Author: Alan Molineux

The
bulletin
Newsletter of the
victor valley
Gem and
mineral club
Ph. (760) 243-2330
September ‘08

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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…………………….Elizabeth Clark………………..241-9786
Maintenance……………...Charles Toles.…………………..951-0372
Librarian…………………….Mary Lou Flecher………..….949-9347
Newsletter…………...…..Alan Molineux…….…………...951-7064
Sunshine Lady………….Carol Laszlo……………………….247-5369
Displays …………………...(Vacant)
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 August meeting was held on Tuesday, 26th at 6:30p.m. and the September general meeting will be held on Tuesday the 23rd.
Sunshine club
Carol Lazslo is our Sunshine Lady and she does a wonderful job looking after the health and welfare of all the club members. I called her the other day and she said that no-one she knew of was ailing or in need of a card. However, if you know of someone who could do with hearing from Carol, she will be happy to drop them a line. Contact her at (760) 247-5369.
New instructor
Charles Toles was made a new instructor at the last board meeting. We welcome you Charles and we look forward to the knowledge and
skill you bring to the job.

From the Editor
You may have noticed that this edition of the Bulletin is larger than usual. Just for this issue, I’ve added another (4) pages. I did this because I had so much material to put in. I would like to thank those who contributed to the newsletter this month. I’m sitting at my desk and its 12:15 in the morning on Friday before the meeting working to finish this issue. I hope you find it both entertaining and informative. As always I have enjoyed writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it too! Remember if you have any contributions or comments, please call me on (760) 951-7064 or you can e-mail me at amolineux@gmail.com
I must say something about the upcoming picnic at the TXi Park in Oro Grande on September 7th. I promised John Printz that I would Google a map and put it in the newsletter. I looked for hours both on the internet and I looked at the physical maps I had. I could not find a map that showed TXI park. I hope the directions that John has provided and I have included on page 12 will get you there. It’s pretty straight forward. It’s on the left hand side of the street between National Trails Highway and the river. I look forward to seeing you there and remember, I’ll have my camera with me!

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Around the club

Club president, Tom Laszlo gets Virgil Melton talks about a slab a lesson on wire wrapping from with another member.
Terrie Combe.

Lydia Neel is making wire links cut- Trudi Roser has been cleaning ting copper wire with a coping saw. one of the shop saws!

Mike Roser is polishing a cab using of of the club Genies.

I always enjoy walking through the club on a workshop night. Some folks are working on their projects, others are discussing slabs, cabs or minerals and some are trying out a new skill to expand their knowledge. Many’s the time someone will say, “I know how to do that—let me show you, let me help you.” Knowledge and techniques get passed around and friendship grows….Ed

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Our silver smithing class

Gil Gilbert speaks to the class. Jack Sneed is concentrating hard.

New member, Gena Oliver works on Lloyd Guilliam helps his wife, Gloria her silver bezel cup. with a tricky part of the project.

Buff and Terrie Combe are working on projects in the class. Instructor, Gil Gilbert goes around from one student to another—helping out and easing frustrations. As knowledge increases and techniques are refined, frustration gives way to satisfaction and people gain a pride in their achievement and they’re ready to move on to the next step.

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September 2008

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
	1 / Instructor’s / Meeting—7p.m.	2 / Monthly / Board meeting 7p.m.	3 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	4 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	5	6
7 / Club picnic at / TXI Park,10-4:00pm	8 / International / Literacy Day	9	10 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	11 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	12	13 Star / Spangled Banner / Inspired 1814.
14 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	15 Australia / Hosts the 2000 / Olympic games.	16 / Education night / 7p.m.	17 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	18 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	19 / Orville Wright’s / Birthday—1871.
21 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	22 Fall / Equinox— / Autumn begins.	23 Pot Luck / 6:30p.m. / General Meeting. / 7:30p.m.	24 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	25 / Workshop / 1—9p.m.	26 Women’s / Equality Day.	27
28 / Workshop / 12 noon—5p.m.	29 Rosh / Hashana / 09/29 - 10/1	30	National / Honey / Month	National / School / Success / Month	National / Piano / Month	National / Five-a-day / Month

