CENTRAL VIRGINIA GOLD PROSPECTORS March 2005 thru October 2005 SEASON IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ ITEM NO. 2 ABOUT MEMBERS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO USE THE LEASED PROPERY !! Winter has seemed to go on forever, although there hasn't been any really bad weather (at least in our neck of the woods). We have been noticing spring flowers breaking out of the ground and Robins in the yard—SPRING MUST BE ON THE WAY !! This means that our thoughts begin to think about going prospecting again. Of course, some of you are also members of the Polar Bear Club and have been going out all winter. You will find the meeting schedule attached. Two of the meetings have been scheduled to take place at the leased property in Buckingham—all other meetings will be at the Small Country Campground in Louisa. Now to the specifics of membership and who is elegible to use the Buckingham property. 1) We will still be doing the optional $10 membership contribution. This money goes towards Club events, supplies, equipment and special events. Any member paying the $10 will receive a member card. Please note, you can be a member without paying the $10, but you will not receive a card and you cannot use the leased property (unless we have an open-to-all event). 2) REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO WHO CAN USE THE LEASED PROPERTY: The fee for using the Buckingham property is $15.00 plus you must be a $10 contribution member. In other words, it costs $25.00 to have unlimited use of the property for the season. The $15.00 fee MUST BE PAID IN PERSON AT A MEETING. At that time, you will be issued a card and holder to wear when you are at the property. This card will be a different color than the $10 contribution card. IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS CAN ACCOMPANY YOU, for example, wife, husband, children. You may being a guest. The fee for a guest is $10 per visit whether the visit is for an afternoon or an overnight stay. This procedure will be on the HONOR system. There are other rules which we must also abide by—NO OPEN FIRES, no dredging, no littering, if you dig a hole fill it back, if the roads are muddy do not dig ruts in them with your vehicle. It has been requested that at this time we NOT take dredges/high bankers onto the property. Remember, we are still on trial as to how we honor our lease agreement and we are probably going to want to renew for another year. The renewal will depend on their assessment of how we treat the property. There will also be work days scheduled and you will be advised further about these. It is expected that anyone using the property will help keep it litter-free and maintained. We would like to thank Rich and Cheryl Spurr for being such great members. You will recall that they donated a nice Canadian nugget for our raffle. Recently a request was received from a coin and relic club in Roanoke, VA wanting to know if our club had someone who could come to one of their meetings and give a talk about gold prospecting. Since we knew the Spurrs lived in the area, we contacted them and they indicated they would be willing to consider doing a presentation. Well, recently an email was received from the Roanoke group thanking us and saying what a great job the Spurrs did presenting a program about gold prospecting. Our thanks certainly go out to them—it is things like this that help get the favorable word out about gold prospecting as a hobby. Also recently we were advised that there is legislation pending before our state government regarding metal detecting and restrictions that are under consideration. This and the restrictions being considered about dredging are exactly the reason we need to be an active club, whose members are aware of what is happening regarding our rights. The more informed we are the stronger we will be and the more knowledgeable we are about events in Richmond, the more able we will be to oppose them. It is up to us to be informed !! The newly-elected officers will be getting together soon to plan the agenda and objectives for this upcoming season. Work on finding another piece of property where we can go prospecting is ongoing as is the effort to try and resolve the dredging issue. In the meantime, everyone seems to be very pleased with the Buckingham property and what they are finding there. If anyone has any suggestions of things we might want to consider for the upcoming season, let one of us know. President: Ben Vaughan Telephone - (804) 693-9843 Email - BEVS23061@yahoo.com Vice President: John Schlabach Telephone – (540) 949-4741 Email – WEAS1000@aol.com Secretary: Bob Stowe Telephone - (540) 948-6689 Email - bob&sandy@crosslink Treasurer: Sandy Stowe Telephone - (540) 948-6689 Email - bob&sandy@crosslink.net We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the first meeting. WE PREDICT IT IS GOING TO BE CVGP'S BEST SEASON YET !! Bob and Sandy Stowe, Secretary and Treasurer CENTRAL VIRGINIA GOLD PROSPECTORS 2005 MEETING SCHEDULE March 19 April 16 May 21 June 18 (Buckingham property) July 16 August 20 (Buckingham property) September 17 October 15 Meetings will be held on the above dates at 10:00 AM, Small Country Campground, Louisa, Virginia, except for the two noted that will be at the property in Buckingham. At the March meeting a schedule will be set for workdays at the leased property. DIRECTIONS: From Richmond Area: Interstate 64 to exit 143 (Rt.208-North)...go 2.5 miles and turn LEFT at small sign onto 640 and go 150 yards and turn RIGHT at small sign on 649. Go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. Campground entrance will be on the right. As you drive up the dirt road, pavillion is on right. From Harrisonburg Area: Route 33 East- go through Ruckersville, Barboursville and Gordonsville to Trevillians-at intersection of Routes 33 and 22 turn left onto Route 22 then take immediate RIGHT onto Rote 613 - go to Route 649 and turn LEFT - go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. From Manassas Area: South on Route 29 to Route 15 South. Take 15 South through Orange to Gordonsville - turn LEFT onto Route 33 - take 33 to Trevillians - turn LEFT onto Route 22 and immediately turn RIGHT onto Route 613 - go to Route 649 and turn LEFT. Go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground.