The Gem & Mineral Shows are just about over here in Quartzsite. Our group has been discussing what we need to get for the club. We feel like we have enough polished rock & marbles for our show & things to help with the Moab show.

We have been going out at least once a week to old ghost towns, mining sites, and Yuma Proving Grounds to watch the paratroopers.

We need some volunteers to search out sites for rock collecting in our area that will be productive, and not closed off to vehicles. The sites we read about in the book that are available have been picked over so much (or closed off) that about all we get out of the trips is the association of others that are there (which is good) but as for me I need more exercise & Maxine needs more rocks(ha ha).

I will be home soon, and to the next meeting. Lets all be thinking about things we need to do as a club, and try to get more members who have new ideas, and help with these things. Lets all try to work towards things for our show & to help with the one for Moab.

We need volunteers to fill the positions that are vacant for the show so please let us know soon!

Thanks Again,
Darrel Bolinder
President

Subject: Minutes for the Meeting
Place: Tooele Senior Citizens Center
Date: Feb. 8th, 2000

The minutes were called to order Earl Copfer. The minutes were then read by Benjamin Shinkle, the were then approved. There was some discussion on the health of some of the members in Quartzsite. Then the Treasurer’s report was read & approved.

Earl Asked were the member wanted to go on fieldtrips, he mentioned a few suggestion get got, and there was some other discussion of some other places. He also asked if there was anyone that would be willing to be Fieldtrip Chairman.

Phil Salm reported that in last April Strata Gem there was an article on refurbishing your sanding belts, he tried it & was well pleased with the results.

Dixie Salm said she heard of the University for one day letting people down in the basement of the museum & was wondering if we could do that. It will be checked into.

Ruth Smith reported that Selma is out of the hospital now.

We had problems with the video tape and/or player, so the meeting was adjourned for refreshments & social.

Submitted by,
Benjamin Shinkle
Secretary

Get Well Soon:
The PET Scan on Lida Chapman showed no sign of cancer, so the Doctor is kind is stumped, but she is feeling better. Leona Adams is feeling better but her energy level is down. Selma Jockisch is home from the hospital & feeling better. Dixie Salm an serious infection, but is home now. (submitted by Ruth Smith)

March Program:
The program for the March meeting on Mar. 14th is a video "Gems & Minerals of the Smithsonian". I will make sure I preview & have a working player, sorry about last month.

Websites:
Sense there are more of our member getting computers & connecting to the web here are a few sites you may want to check out.

I have Started my own website. You can find it at: http://sites.netscape.net/dennischap/. At the same time I started one for the club, you can find it at: http://sites.netscape.net/dennischap/tooelegem. The club site will be
moved to another site with a easier name when I find one I like. Till then if you have anything to add to the site, photos for the gallery, favorite links, or any suggestion let me know. If you don’t have the Internet, go to the Library & check it out.

The ALAA (American Land Access Association) has a new website & it look quite impressive. www.amerlands.org. There is another I saw in the in Golden Spike News, it is at www.nwi.org. These are a good way to find out what is going on in government that can effect our hobby.

American Federation of Mineralogical Soc. www.amfed.org, I find this a great site to find out what’s going on in the Federation & a way to link to other good sites.

Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Soc. http://www.rmfms.org/. Another great site to find out what’s going on in the Federation & a way to link to other good sites.

A few others are: Lapidary - www.lapidarydigest.com, Silversmithing - www.frii.com/~dnorris/, and no list would be complete without Bob’s Rockshop - www.rockhounds.com.

This has been a busy month for everyone in Quartzsite. The desert has been full of RV’ers for miles in every direction, and it has been next to impossible to drive through town for mail, groceries, bill paying, or just go see what there is to see. Walking is about it, as far as getting around town is concerned. But it’s an exciting time too. Many friends & family from home coming to see what there is to see, and dropping in to visit and spend time with us. Our circle around the campfire gets larger & and more tall tales and good times together are enjoyed by all.

One of my most enjoyable evenings at the campfire this month was when the eclipse of the moon took place. It was absolutely awesome!!! My Root cousins from Modesto CA., who set up their dried fruit, nuts, & goody booths all over town during the months of Jan. & Feb., were able to go out with me to the campfire that night. They were so excited about the eclipse, and the beauty of the night sky in the desert, where there are no city lights to dim the beauty of it. They also sang a few songs for us which we look forward to each year when they come out for the Pow Wow. This year I was able to have one of their little helpers stay with me. A sweet little 18 year old girl, who accompanied me to the fire every evening we had a chance to go. I guess no one will ever forget the name Kira Boone from Virginia. She fell in love with everyone at the campfire, and I think they all fell for her & her innocent charms.

Phil & Dixie, you would have loved her too. And we all want you to know how much we miss you & your happy presence here with us. Our circle is just not complete without you. It was good talking to you on the phone, and to hear all is going well for you again after your back problems & this latest close call with that sneaky virus that just about got you. Thank Goodness you were home where you could be close to the care you
needed.

I am enjoying having Dennis visiting me for a few days. That was an unexpected pleasure when he called & said he would be coming down with friends. So even through many of the vendors have moved on, there is still lots to see & do, and he is enjoying looking around.

Janet & Myron have recently been blessed with Twin Grandbabies, who are now home and doing good, so Janet says she can’t stand it any longer & they are heading home next week. So will Dick & Marlelne Peterson because he has their annual show to get ready for. We will miss them. Jay & Erla are about ready to head home also, in about a week I believe. Darrel & Maxine Bolinder will be home in time for your next meeting. Doesn’t seem possible that winter is about over, and it’s nearly time for us to fly home again. I hope by next winter those of us who have been having health problems will be back to normal good health again and can enjoy all the good times together again. This has been sort of miserable year for some of us.

Well, I guess that’s about all for now. So if the good Lord’s willing & the creek don’t rise, we’ll see you in April or there about.

Love Ya,
Lida Chapman