THE BACKBENDER’S GAZETTE

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Terry Proctor

Section News

Peter Romero Tumbling Tips

Education

Shop and Building News

Bench Tips

Volunteers Needed

Almost Human: The Astonishing Tale of Home Naledi

Minutes of Board Meeting (not yet available)

Minutes of General Meeting

Upcoming Shows

Terry practiced as a licensed attorney and mediator. His career included serving as a municipal judge, associate district judge, city attorney, and city secretary for 6 decades. He served as President of the East Harris County Bar Association, as a member of the North Harris County Bar Association, Houston Trial Lawyers Association, and Greater North Channel Bar Association. A true public servant, he was also President of the East Harris County Chamber of Commerce, President of the Greater North Shore Area Jaycees, and member of the Rotary Club of North Shore from 1960 to 1964.

Terry was an Eagle Scout in 1950. and scout leader for Boy Scout Troop 512 and worked to instill values of leadership and service in the younger generation. His church home was HOLY TRINITY METHODIST in east Houston where he was honored with the Cross and Flame Award for his outstanding service to the youth of Holy Trinity Methodist. He was an author and poet, as well as an artist in watercolor, oil, acrylics, Scan Art and pen-and-ink. One of his watercolors, “THE HONEYBEE” was hung in our Nation’s Capital. Terry also proudly served his country first as an airman in the 125th Fighter Bomber Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, and then as a reservist in the Airforce. He cherished his time in service and one of his fondest memories was sitting in the glass nose gun turret aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber during its transport from Oklahoma to California for repairs, a moment he believed everyone should experience at least once.

His love for storytelling extended to the stage where he performed in productions at the Baytown Little Theater and appeared in CBS’s 1985 television mini-series “SPACE” working alongside Beau Bridges. A magician at heart and  paleontologist by passion, he founded and served as curator for the Proctor Museum of Natural Science.

Terry was a fixture at HGMS for many years. As an experienced fossil hunter he was active in the Paleontology Section and was the main driver for the creation of the Archaeology Section. Terry could be found at the Annulaat gus educationak display table, wearing a pith helmet and showing off large fossils including the dinosaur leg bone he found in West Texas. Of course he was President of the HGMS too,

Above all else, Terry cherished his family. He is survived by his children: Douglas ‘Chase’ Fonteno; David Proctor and wife Cynthia; Donna Kester and husband David; Diana Saufley and husband Victor; five grandchildren; and nine great- grandchildren. Terry embraced life with curiosity and generosity and faith. His favorite scripture was Psalm 23. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.

Beading – Second Saturday, 12:00 PM  

• On August 9th Ginger will teach you how to finish your Kumihimo bracelet project with a wire clasp and a coiled bead cap. We will be using wire to create a clasp and bead caps to terminate the bracelet strand of beads. You may also choose to bring your own bead caps. Ginger requires an RSVP by 5th for this meeting.  E-mail Beading@HGMS.org to RSVP.
• The Beading Section had 14 members at the July 12th meeting where Ginger Smith taught us to make a Kumihimo bracelet.  This is a Japanese of braiding beads onto 8-cords using a special Kumihimo disc.
• We are planning more involved Kumihimo patterns in the future!
• The September 13th meeting will be at Camp Allen, in Navasota.  Does anyone want to lead a class at the Clubhouse on September 13th?  Please feel free to suggest a class and teach it; or, consider joining us at the bead retreat for the weekend.
• Here is the link to register with Camp Allen:https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3556746441?pwd=SHZXVEhSbFM5VEI1ZDdVdytaS3RFdz09&omn=71762479998
• On October 11th Maggie will be teaching basic beading on beading wire.  The sky is the limit in terms of bringing your own collection of  assorted beads to string up.  We will start with what type of beading wire to use, versus thread or cord, crimping, crimp covers, jump rings, and clasps for a professional result.  Consider restringing an old or broken necklace and improving it by adding some new beads into the mix or rearranging the beads.  This meeting will not cover bead knotting or macrame techniques.

