The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)

Community and Education 1997 Archive.

Table of Contents.

1. JANUARY - COMMUNITY EDUCATION;
2. FEBRUARY - LAPIDARY CLASS A HUGE SUCCESS;
3. FEBRUARY - POINT OF INTEREST;
4. FEBRUARY - EARTH SCIENCE AND MUSEUM HAPPENINGS;
5. MARCH - SUCCESSFUL LAPIDARY CLASS HAS COME TO AN END;
6. MARCH - EARTH SCIENCE AND MUSEUM HAPPENINGS;
7. MARCH - POINT OF INTEREST;
8. APRIL - EARTH SCIENCE AND MUSEUM HAPPENINGS;
9. MAY - EARTH SCIENCE AND MUSEUM HAPPENINGS;
10. JUNE - UNION OIL MUSEUM DISPLAY OF THE MONTH - "ONYX";
11. DECEMBER - EDUCATION FOR OUR HOBBY.

January.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION.
     Ray Meisenheimer gave an earth science class to 22 students and 3 adults at Oak Grove School Nov. 14.
     Bruno Benson and Ray conducted a tour of the Museum for 16 children and 8 adults November 20. (The students later sent both Bruno and Ray a large plate of dinosaur sugar cookies, in appreciation.)
     December 27th Ray showed a family of four through our Museum. They live in Pennsylvania and heard about our Museum through local relatives. They spent more than two hours asking questions and examining Bruno's fossil specimens.
          Contributed by Florence Meisenheimer.

(Editors Note: Thank you Ray and Bruno for your good works. I know the children love it and it is such a service to the community. Also thank you Florence for sharing the information.)

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February.

LAPIDARY CLASS A HUGE SUCCESS.
     The first session of the Lapidary Class was held Jan. 25 and was a huge success. We had six new members and 2 old members in attendance. Art Holloway and I were able to give everyone an introduction to using the slab and trim saws as well as a beginning into shaping and polishing cabochons.
     Because of going to Quartzsite and other conflicts the second session was held 2 weeks later on Feb. 8. Five people were at this session including one additional new member. No meeting was held Feb. 15th because it was a holiday weekend and I had a conflict with some other volunteer work.
     The third meeting will be Feb. 22nd and we hope to have good attendance at this meeting. It is certainly wonderful to see a group of new enthusiastic members at these classes. Even if you haven't attended the first class sessions, don't hesitate to come on out and join us. Both old and new members are welcome. The meeting is at 9:30 am at our Museum and Workshop, 5019 Crooked Palm Road in Ventura. See you there!!! Call me if you need more information (805) 482-6830.
          Wayne Ehlers.

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POINT OF INTEREST.
     The old Union Oil Museum in Santa Paula is now being run by the City of Santa Paula. A free, special exhibit is now on display until April 27. "From Gushers to Gas Pumps" depicts old photographs of oil well gushers and vintage gas pumps. Most of the photographs are by William W. Orcutt, well known for his ability to discover and produce oil. The city of Orcutt is named for him.
     The museum is located at 1001 E. Main St., Santa Paula. The exhibit is open from 10am to 4pm Thursday through Sunday. Ray and I attended opening day, with speakers, including the Mayor of Santa Paula, who also ceremoniously cut the ribbon to open the exhibit.
          Contributed by Florence Meisenheimer.

(Editor's Note: Steve Mulqueen has put in a case at the Union Oil Museum on behalf of VGMS. This month it displays the Amethyst. Each month he will be putting in a case honoring a different mineral.)

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EARTH SCIENCE AND MUSEUM HAPPENINGS.
     Bruno Benson and Ray Meisenheimer, along with the very welcome assistance of Art Holloway and David Mautz, escorted 57 school children and six adults on a two hour tour of the museum.
     One of the teachers was so impressed with the club case of state stones with state flags that she had her students select a state and draw a picture of the rock there and identify it.
          Contributed by Florence Meisenheimer.

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March.

SUCCESSFUL LAPIDARY CLASS HAS COME TO AN END BUT THERE WILL BE MORE!
     We just concluded the last of the five sessions for the Lapidary Class. In addition to my own Pixie machine we had another Pixie provided by Kathryn Davis and an "All-U-Need" provided by our Editor, Shirley Layton. This allowed all our students to have a chance to use a diamond grinding and polishing machine. This was greatly appreciated by all and has resulted in several going ahead to buy their own machines.
     With the help of Art Holloway we were able to learn to use the two saws and silicon-carbide grinders in our workshop. John McCabe also came as a student, but was very helpful in assisting others in using the saws. Kathryn Davis was very helpful as an instructor. Greg Davis was a student last year but this year brought his daughter and helped us all. Sharon Cunningham also came back again when her attendance last year was interrupted. Among those attending the classes were Teresa Burgess, Dennis Clegg, Jay and Jennifer Baumler, Richard and Nancy Jioras, Crystal Koroknay, Carlon Strobel and Shirley Layton. Now all of us are starting to feel like friends and do not hesitate to call or visit each other, particularly if we are having a lapidary problem. The real learning process is now just starting when we begin using our own equipment. We are looking forward to seeing samples of your handiwork from all of you. One of the best things about Rockhounds is that everyone is so willing to go out of their way to help others.
          Wayne Ehlers.

