This is from the July 2001
newsletter
We are proud to announce 2001 is our clubs 25th anniversary. The club was organized by a group of people that had a vision this great hobby was here to stay for a long time. Much work went into getting the club organized and to keep it going over the years. While the club was being organized 1976 was the year Gerald Ford was President and Jimmy Carter was President elect (11-2), and our nation celebrated our Bicentennial (7-4). Israeli airborne commanders attacked Ugandan’s Entebbe Airport to free 103 hostages held by Palestinian hijackers of Air Force Plane (7-4) and the Viking landed on Mars.
On the lighter side, 1976
Top Songs were: Afternoon Delight, I’d Really Love to See You and If You Leave Me Now and Top Movies
were: Rocky. Taxi Driver, Network, and All The Presidents Men. Pittsburgh beat
Dallas 21-17 in the Super Bowl. First class postage was 13 cents and the phrase
“junk food” entered the English language. When you think of it many things have
changed in the 25 years. But after all this time our club has remained a place
to share your experiences and finds and make friends along the way.
One of those who helped get the club started was Walter McKruit. He wrote letters to the other metal detecting clubs for suggestions how to get the club started. The response was great, everyone was willing to share their knowledge and experiences
The first
organizational meeting was held 2/14/1976 at 7:00P.M. at the Cabot A&R
Building, Cabot, Pa. Walter McKruit was acting chairman and Nick Vallas was
acting Secretary/Treasurer. 30 prospective members were in attendance. The club
name, Butler County Treasure Hunters, was chosen at this meeting. By the end of
the first meeting there were 12 members, we now boast 51 members.
Elected board
members were as follows for the first year: President – Walter McKruit;
1st Vice President – Andy Kranchuck; 2nd Vice President –
Gil Steighner; Secretary/Treasurer – Nick Vallas.
The second meeting
was held at the Butler Public Library. The club was started at this time and
“finds of the month and door prizes” became monthly events. At this meeting
by-laws were approved.
At the third
meeting patterns for the Club Patch were displayed and club colors of red,
white, and blue were chosen.
It was decided at the
close of the July 15,1976 meeting all members presently in the club were to be
CHARTER MEMBERS. There were 64 members at that time.
Club funds were
raised by dues, which were $7.50/married couple or $5.00/single and $1.00 for
juniors (dues are now $15.00). Donations were made by members and raffled to
help raise money. Members also donated supplies and services such as coins,
membership cards and printing to help defray costs.
January 1977 we
had the club letter head which we still use today. 25 years later and we still
use many of the guidelines set up by the organizers. The club also shad their
first “seeded” hunt in the fall of 1977, the club still has seeded hunts each
year. The club has been active in the community.
Members have been
called upon to give talks and demonstration about out hobby. Over the years we
have also been approached my Police Departments, District Game Commission and
private citizens, needing help to find crime evidence, a lost item or property
line stake. We have donated displays of items found on the property of various
camps, parks, and organization that gave us permission to have a club hunt. The
displays are currently on exhibit with our club name on them.
We have even
had some members have the good fortune to find a gold coin (Tony DiCicco 1881
$10, John Beaver $5) Many older coins have been unearthed and valuable jewelry
found too. The members today have the same zeal for this hobby as the founder
had, it is one of the greatest hobbies around. The happiness one experiences
when returning a lost class ring (by Tony Benaglio found 32 class rings and
returned them all) or item of sentimental value is unbelievable, or see the look
on a child’s face when showing how your detector works and let them help find
some coins.
Some members
might remember in 7/79 Dick Stricker used more than 1000 pull tabs to make a
large eagle perched on a pen he found. The display was mounted on a blue velvet
cloth and framed. Or the clock that Duke Pella donated for a raffle and Duke
kept winning it back. The nice stories are never ending.
Over the years
a number of members have had
articles published in treasure hunting magazines, had articles published in
local newspaper and even been on TV stations. *Terry Nichlas, Jack Barrett,
Clair Rowan, Paul Kramer, June McGrady, Chuck Snyder, Frank Lutz).
Many thanks to
the people who put so much time and effort into getting our club started and to
those who have kept it going over these years. There are so many names that we
can not possibly mention everyone. Thanks to the records kept over the years we
are able to track our progress.
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