The April Meeting

Another big crowd was on hand for the April meeting! One of our meeting's big attractions was the final ticket sale and drawing for the 1897-S gold coin!

At the very end of the meeting, our sharp-as-a-tack president, Keith McGrew, adjourned the meeting by wishing everyone a "Good night." It was at that point that, for a brief moment, the room grew strangely silent. . . hardly anyone budged! Then a couple of alert members spoke up, proclaiming, "Not so fast, we need to draw for that gold coin!" I don't know if Keith forgot (like I did) or he was just playing with us. If it was the latter, I may have been the only one fooled! The group was so looking forward to this drawing that they made it clear. . . this gold coin was going home with someone, or nobody was going home!

As the box of entries was held high, and the person selected to draw out a winning ticket reached into the box, you could have heard a pin drop!

This was going to be one of those rare moments when the most beautiful sound you could possibly hear was your own name!

As for me, and many others in the club, the second most beautiful sound we could have heard was Gordon Sampsell's name! That old rare gold coin could not have gone home with a nicer owner! Congratulations, Gordon! And Gordon, as your friend, please let me explain. Even though your prize is a real honest-to- goodness, U.S., five-dollar gold piece, it is worth much, much more! Do not use that coin to repay any $5.00 loans that you may owe, unless that is, it is owed to Bill Selkirk or me. . . right, Bill?

At this meeting our deaf friends were treated to yet another lovely young interpreter, Nakia Wetherspoon. I am sure Nakia did a wonderful job, and a real job it is!

At Otsego Baptist Church, where my wife and I are members, the young people learn hand signs for the different songs we sing, so I am exposed to signing almost weekly. However, I didn't realize what signing an entire two hour program involved until these young ladies started working our meetings.

Those of us who can hear, can easily chat away for two hours without even burning up three calories. To sign each word, and I mean every word, and keep up with the meeting's timing . . . what a workout!

Also, I should add, these girls are disciplined! A few times when covering the Find of the Month contest, I have directed a semi-personal question to the gals. When answering, they not only sign my question, they also sign while giving me a verbal answer! I am still in the dark as to how these wonderful interpreters came to find out about our need, but we surely are thankful for their service!

It is my goal to get this newsletter out just a little early so that it will remind each of you about the seeded hunt coming up on Sunday, May 19th, just two days before our May meeting on the 21st.

At our April meeting, our Huntmaster, Tom Latterner had a pass out sheet available that was very professionally done! I am going to use Tom's flyer to give you all the important details. . . please read this very carefully.

COIN PLANTING: 12:00

COFFEE & SNACKS: 12:30

SILVER $1.00 RAFFLE: FOR COINS 1,2,3!

SILVER DOLLAR GAME: all day (a free game where everyone has a chance to win a silver dollar)

COIN GARDEN: all day (ID and read the depth on buried targets. Test your skill!)

4- 15 MINUTE DEMOS: 1:00-2:00: (Hot rock, coin on edge, pull-tab ring, proper digging.)

SILVER DOLLAR RAFFLE:

COINS 4 & 5

HUNT NUMBER ONE! 2:00 till 2:45

(Kids eat at this time so they will be ready for the Kids' Hunt)

POTLUCK & KIDS' HUNT

2:45 - 3:30

PENNIES IN SAWDUST

(For the wee ones)

TRUE 50/50 RAFFLE!

SILVER DOLLAR RAFFLE

COINS 6&7!

GROUP PICTURE 3:30

HUNT NUMBER 2! 3:45-4:30

TOKEN EXCHANGE: 4:35-5:00 (for door prizes, silver dollar game winners)

DEEP HUNT CANCELED

Tom told me at the board meeting that the deep hunt was canceled because of lack of interest.

By 6:00 (or sooner) we need to head home because, not only is our Huntmaster tired, but Tom has a birthday party to attend. Let's pray that he can stay awake!

Latterner's phone number

1-616-375-0493

Adult Hunt $20.00 prepaid

$25.00 day of hunt.

KID'S HUNT $5.00 no late fee.

WEE ONE'S SAWDUST HUNT . . . free!

Metal Detector!

The Family (make it a picnic)

CAMERA & FILM

MONEY(for 50/50 &raffles)

PENNIES (for sawdust)

DISH OR TWO TO PASS

PRIZE DONATIONS (adult or children)

WHAT IS PROVIDED!

