The annual picnic and auction was held at 10:00 am, on Saturday, July 17,
at the Deer Run Shelter in The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Rd (Route 87), Novelty, OH 44072.
The weather was a bit damp and drizzly, but a good time was had by all.
A brief business meeting, where we discussed
the upcoming July 24 field trip to Delaware, OH was followed by a little auction, lunch and then the
completion of the auction. The club thanks everyone for the fantastic donations and
generous bidding. We collected over $650 to help out the club treasury.
The May regular meeting of the NCFC was at at 10:00 a.m.,
on Saturday, May 15, at The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Rd (Route 87), Novelty, OH 44072.
It is part of the Geauga Park District #440-286-9516 or toll free 800-536-4006.
Our guest speaker was Dr. William I. Ausich from Ohio State University. His topic
was "Macroevolutionary Boundaries: Ordovician Extinctions and Silurian Radiations
among the Crinoidea."
The field trip to Red Hill, PA, was discussed.
Beth Krumhansl was an excellent trip leader. The theme for show and tell was Epifauna.
Our March meeting was be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, March 20, at the
Parma-Snow
branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library, 2121 Snow Rd, between State and Broadview Roads,
across from McDonalds.
The agenda for this meeting is focused on sharing fossil related information, to
let others know about available resources and where to find them. For example,
maybe you have a fossil you still can’t identify or would like more information
about a fossil or Paleo topic. Hopefully, another member can share the needed
information and tell where it can be found. All members are encouraged to participate
by presenting a brief review on, at least one, beneficial source of information.
Sources include books, periodicals, films, and Internet sites.
The theme for show and tell is fish fossils. Please use the opportunity to display
your specimens. All members are enthused to see what you bring. *As you know,
the New Member’s Class was cancelled last month but will begin directly after this meeting.
An informative handout will be distributed to those attending. *Please don’t forget
to check your dues expiration date. For questions, contact Tony Verdi, President
at 330-239-1245.
Our February regular meeting was held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 21, at the
Parma-Snow
branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library, 2121 Snow Rd, between State and Broadview Roads,
across from McDonalds.
Our guest
speaker was Albert D.
Kollar, Collections
Manager, Invertebrate Paleontology, Carnegie Museum of Natural History.He presented a 55-minute Power
Point presentation consisting of 59 slides on "Geology
Along The Lewis And Clark Trail" to a packed house.He displayed some of his
wonderful, informative, and educational posters, "Geology, Invertebrate
Paleontology, and The Lewis and Clark Trail".Posters were available for $10.00 and he
personally signed all posters purchased. The
themefor show and tell was Pleistocene
fossils.
style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN">In addition, Tony had some
interesting items for a "pick-of-the-table" raffle.*New member’s class were postponed until the next meeting.*Please don’t forget to check your
dues expiration date.For questions, contact Tony Verdi, President at
330-239-1245 or visit the web site atwww.ncfclub.org
Albert's Bio and
abstracts of the presentation below
Bio: Albert D. Kollar is curator of collection
management of invertebrate paleontology at the Carnegie Museum of Natural
History. He received his BS in geology from Southampton University and his MS in
geology with emphasize in invertebrate paleontology from the University of
Pittsburgh. Albert has maintained and assisted in the growth of the 570,000
invertebrate fossil collections, especially in the Carboniferous for more than
26 years. Albert’s research interest is in Carboniferous brachiopods reef faunas
of the United States. Along with Associate Curator adjunct Dr. David K.
Brezinski, they have been conducting detailed stratigraphic research collecting
from the Waulsortian mud mounds in Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, New
Mexico, and Montana.
Abstract: A three-year trip across the
North American continent that took 200 years to tell, the sojourn of Captains
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark is an American legend that is true history.
Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1803 to find a trade route from
the Louisiana Territory to the Pacific Ocean, the trip took more than three
years to complete. Contrary to popular lore the greatest dangers and obstacles
faced by the Corps of Discovery were neither wild animals nor savage
native Americans, but instead were physical features that are geological in
origin. We will examine the geologic obstacles that faced the Corps of
Discovery, an original crew of 45 and later of 33 that are now steeped in
legend. Originating in Pittsburgh in August 1803 we will follow their trip down
the Ohio River to their first winter encampment near St. Louis, and then up the
Missouri to Ft. Mandan. Their 1805 journeys took the Corps around (portage) the
Great Falls of the Missouri, through the Gates of the Rocky Mountains, to the
headwaters of the Missouri River. From there the Corps passed over the Rocky
Mountains and down the Snake and Columbia Rivers to the Pacific Ocean and their
winter’s encampment. Their divided 1806 return trip encountered new geological
obstacles like the Lewis Overthrust and Pompey’s pillar. Long given up for dead
the entire Corps of Discovery returned down the Missouri River to St. Louis in
September 1806.
