Orlando Florida GPAA - 2008 Meetings

Newsletters 2008

January '08

Hello Everyone

I�ve been kinda lax about the last couple of monthly newsletters and I want to apologize for that. It�s just been a very stressful time for me, but things are looking a lot better.

Just a short recap of the Christmas Party in Dec. I�m sure everyone had a great time and got their fill of all the food and desserts that were brought. The weather was very cooperative making for a great day. I want to thank Faith Wolf for doing most of the decorating, she really did a wonderful job.

We also had some guests with us this year. There were 2 gentlemen , Bill and Roger, from the Ocala Metal Detector Club. They are planning on coming again, and if I can remember correctly, they were going to let us know when they have a meeting so that anyone interested could go.

We also had a new couple to welcome to our club, Kathy and Steve. They brought several trays of homemade Lasagna that were to die for. Kathy and Steve also have a panning booth at a Flea Market in Oldsmar, Fl., not to far from us, that we should all try to get to on a weekend.

The big winners at the Party were Art Wolf who won a Bag of PayDirt and a Silver Coin, Mark Turner won the beautiful nugget, and Mike LaMarche took home the 1847 $2.50 Dollar Gold Piece.

Those of you who were not with us at the Party, we missed you and we hope your holidays went well.

As for the JANUARY 2008 MEETING, we got off to a pretty good start.

Jim and Duane were a little under the weather and couldn�t be with us, but we made it through anyway.

Steve Martin, Fl. State Director was with us and had some information about different places to check out for gold. We will be starting to make plans and dates for our first outing this year at our next meeting so please try to be there. I believe that Mike and Jim are going to be making a trip to see about finding some different places for us to go.

There is also going to be a Gold Show in October the year in Gainesville, Ga. The Gold shows are lots of fun and very interesting to attend.

Our February Meeting is going to be a POT LUCK, but we are looking to have it be SNACK FOODS instead of a full blown buffet. Any kind of snack foods like chips, dips, relish trays, veggie trays, cheese trays, crackers, etc. You know what I mean, nothing we have to go to a big deal for. The club will be furnishing the beverages.

Meeting will be on Sat. the 9th at 9:00 am, Warren Park.

Drive safely and call me if you need anything.

Paulette

March '08

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone is doing good. St. Patricks Day and Easter are fast approaching, seems like we just get through with one holiday and here comes more.

On that note, at our February meeting, it was voted on and passed that our 1st Outing this year will be the Memorial Day Weekend. That�s Saturday and Sunday May 24th and 25th. The actual place has not been officially decided on yet, but probably will be at our March meeting.

There has been some talk about the Weekend Miners, which is a private club, possibly allowing us to share their Common with them. They have 3 properties, all near the Loud Mine. This is not a Pay to Dig. Mike LaMarche was going to go up there before our March meeting and get more info for us.

We also had some books of Raffle Tickets for sale today. These books consisted of tickets for Keene 4� dredge, Metal Detectors, 3� Proline Dredge/Power Sluice combo, 2� Proline Dredge, Proline Mining equipment, etc. If you purchased a book of these tickets, the drawing is scheduled to be held March 19th. These books of tickets were provided by Mike LaMarche.

We had a visitor with us today. We would like to welcome Nick McCollum to our club and hope to see him again soon.

Jim Green was going to attend a Metal Detectors Club Meeting up in Ocala on the 28th, these were the gentlemen who came to our Christmas Party, so we will be anxieously waiting to hear all about that.

Our Raffle today consisted of a bag of concentrate and a Raffle ticket book. Steve Martine won the concentrates and Jim Green won the Raffle ticket book.

For those of you who were not at our February Meeting, we had a visit from a member who had been with the club for a long time, but not actively for awhile due to health reasons. Ron and Judy Baker. Ron had come to the meeting to visit and to possibly sell some of his gear. It seems that Ron�s health was a lot more severe than realized, and Ron passed away suddenly that night. I emailed some of the club members that I knew knew Ron and Judy. There was a Visitation and Service held the following Wednesday night. I took it upon myself to send Flowers in the Clubs name, and Duane, myself, Pat Kennedy and Debbie attended. Our hearts go out to Judy in this time of sorrow.

