This is Throwback Thursday #192. 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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In the 1950's, the newsletter had a regular feature called "Facets". The entries were small bits of generally self-reported news sent in by ESCONI members. The December 1953 newsletter had one that caught my eye while looking for "Looking Back at ESCONI" items. The weather in the Fall of 1953 was unusually warm. There were 6 days in the 70's, 9 days in the 80's, and 1 in the 90's (!) for October 1953. November was nearly as warm... with November 15th - 19th having highs in the 70's. December 1953 continued the warmth, with a bunch of days in the 50's.
You can imagine that ESCONI members took advantage of the warm weather and headed down to the Braidwood area to collect fossils. Two members - Hazel Bonow and Olive Knight went out one week day. At the time, both women held ESCONI board positions. Hazel was Circulation Manager and Olive was Art Director. While they were out, they didn't find much until they ran some special people in the history of Mazon Creek collecting.... John and Lucy McLuckie. The photo below comes from the 1958 Combined Club Field Trip to Braidwood. These field trips were sponsored by the McLuckies for many years.
Hazel Bonow at the 10th Anniversary Party in 1959.
Olive and Howard Knight are on the right. This photo is from the 1959 Combined Clubs trip to Braidwood. Notice the old cars in the background.
Here is the facet news item. Oh... what would you give to visit the McLuckie's favorite spot today?
Many rockhounds have been taking advantage of this beautiful weather. Among those who have been hunting fossils in the Braidwood area are Walter and Hazel Bonow, Howard and Olive Knight, and Harry Nelson. They report good fossils are scarcer and harder to find.
One Indian Summer week day when Hazel and Olive were hunting alone without much success, along came Mr. and Mrs. McLuckie and invited them to their favorite collecting area where they were able to fill their knapsacks.
