Volume 54 Number 12 December 2, 2013

Highlights of the November Meeting:

The President started the meeting at 7:07 PM. There were 23 members and guests for this

meeting.

The refreshments were furnished by Kathie & Big Jim Montgomery and consisted of: wonderful

barbeque with Weekend Warrior Sauce Made by Big Jim Montgomery, peanut brittle, soft drinks,

barbeque rolls, hummus, cookies, fruit tray, and pasta chips. This was a great spread—thanks

You Kathie and Jim.

DOOR PRIZES: Charlie Finch: hevlandite, Tambar Springs Gunnedait, NSW Australia

Dawn Healy given to Judy McCord: orbicular diorite, Davie Co. NC

We had some discussion concerning a trip to Fairy Stone Park in near by Virginia. The stone is

actually is Staurolite with a crystal habit that resembles a cross of various shapes and sizes. We will

probably have a field trip in January to Laurie’s shop near Lexington.

The Club honored Dr. Mountjoy and he is now an Honorary Life Time member.

We thank Dr. Mountjoy for all the things has done for Club. See Page 3

Next Club Meeting December 2, 2013

6:30 PM

New Garden Friends

801 New Garden Road.

Greensboro, NC

Holiday Dinner

“Dirty Rotten Santa”

Next Meeting

January 6, 2014

Treasurers Report 2013:

Debra Livingston, Treasurer

October 1:

Balance: $1,141.29 Deposits: $ 625.00

Expenditures: $ 13.00

October 31:

Balance: $ 1,753.29

Notable expenses:

McCreery Scholarship: $ 767.50

Hospitality Report 2013:

Kathie Montgomery, President

Jan. 7: Mary Barto Feb. 4: Dawn & Shawn Healy March 4: Debra Livingston April 8: Joe Maguire May 6: Martha Honeycutt June 3: Gary Parker July 1: Shelton family Aug. 5: Kathie & Debbie Sept. 9: Smith family Oct. 7: Joyce Patton Nov. 4: Montgomery family

Dec.2, 2010 Holiday Dinner Expenses are reimbursed. Please try to keep cost below $50.00

Piedmont Prospector© Volume 54 Number 12 Page 2

December Birthdays:

David Edwards Laurie Adams

Robert Lynch Diane Harris Sean Farley

2013 Field Trips by Shawn Shelton Gary Parker Jan none Feb. none March none April none / MAGMA Reel Mine May none June Gem & Mineral Show July 13 Uwharrie Gold Panning hosted by Shaun Shelton. Aug 24th Martin Marietta Reidsville Sept. No information Oct No information Nov No information

Dec. 2 Christmas/Holiday Dinner

2013 Programs:

March 4 KB Montgomery & Steve Smith

How to tumble stones

April 8 Spring auction May 6 DVD The Adelaide Mine June 3 Member finds

July 1 Shaun Shelton, Gold veins in NC

Aug. 5 Steve Adams: Confirmed Dinosaur Killer

Sept. 9 Show & Tell Oct. 7 Fall Auction

Nov. 4 “New Insights to Petroglyphs in Mexico” By Dr. Joseph Mountjoy

Dec. 2 Holiday dinner; “Dirty-Rotten-Santa”

Jewelry Bench Tips by Brad Smith

MINI DRILL PRESS

If you find yourself drilling a number of small holes for your work, you might want to look at the small, inexpensive

drill presses now available. They take up just minimal space on your bench and are always ready to give you nice straight

holes. Some models even have a variable speed control. I've been very pleased with a low-priced one that's been well-used in

my classes for over a year. Because these machines are only a foot high, they're limited as to the size of workpieces that can fit into the machine

and the size of the drill bits you can use. But I've had no problems with drill bits up to about 3/16" (4.5mm), even drilling

steel.

The machines are sold by a number of companies. If you do get one, be sure to buy a spare belt because they are

generally not available at local hardware stores.

LASER WELDING A question came up this week about how to solder some jump rings to hold blue topaz briolettes onto a necklace.