Well, enough said for this time, hope everyone comes to the Meeting this Saturday, as we will be discussing more about the upcoming Outing. Needless to say, that date will creep up on us quickly.

Paulette

April '08

Hi Everyone,

Please excuse the absence of a Newletter this month, but my computer has been uncooperative, and I think it is going to have to be replaced.

Anyway, this Saturday's meeting will be the last meeting before the outing on the 24th and 25th, (Saturday and Sunday), Memorial Day weekend.

For those of you who have been to the last couple of meetings, you're knowledgeable of the time and place. The Outing will be in Buchanan, GA. at the Farm Campsite. A couple of us will be there a few days before the outing, so please feel free to come early.

It is very important that everyone who is planning to attend let me know by the 15th of May. We need to let the caretakers at the farm know approxamatly how many there will be in case there is another group also planning an outing at the same time.

If anyone needs directions or other information, please either be at the meeting this Sarurday, or contact me by phone, (leave a message if no one answers). I will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Hope to see everyone at he meeting this Saturday, May 10th at 9:00am, Warren Park.

Paulette (407)671-2918 pchancey46@hotmail.com

June '08

Hello Everyone,

Here's hoping everyone had a great month of May.

Our first club outing was, I thought a really good one. There was about 10 of us that participated, and it was a great learning experience for our newest members and alot of fun for the rest of us that think of ourselves as seasoned prospectors.

Jim Green was not able to do anything that involved his getting his left hand wet, as he took a bad fall right after he got there and knocked a full pot of boiling coffee on his left thumb. Needless to say he was in some serious pain for a couple of weeks and wouldn't go to the doctor until he returned home. As I here it, the doctor to him he had the worst 3rd degree burns on some parts of his thumb. He's doing much better now, so he's counting the days until he can return to Buchanan and do some gold prospecting.

Some of our friends in Georgia did us the honor of cooking for the club's dinner and it was excellent. I heard a couple of the guys say it was worth it just for the cookout. The Georgia guys conjured up some huge pork ribs, cooked with potatoes, carrots, and onions. For those of you who couldn't make this trip, you really need to get up there and meet these guys, they're good ole boys.

There was alot discussed at todays meeting. We are waiting to expand our list of items for raffles to more tan just bags of dirt and nuggets. While we all like to take the chance on winning a nugget or some dirt to go home and play with, we can still benefit from camping supplies. We were talking today of adding things like camping equipment, (air beds, Sleeping bags, lanterns, shovles, tailgate tables, bag chairs, cooking utensils, even old treasure magazines and books, etc.). Use your imagination and help us come up with some ideas. We are also open to donations of items that you may have laying around that might be of interest to others. Whether you have a camper, motor home, tent, or whatever, everybody still needs some kind of items.

It was voted on today that a metal detecting trip to Hutchenson Island on Turtle Beach would be quite fun. The trip is planned for the weekend of Nov. 15th. It's about a 2 hour drive from Orlando to ft. Pierce. This is a trip that would be great as a weekend getaway. While there is no camping facilities on the island, there is a campground in Stuart at Port Salerno on the Indian River that is a County owned property, so all types of camping is allowed as far as I know. We will be talking more about it in the next couple of meetings. I would like everyone to think about it, and give us your input. If you would like to check it out on the internet, you can type in Hutchenson Island and follow the clicks.

The possiblilty of a second Outing was also discussed, and would be around the last week of August, (sat ans sun. the 30th and 31st). Labor day is Monday, Sept 1st. We need to make this happen, August is not that far off.

There has been some talk about going to the Gold Show in Gaineville, Ga. which is Oct. 24th and 25th. As a club we can rent a booth at the show and bring items to raffle off. The last show the club participated in was profitable. There will be more discussion at the next couple of meetings.

We would like to welcome some new faces to our meeting this month. Alan Story, Paula Gold, and William Niazy. We certianly hope they had a good time today and look to see them on a regular basis.

For your information, Jim Green is planning to head back up to Buchanan in the next few weeks, (end of June, first of July), and Duane and Myself are planning to get back up around the last couple of weeks of August. Anyone who is wanting to join us is more thean welcome.

Hope everyone has a great month of June and will see you next month, Saturday, July 12th, 9:00am, Warren Park.

Paulette (407)671-2918 pchancey46@hotmail.com

July '08

Hi Everyone,

Please bear with me with the next couple of newsletters, as I am trying very hard to get adjusted to this new computer.

Our meeting this month was good. We would like to welcome some new members to our club. William (Bill) Niazy, Virginia Taylor, Charles Park and Rae Neal. We welcome you and hope to see you at our meetings each month.

It was voted on that there will be a Club Outing over the Labor Day weekend. The dates are Friday and Saturday, August 30 and 31. It will be in Buchanan, Ga. at the farm.

This is not a hard place to find. Buchanan is on the west side of the state about 60 miles west of Atlanta. Coming from Florida, I-75 to I-20, west on I-20 to Highway 27(exit 11), north on 27 to state road 120. West on 120 thru town (1 traffic light), continue on 120 past the big School on your left, around the big curve across the bridge, and then watch for the 2 siloos at the end of the guard rail. That is the easiest entrance off the road, but if you miss it, there is another entrance about 100 ft. You will wind your way around the barns and the campground will be on your right.

You can�t miss it, the comfort houses (Port-o-lets) are right inside the campground turn off. The sign-in sheet is at the front of the property where you came in off the highway, please be sure to register. There will be more discussion on the outing at the August Meeting, so be sure to have any questions you need to ask ready.

As most of you know who were at the July Meeting, myself and Duane will not be able to be at the Outing, so we are going up on August 4th and returning on August 16th. Anyone who would like to join us is more than welcome. Work schedules for me do not allow me to be off during the Outing. We go into a Blackout for vacations and time off starting Oct.1st and everyone is trying to get there time off before then. There are approximately 70 employees where I work, so you can see where it gets a little hairy.

Anyone wanting to purchase GPAA items is encouraged to do it thru our club, it is cheaper that way. We are also still looking for items to raffle at our meetings. If you see anything that you think would be a great usable item at a reasonable price, pick it up and the club will reimburse you for it. Any items linked to camping, prospecting or reading materials are great items.

Tom and Rae-Lynn Davis, Debbie and David have ventured to go to a phosphate mine in Okeechobee, Fl. To dig for fossils. Debbie and David have done this in the past and were pleased with their finds. Hope Tom and Rae-Lynn enjoy their trip and prosper also.

Elections are scheduled for September, most of our Alaska vacationers should be back by then. Start thinking about this and get your nominations for the upcoming year ready. Anyone is welcome to run for office as long as they are a current paid member in the GPAA.

The Annual Christmas Party was voted on at this meeting, and will be held as usual at Warren Park, under the Pavillion on Saturday, December 13th. This date is our regularly scheduled meeting date. I stopped and paid the reservation fee on my way home after the meeting, so everything is set. More on this event in the upcoming meetings.

There is still some discussion and planning to be done about our club going and participating in the big GOLD SHOW in Gainesville, Georgia in Oct. In order to set up at the show, we will need some people who can devote a few days to this, setting up and running the booth. This can be profitable for the club by having raffles and just enjoying visiting all the other booths and the camaraderie. Who knows, you are more than likely going to see Tom Massie, maybe meet him personally.

The Raffle for today was a Cleanup pan and Concentrate. Rae-Lynn Davis was the winner and graciously gave the pan to one of our new members, Rae Neal. Hope Rae-Lynn finds some really good stuff in that concentrates.

Well, that�s it for now, hope everyone has a great August and I�ll see you at the September Meeting, Saturday the 13th.

Paulette

August '08

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note to remind everyone that our August Club meeting is this coming saturday the 8th, same time, same place. Final plans will be discussed for the upcoming Labor Day Outing. That's scheduled for Sat. and Sun. August 30th and 31st.

Will not see you for this meeting, as Duane and I are heading up to Buchanan in just a few hours from now. Hope everyone has a great month, see you in September.

Paulette

September '08

Hi Everyone,

Hello Everyone,Well, we had a really good meeting this month. We had a Pot Luck which was very, very good. Art indulged us with his fantastic cookies and yummies, and Faith made a chicken and rice casserole that was great. There was also sandwiches, fruit, chips etc.

From what I hear a lot of fun was had in Buchanan for the Labor Day Outing. Instead of the normal evening dinner, the group elected to do a breakfast which was outstanding. After breakfast they headed for the creek and spent the whole day in the water. Ken Baum made a point to stay underwater for the most part. Said it was a little weird at first, but once he overcame that, you couldn�t stop him.

We are on for the Gold Show in Gainesville, Ga. Oct. 25th and 26th, and Kathy and Steve will be manning the booth. I believe Kathy is going to have a panning station set up, will know more about that at the October meeting. We certainly hope that a lot of us will be able to attend. There are tentative plans for a Metal Detecting Outing in November on Saturday the 22nd. This will be at Pepper Park, North Hutchinson Island, Florida, near Ft. Pierce. Bob is trying to get Kellyco to work with us on rentals of detectors for those that don�t have them, this will be discussed further at our Oct. Meeting.

In January 2009, there are possibilities of a Gem and Fossil Hunting Outing. This location is in Okeechobee at Fort Drum. Several of our members have been there and say it is a lot of fun and a lot of work, but well worth it. Our Annual Christmas Party is all set, reservations have been made for the Pavilion at Warren Park and there will be more discussion at the next 2 meetings to get everything in order.

There has also been discussion on how the club could make more money in order to maybe purchase equipment. This could be done by maybe raising the prices of merchandise purchased from the club, and also raffles. The Raffle today was for a bag of Concentrate won by Jim Green and a Silver Round won by Rae-Lynn Davis. Way to go guys.

The election of Officers for the club was held this month, and results in the following:

    President: Jim Green
    Secretary: Paulette Chancey
    V. Pres.: Tom Davis
    Treasurer: Frank Mercier
    Contact Person: Jim Green
    Purchasing Agent: Frank Mercier
    Asst. Sec�y/Web Site Designer: Bob Gaebler

Well, that�s about it for this month. Hope everyone has a great month, don�t forget our October Meeting this Saturday the 11th, see ya� there.

Paulette (407)671-2918 pchancey46@hotmail.com

October '08

Hello Everyone,

Our meeting for October was a good one. We had several new guests that we would like to welcome to our club. John Frye, Brandy Fabian, Betty Jean Fabian and Doris Love, who was with the Fabian�s. On a very nice note, Mike Wicks was also there with his new wife Connie. Hope to see all of you again soon.

I am sure everyone would like to wish William Niazy a speedy recovery, as he is having some surgery in the next couple of weeks and hopefully will feel well enough to be with us at our Christmas Party.

Kathy and Steve were going to run the booth at the Gold Show, and from what I have seen on the new website, it looked like they all had a good time. Bob Gaebler, Ken Baum and Steve martin were in attendance also.

Bob Gaebler was nominated and voted in at our October Meeting as the Outing Chairperson/Director. If you have any ideas on those subjects, please let him know.

There will be more discussion at the monthly meeting this Saturday on the upcoming Metal Detecting Outing planned for Saturday the 22nd of this month on the east coast near Ft. Pierce. In the September newsletter, I mentioned that Bob was trying to get Kellyco to work with us on rentals of metal detectors for those that don�t have them, but Kellyco apparently did not want to get into renting any equipment.

The Annual Christmas Party will be a main topic for discussion at this coming meeting, as it is the last meeting before the event. I will need to know pretty much what everyone is going to bring for side dishes and desserts, etc. so that we don�t end up with overkill on certain items, or not a variety of other items. I have already received a couple of people�s items, but need to get this finished by at least the 1st week in December. The club will be furnishing the Ham and Beverages. There will also be a gift exchange and this will be further discussed this Saturday.

The raffle for this month was for a Bag of Tom and Perry�s Concentrate, won by Marianne, and a Silver Round won by me.

