National Limestone Quarry Trip and Van Fleet BBQ

Date: 10/14/2017 12:00 AM

Location: National Limestone Quarries, Middleburg and Mt. Pleasant Mills Quarries, ,

After-event : BBQ and garage collecting at Jim and Lindy Van Fleet’s in Mifflinburg Clubs represented: North Jersey Mineralogical Society, Friends of Mineralogy – New Jersey Chapter, Delaware Mineral Society (DMS), Pennsylvania. Earth Science Association (PESA) and the Gem, Lapidary and Mineral Society of Montgomery County (MD) (GLMSMC). Attendees: Attendee List: “Groundhog” Dave Shapiro, Jeff Wilson, Jess Jacobson, Dave “Dude” Miller, Paul “Mr Reveille” Radziewicz, Mike “the Pie Man” Dunton, Steve “Troublemaker” Dougherty, David Scott, Tim “Hitchhiker” Hollister w son Mark, Linda Lovstad, Gary Quam, Jeff Osowski, Lisa Brown & Brian Yoorman, Mark “Mr 2am” Williams, Laura “Schmeltz” Schmeltz, Nicole Rios, Frank Stanski, Nick Carradona w son and dog Max, Peter Vereb & Irene Potter, Charles Miller, Lisa Genovese, Stephanie Koles, Lou Germiller, and from Friends NJ: Alaine “Lainie” Mack, George “Georgie Porgy” Mack and Rainier the pup, Mike “Webmaster Mikey” Wright & Lynn Sian, and from the PESA / DMS / GLMSMC: “Mr Calcite” Johan Maertens, Christina Verdi, Kevin May, Dane Transue, Elise Juers, Steve Parker & wife, Amber and Tom and 1 or 2 others. We had another outstanding outing to National Limestone Quarries’ Middleburg and Mt Pleasant Mills Quarries. Several really nice calcites of varying colors and sizes were found at Middleburg, most notably a 2? or so golden cube of calcite found by Mike “the Pie Man” Dunton. Jess Jacobson found and dislodged some terrific cave travertine and flowstone specimens near the travertine boulders. Over at Mt Pleasant Mills, a new area at the bottom back of the quarry was scoured by Johan Maertens and a small group of members. Johan found some nice pinkish calcite and a hexagonal-shaped crystal that was thought to possibly be barite, but could also be calcite. Up at the wavellite spot, members dug primarily at the 1st reachable pit and found various brachiopod fossils and some coatings and small blebs of wavellite. Not as productive as the pit further up the road, but material had been dumped atop that area so was inaccessible for the most part. A goat was discovered at the top of that road and made for amusing commentary. A special “Thank you” to Jim and Lindy Van Fleet for their hospitality and generosity. Jim and Lindy’s BBQ was a grand slam. Burgers, dogs, pulled pork, deviled eggs, beans and other items made up the menu for the day. Many Ard’s pies were on hand too.