We've all heard about ways to do some soldering close to a stone, and some of us have sized a ring without taking the stones

out of their mounts. We've used wet paper towels, garnet sand, cooling gels, and my favorite of suspending the stone in a dish

of water. All techniques bank on the principal of using a small, hot flame to do the job quickly before the stone gets hot

enough to crack or change color.

But each job is somewhat of a gamble. Some stones are hardy and some are frail. Jades and jaspers will generally

take a lot of heat, but I'd never chance it with the likes of topaz or opal. Trying to shield a stone from the torch is always a

betting game, and sometimes you lose.

If you're worried about soldering something close to a stone, perhaps it's time to consider a no-heat method like la-

ser welding. Most jewelry stores have laser welders these days, and the cost of having it done is quite affordable. They used

to have problems doing silver, but now seem to do it routinely. I've used a local shop twice in the last year, once for a piece with little emeralds a "friend" asked me to repair and

for a second piece where I needed a safety catch and didn't want the torch heat to expose all the solder lines again.

More Bench Tips by Brad Smith are at facebook.com/BenchTips/ or search for "Bench Tips for Jewelry Making"

on Amazon

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 54 Number 12 Page 3

2013 Holiday Dinner

December 2, 2013, 6:30 PM, New Garden Friends Meeting, Friendship Hall.

Kathie has been circulating an e-mail that lists covered dish volunteer categories.

There will be a very short business portion.

After the dinner, we will do a quick clean up and Joe will do the dishes.

Each person desiring to play “Dirty Rotten Santa” should bring a small wrapped gift and place it on the center table and you will receive a ticket. Gifts should not be expensive.

Also, we usually have children in the game so gifts should be appropriate. This game is so much fun!

The first person will select a gift. The second person will decide to take the first person’s gift or select from the center table; and so goes the 3rd, 4th,etc. person. A gift can only be stolen three times.

Please come and enjoy the fun.

*************************************************************************************

Members needing your uplifting Thoughts:

Hello, Fellow Members,

I rarely address health concerns of our members but am not hesitating when we have someone with a

dire situation who could use some warm thoughts sent his way. Russ Elliott was just diagnosed with a

brain tumor and underwent surgery this week to learn it is a cancerous tumor but caught early. He is

doing fine, all things considered, and will have to undergo radiation treatments. Our thoughts are with

him and his wife, Joanne, as he recovers at home. If you would like to send a card, his address is:

Russ Elliott

5309 Branderwood Court

Greensboro, NC 27407

Phil Everhart has had worsening knees that gave way on him a day or two after our last meeting, he

broke his right ankle in two places and is in a cast. This is an inconvenience for someone who drives for a

living and whose favorite past time is “riding around”! His knee replacement surgeries may be moved up

earlier than January as scheduled due to the situation. His address is:

Phil Everhart

210 Pauline Lane

Lexington, NC 27295

Kathie Montgomery

President

GGMC

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Birth Stone:

The three birthstones associated with December are Tanzanite, Zircon, and Turquoise

Tanzanite

Discovered in the late 1960s in Tanzania, and found

exclusively in this tiny area of the world, tanzanite exhibits a

rich violet-blue color for which the gemstone is treasured;

often it is heat-treated to achieve this color. Colors range

from blue to purple, and tanzanites that are medium dark in

tone, vivid in saturation, and slightly violet blue command

premium prices. As tanzanite can be less expensive than sap-

phire, it often was purchased as an alternative. However, it

has increased in popularity and now is valued more for its

own beauty and brilliance than as a sapphire substitute.

- See more at: http://www.americangemsociety.org/december-

birthstones#sthash.ExQ14F60.dpuf

Zircon

Derived from the Arabic words zar and gun, meaning

gold and color, zircon is found in a wide range of colors such

as: blue, yellow, orange, brown, green, colorless, and red (the

most prized color). For many years colorless zircon was used

to imitate diamonds. Folk wisdom grants zircon the power to

relieve pain, whet the appetite, protect travelers from disease

and injury, to ensure a warm welcome, and to prevent night-

mares guaranteeing a deep, tranquil sleep. Major sources of

zircon are the Chanthaburi area of Thailand, the Palin area

of Cambodia, and the southern part of Vietnam.

