FIELD TRIP ANNOUNCEMENTS In order to keep our promise of "99% digging and 1% talk," we have scheduled these upcoming events for the club 8^)__________________________ Official field trip of the Mountain Area Gem and Mineral Association __________________________ MARION, KENTUCKY FLUORITE DIG The Eureka Mine, Columbia Mine and Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum Dates:  September 24, 25 and 26, 2010 Official field trip of the Mountain Area Gem and Mineral Association The Mountain Area Gem and Mineral Association is proud to announce a three-day fieldtrip to Marion, Kentucky.  The folks at the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum have graciously invited us to come back and dig at the Eureka and Columbia Mines.  Before the club arrives, machinery will be used to expose fresh material at each mine.  The goal is to stir up the existing dump piles, add fresh material, and expose new areas where we know there are veins with fluorite, sphalerite, galena, calcite, quartz, and other minerals.  We will also have an opportunity to tour the Clement Museum as a group Saturday afternoon.  Individuals can also tour the museum on their own whenever the museum is open during our visit.   If enough folks are interested there will be an opportunity to collect fluorescent material at the Columbia Mine on Saturday evening.  All participants must meet each morning at the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum to sign waiver forms and pay fees.  On Friday we’ll meet at 9 am central time.  Saturday and Sunday we’ll meet at 8 am central time.  The Museum parking lot is located on North College Street in Marion, Kentucky.  In Marion, at the intersection of US 91 (Main Street) and KY 120 (East Bellville Street), travel east on KY 120 to the first street on the left (North College Street).  The parking lot is located a short distance down North College Street on the right.  Anyone arriving late should still go to the museum to sign their waiver forms and pay their fees.  The museum staff can provide you with maps and directions to catch up with the group. Digging fees each day will be $25/person which entitles the digger to a 5-gallon bucket of material.  Each additional bucket is $20.  Children age 7 and under dig free with a paid adult.  If sufficient interest exists there may be an opportunity for a fluorescent trip on Saturday evening.  Fees for the fluorescent dig are $40/person which entitles the digger to one 5-gallon bucket of material.  Additional buckets are $30.  Collecting fees are one of the Museum’s primary funding sources so MAGMA is hoping for a large turnout and productive digging to demonstrate our support.    A small fee is required to tour the museum collection. A few lodging options and approximate distances to Marion:  Campgrounds Holiday Hills Resort, 5631 State Rt. 93 S Eddyville KY 270-388-7236: 20 miles Cave In Rock State Park, 1 New State Park Rd Cave In Rock IL 618-289-4325: 14 miles Canal Campground, Grand Rivers KY 270-362-4236: 34 miles Hillman Ferry Campground, 820 Hillman Ferry Road Grand Rivers KY 270-924-2000: 34 miles Calvert City KOA, 4793 US HWY 62 Calvert City KY 270-395-5841: 38 miles Ky. Dam Village State Resort Park, 166 Upper Village Drive Gilbertsville KY 270-362-4271: 33 miles Kentucky Lake Resort, US641 N Gilbertsville KY 270-362-8652: 33 miles Hotels, Motels, etc. Cave In Rock State Park, 1 New State Park Rd Cave In Rock IL 618-289-4325: 14 miles Holiday Hills Resort, 5631 State Rt. 93 S Eddyville KY 270-388-7236: 20 miles Country Hearth Inn, 120 Funway Drive Eddyville KY 270-388-4535: 20 miles River Rose Inn, 1 Main Street Elizabethtown IL 618-287-8811: 20 miles Rose Hotel, 92 Main St Elizabethtown IL 618-287-2872: 20 miles Arrowhead Lodge, RR 2 Elizabethtown IL 618-287-8574: 20 miles Regency Inn, 616 US HWY 62 W Eddyville KY 270-388-2281: 20 miles Stratton Inn, 534 Marion Rd Princeton KY 270-365-2828: 23 miles Hampton Inn, 62 Days Inn Drive Kuttawa KY 270-388-5777: 23 miles Days Inn, 139 Days Inn Drive Kuttawa KY 270-388-5420: 23 miles Relax Inn, US HWY 62 Kuttawa KY 270-388-9960: 23 miles Express Inn, 112 HWY 62 W Princeton KY 270-365-2001: 23 miles Ky. Dam Village State Resort Park, 166 Upper Village Drive Gilbertsville KY 270-362-4271: 33 miles Kentucky Lake Resort, US641 N Gilbertsville KY 270-362-8652: 33 miles Ky. Dam Village State Resort Park, 166 Upper Village Drive Gilbertsville KY 270-362-4271: 35 miles *The Cave-in-Rock Ferry crosses the Ohio between Illinois (Rt. 1) and Kentucky (Rt. 91) seven days a week from 6 am to 9:30 pm as long as the river is not at flood stage.  