MMGS

I went down to the Sanford pit Saturday to see if the snow was gone and noticed the property is posted. I have talked with owners for some years now and gave him a call to see what was up. The last big storm we had knocked some trees down which are hung up by others. He asked to have people stay out till he can have the place cleaned up and safe once again. Hopefully this wont take long. So until further notice Sanford pit is CLOSED.

Rare Wintertime rock collecting treat! It was almost 50 degrees today in Maine. A nice day to do a little mineral prospecting over at Mt. Apatite in Auburn, ME. Chad and Patrick got some good practice perforating the frost about a foot down on the dump piles.

ICE

H20 – Usually seasonal – virtually no Maine town without it; Greenwood – ice caves; Kennebec River – Gardiner; Penobscot River; Monhegan – Ice Pond; Riley – Mahoosuc Notch ice caves

Ice crystals are usually dendritic and a series of drawings will serve to show the variety of habits, though it has been rumored that some identical snowflakes have been found in Maine. (Note: Water is not a mineral as it is a liquid and would be better thought of as molten ice.) One of the earliest reports of Maine ice (variety snow) was Levett (1628): “Another evil or inconvenience I see there [Maine], the snow in winter did lie very long upon the ground.”

Reference: Mineralogy of Maine – Volume 1: Descriptive Mineralogy, Vandall T. King and Eugene E. Foord (Maine Geological Survey, Department of Conservation, 1994)

We will hold a Youth Group meeting this month on Saturday January 23rd at 6pm. At Jerry’s Gems 901, Route 1 in Saco. Activities will include mineral identification; methods of creating jewelry including how to wire wrap your treasures. Everyone will get a free mineral specimen to identify and add to his or her collection. Door prizes will also be drawn. For additional information call Jerry at 571-4522

If you are a club member wishing to renew or if you want to become a brand new MMGS member, now is a fantastic time to join the club.

To renew or join our club, please download, print and fill out our Membership Form and follow the instructions on the form stating where to mail your payment. Alternatively, save a stamp and bring it to our next meeting.