Well, it’s that time again. There is a lot of “news” and unfortunately I can only cover small parts of what is happening.
I have heard the Bear River outing was hugely successful. I am happy to hear the stories from friends, and look forward to hearing more at the meeting. Remember, share your adventures and you receive a free raffle ticket. Stories are part of Show and Tell.
I need to cover some of the topics for the June 16, 2010 meeting before I give you the minutes from May’s meeting.
Points of topic will be: 1.the Bear River outing leading to two more outings paid partially by the club.( We will explain at the meeting.) 2. The picnic and it’s NEW venue, along with the schedule of events. Apparently the ‘man’ I have a signed contract with for the rental of the park decided to give our time and date to another group; he felt we should understand because he made a mistake, and the other group forgot to get their request form in before we did. He has cashed our check, and we are having a fine time arguing with him, but we will have it worked out by the meeting. It is safe to say we are NOT having the Annual Picnic at Pennegrove Park. 3. Frank Madsen and I have begun learning how to update the web page. It is going to be current within the next week. 4. MEMBERSHIP fees are once again due. Our fiscal year runs June thru May, so bring your $30 for single membership, or $35 for family. 5. Back to the picnic: Roger and Ben will explain the events, such as the metal detecting contest, the panning contest, and of course we’ll be joining in trying to talk over them. We want to make the event schedule clear so that no one misses any event they want to participate in. There will be a ball game first; kids search event, the sack race, the food contest, then we’ll all eat, then the panning contest followed by metal detecting challenge, awards, small raffle of donated items, and then a free-for-all. The free-for- all will be things like those willing to throw some of their coins out and having another detecting contest, volleyball, anything you want to do, within reason (and the law!) 6. We’ll be giving detailed info about the Malakoff outing, prices, camp areas, restrictions, etc for a vote by the club on whether to continue planning this outing. If I have forgotten anything, or things don’t make sense, I most sincerely apologize; Buck is again in the hospital. This is the second time THIS month. I have been knocked down by bronchitis, and have a bigger head of air than usual. That’s my story and I am sticking to it! And I am a little distracted at the moment.
The minutes from the May meeting:
The meeting started about 7:10pm and it was like older times, when the members were glad to see each other and had things they wanted to talk about with each other. The feeling of good friends and goodwill was such a nice feeling that Ben was a little loath to interrupt it. It was a reminder of why the club started in the first place. Doug and Jolene, WE MISS YOU!!!!!!!! Ben opened the meeting and welcomed old and new members, visitors, etc. First business was the coming Bear River outing. Ben made sure everyone had the specifics, and questions were answered. Next, Ben reminder everyone that we need volunteers for this years’ Gem and Mineral Show. He reminded us that we get new members from the show, and it’s fun, and spreads awareness about our club. We then discussed the Annual Picnic, and the date of July 18. There was much talk about this event, and many suggestions were made. Rose Fischer had some good ideas, and they will be incorporated into this years’ event.
Mineral Bar was brought up for discussion; the rates had gone up and the increased cost didn’t seem to warrant the extra work and discomfort the place yields, let alone the lack of gold found on outings there. We’re going to look into different spots before a decision for an outing to Mineral is made. So far no one is inclined to go to Mineral as a group. Bill Lieberman spoke about going to Butte campground. There seem to be lots of restrictions, so more looking is needed. Ben then asked if anyone in the club has nuggets for sale. Let Roger, Ben, Buck, Richard Giddens ( or me) know if you have nuggets you would like to sell. Richard Giddens spoke about the price of gold; about silver rounds, and side raffles to help raise money for the purchase of raffle prizes . I mentioned that our PLP membership has expired and we voted to rejoin PLP, and to send them a small donation at this time. Most members are in agreement as to how valuable PLP is to the public. Bud Merrill’s family send a heartfelt note to the club members thanking us for loving Bud as we did. He really looked forward to being with us, and his smile, sense of humor, and knowledge is missed.
