Good News?

Well, it sure sounds like good news! Mr. Harold Herta, director of state lands and parks, is now responding to some of the e-mails and letters that have been flooding into his office.

Here is a letter that I received from John Chirco, a long time friend and Vice President of the Wolverine Research and Recovery Club, which meets in Grand Rapids.

His letter reads:

I personally spoke with Al (Harold) Herta yesterday. He told me that he has been getting flooded with contacts from metal detecting people (?clubs) from many places.

He told me that many are very misinformed about the proposals being discussed. Many believe they are thinking of putting a ban on state lands but they are only discussing bringing their policy in line with the existing law. They are only interested in protecting historically designated sites.

They recognize the importance and place of detecting on state lands and beaches, etc. They do not want to impede or stop that type of hunting. They do worry about those who disrespect the land, but feel that clubs serve to protect them because of our philosophy and beliefs.

    He also stated that they are working with the concerned historical people (group) to be more careful about preserving the removal of artifacts from historical sites, not rings
and coins from beaches, etc. Removing artifacts is illegal. He cited an example of preserving a place such as Fort Wilkins in the U.P.

    I told him that as clubs we are willing to help by teaching violators what is correct and to get the "word" out if he will share information with us as it becomes available. He said that he has our E-mail address and will let us know what is happening. He also told me that what is happening in the Allegan Forest is not clear to him as to what the DNR people are thinking but that it is not under his department. He said that maybe the two groups should be working together on a common policy but that was only a thought at this time.

See you soon, John Chirco

Thanks for the update, John!

    We owe a special thanks to the F.M.D.A.C. and in particular the president, Betty Weeks!
    Betty wasted no time in responding to the situation. In fact, after I sent out the news about the possible change in Michigan's policy regarding metal detecting on state lands and parks, Betty was the first one to contact me! Remember, she receives her copy of our newsletter last--- being that she is in Oregon!

     Betty, on behalf of the national federation, and in addition to her e-mails and letters, also sent our State Lands Director a complete information pack which included and explained our code of ethics and the valuable works carried on by clubs like ours. I know for a fact Betty had a huge impact on Mr. Herta's thinking and she did so much to break the metal detectorist stereotype.

    Betty demonstrated to all of us the importance of standing together as member clubs of the F.M.D.A.C. This was the perfect demonstration of what the F.M.D.A.C. was really meant to be! Thanks, Betty!

    I don't think this is all over yet, but it looks like the situation has been turned back into
a favorable one for us---- but let's not put down our guard!

    Good news? Maybe, but I still don't feel comfortable with all that I am hearing. It sounds like our worst fears of the state closing off the Lake Michigan shoreline to detecting are eased for the time being, but how can Mr. Herta say that any of us are misinformed? The truth is we are 'uninformed,' and it isn't for lack of trying!

The Great Lakes shoreline isn't controlled by the private beach-front owners like it is on the inland lakes. We were told by the D.N.R that on the Great Lakes, we can hunt off shore from private property and even on the beach up to the high water mark. Well, I don't know about you, but from what we understood from Mr. Herta's first response, all state land may be off limits soon --- could this include the Lake Michigan shoreline? We had to wonder in fear!

As uninformed people who love this great hobby, it is natural to ask ourselves, what is the worse that could happen? Well, this could have been the worst, or close to it!

Just who is deciding which sites in Michigan are historically designated sites? An how are they determining this? Furthermore, what do they plan to do with these sites and the rapidly deteriorating relics, and when? Please don't tell me the professional archaeologist decides because that will not wash!

Is Fort Wilkins in the U.P. a historic site? The Fort was started in 1844 and I will agree that it should be protected, but I would also point out that any true, (I mean real professional) archeologist, would not consider Fort Wilkins an archeological site. The history of the fort, when in use, only spanned a couple years and the fort's records are very well documented. Also, anything that a metal detectorist would find on this historic site would be so badly deteriorated that it would have little, if any, value. Also, better examples of these items could be found on E-Bay!