Two author Abstract, only Albert will be
speaking:
GEOLOGY: THE FORGOTTEN SCIENCE OF THE LEWIS AND CLARK
EXPEDITION David K. Brezinski and Albert D. Kollar, Section of
Invertebrate Paleontology, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes
Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213,
In his letter to Meriwether Lewis that outlined the expedition, President
Thomas Jefferson directed the explorer to note not only the native people,
plants, animals, but also "mineral productions of every kind, but more
importantly metals, limestone, pit coal & saltpeter; salines & mineral
waters noting temperatures of the last & such circumstances as may indicate
their character, volcanic appearances…." Clearly, Jefferson recognized the
importance of geologic features, but through the last two hundred years the
geologic items observed and noted by Lewis and Clark and the role of these items
placed in the outcome of the expedition have been overlooked. The geographic
features observed and the obstacles encountered and surmounted by the expedition
were geological in nature. The trail of preparation took Lewis to Harpers Ferry,
West Virginia, through the Appalachian Basin, down the Ohio River, over the
Falls of the Ohio, and eventually to St. Louis. Their 1804 sojourn saw the Corps
of Discovery pass glacial features such as the Council Bluffs and the Great Bend
of the Missouri. In 1805 the expedition portaged the Great Falls, passed through
the Gates of the Rocky Mountains, and then scaled the Beaverhead and Bitterroot
Mountains on their way down the Columbia River. The 1806 return trip took Lewis
past the Lewis Overthrust and Clark down the Yellowstone River through
Cretaceous outliers at Pompey’s Column. Ultimately, their route down the Ohio
and up the Missouri Rivers was controlled more by Pleistocene glaciation than it
was by Presidential orders.
The theme for show and tell is Pleistocene fossils. All members are welcome to bring specimens for display.
In addition, Tony will have some interesting items for raffle. *Please don’t forget to check your dues
expiration date. If you are not receiving electronic postcards please send your email address to
treasurer@ncfclub.org. For questions, contact Tony Verdi, President at 330-239-1245 or visit the web site
at www.ncfclub.org.
Our January regular meeting ws the the Annual Awards Luncheon.
The next NCFC meeting is the annual Awards Luncheon, at 10:30 am, Saturday, January 17, at
Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted, #440-734-6660.
Display set up starts at 9:30am. Lunch is at 11:30pm. *All members are asked to contribute a potluck main or side
dish, and a dessert. Quantity should be sufficient to feed your personal party, plus a little more. The club will
provide beverages, cups, utensils, and plates. *Members are encouraged to donate fossil related items for door
prizes, for which tickets are distributed to all members. After dinner, everyone votes on the displays and
paleo-art entries. See newsletter for entry categories. Displays will be available to the public from 1:00-3:00pm.
Help is appreciated, from anyone who can stay and assist. Be creative and enter the hard hat decorating competition.
It is lots of fun and anything goes. Raffle prizes include a Stegomastodon tooth, plant fossils, and Edmontosaurus
vertebrae. For questions, contact Tony Verdi 330-239-1245. Directions from Hopkins Airport to the Rocky River
Nature Center: Head West on 480, Exit at Clague Road, Turn Left onto Clague and go under 480 bridge, past
Brookpark Rd, Turn right onto Mastick Road (stay on Mastick short distance), Turn left onto Shephard Lane
(first left), Turn Right on Valley Parkway.
Competitions (Prize is a trilobite cast and certificate unless noted)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Club Trip - Best Collection of 2003
Club Trip - Best Fossil of 2003
Non-Club Trip - Best Collection of 2003 (must be self-collected, no purchases)
Non-Club Trip - Best Fossil of 2003 (must be self-collected, no purchases)
Art Project - Best Adult 2003
Art Project - Best Youth 2003
Best Youth Fossil Collection 2003
Best Grouping with a Common Theme 2003
Decorate a Hard Hat Contest (certificate only)
Dec. 02, 2003 - Board Meeting NOT at Greenbriar Arabica (too smokey!) At Brunswick Arabica
Dec. 20, 2003 - Regular Meeting at Museum of Natural History (Chitaley Competition)
Topic: Chitaley Competition
Theme: Paleobotany
Jan. 06, 2004 - Board Meeting at Brunswick Arabica
Jan. 17, 2003 - Awards Banquet at Rocky River Nature Center
Our December regular meeting was the Chitaley Competition.
NCFC held a special meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
This was the annual member presentation of paleobotanical topics. We had three three members and one museum staff present.
Dan Vento won the competition with his presentation on Plant Fossils found in Nodules. Steve Meredyk and Sharon McKanze also spoke and congratulation Dan on his victory.
Club members had free entry into the museum and were welcome to explore the museum after the meeting.