See more at: http://www.americangemsociety.org/

December -birthstones#sthash.GN3yMbQB.dpuf

Turquoise

The name turquoise, from the French expression Pierre

tourques or Turkish stone, originated in the thirteenth century

and describes one of the oldest known gemstones. Turquoise

varies in color from greenish blue, through robin's egg-blue, to

sky blue shades and its transparency ranges from translu-

cent to opaque. Turquoise is plentiful and is available in a wide

range of sizes. It is most often used for beads, cabochons, carv-

ings, and inlays. Although its popularity fluctuates in fashion, it

is a perennial favorite in the American Southwest.

See more at: http://www.americangemsociety.org/

december-birthstones#sthash.GN3yMbQB.dpuf

****************************************************************************

From National Geographic Magazine:

Looks like there IS a diamond in the sky---possibly the equivalent of three Earth masses. Yale

astrophysicist Nikku Madhusudhan reports that a planet about 40 light-years away likely has a dia-

mond layer nearly 2,500 miles thick, topped by a graphite surface. Called 55 Cancri e, the carbon-rich

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 54 Number 12 Page 4

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 54 Number 12 Page 5

orb has little water and is fiery hot, at around 3,900 degrees Fahrenheit. “Scientists often assume that rocky planets are oxygen rich, like Earth,” says Madhusudhan, who analyzed the planet’s measure-ments. “This shows what extreme diversity can be out there.” Written by Luna Shyr (I did not make

up her name. If I had, I would have named her Lucy)

KB Montgomery

****************************************************************************

The December Presentation is:

New insights Regarding the Chronology and Interpretation of Petroglyphs in the

Mascota Valley of Jalisco, Mexico, By Dr. Joseph B. Mountjoy.

Professor, Emeritusalisco, Mexico.

Anthropology, UNCG

jbmountj@hotmail.com

In 1996 I began doing archaeological research in several valleys located in the

western highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. This

research was focused on the registration of rocks with petroglyphs and the location of

shaft-and-chamber tomb burial sites. Several spectacular petroglyphs sites were regis-

tered, including one canyon (the photograph) that appears to record the

kind of sacred deer hunt carried out by the nearby Huichol Indians in

the 19th century.

Also, excavations were conducted in one ceremonial site where a

copper/bronze bell in the form of Mictlantecuhtli (an Aztec god of death)

had been unearthed by looters in 1961. In 2000 I began conducting exca-

vations in the Mascota Valley at a burial site dated to ca. 800 B.C. with

funds provided by the National Geographic Society. Excavations in

that site were completed in 2005, and by that time we had excavated

approximately 39 Middle Formative burial pits which contained the

remains of about 175 individuals and some 500 burial offerings,

some of which show distant relationships with places such as Guate-

mala and the border area of Peru and Ecuador.

In 2004-2005 funding by the Foundation for the Advance-

ment of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc. enabled us to conduct excava-

tions in two more Middle Formative cemeteries (ca. 800 B.C. to

1000 B.C.) where we discovered and excavated human remains

and burial offerings from several shaft-and-chamber tombs. At

present, 500 of these Middle Formative burial items are on display

in three rooms in the Archaeology Museum of Mascota, and a

fourth room, with 35 color photographs and 4 petroglyph rocks, is

dedicated to presenting an interpretation of the designs pecked or

painted onto rocks in this area of Jalisco.

There are 10 included publications by Joseph B. Mountjoy.

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 54 Number 12 Page 6

Archaeology Museum of Mascota

Altavista aerial map

Las Piletas Creek Alex

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 54 Number 12 Page 7

Modern Offerings Alta Cross Man Flying-TV

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 54 Number 12 Page 8

Known in Mexico as "La Pila del Rey", "Chacalán", "El Santuario", "Los Petrogl¡fos" or "the Altavista petro-

glyphs", this is an archeological and scenic attraction near Jaltemba Bay.

