I hope you didn't miss the last meeting because it was great! John Dudley treated us to a look at his collection of antique magic. He also performed a selection of neat tricks and even gave each of us a magic trick to take with us!

John is a full-time professional magician who is currently doing over 400 shows per year! John does everything from parties to special events and is sometimes an opening act for major celebrities! John also has been doing a magic program for children at historic Deer Forest during the summer months . . . this is one busy guy!

John shared with us how he happened onto a real treasure trove of antique magic. One day he was contacted by the widow of a old-time magic showman from Chicago. This lady was hoping to find a way of disposing of her late husband's magic tricks, which he had accumulated since the 1930's!

When John arrived at the home, he was amazed at the huge quantity of old magic tricks and props! As it turned out there were several trailer loads of magic items. The amount was so great that John used the tables in the local public school lunch room to sort everything out and record it all.

After videotaping each item, John picked out the choice tricks that he wished to purchase. The remainder would be sold.

John placed an ad in one of the magic trade magazines, and as soon as the magazines reached the subscribers, his phone started to ring! The first two calls were from top magic manufactures. John was not sure how to set a price on the unique items so he decided to let each interested party make an offer, with the best offer taking all.

When he returned to the lady who entrusted him with her husband's business tools, she was amazed to discover that he had sold the items for $10,000.00! After she got over the shock, John told her that there was more! He showed her a list of items that he had saved out for himself-- items which he was prepared to buy. She was so happy to receive ten thousand dollars for the items she had begun to consider 'house clutter' that she told John that he was welcome to keep the things he wanted as pay for his hard work! A good Samaritan never goes unrewarded.

John showed off some of his favorite magic antiques and explained how each worked. He also told us how amazed he was that some of these old tricks fooled the audience they were performed for. He said that today the audience is too sharp and will pick- up on any little flaw in a trick, meaning the magician today has to be sharp and stay well -practiced! What a neat program! John is a real showman with a great sense of humor and we are proud to have him as a part of this great club! Thanks, John, for this great program!

We need you to act now! The seeded hunt is September 23, a few days following this month's meeting and we need hunters! If you haven't signed up, this meeting is your last chance before the extra $5.00 late fee is added!

The hunt location is different! This hunt will be held at the Michigan Flywheeler's Museum Show Ground. This area is 3 miles east of South Haven on 68th Street just ½ mile south of Phoenix Road. When on Phoenix Road, you will turn south at the 'Fidel Land Fun Park' (Go-Kart Track), then go south ½ mile. The Flywheeler's Museum grounds are clearly marked with big signs.

Once again we have John Dudley to thank for this hunt site since he is a member of the Michigan Flywheeler's!

John says that the grounds were just used for a huge antique tractor show and flea market so the ground should be loaded with goodies before we even seed it!

As usual there will be a pot-luck dinner between the two hunts, so remember to bring a dish-to-pass. The club furnishes the plates, cups, plastic flatware and pop and coffee! You just need to bring your favorite dish to pass and a large serving spoon.

The start time has been pushed back one half hour later than the normal hunt time. This will give each of our members extra time to locate the site. So remember, the hunt will start at 2:30.

Also, another Kid's Hunt will be organized by Mike Walker and Greg Stonerock and helpers. Also, remember the Garrett club dollars were used for prizes at the spring hunt, so for this event we are counting on each hunter to bring in some prize donations . . . this is very important.

John tells me that maps to the hunt location will be available at the September meeting, which is another reason to be there.

From time to time I try to make a stupid mistake, just so the rest of you will be reminded that I am indeed human! Last month's big goof was jumping on a great story ahead of time! I was so thrilled by Tom Becker's ring story that you could say I decided to rush it to press. Now I can see that it may have had an impact the Find of the Month voting. For this I am very sorry. Also, Tom's entry opened another controversy that seemed to pop up now and then.

A couple of years back it was decided that the club would not accept photo entries in the monthly contests. It only seemed reasonable at the time. Some of our members who move south for the winter were sending up pictures of their finds. These photos were sent to fellow members who would enter these pictures for them. As you know, a picture cannot always show the true beauty of the item pictured. But, also pictures can also make something look more spectacular than it really is. After much debate, the club voted to not allow photo entries in the Find of the Month.

Then, this summer, there came an entry which could never have been entered, because it was a firearm. . . which is also against the rules. However, the finder did the right thing by turning the handgun over to the police. It was decided in this case to accept a photo of this find and a copy of the police report . Everyone was fine with that.

This brings us to the last meeting and that $10,000.00 ring I wrote about in the last newsletter. It was found and returned by Tom Becker. Suddenly, we have another member who did the right thing and we always want to encourage that! But, alas, all he has to show us is a low quality photo of the ring.

Frankly, I was quite surprised at the debate this raised. And I must also add that both sides of the issue made some great points. However, I feel for the good of the hobby, we need to encourage everyone to do exactly what Tom did by returning the ring to its owner. We can all be proud of him.

This may come as a surprise to you. While I do support allowing photos of returned items, I don't think I would vote for one . . . and I didn't vote for Tom's! Tom and I are friends and I know that he can take the truth. My point is, if the picture idea bothers you, you don't have to vote for it!

So, the Find of the Month rules, as voted on at the last meeting with over 50 members present, now permits photo entries if the item was returned to law enforcement or the original owner.

The second club raffle for an un circulated U.S. 2 ½ dollar gold coin is not looking good, unless you bought a ticket! If you purchased a ticket, the odds of your winning are far better this time than they were for the last raffle.

The gold coin raffle is a great and fun way of raising club funds. And what could be neater than winning a real gold coin! However, to keep this raffle going, we must sell tickets and, sadly, ticket sales are very low compared to our first raffle. Time is growing short! There will be tickets on sale at this month's meeting.

Also, The F.M.D.A.C. is selling raffle tickets for a dollar with some awesome prizes. These will also be on sale at this month's meeting.

Our great and noble leader, Keith McGrew is working out the details for a club hunt on the late Ransom Dopp property, where the possibility exists for a large cache of gold.

Keith has also received permission for the club to hold an open hunt on property where he has already recovered coins from the early 1800's! Sound like fun? Be sure to be at the next meeting for more details!

COIN FINDS

1. 1898 Indian Head Cent                                                  By: Rick Seymore

2. 10 Pence English Coin                                                     By: Tom Becker

3. 1869 2¢ 1853 25¢ "same dig"                                  By: Brian Crittendon

4. 1900 Chinese Coin                                                              By: Dan Clark

5. 1859 Indian Head Cent                                              By: Gene Carruthers

6. 1870 Indian Head Cent                                                      By: Don Bailey

7. Silver 1951-D (dime?)                                                By: Greg Stonerock

8. 1899 V-Nickel                                                                 By: Mike Walker

9. 1873 Seated Liberty 10¢                                                By: Mike Walker Jr

10. 1823 U.S. Large Cent                                                  By: John Archbold

11. 1906 Indian Cent                                                    By: Joshua Stonerock

Brian Crittendon was voted winner by the gang! His entry was number 3 which included two very old coins found in the same hole! They were an 1869 two cent piece and a 1853 quarter!

JEWELRY FINDS

1. 10,000.00 Diamond Ring                                                 By: Tom Becker

2. 14K Diamond Ring                                                       By: Alan Randolph

3. Gold Ring w/ Black Onyx                                                 By: John Dudley

4. Gold Gent's Ring                                                                  By: Dan Clark

5. President Hayes Pin                                                  By: Brian Crittendon

6. Wedding Rings Set                                                              By: Jack Short

7. 14K Diamond Ring                                                       By: John Frederick

8. 14K Gold Ring                                                              By: Greg Stonerock

9. 14K Antique Gold Ring                                                   By: Mike Walker

10. Victorian Brooch                                                      By: Mike Walker, Jr.

11. Frog Ring                                                                 By: Joshua Stonerock

12. 18K Gent's Gold Ring                                                    By: Dan Mollohan

Tom Becker's diamond ring find was the winner. But just look this list over! What a great bunch of treasure!

FOB, BADGE &TOKEN

1. Toy Sheriff Badge                                                       By: Brian Crittendon

2. Post Toasties Watch Fob                                                     By: Don Bailey

3. Star World Token                                                         By: Greg Stonerock

4. James Leonard Boot & Shoe Token
& 2-1863 Albion College Tokens (One Scoop)                        By: Bill Howe

Our good friend Don Bailey was our winner with his Post Toasties watch fob. These are a very popular collectibles! Neat find, Don!

Most Unusual

1. Cast Bowling Figure                                                     By: Greg Stonerock

2. CCC Camp Butter Knife                                                By: Alan Randolph

3. Old Button with Duck                                                 By: Brian Crittendon

4. Antique Fishing Lure                                                        By: Tom Becker

5. Antique Padlock & Key                                             By: Joshua Stonerock

6. Music Lyre                                                                   By: Mike Stonerock

7. Toy Soldier                                                                       By: Dan Mollohan

Most unusual was tied between Alan Randolph's CCC butter knife handle and Tom Becker's antique fishing lure. We had to resort to a second vote by show-of-hands and the old wooden fishing lure came out the winner. Great finds, guys!

MISCELLANEOUS

1. Metal Detector Build Sheet                                                  By: Brian Crittendon

2. Drill Tip for Mine Charges                                                    By: Gordon Sampsell

3. Kalamazoo Brick Co. Brick                                                      By: Alan Randolph

4. 1929 S Quarter                                                                     By: Joshua Stonerock

5. 1849 Large Cent                                                                      By: Greg Stonerock

6. 1917 Standing Liberty 50¢                                                          By: Kody Walker

7. Old Insulator with Post                                                               By: Mike Walker

8. Antique Silver Ring                                                                 By: Jackie Latterner

9.Old Insulators                                                                                By: Mike Walker

10. Jenning's Extract Bottle                                                             By: Eric Mitchell

11. Canadian Dollar & Pin                                                               By: Casey Randall

12. 1892 British Tram Token                                                      By: Bob MacDougall

The Miscellaneous voting was the closest I have ever seen! It was so close that we almost had a 12-way tie! But the winner by one vote was Brian Crittendon's old magazine with the plans to make an old tube type metal detector! What a bunch of stuff!

9: Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10: Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?  thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11: But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12: And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.  So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Job lost everything at the hand of Satan yet he never lost his love for God; I pray that this terrorist event, carried out by Satans army, will only lead to many lost souls 'world-wide' coming to trust in the salvation provided by God though his Son Jesus Christ:

Mt:9:38: Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
LORD SEND WORKERS INTO THE HARVEST    Amen

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

RETURN TO SOMEWHERE IN TIME -- DAN CLARKS HOMEPAGE

RETURN TO THE MANY FACES OF TREASURE HUNTING