E.S.C.O.N.I.

    MARCH 2004 ACTIVITIES

March 6-7, 2004  ESCONI GEM-MINERAl-FOSSIL SHOW  

         Bldg. K Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4

March 13, 2004    MINERALOGY/MICROMOUNT STUDY GROUP 

                                 College of DuPage  Bldg. K Room 161 7:30 P.M.

"Zinc"

Zinc (Sphalerite)  Properties, history, types and collecting locations will be discussed.   Members will bring specimens to display.

March 19, 2004    LAPIDARY STUDY GROUP

                              College of DuPage, Art Center, Rm 162 7:30 P.M.

"Enameling Techniques Fusing Glass on Metal Forms"

Apply techniques learned at the General Meeting on February 13, 2004.

 Contact Don Cronauer at 630-357-6570 for details.  

March 20, 2004    PALEONTOLOGY STUDY GROUP Meeting not held due to swap with Archaeology and MAPS 2004  

March 20, 2004  ARCHAEOLOGY STUDY GROUP  

College of DuPage, K Building, Rm 161 7:30 P.M.

Totem Poles Of The Northwest

John Good will be presenting a program on the totem poles of the Northwest

Totem Pole Links

March 20-21, 2004  FIELD TRIP

Field Trip #1,2 - March 20-21

Braceville, Illinois   9:00 A.M.  Mazon Creek Fossils. 

No Age Limit.  Helmets Not Required.  Please call John Good at 630-483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at jgood10481@aol.com.  

Meet at the BP Amoco gas station in Coal City.  Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City).  Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street).  Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City.  

We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from a old spoil pile.  Hard Hats are not required.  Boots are recommended.  An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool.  A small shovel is helpful.  Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus.  Bring a bucket for the fossils. 

March 26 - 28, 2004  MAPS - National Fossil Exposition XXV

This will be held at at the Western Hall Gymnasium on the campus of Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois.  The simplest way to the site is to turn off IL 67 west on University Drive, then go south to the Western Hall Gymnasium (Follow the sign).   

Hours are:

Friday 8:00a.m. -5:00 p.m.  

Sat. 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 

Sun. 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Lecture Friday Evening - Keynote speaker at 7:30 p.m.

Silent Auction Friday, Saturday - During afternoon EXPO hours

Live Auction Saturday night - Auction starts at 7:00 p.m.

Admission is free (Membership in MAPS not required).

For More Information on MAPS 2004.

March 28 Sunday: Alexandria,Missouri and  Hamilton, Illinois– Collecting Geodes

Field Trip #3       Sunday, March 28th - 8:00 am to Noon
 
        Meet at 8:00 AM at Sheffler's Rock Shop.  Hard hats not required.  Boots
and safety glasses recommended.  An Eastwing rock hammer is the best tool.  Chisels, pick and pry bar are good also.  Knee pads, backpacks, fanny>packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus.  $15 for 50 pounds of geodes.  $.75 each additional pound.

        Directions: From Western Illinois University
            Odometer Reading (approximate)
            0.0    Turn LEFT (South) onto (N) Ward St. for 0.4 miles
            0.4    Turn RIGHT (West) onto US-136 [W. Jackson St.] for 41.5 miles
            38.8    Entering Iowa
            41.9     Continue West on US-61 [US-136] for 9.2 miles
            42.5    Entering Missouri
            51.1    Arrive Sheffler's Rock Shop (about 100 ft. before the stop sign)

Field Trip #4 -     Geodes at Jacobs Geodes, Hamilton, Illinois.
        Sunday, March 28th - Noon to 4:00 pm

        Meet between Noon and 12:30 pm at 823 E. County Rd. 1220.  $15 for a full
5-gallon pail.

        Directions: From Sheffler's Rock Shop
            Odometer Reading (approximate)
            0.0    Depart Sheffler's Rock Shop on US-61 (North-East) for 9.2 miles
            8.6    Entering Iowa
            9.2    Continue (East) on US-136 [US-61 Business] for 4.2 miles
            12.3    Entering Illinois
            13.4    Bear RIGHT (South-East) onto Elm St. for 131 yards
            13.4    Turn Right (South) onto 2nd St. [S. 2nd St.] for 1.2 miles
            14.6    Arrive Jacobs Geodes - 823 E. County Road 1220

        Directions: From Western Illinois University
            Odometer Reading (approximate)
            0.0    Turn LEFT (South) onto (N) Ward St. for 0.4 miles
            0.4    Turn RIGHT (West) onto US-136 [W. Jackson St.] for 36.2 miles
            36.6    Turn LEFT (South) onto SR-96 [N. 14th St.] for 1.3 miles
            37.9    Bear RIGHT (West) onto 2nd St. [S. 2nd St.] for 0.1 miles
            38.0    Arrive Jacobs Geodes - 823 E. County Road 1220

 For more details, check the web site or contact John Good 630-483-2363 or e-mail Jgood10481@aol.com.

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 Last Updated 03/19/2004