NOTICE: Do you have a bracelet or necklace that needs restringing?  The Beading Section will carefully restring your piece at an hourly rate of $15.00 + materials.  Contact Beading @HGMS.org to make arrangements.  All funds will go to the Beading Section.

Always bring beading mat, scissors, wire, wire cutter, round nose and needle nose pliers, thread, and beading needles if you have them.  

Find out more about the Beading Section!

Gemstones and Faceting – Second Thursday, 6:30 PM  (USUALLY: see below)

The August meeting will be on the 21st; not on the 14th!    It will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Zoom Link: Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88576448148?pwd=8Ij6CWOS5l0FnaLuv1c2LLKAvKGoOD.1

Meeting ID: 885 7644 8148

Passcode: 675386

Discussion topic for our August meeting:

We will discuss cutting asymmetrical faceting designs.

Learn more about the Gemstones and Faceting Section here.

Mineral – Third Wednesday, 7:30 PM 

The next meeting is Wednesday, August 20th at 7:30 pm.

• We will continue the Common Minerals series (minerals you can collect yourself and find in Texas and nearby states) by finishing our discussion of Feldspars with the Alkali Feldspars.
• Last month Sigrid Stewart presented “Plagioclase Feldspars”. We did not have very many specimens of plagioclase-type feldspars for display, but there will be plenty for the alkali feldspars.

Zoom link for the meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86053771923?pwd=ek5lNlk5SGFYNjN6U29ONU4xVElyQT09

or

Meeting ID: 860 5377 1923
Passcode: 826994

If you’d like to join the Paleo Section email list, send an email to hgmspaleosection@gmail.com and ask to be added.

Paleontology – Third Tuesday, 7:30 PM 

The next meeting is Tuesday, August 19th at 7:30 pm. Topic to be announced.

Zoom link for the meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86053771923?pwd=ek5lNlk5SGFYNjN6U29ONU4xVElyQT09

or

Meeting ID: 860 5377 1923
Passcode: 826994

If you’d like to join the Paleo Section email list, send an email to hgmspaleosection@gmail.com and ask to be added.

Youth, First and Third Saturdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Mostly we will be working on cabochons. Children must be accompanied by parents.

We also enjoyed looking at some of Peter’s rocks and jewelry. You can look over some of his work too, by going to his website, bluewizardrocks.com.

You’ll see great specimens, slabs, cabs and jewelry!

*Magnifying lenses (Suggested if you have difficulty seeing small things)

NOTE: *Wires and stones are small, if finger dexterity or eyesight cause you difficulty, please take that into account when booking your spot. Tool Rental, if needed is $5.00/student.

A better approach is to insert a flat sheet to boost up the stone.  It can be a scrap of metal or some plastic from product packaging or old credit cards.  In either case, just cut a piece to loosely fit into the bezel and drop in the stone (with some dental floss) to check its height.

TRANSPARENT  CABS

We are in urgent need of more volunteers for Shop Managers!  Having our Lapidary Shop and Jewelry Lab at our Clubhouse is one of the greatest things about the Houston Gem & Mineral Society. But Shop work demands a Shop Manager be in the shop for every session, for oversight and safety. People come in and they want to learn, but if they do not learn to do things the right way, they develop bad habits, like applying too much pressure on a wheel or trying to cut a large rock on a trim saw. Or worst of all, trying to cut an improperly mounted stone in one of our big saws!

Safety is the other huge concern. When people don’t  use equipment properly, they can get hurt – badly. You need to know how to use a grinder, which can grab your finger if you let a stone ride too low, or try to press too hard on a trim saw and cut your hand. Sometimes it’s as simple as “Hey, buddy! Use eye protection!” Shop Managers are responsible for protection too.