The club provides: Cups, plates, plastic dinnerware, coffee, lemonade, iced tea, ( Bring your own pop, if desired)

Usually Tom has a grill or two fired up for your use.

Please, no alcoholic beverages.

If you are a club member or have a friend or family member who would like to come, but does not want to hunt, we welcome you! However, you must be a member to hunt. This fun family event goes on rain or shine!

I am amazed at the way our deaf friends have stuck to the detecting hobby despite such a major challenge. Imagine, if you can, working a metal detector without the ability to hear. What if your only way to know a target has been detected is by watching your meter for clues! Think about it! Most of us only look at the meter when our audio system has alerted us. Just once, try watching your meter while you are swinging your coil. . . not easy!

Imagine trying to compete in a fast paced seeded hunt with no audio. . . wow!

Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is the playing field has been leveled! Since the last meeting I was asked to order three Vibro-Phones for our deaf friends. Vibro-Phone is a new product manufactured by the people who make the Vibro- Probe, the waterproof pinpointer. Before our friends picked up these newfangled devices, I had an opportunity to test one out.

I am here to tell you the Vibro-Phone works like a champ! Like the Vibro-Probe, this item is also built to be waterproof. The little tube- shaped device uses a single 9-volt battery and it plugs into the detector's headphone jack. The short tube section which contains everything, including the battery, is only about three and one half inches long. There are two plastic clips which fasten the vibrator to any round detector stem. Once the detector is turned on, a small tuning knob on the device is turned until you feel a faint vibration, which could be compared to an audio threshold sound. That's all there is to it!

With the Vibro-Phone, your detector signals targets with a vibration, which closely mirrors what would normally be heard! It is really amazing how the "feel" duplicates the sound! For example, we all know how our detectors will sometimes give us a 'clipped signal' or a broken or choppy sound on surface trash. That's right! The vibration feels exactly like the speaker would sound! You can actually feel the broken, choppy response of a junk target. It's amazing! Those good targets, which give us a solid sweet hit, feel just like they sound-- clean and solid!

That is the good news, so what on earth could the bad news be? The bad news is these guys are going to be tough to compete with now! Frankly, I couldn't be happier for them!

Perhaps you wonder how someone using the Vibro- Phone will be able to discern the deep targets which we faintly hear, right? Well, those targets feel like all the other good targets! I noticed when performing an air test with the Vibro-Phone, that it seems to take less signal to trigger a response from the Vibro-Phone than it does to trigger a response from the conventional speaker! In other words, when the coil was far enough away from the target, to the point where the speaker was not responding, the Vibro-Phone was still recording good targets! Watch out!

In this busy, crazy life, we are often looking in all the wrong places for ways to make ourselves feel good. I wish you could have seen the faces of these guys when they swept over and "felt" their first targets! I had to bite my lip and swallow hard just to keep from leaking liquid joy from my eyes.

When we receive joy from seeing others made happy, it is a God- given joy . . . one that this world cannot provide. I have watched Ron Jenner work tirelessly to help these guys, and I am certain he understands what I am saying.

Almost one year ago to the day, we held our club elections. One of the people voted onto our club board was Stephen Jensen. Stephen notified me by e-mail that he was no longer able keep up his membership with the club. Unfortunately, Steve never was able to attend any board meetings anyway. Well, it seemed like we were long overdue for dusting the cobwebs off Steve's unused, vacant seat and trying to find a warm body to fill it!

A close look at the election notes revealed that our alternate board member was Mr. Magic, John Dudley! John's first trick was to show up for the May 7th board meeting, completely invisible! Only because of my super-human and heightened senses was I able to know that he was present! It was so good to sense you, my friend! All the other board members asked me to convey to your spirit a welcome hello! I am sure that as John gets comfortable with the board meetings, he will soon present his actual physical presence. At that time, we may be treated to his great spoken words of unfathomable wisdom. Being able to both see and hear John will be helpful for those mere mortals who attend the board meetings along with us superior beings.

Once again we have zoomed past that very special time of year when members cough-up their club dues-- but they love it!. Oh-Oh! A few people forgot and they will not be getting a newsletter-- I hope that will shock them back into reality! Each year, like any club, we lose a few members. However, slowly but surely, and over the next few months, new people join to fill their spots. This year it was different! Yes, we lost some folks, but almost immediately we found our numbers back to normal and steadily growing! It's so exciting to be part of a busy and growing club!