(Editors Note: Many thanks to Wayne and Art for sharing their time with all of us. He is correct, it was a great opportunity to get to know each other better and great fun!)

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EARTH SCIENCE AND MUSEUM HAPPENINGS.
     The Museum has been a busy place, what with the lap classes and refurbishing of some of the cases getting ready for the show. Also, Marie Ehlers has been in there just dusting and cleaning until it is all shining! That takes a lot of patience to clean around each of those wonderful specimens! They look great Marie and thanks!
     I understand you have to be careful of the "moving jaws" in the Museum! Ray Meisenheimer found this out, much to the kids delight, during one of his talks at the museum. Would you know anything about this Bruno? We have some good photos of Bruno, Ray and the kids for the Web site. Following is a letter Ray received after the visit of the 57 school children last month:

Dear Mr. Meisenheimer,

     Our visit to your museum was the highlight of our year. I hope we can visit again next year - at which time we will allow more time.

     The students loved all you have collected, especially all your very special fossils. They also enjoyed your "State" display and came back and made a picture of the rock or mineral from the state they are studying.

     Your mineral display is also well done and many students enjoyed seeing these specimens. They, of course, loved "rock hounding" outdoors and being able to bring a sample home with them.

     Please thank Bruno and the other gentlemen who were so nice to be with us also. We really appreciate you spending time with us. See you Next year.

Sincerely,
Bonnie Wascher, Teacher, Grade 5, Mesa School.

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POINT OF INTEREST.
     The old Union Oil Museum in Santa Paula is now being run by the City of Santa Paula. A free, special exhibit is now on display until April 27. "From Gushers to Gas Pumps" depicts old photographs of oil well gushers and vintage gas pumps. Most of the photographs are by William W. Orcutt, well known for his ability to discover and produce oil. The city of Orcutt is named for him.
     The museum is located at 1001 E. Main St., Santa Paula. The exhibit is open from 10am to 4pm Thursday through Sunday.
     Florence Meisenheimer shared this with us last month, but wanted to leave it in as Steve Mulqueen is putting in a case each month at the request of the Museum featuring the "Rock of the Month". The March display features the Trilobite Fossil which was furnished by Dave Mautz of the VGMS. Thanks to you both for your efforts. Everyone get by and see them. We are going to have a photo of it on our Web site as well.

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April.

EARTH SCIENCE AND MUSEUM HAPPENINGS.
     Bruno Benson and Ray Meisenheimer had a group of students from Sumit School - Upper Ojai tour the museum March 28th. There were 17 students and seven adults.

As I promised last month the following are a couple of letters from the Mesa School visit dated February 14, 1997:

"Dear Mr. Meisenheimer,

I wanted to thank you for giving us a great lesson on fossils, rocks, and minerals. I had so much fun and learned so much. I loved everything you had in your building.

I also wanted to thank Bruno and the other men for identifying some of the certain rocks and minerals I asked about. Thank you for letting me search and take home a rock!

Sincerely, Tyler Owens".


"Dear Mr. Meisenhimer,

Thank you for teaching us about fossils, rocks and other things also tell the others for helping us too. Oh ya, I forgot to thank you for letting us go rock hunting and letting us keep them. I really enjoyed it. Well I got to go now. Bye.

Sincerely, Jessie".

Contributed by Ray and Florence Meisenheimer. (Thanks for sharing with all of us, wish we could be there!)

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May.

EARTH SCIENCE AND MUSEUM HAPPENINGS.
     May 6th, Ray Meisenheimer gave an hour long talk to a third grade class of 33 students and their teacher at Tierra Vista School in Oxnard.
     The students were very excited about the large fossil specimens he took along for them to see and handle.
          Florence Meisenheimer.

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June.

UNION OIL MUSEUM DISPLAY OF THE MONTH - "ONYX".
     Steve Mulqueen has been doing a great job of setting up the display at the Union Oil Museum in Santa Paula. This month it is Onyx and he has included the beautiful onyx bowl that is one of our "Gold Coast Treasure Trove" donation awards. This is also a great opportunity to educate the public about the show and club. If you haven't seen it, give yourself a break and drop in! Actually, if you haven't gone through the Museum you should do so. It is a great history of our area and the oil history.

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December.

EDUCATION FOR OUR HOBBY.
     November 7, Ray Meisenheimer gave a talk to a leader and l6 young boys. He also gave each one a bag of identified minerals and fossils.
     November 20, Ray gave an hour long talk to l5 young people and 2 adults at Oak Grove in Ojai. His program included several large fossils from the museum and two educational cases - cab making and the identified rock case. Ray also showed them how to operate their newly acquired tumbler.
     December 1, Ray gave an hour long program to 28 second graders at Loma Vista School in Ventura. They particularly enjoyed the hands-on large fossils.
     December 7, Ray gave a tour of the museum to a small group of adults and children.
     December 11, Ray has a tour of the museum by a group of home study students and four adults.
          Contributed by Florence Meisenheimer.

(Editors Note - Thanks Ray, from all of us for sharing your knowledge and time educating the young people about our hobby and Museum.)

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