Newsletter (Soft Blue design)
Author: Susan Brouwer

THE BULLETIN

DECEMBER 2022

Inside this issue:
President’s message 1
Election Results……………………..….1
Board Members 2
Committee Chairs……………………...2
Instructors………………………………...2
Sunshine……………………………….…..3
In Memoriam…………….……………...3
Field trip reports………………………..4
Holiday Dinner…………………..……...5
Meeting schedules…………………….7
Other news………………………………..3
TO OUR MEMBERS:
If you have any questions, comments, or just want to help , do not hesitate to contact your Board Members or Committee Chairs for assistance.
We encourage you to use the “suggestion Box.” It is opened at every board meeting.
Join in and be a voice for positive- change for VVGMC’s 75TH year in operation!
Let’s make this, our 75th year in business, a big success. We need more great field trips, big showing at the 47th annual Tailgate Show at Stoddard Wells, and teaching our members all we can, to get them proficient in lapidary arts.

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
THANKSGIVING DINNER FESTIVITIES

Welcome to the last month of the year, hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving. I’m not used to doing “cooking” like that. We treat most holidays like any other day. My kids don’t come around. My brother and sisters have their own families and are very busy with them, don’t get me wrong we still keep in touch, do things together or individually and we do have fun when we meet! (Sometimes they think I live too far away!)
Please plan on being at the last general meeting for the year and our Christmas Party. Dec 17, 2022.We will welcome our new board into their new jobs. My congratulations to the new board and looking forward to new and better things for the club.
Merry Christmas to all and Have a Happy New Year, Sara Arnold
Sara

NOVEMBERS 19, 2022 ELECTION RESULTS

Please note that the elected members will start serving the club January 1, 2022. Below is the list of the new board and a photo of new President, Dave Duncan, getting ready for collecting ballots after thanksgiving dinner.

PRESIDENT: DAVE DUNCAN
1st VICE PRESIDENT: STEVE RUCKER
2nd VICE PRESIDENT: ANNIE NELSON
TREASURER: CORY BECK
SECRETARY: JANET FLETCHER
BOARD MEMBER 2 YEAR TERM: LORIE CUNNINGHAM &
PAM TROZOR:
BOARD MEMBER 1 YEAR TERM: MARK LANTZ

VICTOR VALLEY GEM & MINERAL CLUB PAGE 1

VICTOR VALLEY GEM & MINERAL CLUB DECEMBER 2022

BOARD MEMBERS…..
President. / Sara Arnold, PH: 760-231- 3734 / EMAIL : president@ vvgmc .org
Vice President / Membership. Dave Duncan, PH :831-406-0214 / EMAIL: vp@vvgmc. Org
Recording Secretary / Treasurer. Dwayna Barron , PH: 760-995-7190 / EMAIL: Treasurer@vvgmc / recording- secretary@vvgmc
COMMITTEE CHAIRS…..
CFMS / Doug Arnold, PH: 760-221-3734 / EMAIL: cfms-rep@vvgmc
Wagon Master / Janet Fletcher, PH: 760-985-5432
Historian: / Position open
Librarian / Lorie Cunningham, Dave Duncan
Newsletter / Jake Brouwer, / EMAIL: jakelsdg@verizon.net
Photography / Ross Quinn
Sunshine / Lorie Cunningham
Tailgate Chairman: Mark Lantz / email marklantz53@gmail.com
Webmaster / Tech / Jim Fosse, PH: 760-245-8644 / EMAIL: info@vvgmc.org
INSTRUCTORS…..
Janet Fletcher Mary Lou Fletcher Dwayna Barron Chris Koch
Mark Lantz
Dave Duncan Lia Hamilton Gayland Graves Blaine Witte
Steve Rucker
FLOATING INSTRUCTOR….. Blaine Witte
ASSOCIATE INSTRUCTOR….. Lorie Cunningham, Dr. Ross Quinn
MAINTENANCE….. Dave Duncan

THE BULLETIN PAGE 2

VICTOR VALLEY GEM & MINERAL CLUB DECEMBER 2022

IN MEMORIUM of our FRIEND
JIM BANKER

Jim & Sandy Banker

ATTENTION MEMBERS!
PLEASE PAY YOUR
YEARLY DUES FEES
BY DECEMBER 31, 2022
You can pay by cash or check, but no credit cards, or electronic payment. Pay in person at the club or send check to VVGMC, 15056 - B 7th Street, Victorville, ca. 92395. 760-243-2330

The board of directors has;
Recently re-affirmed the following policy: With the exception of documented service animals, dogs and other pets are not allowed in the club house. It's not that we don't love your 4 legged friends, but they pose dangers to our other members, including trip and fall dangers, allergies and accidents involving the torches and other machinery. Documented service animals are welcome, but must be under the control of the owner and not roaming free or tethered to a table, and can only be in the meeting room (not in the silver, saw or grinding rooms). Please help keep the club house safe and welcoming to all (humans!) Thanks for all you do to make this a great rock club! Your Board of Directors

“Good morning Sunshine!” Bang, clatter, and shouting all around. “Get out of those bunks & get outside.” How many remember that at 05:30 dark thirty in the morning? Let’s take a few minutes today to remember our Women and Men of the United States Armed Forces. Also please remember our
first responders, police, fire and others during this holiday season. Thank you for
Your service!
Sunshine is happy to say that there were no reports by late November of sickness to report.
Please if you or a member isn’t feeling well or is celebrating a special occasion, please contact, Lorie Cunningham at 831-325-1912.
Why not remember our older members that have not been around and welcome them back for a visit, or send them a card.
Sure would be good to see or hear from you & welcome you to our Holiday Dinner. Dec, 17, 2022.

