October 2008 newsletter

A MEMORABLE MONTH!! Hard to believe, October is upon us, the summer is in the past, time just marches on or should I say, rushes by. September has been a month to remember. From a very special monthly meeting, to the end of the month and our annual Fall Hunt, September 2008 is sure to find a place in our scrapbook and a memorable niche in our clubs long and rich history.

The September show & tell once again showcased a super array of great finds. The jewelry finds always amaze me. Many great rings were found with Jim’s 14K five diamond ring taking top honors. Joe’s total of 15 silver coins for this time of year was amazing. Then there were Red’s Large Cents and Dan's Civil War Medal and all the other great finds, all too numerous to mention. Each month proves that good finds still exist, and if we do some research, put in a lot of time swinging that coil and seek permission, the rewards are there to find. Our club is blessed with a membership of seasoned and experienced detectorists, each with their own expertise and willing to share their finds and know how. Thanks to Larry & Evelyn Miller for the fine task of judging the Show & Tell. Also, welcome to our newest member, #534 David Wolf of Sarver, Pa.

The highlight of the evening proved to be the presentation from our founding club member #4, Walt McKruit. He brought many display cases from his years of detecting and all present were treated with the chance to view the rewards of what a lifetime of dedication to detecting can produce. From religious medals, war medals, foreign coins, tokens of all kinds and even arrow heads, Walt had everyone in awe. Walt had many interesting stories to tell of his finds as well as how our club began, getting our club chartered and just what it was like in this hobby some 32 years ago. Charter member and friend, Dale Shook came with Walt and is how Walt came to know the club he started still existed. He said he never imagined in the beginning and it gave him a sense of pride that something founded so long ago, would still be going strong. Dale found our Website and of course, the rest is new club history. Thanks Walt and Dale, we hope to see you both often.

Our Fall Hunt on September 27^th, was another great time for the 23 members that participated. Thanks to Vic & Terry for your innovative hunts and for finding ways to give us plenty of targets to search for. Our member’s wishes were granted with a fun Partners Hunt, a challenging Name the Find Hunt which I had the pleasure of running, a great ticket hunt where everyone had an equal chance of winning prizes with no one walking away without a few choice rewards. The final open field hunt was super with targets to be found every few steps and several hours went by before the field was clean or is it? Even the rain held off till the end. Thanks to all that gave donations and thanks to the property owners for once again, allowing us to use the field.

I wish to take a moment to thank our membership for once again trusting our club officers to once again, lead us through another year. For Terry, Jim, Greg and myself, I feel I can say we each love this hobby and enjoy our club very much. The help we get from the membership, goes a long way in keeping us going. When seeking nominations, one member commented, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This is usually a good rule of thumb. As we look ahead, I hope each of you are reminded that sometimes circumstances can dictate a needed change, health, age, work to name a few. In the years to come, to stay successful, change is usually needed. Our club would not be here today if someone did not step up to the plate. A special Thanks to those that fill our voluntary positions and to Harry, Vic, Pete, Boobie, Janice and all that help for your willingness to continue to fill these positions and the find job that each of you do.

2009 is sure to be a challenging year in our clubs history. The rising cost of everything from gas to silver and gold will certainly have a major influence on how and what we each do as well as how and what our club does. With the approval of our membership, we have already implemented some changes for the upcoming year and the way we do things. I am certain, more changes will be needed to help keep our future as bright as possible. For our club to continue, we need each and every member’s input, ideas and participation. Thanks to everyone for all you do. Lets do all we can to insure that our club will enjoy a 50^th anniversary.

OPENING

Jack Barrett called the meeting to order at 7:20 P.M., followed by the pledge and a moment of silence for the troops.

GREETING

33 members and welcome to our newest member, David Wolf from Sarver (#534)

Welcome back Henry Thiel-nice to see you back at the meetings.

MINUTES

Jim Hindman read August's meeting minutes. Motion to accept was made by Joe Guerre, seconded by Larry Leathers.

STRIP TICKET WINNER

#802-Janice Barrett $100

HUNTS

The Club's Fall Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2008. Registration is at 10:00 A.M. First hunt is scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Hunt fee is $35 for members, $45 for non-members. The hunt will be located on Rt. 66 South between Kittanning & Leechburg at Kelly Station--across the road from Purple's Bar.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Greg Miller gave the treasurer's report with a balance of $818.27. Motion to accept was made by Andre LaStrapes, seconded by Donna Thiel.

Payments:

Harry Neimeyer-$16.17

Motion to accept was made by Larry Miller, seconded by Red Craft.

Motion to buy 2 gold coins & 10 silver dollars was made by Harry Neimeyer, seconded by Vic Kamer.

Motion to donate $200 towards the fall hunt was made by Larry Leathers, seconded by Gary Waddell.

Display prizes for 2009 will be silver quarters due to the increase in silver prices. Motion to accept was made by Evelyn Miller, seconded by Larry Miller.

FMDAC NEWS

The fall convention will be held in Wildwood New Jersey. So far 61 people have registered. There is no late fee. For more information go to the FMDAC website.

***ELECTIONS***

Club Officers for 2009 are as follows:

President: Jack Barrett

Vice President: Terry Taylor

Secretary: Jim Hindman

Treasurer: Greg Miller

Motion to accept was made by Red Craft, seconded by Harry Van Riper.

GUEST SPEAKER

Walter McKruit.

Walter had a variety of displays of his finds over the past 32 years and talked about the hay-days of detecting all around Butler County and surrounding areas. Walt was also instrumental in the start-up of the club, along with Nick Valas-who chartered our club. Walter also told about dredging Conneaut Lake swimming area and finding 5 gallon buckets full of coins & jewelry that he found in the Lake. Walt's been detecting since 1973 and was a Compass Detector Dealer. We really appreciate having charter members back in the club.

Thanks Walter!

RAFFLE TICKETS

50/50-$48 was donated--Evelyn Miller was the winner.

Vic's Silver Drawing-$33 donated to the fall hunt--Henry Thiel was the winner--2008 Silver Eagle.

Thanks to Kathleen Bollinger for selling the 50/50 tickets.

Attendance Winner-Joe Guerre

DISPLAYS

13 Displays

BEST DISPLAY--Clair Klingensmith--14 Kt man's ring, 2 silver rings and many other items.

BEST COIN--Joe Guerre--1946 Walking Half.

BEST JEWELRY--Jim Hindman--14 Kt Ring with diamonds.

BEST ARTIFACT--Dan Bollinger--Civil War Era Medal.

OLDEST COIN--Red Craft--1803 Large Cent.

MOST SILVER--Joe Novastat--15 silver coins.

CONSOLATION WINNER--Gary Waddell

MOTION TO ADJOURN

Bob Brown made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 P.M., seconded by Donna Thiel.

If you tell the truth you never have to remember exactly what you said and you can tell people without stopping to remember what you said before.

NEWS & VIEWS