VOLUME 51, ISSUE 1 Rhode Island ANUARY,...
6
VOLUME 52, Issue 9 September, 2014 © 2014 RIMH Annual RIMH Picnic On August 2nd the annual club picnic / meeting was held at our house. Since we live in a little white cottage on a private estate, my wife Sabra and I felt it would be a great place for the picnic. We have a cute cottage, lots of lawn and a huge vegetable and flower garden that’s approximately 2,000 square feet in size. So when I’m not busy pounding rocks and fossils, I’m out there digging and weeding. A little dampness didn’t stop the festivities! Over 30 club members and their families came and we had a great time. There was lots of great food and conversation about rocks and fossils. There was intermittent light rain, but that was “covered” by our having 4 canopy tents set up down the side of the lawn along with an assortment of tables and chairs. There were also lots of places inside to sit or mingle. A few of the more adventurous members took the opportunity to check out our big garden in the back yard. I don’t believe there were any photos taken that day. Since club members never really got to see how beautiful our garden was I decided to include a recent photo taken on a sunny day. In addition to the garden, some checked out the gravestones in the historic cemetery behind the cottage. This cemetery has some headstones that are almost 250 years old. We hope everyone enjoyed the picnic and being at our home. We’d also like to thank all the members that brought coolers, food, supplies, and those that put in the extra effort to give us a hand setting up. Where will the 2015 picnic be held? Contact Steve Emma if you’d be interested in hosting next years club picnic. We can honestly say it wasn’t a real lot of work . . . but it WAS A REAL LOT OF FUN! Bruce and Sabra (Park) Luscombe, RIMH Photo © 2014: B D Luscombe Rhode Island Mineral Hunters, Inc. Bowen-Lite www.RIMH.us RIMH C O N S E R V A T I O N E X P L O R A T I O N M I N E R A L S PAR ON ERI CUMBERLANDITE ~ OFFICIAL STATE ROCK ♦ BOWENITE ~ OFFICIAL STATE MINERAL
Transcript of VOLUME 51, ISSUE 1 Rhode Island ANUARY,...
VOLUME 52, Issue 9 September, 2014 © 2014 RIMH
Annual RIMH PicnicOn August 2nd the annual club picnic / meeting was held at our house. Since we live in a little white cottage on a private estate, my wife Sabra and I felt it would be a great place for the picnic. We have a cute cottage, lots of lawn and a huge vegetable and flower garden that’s approximately 2,000 square feet in size. So when I’m not busy pounding rocks and fossils, I’m out there digging and weeding.A little dampness didn’t stop the festivities! Over 30 club members and their families came and we had a great time. There was lots of great food and conversation about rocks and fossils.
There was intermittent light rain, but that was “covered” by our having 4 canopy tents set up down the side of the lawn along with an assortment of tables and chairs. There were also lots of places inside to sit or mingle.A few of the more adventurous members took the opportunity to check out our big garden in the back yard. I don’t believe there were any photos taken that day. Since club members never really got to see how beautiful our garden was I decided to include a recent photo taken on a sunny day. In addition to the garden, some checked out the gravestones in the historic cemetery behind the cottage. This cemetery has some headstones that are almost 250 years old.We hope everyone enjoyed the picnic and being at our home. We’d also like to thank all the members that brought coolers, food, supplies, and those that put in the extra effort to give us a hand setting up.Where will the 2015 picnic be held? Contact Steve Emma if you’d be interested in hosting next years club picnic. We can honestly say it wasn’t a real lot of work . . . but it WAS A REAL LOT OF FUN!
Bruce and Sabra (Park) Luscombe, RIMH
Photo © 2014: B D Luscombe
VOLUME 51, ISSUE 1 JANUARY, 2013 © 2013 RIMHRhode Island Mineral Hunters, Inc.