May’s Show and Tell: Ben showed rocks he found; Pete ‘knee-pads’ Riley showed florescent rocks; panning techniques; sand and magnets and reclamation; tools from the dollar stores; use for a grill cleaning tool; using an air horn to scare away unwanted “guests”; and colored gold pans. Pete was a guest speaker without knowing it! Thanks for the tips, Pete! Rose K. brought lemons to share.
(We also had the break and the Raffle somewhere in there!)
Rose Klemenok told us a funny joke, which is becoming another meeting highlight. Don’t run out of stories, Rose; sending people home with a smile is a great end to a meeting!
One more thing: As soon as we get used to updating and maintaining the Web Page, we will be posting business cards for those who wish us to do so. We might have to charge a SMALL fee, but it won’t be more than $10 per year, if that. We’ll let you know. It helps defray the hosting cost, and the domain cost. It’s just something to think about. We will also be able to have your sites linked to our site; this is all in the planning stages, but I want you to be able to plan too.
Rose Fischer brought to my attention that several members are no longer coming to the meeting, and she asked me to let you know that you are missed. I will try to publish a few names of those we are missing each month, but don’t think we don’t miss you if you don’t see your name. Kami and Dan: YOU ARE MISSED!! Where are you???? Laith, you too. Frank Maytus, James said he’s gonna kick your fanny if you don’t start coming to the meetings again!!!! Dan ‘Research Engineer” Hougan, where are YOU???? I could go on and on, but I have to conserve space, so you may be reported lost next month!
I am trying to update the phone and address lists. I have a new computer and a new system to learn. I should have all files transferred and updated by the July, or August meeting. If you need phone numbers before then, please call me and I will get back to you with the information I have.
I will see everyone at the meeting, June 16, 2010 at 7:00PM, Veterans Memorial Building, Santa Rosa, California. Any ideas, suggestions, events, etc are always welcomed.
Now it’s time for one of Rose’s poems titled Battle for Bassetts
It was a very warm day in the late fall.
The fire siren in Sierra City sounded the call.
A small fire in the roadside lush
caused Sierra City & Downieville firemen to rush
Late spring rain made a heavy fuel load,
When firemen arrived it had crossed the road.
As flames were whipped by heavy wind,
The battle for Bassetts were about to begin.
While the hungry fire continued to rage,
Hundreds of firemen got the page.
While deputies evacuated the folks on vacation,
Firemen & equipment responded to Bassett Station.
Helicopters and air tankers were seen in the sky,
But the flames still reached thirty feet high.
As the fire got hotter trees began to explode,
Our local CHP had to block the road.
As the flames headed for highway 49,
A fireman yelled out “Hold that line!”
Homes were threatened at Carvin Creek,
Then the fire turned towards Haskell Peak.
All through the night they battled the blaze,
But at dawns early light through the smoky haze,
Bassett Station had survived the night.
For the people there, it was a wonderful sight.
Actual signs posted around the country:
TOILET OUT OF ORDER – PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW.
In a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT.
Outside a second hand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING – BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?
At a safari park:
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CARS.
Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN’T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR.
Notice in a farmer’s field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.
Message written on a leaflet:
IF YOU CAN’T READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS
On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR – THE BELL DOESN’T WORK)
These next two are a bit racy, but I publish what club members give me. If “dirty” jokes offend you, please skip the next two.
Two men were out hunting. They came on a remote cabin in the woods. One man raised his scope to peak in the window to see who was there and what was going on. He softly said, “Well hell Harmon, that’s your wife in there with another man! What should we do?” The husband replied, “Use two shots! Shoot my wife in the head, and the guy in his genitals!” The first man replied “Hell Harmon, I can do that with ONE shot!”
Two good ol’ boys were sitting on the porch, drinkin’ and thinkin’. The first guy asks, “Bubba, if I slept with yer wife, would that make us related?” The second man thought for a minute, then said, ” No, just even.”
See you at the meeting.
Kathe Close