Our November regular meeting was the Bicentennial Celebration.
NCFC held a special meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, at Rocky River Nature Center,
phone #440-734-6660. We celebrated the Ohio Bicentennial with a fossil display depicting Ohio
prehistoric history on a geologic time line. The display was open to the public from 12:30 p.m.
to 4:00 p.m. *All members were encouraged to please bring Ohio fossils and other fossils for the
display. Volunteers stayed to help explain the exhibit and give away fossils. Our guest speaker
for the meeting was Dr. Mark Wilson from Wooster College. His topic was "Fossils of Ohio."
We also discussed the field trip to Carnegie Museum Of Natural History, Pittsburgh, scheduled for
November 15. In addition, Tony handed out maps to some nearby PA collection sites. We'd like to thank
all members who brought fossils for the Bicentennial Display. The Fossil Theme is "Ohio Fossils." Please bring in some examples for display.
Nov. 08, 2003 - Regular Meeting at Rocky River Nature Center *** One Week Early ***
Topic: Ohio Bicentennial Celebration with Mark Wilson.
Theme: Ohio Fossils
Nov. 15, 2003 - Field Trip to Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Museum *** No regular meeting this week ***
Our October field trip was on October 25th to Caesar's Creek State Park.
A trip report will be available soon.
The October meeting was held October 18 at the
Parma Snow Branch
of the Cuyahoga Public Library. Joe Hannibal of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
gave an entertaining session entitled "A Paleo-Detective Story." Attendees got hands on involvement during the discussion making paper sails and crushing conical cups.
The Fossil Theme was Epifauna.
Our September field trip was September 20 to Southern Indiana and the
Falls of the Ohio Fossil Festival.
A trip report is available here.
The September meeting was held Saturday, September 13, at the Parma Heights Library.
We discussed the upcoming trip to Falls of the Ohio, scheduled
for September 20 and the Carnegie Museum trip for November 15.
The "My Favorite Fossil" session was fun for everyone. About 10 people brought in specimens to discuss. Dan Vento's double enrolled
phacops from this years' Sylvania trip pretty much stole the show.
The Fossil Theme was Echinoderms.
Our August field trip was August 23 to Smoke Creek and Penn Dixie. A trip report will be available soon.
The August meeting was held August 16 at 10:00 a.m., at the
Parma Snow Library. The program was open club discussion with emphasis on Field Trip planning and Field Trip site selection. The theme
was Ammonites. Members were welcome to bring their specimens for display and discussion. We also ran a raffle
for some wonderful items. A Trilobite Starter Kit from Tony's famous raffle stock was one of the favorite items.
Our last field trip was July 26 to favorite club sites around Cincinnati. President Tony Verdi acted as the trip leader.
A trip report is available here.
The July meeting was July 19 at the Oak Grove(map) picnic
area of Brecksville Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. It was our Annual Picnic and Auction meeting.
There was a brief business meeting, where Tony discussed our upcoming field trip to Crestview Hills. Special
thanks go out to everyone who helped cook, silk-screen shirts, donate and bid on items in the auction.
The brontoburgers, brats and side dishes were excellent!
The June Field Trip was June 27-29 to the Fort Erie and Simcoe County area of Ontario.
The June meeting was held on Saturday, June 21, 2003,
at 10:00 a.m., at the Parma Snow Library located on Snow Rd. between State and Broadview. The program
was a detailed presentation on "Fossil Casting Techniques" by David Chapman of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The display theme for
June was Dinosaurs.
The May meeting was held on May 17,
2003 at 10:00 a.m., at the Parma Snow Library located on Snow Rd. between State and Broadview. The program
was Trilobites of Ontario.
The April meeting was held on April 19,
2003 at 10:00 a.m., at the Parma Snow Library located on Snow Rd. between State and Broadview. The program
was ...
The March meeting was held on March 15,
2003 at 10:00 a.m., at the Parma Snow Library located on Snow Rd. between State and Broadview. The program
was ...
The February meeting was held Saturday, February 22, 2003,
at 10:00 a.m., at the Rocky River Nature Center in North Olmsted. The program
was "The Discovery of the Hartley Mastodon" presented by Dr Brian Redmond of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Recent Meetings and Trips
Our October 27 Field Trip , 2001 was
held at the Delaware, Ohio quarry (Devonian). A report will be available
shortly.
Our October 20, 2001 meeting at the
Brooklyn Branch of Cuyahoga Public Library was attended by about
30 members, and featured a talk by Dr. Lisa Park of the University of Akron
on Ostracodes in Lake Tanganyika, Africa.
