THE BACKBENDER’S GAZETTE

Click a Table of Contents Entry to jump to that article.

President’s Message

Vice-President’s Message

Be a Responsible Geo-Tourist

Section News

Shop and Building News

From the President of the AFMS

Education

Bench Tips

Rockhounding North Carolina

A Good Idea – Built to Last

Minutes of Board Meeting

Minutes of General Meeting

Upcoming Shows

No particular message this month. We had a good Donation Sale thanks to Ray Kizer and a great turnout of volunteers for the HGMS table at the Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Show.

Scott Singleton provided door prizes for visitors. Things are going great.

The upcoming talk will be posted as soon as it is available.

Many of us organize some of our travel around geologic marvels. To me, any geology is interesting, but I love igneous terrains, like basalt flows, granite domes, volcanoes! Apparently so do many tourists. They are especially loving Sicily right now, for its excellent food, beaches, scenery, ancient Greek and Roman archaeology, more modern architecture such as cathedrals, and Mt. Etna, which is erupting.

Sicily, like the rest of Italy, has been plagued by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions for millennia, and continues to be seismically active. Mount Etna, a stratovolcano 11,014 ft high, is the tallest peak in Italy south of the Alps and the most active volcano. It is located near the cities of Messina and Catania and close to where the African tectonic plate is subducting underneath the Eurasian tectonic plate.  In 1669, an eruption destroyed a dozen villages and submerged the city of Catania. In 1928, another town was destroyed and 5 people killed. in 1987, two tourists were killed by a sudden explosion near the summit. Lava flows, ash and gas emissions and explosive eruptions are all common.

The current eruption began on February 13^th this year, and has attracted many new tourists. Some are parking on narrow streets and blocking traffic, including potential rescue vehicles. Others have hiked up to the lava fields wearing plastic bags on their shoes to protect them from the snow. Mayors of towns on the slopes of Etna have started banning people from areas with lava flows.

Erupting volcanoes are always hazardous to some degree, and warnings have gone out to potential onlookers. Italy has a Civil Protection alert system, currently at yellow. Authorities are asking people not to go within 100 to 200 meters of any lava. Tremors and dangerous gas emissions may occur at this alert level, and eruptions can increase rapidly. Seriously folks, is it worth being hit by hot rocks during an explosion for an Instagram shot?

Beading – Second Saturday, 12:00 PM  

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

Our next meeting will be March 13th at 6:30 pm.

• Topic to be announced.

Learn more about the Gemstones and Faceting Section here.

Mineral Section 7:30 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday

Email mineral@hgms.org to request details.

Lapidary and Silversmithing – Third Monday, 7:00 PM

The next meeting will be on March 17th starting at 7:00 pm.

Email Lapidary@hgms.org if you have questions, and check out the Lapidary and Silversmithing Section page.

Paleontology – Third Tuesday, 7:30 PM 

The next meeting is Tuesday, March 18th at 7:30 pm.

Topic to be announced.

Zoom link for the meeting:

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

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

Our next meetings will be on March 15th; also April 5th and 19th.

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

As we begin a new year, I hope everyone had a successful 2024. After attending most of the regional conventions last year, I look forward to attending all seven conventions in 2025.Coming up:

• AFMS/Eastern Convention in Hickory, North Carolina, March 27 -30 Reports will be due early this year.
• Midwest Federation in Lincoln, Nebraska, April 5-6. This should be a great experience for all who attend (65th Show, Club’s 70th Anniversary).
• California Federation Convention in Lancaster, California, May 10-11.
• Northwest Federation in Walla Walla, Washington, September 12-14 
• Rocky Mountain Federation in Grand Junction, Colorado, September 19 – 21
  

While there will be a lot of traveling, the possibility of collecting during these visits is exciting, even if my children insist that their parents have more than enough rocks, as if there is such a thing. We also look forward to seeing rocky friends and making new ones. As we recuperate from the Holidays, I hope everyone received many blessings during the past year and will receive many more in 2025. Looking forward to seeing all in Hickory and at all the other Conventions.

