What a fun meeting we had last month. Linda had us another super program by Doug Wallace with some great pictures, and interesting stories about gold and crystal mining. The club presented Darrell Harrison with an Honorary Lifetime Membership for his years of service and counsel to the club. It was a well deserved honor, and I give thanks to the folks in our club who are always thinking about the right things to do.
Thanks go out again this month to Mike Russell, who has someone working on our web page. Coco Johnston unfortunately missed our meeting, but plans on joining soon. She already has made several updates to the web site, so she is working for us before she’s even a member. THANKS Coco!! And thanks Mike, for always thinking about ways to make us a better club.
Field Trips: David Dobson is sponsoring our August field trip to the TXI plant in Midlothian on Aug. 20. Only 25 people are allowed, so sign up with him at rocktrading@aol.com. Be sure you are going, or cancel at least three days early, so that he can let people on the mailing list know they can go. Since it is a 45 minute drive or less, Brian Bowles suggested that you might want to show up if you are on the waiting list, just in case someone in the first 25 no-shows. bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. I’m looking forward to seeing all you rock hounds at the next meeting on August 16th at our next club meeting. Our program will be our annual silent auction. Bring your donations auction and food to eat! See you then! Rick
I am racing the sun going west on highway 29 and I see a thrift shop sign in the tiny town of Bertram. Now my truck will not pass one of those signs without turning in so screech and I am there as the town is only about two blocks square. I hear what I think is someone give a wolf whistle and I think they must be real desperate in the country to whistle at me. I walk over and there is this bird on the porch of an old building and there is the most incredible rock shop “Balcones Gem and Mining Company” owned by Becky Whittaker and Jerry Rhine. We have a great visit as they give me posters and rocks for my granddaughter. I tell them about the nice people in our club and they ask that we stop by any time as they live there. They even said we can camp on their porch if we want to rock hunt. Jerry is the miner/explorer and Becky is the silver smith. The bird is the advertisement and the best advertising director I have ever seen. He just draws you in. There is a great junk shop right next door if you need anything. I bought hand made chili bowls for $.25 each and made some new friends there. The little town is trying to raise money for a library so shop a lot! HAVE NEWS? wagnerbk@hotmail.com
OPEN SHOP: Mon evening 6-9 & Sat. 8-12 shop Tel: 214.906.8834. If more info about qualification classes is needed, contact Mike at twinman72@yahoo.com. MIKE’S MESSAGE: We had 5 who 'cleaned' in the shop. Good progress in cleanliness was made. Shop now has new 6"belts for those who use the expandable grinding wheels for working rock. Shop will have to order at least 1 (one) 8" Diamond wheel for the large grinder, as the 100 grit wheel has developed a 'pot hole' in its' face. Consideration is being given to changing wheel grits and sizes on this machine at this time, since we have a need to replace the 1 wheel. A switch to 2 1/2" wheels, one at 80 grit and one at 220 grit, seems like a better use of the machine. Thanks to every one for the clean up and repair!
FROM BEN EDENS: Thanks to those who helped with the mailing on Saturday, 7/30/05, to advertise for the show November. Your help is appreciated. We had suggestions for the letter, some club/organization names to be sure to add to the list, and volunteers who signed letters, stuffed
letters and cards, and sealed envelopes. Send other names of clubs, organizations, individuals e-mail with the name, address and phone # to me at:
ben-in-tx@sbcglobal.net. Or you can contact me at 214-794-6985
Thanks
to all
Volunteers!!!
I.C.E.
This suggestion from Linda after the London bombing. Store on your cell telephone the number of the person you want called in an emergency. Great idea, thanks Linda! I did mine.