The September 22 Field trip was
to the Falls of the Ohio museum and nearby quarries in Southern Indiana, and
an alternate trip to the Sylvania Fossil Festival in downtown Sylvania (near
Toledo), where the club had a promotional booth, and various
activities will be available, including collecting in Devonian Silica-shale
spoil piles at the newly dedicated fossil park. The festival was a great
success, with the club giving away many fossils and meeting a number
of prospective members. Sunday was the grand opening of the new fossil
park north of Sylvania Ave off of Cenenial Ave, near the quarries.
It was attended by several hundred people, including several NCFC members,
who found a number of trilobites and other fossils. The park is closed for
the season, but is expected to open again in the spring, probably on
weekends from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Our September 15, 2001 Meeting was attended
by about 35 people and featured an interesting talk by Tony Verdi on several fossil
friends he knows and
their interests and activities. We also discussed our September 22 field trips to
the Falls of the Ohio show and nearby quarries in southern Indiana, and the Sylvania
Fossil festival near Toledo, Ohio.
The August 25, 2001 field trip to St. Clair
Pennsylvania was attended by 17 NCFC members, plus two guests
and our host Mike Reagin and his son Justin. We enjoyed a beautiful sunny day at
the mine collecting an abundance of attractive Pennsylvanian age seed ferns -
mostly Alethopteris, along with a smaller number of Neuropteris,
and a smattering of horse tail and Lepidodendon (scale tree) parts.
Unlike most carboniferous sites where the ferns are found as black compressions
on grey shale, the specimens at this old strip mine featured white to yellow
and orange leaves on dark shale - creating stunning
contasts. The photo at left shows some of the better slabs Glen hauled out,
featuring several Alethopteris and two Neuropteris (at lower left).
The only difficulty was getting all the heavy specimens down the half-mile long path
back to the car, but everyone seemed to make it with frequent rests or
assistance from small wagons or carts brought along for the purpose. On Sunday
a few members (Dick, Dan, Sharon, and Glen) visited a Devonian burrow pit at
Deer Lake, about 20 miles south of St. Clair for an hour or so, where we found
a few nice snails and a partial trilobite. Everyone had a
great time, and talked about wanting to return next season. The club would like to
thank Mike Reagin (who now lives in PA) for helping arrange the trip and being our
guide. Thanks Mike!
Above left: Dick Cole, Shridhar Rao, and Laura Black picking ferns
Above right: Dick Cole, Dave Hague, and Dan Vento
Above left: Mike Reagin wallowing in shale pit. Right: Mike & Shirdhar Rao inspect their finds
Our July 2001 Meeting featured a talk by
Glen Kuban on his yard-long mosasaur skull from the Cretaceous chalk of
Kansas (bought at the MAPS Expo, and whose many pieces have yet
to be reconstructed), and other large prehistoric marine animals. Among
the other specimens Glen exhibited were a casting of a large, fierce-looking
head of a tarpin-like Cretaceous fish called Xiphactinus, a
Kueichousaur cast, (a long-necked reptile that resembles a
small plesiosaur--shown at left), a sea turtle skull fround by a friend in South Carolina,
and a casting of a whole Ichthyosaurus (a sea-going Jurassic reptile
superficially resembling a porpoise) borrowed from the Farivars. Glen discussed
some of the behaviors, environments, and feeding habits of these interesting
ancient creatures.
The July 2001 Field Trip was held in
Arkona, Ontario. Several members found trilobites and/or cephalopods,
and everyone found gobs of horn corals as usual.
Our July 2001 meeting was a special
Picnic and Silent Auction held July 21 at the Oak Grove Picnic area
of Brecksville Metroparks. About 40 people showed up on a
sunny Saturday morning to enjoy the festivities. Member brought
an amazing array of delicious pot luck dishes, while the club provided
hot dogs and brontoburgers. Members also were generous in donations
and purchases at the silent and regular auctions, whose proceeds go to
the club. Connie and Bob Baus added to the festivities by setting up the club
logo silk-screen printing equipment to print club T-shirts. Everyone had a
good time, and we want to thank all those who brought food and auction
items or helped with the various activities. Thanks also to the Craig and
Carol Tipton for being the chefs!
Our June 2001 Field Trip to quarries in eastern
Ontario on June 23 & 24, 2001 was enjoyed by about a dozen NCFC members.
Despite some rain on Saturday, variety of nice Ordovician fossils were
collected at the St. Lawrence, Brechin, and James Dick Quarries,
including several beautiful crinoids, cystoids and edrioasteroids by Paul and
Lana Regel, a large Isotelus trilobite (over 5 inches long!) by Sharon McKenzie,
and several other trilobites by Craig Tipton and other members.
The June 16, 2001 Meeting was held at the Brooklyn Branch of Cuyahoga
Public Library and was attended by about 20 NCFC members. Our
program was an interesting video presentation on "How to Prepare
Fossils" which focused on mechanical preparation of trilobites. We
also discussed our July picnic auction.
