2019 May

CORAL GEODE

A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e Ta m p a B ay M i n e r a l & S c i e n c e C l u b

May HOT RO C K S , C O OL G EM S & FA BULO US J EW EL RY 2019

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Ken Moser

Club member with experience Excitement is in the air. The club annual Summer BBQ. We
in researching and applying is moving forward on many already have a sign-up sheet at
fronts. Our first casting class in the clubhouse looking for you
for grants for nonprofit some time is happening soon to bring your favorite dish or
organizations. Contact Ken at and there is a waiting list for other items for all to enjoy. This
[email protected] if you’re the next one. The beginning will also mark the last meeting
faceting class is well underway for the summer until September.
willing to help. and we already have the
students for the second one Speaking of the fall, our annual
IN THIS ISSUE: and lapidary’s’ beginner show will be here before you
class is underway as well. The know it. In order to get ready,
Notable News....................... 2 board has expressed a desire we will have a table set up at
Board Meeting Minutes......... 3 to begin many workshops to the clubhouse with bins for
Summer Class Changes......... 4 keep the creative juices flowing. the sluice, silent auction and
General Meeting Minutes...... 5 Lapidary has already set aside grab bags to accept donations.
Tailgating & BBQ................... 6 one Saturday a month to hold Small pieces of rough rock
SFMS Federation Week......... 7 these. Students will learn how to or minerals work well for the
Cold Connections .......11 SFMS stabilize stones, cut hearts, and sluice, silent auction is for more
Workshop Registration........... 11 identify rocks. quality related lapidary items
Brad’s Bench Tips................ 12 such has jewelry, quality slabs,
Monthly Calendar............... 13 Even more exciting was the etc., and the grab bags are
presentation by Debbie Meyers for the kids so small mineral
for a club Juniors Program. specimens, pencils, toys,
It is our hope that we can tumbled rocks, etc. We need
implement this program to your help to fill those bins
coincide with the opening of If you have been to the
the next school year. While it clubhouse lately you may have
may be difficult to get this up noticed a table with some trim
and running the rewards of saws on it. We want to keep
developing the next generation a table where members can
of Rockhounds will be well sell their items directly to other
worth it. members. This is an excellent
way to sell your unneeded
Coming up in June is our equipment to other members

Continued on next page
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Continued from previous page NOTABLE NEWS!

and the club only asks for a BOARD NEWS!
10% donation of the selling
price. Because of scheduling issues, the Board has voted to and will hold
future meetings on the second Monday of each month, starting in June.
FYI: Board meetings will now The meetings will be held at the usual time; 7:00 PM. As we prepare
be held the second Monday for the Show, we may be getting together earlier to pack Grab bags,
of each month and the Silver prepare Silent Auction items, Sluice material etc. We will try to send out
Shop will be closed for Open updated notices when such events are planned.
Shop on Saturdays throughout
the summer. It will reopen The Board is also preparing some amendments to the Bylaws to bring
in the fall. The time and the Fiscal year, budget year and election years in line, as well as add
space will not go unused as electronic communication as an acceptable means of contacting
Kym Hoerr will be teaching members. We will be holding a Special Meeting after the June 8
advanced casting classes and Summer picnic meal to vote on these changes. This is one of our most
Dave Miedema will use it one attended get togethers, so much more likely to have quorum. The
Saturday for his beginners’ proposed amendments will be emailed to the membership for review in
class. advance.

As stated at the beginning, SHOW NEWS!
the club this year is moving
forward. It is my hope that Once again, it is time to start our prep for the Show. There are several
you are seeing the energy, the things that need to be packed and labeled BEFORE the show. These
enthusiasm, and the feeling include Grab Bags: Need 2,000; Sluice Bags: Need 200; Auction Items:
of excitement. As always, this Need 300. In order to be ready, we need donations SOON! See the list
is only accomplished by you, below for ideas:
the membership through your
efforts, time, and support. Grab Bags: tumbled stones, small trinkets and toys, kids jewelry, small
bagged/labeled mineral specimens.
Again, a big thanks. Silent Auction: Labeled Slabs, Cabs, Jewelry, Mineral Specimens.
Lapidary related Books, new/used household items (good quality/
Ken condition - no yard sale junk)
Sluice Bags: Rough(not tumbled) specimens of fairly easily identifiable
ABOUT OUR CLUB specimens - quartz, pyrite, aventurine, garnet, sodalite, rose quartz,
10207 Fisher Avenue, Tampa, FL amethyst etc.

