem and mineral show was held at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville on Saturday and Sunday, November 17th and 18th. The fairground hall was a hive of activity with members, vendors and the public milling around. To put on a show such as this requires a great deal of planning and enthusiasm. Club members willingly and tirelessly donated both their time and their efforts. The hall was set up and prepared, services were provided and booths were manned. Members cheerfully answered questions from the public and when it was all over on Sunday, November 18th, everything was torn down, packed away and returned to its rightful place. I would like to extend the gratitude of the club to everyone who helped out. Without your presence, dedication, effort and expertise, this venture would not have been possible.
I cannot name names as there were so many. You know who you all were—but once again, thank you so very much. For more details and photos of the event, see pages 8 and 9 of this Bulletin…...Ed
Meeting dates
The November general meeting was held on Tuesday, 27th at 7:30p.m. and the December Christmas party will be held on Tuesday the 18th. (See p.4 for location details.)

3

4

Club dues
Our yearly club dues became due at the November meeting. However if they are paid before December 31st, members can avoid a $5 late fee and will ensure continual receipt of the Bulletin newsletter. Single members are $20 p.a., couples are $30 p.a., and juniors are $5 p.a. See Jim Fosse, our membership director. Get your dues in as soon as possible to keep all of your club benefits.
Sunshine club
It is a blessing to report that my services are not needed this month as everyone is fit and well. If you know of someone who is ailing or who needs a card to cheer them up, call me, Carol Laszlo on (760) 247-5369.
From the editor
I put out a bulletin each month and I am always happy to include articles and other tidbits from members. My deadline date is posted in the center of each issue—on the calendar page. I have to be exact with that as I need time to put each publication together.
For sale
Industrial rain gear (Jackets and overalls) originally priced at $35 per set on base, will sell for $15 a piece.
S, M, L, XL, 2X and 3X.
Call John Prinz (Leave message) (760) 252-5699

5

December 2007

Deadline for January issue of the bulletin is Monday, January 14th. Ph. (760) 951-7064 or email amolineux@gmail.com

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
Universal / Human / Rights / Month	International / Calendar / Awareness / Month.					1Rosa Parks / refuses to give up her seat in 1955.
2 / Workshop begins / at 12 noon.	3 / Instructor’s / Meeting—7p.m.	4 / Board Meeting / 7p.m.	5 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	6 / Wagon Master’s / Meeting 7p.m. / 7p.m.	7Attack / on Pearl / Harbor 1941.	8 / John Lennon is shot in 1980.
9 / Workshop begins / at 12 noon.	10	11 / Workshop / 6—9p.m.	12 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	13 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	14 / Geminids meteor shower.	15 Bill / of rights established in 1791
16 / Workshop begins / at 12 noon.	17	18 / Club Christmas / Party—see pg. 4	19 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	20 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	21 / First crossword puzzle in 1913.	22 / Winter begins.
23 / Workshop begins / at 12 noon.	24	25 / Merry / Christmas to all.	26 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	27 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	28	29
30 / Workshop begins / at 12 noon.	31America gives gives up Panama canal in 1999.

6

7

V.V.G&m.c annual gem & mineral show

There were many jobs to do and club members worked tirelessly doing what had to be done. Jim Fosse and Marilyn Pierson are seen here at the front of the hall selling raffle tickets and giving out door prizes. Eve and Charles Toles and Lloyd Guilliam worked the silent auction booth and here is a shot of Virgil Melton and Ed Skidmore selling their wares at their vendor’s booth.
Many of our members worked the show. They served food, manned booths and displays. They answered questions and most importantly they all presented a positive image of the club to the public—because after all it was a show for them. Thank you so very much to all of you who helped in whatever capacity….Ed

8

Club volunteers pitched in to feed vendors and workers on Friday night (Nov.16th). Seen here is Francis Gramata, Pat Estes, Tom Laszlo and Nick Beall. There were plenty of people but everyone had lots to eat!

The vendors all worked hard during the show and they offered a wide range of goods—varying in both quality and price.

As I roamed the hall with my camera, vendors were only too happy to stop and talk and answer questions about their wares and displays.

