Author: Alan Molineux

The
bulletin
Newsletter of the
victor valley
Gem and
mineral club
Ph. (760) 243-2330
october 2008

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Your officers for 2008
2008 Executive Committee
President……………………..Tom Laszlo……………………...247-5369
1st V.P (Membership)..Jim Fosse………………………..245-8644
2nd V.P (Education)…….Patti Deer……………………...553-6550
3rd V.P (Gem & Mineral Show chairman
Gil Gilbert……………………..868-6900
Recording Secretary….Alan Molineux………………..951-7064
Treasurer…………………….Janet Flecher………………..949-9347
Board Members
Joe Kosik……...………………...241-0894
Lloyd Guilliam..………………..962-6844
Pat Estes………………………...948-7324
Charles Toles……………………951-0372
Past President……………..Nick Beall…………………..……220-1215
CFMS Representative..Carole Mc Michael.………..961-7659
Standing Committee Chairmen
Wagon Master…………..(Vacant)
Historian…………………….(Vacant)
Maintenance……………...Charles Toles.…………………..951-0372
Librarian…………………….Mary Lou Flecher………..….949-9347
Newsletter…………...…..Alan Molineux…….…………...951-7064
Sunshine Lady………….Carol Laszlo……………………….247-5369
Displays………….………….Kate Waterman………………..946-5881
Raffles……………………...Charles Toles…...……………...951-0372
Scholarships……………..Andrew Turner….…………....962-0095
Legislative Rep…….…..(Vacant)
Photography………….....Bob Harper………………………...947-6383
Hospitality……………..…John Prinz…………………………..957-7414
Parliamentarian..……..Dennis Harbison………….…….247-5559
Gem Show Chairman...Gil Gilbert….……………………..868-6900
Tailgate……….…………..Committee
Training Coordinator..Lloyd Guilliam……………………962-6844
Instructors
Nick Beall, Joann Beall, Janet Flecher, Jim Fosse, Gil Gilbert, Tom Laszlo, Virgil Melton, Joe Kosik, Pat Estes, Charles Toles
& Cyndy Mandell.
Club Website—www.vvgmc.org

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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 61 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.
Meeting dates
Our September meeting was held on Tuesday, 23rd at 6:30p.m. and the October general meeting will be held on Tuesday the 28th.
On the front cover
Every now and then, I come to the club and take photos for the Bulletin. Everyone is gracious and I usually snap a lot of photos. It also gives me an opportunity to stop and chat with the members and catch up on the latest gossip. Last month I featured Ben Weiden working in the shop. This month I’m showing some of his lapidary work on the front cover.

Grandparents and grandchildren
(This was so popular last issue, I thought I’d finish it off this time.)
When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, 'It's no use, Grandpa. The mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights.'
When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, 'I'm not sure.' 'Look in your underwear, Grandpa,' he advised. 'mine says I'm four to six.'
A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, 'Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today.' The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. 'That's interesting,' she said, 'how do you make babies?' 'It's simple,' replied the girl. 'You just change y' to 'i' and add 'es'.'
An E-Mail from my son, Damian.

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Annual club barbeque and picnic

Tom Laszlo was the cook. Lining up for the food.

Jack Sneed is enjoying his meal. Time to eat, chat and relax.

Carole and Ty Mc Michael pose for the camera. We had a rock and slab swap after we ate. The club picnic was held at the TXI park at Oro Grande on Sunday, September 7th. Thank you to all who made the day a success. We had a good turn out and everyone seemed to have a good time.

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Around the club

Virgil Melton makes a bracelet. Jack Sneed’s collection of slabs.

Silver Fabrication Classes
By Cyndy Mandell
Instructors Cyndy Mandell and Janet Flecher will be offering on-going beginning classes at the Victor Valley Gem and Mineral Club starting September 24, 2008. The classes will be offered on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will offer a variety of projects that students may choose from to make. The classes will be limited to five students to allow individual attention by the instructors and access to the silver room.
Instruction will be given in techniques and theory of silver smithing along with demonstrations. Projects available will include pendants, rings, bracelets and some creative pieces. The project prices will reflect only the cost of the raw materials plus shipping. Individuals can make as many projects as they desire during the class.
Wednesday are also open to those members who wish to work on their own projects whether in the silver, saw, or grinding room. An instructor will be available to assist in those areas also.
This promises to be a fun class and follows in the footsteps of Gil Gilbert’s beginning fabrication class where some basis techniques were learned and the participants gain knowledge and skills. This class have been well attended and the participants have enjoyed working together so much they have requested that we continue offering silver classes. Many have said that they look forward to Wednesday nights more than any other evening of the week because they know they are going to have fun, make something, and gain confidence in the craft.