The same weekend we had a promotional table at the Gem & Mineral show at the
Berea Fairgrounds and several attendees expressed an interest in joining our club.
Thanks to Tony Verdi and others who volunteered their time and/or specimens at the table.
May 2001 Field Trip to Mt. Orab Ohio
A report on the Mt. Orab trip will be available shortly.
April 28, 2001 Field Trip to Sylvania, OH, Reported by Glen Kuban
The weather was perfect and fossil collecting productive
at our April 28 field trip to the Hanson Quarry in Sylvania,
OH About 25 North Coast members gathered at 8:30 on
a beautiful spring morning to start collecting on the newest
spoil piles near the quarry. Soon several members were
gratified with one or more trilobites, including Craig Tipton,
who captured a two different trilobite species (a Phacops
and Dechenella on the same slab. Shortly after I found my
first trilobite (a large prone Phacops), Michel Farivar pulled out
a couple nice Phacops, along with a truly astounding find: the
complete lower jaw of a Coccosteid arthrodire fish, about 7
inches long.
After about an hour we were allowed into the quarry, where good
finds continued. Wendy Taylor filled three baggies with Mucrospirifer brachiopods
(many with nice wing tips) from an upper shelf. Meanwhile
members hunting on lower levels and spoil heaps found good
numbers of pyritized Paraspirifer ("fat" brachs), Platyceras
snails, and horn corals. More nice trilobites were found by
Sharon McKanze (with two nice enrolled Phacops), Pat
Newhauser (2 big Phacops rollers), Shridhar
Rao (a nice prone bug), Paul Regel (a large roller), and Beth
Krumhansl (a little prone Phacops). Before leaving around
2 p.m., several members collected for a short while back at
the first spoil pile, where in the last two minutes Michel
nabbed two more Phacops, including a huge roller (he would
end the day with 9 or 10 good bugs).
All in all it was a wonderful trip, and everyone had a
great time. By the way, we are looking forward
to the Sylvania Fossil Festival in September, which will
celebrate the Grand Opening of a new fossil
park. We are planning to have a club table there, and
will have more information about this at future meetings.
Our April 2, 2001 meeting
at the Parma-Snow Branch of Cuyahoga Public Library was
attended by about 45 members and guests. Mike Nathal
gave an interesting program from the Midwest Federation's
slide show on Trilobites. Various types families, and classes of trilobites
will be identified and described. The slate of candidates for
the May 2001 elections was also presented. Thanks to the nominating committee
(Craig Tipton, George Reich, and Bob Kihm) for their work.
March 24 field Trip. Our first field trip of the season to
several road cuts in Northern Kentucky was a success. About
a dozen members attended and found a good variety of Ordovician fossils,
including at least one trilobite.
Our March 17, 2001 meeting at the Parma-Snow Branch of Cuyahoga
Public Library featured a wonderful talk by Dr. Mark Camp of
the University of Toledo, whose topic was "Mollusks to Mammoths: Ice
Age Extinctions." About 45 members and guests attended.
Our February 17, 2001 meeting at the Parma-Snow Branch of Cuyahoga
Public Library was attended by a good crowd of about 45 people. Our speaker
Dr. Mary C. Maas, of the Dept. of Anatomy at
North East Ohio Universities College of Medicine gave a fascinating
slide presentation on the Biogeography & Evolution of Mammals from the
Eocene of Turkey, and we outlined possible field trips for the coming
season.
Our January 20, 2001 Pot-Luck party and display contest at
the Rocky River Nature Center in the Metroparks was a
great success, attended by about 80 NCFC members and guests.
Even though Dan Vento did not show up to do his "Flight of
the Pterosaur" dance, we had lot of fun and delicious food, and
many beautiful fossil and art displays.
Party Raffle Grand Prize:
A beautiful Chinese trilobite
won by Marc Berhendt
Winners of the display contests were:
Best Collection, year 2000 trips: Tie by Mike Nathal and Glen Kuban
Best Fossil year 2000 trips: Pat Newhauser, for a Ceraurid trilobite
Best Theme COllection: Paul Regel for "Echinoderms"
Best Youth Display: Matt Nathal
We had several wonderful entries for the art contest as well. The
winners were:
Youth art contest: Matt Nathal for a colorful drawing/collage
Adult art contest: Madeline Jones, for a large painting of an
Egyptian ruler with ammonite headdress.
Matthew Nathal (winner of youth
display contest) at left and other
kiddos picking out their door prizes
Tony Verdi, Member of the Year
flanked by Georgette Hague (left)
and Mike Nathal (right)
Connie B, Tony, Paul, Brian,
and others looking over displays
For reports on NCFC events prior to Jan 2001, check out our
Archives.
will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, November 20,
at the Parma-Snow branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library, 2121 Snow Rd, between
State and Broadview Roads, across from McDonalds.
