General Meeting. Thursday, February 21, :00 p.m. Location: Clubhouse, th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL

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1 February, 2013 Volume 44, No. 6, Page 1 General Meeting Thursday, February 21, :00 p.m. Location: Clubhouse, th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL Grab Bags We successfully filled the Grab Bags again February 2nd. I would like to thank our helpers, Darell & Gerri Groves, Pat Davis, Pat Goff-Erdman, and a new member Sandy Twomey. I would like to say that I was very disappointed in the turn out. Usually we have 10 and up persons which makes the task a lot shorter. Fortunately, we did not have to do the usual number of bags as there were some left from last year. THIS IS YOUR CLUB EVERYONE, volunteer when it is needed, don't just assume that someone else will do it. Sue Hazelden Annual Auction I m sure you picked up a couple extra rocks or treasures over this past year and are ready to donate them to our auction. Donated items don t have to be lapidary related, but no junk, Please! Don t forget that this is a fundraiser for the club, so bring an item or two that you know someone will want. Let s start the bidding! If your last name starts with A-M, please bring goodies to our meeting to share. Don t forget to bring donated items for our auction.

2 Page 2 Rock-A-Gram February, 2013 Board Members Julia Larson, President glassgal0947@gmail.com Dave Schwebel, Vice President dschwebel@tampabay.rr.com Jerri Heer, Treasurer jheerx6@aol.com Stephen Redden, Recording Secretary yahwah777@yahoo.com Donna Sapp, Correspondence Secretary dsapp43@yahoo.com Pat Davis, 3 Year Director/ Past President wayouttamygourd@yahoo.com Dave Kane, 2 yr. Director DAVIDMKANE@yahoo.com Dave Watson, 1 yr. Director bwatson1@tampabay.rr.com Bucky Joseph, 1 yr. Director gambler1946@aol.com Debbie Bremer, Editor Rock-A-Gram Newsletter bremerslapidary@yahoo.com SGAMS Clubhouse Address: th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33709, Clubhouse Activities: Listed on mailer coversheet and announced at membership meetings. SGAMS Board of Director's Meetings: 7:00 p.m., 1st Thursday of each month; September - May. All members are invited to attend SGAMS Board of Director's Meetings at our clubhouse. We solicit your attendance, and constructive suggestions for improving our club. General Meetings: 7:00 p.m., 3rd Thursday of each month; September - May, at our clubhouse. Lanyards Contest This months meeting will be the Big Reveal for those lanyards you ve all been working so hard on the last couple of months. Please bring them to our general meeting at the clubhouse and show us what you ve made. I hope we have so many to judge that it will take all evening to decide on a winner. Even if you didn t make anything, come to the meeting to see how talented some our members are and also for our auction. Donna Membership Happy Valentine s Day to you all!

3 February, 2013 Rock-A-Gram Page 3 Show Information In previous years our club has always provided a variety of food items for our vendors during the show. The Hospitality Room was always well stocked with bubbling crock pots as well as plates of cookies, cakes and brownies. The coffee pot was full and donuts were everywhere during the early mornings. The vendors loved coming to our show because they knew they would be well fed ( and it was free). However, this past week, Minnreg has notified us we will no longer be able to bring any food items into the building. They are trying to remain as economically viable as possible and the concession stand they operate on the premises helps them defray some of their costs. This will benefit us as well in the coming years by keeping our rental costs down, so we urge everyone to take advantage of their menu items. Minnreg is allowing us to provide only coffee and pastries this year for the vendors. So, for those of you who signed up to help in the Hospitality Room, we will not need you there, however, there are still openings available at the Ticket Booth, Information Table and the Club Table located in the back of the room. If you signed up on the sheet, your admission to the show is FREE, but your name must be listed on the sign up sheet. Please contact Jerri Heer at jheerx6@aol.com to see where we still need a helping hand. A big thank you to those who have brought food in during previous shows, the vendors loved that extra touch we provided. Donna Membership Grand Prize at Our Show This beautiful Helenite Set was donated by one of our members Lou Codol, for the grand prize at our show this year. The beauty in the beast. Appraised Value $399. For almost a hundred years it lay dormant. Silently building its strength. At 10,000 feet high, it was truly a sleeping giant, a vision of peaceful power. Until everything changed. In one cataclysmic moment, the once-slumbering beast awoke with a violent force. May 18, 1980 will forever be remembered as one of history s most impressive displays of nature s power. On that day, Mount St. Helens erupted, sending a column of ash and smoke 80,000 feet into the atmosphere. But once the chaos cleared, something beautiful was discovered. A brilliant green creation was produced from the heated volcanic rock dust. Named Helenite after the mountain from which it was born, its vivid color and amazing story have captured the attention of jewelry designers worldwide. This Helenite Necklace puts the gorgeous green stone center stage, with a 6-1/2 carat faceted pear-cut stunner delicately prong set in gold-over.925 sterling silver. The explosive origins of the stone are echoed in the flashes of light that radiate as the piece swings gracefully from its 18 gold-plated sterling silver chain. The 3 carats of Helenite in the matching earrings erupt with the same green fire. A unique piece of natural history. Source: Courtesy of the Stauer website. Dave Schwebel