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October 2008

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
National / Stamp / Collecting / Month.	Computer / Learning / Month	Diversity / Awareness / Month	1 / Workshop / 1– 9:00p.m.	2 / Workshop / 1– 9:00p.m.	3	4 / Sputnik anniversary / 1957.
5 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	6	7	8 / Workshop / 1– 9:00p.m.	9 / Workshop / 1– 9:00p.m.	10	11
12 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	13 / Instructor’s / Meeting—7:00p.m.	14 / Monthly Board / Meeting 7:00p.m.	15 / Workshop / 1– 9:00p.m.	16 / Workshop / 1– 9:00p.m.	17 / U.S population / reaches 300 million / in 2006.	18 Red / Ribbon week / starts.
19 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	20	21 / Education Night / 7:00p.m.	22 / Workshop / 1– 9:00p.m.	23 / Workshop / 1– 9:00p.m.	24	25
26 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	27	28 Potluck / 6:30p.m. / General Mtg. 7:00pm	29 / Workshop / 1– 9:00p.m.	30 / Workshop / 1– 9:00p.m.Workshop / 1– 9:00p.m.	31

Deadline for the November issue of the Bulletin is Monday, November 17th. Ph. (760) 951-7064 or email amolineux@gmail.com

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From the August
General Meeting
We welcome our latest members—Ewald and Zelma Jablonski, Bill Buehler and Katie Boyd, Bill Blondett and Katie Hallock..
Tony Malone talked about alternative energy at our recent Educational night.
We are still looking for a Wagon Master, Historian and Legislative Representative.
We will be raffling off a space for a club member to attend the Zyzyx Jewelry camp.
Janet Flecher wil lead a co-operative field trip with the CFMS to Lavic Siding and Hector Hill in October.
The CFMS would like to do a co-operative field trip with us once a year.
Carol Laszlo and Oscar Delgado’s wife both went in for surgery in September.
Andrew Turner and Virgil Melton met with Dr. Buchanan about notifying more colleges of our yearly scholarships.
We have an election committee who is looking for candidates to fill upcoming vacant board and committee positions.
Alan Molineux brought up the idea of having a rock and slab swap at the clubhouse four times a year.
Joe Kosik reminded everyone working at the workshops to check in and out with the instructor on duty.

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From the September Board Meeting
Because there were so many absences at this board meeting, those that attended decided there wasn’t enough for a quorum and although ideas and procedures could be suggested, no motions or seconds could be forwarded.
The Fire Inspector passed our club. We had a fire extinguisher in need of charging and a ceiling tile that needed to be replaced.
Some unauthorized members are emptying the cashbox to give it to the treasurer. Although well meaning, this is against procedure.
The Finance committee will prepare a budget for 2009. This should be ready by the November Board meeting.
Janet Flecher suggested we get the Kaman building and our club house professionally appraised by a realtor.
Those present suggested we have our first rock swap on October 28th at a general meeting.
Congratulations
We extend our congratulations to Charles Toles who has been voted as our latest Instructor.
Thank you
On behalf of the club membership, I would like to thank John Prinz who coordinated our club picnic and all those who helped out in many different capacities and also thank you to all those who came and enjoyed the event.

Pat Estes stopped to have these photos taken on the Great Wall of China during her recent trip.

Andrew Turner, who is now in charge of displays, updated our display cases and you can now view “Garnets from around the World.”

Gena and Oliver and Patti Deer of Women in Mining recently gave a lecture to the members at the last Education Night on Tuesday, September 16th. The members did a variety of activities and everyone really enjoyed the presentation.

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Everyone who attended, enjoyed the annual barbeque and picnic. Members are lining up to enjoy the lovely spread.

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Wanted—Rocks, Lapidary, Materials & Equipment.
Call Charles Toles.
Home (760) 951-0372 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.

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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.

Printed on
30% Post-
Consumer Recycled paper

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