Bowen-Litewww.RIMH.us
RIMH
CONSERVATIONEXPL
ORAT
ION
MINERALS
PAR ON ERI
CUMBERLANDITE ~ OFFICIAL STATE ROCK ♦ BOWENITE ~ OFFICIAL STATE MINERAL
2
RIMH
CONSERVATIONEXPL
ORAT
ION
MINERALS
PAR ON ERI
Volume 52, Issue 9 Bowen-Lite September, 2014
RHODE ISLAND MINERAL HUNTERS ~ 2014OFFICERSPresident: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steve EmmaVice-President: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buck LeachSecretary: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer DavisTreasurer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Dante Caprara
EXECUTIVE BOARDLouise Barbish, Tom Barbish, *James Brenek,
Rachel Cesana, Don Fail, Joel Russo, *Chris Tremblay, Bill Wilson
DEPARTMENTS / COMMITTEESHistorian: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bill WilsonMembership:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *Tom BarbishField Trip Coordinator:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joel RussoShow Chairman: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Don FailLibrarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill NealEditor: . . . Bruce Luscombe, [email protected]: . . . . . .Bruce Hecker, [email protected]
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.RIMH.us* indicates a new officer / board member / duty for 2014
OUR NEXT MEETING RIMH FIELD TRIPSField Trip Coordinator: Joel Russo 401-942-3394, 401-263-1076 (cell), [email protected]
You MUST call or e-mail the field trip leader at least 24 hours in advance to be included. ALWAYS give your
cell phone or home phone # in case of cancellation.
UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS
Date: Tuesday, September 9th at 7:00 PMPlace: CCRI (Community College of RI) 400 East St., Rt. 113, Warwick, RIRoom: 1130Speaker: Ted Johnson will speak on pegmatites of Connecticut. Pegmatites are the rocks that contain the gems and crystals in an outcrop. Ted is very knowledgeable about the subject and has been a collector and rock dealer for many, many years.
Fields Trips . . . continued on page 3
Portsmouth / Middletown RI Pyrite Outcrop
Schist outcrop a few miles down the road from Corys Lane with pyrite cubes up to .5”.
Some are very nice!Date/time of trip: Saturday, Sept. 06, 2014 9:00 am (low tide is 11:15 am)Trip leader: Steve Emma, 401-751-5215 [email protected] Please give Steve your cellphone or home phone # in case of cancelationAlternate leader: noneCarpool/caravan location: None, Make own arrangementsType of collecting: Sedimentary schistWhat can be found? Many Pyrite cubes in matrix. Some are rusted but clean up nicely with Iron Out.Tools/equipment: rock hammer, digging tools, safety glasses, small chisel.Clothing: regular rockhounding clothing (shorts, old sneakers acceptable).Special information: Please call 24 hrs in advance. Make sure you bring bug spray!!!Driving directions:
GPS coords: 41.554645 N -71.276534 WFrom MA-24:Take I-195 ETake exit 8A to merge onto MA-24 S toward Tiverton RI/Newport RI 9.5 miExit onto RI-114 S/ Main Rd 0.7 miTurn right onto Stringham road (about 1.2 mi past Corys Lane) 0.8 miSharp Left onto Burma Road 2.4 miPark in the dirt parking lot on the right. Walk south down tracks or the shore for about 1/3 mi. The outcrop is a light colored schist with exposed pyrite cubes
Executive Board meets at 7 PMon the 1st Tuesday of the month.
Oct. 7th, 7 PMMeeting will be at: TBA
ROCKtoberFEST2014 RIMH GEM, MINERAL & FOSSIL SHOW
Our annual mineral show is Oct. 25 & 26 and it’s approaching fast. This is our main educational and fund raising event.Please contact Don Fail, show chairperson, to see where you can help. All members are encouraged to volunteer time and help make this a big success.
