Curator's Corner   by Susan Celestian
Curator,  AZ Mining & Mineral Museum

     As it has been a while since I wrote about the goings-on at the Museum, let me catch everyone up. 
     In October, Friends of the Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum (FAMMM) and the Museum hosted a breakfast for the APS Hauling Group, as thanks for all their help.   This is an amazing group of people, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help the Museum with many hauling projects.  When we had to suddenly vacate the rock storage yard this past summer, they came to our rescue on very short notice!   We are deeply indebted to them.

     The Museum had two displays in the Arizona State Fair.  In addition, the Museum sponsors two awards in the Minerals, Fossils, and Jewelry section of the State Fair.  This year's awards went to:  Erica Richardson, for Outstanding Junior exhibit; and to Shirley Cote, for Outstanding Adult Education exhibit.  Shirley's exhibit on volcanoes and part of Erica's collection are currently on display at the Museum.  I hope that they both will be an inspiration to our visitors - especially to the children who love rocks.
     In December, I got to open up a very special package.  J. David and Stephanie S. Walker donated fourteen spectacular faceted stones - including some very unusual species:  kyanite, cerrusite, bi-colored topaz, apatite, and a big, raspberry-colored tourmaline!  They will soon be on display in the "New Acquisitions" case.  Our faceted gemstone collection has been greatly enhanced by their contributions the past three years.  I think we are going to have to build a special case to show them off!
     Liz Anderson, is booked solid for Outreach through May.  We are all very excited about that.  Liz does a great job and her program is popular, but often the nominal fee is prohibitive to small, rural schools.  We are thankful for the APS grant that supports the program, so that there is no cost to qualifying schools.
     The exhibit season was very busy - and we have had a national presence.  In October, we exhibited

at the Long Beach Show (California); in November we exhibited at the Carnegie Gem & Mineral Show (Pennsylvania) and Wickenburg Show; in January it was Rockfest in Phoenix; in February, the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show; and in March the Phoenix Gem & Mineral Show. 
     On Friday, April 21 we celebrated over 9876 hours of volunteer time in 2005!  There was a total of 130 volunteers this past year.   Twenty eight volunteers had 100 hours or more and of them 5 had over 500 hours.   About 60 wonderful, generous Superstars attended and enjoyed a great Mexican dinner and lots of camaraderie.  Everyone with 25 hours or more were awarded a hide-a-key rock, and in addition those with over 100 hours received a clock sporting a cape with a star.  It will be my pleasure to award a plaque to Kathy Connell (upon her return from Italy) for passing the 5000-hour mark.  She joins an elite group of 5 others. 
     No matter how many hours our volunteers have donated, one thing remains true - they are all Superstars and contribute significantly to the success of our programs.  Thank you everyone!

Erica Richardson's AZ State Fair award winning thumbnail mineral collection, with several self-collected specimens, exhibited here at the Flagg show. It  is currently on display at the Museum to encourage other children to participate in the earth sciences. Erica's specimens were acquired at the Flagg show or Family Day with her own money.

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