More than two thousand years ago an Aztecan tribe, the Tecoxquines, chipped images into the volcanic rock along the ar-

royo (seasonal stream) Las Piletas. The petroglyphs are believed to be symbolic of the concerns and the yearnings of the peo-ple, for health and fertility, the return of the rains, and successful crops. The rock carvings might have been meant as

prayers or offerings to the gods responsible for these things.

After the arrival of the Conquistadors in the early 16th century, the twin scourges of disease and forced servitude

led to the extinction of the Tecoxquin. Today the site of the petroglyphs holds religious significance for the native Huichol.

Archeologists have located more than 2000 carvings in an area of more than 80 hectares (200 acres); the casual visi-

tor can see seventy or more without too much effort. A series of fifteen signs in Spanish and English are posted along the

path, giving some explanation and historical context to the site.

Beyond seeing these artifacts of an ancient society, a visit to the petroglyphs will lead you on a pleasant walk through tropical forest. Perhaps a kilometer from the entrance, you'll reach the most sacred area of this site. Las Piletas

creek flows down over a series of rock shelves and through small pools it has carved over the eons; beside it are high vertical

walls of basalt covered with ferns, Philodendrons, and other forest plants. All around and above are native palms, trees with

flaking red bark, bromeliads, and other flora of the tropical forest. The greatest concentration of carvings is here.

This is a peaceful, magical place to sit and contemplate, listen to the water flowing over the rocks, watch the butterflies, and

wander about.

Near a place of offerings in this beautiful sanctuary stands a Ceiba tree, the most important tree of the Aztecs and

the Mayans and other ancient Mesoamerican people; joining all the creatures of earth with the water world below the sur-

face and the world of the gods above.

The petroglyphs are eroded and, in many cases, the rocks they're carved on have cracked or chunks have flaked off. A lot of them can be hard to discern. If you want to see them at their best, avoid midday when the overhead sun will wash out the

relief of the carvings.

If you want to visit the site, keep in mind that this site is still in use for native religious practices. Don't take food or drink

with you when you enter.

Come interested, come open to the experience, and come quietly

CCredit is given to INAH redit is given to Jaltemba Bay Rentals Signs Along the Way:

1) Altavista

Archeological Petroglyphs site of Altavista known as "La Pila del Rey" located along the Piletas creek on the sides of the

Copo volcano. It covers an extension of about 80 hectares where there is one of the biggest concentrations of engraved

rocks.

2) The Tecoxquin ("Throat-Cutters")

They were the original users of the Altavista site. Long before the Spanish, this indigenous group inhabited an extensive region covering the entire southern coast of Nayarit and neighboring coastal and mountain regions of Jalisco. They were

mainly farmers, fishermen, salt-producers, and traders in cacao and cotton. The Tecoxquines were organized in a series

of villages under the control of Teuzacualpan in the Chila valley (the modern-day town of Zacualpan). Their commercial

links allowed them to establish an intense trade which reached at least as far as southern Sinaloa, and as far south and

east as Colima and Michoacan.

3) The Tecoxquines Religious Life

Many of the religious ceremonies which occurred at this site were undoubtedly based on nahualism. Nahualism, or sha-

manism, is an ancient religious practice by which certain persons communicate with their gods and spirits through al-

tered states of consciousness. This tradition has deep roots in the region; the name of the state of Nayarit derives from

the word "nahualli". The Tecoxquines used psychotropic plants and tobacco to attain states of ecstasy that brought them into contact with their deities.

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 54 Number 12 Page 9

4) The Last Of The Tecoxquines

In 1524 an army led by Francisco Cortes de Buenaventura incorporated this zone into the jurisdiction of Santiago of Colima.

Six years later, Nuño de Guzman formed the kingdom of Nueva Galicia covering the entire northern and western regions of Mexico. Following the Spanish conquest, deaths from epidemics and forced labor completely annihilated the Tecoxquines as

a people. Today in the mestizo towns of the area people still speak of "white indians," ghosts who appear from the moun-

tains to honor their ancient gods.

