CENTRAL VIRGINIA GOLD PROSPECTORS NOTE: Upcoming meeting will be September 17, 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. REPORT ON AUGUST 20, 2005 MEETING The August 20th meeting was called to order by our President Ben Vaughan. There were a large number of people attending and the weather was good. There was a remembrance of Wallace Shumaker, who worked with Kyanite Mining. Wallace died in a car accident. He and Kyanite removed the large stacks of tires that were brought up from a gulch by one of our members at a previous meeting. Ben also thanked Tim Bradshaw for the very interesting talk he gave at the July meeting on collecting and disposing of mercury. There was a brief Secretary and Treasurer’s report. Ben explained that the Kyanite list that members paying the lane use fee are asked to sign is a waiver to them that they will not be held responsible for any accidents. Also, Ben requested that IF YOU USE PLASTIC TO DAM THE CREEK, TAKE IT WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE. ALSO LEAVE NO LITTER. Our Claims Chairman Tim Baber went over a few other items. Know the boundaries so you don’t prospect on someone else’s property. If you dig any holes, fill them in before you leave. There will be no open fires and no gas powered equipment (except for ATVs). He also cautioned that there are some deep shafts on the property so use great caution and always let someone know where you are. Most cell phones do not work at the property. Last, but certainly not least, Bob Stowe was presented with a lovely pocket watch. The watch had a nice nugget mounted on the front and was engraved “WITH MUCH APPRECIATION – CVGP’. For once, Bob was at a loss for words. He was very surprised and wanted to thank everyone for this recognition. We would like to thank everyone for their donations of concentrates to use at Field Days of the Past. John Schlabach, along with his most capable helper Ruth had the club pins they had received and they really are nice. They are in the shape of the Commonwealth of Virginia, with a pick and shovel, a pan and the letters CVGP. Some of the pins have a piece of gold mounted on them. These pins sell for $8 without gold and $12 with gold. One of our members showed the gold he has found at the Buckingham property—WOW. I am guessing that one of the pieces he found was between ¼ and ½ ounce. I have also heard since then that another member found a nugget that is about ¾ ounce. Speaking of nuggets, we were reminded that the raffle tickets for the ounce gold nugget need to be turned in by the September 17th meeting. The drawing will be held at the October meeting. The meeting was then adjourned and people split into groups of experienced and not-so-experienced prospectors and off they went for the common dig. 40 people participated in this. Unfortunately, Bob and I had to leave early so we have to give you a second- hand report on Saturday evening and Sunday morning events. The pig was cooked to perfection and was served along with an array of other good food. Later that evening some of the members brought out their musical instruments and played. A number of people stayed overnight and the next morning breakfast was cooked and served. SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL !!!! A FEW THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION: Ø At the September meeting there will be nominations for officers for the 2006 season. If you are willing to serve, be sure and let us know. The elections will be held at the October meeting. Ø If you move or change your email address and would like to continue getting the newsletter, please let us know your new address. Ø Do not forget about turning-in your raffle tickets at the September meeting. Ø If you can volunteer to help with maintenance at the Buckingham property, contact us. Ø Volunteers are still needed to help at Field Days of the Past, September 16, 17 and 18th. Location of the event is from exit 173 off I-64 in Goochland County (1/4 mile south of I-64). Contact Ben Vaughan at (804) 694-9977 and LEAVE A MESSAGE. We would like to extend our sympathy to Lynn Craft and her family for the loss of her Mother. In closing, we would like to say that it has been a great season for CVGP and this has happened because of our great members. People are volunteering to undertake tasks for the club and things are getting accomplished. Our membership roster is up to about 325 people and growing. Ben is actively looking for another piece of land for the club to lease and has several good prospects. The dredging issue is still pending but should be approved. The word is that they are all still busy with the Snakehead fish problem. Tim Baber has done a fantastic job of overseeing the property. The boundaries are now marked and everyone at Kyanite is pleased with how we are managing the land. Also, John and Ruth Schlabach have worked really hard on expanding the items we sell and running the raffles. The money generated by these activities is used for club projects and activities. Our meeting season runs from March through October and we anticipate even better things happening next year. This is only possible because of people who are willing to be officers, volunteers and just great members—it takes everyone. LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING LOTS OF YOU AT THE SEPTEMBER 17TH MEETING !!