Class:  CABS 101 (3-dates available)

Location:  HGMS Clubhouse, 10805 Brooklet Drive, Houston, TX 77099, Center Classroom/Lapidary Shop
Instructor:  Sharon Halton
Cost:  Member Cost $65.00; Non-Member Cost $85.00
Minimum: 3-students; Maximum: 5-students
NOTE:  Students must be at least 15 years old (exception with approval of instructor ONLY)

THREE DATES AVAILABLE:

• Monday, March 24 from 10 to 2pm
• Monday, April 21 from 10 to 2pm
• Monday, May 19 from 10 to 2pm

This class includes a discussion of how to create cabochons and examples of cabs in various stages of development.  Sharon Halton, Shop Manager, will provide each student with a pre-cut, preformed, and dopped cabochon to shape while their chosen slab is curing from the dopping process.  Students will select a slab and learn how to use a template to outline the cab shape and use the trim saw to roughly shape the cabochon outline.  Each student will leave with 2-cabochons and the knowledge to finish them, if they have not completed them in class.  Students will learn the best way to use the equipment in the Lapidary Shop so that they can work semi-independently and confidently in the shop afterwards with oversight from Shop Managers. This class is highly recommended for those wishing to utilize the Lapidary Shop.

Registration will open on our website this week.

To register go to: wwww.HGMS.org; Click on Education Tab; Click on Classes and current classes will be listed.  Pay online with PayPal or any credit card.

See More of my Smart Solutions for Jewelry Making Series
http://amazon.com/dp/B0BQ8YVLTJ

by Brad Smith

The story behind the Gem Scoop!

Also see the Gem Scoop Article in the January 2025 Backbenders Gazette

In April 1961, Ernest Estwing of the Estwing Manufacturing Company of Rockford, Illinois, makers of World-Famous Rock Picks and Sportsman’s Axes, introduced his invention called the Gem Scoop. This same scoop is still sold today. Back in the day, it sold for only $7.50. Today, the same scoop or updated version sells for up to $65!

What is fun to note is the thought that went into creating the actual scoop so many of us have carried with us. The idea for it came from three rockhounding friends from different parts of the country who each wished for a particular type of tool to assist them on field trips. One woman friend from Arizona wished for a tool to use for chasing snakes away while collecting and for grabbing specimens from under prickly cholla cactus and other precarious spots. An Idaho friend wished for a good climber’s tool. Another friend wished for a scoop that would help him get specimens out of the water in Lake Superior. All three friends thought a cane-type tool would be very effective for what they needed.

President L T Logan called the Zoom meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. A quorum was present.

PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS

Approval of Minutes–Nancy English: The January 7, 2025, Board minutes were sent to the Board late Monday, night, February 3. The December Board meeting minutes were sent to the Directors on January 7. Members agreed to read them in time to send an email to Nancy English on February 5, with approval or changes of both documents.

Treasurer’s Report–Rhett Cooper: Treasurer Cooper showed the Treasurer’s report on our screens to discuss. He will send it to us later.

• Looking at current financials, we were hit with the cost of repairing the urinal leak, the lapidary wheels, and the Lee Thompson bill from December.
  • Lee Thompson sent an invoice from January 2024, to pay in January 2025 for $977.72. It was researched and the bill was correct and had not been paid. We are currently paid in full.
  • Bookkeeping fees were only for Michele Marsal in January.
  • The Directors’ and Officers’ Liability insurance was increased. Nancy English told the Board that previously the insurance rep told her the insurance would go up 20% per year.
  • The Lapidary Shop spent $692.65 to replace wheels that were gouged out beyond repair. Hopefully, Neal Immega knows where the diamond grit is.
• The 2025 Budget plans. President Wilcox and Treasurer Cooper have not met yet to coordinate the budget. Sections still need to send their budget requests to Treasurer@hgms.org. Considerations for added budget items follows:
  • Ventilation: It was suggested we add money for the Jewelry Shop desktop and floor-sitting ventilation machines. We could buy 1 each to see which works best. LT showed pictures of the equipment and the spreadsheet cost comparison. He and Rhett want to run it by Tony Lucci and Carmen Fraticelli. They will present their decision to the Board later.
  • Melting Furnaces: We also discussed adding to the budget for small electric furnaces to be used in the Jewelry Shop instead of acetylene.
  • Security System: Because of the damage to the polishing machines, we are considering more cameras and maybe a better security system to see what types of rocks are being used on them.
  • Rhett pointed out that replacing seven gouged polishing wheels cost $692. More money may need to be added to that category.
• Status of signature changes: Some of the changes have been made, but not all.
• HGMS received $1,000.00 for the scholarship fund. Rhett will add it to the budget revenue and adjust available scholarship money for 2025. LT and Rhett will discuss the scholarship fund and present results to the Board and the scholarship committee later.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Club Maintenance–Dean Wix

• President Wilcox, Treasurer Cooper, and 2^nd Vice President Sarah Metsa had planned to investigate creating a paid contract position for Repair/Maintenance in the building and shops. Nancy English talked to Dean Wix, the current Building Maintenance Chairman. Dean does not see the need for a paid position.
• There is some consideration for hiring someone to maintain the shop equipment instead of relying on volunteers. Rhett Cooper has a spreadsheet about costs and hours for a shop repairman. He will send it to the Board. Nancy will suspend this discussion from future agendas until we get the budget out of the way.
• Dean and Matthew Sklar painted the patch on the Brooklet side of the building that the painters missed years ago because of the bushes.
• Dean facilitated the repair of the leak in the men’s restroom.
• Dean repaired the light fixture in the Jewelry Shop.
• Dean carried all the fire extinguishers to be reinspected. Three of them need to be serviced. He will reinstall those when they are ready.
• LT asked Dean to make sure the defibrillator was recharged.
• LT wants to be certain we have first aid kits throughout the building.