If you love working in the Shop, think about getting a little training and become a Shop Manager. If you are interested, contact our Volunteer Coordinator: Nancy English, HGMS Secretary, Volunteer Committee Coordinator,
nancyjodi@aol.com or 832-722-5441.

homo sediba

But as he surveyed sites with Google Earth, he realized that the aerial images provided insight into the nature of the terrain, and that there were groves of trees and rocky outcrops of the hard dolomitic limestone found locally which was  often mined to produce quicklime. Some caves and past digs aligned with what must be faults, creating low points where hominin remains could collect and be fossilized in cave breccias. The trees clustered around caves because the faults made openings for roots to grow deeply. Hmm, he thought, maybe possibilities have not been exhausted after all.

In 2008, he began to walk many of the areas he was mapping. By July of that year, he had identified over 600 new sites with fossil potential. While checking out one potential site with his son and an anthropology student, he heard a shout from his son, “Dad, I found a fossil!” When he went to look, he realized it was a hominin collarbone. In 2010, the new hominin would be named australopithecus sediba.

homo naledi

5 years later, Prof. Berger was approached by an ex-employee who wanted to return to fossil digging. Pedro Boshoff was an expert caver familiar with hominin fossils who could survey additional mapped areas that had not yet been checked out, and thanks to the sediba discovery, there was budget available to hire him. Soon Pedro found two young cavers to work with him, and one evening they showed up at Berger’s home with pictures on a laptop – another potential discovery. They had crawled through a tight chute in The Rising Star cave system into a chamber deep underground that was full of bones. Some of the bones had recent damage indicating other cavers had been there, so there was reason to move quickly on the new discovery.

But rather than operate in secrecy to hide the discovery from other scientists, Berger opted to advertise for adventurous, skinny young paleontologists/anthropologists/archaeologists to assist. The tale of their selection and subsequent activities is an exciting part of the story. Along the way, you will be treated to explanations of the various theories of the evolution of humans with diagrams and photographs, and hear how the new species was named.

There was also the interesting fact that the cave was full of hominin fossils and only hominin fossils. No predators. Had they actually been buried there? That would be a human-like behavior. The decision was made to release news of the discovery before age dates were available and to release scans of the fossils to eager scientists and the public. Is this an answer to the question of modern man’s origin? No, only the beginning of more questions and more exploration.

President L T Wilcox called the Zoom meeting to order at 7:38 p.m. A quorum was present. Non-voting member Elliot Payne joined the meeting during New Business to discuss Shop issues.

Approval of Minutes – Secretary Nancy English

June minutes are not done yet.

Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Rhett Cooper reported that the Treasurer’s Report for June 30 is not available yet, because it is the 1^st of the month today.

• Sections provide receipts to the Treasurer and Bookkeeper. During the April 1 Board meeting, Rhett Cooper asked Section Chairs and Section Treasurers to send receipts for any Section purchases to the Treasurer. A motion was made and withdrawn pending a specific description of what information needs to accompany the receipt. The issue was postponed until the May Board meeting. We had too much to discuss in May in June. Rhett clarified that the receipt needed to be dated, identified by Section, and indicate whether it was for supplies or entertainment. He agreed to email Section Chairs and Treasurers.
• John Moffitt asked how much the 2024 Annual Show made. There was some confusion about the net. Nancy English looked it up. The 2024 Show made $24,306.89. John was surprised and impressed.
• Rhett Cooper reported that so far, all of the expenses requested for the 2025 Show have been paid. He is keeping up with future deadlines to pay off the venue.
• Rhett Cooper reported that the Paleo Section is moving the balances of its accounts from Smart Financial to Chase Bank.
• Rhett Cooper reported that the Treasurer@hgms.org email link to his email is not working. President Wilcox said the Website Committee is working on it. A fix to block phishing emails to the “.org” accounts has created this unintended consequence.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Donations, Sales, Auction Committee (DSAC) – Ray Kizer. Nancy English reported for Ray that a new donation was received, and Ray is planning another auction.