More hunters equals more treasure found, more treasure found, equals a bigger Find of the Month contest! Of course, more entries in the Find of the Month contest, equals more meeting time used.

More treasure is never a problem; after all, finding treasure is what our club is all about. Our hard-working club board was left with the monumental task of finding meeting time! This time is needed for that expected summertime expansion of Find of the Month.

The club's only category for non-detected finds is one which is loved by most, but not by all members. Only one year after its inception, this new category came under attack. It was labeled 'a time waster' and some claimed it didn't belong in a metal detecting club, period!

I guess I felt differently. I had visions of this category becoming like a mini 'Antique Road Show,' where we could all show off newly acquired collectibles. For the most part, we have seen some really awesome items entered! The problem, if there has been one, is the additional time that one more category takes from the overall meeting. Sometimes the Miscellaneous category has been bigger than necessary. More than a few times, members have just grabbed any old thing they could lay their hands on to enter. We have seen everything from one half of a broken bottle to bottle caps and that simply is not what was intended here.

Well, the 'lack of time problem,' was put before the club, and it was decided by vote, to run the Miscellaneous category only during the winter months. . .to be more precise, during the winter time change. Don't panic, it's not going away, at least not for good, just for the summer. So, please take notice, do not bring items to enter into the Miscellaneous category this month. Thank you.

FIND OF THE MONTH!

Here is what we mean by exploding amounts of treasure!

1. 1893-S U.S. BARBER 10¢                                     By: Dan Clark

2. 1919-D Standing Lib. 25¢                                    By: Rick Burch

3. 1991 Canadian Dollar                                             By: Ann Falk

4. 1918 U.S. Mercury 10¢                                           By: Ron Falk

5. 1897-O U.S. Barber ¢                                    By: Greg Stonerock

6. 1899 U.S. "V" Nickel                                   By: Stephen Jellison

7. 5 Clad Quarters "1-Dig"                              By: Mike Walker, Jr

8. No-Date U.S. Shield Nickel                                By: John Corbin

9. '44 Dime & 46-D Penny                                    By: Mike Walker

10. 1886 Indian Head Penny                                  By: Chuck Noel

11. 1898 U.S. Barber 10¢                                   By: Mike Burghuis

12. 1896 U.S. Barber 10¢                                       By: Tom Becker

13. 1900 Indian Head Cent                             By: Don Benedict,Jr

14. 1910 U.S. Wheat Cent                                    By: John Dudley

15. 1888 Canada Large Cent                            By: Mike Rockwell

16. 1857 Flying Eagle Cent                            By: Brian Crittendon

What a great selection of old coins! The club voting normally favors the oldest coins, which in this case would have been Brian Crittendon's Flying Eagle Cent. However, because some members did their homework, we had two rare coins, in which the entry slips pointed out the details.

Rick Burch was the one who found the 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter. Rick's quarter was one of only 1,944,000 minted which is a fairly low number. My newest book shows this quarter valued at $85.00!

Our winning entry has an even lower mintage than Rick's! Greg Stonerock's 1897-O Barber Dime was only minted 666,000 times and was appraised by a coin shop for $175.00! What a great find, Greg! Both of these coins are keepers!

JEWELRY FINDS!

1. Silver Moon Star Earring                                   By: Stephen Jellison

2. Indian Face Ring                                                By: Greg Stonerock

3. 10K School Class Ring                                        By: Mike Burghuis

4. Saint Christopher Ring                                              By: Dan Clark

5. 14K White & Yellow Ring                                       By: Tom Becker

6. Antique Heart Pendant                                          By: Mike Walker

7. 14K Wedding Ring Set                                                 By: Ron Falk

8.Antique Gold Ring&Garnet                                    By: John Corbin

9. Antique Gent's Cuff Link                                           By: Ann Falk

10. Citizen Watch                                                       By: John Dudley

11. Peace Sign Ring                                             By: Brian Crittendon

12. Lady's Dia. Gold Ring                                        By: Jim Arnsman

   Only one vote separated the first, second, and third place entries! Mike Walker's very old and beautiful Victorian heart pendant finished third with 11 votes. The second place entry with 12 votes was Tom Becker's yellow and white gold lady's ring which featured 5 diamonds! And the first place winner with 13 votes was Ron Falk's 14K yellow diamond wedding ring set which was appraised at $600.00. Great job, Ron. All these finds were winners!