Fort Wilkins is very well preserved, of that there is no doubt. Would metal detecting these grounds hurt this historic landmark? I know of dozens of hunters, and I must include myself, who over the last 30 years have detected the Fort Wilkins grounds and it still retains its beauty!

And consider this, since when are our old C.C.C. camp locations historic sites? Yet the college student archeologist seem to be convincing the powers-that-be that these sites should be off limits to metal detectorists! Once again, these newer locations (much newer than Fort Wilkins) contain corroded items, but better examples can be found in garage sales!

Ron and Minnie Cathcart brought an article from the April edition of Western and Eastern Treasures to my attention. The article is called, "Olympic Gold."

In preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics, new apartment housing was being built for the Olympic athletes. The new building was to be located on the site of old Fort Douglas, built in 1862. When excavation began, detectorists were told that archaeologists would be working the site and that "scavengers" (detectorists) would not be allowed. This turned out to be a huge mistake!

Long after the archaeologists were satisfied that the area was free of fort- related relics, the new building went up. Months later the local detector club located the removed dirt. It had been taken and used to fill in a swamp. With the landowner's permission, the club detected the dirt for a few weeks. Hundreds of relics were recovered! Military buttons, belt buckles, shoe buckles, collar badges and literally hundreds of great relics were uncovered! The three pictures of finds included in the article are enough to make your eyes pop. The writer of this great article stated: "It is unfortunate that the professional archaeologist allowed such a great wealth of historical items to be hauled away in dump trucks and possibly lost forever, had it not been for the determined efforts of those detectorists (whom they disdained), these items may have been lost forever!"

I have written volumes about the greed found in the archaeologist's camp, so I will not continue on here. But I would like to lastly point out how much I hate to be referred to as a 'scavenger', but I even more hate the label "grave robber!" In no way whatsoever does that term fit the detectorists, but it clearly and accurately defines the archaeologists. We believe that disturbing human remains is wrong no matter how ancient. Disturbing the resting place of any people tramples underfoot their religious convictions and beliefs! Tampering with graves should be off limits and protected by strict laws for everyone, and carry a severe penalty!

I hope that each of you can see how important it is to let your voices be heard. Let us keep up the pressure. There is so much to yet be done.

Let me assure you, if our state's historical treasures are to be found and preserved it will be because we located them. The Michigan archaeologists are not looking for anything! Instead, they only move in when somebody else has located something of interest. Then, because the museum warehouses are already filled to the brim, these state treasures are used to fill their personal collections and through sales, fatten their wallets!

Plainwell's long time professional jeweler, E.J. Hart, will be this month's special speaker. I have purchased several gifts from Hart's jewelry for my wife and we have always been satisfied with the high quality of these items. I also appreciate the personal service that you just cannot find in the mega stores.

Mr. Hart spoke to our club several years back and many of our members, spearheaded by my buddy, Ernie Lawson, started making arrangements to bring him back.

While written appraisals

will cost you something, and well they should, E.J. has always been willing to look at our finds and give us a verbal appraisal--- for free! And that is one of the things he will be doing at this meeting. There is much to be learned about this ancient art, so come on out and hear from the of the best of the best! If you have something that you would like to learn the value of, bring it along. This should be a great meeting!

One of the club's fund raisers is our annual Easter Egg Hunt. If this is news to you, here is how it works. Our treasurer, Gene Carruthers, gave Minnie Cathcart a big bag of old silver coins, which she will stuff into dozens of plastic Easter eggs along with tissue paper, jellybeans, and. . . some pre-1964 U.S. silver coins! Yes, some eggs may contain only candy, but some eggs will have big bucks inside! All you have to do is invest a dollar (that is the price per egg), then hope for the best!