Don Fail: [email protected]
RIMH
CONSERVATIONEXPL
ORAT
ION
MINERALS
PAR ON ERI
Volume 52, Issue 9 Bowen-Lite September, 2014
3
Field Trips . . . continued from page 2From RI-136:Take I-195 ETake exit 2 onto MA-136 S into R.I where it merges onto RI-114 at the Mt Hope Bridge 9.3 miFollow RI 114 for 2.4 mi, then turn right and continue on RI-114 S for 2.7 miTurn right onto Stringham road (about 1.2 mi past Corys Lane) 0.8 miSharp Left onto Burma Road 2.4 miPark in the dirt parking lot on the right. Walk south down tracks or the shore for about 1/3 mi. The outcrop is a light colored schist with exposed pyrite cubesFrom Newport area Take RI 114 N to Stringham Road Turn right onto Stringham road (about 1.2 mi before Corys Lane) 0.8 miSharp Left onto Burma Road 2.4 miPark in the dirt parking lot on the right. Walk south down tracks or the shore for about 1/3 mi. The outcrop is a light colored schist with exposed pyrite cubes
CHERENZIA QUARRYWesterly, RI
Destination: CHERENZIA QUARRY (repeat visit), 70 Old Hopkinton Road, Westerly, RI Date/time of trip: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 9:00 amTrip leader: Joel Russo, 401-942-3394, 401-263-1076 [email protected] Please give Joel your cellphone or home phone # in case of cancelation Carpool/caravan location: None, Make own arrangementsType of collecting: Hard RockWhat can be found? Salmon colored Feldspar, Biotite Mica, calcite crystals. We will also visit another one of their quarries that has massive magnetite, nicely formed pyrite cubes and quartz xls.Tools/equipment: hammers & sledges, garden tools, wedges, prybars, spray bottle w/water, protective eyewear, close-toed shoes, and always, common sense. There are no sanitary facilities at this site.Clothing: QUARRY RULES APPLY - Reflective vest, hardhat, safety glasses, long pants, hard-toed shoes, etc. Children 12+ allowed
Special information: Please call 24 hrs in advance. Make sure you bring bug spray!!!Driving directions:
GPS coords: 41.385330 N -71.808116 W1. Follow I-95 S to exit 1 (last exit before entering Connecticut)2. Merge onto RI-3 S Nooseneck Hill Rd 4.7mi3. Turn left off of Nooseneck Hill Rd at the Old Hopkinton Road sign, then after about 100 ft, turn Right onto Old Hopkinton Road 0.6mi
Meet at the parking area where the white office trailer is located.
WE NEED YOU!!!For Articles And Photos For This
Years Show Program Guide!Last year we had a great program to hand out at our annual mineral show. To have a great program again we need ALL OF YOU to contribute short stories, mineral articles, photographs, etc.Of course the president will write his letter, and maybe a few of the regulars will contribute, but the rest is all done by me. This makes for a very one-sided viewpoint of our club. Plus a lot of work too.Please write an article, preferably one with some photos. Don’t worry if you’re not a great writer, your article will be checked for spelling, grammar, and technical correctness. If we find a few things needing changing, we will do them and you’ll look like a pro. Of course this also applies to the regular club newsletter too.Maybe you had a fun summer adventure, or the kids found so great crystals. Maybe it’s just a nice scenic vaction you can write about and send some photos.The point is this is “OUR” club and “everyone” has something to contribute.I look forward to your contributions.
Contribution Deadline: Midnight, October [email protected]
Please email me your story in text format along with jpg photos. These need to be received by Oct. 5th.Thanks. Bruce Luscombe Editor, “Bowen-Lite” newsletter Producer / Editor “RIMH Show Program”
Bruce LuscomBe
390 Bridgetown rd.saunderstown, ri 02874
To help promote our gem & mineral show I will be doing a free digital photo presentation and talk. This is something I’ve done for the past several years to share my love of minerals, crystals and fossils and to promote our show.