4 Page 4 Rock-A-Gram February, 2013 Upcoming Shows Stones and Bones, Vol. 9, Issue 11 February 22-23: Vero Beach, FL Treasure Coast Rock and Gem Society Vero Beach Community Center, 14 Avenue and 23rd Street, Downtown Vero Beach. February 23, Lakeland, FL Annual show; Imperial Bone Valley Gem, Mineral & Fossil Society; First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland; 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.; Sat. 9-4; adults $3, children (under 18) free; hourly door prizes, Spin & Win game, kids' Treasure Dig, demonstrations, educational displays, silent auction, Chinese auction; Web site: Some links to help you keep track of upcoming shows. FEDERATION NEWS American Federation of Mineralogical Societies December January Regional Federation Shows and California Federation May 31- June 2 Ventura, CA Eastern Federation June 1-2 Plainview, NY Midwest Federation April 6-7 Lincoln, NE Northwest Federation August Butte, MT Rocky Mountain Federation May Sandy, UT South Central Federation August Bossler City, LA Southeast Federation September Jacksonville, FL SFMS WORKSHOPS UPDATE Roy Deere, Education Committee Chair Lodestar, January 2013 Once again we are offering 4 workshops sessions for These workshops will cover a wide variety of jewelry making techniques with both beginning and advanced classes. The education committee and staff are working hard to provide you with excellent instructors and lots of classes to choose from. The education committee (Education Chair, President, & 1st Vice President) met last month and certified the following staff: Dave & Leslie Wayment Director WH, Addy & Joe DePetrio Registrar WH, Lisa Roberts Director WA, B J Gearhart Registrar WA. All of these people have served before as registrars and are familiar with the workshop system. Their contact information is listed on the Workshop Class Schedule page. Please feel free to contact them with any questions you may have about the workshops. I am also happy to have you contact me with questions. The education committee also established the rates for the 2013 workshops. As is the case with everything these days, we have seen rate increases at both locations. After the rate increases, both locations are costing us the same amount this year. Consequently, the rates for all classes will be $350 per session (double occupancy). In spite of the increase this is still one of the best values around. Especially when you consider that this includes lodging, meals, and instruction. William Holland classes will be June 9-13, and October Wildacres classes will be August and September January was the debut of the 2013 website that will have details of each class, instructor bios, project pictures for the classes, location info, and a new registration sheet that can be filled out on the website and printed to send in with your deposit. We certainly don t mind that if you are in a hurry to register for your class. Work is currently ongoing on the website. You can access the website by typing SFMSworkshops.com into your web browser. I encourage you to mark these dates on your calendars and plan on joining us for a wonderful jewelry vacation at our enjoyable locations.

5 February, 2013 Rock-A-Gram Page 5 In Memory of Hugh W. Sheffield SHEFFIELD, Hugh W. 86, of St. Petersburg died Jan. 12, 2013 of cancer. A native of Florida, Hugh lived in St. Petersburg since He was a WWII disabled vet who served in the Navy in the Pacific. He graduated from UF and USF. Hugh was a Boy Scout Executive for 17 years and a Voc Rehab Counselor. He was an active member of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and Life Member of Pinellas Geological Society and a member of Suncoast Gem and Mineral Society. Hugh is survived by loving wife, Leona; daughters, Becky, Barbara and Suzanne; 5 grandchildren, Allen, Jessica, Cindy, Adam and Andrew and 5 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, Jan. 26th at 3 pm at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to Moffitt Cancer Center, Suncoast Hospice or St. Matthew's Episcopal Church are appreciated. Published in the Tampa Bay Times on January 20, 2013