Deadline for the October issue of the Bulletin is Monday, October 13th. Ph. (760) 951-7064 or email amolineux@gmail.com

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From the July
General Meeting
We have vacant positions and we need volunteers for Wagon Master, Historian, Legislative Rep., and Displays.
Club member, Mike Brothers passed away recently.
There are still some instructors that need to be recertified.
Charles Toles volunteered to help texture the office.
Air Tech is going to repair the club air conditioner.
The theme for Education night for August is Energy.
Joe Kosik reminded members to keep the floor and tables clean and to empty mop buckets outside.
Carole Mc Michael attended the CFMS show in Ventura. See article in this month’s Bulletin.
Club By-Laws are going to be retyped on to a flash drive for safer storage and retrieval.
On 07/30 Gil Gilbert will start a Beginner’s Silver Smithing class.
The club will no longer keep sodas and water in the fridge. We will have coffee only. If members need other beverages they will have to go to Del Taco.
Sara Arnold said that subscription to the Rock and Gem Newsletter could be bought for $19.95 per year. She urged members to subscribe and said the club would get $6.00 for each subscription.

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From the August Board Meeting
The club air conditioner is now repaired.—cost—$370.70.
Office construction is progressing the lights are the next thing to be installed.
John Printz will be handling the club picnic on 09/07 as Patti Deer will be absent on that date.
We had our deposit returned by the San Bernardino County Fair Board—minus $25.00 for paperwork as we will not be having the yearly Gem and Mineral Show.
CFMS “rockhound” stickers are still not available yet.
All committee members must attend board meetings.
Individuals using the shop facilities must sign in. The instructor will sign them out.
Kerry Molineux made (25) copies of the club by-laws for new member folders.
The Finance committee audited the club books and found everything to be in order. Thanks to treasurer, Janet Flecher.
Board authorized the purchase of a multi media projector from Ed Deren for $450.
An election committee was formed—Gil Gilbert, Joe Kosik and Lloyd Guilliam.
Gil Gilbert is looking into the cost of buying a new kiln.
Gil Gilbert recommended we update our scholarship criteria.

Costa Mesa Gem fAIR (Saturday, 08.09.’08)

The show was large an took over There were a lot of vendors there. two large halls.

Karen Nan, a vendor, gave wire Virgil Melton, Kerry Molineux and wrapping classes. Pat Estes.

Bob Menelly demonstrates an All-You-Need to Kerry. There’s a better picture of him on the front cover. There were cabs, slabs and precious stones for sale. This last picture shows a stall selling display equipment for would-be vendors. There was a lot to see and the show was well worth the drive. I would certainly recommend it to our club members.

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Ben Weiden is a regular at the club. He works on the machines and polishes stones to produce some wonderful pieces of jewelry. I photographed him polishing a stone on one of the club’s Genie machines.

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Grandparents and Grandchildren
She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, 'But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!'
My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, '62.' He was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, 'Did you start at 1?'
After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, 'Who was THAT?'
A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: 'We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods.' The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, 'I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!'
My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, 'Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?' I mentally polished my halo while I asked, 'No, how are we alike?' 'You're both old,' he replied.
I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last she headed for the door, saying sagely, 'Grandma, I think you should try to fig ur e out som e of these yourself!'
An e-mail from my son Damian.