I saw vendors who I had seen last year. I reintroduced myself and even though they were busy, they all took time out to chat. The atmosphere inside the Victor Valley Gem and Mineral Show was friendly and informative. I believe the public had a real insight into the lapidary art and was amazed by what people can do with rocks they find out in the desert. I am certainly looking forward to next year’s show.

9

Thoughts on the annual gem and mineral show from our club president
The 2007 Gem and Mineral show was a huge success, even with the new changes that were beyond our control. We all put our best foot forward and succeeded in putting on a very good gem show. The vendors really enjoyed the pot-luck, and yes, we do have some wonderful cooks in our organization.
Our past President Nick Beall and his lovely wife Joann were the committee chairpersons and they did another fantastic job for the club. Nick and Joann have been very active and have been on many committee’s and worked for years for VVGMC and their efforts and hard labor have not gone unnoticed by many members and this president. With a heartfelt Thank You Nick and Joann, I thank you on behalf of the club and me personally for all that you have done for this organization.
To all the members who worked on different events for the Gem Show this year, you also deserve a round of sincere heartfelt gratitude from a very grateful president and VVGMC scholarship fund.
I do not have to tell you the fun we have making up the “do-dahs” at the club house, seeing old friends again, and just being with members who love what they have accomplished with the many gems and minerals they have picked up through the years, and where they picked them up.

10

Such fine memories we tend to share with each other. There are so many times laughter fills the air and it shows by how well we work together and enjoy each others company. We all care about VVGMC and each other; our earth and the beauty that lies beneath our feet. Just under the sand are the rocks, minerals and the gems that are within them. VVGMC wants to share with individuals in and around our communities the beauty of our earth and help perpetuate some of that interest and devotion to care for the earth by offering two scholarships annually in the earth sciences to a young man and woman. That is one of the reasons for the Gem Show.
We are truly sorry for those of our members who were unable to attend this year, but perhaps they will put us on their calendar for next year and hopefully sign up to be on one of the committees and join in the fun, and spread the word about our Gem Show. We sure miss you and wish you were here to share in our fun.
The following members deserve special acknowledgement and a Heartfelt Thank You for all their work for the Gem Show in planning, set up to take down, publicity, sales and contacts, and all those hours to put this Gem Show Annual Event on each year. They are as follows: Nick and Joann Beall, Kent Berryman, Pamela Birge, Pat Estes, Jim Fosse, Patti Deer, Lloyd & Gloria Guilliam, Francis Gramata, Carl Gult, Kathleen Holbrook, Joe Kosik, Don, Carole and Ty McMichael, Barbara Minard, Alan & Kerry Molineux, Virgil Melton, Curtis & Marlyn Pierson, Don Pomerenke, John Prince, Nataile Shepperd, Ed Skidmore, Charles & Eve Toles, Andrew Turner, Kate Waterman and Connie Weinberg.

Wanted—Rocks, Lapidary,
Materials & Equipment.
Call Charles Toles.
Home (760) 242-9240 Cell (760) 220-6748.

Rocks, Rocks, Rocks,
Buy slabs, cabs & rough from Joe!
Brazilian, Moss Agate, Wood, Jasper,
and Obsidian.
There is a sale on Bolo cords.
Club members (any club) 20% off at my house or 10% off at gem shows. I sell crushed Agate, Wood & Jasper for tumbling at $1.00
per pound. Call Joe Kosik (760) 241-0894.

(thoughts of the club president continued…..)
If I inadvertently left anyone out, please let me know and I will put your name in next month’s newsletter as your time and efforts should be known to all members.
We had more vendors this year and they seemed to be very happy with the turnout, but just like they have been seeing everywhere they go, sales are down.
Thank You All for another successful event.
Respectfully yours,
Tom Laszlo
President VVGMC

11

Snail
Mail
Stamp

Another
bulletin
Expressly for

Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club
15056-B Seventh Street
Victorville, CA 92395-3811.
bulletin is the official monthly newsletter published by victor valley gem & mineral club and is distributed free of charge to both members and non
members.
Views expressed by authors in the articles which appear in the bulletin do not necessarily reflect those of victor valley gem & mineral club. Responsibility is taken by the editor alone.
Articles from this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in other lapidary news-letters if proper credit is given to the author and the bulletin.

November 2007

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30