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Techniques for CollectorsMicromounters of New England Annual Symposium

14th May 2010 11:50 UTCJoe Mulvey

Hello, All

I posted this under events a while back but figured it really applies to the niche of mineralogists - us micromounters!

The show is Sat. 5/15.

The MMNE Symposium is in Auburn, MA. If you are within 2 hours' drive, I heartily recommend that attending a show would be enlightening, enjoyable and you would find some great additions to your collection!

MICROMOUNTERS OF NEW ENGLAND 2010 ANNUAL MINI-SYMPOSIUM

We are happy to announce that the 2010 Micromounters of New England Annual Symposium will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at the Chester Tuttle Post 279 in Auburn, MA. This annual event is the only show in New England held specifically for the micromounter.

In past years we have typically featured one speaker during our one day symposium, but in a departure from what is typical, we have two excellent speakers for 2010. Not surprising to us, both speakers are current members of the club.

The first MMNE 2010 Symposium speaker will be Tom Mortimer from Amherst, New Hampshire discussing Minerals of New Hampshire. Tom’s systematic collection and discovery of New Hampshire minerals is a worthy endeavor; with roughly 300 specimens reported in the state, Tom is in the process of reviewing material to consummate identity and straighten out historical statements regarding mineral occurrences. A retired electrical engineer and an avid woodworker, Tom has combined these interests with mineral collecting to create an interactive, lighted, traveling mineral display board that connects to his website, MindatNH.org. This website is dedicated to minerals of New Hampshire and features his collection and his photographs. The traveling display will be at the show.

The second speaker of the day will be Gene Bearss from Sanford, Maine with the topic “What's New at the Estes Quarry”. One of Gene’s “home” localities, this granite pegmatite has an extremely rich layer of interesting mineralogy that any micromounter will find extremely interesting. With roughly 60 species identified at present, the variety makes a field trip to this working quarry consistently interesting. Gene’s extensive bibliography includes participating on an article in Rocks & Minerals about Estes Quarry with other notable local geologists Thompson, Falster, Simmons, and Nizamoff. Gene’s quick wit, dedication to the Micromounters, skill at identifying minerals and hard work with a sledge are all legendary.

The symposium runs from 9am to 4pm. There is a catered luncheon at noon time by Happy’s Catering.

A featured door prize will be a c-clamp style mineral splitter purchased from Excalibur Minerals.

Our giveaway tables are legendary. While most of the material will be from New England localities, we never refuse material because of locality,

Sales tables include thousands of mounted specimens as well as tools of the trade, various sizes of perky boxes, literature, posters, framed prints and other mineralogical errata,

Our silent auction is always a big hit and in the past has contained items such as microscopes, suites of specimens from important localities and mineral stamps. We are happy to report that we have received donations for the silent auction this year from Dan Weinrich of Dan Weinrich Minerals, Jim Daly of Sauktown and Larry Rush of ConnRox minerals.

You do not have to be a member of the club to attend our symposium, although there is a discount for members. Cost of the symposium for non-members is $25. Deadline for attendance with a guaranteed meal is Friday, May 6. Please see our website for a brochure with application at www.micromountersofnewengland.org.

For further information and directions to the symposium as well as details on joining the club, please visit the Micromounters of New England website at www.micromountersofnewengland.org.

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