Donations, Sales, Auction Committee (DSAC)–Ray Kizer: The next auction is set for Feb 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Ray will be the auctioneer, Nancy English and Sigrid Stewart will accept payments. The remainder of the Gary Anderson donation will need to be a sale, not an auction. There is too much of it.

Education Committee: Maggie Manley: Susan Burch may teach a wire wrapping class. Maggie reserved the center classroom for the Houston Bead Society. She will show them around after the meeting. They are considering joining HGMS. They may stay for the auction.

Library:

• The Board is looking for a Temporary librarian. Clyde’s been keeping up with the libra. He will bring the books back to the Club members to take.
• Randy Carlson is working with David Moss, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental and Geosciences at Sam Houston State University, to create the Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society as part of the Sam Houston department. They may be interested in some of the books.

Membership Committee: Sarah Metsa

• The report shows new and renewed paid members amounting to 272 in 2025.
  • Single Adults – 104
  • Couples – 29
  • Youths – 8
  • Families – 10
  • Lifetime – 69
• Rosters were sent to the Board, Section Chairmen, and the Shop supervisors. Names are in alpha by first name. It is a PDF so use Control F to find a name.
• More people are using the online membership venue. Makes it easier.

Publicity Committee: Morgan Felder will do our Social Media Facebook and Instagram advertising. She needs directions from Scott Singleton for our Facebook account. Lauren Blyskal and Sarah Metsa have the Instagram authorizations. Morgan could be an authorized user of the Club’s future laptops when she is at the Club.

Safety/Policy Committee: Focus on projects for 2025.

• Fred Brueckner agreed to find a Security System with better resolution, and more cameras.
  • Ray Kizer asked for a parking lot camera.
  • Consider moving the system out of the Paleo office to the HGMS office.
• Adding desktop and floor ventilators will satisfy the first item on the Insurance company’s URGENT list from 4 years ago.
• Adding small $400 furnaces will eliminate the need for acetylene. Another important item on the insurance company’s list.
• The light above the door is out.

Scholarship Committee: Mike Sommers and Daniel Rodriguez– Another $1,000.00 donation came in the mail. That makes $5,000 added to the Scholarship budget funds for 2025. Nancy English notified the Scholarship Committee. Nancy asked the Board to read Mike Sommers’ email below.
I agree, Nancy, I’d like to keep open the option of having a couple of supplemental awards like we did last year, in case we have a lot of applicants again. But that won’t be something I put on the application page or website.

     It would also be interesting to see whether we have enough to park in some yearly CDs and start using that as an “endowment” and award off the interest.

     Lastly, I’m wondering about the balance for the book royalties that Art Smith set up in his wife’s memory, and whose name I just can’t recall for the life of me, at the moment. The irony of this is not lost on me.

Shop Supervisor Committee:

• New wheels were ordered. David Pawek asked us to consider upgrading to new machines. It would cost about $14,000. It would be easier to teach new people how to repair one machine instead of several different machines.
• Ray Kizer would like to see that. Nancy English suggested we decide what brand of machine we want to move to and then replace the old ones when they fall apart. Our goal would be to have better-looking and better-maintained equipment.
• LT Wilcox and Rhett Cooper discussed identifying donated equipment or money for equipment with plaques on the product.

Show Committee–Scott Singleton 2025: The Show Committee is making the 2025 flyer for the Clear Lake Show on Feb 22 and 23.

Volunteer Committee: Nancy English Receiving signups for the Clear Lake Show.

Volunteer Committee: Nancy English Receiving signups for the Clear Lake Show.

• The 50^th Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society Show is on February 22 and 23, 2025. We need 4 volunteers and or demonstrators for each of the 4 shifts.
• Saturday, February 22, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., afternoon shift 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday, February 23, 9:30 to 1:30, afternoon shift 1:00 to 5:15 p.m.
• Members wishing to just attend the CLGMS Show may get tickets and a $1.00 off coupon for the $7.00 ticket at http://clgms.org, showcoupon.pdf.
• Nancy English already has 5 volunteers. Maggie volunteered at the meeting.
• LT Wilcox is bringing his faceting machine.
• The 50^th Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society Show is on February 22 and 23. We need 4 volunteers and or demonstrators for each of the 4 shifts.

Saturday, February 22, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., afternoon shift 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 23, 9:30 to 1:30, afternoon shift 1:00 to 5:15 p.m.

Members wishing to just attend the CLGMS Show may get tickets and a $1.00 off coupon for the $7.00 ticket at http://clgms.org, showcoupon.pdf.

• The 3-ring binder needs new pictures of the Lapidary Shop.
• Ray Kizer asked if we have business cards. Yes.

SECTION REPORTS

Sigrid Stewart, BBG Editor, asked Sections to plan three months in advance, so she can post in BBG and drum up enthusiasm.

Beading Section–Maggie Manley in person: second Saturday, 12:00 p.m., February 8, March 8, April 12.

Day Light Section–Linda Krzywicki, in person: first Wednesday, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00, February 5, March 5, April 2

Gemstones and Faceting Section–Turner Whitham, Zoom Hybrid: second Thursday, 6:30 p.m., February 13, March 13, April 10.

• Turner Whitham is planning a monthly open shop day for faceters on the 4^th Saturday of the month. He will oversee the use of the faceting machines. People will be charged the $3.00 per hour shop fee. His goal is to certify faceters so they can use the machines in the future.
• The Gemstones and Faceting Section wants to get a digital head for one of their machines. It will cost $900.00. Nancy English said the monies could come from the Gemstones and Faceting funds. Rhett Cooper said he and LT Wilcox will consider the expenditure with the other constraints on the budget.

Lapidary and Silversmithing Section–Tony Lucci, in person: third Monday, 7:00 p.m., February 17, March 17, April 21.

Mineral Section–Steve Blyskal, Zoom program planned: third Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., February 19, March 19, April 16.

• LT Wilcox asked Rhett Cooper if he could get permission from HMNS for HGMS to do a demonstration in their lobby. Rhett referred him to Steve Blyskal as someone who may have more pull with the Museum people.
• Rhett wants to set up field trip tours for HGMS members to see the Hall of Gem and Minerals when it reopens.

Paleo Section–Neal Immega, in person: third Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., February 18, March 18,

April 15.

• Mike Dawkins announced Paleo’s field trip to Whiskey Bridge on Saturday, February 8. Details are on the February 2, Events Blast.
• Mike Dawkins may become a signer on the Paleo checking account. He will get the information Rhett needs for the Club records.

Youth Section-Beverly Mace, in person: first and third Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to Noon., February 15, March 1 & 15. April 5 & 19.

OLD BUSINESS

Bylaws: The Board has not reviewed the changes yet. Sarah Metsa will resend the paperwork for the Board to review during the March 4 meeting. The Board agreed to read and comment before the meeting. Thurman pointed out the wording about the Club dissolving. Sarah Metsa will rewrite the sentence to mean the property will be offered to the members before the Society is dissolved and assets are given to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. She will have an attorney friend review the wording. Cash and unsold assets would be given to HMNS. Maybe we want to give the assets to the new Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society. Then would we have to consider giving some of it to the Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society?

Purchase of Laptops: Rhett Cooper and LT Wilcox will continue to refine the decision on what laptops to buy. They will consider the expected changes to Windows.

Nancy English asked President Wilcox to provide a list of last year’s accomplishments.

NEW BUSINESS

The next Board of Directors Zoom meeting will be on the first Tuesday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m.

The next Hybrid General Meeting will be on the fourth Tuesday, February 25, at 7:30 p.m.

President Wilcox asked for new business. There was no other New Business.

Adjourn: Nancy English moved to adjourn. Mike Dawkins seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

President LT Wilcox called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.

He Welcomed 22 in-person attendees and 8 online attendees.

President Wilcox asked if there were any new members or guests. David and Susan Fitzhugh are back in Houston from South Africa and renewed their membership. Jim Porter just returned from his first trip to Tucson. Curiosity brought him to the HGMS meeting tonight. Nancy English invited David Woody and Austin Wehn to tonight’s meeting when she met them at the Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society Show. Austin moved to Houston 7 months ago. He was a software engineer and wanted to make a change. He started collecting gems and minerals after his first trip to Tucson in 2014. He wants to learn as much as he can here. He also volunteers at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. David Woody retired and began making metal sculptures, adding minerals to the art. Jan Wheeler’s father was a member of HGMS. She brought John Moffit to the meeting because he had cataract surgery today and could not drive.