This years talk - “Earth’s Treasurers of New England” will focus on some of the great mineral and fossils we have right in our own back yard. In conjunction with this I will also have a 2 showcase display mainly showing minerals and fossils of New England and
the NE United States. These will be specimens collected by myself and other RIMH members.The displays can be seen from mid-September through the end of October. The free 1 hour talk will be October 2nd at 7 PM, followed by a 30 minute hands-on discussion. Advance registration is requested. Both will be at the North Kingstown Free Library
Bruce Luscombe, RIMHThe displays can be seen during library hours:
North Kingstown Free Library M - Th 9 AM – 8:30 PM, F - Sa 9 AM – 5 PM
100 Boone St., N. Kingstown 401-294-3306 www.nklibrary.org
© Rhode Island Mineral Hunters ● “Bowen-Lite” newsletter ● September, 2014
The “Bowen-Lite” newsletter is produced by and for the members of the Rhode Island Mineral Hunters, Inc. (RIMH).All portions are copyright © 2014 - RIMH and/or the original author / photographer. www.RIMH.us
Here’s More:THINGS I LOVE ABOUT ROCKS!ROCKtoberFEST
PROGRAM ADSAdvertising and Sponsors
Deadline to receive ads is Noon- October 6thCopy or files must be in Bruce Luscombe’s hands by noon to make the program. Otherwise we will incur “rush” charges / late fees from the printer. Also, payment for ads must have been received by this time.As many of you already know last year we started an ad and sponsor campaign. We were successful in getting several advertisers for the show brochure and hopefully we will get more this year.An ad in the brochure is $35 for a business card size (2”x3.5”), half page (3.5”x4.75”) is $60 and a full page ad is $100 (4.75”x7.75”). Business card ads can be either an actual business card (to scan) or a digital file. Half and full page ads must be black & white digital files at a minimum of 200 dpi. PDF files are preferred. There may be additional charges if the files need copy or color changes / corrections. Above sizes are actual printing area of ad - we will add white margins around to fit onto page. NO bleeds.If you know anyone, your local hair dresser, pizza parlor, contractor, oil man, flower shop, restaurant, decorator, etc, please try to get them to advertise.We will get over a thousand patrons at our show and we give everyone a brochure. It’s a great way to support our organization and reach people.If you have any questions give me a call.
Steve Emma, President - RIMH
RIMH
CONSERVATIONEXPL
ORAT
ION
MINERALS
PAR ON ERI
RIMH
CONSERVATIONEXPL
ORAT
ION
MINERALS
PAR ON ERI
Volume 52, Issue 9 Bowen-Lite September, 2014
35
Hello, fellow rockhounds. On August 16th, Steve Emma and I set out to Canton, New York to join Leo Doucet, John Campbell, Paul Monti, John Walsh, Ken VanMeter, and Walter ? to collect at one of the premier collecting areas in the eastern half of the country – St Lawrence, County. Steve and I left early Sunday morning and decided to stop at Little Falls, NY to get some trilobite fossils from the sedimentary shale that’s all over that area. Steve new exactly where to go, but the bridge leading to the collecting area was closed and it took us an hour to find the other side! We finally found it and one of the 1st rocks Steve split revealed a beautiful trilobite about an inch and a half long. We stayed about an hour and a half and collected more, but that 1st one turned out to be the best. Then we headed out to Canton.Monday 08/17: The whole gang met at breakfast and decided we would go to the Bowers Powers farm to collect the world class black uvite crystals that this locality is known for. The GPS took us to the location, but confusion immediately set in. There was a house nearby, but it wasn’t the one we were looking for, however, the landowner has been digging uvite crystals on his land and allowed us to dig there. In the meantime, Jane Bowers found us and gave us driving directions to her location (turns out the bridge to the Bowers collecting area is also gone causing the confusion we ran into). We did collect at the 1st location and got some bits and pieces – except for John Walsh who dug up a beautiful cluster of uvite. Meanwhile, John Campbell crossed the stream into the Bowers Powers land and immediately began finding good uvite on the surface, so we all drove over to the Bowers Powers farm
Uvite crystals, Gouvenor NYFluor-Apatite crystal, Gouvenor NY
Pho
tos
© 2
014:
Ste
ve E
mm
a
