The Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society of Michigan (MMLS) is an educational nonprofit organization founded in 1956 by a group of 28 people meeting at a local rock shop. The Society is affiliated with the Midwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. Significantly, MMLS has been recognized numerous times by the Midwest and American Federations with first place (gold level) awards in the annual All American Club Awards Program.
Dear MMLS member: It 's that time again when you are asked to renew your membership for the year (2019) in the Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society. (Membership runs from January through December each year.)
May we ask your cooperation by renewing now. Doing so will ease our Treasurer's job, save the cost of an extra mailing and assure your receipt of The Rockpile without interruption.
Just use the handy Membership Renewal Form in your Rockpile. Complete the form, enclose your check made payable to MMLS and mail to our treasurer: Doris Snyder.
It's that easy! If you would like your membership card mailed to you, please include a SASE.
Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society Adult Dues: $15.00 Juniors (under age 18) $1.00
Dues paid after December 31st are subject to a $3.00 reinstatement fee.
DO IT TODAY BEFORE YOU FORGET!!!!!!!
May we ask your cooperation by renewing now. Doing so will ease our Treasurer's job, save the cost of an extra mailing and assure your receipt of The Rockpile without interruption.
Just use the handy Membership Renewal Form in your Rockpile. Complete the form, enclose your check made payable to MMLS and mail to our treasurer: Doris Snyder.
It's that easy! If you would like your membership card mailed to you, please include a SASE.
Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society Adult Dues: $15.00 Juniors (under age 18) $1.00
Dues paid after December 31st are subject to a $3.00 reinstatement fee.
DO IT TODAY BEFORE YOU FORGET!!!!!!!
The Prez Says:
Hello Rockhounds: It's cold outside! It's now December and winter has arrived like a lodger with extra baggage. As we prepare for the coming months, it's time to reflect on the close of this year. I'm proud to have been part of this club as President. I'm proud of the people who have remained active members in this club! I think each and everyone of us can be thankful for the accomplishments and creative expression of our hobby and club members this year! As outgoing president for these past two years, I maintain we pursue our mission ... new members, new interests, new and old friends. Be sure to show up for the Christmas meeting. Bring a snack or dessert and a gift to share. Dan Merry Christmas!
Michigan Man Discovers Glowing, Fluorescent Rocks Called "Yooperlites" http://www.geologyin.com/2018/09/michigan-man-discovers-glowing.html#F7W qkUBXZzTCqz8r.99 Follow us: @GeologyTime on Twitter
Erik Rintamaki was searching for rocks on a Michigan beach last summer when he made what he calls a "mind blowing" discovery. Resting among the thousands of pebbles covering the Lake Superior beach, Rintamaki saw a glowing rock The gem and mineral dealer told CBS News he often goes rock hunting. But on this particular June night, he found a rock unlike any other - a florescent orb that he later named "Yooperlite."
Rintamaki knew this couldn't be the only Yooperlite out there, but he couldn't find any information about glowing rocks online. He knows many people in the gem and mineral field, but everyone he asked had no clue what these mysterious rocks were. Rinktamaki went back to the beach night after night, carrying a black light which helped illuminated the glowing rocks. "I was blown away," he said. "It's insane how many are on the beaches up here." He started collecting Yooperlites by the bagful and sold them online.
Michigan State University messaged Rinktamaki with an interest in buying some of the rocks to study. Michigan State, along with the University of Saskatewan, researched the Yooperlites for months. The universities determined that Rintamaki did, indeed, discover a new type of rock. He says other people may have spotted these gems before, but he was the first person to get Yooperlites verified - making him the self-proclaimed "Christopher Columbus of rocks." Rintamaki said Michigan State gave the rocks a scientific name: syenite clasts containing fluorescent sodalite. The name he gave them - Yooperlites comes from the nickname "Yoopers," which refers to people who live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, according to Mineral News, a newsletter for mineral collectors that reported on Rintamaki's discovery.
When his discovery was verified and made public in May 2018, Rintamaki says life as he knew it changed. "I've had thousands of messages and I can't get to them all," he told CBS News. He now gives Yooperlite tours on the beaches along Lake Superior. "I've never had anyone not find stones," Rintamaki said of his tour groups. He takes groups out near dusk and they use black lights to search for Yooperlites for about four hours, he says. He also still sells Yooperlites and bought a machine that can buff them into perfect, smooth orbs. When he's not with a tour group, he finds himself looking for Yooperlites alone all night long. "I work the night shift at a casino, so when I get out of work at 2 a.m., I get to the beach. I search until the sun comes up," he said. Rintamaki's passion has made him a local celebrity. He says his tours are booked solid through 2019 and the videos of his rock hunting have gone viral. From the internet geology-in
Book Suggestions for the Kidlets
Recently on Face Book, someone requested some book ideas for kids who are interested in geology, collecting minerals and fossils. A field guide is fine, but there is so much out there that can spark the interest and give hands on experience. Working at a library has given me the experience to watch the kids explore and what excites them. Here are a few books I would recommend to our junior Rockhounds:
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