Approval of Minutes: NANCY ENGLISH asked for a motion to approve two months of General Meeting minutes.

MOTION: Ray Kizer moved to approve the minutes of the November 26, 2024, General Meeting as published in the December 2024 BBG. John Moffitt seconded the motion, and it passed.

MOTION: Steve Blyskal moved to approve the minutes of the January 28, 2025, General Meeting as published in the February 2025 BBG. Ray Kizer seconded the motion, and it passed.

COMMITTEE/SECTION REPORTS: President Wilcox called for any Committee or Section reports.

Show Committee: Scott Singleton Chairman–Steve Blyskal reported.

The Show Committee distributed several thousand HGMS 2025 Show flyers at the Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society Show (CLGMS) to HGMS dealers and other interested dealers. Dealers will distribute the HGMS flyers at other shows.

We will be recruiting Dealers and sending out contracts in April.

Mineral Section: Sigrid Stewart said the last Mineral Section meeting was canceled due to cold weather.

Membership Committee: Sarah Metsa reported the following membership numbers at the February 4, 2025, Board meeting:

Single Adult – 104.

Couples – 29.

Families 10.

Youths 8.

Lifetime members – 69.

The Roster lists were provided to members in the Event Blasts on February 9, 16, and 23, 2025. The lists are in PDF format, so you can enter the name you are looking for in the search field and it will take you to it. If you wish to contact a fellow member reach out to a Board member, Section Chairman, or membership@hgms.org for the member’s contact information. President Wilcox asked if there were any questions or feedback. He invited people to share comments after they opened the document.

Donations, Sales, Auction Committee (DSAC): Ray Kizer reported.

There are no new donations. We are still working through Gary Anderson’s massive donation.

The auction on February 15, 2025, brought eight bidders and we made over $900. Ray had to take about half of the items back home, but we will see them again.

The next auction is tentatively set for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the HGMS Clubhouse.

Volunteer Committee: Nancy English

         Nancy thanked the volunteers who manned the HGMS table at the CLGMS Show last weekend. LT Wilcox, Maggie Manley, Nancy English, and Scott Singleton were there all day on both days. Richard Vaille demonstrated faceting on Saturday morning. Maggie demonstrated beading projects on both days and LT continued the faceting demos after Richard’s shift was over. Sandy Cline, Cherie Allen, Lewis Allen, Julius Albonetti, and Jeni Menendez promoted the club to parents while kids dug in the petrified wood buckets for free pieces. Scott Singleton loaned us his gorgeous, petrified wood collection to display. LT displayed his collection of faceted gemstones and beautiful minerals. People were encouraged to click on the QR Code to sign up for our 4 door prizes of petrified wood. Special thanks to Clyde McMeans for bringing the supplies to the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday night and setting up the tables and display items. On Sunday night we all packed it up and Clyde took it back to the Clubhouse.

Volunteers gave away 150 trifolds describing HGMS. The box of 6,000 flyers may have 1,000 left. We helped distribute the flyers to dealers and, of course, the people who came to our booth.

Some people signed up online at the show. Sarah Metsa will have new membership numbers at the next Board meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

President Wilcox presented one piece of Old Business. Members should receive Bylaws updates in March. Please review them before the March 25, 2025, General Meeting. We will entertain questions and comments at that meeting and vote on the changes at the April 22, 2025, General Meeting.

He asked people to hold any other Old Business until the next General Meeting on March 25. Members should contact him to be sure any other Old Business is on the March General meeting agenda.

NEW BUSINESS

President Wilcox said because of the time constraints before tonight’s program we will skip New Business. If members want to add any, please contact him and it will be covered in the March meeting.

The next Zoom Board of Directors meeting will be on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.

March

Central Texas Gem and Mineral Society Annual Show

03/15/2025 – 03/16/2025

Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-4

Taylor County Expo Center, 1700 State Highway 36

Abilene, Texas

contact Linda Walker

rockclub.txol.net

facebook.com/events/496588033108475/

Catawba Valley Gem & Mineral Show and AFMS Convention

03/28/2025 – 03/30/2025

Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5

HickoryMetro Convention Center, 1960 13th Ave. Dr., SE

HIckory, North Carolina

contact Dean Russell, (828) 303-1448

cvgmcsecretary@aol.com

cvgmc.com

April

63rd Annual Fiesta of Gems

Southwest Gem & Mineral Society Annual Show

04/05/2025 – 04/06/2025

Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4

Morris Center @ Joe Freeman Coliseum,

475 AT&T Center Parkway Gate E

San Antonio, Texas

contact Kitty.swgms@gmail.com

www.swgms.org