Education Committee – Maggie Manley has posted two classes: Cabochon 101 and Enameling. She is working with Susan Burch on a new Wire Wrapping Class. Jeanean Slamen may schedule a new Torch Class. Tony Lucci indicated that he will teach a Welding Class. John Moffitt committed to teaching a Basic Paleo Class.

Safety/Policy Committee – Rhett Cooper reported that he will continue to research companies to provide better HVAC ventilation. He will email bids to the Board when he gets them. He should have something in August or September.

Membership Committee – Sarah Metsa reported new and renewed memberships in June.

Single Adult – 182

Couples – 52

Families – 17

Juniors – 1

Youths – 11

Lifetime members – 69. One new lifetime member added. One deceased member removed.

Totals for SCFMS: Adults 387, Youth 43, for total membership 430. Sarah added that she had received 10 more mixed membership forms since she did this report.

Volunteer Committee – Nancy English and Daniel Rodriguez: Nancy received one response to the request for someone to answer the phone: Chris Peak. She forwarded it to LT. Chris is a lifetime member of the club. He has not been active since he moved to Maine. He kept his Texas phone number, though, and he’d be happy to take the calls if no one else steps up.

You can reach him at 281-685-7610, earthfirstproductions@gmail.com. Nancy agreed to call him. President Wilcox agreed to find out how to change the numbers over.

Scholarship Committee – Mike Sommers and Daniel Rodriguez

• Nancy English reminded Rhett Cooper that she had asked him to research the ELIZABETH JEAN SMITH SCHOLARSHIP FUND and the BOB FISCHER SCHOLARSHIP FUND to determine what monies were available for 2025 scholarships. The Board had previously decided to use the Elizabeth Jean Smith Scholarship Fund when it reached $2,500.
• Nancy has not finished reviewing the 12 candidates. She is holding up the results of the choices for candidates.

SECTION REPORTS

Beading Section – Maggie Manley in person: second Saturday, noon to 3:00 p.m., July 12, August 9, September 13.

Maggie delivered 3 boxes of Beading books to the HGMS Library. She included a thumb drive with the books listed on a spreadsheet to be added to the Library spreadsheet. President Wilcox said Jeanean Slamen and Michelle Wilcox are working on access to the Library’s main database.

Day Light Section – Linda Krzywicki in person: first Wednesday, noon to 3:00 p.m., July 2, August 6, September 3.

Nancy English said she was able to add Linda Krzywicki to the Day Light Chase Bank account.

Gemstones and Faceting Section – Randy Carlson Zoom Hybrid: second Thursday, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., July 10, August 14, September 11. Randy Carlson renewed his membership and became the Section Chair.

Lapidary and Silversmithing Section – Tony Lucci in person: third Monday, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., July 21, August 18, September 22.

Mineral Section – Steve Blyskal Zoom program planned: third Wednesday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., July 16, August 20, September. 17.

Paleo Section – in person: third Tuesday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., July 15, August 19, September 16.

Youth Section– Beverly Mace in person: first and third Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to Noon, July 5 & 19, August 2 & 16, September 6 & 20.

OLD BUSINESS

• Bylaws: Thank you, Sarah Metsa, for posting the request for the membership to vote on the new bylaws during the July 22, 2025, General Meeting.
• Nancy English has not finished the Trespass Affidavit. This is important to post so the police know we want intruders arrested.

NEW BUSINESS

John Moffitt will be gone in the month of July. He needs someone to do the program for the July 22 General Meeting. He asked if a Board Member could do the July program. Sarah committed to calling Paul and Natalie Brandes to see if they have a program. Otherwise, she may do a presentation.

Elliot Payne, Shop Issues: Elliot spoke at the June 24 General Meeting. He described several problems with shop users, equipment, and shop supervisors. He will review those tonight, looking for some answers and direction from the Board. Nancy put a summary together for the Board meeting.

