This is Throwback Thursday #143. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected]. Thanks!
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Example Cyanotrichite from Grandview Mine, Horseshoe Mesa, Grandview Mining District, Coconino County, Arizona, USA
25 Years Ago - January 1998
- The General Meeting's topic was "Rivers, Rocks, and Ramblings: A Traveler's Guide to Illinois Geology". The presentation was given by Ray Wiggers, a Science Writer and Naturalist. Ray has been the speaker at a few ESCONI General Meetings over the years.
- The Paleontology Study Group was discussing the Permian Period.
- "Dino News" first showed up in the newsletter. It was later renamed to "Karen's Komments". It became a regular feature and ran until December 2017.
- The Field Museum set up a new prep lab just to prepare SUE's bones, which the museum purchased in October 1997.
- Surefire Sign You are a Rockhound... "You have more pieces of quartz than underware!"
50 Years Ago - January 1973
- Jay Wollin spoke at the General Meeting for January 1973. The topic of his presentation was "Strange Case of Frozen Mammoths". Jay described himself as a teacher, author, lecturer, and world traveler.
- The Mineralogy Study Group were showing off their iron specimens.
- There was a field trip to the Lizzadro Museum. It was a tour through their lapidary school.
- The topic of the Paleontology Study Group meeting was "Paleontology: What is it all about?" It was seen as a meeting to educate beginners.
- Bruce Lauer described one of hist favorite micromounts - Cyanotrichite. His specimen came from the Grandview Mine, Horseshoe Mesa, in Coconino County, Arizona. An example is shown above.
- ESCONI had 600 members!
70 Years Ago - January 1953
- The General Meeting's topic was "Man's Place in Nature". The talk was given by Dr. Frank L. Fleener.
- The juniors were discussing "Fool's Gold", with a presentation by ESCONI President Jay Farr.
- Starting in December 1952, each ESCONI meeting has a swap table, where members could trade fossils, minerals, etc. A microscope, hardness tester, and reference materials were present to help in an needed identification.
- A potential field trip to the Wisconsin Dells was being planned.