33619 We will be setting up tubs for you to place donated items in each
Mailing Address: PO Box 89146 category.

Tampa, FL 33689 Thank you! Show Committee
Phone: (813) 684-2039
www.tampabayrockclub.com ONE MONTH TO GO...

2 Don’t miss out on Federation week held at William
Holland Lapidary School!

2019 SFMS Annual Workshop
June 9th - 14th, 2019

Check out our awesome lineup of classes being offered this
year in this issue or at www.sfmsworkshops.org

TAMPA BAY MINERAL AND SCIENCE CLUB

BOARD MEETING
May 6, 2019

Call to Order: With a quorum present, President closed to Open Shop each third Saturday of the
Ken Moser called the meeting to order at 6:55 PM. month through the summer for this purpose.
6. Gerri will be making up a list of available
Present: Board Members: Ken Moser, Jerri Heer, slabs.
Heidi Arnold, Dave Rodgers, Melinda Riddle, 7. A torch fired enamel shop is being
Debbie Meyer, Brian Brantley, Gerri Lundergan, investigated to be offered one or two days.
and Lisa Miller. Absent: Tracy Canales. Non Board 8.Faceting is up in attendance.
Members: Michael Brantley, Kym Hoerr, and B. Show:
Roxann Dragula. 1. Jerri Heer has the contract from the
Strawberry Festival grounds. The board voted to
Secretary’s Report: Minutes of last month’s approve the contract. Brian Brantley presented
meeting were printed in the April Geode. the motions and Gerri Lundergan seconding it.
2. The PA system at the fairgrounds needs to be
Treasurer’s Report: Heidi Arnold reported tested on set up day.
the club has $5,583 in the checking account 3. Heidi Arnold cannot meet on Tuesday nights
and $53,372 in the money market/building to prepare items for the Silent Auction. She can
fund. Discussion was held to decide if we need a continue to Chair but needs help with prep.
separate building savings account. A motion was Approximately 300 items are needed and must
made and seconded to accept the report, which be prepared. Various board members offered
passed. Heidi mentioned monitors are still filling to step up and get the silent auction items
out money envelopes incorrectly. Jerri Heer make organized.
a form to fix this problem. Monitors will need to 4. Grab bag and sluice bags will be put
completely fill it out for every class. together by the board again this year.
5. Grab bag items and sluice items are still
Committee Reports: needed. Heidi and Debbie will prepare a list of
A. Education: needed items to get out to the general members
of the club.
1. Ken and Becky Moser taught students of a 6. Member committees will be needed to be in
Kindergarten class in Wesley Chapel. charge of various show departments. Debbie
2. Tuesday night wire wrapping class have been Meyer, Dave Rodgers, and Melinda Riddle will
canceled due to lack of attendance. be working on the sluice.
3. Saturday silver open shop is suspended for 7. We need new chair for Admissions and more
until September per a request by the instructor, workers in the front door. We need at least one
Judy Anderson. for cash and one for credit.
4. Casting class will use the silver shop this 8. It is intended to get the same 4H club to sell
summer. Dave Miedema and Kym Hoerr will refreshments again this year.
be teaching lost wax casting and other casting C. Tailgate Saturday:
skills. Exact details to follow later. 1. This month’s tailgate did not do so well. The
5. Gerri Lundergan and several other instructors attendance was poor.
will be teaching a special cab class on the third 2. Discussion was had on starting the sale at 9
Saturday of the month over the summer. It will am so people can get here and get on with their
include a variety of skills, such as: stabilizing, days.
intarsia, hearts, doublets, and other more 3. Gerri Lundergan suggested adding a craft
advanced skills. The lapidary room will be