5) The Tecuales

In the 17th century, European landowners cultivating cacao in the region needed a new workforce. The old Tecoxquin vil-

lages, as far as the salt-producing town of Ixtapa were populated with Tecual who were ancestors of the modern-day Hu-

ichol. A new wave of Europeans arrived from the town of Compostela and formed haciendas such as Chila and Las Varas.

They also brought in slaves through the nearby port of Chacala which had trade links with North and South America. Each

of these new peoples reinterpreted the petroglyphs of Altavista in a distinct manner

6) The Water Cycle The state of Nayarit is characterized by high rainfall, the fifth highest in the country. The rains are concentrated in a period

of intense storms between May and October. In dramatic contrast to the dry season the rest of the year, the mountains of

Altavista attract heavy rainfall leaving the areas to the east much drier (the opposite side of the mountain has a semi-desert

climate). Perhaps becuase of this abundance of water, Altavista was seen as a special place, and venerated for its fertility

7) Tamoanchan

This concept was a central part of ancient mesoamerican cosmology. Tamoanchan is the cosmic tree which connects all life

and sustains the world. Its roots are underground in the realm of water and fertility. Its trunk is among humans above

ground and reaches upward. The crown of the tree is in the heavens, in the realm of the gods and the rains. Tamoanchan

was represented by the Ceiba tree in many parts of Mexico although other large trees such as the pine and the strangler fig

could also have served the same purpose.

(8) Warfare: Trophy Heads

The "flower war" was one of the principal religious practices associated with the Tecoxquines . The goal was not conquest. Rather the objective was to obtain warrior prisoners for ritual sacrifice, and whose severed heads were later offered to the

gods. These wars usually occurred locally, although they were also held in places as far away as the valleys of Talpa, Mas-

cota, and the Mochitiltic Canyon in Jalisco.

9) Tlalocan

In ancient Mesoamerica, water was thought to lie underneath the earth, and so the underworld was considered a place of

fertility. Tlalocan was the "water paradise" beneath the earth. It was inhabited by the Chanes, or Water Spirits, as well as

the spirits of those people who had drowned or whose death was connected to water. Tlalocan was also the place of the

mythical crocodile Cipactli, an "earth monster" who symbolized fertility and the primordial times

10) The Devoted Christ

The first historical references to the Altavista archeological site date from 1612. They describe complex writing, a multitude

of crosses, and above all a devoted Christ whom the local people hold in great veneration. This is possibly a reference to the

so-called "Maize Man", a figure symbolizing fertility and growth. Local farmers leave offerings of candles and gourd

bowls of salt to this figure in order to obtain fertility for their coffee and tobacco crops or in hopes of obtaining work

when they travel to the United States.

11) The Apostle Matthew

Beginning in the 17th century the belief arose among the Spanish that the apostle Matthew traveled to the new world in

prehispanic times to evangelize the indians. This was thought to account for the rock carvings of Altavista, especially the

crosses. By the 20th century this belief had developed to the point where Matthew was credited with creating the cross of

grass, which is now a religious sanctuary in Tepic and is thought to possess miraculous powers. According to local legend

a stream of blood beginning at the cross of grass flowed down the mountains to Altavista, connecting the two sacred

sites.

12) The Cross The fact that the cross was a sacred symbol among the Tecoxquines, somewhat surprising to the Spanish, and led to the

legend of the apostle Matthew. But for the Tecoxquines, like most other ancient mesoamericans, the cross was in reality

a mental map of the cosmos. It symbolized the five sacred directions: the four cardinal points and the center. Each direc-

tion was associated with certain gods, colors, and sacred realms, as well as one of the four trees which formed the ta-

moanchan. The idea of the four-cornered universe is still present among Mexican indians today, and is symbolized by

crosses, diamonds and other similar shapes.

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 54 Number 12 Page 10

13) Communication With The Gods

It is possible that the rocks of Altavista were associated with the mythical trees of Tamoanchan which connected the under-

world, the earth and the heavens. The prayers of the people traveled up through the sap of the tree trunks to the realm of the

gods. In turn, the gifts of the gods, rain, fertility, and good health returned to the earth through the same trees. For the Te-coxquines , the rocks of Altavista would have served the same purpose, a medium of communication between the people and

their gods.