Here are a couple of rules. Each member can purchase only two eggs to start with. Then, after we are sure that everyone has had a chance to buy some, you can purchase more. This year we have 150 eggs available and there is a huge bunch of old silver coins going into them! One more thing I should mention for the new members, the club needs the plastic egg shell back to recycle for next Easter. You are going to love this meeting!

I hate to say this, but many of you are about to be dropped from the newsletter mailing! I don't want that to happen! Next month our club treasurer is going to provide me with a list of unpaid members. He tells me there are about 50 of you! I have not seen the list, but over the years I have found that there are some slow payers--- you folks make Gene nervous! As you know, if you are following the newsletters, this club along with the F.M.D.A.C. does more to protect your freedom to detect than anybody else could! But we need your support!

The annual spring hunt is going to be here before you know it! (I have been waiting all winter to say that!) Our great Huntmaster, Tom Latterner, has some great stuff planned as usual. Tom tells me there will be four action-packed programs. One of these hunts requires a donation of an old coin or token as its entry fee, Tom will fill us in on the details at this meeting.

Our hunts are for members only--- another good reason to bring your membership dues up to date.

Please bring prize donations for the seeded hunt to this meeting and give them to Tom Latterner or Alan Randolph. The seeded hunt is May 19th. Next month's newsletter will include a map.

For those of you who are looking for a chance to hunt a great old construction site and kick off your season with some great finds, listen up. Mike Walker has lined up a location where old school grounds and athletic fields are soon to be bulldozed! The area, which is south of Kalamazoo, will be opened to our club members Sunday March 24th at 2:00. Mike tells me that he will have maps at this meeting--- there, another great reason to be at this meeting.

SPECIAL THANKS!

In the last newsletter I wrote an appeal for those who had not yet paid their 2002 dues, to do so. I mentioned that many of the little perks that we enjoy in the club are supported by private donations and our annual dues are only part of our finances, which are used to pay bills.

Member Chuck Glassmire from Portage decided to take action! Because of his work schedule, Chuck can rarely make it to the meetings, but he supports the club and looks forward to keeping updated with the newsletter. Many of you will remember who Chuck is when I remind you that he is the one who recovered the handgun in Milham park last summer ---right across from Loy Norrix High School!

A few days before the last meeting, I received a letter from Chuck along with his 2002 dues of $20.00. However, his check was for $120.00 with the $100.00 extra to be a donation to the club! Thanks so much, Chuck! I hope that you get freed up so that you can join us at more meetings.

Another club member, Don Benedict, Jr., donated a super nice office chair to be raffled off. This was not a cheaply made office chair. This chair is a quality piece of office furniture built by Don himself during his spare time at Steelcase, where he works. The donated chair was like heaven to sit in and I was keeping my fingers crossed in hopes my number would be drawn, but it wasn't to be. Thanks, Don!

Another couple of club members and loyal supporters who are unable to make it to most meetings are Richard and Phyllis Seiler from Paw Paw. This couple is busy putting family first, as it should be. Their evenings are devoted to caring for their grandkids. Both Richard and Phyllis love metal detecting! The last warm spell we had, Richard was hunting a private farm field and, as he had been in the past, finding some super old coins. In fact, at this last outing he found his second 3- cent silver coin, which is the smallest coin ever minted in the U.S.

A short time later Richard was found to have aneurysms in both legs! To correct the problem, surgeons had to open him up almost the full length of each leg--- ouch! This could make detecting a little tough! We're praying for a speedy recovery, Richard!

Because of a mild Michigan winter, until March roared in like a lion, we had a good number of hunters out there finding goodies! Here is how the contest went:

COIN FINDS:

1. 1859 Canada Large Cent                                                      By: Dan Clark

2. 1865 U.S. 2¢ piece                                                           By: Mike Walker

3. 1909 Indian Head Cent                                              By: Brian Crittendon

4. 1942D Walking Liberty 50¢                                               By: John Corbin

5. 1895-O Barber 50¢                                                         By: John Archbold

6. 1906 V Nickel                                                                    By: Patrick Goraj

    What a tough field of entries! Everyone got some votes, but the lion's share went to the first and second place entries. In second place was Mike Walker's 1865 2 cent piece and it is a beauty! Edging it out by only a couple votes was John Archbold's 1895-O half dollar which is also a beautiful coin. Good job, John.