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2008 Club barbeque and picnic
It’s time for our annual club picnic. Yeeea!!
When: Sunday, September 7th, 2008. From 10:00a.m. until 4:00p.m.
Where: TXI Park on the TXI Parkway, in Oro Grande.
How Do I Get There: Take old Rte. 66 (National Trails Highway) TXI Park is just 1/10th of a mile south of the Antique Station (19176 National Trails Highway, Oro Grande.) Watch for the VVGMC sign on Route 66.
Club will provide: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs (and buns), condiments, drinks, ice, napkins, paper plates, plastic ware, cups, and table covers.
Members will provide: One dish for pot luck and you may want to bring chairs to sit in.
How to make sure this picnic is a success:
Sign up on the sign up sheet at the club house (or call the club during workshop hours and ask the instructor to sign you up.)
a) We need to know how many people are coming so we can buy enough
food and drinks.
b) We don’t need 10 people to bring potato salad so the sign up sheet is designed to limit the number of people bringing the same type of dish.
c) Please sign up NO LATER THAN THURSDAY, SEPT. 4th, 2008.
d) If your dish (i.e. salad, pie etc,) needs a serving utensil, please
bring one with you.
e) If your dish needs to be cut (i.e. cake, pie etc), please cut it before
bringing it.
f) Please use a covered dish so we can keep the flies out of the food.
We want to have fun at this picnic so we need ideas for activities!!!
a) If you are bringing children, you will want to bring something to
keep them busy and happy. (There is a ball field.)
b) Now for us older club members (we can’t run or chase the ladies
anymore.) There are 3 or 4 horseshoe pits. The club doesn’t have
any horseshoes so if you do, please bring them and we can have a
horseshoe tournament.
c) If you can think of any other games, fun things, or other activities
we can use at the club picnic, please call Tom (the Pres) (760) 247-
5369 or John Printz (the club host) (760) 957-7414 with your
ideas at least one week before the picnic.

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d) Please bring at least one rock!!!!!!! We would like to have a
silent auction or, ???? (Have you got any ideas on a fun way
to redistribute rocks among club members? Please let us
know your ideas at least one week before the picnic.
We, (the club) need to borrow some equipment for the picnic. If you have any of these items, and will let us use them for
the picnic, please call John at (760) 957-7414.
a) BBQ Grill (s) we probably need two (2).
b) Ice Chest we probably need six (6).
c) Water Jugs (5 Gallon) we probably need four (4).
I would like to have the ice chests and the water jugs 4—5 days
prior to the picnic.
Bring the BBQ Grill with you on the day of the picnic.
John Printz.

d) Please bring at least one rock!!!!!!! We would like to have a
silent auction or, ???? (Have you got any ideas on a fun way
to redistribute rocks among club members? Please let us
know your ideas at least one week before the picnic.
We, (the club) need to borrow some equipment for the picnic. If you have any of these items, and will let us use them for
the picnic, please call John at (760) 957-7414.
a) BBQ Grill (s) we probably need two (2).
b) Ice Chest we probably need six (6).
c) Water Jugs (5 Gallon) we probably need four (4).
I would like to have the ice chests and the water jugs 4—5 days
Prior

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The ventura c.f.m.s gem & mineral show

Our club’s displays. The show was well attended and enjoyed by all.

Federation
Director’s Report
Thank you to all the club members for allowing me to attend the annual California Federation Gem & Mineral Show in Ventura.

Thanks, too, for electing to submit a display case to represent our club. That’s the first time we’ve done that in many, many years. We received lots of compliments on the display which was entitled “Victor Valley Gem & Mineral – A club with many skills to share”. We had most aspects of our club represented: Mineral Collecting, Beading, Silver Smithing, Sphere making, Inlay, PMC clay, Dichroic Glass, Wire wrapping, Intarsia, Treasures from the Past and Chain Making all in our case.
I want to thank those who contributed items for the case: Doug and Sarah Arnold, Gil and Ellen Gilbert, Bob Menelly, Cyndy Mandell, Virgil Melton, Nancy Flanders, Jim Fosse and of course some of my “stuff” too. Good job folks! Next year we might even consider entering “competition”.
In general, the show was well organized and well attended. I saw club members Patti Deer (who had a booth for Women in Mining there), Andrew Turner, Gil and Ellen Gilbert, Bob Menelly, Doug and Sarah Arnold and Val Costello. If you were there and I missed you, I’m sorry. I was tied up in meetings all day Saturday. I’ll have an official report and photo album for you at the general meeting.
Carole McMichael, Federation Director.

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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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