14) Tecoxquin Symbolism

The spirals, wavy lines and other symbols carved in the rocks of Altavista most likely constitute a ritual language of prayers

to the Tecoxquin gods. As an agricultural people, the Tocoxquines would have been concerned with obtaining rain, fertility

of the earth, and the continuance of the seasonal rhythms they depended upon. Although the exact meaning of the symbols

will never be known, the spirals have been interpreted as the sun, rainstorm, wind, coiled snakes, or as a symbol of the natu-

ral rainy and dry cycle

15) Huichol Offerings

The Huichol indians who occasionally visit Altavista originally lived in the mountains of Nayar although in recent years a

small group has moved to the Las Varas area. They leave offerings and perform ceremonies here for Nakahue, "our grand-

mother of fertility," and also for Tatevari, "our grandfather of fire". Some Huichols also travel to the nearby port of Cha-

cala where ancient rock carvings are located and leave offerings to Tatei Aramara, "our mother ocean."

[After the wonderful pictures of many Petroglyphs, interpretations, and historical references, Dr. Mountjoy illustrated

that certain Petroglyphs were arranged in very discrete geological areas. The picture on page 6 (with circles listed 1 through 6)

may or could be seen as a pilgrimage and. may be visited during certain times of the year. This is not unlike the Stations of the

Cross on the walls of most Roman Catholic churches.]

We sincerely appreciate Dr. Mountjoy’s presentation over the many years. I’ve always stated that Joseph is the clos-est thing to Indiana Jones.

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A chilly Arctic summer: by David Rose , Daily Mail, UK

Instead, days before the annual autumn re-freeze is due to begin, an unbroken ice sheet more than half the size of

Europe already stretches from the Canadian islands to Russia’s northern shores.

The Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific has remained blocked by pack-ice all year. More than 20

yachts that had planned to sail it have been left ice-bound and a cruise ship attempting the route was forced to turn back.

Some eminent scientists now believe the world is heading for a period of cooling that will not end until the middle of this cen-

tury. [ The yachts were rescued by Canadian Ice Breakers.]

The disclosure comes 11 months after The Mail on Sunday triggered intense political and scientific debate by

revealing that global warming has ‘paused’ since the beginning of 1997 – an event that the computer models used by cli-

mate experts failed to predict. In March, this newspaper further revealed that temperatures are about to drop below the

level that the models forecast with ‘90 per cent certainty’.

The pause – which has now been accepted as real by every major climate research centre – is important, be-

cause the models’ predictions of ever-increasing global temperatures have made many of the world’s economies divert billions of pounds into ‘green’ measures to counter climate change.

[ This Information was provided by Science News and other news outlets. I am sure that after the details are scientifically

examined there will be some “minor” changes to the current models. I think it is an interesting article.]

2013 SCHEDULE Jan. 7: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Dues Due Feb. 4: MEMBERSHIP MEETING March 4: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Board of Directors, membership roles updated. April 8: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Spring Auction May 6: MEMBERSHIP MEETING June 3: MEMBERSHIP MEETING June 15 GGMC Piedmont Rock Swap Hagan Stone Park 8 AM to 6 PM

July 1: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Aug. 5: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Board of Directors and Sept. 9: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Nomination Committee Oct. 7 MEMBERSHIP MEETING Fall Auction Nov 4: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Ballot in Newsletter, mail or bring to meeting.

Dec 2, Holiday dinner, “Dirty-Rotten-Santa”; Awards; Election results; Meetings are held the first Monday of each month (except holidays ) at 7:00 PM at New Garden Friends Meeting

Friendship Hall, 801 New Garden Road, Greensboro, NC,.

Phone (336) 288-7452 or e-mail Joe_maguire@prodigy.net.