SUNSHINE COLUMN

NOVEMBER’S NEW MEMBERS

Thank you for signing up in November! We hope to help you learn about the club, enjoy the shows, instructors, classes and all of VVGMC’s services, including field trips.
A big welcome to Jake and Dustin Morrison who joined the club in late November.

To the right is Jake Morrison and his son Dustin Morrison. They joined late November. This image submitted by Jake Morrison shows Jake with his latest haul, a 10 pound nugget of much sought after turquoise. Dave says “Ask him for more info when you see him. I know I will!”

WANT TO JOIN THE CLUB? CONTACT VP OF MEMEBERSHIP
STEVE RUCKER, OR CALL THE CLUB PH & EMAIL ON PAGE 2.
SINGLE MEMBERSHIP IS $35.00
COUPLES MEMBERSHIP IS $45.00
CHILDREN MEMBERSHIP IS $15.00

THE BULLETIN PAGE 3

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VICTOR VALLEY GEM & MINERAL CLUB DECEMBER 2022

NOVEMBER, DECEMBER FIELD TRIP NEWS & REPORTS

Lavic Field Trip Yields Treasure. By Scott Gray
Saturday November 12th was the perfect day for a field trip with ideal weather and freshly revealed gems due to some rain earlier in the week. After meeting up at 9 am we all followed Wagon Master Janet to the first location of the day. Rains earlier in the week definitely helped in exposing lots of the jasp-agate this location is famous for and it was easy pickings for everyone. Our second location for the day was a challenging yet rewarding one. Beautiful jasper, jasper-agate, and chalcedony were the prizes for those who looked, with larger pieces being tougher to find. Overall this trip was a huge success with all members leaving with full buckets and fond memories! Thanks Janet and thanks VVG&M!

To the left, you will find three great photos of just 3 of her many finds. First is a nice Chalcedony specimen. Next is nice piece of jasper rough with multiple colors in banding, cherry, orange, and some green. After that is a neat tan / yellow piece with what appears to be moss within. Photos were summited by Pam Trozoro. THANK YOU PAM!!

CALIFORNIA ROCK AND MINERAL SHOWS
Has Announced
Mojave Desert Gem & Mineral Show
Starting: 12-3-2023. Ending 12 - 4 -23.
Open from:10:00 am to 5:00 pm both days. L
Located at: The Cora Harper Community Center. 841 S. Barstow Road, Barstow, Ca.

LAST SHOW OF THE YEAR - DECEMBER 4th, 2022
This months Field trip will be to the North Edwards area for Travertine Onyx. At the claim owned by the Sierra Palona club. We will meet at 9:00 AM at Burger King on US395 just south of the intersection with HWY 58, AKA Kramer Junction. Please be on time.
Material to be collected is multicolored Travertine Onyx,. Although there may be some loose rock in float, you may want to bring digging tools such as shovels, picks and pry bars. This of course will be dirty work, so dress accordingly.
Janet Fletcher, Wagon Master

JANUARY 2023 PURCHASING TRIP TO QUARTZITE, AZ

THE BULLETIN PAGE 4

VICTOR VALLEY GEM & MINERAL CLUB DECEMBER 2022

Christmas holiday dinner dec, 17, 2022

On the 17th of December 2022, the club will hold it’s annual Christmas Holiday Dinner. The day starts at 12:00 noon and dinner will be buffet style starting as soon as ready. After that will be the General meeting for December. The club will be providing Ham and perhaps a Turkey. We ask the club member to coordinate with Lorie Cunningham as to what you can bring for sides, deserts, drinks. We thank you all and hope this will be a great start to your holiday. There will also be a silent auction and raffle during the afternoon.

Thanks to Lorie Cunningham

Instructor’s classes report

Silversmith class November: Classes are on Wednesdays. Led by Master Silver Smith instructor Janet Fletcher. This class is now closed. Be sure to sign-up early for this exciting class next time around. This class has been quite the success story with people coming from as far away as Norway to be involved and learn. At the last General Meeting Lori Cunningham was made an Associate Instructor. I’ve seen her work and dedication and I am impressed. My intent is to be there at the start of the next beginners class. For further information contact Janet Fletcher. Also Janet suggests getting your name on a list for the next start-up class as they fill up very quickly.