Our guest speaker will be Dr. Peg Yacobucci. Her topic will be, “Ammonoids and
Their Suture Patterns: New Computerized Approaches to Studying Fossil Forms”.
The next NCFC meeting will be the Annual Dinkar Chitaley Competition.
The next meeting of NCFC will begin at 10:00 a.m. sharp, on Saturday, December 18,
at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Dr., University Circle,
Cleveland, OH, 44106. Phone#216-231-4600. Parking is $5.00 per car.
Sign up at the front desk for free admission and head to the lower level classroom for the
meeting. Afterwards, every one is free to visit the museum.
Yangtze Remembered: The River Beneath the Lake will be on display through
January 2, 2005.
The main event of the meeting is to be the Dinkar Chitaley
competition. The 15-20 minute presentations on various paleobotanical topics
will be given. Members present will vote for the most interesting and educational
talk. The prize is a very nice piece of Lepidodendron. Members present will also
vote to elect the new officers for next year. All members are welcome to bring plant
specimens for display. *If some members could bring a baked good, it would really be
helpful. Thanks for your generosity! For questions, contact Tony Verdi, President
at 330-239-1245.
The next NCFC meeting is the Annual Awards Banquet, at 10:30 am, Saturday,
January 22, at Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted, #440-734-6660.
Display set up starts at 9:30am. Lunch is at 11:30am. All members are asked to contribute
a potluck main or side dish, and a dessert. Quantity should be sufficient to feed your
personal party, plus a little more. The club will provide beverages, cups, utensils, and plates.
Members are encouraged to donate fossil related items for door prizes, for which tickets
are distributed to all members. Everyone will vote on the displays and paleo-art entries.
See the newsletter for entry categories. Displays will be available to the public from
1:00-4:00pm. Help is appreciated, from anyone who can stay and assist. Be creative and
enter the pipe cleaner creation competition (Colored paper and adhesive is acceptable).
Raffle prizes include an articulated Bear paw, Bear jaw fragment with canine and molar teeth,
a fossil shrimp, and hammer with magnifying glass. For questions, contact Tony Verdi at
330-239-1245.
Directions from Hopkins Airport to the Rocky River Nature Center: Head West on 480,
Exit at Clague Road, Turn Left onto Clague and go under 480 bridge, past Brookpark Rd,
Turn right onto Mastick Road (stay on Mastick short distance), Turn left onto Shephard
Lane (first left), Turn Right on Valley Parkway. The Nature Center is only a short distance
down the road.
Wonderful Raffle Prizes!!!
Don't forget to bring some extra money for raffle tickets
December Meeting 2005
Date: December 17
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Parma-Snow branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library, 2121 Snow Rd, between State and Broadview Roads, across from McDonalds.
Business: Regular meeting
Dinkar Chitaley Competition
Members are encouraged to participate by giving a 15-minute paleobotanical talk. The prize for best talk is Brazilian petrified wood. There is still room for anyone wanting to compete. To do a talk contact Tony before the meeting.
New Officers
It is time again to vote in new officers for the upcoming year. All members have been encouraged to run for office. Elected officers are required to attend board meetings and club meetings once a month plus tend to the duties of their position. Anyone wanting to run for office should contact Mike Bernosky or Carl Fechko before the December meeting.
Note: Please remember to check your dues expiration date (on rosters and all mailing labels). Thanks for your help! For questions about the meeting contact Tony, President at 330-239-1245.
Recent Club Pictures
Hover over each picture for the description. Click on picture for a larger view.
Click the "Back" button to return.
Annual Competition: Fossils on Display 12:00 - 2:00 Potluck Luncheon 9:30 - 3:00 Door Prizes/Raffles!!!Annual Awards Banquet 2006
Date: January 21
Time: 10:00 AM
Location:Rocky River Nature
Center, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted,
#440-734-6660 Directions from Hopkins Airport: Head West on 480, Exit at Clague
Road, Turn Left onto Clague and go under 480 bridge, past Brookpark Rd, Turn right
onto Mastick Road (stay on Mastick short distance), Turn left onto Shephard Lane
(first left), Turn Right on Valley Parkway
Display contest: Entries must be in the classroom setting up by 9:30-10:30
AM. The classroom will be locked at 10:30 AM. Voting will be at 11:00 AM. Displays
will be open to the public 12:00-2:00 PM. All entries are required to stay until
2:00 PM, around the time the Banquet ends.
Pot-luck Lunch: After voting there will be a break for lunch. All members
are asked to contribute a main or side dish, and/or a dessert. Quantity should be
sufficient to feed your personal party, plus a little more. The club will provide
a ham, coffee, tea, cups, utensils, and plates.