Will close for now, hope everyone had a great Halloween and please be sure to be there this Saturday, Nov. 8th for our meeting, you don�t want to miss out on any of the Christmas Party plans.

Paulette (407)671-2918, pchancey46@hotmail.com

November '08

Hello Everyone,

Our new Vice President, Tom Davis, did the honors of holding the meeting today, and did a fantastic job. Great job Tom!!

Todays meeting was a very productive one. A lot of upcoming events were discussed and finalized.

First off, we had a new guest today from Ft. Pierce, Fl. Steve Mattes. Welcome Steve and Please hurry back.

Tom, Rae-Lynn and Debbie had a lot to share with us today about their trip to California last month. Seems they had a great time, made a lot of new friends, worked real hard and had the Gold to prove it. They went to the Italian Bar and worked a whole day, and can�t wait to go again.

Debbie sharing photo's and stories of her trip.

The Gold Show was a success. Those that were able to attend got to meet Tom Massie and even have their picture taken with him. Kathy was pleased to have sold some items, and 18 bags of Concentrates that the club profited by. She also got to do a sort of interview with Tom that may be shown on one of his new upcoming shows. Kathy was also the lucky winner of a piece of recycler Equipment. Rumor has it that Kathy and Steve were so taken by the show that they have decided to start attending as many shows as they can. Also Kathy and Steve joined the LDMA.

The Metal Detecting Outing being held near Fort Pierce, Fl., is still scheduled for Sat. November 22, and promises to be a real fun trip for all who can attend. Please be sure and go to the new website (www.orlandogpaa.org) and get the directions and other pertinent info regarding this outing. REMEMBER, Saturday, Nov. 22 is very close.

The next Outing on the schedule is the Fossil Hunting Expedition at Fort Drum, Fl., near Okeechobee sometime in February. Clam Fossils are the desired find on this outing, but I would venture to say other things can also be found. More will be discussed on this at the January Meeting.

Now for the Christmas Party next month on Saturday, Dec. 13th. The Party will be held at our same meeting place, but we have rented the Pavilion there at the Park. This enables us to have a ton more tables to set out all of our food, electricity for those that want to bring crock pots or slow cookers to keep things warm, room for our Gift Exchange and Prizes. The Club is furnishing the Ham, and everything else is up to the rest of us. I already have a few commitments on food items, but we still need more. So far I have Baked Beans, Sweet Potato

Souffle, Relish Tray with Cranberry Sauce, possibly a Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, Baked Ziti, Beverages, Deviled Eggs, Mashed Potatoes, Potato Salad, Tossed Salad, Cole Slaw, Carrot Cake, Cookies and some finger foods. Sounds real good and nothing goes to waste. What is left over is usually always taken home by everyone. So, PLEASE be sure and let me know what you are bringing so I can tie up any loose ends. No one has committed to Breads/Rolls etc. and we can only hope that �ART� will grace us with a couple of pies (pretty please Art, I love you).

As far as the Gift Exchange goes, please limit your spending to $10.00 maximum. Everyone who brings a gift will be in the exchange, and everyone will get a vial of gold given by the club. The Club will also give out a couple of gifts. This year I hear that there will be a $5.00 Gold piece, and a vial of gold/ and nugget. The size of the nugget is a surprise. Only Currently Paid GPAA MEMBERS are involved in the clubs latter mentioned gifts.

One final note, the time for the Christmas Party will be 10:00 a.m., this gives everyone a chance to take their time in travel, especially those that are coming some distance. Please drive safely.

The Raffle today was for a bag of Concentrates and was won by John Molinari (Rosie�s daddy).

John with his winnings.

Cookie with the "Star" of the meeting.

If anyone can think of anything I forgot to cover, please let me know. On that note, I hope everyone has a great Turkey Day and I�ll see you on Saturday, Dec. 13th.

Paulette (407)671-2918, pchancey46@hotmail.com

December '08

Our Holiday Party of 2008 was a hit. This by far was the largest turnout of our fellow Florida GPAA members our club has seen in a long time. Thanks to all that attended, as it was great to see everyone have such a good time together.

The food was great, and Mike and Rae-Lynn's photo's tell the story.

Enjoy...