1. Good For 5 Cents Token                                     By: Dan Clark

2. Cassopolis Grain Drill                                      By: Mike Walker

3.Christmas 1934 VFW token                           By: Greg Stonerock

4.Old Slot Machine Token                               By: Don Benedict,Jr

5.1914 Auto Operator Tag                                 By: Mike Rockwell

6.Grand Rapids Bank Sign                              By: Don Benedict,Sr

7. Tax Tokens                                                 By: Brian Crittendon

8. Old Game Token                                               By: Eldon Briggs

Finishing second was Mike Walker's Cassopolis Grain Drill Company token. This one got several of us worked up and very envious, to say the least. The Cassopolis company was started in 1900 and they boasted paying out $900.00 in gold coins to their employees every two weeks! This old token must have been plated with some sort of gold wash, which has by now worn off. The token was meant to resemble a gold coin and it states "The real gold is in using the Cassopolis Grain Drill!"

Our Big winner was Mike Rockwell's 1914 auto operator tag from Chicago, Illinois. What a nicely detailed little piece. I believe that this may be similar to the chauffeur badges that we find around here. Even up into the 1930's, most families were still relying on old Dobbin for transportation. The lucky few who had automobiles could make extra cash by zooming folks from place to place in their auto. This was the way to go on those long distance runs. What a neat find, Mike!

1. Horse Bridle Rosette                                           By: Dan Clark

2. Copper Bridle Rosette                                     By:  Mike Walk

3. Tiny Toy Gun                                               By: John Archbold

4. Royal Oak Michigan Tag                             By: Greg Stonerock

5. Lead Farm Animal                                           By: John Corbin

6. Sock of Money!                                                    By: Ann Falk

7. Shark Bottle Opener                                         By: John Dudley

This time it was Dan Clark who won the silver prize with a very beautiful, pre-Civil War bridle rosette. This very old rosette is embossed with an eagle, very similar to the eagles depicted on items dating to the Revolutionary War! Great Find, Dan!

1.Ancient Coin Collection                               By: Brian Crittendon

2. Electric Insulator                                               By: Mike Walker

3. 2003 Arkansas Quarter                                  By: Mark Sherwood

4. Cast Iron Flat Iron                                          By: John Archbold

5. 1879 Canceled Checks                                     By: Mike Burghuis

Mark Sherwood's 2003 Arkansas quarter did not win the prize, but it really had a bunch of people laughing. It looked as authentic as you can get! Frankly, you could pass this coin for a quarter anywhere in town! However, being a novelty, it must have cost more than a quarter and will probably become a rare collectable some day. Featured on the State's theme side of the coin was Arkansas's pride and joy, Bill Clinton and his not-so-little bunny, Monica. They were doing something (he will surely deny) behind the State Tree! Somebody really put some time into this coin! Slick Willy sure brought out that American Pride in all of us . . . gag--gag!

The second place entry was the amazing old canceled checks from the Boonville, Indiana, National Bank, dated 1879. Mike tells us that these were found in the attic of a 130-year old house. Think of the treasures hidden in those attics across the country.

Our first place winner was Brian Crittendon's collection of old coins. Brian had traded some of his finds for this neat collection of coins dating back to the early 'hundred' AD years! Neat stuff, Brian.

Here are some fun facts about the old time, God-fearing teachers, that I thought you would find interesting.

My shiny new step-dad, and dear friend, Howard Norton, gave me a copy of a teacher's contract issued to his uncle, Andrew Norton, by the Watson township school board of 1901. Andrew was to teach, keep a correct list of pupils with their ages, and keep attendance records. For his teaching he was to be paid monthly the sum of $25.00.

Hal Cooper, the former F.M.D.A.C. Central States Chapter president, sent me this 1879 Standard Teachers Rules. 1. Teachers each day will fill lamps and clean lamp chimneys.

2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water & scuttle coal for the day's session.

3. Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of pupils.

4. Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly..

5. After ten hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.

6. Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.

7. Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of their earnings for their benefit during their declining years so that they will not become a burden to society.

8. Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool halls, or gets shaven in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect their worth, intention, integrity and honesty.

9. The teacher who performs his labor faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of twenty-five cents per week in their pay, providing the board of education approves.