Door prizes & Raffle: Members please donate fossil related items for door
prizes, tickets are distributed to all members. The raffle prizes include a very
large (both sides included) slab containing 3 large Paradoxides Trilobites, a
crinoid specimen(Macrocrinus mundulus), and hammer with belt loop and magnifying
glass.
Note: Anyone needing fossils prepped should bring them. Marc Behrendt
will be attending and is willing to take work orders. Marc’s work is highly
recommended. RR River Nature Center is asking for give away fossils. Any donations
will be appreciated. Thanks for your help. Questions, contact Dick Cole.
February Meeting 2006
Date: February 18
Time:10:00 AM
Location:
Parma-Snow branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library, 2121 Snow Rd, between State
and Broadview Roads, across from McDonalds.
Business:
Bring your voice. Our President wants to hear your ideas, opinions, etc. on
various club policies, club activities and doings. The goal is not to create
issues but to determine member’s interests and the future direction of NCFC.
Raffle:
Tony is having a raffle.
Field Trip Committee:
In order to continue to offer field trips and to find new sites a trip committee
is being established. To make this committee a success a few more volunteers
are needed. Computer access is helpful but everyone interested in helping and
learning are encouraged to join.
Members:
Please bring uncommon or unusual fossils for display, show and tell. Please don’t
forget to check your dues expiration date (on club roster and all mailing labels).
Thank you everyone for your help! Questions??? Contact Dick Cole, President at 440-838-5719.
Note:
Many thanks go to all the members who helped and contributed to make the January
Awards Banquet a fun day for all! The staff at Rocky River Nature Center gives
special thanks to all those who did displays and contributed give away fossils for
their visitors. They enjoy having our group and are especially appreciative of
the display of fossil collections to the public.
Program: Craig Tipton's "Fossil Plants in the Western USA" Show and Tell: Plants
Discuss your specimen. Not required, but a good learning/teaching opputunity
Location:Parma-Snow branch of Cuyahoga County Public
Library, 2121 Snow Rd,
between State and Broadview Roads, across from McDonalds
Business:Regular business meeting.
Speaker: Our own
Craig Tipton will be giving a talk entitled, "Fossil
Plants in the Western USA". Please
bring plant fossils for show and tell. Everyone loves to see your
fossils. Don't be bashful. Bring them on in!
Field trip: As you know by now, there is going to be a field
trip on May 6, 2006 to The PCS Mine in Aurora,
NC. We were allotted
15 slots to members 18 years of age and older. If you are interested
please contact Linda Supp or come to the meeting.
However, it is strongly recommended that you come to the
meeting. If more than 15 people sign up we will have a lottery for the
slots. After this meeting there will not be another lottery. If
slots are still available it will be "first come
first serve". Please do not sign up for the trip unless you are
committed to going. The PCS Mine staff will not take it kindly if we have
"no shows" or cancellations. Further, "no shows"
and cancellations will ruin our chances for getting the large number of
slots we got this year. So please don't ruin it for others.
Field Trip Committee:In order to continue to offer field trips
and to find new sites a trip committee has been established.To make this committee a success a few more
volunteers are needed.Computer access
is helpful but everyone interested in helping and learning are encouraged to join. If you would like to join contact Craig
Tipton or Jim supp.
Members:Please bring plant fossils for
display, show and tell. Please don’t forget to check your dues expiration
date (on club roster and all mailing labels).Thank you for your
help!Questions???Contact Dick Cole, President at 440-838-5719
or visit the web site atwww.ncfclub.org
Note: Many
thanks go to all the members who helped and contributed to make the January
Awards Banquet a fun day for all! The staff at Rocky RiverNatureCenter gives special
thanks to all those who did displays and contributed give away fossils for
their visitors. They enjoy having our group and are especially
appreciative for the display of fossil collections to the public.
July Meeting 2006
Date: July 15
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: North Point Shelter at Beartown Lakes Reservation, 18870 Quinn Rd,
Auburn & Bainbridge townships. Part of the Geauga Park District #440-286-9516 or
toll free 800-536-4006
Business: Annual Auction!!!
Direction:www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/parks
From I-422: Exit I-422 at Route 306. Travel south 1.2 miles on Route 306 to Taylor
May Road. Turn east on Taylor May Road and travel 2.7 miles to Quinn Road. Turn
south on Quinn Road and continue 1.2 miles until it ends in Beartown Lakes
Reservation.
From I-90: Exit I-90 at Route 44. Turn south on 44 toward Chardon. Continue through
Chardon Square, and southward toward Ravenna approximately 21 miles. Turn west
onto Washington St., traveling 3 miles toward Chagrin Falls. Turn south onto
Munn Road. Continue 1.8 miles and turn west onto Bartholomew Road. Travel 5.6
miles until Bartholomew ends at Quinn Road. Turn left onto Quinn Road and travel
.4 miles until it ends in Beartown Lakes Reservation.