and started digging near the stream. There were 3 dugouts right next to each other. Most of us started digging there, but JohnW and Paul M went further up the path and found 2 large pits. I was finding good clusters digging at the end of the largest pit. John Campbell, who was the “scout”, and a damn good one, came back late in the afternoon and told us Paul and John were having good luck at the 2 pits further up the path, so we all hightailed it up there. When we got there we noticed tarps covering the pit and someone else’s buckets and tools. Investigating the
pit, there was a pocket wall that was solid uvite crystals starting about 6 inches wide at the top, expanding down to about 20-24 inches at the bottom. The whole thing was about 3.5 feet long. Paul said the whole wall should be cut out and sent to the Smithsonian – it was that impressive! Out of respect for whoever, we did not touch it. It was late so we only stayed there a few minutes and got a few specimens there – John Walsh also found a nice diopside crystal.Tuesday 08/18: Bad news! John W woke up with an absessed tooth that was very painful, so Paul had to take him home, ending their trip. The rest of us decided to go to the Bush Farm in Gouvernor to look for the beautiful brown uvite crystals it is known for. After paying our fee and getting directions, we headed off into the cow pasture but had a difficult time finding the pit. Once again John C found the spot for us – I give him the MVP for the trip. We were basically digging in other people’s
discards, but still found quite a bit of material albeit not the best in the world. I did get a couple of broken crystals that show the beautiful shiny-brown uvite this location is known for. Also, these crystals fluoresce bright mustard
St Lawrence County, New York Field Trip – August 2014This is a summary of our upstate NY trip. ~ Joel Russo, RIMH
RIMH
CONSERVATIONEXPL
ORAT
ION
MINERALS
PAR ON ERI
Volume 52, Issue 9 Bowen-Lite September, 2014
36
yellow! We left there about 1:30 pm and headed down to the Rose Road prospect in Pitcairn, but never made connection with anyone. John C got separated from the caravan and never made it to the place. You didn’t miss much, John. We stopped at a couple of road cuts but they were unproductive.Wednesday 08/19: We decided to split up today. John C, Ken and Walter decided to go to the Benson Iron quarry and work the tailings there. Steve, Leo and I decided to go back to Bowers Powers for a couple of hours and work in the tailings that Paul and John C worked Monday, then we would head out to Benson. We did very well at Bowers Powers. Steve opened up quite a few diopside crystal embedded in feldspar rocks. One was at least an inch in diameter and about 4 inches long. I found a couple of nice ones. Leo found a boulder that had everything in it. Nice uvite, quartz crystals, diopside crystals, feldspar, etc. He immediately carried that big rock back to his car. I believe that one rock made Leo’s whole trip worthwhile! Around noontime we headed out to Benson. This place is enormous! Supposedly 2.4 miles of tailings. We found the other guys and, lo and behold, they had gotten there only a little before us. Ken had driven into a ditch and it took 2 hours to get his car out. Other than huge bolders
of magnetite, we didn’t find much. One of the workers there told us where the locals collect, which was quite a hike from where we were. Steve and I decided not to go and left to come back to Rhode Island. The others stayed for a while but didn’t find anything significant. John C did some exploring and found the spot where the “locals” collect and found what he believes is clear calcite. Ken, Walter and Leo went home Thursday, but John stayed until Saturday. John went back to the Rose Road prospect and had difficulty making connection with the owner, but finally did. He said this spot has great potential. Things he found there were bright blue calcite and nice diopside crystals. He also went to the Wollaston quarry, I believe in Balmat, and also one of the lead mines that has potential. There was a rock and mineral show on Saturday that he attended and said it was small but nice.Now that we have a general feel for the area, we are already thinking about going back there next year. We all were taken back by how accommodating and informative the people of that area are. They really bend over backwards to help you. The quality and quantity of material in the area is amazing. This was a trip well worth going on and I would go back in a heartbeat. Joel Russo, RIMH
