HUDSON VALLEY EXPLORER
SPRING 2014
The Hudson Valley Explorer is the Newsletter of the Putnam/Westchester Metal Detectorists
and Archeological Club Inc.
P/WMD&AS
Inc. It is based in Brewster, NY and Meets at the Brewster Baptist Church
The Newsletter is available by mail or may be read on the club’s web site www.greattreasure.com
Items of interest may be sent to Editor Carol Mayers
at carolmayers@sbcglobal.net
CLUB
OFFICERS
President—Don Mituzas
Vice President—Richard Markert
Secretary—Don Mayers
Treasurer—Larry
Cohen
Webmaster—Don Mituzas
Newsletter Editor—Carol Mayers
In This Issue:
Tentative Schedule of Events
Public Lands for the People
Selling Gold Scrap
Third Time the Charm
United We Stand
Buddies Program
Finds of the Month
Patches and Shirts
In Memory
Help Those Who Help Us
Tentative Schedule of Events for 2014
*contingent on finalization of search agreement
Wednesday,
April 23 BONE
Thursday, May 1, 7:00 p.m.
Membership Meeting, Brewster, NY
Saturday, May 10, 9:00
a.m.
Search Outing TBD
Thursday, June 5, 7:00 p.m.
Membership Meeting, Brewster, NY
Saturday, June TBD,
9:00 a.m.
Search Outing TBD
Thursday, September 4, 7:00 p.m.
Membership Meeting, Brewster, NY
Saturday,
Sunday September 20, 21, 9:00 a.m. *
Search Outing Brant Lake
Thursday, October 2, 7:00 p.m.
Membership Meeting, Brewster, NY
Saturday, October 18
Rain
Date October 19
Search Outing Southeast, NY
Thursday,
November 6, 7:00 p.m.
Membership Meeting,
Brewster, NY
Saturday, November 8, 10:00 a.m.
Rain Date Sunday November
9
Fall Classic Seeded Hunt, Fairfield,
CT
Saturday December 6, 7:00pm
Christmas Party Route 6 Tap House
Mahopac, NY
Events
Calendar a Work in Progress
The
calendar of events continues to evolve as the Board of Directors extends its efforts to acquire new and productive sites for
search outings. In order to stay current with Club activities members are reminded to periodically check our web site at (www.greattreasure.com).
Public Lands for the People
If you need to contact the PLP they have a toll free number 855-757-5263
PLP web site is www.publiclandsforthepeople.org. This will provide up to date info on impending negative legislation.
If you have not received your PLP info card they will be available at the front desk during the next meeting.
Anyone interested in joining PLP as an individual call Paul Coambs @ 805-443-7868.
Land grabs and road closings continue at an alarming rate
throughout the country. While areas west of the Mississippi river have so far borne the brunt of these attacks by the US Fish
and
Wild Life Service and other government agencies the east is sadly not immune
to such activities. Recently as reported in the Pick and Shovel Gazette Maine along with Tennessee are beginning to experience
the pain of such activities. Punitive efforts in Maine are directed at shutting down small scale suction gold dredging in
many Maine streams and rivers. This is but another example of the government usurping the rights and freedom of American outdoorsmen.
With small scale miners in the cross hairs detectorists are sure to fall into the collateral damage category! Members are
encouraged to become familiar with the WMA (Western Mining Alliance) and the DRA (Defenders of Rural America). These folks,
along with the GPAA (Gold Prospectors of America) and PLP and FMDAC are on the front line fighting for our hobby and freedom.
Selling Gold Filled Scrap
Few moments
in the detecting hobby can compare to that first glint of gold in the scoop. Sadly too often defeat is snatched from the jaws
of victory when that “glint” turns out to be followed by those dreaded words 14K Gold Filled. With the current
high price for gold it is now possible to salvage something from the disappointment of finding gold filled rather that full
karat gold. Gold filled pieces will be marked: 1/20 14K or 14KGF. “GF” as a mark does not require weight to be
noted. Gold-filled indicates the item is overlaid of 10K gold or better. The weight of gold can be no less that 1/20th the total weight of the metal. This formula can be used to calculate the minimum amount
of actual gold in your found item. Armed with this information you can calculate an acceptable value
for the sale of the find. Locating buyers for gold filled jewelry is not always easy. Check the internet. One firm which is
active on line is Express Gold Cash; they may be reached at 877-465-3165.
