GRAVETTE — Dean Shafer, owner of Arkhoma Hobbies and Lapidary, on Main Street in Gentry, was guest speaker for the March 7 meeting of the Gravette Lions Club. He talked to the group about fluorescent minerals and their properties. He brought along a couple of ultraviolet lights, a long wave and a short wave, and used them to illuminate the minerals. He explained that these lights are used as prospecting tools for fluorescent minerals and are used to identify the specimens.
Shafer displayed several different rocks and minerals, including the rare calcium bensenite, found only in New Jersey, and Oklahoma "mud balls." Other minerals he displayed came from California, Texas and Arizona. He said he had spent the month of January in Arizona digging up specimens.
Shafer said he has been interested in collecting rocks since he was a child. He has an extensive collection of rocks, minerals and geodes and a Native American section with many arrowheads in his shop at Gentry. He has been a member of a geology club about 50 years. He told members of the group's activities, including field trips the third Saturday of each month, rock and mineral identification sessions and silversmithing classes. A junior club, with members ages 14 and under, is involved in growing crystals.
He invited those present to attend the 2017 gem, mineral and jewelry show sponsored by the Northwest Arkansas Gem and Mineral Society. The show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 8, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 9 at the community building, 110 N. Mt. Olive Street, in downtown Siloam Springs.
Other guests at the meeting were Randi Van Noy, curator of the Gravette historical museum, and her mother Margie.
Lion president Jeff Davis has appointed a nominating committee. A slate of officers will be presented and elections will be held at the March 21 meeting.
Davis conducted a fun "tail twister" activity, with participants asked to identify dogs from a number of cartoon strips and prizes for the most correct answers.
An update was given and tentative schedule distributed for the Lions Live and Learn event on Saturday, May 6. Some speakers and sponsors have been secured and others are being contacted.
Davis reminded members of the Lions Club 100th Anniversary convention in Chicago June 30 through July 4. A celebration is planned July 1 at Golden Corral in Rogers for area Lions Club members who are not attending the Chicago convention.
The next regular meeting of the Gravette Lions Club will be at 12 noon Tuesday, March 21, at the In Zone Restaurant on Highway 59 just north of Main Street. Prospective members and guests are always welcome.
Community on 03/15/2017