1. Antique Jewelry Mounting                                            By: Mike Walker

2. 10k Ring 3 Diamonds                                                            By: Ron Falk

3. Gold Ring 14 Diamonds!!!                                              By: Eldon Briggs

4.Gent's Gold Wedding Band                                               By: Tom Becker

5. 14k 10 inch Gent's Bracelet                                             By: John Corbin

6. Large Charm                                                               By: Greg Stonerock

7. Watch & 5 Silver Rings                                                 By: Alan Randolph

Can you believe this stuff?

This is a meeting held during winter in Michigan! Only one find, entered by Alan Randolph, was found in Cancun. The rest were mainly water hunting finds from Lake Michigan. Was it that warm in Michigan to allow for water hunting? " No" is the answer! We just have a bunch of die-hard hunters. They tell me they create quite a crowd of onlookers when they stand in the frigid waters --- I should think so! The Polar Bear Club has nothing on this group!

There are several stories that go with many of these items. Alan Randolph's watch was still ticking, but what was really unusual was the watch band was threaded through 5 silver rings! Alan's find was second place.

Our big winner with most of the votes was Eldon's absolutely dazzling 14K yellow gold ring with 14 high quality diamonds which equaled a total of one full carat! Now that is worth freezing your backside off! Great find, Eldon!

1. 1852 Canada Bank Token                                                By: Mike Walker

Mike's Upper Canada bank token was found in his own front yard! It was also the only entry in this category. According to our winter rules Mike would have get over 50% of the voters approval to claim his prize, which he did with ease! Great item, Mike!

1. 1916 LaGrange Dog Tag                                              By: Keith McGrew

2. Tootsie Oil Tank Truck                                             By: Don Benedict, jr

3. Old Oldsmobile Hood Trim                                         By: Josh Stonerock

4. Chrome Horse Head                                                   By: Greg Stonerock

5. Diecast Structo 58 Cadillac                                               By: John Corbin

6. Bronze Aladdin Statue                                                    By: Mike Walker

7. Old Brass Bell                                                              By: John Archbold

8. Old Six Lever Padlock                                               By: Don Benedict,Sr

9. Civil War Uniform Button                                           By: Brian Crittendon

10. Homemade Dope Pipe                                                  By: Alan Randolph

    Mike Walker's old Aladdin statue received over 80% of the vote. The bronze statue stands 7 inches tall and came out of the ground undamaged. The base is 3 inches wide and the detailed artwork is amazing. One look at this item makes me think that it dates back to the mid 1800's or older. Many of the general store and school-sized potbellied stoves were very ornate with many kinds of fancy trim work. My guess is there may have been an Aladdin Stove Works and this neat statue was bolted on top. When the old stove was replaced, this piece was considered worth saving? What do you think? Very neat find, Mike.

Non Detected Finds

1. Buffalo Nickel Belt Buckle                                            By: Mike Berghuis

2. Europe Coin Collection                                                By: Greg Stonerock

3. WW II Card, Letters                                                   By: Brian Crittendon

4. Wooden Nickel                                                                    By: Ron Jenner

Mike Berghuis was trying to explain to his puzzled brother-in-law why he enjoyed running his detector and digging what he felt was junk out of the dirt. The best explanation Mike could think of, was to try conveying the feeling he gets when unearthing even a simple buffalo nickel from the ground. It seems his brother-in-law didn't get it entirely, but when he saw this huge belt buckle made up of about 40 buffalo nickels he could only imagine how happy it would make Mike --- so he bought it! What a funny story and great belt buckle, Mike!