Third
Time the Charm
With the Patterson and Groton hunts in
the books the 2014 search season seemed off to a painfully slow start. Fortunately the third hunt of the spring at High Falls,
NY proved to be a success. Sadly only 14 members chose to attend this event in spite of a spectacular (and badly needed) warm,
sunny day. While the area in question had been hunted before there were still many good targets to be recovered. As usual
clads were ever present with approximately $30.00 in pocket change recovered. Pesky zinc pennies were dug in fear that the
signal might just be high enough to be a disoriented silver dime. Seven silver coins were recovered along with two pieces
of silver jewelry and two fine coppers. Relics were among the missing and very few wheat pennies were reported. Hopefully
the next hunt will draw a larger crowd. While a small attendance is great for those digging, it has a negative effect on the
Club’s treasury. Nineteen members showed up at Patterson and far fewer drove the long distance to Groton. Since the
fees charged to members were insufficient to cover the landowner’s guaranteed minimum the balance ($70.00) had to be
withdrawn from the treasury. Members are encouraged to make suggestions which might improve interest in upcoming events
United We Stand
As the 2014 detecting season evolves many P/WMD&AS members have joined hands with our brothers in
Stamford, CT and have become dual members of both the Nor’Easters and P/WMD&AS. Many Nor’Easters have done
the same. This union serves both groups and serves the hobby in general. We now have a larger treasury, more access to hunt
sites and the reestablishment of old friendships. P/WMD&AS members who have not purchased a Nor’Easters card are
encouraged to do so. The cost is minimal and the rewards are well worth the cost.
Buddies
Program
At the suggestion of incoming president
Don Mituzas we have established a “Buddies Program” designed to team up newcomers to the hobby with members who
perhaps have more experience and polished skills. The goal is to attract new members, to teach folks basic technique and to
prevent neophytes from becoming discouraged and leaving the hobby out of boredom or frustration. While this concept is still
in its infancy it will be discussed and expanded at future meeting so that a more formalized program can be made part of the
Club’s basic structure.
Finds of the Month
February:
1901
O Barber Quarter Don Mayers----1802 Large Cent Don Mituzas----1942 Ciri Roy Roos
10K
Class Ring Don Mituzas--Silver Bracelet Don Mayers—1800’s Coat Button Carol Mayers
March:
1943 Washington Quarter Don Mituzas—Kyanite & Silver Pendant Ben Carter
Sterling Silver Spoon Ken Sterling
April:
1909 D Barber Quarter Carol Mayers----1865 Indian Cent Conrad Rasinski----1891 Canadian Dime Don Mituzas----Sterling
Star Pendant Larry Cohen----Gaming Piece from Musket Ball Carol Mayers----Religious Medal Chris Waugh----Brass Buckle Don
Mituzas----1847 Wadhams & Co Sporting Button Don Mayers
Patches and Shirts Now on Sale
Shirts and patches will be available for purchase at the
May meeting. We have sold out of xxl shirts but they may be ordered at $23.00 each. Small and medium are also not available
but may be ordered for $20.00 each. The price of each shirt includes a free raffle ticket (general or coin) at the next meeting.
We still have a modest number of club patches which will also be available in Brewster during the May meeting. Price on patches
is one for $5.00 two for $7.00; sorry no free tickets with purchase of patches.
In Memory
It is with great sadness that we report the passing in February, 2014 of long time member and friend Jimmy
See. Jimmy was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman. His love of history and sense of civic pride and duty made him a
valuable asset to our club and our community. His assistance in acquiring quality hunt sites will be sorely missed. Our collective
condolences are extended to his friends and family.
Help Those
Who Help US
The following sponsors have been very generous
in support of P/WMD&AS Inc. Members are urged to patronize them with your support.
AMERICAN DIGGER
LOST TREASURE
www.americandigger.com
Lee
Harris Publisher
PO Box 126, Acworth, GA 30101
publisher@losttreasure.com
Phone orders:
(770)-362-8671
Subscription:
1-866-469-6224
LOST TREASURE ON LINE
TOM TOMS BAGEL CAFÉ
http://www.losttreasure.com
1515 Route 22 Ste. D2
Brewster, NY 10509
WHITES OF LONG ISLAND
J-TECH IND.
240
Route 112
Custom Welding & Fabricating
Patchogue,
NY 11772
Steel-Aluminum-Stainless Steel
Ph/Fax
1-631-447-7196
130 Silvermine Rd.
Seymour, CT 06483
Jason
Lubinski (203) 545-9828
HUDSON RIVER METAL DETECTORS
1447
Route 44
SNOWS METAL DETECTORS Pleasant
Valley, NY 12569
Authorized Tesoro Dealer
(845)
635-3488
E-Mail: Joe Snow
gary@detectorpro.co
Snows-metal-detectors@earthlink.net
Phone- (800) 488-5694
ROUTE 6 TAP HOUSE
KELLYCO
Route 6 Mahopac, NY
Metal Detectors Super
Store
Toll free1-888-KELLYCO
VALLEY COINS 203 888-3001