How to get to the meeting: Get off Interstate 40 ( I-40 ) at Guilford College exit, Go north towards Greensboro. You will cross railroad tracks at Market Street; Continue north another 1.1 miles to the second traffic light, this is Friendly Avenue. The meeting is at the next light so get into the left lane. Continue north one tenth of a mile to the next traffic light and driveway entrance. Turn left into the meeting property and park in the back. Have your Family and Friends “Like” us on Facebook: Greensboro Gem & Mineral Club See us on the web: www.ggmc-rockhounds.com

Year 2013 Officers:

President & Chairperson Vice President Treasurer Secretary Program Chair John Hiller Debbie Livingston Joe Maguire Chief Executive c/o Club address c/o Club address c/o Club address Kathie Montgomery hiller1927@gmail.com bbbdalivingston@aol.com 336-288-7452 c/o Club address kbmonty@triad.rr.com _ Board of Directors for 2013: Gary Parker '13 Steve Smith ’14 Debbie Livingston '15

Mary Barto '13 Charlie Finch ‘14 Joe Maguire '15

Open Ed Deckert ‘14 John Hiller '15

Honorary Life Members: Dr. Cyril H. Harvey & Judith W. Harvey Joe Meadows Steve and Grace Smith Joe & Pat Maguire Steve Adams Laurie Adams Dr. Jean & Kevin Bonebreak Joyce & Kelly Patton Mac & Marie Anderson-Whitehurst Dr. Tim & Elaine Biggart Russ Holshouser Debra Livingston Dr. Joseph & Maria Mountjoy Program Chair: Kathie Montgomery Hospitality: Kathie Montgomery Membership: Debbie Livingston Editor: Joe Maguire Historian: Club Secretary Show Chair: Ed Deckert, Steve Smith Librarian: OPEN Web Chair: Shaun Shelton Faceting education: John Hiller Trip Chair: Shawn Shelton/Gary Parker Auctioneers: Steve Smith / Gary Parker Publicity: OPEN Special events/Geodes: Steve Smith McCreery Fund: Club Treasurer Holiday Dinner coordinator: Debbie Livingston Wire wrap & Silver education Show Hospitality: Joyce Patton & Grace Smith Debra Livingston bbbdalivingston@aol.com Facebook: Kathie Montgomery

December Dates: Items of interest: (Something going on? Let us know.)

29-1—SALEM, VIRGINIA:

34th Annual Show; Roanoke Valley Mineral & Gem Society; Salem Civic Center; 1001 Boulevard; Fri. 2-7, Sat. 10-6, Sun.

12-5; adults $4 (good all 3 days), children (16 and under) free; 50th Anniversary Celebration; more than 30 dealers, fossils,

minerals, gemstones, cabochons, specimen identification, jewelry, beads, door prizes, grand prize; contact Carol Mesimer,

3214 Fleming Ave., Roanoke, VA 24012; e-mail: ckwlt@aol.com

13-15—NORCROSS, GEORGIA:

Annual show; Mammoth Rock Shows LLC;

North Atlanta Trade Center; 1700 Jeurgens Court ; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $4 (3-day pass),

children (under 16) free; 50 dealers, minerals, fossils, rough rock, gold and silver findings, tools, lapidary equipment, beads,

jewelry, precious stones, on-site jewelry repairs, hourly drawings, grand door prize; contact

Richard Hightower, 78 Emerald Hill, Franklin, NC 28734, (800) 720-9624; e-mail: staff@mammothrock.com; Web site:

www.mammothrock.com

14-15—FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE:

Annual show; Mid-Tennessee Gem & Mineral Society;

Williamson County AgExpoPark; 4215 Long Ln., I-65 Exit 61; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $4, students $1,

children free; demonstrations, exhibits, silent auction, door prizes, grand prize, more than 30 dealers, beads,

crystals, geodes, rough, cabochons, gemstones, finished jewelry, native jewelry, tools, supplies, minerals, fossils;

contact John Stanley, 2828 Donna Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37214, (615) 885-5704; e-mail: show@mtgms.org; Web site:

www.MTGMS.org

December 2, 2013

Vol. 54, No. 12

The Piedmont Prospector©

2012 Honorable mention Large Bulletins

2002 winner AFMS Large Bulletin

The Greensboro Gem and Mineral Club, Inc. The Piedmont Gemcutter's Guild c/o GGMC Editor P.O. Box 13087 Greensboro, NC 27415-3087

.