CENTRAL VIRGINIA GOLD PROSPECTORS REPORT ON MARCH 18, 2005 MEETING The first meeting of the Central Virginia Gold Prospectors club was called to order by President Ben Vaughan. Prospective new members and guests were welcomed. There were about 90 people in attendance, which was a new record. We are continually growing and, hopefully, getting better. UPCOMING MEETING APRIL 16, 2005 at 10:00 AM – Small Country Campground – Louisa, VA DIRECTIONS: From Richmond Area: Interstate 64 to exit 143 (Rt.208-North)...go 2.5 miles and turn LEFT at small sign onto 640 and go 150 yards and turn RIGHT at small sign on 649. Go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. Campground entrance will be on the right. As you drive up the dirt road, pavillion is on right. From Harrisonburg Area: Route 33 East- go through Ruckersville, Barboursville and Gordonsville to Trevillians-at intersection of Routes 33 and 22 turn left onto Route 22 then take immediate RIGHT onto Rote 613 - go to Route 649 and turn LEFT - go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. From Manassas Area: South on Route 29 to Route 15 South. Take 15 South through Orange to Gordonsville - turn LEFT onto Route 33 - take 33 to Trevillians - turn LEFT onto Route 22 and immediately turn RIGHT onto Route 613 - go to Route 649 and turn LEFT. Go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. The first item on the agenda was some very good news !! Ben Warner (Grace was in California) gave an update on the dredging situation. Things are looking good for approval soon. At this point it looks like there will be a blanket permit for our club and for the Northern Virginia club. The permits will be for only 3 counties in Virginia, Buckingham, Fluvanna and Louisa. If everyone abides by the rules it is possible that this can be expanded at a later date. It was noted that no dredging north of Route 17 will ever be permitted because of the population restraints. There will be a mandatory class held. You will have to attend the class to be permitted to dredge. The class will take about 4 hours. An announcement will be made as to when the class will take place. We will give you as much notice as possible and it will probably be on a Saturday after one of our meetings. Ben was then available to answer individual questions. He can be reached at: coltsaa@moonstar.com or Telephone (434) 983-2594 The Treasurer’s Report and Secretary’s Report were given. The reporter from the “Washington Times” newspaper was introduced. He did an article about CVGP and gold in Virginia that appeared in the March 22nd issue of the newspaper. Ben Vaughan was also interviewed by the Richmond radio station WRVA about gold prospecting. He did a great job. This interview was repeated on a number of other stations—Goochland, Farmville, Charlottesville, etc. Rich and Cheryl Spurr were acknowledged for a program they gave in Roanoke to the Coin and Relic Club about gold prospecting. Thanks also go to Charles Lee for the donation of a gold nugget and Rich Beyer for donating a handmade rocker box. These items were raffled- off. Robin Adair gave us an aerial photo of the property and some additional maps on CD. A discussion was held on how the club income is to be handled. The $10 donation is used for the operation of the club and to purchase things such as office supplies, outings and insurance for all the members. The $25 land use fee and $10 fee for guests using the leased property will be accounted for separately and used for lease payments. A map showing the boundaries of the leased land were handed out to those paying the land use fee. These maps were provided by Bill Hart amd should prove to be extremely helpful to those using the property. Rules for use of the leased property were also discussed. Remember, no open fires and if you dig a hole, fill it back before leaving. Also, please remember that the land use fee must be paid AT A MEETING. Billy Cartwright gave us a report on land he is checking to possibly lease. Harry McElhone told us about a trip to North Carolina he is organizing. A minimum of 20 participants is required for the dig. The cost is $80 per person and will be held at the Golden Valley Campground, southeast of Marion, NC off Rt. 40 on Rt 226 at Polkville, NC. Harry will have maps available at the next meeting for those who are interested in going. Also, we know it is a ways off but we will again participating in Field Days of the Past near Richmond in September. Volunteers to help give panning demonstrations, etc. would be appreciated. For those of you who have not checked out the website that David Saum does for our club, take a look. It is loaded with great information about CVGP and gold prospecting—www.infiltec.com/cvgp We look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming meeting. As previously said, things are happening and the club is continuing to grow. It takes active members to continue this trend. We also need you to consider being willing to serve as a club officer or claims committee person for next year. (Yes, that is also a good bit down the road but it is never too early to start thinking about it.) For those who are planning on using the Buckingham property, we will be scheduling some workdays to help maintain the grounds. We will have a new supply of CVGP shirts and hats at the next meeting, along with gold pans, classifiers, etc. If you have any prospecting equipment for sale or are looking for a particular piece of equipment, let us know and we will put a notice in the newsletter. Looking forward to seeing all of you at the upcoming meeting. Maybe you will win a nugget and maybe there will be some definite good news about dredging. Sorry the newsletter is late to arrive, but things have been pretty busy around here and we are running behind schedule. Bob and Sandy Stowe