6 Page 6 Rock-A-Gram February, 2013 The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc The Friendly Federation - Founded in 1976 to serve. Copyright All rights reserved. Graves Mountain Rock Swap and Dig April 26-28, 2013, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. October 4-6, 2013, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. "You are invited to field collect minerals at Georgia's premiere mineral location!" The caretaker in charge of Graves Mountain, Clarence Norman Jr., has announced plans to hold a three day dig and rock swap on the Mountain during April and October of He will have the mountain open to collecting from 8 am to 6 pm each day. All participants must stop at the welcome table in the Hospitality tent to sign a liability release and make a small contribution to defray the cost of opening the mountain and providing port-o-lets. There will be several golf cart type, four wheeled vehicles available to transport those participants who have trouble walking long distances. The dig will cease and everyone is expected to be off the mountain by around 6 pm each day. Participants will be allowed to park in a designated area on the mountain. Rock Swap and Hot Food/Drinks: Junior will set aside an area in the upper parking lot for tables to be setup for daily rock swaps. Anyone who would like to setup a table(s), please contact Junior at the phone numbers listed below. Hot food cooked on the grill, cold drinks and chips will be available for purchase on the mountain during all three days of these events. Contact Information: Clarence Norman Jr. (Junior) (his business) or (his cell), Jim Flora, SFMS Webmaster and Field Trip Chair Internet website: jimflora@windstream.net THESE DIGS ARE OPEN TO ALL SFMS CLUBS and the GENERAL PUBLIC! Mark your calendar and tell all your members about these two great events! DIRECTIONS: From Atlanta's I-285, take I-20 east to the exit for Washington, GA SR 78 (SR 10, SR 17) and turn left. Travel north to Washington, turn right onto SR 378 and drive 11 miles to the Graves Mountain area. The entrance to Graves Mountain is on your right about 8/10 mile past the Lincoln county line sign. The entrance is a paved road that goes through a gate and up a hill. Please park along the access road and then proceed to the "Welcome Tent" at the end of the pavement to obtain a liability release form and to make a donation for the portable bathrooms, etc. Graves Mountain code of conduct! Park your vehicle in the designated area(at the end of the paved access road but not much beyond the woods to the right of this road). CHILDREN WILL BE ALLOWED DURING THE "Rock Swap and Digs" IF EACH CHILD IS UNDER STRICT ADULT SUPERVISION! ALL pets must be kept under control and on a leash. The caretaker, Junior Norman, has final and absolute say as to where you may safely work. Ladders or power tools of any kind will not be allowed. (HAND TOOLS ONLY!) STAY AWAY FROM ALL HIGH WALLS!! NO REPELLING OFF OF ANYTHING! NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLE ON ANY PART OF GRAVES MOUNTAIN BEYOND THE PARKING AREA! (The caretaker must accompany anyone driving beyond the parking area!) EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE OFF THE MOUNTAIN BY DUSK. (Absolutely no one is allowed on Graves Mountain after dark.)

7 February, 2013 Rock-A-Gram Page 7 WE THANK OUR ADVERTISERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE ALL OUR MEMBERSHIP TO VISIT AND PATRONIZE THEIR BUSINESSES. Clubhouse Class Schedules (As of January, 2013) CABBING: Mondays, 6-9 p.m. Dave Kane (727) or davidmkane@yahoo.com Tuesdays 6:30-9 p.m. Dave Schwebel (727) or dschwebel@tampabay.rr.com Wednesdays: Noon - 4 p.m. Jerri Heer (419) or jheerx6@aol.com Pat Davis (727) or wayouttamygourd@yahoo.com FACETING: Mondays 6-9 p.m. Dave Watson (727) or bwatson1@tampabay.rr.com FUSED GLASS: Contact instructor* Julia Larson (727) or glassgal0947@gmail.com KUMIHIMO: Contact instructor* Sue Black (727) or sueblack@tampabay.rr.com METALWORKING: Contact instructor* Don Roberts flmetalman@yahoo.com WIRE WRAPPING: Contact instructor* Dave Watson (727) or bwatson1@tampabay.rr.com Cost for classes (except faceting) is $2.50 per hour plus any additional supplies. *Please contact instructor to set up start date and schedule. Each class has a separate minimum number of students needed to start a class. OTHER CLASSES AVAILABLE: William Holland School of Lapidary Arts - Wildacres Retreat -

8 ROCK-A-GRAM This is the official newsletter of the SUNCOAST GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY, INC. P.O. Box 13254, St. Petersburg, Florida This Society is a member of the SOUTHEAST FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES, INC., and its parent society, the AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES, INC. The general purpose of this society is to promote popular interest in education and research in the earth sciences and lapidary arts, and to cooperate with other similar organizations. General Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month, September through April at 7:00 p.m., at our clubhouse, th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL. December and May meetings are special meetings and a time and place will be announced in this bulletin. The public is cordially invited to attend the general membership meetings. Dues: $15.00 single or $20.00 couple/family; due annually each September. All exchange bulletins should be sent to the Rock-A-Gram editor. Feel free to copy any material from this bulletin, but please list all byline credits. ROCK-A-GRAM (Official Bulletin) Suncoast Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. Debra Bremer, Editor 1349 Lakeview Road Clearwater, FL Clubhouse Activities September - May Board Meeting: (September - May) First Thursday: 7:00 p.m. Clubhouse Open: Mondays, 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays, By Appointment Saturday, TBA Faceting, Classes: Mondays, 6-9 p.m.