You can check on the status of the ferry at http://www.dot.state.il.us/road/closures.txt.  There are no bridges nearby. We’ll be collecting rain or shine so be sure to include your rain gear.  If the creek bordering the Eureka Mine is not too high it is a popular collecting spot so may also want to include waders if you are so inclined.  Wooden or plastic digging tools are very helpful given the lower hardest and cleavage tendencies of fluorite and its associated minerals.  Bring plenty of wrapping material to preserve your treasures and bring your ultraviolet light if you plan to participate in the fluorescent trip Saturday night.    Additional information on the Ben E. Clement Museum can be found at www.clementmineralmuseum.org _____________________________ Graves Mountain Open House Rock Swap and Dig! Lincolnton, Georgia October 1st through 3rd, 2010 Official field trip of the Mountain Area Gem and Mineral Association I have been in contact with Junior Norman about his upcoming "Rockswap and Dig" at the mountain. I will be setup at the dig again with the M.A.G.M.A. booth selling minerals for the club and myself, I will be camping at the Elijah Clark State Park for the weekend. The mountain will be open to collecting from 8 am to 6 pm each day. All attendees must stop at the welcome table each day to sign a liability release and make a contribution (usually $10-$15 dollars per person per day) to help with the cost of providing porta johns and golf carts. The dig will end and everyone is must be off the mountain by 6:00 p.m. each day.  There will be an area in the parking lot for vendors to sell and trade minerals. If you would like to setup a booth, contact Junior at the phone numbers listed below. Hot food will be available for purchase on the mountain all three days. Cold drinks will also be available for purchase. THIS DIG IS OPEN TO ALL CLUBS and ROCKHOUNDS. Contact Information: Junior Norman - 706-359-3862 or 706-359-2381 GRAVES MOUNTAIN CODE OF CONDUCT!!! Park your vehicle in the designated area at the end of the paved access road. 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 RAPPELLING 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.) Please protect our ability to field collect at Graves Mountain! Report violations to: Junior Norman Norman C E Wrecking Co 3333 C E Norman Rd Lincolnton, GA 30817-3110 706-359-3862 (his business) or 706-359-2381 (his home) All reported violations will be held in strict confidence. DIRECTIONS: From Washington Georgia, drive 11 miles on SR-378, or from the Hardee's in Lincolnton, Georgia, drive approxiately 5-1/2 miles west on SR-378. Look for a sign at the entrance to Graves Mountain on the south side of the road. Motels and Camping: Cullars Inn, Lincolnton, Georgia, 706-359-6161  Soap Creek Lodge, Clarks Hill Lake, Lincolnton, 706-359-3124 Elijah Clark State Park, 706-359-3458 / 800-864-7275  _____________________________ Dahlonega Rock and Mineral Show! Dahlonega, Georgia October 16th and 17th, 2010 Our MAGMA member Tommy Folger has organized a gem and mineral show to take place in Dahlonega, Georgia in October. This show is open to everyone and I am asking all our members who sell minerals at shows to consider setting up at this one. The show will take place during the gold festival that occurs each year in Dahlonega, there will be a lot of people from out of town attending. The show is being put on to help the Dahlonega Chamber of Commerce raise money to preserve a historic home in the area. The McDonald house belonged to a Confederate Captain who fought with the Blue Ridge Rifles from Dahlonega. He was wounded near the end of the war and was not at his units surrender at Appomatox. His home is the last Confederate officer's house in the county. We are going to preserve the history behind the house for future generations.   The exact location for the event has not been determined, however we have two guaranteed locations rain or shine. The times will be 10-5 both days. Vendor spots will go for $45 each. A voluntary donation of %10 of Sat. profits. Contact numbers Chamber of Commerce 706-864-3711 and Tommy Folger 706-973-0003. Lodging info to follow and other details to follow as well. WNC ROCKS HOME