Show Me Gold Prospector

April 2008 Newsletter

May 3, 2008 Meeting: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE The date of the May Meeting has been changed to May 3. The meeting will start at 11:00. There will be not pot luck, just a chance to get together with friends and talk about the upcoming Thermal City Trip and how much fun everyone had at the Mays. The directions to the building are: Take I-70 to the Odessa Exit (exit 37). This is highway 131, take 131 north, cross 24 Hwy into Wellington. The Wellington Fair Building is on the north east corner of the square.

April Outing and Thermal City: Doug and I have had calls from 10-20 new people that are interested in joining our group, so I have decided to devote this newsletter to covering the April outing and Thermal City. I’m going to try and answer all your questions.

The April meeting will be the 18^th, 19^th and 20^th. If you have any questions just call Doug or Sharon 816-358-1847. After Thursday call 816-695-1620.

When can I arrive? You can arrive Friday evening. I know of several people who will be there on Friday. Some people will come for just Saturday. That is O.K. too. By Sunday afternoon most people have gone home.

Where do I stay? For those of you who don’t rough it much, Mexico has several nice hotels. A lot of people will stay at the May’s. People will stay in tents, trucks, RV or like Doug van camp.

What is the 1^st thing I do upon arriving? After finding a place to park, please find Judy Thompson. You will need to sign an Indemnity & Release of Liability and the monthly raffle.

Is there a schedule of events? Yes!! On Saturday, you are fairly free to do what you like. We have a pile of material that you can work. If there is water in the creek, you can set up and work in the creek. If the conditions are good, Randy will dig up some bed rock, there will be a common dig. If you worked the common dig, at the May meeting, the winner will be given the cons. You do not have to be present to win, just sign up and work the common dig.

The metal detector hunt will start on 1:00. Please sign up by 12:45. When you sign up, please make a donation for the metal detector hunt.

The pot luck will start when the hogs are done. We will have both wild hog and domestic pig. One member will be bringing hot dogs. After the pot luck, there will be a meeting. If everyone is not too tired, how about a having a bonfire??

What kind of equipment do I bring? Bring a pan, high banker, sluice, or metal detector. For those of you that are new, just speak up. Someone will show you what to do.

What kind of material will I be working? The club has purchased some material, from the Missouri River and Randy has added material to the pile. Or if there is enough water, you can work in the creek.

St. Louis Chapter??: If anyone is interested is starting a chapter in the St. Louis area, Russ Pierce will lot to have a meeting to discuss forming a chapter. Please see Russ for more details.

Is there anything else I need to know? If you have any other questions, just call Doug or myself. We will be available until Thursday morning at 816-358-1847. After that call 816-695-1620 and I will return your call. One very last thing, If you don’t want to prospect, but just want to come and enjoy the company of fellow prospectors, just bring a lawn chair. There are several of us, that don’t prospect, just enjoy the company of our fellow prospectors.

Thermal City: May 15^th & 16^th I will have a list started at the March Meeting for anyone interested in sharing a ride to Thermal City. If you can’t attend the meeting, just call (816-358-1847) or email me (sharonfoster55@sbcglobal.net) and I will put you on the list. If you want to find a ride, I will then get you a copy of the list and you can call other people and make the arrangements. I will have the list at the April Meeting.

Where is Thermal City? TC phone # is 1-828-286-3016. Thermal City is located just off Highway 221 between Marion and Rutherfordton, North Carolina. It is exit #85 on I-40.

What is a common dig and how much does it cost? The common digs at Thermal City are two days. On Thursday morning, Lloyd, the mine boss, will have a meeting to explain how the dig is ran. At this time you will be given a name badge, hold onto this badge. You will divide up into two groups. One group will work on Thursday morning and Friday Afternoon. The other group will work on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Between each shift, there will be a quick clean up. Be sure to bring your camera, you’ll want to watch and take lots of pictures.

On Friday, after the second shift, Lloyd will shut down the dig. He will then clean up the gold from that shift, and do the split. If you’ve never seen Lloyd do a split, you will want to watch this truly wonderful site. At that time you will turn in your name badge. Your name will be drawn, and then you will draw a number. That is the number you get in the draw. When I say work the dig, this is very easy work. There are no hauling of buckets.

The cost for the common dig is $100.00 this will include your camping for 2 days and your time at the panning trough for those two days.

What else is planned for Thermal City? On Thursday night, Lloyd will give a talk about the mining history of the area. It’s a wonderful talk. On Friday after the split, we head into town for a dinner.

Anything else I need to know? Yes, Thermal City has plenty of camp sites. The power sites are a first come, first serve. There is plenty of primitive camp sites. Cost is $20.00 for power, and $15.00 for primitive. You can bring your high banker and have a load of material delivered to the creek, please inquire in the office for prices. You can work the panning trough for $5.00 a day. There are on site showers and laundry. Thermal City is a wonderful place to go. You will find gold!!!

Final Thoughts: I won’t be at the May’s. I’m having my rotator cuff repaired on the Wednesday before. I will miss you and the fun time we have at the Mays.

Sharon