For the picnic
Please contribute a potluck side dish and/or desert, plus your own beverage. The club will provide Brontoburgers, Bratosaurs on a bun, and hot dogs.
For the auction:
Please contribute a fossil-related item or two. This may be a specimen, tool,
cast, book, toy, clothing, service, etc. Gary Sladek will be the auctioneer this
year. One specialty item to be auctioned off is a Gastropod from India donated
by Hans Thewissen, Ph. D.
Field Trip:
Self guided to Penn Dixie Quarry, NY on July 22.
Members: Thank you for your help! Hope you can come to the picnic.
It is a fun time and a great way to meet other club members in an informal
setting. Also the auction is one of the two biggest fund raisers of the year.
It helps to keep NCFC alive and functioning. Questions??? Contact Dick Cole,
President.
Note: The Annual Auction and Picnic is in July. Preparations are being made and sign-up sheets will be out at the meeting. All members are encouraged to donate a fossil related item or two for the auction. Items such as a fossil specimen, tool, cast, book, poster, toy, clothing, or even a service would be great. Donations can be brought to the picnic. The picnic is a fun time and a good way to meet other members in an informal setting.
Please don’t forget to check your dues expiration date (on club roster and all mailing labels). Thank you everyone for your help!
Questions??? Contact Dick Cole, President
September Meeting 2006
Date: September 9
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Parma-Snow branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library, 2121 Snow
Rd, between State and Broadview Roads, across from McDonalds
Special Guests: Dr. Robert K. Carr, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Ohio
University, "A Tail of Two Histories: Devonian Fishes and Their Impact on the
History of Science in Ohio" Dr. Katherin Townsend, Dept. of Anatomy, Case
Western Reserve University, will give a short (15 min.) talk before Dr. Carr's talk.
Field Trip: Falls of the Ohio, Indiana on September 16. Trip leader is
Tony Verdi. Please attend the meeting to receive a trip planner. Out of town members who
want to go but can’t attend the meeting please contact Tony.
Members:
Please bring fossil Corals for display, show and tell. Please don’t forget
to check your dues expiration date (on club roster and all mailing labels).
Thank you everyone for your help! Questions ??? Contact Dick Cole, President.
Note:
Now is the time to think about entering the Dinkar Chitaley contest.
The prize this year is a very nice fossil leaf (macquinitea wyomtugensis),
purchased at MAPS. Prepare and give a talk on a Paliobotanical subject of your
choice. Tell Dick before you do your research to make sure the topic is not
already taken. Talks need only be about 15 minutes long and may be restricted
to that amount of time. Details will be posted at a later date. The members
vote for the best talk and the speaker with the most votes wins the fossil prize.
All members are encouraged to enter. This is an educational program and fun as
well.
January 2006 Annual Luncheon
Wonderful Raffle Prizes!!!
Don't forget to bring some extra money for raffle tickets
The following were the contest categories for 2006:
2006 Contest Winners
Category
Winner
Best Collection, 2005 Club trip
Mike Nathal
Best Fossil, 2005 Club trip
Jim Supp
Best Collection, Non club trip
Carl Fechko
Best Fossil, Non club trip
Mike Nathal
Best Grouping with a Common Theme
Craig Tipton
Best Paleo-Art, Adult
Pat Newhauser
Best Paleo-Art, Youth
Lauren
Best Decorated Hard Hat
Steven
Annual Banquet Pictures
Hover over each picture for the description. Click on picture for a larger view.
Click the "Back" button to return. (Special thanks to Craig Tipton for the photos)
Jan 06: Jim Supp win Best Fossil: Club trip
Jan 06: Jim's incredible Notorynchus sp. shark tooth
Jan 06: Linda Supp helping setup the displays
Jan 06: Paul Regel's fantastic Trimerus delphinocephalus
Jan 06: Pat Newhauser wins Best Adult Paleoart
Jan 06: Craig Tipton win Best Common Theme display
Jan 06: Mike Nathal wins Best Fossil: Non-club trip
Jan 06: Mike Nathal wins Best Collection: Club Trip
Jan 06: Carl Fechko wins Best Collection: Non-club trip
Jan 06: Lauren wins the Best Youth Paleoart Award for her ammonite sculpture
Jan 06: Steven wins the Decorated Hard Hat Award
Jan 06: Don wins the Grand Prize for the 2nd year in a row!
Jan 06: Susan Murray wins the 2nd prize for the 2nd year in a row!
Jan 06: Steve Meredyk selling some lucky raffle tickets
Jan 06: Steve Meredyk proudly accepts the 2005 Member of the Year Award
February Meeting Article