Continued on next page
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Continued from previous page in the Coral Geode and on PLEASE NOTE:
our Facebook page. SUMMER CLASS
fair to the tail gate event each 2. Signup sheets will be
month. posted by south door. CHANGES
3. It was discussed having
Old Business: the Tailgate from 9 am until SATURDAY OPEN SHOP
A. Renovation/Expansion – Ray 10:30. SILVER SESSIONS will be
Foran is preparing a drawing 4. The picnic will start at suspended and replaced
of the front of the building. This 11:30 with CASTING CLASSES.
is all in pursuit of getting actual 5. Club Calendar year – Contact Dave Miedema and
building plans started. Discussion was held about
B. Auction Results: changing the Bylaws to Kim Hoerr for details.
coordinate official club [email protected]
1. The club items sold calendar and the date of [email protected]
for around $1200. Slabs officer elections. Board
brought in around $1200. members expressed support TUESDAY NIGHT
Member sales amounted to for the change. Jerri Heer, BEGINNING
approximately $600, with Ken Moser, and Heidi Arnold
25% of that going to the club. will be looking into this and WIREWRAP SESSIONS
2. We need to recruit more other Bylaws revisions. If are suspended. Tuesday
member sales and move proposed Bylaws revisions and Saturday morning
those sales forward on the can be completed and sent sessions remain. Contact
auction schedule. out to members at least 15 Melinda Riddle for details.
3.According to Treasurer days prior, we will hold a highlandcitytangerine@
Heidi Arnold, the end figure vote on acceptance after the
was $2620.75. Summer Picnic meal. yahoo.com
C. Junior’s Club - Debbie B.Board Meeting: The board
Meyer gave a presentation voted unanimously to change NEW CLASS-WIRE
about the possibilities of the board meeting to the WEAVING! Roxy Dragula
starting a Future Rock Hound of second Monday of each month. will be starting a new class
America program. The board This change will be in effect for
members were interested, and the balance of this calendar in Wire Weaving. Our
Debbie will be getting back with year. Facebook page has a poll to
the needs to start this program. C.Gerri Lundergan will be help determine the day and
This will need support from teaching a 4H workshop at
the whole club, financially and the club this summer. More time. Check Facebook for
physically. information will follow. updates or contact Roxann:
D. Purging of excess property is silvermoonweaver@gmail.
still on going. A motion to Adjourn was made
E. Workshops taught by and passed. The meeting was com
our instructors and outside adjourned at 8:18 PM.
instructors were discussed.
There are many things to Respectfully submitted,
consider. Debbie Meyer,
TBMS Secretary
New Business:
A. Summer Picnic:

1. Advertising will be sent out

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TAMPA BAY MINERAL AND SCIENCE

CLUB GENERAL MEETING
April 16, 2019

Pledge Allegiant to the Flag membership income and shop fees were down
from last year. The club’s exceptional annual show
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order aided to the club having an overall good year.
at 7 p.m. by President Ken Moser, after which he
greeted everyone and thanked them for attending. Building Expansion Plan: Ray Foren has drawn
up initial building plans. We are in the process of
Minutes: There were no additions or corrections making up final preliminary drawings. The club
to the minutes as printed in the GEODE. Brian then will be consulting with an architect. Brian
Brantley moved the minutes be accepted as printed Brantley mentioned that we have a new member
Melinda Riddle seconded the motion which passed who is a contractor. His cost estimation for our
a voice vote. rough plan is between $60-$70,000.

Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer was absent Youth Program: Debbie Meyer asked for more
so the totals from the April board meeting were input before May’s board meeting.
announced to those attending. Checking $2,254;
Money Market $53,372. Approximately $3,070 • Tailgating on May 4th will start at noon. We do
was raised at the club auction. not want to interfere with classes, and it is being
publicized online.
New Members: There were no new members
present. • A beginner casting class will be offered by
Dave Miedema. The times and days will be
Announcements: New members that recently announced.
completed classes were: Peter Favarro, Josh
Cushing, Andy Germann, Brack Dodd, Annette • Kym Hoerr will still be offering wax patterns for
Dodd, Brittany Dorch, Marcia Connoly, Kaela casting.
Benbush, and Debbie Burnett. Congratulations!
• Look for upcoming dates listed in the Geode.
Pam Gonzalez was recognized for a piece which June 8th will be our summertime picnic, which
will be featured in an upcoming jewelry magazine. also will be last general meeting until the fall.
Roxanne Dragula was recognized for the many We’ll have sign up sheets up soon for members
ribbons won at the State Fair, Strawberry Festival, to bring food and drinks.
and other venues this spring.
Program: Tonight’s program will be a talk on
Correspondence: There was no correspondence. Arkansas Quartz and Diamonds, presented by
Dave Rodgers and Debbie Meyer.
Old Business: Proceeds from the auction were
$2,620. Approximately $600 was sold by four Brian Brantley reminded members that some Shirt
of our members who took part in it. The club orders have come in and are in the Library.
would like to see more members participate next
time. Ken thanked everyone who helped and The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m. Brian
participated. These funds will be used in our Brantley offered the motion and Norma Jackson
expansion effort. seconded it. The motion passed.

New Business: The club’s executive board passed Debbie Meyer,
a budget for the upcoming year. It was noted that TBMS Secretary

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TBMSC
Tailgate

& BBQ

Sat. June 8th @ the Clubhouse
Tailgate 9-10:30am / Lunch 11:30am

• Potluck style - sign up sheet at the clubhouse
• Sign-up to be a member vendor at the tailgate
• Club providing hamburgers, hotdogs, & veggie burgers
• Bring in Prospective Members to see what we do!

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COLD
CONNECTIONS
MIXED METALS

The CCMM Workshops will
be held on Wednesdays, from
6-9 p.m. The fee is $20.That’s
3 hours of fun, instruction,
creativity and all materials
necessary to leave with a lovely
creation of your very own!

Email tracycanales@iCloud.
com for more information
and RSVP for a Wednesday
workshop! Each week a new
project will be offered!

TBM&SC PRESIDENT & WIFE VISIT
CLASSROOM

President Ken Moser and his wife Becky joined their
granddaughter’s kindergarten class to talk about rocks
and gems. The kids loved it and Kens and Becky had
a great time as well! This kind of community outreach
is a wonder opportunity to interest kids in rocks and
minerals and fulfills our non-profit purpose. We have
several members who have participated in such events.
Keep up the good work!

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BRAD’S BENCH TIPS

SANDING DISKS I use these snap-on disks so frequently that
One of my favorite flexshaft tools that saves a lot I keep multiple mandrels with different grits
of time is the snap-on sanding disk. I mainly use already mounted in the bur stand. Some
mandrels have the grit facing out and some
facing in.

the medium and fine grits but sometimes like the
very fine ones sold for working with platinum.

Ordinarily, you’d think of placing the disk on the EASIER PRONG SETTING
mandrel with the grit side facing away from your
hand, but notice that you end up with your When setting stones in a prong mount, the tool
elbow up in the air. Instead, try flipping the disk is less likely to slip off the prong if you grind a
so that the grit side is towards your hand. It’s a groove into its face or rough up the face a bit
much more comfortable position because the with sandpaper. Some folks prefer a prong
elbow is down near your side, and it lets me pusher for doing this, and others like a set of
hold the work up close where I have a better pliers.
view of what I’m sanding.
The easiest way to create a slot on the pusher
is with a file, and the easiest way to create a
slot on one jaw of your pliers is with a cutoff
wheel. Then do a rough polish on the slot with a
medium grit, knife-edge silicone wheel.

Be More Productive With Brad’s “How To” Books:
Amazon.com/author/bradfordsmith

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Tampa Bay Mineral & Science Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 89146
Tampa, FL 33689-0402

May • June 2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

General
Meeting

7 p.m.
No Classes

26 27 28 29 30 31 June 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

TBM&SC
SUMMER

BBQ &
TAILGATE

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Board
Meeting
7 p.m.

SFMS SFMS SFMS SFMS SFMS SFMS
WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS

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