Elliot said an 18 ½ inch saw blade needs to be replaced. LT looked up the price: $250.00.

Elliot joined the meeting to ask for permission to purchase three more reliable 220-grit metal wheels for $109.00 per wheel.

MOTION: John Moffitt moved to approve the purchase of 3 metal 220 grit wheels for $350.00 or less. He will ask David Pawek to purchase the wheels for reimbursement. Sarah Metsa seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Elliot will forward the motion to David Pawek. Nancy will send Elliot the tax-exempt forms.

MOTION: John Moffitt moved to approve the purchase of an 18 ½ inch saw blade for $250.00 to replace the recently broken blade. Mike Dawkins seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Elliot will forward the motion to David Pawek with the tax-exempt forms.

Leadership Class: John Moffitt wants to teach a Leadership Class in September. He will prepare a piece for BBG to solicit interest and recruit students. John will offer mentoring. He suggested that other Board members offer to mentor prospective leaders in the Club. John committed to sending a write-up to President Wilcox and Nancy English for their review to publish in the BBG.

Shop Orientations: Mike Dawkins said the Paleo Section is planning an Orientation for the Air Abrasive equipment. Mike found equipment instructions and user rules when he cleaned up the space.

Elliot agreed that the Club needs an organized Shop Orientation. Nancy English told the group that she and Jeanean Slamen had worked on an extensive set of rules fashioned after the California Gem and Mineral Society’s pamphlet. Jeanean got their permission to use it. She could not get the Shop leadership to read it, let alone adopt it. John agreed that once Elliot had reviewed the information, he could probably get Tony Lucci involved.

There was a brief discussion about the lack of a Shop Manager since Neal is no longer available. Nancy English explained that, according to the HGMS Bylaws, the President could appoint a Chairman. Elliot agreed to take the position.

President Wilcox appointed Elliot Payne the Shop Chairman. Elliot will train Shop Foremen, facilitate repairs to equipment, organize the Shop Foreman Schedule, and perform other duties needed in the Lapidary Shop. He will work with David Pawek to keep the equipment repaired.

Rhett Cooper suggested an electronic sign-in process that would identify users’ capabilities and training. President Wilcox explained that it would be expensive to buy or build and cumbersome to implement.

The next Board of Directors Zoom meeting will be on the first Tuesday, August 5, 7:30 p.m.

The next General Meeting will be on the fourth Tuesday, July 22, 7:30 p.m.

Adjourn: Nancy English moved to adjourn. John Moffitt seconded the motion, and it passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:45.

Secretary Nancy English called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. She welcomed seventeen attendees: fifteen in person, two online.President LT Wilcox had to work late. 1st Vice President John Moffitt is on vacation. Sarah Mesta, 2nd Vice President, is home with her sick family. So, Nancy English presided over the meeting.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the June 24 General Meeting have not been published. We will vote on them in August.

COMMITTEE/SECTION REPORTS
Nancy English invited Section Chairs and Standing Committee Chairs to make any announcements.
Membership Committee: Sarah Metsa reported at the July Board of Directors meeting that at the end of June, we had these members.
Single Adult – 182
Couples – 52
Families – 17
Juniors – 1
Youths – 11
Since then, ten more members have signed up.

Donations, Sales, Auction Committee (DSAC): Ray Kizer announced that the next HGMS Auction will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00
p.m.
Education Committee: Maggie Manley: Nancy encouraged the members to check the Weekly eblast and the BackBenders Gazette (BBG) for classes. Susan Burch is
teaching a wire wrapping class that Nancy recommends.

Scholarship Committee: Mike Sommers, Daniel Rodriguez, and Nancy English have chosen three winners for the 2025 $2,500 scholarship. We
hope to use donated funds to award at least two more. The names will be published after the students have been notified.