December is always a busy time around the club house and most classes were finished for the year. However we have club members and instructors that are very familiar with all sorts of work. Mary Lou Fletcher for one stood up at the last meeting and said that if anyone had questions or wanted someone to help get something started she would be happy to help. Thanks Mary Lou!
I find that everyone is quite helpful, sometimes more help is needed than there are instructors for a particular shop day. I urge any club member that wants to teach, instruct, or be an associate instructor to help out, check with the board and see how you can help. jb
We are hoping for a rise in memberships and especially for the tailgate show coming up in March. Dates are posted on a later page. Time to rebuild our club and strengthen our team. jb

Faceting; by Sara Arnold
My classes were 6 pm to 10 pm on Thursday and Friday. Then 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday. On Thursday I arrived at Yucaipa Valley Gem and Mineral Society a little bit late. They had little cubes of clear quartz. We each picked our cubes, learned to attach them to the dops. (I don’t think they are called dops but that was as close as I could get.) We each had a faceting machine to work with. We each had a pattern to follow. As the time passed, and had to clean up, we left our stone in our machines. Friday I left early and got partway down Hwy 138 I ran into traffic. After sitting there who knows how long. I decided that I wouldn’t be going to class.
Saturday I got there about 10 minutes late, and had to catch up to the others. I did get somewhat caught up to the others. I finished the pavilion and polished it, worked on the girdle. On Sunday I worked on the crown grinding the angles and polishing them and did the top. I did finish it but had a few mistakes, but with the final polishing you can’t tell. Note a photo was provided and will be posted in a follow up with Sara Arnold next month. jb

VICTOR VALLEY GEM & MINERAL CLUB PAGE 5

VICTOR VALLEY GEM & MINERAL CLUB DECEMBER 2022

Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club to have 47th Annual Rockhound Tailgate. Press release by Mark Lantz.
March 10th through March 12th, 2023. As in past years, the location is 7 miles up Stoddard Wells Road off Dale Evans Parkway and Interstate 15. The event will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9am-5pm. Everyone is welcome to this free event. There will be vendors selling all sorts of handcrafted and faceted jewelry, rock slabs and cabochons, findings, equipment, fossils, and “TONS” of rough material. Come for a day or there is space for dry camping and portable restrooms are on site. Many other activities will be available including silent auction, grab bags, spin the wheel, food, drinks, and a field trip on Saturday morning to a local collecting area. As always, vendor spaces are Free on a first come, first served basis. For more information visit our website at vvgmc.org or call 760-243-2330. You may also email: president@vvgmc.org / marklantz53@gmail.com

PLEASE PICK UP EXTRA
FLYERS FROM THE CLUB HOUSE TO PASS OUT TO BUSINESSES AND FRIENDS FOR THIS 47th ANNUAL SHOW

California federal mineral society

CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES 2023 Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Festival June 23–25, 2023 Lodi, California.

VICTOR VALLEY GEM & MINERAL CLUB PAGE 6

Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club was founded in 1947, as a 501/C4 non profit education club. Visitors are always welcome.
Our objective and purpose is to disseminate knowledge of minerology & earth sciences. To encourage study in those subjects though various programs. To arrange field trips for exploration, study, and collection of specimens. The preparations, publication, and distribution of articles pertaining to these fields. The encouragement of interest of young people & fostering of classes in mineralogy and lapidary arts

THE BULLETIN IS THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER...
published by the Victor Valley Gem & Mineral club and is distributed free of charge electronically to the members by email. Views expressed by authors in the articles appearing in THE BULLETIN do not necessarily reflect those of the VICTOR VALLEY GEM AND MINERAL CLU.B The editor publishes content as presented with minor changes for continuity.
Articles from this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in other lapidary newsletter if proper credit is given to the author and THE BULLETIN. Articles and pictures are due by the last day of the month for the following month's issue.
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Phone: 555-555-5555
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SHOP DAY: SATURDAYS—NOON—5 PM
SHOP DAY: SUNDAYS - NOON - 5PM

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS AS FOLLOWS
INSTRUCTORS MEETING- 1st TUESDAY 2:30 pm
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING -1sT TUESDAY 4:00
GENERAL MEETING -3rd Saturday 12:00 - 2:00 pm, with Pot Luck, Education, Silent auction & Raffle. Shop work resumes 2:00 -5:00 pm.
CLUB CLEAN UP DAY - 4th Saturday 9:00 am

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MAILING LABLE

75th
ANNIVERARY
YEAR
1947-1948
2022-2023

The first field trip for 2023 will be to the annual Quartzsite Pow Wow gem show in Quartzsite AZ. This will be a purchasing trip. Vendors from around the country, and the world, will be selling cutting material, minerals/crystals, lapidary equipment, jewelry and jewelry supplies and much more. This is the first, and some say best, gem show of the year. The meet up with be at the Burger King parking lot located at 1395 West Main St. Quartzite, AZ. This exit 17 on Interstate 10 and is the first Quartzite Exit. It will be the next exit after exit 11 Dome Rock Road. Meeting time will be 10:00 AM Arizona time, 9:00 AM California time. Your cell phone should adjust accordingly when you enter Arizona. Quartzite is a big place with sometimes heavy traffic, so I will need to contact information for all those planning to attend. My contact info is Scott Gray (951-492-9806. The Pow Wow location is 235 East Ironwood, Quartzite, AZ.