Show Committee: Scott Singleton/Sigrid Stewart: Three ZOOM Show Committee meetings are scheduled: August 12, September 9, and October 14; all at 5:30.
Website Committee: Scott Singleton/Sigrid Stewart. The problems with the “@hgms.org” addresses continue. If you are sending emails to any of the emails
ending in hgms.org, they may not be received. Contact members of the Board,Committee Chairmen, or Section Chairmen for the personal emails of the people
you need to contact. Nancy English is committed to putting a notice regarding this situation on the weekly Event Blast.

OLD BUSINESS
SECRETARY ENGLISH asked members to look for the progress of Old Business items in the Board of Directors’ Meeting Minutes in the latest BackBenders
Gazette (BBG) on the HGMS Website https://hgms.org under Publications.

Shop News: During the July 1 Board meeting, President Wilcox appointed Elliot Payne as the Shop Manager. He will be overseeing the Shop Foremen and the
workings of the Lapidary Shop and assisting the Jewelry Shop as needed.

Laptop purchases: President Wilcox and Treasurer Rhett Cooper have found affordable laptops for the club. President Wilcox authorized Rhett Cooper to
purchase them.

Discuss and vote on new Bylaws: Secretary English invited any discussion on the Bylaws changes. There being none, she asked for a motion to accept the new
Bylaws. Ray Kizer moved to accept the New Bylaws as presented to the membership in the email dated June 23, 2025. Julius Albonetti seconded the
motion. The motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS
Secretary English asked if anyone had any New Business.

Julius Albonetti asked that a request be put in the weekly Event Blast for more Shop Foremen. Substitutes are needed and permanent shifts are needed,
especially for weekends. On August 2, after the Youth Section meeting, the Club will be closed. David Pawek will be at the Shop to support the Youth meeting. He
will keep the Shop open if anyone is there at noon to use the Shop. Otherwise, he will close it. Thank you, David.

Ray announced that a Boy Scout Troop of 57 boys invited the Paleo Sectionto do a presentation. The date they asked for is close to the Annual Show, so the
Paleo Section suggested a time in January.
Debbie Seid said she and another member, Maria Sanchez are fellow students at the Glassell School of Art. Maria coordinated a tour for their classmates of the
HGMS Clubhouse on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

The next Zoom Board of Directors meeting will be on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
The next Hybrid General Meeting will be on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 7:30p.m. Program to be determined.

Show-n-Tell:
Clyde McMeans brought a druzy quartz from the Potosi formation in Washington Co., Missouri. It was
unearthed in while mining for barite.

Drawing: Foster Kneeland won the snowflake obsidian.

Secretary English reminded everyone during the break to thank Debbie Seid for the delicious refreshments.
Feed the Kitty! Your donations go to offset the cost of the snacks.
Thank you to the volunteers who made tonight possible.

Thank the volunteers who make all of what HGMS is available.
Adjourn: Jame Eleckel moved to adjourn. Ray Kizer seconded it. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Secretary English introduced Steve Blyskal and his program about the Million Dollar Highway near Silverton, Colorado and

visiting the Museum in the old City Hall there. He showed many pictures of minerals and talked about the mining history.

• August 9-10, Baton Rouge Gem and Mineral Society, Lamar Dixon Expo Center, https://www.facebook.com/groups/batonrougegemandmineral/

• August 16-17, Ark-La-Tex Gem and Mineral Society, Bossier City Civic Center, https://larockclub.com/

• October 17-19, Gem and Mineral Society of Austin, Palmer Events Center, https://www.agms-tx.org/
• SCFMS Convention held in conjunction with AGMS Show – see article above.

• October 18, SCFMS Convention hosted by G&MS Austin, 6719 Burnet Ln, Austin, TX 78757

• November 1-2, Paleontological Society of Austin, Old Settler’s Heritage Association, https://www.austinpaleo.org/fest.html

• November 1-2, Midland Gem and Mineral Society, Bush Convention Center, https://www.midlandgemandmineral.org/

• November 7-9, Houston Gem and Mineral Society, Humble Convention Center, https://hgms.org/